| TOP 10 BUSTS

November 29, 2017December 23, 2017

Top 10 Busted: Jackie Robinson West

Many of us were inspired by the success of Chicago's Jackie Robinson West at the 2014 Little League World Series. Unfortunately, our inspiration turned to disappointment upon hearing that the team cheated. I had originally written and posted this article back in 2015, but pulled it down upon hearing that Stephen A. Smith had been sued for speaking on the topic. Now that ESPN's most loquacious blowhard has been dropped from the case, I'll take advantage of the same Constitutional protection to free speech. America, what a country!

November 25, 2017January 21, 2018

Top 10 Busted: Harvey Weinstein

Assuming all of the allegations against him are true, Harvey Weinstein may be one of the worst sexual predators in the history of Tinseltown. Well, he's certainly the worst to be exposed since Bill Cosby went from being a lovable sitcom dad to a scary real-life rapist. Hopefully, there'll be an end to such despicable actions by men in power now that more women seem willing to come forward. At the same time, I can't help but marvel at the hypocrisy of the Hollywood elite which protected these criminals for far too long.

September 10, 2017September 10, 2017

2017 Potential Bust: Mitch Trubisky

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2017 NFL Draft, I offered my initial impressions of the first 10 overall picks. At that time, I commented that seven of those players raised red flags as potential underperformers. Out of those seven, I identified three as the most likely busts. Out of those three, I identified one as the most likely Top 10 Bust. Without further ado, I offer you Mitch "My Mom calls me Mitchell" Trubisky.

August 22, 2017February 10, 2018

KYRIE IRVING: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

With only two months to go before the start of the 2017-18 NBA season, the biggest off-season story still involves Kyrie Irving (aka The Decision, Part II). Despite three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and one title with the Cavs, Irving presumably wants to escape the long shadow cast by teammate LeBron James. Assuming they can no longer coexist, who would you take? The answer may not be as easy as it seems.

June 22, 2017November 26, 2017

2017 NBA Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks

On the cusp of the 2017 NBA Draft, I'm running out of time to predict the Top 10 overall picks. Earlier this week, the 76ers traded their #3 pick (along with a future 1st rounder) to secure the Celtics' #1 spot. According to most NBA insiders, Philly will take Washington PG Markelle Fultz. With the 2nd overall pick, the Lakers presumably will select Lonzo Ball. After that, it's anyone's guess. As usual, I'll provide my assessment of potential Top 10 Busts from this draft prior to the start of the upcoming season. For now, here's my 2017 NBA Mock Draft.

May 20, 2017December 1, 2017

2017 NBA MVP RACE

Perhaps more than any other year in recent NBA history, the 2016-17 MVP Award justifiably could go to one of five different candidates. Depending on how you define MVP, you might vote for the following players. - Best player on the best team (the most popular definition): Kevin Durant. - Best player on any team (a.k.a. "The Best Player on the Planet"): LeBron James. - Best two-way player on a Top 3 Team: Kawhi Leonard. - Best statistical season for a player on a Top 3 Team: James Harden. - Best statistical season for a player on any team: Russell Westbrook. When you combine one of these definitions with a season that hasn't happened for over 50 years, the winner becomes more clear cut. Well, at least my son thinks so.

April 30, 2017September 4, 2017

2017 NFL Draft: First Impressions

As a follow-up to the first ever T10B Mock Draft, I offer my initial assessment of the top 10 overall picks from the 2017 NFL Draft. After all, these players are the only ones drafted high enough to become Top 10 Busts. As of now, I predict that the top of this draft has the potential to be one of the worst ever. At the same time, this might be one of the deepest drafts ever. Don't be surprised if many later-round picks surpass the careers of the players highlighted in this post.

April 23, 2017November 26, 2017

2017 Mock NFL Draft: Top 10 Picks

For the first time, I'll use my analytical skills to predict the first 10 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Now, others can judge me just like I've judged them. Will I be right? Of course not. However, I fully appreciate that there's more value in the prediction than in the evaluation. In that regard, I'll offer my version of a 2017 Mock NFL Draft.

March 18, 2017July 7, 2024

#2 Box Office Bust: The Adventures of Pluto Nash

On a percentage basis, The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) ranks as Hollywood's all-time biggest flop. Specifically, the movie lost 96% of its production budget based on a measly $7 million in ticket sales. Its inflation-adjusted loss of $143 million only trails the $184 million loss realized by #3 Bust: Cutthroat Island. Despite having a smaller financial loss on an absolute basis, Pluto Nash ranks as a higher bust in my countdown. First, it had the potential draw of one-time superstar Eddie Murphy. Second, critics absolutely hated it. With a Metacritic score of 12 and Rotten Tomatoes score of 5%, the former SNL star's movie had the worst critical reviews of any Top 10 Bust.

January 29, 2017February 11, 2018

Top10Busts Football Index: TFI

Given their propensity to trade future draft picks in the early 1990s, the Dallas Cowboys developed a quantitative tool to help them make better decisions. Commonly referred to as Jimmy Johnson's Trade Value Chart, the methodology actually came into existence because of team executive Mike McCoy. Specifically, McCoy developed a numerical value for each draft position such that proposed trades could be evaluated quickly and objectively. Still in use today, that chart reflects how teams seemingly value future draft picks. Similarly, I created the T10B Football Index (TFI) as a mechanism to value future picks based on expected production. McCoy showed what teams are willing to do. In comparison, I'm trying to show what teams should do.