tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36477393776029061622024-03-05T02:52:57.640-08:00View from the Upper DeckCommentary on the New York sports scene from a lifelong fan's perspective. Follow me on Twitter - @allevy18Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-90162716671975483962015-07-06T12:35:00.000-07:002015-07-06T12:35:49.798-07:00JPP Blows It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdASBedGhMcVWqK9iFA4N0dJ9fR9CqTeEXe4_8VeazwIoDTAfJjRGAm6D8NsYxJ9cBu5eOXfQ33teyvwzA8WUjR97P5PpUo9pz_k9h8NTKjzyvILf8HYgLOkBYdXqdwpu3HV-8iLdNe0Y/s1600/jpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdASBedGhMcVWqK9iFA4N0dJ9fR9CqTeEXe4_8VeazwIoDTAfJjRGAm6D8NsYxJ9cBu5eOXfQ33teyvwzA8WUjR97P5PpUo9pz_k9h8NTKjzyvILf8HYgLOkBYdXqdwpu3HV-8iLdNe0Y/s200/jpp.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of all the things that went “boom!” on the night of July 4<sup>th</sup>,
the last thing any Giant fan expected was the career of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Jason
Pierre-Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> </span>JPP, the all-pro defensive end and
potential cornerstone of the Giants defense, was sitting on a $14.8 million
franchise-tag tender and a $60 million long-term deal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>offer when he decided that now would be as good
a time as any to lose his first Roman Candle fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe he should have made it to OTAs where Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s
last bit of advice was no to do anything stupid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was not an accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
was a 26 year-old man with a few million in the bank and tens of millions
waiting for him deciding that throwing a firecracker would be as much fun as
just watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, I’m
praying that alcohol was involved – I’d hate to think that someone did this in
their right mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbH-oNrfQ6kd_TXxJo7GH9KWLLyheHdQjbNSqoX9ve1JJyd-gX9cB4TpE5-54J284zrYXJ9G4V9ti9v_XM_jHaT45wgTX-gadgfhn23HSLaHS4cfNKeamAVnS4ihzsGeYwHHYIRwih84/s1600/rory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbH-oNrfQ6kd_TXxJo7GH9KWLLyheHdQjbNSqoX9ve1JJyd-gX9cB4TpE5-54J284zrYXJ9G4V9ti9v_XM_jHaT45wgTX-gadgfhn23HSLaHS4cfNKeamAVnS4ihzsGeYwHHYIRwih84/s200/rory.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now JPP was not the only dumb athlete injury of the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Number one ranked golfer Rory McIlroy
decided to do his best David Beckham impression during a week off and wrecked
his ankle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This comes 10 days before the
British Open, where that same McIlroy is defending champion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you’re saying that Rory is young and
hanging out with his friends for a bit of “footy” is a normal course of
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, like JPP, when you’re
sitting on tens of millions with a limited widow to cash in, you can afford to
sit back and have a cold one (or for McIlroy a lukewarm one) and watch other
people risk their necks (or hands and ankles) for your entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course, when you hear these dumb things, you can’t help but wonder
at hockey players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my Rangers had
their wonderful season cut short by the Tampa Bay Lightning, you hear about all
the injuries that were referred to as “upper body”, “lower body” or something
simple, like “rest”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s after the
playoffs end that you find out who has a broken wrist (kind of important for
hockey players), broken ankles, or fractured feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wonder how these guys make it out of the
building at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe they would be safer playing with fireworks?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is nothing better than watching a hockey and listening to Doc Emrick,
Ed Olczyk and Pierre McGuire.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUep6i5SLkxVPV9G5s40LwsPpVJAgc5jqTzXgYY1VNhgB5jpM3Rcm6btc2_DYCBQH9snAWPinou2dfxL73C-bRh_ox5DZNQ-_lj2tiu0UDsuPe8qg9p54HzdMaFGF25fNw7EVno-uiUeI/s1600/kerr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUep6i5SLkxVPV9G5s40LwsPpVJAgc5jqTzXgYY1VNhgB5jpM3Rcm6btc2_DYCBQH9snAWPinou2dfxL73C-bRh_ox5DZNQ-_lj2tiu0UDsuPe8qg9p54HzdMaFGF25fNw7EVno-uiUeI/s200/kerr.jpg" width="200" /></a>I would say that Steve Kerr made the right pick between the Warriors and
the Knicks . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While the Yankees sit one game up and outperforming their roster, I
still think that kids can help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
no way that Aaron Judge in right field for Carlos Beltran and Rob Refsnyder at
second base for Stephen Drew (or Jose Pirela) wouldn’t be an improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That might go for Adam Warren for CC as well
. . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The quality of play, depth, and coaching separated the US Women’s
National Team from all their rivals in Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brilliant job ladies!</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-2022121641229722562015-04-03T09:09:00.000-07:002015-04-03T09:09:35.525-07:00I Can’t Wait for Opening Day – of the NHL Playoffs!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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After waking from hibernation to find flowers popping up,
temperatures blissfully warming, and birds singing in the morning, I know we’re
not far from that rejuvenating feeling of anticipation, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>waiting for opening day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- - of the NHL playoffs!</div>
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<br /></div>
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At a time when most of my favorite teams are either trying
to find their way (Giants), or trying to hold on to past success (Yankees) or
struggling underachievers (Knicks), I celebrate the defending Eastern
Conference Champion New York Rangers – newly crowned winners of the
Metropolitan Division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEy9x5NM26vdEr3q2cRptJ0GUSYz7XLJEH8NAQIqSbEg5lPOtgbfJ-pjku9cw_0A1_jb6uxhUv-Y3gxEXceF5DIEqya15oJs50DZ9d6JEWNHRdv32zBpLIPmadYIhDxrC_fFH4PolJa4/s1600/ck+n+nash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEy9x5NM26vdEr3q2cRptJ0GUSYz7XLJEH8NAQIqSbEg5lPOtgbfJ-pjku9cw_0A1_jb6uxhUv-Y3gxEXceF5DIEqya15oJs50DZ9d6JEWNHRdv32zBpLIPmadYIhDxrC_fFH4PolJa4/s1600/ck+n+nash.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
With a team featuring balanced scoring among the top three
lines, led by Olympic gold medalist Rick Nash (a career high 41 goals), the
Rangers are third in the league with 2.99 goals per game while giving up only
2.29 (again third in the league).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve allowed their young players to see
more consistent ice time this year, stopping the “yo-yo” effect of sending
players down to “work on things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LW
Chris Kreider, RW-LW Kevin Hayes and C J.T. Miller have paid off the return of
faith by netting 21, 15 and 10 goals respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Of course the youth is offset by aging veterans 39 year-old RW
Martin St. Louis and 38 year-old D Dan Boyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boyle started the season on the injury list and has not paid off as the
Rangers had hoped after picking him up in the off season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Louis has been everything they’ve hoped
for, leading the way in last year’s march to the Cup finals and providing 20
goals this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDinydabokBzQ3157Sns6vsjgw8LjYRC1Uppw0YsFbEvmpeCkijXA3w_BkCmCWfv6bfnkyDUTJggXuIJkhEcU_MdvIiXtl4pkOFFVyK6dWyhu12WrcVLsVzU1IqftMSsLu7N6AArv_qY/s1600/the+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDinydabokBzQ3157Sns6vsjgw8LjYRC1Uppw0YsFbEvmpeCkijXA3w_BkCmCWfv6bfnkyDUTJggXuIJkhEcU_MdvIiXtl4pkOFFVyK6dWyhu12WrcVLsVzU1IqftMSsLu7N6AArv_qY/s1600/the+cup.jpg" height="200" width="95" /></a>The revelation and season savior has been G Cam Talbot who
picked up for the injured King Henrik Lundqvist in January and backstopped the
Rangers vault up the standings, winning 17 out of 21 games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As the disappointment of last year’s Finals loss has ebbed
(losing three OT games to an excellent team is no shame), the achievement left
one question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was it a fluke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer seems to be a resounding “no”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s work to be done in the last four
games, home ice throughout the playoffs is there for the taking, Boston or
Pittsburgh looms as a first round test, and the range of points between the top
16 teams is only 17 points, meaning that parity has arrived and the Cup is
there for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Which leads back to the exciting spring that awaits – and
lots of late nights.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LH2G7ALAD1vkuyoveExLQ8AJteO9prKAgF9Ba46EmjMR-3-KcQjbXL7NPwgGWK7aLGAOg6s6BMoXa5Wv05hD5kne_K6xKwrnKtitqFrftOvUXcYmdQoDilAywkFt5KTqMnKqv8v93t0/s1600/yank+injury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LH2G7ALAD1vkuyoveExLQ8AJteO9prKAgF9Ba46EmjMR-3-KcQjbXL7NPwgGWK7aLGAOg6s6BMoXa5Wv05hD5kne_K6xKwrnKtitqFrftOvUXcYmdQoDilAywkFt5KTqMnKqv8v93t0/s1600/yank+injury.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
The over/under for the Yankees season wins total is 85 – there’s
too much that will have to go right for the Yanks to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think there’s a better chance that they
beat the number for “players used” which is set at 54.5.</div>
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Eli Manning is talking more this off season than ever
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much is confidence in the offense
and how much is posturing for a new contract?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS6j6TBjoGcYtPNTKUI6pnDarkzZEX9xaXk_whErr_pDv6yxCoA2Ht2Aisw4yMfstFsFtkoI3VVrlfmGBgC3BXrBR0bZAx-Yb7fluwIhxbMfFp8-rSAXEZxjq9dnAt6-4-lk21HTnScM/s1600/kat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS6j6TBjoGcYtPNTKUI6pnDarkzZEX9xaXk_whErr_pDv6yxCoA2Ht2Aisw4yMfstFsFtkoI3VVrlfmGBgC3BXrBR0bZAx-Yb7fluwIhxbMfFp8-rSAXEZxjq9dnAt6-4-lk21HTnScM/s1600/kat.jpg" height="200" width="139" /></a>OK Knicks fans, who do you want? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karl-Anthony Towns?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jahlil Okafor? D’Angelo Russell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure who will make a difference. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But I do know that the recent Calipari-led Kentucky
kids have mostly panned out in the NBA (John Wall, Anthony Davis, Michael
Kidd-Gilchrist, DeMarcus Cousins), while you have a harder time finding Dukies
who succeed. </div>
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If Wisconsin beats Kentucky, then I’m in the money for my
bracket – Go Badgers!</div>
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<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-73986071605875233492015-02-01T08:24:00.001-08:002015-02-01T08:24:30.806-08:00A Proposition for the Super Bowl <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s Super Bowl Sunday which means it’s the best of times
and the worst of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the rear view
mirror, a great season of big wins and upsets, revelations and disappointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In front of us, boring NBA basketball, three
good weekends of NCAA Final Four action, hockey, and golf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is until the draft, training camp, fantasy prep
work and the 2015 NFL season starts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’ve got some ideas about what is going to happen in this
game, but none of them are solid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
pick ‘em game all the way around and any result will not shock me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that means I can see a blowout either
way, or the more probable result, a field goal difference somewhere near the end
of the game.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That said, I can see New England having some success on the
ground, using three different running backs – Shane Vereen, Legarrette Blount
and Brandon Bolden to run out of any formation and just about any down and
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversely, I can see Seattle
throwing against the Patriot defense, who will go eight or nine in the box to
take away Seahawk running back Marshawn Lynch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since it’s an even bet in Vegas, I’ll go with my heart and
hope for a close game (not a far reach since all the Brady-Belichick Super Bowls
have been decided by 3,3,3,3 and 4 points).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time, it’s a late Patriot field goal to win 22-21.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But that is not even close to my favorite thing about the
Super Bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proposition bets, or “props”
are the most fun thing to watch on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are my favorites (and predictions) for this year’s versions:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Marshawn Lynch Crotch Grab</i> – Sitting at 4-1 odds, this is
the easiest and most attainable prop bet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can see Lynch getting in the end zone, and if he does, it’s a practical
guarantee that he’ll perform a “self-examination”.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Deflated Balls</i> – The number of times announcers Al Michaels
and Chris Collinsworth say “deflated balls” is set at 2.5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would think that the league will want its
broadcast partners to stop talking about this issue, so, unless someone gets
seriously injured (or maybe Lynch squeezes too hard during his celebration), I’ll
take the under.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Bill Belichick’s Hoodie Color</i> - Gray is the favorite, while
blue and red are the underdogs. Place a $100 bet on gray, and if you’re right,
you win $50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s a sucker bet –
he won’t wear a hoodie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Katy Perry’s Cleavage and Outfit</i> – Pants are the underdog,
skirt above the knees the favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the other bet, the options are none, some, or a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m taking the chalk – short skirt and lots
of skin. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy the game, don’t drink and drive, and don’t ever eat
the last chicken wing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin . . . </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just to keep things in perspective, while we think everyone
in the world watches the Super Bowl, there will be about 6.9 billion people who
won’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The UEFA World Cup, Euro
Cup, Cricket Championship are all watched significantly more than the big game today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Looking at the NHL stats in the Eastern Conference, the
final eight teams seem to be well defined, but are all within eight
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last months will be all about
gaining as much home ice advantage as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Odell Beckham, Jr. is the first Giant to win Offensive
Rookie of the Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>90 years, one
OROY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty much defines the franchise
known as the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it does show that maybe, they are adapting to the new NFL.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-16030283695057166252014-12-31T08:38:00.000-08:002014-12-31T08:38:08.496-08:00What the Bowl Season Could Look Like <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the college bowl season in full swing, I’ve been
getting my fill of games like the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl and the Duck
Commander Independence Bowl (not to mention a bowl played outside the US – the Popeye’s
Bahama Bowl!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After some thought, here are some bowls I’d like to see:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Little Orphan Annie Bowl – For teams that have had their coaches
leave them before the end of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The “It’s Still not the Super” Bowl – The perfect set up for
short-falling former NFL coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban,
Mike Riley and Bobby Petrino. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Takata Air Bag Bowl – This would feature two teams currently
under investigation by the NCAA. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Kurt Cobain Bowl – Brings in the two teams with the “students”
that have failed the most drug tests.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Bo Schembechler Bowl – No passing allowed; would be perfect
for a Georgia Tech/Navy match up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Sarah Palin Bowl – This one is set up for two colleges
that have quit their football program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be dinner only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year is
hosted by the University of Alabama – Birmingham.</span></li>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2015!</span></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-56271983837137470112014-12-25T08:59:00.000-08:002014-12-25T08:59:24.332-08:00What the New York Sports Fan Want to Find Under Their Tree<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today is Christmas, and like all good little New York sports
fan boys and girls, there are several things under the tree, let’s start
crackin’ some presents!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSle5Vs8vxaq75W72ooV0iEQcK1ov6MWOHuaMUrIvM8ebLxLBpCFQU2ZBz0hcNJ2C6unS7oTjARtmEDBgFtWY7y6t0aphoRp996o5Z7eiJH5rZWCbY0g7auffUoMsDSfWSonPs64e-8kA/s1600/didi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSle5Vs8vxaq75W72ooV0iEQcK1ov6MWOHuaMUrIvM8ebLxLBpCFQU2ZBz0hcNJ2C6unS7oTjARtmEDBgFtWY7y6t0aphoRp996o5Z7eiJH5rZWCbY0g7auffUoMsDSfWSonPs64e-8kA/s1600/didi.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Yankee fans, there’s the gift of Christmas’ past,
reliving the days of the Core Four in various video formats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, there’s Christmas present,
which finds some coal in the form of questions marks like new shortstop Didi Gregorius
and a MASH unit of pitchers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope
the coal evolves into diamonds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we
really want is one full year of a healthy pitching staff – Tanaka, Pineda,
Nova, CC and Eovaldi could be awesome, except they can’t stay off the DL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope that changes in 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Ranger fans, we’re grateful for 2014 and the run to the Stanly
Cup </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UCWEkSc881MHiNe97lbKb0yrPdc_KYH5UYOyD6vPLiGLuQyt1-4GMOjyZzErWuZEZshjcJt3YAe5KdGzogG8Qb0SzmrCCejmeGdH6Q8qVQxy801g3MdD5GqsnRKAvOlwFfj1r5OxQ8s/s1600/king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UCWEkSc881MHiNe97lbKb0yrPdc_KYH5UYOyD6vPLiGLuQyt1-4GMOjyZzErWuZEZshjcJt3YAe5KdGzogG8Qb0SzmrCCejmeGdH6Q8qVQxy801g3MdD5GqsnRKAvOlwFfj1r5OxQ8s/s1600/king.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what we really want is
to see King Henrik Lundqvist skate with the cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, with forward Rick Nash playing to
his full potential, there’s a chance that last year was not a fluke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s see if the next big drink the Rangers
take is from a sliver chalice.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Knick fans, we have the lesson in humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As plans go awry in 2015 and the team edges
toward their worst record in team history, we learn that there’s no easy fix,
that great teams are built slowly and that the correct way is through the
draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope that in 2015, Phil Jackson gets an
early Christmas present in May – with the number one pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC0zOaYNbSOb0cflIFfWAuiy_4gwK35IEUnHGCPKU-AcjNUEfxXSOR9xeR-HB35YGWolk3IaTne-FA7BWQcs6DGzwAkkzrBuPFMAeV14O_Yb7nYSF4LbRyDrCKTUCm3h4fhxgDhIbqfI/s1600/TC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC0zOaYNbSOb0cflIFfWAuiy_4gwK35IEUnHGCPKU-AcjNUEfxXSOR9xeR-HB35YGWolk3IaTne-FA7BWQcs6DGzwAkkzrBuPFMAeV14O_Yb7nYSF4LbRyDrCKTUCm3h4fhxgDhIbqfI/s1600/TC.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For Giant fans, we’re still slightly hungover from recent
championships, and now wake on Christmas morning to find three years of
playoff-less football come and gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we check our current gift list we find a shining star (and Fantasy Football
first round pick) Odell Beckham Jr. and the potential of the last two drafts
(Andre Williams, Justin Pugh, Jonathan Hankins, Demontre Moore, Devon Kennard),
combined with <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>vets who should make 2015
much happier – if (and it’s a big “if”) they can stay healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
you really want is one last successful season for Coach Tom Coughlin so he can
go out on a winner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope that 2015 finds all of you happy and healthy, and that
we get a couple of deep playoff runs out of our favorite teams!</span></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-15024311354286395472014-12-05T12:06:00.000-08:002014-12-05T12:06:01.685-08:00The Winter of My Discontent<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During my hiatus writing for YanksGoYard.com,
I’ve noticed that there’s been a severe lack of winning in New York sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK – now that I’ve qualified for “Understatement
of the </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4vXELLrJYOBfN-5YY1aTEag-so3rBRhE86Dyo4DXoQ_1xa8eI7UX-jD_TNpsIWM1KVQ81Ht1nTab8NF3ZtXGeD1-hhX_jgL6F0OE6wb9qmJcx7eUJTU2QyaXk71vw6T-exG5s1PjEm0/s1600/yank+loss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4vXELLrJYOBfN-5YY1aTEag-so3rBRhE86Dyo4DXoQ_1xa8eI7UX-jD_TNpsIWM1KVQ81Ht1nTab8NF3ZtXGeD1-hhX_jgL6F0OE6wb9qmJcx7eUJTU2QyaXk71vw6T-exG5s1PjEm0/s1600/yank+loss.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a></div>
Year” – let me clarify:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
Giants have gone from “bad” to “worse” to “god they suck!”; the Knicks (always
my favorite punching bag) have, believe it or not, underachieved; the Yankees
have gone two years without making the post-season and fears are that we’re “back
to the future” of the early-1990s; and the Rangers, my beloved Eastern
Conference Champions, are treading water (which considering they play on ice,
is a pretty neat deal).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VBeWmGV9wvxsiZz0z7vVwXgkNuD-TC6U4qlkUWKe82q0Wn5luNfs8oFieQTbBBL4UXiuc-Rq4vmm5Jd3slDh06pPDqwyokljFkO8SkOgGT0bZZBGmQVN-Pkfxez_UrY-nX7nsvkee8w/s1600/eli+fumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VBeWmGV9wvxsiZz0z7vVwXgkNuD-TC6U4qlkUWKe82q0Wn5luNfs8oFieQTbBBL4UXiuc-Rq4vmm5Jd3slDh06pPDqwyokljFkO8SkOgGT0bZZBGmQVN-Pkfxez_UrY-nX7nsvkee8w/s1600/eli+fumble.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While it’s too early (and way too easy) to put a bullet in the Knicks
season, and the Yanks are always a candidate to instantly rebuild, it’s the
right time to eulogize the Giants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
this season started at 3-2 after five weeks, there was guarded optimism, and a
daunting six game gauntlet facing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seven weeks later, coming off a loss to (ugh) Jacksonville, they’re
still looking for win number four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
locker room has lost more people than 14<sup>th</sup> century Europe, with 20
players on injured reserve (including the retirements of G Chris Snee and RB David
Wilson).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who can play, have
either suffered from the rebuilt offense and makeshift offensive line; inept
and perplexing defensive strategy; and/or acute fumblitis, or as I like to call
it, a case of the Mannings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a season that started with little optimism and ended in disaster,
outstanding questions remain: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Can a team that has had three General Managers in
38 years fire one (Jerry Reese) that has two Super Bowl wins in his closet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Did a Hall of Fame Coach suddenly forget how to game
plan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>How many times can you fire a defensive coordinator?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when you do, who will replace him?</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6-5Aq6pbmDIQk9UrOA_EgE75WYcO2sXRFvNNMzo047x0Q0FCqJm91JuWpu7jOPYr84-9HD6niLDUVbXA_Lc5G-ZDIFdmiR0x6oXEJ2d4-c0_XLXwsT8BhFtRaQxvNCXZPYg8OeAy3PM/s1600/knicks+suck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6-5Aq6pbmDIQk9UrOA_EgE75WYcO2sXRFvNNMzo047x0Q0FCqJm91JuWpu7jOPYr84-9HD6niLDUVbXA_Lc5G-ZDIFdmiR0x6oXEJ2d4-c0_XLXwsT8BhFtRaQxvNCXZPYg8OeAy3PM/s1600/knicks+suck.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For my semi-coherent rantings on the Yankees, you’ll find my articles on YanksGoYard.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the Knicks, I’ll leave that to Guest Writer
Craig Hoberman (I like to share my suffering).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As for the Rangers, I sit and hold my breath, hoping that a Stanley Cup
will cure all my problems.</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And now, it’s time for my medication . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">YanksGoYard articles:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://yanksgoyard.com/author/teamlevy/">http://yanksgoyard.com/author/teamlevy/</a></span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-4327149008903824622014-11-14T09:12:00.001-08:002014-11-14T09:12:31.228-08:00What to Expect from the Knicks this Season<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Craig Hoberman</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As Knicks fans, it’s no surprise to find our blue and orange
sitting shamefully at 2-7 just weeks into the 2014 season. But this isn’t just
any old post-1999 Knick season- this is a Knick season that introduces a new
direction, new coaching, new players and a new philosophy: the triangle offense.
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We hardly have the same Knicks organization, let alone roster
we had last year. Mike </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEq7A3t-W9Jzz3rsbzKTJTeI0jh9A-zNnVrYwrqewcjB1Gvg_8W9YgTdACv3HlAfNc3sviE6L2MxPCm8vrPgrOZWEzYeJ_kPrIHKQk0EwFj3ydU9cmVLtKofhl7Fu5yfXnGEz7af8hy20/s1600/dfishphil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEq7A3t-W9Jzz3rsbzKTJTeI0jh9A-zNnVrYwrqewcjB1Gvg_8W9YgTdACv3HlAfNc3sviE6L2MxPCm8vrPgrOZWEzYeJ_kPrIHKQk0EwFj3ydU9cmVLtKofhl7Fu5yfXnGEz7af8hy20/s1600/dfishphil.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Woodson is out, D Fish (new coach Derek Fisher) is in.
Jason Smith, Quincy Acy and experienced rim defender Samuel Dalembert now
comprise most of the Knick front court. We upgraded the point as well by
replacing a tired and ineffective Raymond Felton with Jose Calderon and Shane
Larkin. Coaching legend Phil Jackson is now our President of Basketball
Operations. Tim Hardaway, Jr. looks bigger and better than last year. So, for
the love of god, after redesigning the entire franchise and culture, why can’t
the Knicks escape the endless cycle of incoherence and loss?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Despite fresh legs, new youth and new management, the Knicks
have begun their rebuilding season by doing what they’ve been doing for almost
two decades - getting blown out in quarters and struggling to finish games. But
there’s no need to panic.<span> </span>The truth is,
and some of us know this, it will take time for Phil to be able to teach Fisher
how to install the triangle, it will take Fisher time to instill it within the
players, and it will take perhaps ten times longer for the entire Knicks lineup
to function within that system. The key to the triangle offense is consistency
and creativity. The Knicks have had flashes of this so far in games; putting
the ball hard on the floor against Atlanta, wiping the floor with an overloaded
Cavaliers roster and showing composure against Detroit. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WJfDWekXQhtngtXSGmqtPAGWCdIproJ-MdmkwNStPmdfRyLkKZRhBTYuyJQYpUmYOhivYeOzydRscehxHRrQ-H1r5moy0pWMtOhSOrlv-FgW4TrwaiFZN3eSe8uOVOGl0mFQsHD3ZlI/s1600/gasol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WJfDWekXQhtngtXSGmqtPAGWCdIproJ-MdmkwNStPmdfRyLkKZRhBTYuyJQYpUmYOhivYeOzydRscehxHRrQ-H1r5moy0pWMtOhSOrlv-FgW4TrwaiFZN3eSe8uOVOGl0mFQsHD3ZlI/s1600/gasol.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sure, the Knicks still need to make roster improvements to
put the team where it needs to be skill-wise. A good complement to Carmelo Anthony
could be Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol or Detroit’s Greg Monroe, both highly
capable big men and targets for the Knicks in this year’s free agency. Dalembert
shows spurts of defensive genius, and even tenacious rebounding, but lacks the
freshness, consistency and offensive playmaking ability necessary for players
in the triangle. Playmaking big guy Gasol would fit into Fisher’s new school
triangle perfectly. Monroe would bring offensive firepower, paint presence and
unbelievable athleticism. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Analysts argue that acquiring a great big man is highest on
the Knicks agenda for roster improvements, but how capable are we at the point?
We upgraded over a lost and confused Felton, but Calderon’s durability is
questionable. Larkin, like the rest of the Knicks this season, shows flashes of
excellence, but many question his height and ability to compete in the NBA and
run an offense. If the Knicks were able to acquire Rajon Rondo or rising star
Kyle Lowry, the triangle may be complete. Just imagine it Knicks fans- Melo,
Rondo and Marc Gasol running an offense that takes us to our first conference
final circuit in years. Those sound like the kind of players Jackson wants to
bring to his New York empire. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqAkMhcLgZ3OLQt4y_qV8qnJelkMwWIhLxf4rSLHzWNR4hFAfDOrghTxZyBgwNFPYfYbMITkPtxmZEJAD1IjcsyjTe9T_P3F9WOHOBUaLm1hB7hQSIOswrpy2gddfASMbbqxbWiZmBUY/s1600/hardaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqAkMhcLgZ3OLQt4y_qV8qnJelkMwWIhLxf4rSLHzWNR4hFAfDOrghTxZyBgwNFPYfYbMITkPtxmZEJAD1IjcsyjTe9T_P3F9WOHOBUaLm1hB7hQSIOswrpy2gddfASMbbqxbWiZmBUY/s1600/hardaway.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It’s not like the Knicks have nothing worth mentioning now. Iman
Shumpert and Hardaway are two young guards who look better than ever; Shumpert
is a superior lockdown defender on the perimeter, scores off the transition and
boasts unbelievable athleticism. Hardaway has struggled with his shooting percentage
but looks bigger, healthier and more confident this year and probably needs
more time to adjust to the coaching transition. His ability to knock down open
jumpers and even drive when needed leads some to believe he will end up a
premier scoring guard in the NBA. We also have Melo, and let’s not forget that…</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Knicks fans should have faith in Phil Jackson. He did it with
Chicago, he did it with LA, and he can do it with the Knicks. Sure, he was a
coach for those two teams, and is just the president here, but his experience
and understanding of the in’s and out’s of basketball prove he has the
knowledge and skills to run a basketball organization. If we focus on the
positives- upcoming draft picks, expiring contracts, more cap, free agency and
a boatload of talented young guards- it’s hard to ignore the very real
possibility that Knicks fans might actually get to see a respectable organization
in the 21st century.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9OQzEweTFFTTwACiVLmf7Rccn_PrNOAp_VoSaY02ip4p7Ls1Iawofbtm5Y2OBIGDQCUv3Lj3r-mHVjUakjrllvmGPmkHRElM8ZoIeEBw_vapSHSnAXVlErKVb-f6UdRnMuiqgO2pDGE/s1600/Kfail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9OQzEweTFFTTwACiVLmf7Rccn_PrNOAp_VoSaY02ip4p7Ls1Iawofbtm5Y2OBIGDQCUv3Lj3r-mHVjUakjrllvmGPmkHRElM8ZoIeEBw_vapSHSnAXVlErKVb-f6UdRnMuiqgO2pDGE/s1600/Kfail.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">So what should we expect from the Knicks this season? Not too
much. They’re a new squad, learning a new system with a brand new coach. Don’t
expect a superb playoff run this year. When we acquire the tools from free
agency and develop some of our youth, the triangle will begin to develop as a
culture for our Knicks. They will learn to embrace it, we will learn to embrace
it, and most of all, it will guide us to the success we haven’t seen in almost
twenty years. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But seriously- this season- they’ll go 30-52. Come on guys,
this is the Knicks we’re talking about. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>(Guest writer Craig Hoberman is a student and
SUNY-Cortland and Social Media consultant, dedicated Knicks fan and
patriot. You can follow Craig on Twitter at @MyTownTutorsNY)</i></span></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-78534869642382394412014-10-03T08:18:00.000-07:002014-10-03T08:18:30.681-07:00For Sports Fans, October is the Happiest Time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Games in October are the promise of glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the death of dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the beginning of seasons; the final
sprint at the end of a marathon; and the point at which reality sets in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">October is the only time of year when all four major sports in the United
States are active at the same time (sorry soccer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Major League Baseball it’s the end of a
six-month chase, as ten teams are quickly reduced to eight, four, two and one over
the course of the month. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the
National Football League, reality sets in during October, when about half the
league is virtually eliminated (sorry Jets fans).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the National Hockey League, teams are
completing their training camps, playing exhibition games and dropping the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>puck on a season that could potentially last
until June (except for you, Islander fans).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The National Basketball Association is tipping off training camps all over
the country, getting back to work after the mini-vacations that are known as the
off-season (maybe the Knicks can get an extension?).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Yankees had their October calendar cleared after an injury-plagued,
offensively </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWOI1SpmsrKkB63vgEPpsdB_iHEm0zMx6-CCZlHgfz7Ru02b1JXm1kKzDR0N5zfRTGGhurhwuT0XlvnpT0h2rwEWCmQusJI7v5yC713wkBSm8F7q9tbdnLzmJvou2gQZNzTNMExIfsGQ/s1600/tex+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWOI1SpmsrKkB63vgEPpsdB_iHEm0zMx6-CCZlHgfz7Ru02b1JXm1kKzDR0N5zfRTGGhurhwuT0XlvnpT0h2rwEWCmQusJI7v5yC713wkBSm8F7q9tbdnLzmJvou2gQZNzTNMExIfsGQ/s1600/tex+fail.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
inconsistent season, which saw them fall four games short of a
wildcard spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since this is only the third
time since 1995 that the Yanks have missed the post-season, they can have a
pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is also the second consecutive
season without playoff baseball in the Bronx.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That leaves some of us who remember the dark ages of 1982-1994 (or even
1965-1975) wondering if we’re back to the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Yanks are entering their first year of the post-Jeter era filled with question
marks that will occupy everyone’s attention until Spring Training.<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtaumMgEfF9df1Ec1-Oeq0Vn8YE6wSlR8UG1-IBJShF9TBC_Ifk1dQ4av-Mp21p7Bt5EKve-D3xErJmgECVdptGll6Bj7Q8yT7aCDP30HpuJcvx4Gu0ZiwM95PrIyEmOlTHCo1LkWmT0/s1600/gmen+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtaumMgEfF9df1Ec1-Oeq0Vn8YE6wSlR8UG1-IBJShF9TBC_Ifk1dQ4av-Mp21p7Bt5EKve-D3xErJmgECVdptGll6Bj7Q8yT7aCDP30HpuJcvx4Gu0ZiwM95PrIyEmOlTHCo1LkWmT0/s1600/gmen+off.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Giants are entering the month filled with promise after recovering
from their 0-2 start to win their last two games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This included a 45-14 drubbing of the
Washington team (I’m being politically correct by not using their nickname and
just to spite their weasel of an owner).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The offense seems alive with possibilities, and new weapon Odell
Beckham, Jr. will be joining the team for week five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given their late season schedule and the
parity (mediocrity) of the NFC East, there is hope for a Big Blue playoff push
come December.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Wcmd7xKsYwNPNU5CAHWzez5RjH7_fWBBsvM9NhjYXdEM2-JE0bUg5OK5YI3CxaFeCSXxnz2MhlOSBm3b1XwkY2MwFLccO-RJE7KpmZMZBRo3jJu7BJPjjgl7zS7kKiwypoQxvwUFL8/s1600/duclair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2Wcmd7xKsYwNPNU5CAHWzez5RjH7_fWBBsvM9NhjYXdEM2-JE0bUg5OK5YI3CxaFeCSXxnz2MhlOSBm3b1XwkY2MwFLccO-RJE7KpmZMZBRo3jJu7BJPjjgl7zS7kKiwypoQxvwUFL8/s1600/duclair.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Rangers, coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, are hoping to
maintain their momentum while infusing the team with youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gone are stalwarts Brad Richards and Brian
Boyle (free agency) and Derek Stepan (broken leg).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their place, they’re hoping that youngsters
Anthony Duclair (19), Jesper Fast (22) and Kevin Hayes (22) can provide enough consistency
to support all-stars Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The defense also improves with the addition
of veteran Dan Boyle to work with Ryan McDonaugh, Dan Girardi and Mark Staal
who should be entering the prime of their careers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, the team’s foundation is goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who returns for his
tenth season with the Rangers between the pipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he goes, so goes this team, who should be
ready for another deep playoff run.</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84U5jcxrdum8Ig7nKcJWKMlQuCuvO1GZ1k1WrvyOaDEVzygfKj6AhtF_PjPBU63odAaFEkc-6GapKNaj2KgbJGJlTW6ymAI7h5BuQPaTSGwxR0O5y1MR1VfHPqnMWXj-Q3IPnKHL_H5Q/s1600/melo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84U5jcxrdum8Ig7nKcJWKMlQuCuvO1GZ1k1WrvyOaDEVzygfKj6AhtF_PjPBU63odAaFEkc-6GapKNaj2KgbJGJlTW6ymAI7h5BuQPaTSGwxR0O5y1MR1VfHPqnMWXj-Q3IPnKHL_H5Q/s1600/melo.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With West Point as the backdrop, the Knicks begin training camp determined
to forget the 2013-14 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Team President/Guru/Zen
Master Phil Jackson and new coach Derek Fisher inherit a team of question marks
that severely underachieved last season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Re-signed perennial all-star (and
underachiever-in chief) Carmelo Anthony, shooting guards Tim Hardaway, Jr. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and (felon-in-waiting) J.R. Smith, and new point
guard Jose Calderon will try to convert the Knicks to a stronger defensive team
running a triangle offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
expect growing pains as the team (and first-time coach Fisher) learns on the
fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But it’s October, so there’s always hope.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My fearless predictions for the World Series are my hometown Nats vs.
Detroit <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(although I can’t recall a year
when the American League was so wide open).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carmelo has said that he’s the “most underrated superstar in the NBA.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, but if you’re a great scorer who has
never been to a conference final (and has only advanced out of the first round
once), you’re “barely” a superstar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldXE2adGGMneKxt2FCOGrOre9CX3ANXjBavUmGaYfv8DIWkqVD4pPHRhLqLO2IGvwry-QwJnVkHT5-H2JmpVPfTYpmM7PXuMQsRrn0ey4YWIvG0DpRhYoMJqSnMp_MPAEnZHPuPF16rQ/s1600/george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldXE2adGGMneKxt2FCOGrOre9CX3ANXjBavUmGaYfv8DIWkqVD4pPHRhLqLO2IGvwry-QwJnVkHT5-H2JmpVPfTYpmM7PXuMQsRrn0ey4YWIvG0DpRhYoMJqSnMp_MPAEnZHPuPF16rQ/s1600/george.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Giant safety Antrel Rolle says the reason for CB Prince Amukamara’s
increased level of play this season is due to the fact that he is now having sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prince was famously saving himself, and is
now a happily married man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anything bad
happens, you know he’s going to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blame</i>
her as well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
decided to take the Costanza approach to setting my lineups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything I think I should do, I’m going to do
the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don’t forget to check out the latest Yankee news on <a href="http://yanksgoyard.com/">YanksGoYard.com</a>.</span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-33722826305174881632014-09-28T08:34:00.000-07:002014-09-28T08:34:25.744-07:00With Four in the Books, the Giants Feel Positive<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With a quarter of the season in the books, the New York Giants seem to
have finally gotten their act together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After fans suffered through five weeks on
ineptitude through the pre-season and embarrassing play against the Lions and
Cardinals to open the season, things are starting to work.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_oEIc0YFphRAXGsCY3VmF1_MGQU-75Fb1kastxsJ2ZfPZJ3cIp-tAb9LnHWSmLC7_i4UT2QQOtLjAERMNqmxy4_-adQMobt6BZEAUARNo7YTYsO14D6eJyyWHq_sESgygg_w_JMpCeo/s1600/eliben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_oEIc0YFphRAXGsCY3VmF1_MGQU-75Fb1kastxsJ2ZfPZJ3cIp-tAb9LnHWSmLC7_i4UT2QQOtLjAERMNqmxy4_-adQMobt6BZEAUARNo7YTYsO14D6eJyyWHq_sESgygg_w_JMpCeo/s1600/eliben.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The newly installed offense of coordinator Ben McAdoo, meant to shake
up QB Eli Manning from his mid-career doldrums, shook up the fans as nothing
worked through training camp and the first five quarters of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, in the second quarter against the
Cardinals, came the drive that woke up the sleeping Giants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Establishing
the run with Rashad Jennings, finding WR Victor Cruz (who had been MIA in the
first game) and completing a bobbled touchdown pass to WR Rueben Randle ignited
the offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite Cruz’ drops which
led to two quick special team blunders and a lost opportunity, Giant fans
caught of glimpse of what was to come against the Houston Texans and Washington
Redskins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With Head Coach Tom Coughlin stressing positivity, the Giants built on
the good things that worked in the Cardinals game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>A balanced attack, with the much-maligned but suddenly solid offensive
line leading the way for 193 and 154 rushing yards, Manning throwing for 234
and 300 on 73% passing efficiency (and the revelation that is TE Larry Donnell),
led the way to two blowout wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
defense turned into turnover machines, forcing opposing quarterbacks Ryan
Fitzpatrick and Kurt Cousins to three and four interceptions respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now at 2-2 and peaking, the Giants now step up in class as the Atlanta
Falcons come to MetLife before the Giants hit the road against the Philadelphia
Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and (after a bye) the Indianapolis Colts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another 2-2 record would be acceptable
considering the competition, with the most important games coming in Philly and
Little D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But if the offense keeps clicking, the defense keeps piling up turnovers,
and the special teams just play solid, not spectacular, we could be looking at something
special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Post Note:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I appreciate all the positive response to these posts from you readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to let you know that I’ll be writing
all my Yankee posts for <a href="http://yanksgoyard.com/">Yanksgoyard.com</a>, a Fansided website associated with
SI.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can catch my first article
on there later today (Tanaka Finish Raises Yanks’ Anxiety Level).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can always follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/allevy18">@allevy18</a>
as the new Yankee articles go up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
still be tracking the Giants, Rangers and Knick (notice the order) on View form
the Upper Deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks!</span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-19410656364024482014-09-19T08:44:00.000-07:002014-09-19T08:44:55.678-07:00Meditations on a Season Lost<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like an early spring day, the Yankee season provided some light and hope, but not much heat. From my seat in the stands, I can look back and find some interesting items to make me smile, gasp, and finally breakdown and cry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Smiles</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dellin Betances</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAy_aEMAgAnbcNJQmisp1NbrIZ4pTmRhdhdAFsI00XBlrUmuQSBSmUcCVqeOh1MZ52GO8rzUMCFhWhJbbrNERO0jfu142Ix17U3Slh7ZB4bX57NIuq0POIgkvyCym31KZzO4jz-4tPsA/s1600/dellin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAy_aEMAgAnbcNJQmisp1NbrIZ4pTmRhdhdAFsI00XBlrUmuQSBSmUcCVqeOh1MZ52GO8rzUMCFhWhJbbrNERO0jfu142Ix17U3Slh7ZB4bX57NIuq0POIgkvyCym31KZzO4jz-4tPsA/s1600/dellin.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Forget the Yankee reliever strikeout record. Forget the 1.34 ERA and .76 WHIP. Just remember what 1996 was like watching a young Mariano setting up for John Wetteland and remember in a few years that Betances was setting up David Robertson. I think next year, the roles get reversed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anything from right center to the left field foul line better be hit </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zKZxxjn0StdViKrVV9dVPbVLrQQaWX4LxXFLDrOROtP4SV-3x81eudQXW7VXBQXrSw-Suun-AbskkiGM32-_UJxaYsrr7cPVUjp9gCc8TyeBS9hc9az-6LuLzxPQqfOSGQu1jMemTrY/s1600/gardyells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zKZxxjn0StdViKrVV9dVPbVLrQQaWX4LxXFLDrOROtP4SV-3x81eudQXW7VXBQXrSw-Suun-AbskkiGM32-_UJxaYsrr7cPVUjp9gCc8TyeBS9hc9az-6LuLzxPQqfOSGQu1jMemTrY/s1600/gardyells.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
on the button (or over the fence) or these two are going to get it. There have been no communication problems, no ego issues and nothing but love from their pitchers. Next year, these two could be hitting 1 and 2 in the batting order versus right handed pitching.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shane Greene and Brandon McCarthy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Greene has been a staff saver going 5-3 with a 3.24 ERA in 75+ innings. He has a live arm, plus fastball, plus slider and plus age - he's only 25. McCarthy doesn't have the age benefit, but this mid-year pick up has a 2.54 ERA and seven wins since coming to the Bronx. These two can be the healthy counter-balance to </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">next year's </span>pitching staff risks of Tanaka, Pineda, Nova, Sabathia and Kuroda. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Gasps</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mark Texieria</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzqTX8IOrwq1CnRB1RqBqOY8Pqzu1qP0dSlQkdLGN287NR4aYwke0AL9-BoKNGOaNJa9ybwQPbbMBFQEGJSPm9xpV-rggHy2CkSgF0ghq2bqEEvL5LZam5F9z479A39VPv_PfcqhmXKs/s1600/tex+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzqTX8IOrwq1CnRB1RqBqOY8Pqzu1qP0dSlQkdLGN287NR4aYwke0AL9-BoKNGOaNJa9ybwQPbbMBFQEGJSPm9xpV-rggHy2CkSgF0ghq2bqEEvL5LZam5F9z479A39VPv_PfcqhmXKs/s1600/tex+fail.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have two more seasons of suffering before finally getting out from under this contract. At $22.5 million per year, no one will pick up even half of this deal for a physical liability who has lost his power and his batting stroke.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Middle Relief</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Someone needs to step up between Shawn Kelley, Adam Warren, David Phelps, and David Huff. Kelley has become a walking definition of throwing in the towel, Warren and Phelps need to realize this is their role and stop dreaming of being starters, and journeyman Huff has the ability to stake his claim and become the lefty this staff desperately needs. Otherwise, they'll all be pitching somewhere else next year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alex Rodriguez</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remember him? The Yanks are on the hook for $64 million guaranteed over the next three years and an additional $6 million if he hits six more homers (which should be attainable). He also gets $6 million if he gets to 715 and 755, but all the drugs in Miami won't get him that far. If they bring back Chase Headley, Martin Prado and Carlos Beltran (who has one year left on his deal), where does he play?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Crying</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ichiro </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We will say <i>sayonara </i>to Ichiro Suzuki. Simply one of the greatest hitters ever to play the game. I'm sure Pete Rose would be in second place if this guy had started in the MLB. He has been the definition of a professional since joining the team, showing no ego, delivering in tight spots, and playing any outfield position at any time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jeter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is now the proud owner of kayaks, cupcakes, cufflinks, bases, bats, boots, chairs, and </span><br />
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crabs. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars to his foundation. There will be no captain (in name) and no player in our hearts like him for a while after he leaves. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the nicer things to come out of this year has been the leadership of Joe Girardi. he's done a great job balancing a team of mega-egos, Jeter's farewell tour, injuries that would drive lesser men to lose their minds and owner/fans expectations to stay competitive. Sure, he'll sometimes leave you scratching your head at some strategic issue, but I don't think anyone can doubt that that he's the leader for this team, and a convenient tie to the successes of the Torre era.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now it's time to start a new era. Let's just hope it's not like Ralph Houk's. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just Sayin'</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you Gatorade and Nike for those great Jeter farewell commercials. Even though I use neither of your products (I don't like the taste of Gatorade, and Nikes are too narrow for my feet), I sincerely commend your ad staff for knowing how to have one of your main endorsers go out in style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday Night Football in Detroit and you get a choir from Annapolis to sing the National Anthem? I guess Motown is dead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Note: Yes, that was me trading for Josh Gordon. In week 11, my team will be unstoppable. Of course, I'll be 0-10 . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-62167350003301547132014-08-29T12:11:00.000-07:002014-08-29T12:11:18.128-07:00Living the Fantasy Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q6HZyW6YYrN3hGfTIU9VCdFffJD3Ru07p-1HbxiPt6g68ZYBOBiF5IxDQ0AQuacGOQgchuCimKXN-0BZkqOCDbUde-gWsyXvu6w2LGQZ6BvkrfTOq08ER8kbxs6BQfr-kKP8I3oUH-o/s1600/fb+sit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q6HZyW6YYrN3hGfTIU9VCdFffJD3Ru07p-1HbxiPt6g68ZYBOBiF5IxDQ0AQuacGOQgchuCimKXN-0BZkqOCDbUde-gWsyXvu6w2LGQZ6BvkrfTOq08ER8kbxs6BQfr-kKP8I3oUH-o/s1600/fb+sit.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Hi Guru, I'm in a 12-team super-flex, PPR and I've got the sixth pick, but can keep two players drafted after the tenth round last year and I've got a keeper question," begins almost every ride home if you're in your car listening to the Fantasy Sports Channel on Sirius/XM radio. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That is if you "play" Fantasy Football.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For years, I resisted the siren's call of Fantasy Football. I played in various Fantasy (or "Rotisserie") Baseball and knew it was an addictive, all-consuming, hell-on-earth (unless you won). I explained to my pusher/friend that it was like sending an alcoholic to a bar. But, like all good pushers/friends, he was persistent, promising me fun and good times. But, in this case, the first taste wasn't free (there was a $190 league entry fee). I relented and joined one league, and was immediately immersed in the lifestyle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I found myself avoiding non-Giant players from the NFC East; I tried to maintain my dignity by rooting for or against certain teams; I paid fleeting attention to the waiver wire; then a funny thing happened - I didn't make the playoffs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I came back the next season having spent countless hours reading ten different web sites; getting daily email updates; and running about 200 mock drafts to get an idea of how to react on draft day. I drafted Tony Romo. Then a funnier thing happened - I was the leading money winner in the league. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was in for good. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE90PkliCRP-Ss-BwJrcyHTv6dbQqvdd3SpAYfChhe2X0D3Xnv64mhHQ3vDTYS80DPylncNjcVzNw4F91H7j5izBrjDgsNT88pXW7pRYEa3ky9Uq-47tmBOuHPqdHvepPKEpR_lxATIsk/s1600/alsbg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE90PkliCRP-Ss-BwJrcyHTv6dbQqvdd3SpAYfChhe2X0D3Xnv64mhHQ3vDTYS80DPylncNjcVzNw4F91H7j5izBrjDgsNT88pXW7pRYEa3ky9Uq-47tmBOuHPqdHvepPKEpR_lxATIsk/s1600/alsbg.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I stressed out about fourth wide receivers; joined a second league; spent more time watching the gazillion fantasy sports shows on ESPN and the NFL Network then I spent with my kids; joined a third league; started giving other people advice(!); and became one of the 33 million people who are hooked from August through December. (Quick question: what are the other 7+ billion doing?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do find myself pondering the larger, existential questions about Fantasy Football: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is Fantasy ruining the fan experience by diluting team allegiances or growing the sport by getting fans actively engaged? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can players really be hosting their own shows about this (Maurice Jones-Drew is a huge Fantasy participant, but no longer a Fantasy "stud")?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will my home life survive or will my wife start her own "Fantasy Husband" league?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will I go over or under 5,000 on the number of times I scream "f you" at certain players during the season? (I think I'll be over by Week 5.)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Regardless of the answers I may find to these and other questions, I find that the real fantasy lies in the chase for the perfect draft pick or waiver wire selection; getting together with the guys at the draft; begging for players in trade proposals; and sitting there right before kickoff on opening Sunday, hoping you get it all right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Just Sayin'</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Please, someone tell me the Giants' offense is sandbagging us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZFCk8rOkS7zmTZHk8K6KwKDzXb00rRA4YJGWfSNMXeLuFYSAEyw4vhYFlK5ZD6-_eG9UXpBuMVL8xLjObtSV-QjllCH9Ea_g6Qfq42z7e5Nq6x9cR90GTOda3Re1Bbi_U31_Gyfdc6k/s1600/JM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZFCk8rOkS7zmTZHk8K6KwKDzXb00rRA4YJGWfSNMXeLuFYSAEyw4vhYFlK5ZD6-_eG9UXpBuMVL8xLjObtSV-QjllCH9Ea_g6Qfq42z7e5Nq6x9cR90GTOda3Re1Bbi_U31_Gyfdc6k/s1600/JM.jpg" height="113" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm ready for Johnny Manziel to retire already. Never has someone gotten so much out of so little. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Are the Yankees playing with our hearts? They have not missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since Derek Jeter started - now is not the time to start.</span><br />
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-65054680182718686152014-08-13T11:07:00.000-07:002014-08-13T11:07:48.787-07:00Jeter Farewell Tour Offsets Summertime Blues<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My family's summer tradition of going to a Yankee game reached a crescendo this year, as we made our way to visit family in the Dallas area, just in time for the Rangers to say farewell to Derek Jeter. Globe Life Park is an amalgam of various stadiums. It has the right field upper deck from old Tiger Stadium, a mock Yankee Stadium facade, a shorter version of the Green Monster from Boston, and even some Camden Yards brickwork. But what the stadium lacks in individuality, it more than makes up for in food.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everything <b>is </b>bigger in Texas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is Michelle Obama's worst nightmare. Calorie counts with commas; not a salad to be </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN6Xf7MD2q4YxnX1nmU4OfiLChjxhrXMXUM8DySDCpcOYr4MH-qRjk817AfphldiQyLecyZeQmclblvnUrRp_BfUpZ-JF6BwGqiQ_op7rtKiUPHktbM6VYJN3BO3PlvJeySj5nrk23QY/s1600/hotdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN6Xf7MD2q4YxnX1nmU4OfiLChjxhrXMXUM8DySDCpcOYr4MH-qRjk817AfphldiQyLecyZeQmclblvnUrRp_BfUpZ-JF6BwGqiQ_op7rtKiUPHktbM6VYJN3BO3PlvJeySj5nrk23QY/s1600/hotdog.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">seen; fried everything for the asking. There is a hot dog that's about two feet long and weighs three pounds. If you add the condiments, we're talking about something you can work out with. Helmet ice cream sundaes do not come in those cute little cups, but in REAL HELMETS! (This meets fantasy status for me.) Being in the heart of Texas, they had the obligatory barbeque restaurant, but they need a little marketing help when my 18 year-old daughter asks me if there's something wrong with wanting to go eat "Nolan Ryan's Meat."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplKD30hcMwqa7OA2Az9Rd1uXO9CBnFhe_qCR3KDlN-YivoX7FZueVZcSyEDuQdbb9UrLEM_IJfROvlLmSKx_Z32ncOwVJ1wgNnZ4dKGCGznCL1dsUnQG6b61NqKgxlMbCaCiL5_JwMXI/s1600/bushjeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplKD30hcMwqa7OA2Az9Rd1uXO9CBnFhe_qCR3KDlN-YivoX7FZueVZcSyEDuQdbb9UrLEM_IJfROvlLmSKx_Z32ncOwVJ1wgNnZ4dKGCGznCL1dsUnQG6b61NqKgxlMbCaCiL5_JwMXI/s1600/bushjeter.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But back to baseball. During the Jeter farewell tour, every team is providing gifts and donations to his charity organization. We were lucky enough to witness the Rangers' going away party, which included running out a bald Pudge Rodriguez and fit-looking Michael Young to represent the team. Of course they couldn't come up with anything original and gave him a pair of cowboy boots and a check (they should have given a little more considering he only hit .279 against them in the postseason). They did pull out one surprise - former President (and former Rangers owner) George W. Bush came by to personally present Jeter with a plaque. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most interesting thing was witnessing the reaction to the ceremony. Even though the crowd was about 30% Yankee fans, everyone was on their feet, cheering and saying goodbye (and for die-hard Rangers fans, I'm sure it was "good riddance"). This scene was repeated for every at bat, especially the last one where Jeter unceremoniously popped up to first to end a mild threat (is there any other this year) in a one run game. As a lifelong Yankee fan (and someone who has had a notorious man-crush on Jeter since 1996), I found a new appreciation being able to witness this in person, seeing Jeter being celebrated on the road - transcending the sport <i>a la </i>Ripkin. I just hope that we can count on Mike Trout, Andrew McCutchen or Clayton Kershaw to pick up the baton and become a worthy "face of baseball."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Just Sayin'</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You know times are tough for Tony Romo when a rodeo clown at the Ft. Worth Stockyards is mocking him during a show.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Rnuu5wZ4QkKvMcIAuizVCQL6_R_aflpysmEED4xgWNPbThIL0hM8eHXIsuD2ofB-dQKS38tTvs6lKLLgbcX8gVgAP1iu9-YcW4TOm94e5gWXgIiuhTQuC5aRV9aVIXa247NdU7CrKGk/s1600/injured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Rnuu5wZ4QkKvMcIAuizVCQL6_R_aflpysmEED4xgWNPbThIL0hM8eHXIsuD2ofB-dQKS38tTvs6lKLLgbcX8gVgAP1iu9-YcW4TOm94e5gWXgIiuhTQuC5aRV9aVIXa247NdU7CrKGk/s1600/injured.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When did a baseball pitcher's career expectancy get shorter than the life expectancy of a1970's era rock band drummer?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If Doug (Muscle Hamster) Martin has a comeback year for the Buccaneers, then Giant GM Jerry Reece will have to answer for getting out maneuvered in the first round of the draft two years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update: I've got the fourth and ninth pick in two of my drafts this year - looks like I'll be feasting on leftovers.</span><br />
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<br />Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-71386803205999940692014-07-26T16:34:00.000-07:002014-07-26T16:34:08.196-07:00 Why We Root, Root, Root . . . <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJr4bvLuOox-2QpWDeN5fP1oJ_leXi2ZVlaj4PD3AC3X2DnP32PLYcMdaZA7rK5DYnimqAm-VaoG8r6u5BBzylf4HILNn-MGUCF1ylgFgUcuH5rsYh0O3oqe_x9jmNAS8RNuhixnuFk/s1600/fans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhJr4bvLuOox-2QpWDeN5fP1oJ_leXi2ZVlaj4PD3AC3X2DnP32PLYcMdaZA7rK5DYnimqAm-VaoG8r6u5BBzylf4HILNn-MGUCF1ylgFgUcuH5rsYh0O3oqe_x9jmNAS8RNuhixnuFk/s1600/fans.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">All the excitement of the FIFA World Cup led many
of my non-soccer friends to come to me (as the resident soccer expert at work)
to ask what all the excitement was about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried to explain the cultural differences between most of the world and
the US; that we have an embarrassment of riches in the sports we can follow
that dilutes our fanaticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most US cities
or regions have multiple sports the local residents may attach themselves to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the world does not.</span></i></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYPslIHx_FlzDdEu7VxMwHgHy3bEROpeqXTxVPaMeeTYGFmCpWzblmAqLBSfDKe98djRC3Pj_GZ7ZvmsBZuMagg2NUeuUK1oCF4VtmqkM9cza86oDWyJ0xr9o4UZImFE3qFPGeTVB7Gw/s1600/drj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYPslIHx_FlzDdEu7VxMwHgHy3bEROpeqXTxVPaMeeTYGFmCpWzblmAqLBSfDKe98djRC3Pj_GZ7ZvmsBZuMagg2NUeuUK1oCF4VtmqkM9cza86oDWyJ0xr9o4UZImFE3qFPGeTVB7Gw/s1600/drj.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In the New York area, I grew up with two baseball,
football, basketball (yes, I’ll count the ABA Nets who were led by Julius
Erving at the time), and hockey teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We even had niche sports and regular events with four horse tracks (before
Roosevelt Field became a regular Flea Market), the US Tennis Open, and (for a
short time) major league soccer.<i> </i></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In most other countries, soccer is like college and
pro football and the NBA combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sounds
simple, but it’s the only way that Americans can understand it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two teams you root for: your local
club team (no matter the league level) and the national team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loyalty is passed down through families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I learned more about the game and the “football”
culture, I identified with it completely.<i> </i></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">As I grew up in New York, I rooted crazily for my teams
(Yanks, Giants, Rangers and Knicks); played and attended tennis matches; spent
way too much “time” at the tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
followed them all with the intensity of a zealot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many times I was asked to calm
down as every missed shot, home run or first down resulted in screams, thrown
items or, one time, a slightly dislocated shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been asked if I had any brothers on the team
(by my mother-in-law) and been yelled at (by my wife) for waking the baby when
the Yankees inexplicably won the World Series in 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take all the blame because this is who I
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a sports fan.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(Post Break: One former girlfriend played amateur psychologist
with me and said I was so invested in sports because I was missing something integral
from my “self.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her the only
thing I would be missing was her – goodbye.)</span></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdCj5u_004Jdz-RK8-bR33oDqMU6hAUbJ7jxIEJQ_19SGsE9GdAcNThjVbFzBGxKIfbCwOa2Wc6Nk7d9o2U3YYXtU6EB2ZHQHDv0snkZLV8akSyKIlBbs5WZA_bB1y6KpZ8jlWxQbec/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdCj5u_004Jdz-RK8-bR33oDqMU6hAUbJ7jxIEJQ_19SGsE9GdAcNThjVbFzBGxKIfbCwOa2Wc6Nk7d9o2U3YYXtU6EB2ZHQHDv0snkZLV8akSyKIlBbs5WZA_bB1y6KpZ8jlWxQbec/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdCj5u_004Jdz-RK8-bR33oDqMU6hAUbJ7jxIEJQ_19SGsE9GdAcNThjVbFzBGxKIfbCwOa2Wc6Nk7d9o2U3YYXtU6EB2ZHQHDv0snkZLV8akSyKIlBbs5WZA_bB1y6KpZ8jlWxQbec/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpdCj5u_004Jdz-RK8-bR33oDqMU6hAUbJ7jxIEJQ_19SGsE9GdAcNThjVbFzBGxKIfbCwOa2Wc6Nk7d9o2U3YYXtU6EB2ZHQHDv0snkZLV8akSyKIlBbs5WZA_bB1y6KpZ8jlWxQbec/s1600/034.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I’m extremely grateful for the love and understanding
of my family – they know what they’re dealing with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During football season, I’m unreachable on
Sunday mornings prepping for football; October, May and June nights are spent watching
playoff games; and “daddy language” was never to be repeated outside the
house.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">As summer vacation beckons, my family gladly
incorporates a sporting event (it’s a Yankee road game this year).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Past adventures have included Giants training
camp, Fenway Park, and old and new Yankee Stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughters have incorporated sports into
their life – as athletes and fans (and even some “daddy language”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As time goes on, I feel this love and passion
for the games are among the best (and most consistent) things I can pass
on.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It’s funny how love and passion lead to</span></i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> becoming a fanatic</span><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">–
you know, that’s how you get the word “fan.”</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Just Sayin’</span></b><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In the spirit of this post, I’ll refer you to Tom
Verducci’s tribute to writer (and awardee of the </span></i>J.G. Taylor Spink Award, the
highest honor given by the Baseball Writers Association of America<i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">) Roger Angell in Sports
Illustrated (<a href="http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/22/roger-angell-tom-verducci-hall-fame"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/22/roger-angell<i>-</i>tom-verducci-hall-fame</span></a>)
and a section of a 1975 piece from Mr. Angell:</span></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgWzZLpITktSBfhipYq-vi-xpbl1Y6uI2U_sCDu9nRWXbOA4brNFSsm7J_hXZXoR_PlnTV2jWBOWcuPqaL1fUYoLUYkDYx8pybHzeB2bDHB3JQXy1nv7U52CJQMXNXvR9mf1v3g4S0Es/s1600/angell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgWzZLpITktSBfhipYq-vi-xpbl1Y6uI2U_sCDu9nRWXbOA4brNFSsm7J_hXZXoR_PlnTV2jWBOWcuPqaL1fUYoLUYkDYx8pybHzeB2bDHB3JQXy1nv7U52CJQMXNXvR9mf1v3g4S0Es/s1600/angell.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>It is foolish and childish, on
the face of it, to affiliate ourselves with anything so insignificant and
patently contrived and commercially exploitative as a professional sports team,
and the amused superiority and icy scorn that the non-fan directs at the sports
nut (I know this look—I know it by heart) is understandable and almost
unanswerable. Almost. What is left out of this calculation, it seems to me, is
the business of caring—caring deeply and passionately, really </i>caring<i>—which
is a capacity or an emotion that has almost gone out of our lives. And so it
seems possible that we have come to a time when it no longer matters so much
what the caring is about, how frail or foolish is the object of that concern,
as long as the feeling itself can be saved. Naïveté—the infantile and ignoble
joy that sends a grown man or woman to dancing and shouting with joy in the
middle of the night over the haphazardous flight of a distant ball—seems a
small price to pay for such a gift.</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amen.</span></span></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-6692456905182692162014-07-14T07:27:00.000-07:002014-07-14T07:30:02.112-07:00In Building Up, Knicks and Yanks Go Their Separate WaysWe're so shortsighted or too distracted as fans to see what's directly in front of us, and we're always looking for the next big thing. So let's spend the summer . . . giving all our attention to NBA free agency! New York fans have been getting a front row seat to team building on several levels for several teams. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSbsutvp2y2BR-spciaxY45rOduYPIsmx1BNUSWyWcrMfZEk0I8uEsjkq_oIJ0-MHLL1hDL3D04K8JHoCNdwrAJpbpY6FprZ5J5feoyM3Y6acX3XnBhM4MPqOGIy0t1_5j9_TAzTM3gw/s1600/jaxmelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSbsutvp2y2BR-spciaxY45rOduYPIsmx1BNUSWyWcrMfZEk0I8uEsjkq_oIJ0-MHLL1hDL3D04K8JHoCNdwrAJpbpY6FprZ5J5feoyM3Y6acX3XnBhM4MPqOGIy0t1_5j9_TAzTM3gw/s1600/jaxmelo.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The "Melo-drama" (sorry about that) which was pretense for Carmelo Anthony getting a max contract in the neighborhood of $120 million for five years from the Knicks is only worth paying attention to if your baseball was doing nothing (Hello, New York fans!) or you don't have a beach house. Phil Jackson's master plan started with the acquisition of Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert, drafting Cleanthony Early, developing Tim Hardaway Jr. and signing Anthony as the centerpiece. As a Knick fan, you have to ask the next question - how does this make you a contender?<br />
<br />
It's been 42 years since the Knicks last won an NBA championship. Three eras of basketball - (Kareem, Magic and Bird, and Jordan) that have blown by with the Knicks only seriously contending in about four of those seasons. Even in 1999, the last time they were in the finals, they were the eight seed and constant overachievers - but not <i>really </i>contenders. Phil is betting on these kids to develop and for Melo to provide the leadership (which he has never demonstrated). While I'm sure Phil would like to add another free agent body (buenos dias Senor Gasol), salary cap limitations look like they will force the Knicks to develop a team internally. It's a gamble, but at least it's a strategy. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkYsKMaUzXc7UnpjV-Q-igYPmWCXDMWyzkSsE2Goj6fZHSL9eIX-SEb0vBON5N_wQirtOBGGFfZkMthoAmZZVL8nO3Bdj-EqkXznSsz6Pz_SCcQ-IqndVMk5U19PZ6-g9IbXPz9o7Sp0/s1600/cashman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkYsKMaUzXc7UnpjV-Q-igYPmWCXDMWyzkSsE2Goj6fZHSL9eIX-SEb0vBON5N_wQirtOBGGFfZkMthoAmZZVL8nO3Bdj-EqkXznSsz6Pz_SCcQ-IqndVMk5U19PZ6-g9IbXPz9o7Sp0/s1600/cashman.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>The Knicks issues compare favorably to what is facing the Yankees. As the Yanks progress from the <br />
Core Four to Sore Four (my new nickname for their "starting" pitching staff),they are forced to revise their team building strategy. In spite of a lack of salary cap, it's practically impossible to build an effective baseball team through free agency. Baseball general managers have shifted tactics to locking up younger players at the first sign of success, buying out their arbitration and early free agency years.<br />
<br />
In the past, the Yankees would sit and wait for players to become eligible. Now their patience is netting them a beat-up Brian McCann; a game, but inconsistent Jacoby Ellsbury; and a used-up Carlos Beltran. There are no pitchers to be had as stars like Kershaw, Cueto and Hernandez are locked up through their prime years and others like Wainwright and Verlander are getting on in years (despite Wainwright's outstanding success this year, he is 32 years old).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt9vNHXcOcXaQpvpM_EcKMFvE2m-wJT4C1n9i4_qNWDisz5GDlmPXc4hg-4dWXWjZDXpIAcCZaKktWGhwkH_L0tXJqMirVla2NuS8eI-JajEVOkueZX2W97BUCneTpJnxYzPvylK_y_0/s1600/refsynder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt9vNHXcOcXaQpvpM_EcKMFvE2m-wJT4C1n9i4_qNWDisz5GDlmPXc4hg-4dWXWjZDXpIAcCZaKktWGhwkH_L0tXJqMirVla2NuS8eI-JajEVOkueZX2W97BUCneTpJnxYzPvylK_y_0/s1600/refsynder.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a>Do the Yankees become sellers as they approach the trade deadline? Since they're only five games out and in a weak division, I think they will double-down and become buyers. The trouble is, there's not much left to bargain with. Any young, pro-ready talent would already be up with the team (sit down, Yangervis) and some highly touted talent has not panned out (I'm looking at you Mason Williams and Manny Banuelos). With all the papers talking up Rob Refsnyder in the last month, we'll sit back and watch if he becomes the next core star. There's no chance that Tampa will trade David Price to the Yanks and that's not necessarily where the problem lies. They need an everyday player to be the main cog in their lineup. A centerpiece. You know - a Carmelo Anthony.<br />
<br />
<b>Just Sayin'</b><br />
<br />
I just paid for two of my Fantasy Football leagues - so its time to study!<br />
<br />
With Tanaka-san on the shelf, it would be nice if Shane Greene turned out to be the real thing and not a tease (like Chase Whitely).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLVwCeu9K_yIPlsccdMU5ICpOTRU7QWd1V7qqeRVftF9ZLgsqiaB__O3ZLwPIaAkxctAv92CPrDJ4arxAmbDa_eibv7vmK8lig1_OdpFpgXxtRQa-kPgE-UYkTt-uCDaF4sE1bzpJVNQ/s1600/netflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLVwCeu9K_yIPlsccdMU5ICpOTRU7QWd1V7qqeRVftF9ZLgsqiaB__O3ZLwPIaAkxctAv92CPrDJ4arxAmbDa_eibv7vmK8lig1_OdpFpgXxtRQa-kPgE-UYkTt-uCDaF4sE1bzpJVNQ/s1600/netflix.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>As a sports fan, the last three months have been riveting between the Stanley Cup playoffs and World Cup. But now it's time to dedicate myself to catching up on the TV I've missed.<br />
<br />
I can't recall a year where so many baseball players have been hurt. It seems like I'm reading about some out for weeks and months every day. Yadier Molina, Brandon Phillips, Tanaka - when did these guys become so fragile?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-60229307105958077482014-07-03T09:56:00.001-07:002014-07-03T09:56:18.815-07:00The Yankee Outlook Could Make for a Long, Hot Summer<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been distracted by several things over the past few weeks. Since mid-May, the Rangers had an exhilarating climb to the Stanley Cup Finals; the World Cup (we have a family pool since we're all soccer junkies) captivates us and the US Men's team surprises us as they walked through the Group of Death; the Knicks rebuilding process is taking shape as Phil Jackson learns on the job and makes a nice trade with Dallas for point guard Jose Calderon and draft picks that turn into athletics forwards; it's always fun following Giants mini-camp and the NFL as I prepare for my three fantasy football drafts; and personal stuff, as we lost a close friend and my daughter graduated high school. But now I'm ready to get back into some Yankee baseball!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But the Yankees suck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe that's a little harsh. They just can't hit, field or (sometimes) pitch, but aside from that, I'm sure they're OK.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsYos2alGRbXRYTqMdpCTNrNqg6ziQ82VdbxnII_pVQwc-SqHbf4F7WYLwV3Dh8idXYgo48KizDJ7uAy9wouhsHCmjWbBvkWdTrBTac2C5upfvwBD7S12TZaHk-V1Ba6leV8lWbTR358/s1600/yangervis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsYos2alGRbXRYTqMdpCTNrNqg6ziQ82VdbxnII_pVQwc-SqHbf4F7WYLwV3Dh8idXYgo48KizDJ7uAy9wouhsHCmjWbBvkWdTrBTac2C5upfvwBD7S12TZaHk-V1Ba6leV8lWbTR358/s1600/yangervis.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They've just cut their April and May MVP, who picked a bad time to hit less than my IQ for the past month and field like he's just discovered he has hands. (I no longer feel compelled to learn how to spell "Yangervis".) The veteran off-season pick-ups that would make up the offensive loss of Robinson Cano (I'm looking at you Beltran, McCann and Ellsbury) are hitting a combined .247 with 22 combined home runs - which basically makes them Mark Teixeira. Brett Gardner and (I can't believe I'm typing this) Ichiro Suzuki have been the only consistent producers in the lineup. Even the great Jeter (hallowed be His name) is showing that taking a year off to injury and coming back at 40 years old can make you an average ballplayer. There is absolutely no consistency in the lineup due to injury, maintenance, or lack of production. Which subsequently affects the team in the field. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The outfield has held up well as Gardner is able to become one of the best defensive left </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVioF0PJthGBdInBHYb5oQKc16YR7ozt-xCiCdn2MjOwvmlM40tRCrpTBj80B72pqlHkitxBwxAq7Aanw4w54peXhYR3sceG3f8WZJkLlwhz61KVB8OhQs7_32X1OEsP-7vBSYRCides/s1600/gardner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVioF0PJthGBdInBHYb5oQKc16YR7ozt-xCiCdn2MjOwvmlM40tRCrpTBj80B72pqlHkitxBwxAq7Aanw4w54peXhYR3sceG3f8WZJkLlwhz61KVB8OhQs7_32X1OEsP-7vBSYRCides/s1600/gardner.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
fielders in baseball and Ellsbury has been better than we remember in centerfield. However, the infield looks as if it would take me running to first to enable them to turn a double play. With Kelly Johnson and the forementioned Yangervis Solarte playing third base - which neither of them had done before this season at any level - there is no stability. Jeter, whose range has been suspect for most of his 30's, is playing like a 40 year-old shortstop (the last time I saw a 40 year-old shortstop, I was playing third base on a softball team). General Manager Brian Cashman is under the gun to find a third baseman (and no, Alex Rodriguez is not available) who can hit and field. Actually, any hitting would do since the Yanks are 12th in the AL (20th overall) in hitting and were just swept by the team ranked 13th. <br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVi0e9_rFXFwQib7kV3d8wa6YyNbyreyr4In7P2hOCCxPxsKb09R3BQqO47CPtP1pcAQW9oVl-YiCliJ3omQcXvGwqZ-6HQO20R3hC4sQIIeN0ZL8j3c45xatdKwxqgKUkB2RZSKqBJA/s1600/delin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVi0e9_rFXFwQib7kV3d8wa6YyNbyreyr4In7P2hOCCxPxsKb09R3BQqO47CPtP1pcAQW9oVl-YiCliJ3omQcXvGwqZ-6HQO20R3hC4sQIIeN0ZL8j3c45xatdKwxqgKUkB2RZSKqBJA/s1600/delin.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Incredibly, the optimistic side of the team is the pitching staff. This group suffered from the loss of CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova (my pre-season pick for Cy Young) but have been stabilized by the revelation that is Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka has led the league in ERA for the past two months (he was pitcher of the month in May) and has provided something (the only thing?) that Cashman can point to as a success. Typical performances from Hiroki Kuroda and David Phelps have helped and Chase Whitely started a strong 3-0 but has stumbled in his last two starts (just as CC begins his rehab assignment). The bullpen </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">is still finding its rhythm as David Robertson has taken over for Mariano Rivera and done a serviceable job (welcome to the new reality Yankee fans - no more "automatic" feelings when the gate to the 'pen opens in the ninth). Delin Betances seems to be the Tanaka of the bullpen, showing almost unhittable stuff in his outings. However, he had to take a couple of days off already, which does not bode well for his second half longevity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The results so far have been as consistent as the weather. Hot one week, cool the next, with no chance at getting a prediction better than 50% correct. Without a change, or upgrade in the lineup, they're mired in mediocrity. With the lack of offense, the Yankees are playing a brand of completely un-entertaining baseball, that makes even the most chauvinistic baseball fan long for a good soccer game. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just Sayin'</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo8L7igWrzfWNS-CTGMjlj5PCWzxBSOBw8cojfRQuwrpl4MybSBccdW5i3DX_yHWOhLG95FWUOoUvIX-K2INe4ZN38dmkuTlLn4Z_dxqeHoOfXKFOnV_0jm50F9uOGr9g0sGkiVOkwbg/s1600/cleanthony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo8L7igWrzfWNS-CTGMjlj5PCWzxBSOBw8cojfRQuwrpl4MybSBccdW5i3DX_yHWOhLG95FWUOoUvIX-K2INe4ZN38dmkuTlLn4Z_dxqeHoOfXKFOnV_0jm50F9uOGr9g0sGkiVOkwbg/s1600/cleanthony.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With Cleanthony Early, Thanasis Antetokounmpo<strong>,</strong> and Louis Labeyrie the Knicks win the "coolest names" category of the draft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If the Giants offensive line is a puzzle, I'm glad that we have OL coach Pat Flaherty to put it together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you Brian Boyle for doing all the dirty work over the past few years. I hope we don't miss you too much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update: If I have the first pick, I might go completely outside the box and pick a kicker. At least they have a better chance of making it through the season. As my granfather would say, "Running backs, feh!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With eight teams left in the World Cup I have Brazil, Holland and Belguim still alive in my pool - but I have a hunch that Columbia might take it all. </span><br />
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<br />Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-50094443952298176342014-06-25T05:15:00.000-07:002014-06-25T05:15:23.626-07:00And with the 12th Pick, Orlando Takes . . . the Knicks Pick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By Craig Hoberman </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hey there fellow Knicks fans! As you’ve probably now accepted, Melo is probably going to leave New York (boo-hoo). Even worse, the year he is likely to turn his back on the Garden is also the year of the best draft class in a decade. And the Knicks have no pick to speak of in 2014 - because we gave it away for Melo - who will probably be in Chicago laughing it up this time next year. We NY fans can’t catch a break, can we?</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What kinds of players are NY really missing out on? Top prospects Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Dante Exum will definitely fall outside where the Knicks pick would be picking, (#12, currently held by the Orlando as a result of the Melo
trade from the Nuggets and then more trades after) but even further down the list are players that could still make an immediate impact on any struggling team. Yes, this year’s draft class is that damn good.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let’s take a look at which directions each of the first 11 teams to select may go, and which players may remain after, that again, the
Knicks have no reason to even look at. Oh well. There’s always next year. At least we still have our 2015 and 2017 1st Round Picks!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. <b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Cleveland
Cavaliers </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Jabari Parker</i>:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b>I don’t think anybody anticipated Cleveland getting the first
selection again this year. After last year’s joke of a #1 overall pick in
Anthony Bennett, the Cav’s need to shape up and pick smart . If I were them,
I’d go with the best pure basketball player in the draft- Duke’s Jabari Parker.
He’s not as freakishly athletic as Andrew Wiggins or Joel Embiid, but he’s the
most skilled and NBA-ready player available. If not for his questionable foot
and back injury status and lack of basketball experience, Embiid would make a
perfect fit for Cleveland, but after that laughable use of the #1 pick last year,
the Cavs need to go with the most reliable choice- and that’s Parker. He often
draws comparisons to Melo- imagine if Melo had a point guard like Kyrie Irving
in NY. The Kyrie-Parker combo could be LETHAL. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <b><i>Joel
Embiid: </i></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Cav’s have a weak and aging group of big men. Embiid seems
like the #1 guy across the board because of his athletic prowess and
determination on both ends of the floor. They’ll pick Embiid on draft night to
restore order to the front court and install a young, defensive anchor into
their game plan, regardless of the many concerns that come with him. Parker is
the best basketball player in the draft but doesn’t have the athleticism that
the Cavs are most likely looking for. Hopefully Embiid doesn’t bust.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">2. Milwaukee
Bucks</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Andrew Wiggins</i>: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If the
Bucks do miss out on Embiid, Wiggins is the next best choice. He can play the 2
or the 3, is the most athletic player in the draft, and has the potential to be
a star on nearly any team. He’ll do great in a lineup that goes something like
Brandon Knight, himself, Giannis Anetokounmpo, Ersan Ilyasova and Larry
Sanders. That combo is bursting with raw athleticism and youth. Wiggins could
be the centerpiece that the Bucks need. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Andrew Wiggins: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Again, if
they miss out on Embiid, the Bucks would be foolish to pass on Wiggins. He is
exactly what they need for success- a youthful, exuberant athlete who can serve
as the centerpiece on their roster. The Bucks have a lot of raw talent, but
they’re missing something- that something is a player like Wiggins.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.
Philadelphia 76ers</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Jabari Parker: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Before the
lotto jumbled the expected draft order around, the 76ers were a shoe-in to take
Andrew Wiggins. He’s perfect for the team, but it isn’t likely that he’s going
to be available by #3. If possible, I’d take Wiggins for the 76ers, but again,
he won’t be around, so I’ll go with my favorite player in the draft, Jabari
Parker. Skill-wise he could offer immediate relief to a painfully bad 76ers
squad, while forming a formidable trio of Michael Carter-Williams, himself and
Nerlens Noel. If that’s the case- they could be a title contender not too long
from now.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Jabari Parker: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If Wiggins
is off the board, Parker is a guaranteed pick from the 76ers. Even the Trail
Blazers wouldn’t screw this up.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">4. Orlando
Magic</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Dante Exum: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">This is the
kid that I dream about the Knicks getting. Exum is the most talented PG in the
draft athletically and also boasts tremendous skill. At 6-6, he’s brilliantly
sized for the position, performed beautifully at the combine, and though he’s
very young, has a ton of room for development. Orlando won’t have a shot at
Parker, Wiggins or Embiid- so it’s gotta be the mysterious, Australian
powerhouse. The backcourt combo of Oladipo and Exum is almost too good to be
true. Pair them with the underrated Vucevic at center- and you have the best
Orlando Magic team in a long time. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Dante Exum: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Orlando has
no chance in hell of getting Embiid, Parker or Wiggins unless they somehow
trade up the pick ladder. They’ve been interested in Exum even before he
declared for the draft. They’re dreaming of the same backcourt combo that I
envision terrorizing the league in just a few years.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">5. Utah
Jazz</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Noah Vonleh: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">He’s not as
proven as an athlete or game-changer as fellow power forwards Julius Randle or
Aaron Gordon- but if I was Utah, I’d realize the potential Vonleh has and take
him in a heart beat. Amazing size, enormous hands and an unbelievable vertical
make him a strong contender for freak-of-the-draft this year. I’d love to see
him pair up with and learn a thing or two from Derrick Favors. They’d be deadly
alongside one another. Randle won’t be as successful in the NBA as he was in
college and Aaron Gordon isn’t as NBA ready as Vonleh might be. I’d go with
Vonleh.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Aaron Gordon: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I would
want Vonleh on my Jazz roster, but they’ll go with Gordon. Gordon is probably
the better player of the two so far but he’s the youngest guy in the
draft, however scouts believe he has
more skill potential than Vonleh overall. They’ll pick him up on draft night.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">6. Boston
Celtics</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Marcus Smart: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Truth is, Rajon Rondo isn’t going to stay in Boston too much longer. That’s almost a
guarantee. He was nearly traded at the deadline this year, and Danny Ainge is
no dummy- he’ll use Rondo as leverage to continue the Celtics rebuilding phase.
What better way to rebuild than around a strong, hard working point guard like
Marcus Smart? Some have questioned his basketball ability, but his dedication
to physical defense, offensive skill set and playmaking ability make him highly
sought after. His immense strength and perfect size for position are his
greatest selling points. If the Celtics could coach him right, he’ll develop
into an All-Star level point guard. If I were Ainge I’d move Rondo for a big
man and/or future picks, and make the Smart choice- pick up Marcus Smart with
the #6 pick.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Marcus Smart or Noah Vonleh: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">This is a
tough one. If the Celtics decide to keep Rondo around, Smart would be a silly
choice. Avery Bradley can run the point or serve as a nice companion to Rondo
at the 2. If Vonleh is still on the board, they may go with him. His potential
is exciting and the Celtics need a young big guy who can crash the glass and
handle the ball when needed. He needs to learn the defensive side for sure, but
that comes with playing experience. I think the Celtics might take a chance and
go with Vonleh if he’s still on the board by pick #6. But if Ainge is planning
to ship Rondo off, Smart is the obvious pick.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">7</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">. </span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Los Angeles Lakers</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Noah Vonleh: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">For the
first time in many years, the Lakers flat-out suck. They’re just awful. Dwight
Howard did nothing for them and they’ll be lucky to get five more solid minutes
out of Steve Nash- not to mention Kobe is two years away from retirement. They
have a laughably weak line-up at this time. Vonleh could be a great piece to
build around. He could add youth and energy the interior game that they could
start to develop. They’ll probably end up going with Julius Randle, who is a
more proven scrapper, but I’d go with Vonleh because he has more potential for
success in the NBA. If each team went with the pick I chose for them, Vonleh
wouldn’t be around this late. But I don’t think most NBA teams have as much
confidence in him as I have. In any case, the Lakers MUST be careful with their
pick this year. If they tank again next season, the abhorrent Lakers fanbase
won’t be able to handle it. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Julius Randle: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Randle is a
more proven player than Vonleh. At one point this year, he was projected #1
overall. If Randle is still on the board, L.A. would be foolish not to grab
him, even though I feel Vonleh may be the next franchise player that could
prosper on their team. Many believe L.A. will go with Smart- to be their next
franchise point- but they might see Randle as a more reliable pick.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">8.
Sacramento Kings</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Julius Randle</i>: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I would
LOVE to see Randle on the Kings. I think their current roster has a boatload of
potential- All-Star forward Rudy Gay, lights-out shooter and athlete Ben
McLemore, post-up monster Demarcus Cousins and specialty point guard Isaiah
Thomas. Inject Randle into that line up right beside Cousins- and that’s a team
to watch out for. Randle would complete the interior fire storm already started
by Cousins. He’d be a great fit in Sacramento.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Marcus Smart: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I like
Isaiah Thomas at point for the Kings- but I’m not sure their staff likes him
very much. He hasn’t really produced yet, and he’s ridiculously undersized, so
they might replace him with Smart. I think Randle would be a better fit for the
team, but Sacramento may view Smart as an opportunity to improve offensive
intensity and consistency. They’d probably rather have him run the floor than
poor Isaiah Thomas. If Smart is still on the board at #8, the Kings will take
him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">9.
Charlotte Hornets</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Doug McDermott: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Yes- the
Hornets are back! Nostalgia, anyone? The former Bobcats have improved
tremendously this season- they made the playoffs! Just a few years ago they had
a seven win season- the worst in NBA history. Charlotte has athleticism and
some excellent defenders, now they need a guy who can score from anywhere- and
that’s McDermott. McDermott is one of the best college basketball players of
all time, and while he may not continue his dominance into the NBA, his ability
to score at will makes him a valuable player in this draft. He plays gracefully
and rarely makes a costly mistake. Charlotte already has some fantastic
athleticism in Kemba Walker and do-everything-man Michael Kidd-Gilchrist- so
adding McDermott could give them the edge they need to compete.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Doug McDermott: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I don’t see
the former Bobs going in any other direction. McDermott can score, he’s a
proven player (one of the most experienced in the draft) and that’s exactly the
kind of guy that Charlotte is missing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">10. Philadelphia
76ers</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Gary Harris: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Harris is
one of the best pure shooters in the draft. He would be a beautiful fit in the
rest of the young 76ers lineup. He doesn’t have the size or athleticism to
dominate other players, but again, that
shooting ability is hard to look over. He’s an offensive powerhouse. The 76ers
will be an elite squad in a few years.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Gary Harris: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Philly has
no reason to even look at anybody else. If they nab Wiggins or Parker, either
of those players would match beautifully with Noel and Carter-Williams. Harris
isn’t an elite player, but he’s an excellent shooter and an active defender,
and would be a great second or third scoring option on this new 76ers team.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">11. Denver
Nuggets</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Pick: <i>Rodney Hood: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I love this
kid. He’s a marvelous shooter, doesn’t turn the ball over and can make or
create plays. He’d develop well on the Nuggets.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Their Pick:
<i>Adreian Payne: </i></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">He’s big,
he can shoot, and is an animal at the rim- but I don’t think he has the
consistency or playmaking skills that Rodney Hood could offer. Regardless, he’s
an excellent player with room for growth, and the Nuggets will pick him up in
June.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And here is where the Knicks would be picking. There are a
ton of great players left- James Young, Dario Saric, P.J. Hairston, Tyler
Ennis, Shabazz Napier and Nik Stauskas. And there’s even a chance one of those
top ten guys could fall to where the Knicks pick would be. But unfortunately
for us dedicated NY Knicks fans, we won’t have a chance at any of these young
talents, so what’s the point in even talking about them? It’s fun to dream.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’m not sure D Fish or even Phil Jackson can save the Knicks
from yet another disastrous season. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><i>(Guest writer Craig Hoberman is a student and SUNY-Cortland and Social Media consultant, dedicated Knicks fan and patriot.</i><i> You can follow Craig on Twitter at @MyTownTutorsNY)</i></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-31234583883699870342014-06-13T11:21:00.000-07:002014-06-13T11:21:40.389-07:00Yankee Fans Find Their “Hiro”<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Masahiro Tanaka demands your full attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don’t care if you’re glued to the TV watching the Rangers
march through the playoffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
matter what golf tournament is on (Tiger isn’t playing yet anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your basketball season has been over for
months if you’re a Knick fan (and for weeks if you’re a Net fan, or anyone else
not Miami and San Antonio).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The World Cup hasn’t started yet and football
is still in hibernation. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Masahiro Tanaka wants you to watch baseball now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEvlNTxn8lnM1sGK2EgCFoZFOYx__D8oDK_PLg_wrJlA-k1aFm07d7J-u918ir0DYj64_eHC613MqG7Jzt1FAPSNDVEy1pOTbwgwq9puvZdo94s1Urdf0bKVUuFBr7ciAjaIC86wiH_Q/s1600/hiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEvlNTxn8lnM1sGK2EgCFoZFOYx__D8oDK_PLg_wrJlA-k1aFm07d7J-u918ir0DYj64_eHC613MqG7Jzt1FAPSNDVEy1pOTbwgwq9puvZdo94s1Urdf0bKVUuFBr7ciAjaIC86wiH_Q/s1600/hiro.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I remember feeling like this before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1978, Yankee fans watched as their
defending champs stumbled through the beginning of the season with the
exception of every fifth day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
when Ron Guidry took the mound and created a dominant pitching performance that
compelled you to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t lose a game until July that year (he
ended up losing three); finished what he started 16 times with nine shut
outs and an absurd 1.74 ERA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> L</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ots of luck finding
a starter that can begin 16 games without a trip to the DL now. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_QfmtwzlAw7L3CFRpbpId25xUyS02jt8Jqn3_1lW_7Yvrlv_6eJ-Gu89cBOa7JwANdwdsHMLWSBkw-OmCcdnYHMCqpjH1VUlJAinnZ_O2GA_-0u9J4nZU6NP88bOzy-2iD7VBzTYm0Y/s1600/angels+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_QfmtwzlAw7L3CFRpbpId25xUyS02jt8Jqn3_1lW_7Yvrlv_6eJ-Gu89cBOa7JwANdwdsHMLWSBkw-OmCcdnYHMCqpjH1VUlJAinnZ_O2GA_-0u9J4nZU6NP88bOzy-2iD7VBzTYm0Y/s1600/angels+game.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Post Break:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beth Aaron’s Sweet Sixteen, held on June 17,
1978 coincided with a Guidry start against the Angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the party, all the Yankee fans were
anxiously kept in the dark (in those pre-internet days) until we got home and
found out that Guidry struck out 18 batters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That Saturday night was the first time Yankee Stadium fans started
clapping when a batter had two strikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not happy I missed that game.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tanaka, has taken baseball by storm this year, going 10-1
with an AL leading 2.02 ERA and making Yankee fans remember what it’s like to
watch a pitcher at the top of his game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this era of relief specialization, Tanaka has
shunned the bullpen, twice completing games and going as deep into the game as Yankee
Manager Joe Girardi’s binder will let him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s averaging over seven innings an appearance and averages over a
strikeout and inning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s his aura, like Guidry in ’78 that compels
you to tune in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something special can happen any time he’s on
the mound and you don’t want to miss a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yankee fans can only hope for a
1978 redux (maybe without the 14 ½ game comeback).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At a time when the Yankees are sliding their way back to
pre-1995 mediocrity, Tanaka could be the bridge between the Jeter Era and
whatever comes next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now, we’ll
just watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who is making Rangers D Dan Girardi’s sticks – ACME Toothpick
Company? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B7L9pMQ-yH4FJJoLjOQwCAURDsrF9hwjK7zQRQrzlDdo_l8roPB5J6CvNC_5imljU9UFNhZfCcs3K5w_mcW8HX_iq7Z_HO-DzPl7ORsRi7P9yYuTqzpuzbMWko6XC9D4JueV8Mvio_I/s1600/dan+G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B7L9pMQ-yH4FJJoLjOQwCAURDsrF9hwjK7zQRQrzlDdo_l8roPB5J6CvNC_5imljU9UFNhZfCcs3K5w_mcW8HX_iq7Z_HO-DzPl7ORsRi7P9yYuTqzpuzbMWko6XC9D4JueV8Mvio_I/s1600/dan+G.jpg" height="122" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If I’m Derek Fisher, I’m pumping up that Carmelo-to-Miami
talk so Melo opts out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no room
for a 30 year-old ball hog in the triangle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jon Beason, we hardly knew ye . . . </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m trying to get over the fact that I’m still watching hockey and I’ve
already received my pre-season projections email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
be behind in preparing already – can I?</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">World Cup Update: Fearless prediction is that someone not
ranked in the top five will win this year, so farewell Spain, Germany, Brazil,
Portugal and Argentina – hello Italy? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Belgium?</span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-80111014244738369772014-05-30T09:27:00.000-07:002014-05-30T09:27:38.556-07:00As Luck (and Lundquist) Would Have It, the Rangers Move on<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeo9WhVGiDX626glB0k1jm_evEnWbLDmxP9yhyphenhyphen5QIMZRlbSMB49V1RMfukcg6rqOsnOGyUG8sbJVtMpJzhC2R62QzieQXxuWdz7CHzFH3p253W0rrcHM2rBX47xAaF4XsxCRPcmEgJ6w/s1600/rangercover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeo9WhVGiDX626glB0k1jm_evEnWbLDmxP9yhyphenhyphen5QIMZRlbSMB49V1RMfukcg6rqOsnOGyUG8sbJVtMpJzhC2R62QzieQXxuWdz7CHzFH3p253W0rrcHM2rBX47xAaF4XsxCRPcmEgJ6w/s1600/rangercover.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’m a man who enjoys his routines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among them, is getting home on Thursday
afternoon and doing a quick review of my newly arrived Sports Illustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I arrived home this Thursday, I was
mortified when I looked at the cover – featuring New York Rangers defenseman Ryan
McDonagh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I loudly cursed the editors who suddenly decided hockey was
worth putting on the cover after ignoring the sport all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing going through my mind was
evident to those who know the publication – the Sports Illustrated cover jinx!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RKph6mzp12f3yVc5N-HBjXQqvQzazWDq5pr1m-psuoAFPsu31lKcYSgVSBnKBCayq4BxdHuKpmy28oBhVDqPEDgK89vlHmcjQ-wOMDlCoZpP71w_qUljr3wb1UB1JUrWMyg1M0G8ubM/s1600/habbanners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RKph6mzp12f3yVc5N-HBjXQqvQzazWDq5pr1m-psuoAFPsu31lKcYSgVSBnKBCayq4BxdHuKpmy28oBhVDqPEDgK89vlHmcjQ-wOMDlCoZpP71w_qUljr3wb1UB1JUrWMyg1M0G8ubM/s1600/habbanners.jpg" height="77" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Rangers had just come off a disastrous Game 5, where, in
the second period, they allowed the Montreal Canadiens to score as many goals
in one period as they allowed to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the last three games
of the previous series - <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">combined</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I envisioned the karmic laughter of those
smug <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Qubecois</i> with their gazillion <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coupe Stanley</i> banners, coming back from
a 3-1 deficit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see Rangers
goalie Henrik Lundquist suffering through the New York summer like a character
from an Ingmar Bergman movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the cold, creeping specter of fear and
doubt as I took my customary seat in my rec room for Game 6 (always the rec
room – I’ve discovered that the family room provides less than optimal outcomes).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Post Break 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m not the only person who believes
in jinxes, but I admire a man who is directly affected and spits in the face of
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josh Beckett did a great job talking to
everyone in the dugout throughout his no-hitter last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I am also the man who jeopardized his
marriage by banishing his wife to another floor of the house during the Giants playoff
run on the way to Super Bowl 46.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a game that was not as close as the score would indicate,
the Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals beating the Habs, 1-0, but not
before causing every Ranger fan to gnash their teeth and curse the SI staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ranger attack did whatever it could to put
me at ease, peppering Montreal goalie Dustin Tokarski from all angles, but with
no result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sighs grew deeper with
every failed Ranger power play and missed opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plans to invade the Sports Illustrated
offices grew more nefarious as the clock ticked down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, Dominic Moore buried a brilliant
pass from Brian Boyle with about two minutes left in the second period to make
the intermission a little less tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF4dWETdHYjyPyLbScbpW22OblLb-rnfJu4lhdN-msv984voP10rNBAW9eA11GEOcnWNrT_PjPgue-9CXK5CAox7qghyphenhyphenx3OiVM1Zr1CHTvrfSBwcidzv_KsJbFHzO1qcJqORkeyZ-veo/s1600/fumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF4dWETdHYjyPyLbScbpW22OblLb-rnfJu4lhdN-msv984voP10rNBAW9eA11GEOcnWNrT_PjPgue-9CXK5CAox7qghyphenhyphenx3OiVM1Zr1CHTvrfSBwcidzv_KsJbFHzO1qcJqORkeyZ-veo/s1600/fumble.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Post Break 2: There
are a couple of other things that I will take very seriously: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not wear jerseys watching the games at
home; the right side of the couch is mine; changing positions is only allowed
if things are going wrong; you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will</b>
jinx it if you blab; and never any premature celebrations - Reggie Miller, the
Arizona Diamondbacks and Joe Pisarcik cured me of that.)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hwOw113JNO7rhtK_3g2hv2_y21mxVICIkiW2w2TJ9-kQhFNUIbu4NulFpFgBKiY8PxNMYXhIXrIdd730yFQ5fvyDrpnAwLdaKl8e6iwJbwbBRjreZcPhuIuT8ABBbkmWNpPYF-y_iIM/s1600/rangers-canadiens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hwOw113JNO7rhtK_3g2hv2_y21mxVICIkiW2w2TJ9-kQhFNUIbu4NulFpFgBKiY8PxNMYXhIXrIdd730yFQ5fvyDrpnAwLdaKl8e6iwJbwbBRjreZcPhuIuT8ABBbkmWNpPYF-y_iIM/s1600/rangers-canadiens.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The third period saw the Rangers play perhaps their most
dominant defensive period of these playoffs as the Montreal attack took minutes
to get the puck into the Ranger end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Blueshirts broke all historic precedent by maintaining their attack,
coming close to breaking the game open several times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept waiting for the next “Zelepukin” moment,
but none would come as I slumped on the couch filled with relief and gratitude when
the final horn sounded (in your eye, SI!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, by the way, as the champions of the Eastern Conference,
the Rangers were awarded the Prince of Wales Trophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to hockey superstition, they did
not touch the trophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Four more wins and they can carry the next trophy
around the ice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doesn’t Whitley, Nuno and Phelps sound like a law firm?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the Yankees should sue . . . </span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At this point, I think Phil Jackson should just bite the
bullet and rehire Hubie Brown . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’m waiting for someone to give Derek Jeter a lifetime
supply of penicillin as a retirement present . . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IXXhUr1EfxjFLmZigqluJa1xT0rfxlMGOZjIqsw2rytW42l8HbJsWZSqYBEAAzsPijeetBZjRLiJ6JBwcMnBhqEV3DwSDAdJaoHd5ozEQ-a9nSKvWFQovJVnUBEysrcuY_bw1FGl1Gs/s1600/jetergirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IXXhUr1EfxjFLmZigqluJa1xT0rfxlMGOZjIqsw2rytW42l8HbJsWZSqYBEAAzsPijeetBZjRLiJ6JBwcMnBhqEV3DwSDAdJaoHd5ozEQ-a9nSKvWFQovJVnUBEysrcuY_bw1FGl1Gs/s1600/jetergirls.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eli manning is back at practice two months early – I guess
that Josh Freeman signing really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i>
scare him . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In no way, shape, or form am I drafting any Browns this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Follow me on Twitter - @upperdeckview)</span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-83801429356955661452014-05-23T15:24:00.000-07:002014-05-24T07:17:11.726-07:00With the Draft Class in Session, the Knicks are Absent<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>By Craig Hoberman </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The NBA Draft
Lottery was held last week. The New York Knicks had given up their seat at the table waiting for the cards to be revealed - but that might be a good thing. According to a statistical
analysis by 82games.com, the Knicks are the worst drafting team of the
last twenty years (based on the career averages and overall success of the
draftees). Given that ever-so-prestigious title, it makes sense that the Knicks
haven’t been a consistently good franchise since the Ewing era. In fact, it’s
safe to say that they’ve been a fairly terrible organization since then – erratic
coaching and management changes, failure to develop high draft picks, the Isiah
Thomas catastrophe (most Knick fans try to pretend this never happened),
playoff troubles and even owner James Dolan’s infamous meddling. And even more
good news for Knicks fans this offseason: in what is being called the most
talent-heavy NBA draft in over a decade, the Knicks have not a pick to speak of
-- again. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although the Denver Nuggets
trade allowed Knicks fans to enjoy the team’s best multi-season run in years
(Melo pushed them into the playoffs three straight times, a massive upgrade
from the horrid performances of the prior decade), that success didn’t continue
through to this season. The Knicks missed the playoffs and lost a multitude of
disappointing games throughout the year. So the question is: although we Knicks
fanatics got a few great years out of him, was Carmelo Anthony worth the price?
It’s unanimous among analysts and fans that the Isiah Thomas pick-trade-a-thon
of the mid 2000’s ended up sending the team spiraling into decay, but how much
worse is it that years later, in 2014, the Knicks are again forced
to face the consequences of the ‘win now’ mentality? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What kinds of players
are NY really missing out on? Top prospects Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Joel
Embiid and Dante Exum will definitely fall outside where the Knicks pick would
be (#12, currently held by the Orlando as a result of the Melo trade from the
Nuggets and then more trades after) but even further down the list are players
that could still make an immediate impact on any struggling team. Yes, this
year’s draft class is that damn good. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Knicks have tried
the ‘win-now’ management strategy for far too long. Trading away the
possibilities of young talent for players that didn’t even make a difference is
not the way I expect new team president Phil Jackson to run this team. Somebody
needs to step up, stand up to Dolan and explain to him that it takes time to
build a team that can win -- and the best way to start is not by simply
grabbing a star or two- but by using draft picks to build a reliable squad. The
Kings, 76ers, Cavs, Celtics and Magic are doing it- so why can’t the Knicks?
Hopefully, Jackson will see how this mentality has destroyed the franchise -- and, in
addition, perhaps add Kevin Love in a year or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he’ll use the NBA draft to create a
competitive squad that can win games. And I swear, if we trade even more picks
away for someone like Kevin Love or Rondo, and that doesn’t work out, I’m
moving to Orlando and declaring myself a Magic fan. They’ve been a laughable
squad for years, but watch the moves they’ve been making in the last few
drafts- they’ll be a winning team soon enough- and I’m getting tired of waiting
around for the Knicks to win.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Guest writer Craig Hoberman is a student and SUNY-Cortland and Social Media consultant, dedicated Knicks fan and patriot.</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You can follow Craig on Twitter at @MyTownTutorsNY)</span></span></i><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></div>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></pre>
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<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-70521499098685785722014-05-16T11:05:00.001-07:002014-05-16T11:05:35.529-07:00The Rangers Get a Heart Transplant<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the New York Rangers started their series against the
Pittsburgh Penguins, they were staring fate right in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had never beaten the Penguins in a best
of seven series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not in 1989, 1992 or
1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the series progressed, they were booed off the ice in Game
4 to go down 3-1, and were looking at another, larger issue.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCO6DeqSvJIGUB_lWVHqBtNvjCqhPzckZGRPv9poPJhkVTBcWXqM8RKV4A3oj7eoKnr7z4CWwyBTeWUFYbEnWntAbaCELgh9KyH9P68qjYIWA9RhWZSiPNIedUrR7LAK5ryQMffXT4Lo/s1600/1972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCO6DeqSvJIGUB_lWVHqBtNvjCqhPzckZGRPv9poPJhkVTBcWXqM8RKV4A3oj7eoKnr7z4CWwyBTeWUFYbEnWntAbaCELgh9KyH9P68qjYIWA9RhWZSiPNIedUrR7LAK5ryQMffXT4Lo/s1600/1972.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sixteen times the Rangers have been down in a series 3-1 -
<i>with zero wins</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the almost 90 years
of existence, the Rangers have never come back from a 3-1 playoff
deficit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sixteen times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes Stanley Cup Finals losses to
the Bruins in 1972 and Canadiens in 1979.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were no comebacks in the 70’s against the Blackhawks; 80’s against
the Flyers and Islanders; 90’s against the Penguins and 00’s against
Devils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zero, nada, zilch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, all the boogeymen can go back into the closet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rangers are officially one of “those”
teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teams that come back against the
odds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teams that pull off upsets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They’re now a successful underdog.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5fTZwZN481kRQ-e1MrPCf7DRNQQ_sjiOvS56ZzgCM3Eb2Xc0Jk2FS1v8sexLTvvQw39Hs1JEQBJDoLh3Z_MrSYsJmrLcvsJImxcsAmDnpnijvQY0pUSSZ4t8LPTe5tLn-9Uu3F_BppE/s1600/underdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5fTZwZN481kRQ-e1MrPCf7DRNQQ_sjiOvS56ZzgCM3Eb2Xc0Jk2FS1v8sexLTvvQw39Hs1JEQBJDoLh3Z_MrSYsJmrLcvsJImxcsAmDnpnijvQY0pUSSZ4t8LPTe5tLn-9Uu3F_BppE/s1600/underdog.jpg" height="200" width="183" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Rangers defeat of the Penguins in a seven-game roller
coaster of a series could potentially mark a turning point in the team’s
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exorcizing two demons in a
series, the Rangers survived consecutive shut outs and being booed off their
home ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They overcame the sudden
passing of the mother of one of their influential (if not newer) leaders,
Martin St. Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were simply as un-Ranger-like as they
could possibly be – gritty, tough, and self-sacrificing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rangers showed more heart in the final
three games of this series then at any time since 1994.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">St. Louis started the turn around, but was nowhere near ice
when he made the biggest decision of the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Citing his mother’s and family’s wishes, he chose
to play Game 5 with the Rangers down 3-1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The team went from a demoralized, exhausted, twice shut out group to an
inspired, energized, dedicated group, taking the emotional edge from their new leader’s
example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhqZfJ8tAt6XrMOBg3rBpK7jsk24uFqjUkp2yecqo1Ieuqlbp4RZA6TXH5aAS0drbt_2sA4sCH9a7D83x7UOyXDD9L7tJK1XSziaYss7q6Giitvg1I5ifE0PFIYMGThbUWyfrxoCb0L4/s1600/king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhqZfJ8tAt6XrMOBg3rBpK7jsk24uFqjUkp2yecqo1Ieuqlbp4RZA6TXH5aAS0drbt_2sA4sCH9a7D83x7UOyXDD9L7tJK1XSziaYss7q6Giitvg1I5ifE0PFIYMGThbUWyfrxoCb0L4/s1600/king.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course it didn’t hurt to have the hot goalie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henrik Lundquist proved himself to be as solid
as a rock, stopping shot after point-blank shot from one of the best finishing
teams in the NHL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In comparison, Penguin
goalie Marc-Andre Fleury<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>went from being a wall
to being a sieve, as Chris Kreider put one in from an impossible angle (for a left-hand
shot) to start the Game 5 scoring and Carl Hagelin beat him with a savable
backhand in Game 6 (after a St. Louis kick in put the Rangers up 1-0).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time
Game 7 started, I’m sure Penguin coach Dan Bylsma wished he had Tom Barrasso between the pipes –
even in is current, 49 year-old, retired condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know that the playoffs are only half over, but for a
lifelong Ranger fan, overcoming two historical issues in one series, is enough
to get one hopeful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, until we
have to deal with Carey Price, Subban, Gionta, Briere . . . </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-fGM7KbBDa5BqG4cByYc-gMKF6I5-JXlD4netknOzZIqkgqu8mn8zSjr4UtoxbGn7DsTDXzCdGBolmPP1mw4yFTM3HzGlQngKIue8X_upGrK4p5HzjYy7GlLnVYSqGfGSOQtVTbASh8/s1600/shakeshack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-fGM7KbBDa5BqG4cByYc-gMKF6I5-JXlD4netknOzZIqkgqu8mn8zSjr4UtoxbGn7DsTDXzCdGBolmPP1mw4yFTM3HzGlQngKIue8X_upGrK4p5HzjYy7GlLnVYSqGfGSOQtVTbASh8/s1600/shakeshack.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Steve Kerr realized that coaching the Knicks was as good for
you as a Shake Shack hamburger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I never thought Dr. James Andrews would be the Yanks
MVP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also never thought I would need
to learn how to spell Yangervis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Does it mean anything that I’m more excited about the
Giants’ UFA’s than their draft picks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Defensive linemen Emmanuel Dieke from Georgia Tech and Kelcy Quarles
from South Carolina will make the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the addition of Aaron Donald, I’m touting the Rams D/ST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the teams in the NFC West are in the Top
10 D/ST easy. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-84626634167369577992014-05-09T09:47:00.000-07:002014-05-09T09:47:02.805-07:00“Sometime in 2015” The Yanks will Do the Right Thing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On May 8<sup>th</sup> the Yankees announced that they will
retire Joe Torre’s number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was as inevitable
as the sun rising in the morning, delayed only by Torre’s Dodger fiasco and
Hamlet act regarding his next job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Yanks also announced that they will honor Rich “Goose” Gossage, Tino Martinez
and Paul O’Neill during the Old Timers Day weekend celebrations with plaques in
Memorial Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They included the
following footnote in their press release:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bernie Williams will be honored “sometime in 2015.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkeO6Ke1mWeBqSd2jWYSXiZSzatrZyFttRYF8Gd9VwOqITzduOohY-QGtNZf8okdYTrUl9MxTDf0TE25FBOga4zjO_noJIVf7R700FiuuAdno2vyTXAD4lXRkavw_IRXcFUrH4CuIRaw/s1600/bernie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkeO6Ke1mWeBqSd2jWYSXiZSzatrZyFttRYF8Gd9VwOqITzduOohY-QGtNZf8okdYTrUl9MxTDf0TE25FBOga4zjO_noJIVf7R700FiuuAdno2vyTXAD4lXRkavw_IRXcFUrH4CuIRaw/s1600/bernie.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bernie was the
homegrown, quiet heartbeat of the 90’s dynasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">de facto</i> leader, and
star centerfielder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure Tino and Paulie
provided great moments as Yankees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goose
had one of the greatest games in Yankee history – no Yankee fan alive at the
time will forget the 1978 playoff game against Boston and Gossage’s 2 2/3
innings of relief to get the save.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Goose
was also infamous for getting his ass kicked by Cliff Johnson in 1979 and
missing two months after injuring his thumb in the fight.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, these three all came from somewhere
else (and in Gossage’s case ended somewhere else).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a time where it’s almost impossible to find an original
Yankee, honoring Williams should take precedence, especially considering his
highly successful career and classy demeanor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Williams was a lifetime .297 hitter with over 2,300 hits; 127 playoff
games with 22 postseason home runs; was the ALCS MVP (1996); won a batting
title (1998); a Silver Slugger (2002) four Gold Gloves; six pennants and four
rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the 1998 season, in which
the Yankees went 114–48 to set a then American League regular season record,
Williams became the first player to win a batting title, Gold Glove award, and World
Series ring in the same year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sounds like no one should ever wear his number again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXS7UBolfgeqju1oleHwof2CyQPTMEPgt37dk7xdHDpJI8zR-3lJcEotS5EtuBkX25O2aqu6gv_sLv6tMm-KNqgyeZjtnx_NA6X6v3CrYuKlWdZKtRp2YoP8TEAqo3n3bwaB7Md8wTEE/s1600/bernie+number.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXS7UBolfgeqju1oleHwof2CyQPTMEPgt37dk7xdHDpJI8zR-3lJcEotS5EtuBkX25O2aqu6gv_sLv6tMm-KNqgyeZjtnx_NA6X6v3CrYuKlWdZKtRp2YoP8TEAqo3n3bwaB7Md8wTEE/s1600/bernie+number.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Williams came up through the dark days of the early 90’s and
became the first original star in the transitional period between the Don Mattingly
era and the 90’s dynasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the Yankees
celebrated the existence and departure of the “Core Four” of Jeter, Rivera,
Posada and Pettitte, let’s not forget that there was an original one – actually
51.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So Odell Beckham, Jr. joins the Giants to become the next
Greg Jennings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donald Driver? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hakeem Nicks? Rocky Thompson?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Es9ErH0Vk8TlKKv5vfhdO6d3i7snfaSImG0eTaumEmrxVWbuHkC3R3d8iP1l9NuJxINyWNavxT6qEveJ1-X-8_KXr4sWJWBDRMXd9D4cQBtBNZEpS99cUKhzVnu3R44yrv9Yp8G2e7w/s1600/jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Es9ErH0Vk8TlKKv5vfhdO6d3i7snfaSImG0eTaumEmrxVWbuHkC3R3d8iP1l9NuJxINyWNavxT6qEveJ1-X-8_KXr4sWJWBDRMXd9D4cQBtBNZEpS99cUKhzVnu3R44yrv9Yp8G2e7w/s1600/jackson.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No piling on the Rangers today – there’s still more hockey
to be played and I just found out that Martin St. Louis’ mom passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Phil Jackson, think hard on this next decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be nice to try and get a younger
assistant from another team than try to build Steve Kerr into a coach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update: With Sammy Watkins picked up by the
Bills, I’d like to amend my previous prediction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-39825319436514483322014-05-02T09:18:00.000-07:002014-05-02T09:20:00.676-07:00It’s Getting Drafty <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the NFL draft coming up next week, I thought I would
spend some time reminiscing about the Giant’s bounty of number one picks in the
past 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my research, I have
discovered why the 90’s seemed to be the Lost Decade of Giants number one picks:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1991 – Jarrod Bunch, Fullback, Michigan – Seriously, even in
1991, who would take a <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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fullback with a number one pick even if it was the last
pick in the first round?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, six picks later the Falcons took
a second round flyer on Brett Favre.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1992 – Derek Brown, Tight End, Notre Dame – Ah yes, the Mark
Bavarro replacement taken at pick 14 . . . until they found out he wasn’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>quite as skilled as say, pick number 157,
All-Pro (and hot tub aficionado) Mark Chmura. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1994 – Thomas Lewis, Wide Receiver, Indiana – Indiana?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re picking players from Indiana
football?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Lewis’ claim to fame was
that Bill Walsh “really liked him” and would have taken him at 28 (the Giants picked
24<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something tells me
that the <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UVwn6A70tBEwqLdiYCW943nwby9vvb_C20HmN4pbWJRMg32uWhqqKVEW6eCSBqyAeXdnHt7sUW8JBTWM-ibfDq8bKygV2vbSxyPCHhHpyOoQZGPVhITdZLPzscrqu-bdQTf2Xv5vbSo/s1600/giant+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UVwn6A70tBEwqLdiYCW943nwby9vvb_C20HmN4pbWJRMg32uWhqqKVEW6eCSBqyAeXdnHt7sUW8JBTWM-ibfDq8bKygV2vbSxyPCHhHpyOoQZGPVhITdZLPzscrqu-bdQTf2Xv5vbSo/s1600/giant+fail.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
Niners would have still taken William (Bar None) Floyd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick 33 that year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaac Bruce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1996 – Cedric Jones, Defensive End, Oklahoma – Much better,
back to picking kids from football schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wait, what do you mean he’s blind in one eye and WE DIDN’T KNOW!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Jones is noted as one of the Top 100
Worst Draft Choices of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
absolute low point of Giant scouting, the Giants took Jones with the 6<sup>th</sup>
pick and passed on Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, and Ray Lewis just in the
first round. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course, these picks were sandwiched around HOF defensive
end Michael Strahan and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, but that just demonstrates the vagaries of the draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You think crunching all those numbers is a science?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You try reconciling game tapes, combine workouts,
pro day workouts, private workouts, individual interviews, what friends say,
how their mothers treated them, and who they took to the prom (in Michael Sam’s
case this could be misleading).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
crap shoot the size of Tony Mandarich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
my old friend DD from Belmont used to tell me, “you can’t trust anything that
talks.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhyjWbFkqjnKwrqRWJQ5sGVx6Y68nTrxWRO2NfNEPEwYYszatJSFoc8Xsd9IctJ2A3GFsPBoDPL11YaAzokagMHAaz-BY_A4LQDimld9toktZ44GPL7fpuLPkUqn9IBzlM8m8wEMXHvA/s1600/rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhyjWbFkqjnKwrqRWJQ5sGVx6Y68nTrxWRO2NfNEPEwYYszatJSFoc8Xsd9IctJ2A3GFsPBoDPL11YaAzokagMHAaz-BY_A4LQDimld9toktZ44GPL7fpuLPkUqn9IBzlM8m8wEMXHvA/s1600/rocky.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just ask Rocky Thompson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s the wide receiver the Giants took in the first round, pick number
18 in the 1971 draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two years, he averaged
250 total yards per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick 19 was
HOF DB Jack Tatum; pick 20, All-Pro Jack Youngblood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin’</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a Knick fan, you have some hope that James Dolan will get
into some Donald Sterling-like trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course, with their luck, Donald Trump would buy the team.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time to exorcise some demons Rangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve never beaten the Pens in a best of
seven series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart says Rangers in
6. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWagoNW89Sw_6xWjmZq7LuXz4PL-98eH6xAhM1EHDwUMdAjYwkak0zd1cM8K8jKPB7b-6S-0FMxlXB7eaRX7FScjxifd5b2JI5m9tsgKuha2EnfjycKcyX4usAZgA2zAlaZQSY-2Y1FjM/s1600/donald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWagoNW89Sw_6xWjmZq7LuXz4PL-98eH6xAhM1EHDwUMdAjYwkak0zd1cM8K8jKPB7b-6S-0FMxlXB7eaRX7FScjxifd5b2JI5m9tsgKuha2EnfjycKcyX4usAZgA2zAlaZQSY-2Y1FjM/s1600/donald.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One month in and the Yanks are still in first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I’m serious, stop it now before someone
else gets hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football Update: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the changes in personnel and teams,
there will be serious studying going on this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one thing I’m betting on, Sammy Watkins goes
no lower than the fourth round of all my fantasy drafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’ll go on the record: with the 12<sup>th</sup> pick, the
Giants take Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-43722329009070016012014-04-25T11:09:00.001-07:002014-04-25T11:11:06.237-07:00I’ll Take Mine with a Schmear<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell looked like a man going
to turn his best friend in to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n9MNcZbpRfR7jnjfHw5X0J_tvMDsza50poAappyA0g9YH27Dsa276ojDwv4-1XRphnzqLbJq8A2zKCB-tpEyr_bUnuAjG1iJgz53Jfzs_1BerBKWnm8DrljGeoOW-8i5Igz6ZhvNfIw/s1600/farrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n9MNcZbpRfR7jnjfHw5X0J_tvMDsza50poAappyA0g9YH27Dsa276ojDwv4-1XRphnzqLbJq8A2zKCB-tpEyr_bUnuAjG1iJgz53Jfzs_1BerBKWnm8DrljGeoOW-8i5Igz6ZhvNfIw/s1600/farrell.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the police as he trudged, head down, to the
umpires in the bottom of the second inning on Wednesday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farrell was compelled to ask the umps to
check Yankee pitcher Michael Pineda for illegal substances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The umps got together and agreed to inspect
Pineda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They checked his mitt, his cap,
his back (back???) and finally got to what everyone on national television saw
– a huge schmear of pine tar on his neck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnkyBcwqfW5BbNgJRWIxDX9yGA36iV_ffawB0lO4WLvp8BXrR_a7Wb7BOY7p9-rVVN9nTuMzSbugfBzRaObT247h8xI6XIZUkkKafdLK9wT8QfYXPVYPhnZFrjjJryREMfJTeRRv5R50/s1600/pineda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnkyBcwqfW5BbNgJRWIxDX9yGA36iV_ffawB0lO4WLvp8BXrR_a7Wb7BOY7p9-rVVN9nTuMzSbugfBzRaObT247h8xI6XIZUkkKafdLK9wT8QfYXPVYPhnZFrjjJryREMfJTeRRv5R50/s1600/pineda.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a>Pineda was done for the night (and subsequently, the next 10
games).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yankee manager Joe Girardi
walked out of the dugout to ask about the situation, as certain in his client’s
guilt as a mob lawyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Girardi accepted
Pineda’s fate and sauntered back to the dugout, hands in pockets, thinking
about the need to hire someone to wipe this kid down before every inning the
rest of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSBMj72zcPE9RyIb_Ndcy3w1Fc-J0PXHqA_C7vTYND5w4xI5O34iQ8ItvS4hNZsWAK_pC22VHmW-Wc6IfuL2F-wXGT7YBD4Qoy7_1mYBdIIr8LsFmXHqxitWNrWj8fNn5fzlPgq5qlao/s1600/spitball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSBMj72zcPE9RyIb_Ndcy3w1Fc-J0PXHqA_C7vTYND5w4xI5O34iQ8ItvS4hNZsWAK_pC22VHmW-Wc6IfuL2F-wXGT7YBD4Qoy7_1mYBdIIr8LsFmXHqxitWNrWj8fNn5fzlPgq5qlao/s1600/spitball.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a>Pitchers have been doctoring balls since Abner Doubleday
threw out the first pitch in Hoboken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The old motto, “if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying” has been
woven into the fabric of baseball since its early “legal spitball” days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the days where “cut fastball” had a
literal meaning, have been phased out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Performance enhancing drugs have painted all cheating with the same
broad brush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaylord Perry’s Vaseline
ball and Whitey Ford’s sharpened belt buckle have gone the way of the sacrifice
bunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But when you think about it, what is “performance
enhancing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pine tar, batting gloves,
and body armor that would make a Navy SEAL jealous are used by every
hitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fielding gloves the size of Jai
Alai <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cestas</i> are provided to every
outfielder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing uniform left
in the game is the size of the ball (and just the size – the consistency has
been changed to “juice” or deaden the balls in any given year).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Barry Larkin
commented that the hitters wouldn’t mind the pitcher having a better grip so
they can control it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there anything
scarier that having someone not in control of a 95 mile per hour fastball from
60 feet away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don’t advocate what Pineda did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, he should be suspended for his
lack of subtlety or inability to conceal the pine tar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farrell, who skillfully dodged the issue two
weeks ago, desperately did not want to go to the umps, but was compelled by the
obvious schmear (nothing better would describe the inches long streak on Pineda’s
neck).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that this now opened Red
Sox pitchers up to inspection, Farrell was seeking any other solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows that this now opens his staff
(purportedly heavy users of sticky stuff) to inspection, something Girardi has
in his back pocket for a critical moment to come later in the year as revenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One easy solution for baseball in the spirit of the game (AL
President Lee McPhail’s excuse </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbqMkg-ACyuh3fxhMNcMRtr-MdpdgVd0HuV9KnA_odx2HVoVo9V4iblLSpjnZfj8mfPZTNrcB2p_AT9iX6VtC0dgiD-ySJc-ElG_-5RkzAw1st30YCghnuRw9rJvGcKQ8k6lb8f1OIyU/s1600/brett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbqMkg-ACyuh3fxhMNcMRtr-MdpdgVd0HuV9KnA_odx2HVoVo9V4iblLSpjnZfj8mfPZTNrcB2p_AT9iX6VtC0dgiD-ySJc-ElG_-5RkzAw1st30YCghnuRw9rJvGcKQ8k6lb8f1OIyU/s1600/brett.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">for allowing George Brett’s “pine tar” home run
in 1983): pitchers should be allowed to use limited amounts of pine tar on cold
nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If umpires have the discretion
of allowing pitchers to put their hands to their mouth on cold days (a
violation on normal days), then why not allow pine tar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s already on the field – go ask a batter.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Just Sayin”</b></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Welcome to New York Martin St. Louis!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now keep it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Umm, two weeks in and Phil Jackson and James Dolan are
already like Jets and Sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
surprise!</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So much for my “Ivan Nova as Cy Young Winner” prediction . .
. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGNgzPoUcsPD0RUWzd5QBrnp6X02zPaVLZdeLDGroKU_03ctgtqXoaC38S03ncnH3tBGgsseWipikHGu_OeZMjT1pxXC9G0AvwRl4MEUAM2s9DQ38a30S1km84Mg4raM2WHqS7XPrWe8/s1600/romo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGNgzPoUcsPD0RUWzd5QBrnp6X02zPaVLZdeLDGroKU_03ctgtqXoaC38S03ncnH3tBGgsseWipikHGu_OeZMjT1pxXC9G0AvwRl4MEUAM2s9DQ38a30S1km84Mg4raM2WHqS7XPrWe8/s1600/romo.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a>Fantasy Football Update: My buddy, AC is trying to get me
into another league- this one allows you to own two quarterbacks – this way I
can take Tony Romo with a clear conscience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I keep hoping against hope that some teams will trade up in
the NFL draft to get some of these quarterbacks allowing the Giants to get a
crack at better players. I wouldn’t bite on any of usual suspects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not with three SEC-tested success stories
waiting in Rounds 2, 3 and 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bold
prediction: Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger and AJ McCarron will be the best
QBs out of this draft.</span></div>
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Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-22841382665686772042014-04-11T10:01:00.000-07:002014-04-11T10:01:01.494-07:00<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Garden Dreams to Garden Nightmare? </b></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The New
York Knicks and New York Rangers have been sharing Madison Square Garden
(and an owner) for most of their shared existence. Growing up in the
late 60's and 70's the Garden was the place to be. Fans of the two
teams experienced multiple seasons where both teams made deep playoff
runs (despite visits from the circus), including two championships for
the Knicks and two Stanley Cup finals appearances for the Rangers. </span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After some down years, the teams' rebuilt and reached the pinnacle in 1994 as both teams </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj4VixVihEb-AmSq3Dw8qzCGr7ermwI-uit9lQZV4D2EC2F3ZM4O34Mpup-A9C63u75dIoC0wR0raljdzViCisyRLvHT604eKCUaU-T-wroyDtoDVllzNbdTo_gKorg-5uXVQjB1XKIg/s1600/msg+jerseys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj4VixVihEb-AmSq3Dw8qzCGr7ermwI-uit9lQZV4D2EC2F3ZM4O34Mpup-A9C63u75dIoC0wR0raljdzViCisyRLvHT604eKCUaU-T-wroyDtoDVllzNbdTo_gKorg-5uXVQjB1XKIg/s1600/msg+jerseys.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
electrified the Garden, going to game sevens in the finals. The Mark
Messier-led Rangers won their first Cup since 1940; the Patrick
Ewing-led Knicks dropped a heartbreaker series to Houston (thanks John
Starks!). Twenty years have passed since that glorious Spring, and we
find the Rangers a consistent playoff team,
with a solid mix of veterans, young stars, and bona fide hall of fame
goalie.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Knicks are a different story.<br /><br /><i>(Post Break: A quick history lesson: in 1987, Knicks GM Al Bianchi
brought in Providence College's head coach Rick Pitino as the next
"hot" coach. In that same year, Phil Jackson took an assistant position
with Doug Collins and the Bulls leaving the CBA's Albany Patroons
having won two straight league titles and being designated the next
"hot" pro coach. Short term, Pitino takes Mark Jackson and Patrick
Ewing to a division title, then cashes out and goes to Kentucky.
Jackson takes Michael Jordan and the Bulls to six titles, Kobe and Shaq
to five more. The Knicks? Well, we still have James Dolan . . . )</i></span>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12qf-1ed1dEBkIbPObd_uygjKBvn6ay5F0f8XQHfJzlC4pJ5TDAlljjGR1EX9Q0sfNv6SbLqbGGbVvH3oGFh459Bzg4hvBBqoXQNdnp5rnLNGw2ZPyxodzCdeRXla9z8Uv3jitIGyYhs/s1600/knicks+fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12qf-1ed1dEBkIbPObd_uygjKBvn6ay5F0f8XQHfJzlC4pJ5TDAlljjGR1EX9Q0sfNv6SbLqbGGbVvH3oGFh459Bzg4hvBBqoXQNdnp5rnLNGw2ZPyxodzCdeRXla9z8Uv3jitIGyYhs/s1600/knicks+fail.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The Knicks are now looking up to Raptors, Wizards, Hawks
with no long term prospects and no first round draft pick. They've
mortgaged the future for a "superstar" (Hi Melo!) who has no ability to
carry or lift a team - and has the option of leaving before the
team finishes paying for him. They've brought in Phil Jackson in the
twilight of his career, as a president - not a coach - to try and
resurrect the only team he ever wanted to coach. With no viable draft
picks on the horizon, the only option for Jackson is to blow up the
roster and rebuild. But will he have the patience to lose 60 games
while the Garden patrons exercise their lungs booing or by apathetically
refusing to show up (or even worse - going to Brooklyn to watch the
Nets!)? The organizational strategy is to have the Knicks attract potential free
agents in 2015, but, in my opinion, if they don't start by bringing in
young players they're doomed to just tread water.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA9AtFsEt5bKy64XJJntyhA0NWB0mR2XNvM9SI1Zi7KOWIrbNz11bukcjiZodjKCsJ5XVp238ED5pZueqYditE7HJem0ufEpuI6qWE4fxvHZH5sTUGNT0pTzMsebcEUuQ1vmQZCn1qFg/s1600/jaxdolan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA9AtFsEt5bKy64XJJntyhA0NWB0mR2XNvM9SI1Zi7KOWIrbNz11bukcjiZodjKCsJ5XVp238ED5pZueqYditE7HJem0ufEpuI6qWE4fxvHZH5sTUGNT0pTzMsebcEUuQ1vmQZCn1qFg/s1600/jaxdolan.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By the way, the Garden itself will be the victim of a Penn Station
renovation in less than 10 years, which means moving time for everyone is on the horizon.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Just Sayin'</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />OK Burger King, LeBron
joins the "all time greats" and Johnny Manzeil and Alex Morgan are
already there? That's why I go to Wendy's or Chic-fil-a.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyone who had David Robertson lasting less than seven games - you win!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rangers clinch second place in the division and fourth seed in the conference. On to the first round of, what is by far, the best playoffs in sports - the quest for the Stanley Cup. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy
Football Note: Jaguars defense added valuable parts and are sitting on the
Clowney/Mack draft survivor - I think Gus Bradley will mold them into a top 10 D/ST in 2014.</span><br />
<br />Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3647739377602906162.post-23633080182263156752014-04-04T09:27:00.000-07:002014-04-04T09:27:18.404-07:00<div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>With One Month of the Off Season Down, Reese Gets a "Thumb's Up"</b></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAqpMKc01BtyXF46Q8Qn9ySyIJ58amSJs0FoGjkTo_jVbnYxlAP9_donvY8akRU30zBedBdyrfSzOXdVNG5YnEbqEjmEKWGDUjiOXK20BiqR7az9HJtNgxg2pcX8QiRaVVeKFS9Px6qM/s1600/SUPER-BOWL-RINGS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAqpMKc01BtyXF46Q8Qn9ySyIJ58amSJs0FoGjkTo_jVbnYxlAP9_donvY8akRU30zBedBdyrfSzOXdVNG5YnEbqEjmEKWGDUjiOXK20BiqR7az9HJtNgxg2pcX8QiRaVVeKFS9Px6qM/s1600/SUPER-BOWL-RINGS2.jpg" height="193" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Jerry
Reese, the New York Football Giants General Manager, has been
collecting cornerbacks like a dog collects fleas this off season.
Whether it be for depth (resigning Trumaine McBride) or quality (hello
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Walter Thurmond III), Reese has seen the
light in the new NFL - when you need to defend 50 passes a game, you
better have little guys who can cover. The Giants have gotten younger
and faster on defense over the past month, no longer hostage to
depending on four defensive linemen to make it to the quarterback in
less than three seconds. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>(Post break: I was all excited when DeSean Jackson was
cut by Philly and thought there was a great chance that he could be out
of the NFC East. Needless to say, Reese looks clairvoyant now that
D-Jax signed with the Skins.)</i></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This d-back depth will provide better coverage
(former number one CB Prince Amukamara will now be responsible for the
number two receiver on almost every play) and more time for the linemen
to find their target. With Reese spending over $100 million Marabucks
on free agents, Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell should feel like a
kid in a candy store with all the flexibility that he has (don't forget
the linebacker changes - resigning of Jon Beason and addition of Jameel
McClain). Despite losing Linval Joseph and Justin Tuck, the 8th ranked
Big Blue D should be back in style in 2014. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now about the offense . . . </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Just sayin'</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
Yanks lost the first two games of the season and had to rely on Ivan
Nova to save them from a sweep. Just the first win on the way to the Cy
Young!<br /> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxblJ6Mc9qJY_Bjv1SDi8W9wKWparNfKiIMB9C9QCUoSwy0HZ3hfnJxQ59D4uqcEe_XJjQO5x01qABszP7m7xOFWqpGTjlWwOENNEw9peHG0KrGj6lwIuXz0CLD-Pv5pAEzJNVY2UG8g/s1600/danes+unis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxblJ6Mc9qJY_Bjv1SDi8W9wKWparNfKiIMB9C9QCUoSwy0HZ3hfnJxQ59D4uqcEe_XJjQO5x01qABszP7m7xOFWqpGTjlWwOENNEw9peHG0KrGj6lwIuXz0CLD-Pv5pAEzJNVY2UG8g/s1600/danes+unis.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My alma mater, UAlbany was voted as the ugliest uniforms
per NY Daily News (How can anything beat the late '70's Astros or any short -sleeve bball jersey?).</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ugh! Kentucky crushed my bracket hopes by beating
Michigan. That's after they crushed my other bracket by beating
Louisville. Did I mention how much I hate Kentucky?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bobby Parnell, Matt Harvey, half the Braves staff - are elbows conspiring to give the Nats the NL East?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm sure Mrs. Esiason appreciated that Boomer was not hanging when his kids were born.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fantasy Football note: Eric Decker stud to dud; Golden Tate will be, well, "golden".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get well soon Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonough - you have two weeks before the real action starts!</span>Alan Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17829708358355694295noreply@blogger.com0