Best of The Best

The Core Four, made up of Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettite, and Jorge Posada, will live in Yankee lore for the rest of time.

Each player has managed sensational individual success. Jeter and Mariano are virtual locks to make the Hall of Fame and a convincing case can be made for Andy Pettitte. Posada's chances are unlikely but his career statistics are nothing to be ashamed of, placing him amongst the best Yankee catchers in history.

The awards and accolades that litter their shelves go well beyond individual accomplishments. The Core Four has always stayed true to the team concept. Throughout their careers, they've remained unselfish leaders with an unparalleled dedication to winning. And that they did, bringing New York five championships. But all good things come to an end. The group is on the decline and passed their prime. Well, three of them are at least.

This offseason, Andy Pettitte officially retired at the age of 38. Thirty-nine year old Jorge Posada, now the Yankees' full-time DH, is no longer the starting catcher. Last season he hit just .248 and this year he is hitting a dreaded .125. Derek Jeter's struggles are nothing new to any New York sports fan. Last year was the worst statistical season of his career and he's shown minimal signs of improvement thus far in 2011, with a .250 average and a big fat doughnut in the homerun column. Jeter is now 36 years old and, as hard as it is for most Yankee fans to admit, is rapidly on the decline. But then there's this guy named Mariano Rivera.

Rivera is 41 years old, making him the oldest of the Core Four. 2007 was a "bad" year for Mariano standards. As a 37 year old at the time, he pitched to a 3.15 ERA, the highest since his rookie season when he was mostly a starter. Everyone was crowning Joba Chamberlain the new closer. Mariano's slight dip in performance came as no shock. Normal people decline and get worse with age. But Mariano once again proved he isn't normal. He bounced back in a big way in 2008, posting a 1.40 ERA and an absurd .67 WHIP(walks plus hits per inning pitched). And he didn't slow down. His ERA was 1.76 in 2009, 1.80 last season, and 2.13 after thirteen appearances this year.

Somehow, unlike the rest of the Core Four, Mariano has gotten better with age. Pettitte has retired and Posada and Jeter, unlike Rivera, are showing us what it's like to be human. Posada is on the final year of his contract and will likely be on his couch or in a different uniform this time next season.

The Core Four is dying. But Mariano Rivera is seemingly just getting started. He is proving, once again, why is he one of the greatest athletes of this generation. Mo is truly the best of the best.

All Or Nothing

After 21 games played and 72 at bats, Jorge Posada has six homeruns and 12 RBIs. Looks respectable for a 39 year old DH with terrible knees, right? I mean, he's on a 38 homer pace. But Posada has managed just three other hits besides the six homeruns. His average stands at an abysmal .125.

Posada sorta has the right idea. Six homeruns for every nine hits is quite the ratio. But he seems to have forgotten about the hits per at-bat part. His power production hasn't made up for his horrendous average. 2011 has truly been all or nothing for him.

This season is Posada's first as a full-time DH. Jorge has always been a intensely prideful and passionate player. For the past decade or so, he's been one of the consummate leaders of the Yankees and, as starting catcher, the orchestrator of the pitching staff. Passing the reins of this pitching staff over to newcomer Russell Martin was likely extremely difficult for Jorge. Still, he handled it like a true professional and accepted his new role. But he's been slow to adapt.

On top of all this, Russell Martin has been flourishing as a Yankee. Through 23 games played, he has a .293 average, six homeruns, and 19 RBIs. He's outhit Posada while successfully leading a thus far overachieving pitching rotation. Martin's defense behind the plate is also light-years ahead of where Jorge's ever was. As a Dodger, Martin's first three seasons in the majors were impressive and promising. But in 2009 and 2010 he dropped off the face of the earth. Last season he hit just .248. Thankfully, he has shown signs of a career rebirth in a Yankee uniform.

Martin's success and the depth of strong catchers in the Yankee farm system make Posada's future in New York look bleak. His days as a catcher, for any team, are almost certainly in the past. Soon, the same will be said of his days as a major league player if he doesn't pick up his performance at the plate.

Bittersweet End

The Knicks are done. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the most exciting and hopeful Knicks season in a decade is over. New York was the first team out of the playoffs this year and the only team to be swept in the first round.

The Celtics are quite simply a better team than the Knicks. The defending Eastern Conference Champions most certainly proved this with their clutch play and defensive dominance throughout the series. Naturally, they were the overwhelming favorites going in. They finished with a 56-26 regular season record, which was good enough for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks finished a mediocre 42-40. Despite this, they meshed well towards the end of the season, winning 7 of their last 9. New York marched into the playoffs with confidence, momentum, and plans to spring an upset. But it wasn't to be.

Rightly so, many pundits gave the Knicks a legitimate shot in this series. Most expected a lengthy, drawn out battle and some even predicted an upset. I expected the Knicks to push Boston to a deciding seventh game, with the Celtics most likely pulling off the victory on their home court. Boston is not exactly a young, spry bunch and, unlike the Knicks, they faltered down the stretch of the regular season. Boston's identity revolves around experience and defense. Their "Big Three" consists of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Pierce is 33, Garnett is 34, and Allen is 35. The Knicks are younger and significantly more athletic. But the Celtics were able to make quick work of New York by relying on veteran experience, superior play down the stretch, and stout defensive play. They were also fortunate that the injury bug hit New York at an inopportune time. Injuries were the prevailing factor that led to the sweep.

The basketball gods were with Boston in this one. Injuries played a major role in the series and severely hampered New York's chances. Chauncey Billups sprained his left knee with 51 seconds remaining in game 1. It was unfortunate timing for a serious injury to their starting point guard, with both teams tied at 82 at the time. The Knicks would go on to lose a heart-breaker and Chauncey subsequently missed the rest of the series. Billups' presence on the court goes beyond stats. He's the Derek Jeter of basketball. His intangible qualities are invaluable, especially on a team comprised mostly of players with minimal playoff experience. Chauncey has a championship ring and a Finals MVP award on his impressive resume. He's a clutch shot-maker and a seasoned veteran who won't be fazed by the bright lights. Losing your point guard is like losing your general in battle. All hopes and dreams of an upset died when Chauncey limped off the court.

On top of this, Amare Staudemire was forced to battle back spasms in the final three games of the series. Due to this, his minutes and overall production dropped considerably. He shot just 38.2% in the series, averaging 14.5 points. To compare, he averaged 25.3 ppg in the regular season. Amare is the heart and soul of the team. Unlike Carmelo and Billups, he's been with the Knicks since the start of the season. His absence, coupled with Chauncey's, spelled doom for New York.

The Knicks showed tremendous heart throughout the series. Despite the injuries, they gave the Celtics all they could handle. Fans and players were surely left with a bad taste in their mouths. Getting swept is no fun. But it's a bittersweet feeling. The year ended in a fizzle, yet the future for New York Knicks basketball is finally bright. It's time to look forward. At last, Madison Square Garden got another taste of playoff basketball. General Manager Donnie Walsh will continue to work his magic this offseason and the Knicks will only improve from here on out. "Getting swept in the first round, I don't do this," Billups said. "We're on the move, and it's how fast we can get that elevator up."

The response of Knicks fans spoke volumes after their disappointing loss in game four that officially put an end to this rollercoaster season. With the Cetlics celebrating in the middle of the Madison Square Garden court, fans in the arena gave the Knicks a standing ovation. I can't imagine Yankees fans ever doing this. Or Knicks fans during the mid-90's when every year was supposed to be their year. Let's be honest, this season was never about winning anything. At no point were the Knicks good enough to get passed the elite teams. Fans are just happy their team is relevant again. And they should be. This was the first season since 2001 that the Knicks had a record above the .500 mark.

After game 4, Carmelo and company were losers on the scoreboard. But they were winners everywhere else. That was made evident by the fans' standing ovation. Truth is, Amare and Melo accomplished all they had to this year the moment they put on the orange and blue uniform and officially became Knicks.

New York lost game 4 and the series, but they restored hope in the hearts of Knicks fans. And that's good enough, for this year at least. Next season is a different story.

Least of The East

Someone tell the Red Sox the season started. It is April 15, and the 2-9 Sox are looking up at the rest of the league. Who would've guessed that? They're not only at the bottom of the AL East. With all their star power, they've somehow managed to capture the worst record in the majors. Every other team has at least four wins. Surprisingly, their only two wins this season have come against the Yankees. The AL East was expected to be a battle between the Sox and Yankees, as it usually is. It likely still will be. But looking at the standings and seeing Boston at the bottom of everything and everyone is a delightful experience for any Yankee fan.

I disagree when people say the Red Sox came out of the gate slow. In reality, they never left it, losing their first six games. 0-6 is the franchise's worst start since 1945. Impressive, but the Red Sox aim for the stars. They wanted an all-time record. As of now, their record stands at 2-9, their worst start in history.

Boston went big this offseason. Yankee-like big. First, they traded for elite first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Then, they signed high profile free agent left fielder Carl Crawford to a 7 year, $142 million contract. Crawford was the most coveted offensive free agent this offseason. More importantly, they beat out the Yankees, who were also in contention to snag Crawford.

Through the first 11 games, Boston would've probably been better off leaving left field empty. Crawford has been nonexistent, hitting .152 with no homers and one RBI. Playing in Boston is nothing like playing in Tampa. A regular season game at Fenway in the middle of June has a more electric atmosphere than a playoff game in Tropicana Field. Northeast sports fans are an entirely different breed. Most Floridians weren't even aware there was a baseball team in Tampa before the Rays made their playoff run in 2008. In Boston, fans live and die with each pitch. The pressure and expectations are astronomically high and unavoidable. All of this may be playing into Crawford's disastrous start. Naturally, due to his contract and reputation as an elite player, everyone will point fingers at him. But he isn't the main culprit for Boston's struggles. Not even close.

The primary reason for Boston's painfully slow start has been their pitching. Right now, their team ERA stands at an abominable 6.77. That ranks last in the majors and is almost a run higher than the second worst team. Their starters have been laughably bad. Mastsuzaka and Lackey have done their best impressions of Phil Hughes. Dice-K's ERA stands at 12.86, but Lackey managed to outdo him with a 15.58 ERA. Buckholz's ERA is hovering just above seven. Beckett and Lester have been the only reliable ones.

The Red Sox, one of the offseason favorites to reach the World Series, are off to an historically slow start. Their bodies are in Boston. Their minds and hearts are still in Fort Myers, Florida, home of their spring training facilities, where warm weather, fishing, and meaningless games dominated most of their daily schedules. Eventually, they'll wake up. Before we know it, they'll be back in the thick of things challenging for first place in the AL East. But in the meantime, all Yankee fans should enjoy this prosperous time as the Red Sox do their best to avoid breaking another unwanted record.

Knicks Back On Track

On March 28, I wrote a blog entry detailing the Knicks' struggles. At that point, they had lost six in a row and nine of their last ten. They were 7-12 since the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony.

Since March 28, the Knicks are 7-1. On Tuesday night, they fell to the Bulls, who hold the best record in the Eastern Conference. Before that loss, the Knicks were 5-0 in April and had won seven consecutive games. On April 3, they clinched a playoff spot with a convincing 123-107 win over the Cavaliers.

Carmelo and company are clicking at the right time. The Knicks' team chemistry has vastly improved. With the playoffs approaching, it was imperative that they started to kick it into high gear. They've done that and more. Much of this success should be attributed to none other than Melo.

Since coming to the Knicks, Carmelo has averaged 26.5 points and 7.3 rebounds. New York's bright lights and big stage have not fazed him one bit. His arrival brought immense and arguably unfair fan expectations. Carmelo has not wavered. He's been clutch, hitting two game-winning shots. The most recent one came against the Indiana Pacers this past Sunday to extend the Knicks' winning streak to seven games. Against the Pacers, the Knicks were without the services of Amare Stoudemire for the second straight game. Amare has missed the last three games with a tweaked ankle, but Anthony has kept New York afloat during this time, leading them to a 2-1 record. The one loss came against the powerhouse Bulls.

The playoffs start Saturday, April 16. But this time, the Knicks won't be watching from their couches. There will be playoff basketball in the Garden for the first time since 2004. Stoudemire is expected to be ready for the opening round. The Knicks will go into their first matchup with momentum, confidence, and chemistry. It's amazing what a difference a couple of weeks can make. On March 28, the world was crashing down for Knick fans. Now, in their eyes, the Knicks are favorites to win it all.

Hughes Strugglin

CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes were supposed to be the backbone of an otherwise questionable rotation. Now, Phil Hughes is a question mark. He has somehow managed to make A.J. Burnett an afterthought in Yankees Universe.

After two starts and six total innings this season, Hughes has given up 12 hits, 3 home runs, and 11 earned runs. He has just one strikeout and a ridiculous 16.50 ERA. "It's kind of a hopeless feeling," said Hughes after his latest start against the Red Sox.

Hughes' fastball has averaged around 89 MPH in his first two starts. In 2010, his fastball averaged 92-94 MPH. His velocity was down all spring as well, according to Yankee pitching coach Larry Rothschild. "The arm strength hasn't been there all spring," Rothschild said. "I don't know if he's lost it or just hasn't built up all the way yet. Some guys are slower like that, and he's clearly right now one of them."

Anything is possible, but it would be quite befuddling if Hughes somehow permanently lost his velocity at this point in his career. I think the more plausible answer would be that he hasn't built up the arm strength yet. Hughes is just 24 years old and has yet to reach his peak. Last year was his first season in the majors as a full-time starter. As a result, he threw a career high 176.1 innings. Before this, his innings high was just 86, which occurred in 2009 when he was primarily a relief pitcher. It is likely that Hughes' arm is still recovering from the innings jump.  

Yankee fans should take a deep breath. Hughes has thrown just six innings in the 2011 season. There is no need to think worst case scenario just yet. In time, the Hughes of old will be back. When that happens, we can all go back to making fun of A.J. Burnett. 

Not So Amazins

The Mets opened the season with a series win over the Florida Marlins. Their record stands at a monumental 2-1. I advise Met fans to soak up that above .500 taste while it lasts. It won't be there for long. 

In all seriousness, the Mets are likely in for a rough year. We all know the Phillies locked up the division in the offseason when they acquired Cliff Lee. The Mets' best player, Johan Santana, is out until late June or early July. He went under the knife for shoulder surgery in September 2010 and still needs time to recuperate. When he does return, there is no guarantee he will be the Johan of old. Carlos Beltran is banged up as well. He missed most of last season with a knee injury and underperformed when he was on the field. There is no telling what type of production he will provide the Mets with this year. 

Terry Collins, the new manager, and Sandy Alderson, the new General Manager, will work to steer this ship in the right direction. Collins has a fiery personality and won't accept lackluster and uninspired play, regardless of their position in the standings. Met fans are certainly delighted about the release of Louis Castillo and Oliver Perez, but this team is still littered with question marks. It is unlikely that 2011 will be anything more than a rebuilding year for the Mets.

The season is young though. Miracles do happen. Just ask the '69 Mets.

Play Ball

On Thursday, March 31, the 2011 baseball season officially began. The Yankees opened with an impressive 6-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. After four games, New York is 3-1. Their offense, to the surprise of no one, has been dominant. They blasted 11 home runs in the first four games. In previous blog posts I have discussed their suspect rotation. Four games is certainly not enough to draw any solid conclusions, but here is how the Yankee starters have performed thus far:
Sabathia - 6 IP, 2ER
Burnett - 5 IP, 3ER
Hughes - 4 IP, 5ER
Nova - 6 IP, 3ER
Pretty unspectacular but good enough for a 3-1 start.

The most positive aspect of the first four games has been the performance of Mark Teixeira. Teixeira has pummeled the ball so far, hitting .357 with 3 homers and 7 RBIs. This is unfamiliar territory for him. Teixeira is infamous for his painfully slow starts. After four games last year, his average was an awe-inspiring .000. Mark waited until the fifth game to get his first hit. He did not obtain his seventh RBI until April 22 and he did not hit his third homer until May 8. Despite all of this, Teixeira still managed to slug 33 homers and drive in 108 runs last season. The sky is the limit for him this year if he continues his hot start.

Another reason Yankee fans should be optimistic is the performance of the bullpen. At 41 years of age, Mariano has given us no reason to believe he is no longer an immortal freak of nature, compiling 2.1 scoreless innings and three saves so far. The 7-8-9 inning combo consisting of Joba, Soriano, and Mariano worked together to hold the opposition scoreless and close them out in two of the first four games. If these three pitchers can continue to deliver in the late innings, then the Yankees can essentially shorten the game to six innings. The Yankees' bullpen is one of the deepest in the majors. Hopefully they continue to perform.

Jeter had a lackluster season in 2010. He hit a career low .270. Pretty un-Jeter-like. Again, it is difficult to make any assumptions after four games, but it would have been nice to see some signs of life from him. Years ago, a bad stretch from Jeter was nothing to worry about. I mean, he's Derek-freaking-Jeter. Unfortunately, those days are over. He's 36 years old and well passed his prime. Jeter needs 72 hits to reach 3000. At the pace he's been going since last year, he may be an eligible senior citizen by the time he gets there. Still, nobody would be surprised if Jeter had a bounce-back year and put together a remarkable season.

It is not often that the Yankees are an underdog. That is the case for them this year. The Red Sox and Phillies both have better teams on paper. But nobody feels bad for the Yankees and their 200 million dollar payroll. They still have more than enough weapons to win it all. Underdogs or not, Yankee fans expect number 28.

Same Old Knicks?

What is going on with the Knicks? Somebody remind Carmelo he's supposed to be our Messiah. Since acquiring Anthony, the Knicks are a dreadful 7-12. On the other hand, the Nuggets are a surprising 11-4 since the trade. New York has lost six in a row and nine of their last ten. As of now, their record stands at 35-38. They would be out of the playoff picture if it wasn't for the deplorable bottom half of the Eastern Conference. Somehow, that record would be good enough for a seven seed and a playoff ticket if the season were to end today.

It seems like George Karl, the coach of the Nuggets, has his own ideas concerning the Knicks' struggles and the Nuggets' successes. After the trade, Karl told TNT: "Defense is commitment. I've got young guys and if they don't give me the commitment, I've got other guys who will give me the commitment. The system sometimes ties you up from getting the commitment. You have to handle what Melo gives you. I'm not knocking Melo, he is a great offensive player. Melo is the best offensive player I've ever coached, but his defensive focus, his demand of himself is what frustrated us more than anything."

Anthony is not the most well-rounded player to ever grace the basketball hardwood. As Karl said, he is a phenomenal offensive talent who can seemingly score at will. But he lacks in the defensive department. Chauncey Billups, who the Knicks also acquired from the Nuggets, has won a championship in the NBA and is well-known for his leadership, poise, and clutch shot-making. His nickname around the league is "Mr. Big Shot." Despite all of this, Billups has glaring defensive weaknesses as well. 

Before the trade, New York was already one of the worst defensive teams in the league. The Knicks gained a lot by acquiring Melo and Billups, but they are no better defensively with those two. If anything, they are worse. On top of that, they have struggled offensively the last few weeks. When you combine these two factors, it makes sense why the Knicks have lost six in a row and nine of their last ten.

Understandably, New Yorkers are beginning to panic and second-guess. All this losing is certainly cause for concern but there is no reason to overreact. Yes, the Knicks are playing atrociously. But nobody in their right mind thought they would win a championship this year anyway. They are a lock to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. This will be a great experience for the team and long-suffering fans.

The Knicks are struggling chemistry-wise. This should come as no surprise since the recent trade dramatically shook up their roster. The team concept is more prevalent in basketball than any other sport. Anthony and Billups are playing in D'Antoni's offensive-minded system for the first time in their careers. It will take some time for them to adjust to the new style and build a rapport with their new coaches and teammates. Eventually, everything will begin to click. At least offensively. As long as D'Antoni is running the show, defense will never be given the attention it deserves. 

Dumb and Dumber

Second baseman Luis Castillo was released by the Mets this past Friday. Three days later, pitcher Oliver Perez was released. The Mets will eat the 6 million dollars remaining on Castillo's contract and the 12 million dollars remaining on Oliver's. The Mets obviously think highly of these two. They'd rather pay the 18 million dollar total without having either player step on the field.

Castillo and Perez were injury-plagued and painfully inconsistent in Met uniforms. They are a better team without this dangerously fickle and erratic pair. Most importantly, fans are happier. The overriding fan opinion has been to dump these overpaid bums. The Mets desperately need the fans on their side this season because it may be a rough year attendance-wise. This was a good start.

It is rare that a team's best moves before a season entails releasing players rather than adding them. Only the Mets.

Big East Coming Up Small

An NCAA record 11 Big East teams qualified for the tournament this year. Throughout the regular season, most pundits considered the Big East to be the baddest league in college basketball. March Madness has told a different story.

With the Sweet Sixteen set, Connecticut and Marquette are the only two Big East squads left standing. Here is a list of those that have fallen thus far:
1 seed Pittsburgh
2 seed Notre Dame
3 seed Syracuse
4 seed Lousiville
5 seed West Virginia
6 seed Georgetown
6 seed St. John's
6 seed Cincinnati
9 seed Villanova

Here is a link to the current bracket.

Pittsburgh and Notre Dame were victimized by two of the most stunning upsets so far in the tournament. Top seeded Pitt was a heavy favorite to make at least the Final Four but they fell to 8 seed Butler by one point in the round of 32 after a heartbreaking and controversial finish. Offensive powerhouse Notre Dame was stifled by 10 seed Florida St., the best defensive team in the country. Notre Dame trailed by double digits for most of the game and ended up losing 71-57.

It is important to note that on two occasions one Big East team knocked out a fellow Big East team. Marquette downed heavily favored Syracuse and a surging Connecticut squad defeated Cincinnati with the help of another brilliant performance from godlike phenom Kemba Walker.

Despite some of the league-on-league violence, losing 9 of 11 teams in just the first two rounds is a head-scratcher. They're dropping like flies. The Big East's overall showing has been highly disappointing but all hope has not been lost. We'll see if Connecticut and Marquette can continue their runs. The pressure is on because the pride of their conference is at stake.

Cliff Who?

Last October, the Yankees were thoroughly outplayed by the underdog Texas Rangers. Despite the disappointing season, Yankee fans had plenty to rely on in order to ease the pain. Free agency was just around the corner and that's a game the Yankees never lose. No World Series? No problem. Cliff Lee is on his way. How can he turn down the Yankees? Maybe the Steinbrenners will add Carl Crawford too for the hell of it.

Most Yankee fans envisioned the 2011 rotation to consist of C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, and A.J. Burnett. Couple that starting five with their offense and the Yankees would have had the most balanced team in the league by a considerable margin. But things didn't go as planned.

The season was over. No more Cliff Lee curveballs, right? Wrong. Out of nowhere, he signed with the Phillies. Then Andy Pettitte retired. Their most high profile off-season signing was Rafael Soriano. When was the last time the Yankees' most high profile off-season signing was a relief pitcher? There's nothing wrong with not spending a zillion dollars each year on free agency but this off-season left the Yankees with some glaring question marks, especially in the rotation.

Spring training has provided a flicker of hope. Free agent signing Bartolo Colon has turned some heads, and not just because of his weight. The 269 pound 37 year old is out of shape and well past his prime but he has provided some glimpses of his younger and more dominant self, posting a 2.40 ERA in four starts. Ivan Nova, the young upstart prospect, has a 1.20 ERA thus far. Nova has minimal experience in the majors but he has scary raw talent and tremendous upside. Even A.J. Burnett has performed well, compiling an ERA of 2.77.

Spring training statistics are not always an accurate measurement of how a player will perform throughout an entire season. Despite this, there is still reason to be optimistic. Who needs Cliff Lee anyway? The Yanks have Bartolo Colon in their corner.

The Mets Are Back

The Mets have made their first bright decision since 1986. Oliver Perez, who was somehow in competition for a starting role, has been demoted to the bullpen. During spring training, he will compete for the lefty-specialist role.

With Perez banished from the rotation, the Mets now have a realistic shot at claiming fourth place in the NL East. The Yankees are in need of a starter or four so Brian Cashman should give the Mets a shout if that lefty-specialist gig doesn't work out for Oliver.

Crying and Laughing

Some basketball pundits expected the Miami Heat to win 70 or more regular season games this year. Last night, they lost their fifth game in a row. As of today, their record stands at 43-21. That's good for third place in the Eastern Conference. It is certainly a respectable record, but most expected much better. Evidently, so did the Heat. After losing to the Bulls this past Sunday, some of the players reportedly shed tears in the locker room.

Don't worry, guys I can relate. My Little League Baseball team once got upset in the championship game and I bawled my eyes out. I was nine.

I understand players being passionate and emotional. I don't understand crying after losing a regular season game when you're already a virtual lock to make the playoffs. This emits signs of panic and an extreme lack of composure. Are they going to sob on each other's shoulders when they lose a tight game in the playoffs? The media has had a field day with this story. It seems like everyone is laughing at the expense of the Heat. Even the Knicks.

Supposedly, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony had a good chuckle when they got wind of the news. "Wait 'til I call him, man," Anthony said, referring to Chris Bosh. "I'll be like: 'What are you doing?'" Riveting analysis by Carmelo. New York is nine games behind Miami in the standings. They are in no position to poke fun at them. So in conclusion, the Heat should stop crying and the Knicks should stop laughing at the Heat for crying.

Knicks-Heat Rivalry, Remix?

Some may be wondering why Knicks' coach Jeff Van Gundy is in the fetal position cradling another man's leg in the caption above. Well, I don't blame you. Despite the bizarreness of it, this picture impeccably captures the personality and flare of Van Gundy, his Knicks, and the Miami Heat of the late 90's.

The Knicks and Heat played four intensely competitive playoff series against one another between 1997 and 2000.  These four playoff series amounted to 24 games, with the Knicks winning 13 of them. Amazingly, each series went to the deciding game, with the Knicks coming on top in three. The rivalry was compelling and fierce. Fights were more commonplace than in the Rangers' hockey rink. There seemed to be a genuine dislike between the opposing players.

It is an undeniable fact that sports is more entertaining when rivalries are involved. A soccer elitist from Brazil would enjoy watching a Yankees-Red Sox playoff game. The 90's Knicks never won a championship. Despite this, the intense drama involved in their rival slugfests against the Bulls, Heat, and Pacers captivated New York City. A good rivalry runs deeper than just the game. The pride of an entire organization and fan-base is at stake. The story lines unfold like a soap opera. The drama and trash talk are hypnotizing and irresistibly compelling.

In the late 90's, a game between the Knicks and Heat was must-watch television. Unfortunately, these two teams have not matched up in a playoff game since 2000. This formerly epic rivalry has gradually faded out of existence. Today's Heat will be a dominate team in the East as long as LeBron, Wade, and Bosh are tag-teaming the league together. With the acquisition of Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks are certainly headed in that direction as well. They will be a competitive squad as long as Amare and Melo are in town. This year, they are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. They have put themselves in position to be yearly contenders. So, can the rivalry be rekindled?

This past Sunday, Carmelo Anthony and the new-look Knicks defeated the Heat 91-86. The play-by-play announcers did their best to build up the matchup by reminding viewers of the history between these organizations. Truth is, Sunday's game was nothing like the old-time rivalry. But the stars are aligning. Literally. These two teams have loaded up on superstar talent in the past year. The stage is certainly set for Knicks-Heat rivalry part II. Personally, I can't wait to see Mike D'Antoni on his behind in the middle of the court frantically clinching onto Chris Bosh's leg.

Like Father, Like Son

"I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year," Hank Steinbrenner said earlier this week. "Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning." Hank frequently demonstrates that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This subtle jab was clearly directed at Derek Jeter, who was building a multi-million dollar home in Tampa last year. In 2010, Jeter hit a modest .270, the lowest batting average of his Hall of Fame career. It was certainly a pedestrian season by his standards. Hank, in his own special way, let Derek know that he expects more from his highly-paid captain.

George Steinbrenner sadly passed away in July of 2010, but his boisterous personality rubbed off on his son. There will never be another George, but every now and then Hank does his best impression of his iconic father. During his reign as Yankee owner, George was a polarizing figure. At times, he was overbearing and highly critical. He was a demanding and impassioned man. George also possessed an unmatched desire to win, no matter the price. We know Hank can talk like his father. Hopefully he can win like him too. 

"The Knicks Are Back"

On Monday, February 21, the Knicks finalized a trade for superstar Carmelo Anthony. New York traded Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets. In exchange, the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, and Ronaldo Balkman. The "Melo-drama" is over. Finally, a flicker of hope for New York basketball. "This team is headed in the right direction," Anthony said. "It's a dream come true for me, and I'm ready to rock."

I felt all along that Anthony would somehow wind up in a Knicks' uniform. I was, however, wary of paying a hefty price to a Denver team under tremendous pressure to finalize a trade involving a player who had already made it clear he wanted to come to New York. There is no denying that the Knicks unloaded some promising talent for him. Despite this, fans should be ecstatic and overjoyed. The acquisition of Carmelo is one of the greatest moments in the history of the New York Knicks.

Raymond who? Danilo who? I was done missing all the traded Knicks players the second I saw Melo in orange and blue last night. In his Madison Square Garden debut, he scored 27 points and added 10 rebounds in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks. The hope, optimism, relief, and exhilaration of Knicks fans were palpable in the electric Garden atmosphere last night. I was in attendance to witness the exuberant crowd treat Anthony's arrival like the second coming of Jesus. Their Messiah and savior was serenaded with spirited "Melo" chants throughout the game.

Tremendous credit should be given to Donnie Walsh. In 2008, he took over a Knick team that was desecrated by previous General Manager Isiah Thomas. Simply put, Walsh is a genius. He orchestrated the Carmelo trade and led this franchise to a complete 180 degree turn in less than three years. Prior to 2008, the Knicks were the laughingstock of the league. Their roster was filled with overpriced and underachieving players. The Knicks are finally back to respectability. They will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

The last decade was seemingly devoid of exciting moments for tortured Knick fans. Aside from the two Finals appearances in 1994 and 1999, this is the most encouraging moment since they drafted Patrick Ewing in 1985. The trade weakened their depth considerably but miracle-worker Donnie Walsh will mend that issue. With Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, New York now has two legitimate superstar players that they can build a team around. "The Knicks are back," said Stoudemire in response to the Anthony trade. It certainly seems like it.

No Deal

On Monday, February 14, the Nuggets reportedly offered the Knicks Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups for Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Eddy Curry and his expiring contract, a first-round draft pick, and another Knick starter. The other starter was not specified but it was most likely Wilson Chandler or Landry Fields.

I believe the Knicks can acquire Carmelo for significantly less. In a previous entry, I argued that the Knicks should stand their ground in trade discussions with Denver in order to negotiate the best deal possible. Thankfully Donnie Walsh, the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks, reads my awesome blog because the deal was rejected.

D, D'Antoni

This may be difficult, but put aside the Carmelo Anthony drama for a moment. Another pressing issue the Knicks must address is whether Mike D'Antoni should be their long-term coach. Is he capable, with his over-reliance on offense, of coaching a team to a championship? He has proven he can have regular season success, twice winning 60 plus games with the Phoenix Suns. The playoffs, however, tell an entirely different story. He has been out-coached time and time again and his juggernaut offenses have been contained by staunch defenses.

As of February 16, the Knicks' record stands at a mediocre 27-26. They've allowed 106.1 points per game, which ranks 29th in the league. This team has substantial talent and is certainly capable of a more respectable record. They are not playing up to their potential and most of the blame should be placed on D'Antoni's shoulders.

The Miami Heat are going to be a superpower in the Eastern Conference for years to come. Even if the Knicks acquire Carmelo, they aren't going to have much success trying to out-offense Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. They would be better off with a coach who values gritty defense and physical play above scoring and finesse.

The Knicks are one dimensional under Mike D'Antoni. They have no backup plan on nights their offense is stuttering. In the playoffs, they wouldn't stand a chance against elite teams with a more balanced attack. Their speed, flare, and scoring prowess help to sell tickets and entertain crowds. Let's be honest, nobody minds watching a basketball game with Pee Wee level defense being played. Steals and blocks seldom make the SportsCenter Top Ten plays list.

But how far will this style take the Knicks? The long-term goal should be championships. Defense is the first step that should be taken when working towards this goal. Carmelo or no Carmelo, the Knicks have a long way to go in that respect.

Yanks In Trouble

On February 4, Andy Pettitte officially announced his retirement. The Yankees' second best starter behind CC Sabathia and most reliable playoff performer is done. Pettitte had a phenomenal career and will go down as a legendary Yankee. But, this also means the Yankees are in serious trouble.

More often than not, the Yankees are the favorites on paper going into a new season. Right now, they are not even the best team in the AL East. The Red Sox made a huge splash in free agency this off season by acquiring Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Yankees countered that by losing the Cliff Lee sweepstakes to the Phillies, signing injury prone pitcher Mark Prior, and signing catcher Russell Martin, who hit a stirring .248 last season.

New York will not make much noise next year unless they make a move for another dependable starter. The Yankees' all star offense can potentially carry them into the playoffs, but pitching will ultimately decide how far they advance. In 2009, the Yankees won the title because their starters excelled in the playoffs. Last season, the champion Giants swooped in out of nowhere and surprised most of the baseball world by relying mainly on their dominant pitching staff. In the ALCS last year, the Yankees lost in six games because their suspect pitching was hammered by a potent Ranger offense. Newly retired Andy Pettitte was the only Yankee starting pitcher who performed well in the series.

CC Sabathia has proven he can be the ace of any pitching staff. After him, there is a severe drop off in the rotation. Phil Hughes, second in line behind CC, is entering just his second full season as a starter in the majors. A.J. Burnett may be the most erratic athlete in the history of sports. On any given night, he is capable of putting on a dazzling performance or being breathtakingly atrocious.

Last decade, the Yankees went through an eight year championship-less period. This was mainly due to management valuing high profile sluggers, like Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi, more than consistent and dependable pitching. Hopefully they learned from the past, or another long drought may be on its way.

Carmelo Anthony, the Future Knick

Carmelo Anthony has made it clear that he no longer wishes to play for the Denver Nuggets. He is an unrestricted free agent next year, so the Nuggets are attempting to work together a trade in order to acquire something valuable for him before he departs. The official NBA trade deadline is on February 24th, meaning time is running out for all teams involved. It would make absolutely no sense, however, for the Knicks to aggressively pursue Anthony. Unless they can acquire him cheaply, they should steer clear of the Denver Nuggets' high asking price. The best move would be to wait until the upcoming offseason to sign him in order to keep their team intact.

Supposedly, the Knicks recently offered a package that included Wilson Chandler, Landry Fields, and a first round draft pick. Somehow, this wasn't good enough for the Nuggets. Danilo Gallinari's name has also been tossed around the rumor mill. All three of these players are young, promising talents. They have yet to reach their prime and would be vital role players on a Knick team with Carmelo Anthony.

During this whole soap opera, it has become quite obvious that Carmelo has the itch to play under the bright lights of New York City in Madison Square Garden. "That's like the ultimate dream at the end of the day," Anthony said, referring to New York, in an interview with ESPN. "Who wouldn't want to go back home to play?” He was born in Brooklyn and won an NCAA championship at Syracuse University. He is destined to play here.

Carmelo is an elite player and most likely a future Hall of Famer. Adding him to an already strong Knicks core would make them an instant championship contender. It is a potentially disastrous risk to take. What if he is traded before the deadline and signs an extension with someone else? All signs are pointing to take this risk. Nuggets are asking for the world and more for their prized franchise player. Knicks need to call their bluff. Carmelo would bring a winning tradition back to the Garden. Knicks haven't won a championship in nearly 40 years, but Melo will soon have something to say about that.

Jet Expectations Sky High Next Season

During the 2009 NFL season, a 9-7 New York Jets team barely squeaked into the playoffs. They subsequently managed to tame the Cincinnati Bengals and spring an upset against the heavily favored San Diego Chargers. They would eventually fall to the Colts in the AFC Championship game, but, overall, the season was viewed as a success. This season, they once again fell short in the AFC Championship game.

Their 11-5 regular season record was the third best in team history. In the second round of the playoffs, they embraced the Cinderella role and defeated the New England Patriots, their arch rival and Super Bowl favorites. Jets fans have long been tortured by submarginal teams and heartbreaking losses. Since winning Super Bowl III in 1969, this franchise does not have much to show. As a result, fans are not inclined to expect much from year to year. Most Jet supporters would view coming one game short of the Super Bowl in two consecutive seasons as phenomenal success. To compare, the New York Yankees are on the opposite spectrum. Two straight seasons without winning the World Series is a complete failure to fans and management no matter what.

The last two seasons, however, have given the Jet fan-base new hope and reason to believe another Super Bowl win is actually possible. The bar has been raised. Now Jet fans, like Yankee fans, expect a championship next season. Brash and confident head coach Rex Ryan only increases these expectations by continually guaranteeing wins and proclaiming his team's superiority over the rest of the league. Rex is going to have to start backing up his talk, because next year it's Super Bowl champions or bust.