Panic?!?!?

9/4/12

In response to questions as to the New York Yankees' Panic Meter given their recent slide, ESPN Baseball Analyst Buster Olney responded with an alarming 9.

A 9? 9 is being Dormy 3 on the links.....and then going OB with your tee shot.

A 9 is the Boston Red Sox blowing a 9-game lead in the month of September and then relying on a hated, shorthanded Bronx Bombers side to outlast a desperate Tampa Bay squad.

If we really have already reached 9 on the Pinstriped Panic Meter in the Bronx, then what will signify 10?

Despite the recent slide, Derek Jeter insists there is no panic in the Yankees Clubhouse. And why should there be?

Last time I checked, the Yankees still maintained a 1-game lead on the inexperienced Orioles and a 2.5-game margin in the Wild Card Standings.

Last time I checked, the Yankees still had 9 games remaining against Tampa Bay and Baltimore, their new and rather surprising AL East competitors.

More importantly, perhaps, the Yankees have 6 games remaining against the lowly Boston Red Sox, including 3 at the Stadium to conclude the season. This is without mention of their 10 games remaining against the Twins and Blue Jays, each of whom are in free falls of their own --- without nearly as much to play for.

Yes, it's true that the Yankees have lost 11 of their last 17. But the summer slimdown of their AL East lead is more closely attributed to the streaking O's and Rays than their own collapse.

The Rays schedule will grow increasingly difficult. Tampa plays their next 5 against Texas and New York --- and will face the best of both rotations. They will also play 4 games in Chicago's South Side, where Robin Ventura's White Sox are in a Pennant Race of their own. Finally, Tampa still has 6 games remaining against Baltimore, including 3 potentially huge games to end the season.

So, if the Yankees, Rays, and Orioles are all dead-locked heading into the final weekend of the season, keep in mind that the Rays and Orioles will be battling it out head-to-head, while the Yankees will be in the Bronx playing a Red Sox roster that will no doubt be battling quite hard for beloved Bobby V.

The Orioles have been great, but they are still quite young. Do you really trust Gonzalez, Timlin, and Saunders in late September? Buck Showalter has done a tremendous job, but don't be surprised if the inexperienced O's hit the wall hard during the season's final month.

The usually intimidating Yankees offense has been struggling of late without A-Rod, Teixeira, and most recently Granderson. With all 3 expected back by this weekend, the Bronx Bombers will resume living up to the name.

The pitching staff hasn't been horrible, but it will certainly improve with Sabathia regaining form, Nova returning, and Pettite possibly on his way back as well.

After a long, early September road trip, the Yankees will play 12 of their final 19 at home. If New York can simply maintain its current position over the next week, look for them to win 14 of their last 19, not only outlasting their AL East competition, but edging Texas for the league's best record.

There is 1 month of baseball remaining and the Yankees find themselves exactly where they wanted at the beginning of April --- at the top of the AL East.

Panic?!? Not Now. Not Yet.

Olympic Trials

8/18/12

While the Olympic torch has been extinguished, the debate over the talent on the 1992 Dream Team vs the 2012 Team USA still burns on. Unfortunately, those arguing are attempting to answer the ultimate rhetorical question. The only game that will ever be played will be staged on X-Box360 by teenagers who were not yet born when Magic, Bird, and Jordan wore the Red, White, and Blue.

The argument would have been moot had Team USA not survived a scare from the Gasol brothers, Jose Calderon (Yes, that Jose Calderon), and Rudy Fernandez (Yes, that Rudy Fernandez) in the Gold Medal Game. Though both the 1992 and 2012 squards attained their ultimate goal, the Dream Team did so with such remarkable ease. So much so that their toughest test was a 32-point rout over Croatia in the final. As a means of comparison, Coach K's Team USA trailed Lithuania with under 5 minutes to play in an early-round match-up.

The Dream Team dominated as a result of their unparalleled talent from top to bottom. The roster included an amazing 1/5 of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of all time. Yes, to be fair, this included some individuals like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson who admittedly were not at their peak at the time of the Olympics in Barcelona. Nonetheless, it leads one to question how many of the 2012 Team USAers would have even made the 1992 team, nevermind play a starring role.

Besides Christian Laettner, is there a single Dream Teamer that would not make the "Best 12" of the two teams?

In looking up and down the 1992 Dream Team roster, it's hard to argue that anyone besides Laettner did not belong. That being said, it'd be impossible to keep Kobe, Lebron and, Durant off that team. But who to take off?

Of course, debates can be made up and down the roster. For example, many will argue that Larry Bird was at the very end of his career. In the final year of his NBA career, the season prior to the 1992 Games, Bird averaged 20, 10, and 7. Oh yeah, and he shot over 40% from beyond the arc and over 90% from the charity stripe.

Chris Mullin averaged 26, 6, and 4 in the seasons before, and after, winning his Gold Medal. Magic was washed up by that time, right? Not exactly. He filled up the stat sheets with an impressive 19, 13, and 7 in the season prior to the Olympics, his last before an attempted comeback years later.

Recently, a friend argued the merits of choosing Chris Paul over John Stockton, the all-time NBA leader in both Assists and Steals. As a pass-first, less turnover prone PG, Stockton is not only better equipped to quarterback a team of stars, he was also simply better than CP3 throughout his career. Yes, Paul is still young, but he would have to continue to improve dramatically in order to be mentioned with the greats like Stockton.

In the year prior to the Olympics, Stockton averaged 17 and 14. Paul? A very impressive 20 and 9. While Stockton would likely have teamed up with Malone for at least 1 title had it not been for G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan (and his push off on Byron Russell), Paul has not had much NBA Playoffs success as of late. No disrespect to CP3, who may grow to be one of the best PGs of all-time, but he should not, and would not, have beat out John Stockton for a roster spot. Anyone who argues otherwise does not remember the greatness of the gritty PG. Is Paul more athletic? Sure. But athleticism only counts for so much. Blake Griffin's freakishness does not make him a better player than Karl Malone.

The closer one examines the statistics, the harder it is to imagine the 2012 Team USAers claiming victory in an actual matchup. And that's before even considering the enormous size differential that would exist. Team USA had no answer for mediocre bigs Serge Ibaka and Nene, nevermind the likes of Ewing, Robinson, and Malone.

Could the 2012 Team USA ever beat the 1992 Dream Team? Sure they could. After all, Lehigh beat Duke despite an obvious disparity in talent. Then again, the Dukies didn't have Jordan, Drexler, and Barkley.

Unfortunately, it seems the debate will continue to burn on. At least until NBA2K13 debuts anyway.

What to Do, What to Do

7/7/11

Despite recent whispers that the NFL lockout will soon be over, last week concluded with a slight waning of optimism. While most experts remain confident that the two sides will ultimately come to an agreement, there is no disguising the fact that we are approaching Judgment Day.

It is July 7^th, exactly one month before the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio — which the NFL insists remains planned as scheduled. With DeMaurice Smith and Roger Goodell finally joining the labor talks today, there will be a great deal of urgency in the Big Apple. For the first time in this depressing dragged out process, the play of real, live NFL games will depend on the success of these dealings.

If an agreement is not reached by the end of this week, that will leave only 4 weeks until the scheduled beginning of the preseason. Keep in mind that Free Agents have not been signed, Rookies have not received playbooks, and players have not yet worked out as a cohesive unit. In the cases of Titans, Broncos, and Raiders, the Quarterbacks are not yet familiar with the system of their new play-callers. If today and tomorrow do not produce positive news, it is awfully hard to fathom the NFL season beginning on September 8th.

Clearly, this is horrible news for several parties. For just five minutes, forget about the millionaires and billionaires. Of all the numbers discussed, there is one sad fact that sticks out:

Millions of fans will be thrown out of their normal Sunday routines from September through January. The question looms regarding how exactly people will adjust to their new schedule.

Ray Lewis, for one, believes that the crime rate will rise substantially if there is no NFL season. Whether this will be due to the unemployment of the NFL players or the lack of structure for fans, let’s remember one thing: when it comes to crime, Ray Lewis has some killer insight.

For those of us who won’t be breaking the law because there is no football on television, here are a few more positive ways to spend your Sundays:

1.) Home Depot/Bed, Bath and Beyond

Now that you won’t have to be on the couch all day, you can save all the exciting errands for Sunday. While it’s not football, it could make for a pretty nice day. Just ask Frank the Tank. Throw in a trip to Costco and you’ll still make it back in time for Sunday Night Football Undercover Boss.

2.) Help out around the house

Nobody will be happy about no football. Except wives and girlfriends everywhere. Now that there is no football on Sunday, you can finally fix that leak and mow that lawn. What? Not like you have anything better to do.

3.) Watch tapes of yesterday’s CFB Games

With no NFL, you will have to soak up all the pigskin you can. I’m talking UFL, CFL, and High School. Most importantly, however, watch as much college football as possible. As college football fans will know, there are often too many games on at once. It’s not easy to switch back and forth between LSU/Florida, Texas/Kansas State, and Michigan/Wisconsin, all on at 3:30 EST.

So…DVR the games that you are slightly less interested and watch them all day Sunday. Just make sure to avoid SportsCenter and the Bottom Line.

4.) HBO Marathons

No football, but there is still HBO. Don’t limit yourself to Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm in Primetime. Catch up on all your favorite series and watch them all day. That way, you won’t be Bored to Death and stuck watching MASH re-runs on FOX.

5.) Exercise

Most red-blooded males spend their Fall Sundays lying on the couch, eating nachos and pizza. If they get up, it’s between the early and late games to check their fantasy team. If they don’t have a mobile app for that.

While it won’t be as fun, it will be a whole lot more healthy if people can spend a couple hours at the gym. A few miles on the treadmill and some daily sit-ups could extend lives by a couple years. That way, you can actually get a few more seasons in. Great news for Bengals and Lions fans everywhere.

Plus, the wife won’t mind either.

6.) Golfing or Fishing

There are few things manlier than sitting down on the couch and watching a full day of football while carbo-loading. Without football, you’ll be feeling the need for some male bonding. The remedy: more golfing or fishing, depending on your preference.

Play 36 on Sunday or take an extra loop around the lake. Whatever you have to do to avoid being reminded of the lack of football, right?

7.) Pray (for football)

With no football on Sundays, there is no excuse for missing church. An SI poll showed that 13% of people would go to church more often if there is no NFL season. Not sure how many will take this approach, but it’s an option.

Not religious?

If nothing else, pray for football. Training camp starts in three weeks.

Hype Aside, NBA Draft Better Than NFL's

6/23/11

Despite its new format, the NFL Draft remains watered down. For whatever reason — perhaps due to the months and months of prognostications — NFL executives feel that the event now needs to span three days.

In contrast to its over-done counterpart, the NBA’s version always seems to sneak up on people.

Maybe it’s because it’s only days after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Maybe it’s because we’re not constantly inundated with Jon Gruden specials in Primetime.

Regardless, the NBA Draft never fails to entertain.

While the NBA Draft is superior for a variety of reasons, including the names (Jonas Valanciunas and Bismack Biyombo are projected lottery picks), the primary rationale is the individual nature of the sport.
The pundits will argue that the Mavericks’ recent triumph over the Heat proves otherwise. They have written articles that the Finals result exemplifies that teamwork always wins out.

The NBA is different than the NFL in that individuals CAN dominate a game, series, or entire season.
As a result, any given selection in tonight’s draft can significantly impact the future of a franchise.

Imagine if the Milwaukee Bucks had NOT traded Dirk Nowitzki on draft night for the late Tractor Traylor and Pat Garrity.

Had the Nuggets selected Amar’e Stoudemire rather than Nickoloz Tskitishvili (another great name BTW), Denver may have won a title by now.

Ditto for the Blazers had they taken Chris Paul or Deron Williams rather than trading down for Martell Webster.

The point is: any given pick can alter the fortunes of not only a single organization, but the entire league.

Many of the players drafted in the NFL lack the cool names, but they are still foreign to us. Only Mel Kiper and his cronies know the Starting Strong Safety for Virginia Tech. On the other hand, everyone remembers the names and faces from March Madness.

While a select few NFL draftees make impacts during their debut seasons, the effect of the NBA Rookies is more substantial. Again, due to the smaller rosters and individualistic nature, NBA Rookies are thrown to the fire much sooner.

Don’t believe the significance of the NBA Draft? Just take a look at the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Jason Kidd: #2 Overall in 1994
Corey Brewer: #7 Overall in 2007
Caron Butler: #10 Overall in 2002
Tyson Chandler: #2 Overall in 2001
Shawn Marion: #9 in 1999
Dirk Nowitzki: #9 in 1998
Jason Terry: #10 in 1999
That’s 7 players on their roster drafted in the top 10 of their respective drafts.

Oh, and if that doesn’t do it for you, tune in for the suits. Or the accents. Or Jimmer and Jonas in the same room.

Where's the RESPECT?

5/25/11

At what point does a star athlete warrant special treatment from a front office? Is it an MVP? A championship victory perhaps?

Clearly, according to New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman, it is NOT 5 World Series rings.

In that last 37 years, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettite, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera have brought New York City more championships than the Knicks, Giants, and Rangers. Combined.

Imagine New York sports talk radio without the Core Four. It is depressing enough as it is. Only problem is, Brian Cashman has been heartless towards the Yankees’ Core Four. Cashman has become the Bronx Zoo’s very own Tin Man.

In the past year, he has disrespected the very men that have paid his bonuses with their play over the last fifteen seasons. And yet this is the same guy that so quickly brought back Alex Rodriguez despite his decision to opt-out of his original megadeal.

This offseason, Cashman has told Andy Pettite to “not Brett Favre” him. In other words, he told a 240 game winner and clutch playoff performer that he better not waver in his decision regarding retirement. When you pitch like Andy Pettite has in October throughout his career, you’ve earned the right to flip-flop more than Mitt Romney. Deal with it, Brian.

Keep in mind this was less than 20 months removed from a 2009 postseason in which Andy Pettite became just the 2nd pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win three series-clinching games. Oh yeah, and he won the game that clinched the AL East as well.

Cashman also refused to extend the contracts of Jeter and Rivera prior to their expiration after the 2010 season. He defended his decision by referring to the organization’s long-standing policy not to renew deals before they were over. After a spring training game prior to the 2010 season, Cashman responded to a question on the subject, stating, “If this was Kansas City, it would be different — but it’s not.”

To be fair, this is not Kansas City. The Royals have at least won a World Series in the past 30 years. Something the Yankees surely would not be able to say if not for Jeter and Rivera.

This off-season, sports fans throughout the nation scoffed in disbelief at the organization’s mistreatment of Derek Jeter. Captain Clutch will ultimately be memorialized in Monument Park as #2, but he has always been #1 in the hearts of Yankee fans. Just ask A-Rod.

We thought Cashman hit rock bottom when he publicized details of contract negotiations with Jeter and his agent, Casey Close. He disrespected the captain and made an inexcusable mistake in the eyes of Yankees fans everywhere. He treated Derek Jeter like he was any other player.

During one heated meeting, Cashman reportedly told Jeter, “You said all you wanted was what was fair. How much higher do we have to be than the highest offer for it to be fair?” Fair? Fair is catering to the wants and needs of one of the most beloved stars in franchise history. And one that has helped Brian Cashman look VERY good over the last fifteen years.

Given Cashman’s history with the Core Four, the most recent skirmish with Jorge Posada should not have come as much of a surprise. And yet it did. If only because fans never expect a 5-time champion to be treated with such disrespect.

Cashman embarrassed Posada. Of all games to move Posada down to the 9-spot, he chose a nationally-televised primetime game against the Boston Red Sox. Then, to make matters worse, he decided to make a statement during the game. May Posada have been out of line? Sure.But the point is that certain athletes deserve some special treatment.

Posada has earned his fair share of get out of jail the 9-spot free cards. Jeter and Posada may not retire on top. In fact, thanks to Brian Cashman’s recent escapades, it unfortunately looks like they will go out the other end. As in the very bottom of the Yankees batting order.

This is New York after all. Where clearly the past is too soon forgotten.

Reason for Optimism in NYC

5/13/11

The Celtics are slow, the Lakers are a team of discontents, and the Spurs appear to be over the hill.

Suddenly the scene at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza doesn’t seem so bad. No, the Knicks don’t have 5 rings. No, they don’t have a team full of first-ballot Hall of Famers. But they do have something on their side that many of the recent NBA champions do not: time.

At the beginning of next season, barring a lockout, Amar’e Stoudemire will be 28. Carmelo Anthony will be only 27. The clock is by no means ticking down on these two superstars. Kevin Garnett was 32 when he won his title with the Celtics. Paul Pierce was 30 and Ray Allen 33.

Sure, this year’s playoff collapse was disappointing. But it was by no means surprising. The team played just 28 games together prior to a daunting showdown with the experienced Celtics. Without an experienced Billups and with a relatively useless Amare, the Knicks had little hope.

While the success of the Heat may be the source of some depression throughout the NY Metro area, it should actually provide some reasons for optimism. Take a look at how Miami looked after just 28 games. In reality, the Heat are an exact model for the Knicks to follow. They are just about 3/4 of a season behind. A season (and off-season) full of practice will help this team immensely. With a healthy trio of stars, the Knicks will be very dangerous next season, especially come April and May.

In taking into account some roster changes, this team will be even better. Throw in a defensive-minded big man such as Samuel Dalembert of Marcus Camby and this team will challenge the Miami’s and Chicago’s of the world. Other role players, and perhaps the year of experience for Landry Fields, will provide a deeper bench and more rest for Melo and A’mare. Lastly, do not count out the Knicks’ opportunity to acquire a big piece via the draft.

Regardless of whether he is renewed, which he should be, Donnie Walsh will make the Knicks 17th pick in the NBA draft. Before passing this player off as a mere role player, keep in mind that in recent years, the 17th pick has produced stars such as Danny Granger, Josh Smith, and Jermaine O’Neal. Morehead State’s freakish athlete Kenneth Faried,Texas’ Tristan Thompson, and Kansas’ Morris twins will all be targets for the Knicks.