Carmelo Anthony Must Shut It Down

                                 

Carmelo Anthony has battled both a bad knee and less than stellar (to put it mildly) Knick team this season.  Given these circumstances I don't think anyone will blame him for taking an extended vacation.  It was very clear that the team would not compete for anything but a lottery pick this year.  However, not even Anthony could predict just how lousy it would actually get.

As the team stumbles into the All Star break and onward, all eyes will be aimed at free agency and a desperately needed roster turnover. Though his loyalty and competitive spirit are truly commendable, Anthony has no reason to jeopardize health for a lost cause.  It's best to let this deplorable season blow over and wait for the actual reinforcements to arrive.

Dolan Shows His Colors...Again

                                

New York Knicks principal owner James Dolan did not take kindly to the words of a long time fan who criticized his ownership of the team.  The fan, Irving Bierman spoke critically of the way he has handled the organization, citing his terrible business moves.  Mr. Bierman also exclaimed how he should sell the team and make things easier on the fan base.  Dolan, whom never seems to back down even when it suits his best interests, fired back in a style Knick fans have become all to familiar with. In his response he called the nearly 60 year fan 'sad' and 'hateful', telling him to go root for the Nets. This abhorrent exchange is yet another chapter in the ill-fated reign of James Dolan that has placed him in the doldrums of sports ownership.

Here is the exchange:

Mr. Bierman's email:

At one stage I thought that you did a wonderful thing when you acquired EVERYTHING from your dad. However, since then it has been ALL DOWN HILL. Your working with Isaiah Thomas & everything else regarding the Knicks. Bringing on Phil Jackson was a positive beginning, but lowballing Steve Kerr was a DISGRACE to the knicks. The bottom line is that you merely continued to interfere with the franchise.

As a knicks fan for in excess of 60 years, I am utterly embarrassed by your dealings with the Knicks. Sell them so their fans can at least look forward to growing them in a positive direction Obviously, money IS NOT THE ONLY THING. You have done a lot of utterly STUPID business things with the franchise. Please NO MORE.

James Dolan's response:

You are a sad person. Why would anybody write such a hateful letter. I am.just guessing but ill bet your life is a mess and you are a hateful mess. What have you done that anyone would consider positive or nice. I am betting nothing. In fact ill bet you are negative force in everyone who comes in contact with you. You most likely have made your family miserable. Alcoholic maybe. I just celebrated my 21 year anniversary of sobriety. You should try it. Maybe it will help you become a person that folks would like to have around. In the mean while start rooting.for the Nets because the Knicks don't want you.

James Shields, Will They? or Won't They?

                                    

Heading into 2015 the Yankees face a daunting task of fielding a more formidable contender than in the two previous seasons.  One of the best ways they can improve is by building a strong and capable pitching staff. With C.C. Sabathia's struggles and Ivan Nova coming off of recent Tommy John surgery, there is a need to solidify the starting rotation with a big arm.  Enter James Shields.  Along with his tenacity and durability, the former Ray and Royal possesses a stellar attitude that will bring him easy success and quickly endear him the Yankee faithful. However one question remains, are the Yankees willing to spend the money to bring the righthander on board?

Brian Cashman has made it well known that the team is not going to shell out outrageous amounts of money in order to fill talent gaps.  Though signing Shields makes the most baseball sense, it is very clear that the edict passed down by ownership is to refrain from potentially regretful long term commitments. As many loyal fans know, recent history has suggested that even the best the big leagues has to offer can suddenly falter in the bright lights of Yankee Stadium.

Will the Yankees take the chance and bring him into the fold? or will they elect to look elsewhere? It's the million dollar question the Yankees are asking themselves with each passing day James Shields remains available.

Super Bowl Leaves Us With One Big Question

                                

Super Bowl XLIX ended on a disastrous call at the goal line that will surely haunt the Seahawks and their fans for years to come.  Many will wonder why Pete Carroll elected to throw the ball at the 1 yard line with three downs to spare and Marshawn Lynch in the backfield.  It goes to show us how such a small detail can determine the entirety of a game.

In life we are constantly asking ourselves "what if?" What if I had made that turn?, What if I would have made that phone call?, What If I had not put that there? They constantly replay in our minds like a bad nightmare that we cannot undo.  It is no different in Sports, every time a team makes a crucial, game altering mistake there is always questions as to why it was done and what could or should have been done differently. Unfortunately for the Seahawks like all the rest there is nothing that can be done but ask "What if?".

Looking at recent sports history we can come by many scenarios that caused us to question what was done.  What if Joe Torre had elected to start Mike Mussina instead of Kevin Brown in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS?,  What if Greg Popovich had not taken out Tim Duncan in final seconds of Game 6 of the 2013 Finals?  These are decision that, like Carroll's were made with the best of hope but ultimately created moments that will live in infamy.

If the Super Bowl has taught us nothing else, it is that you must be certain the decision you make is worth the potential consequences that could come.  Second guessing when those consequences do arrive will do nothing more that create that wall of "What if" that lingers for the rest of time.

Super Bowl Sunday Is Here

                               

With all of the story lines like (Roger Goodell's state of the NFL, Marshawn Lynch's press conference, and Deflagate) out of the way it's now time for the thing we all have been waiting for...the game.  It's the time for two teams to put up or shut up.  The Seahawks and Patriots look to place their names in history and reign supreme over the NFL.  Seattle will bring the swagger and confidence of a defending champion, eyeing a repeat performance of last year's dominance.  New England on the other hand seeks redemption after suffering two Super Bowl defeats at the hands of Eli Manning and the Giants; as well as two treacherous controversies that have cast a dark shadow over their decade long success.

All of the betting lines have given this game a pick'em scenario, very fitting for a contest that many are considering to be one of the biggest of the decade.  To the winner goes the spoils is what they say, and with both old and recent history on each teams side, Super Bowl XLIX should give all the entertainment we are looking for.

Odell Beckham Sets World Record

As if his incredible one handed catch and impressive rookie campaign wasn't enough Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. set a new Guinness world record by making 33 one handed catches in one minute; obliterating the old record of 10.  This was not only a showcase of a skill, it was conformation of the kind talent he can become.  Hall of fame wide-out Jerry Rice has said that Beckham's famous reception would not have been possible without the help of gloves.  While that may be true, how many football players can one think of who had the hand eye coordination to catch a football with one hand once let alone 33 times in 60 seconds.  Be that as it may, Beckham has shown us all that the sky's the limit for this gifted rookie.

Coach K Reaches Milestone

                                       
                                     

Yesterday, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski earned his 1,000th win by defeating St. John's at the world's most famous arena Madison Square Garden.  His remarkable consistency and success is something that will be marveled and revered for many years to come.  Though there are may whom despise Duke and all of it's history, not a single person can share that same disdain for a man whom has brought so much to the game.  From his stoic demeanor, to his preaching of teamwork and togetherness Krzyzewski has proven that he is more than just a coach.  This historic milestone not only serves as the crowning achievement for a man who is perhaps the best to ever walk the sidelines, it serves as the foundation for all who dream to walk in the shoes he has walked in for 35 years.

Klay Thompson Goes Off

Last night Warriors guard Klay Thompson set a new NBA record by scoring 37 points while shooting 13 for 13 from the field in the 3rd quarter against the Sacramento Kings.  It was an feat that is sure to be both remembered and envied by everyone who laid their eyes on .  Who knows when we will ever see another performance quite like this one, so it's best we take in the amazing display of percolation shown by this young man.