How About Those Knicks

Yes, How about those Knickerbockers, If you are a Knick fan, you have suffered through the pain and agony that is New York basketball for the better part of a decade so this has got to be music to your ears. So those who have been under a rock for the past month must be wondering who is responsible for this incredible turnaround, Carmelo? Linsanity? Tyson Chandler? while they all have played a role it is only fair to put this new found confidence in the hands of one man...Mike Woodson. Since taking over as the interim head coach the Knicks are 13-4 and playing some of the best defense that the fans haven't seen in years. He has driven a passion for defense out of team and it has especially resonated with Carmelo Anthony, much maligned for his lack of effort on the defensive side Anthony has started to take his match ups to task by bringing an in your face style that no opponent of his ever though he had. Under D'Antoni, The defense was less than highly porous he had completely lost the teams faith that he would make things work, D'Antoni has since stepped down and Woodson has the Knicks poised to be a dangerous playoff opponent for anyone that plays them, but as he alluded on Thursday the job is nowhere close to being done, Hopefully this is only just the beginning of something special brewing in the Big Apple.

Are You Ready for some Foooball

After 132 aggravatingly long days of a pretentious and ridiculous lockout, the NFL is open for business. This was the longest lockout in the history of the the league and hopefully it will be the last to have such longevity. With all the kinks ironed out it has given way to the most hectic free agency period we have ever seen. Names like Nnamdi Asomugha, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Ike Taylor, and DeAngelo Williams, are sure to draw the eyes of every team in the league and stir up a free agency frenzy like no other. Football is the single most popular sport in America and knowing that Sundays will not be filled with church, boring errands and Sunday dinner puts many fans minds at ease.

Colon Renaissance Continues

Bartolo Colon continues to prove that he hasn't lost his talent with yet another brilliant performance today. He has defied all of the naysayers who believed he could never recover the career he lost shortly after claiming the 2005 Cy Young Award. The Yankees knew they were taking a chance, but are now most definitely appreciative of what the 37 year old right hander is giving them. With Phil Hughes still sidelined Colon has been a breath of fresh air to a pitching staff that was much maligned after the retirement of Andy Pettitte. Hopefully he can continue this mastery as the season rolls along.

The Yankees Struggles Continue

After suffering their six consecutive loss in a 6-5 loss to the Rays, which saw the team blow a four run lead one would believe that a sense of urgency has settle in for fans, players and management alike. The struggling bats and have placed unneeded pressure on the pitching staff, which has for the most point weathered it pretty well, but it may only be a matter of time until even that gives way. It does not help that the hitting of Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, and Alex Rodriguez has been non exsistent and, outside of Curtis Granderson, so is the overall run production. If the Yankees don't start remebring the basics, the organization will beging to make drastic alterations that they feel will suit better for the long term.

Goodight L.A.

The two time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers have been emphatically swept out of the playoffs after losing to the Mavericks 122-86. A rather embarrassing ousting for such a proud and tradition rich organization. You have to feel bad for Phil Jackson who until today had never been swept in any playoff series in his entire coaching career; when you have the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Shaquille O'Neal to coach, it's a pretty safe bet that getting swept is the last thing on your mind. I can't imagine that Dr. Jerry Buss is going over this with a grain of salt, especially since his team was even favored over the Miami Heat and the Wade, James, Bosh trio. Look for some major changes to be on the horizon and with it the many calls for the team to vigorously pursue superstar center Dwight Howard or point guard Chris Paul (if the Knicks don't land him first) who will most likely hit the free agent market in 2012. For now it's off to the golf courses and vacation hot spots for Kobe Bryant and crew, no doubt this one will not set well him and you have to figure he will have an indirect influence on who the team acquires and who they trade away to get it.

The NFL Lockout

As of yesterday the order that judge Susan Richard Nelson which lifted the lockout has been overturned by a federal court of appeals. I still do not believe that the owners are steadfast in preventing football from happening in order for them to make more money. I don't know what may be the true mindset of all involved, but I will say this, If the NFL season misses just one week They would potentially sacrifice billions in television money alone, now that is something to phone home about.

On to game Two, NBA Playoffs

Last nights game was pretty hard to swallow as the Yankees saw six double plays doom any hopes of another rally. It's was a tough go for the young right hander Ivan Nova as he could not shake his fifth inning struggles. It is still too early to see whether or not Nova can handle his first full big league season, but I am sure that he still has the vote of confidence form Joe Girardi. Freddy Garcia will finally make his Yankee debut as a starter today and one cannot help but worry that the 3 week lay over will have an affect on his performance. Hopefully that will not be that case.

The road to the NBA Finals gets underway as 8 teams from each conference will compete for the chance to be crowned world champions. I will say that several teams have a legitimate shot a making a run, more that in previous years; However that is not to say that there aren't any favorites. The Lakers have the aura of back to back titles to fall back on and seem poised for a three peat, but losing 5 of 7 to end the season may not help their chances, especially against a tough Memphis Grizzlies team with nothing to lose. For most of the year the Spurs defied the age bug and had many people including myself believe they were headed for championship glory; But they scuffled through April incurring injuries to key players which includes Manu Ginobili who got hurt an the seasons final day. The Spurs need to get healthy ASAP or it could be doomsday for the leagues most veteran heavy squad.

I would be lying if I were to tell you that the Miami Heat were not a favorite, in fact they should win it all accordinbg to all of the pre season speculators. The Heat are a great team on paper with championchip capabilities, but if there is one thing that was proven this year is that even with the big three, the Heat are vulnerable. Who knows how they will respond to this heightened atmosphere, but don't expect the Sixers to just lie down at the feet of the Bosh-Wade-James gang. Now is time for Mr James to prove he did not make a mistake by leaving his hometown, though every self respecting basketball fan is going to root against him.

Yankees/Orioles, Knicks Playoffs

After a good victory last night The Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound in the final game of the rain shortened series. Hughes has much to prove tonight as his drop in velocity and lack of conviction on his fastball. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild had in depth video session with Hughes and has discovered a flaw in his pitching motion that most likely has attributed to the 3 mph dip that every hitter has no problem taking a whack at. You have to believe that the fans are not going be nice if he struggles to find his pitches tonight, but I trust he will get things together because he's much better than his ERA shows.

This Sunday a momentous occasion will grace the televisions of New York Sports fans, The Knicks will play their first playoff game in years (10 years for those who discredit 2004). As far as the teams chances of success I think if they can work the ball effectively and show a bit of a defensive edge they a capable of putting up a great fight and possible upset of the Boston Celtics. It will be up the the New Knickerbockers, Chauncey Billups, Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony, all whom have multiple games of playoff experience that will help guide the youngsters on how to handle the pressures of legitimate April basketball. It's going to be a tough task trying to knock off the defending Eastern conference champs, but this is a great test to find out what these Knicks are truly made of