N.Y. Knicks: For five years, it was Mason Square Garden

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Anthony Mason 

1966 - 2015

NYK

1991 - 1996

New York Knicks: From Queens to 8th Avenue, he was one of us.

Basketball theoretically isn't supposed to be a physical game.  It was originally designed for ball handling, motion, passing, shooting, and yes, defense.  Game officials paid particular attention to obstructive contact, and the rules awarded free throws as a penalty, and deterrent for such undisciplined play.

Then along came Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley, Patrick Ewing, and the New York Knicks.  I know, down deep in my heart, the Chicago Bulls feared these guys.  Their battles were epic; classic.

In Anthony Mason's five years as a Knick, at least to this fan, he cemented himself as one of the organization's Forever Men.

Anthony Mason was my guy.

Beyond just the Bulls, the NBA wound up revamping the rules in response to the Knicks physical style of play - exemplified and effectively executed on either side of the ball by Anthony Mason.

My condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Thank you for great times.

Rest well.




Mike

For Rising Apple: Trading Kevin Plawecki Would Be A Bad Idea

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com 

Trading Kevin Plawecki Is A Bad Idea

Podcast from Thursday, February 26th.
Fellow RA writer Rich and I talking Mets baseball for 90 minutes.

Episode #94, the Rising Apple Report: Camp Bravado Is Open For Business

Mike

senior writer/Rising Apple

For Rising Apple - The Trade That Keeps Giving: Outfield Prospect Wuilmer Becerra

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

The Trade That Keeps Giving: Outfield Prospect Wuilmer Becerra

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Rangers: Don't Look Now, But Here Come the Caps

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Adam Graves; 52 goals in 84 games

Rick Nash; 37 goals in 50 games

NEW YORK RANGERS: Still Suffering From Mild Highs, and  Very Telling Lows.

There's a saying that applies to the Rangers 3-1 victory over Buffalo - don't expect a pat on the back for doing what's expected of you.

For the real story, we need dig through the last few days.

Scoring 22 goals in 4 straight victories over TOR, COL, ARZ, and NYI felt liberating, didn't it?   Speaking of the Islanders, sometimes you have to win games by a 6-5 score.  The Blueshirts played with energy and spirit, and came back from being down 5-3; well done.

Despite their record in the season series, the Rangers can obviously play with the Islanders.  But, in this particular case they just needed to show it, because in truth that was their first victory against either the Islanders, Lightning, or Predators - generally regarded as the 3 best teams in the conference this season.

That being said, how did the Blueshirts follow up their impressive victory over the Isles?  They let a point get away against the Canucks - a deflating loss to say the least, considering they blew three different leads.

How did the Islanders respond after being defeated by the Rangers?  They whooped up on the Predators 5-2, and at the time, tied Nashville for the most victories in hockey.

Just saying.....  

But, you can't deny, the Rangers have failed a majority of their big tests this season.   They otherwise have managed to outplay their competition in what continues to prove to be a weak Eastern Conference.

On that note, here comes Washington.  By defeating the Islanders on Saturday afternoon they tied the Rangers for #2 in the division, and for #4 in the conference.  The Rangers have three increasingly interesting games remaining with Washington this season.

Alex Ovechkin is the NHL leader with 38 goals; Rick Nash is second with 37 goals.

Nash's pace of 37 goals in 50 games hearkens back to Adam Graves' 50 goal season of 1993-94.



Mike

Brooklyn Nets: The Dud of Flatbush

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Congratulations to Kevin Garnett, 

for Managing to Escape Billy King's Borough of Misfit Toys.

BROOKLYN NETS: Billy King's Deadline Dud.  Was He Outdone By His Contemporaries?

Hail, hail, the gang's still here.

The much anticipated blowup turned into nothing more than a bottle rocket, as trading Kevin Garnett for Thaddeus Young was Billy King's lone transaction of the day.

Rumors of sending Brook Lopez to OKC in return for Reggie Jackson never panned out.  That means it's back to coming off the bench for Lopez along with Deron Williams (because Jarrett Jack is still here too).

It's hard to believe that after posting a 21-31 record to date, winning only 40% of their games, falling out of the conference standings, and particularly after listening to Coach Hollins repeated criticisms all season, that Billy King would still have that much faith left in Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez to intentionally keep them together.

I'd rather argue there were 14 other general managers busier, or just plain better than Billy King, not only during the time leading up to Thursday's 3:00pm trade deadline, but ever since his initial appointment.

The situation the Nets are left in, without control of their first round draft picks for the foreseeable future can not go under spoken.  And, now that KG is back in Minnesota, we can say with certainty that King's ill-fated trade with Boston was a complete failure, and one that will cost this team for years to come.



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: Set Your Clocks According To Melo Time

From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NBA worst 10-43 (.189)

New York Knicks: With the All-Star game out of the way, and Amare gone, Carmelo declared no mas.

Dutch pants can't jump, and apparently neither can Carmelo Anthony.

Blame James Dolan...

I do.

He took away Donnie Walsh's proverbial corner office with a view, stripped Mike D'Antoni of his key to the executive bathroom, and handed them both to Carmelo Anthony with haste.

Remember?  In an effort to secure Melo before the Nets did, Dolan stomped all over them like Godzilla through Tokyo.

Once in the fold, Melo has been calling the shots ever since.  He won a scoring title, and also led the Knicks to their worst start in history (of which, the debacle continues).

He certainly didn't want to be coached by D'Antoni, and wound up throwing Mike Woodson under a bus.  He didn't want to play with Jeremy Lin or Tyson Chandler, and he doesn't seem to care much for Tim Hardaway Jr.  If anything, Coach Fisher and the Triangle offense have become merely the latest inconvenience and hindrance to Melo Ball.

When he first hurt his knee, it was said that by playing he would not hurt it further.  Fine.  It was said to be a matter of Carmelo Anthony's pain threshold.  Okay.

But, but...., BUT, you just can't bide time, play 30-minutes in the All-Star Game, which just happened to be played at MSG this year, then decide the pain is too much to continue.

C'mon man!

He knew he would inevitably need surgery (and not a minor procedure at that).  Waiting till after the all-star game was flat-out selfish (IMO), if for no other reason that his recovery may potentially interfere with his ability to participate in the next preseason.

Phil Jackson said the surgery entailed a near 6-month recovery - key word being recovery.  His conditioning is likely to be compromised heading into September and October.

The Knicks were already in the midst of a historically bad season, with Melo in the line-up.  That tells me there was a potential lack of communication, urgency, or willingness to address a lingering situation, on everyone's part.

Here's a lesson learned on the Knicks first time executive: sometimes you have to communicate with players in their language.  It seems with many players, all they understand are money and minutes.  In lieu of a clear plan, Phil Jackson should have initiated a proactive approach by having Coach Fisher curtail his minutes.  In saying Melo dictated the timing of the surgery, Phil Jackson really meant to say that he fell in line like everyone else not named Dolan.

That said, I don't think Phil's Jedi mind tricks are going to work with Anthony.  Melo is focused on Melo - always has been.  Phil's "loser mentality" speech seemingly fell on deaf ears.  This could eventually become a battle of the force (70-yr. old) Phil of the Future might lose.

That's just the way I see it.



Mike

N.J. Devils: A Thousand Cheers for Elias

From the desk of:  ALL MOTHER LEEDS CHILDREN

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: In Recognition of Two Local Greats... Patrik Elias Recently Achieved Milestone Numbers, and Goalie Martin Brodeur Officially Retired.

LW - Patrik Elias

1995 - present

Devils All-Time Leader:

Season: Most Points

Career: Goals, Assists, Points

Playoffs: Goals, Assists, Points 

400 GOALS

600 ASSISTS

1000 POINTS

G - Martin Brodeur

1991 - 2014

Led NHL in Wins 9 Times

Vezina Trophy Winner 4 Times

NHL ALL-TIME LEADER:

Wins - 688

Shutouts - 124

40-Win Seasons - 8

Mike

Rangers vs. Islanders, The Rivalry - IV: NYR looking to snap NYI recent dominance

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

The Rivalry - IV

Islanders lead series 3-0

I - NYI 6; NYR 3

II - NYI 3; NYR 0

III - NYI 4; NYR 1

IV - TONIGHT

MONDAY NIGHT HOCKEY

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

from

Long Island Ice House

The magic/tragic number has been three: In three games this season, the Islanders have recorded three wins over the Rangers, all by 3-goal margins of victory.

Goalie Jaroslav Halak (t-2nd) trails Nashville's Pekka Rinne by two victories for the league lead.

He is one victory away from tying the Islanders single-season record of 32-wins set by Billy Smith in 1981-82, and tied by Chris Osgood in 2001-02.

The Isles are 6-4 in their last 10 games without Kyle Okposo.  They are riding a 4-game win streak entering tonight's game in Long Island.  However, they experienced a pair of big conference losses to the Bruins, and one loss each against the Red Wings and Panthers.

For the moment, the Isles own a 2-point lead over the Pens in the Metro Division, and 4-points over the Rangers.  They trail the Habs and Lightning for the conference lead by a point.

  

Long Island is second in scoring behind the Lightning in the conference, and 4th in the NHL, but the PK is now ranked 30th in the NHL, and their overall defense is 22nd.

Despite Okposo's absence, he still leads the team with 30 assists.  The Islanders have 8 players with double digit goals.

Due to the recent combined play of Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, and Chris Kreider, the Rangers now have 7 players with double digit goals.  With only 65 SOG, Kevin Hayes (15.4%) is second behind Rick Nash (17.2%) in scoring percentage.

The Rangers sport the NHL's 3rd rated offense, and the 4th ranked defense.  Their PP is 9th, and the PK is 13th.

The Blueshirts are 3-0 during their current road trip that ends tonight in Long Island.  Since Henrik Lundqvist went down, back up goalie Cam Talbot is 4-1-1 in his absence.  Talbot has appeared in 17 games and made 15 starts this season.  He owns an 8-5 record, with a .918 Sv%, and a 2.35 GAA.

Since these teams last met, the Rangers have posted a 9-3-1 record, with losses to top teams such as the Isles, Habs, Predators, and Stars.  They enter tonight's game winners of three in a row with victories over discombobulated Toronto, last place Colorado, and even worse Phoenix (sorry, that's just the way I see it).  However, they posted a very strong, physical victory over Boston on Feb. 4th.

Rick Nash's 33 goals are second behind league leader Alex Ovechkin's 35 goals.  He leads the Rangers with 206 shots on goal, while the next closes players is Carl Hagelin with 126 SOG.

Derick Brassard, 27, is in the midst of his best season ever.  His career year came in 2010-11 with Columbus, when he scored 17 goals, with 30 assists, for 47 points, but posted a -11 for the season.   This year, he is up to 13 goals, and has tied his career high of 30 assists.  He is a +10 so far this season, and is second on the team with 43 points.  He leads the team with 11 PP assists.

The Rangers are sandwiched between the Red Wings and Caps for the Eastern Conference 6th seed.   

They also have games in hand versus both the Islanders and the Caps.

The Rangers last game against the Coyotes was Alain Vigneault's 500th career victory, ranking him 20th on the all-time list.

Mike

For Rising Apple - Calling On Captain America: David Wright

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Calling on Captain America: David Wright

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Trucking Six Years of Baggage Down I-95

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Loaded up and truckin' on southbound I-95

2015: Pre-Season

Pitchers/Catchers - Feb. 19

Position Players Due - Feb. 24

1st Full Squad Workout - Feb. 26

Grapefruit League Opener - Mar. 4

SEASON OPENER - APRIL 6

OPENING DAY - APRIL 13

NEW YORK METS: The past 6 years have been trying times in Flushing.  So were the 6 years following the infamous Tom Seaver trade.  I've lived through both periods.  As Yogi once said, it's been like deja-vu all over again.

The Resurrection That Was: 1984

Over the last 6 years, the Mets have averaged 75.5 victories per season.  Their worse mark came in 2009 when they posted a 70-92 record.  Last season, they tied their best mark over that span with a 79-83 record.  That's a net improvement of 9 games, or, a gain of 1.8 victories per season.

Earlier this winter, Sandy Alderson expressed his belief the Mets can improve by 10 games this upcoming season and reach 89 victories.  That's a more realistic expectation than last winter's desire to win 90 games only because several young players gained valuable experience, and hopefully other key players have sufficiently healed.

Even I will admit the upcoming 2015 season finally brings with it realistic expectations for competitiveness after a long deconstruction, and reconstruction period undertaken by Sandy Alderson.  I would argue the rebuilding is still ongoing, but most have had it with excuses, double talk, broken promises, and particularly, finances.

There's a sense the Mets are close.  Close to what is still debatable, but, fans want wins.

To that regard, there's a small measure of good news.

With just 2 more victories last season, the Mets could have reached the elusive .500 plateau for the first time since 2008.  With just slightly better play against the Nationals and/or Giants, that could have been achieved.  Or, instead of blowing 22 saves last season, they could have limited themselves to just 20 blown saves, or this, or that.  Otherwise, the Mets posted a .500 record against the rest of the National League.

The Mets finished 17 games behind the Nationals in the N.L. East last season, while the Giants and Pirates earned Wild Cards with 88 victories.

I would rather the Mets put their minds and efforts towards achieving a .500 record first, but it seems 89 victories is indeed key for a shot at post-season play.

Within Mets history, there's precedent for such a turnaround.

It took Frank Cashen 4 seasons, between 1980 through 1983, to build the Mets into a 90-win competitor in year five.  Frank Cashen benefited from players left behind by Joe McDonald, that he either utilized or traded to improve the team.

Sandy Alderson has likewise spent the last 4 seasons, between 2011 and 2014, rebuilding the Mets, and is now heading into season five.  Like Cashen, Sandy Alderson is benefiting from players left behind by Omar Minaya, by either utilizing them, or trading some in an effort to improve the team.

The Mets won 69 games in 1983, then took a major step forward in 1984 with 90 victories.  We're only asking for half of that in 2015.

Compared to the Mets present situation, the '84 team was defensively superior up the middle with Mike Fitzgerald behind the plate, Jose Oquendo and Wally Backman at middle infield, and with Mookie Wilson in center.  Keith Hernandez had no equal at first, Darryl Strawberry sported the league's best arm in right, and Hubie Brooks was a very good third baseman.  If anyone, George Foster was the lone weak link in left.

Foster more than made up for any defensive shortcomings with his bat.  The middle of the '84 line-up featured Keith Hernandez (.311, 15 HR, 94 RBI), Darryl Strawberry (26 HR, 97 RBI), Hubie Brooks (.283, 16 HR, 73 RBI), and at 34-years old, George Foster turned in 24 HR and 86 RBI.  Between Mookie Wilson and Wally Backman, that team also had effective table setters.

On the mound, 19-year old Dwight Gooden turned in an historic ROY performance with a 17-9 record, 2.60 ERA, and rookie record 276 strikeouts.  He was complimented by Ron Darling, Walt Terrell, and an emerging Sid Fernandez whom combined on a 29-27 record.

In the bullpen, Jesse Orosco was 10-6 with a 2.59 ERA and 31 saves.  Doug Sisk posted a 2.02 ERA and saved another 15 games.

Defense: Edge 1984

Offense: Edge 1984

Pitching: Edge 2015

How does all this translate with regards to the 2015 season?

2014 N.L. Fielding Ranking:

Fielding Average - 12th

Stolen Base% - 13th

Passed Balls - 4th most

2014 N.L. Offensive Ranking:

R - 8th

HR - 9th

Avg. - 13th

OBP - 9th

SLG - 12th

2014 N.L. Pitching Ranking:

Avg. Against - 8th

WHiP - 10th

Walks - 3rd most

ERA - 6th

Saves - 9th

DEFENSE: Passed Balls, A Gold Glove, and Cross Your Fingers.

The Mets ranked 12th in the N.L. in overall defense.  They are particularly flawed up the middle.   While center fielder Juan Lagares won his first gold glove award, the team is debilitated in three other key positions.  

It's easier to hide one defensive liability than it is two; naturally.  Despite Daniel Murphy's overall improvement these last few seasons, he is still an inadequate second baseman.  Now the Mets intend on adding defensively challenged Wilmer Flores to the mix at shortstop.  The Mets turned the second most double-plays last season.  I learned back in the 1970's, teams that usually lead the league in DPs are generally sub .500 teams.  This combination screams trouble, which a young pitching staff such as that of the Mets could find discouraging.

However, this should be a short term problem.  The Mets are near prepared to transition away from Murphy from within.  Unless traded during the season, the Mets have made it clear they will let him walk as a free agent.  I'm sure the Mets would be willing to package Wilmer Flores in a trade as well, if it suits their needs.  Shortstop will remain a major point of contention unless Flores' bat sufficiently mutes the naysayers, or, because the Mets lack a readily available prospect to fill the position, they acquire an off-campus solution.

Behind the plate, the kid gloves are off.  As a receiver, Travis d'Arnaud frames pitches very well, and Met pitchers generally say they like working with him.  However, the Mets were 13th worst at throwing out would be base-stealers, and allowed the 4th most passed balls.  Travis d'Arnaud led the N.L. with 12 passed balls.  To his credit, he was a considerably improved player after being recalled from a demotion to Las Vegas.  This season, however, Travis d'Arnaud, 26, has too much competition behind him to risk a step backwards.  Kevin Plawecki's MLB debut is imminent.

OFFENSE: Now Bordering Insanity.

In a 12 team circuit, the 1984 Mets finished their season ranked 6th in runs, HR, Avg., and slugging.   In a 15 team circuit, the 2014 Mets finished 13th in average, 12th in slugging, 9th in HR, and 8th in runs.  Here's the twist: the '84 Mets scored 652 runs, and allowed 676, while last year's Mets scored 629, and allowed 618.

The Mets are potentially heading into the 2015 season with the same general line-up as they have the last two seasons.  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of what?

Insanity?

The only off-season enhancement Sandy Alderson has made to the offense was signing Michael Cuddyer.  We know what he's done in his 14-year MLB career.  We just do not know what he brings to the Mets.  Aren't we just banking on him being the next George Foster, Jerry Hairston, or Marlon Byrd?  His addition is an improvement over Eric Young, for sure, but he's hardly enough to make the Mets even a middle of the pack offense (as they became in 1984).

The Mets true fortunes lie with David Wright having a vintage Wright season, Curtis Granderson increasing his productivity under his old batting coach, and with Lucas Duda's, Travis d'Arnaud's, and Juan Lagares' continued improvement at the plate.  Then obviously, Daniel Murphy and Wilmer Flores will have to provide considerably better bats than gloves.

Juan Lagares is most likely going to begin the season at the top of the line-up.  In 172 plate appearances leading-off, he double slashed .276/.329, with 9 stolen bases.  For now, that's the best the Mets can do, unless, if in their attempts to improve 2B and SS they acquire someone more suitable at the top of the line-up.

PITCHING: A Call To Arms.

This is where I believe today's Mets are ahead of the 1984 Mets; in their depth of rotation.  The Mets have a growing potential to form one of the most formidable starting rotations in baseball (at least by season's end).

Between Batman and Thor, they're starting to read like Marvel heroes.

The Dark Knight of Gotham; the Real Deal; or, as this blog named him, the Time Bandit; Matt Harvey is back.  How close he'll be to the one we remember prior to surgery remains to be seen.  He's a big lift nonetheless; akin to a big off-season acquisition.  As he goes, the Mets will go.  He has the potential to make up 10 games all by himself, but he will be pitching the upcoming season with limits.  This is slowly turning into a wait and see situation.  For the moment, Matt Harvey is scheduled to pitch the home opener on April 13th.

Moving forward, the onus is now on Zack Wheeler to take another step forward, and for 2014 ROY Jacob deGrom to validate himself.

Soon joining Harvey, Wheeler, and deGrom, is a mix that will potentially include Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero, with Steven Matz hot on their trail.  Once the Mets get service time and Super-2 hang-ups out of the way, the door will open for any one of their arrivals.

Until then. the Mets otherwise enter the regular season well fortified with Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese, and Dillon Gee.  It would seem with all this starting pitching, the team should be able to steer clear of any prolonged losing streaks.  That said, the Mets are looking to deal some of this depth, most notably, Dillon Gee or Jon Niese (or both).

After suffering many hardships, the bullpen is now a team strength.

Final Pitch: Looking Like a Lost Cause.

Even the 1984 Mets were still 2 seasons away from a championship, which means it took Frank Cashen 7 years to get there.

Just saying...

There's also the matter of the field manager.  In 1984, Frank Cashen promoted Davey Johnson to replace George Bamberger/Frank Howard, and become the new field manager of the Mets.  Johnson was familiar, and enjoyed minor league success with many of the young players on the roster and worked well with the veterans.  With Mel Stottlemyer as pitching coach, Johnson guided the Mets five 90-win seasons before getting let go early in 1990.

Many Mets fans, including myself, have clamored long and loudly for Sandy Alderson to replace manager Terry Collins with Wally Backman (and pitching coach Frank Viola) to no avail.  The upcoming season could be distinctly similar to 1984 in this respect: Wally Backman would be the absolute right move and have the absolute right affect on these players, with whom he's enjoyed minor league success on numerous levels.

I feel the usefulness of Terry Collins has passed, and do not necessarily believe he is owed an opportunity to win with this team.

The 2015 Mets, and the future of the Mets, depends on much more bold and definitive decision making on the general manager's part, but first he needs a stronger commitment from ownership. Until those guys step up their efforts, the Mets will continue competing against themselves.

They're merely a condition.  So despite them, there's still a good feeling heading into Spring Training.




Mike

N.Y. Knicks: We Are Irving Beirman

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Have you seen Junior's grades?

NEW YORK KNICKS: There are your typical ingrates, human roaches, and the usual assortment of social disease one must combat to survive life in this city.  Then there's James Dolan; the dreaded Boss' son put in charge of an entity (MSG) seemingly to big to fail.  In return for fan loyalty and their hard earned dollars, he systematically destroyed a charter NBA franchise, and continues to pollute their lives with every breath he takes.., just ask Mr. Beirman.

"Start rooting for the Nets because the Knicks don't want you!"

You know who does this sort of thing?  The boss' son, that's who.

It's unfair though, to lump them all together.  Obviously, that's stereotyping.  This particular case, however, is a text book example.  There's no mistaking this species of SON - one who incites nothing but contempt.

We know them well.

There's John Mara, born and raised in the business; the model for executives of inheritance in this city.  There's Hal Steinbrenner, although somewhat previously removed from the game, he was nevertheless raised in the business by a man famously referred to as The Boss, and evidently understands self-restraint; something his father lacked at times.

Then there's little loved Jeff Wilpon.  But even he has been able to (barely) avoid the level of overt and blatant mismanagement of his father's team, and disdain for the fan base that Dolan routinely exhibits.  Jeff suffers from entitlement and a lack of knowledge for the business of baseball - understandable.   Dolan also suffers from entitlement and a lack of knowledge of the game, but also lacks tact, respect, refinement for someone in his position, which goes hand in hand with his lack of professionalism.

Above all, he lacks a clue, and his emailed response to a fan proves it.

Only the boss' brat son would treat a season ticket holder so shabbily, regardless of the content or character of a letter, because only boss' sons are that far removed from the more common experience.

At least dads understand what it takes to build something from scratch, or in Dolan the Elder's case, building Cablevision, then buying MSG/teams.  That's his right as a capitalist and entrepreneur in this country.  It's cats like that who understand the relationship between provider and consumer is generally fragile, but usually rewarding for both.  It's the sons who come behind them wearing their entitlement like a red badge of courage, and operate as if everything and everyone are beneath them.

Classic.

If there's one person to blame for the pathetic state of the Knicks since 2000, it's James Dolan.  It was the boss' son who put these Knicks in the position they're in; no one else - not his father, not even Isiah Thomas.

The Knicks have been the NBA's longest running joke ever since this man took over operation of the team a little over 15 years ago.

That's roughly one-third of my life time - years Mr. Bierman and I can not get back.

Son of Dolan - who himself underwent drug and alcohol rehabilitation prior to ruining our lives as Knicks and Rangers fans, had the gall to call a disgruntled fan an alcoholic, and accuse him of making his family miserable?

Is James talking from experience?

Go root for the Nets because the Knicks don't want you?

See?  ....Elitist and just plain ignorant.

Father, you've raised an idiot in the most classic sense of the word.  Now, do something about it!



Mike

Serie Caribe 2015: Cuba Recaptures Caribbean Title After 54 Year Wait

Here's my Caribbean Series 2015 Final recap for

RisingApple.com

Serie Caribe 2015: Viva La Revolucion Cubana del Beisbol

Cuba defeats Mexico, 3-2
to capture the 2015 Caribbean Series championship

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mike
senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Caribbean Series 2015: Cuba Upsets Venezuela To Reach Final

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Caribbean Series 2015: 

Cuba Stages Come From Behind, Upset Victory Over Venezuela To Reach Final

SUNDAY

Caribbean Series 2015 Championship Game

CUBA

vs.

MEXICO

from

HIRAM BITHORN STADIUM

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Caribbean Series 2015: Mexico Wins Chance To Defend Title

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Caribbean Series 2015: 

Mexico Defeats Dominican Republic; Advances To Third Straight Final

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mike
senior staff writer/RisingApple

Caribbean Series 2015: The Final Four; Venezuela Earns Top Seed

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

Caribbean Series 2015: 

Venezuela Earns Top Seed In Final Four; Puerto Rico Eliminated

The Final Four:

Venezuela

Mexico

Dominican Republic

Cuba

Caribbean Series Championship Game

February 8th

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

The Hoops of Flatbush: Knicks vs. Nets - III

From the desks of:

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BIG CITY SHOWDOWN - III

Nets lead series 2-0

I - Nets 110; Knicks 99

II - Nets 98; Knicks 93

FRIDAY

New York Knicks

vs.

Brooklyn Nets

from

BARCLAYS CENTER

Flatbush Avenue at Atlantic Avenue

New York Knicks: C'mon Phil, You Don't Really Expect Us To Believe That.., Do You?

Phil Jackson's work has only just begun.  He hasn't even experienced his first draft as the head Knick in charge yet.  To date, all he's done is rid the roster of some ill fitting players.

That's why I do not buy Phil Jackson's mea culpa one bit.

Phil Jackson didn't need to take this job, and is signed for a lot of money, which invariably means he's not going anywhere.  Therefore, saying the present state of the Knicks is his fault, at the most is a smoke screen, and at the very least, is a non issue, and certainly no skin off his hide.

I think he's just deflecting heat away from his head coach and faltering team.

This is a man who loves playing mind games.  They don't call him the Zen Master for nothing.  He once had Michael Jordan's Bulls sit silently in a dark room for 2 hours.

The merits of the triangle system are still up for debate.  There's something to it, that has nothing to do with the overwhelming brilliance of Michael Jordan.  Shaq says the system unequivocally works, and that it's the Knicks players who fail to understand it.  If Shaq can grasp, and execute Phil Jackson's system, that's good enough for me.

Should the Knicks abandon Phil Jackson's geometry, and let Coach Fisher adapt a style according the strengths of the personnel?

Well, if Phil Jackson does his job, the personnel should surely change by November.

Brooklyn Nets: Is Billy King's Finger On The Button?

There's hope for this team after all.

Right?

That's what a pair of victories against the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors says.  Their previous effort in regulation time against the Raptors on Jan. 30th also did not go unnoticed.

If you want to call Brooklyn's recent effort a turnaround, consider that it came with Jarrett Jack, Alan Anderson, and Mason Plumlee leading the way.

That said, the upcoming trade deadline is fast becoming the most curious moment since the Nets inaugural opening night in Brooklyn.

Should Billy King blow this team up?

You're damn right he should.  The best days of this highly paid group are behind them, or so I think. The Nets tried with the trio of Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, and Brook Lopez, and failed.

I do not necessarily believe that Billy King deserves to be the one who gets to push the button though.  However, pushing the button is nevertheless warranted.

Joe Johnson is movable because he is perhaps the most dependable player of the group.  Despite an onerous contract, he's a respected, and known commodity.

The same can not be said of Brook Lopez and Deron Williams, whom can't seem to shake nagging injuries.  If teams want any of these three, Billy King should negotiate a deal.

But what if the team really is turning a corner under Coach Hollins?

At this present time, I do not believe they are.



Mike

Caribbean Series 2015: Day Three Recap

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Caribbean Series 2015: Day Three 

Venezuela remains unbeaten; Puerto Rico faces elimination

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Caribbean Series 2015: Day Two Recap

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Caribbean Series 2015: Day Two - Cuban Losses Mounting

  Beisbol: Caribbean Series 2015 is Underway

Recently Hosted Podcasts/Rising Apple Report

Episode 92: Three Weeks Till Pitchers and Catchers 

Episode 91: Can't get no Satisfaction... 

  Episode 90: The QBC, and Ruthless Baseball Analysis

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: The Upcoming Season Is No Joking Matter

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Settle down, settle down.  Our next comic has a degree from Harvard, 

but sometimes he's not too bright.

NEW YORK METS: This is the time of year when Sandy Alderson rehearses his comedy routine in preparation for his drive down I-95.

Pardon me for my confusion, but didn't Sandy Alderson (internally) aspire to win 90 games last year, and now, in a season when it's believed the Mets can finally, realistically contend for a Wild Card, Alderson only set his sights on winning 89 games?

This is why the relationship between club and fan continues to have more problems than a math book.

Why say anything at all?

We're still not seeing eye to eye, are we?

Had the club been listening, they would have heard the growing appreciation for this team's young talent.  Had they been paying attention, they would have picked up on the growing optimism circulating throughout the blogosphere.  And had they been in touch, they would have sensed the growing grassroots buzz regarding this team's present and future fortunes.

His best play was to just shut up, have the team take the field, and let the chips fall where they may.

But, aspiring for 89 victories isn't necessarily my problem.  He was merely saying the team can improve by 10 games.  It's coupon math, but otherwise, fine.

However, many things the general manager says do fly in the face of a tired audience, and this is the time of year when he starts to uncork his best one liners.

He got an early start this winter.  Instead of projecting outward confidence in Wilmer Flores, Sandy Alderson quite literally mocks the situation at shortstop, by invoking Cal Ripken?  By saying fans have been waiting all winter for him to make an announcement regarding shortstop...?

It's clear then, Sandy Alderson is fine tuning his annual Spring Training comedy routine.

That would be a shame, because there's more fan optimism heading into this upcoming season than any other during Alderson's regime.  There should be no room in the 2015 season for that; not anymore.

Therefore, if he insists on payroll being commensurate with attendance, then I suggest he stop poking the bear!

The work being conducted by Paul DePodesta has not gone unnoticed, nor unappreciated by the fan base.  We're starting to truly enjoy the fruits of his labor, and we understand the long term benefits of his work to date.

The major league club, however, still seems to be the butt of jokes - many times, Alderson's.  Having to interpret his doublespeak is already enough to deal with.

Therefore, I have but one warning to shoot across Sandy Alderson's bumper, prior to him getting behind the wheel of his rental on his way to Spring Training.  Please spare us the jokes and stay off Twitter on your drive down I-95.

That's officially a tired act.

That said, if you want to be a contender, start acting like a contender.



Mike

Today For Rising Apple - Beisbol: Caribbean Series 2015 is Underway

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

From Hiram Bithorn Stadium, 

in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Beisbol: Caribbean Series 2015 is Underway

Mike

pictures are my own

N.Y. Islanders: Feeling Loss of Okposo

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

New York Islanders: Losing Kyle Okposo Surely Hurts, But Their Penalty Kill Has Been Brutal.

The tab is already growing.

The Islanders still maintain a one point advantage over the Pens for 1st place in the Metro Division, which technically still makes them #2 in the conference, but Long Island's 65 points now ranks them 4th behind Tampa, Montreal, and Detroit.

The Isles are 1-2 since losing Kyle Okposo.  After defeating the Rangers, they lost a pair of big conference games by a combined 9-3 margin to the Bruins and Red Wings.

Chad Johnson started in net against Detroit.  He only faced 19 shots, but only made 15 saves.  It's hard to place much, if any blame on him, particularly when the penalty kill has been playing so poorly - as bad, in fact, as they've been all season.

The Isles entered the new year with a 75% PK.

• October - 22/33; 67%
• November - 31/38; 82%
• December - 28/37; 76%

Their penalty kill was just (19/29) 66% in January.  They're only 50% (4/8) since Okposo went down.

Against the Bruins, you just have to credit Tuukka Rask.  He faced 43 shots and made 41 saves.  The Bruins got off 38 shots.  But after the Isles tied the game in the 2nd period at two, Boston finished off the Isles with 3 unanswered goals - despite getting out-shot 14-6 by the Isles in the 3rd period.

Next up - games against the Panthers and Flyers, then a rematch against the Bruins.


Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Killjoy Was Here

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Eye of the (Paper) Tiger; Rising Up to the Challenge of Lesser Rivals.

...Stop the music.

Was Saturday's 4-1 victory a matter of Coach Vigneault's line shake-up, or are the Carolina Hurricanes that bad?  I'll be kind and say somewhere in the middle lies the truth.

When teams allow the Rangers to skate around, they win.  That's why they shouldn't go patting themselves on the back - not on the heels of a pair of losses to the Islanders and Canadiens.  Those teams got physical, and the Rangers fell short; very short.

#trending?

When this team gets close to being on the verge of elite, they fall flat, like they did upon returning from the west coast and getting pounded by the Islanders and Bruins.

They followed that with a three game winning streak, which included a 5-2 victory over the Pens.   However, that came during a stretch during which the Pens lost to the Devils and Islanders as well.   In other words, PITT was primed to be beaten.  As I write this, the Pens are losing again to the Predators.

I digress.

A victory over the last place Hurricanes was expected.

The next three games are against the Panthers, Bruins, and Predators.

Don't underestimate the Panthers.  For 50-minutes, they're a good team.  They're just horrible finishers, and get killed in extra innings.   Otherwise, if the Rangers aren't careful....,   you know.

Playing the Bruins again, and facing the Predators needs no back story.  So, we'll revisit this conversation on the night of Feb 7th.

Who's Fooling Who?

Chris Kreider made more noise in January than he has all season.  He scored his 11th goal of the season, during a rather dominant performance against the Canes (so take that with a grain of salt).  It was his 3rd goal in the last 6 games, and his 5th goal over 12 games in January.  He only scored 2 goals in each of the first three months of the season.

He scored 8 points in January, also the most of any month so far this season.  But the schedule belie his numbers.  During the month, Kreider scored against the Sabres, Sharks, Blue Jackets, Senators, and the Canes.  He did not score against the Ducks, Kings, Bruins, Penguins, Habs, or in two games against the Isles.

Still in the Closet

In Thursday night's game against the Canadiens, Kreider and P.K. Suppan harassed each other throughout the night.  Suppan never dropped his gloves though.  His goading didn't work as both earned plenty of time in the box.

Tanner Glass took on Brandon Prust in the 1st period, and earned a decision on points.

I recently said Tanner's penalty minutes are justified, obviously, where as Chris Kreider's are not.   The two lead the team in minutes served, however, Glass's 56:00 minutes are far less than Kreider's 79:00 minutes in the box.  Kreider gets an honest pass against Suppan, but his minutes remain unnecessarily high.

He started the season with 38:00 PM in October, but, 17 of those came in one game against Columbus.   That leaves a balance of 21:00 minutes for October.  In November he dropped down to 10:00 minutes, then down to 8:00 in December.  He finished January with 23:00 minutes served.

He can't use his size and speed, or score, if he's consistently sitting in the box.




Mike