N.Y. Mets: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Welcome to Met Year Eleven A.D. - After Doubleday.

We pick up the Saul B. Katz Dilemma

on Day 3656 in the Age of WILPONianism...

 

 

For those of you not familiar with the Saul B. Katz Dilemma, it is a continuing docudrama.  In proper form, I use it as a metaphor to describe the state of utter chaos which has existed ever since Fred Wilpon bought out his former partner, Nelson Doubleday. The Saul B. Katz Dilemma is to watch the prophecy unfold - the one where Nelson Doubleday predicted the Wilpons would drive the Mets into the ground. Saul Katz then, is to Igor as Mr.Wilpon is to Dr. Frankenstein. Poor loyal Saul Katz is subservient and helpless to stop him from creating the monster... Hence, his dilemma.

Today's Episode:

 

NEW YORK METS - Wilpon E. Coyote; Super Genius.

Let the 2013 charade season begin.  The owner blew smoke spoke.  And it was more foolery.


Over the last two years, much of what we've heard from ownership, and to a lesser extent from Sandy Alderson (when he engages in ownership protectionism), has been fluff, spin doctoring, dis-information, crowd control, and appeasing ACME propaganda.  What we've never gotten from Mr. Wilpon in particular is an apology, and whole truths, or price breaks.  Or, maybe I am just caught up in a battle of semantics and voodoo math versus a super genius.


The embattled Mets owner offered his State of the Wilpon Family address on Friday.  In it, he declared La Famiglia and their greater empire free of debt, and that by next off-season, the club will be ready to spend, however smartly, once more.  Doesn't that conflict with a certain arrangement they made in January?  Didn't the Wilpons just secure $700 million dollars in new financing?  What is new financing considered then?  Is that not still debt by another name?  And out of that amount, wasn't roughly $160 million to be spent operating the club?


Being the new financing came from their stake in SNY-TV and against personal investments, this means the owner is bleeding the books and co-mingling his money.  The owner said baseball, and owning the Mets, is a break even business for him.  He is not in it for the money.  As long as the club breaks even, he's satisfied as long as he can provide a competitive team and ticket holders keep things moving along.  How noble of Mr.Wilpon - the one whose goal is to play meaningful games in September.


I would have preferred the owner say nothing.  We have heard too much, and at the same time, nothing at all.  Instead, show me.  Or as the commercial goes - Just Do It.  For some time now, we have listened to the owner minimize over and over again how the Madoff matter did little to harm operations.  Mr. Wilpon now explained they needed to ensure the banks got paid first.  That's all....  That's bending the truth, and re-interpreting reality.  In plain truth, he owed banks and creditors lots of money, his assets were embroiled and frozen in a scandal, and his ball park revenue was down.  It's all related, boss man.  But there-in lies the liberation of Fred and Jeff Wilpon, and Saul B. Katz.  They no longer owe banks.  Now they owe money to their assets.  To you and me, it's like taking a 401k loan.  In the drug world, it's called smoking your profits.  And if Mr. Wilpon thinks I'm going to believe his latest declaration of financial reincarnation, he must be high.  What then, of all the secretaries and other staff employees the Mets laid-off?  I'm sure they have mounting debts too.  Will they be financially liberated as well?  But the problem wasn't the Madoff matter, right?  It was the evil bankers all along who got those employees laid-off...


Based on the promise of four million fans per season, ownership is just as desperate for 3.5 million fans or better, to show up, as they were since the day they pitched the banks to help build Citi Field.  Without those kinds of attendance numbers, ownership remains in as precarious a situation as ever.  They may have weened themselves off the banks.  But for two straight seasons, ownership has been dipping into their own holdings to salvage the ship.  Last season, Fred, Jeff , and Saul Katz all reached into their own pockets to purchase several shares of the team's $20 million dollar stakes.  Now they are hedging against SNY and investment vehicles.  The $700 refinancing package can theoretically pay for itself.  But that doesn't detract from the fact all other creditors fled ownership like roaches in the kitchen light.  The Wilpons seem down to their very last wiley plan before they start losing real ownership of ACME this team.  But that's just the way I see things.




Mike.BTB

Devils vs. Islanders - IV

From the desks of:   THE BROAD STREET DEMONS  &  BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Saturday Night Hockey

 

New Jersey Devils

vs.

New York Islanders

From

Long Island, N.Y.

 

 

Devils lead Series 2-1

I - NJD 2; NYI 1

II - NYI 5; NJD 4*

III - NJD 3; NYI 0

*overtime

New Jersey Devils - David Clarkson and Patrick Elias Continue Giving Atlantic Division Hell.


Friday night, David Clarkson continued his assault upon the Atlantic Division.  At 10:43 of he third period, his redirection goal put the Devils ahead 4-3, after falling behind 3-1 to Philadelphia in the first period.  Travis Zajac opened all scoring just 0:40 seconds into the game.  Then Philly scored three unanswered goals before the period was through.  The Flyers took eleven first period shots against Martin Brodeur.  However, Brodeur regrouped, and kept Philly off the scoreboard the rest of the way.


Just 0:26 after dropping the puck on the second period, Alexi Ponikarovsky made it a 3-2 game.  At 15:40 into the period, Patrick Elias scored his fourth goal of the season to tie the game at three all.  Ilya Kovalchuk assisted on all three Devils goals.  In the second period, Martin Brodeur faced another eleven shots, with far better results.


Midway through the third period, David Clarkson struck for his club leading tenth goal of the season.  With a minute and a half left in the game, Steve Bernier put a feather in the Devils cap with his fourth goal of the season.  Patrick Elias picked up two assists in the period.


Philly out-shot the Devils by a 28-19 margin.  David Clarkson led the Devils with six shots on goal in twenty four shifts.  With three points on the night, Patrick Elias now leads the Devils with eighteen points, and fourteen assists.  The Devils have three forwards with double digit points.


The Devils are now 9-2-3 for the season, and winners of six of their last seven games.  They still lead the Atlantic Division with twenty one points; one point better than Pittsburgh; and own the best goal differential in the division.  Martin Brodeur won his seventh game of the season, and the 663rd of his career.


B'Klyn/New York Islanders - Rumor; Wang Wants To Sell Team.


On Saturday, the New York Post reported owner Charles Wang might possibly be selling the team.  This latest development comes on the heals of the Islanders not being able to secure an arena deal in Nassau County, and announcing the team will move to Brooklyn to play in Barclays Center beginning with the 2015-2016 season.  The club has not commented.  But why shouldn't he sell?  The Islanders have lost/cost him a fortune to operate.  One man can only take so much.  With his hopes to build the Lighthouse Project in Nassau County long extinguished, there really is no reason for him to hold onto the team anymore.


On the ice, the Isles snapped a five game losing streak Thursday night, with a comeback, shootout victory over the New York Rangers.  The Rangers jumped out to an early 2-0 first period lead.  But the Islanders stormed back in the second period to take a 3-2 lead.  John Tavares scored the tying goal.  In shootout, he beat Marty Biron for the game clincher.  John Tavares has eight goals and eight assists to lead the team.


The Islanders are 5-7-1 (11 points) this season, and currently occupy last place in the Atlantic Division; ten points behind the Devils.



Mike.BTb

Brooklyn Nets: A First Half Struggle For Respect

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - It's Halftime At Barclays Center.


For the denizens of Kings County who aren't familiar with the NBA calendar, this is called All-Star weekend.  The first half of Brooklyn's inaugural season as a member club of the National Basketball Association is complete.  In his fourth full season on the court, Brook Lopez will be the Nets lone representative in this season's mid-winter hardwood classic.  Brook Lopez is currently the NBA's highest scoring center, averaging nineteen points per game.  Not incidentally, he is also the Nets highest scorer.  The big man is averaging 7.4 RPG, and 2.2 blocks this season.


As for the rest of the Nets, over the first half of the season, they are either still learning how to play with one another, or, they are a very flawed team.  The truth probably lies somewhere in between.  But for now, many are calling the Nets merely the best of the rest.  And it is hard to argue with that assessment.  They have defeated damn near every team (18-2) with a sub .500 record.  However, against the league's better clubs and contenders, the Nets have struggled mightily.  Against them, they have only achieved a 13-20 record.  That places a distinct cloud over Brooklyn's playoff aspirations.


The Nets enter the break with a 31-22 (.585) record on the season.  They currently occupy second place in the Atlantic Division, 2.5 games behind the New York Knicks.  Brooklyn is the fourth seed behind the division leaders in the Eastern Conference standings, and one half game better than the Chicago Bulls.  The Brooks have a 16-8 record under P.J. Carlesimo.  With three more victories, the Nets will tie a five-season high, when they last won thirty four games back in the 2008-2009 regular season.  They won a combined forty six games in their last two seasons in Newark, and fifty eight games in the last three.  This season, Brooklyn stands a chance to win fifty games.  Twenty nine games remain in the regular season.  The Nets are 18-2 versus teams with sub .500 records. Seventeen of their remaining games will come against them.


So where do the Nets go from here?  For Mikhail Prokhorov, that is the billion dollar question.  The Nets are at the exact mid-point of the owner's five year plan.  From here on out, it is playoffs or bust.  Most feel the Nets are indeed a post-season contender, but question how far can they go.  That could be problematic for a few people.  In dismissing Avery Johnson himself after being named coach of the month in November, the owner offered a glimpse as to how much autonomy may really exist under him.  Therefore, Mikhail Prokhorov's doomsday clock is ticking on Billy King's reign, and his Lugs of Flatbush. 


The Lugs of Flatbush are a slow, plodding, deliberate, team.  When they face the right opponent, they thrive playing a half court game and crashing the boards, which they do very well by the way.  They like to look for Brook Lopez down low, and usually outscore their opponents in the paint.  When they get that going, they then let the mid-range jumpers and three-pointers fly.  But when the Nets play against up-tempo teams, and can't slow them down, and get forced into playing transition basketball, they look lethargic.  Truth is, Brooklyn has no transition game, or quickness out of their starters, to speak of.  Even when the Nets do play their style of basketball, they are still a wildly erratic shooting team from the field.  From game to game, from half to half, and especially from quarter to quarter, they suffer horrible bouts of inconsistency, not just in their shooting percentage, but through lapses in defensive play as well.  As Deron Williams intimated very recently, that's when the finger pointing starts and team cohesion leaves the building.  Both Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace have been very vocal regarding their team mates' attitudes, moods, and effort.  And were it not for consecutive wins over Indiana and Denver, that is where the first half leaves off.  It is not entirely fair to speak that disparagingly of them however.  Just when they get embarrassed by the better teams around the league, they respond with a #5 overall ranked defensive effort, and change the running conversation again; as they did with the previously noted victories over Indiana and Denver.


Those last two wins incidentally came without Deron Williams on the floor.  The Nets point guard will not be participating in this year's all-star game, not because he is currently nursing two ailing ankles.  Instead, he will not be playing because he is arguably under-performing this season.  Deron's current 7.6 assist per game average is his lowest mark since his 2005-06 rookie year.  Between 2006-07 and the year he was traded to the Nets, Deron averaged 10.3 assists per game.  In his first season with the Nets (12 games after the trade), he averaged twelve assists a game.  Over the last season an a half, he has only averaged 8.1 assists per game.  Deron Williams clearly then, needs to do a better job distributing the ball.  More, he needs to start playing like the star guard the Nets thought they were acquiring from Utah.  That may sound harsh, for Deron seems only a slight adjustment away from playing to that level.  But he has been the first to admit his short-comings.  This is not the first time Deron Williams is dealing with ankle issues.  So his situation warrants more observation.


But you don't need binoculars to see his points are down this season as well. After averaging twenty points per game the last two seasons, Deron is currently only averaging 16.7  points per game - his lowest average since his second year in the league.  In his season and a half as the Nets point guard, Williams has posted the worst two FG% of his career.  He was a .463% shooter with Utah.  With the Nets, Deron Williams FG% has dropped to a .389 mark.  I am not necessarily holding the Nets last season in New Jersey against his record.  But with Billy King's revamped roster heading into this season, the case for Deron Williams weakened.  Bettering their shooting percentage alone will improve the team's overall fortunes immeasurably.  Deron Williams is a part of that.


But a few more things need to happen before the Nets are considered true Eastern Conference contenders.  Among them, the other half of Brooklyn's pricey back-court needs to exert himself just a little more than he does.  Outside of his contract, Joe Johnson is a hard guy to knock.  He has proven to be a clutch shooter.  He has won games with last second shots.  No problem there.  However, Joe needs to establish more of a presence throughout the game like he did against the Denver Nuggets recently, with nine assists and twenty six points.  At thirty-one years of age, the Nets may never get the shooter he was in Atlanta.  But Joe Johnson is not old, and should be closer to that player than he is.  In his last two seasons with the Hawks, he averaged eighteen points a game.  In the five seasons prior to that, Joe was a twenty-plus point scorer.  In his first season with the Nets, albeit in a shared back-court role with Williams, Joe Johnson is averaging 17.0 points per game.  And as with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson's shooting percentage has slipped since joining the team.  He was a 45% shooter in seven seasons with the Hawks.  This season, Johnson is shooting 42% - his lowest mark in ten years.


The Nets have done respectable work on the glass.  They rank 15th in the NBA in rebounding, pulling down 42.2 per game.  Reggie Evans and Andray Blatche have that covered off the bench.  At the point, C.J. Watson did admirable work in D-Will's absence against the Nuggets.  He pumped twenty five points into the Nets win, and also had six assists.


Even though the Nets scored a season high 119 points against Denver, they can stand to add a consistent outside shooter.  The NBA trade deadline is February 21st.  The Nets apparently seem anxious to rid themselves of Kris Humphries and his contract.  He clearly has not been the player the Nets thought they signed to a two year deal.  Truth is, he was an able player, playing huge minutes on a bad team.  With better players around him now, he has struggled to smooth out his game, and find a niche, or fill a role.  Word is, the Nets are reluctant to part with Mirza Teletovic.  Trade rumors involving the Nets and Lakers, and the future of Dwight Howard still have not gone away.  The Lakers' GM has stated they will not be trading their star center.  Due to the Nets cap situation, if Howard still indeed wants to play for Brooklyn, a trade is the only way to make that happen.  In light of the way Brook Lopez has developed, the Nets just might be inclined to stay put regardless of what Dwight Howard wants.


Enjoy the All-Star game, and let's go Brook Lopez.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Brad Richard Shown Bench In Third Period

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

 VALENTINE'S DAY HEART BREAKER

 

Thursday Night Final:

ISLANDERS   4

RANGERS       3

Shoot-Out

 

Home From The Game - First Reaction

 

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Brian Boyle Plays A Good Game At Brad Richards' Expense.  Coach Torts Benches Richards In Third Period.  Kept Him Off Power Play Shift.

 

Aaron Asham and Eric Boulton Drop Gloves at 5:25 of First Period

 

 

LOOK WHAT JOHN TAVARES DID TO THE RANGERS.....AGAIN!

John Tavares didn't just tie the game in the second period, and win it for the Islanders when he put a puck behind Martin Biron in the shoot-out.  John Tavares and his line dominated the time they spent on the ice, and skated circles around the Rangers.  I should know.  I was at the game.  What's more, that was the second consecutive game he outplayed every Blueshirt skater.


In the context of a forty eight game schedule, Thursday night was a melt-down.  What else do you call a game in which the Rangers ended the first period up 2-0, then surrendered three straight goals before Carl Hagelin, who through pure effort, bailed them out with a rare power play goal, and a regulation tie?


I noticed Chris Krieder and Stu Bickel did not play.  But Brian Boyle was back on the ice for the first time in three games, and it came at Brad Richards' expense.  Coach Torts put a leash on his forward after a horrific attempt at a cross ice pass was intercepted at the defensive blue line.  On one hand, Brian Boyle was playing an exceptional game.  However, it was clear, Brad Richards had entered the in-game dog house.  This was right in line with Brad Richards' overall greater struggles this season.


Richards was benched for the first half of the third period.  He additionally was skipped over during a third period power play shift.  During the night, Brian Boyle skated with Ryan Callahan and Marian Gaborik instead.  Richards was reunited with Gaborik in overtime.


The Islanders win their first game in their last six tries.  The Rangers three game winning streak comes to an end.



Mike.BTB

Rangers vs. Islanders: The Rivalry - Game Two

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Thursday Night Hockey

 

The Rivalry - Game Two

Rangers Lead Series 1-0

I - NYR 4; NYI 1

 

 

Atlantic Division:

#1 - N.J. Devils        8-2-3

#3 - N.Y. Rangers   7-5-0

#5 - N.Y. Islanders  4-7-1

 

 

VALENTINE'S DAY SHOWDOWN

 

New York Islanders

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

Madison Square Garden

33rd Street and 8th Avenue

NYC

 

 

 

 

B'klyn/New York Islanders - Lack of Defense Is Getting Offensive.  Poor Goal-Tending Is Outright Insulting.

 

 

Doesn't anybody here know what defense is all about?  Good Grief!  Offensively speaking, Brooklyn's foster hockey club is doing many things right this season.  But their defense and goal-tending have been so wrong.  They are second to the Pens in the Atlantic Division with thirty six goals, and place seventh overall.  John Tavares is their triple crown scorer.  He leads the Islanders with fifteen points, on seven goals and eight assists.  The Isles also own the NHL's 5th rated power play and rank fourth on the penalty kill.  Yet, they are last in the Atlantic Division in goals against, and rank 29th worst overall.

 

 

This current five game losing streak the Islanders are on started when they dropped the back end of a home-and-home against the Devils.  They then lost to the Penguins and the Rangers.  You can't find fault with the Islanders offensive effort in their Saturday loss to Buffalo - not after taking forty three shots on goal against Ryan Miller.  The Sabres goalie was just unconscious.  But Evgeni Nabokov needed to do better.  He only faced fifteen shots all game.  The Isles limited Buffalo to single digit shots in all three periods.  Yet, Nabokov let three pucks get by him in a 3-2 loss.  For the season, he is sporting a troublesome .897 Sv% and an .300 goals against average.

 

 

Over those four losses, Islanders scoring dropped off.  They only scored five goals, including getting shut-out by the Devils.  This past Monday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, Long Island's  scoring reignited.  The Islanders had five power play opportunities and converted on four occasions.  However, Rick DiPietro allowed Carolina four third period goals, and six goals overall, in a game the Isles were leading 3-2 after two periods.  That was DePietro's second start of the season, and his second loss.  Combined, Rick DiPietro has faced fifty seven shots, and allowed ten goals, for an awful .833% save percentage.

 

 

Slumping to a 4-7-1 record, the Islanders currently reside at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, four points behind the Flyers, and six points behind the Rangers.

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Tweaking Roster Starting To Pay Off.  The Big Blue Glacier Is Starting To Lurch Forward.

 

 

One quarter of the regular season is done.  Since starting the season 0-2, the Rangers have posted a 7-3 record, and are currently riding a three game winning streak.  They scored twelve regulation time goals over that span - a marked improvement upon their season output so far.  Entering tonight's game against the Islanders however, they still remain at the bottom of the Atlantic Division in scoring.  They are currently 15th in the NHL.  Defensively, the Rangers rank 11th in goals against.

 

 

Thanks to Carl Hagelin with three goals in the team's last two games, the Rangers are showing signs of a break through.  Derek Stepan is starting to score, the Captain scored his third goal in nine games, and they received secondary scoring from Stralman, Asham, and J.T. Miller's first two NHL goals.  Unfortunately, Brad Richards, and to a lesser degree Marian Gaborik, continue to circle in holding patterns.  Yes, they both have nine points apiece in twelve games played respectively.  But those two are required to do so much more, and in a word, they are, not.  However, Rick Nash is starting to deliver on the hype, and is turning into everything Rangers fans anticipated he could be.  With each passing game, he gets more and more comfortable.  Through finding comfort, his skill is starting to prevail.  He recently scored only his third goal, but leads the Rangers in assists and points.  Marian Gaborik still leads the Rangers with six goals.

 

 

Coach Torts isn't the only one who thinks the accumilation of too-many-men on the ice penalties are egregiously ponderous.  Well, Coach said they "sucked!"  I just say ridiculous.  The Rangers are now up to six infractions.  That is more than they should have all season.  And Lord Stanley knows Tex's Rangers can't live life killing penalties.  Defensively, the Rangers rank 11th in goals against this season.  That is a considerable drop off from last year's effort.  On the penalty kill, they rank 13th at the moment, which also reflects a drop off from last season.  The Rangers 4-3 S.O. win over Boston shows how scoring can make mistakes like J.T. Miller's too-many-men infraction go away.  Later in the second period, Derek Stepan gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead, and all seemed well again.  When the Rangers aren't scoring, a mistake like that kills.

 

 

One aspect of the Rangers game that has remained consistent since last season has been the futility of their power play.  They currently own the 29th worst unit in the league.  As mentioned above, the Islanders recently scored four power play goals against Carolina.  They Rangers have four power play goals all season..!  Ryan Callahan has two of them.  The Islanders by the way, have thirteen power play goals this season.

 

 

Last Time They Met: Feb. 7, 2013 - Rangers 3; Islanders 1.

 

 

When they last met one week ago, J.T. Miller scored his first ever NHL goal just 1:29 into the game.  Twelve and one half minutes later, Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal of the season.  Half way through the second period, John Tavares brought the Islanders to within a goal.  At the 18:11 mark, J.T. Miller answered for the Rangers with his second NHL goal of the night, and of his (then) four game career.  His power play goal made it a 3-1 game.  Just prior to the third period ending, Ryan McDonagh scored, unassisted, to close out a 4-1 victory.

 

 

Henrik Lundqvist faced twenty eight shots, and made twenty seven saves, to earn his fourth (of six) win of the season.  Evgeni Nabokov faced twenty four shots on goal, and only managed to save twenty one.

 

 

For a game, the Rangers and Islanders changed roles on the power play.  The Rangers were 1 for 2 with the man advantage.  The Islanders floundered, going scoreless in five attempts.

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day...Chump!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils: Newark Sweeps Home And Home From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS

NEW JERSEY DEVILS - David Clarkson Continues Pitching His Fork Into Atlantic Division Foes.

Broad Street Demons In First Place At First Quarter Check Point

 

 

The Devils extended their first place lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins by sweeping both games of a home-and-home series.  Sunday evening in Steel City, David Clarkson's hot scoring touch continued with two more goals, bringing his season total to nine.  Along with Ilya Kovalchuk's fourth goal of the season coming in the second period, the Devils rode a 3-0 lead into the third session.  James Neal scored for Pittsburgh, to get them within two goals of Newark.  But Johan Hedberg made sure the Penguins scored no more.  The Devils back-up stopped twenty three of twenty four shots to record his second win of the season.


Pittsburgh had more shots on goal, more hits, and won more face-offs than the Devils.  Newark also committed more penalties.  The Penguins were 1 for 3 on the power play.  David Clarkson's second period goal made the Devils a perfect 1 for 1 on the power play.  David had five shots on goal in twenty one shifts to lead the team.  He and Patrick Elias, who assisted on Clarkson's PP goal, are now tied for the team lead with thirteen points.  Ilya Kovalchuk was next in with only three shots on goal in twenty eight shifts.


The Devils now lead the Atlantic Division with nineteen points, three points better than the Pens.  They are also riding a five game win streak in which they defeated the Pens twice, Tampa, the Rangers, and Islanders.  Their lone regular season loss incidentally came against Pittsburgh back on February 2nd.  The Devils are now 8-1-3 for the season.  One quarter of the regular season is now complete.




* Devils Playground Graffiti
Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Tony Parker Spurs Big Win Over Flatbush

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - With His Other Bigger Mates On The Bench, Tony Parker Was The Star of Flatbush.


Tim Duncan could not play.  Manu Ginobili did not play.  The task was left to Tony Parker to carry the Spurs on the road.  And he did so superlatively.  In leading the Spurs to a 111-86 stampede over the Nets, Tony Parker ended his night in Brooklyn with a game high twenty nine points, plus a game high eleven assists as well.


His counter-part Deron Williams, was limited to fifteen points and three assists.  Deron Williams' night was emblematic of the Nets over all poor ball distribution.  The Spurs had twenty two assists. The Nets managed just twelve.  Even Brook Lopez had more assists than Deron.  In other words, the Deron Williams versus Tony Parker match-up was a one sided affair.


Parker pulled down three rebounds.  Deron Williams pulled down one.  But the Nets remained consistent in this department.  They out-rebounded the Spurs 39-28, led by nine each from Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans.


But here were the Nets biggest problems.


Tony Parker did not turn over the ball.  Deron turned the ball over three times.  For the game, the Nets turned the ball over eighteen times; the Spurs just seven.  And San Antonio knew how to convert.  The Nets allowed thirty points off turnovers.  The Spurs only allowed seven.


Otherwise, key the music, because here comes the same old song.  From the field, both teams managed seventy two, and seventy three shots respectively.  San Antonio shot 58.9%, while Brooklyn only managed 47.2% from the field, which, albeit, is an improvement over last game.  Both teams took nineteen three-point attempts.  The Spurs shot 63.2%, while Brooklyn lagged at 31.6%.  Joe Johnson shot 50% from the field, and finished with nineteen points.  Brook Lopez finished with eighteen points.


What also seems a little ponderous about this game, is that even without Tim Duncan, the Spurs still destroyed Brooklyn with points in the paint, by a wide 52-38 margin.  As such, San Antonio went to the line more often.  The last word, Brooklyn drops both games of the season series to San Antonio.


The Nets are now 29-22 on the season, and drop to 14-8 under P.J. Carlesimo.  The Brooks have lost six of their last ten games.  There is no time to wallow in doubt though.  Gotta get right back at it.  Monday night, the Nets are in Indiana to take on the Central Division leading Pacers.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: The Bullpen 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Spring Training - Pitchers And Catchers - 2013

 

Part II - THE BULLPEN

PART I - Starting Pitchers and Catchers

NEW YORK METS - Please Pardon The Appearance.  Bullpen Still Under Reconstruction.


The Mets aren't looking for government handouts to help pay off their debts.  But their bullpen desperately needs relief assistance in the worst way.  Truth is, there are no readily available answers for their dilemma.  While the Mets aren't the only team to suffer this calamity, it just goes to show the value of a good, reliable closer.  This also goes to show how great the Mariano Rivera's in life really are.  Sorry for the cross town reference. 


Sandy Alderson tried renovating the bullpen last season..., remember?  Frank Francisco remains his largest free agent signing to date.  And I do mean large.  The Mets were not happy Frank-Frank showed up in camp last season out of shape.  His two injuries and subsequent surgery only exasperated an already terrible season.  He made forty eight appearances and only recorded twenty three saves.  That's a low save-to-game rate by any measure.  His 5.53 ERA was equally disheartening.  But he's back!  And he says He Is The Closer!  His manager Terry Collins (who's contract status beyond this season is still unresolved), agrees with Frankie.  However, Sandy Alderson, in so many words, expressed a lack of confidence in his 2012 acquisition.


Based primarily because Sandy Alderson signed Francisco to a two year $12 million dollar deal, he gets to survive the purge.  Relieved of their duties over the course of 2012 are - D.J. Carrasco, Miguel Batista, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch, and Manny Acosta.  Tim Byrdak was originally set free by the Mets, but was re-signed to a free agent contract in December.


So if you're Sandy Alderson, how do you rebuild another bullpen?  Well, you put on your mining hat, and start prospecting the baseball landscape for pitchers....again.  The Mets took not one, but two looks at ex-Giants closer, Brian Wilson.  Several teams seemed interested in at least monitoring a private work-out held by Wilson.  But so far he has failed to impress anyone, especially for the guaranteed money he is reportedly seeking.  There were also rumors swirling the Mets could be considering failed ex-Detroit closer, Jose Valverde.  Those two examples are another way of saying - Yes Mets fans, the bullpen will be a source of agitation..., again.


LAST YEAR'S RETURNING PITCHERS:  Frank Rodriguez - Bobby Parnell - Robert Carson - Elvin Ramirez - Josh Edgin - Jeremy Hefner - and I'll include Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia.  All eight are on the active roster.


TRANSACTIONS:  Signed back in November to a free agent contract, Greg Burke is now on the 40-man active roster.  Additionally, Brandon Lyon signed a free agent contract with the Mets earlier this month.  He is on the 40-man active roster as well.


In addition to Burke and Lyon, Sandy Alderson signed six other pitchers over the winter to free agent contracts.  Scott Atchison, Pedro Feliciano, LaTroy Hawkins, and Carlos Torres are all non-roster invitees this winter/spring.  Aaron Laffey, and Tim Byrdak as noted, were also signed to free agent contracts back in December.  In one other free agent transaction, Alderson signed Dario Alvarez who will likely be assigned to low A-ball.


Who is the Closer?


If you're asking Frankie and Terry Collins, we already know the answer.  But Sandy has made his opinion well known.  The GM's acquisition of Brandon Lyon speaks very loudly.  Both pitchers throw from the right side.  So there can only be one - not a tandem.  This looks like a situation where the Mets will just pitch the hot hand, and be satisfied with depth.  Bobby Parnell is still good for the occasional spot save.


Frank Francisco is reportedly healthy now.  Ideally that should enhance his performance over last season.  If he can regain the form he displayed in Texas, the Mets would benefit handsomely.  His ability to strike out batters is still in tact.  He demonstrated that last season.  But he has to get his walks under control.  Last season, his hits allowed per nine innings also sky rocketed.  That needs to change as well if he is to claim and hold the closers role.


Perhaps Brandon Lyon is the more adaptable of the two.  He served as both closer and set-up man on his previous teams.  Make no mistake however.  He was signed to pose a direct challenge to Frank Francisco and the closers role.  Serving in set-up roles in both Houston and Toronto in 2012, he appeared in 67 games and pitched 61 innings.  He posted a combined 4-2 record, one save, with a 3.10 ERA.  Brandon allowed 57 hits, walked 20, good for a 1.246 WHiP, and struck out 63 batters.  He averaged 8.3 hits per nine innings, 3.0 walks, and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.  He saved 14 games in 2005, and notched 26 saves in 2008, both for Arizona.  In 2010, he posted 20 saves for Houston.


Bobby Parnell is coming off arguably his best season as a pro.  As a small reward, Parnell and the Mets avoided salary arbitration and reached agreement on a one year $1.7 million dollar deal.  Bobby is the Mets incumbent top set-up option.  The difference between being good and great for Bobby Parnell is that darn thing he calls a curve ball.  Let's call it for what it is - when he uses it late in the count, breaking ball is ineffectual and easy to lay off.  His curve is too horizontal - it's a slurve.  His curve is not the more classic twelve to six type curve ball; or even one to seven; or even two to eight.  Batters wait for the fast ball - foul off about four or so, then hurt him.  In other words, his lack of a better curve ball allows hitters to linger in the box.  Therein lies the knock on Bobby Parnell.  He still lacks an out-pitch.


Looking Left:


By default, Josh Edgin and Robert Carson will head north with the club.  They are lefties.  Nuf ced.  But seriously, Josh Edgin looks like a real keeper.  He capped off a handsome three year minor league career with last season's call up to Flushing.  His walks allowed spiked in Buffalo last year.  But on the big club, he actually brought his rate down by a full walk allowed per nine innings pitched.  In 25.2 innings for the Mets, he only allowed 19 hits and struck out 30 batters.


We won't hold Robert Carson's call-up against him.  After a few minor league seasons not really flourishing as a starting pitcher, the Mets converted Carson into a reliever last year.  In a split season between Binghamton and Buffalo, Carson posted a 3.86 ERA, and recorded 10 saves.  He also posted a combined 1.597 WHiP last season.  And after six minor league seasons, his career 1.521 WHiP is still unrepresentative of major league standard.


The third key left handed pitcher in the bullpen equation might again be Pedro Feliciano.  What he has left remains to be seen.  What we do know is that he is coming off a lot of rest at the Yankees expense.  Between 2008 and 2010, the Mets ran this guy into the ground.  He led the majors with 266 appearances over that three year span, with a high of 92 games in 2010.  Heading into 2011, Pedro Feliciano declined the Mets offer of salary arbitration, and signed a two year $8 million dollar pact  with the Bombers.  He got injured before the 2011 season began, and wound up never throwing a pitch for the Yankees.  He subsequently underwent rotator cuff surgery.  He'll be thirty-seven years old in August.


Also lurking around camp seeking employment are right handers Tim Byrdak and Aaron Laffey.


Looking Right:


RIGHT - Frank Francisco; Brandon Lyon; Bobby Parnell; Jeurys Familia; Jenrry Mejia.


Scott Atchison is thirty-six years old but coming off his best MLB season with the Red Sox.  In 42 appearances, he posted a 1.58 ERA in 51.1 innings.  He limited hitters to 42 hits and walked 9 for a stellar 0.994 WHiP, and struck out 36 batters.  Where is the red flag?  He is a fourteen year career minor leaguer, who missed all of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 regular seasons.


There's a reason LaTroy Hawkins has pitched for eight different teams since leaving the Minnesota Twins.......


The Mets brought Jeremy Hefner over from the Padres system.  He is still "only" twenty-six years old with no MLB experience to speak of.  But he has the potential to make LaTroy Hawkins look good by comparison.


Remember Elvin Ramirez?  In 21.1 innings last season for the Mets, he walked 20, and struck out 22 batters.  After five unremarkable years in the Mets low minors, last season was somewhat of a break-out season for the twenty-five year old.  While at Buffalo, he posted a 2.36 ERA in 33 games, and 42 innings pitched.  He struck out 41 batters.


Looking Forward:


So who do you trust?  I think Francisco will be better than people think.  Or at least better than last season.  Brandon Lyon is a fine addition - a very good decision.  And together, the Mets have two viable options to close games.  Depth is good either way you shake it.  Of course, I am still an unabashed Bobby Parnell fan.  And as noted above, Josh Edgin looks like a quality pitcher.  Without delving into the potential future roles of Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia, the list of pitchers I trust stops there.


The rest have some proving to do.





Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils: Newark Wrestles First Place From Penguins

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY DEMONS


NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Look Who's Number One!


At just 0:44 of the opening period, David Clarkson got whistled for tripping.  Thirty nine seconds later, the Penguins' Brandon Sutter scored on the power play giving Pittsburgh an early lead.  Martin Brodeur then proceeded to stop the next twenty four pucks Pittsburgh shot on net.


While Marty Brodeur kept the Penguins scoreless the rest of the way, the Devils got goals from unlikely heroes.  In just his seventh NHL game, Stefan Matteau; the son of THAT Stefan Matteau-Matteau-Matteau; scored his first ever goal in the second period for the team that fell victim to his father's goal almost twenty years ago.  If you do the math, Stefan Matteau the Younger wasn't even born yet.


Midway through the third period, Adam Henrique gave the Devils their first lead of the night with a power play goal.  Then a little under three minutes later, 2013 acquisition and seldom used Bobby Butler scored his first goal as a New Jersey Devil, to seal Newark's 3-1 win over the Penguins.
 


Bobby Butler had two points on the night.  Ilya Kovalchuk and Andy Greene each had two assists. Pittsburgh won the face-off battle by a 32-28 margin.  But Newark won the shots on goal battle by a 28-25 difference.


Pittsburgh was content committing penalties.  The Devils had ten power play opportunities, and converted twice.  There's your difference in the game.  Marty Brodeur took care of the rest.


With this victory, the Devils wrestled away first place of the Atlantic Division from the Penguins.  The Devils now have seven wins and seventeen points on the season versus sixteen points for the Pens.  The conclusion of this home-and-home set with the Penguins moves to Pittsburgh Sunday evening.  The game will mark the exact one-quarter point of the Devils season.



Mike.BTB

New York Mets: Pitchers and Catchers 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - PORT ST. LUCIE OR BUST!

 

South bound on I-95 - Loaded up and truckin'.  The Mets are gonna try and do what many say can't be done.  They got a long way to go, and a short time to get there....

 

Hey Mr. Met, ya got your ears on?  Just keep an eye out for them smokies.  Out!..

 

 

Spring Training 2013:

Mets Year Fifty Two of the Amazin' Era

 

I - Behind the Plate


The Mets appear to have rectified their catching situation via a motivated buyer in the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Jays clearly feel the A.L. East can be had, and are sparing no expense to ensure they remain in contention for a division title.  As such, bye bye Josh Thole - Hello Travis D'Arnaud.  He was the main component in the R.A. Dickey deal.  Travis may not break camp and head north with the big club.  But as they say in the business, he is a blue chipper who will arrive in Flushing shortly.  Lingering knee worries dating back to June 2012 seem safely behind him now.  With any luck, all that remains for d'Arnaud is to spend some time at Las Vegas, then fulfill his promise upon arrival in Queens.  Simple....right?
 

 

Travis d'Arnaud was a #1 selection in 2007 by the Phillies.  He immediately became the Mets #1 organizational prospect upon arrival from Toronto.  In pre-2012 rankings, Baseball America had him ranked #17 on their top prospects list.  Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com currently ranks Travis d'Arnaud the #6 prospect in baseball.  Over the last two seasons Travis has shown promises of power.  With 424 at-bats at AA-New Hampshire in 2011, he batted .311, stroked 21 home runs, and posted a .542 slugging mark.  With 279 at-bats in 2012 at AAA-Las Vegas, Travis batted .333, hit 16 home runs, and slugged at a .595 clip before having his season cut short by a knee injury.  Keep in mind however, many consider the Pacific Coast League to be a very hitting friendly circuit.
 

 

Sandy Alderson's plan however seems to be starting the season with John Buck behind the plate.  Perhaps not so much in hitting average, Buck will be an appreciable improvement over Josh Thole with a bat.  John Buck, a nine year veteran also acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade, can hit with some power and can contribute some needed production towards the bottom of the order.


Backing up John Buck will most likely be Anthony Recker.  The Mets claimed him of waivers last year from the Cubs.  He is twenty-nine years old with twenty seven major league games under his belt.  Non-roster invitees Landon Powell and Juan Centeno will be in camp competing for a back-up role as well.  Oakland selected Powell in the first round of the 2004 June draft.  Last season he was granted free agency by Houston.  Sandy Alderson signed him last month.  Juan Centeno (23 yrs old) is a six year minor league veteran of the Mets system.  In 281 at-bats at Binghamton last season, he batted for a .285 average.


II - The Starting Rotation


Farewell R.A. Dickey and Mike Pelfrey.  It's time to move on now.

 

Bienvenidos to Johan Santana's swan song.  It is really a shame to talk about Johan in the following regard, but with Johan's 2013 total compensation amounting to roughly $31 million bucks, and taking up a disproportionate 33% (+/-) of the payroll pie, the Mets can't wait to see him go.  I reckon in order to trade Johan and attempt to receive a respectable return, the Mets would have to pick-up at least twenty three to twenty five million dollars of his 2013 salary.  If the Mets can get another team to pick up any portion of his salary at all, they should seriously consider a move.  Hell, they should even consider eating the whole check.  Anyway you look at it, the money is already spent.  So why not try and realize a return for Johan.  Within the context of the Mets continuing rebuilding effort, an overwhelming package of prospects isn't really necessary.  Teams recognize the Mets potential motivation to trade Johan.  So if they can get some solid talent in return, the venture would be worth the effort.  Then who knows.  If Johan proves worthy prior to the trade deadline, a motivated contender just might be willing to pony up a small yet premium package for his services.


This is the man who kept the Mets playoff hopes alive as 2008 wound down to the last two crucial games of the regular season.  Under do or die circumstances, Johan pitched a three hit shutout on three days rest over the Florida Marlins.  The Mets hopes of returning to the playoffs then ended however with Tom Glavine's next start and subsequent self-implosion.  The Mets would never again contend for the remainder of Johan's contract.  Of course, Johan Santana will forever be known around Flushing as the pitcher who threw the club's first ever no-hit game.  Most Mets fans will agree with me, that we are happy someone of his stature finally got it done.


However, don't go patting yourselves on the back just yet Mets fans.  You booed him in his first ever start at Shea Stadium during a loss to Ben Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers - Ponderous in a season he won his third ERA title.  When he takes the mound for the first time this season, make sure and do the right thing.  If it's Opening Day, even better.  Let him feel your appreciation right off the bat, in what will be an uncomfortable season of saying good-bye.


Over his Mets career, Johan has been hobbled by knee problems, and sidelined with shoulder issues.  In his return last year, Johan was hittable by his standards, and maintained an un-Santana like 4.85 ERA until his season was prematurely ended by fatigue.  Additionally, Johan's walks were up considerably as well.  His strikeouts however were right on point.  He is now making a second attempt to pitch in his first full campaign since the 2010 season in which he logged 199 innings in twenty nine starts.  With any appreciable return to form, the Mets can reasonably get fourteen wins out of him.  And even if he only brings his ERA down to his career average of 3.20, that would be a major improvement over last season.


If Jon Niese continues to progress as he has, the 2013 season could turn into a breakout year for the Mets lefty.  The Amazin's would be helped immeasurably if Jon Niese can step his game up, and grab the reigns of the starting rotation.  Once Johan Santana departs the team, the Mets rotation will be largely populated by young, and relatively inexperienced pitchers.  Jon Niese seems like the perfect guy right now, to lead the likes of Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and hopefully soon, Zach Wheeler, into the 2014 season.


Dillon Gee appears to be all systems go after surgery to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder last year.  All is not perfect however.  He is still susceptible to numbness in his fingertips during cold weather.  Can Dillon regain his old form so soon after surgery?  He no doubt has a big test ahead of him.  He began light throwing two weeks ago.  All I can say is everyone will be monitoring Dillon Gee's Spring Training very closely, and with great anxiety.


Sandy Alderson said Matt Harvey will be entering the 2013 season with no pitch restrictions placed upon him.  He is a free range hurler now.  This kid seemingly has it all - the skill, demeanor, and fortitude of a winner.  This will be his first full major league season, and as a fan, I can't wait.  But as such, he'll be graded on a curve.  However, there's no denying after last year's arrival in Flushing, the anticipation of his potential has excited all Mets fans.  In ten starts, he averaged ten strikeouts per nine innings pitched, and limited opposing hitters to 6.4 hits per nine.  He hit three batters which is okay by me too.  In 59.1 innings pitched, he posted a 2.73 era.  If he can bring his walks down, who knows what he can achieve.


The biggest question Mets fans want answered is - When is Zach Wheeler getting here?  Patience Mets fans; patience.  Haste makes waste.  Zach spent most of his 2012 season at Binghamton, then made six appearances at Buffalo:

BINGHAMTON:
Games - 19
Record - 10-6
ERA - 3.26
Innings - 116
Hits - 92
Walks - 43
Strikeouts - 117
WHiP - 1.164
Hits/9 - 7.1
Walks/9 - 3.3
Strikeouts/9 - 9.1

BUFFALO:
Games - 6
Record - 2-2
ERA - 3.27
Innings - 33
Hits - 23
Walks - 16
Strikeouts - 31
WHiP - 1.182
Hits/9 - 6.3
Walks/9 - 4.4
Strikeouts/9 - 8.5


Zach Wheeler clearly needs to bring his bases on balls down a bit.  Otherwise he seems on the right path towards a Flushing debut.  But after starting the season at Las Vegas first.  How long that lasts seems totally up to Zach Wheeler.  The newest member of the starting rotation is Shaun Marcum.  He'll be the Mets fifth starter.  If Zach Wheeler excels at AAA and warrants a promotion, either Marcum or Dillon Gee seem the likely candidates to surrender their turns in the rotation.


By the time Frank Francisco went down with an injury and the Mets started their July swoon, three members of the Opening Day starting rotation were out of commission.  Only Dickey and Jon Niese made it till the end.  But while the rotation stayed strong over the first three months of the season, so stayed the Mets.  As was the case in 2012, health therefore seems to be the determining factor for success in 2013, or not.  The starting rotation and the infield are the team's strengths in that order.  Perhaps offensively, the line-up can provide a little more than they did last season, and give these guys some runs to work with.


Up Next  -  THE BULLPEN.



Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Brooks Filibustered In D.C.

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - Old Habits Are Hard To Break.


Last night's visit to the nation's capital was an abysmal fail.  The Nets scored their second lowest point total of the season against the (15-35) Washington Wizards.  You can't put lipstick on this pig.  I only wish I were talking about the government.  But if we should take anything away from this game, it would be this:

"Just a lot of bad habits...., then we start pointing the finger and getting a little selfish. We just got to get out of that habit."  -  Deron Williams after loss.

That is disturbing, but only echoes Gerald Wallace's rant from just over a week ago.  So at least we know there are two players who recognize there is a problem.

Friday Final

NETS      74

Wizards  89

The vocal Deron Williams led all players with forty minutes.  He tied for game high with twenty points, but his ball distribution was limited to five assists.  Deron also took a game high twenty shots.  Lopez took eleven shots, and Joe Johnson twelve.  The three combined on 37% shooting.  In the second quarter, the Nets only made four of twenty two shots.  So what are you going to do when you're consistently shooting below 35% from the floor? - See the Lakers game, and many others this season.  In the meanwhile, what scoring they lack from the field they are making up for by consistently getting to the line.  But even then, they only shot 59% from the stripe last night, making 19 of 32 shots.  By contrast, Washington shot 91% from the line.


When you lose the second quarter 30-11, where do you point the finger first - at low scoring, or poor defense?  To that effect, the Nets held their opponent to under ninety points.  Or, do we try a completely different tact, and point a finger at how, for a very good rebounding team, the Nets continually get out-scored in fast break points?  Something has to give, because if you didn't notice the Wizards beat the Nets at their own game.  With a big boost from Nene's twenty points (double-double, 11 rebounds) Washington out-scored Brooklyn 32-30 inside the paint.  The Nets barely out-rebounded the Wizards by a 47-45 margin.  Brook Lopez pulled down eight; seven on the defensive end; and blocked another four shots.  He was limited however to thirteen points.


On a side note, Andray Blatch has no particular love for the Wizards these days, not after they amnestied him to relieve themselves of his contract.  The crowd in D.C. reciprocated last night with a little bit of their own local love.  They delighted in a rather futile night by their former forward.  In sixteen minutes off the bench, Andray only managed five points and four rebounds.  The crowd also reveled in Andray's futility from the line, as he only converted one of six attempts.


Next up - a rematch against the San Antonio Spurs at Barclays Center.  The last time they met was on the last day of 2012 in San Antonio.  The Spurs whooped up on Brooklyn 104-73 to hand P.J. Carlesimo his first loss as Nets coach.  The game also resulted in Brooklyn's lowest offensive output of the season.  Last night against Washington, the Nets came within one point of tying that mark.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers; Drop Islanders Early and Often

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The Rivalry - Game One

 

THURSDAY FINAL

Islanders     1

RANGERS  4

 

 

Game Two - February 14th

VALENTINE'S DAY

...no love lost.

 

 

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Coach Torts Has Been Pushing Rookies Since His Arrival.

 

 

First, it warrants saying, John Tavares was the best skater on the ice Thursday night.  Okay Islanders fans, that is all.

 

 

The Rangers made a symbolic leap forward Thursday night.  They arrested third place from the Islanders with a convincing 4-1 win at the Garden.  And for a night at least, it looked as if Coach Torts successfully arrested the Blueshirts situation and corrected their way.

 

 

For the moment, J.T. Miller is making Coach Torts look good.  His ice time is coming at the expense of Brian Boyle, who apparently landed in the doghouse.  In just his second NHL game since being called up from Connecticut, Miller scored the game's opening goal after only 1:29 minutes of play.  The Islanders were defeated right then.  The Rangers rookie also gave the power play a jolt with a second period goal, which in effect makes his coach look even smarter on two fronts.  Say this about John Tortorella.  Where many coaches cringe at the mere sight of rookies, Coach Torts challenges them and throws them into the fire.  He has done that since his arrival.

 

 

On a side note, give continued credit to the Rangers Gordie Clark for the now years long and steady stream of prospects flowing through the Rangers system.  Twenty-one year old 2009 #1 draft pick  Chris Kreider and nineteen year old 2011 #1 draft pick J.T. Miller are merely the latest to arrive on the off-Broadway ice.

 

 

But consider what really happened Thursday.  Ryan Callahan returned, and Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal of the season.  Those are clearly good things.  But the Rangers needed J.T. Miller to be the difference against the struggling Islanders.  Just ponder that for a moment.

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

Rangers vs. Islanders - The Rivalry - Game One

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY

 

 

 

GAME ONE of FOUR

 

Islanders

vs.

RANGERS

From,

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

33rd Street and 6th Avenue

NYC

 

 

 

New York Islanders - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club Trying To Keep Hold Of Third Place, and Bury Rangers Further Down In Division Standings.

 

NEW YORK RANGERS - Will Blueshirts Respond To Coach Tort's Recent Criticisms?

 

 

The rumor is Brian Boyle will be a healthy scratch tonight, and that there is a chance Ryan Callahan plays tonight versus the Islanders.  Dan Girardi might also be missing his second consecutive game.  The NHL-CIA would only reveal that Girardi is suffering from a lower body injury.  Many people died getting that information.  I now live in fear.

 

 

On the other bench, Coach Capuano arrives to the Garden sporting a rather handsome shiner after getting hit by a puck recently.  That comes after missing the season opener due to kidney stones.  On the ice, the Islanders will finally have Lubomir Visnovsky manning their blue line again.  The 37-year old global traveller was in trouble with the Isles when he refused to report back to the States once the League's  lock-out was lifted.  All seems straightened out now.

 

 

The establishment; the Rangers are staring themselves in the face.  Coach Torts called out some players, accusing them of playing scared.  The Rangers have depth issues - big depth issues regarding their third and fourth lines.  And Rangers fans may not want to hear this, but their (my, our) goalie, Henrik Lundqvist is struggling.

 

 

In the other net, Evgeni Nabokov has steadied the ship.  Even at thirty seven years old, he's still stopping pucks well for the Isles.  The soon to be Brooklyn hockey club is young and getting better.  Offensively, they are scoring.  They torched the Penguins earlier this season, and made a spirited comeback the last time they met, but fell short in a 4-2 loss.  Four Islanders have four or more goals.  Michael Grabner is the leader with five goals.  John Tavares, Matt Moulson, and Keith Aucoin each have four.  Through nine games, the Islanders have scored nine more goals than the Rangers.

 

 

The Islanders are in third place of the Atlantic Division, one point better than the Rangers.

 

 

ISLANDERS  -  W-4  L-4  OL-1  PTS-9

RANGERS     -  W-4  L-5  OL-0  PTS-8

 

 

I'm off to the game.  Ought to be a good one.  Come back for my reaction later tonight.

 

 

 

Mike.BTB 

N.Y. Giants: Jerry Reese Wields His Sword

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE


NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL - The Big Blue Purge Has Begun.  Salary Cap Forces General Manager's Hand.


Call this Blue Wednesday.  Giants general manager Jerry Reese acted swiftly and decisively.  The rebuilding of the Giants has commenced...again.  Jerry Reese spent a second consecutive day pairing down the salary cap by releasing team veterans.


On Tuesday, the Giants parted ways with linebacker Michael Boley.  For at least two seasons now, the Giants linebacking corp has needed considerable upgrades.  But I believe no one ever speculated the Giants should start by cutting Michael Boley, who has arguably been their best linbeacker.  If Jerry Reese believes this is a good move, that's all I need.  In truth, Michael Boley provided little impact in his four seasons with the G-Men.  The club will saving $4.25 million dollars by releasing Boley.


Then today, Chris Canty and enormously popular Ahmad Bradshaw were given their releases as well.  Bradshaw has been increasingly hobbled in recent years by numerous ankle and foot injuries.  However, Jerry Reese found his upcoming 2013 $3.7 million dollar salary even more prohibitive.  It is still possible Ahmad could be asked back, but only at a reduced rate.  If you remember, the Giants asked Brandon Jacobs to re-work his deal in order for them to re-sign Bradshaw to a free agent deal two seasons ago.  The free agent contract Chris Canty signed four years ago also became a drain on the Giants.  The club will save $6.5 million dollars by releasing him.  Although hobbled by injuries of his own, Chris Canty is going to be a hard body to replace.  In both stopping the run, and keeping younger team mates accountable, his presence will be missed.


Combined, the three moves shave roughly $13 million dollars off next season's projected salary cap.



Mike.BTB

Brooklyn Nets: Dwight Howard Watches Lopez Drop Thirty In Loss To Lakers

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TUESDAY FINAL:

Lakers  92

NETS    83

 

 

Next: Wednesday, @ Detroit

 

BROOKLYN

vs.

Pistons

 

 

 

BROOKLYN NETS - Kobe Bryant Punctuated Tuesday Night's Loss With A Serious Display of DAMN!


The Nets were playing at home.  The Lakers had no Dwight Howard, no Metta World Peace, and were without Pau Gasol towards the end of the game.  Yet the Lakers ended the game on a 10-0 run, and the Brooks lost by nine points.  L.A. outworked Brooklyn in the 4th quarter, which is nothing new for this team. And Kobe Bryant punctuated the night with a serious display of Damn!!  After the game, Kobe likened his drive into the lane to the parting of the Red Sea.


Further hindering the Nets, their bench contribution was negligible.  But when you shoot 34.8% from the field, you're begging for trouble.  The Lakers shot 45.1% from the field.  Otherwise, the Nets dominated the glass, pulling down fifty two boards versus L.A.'s forty.  Each team cancelled each other out from the free throw line with fifteen points apiece.


So how do you fix poor shooting?  Well, you can attempt higher percentage shots by dropping the ball into the low post....I guess.  So that's what the Nets did.  With Dwight Howard looking on from the Lakers bench dressed in a suit, Brook Lopez responded with a game high thirty points.  Only problem with Tuesday's loss was everyone else was launching bricks.  Hello Joe Johnson.  Hello Deron Williams.  And hello Gerald Wallace.  The three combined to make twelve shots in thirty eight attempts.  Brook Lopez finished the night with a double-double; thirty points and eleven rebounds.  Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive glass.  Brook also blocked three shots and was 8 for 10 from the line.  But only three other Nets went to the line, and attempted a mere eight shots between them.


The Nets are now 28-20 for the season.  Where do they go from here?  Where ever they go, speculation is sure to follow them until they play with consistency against better teams of the league.  The Nets have still yet to distinguish themselves among other NBA contenders.  To question their cohesiveness and collective ability is still warranted.


Next up - Road Trip!  The Nets will be in Detroit tonight, and will then hop a flight to D.C. to play the Wizards.



Mike.BTB