N.Y. Mets ~ Throwing Johan and Caution to the Wind?

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Don't Be Too Hasty Presuming Johan Santana is Healthy.  And is Starting Him on Opening Day Really That Important?


Whether you believe the Mets can contend for the division title, or have comfortably resigned yourself to a long season ahead;  -  Whether you have high expectations for Johan Santana and are looking for him to be the ace of this staff again in the two seasons remaining on his contract, or are just hoping he can be healthy again and become effective enough so as to pursue a trade for him, I say simply, the rush to have Johan Santana start Opening Day could result in folly.


Really.., what is the rush?  If we want a full return to health, and the Johan Santana of old back on the mound, I say tempering ourselves at all levels; organizationally, team wise, and fan anticipation included; and not hastening expectations, will get him there.


Which ever of the above classifications you fall in to, can we all agree there is absolutely no reason at all to have him start Opening Day beyond being something symbolic?  In the hard cold reality of this upcoming season, there are only two people who stand to benefit rushing Johan Santana.  Those two are Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz.  Even those two should be smart enough to know Opening Day stands on it's own and is virtually recession, and more specific to them, apathy proof.  Opening Day is a quasi-holiday for any and all teams.  Fred Wilpon's and Saul Katz' attendance concerns should focus on "the second home series of the season" and late April, and May.  Then once school lets out, they should be worried about the Summer.


To date, Johan Santana has given absolutely no indication he is behind schedule.  He is now exactly eighteen months away (+/-) from shoulder surgery.  And his performance this Spring has given no reason to believe his comeback can't be a complete and successful endeavour.  And if by the last days of Spring Training Johan provides more than compelling evidence why he should start Opening Day, so be it.


But we are not there yet.  As we are still negotiating through March 18, 2012, I am merely against predicting a hard forecast on Santana's start and having the pitcher fix his mind on rising-up to to meet an unnecessary challenge.  Then again, everything can just as easily turn out just fine for all concerned parties as well.  But this kind of thinking is arguably born in part because it's no secret the Mets have been hemorrhaging money in Citi Field and game related revenue.  And secondly, you can thank the Mets' recent medical history of missteps and mistaken diagnosis, for skepticism and lack of blind faith in their ability to even administer a band-aid.  It was they who planted the seed, and so with Santana coming off major surgery, who doesn't have reservations about a hasty return?


Such self imposed dilemmas open the door for speculation, cynicism, and conspiracy theorists alike.  Granted, financially the Mets are already a mess and Johan's contract is part of that. But the Mets absolutely can not afford make a mistake in attempting to get Johan Santana back in prime form for the wrong reasons.


Even less sarcastically and more importantly to the point, history tells us players are worse people to turn to for self-diagnosis and the truth.  But Johan Santana has always been a straight shooter.  I'm not going there.  I'm merely suggesting organizational caution when pushing to get their prized ace back on the mound.  Their efforts can easily backfire.  Should Johan Santana have an in-season, or worse yet, an early season relapse, or an occurrence, or an episode, or whatever you choose to call it, the team will then most assuredly have looked desperate by hastening his return in an effort to sell tickets.  If that's not the reality, there's an excellent chance that will be the perception should such a scenario befall the Mets.  The end, would still be the same.


If a jury of his piers arrives to the conclusion Fred Wilpon and company were crooks just like the jailed Bernie Madoff was, the owner will be a mute point, and his regime will be left open to even the most derisive criticisms of our time together.  But if a jury of their piers decides the Wilpons are the good guys, then Fred, Jeff, and Saul, will gain a great measure of vindication, and can then set about exorcising the ruinous thoughts and opinions that permeate his team's fan base; me included; if in fact, that can be done at this point.


It's unfortunate the Wilpons have set themselves up for such kind of speculative finger pointing, especially if it comes from the misguided; or worse, the ignorant.  It's just that there has been one too many cortisone shots administered to this owner/fan relationship trying to keep it together.  And whether warranted or not; misguided or not; making a connection between Johan starting Opening Day, and trying to sell tickets in the short-term thereafter, will be made.  For in the Wilpon's present situation, anything they do can be construed as being directly related to their off-field plight.  So I present this case, perhaps unfairly, and maybe even undeservedly.  But the case needed to be made to point out that the vultures are circling at all times.


Sure it would be nice to have Johan Santana start Opening Day.  We just do not need him to.  And if he's not at 100%, I don't want him to.  Being ninety-something percent ready is not enough for me to warrant pitching Johan in the inconsequential yet annually prestigious start.  That small remaining percentage of uncertainly will be a test of intelligence and discipline; not a matter of winning.  Except for Johan Santana, failing on the strength of a 10% (+/-) risk factor is only ruinous to Mr. Wilpon.


I hope both Johan, and more specifically Mr. Wilpon, are being truthful with themselves.  Because taking the risk of receiving another swift kick in the.......gate, far outweigh the rewards of one singular Opening Day.






Mike.BTB

NJ/BKN Nets ~ Team Needs Their Owner Back

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NJ/BROOKLYN NETS:  It's High Time the Team's Owner Got Back to Work.


The organization is roughly six months away from swinging the doors open for business at Barclays Center, and more or less, eight months away from playing their first ever game inside their new home in Brooklyn.  I said this before, and I'll say it again.  Now that Mikhail Prokhorov's failed bid to win the Russian presidency is over and done with, it is high time the majority owner take his place inside the team's new downtown offices off Flatbush Avenue and became an active participant in Nets' affairs again.  He needs to punch-in and get to work at once, for his team is in distress.



Mikhail Prokhorov has, and still misses numerous opportunities to out-Media the other basketball owner in town at a time when Dolan, and his organization, are floundering again.  As the Nets continue their final season in New Jersey and transition towards their future in Kings County, the owner's mere availability for a sound bite COULD have gone a long way in this town towards creating a stream of talk over the airwaves about the Nets.



In light of Coach D'Antoni quitting his post, Melo and the Knicks had a real PR grenade on their hands.  And if what "they" say is true - that even bad publicity is good publicity - then Mikhail Prokhorov is dropping the ball, as the Knicks still dominate the tabloids; and probably always will.  But then, the Brooklyn effect still remains to be seen.  However as the Nets inch their way closer to Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush, Nets coverage in the tabloids has indeed picked up, if ever so slightly, as well.  That's where Prokhorov can also pitch in, if only he made himself more available.



If you remember, when he initially burst on the NBA scene and was introduced to the greater public, Prokhorov's calm, cool, and collected bravado; yet his sinister humor were all the rage at ESPN's Draft Lottery show.  In jest, Prokhorov said he'd have to kill (whomever) if he ever revealed his plan to secure Brooklyn and the Nets a championship within five years.  Double-sentiment humor and a strong personality may not seem like much, but in the current state of affairs inside Madison Square Garden these days, the Nets owner could have been dominating his own corner of the press by now.



The way I see things, James Dolan has done everything to trip over himself ever since Mikhail Prokhorov came to town, and Barclays Center started going up.  In his absence from the local scene however, the Net owner has, and still misses opportunities to embed his personal stamp on the eve season of this rivalry. With the Knicks in disarray, Mikhail Prokhorov could have at least been on hand to keep the Nets a part of daily conversation.



What can an owner realistically do within the scope of day to day operations?  Well, if you look across the river at James Dolan and the mess he's created with his team, owners are capable of a lot; mayhem even.  But an owner can also serve his/her team well.  In order to do that however, you need to be an active participant or hire good people.  Remember I said that for later.



Prokhorov also came on the scene and; albeit fleeting; gave the Nets sizzle.  He then he took it with him to the other side of the world.  The Nets now need some of that sizzle back because lately matters are taking increasing turns for the worse.  Meanwhile,  Mikhail Prokhorov has been letting billboards and the construction of a new arena do all the talking for the organization lately.  That said, I feel he needs to be on sight to at least seize some headlines and be a more visible champion of the Nets' move to Brooklyn.  Whether the team is currently winning on the court or not, you still have to show a potential fan base; one you're still trying to attract; that you're wholly invested in the endeavour.



So why is Prokhorov's presence so vital right now?  Well, for starters, Dwight Howard opted into his contract with the Magic.  So come November, Howard will still be playing in Orlando.  It puts to bed the long played out mini-drama of Howard Watch.  Beyond next season, Dwight Howard said the Magic would have to roll the dice.  By then, the Nets may no longer be in a position financially to acquire the center.  Additionally, Deron Williams may no longer be a Net by then.  Without securing Dwight Howard's services, the likelihood Deron Williams stays a Net are now very remote.  All that's left to possibly keep Deron Williams in a Nets uniform next season will be the Guard's own personal want to stay and play in Brooklyn.  Otherwise, he has no tangible reason to stay now.



When the Nets learned Dwight Howard would not be available during the trade deadline, nor at the end of this season as a free agent, as part of a Plan-B, I believe General Manager Billy King made a very hasty acquisition.  He traded Mehmet Okur, and Shawne Williams; which were fine to part with; to the Portland Trailblazers.  But Billy King also sent a protected 2012 first round draft pick in the package to secure small forward, Gerald Wallace.  It was New Jersey's own pick.  They still retain Houston's.  But it is with the pick that I have a problem, and believe the Nets paid too much.  I would have much rather seen that pick stay in Nets' hands.  This also hampers the flexibility the Nets once had under the salary cap going into next season.



I am not big fan of Billy King.  I'm not exactly impressed with his work in Philadelphia.  But I'm not sure there's a  more suitable replacement right now.  And besides, replacing him now would b ill-timed with the move into Brooklyn and all.



Prokhorov can do little himself regarding the talent on the court.  That's why he needs to get back here and keep an eye on his GM.  And if anybody, at least he can energize the environment surrounding his club.  He's a very charismatic person.  It's an attribute he is underutilizing.  Meanwhile, the Nets suffer on the floor, and take their lumps in the Media.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Big Blue Business

From the desk of:   DO IT FOR THE DUKE

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL:  A not so exact look into the off-season and Big Blue's needs.


In my opinion, the biggest move of the Giants' off-season, by far, remains placing the Franchise tag on punter; Steve Weatherford.  Go figure - a punter.?  I said on numerous occasions during the season, aside from Eli Manning, Weatherford was the Giants' MVP.  I said it in jest then.  But it's as close to absolute truth as you're going to get.  That man's right foot played an invaluable role for the Giants last season.  And it's our good fortune the Jets didn't think too much of him and let him walk away when they did.



The second biggest move of the off-season?  Eli Manning restructured his contract to give the Giants more cap maneuverability.  Some of last season's back lash to losing Kevin Boss and Steve Smith  was directed at Eli for not volunteering to restructure his deal just as Brandon Jacobs had in accepting a pay cut to facilitate Ahmad Bradshaw's resigning.  Eli answered those critics this past season with another Super Bowl MVP award, and has now reworked his deal.  So I ask you, - What more can he do?





OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING:


Super Bowl XLVI left the Giants with a huge hole at Tight End.  Thursday, they apparently signed their man.  It won't be Kevin Boss returning after being cut by Oakland.  It won't be Jeremy Shockey who seems to be begging for a Giant handout.  And not incidentally, he is making a fool of himself in the process, as he tried kicking-up some dirt on Amani Toomer Thursday on Twitter.  It should be noted however, that Shockey's comments came in reaction to initial statements made by Toomer.



Drama aside, the Giants instead found their man hidden behind Jason Witten in Dallas.  After four years as the Cowboy's back-up tight end, Martellus Bennett, will get his shot at starting with Big Blue next season.  He and GM Jerry Reese agreed on a one year deal.  The only thing I know about him is he's big; he's agile; and can catch.  That sounds good to me.  If he can run block, even better.  And if Jerry Reese likes him, I like him too.  Welcome to the Family!



Mario Manningham is no closer to signing with another team today than he was yesterday.  I think the League recognizes him for what he is; a very dependable third, or maybe even second-tier receiver.  The premium isn't too steep for those.  Perhaps his price range can fall into the Giants' lap unlike the Kevin Boss situation last season.  It would certainly be nice to have him back in the fold.  But I can understand if Jerry Reese doesn't meet his price.  The truth is, he's actually expendable as the Giants have created depth at the position since Plaxico Burress' departure.



The Giants also now need someone in the backfield to replace Brandon Jacobs and more importantly, give Ahmad Bradshaw's feet an occasional rest.  Brandon Jacobs was cut by the team.  They could not agree on a new reduced rate deal.



As goes the Giants' Offensive Line, so goes the running game.  Last season, Jerry Reese started it's reconstruction.  Center Shaun O'Hara and Guard, Rich Seubert, were both released prior to the season. That leaves David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie, and Chris Snee, remaining from the Giants' former record setting front five.  I think Kareem McKenzie had one on his best seasons as a pro.  And together with Chris Snee, the right side of the Line provided the Giants' running game with the most daylight.  David Diehl was to moved to Left Tackle again.  He was dependable enough for albeit short yet consistent yardage on the right side.  And as always, his pass protection was dependable.   But the three Linemen are getting up in age, and will soon be meeting the same fates of their former team mates.



The question is, how much attention will Jerry Reese pay to the Line this off-season?  In addition to eventually having to move on from Diehl, Snee, and McKenzie, and without knowing for sure if he will return, I believe the Giants should take a pass on Will Beatty moving forward.  He missed most all of last season with an eye injury.  Kevin Boothe suits me fine at Left Guard.  It's at Center where I'm concerned.  David Baas turned in a season that wound up a little less than advertised.  And I also think he's undersized for the position.  But he was last season's big free agent pick up.  And with him signed, I guess Jerry Reese will concentrate elsewhere. However, I would like Jerry Reese to re-explore acquiring more depth at Tackle-Guard for either side, or Guard-Center.  Mitch Petrus supplied some surprisingly inspired Line work last season and helped open up the running game somewhat when he received playing time in David Baas' absence.  But at the moment, he is all the depth we have.  And then there were none....





ON BRANDON JACOBS BEING RELEASED:


I have spent much time fending off Jacobs' detractors; not because I was any great fan of his, but because I thought he was being misused.  Because he absolutely abhorred the Media, I also knew he never quite knew how to deal with them.  They often flustered him, or just pissed him off.  Thus he was made to look bad and was vilified at times as a result.



But he was always a very good, supportive team mate, and always respected Tom Coughlin.  He always had respect for this organization.  And after winning his second Super Bowl with the only organization he's ever known, the man was humbled.



He gets it.  And we should too.  When it came to matters of Football, he was always a professional, so to speak.  He took over Tiki's job without any pomp or braggadocio on his part.  He just worked quietly and let Tiki Barber implode.  Then for a few years, he went on to become a Destroyer of Wills.  What criticisms he drew for holding out in a contract dispute, or say Helmet Gate, or some ill-spoken words directed at the fans, should have long been forgiven for giving back what he originally held out for, and helping the Giants financially in the age of non-guaranteed contracts.  Forgive him for accepting his secondary role behind Bradshaw.  And for doing so with not only class, but his dignity in tact, as he had nothing but encouragement for his team mate and friend, and never gave the Coach a problem about it.



Did you see him after the Super Bowl during the locker-room celebrations?  Did you see him in complete appreciation of the moment standing along side John Mara and his Mom?  Brandon Jacobs knows what it means to be a Giant.  He's relatively undeserving of the impression of him the Media has led many to adopt.



Instead, in saying goodbye, say thank you for chipping helmets, and for helping us win two Super Bowls.  Think and say, thank you, and we appreciate you for being the N.Y. Football Giants' All Time Rushing Touchdowns Leader.  Give him that, and let him run off to daylight with it.  Don't let him leave off on bad terms like Tiki did.  Remember him as the 2-time champ, and the BULLY!, that he was.  I defy a fellow Giant Fan to tell me he or she didn't appreciate how Brandon Jacobs responded to the Dallas Cowboys.  And tell me you weren't filled with a sense of vindication and satisfaction when he told Rex Ryan where he could go, or what he could do with his Big Green self.



In any event, his time is over now.  And for GM Jerry Reese, it was the right thing to do.





DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING:


Cornerback Terrell Thomas, sorely missing from action last season, was also re-signed by GM Jerry Reese.  I just hope he can finally stay on the field this time.  Aaron Ross still remains unsigned at Corner.  And as Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have indeed been playing together for some time now, Jerry Reese may need even more of an overhaul of the Secondary than initially meets the eye.  Injuries have hampered this unit extensively; not to mention stunting the overhaul Reese initiated, or thought he initiated, most recently with Amakumara.  Depending on the Aaron Ross outcome, this unit should still be able to put together one more solid season as is.  They deserve their fair share of credit for some of the complete break-downs in coverage last season.  But Coach Fewell deserved a chunk as well.  Once they ditched zone, things ironed out.  They always tackled well and coverage vastly improved as the weeks went by.



The Giants Safeties are a different matter.  Free agents have served to plug these holes in recent years.  And I guess I should be giving Antrel Rolle more credit than I have.  But the Giants clearly need reinforcements here, and are officially in need of at least one replacement.  My hope is Kenny Phillips comes back to have a stronger 2012-2013 season than this last campaign.  Overall, they played well enough against the run, and were sure tacklers.  But they lost too many receivers lined up in the slot.



Other areas the Giants need addressed, either during the free agency period, or in the coming Draft, are Linebacker; Linebacker; and Linebacker.  Linebacker has been an issue for two; near three; solid seasons now.  Michael Boley ended the season superbly.  But the differences in the Defense with and without him in the game and healthy, were like night and day.  Jacquian Williams had himself a fine rookie season.  And Mathias Kiwanuka remains The Hybrid.  But injuries depleted the Giants of any depth heading into the season and were forced to be overly reliant on their rookies.  The Giants were behind the 8-ball from go, as Jonathan Goff and Clint Sintim were both lost to season ending injuries before ever getting started.



I trust Jerry Reese will handle all these matters, and those regarding the salary cap, while still resigning some more of our own key players, smartly.



Let's Go Giants!




Mike.BTB

N.J. Devils ~ Brodeur; 650 and Counting

NEW JERSEY DEVILS:

Martin Brodeur (here after win #552) in first game at MSG

after breaking Patrick Roy's record of 551 All-Time Career Wins.

Pic - BTB

Martin Brodeur Reaches Win #650,

Continues to Add to His All-Time NHL Records.

2011-2012 Season

#626    #627   #628   #629   #630

#631   #632   #633   #634   #635

#636   #637   #638   #639   #640

#641   #642   #643   #644   #645

#646   #647   #648   #649

3 Seasons; 20 Wins

5 Seasons; 30 Wins

8 Seasons; 40 Wins*

*Most Recently 2009-2010

NHL ALL-TIME WINS LEADER:

#650

March 11, 2012

vs. PHILEDPHIA FLYERS

4-1

18 Saves

#2 All-Time - Patrick Roy; 551

ALL-TIME SHUT-OUTS LEADER; GOALIE

#117

February 7, 2012

vs. NEW YORK RANGERS

1-0

30 Saves

#2 All-Time - Terry Sawchuk; 103

Martin Brodeur 2011-2012 Regular Season

A/O March 14, 2012

49 Games

25 WINS

18 LOSS

.906 Save %

2.42 GAA

Twelve regular season games left.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

6th Place - Eastern Conference - 85 Points

Mike.BTB

N.Y.Mets ~ Wilpon Takes Strike Two From Judge

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Judge Tells Wilpon to Step Up to the Plate and Deliver.



The Saul B. Katz Dilemma is now a serious problem.  For the second time, a judge has issued Fred Wilpon a major setback.  First, a judge ruled to expose the Wilpons to a sum of up to $83 million dollars in questionable profits as part of any settlement or outcome.  In the latest development, instead of putting the onus on Irving Picard to convince a jury the Wilpons knowingly withdrew illegal profits from Bernie Madoff's ponzi-scheme, in a pre-trial ruling, a judge placed the burden of proof on the Wilpons to prove they weren't willfully pocketing ill-gained returns from a crook.  It's not the ruling  Fred Wilpon was hoping for.  However his big chance to prove himself begins on March 19th.



He'll now be relying more than ever on his old friend; Sandy Koufax, who also lost money to Madoff; as a character witness.  Irving Picard is opposed to Koufax testifying on Fred Wilpon's behalf arguing the Hall of Fame pitcher is a ploy to influence the jury.  To that I say - Of course he is!  This just tells me we're about to enter the world of the absurd.  And what I mean by that is, I have a sense all the testimony we'll hear, will come off as comical.  When corrupt CEO's (Enron, MCI, etc..) get caught, and subsequently grilled, they always sound unabashedly and unashamedly naive: just like Bill Clinton sounded when he got embroiled in his mess.  And that's not a joke either.  It's just that for the rest of us jaded hard working people in life, "they" always manage to insult out intelligence as well.



Of course, this is purely speculative and wholly opinion on my part.  But I will also add, I believe the Wilpons have a monumental task ahead of them and not because of any financial reasons and not because I think they might be crooks or something insidious like that.  We do know this much - the Wilpons have never been forthright with us; the fans; regarding the financial health of the club, or ownership's ability to afford it's daily operations since the scandal broke.  We know this because we've experienced it.  Meanwhile, all we've been told as recently as this off-season, is that all is well.



When it comes to the fans, over the last two years, all the leaked information and reported evidence points to the Wilpon's lack of openness and fair disclosure concerning ownership's plight.  Their plight, is in effect, our plight.  Had they taken a different tact with the paying public, perhaps they'd have more sympathy from them today.  But we relied on those news leaks for information because our owner withheld what he knew over a considerable period of time.  Thus a symbiotic relationship; this particular one between owner and fan; deserved more respect than the fan received.  Opening Day will be here shortly.  And in the 50th Anniversary season of the Mets, the owner/fan relationship is unceremoniously compromised.



Fred Wilpon will now have to convince a jury he's telling the truth about those steady and healthy investment returns it was the Family's good fortune to reap.  Maybe what we don't know won't hurt us, and that was Mr. Wilpon's concern all along?



Good luck with that.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks ~ Another Flagrant Foul

From the desk of:   DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

NEW YORK KNICKS:  I Blame James Dolan For Everything Wrong With the Knicks.  Period!



We are going to take this slowly and methodically making sure we give proper credit where it's due, and making sure the blame for this disaster which is the Knicks falls on the proper head.

First off, thank the soon to be Brooklyn Nets, Mikhail Prokhorov, the Billboard Wars, and the construction of Barclays Center for the haste in which James Dolan has acted with regard to renovating Madison Square Garden and signing both Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.



Consider this.  Without Commissioner Stern interceding, and based on the relationship between Dolan and Thomas as we knew it then and still understand it today, there's a distinct possibility Isiah Thomas could still very well be in charge of James Dolan's organization today.  Commissioner Stern practically forced James Dolan to hire Donnie Walsh as the team's General Manager and Team President.  In addition to doing miraculous things to change over the roster and get the Knicks back under the cap, Donnie Walsh also hired Mike D'Antoni to be the Knicks' Head Coach.



With the Nets representing direct competition within the city limits starting this coming Fall, Madison Square Garden needed stars on its' roster again.  Donnie Walsh positioned the Knicks in time to partake in the LeBron James sweepstakes.  But LeBron took his talents to Miami, so the Knicks settled, and took a chance on Amare even without being able to insure his contract.  The supporting cast Donnie Walsh put around Amare Stoudemire prior to the Melo trade was a breath of fresh air; the freshest air to blow through the Garden in ten years.  At a minimum, they made Knicks Basketball fun, and the Garden a hot place to be again.



With Donnie Walsh already having put the Knicks back in salary cap order again, opportunity struck the New York area when Carmelo Anthony became available during last season's trade deadline.  And that's where everything went awry for the Knicks all over again.  There were strong indications Melo was about to accept a trade to the Nets before the Lock-Out changed the terms of potential contract value.  When Carmelo Anthony became available, the Billboard Wars against the Nets were already at a fever pitch.  Mikhail Provhorov's highly aggressive ad campaign was clearly having it's affect on their future cross-city rivals.  James Dolan had a hard time keeping up with the Nets' tactics, and so the Knicks hastened some of their own newspaper pullouts, and billboards of their own.  But the Nets won those battle most decisively, and still are.



Now consider that at the same time, James Dolan never wanted Donnie Walsh here.  Dolan couldn't and wouldn't deal with any Commissioner appointed executive running his team.  He still wanted Zeke, and even had Thomas lurking in the halls behind Donnie's back, and also kept a direct line of communication between the two open at all times.  Thomas even played a part in the failed courtship of LeBron James.  What was always clear, Dolan never hesitated to overstep Donnie Walsh, when for the ten years prior, James Dolan never meddled in Isiah Thomas' affairs even once.  As a matter of fact, James Dolan never had to worry about his empire until threatened by the proposed West Side Stadium.  It was Dolan who took the lead and successfully opposed that project.



James Dolan knew the Garden needed stars again because the Nets were coming.  With little respect for Donnie Walsh's appointment in the first place, James Dolan trampled over his de-facto General Manager, and gave Denver everything they wanted in return for Carmelo Anthony.  It was clear the owner wanted the deal done post-haste.  But it's well believed Donnie Walsh would have negotiated a better deal than Dolan brokered, and would have not left the remaining roster depleted of talent and depth.



James Dolan took the lead in that deal from start to finish.  Donnie Walsh was made to obediently agree with everything Dolan said at the press conference to announce the trade.  And just a few chairs down, the look on Mike D'Antoni's face was that of incredulity.  Coach's face screamed - Lord Help UsMe with Carmelo Anthony.  It was plainly evident, D'Antoni's body language was not in agreement with the deal.  I myself have never been a Carmelo Anthony fan, and was never in favor of the trade.  You can look it up.  My position has always been - putting this team into the hands of Carmelo Anthony was a huge mistake.  But right now, why, is not important.



Coach D'Antoni was made to take on the Stephon Marbury era head on, and by benching him, end it.  He did that, to the joy of many Knick Fans.  But he was also forced to coach an under-staffed team, and a roster undergoing complete renovations.  None of that should be put on Mike D'Antoni.  But the team's performance with Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler on the floor, should.



I did exactly what Donnie Walsh asked of us.  I gladly gave the Knicks two seasons of amnesty.  Starting last season, Mike D'Antoni was back on the clock again.  Prior to the Melo trade, and during the stretches Melo was injured since the trade, the Knicks flourished.  With him on the floor, they have struggled mightily.



Now..., I believe a coach needs to take stock of his team and coach to their strengths.  If you insist on implementing a system your players can't grasp, manage, or handle, it's incumbent upon the coach to come up with another plan.  Instead, Coach was pulling one way, and his stubborn players were pulling in the opposite direction.  Something has to give.  Clearly communication broke down.



How would you have liked to have been D'Antoni though?  He had to compromise himself when Donnie Walsh gutted the team.  He was tasked with ending the Reign of Starbury.  He was made to sit like a stooge during the Melo press conference.  He was given a player who was clearly contrary to everything D'Antoni preaches as a coach.  Then he was clubbed over the head with the hiring of Mike Woodson to be THE Defensive Coach of the team.  Imagine that - a two headed monster. -  A monster sewn together like Frankenstein, by the hands of Dolan, and given to D'Antoni to train.  I would have quit too.



But did Mike D'Antoni really quit?  It's hard to say.  How often to coaches quit their posts?  Did Stan Van Gundy quit in Miami?  No, that was a coup by Pat Riley.  Pat Riley - He was the guy who quit the Knicks via fax.  But he legitimately quit.  Stan Van Gundy?  How about his brother Jeff?  Remember him?  He quit the Knicks too.  I didn't realize there was an abundance of coaches who quit their jobs. And somehow, many are related to the Knicks.  But only two respected coaches have quit the Knicks since James Dolan assumed ownership.  And that's two too many.



Take that Commissioner!  If indeed Mike D'Antoni and James Dolan reached a "mutual agreement", or if Dolan did in fact fire him, the end result is still win/win for Dolan.  The Knicks owner has already effectively dismissed Donnie Walsh, and now goes Mike D'Antoni; the Commissioner's Choice's appointee...    James Dolan has finally freed his team of the Commissioner's influence as far as he's concerned.  We should officially be afraid again.



Mike Woodson is the interim Head coach for the rest of the season and the Knicks are still without a genuine General Manager.  Glen Grunwald is the make-believe GM for the moment.  But we all understand, with James Dolan, he means nothing.



But at the end of the day, Mike D'Antoni was not right for this team.  I would not have brought him back beyond this season.  I do not even believe he was the best coach in town.  I think Avery Johnson is better.  And I pointed out something Coach Johnson said after Deron Williams dropped thirty-eight points against the Knicks the last time they met.  In the post-game Coach Johnson said (paraphrasing):

... if the Knicks switched up and tried covering Deron Williams with a forward, that it was his (my) job to make sure he got a guard back on Williams. Coach said he was responsible for making that adjustment, and that the onus was not on Deron Williams to adjust to the defense on the floor.

Then the Knicks got blown out by the Spurs.  Greg Popovich got ejected that game.  I'm not sure exactly why, but Coach Popovich flipped his lid and was disgusted with his team.  You can be sure it was done for a reason though.  He's done that before.  And when you've coached that team for as long as he has, you do that sometimes if it gets their attention.  If I'm thinking like a coach, I'm a big proponent of berating your team when things are going well too.



I didn't hear or see that chess-like intricacy from Coach D'Antoni like Coach Johnson talked about.   And I didn't see a Knick Coach being the alpha-male with his stars like Gregg Popovich is with his stars.   On countless occasions I've seen Popovich rip into Tony Parker, and especially his big man Tim Duncan.  But of course we know that Duncan is complicit in Popovich's plan to get everyone to fall in line.  Avery Johnson even did it with Nowitski in Dallas.  Point is, I did not see Coach D'Antoni employing such tact with his stars; namely Carmelo Anthony.  Nor would Carmelo allow himself to get dragged down in some nefarious plot by the coach to motivate his players - at least not Melo and D'Antoni - not together - and certainly not now.



For the moment, James Dolan is firmly in control of his empire again.  He's a capitalists, which means he's free to run his enterprise into the ground if he wants to.  The Knicks are in the state of disarray they find themselves, I believe, chiefly due to the machinations of one man.  That man is James Dolan.



What now?






Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Bring on Sid the Kid

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS




NEW YORK RANGERS:   What Three Game Losing Streak?The Last Four Points Set Up Blueshirts Nicely for Showdown Versus Pittsburgh.

Bring On SID the KID!

In a long season, short term goals matter.  Getting four points in two games to begin this crucial home stand mattered.  And now, halting the March of the Penguins matters.

TUESDAY NIGHT FINAL

Carolina Hurricanes   2

Brad Richards Line    4

Richards;  2 goals, 1 assist

Gaborik;  1 goal, 2 assists

Hagelin;  1 goal, 2 assists

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1) - New York Rangers    95 points

2) - Pittsburgh Penguins  89 points

With Pittsburgh winning nine consecutive games, the Rangers had to win their last two in a row at home.  Otherwise, Thursday's night's showdown against the Penguins could have been for a share of first place in the Atlantic Division.  The Eastern Conference ramifications as we know, were and still are far worse.  In my last post I left off saying if the Blueshirts could just beat the Islanders and Carolina, we'd be fine heading into the Penguins game.  And well, they did that in exciting fashion against the Islanders, and in a convincing manner over the Hurricanes.

After giving Brad Richards a Chris Drury-like critique, the Ranger centerman has been nothing but money just as the team needs him most.  And not incidentally, what's not to be happy about Richards  shutting me up with four goals in those two games?  Overall, in the absence of the Ryan Callahan, the line of Richards, Gaborik, and Hagelin, have been brilliant.

They need to be.  Pittsburgh has the Rangers squarely in their cross-hairs.  The Penguins have risen in the standings almost totally without the services of Sidney Crosby this season.  Ivgeni Malkin stepped up his game and has played like a beast in his absence.  And now the Kid is coming back again.  Sidney Crosby will be making his second NHL debut this season at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers and Penguins have met four times this season.  The Rangers won the early season battles.  Pittsburgh has taken the last two.  Both teams are 1-1 at home.

Short term goals go a long way.  By winning the first two games of this homestand, a loss to the Pens would still keep the Rangers four points ahead with twelve games left.  And that in no way should be construed as being defeatist.  It's called in-season management.  One of their new goals should now be to make sure we take one of the two games remaining against Pittsburgh.

Keep it simple.

Mike.BTB

N.Y.Mets ~ Doctors Swing and Miss Again

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  3,487 Days of the Same Old Stuff, and Counting.



Eh..., What's Up Doc?  No really.  What's up?  Why is another Met injury being RE-EVALUATED?  And why does this cycle continue?



In the name of Dr. Moreau, will someone please explain to me how I can get a medical degree before Opening Day, so I can help the Mets with their ongoing health care problems myself?  Instead of just complaining about it, as you see, I'm willing to take a more active role in my favorite team.  It's not like I can do any worse.  The foot bone is connected to the ankle bone - Learn how to open child safety caps - and have a good billing clerk.  How hard can it be?  To think, these doctors go through over a decade of school to learn their craft.  Did we get the stoners of the class?



If the Mets haven't been getting their medical issues so wrong, for so long, I wouldn't have to say things like:

Welcome to Day Three Thousand Eight Hundred Seven of

The AGE of WILPONianism.

On August 24, 2002 - Fred Wilpon secured Nelson Doubleday's 50% stake in the team.  We've been shackled in the grip of WILPONianism ever since.

One of the hallmarks in this era of ponderous futility has come via the Mets' history of repeated medical misdiagnoses, questionable practices and policies, and in-fighting over treatment.  Even more problematic than those issues, has been the great deal of indecision on the part of team doctors.  A word of caution - That's if we take things at face value.

When you're the owner, you're going to get Wilpon this and Wilpon that.  So being he's nothing more than a pinata to us right now, let's get to talking about how this Medical Staff has now baffled not one General Manager; not two General Managers; but THREE General Managers under the Wilpons.

In the case of Jim Duquette, there is no case for Jim Duquette.  Fred Wilpon never allowed him to act like a General Manager.  What Fred said in those days was law.  That went for injuries, insurance, cortisone shots, and band-aids as well.  In the case of Omar Minaya, in the earlier years of his reign, no one was interested in mocking his command of the English language.  But towards the end, I believe the Media perhaps enjoyed cornering Omar Minaya into tongue-twisting situations that demanded explanations, such as the constant flow of controversy surrounding the Mets' on-going ailments, injuries, and continuing mishandling of them all.  The Media caught Omar off guard with Beltran-Gate and made him pay a severe price for it, as if relishing in the moment.

Over the last two seasons, the Medical Staff has even succeeded in making Sandy Alderson; a vastly intelligent, and very well spoken person; sound like a babbling fool.  At times, even he is at a loss for words when he has to change stories on a near daily basis and is forced to backtrack on previous player diagnoses.

For us Fans, this is old hat.  For Sandy Alderson, he's now a victim of the Machine too.

Why is David Wright going back to New York now? - Now being the key word.  And why can't these guys ever figure things out the first time around?  That said, last season, rumors floated about contract issues and insurance policies influencing some of the Mets' recent decisions.  I don't know what the problem is and rumors are just that, - rumors.  But if it's not the owner; if it's not the General Managers; and it's not a case of malingering players; what could possibly be the problem?  These are supposed to be renown doctors.  What are we supposed to think?

Mike.BTB

BKN Aviators ~ The Long Bus Ride Home

From the desk of:   THE SKATES OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN AVIATORS:  Say Goodnight Gracie.  The Fat Lady Sings.



By any standard, or at any level, the Brooklyn Aviators and Danbury Whalers just concluded a great playoff series.  The Federal Hockey League can be proud of this one, for the circuit supplied local hockey fans of Brooklyn and Danbury with three superb games.  And in return, both teams and the league experienced good nights at the gate.



Last season, the A's needed all five games plus two overtime periods to advance past Danbury in the opening round of playoffs.  In the recently concluded regular season, the A's and Whalers split ten games down the middle.  In this year's post-season, Danbury was the third seed, and Brooklyn entered as the four seed.  And with two of their three games going into overtime, this last series only reinforces how close these two teams will remain.  The Whalers get to advance now.  And for Flatbush, it's time to close the Hangar doors on another season.

Federal Hockey League Playoffs

Game Three Final:

BROOKLYN AVIATORS   4

DANBURY WHALERS       5

OVERTIME

I - DNW 5; BKN 4*

II - BKN 5; DNW 2

III - DNW 5; BKN 4*

*overtime

Danbury wins series 2-1

1000 Island Privateers Defeat Akwesasne Warriors 2-1

ROUND TWO

DANBURY WHALERS

vs.

1000 ISLAND PRIVATEERS

All Flatbush could muster were three shots on goal throughout the entire third period.  Josselin St. Pierre faced fifty-one shots in the game and made forty-six saves.  You can't find fault with that.  The A's Tweeted and described the Whalers' game tying goal in the third period as "fluky".  Then came overtime.  And well, with no second chances, there is only one outcome that satisfies.  It's a hard way to end a season.



The game was almost a replay of Friday's game.  It was a back and forth affair, with each team taking turns at a run.  In game one, a last second goal sent them into overtime.  In game three, it was the dreaded "fluke" goal that extended the game.



In quick fashion, the Whalers jumped out to a very early 2-0 first period lead.  Goal number one came at 1:07, and goal two followed at the 3:27 mark.  But unlike game one when Danbury took their 3-0 lead into the intermission, Brooklyn responded this time and matched goals.  At 4:28, Joe Dabkowski answered back with Brooklyn's first goal.   At 5:38, Jason Dolgy answered back with Brooklyn's second goal.  And that's what they took into the first intermission this time.



Brooklyn kept things hot in the second period.  At 6:57, Casey Mignone scored on the power play when Danbury got whistled for a 'Too Many Men' bench minor.  Rob Schweyer followed with Brooklyn's fourth goal (unassisted) of the game at the 9:57 mark for a 4-2 Flatbush lead.  Then back came Danbury.  Greg Holt scored at 18:57 to bring Danbury within one again.



For the first 11:59 of the third period, Josselin St.Pierre fended off shots while Brooklyn mustered too few.  And then, one Danbury shot trickled by.  One of Danbury's leading scorers, Sean O'Malley, was credited with tying the game at four apiece.  Brooklyn finished the third period unable to put any kind of pressure on Peter Vetri.  And so into overtime they went.



Sean O'Malley wasted little time in dispatching the Aviators to their bus and starting the long ride back to Brooklyn.  He scored the game winner, and the series clincher 1:54 into the extra session.





It was a great season guys.  Can't wait to start things up again in the Fall.  Have a great Summer and thanks for the fun.

Mike.BTB

LIU Blackbirds ~ #16 Seed in West; Will Play #1 Michigan St.

From the desk of:   THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

LIU's full page from Sunday's 3/11/2012 New York Daily News

2011-2012

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Round of 64

WEST REGION

#1 - Michigan State

vs.

#16 - LIU-BROOKLYN BLACKBIRDS

From,

COLUMBUS

LIU-BROOKLYN BLACKBIRDS:  Go West Young Men!

There are several things Brooklyn does well.  Bagels and egg creams come to mind.  Another thing we do very well is relish the role of underdog.  We totally get that.  So being seeded #16 in the West is probably more in line with how things are around here, and that's just fine with us.  We are bred to know it's an urban jungle out there and that only the strong, the quick, and the brave survive.  And I can't help but think, after spending a few years in Downtown Brooklyn, the out-of-state players on LIU; like Julian Boyd; understand and have come to embrace that by now.  He comes from Texas where they like everything BIG.  Over here, we just like it and want it all.

If the #16 Blackbirds plan on flying through to Phoenix, they'll need to beat #1 Michigan State in Columbus in the Round of 64 first.  As per today's tabloids, Coach Ferry thought the team should have been seeded slightly higher.  But Julian Boyd stated the team brought this seed on themselves.  He pointed out some early season losses as to a reason why the Blackbirds didn't garner more respect.  I will point to that dreadful blow-out loss to Monmouth which ended the regular season.  It came a game after clinching the NEC regular season title.

None of that matters now.  LIU is in the Dance.  If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.  Regardless of what happens from this point forward, thank you to the LIU-Brooklyn Men's Basketball team for another exciting season.  And congratulations on winning your second consecutive NEC Championship.  The fourth largest city in America is behind you and wish you well in this year's NCAA Tournament.

GO LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY BLACKBIRDS!

GO BROOKLYN!

GOOD LUCK!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ The Money Shot

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

SUNDAY NIGHT FINAL

New York Islanders   3

New York Rangers    4

Overtime

Rangers win THE RIVALRY Series 4-2

N.Y.R. ~ NINETY-THREE POINTS

#1 - Eastern Conference

#1- Atlantic Division

#2 - Overall NHL

Fourteen Regular Season Games Remain

NEW YORK RANGERS:   #19 Answers the Call..!

There's the regular season, and then there's The Rivalry.  As a fan, I like for both to have their own identities.  This was perhaps one of the best games I attended all season.  The night was a back and forth affair and the crowd was electric the whole time.  Falling behind to the Islanders on three separate occasions was never more entertaining; not in a long while at least.  I won't lie.  The fact that we needed two points in a slightly desperate kind of way, made the recurring Ranger comebacks just a little sweeter.



The last thing the Rangers needed was to start a seven game home stand with a fourth straight loss. That it could have come against the Islanders means little at this point.  But make no mistake, any win against the Islanders is a great win.  And I won't be spending any time down playing the fact we beat our weaker rivals from Nassau County.  On Sunday, they were good enough, and skated fast enough, to win this game.  At a minimum, John Tavares and the Isles gave the Blueshirts all they could handle.



Sunday, Henrik Lundqvist did some pretty amazing things between the pipes.  The box score will say he gave up three goals on only nineteen Long Island shots on goal.  But I was there and I'm telling you he saved the game for us once again.  He also helped his own cause offensively when he assisted on his first Ranger goal of the season.



Something else that struck Ranger Fans as amazing was the team's proficiency on the Power Play.  They scored on three of six opportunities.



On the flip-side, I'd like to know what Mats Zuccarello was doing on the penalty kill?  And while I'm at it - I'm sorry, but Ruslan Fedotenko needs to throw his body around a little more.  He's a smart and very solid hockey player and I know that's really not his game.  But he had numerous opportunities to take out his man and separate him from the puck in the defensive corners, and didn't; and thus allowed the play to continue in the Rangers' zone.



But let's get to the meat and potatoes of this last game.  In my last post, I finally called out Brad Richards by name.  It's something I've been reluctant to do.  But with teams getting better all around us, the Rangers needed more from the free agent center than we've been getting.



Among some things I said regarding Richards:

".....let's go ahead and ask now; - Is Richards finally going to come through and become the big name, high priced, free agent center, SLASH, scorer, the Rangers have spent an inordinate amount of years and money in search of? Because if he's not, it's time we stopped pampering him. If he's not going to be that player for us, when do we start calling him out for what he's been, which has been nothing more than a healthier version of an inconsequential Chris Drury.

Chris Drury's failure on Broadway is what helped precipitate the Rangers' youth movement in the first place. So in that respect, all hail Chris Drury. But praise futility at your own expense. Brad Richards came here under far different circumstances. He was expected to be a game changing player for us. We don't need any more savvy veterans who lead young kids by being a good guy. We need a player who's going to take his Captain's lead, and be a threat skating by his side."

Okay..., maybe that was a bit much.  But I don't take it back.  Brad Richards hasn't been nearly as inept as Drury was; healthy or not.  But we had reasonable cause to expect a little more from the centerman.  He's been skating a thin line between being a steady contributor and being deserving of getting dumped on.  So call yesterday a preemptive strike on my part.  Look what I did for you, Ranger Fans.  I motivated Brad Richards.  That's how I do.  I'm a man of the people.



But in all seriousness, Brad Richards provided some very crystal clear answers to some long simmering questions everyone has had about him; even Torts.  He was brought here in part, to improve and lead the power play.  Against the Islanders, he scored twice with the man advantage, and has now finally broken the twenty goal mark.  His first goal was virtually unassisted.  Lundqvist and Mats Zuccarello touched the puck briefly behind Henri's net.  Then from the back line, Richards skated up ice and took care of the rest.  He tied the game at one with a booming shot from the high slot.  When the Islanders jumped back out to a 2-1 lead in the second period, Richards tied the game again in the second period with assists from Gaborik, and Zuccarello's second.  Brad Richards would go on to assist Marian Gaborik's game winning OT goal; which incidentally was the Rangers' third power play goal of the evening.



On a night the Captain was sidelined with a screaming foot and the Rangers in need of a big win, Brad Richards stepped into the lead role, led the power play, and scored big goals when the Rangers needed someone to play big.  He skated, passed, shot, and scored like a star last night.  When trying to prove a point, hyperbole can only get one (me) so far.  Sunday night, Brad Richards was money.  Far from being Chris Drury, Richards was the player we've all been kind of waiting for, and really wanted to see.



Most importantly, the Rangers got two more points.  The Penguins won Sunday as well.  The Blueshirts have the Carolina Hurricanes next.  If we can secure two points against them, we'll be in  good shape heading into Thursday's game against Pittsburgh regardless what the Penguins do.  Two more points against the Canes will at least give us a little breathing room heading into that game, and coming out of it as well.  We play the Penguins two more times.  We need to win one of those.  More and more, it's looking like the Atlantic Division will be decided on April 5th, when we travel to Pittsburgh in the second to last game of the season.  And we all understand what losing the division title will do to our Eastern Conference standing and home ice advantage.



That said, we'll be needing more money shots from Brad Richards.  Here's a look at Sunday's from my view in Section 417.  I sensed it coming and had my phone at the ready.

Let' Go Rangers!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ N.Y. Islanders; The Rivalry - VI

From the desk of:   RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY - VI

NYR Lead Series 3-2

I - Oct 15; NYI 4  -  NYR 2

II - Nov 15; NYR 4  -  NYI 2

III - Dec 22; NYR 4  -  NYI 2

IV - Dec 26; NYR 3  -  NYI 0

V - Feb 24; NYI 4  -  NYR 3*

* Shoot Out

 

New York Islanders

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

From,

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

33rd Stree at 7th Avenue

NYC

 

NEW YORK RANGERS:   What!?  Me Worry!?

For the first time this season, the Blueshirts have lost three regulation time games in a row.  Additionally, New Jersey was the first team to defeat the Rangers three times by administering them a 4-1 physical pounding on March 6th.  In the Rangers' very next game, Ottawa became the second team to accomplish the feat when they also pounded out another convincing 4-1 win over the Blueshirts.  Then came that unfortunate game against the Chicago Blackhawks.  Of the last three games we've played, that was the game I wanted most.  For me, it was one of the more deflating losses of the season.

Suddenly the view from the top is getting a little more crowded and a lot more perilous.  Teams are getting better all around the Rangers while they keep put-putting around.  Pittsburgh is just on a flat-out tear.  Philadelphia has a goalie who can stop pucks again.  And with a win over the Islanders Saturday night, the Devils are still winning too.

There are fifteen games left in the regular season.  And don't look now, but the drop from first place in the Eastern Conference to fourth place is only four points away.  If the Penguins over-take us in the Atlantic Division, it's chutes and ladders for the Blueshirts.  Pittsburgh just happens to be playing their best hockey of the season right now while the Blueshirts are just now stumbling into a down turn in fortunes.

Brad Richards finally scored a goal though.  But then again, it came in the final minute when Coach pulled Henrik for the extra skater against Chicago.  So let's go ahead and ask now; - Is Richards finally going to come through and become the big name, high priced, free agent center, SLASH, scorer, the Rangers have spent an inordinate amount of years and money in search of?  Because if he's not, it's time we stopped pampering him.  If he's not going to be that player for us, when do we start calling him out for what he's been, which has been nothing more than a healthier version of an inconsequential Chris Drury.

Chris Drury's failure on Broadway is what helped precipitate the Rangers' youth movement in the first place.  So in that respect, all hail Chris Drury.  But praise futility at your own expense.  Brad Richards came here under far different circumstances.  He was expected to be a game changing player for us.  We don't need any more savvy veterans who lead young kids by being a good guy.  We need a player who's going to take his Captain's lead, and be a threat skating at his side.

Nothing is going to change about this team.  We know who we are.  And so leave the playoffs alone for a moment.  We are about to start a run of seven consecutive games at home.  The name of the game for right now is winning points.  Let's beat the Islanders and get two points.  Then lets beat the Hurricanes and get two points before the Penguins come to town.  And then we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  What will help us most between now and next Thursday..., is points.  Keep the points on our side heading into that game.

Are you worried?  Don't freak out yet.  Let's see what playing at home does for us first.

That is all.  See you at the game.

Mike.BTB