N.Y. Islanders: Garth Snow's Critics Laying Low

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

LOCAL STANDINGS

N.Y.I.   19-7-0    38 points

N.Y.R.  11-9-4    26 points

N.J.D.   10-12-4  24 points

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: In his eighth season as general manager, Garth Snow might be the metropolitan area's junior executive next to Lou Lamoriello and Glen Sather, but he's presently doing the best job.

Although Garth Snow inevitably came up empty in the Matt Moulson trade, no one is harping about Thomas Vanek these days (unless you're a bookie that is).

At the time, the previous year's playoff series against the Penguins left many greatly anticipating the team taking another giant step forward in 2013-2014.

However, the team had obvious shortcomings on defense and in net.  Not only did the trade delete John Tavares' popular line mate, Vanek addressed neither issue, which caused many fans to find a place on the fence.

We know Snow's gamble failed to pay off.  The Islanders were unable to overcome a poor start, and did not qualify for last season's playoffs, and Thomas Vanek moved on to sign a free agent deal elsewhere.

In a different town; a different situation; perhaps the net-gain zero trade of a very popular player, and failure to make the playoffs adds to unemployment figures.  However, the continuing post-Milbury reconstruction under Charles Wang has been a very forgiving process.

If nothing else, Garth Snow showed some poblanos, chalking the trade up to - nothing ventured; nothing gained.

Fair enough.

To that point, Snow had already put together a young, fast, and physical team, that was capable of scoring with consistency.  Perhaps a chance to retain a veteran player of Vanek's caliber was worth a shot.   As an impending free agent himself, it would have been far more difficult to maximize a return on Matt Moulson through another team, lest we forget Buffalo was the NHL's most highly motivated seller.

Then what?

This last off-season, Garth Snow very smartly shored up his defense, and vastly upgraded his goalie situation.

For the moment, perhaps no single acquisition indeed shines more brilliantly than goalie Jaroslav Halak.  In exchange for a 4th round draft pick, I'd say Garth Snow did well.

In Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Senators, Halak, 29, earned a franchise record 11th straight victory, breaking the mark set in 1982 by Billy Smith.

Although he only ranks 19th in the NHL with 18 starts, he is t-3rd with 3 shutouts, t-4th with 14 victories (14-4), 7th with a 2.05 GAA, and 8th with a .926 save percentage.

On Saturday night, he'll have the opportunity to face his former team, the St. Louis Blues, whom seemingly had no use for Halak, yet presently find themselves desperate in net and earlier this week signed Martin Brodeur.

Playing in front of Halak, the former Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy, and former Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk, have repainted the Islanders blueline.

Nick Leddy, 23, is presently playing up to expectations, and (IMO) still packed with offensive potential.  This is a trade I feel will only get better as the season progresses.  Quite frankly, I don't know what Chicago was thinking.  Meanwhile, in addition to the size and presence he brings to the ice, Boychuk is off to the best start of his career.  In 26 games the two have combined on a +9, with 25 points.

No Moulson; no Vanek; no problem.  Garth Snow and Coach Capuano unleashed Brock Nelson this season, and the young 2nd year center is responding.  He is on the power play, his overall minutes are up, thus he's benefiting from increased shot opportunities.  In return, he has 7 PP goals, and a team leading 12 goals, and is tied with John Tavares with a team leading 23 points.

All this so far has contributed to the Islanders NHL leading 19 victories this season.  They enter Saturday night's action in sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division, and trail Tampa by one point for the conference lead.

Not incidentally, those who widely criticized Snow's lack of experience over the years are now laying low.

In his eighth season as general manager, Garth Snow might be the metropolitan area's junior executive next to Lou Lamoriello and Glen Sather, but he's presently doing the best job with the least resources.



Mike

PIGSKIN 2014: Football Sunday ~ Week Thirteen

PIGSKIN

Football Sunday

Week Thirteen

RESULTS:

Week One 

Week Two 

Week Three 

Week Four 

On Vacation 

Week Six 

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten
Week Eleven
Week Twelve

Scoreboard:

Thanksgiving Day:  3-0

Overall Record:  73-67-2

Schmear of the Week:  6-5

BAGELS in the Basket:  +7

Coin Toss:

Heads - Ray Rice plays again this season; Tails - Ray Rice does not play again this season.

1st and Ten:

In defeating the Cowboys, Mark Sanchez avenged himself of the Butt-Fumble, and has his Eagles soaring sky high in first place (while his former team remains in a nose dive).  Speaking of which....

No Gain:

The truth is out; Rex Ryan had no shot this season.  There's a question of sabotage to ponder.  Rex is still Jets head coach because of Woody Johnson.  But with this week's revelation of John Idzik's true intentions, one can now look back at the off-season and more confidently assume the GM indeed hoarded potential free-agent money in full knowledge he was committed to canning the wildly popular coach before the season even started.

3rd and Long:

Long live parity - in 3rd place of the amateurish NFC South, the 3-7 Carolina Panthers still have a shot to win their division.

PUNT!

Roger Goodell's administration...


Week Thirteen:
Friday Line - NYDN



Giants +3 (JAGUARS)
Tom Coughlin's homecoming; it's finally time for the Giants to break this damn losing streak.
WIN; 25-24 Jaguars


COLTS -9 1/2 (D.C. Hogs)
The Hogs are in turmoil, and RGIII is benched.  Daniel Snyder would be better off if the media revived the "change the team name" rhetoric.
WIN; 49-27 Colts


TEXANS -7 (Titans)
No one cares, but at least Houston still has something to play for.
WIN; 45-21 Texans


BILLS -3 (Browns)
The Bills plowed through a good Jets offensive line last week like they were wet toilet paper.  I'm going with the momentum.
WIN;26-10 Bills


RAVENS -5 1/2 (Chargers)
Two good defenses, but the Chargers can't run the ball and Baltimore can, and will.
Loss; 34-33 Chargers


Bengals -3 1/2 (BUCS)
Even the Masters Of Letdown should manage this one.
Loss; 14-13 Bengals


Raiders +6 1/2 (RAMS)
...because when you're hot, you're hot.
Loss; 52-0 Rams


STEELERS -4 (Saints)
I actually like the Steelers, big.
Loss; 35-32 Saints


VIKINGS -3 (Panthers)
A very disappointing season in Carolina is going to get a little bit worse.
WIN; 31-13 Vikings


Cardinals -2 (FALCONS)
The Cards are 1-1 in Carson Palmer's absence.  But even Drew Stanton should be able to pull this one out.
Loss; 29-18 Falcons


Patriots +3 (PACKERS)
Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady cancel each other out.  New England's corners are better.
Loss; 26-21 Packers


CHIEFS +2 (Broncos)
A banged up Broncos defense will allow the Chiefs to do enough.
Loss; 29-16 Broncos


Schmear of the Week:
Bengals -3 1/2
LOSS


Gutten Appetit:  Are you kidding me?  What's on your Football Sunday menu?

Good luck, and have a Happy Football Sunday everyone.


Post Game:
Thanksgiving Games:  3-0
Week Thirteen:  5-7 (8-7)
Overall Record:  81-74-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-6
BAGELS in the Basket:  +5



Mike

PIGSKIN 2014: Thanksgiving Day Special

PIGSKIN

Week Thirteen

Thanksgiving Day Special

I'm thankful we're only playing for BAGELS.  I had a disastrous Week Twelve, posting a 2-10 record and losing the Schmear for a total loss of 11 Bagels.

Scoreboard:

Week Twelve Record:  2-10
Overall Record:  70-67-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-5
BAGELS in the Basket:  +4

WEEK THIRTEEN:

Wednesday Line/NYDN

LIONS -7 (Bears)

When I was a kid, the rule was never bet against Detroit on Thanksgiving.  But that was a long time ago.  They've been consistent losers for well over a decade now.  Despite a 7-4 record, they're the worst offensive team in their conference, and one of only five NFL teams with under 200-points scored for the season.  Fortunately for the Detroit Kitties, the Bears defense is very generous.  On the other side of the ball, the Lions have one football's most formidable defenses, and I'm banking on them holding off the Bears.
WIN; 34-17 Lions

Eagles +3 (COWBOYS)

Somewhere in this match-up between Tony Romo and Mark Sanchez lies a joke.  I just can't pinpoint it.  (Or, maybe the joke's on the Giants.)  But, with both teams sporting 8-3 records, this NFC East battle for 1st place will be entertaining to say the least.  Romo's (back injury) durability immediately comes to mind, which begs the question - can the Eagles affect his early departure?  The Eagles will certainly blitz more often than the Giants did.  I say the Eagles sell out against the Cowboys potent running game, and make Romo work for his money (or throw INT''s).
WIN; 33-10 Eagles

Seahawks +1 (49ERS)

Last week I thought the Cardinals would exact their revenge (against the Seahawks) for not making last year's playoffs.  Seattle wound up limiting the Cards (w/o Carson Palmer) to just 3 points.  After both the Niners and Seahawks stumbled out of block this season, the defending champs seem to have gotten more of their act together than the Niners have.  And now that Seahawks players appear to be bonding in their collective rebellion against the NFL, and making it rain fine fees, look out - bad guys comin' through.  In truth, the Niners are playing just a shade better than the Lions, meaning, despite their 7-4 record the 49ers are largely underachieving.
WIN; 19-3 Seahawks

I'm thankful for all our county's combat veterans, 

and for the men and women presently serving in our Armed Forces 

whom find themselves in harms way on this national holiday 

away from their homes, family, and friends.

Mike

N.Y. Islanders: Sweep Pair From Penguins; Grab Share Of First Place

From the desk of:  BROOKLYN's FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

Metropolitan Division

Penguins   13-4-2  28 points

Islanders   14-6-0  28 points

New York Islanders: Saturday Night Fever In Uniondale!

Last Saturday in Tampa, the Islanders suffered a 5-2 defeat in the front end of a home-and-home series against the Lightning.  On Tuesday, the Long Islanders exacted their revenge upon the Bolts with a 5-2 victory on home ice.

On Friday, the Islanders opened a home-and-home against the Metropolitan Division leading Penguins in Pittsburgh.  The last time the Isles visited Pittsburgh on October 18th, they lost by a 3-1 margin.  This time they outlasted the Pens in a 5-4 shootout.

The Islanders reengaged the Penguins Saturday evening in Uniondale.  After Ivgeni Malkin opened the scoring with a 1st period goal, Matt Martin tied the game in the 2nd period.  The Isles then dominated the Pens during a 3-goal 3rd period to gain a 4-1 final, and a series sweep.

The Islanders essentially arrested Sidney Crosby, who managed just one SOG, and lost 60% of his face-offs.

The Isles out-shot Pittsburgh by a 71-58 margin over the two games.

Brock Nelson continues to reward Garth Snow, this time with his 10th goal of the season.  Matt Martin's only 2 goals this season came during this series.  John Tavares closed-out Saturday's scoring with his 8th of the season.

With 1 goal in 2 opportunities, the Islanders power play is now operating at 20.2% efficiency, and has scored in 11 of their 20 games this season.

The Long Islanders won playing physical hockey as well.  Travis Hamonic mixed it up early with Steve Downie, whom continued to goon it up throughout the game, specifically with a dirty hit on Hickey.  And as the 3rd period wound down, Hamonic let Pitt's Zack Sill know he wasn't putting up with any last minute crap either.

In his last two starts, goalie Jaroslav Halak has posted victories over the Penguins and Lightning.  In gaining his 9th win of the season Saturday night, he made a short-handed save, two saves on the PK, and stopped 24/25 even strength shots.  He has now won 6 straight, and started 7 of the Islanders 10 games this month.

In Friday's game, back-up Chad Johnson made his 7th start of the season and earned the shoot-out victory in Pittsburgh.

This latest victory gives the Islanders 8 in their last 9 games, and more importantly, earned them a share of 1st place in the Metropolitan Division along with these same Pittsburgh Penguins (whom have a game in hand).

Lastly, the TV guys said this is the New York Islanders best start to a season since the 1987-1988 campaign.

In 20 games this season, they only have losses against Toronto and Winnipeg to atone for.   Otherwise, the Islanders have racked up impressive victories over the Rangers, Sharks, Bruins, Ducks, Kings, Lightning, and now a pair against the Penguins.

The Islanders have also seemingly straightened out their penalty kill.  In October they killed-off 22 of 33 power plays, for a poor 66.6% rate of effectiveness.  In November, they have so far killed-off 23 of 28 power plays, for a vastly improved 82.1% rate.

That said, the Islanders are starting to get things done in all aspects of the game.



Mike

N.Y. Giants: Cowboys Bringing Familiar Smash Mouth Style To Sunday's Game

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

It was a nice run, but the party has been over.

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: The Cowboys Running Game Is A Reminder Of What The Giants Used To Be.

The Giants head into Sunday night's game against the Cowboys low-riding a five game losing streak.

After the Giants loss to Niners, Coach Coughlin and particularly Ben McAdoo said three goal-to-go plays weren't all designed to be fades; it just worked out that way.

Okay.  But what we got were three consecutive fade plays nonetheless, and a tipped ball interception on 4th down.  That's what I'll remember most about last week.  It's a sorry state, because I remember a day when the Giants basically telegraphed the run, then dared you to stop them.

That's why you lift all those weights!  Run with power.  -  BP

In any event, wasn't this new offense supposed to resemble Green Bay's?

Newsflash - not with this offensive line.  I wouldn't trust them in a tailgate pick-up game.

An inability to create daylight, while allowing constant pressure on the quarterback are what losing seasons are made of.

Sunday, I suspect the Dallas Cowboys will keep possession and control the clock behind their new offensive line and DeMarco Murray's rushing.  I could be very wrong about that (considering the Giants played the Cowboys well last time they met) but I seriously doubt it because we've watched that formula work here for decades.  Plus, the Cowboys just happen to have the 2nd top running game in football.

The Giants head into Sunday night's game low-riding a five game losing streak.  At this point, there's little to nothing the Giants can do to turn their season around, which is too bad because Perry Fewell's defense finally played a solid game against the 49ers.  But, that said, apparently holding the Niners under 20 points this season has been somewhat easier to do than in seasons past.  Besides, one good performance out of ten should not save Fewell's job.

This all means the Giants strayed from this organization's core values, and that it's high time for John Mara to rethink everything.

In the Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning era, Giants Football been about passing the ball, and having a strong defensive line/pass rush.  It's been a hit or miss approach - Super Bowl or big busts.

Previously. Giants football was traditionally predicated on defense (featuring a Pride of hungry linebackers) and running the ball with power.

There was a name for that style.

It's high time they rediscovered it, and brought that brand of football back home.



Mike

PIGSKIN 2014: Football Sunday - Week Twelve

PIGSKIN

Football Sunday

Week Twelve

RESULTS:

Week One 

Week Two 

Week Three 

Week Four 

On Vacation 

Week Six 

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten
Week Eleven

Scoreboard:

Week Eleven Record:  4-8
Overall Record:  68-57-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-4
BAGELS in the Basket:  +15

1st and Ten:

That's the NFL for ya.  The Chiefs were fresh-off beating the Seahawks, and could have taken a share of 1st place, but LOST to the Raiders!   On that note, damn those Raiders for not winning their first game of the season on a Sunday.  I would have picked against them..., but hey..

2nd and Short:

All of a sudden RG3's time in D.C. seems short.

No Gain:

The Player's Association...

PUNT!

It's hard to disagree that every team in the NFC South sucks, and is in second place until notified otherwise.  However, (I'm not going to say which) I read an article in some prominent city tabloid suggesting the NFL should realign due to the NFC South.  To that I say, Fire The Author!  How reactionary, knee jerk, and friggin typical!!!   Should we start handing out participation trophies as well?  Idiot.

WEEK TWELVE:

Friday Line ~ NYDN

***Jets +1 1/2 (BILLS)***

****This Game Is Off My Board****** - Lake effect weather is one thing; what happened in the Buffalo area is entirely something else.  The last thing they need is a football game.  My thoughts are with my fellow Empire State denizens.

Cowboys -3 1/2 (GIANTS)

Perry Fewell's defense actually showed up last week.  It was the offense that was so inefficiently bad. Flip a coin as to which unit shows up this week, and the other side of the ball is sure to suck.  The Giants are an inconsistent team, and that's what inconsistent teams do.  The Cowboys offensive line is healthy and strong.  Nuf ced.
Loss; 31-28 Cowboys

FALCONS -3 (Browns)

I tried giving the Browns some respect last week and they spit in my face.  After five straight losses, the Falcons are suddenly.....hot?  Whatever - will some team please take control of the NFC South?
Loss; 26-24 Browns

Titans +11 (EAGLES)

Would you trust Mark Sanchez with 11 points?
Loss; 43-24 Eagles

PATRIOTS -7 (Lions)

The freakin' Lions were limited to 6 points by a stout Cardinals defense, but only allowed Arizona 16 points.    I don't know what that means, but the Lions are not going to outscore the Patriots.
WIN; 34-9 Patriots

Packers -9 (VIKINGS)

Why does Las Vegas tease us like this?
Loss; 24-21 Packers

Jaguars +14 (COLTS)

Tough break for Ahmad Bradshaw; he was the Colts running game.  They're one dimensional now which gives the Jags a good chance to cover.  That's all that matters, Baby!
Loss; 23-3 Colts

TEXANS -2 (Bengals)

The Cats manhandled the Saints in the Dome last week, while the Texans wiped out the Browns in Cleveland.  Both desperately need to win.  The smart money is on the Bengals, right?  That's precisely why I'm going the other way.
Loss; 22-13 Bengals

Bucs +5 1/2 (BEARS)

This is a very wishy-washy selection; I would pick against both teams were it not for playing each other.  I'm thinking Bears by a field goal?
Loss; 21-13 Bears

Cardinals +7 (SEAHAWKS)

This is it - The Showdown.  This is the first time these teams meet this season.  The Cardinals remember how disappointing missing the playoffs last year was.  They've been on a mission since.   The Cardinals will refuse to lose on Sunday.
Loss; 19-3 Seahawks

Rams +5 (CHARGERS)

Ah hah!  The cat is out of the bag; Phillip Rivers has been playing hurt.  That explains much.
Win; 27-24 Chargers

BRONCOS -7 (Dolphins)

Have to give props to Miami's defense this season; they're the real deal.  Any more points and I would have swung the other way.  Hard to go against Peyton at home.
Loss; 39-36 Broncos

49ERS -9 (D.C. Hogs)

Criticism for RGIII is mounting, and considering what the Bucs did to the Hogs last week, be on the lookout for another lame D.C. performance.
Loss; 17-13 Niners

Ravens +3 1/2 (SAINTS)

...because I still believe the Ravens are the best team in their division, and the Saints insist on being inconsistent. Ooooops!  Monday Night; off the board.


Schmear of the Week:  (6-4)
49ers -9
LOSS


Guten Appetit: Have to make room in the freezer and fridge for Thanksgiving Day stuff.  That means I'll be making various foods that shouldn't necessarily hang out together.  However, this is an opportunity to experiment with my own version of waffles and chicken. So what's on your Football Sunday menu?

Good luck and have a Happy Football Sunday everyone!


Post Game:
Week Twelve Record:  2-10
Overall Record:  70-67-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-5
BAGELS in the Basket:  +4



Mike

N.Y. Giants: Tiki Barber Fumbles Yet Again

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning have won two Super Bowls together.

Even Michael Strahan won a Super Bowl because he conformed to the program.

Tiki Barber?  No Super Bowls for you.

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: I guess it was just Tiki Barber's time of the month...

Thank you Tiki for all the rushing yards gained as a member of the Giants.  As a fan, we had good times together.  Otherwise, shut up.

On the radio the other day Tiki Barber said he never disparaged Coach Coughlin.

Well, what do you call lashing out "we got out-coached" immediately following a playoff loss to the Panthers; a 23-0 shutout playoff loss to the Panthers in which the offense was limited to just 132 total yards, while he himself only accounted for a mere 41 of those yards.

But Tiki had nothing to do with that, did he?  It was all Coughlin's and Eli's fault.

Everything about Tiki's last two seasons was disparaging towards Coach Coughlin - the head coach who cured Tiki's massive fumbling woes!

• 10 year career; 32 career fumbles; 19 lost.

Tiki Bitter didn't have nice things to say about Coughlin or Eli then, and apparently still has nothing terribly supportive to say regarding either, or the Giants present situation today.

If somewhere in the darkest recesses of his delusional mind, he's trying to be some modern day Frank Gifford, someone please tell him he's failing miserably.

He lost his job to Brandon Jacobs; then unceremoniously retired but not before disrespectfully announcing his plans mid-season; then the Giants won the Super Bowl....and another.

So what's the problem?

Apparently, Gary Meyers is his problem.

What, did Tiki Barber go on the radio this week just to be a bitch?




Mike

My Latest for Rising Apple: Who should the Mets backup outfielders be in 2015?

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

Who Should The Mets Backup Outfielders Be For 2015?


Previously:

Rookie of the Year: Mets Hits and Near Misses

Mike
senior staff writer/Rising Apple

Brooklyn Nets: Bad Just Got Worse

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop

BROOKLYN NETS: Rift between Coach Hollins and Brook Lopez widening; team's downward spiral continues; and don't look now, but here comes Jason Kidd!

Joe Johnson's attempt at a preemptive kick in the ass has seemingly resulted in a major case of team indifference.

How else do you describe it?

New coach; new players; I get it.

Not really; not to this degree.

The graffiti is spray painted on the brick wall.  Three games on the west coast proved how vulnerable the plodding Nets are to small line-ups.

Three games; three losses.  They played well at times, but not well enough, and clearly not long enough.  They played in spurts; the Brooklyn Spurts.

In Phoenix, the Nets were up by as many as 19 points, and took a 63-49 lead into halftime.  Then their shooting soured; they only shot 27.5% in the 2nd half.

But in truth, the game changed on a dime when the Suns imposed their style in the second half.  The Nets still led 84-78 after three quarters, but the defense took the rest of the night off as the Nets were outscored 34-20 in the 4th quarter en route to a 112-104 defeat.

Joe Johnson manned-up with 21 points, and Kevin Garnett posted a double/double with 12 points and 10 boards.  Mirza Telotovic and Brook Lopez chipped in with 16 points each, but all Lopez could manage was 3 rebounds.

Making a Point:

• Eric Bledsoe - 18 points, 3 assists.  Isaiah Thomas - 21 points and 2 assists off the bench.
• Deron Williams - 14 points and 5 assists in 34 minutes.

The Brooklyn Spurts were at it again in Oakland against the Warriors.  They jumped out to a 36-32 1st quarter lead, but trailed 66-54 at the half.  They played to a 3rd quarter stalemate, and the Nets even outscored the Warriors 24-20 in the 4th, but the damage had already been done.

Brooklyn's lack of interior defense was all too clear, allowing Golden State 50 points in the paint, and getting outpaced on fast-break points by a 30-9 margin.

They also got out-rebounded, and trailed Golden State 30-19 in team assists.

The Nets shot a sub-par 43.8% from the floor, and suffered through 3/16 from beyond the arch.

They ultimately fell 107-99, and failed to score 100-points for only the 2nd time this season (until....)
All 5 Warriors starters scored in double digits.

For this game, Deron Williams' standard of measure came against Steph Curry.

Making a Point:

• Stephen Curry - 17 points and 5 assists in 32 minutes.
• Deron Williams - 18 points and 5 assists in 33 minutes.
• Jarrett Jack scored a team high 23 points off the Nets bench.

The city of Portland provided yet another let down.  Poor shooting that began in Phoenix, and worsened in Oakland , bottomed out against the Blazers.

The Nets only scored 15 first quarter points, and shot an abysmal 39.3% for the game.  And if you can imagine it, the Nets 3/16 three-point experience against Golden State worsened, as the Nets connected on just one of 19 attempts from beyond the arch in Portland.

They were also out-rebounded, and handed out less team assists yet again.  Adding insult to injury, Portland played minus two main cogs; LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.

Making a Point:

Damien Lillard - 28 points and 10 assists in 38 minutes.

Deron Williams - 19 points and 6 assists in 37 minutes.

That doesn't even begin to tell the story.  When Deron Williams wasn't getting defensively switched off Lillard, the Portland point guard was lighting up Williams like a roman candle.  More, Steve Blake stepped in with another 7 assists off the bench.

You would have thought the next best place for the Nets should have been home.

But in their first home game back at Barclays Center on Monday, they encountered a quiet, apathetic crowd.  The Nets responded in kind with a lethargic effort against the LeBron-less, Wade'less, and generally undermanned Miami Heat.

On this night, all Flatbush could manage was 83 points.  Their best effort came in the 2nd quarter when they scraped together 22 points, but were held to just 19 points in the final quarter en route to a 95-83 defeat to the Heat.

How's this for a downward trend:

• 104 points versus Phoenix
• 99 points versus Golden State
• 87 points versus Portland
• 83 points versus Miami

And how's this for Making a Point:

• Mario Chalmers - 22 points and 5 assists in 34 minutes.
• Deron Williams - 14 points and 7 assists in 35 minutes.

Throughout this time, the relationship between Coach Hollins and Brook Lopez continued to deteriorate even further.

....All since Joe Johnson tried administering the team a swift kick in the ass, remember?

Next:

On Wednesday evening, Jason Kidd and his Milwaukee Bucks come to Flatbush.  This will be the first meeting between clubs since Jason Kidd was jettisoned out of Barclays for attempting a coup d'etat.

This will also be the first time these clubs meet since Mikhail Prokhorov and Kidd served and volleyed through the media.

I don't know that a Brooklyn crowd will let bygones be bygones, and give Jason Kidd a well deserved ovation for being the best Nets player of all-time.  Obviously, New Jersey isn't across the continent, but it wasn't Brooklyn Jason Kidd led to back-to-back Finals appearances.  There's the rub.  How much of Kidd's playing history gets lost on Wednesday night's crowd remains to be seen.

In Empire State fashion, however, he just might get the Benedict Arnold treatment one might argue he deserves.

Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Lightning Strikes MSG

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Former Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan Scored Two Goals In Return To MSG

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Time May Have Come To Promote Dylan McIlrath.

I swear I watched a bunch of girl scouts lash out over the (clean) hit Dan Girardi sustained from Ivgeni Malkin!  I saw a lot of grappling in the corner, but not one punch.

You just can't let hits like that go unchallenged.  It's not that I want someone to get a black eye.  It's just that teams have been taking advantage of the Rangers for two seasons now, so I guess this is welcome to season three.

It's painfully obvious the Rangers do not have the type of player to police the ice; Glen Sather ensures that.  I blame him.  Things like Colton Orr and Brandon Prust, and Sather's feeble attempts to correct his folly with Donald Brashear and Derek Boogaard come racing into my brain!

With the Lightning in town Monday night, I was also reminded of Glen Sather's inability to manage the salary cap.

About Monday....

Without even trying to be physical, Tampa showed once again how soft the Rangers can be.

I watched Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucjerov set camp in front of Henrik Lundqvist and play a leisurely game of tic-tac-toe for Tampa's opening score.

Then I watched Ryan Callahan easily shove Dan Girardi completely out of position and score a power play goal to give Tampa a 2-0 1st period lead.

• The Rangers have 7 PP goals this season; Callahan has 2; just saying....  Callahan even pushed around MatsZuccs at one point, because everyone can, and does.

After a mindless neutral zone turnover by Rick Nash resulted in a breakaway goal by Steven Stamkos, the Lightning had their 4th potential goal of the evening waived off after literally pushing Lundqvist clear out of his crease.  No Bolts player received even so much as a dirty look.

Shortly thereafter, I watched Palat and Johnson again, with Alex Killorn blitzkrieg their way to an unhindered 4th Tampa goal.

The 5th Tampa goal was not a garbage time goal; it was just a garbage goal.  Two Rangers defensemen (who shall remain nameless) failed to matriculate the puck from behind their net, much less initiate an effective breakout.  Ryan Callahan swooped in to arrest the puck, and scored his second goal of the evening, capping off a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden.

Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos are now tied with 12 goals each this season, with the difference being Stamkos plays with Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle, and has his team in first place with a 13-4-2 record, while Rick Nash now plays with Martin St. Louis, whom together have helped the Rangers achieve an inconsistent 7-7-4 record.

Teams like Columbus and Toronto have already shown what happens to the Rangers when games really get physical.

In summary, the Rangers are playing soft, ineffective defense.

They can potentially improve their strength, size and presence in front of Henrik Lundqvist, while at the same time perhaps adding a measure of toughness in other scenarios.  Perhaps it's time to promote Dylan McIlrath again - and this time, for good.

McIlrath, 22, is listed at 6'5" and 220 lbs.  He would instantly become the Rangers biggest   defenseman, and arguably their most physical.

What could it hurt?  In his absence, perhaps a lot.




Mike

N.Y. Giants: There's More Chatter Because Games Are Failing To Matter

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

The 2014 Giants are ill prepared to play their part in this great rivalry.

TODAY

San Francisco 49ers

vs.

NEW YORK GIANTS

from

Giants Stadium

NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL: A victory over the 49ers is always pleasing to Giants fans.  At least we'll have that to root for.

The Giants have been engaged in a month long battle against defeatism, and appropriately enter today's game with a slim-to-none chance of reviving their season.

They are losers of four straight, and are tied with the D.C. Hogs for last in the NFC East.  They've scored the least amount of points within their division, and have allowed the most.

The 49ers are perhaps more desperate for a win,  For them, the Cardinals remain in their sights, and now with the loss of Carson Palmer I'm sure there will be a renewed Niners effort to play more consistent football.

Both the Giants and 49ers have struggled equally on offense this season to the tune of 195 points (21.6 ppg) in nine games.  It's on defense where the 49ers hold a distinct advantage heading into Sunday, by their own merit, and because the Giants remain handicapped by Perry Fewell.

He has made a mockery of Big Blue's long tradition for playing defense.  These days, they play like Smurfs.

With no pass rush to speak of, Fewell still refuses to blitz.  And so an already confused secondary is   made to look like Keystone Cops for having to maintain lengthy coverage, and thus making superstars of nondescript receivers.

Of course, it gets worse.  If Fewell is committed to pass rushing solely with the front four, then how the hell does one explain the Giants ranking dead last in the NFL against the run?  Look no further than the Giants linebackers.  In the second half of last week's game, they looked like they wanted no part of the Seahawks.

This week, however, the defensive coordinator promised better results.

Ponderous!

When guilty participants additionally have to pledge support for their beleaguered defensive coordinator, and key players such as (free agent to be) Jason Pierre-Paul start speaking apathetically about their future with the Giants, you know things are going awry in the land of Giants.

Simply put, there's increasing chatter because more and more, games are failing to matter.

Tom Coughlin deserves his share of blame as well, for his own diminished performance.

When he assumed control of the Giants, he did so in a loud, abrupt, disciplinary manner.  In his opening presser he denounced penalties and injuries as evil.  Today, the Giants have devolved into the team he took over long ago, with nary an angry word or grunt from the head coach.

A Giants victory this afternoon would only improve their record to 4-6, with 6 games remaining.   Two of those are against the Cowboys and Eagles.

Sandwiched between those two games are four potential soft spots in the schedule:

• Jaguars (1-9)
• Titans (2-7)
• D.C. Hogs (3-6) 
• Rams (3-6)

At best, the Giants can accomplish too little, too late, just like last season.

I guess they better get busy then...

Mike

N.Y. Knicks: The Shots Heard 'Round The Garden

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Losing Streak Hits Seven

NEW YORK KNICKS: Derek Fisher Might Be Retired From Playing, But He's Still Quick On His Feet.

....and then the losing streak reached seven,

but just barely.

For a fleeting moment, Melo's game tying 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left in the game was the biggest shot of the Knicks season, that is until Trey Burke nailed his own last second, game winning, buzzer beating 2-pointer from the far corner to give Utah a 102-100 victory at a silent Garden.

The Knicks played without the still missing Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani, a resting Amare Stoudemire, and Iman Shumpert (who injured his hip in the opening minutes of Friday's game).

Yet, they managed 100 points for the first time this season.

Perhaps that's why Coach Fisher was so giddy afterwards when speaking with the media.  I call it smartly getting away with putting up a strong front after blowing a very winnable game.

The last minute of play was indeed thrilling.  As Coach Fisher put it - that was New York City out there.

He's right; the crowd was electric and Melo was on fire.

And there's the rub....

In truth, Friday's game looked a lot like something from last season, which is a bad thing.  Just ask Tim Hardaway.  It was a regression back to Melo Ball - when an inept team put the ball in his hands and hoped for the best.

The obligatory thrilling finishes might be good for ticket sales, but not much else.

Carmelo Anthony scored 46% of the Knicks points, and pulled down a team high 7 rebounds while his mates predominantly stood around and watched.  That also explains why Melo also made 16 attempts from the stripe while the rest of the team combined on just four free throws.

The Knicks collectively watched Utah shoot 51.4% from the field, and bury 10/22 from beyond the arch, while also allowing them 42 points in the paint.  You can't let a team have it both ways; certainly not the Jazz, man.

Utah additionally blocked eight shot versus just one for the Knicks, whom also got out-rebounded by a 39-31 margin.

Wait, there's more:

Once again, the Knicks suffered from poor ball distribution (regardless who's in the line-up).  The Knicks only had 15 team assists (vs. 25 Jazz) led by Shane Larkin's four, and Pablo Prigioni's three.   The Knicks two point guards at least combined on 20 points in support of Melo.

J.R. Smith, not so much.  He was not the second best Knicks player on the floor the way he should have, especially after Shumpert's departure.  Smith scored 9 points in 21 minutes off the bench, and was defending Trey Burke during the game winning shot.

Coach knows his best player scored 46 points and they still lost.  He knows they recovered from a faulty 1st quarter to build a 72-65 3rd quarter lead, but blew the game with flaky defense particularly in the paint.  He also knows the Jazz never once double-teamed Melo, thus allowing the Knicks to hang around in the first place, and that J.R. Smith failed to step up and make a difference.

So when the media failed to pounce with their post-game opening line of questions, Coach Fisher was able to preach how inspiring the undermanned effort, and the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden were.

Quick thinking Coach.

Of course, we see right through it.

Nothing short of personnel changes will help this team.  That's why Friday night brought back memories.




Mike

PIGSKIN 2014: Football Sunday - Week Eleven

PIGSKIN

Football Sunday

Week Eleven

RESULTS:

Week One 

Week Two 

Week Three 

Week Four 

On Vacation 

Week Six 

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine

Week Ten

Scoreboard:

Week Ten Record:  7-4
Overall Record:  64-49-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-3
BAGELS in the Basket:  +22

Coin Toss:

• How long before the NFL joins the NBA's policy of glasnost with regards to gambling?

1st and Ten:

• In one of the worst division races of recent memory, the Saints, Falcons and Panthers are all vying for 1st place with losing records.

No Gain:

• The Raiders are on the verge of going 0-10.
• Patriots favored by a field goal in enemy territory?  No respect for the home team?  No such Luck?  I agree!  Nyuck nyuck nyuck.

3rd and Long:

• What a terrible break for the Cardinals.  Carson Palmer is out for the season.  The Cardinals still have a good defense, but the question now is whether Drew Stanton can protect Arizona's West Division lead.

Punt!

• I still want to know how Vegas knew the Jets would funk up the Steelers last week.

Week Eleven:

Friday Line ~ NYDN

GIANTS +4 (49ers)

All 3 Giants victories came against sub .500 teams, and they're among the worst defenses in the NFL. But four points is hard to turn down.  Now that Perry Fewell is feeling the heat, he just might come up with something creative, and with Rashad Jennings back to provide the illusion of a running game, the offense should make a few connections.   Plus, coast to coast trips suck.  It will be 10:00am for the Niners.  There's also every chance this pick is from my heart.
Loss; 49ers 16; Giants 10

BROWNS -3 (Texans)

The Brownies have won three in a row and clearly have the better defense.
Loss; Texans 23; Browns 7

Vikings +3 (BEARS)

The Week XI Toilet Bowl - what can you say about two bad teams?  Booooo!  Otherwise, the Bears score slightly more, while the Vikes allow far fewer points.  Go with defense and the home team.
Loss; Bears 21; Vikings 13

PACKERS -5 1/2 (Eagles)

Say cheese!  Marc Sanchez is finally in a good situation with the Eagles, just not this week in Green Bay (forecast calls for below freezing with chance of snow).  That means the Packers are just waking up.
WIN; Packers 53; Eagles 20

CHIEFS -2 (Seahawks)

The Giants hung with Seattle for a half.  Surely the Chiefs defense (#2 NFL) will be far more disciplined than the Giants were.  Seattle is banged up, so I like the Chiefs at home (where their 12th man is right up there with Seattle's).
WIN; Chiefs 24; Seahawks 20

Falcons PK (PANTHERS)

Part of the NFC South battle no team wants to win.  This game is PickEm because Cam Newton has sucked ass.  The Panthers have lost four in a row, and must be regarded as one of the bigger disappointments of 2014.  Matt Ryan will do just enough to hand Carolina loss number five.
WIN; Falcons 19; Panthers 17

SAINTS -7 (Bengals)

(See above...) The NFC South is still up for grabs and Drew Brees knows it.  A loss, and the Saints are tied with the winner of Falcons/Panthers.  After a tough O.T. loss last week to the Niners, I look for Brees to seize the day at home against the erratic Bengals.
Loss; Bengals 27; Saints 10

D.C. HOGS -7 1/2 (Bucs)

It's hard to make the HOGS look good, but I'm sure the Buccaneers will find a way to make them look quite stellar.
Loss; Bucs 27; Hogs 7

Broncos -9 1/2 (RAMS)

This could get ugly.  With all the kick return opportunities they'll get, the Rams will need touchdowns from their special teams in order to have a chance.  Otherwise, Rams get ball; Rams punt ball.   Peyton Manning gets ball; Broncos score.  Repeat.  Rams defense tires; Broncos increase point total.
Loss; Rams 22; Broncos 7

CHARGERS -10 (Raiders)

But, but..., in their last game the Chargers got their bolts short circuited by the Fish, and, and.., the Raiders are 1,233-2 on the road against the spread....blah blah blahblah blah.  Stop!  The weather is always beautiful in San Diego.  This is going to be a blowout.  Relax.
Loss; Chargers 13; Raiders 6

Lions +1 (CARDINALS)

The Cardinals..., damn, they're still a good team.  This was going to be a defensive battle anyway.   But now..., well..., lions prey on wounded animals; that's just the way it is.  The Pride and their #1 defense smell blood in the air - Drew Stanton's.  One key Stafford/Megatron connection will make the difference.
Loss; Cardinals 14; Lions 6

Patriots +3 (COLTS)
...because Tom Brady gets plenty of sleep and eats right, and because I believe Bill Belichick can befuddle any quarterback.  Everywhere is Revis Island.  I expect turnovers.
WIN; Patriots 42; Colts 20


Schmear of the Week: (6-3)
Broncos -9 1/2
Loss


Guten Appetit: Tacos, tacos, tacos...  Lobster tacos, crab tacos, shrimp tacos, and steak tacos.  Gonna wash those down with Samuel Adams.  What's on your Football Sunday menu?

Good luck and have a Happy Football Sunday..!


Post Game:
Week Eleven Record:  4-8
Overall Record:  68-57-2
Schmear of the Week:  6-4
BAGELS in the Basket:  +15



Mike

N.Y. Knicks: Did The Commissioner Poke The Bear With A Stick?

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

Patiently Waiting On Phil Jackson To Restore That Old School Feeling

NEW YORK KNICKS: Feeling Six And Queasy To Our Stomachs.

To paraphrase - We're really trying hard this year, not like last season - is the way Tim Hardaway Jr. put it.

• Translation - Mike Woodson never stood a chance.  We abandoned his dictates in the time it took us to walk from the locker room to the hard wood.  And why not?  Carmelo Anthony was the alpha of MSG, and therefore player accountability remained nothing more than a theory.   Phil Jackson, however, will delete anyone of us in a New York minute, so we better do what Coach Fisher says.

I wonder what he'll say when his minutes get converted into Jose Calderon playing time.

In Calderon's absence these Knicks have twisted the Triangle into a pretzel.  The Knicks suffer from poor ball distribution and lack of scoring; nine games into the season, they have yet to score 100 points.

Yes, yes, yes... they're learning a new system.  Start spinning of the rolodex of excuses.

Evidently, the commissioner seems to have noticed, and Phil Jackson noticed that the commissioner noticed, and didn't seem all too pleased about it.

Easy there Zen Master....  The NBA commissioner only pointed out what we all already know.  I am somewhat surprised though, Phil seemingly took Commissioner Sterling's observation personally.   Then again, Phil has never been asked to oversee this much dysfunction before.  His sensitivity is understandable.  It goes to show running the Knicks can even make someone practiced in the art of meditation a little schizo.

In the meantime, the Knicks losing streak is up to six games.  The biggest difference between this six game slide and any other slide suffered over the last 15 years, is that finally someone is looking to fire all the players responsible, because as we all know, Derek Fisher isn't going anywhere, and this is after all a rebuilding year.

Right?

On that note, the commissioner might have even done fans a favor by hastening the Knicks president of basketball operations into initiating several savvy personnel changes.




Mike

Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams Facing Big Test Against Steph Curry

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Nets Suffer Deflating Loss In Phoenix

TONIGHT

Brooklyn Nets

vs.

Golden State Warriors

from

Some Left Coast Arena

BROOKLYN NETS: Adversity Has Entered The Building.

Prior to Wednesday night's final in Phoenix, I viewed Joe Johnson's criticisms as a positive; a proactive measure before things got out of hand.  He just also happened to be  right.  Many times the Nets have looked and played like five individuals on the court.

Good for Joe.  He's put in his time.  Johnson has tenure, and produces on the floor (which perhaps resonates most among fellow athletes).

His veteran team mates also backed him up in the media.  What else were they going to do?  But Kevin Garnett indeed seemed all in, and Deron Williams' was particularly succinct with his response.

After a second half meltdown, however, and a 112-102 loss in Phoenix, Joe Johnson's message might have lost resonance.

The Nets took a 63-49 lead into halftime, only to shoot 27.5% in the second half, and get outscored by a 63-41 margin.  Many long faces grew on the Nets bench after watching a 19-point lead eroded by Gerald Green and the Suns

What Wednesday's game accomplished was to reiterate what a plodding half court team the Nets remain under Billy King.  Sure, the Nets shooting iced up as if gripped by the northern vortex, but the Suns sped up the game in the second half and never looked back.

The game also provided another glimpse into the potential rift growing between Coach Hollins and Brook Lopez, who again was given a seat on the bench during key stretches of the fourth quarter.

While Hollins/Lopez is making for good theater, tonight all eyes will revert back upon Deron Williams.  The Nets were undone in Phoenix in part due to late turnovers - Williams included.   Tonight they'll take on the Golden State Warriors - no easy task.

Deron will face his biggest challenge since opposing Rajon Rondo back in the season's opener.  That night, Rondo posted a double/double with 13 points and 12 assists, while Williams scored 19 points with 8 assists.  Tonight, he'll square off against Stephen Curry, who is averaging 26 points per game this season.

Deron Williams entered the season with a chip on his shoulder for having felt written off by most.   He also believes that with two healthy ankles, no one can defend him.  So far, actions have spoken louder than words.  In a sign his duel ankle problems are indeed behind him, Deron's recent efforts earned him NBA conference player of the week honors.  He averaged 21 points and 7 assists in 4 home games at Barclays Center.



Mike