Melo to the Big Apple

Last night a blockbuster trade between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets went down.  All along we knew Carmelo Anthony (the centerpiece of the trade) wanted to go to New York, the question was how (fee agent or trade).  In a multi player deal in which the Knicks gave up three starters in Chandler, Felton and Gallinari, a swingman, picks and cash.  While some might say the Knicks gave up a lot they got a second established star (which is important in a star driven league) and an aging point guard, plus some other pieces.  In the NBA which is a star driven league, if you have a chance to get a star, you should probably pull the trigger.  The Knicks are now in a better position for the long run, they'll probably have to add another piece eventually to win a championship (there are good free agents available in the summer of 2012).  Teams in the NBA done't win with just one star, they win with two or three, the Knicks now have two (Stoudemire and Anthony), is a third on the way, we'll see.  Baring a return to the days where Isaiah Thomas ran the team, the Knicks are now set up for a championship in the feature.  I am on the record as saying the Knicks will be in the playoffs this year and win a championship within five, (2015-2016) some say I am crazy but I don't think so.          

Carmelo saga

This has become a full fledged saga, the distraction as to where Carmelo Anthony is going is effecting all teams in the running to some extent.  The Knicks have stated that this is a distraction and so has his current team the Denver Nuggets.  Carmelo has worn out his welcome in Denver and it looks as if he is going to be traded to one of two places, New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn) or New York.  Part of any deal is going to be whether he agrees to sign an extension, as his current deal is up after the season.  All along Carmelo has said that the only place he wants to play and sign an extension is New York, the Knicks could wait and  see if he stays in Denver then he'll become a free agent this summer, that doesn't seem likely now, it seems an extension will be part of any deal.  New York or New Jersey its up to Carmelo now,  New Jersey has more assets to trade but does Carmelo want to play there, originally it did look like it.  Although New Jersey might have more players to trade, New York might have more talent right now, Denver wants at least two qualified starters back from New York.  As a knick fan I do want Carmelo as he might push us over the edge in to the upper tier of the Eastern Conference,  but at the same time I don't want to mortgage our feature.  If the Knicks were to get Carmelo it would take him time to bond with Admire Stoudmire, our other star and that might take a couple games on a team that is only .500, meanwhile he has already bonded with guys like Felton and Gallinari who would be traded.  I would like Carmelo but at what cost.  It is now up to Carmelo Anthony as to where he wants to go and what the Denver Nuggets think is the best package they can get for him.  Carmelo is apparently mulling things over with the New York and New Jersey owners at the All-Star Game this weekend and then maybe we'll know more.              

spring training outlook

Pitchers and catchers for most of the MLBs 30 clubs have reported and the rest will report in the coming days.  Some position players have begun to trickle in but not all, full squads don't start reporting until Saturday.  Around the league the biggest story of the spring so far is that Albert Pujols did not sign a contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals.  It sounds like Mr. Pujols wants to see what the free agent market brings him, after the season.  On a more local level C.C Sabathia lost weight and Joba Chamberlin might have gained weight, well thats fine as long as it doesn't affect their pitching.  barring a trade (for a stating pitcher) Joba will be in the Yankee bullpen and Sabathia will anchor the pitching staff.  On the Yankees pitching front there is an open competition for the 4 and 5 spots, probally to be filled by either Bortolo Colon or Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova, barring some trade activity.  The only other note worthy thing at this point from Tampa is how Jorge Posada is going to take to being the every day DH.  Russell Martin has been brought in to assume the Yankees everyday catching duties, and he will probally be backed up by Francisco Cervelli, since you don't want to hurt the seasoning of prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine.  Right now the only thing to say on the Mets is how this whole Madoff thing is going to affect the baseball team, we may not know that right away but whether or not they trade Jose Reyes and his expiring contract, during the season might be a strong indicator.  Lots of people have opinions on this and whether or not the Met owners knew or not is irreverent, without getting into all the legal stuff the Met ownership is being sued by the trustee trying to uncover funds in the Madoff ponzi scheme, we don't know exactly when or how much money they need but the Wilpons will have to sell, at least part of their baseball team.

NFL Labor talks

As many of you know the contract between the National Football League owners and players is set to run out in less then a month.  From what I have seen, since I have been watching football the owners very.  Some owners have lots of money and decide to show it, some spend it on their team, some stay afloat, but every owner has a personally of their own and thats usually reflected on their team.  The players have more to lose here than the owners, the players are committed to playing football and providing for their families.  I am not in the negotiating room but the owners have to be fair, not greatly and the players association probably has to loosen up on their demands a little and realize that they got away easy in the last contact.  Player safety, long term player health care (benefits), and an 18 game regular season, are a couple of the important topics on the table this time around.  As a football fan I would love to see an 18 game regular season, I just don't know if its practical in a sport that so grueling and takes such a toll on players bodies.  18 games would mean more football and maybe sift through some of the weaker teams a little better, but it could mean more injuries and stress.  18 games may be in the fans best interest, who probably don't realize just how much of a toll a NFL season takes on a players body, but I don't now if its best for the players.  Thats for the players and owners to hash out at the bargaining table,  the current labor deal expires in early March and although I am optimistic of a deal I don't know if one will get done before the current deal runs out.  I do think a deal will get done because their is just to much to loose by missing NFL games.                      

Super Bowl wrap

The Lombardi trophy came home to Green Bay last night.  The Packers got off to a fast start before the Steelers scored a late 1st half touchdown, and went into the locker room with a 21-10 halftime lead.  Once the Back Eyed Peas did their halftime thing the Steelers gained some momentum.  With the Packers leading 21-17 heading into the fourth, the Steelers had a game changing fumble.  to begin the final quarter the packers took a fumble down for a touchdown to go up 28-17.  The Steelers then took the next drive down for a touchdown and a two point conversion to pull with in three.  The Packers added a field goal and the final Steeler drive fell short, bringing the Super Bowl title back to Green Bay.  All the studying Aaron Rodgers did under Brett Favre paid off, as he broke down the defense and threw great passes all night.  The Packers were able to overcome injuries in this game as well and brought the Lombardi trophy home, with clean chip passing, on more than half of their drives.          

Super Bowl XLV: pick

It is almost time to kick off Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  On Sunday night the weather and all the conversation will no longer matter as we play the game for real.  This could be the closest Super Bowl in recent memory, as these two teams are very evenly matched.
Pick:
Both teams could win the game on sunday but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are hot and I believe the Steelers are vulnerable when they get spread out and Green Bay tends to use 4 and 5 wide receivers a lot and indoors on a fast track they can rack up the yards, as long as they keep an eye on Troy Polamalu who could be anywhere I think the Packers -2.5, will take it.  (Green Bay Packers -2.5, in a close one (something like) 24-21) Green Bay will become the first 6th seed to win a Super Bowl and Aaron Rodgers will become an elite quarterback.            

Andy Petitttte

Andrew Eugene Pettitte decided to retire today rather then play another season.  He seems satisfied with his decision, saying that his arm felt good but he didn't have the drive.  If your hesitating like Andy did, don't go all in especially in baseball its an 162 game season and you have to have the right mentality and grind.  As for the Hall Of Fame Andy has the numbers their borderline but comparable to some pitchers already in, at 240-138, .635, 3.88 ERA and 2251 strikeouts in 16 major League Seasons.  Now when he's considered five years from now the steroid question will come up, since he admitted to using them once in Houston, and no one who has admitted to or been suspected of using steroids has gotten even 50% of the vote.  Now I don't have a Hall Of Fame Vote, but in my opinion he's right on that edge because he is more than 100 games over .500 and people like Bert Blyleven who was voted in this year are barely 37.  In my opinion eventually someone from the so-called "Steroid Era" will get in and why not Andy.  In the meantime Andy leaves a hole in the Yankee rotation for the up coming season as someone will have to step up and fill that void.    

Super Bowl weather

Whats with the weather not only is it cold and blustery in Dallas, Texas where Super Bowl XLV will be held on Sunday but much of the rest of the country was having an ice storm.  I've never been to Texas in February but this is not normal.  As far as the game goes both teams are practicing indoors and the game on Sunday will be indoors, I don't think the weather for this game will be much of a factor.  In three years, the Giants late owner Wellington Mara will get his wish the NFL is bringing Super bowl XLVIII to the New Meadowlands Stadium which is jointly owned by the New York Football Teams. (Giant/Jets)  Super Bowls are normally held in cities with warm climates or stadiums with roofs, the Meadowlands doesn't have either.  As a Giant fan and a New York sports fan in general, I like the idea of hosting a Super Bowl but the average temperature around here in February is 30 degrees and it sometimes snows.  I am excited for this to happen but the NFL better be ready to keep people warm and shovel snow.  I will say New York is more prepared and equipped to handle the white stuff than Dallas is.              

All-Star Games

The NHL and NFL held their annual all-star contests on Sunday, the NBA holds it's game in a few weeks, of course theres the MLB game A.K.A the mid-summer classic.  Lets start with the Midsummer classic, in baseball there is actually history in this game and people look forward to watching their favorite players from around the country.  This game definitely gets the best ratings, maybe because the game is in the middle of the season, but either way it is the best of the All-Star Games.  All the others are not as good but the best of the rest I would say would be the NHL game.  The NHL tries new things like the North America vs. the World or a Fantasy Draft this year (most All-Star games are Eastern versus Western or American vs. National), also the games the night before are fun, like the break away competition, fastest skater, and hardest shot.  This game does get boring after a while since no one plays defense and their are usually a combined twenty goals scored.  the NBA game is pretty boring as I feel a lot of players get snubbed out of appearing, in my opinion the rosters should be expanded for this game to give more guys a opportunity.  The basketball games, the night before and yes even the Slam Dunk contest get old and boring, and the game is very boring no one plays defense and each team scores 120+ points.  The NFL All-Star game A.K.A the Pro Bowl is the most boring not everyone who is voted in wants to go and play, theirs no hitting and no defense because no one wants to get injured,  the Pro Bowl is like grown men playing touch football.