Knicks Vs. 76ers 2/28 Re-Cap

Last night at Madison Square Garden the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 108-103. The game started out terribly for the Knicks as per they were losing 29-11 at the end of the first quarter. While I was watching the game in person I said to fellow writer Josh Jakers, “How can Mike D’Antoni’s high tempo offense only score eleven points in twelve minutes of action?” At that point in the game we were sitting in our seats thinking the Knicks were terrible and that their season was over if they kept playing like that. After that conversation I think we somehow inspired the Knicks because they came out in the second quarter firing on all cylinders making most of their shots. The Garden crowd was back into the game and the Knicks went into halftime 54-37. The Sixers still had a significant lead but the cut into it and showed hope to pull out a win. Then the third quarter came and the Knicks put together an even more dominating performance. At the end of the third the Sixers lead was down to six. The fourth quarter was the Knicks only shot to make a push to win the game and they weren’t able to do it. A key point in the game was when Nate Robinson tried to draw a foul on Thadius Young, however Young backed off and Nate threw the ball out of bounds. That one play turned the whole game around it killed the crowd and the Knicks energy was gone. The Knicks did show promise in the game by having the focus to fight back after being down by twenty points so early in the game. The only problem is that in the NBA the only thing that matters is whether you win or lose. It isn’t high school basketball where as long as you tried your hardest that’s what counts. It’s the National Basketball Association and trying your hardest isn’t good enough unless you win. Many people around New York think that the Knicks can somehow sneak into the playoffs, don’t believe what they tell you. This idea is not possible, the Eastern Conference is very weak but you still can’t be ten games under .500 and get in, it just doesn’t work that way. Don’t get me wrong this Knicks season has showed hope for the future but this year’s team is way to inconsistent to make the playoffs or be a force in the East.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

New York Yankees Offseason Moves

Was it irony or just a coincidence that the year that the New York Yankees are under the supervision of someone other than Joe Torre, they miss the playoffs. That's one question we will never know. Joe Torre had been the man calling shots for the Yankees for the last decade and a half. However, because of the stubbornness of the Steinbrenner family they couldn't bring Joe back to New York for one more season. The Yankees hadn't missed the playoffs in all the years that Torre was manager. The new man the Yankees brought in, Joe Girardi, had coached the Florida Marlins and found success taking a team with practically no payroll and turning them into a relative contender. Girardi's first year in pinstripes was a huge failure for the Yankees. With big time injuries the Yankees failed to make the playoffs in 2008. During the off-season, Hank Steinbrenner made sure that the Yankees would contend in 2009. He spent over 450 million dollars to bring in C.C. Sabbathia, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, A.J. Burnett and many others. Sabbathia, who won the American League Cy Young award in 06, had an unbelievable year for the Brewers last year in the 2nd half. He led the Brew Crew to a rare Playoff birth in 2008. Mark Teixeira, who is considered by many as the best young first basemen in baseball, has put up great numbers in Texas and Atlanta in the past two seasons. In Teixeira, the Yankees have an all-star first basemen for many years to come. Teixeira and Sabbathia are only two of the many excellent players that the Yankees brought in this off-season. In my opinion, the Yankees had one of the best off-seasons in MLB history and for that I have given the Yankees an off-season grade of an A+. Whether this means that the Yankees are going to play like they did in the mid 90's is to be seen.

Yankees off-season grade- A+

Josh Jakers

NYchalktalk.com

Knicks Vs. Spurs 2/17 Re-Cap

If I could sum up last nights Knicks game in one word it would have to be, amazing. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-107 in thrilling overtime fashion. The Garden was just like the old winning times, it was packed and there were celebrities all around. This was their first game back after the all-star break and they returned on the right note with a huge win against the Spurs. Nate Robinson put on a show all game and it sparked his entire team to play well. David Lee also had another double double, which he has been doing all season. The Knicks played great, however; the Spurs could have won this game. At the end of regulation David Lee fouled out. At the start of overtime the Spurs should have taken advantage of this by giving Tim Duncan the ball most of the time on offense. They did not and that is the key reason why they lost this game when they were so close. This was hands down the Knicks best win all season, they hung with one of the best teams in the league all game and then they put them away in overtime to get the win. From now on there are no more excuses about how the team is learning a new system under coach D’Antoni because they proved to me last night that they can play hard and effectively. After last night I was thinking to myself how come they couldn’t play this way every game. Then I realized that they are an average team, at best and average players do not consistently play great every night. Look at a team such as the Spurs, they are a veteran team, as this loss affected them record wise but not emotionally. They realize as veterans that they did not play way but they will come back next game and beat their opponent. You cannot teach players how to mature, that just takes time but once that happens the NBA should watch out because the Knicks will be a force in the Eastern Conference. With that said, last nights game was great and it showed signs that the Knicks have it in them to win. This year is not looking too good playoff wise but next year if they play hard good things will happen.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

Mets Offseason Moves Re-Cap

For the second year in a row, the New York Mets had the playoffs at the tips of their fingers, but they let it slip away, AGAIN. In both seasons the Mets were in a comfortable position with not many games remaining, but they failed to make the playoffs. After last season came to an end many Mets fans, including myself were calling for Omar Miniya's head. Omar failed to make the necessary moves in the bullpen and the outfield before the trade deadline to ensure the Mets would make the playoffs. With that said, this off-season has been a great one for Omar and the Mets. Minaya greatly improved the bullpen by signing Francisco Rodriguez (k-rod). He set the saves record last year for the Angels and trading for J.J. Putz, who two years ago was considered one of the best closers in all of baseball. Omar also resigned Oliver Perez and Carlos Delgado. One of the most important moves that Omar made this off-season was getting rid of the virus that Mets fans call Aaron Heilman. This was accomplished through the JJ Putz trade. All in all this has been a very successful off-season for the Mets and has allowed Omar Minaya to keep his job for at least one more season.


Mets off-season grade: B+


Josh Jakers

NYchalktalk.com

New Jersey Nets All-Star Break Review

The New Jersey Nets have had an average 2009 season so far at the all-star break. Their record is 24-29 and they are battling for the final playoff spot in the east. They have a very young team with rookies such as Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts playing well. Lopez is getting major minutes and is improving but he is still a work in progress. My feeling is that he will eventually develop stronger post moves; when he does this he will become a difficult match up for other centers around the NBA to defend him all throughout the game. Douglas-Roberts, who is a rookie out of Memphis is not getting a significant amount of minutes but when he does come in occasionally he plays fairly well. Eventually when Vince Carter retires he may replace him as the starter. On that note, Carter is not as athletic as he was in past years, most notably with his inability to consistently make his trademark fade away jump shot like he used to. Putting his physical performance aside he is still a veteran leader and he sets a great example for the rest of the young Nets team on and off the court. Another key point that is keeping the Nets in playoff contention is that they have not had any major injuries. This is important because the players that Coach Frank wants in the game are able to play. If not for head coach Lawrence Frank doing an excellent job coaching these young players they would not be even close to getting a playoff spot. The most important thing that has kept the Nets in reach all year has been all star point guard Devin Harris, this man is hands down most improved player in the entire NBA. He went from last year being traded to the Nets from the Mavericks learning a new system, to this year being a superstar. Devin is averaging 21.8 points per game and 6.5 assists; this is greatly improved compared to his Dallas years. In New Jersey he is given the ability by Coach Frank to take more shots and he is making them, while also distributing the ball very nicely. Overall, I have had mixed reactions of the Nets season so far, they are a young team which is a positive for the future. However, the NBA competition is so strong every year these young players will have to develop if they look to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

NBA All Star Break Rankings

1) Los Angles Lakers (42-10)- One of the top players in the league has a great supporting cast and their record shows it.

2) Boston Celtics (44-11)- Arguably the best all around team with an excellent bench, look to see them close out the remainder of the season in a big way.
3) Cleveland Cavaliers (40-11)- Lebron is carrying the entire team and who knows how much longer he can keep it up.

4) San Antonio Spurs (35-16)- The play of savvy veterans such as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are putting this team in the place they are at this point.

5) Orlando Magic (38-13)- Dwight Howard and the rest of their young team show promise but this isn’t their year to do major damage in the playoffs.

6) New Orleans Hornets (30-20)- Chris Paul is playing at such a high level and he is making his teammates better.

7) Portland Trailblazers (32-20)- Another team that shows promise in the future and I like what I have seen out of this very young group.

8) Denver Nuggets (36-17)- They are playing well and the trade for Chauncey Billups has made all the difference for them.

9) Houston Rockets (32-21)- Tracey McGrady is showing his age and his team is having a solid season but nothing spectacular.

10) Atlanta Hawks (31-21)- The team shows promise with guard Mike Bibby at the helm but they have to show they can beat top teams before they become a contender.

11) Dallas Mavericks (31-21)- Boy do they wish they had Devin Harris back, if they did they would be much higher in the rankings midway through the season.

12) Miami Heat (28-24)- Dwayne Wade and Michael Beasley are doing their part but the rest of the team has to step up in the second half if they are going to improve.

13) Detroit Pistons (27-24)- Rodney Stuckey can be a great player in the future but this team is too old to compete this season.

14) Utah Jazz (30-23)- Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are leading this team but it is still not enough to count them as a serious force come playoff time.

15) Phoenix Suns (28-23)- The team’s front office is mess with player trade rumors and it will affect the team in the second half. Watch for a big drop in their record.

16) New Jersey Nets (24-29)- Opposite to the Maverick’s the Nets look very smart since they traded the aging Jason Kidd for Devin Harris.

17) Philadelphia 76ers (27-24)- Elton Brand will be out for a while and no one is stepping on their team. They will be in major trouble after the all-star break.

18) Milwaukee Bucks (26-29)- Richard Jefferson has to lead the team with Michael Redd out for the season and by himself he has been able to do it.

19) New York Knicks (21-31)- The season has definitely been an improvement from last year’s mess but this isn’t there year. A new front office has made the team much better.

20) Chicago Bulls (23-30)- The team has nothing going for them offensively or defensively, maybe next year Bulls fans.

21) Minnesota Timberwolves (17-34)- Kevin Love has shown solid skills but they do not have the pieces this year to win.

22) Toronto Raptors (21-34)- Chris Bosh wants out of Toronto and you can’t blame him, Brian Colangelo has put no one around him.

23) Indiana Pacers (21-33)- Danny Granger looks good and Roy Hibbert may be okay in the future but the front office must bring in new guys if they want to win.

24) Charlotte Bobcats (21-31)- Executive Michael Jordan doesn’t like losing but he is doing nothing to stop this trend.

25) Golden State Warriors (19-35)- The western conference is just too strong for this talent lacking team to contend.

26) Memphis Grizzlies (15-37)- Rookie sensation O.J. Mayo looks unbelievable but he and Rudy Gay cannot win games all by themselves.

27) Sacramento Kings (11-43)- Another team that is just a complete mess. They need to clean house and start over through this years upcoming draft.

28) Los Angles Clippers (13-40)- They will always be under shadowed by the Lakers but winning a few more games would help them get respect.

29) Oklahoma City Thunder (13-40)- Kevin Durant has to do more than just score if his team can try to salvage the season.

30) Washington Wizards (11-42)- With their star player Gilbert Arenas hurt you cant expect much from them and that is what has happened all season.

Midseason MVP- Hands down this player is Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Cavs did not have him they would have at most 15 wins at this point in the season. The man is the best player of this generation and he is just getting better. He rarely has an off night. His hard work and dedication to winning make him the best in the game today. You can argue that Kobe Bryant could be MVP but if the Lakers were without him they would be okay. They have guys such as Derrick Fish and Pao Gasol that would step up. On the other hand Lebron is what puts the Cavaliers together, he gives them the opportunity to win every night they play. Putting the numbers aside Lebron James is the most valuable player in the NBA.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

The Double Standard In Sports

During the past few weeks we have seen a fairly new sports icon and a player who has been around for a while do things that have changed the way people will look at them forever. These two men are Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps and New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez. Both of these superb athletes had anything they could have possibly wanted monetarily or socially but they threw it away by taking part in thoughtless activities. In case you haven’t heard, I will give a quick recap on both athletes stories. First, a picture of swimmer Michael Phelps smoking marijuana got around the Internet and to all media companies. The next day Phelps confirmed that the picture was accurate and that it was actually him. Once he did that he went on to apologize, (sort of) and then he became arguably the most disgraced athlete in recent sports history. The man has lost most of his sponsorships because he sets a terrible example for young children to follow. Next, a report by Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts stated that Alex Rodriguez failed a drug test during the 2003 season. Then, similar to Michael Phelps, Rodriguez came out and confirmed the accusations. The next day, ESPN showed an interview by Peter Gammons with Alex Rodriguez, Alex apologized and called himself an idiot several times, but in my opinion he did not sound sincere at all. Think about what we have here, two superstar athletes doing two stupid things and taking the exact same route in apologizing to the public. But now the question is, why has Phelps, the swimmer been absolutely destroyed by the media and suspended by his sport while Rodriguez, the baseball player has been attacked by the media but not suspended? The answer to this question is that they play in different sports and the media has more respect for baseball in comparison to swimming, which they know hardly anything about. This is the main reason most sponsors have dropped Michael Phelps, first of all in just a short few years he will be forgotten in the world of sports. Phelps is in a sport that only gets coverage once every four years. Swimming has no relevance in American sports, so companies that sponsored Phelps might as well look like responsible businesses by getting rid of him. His aura was already lessening, as our Olympic memories are fading away. On the other hand, a player such as Alex Rodriguez plays Major League Baseball, which is the highest respected sport throughout the United States. During the season he plays almost every single day and over the past fifteen years he has been an idol to many American children. If the media did not go easy on him a little bit and sponsors dropped him immediately, they would have lost an even bigger American sports icon. Also don’t forget A-ROD has nine more years left on his contract while Phelps is basically finished in the media spotlight. Rodriguez will be talked about for many years to come as he will still be playing at a high level. He will still be a relevant figure in baseball no matter what the general publics opinion of him is. Also, the part about Phelps getting suspended compared to Alex doesn’t really matter because Phelps being suspended for three months has no impact on him whatsoever. Additionally, besides in the Olympics swimmers hardly generate any money. If Rodriguez was suspended, first off the Yankee organization would fight Major League Baseball to the death to make sure it didn’t happened and there would be too much money lost if he didn’t play part of this upcoming season. All in all, these past few weeks have been a low point in American sports. Michael Phelps and Alex Rodriguez will always be looked down upon for years to come. While Phelps was attacked hard for a short period of time, Rodriguez will always be remembered as the superstar baseball player who took steroids. It is sad as an all around sports fan to have to write this article because of the immaturity of today’s modern athletes but it always seems that they never realize that they had how much going for them but they blew it. This trend of the down fall of American athletes doesn’t seem likely change unless the culture of sports in America transitions from a money making business not worried about its players to a more responsible sports society. My feeling however is that some things never change and sports is sadly one of these things.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

2009 NFL Pro Bowl

This weekend I was thinking about the sports topics on our website and how I can improve them. The first thing that came to mind was that most of the articles I write have a negative tone to them. I thought that I should change this but then I realized that anyone can point out the obvious by reviewing games but it takes actual thought to try to improve them. On the other hand I don’t want anyone to get the wrong opinion about me. I am probably the biggest sports fan you will ever meet, but why bother writing about things everyone already saw for themselves. With that said, now I will give my opinion of the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl.
Earlier today the NFL had their yearly so called “football game.” This game as always matched up the AFC All Stars versus their NFC counterpart. In all regular season football games the objective is to win in order to improve your record, in this game the goal was to win the $45,000 prize money given to each player on the winning team. It was very funny before the game having players such as Brian Dawkins excited to try and win the money when a player of his caliber does not need it. On the other hand, if lower paid offensive lineman wins the game it would give their salary a major increase. Of all the all-star games I review this is probably the one that is least needed, it is well after the regular season is over and a week after the Superbowl. At this point most fans have no interest in the sport and are just following the NBA and NHL. There is no reason to play a meaningless game where players can get severely hurt even though they are not playing as hard. If Peyton Manning get sacked and lands the wrong way even on a light hit he could possibly suffer a severe injury. The players are not into the game itself; it is just a free vacation to Hawaii and a reunion with other top players around the league. A suggestion I would have to the NFL is just to give the players a bonus for making the Pro Bowl. If this was done the Pro Bowl would just be on paper and there would not be an actual game. The playing of the meaningless game just does not make sense. The NFL makes enough money in revenue each year to distribute a total of $3 million in bonuses to well deserving players. For years now the future of the NFL Pro Bowl is always in question but in my opinion it will probably not end. However, it would be a good move if the NFL did so at some point in the near future.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com

Superbowl XLIII Recap

Superbowl XLIII ended in dramatic fashion. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals by the score of 27-23. The game winning play came with 42 seconds left when Ben Roethlisberger through a pass into triple coverage and Santonio Holmes caught it while barely getting his feet in bounds. This play gave last years David Tyree helmet catch a run for its money. Even though this was the highlight of the Superbowl, as it should be, overall the game was quite boring. Hardly anything was happening, all game it was just a lot of punting and I wondered if the match up would stay this way. As someone living in New York, at the start of the game I did not feel the intensity and it didn’t feel like a Superbowl. I guess I was just watching because I was a football fan and I would have to write a re cap of it for this website. Even though Kurt Warner did not win the Superbowl, he is most definitely a hall of famer. Think about, he has won a Superbowl with the St. Louis Rams and could have had another if his defense had played better yesterday. I know that the entire team is responsible for a loss but throwing three touchdowns with one interception in a Superbowl is a great game. Kurt put his team in a position to win and the blame is completely on the Cardinals defense. If twenty-three points is not enough room for an NFL defense to get a win, there is something wrong. You can argue and say that it was a great catch by Santonio Holmes but if the Cardinals defense was playing well all game that great catch would not have given the Steelers a Superbowl victory. On the other hand, the Steelers defense had a pretty good game; they allowed twenty-three points but in a Superbowl as long as you get the win points allowed do not matter. Compared to what other people are saying around the sports world I feel that Ben Roethlisberger did not have a great game he had one touchdown along with one interception. Luckily for him it was enough to get a win because of the Cardinals poor defense but generally speaking those types of numbers are rarely enough to do so. All in all Superbowl XLIII was a great game, at the beginning it was not too exciting but as the game progressed the action picked up. In my opinion these past two Superbowls have been the best in NFL history and hopefully for the fans every Super Sunday will be as exciting for years to come.

Daniel Weberman
NYchalktalk.com

New York Mets Sign Pitcher Oliver Perez

On Tuesday, February 2nd, the Mets and Oliver Perez came to terms and agreed on a three year, 36 million dollar contract. The Mets needed one more starting pitcher and Oliver Perez was the best available option left in the market. New York did what was logical and signed the young lefty. Last year Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA and was arguable the best starting pitcher down the stretch besides Johan Santana. With the signing of Perez this means that the Mets have basically withdrawn their name from the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes unless Manny reduces his price by over four million dollars per year, which is very unlikely. Now that the Mets have their pitcher they will try to look for an outfielder just in case Ryan Church cannot play because of side effects from two concussions.


Josh Jakers
NYchalktalk.com