Are the Knicks the Real Deal?

The New York Knicks came out this early season swinging and not looking back. With a 12-4 start to the season fans and the media are excited about it. With the Brooklyn Nets fighting for their position in the Big Apple the question is asked if “Are the Knicks For Real”? They are definitely for real and they are tired of being the laughing stock of the NBA. They have seen more lows then highs in the last decade and they have something to prove. With the organization bringing in veteran leaders such as Camby, Kidd, Wallace and Thomas the Knicks can make a great push at a title and not just another playoff berth.

Let’s not even get into the fact that Carmelo has been crucified since coming to the Knicks and haven’t lived up to expectations; just being considered a selfish offensive player that we can’t win with. This seems to be a different season for Melo & Co. Losing to the Miami Heat in the 2012 playoffs in 5 games didn’t make things better either. They had the whole summer to reflect on the season and where they need to be now. I can tell you that I’m very happy and excited to see the Knicks do very well just like many of you do. I have been angry, sad and depressed for many years rooting for my home team. I know, I know that the season is still early and many of you aren’t sold as of yet. I was just like you in the beginning but something is telling me different.

The Knicks are playing defense this season and it doesn’t hurt to have Tyson Chandler as your center either. Just a little bragging that he is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year as well. But what has really opened the team up to defense was veteran point guard Jason Kidd. He has set the table on what the team should be playing like on defense. The biggest challenge for coach Woodson is when Stoudemire comes back from injury. How are they going to implement him into the game without messing up the flow? I think Stat will be good with the flow of the game and only enhance them. That’s my prediction! My only concern is that J.R. Smith haha, that boy can gun guys. I don’t want him to shoot us out of the game. I guess that he has the green light to do whatever he wants.

This is the year that we have the best chance to win a title and if they don’t win; it was all for nothing. Not meaning that they didn’t have a good season but come on, 1973 guys was the last title. I don’t want to be another Boston Red Sox guys! I think the Knicks will beat the Miami Heat in a 7 game series. Let's watch and see. Do you think they are the real deal?

Top 5 NFL Coach of the Year Race

1.      Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons

2.      Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans

3.      Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

4.      Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts

5.      Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks

Top 10 NFL Power Rankings: Week 14

 

1.      Houston Texans (11-1)

2.      Atlanta Falcons (11-1)

3.      New England Patriots (9-3)

4.      Denver Broncos (9-3)

5.      San Francisco 49ers (8-3-1)

6.      Baltimore Ravens (9-3)

7.      New York Giants (7-5)

8.      Green Bay Packers (8-4)

9.      Chicago Bears (8-4)

10.    Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

Could This Have Been Prevented?

This weekend in sports we witnessed a horrific tragedy within the NFL. Kanas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his girlfriend while then taking his life at the Arrowhead stadium in front of his head coach and general manager. This is a touchy and sensitive topic that I really don’t want to get into much detail with but as always things happen in life and people like me talk about them. Belcher was a star football player in Long Island, NY and then at the University of Maine; which I visited on the weekend for my birthday and I must say it’s a beautiful state to see. I learned about the tragedy while in my hotel room and I was lost for words. Tragedies are a part of life but when we hear about them in sports many of us are very surprised. Not to say that these players are saints and do no wrong but we’re not expecting it; that’s all.

There are many different stories going around why he shot his girlfriend multiple times but we would never know the full story because what’s behind closed doors usually stay behind them. I don’t know much about Belcher and his personal life but what I do know he just had a beautiful daughter which is 3 months old. It’s just sad that this young baby will not only have her mother but her father as well. We don’t know what was going on in his mind to want to kill his girlfriend but people snap sometimes and we would never know why people do what they do. The only thing we can do as people is just to pray for the families involved and hope that these tragedies don’t happen often.

There were reports that Belcher was having problems with his girlfriend after the baby was born. It takes more than some problems to kill yourself and girlfriend. I don’t usually listen to gossip or some stories that come out but we all can say that we hope to get the truth behind this incident. The reason why is because sports figures aren’t immune to these situations happening in their lives. They are humans as well and they go through the same things that we go through; maybe some kind of programs that the NFL can implement for players that might face adversity within their personal lives or for depression. We don’t know who Jovan was personally but as the reports keep pouring in daily and even by the hour many say that he was a good kid and was a role model to many.

I think that the Chiefs did the right thing by playing the game yesterday against the Panthers and to win just made things a little more at ease within the organization. Lives will never be replaced with a win but sports in America can heal the hearts for some. I guess the questions that we all ask ourselves and each other are why did he have to murder his girlfriend and then himself? Was their another way to handle the situation? We aren’t the ones to judge a man for what he does but we as citizens can be concerned for our children and fellow neighbors that being at peace is the best way to be in life.

Pettitte is back on the Mound: Is he Worth $12 Million?

Yankees great Andy Pettitte is back on the mound for the club for next season and he comes with a hefty price of $12 million. Pettitte is winningest pitcher in postseason history in MLB with a record of 19-11. He is a Hall of Fame caliber pitcher but his days are far behind him in my opinion. At the age of 40 he is breaking down and the Yankees are desperate for pitching so they keep coming back to him. I don’t think it’s a bad idea target Pettitte but at that price is just seems too insane. How do we know that he’s going to be 100% healthy and even be the player he once was? I love my Yankees but this is just too crazy for me to support. I think we could have gone out there and got a serviceable player for much cheaper. That’s how you know the Yankees have so much money to spend and sometimes we say “throw away”.

As a culture in sports it’s known and still happens that we pay for the past and not the future in some great players. Look at Derek Jeter, he got paid a big contract to stay with the team and I’d say he definitely deserved it; not because he is a 5-time World Series Champion but because he looked like an MVP short stop this year. If you’re going to get paid the big bucks, I feel that you should produce as a top player. Just a thought people! I know some may agree and disagree but it makes sense. Pettitte will always be one of my favorite pitchers that I’ve ever seen throw the ball in the MLB. If you’re looking for courage and a winner he is the guy. I just feel that those days are done and at best this season coming he will have a 10-8 ERA 3.14 season. That’s my prediction.

What do you think about the whole signing and what do you think the Yankees should of done for pitching for the coming season?

Top 10 NBA MVP Race

1.      Carmelo Anthony

2.      LeBron James

3.      Kevin Durant

4.      Kobe Bryant

5.      Zach Randolph

6.      Chris Paul

7.      Tony Parker

8.      Deron Williams

9.      Rajon Rondo

10.   Jrue Holiday

Never Count out Greatness: AP

Adrian Peterson has gone through some injuries in the past and mainly last year with a torn ACL but he is back and better than ever. Who could have seen this coming? Not me and many others. The reason is because with that type of injury it’s very hard to come back at full strength and be so explosive as before. Ask many others that came before him and they will tell you their story. AP has makes you believe that dreams come true if you believe in yourself and your hard work ethic. Thinking positive is great for a person because what you believe is what you’ll achieve. I know that sounds cliché but it’s the truth. Peterson isn’t just the runner up with Peyton Manning for Comeback Player of the Year but he’s after that MVP and Offensive Player of the year award. I think he will get the last two but not the MVP award. Not to count out AP on this but because Peyton had so many neck injuries and to come back as he has and on another team to have a winning record, that’s impressive on its own.

AP reminds me of the vintage running backs from the 60’s and 70’s with the likes of Walter Payton and O.J. Simpson. That’s not a small task to be compared to these players because they were the greatest at their positions. Peterson if healthy will be in the conversation with the greats. No questions asked! I’m just really happy for this guy because he is a freak on the field, breaking tackles and eluding defenses. Even though he has a terrible quarterback in Christian Ponder that doesn’t deter AP from being the great back that he is today. The record of 6-5 is mainly because of the back because of the 1,000 plus rushing yards he’s put up already in the season and he will break his old record of 1,760 of 2008.

Welcome back AP and we all just want to keep seeing you do great things on the field because your position is one of the most special positions in the game. The only thing is missing for the Minnesota Vikings is a Super Bowl and maybe AP can take them there and win. You just never know right? But me being the Giant fan that I am I really don’t want to see that haha. Greatness in the running back position is back in the NFL. What awards do you think AP will achieve this season?