January 2012
7 posts
3 tags
Double Dribble at Newsday.com
What better way to celebrate another exciting NBA season than starting up a new blog?
The Newsday.com sports team’s fearless leader, Mark La Monica, recently handed me the keys to the website’s brand new NBA blog, Double Dribble.
I’ll be musing about the NBA over there now, found at newsday.com/doubledribble. You’ll find plenty of analysis, highlights, news and much more...
7 tags
From 1-to-75, the 2012 NBA free agents →
I used the “Richard Jefferson rule.” You’ll have to click to find out what that means.
10 tags
MSG 50-point club →
Looked through the archives to dig up the 23 times the Knicks have been involved in a 50-point game at MSG III and MSG IV. Richie Guerin, Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King, LeBron James and Michael Jordan all appeared multiple times on the list.
9 tags
National NBA power rankings
Each Monday, many of the finest national basketball minds release their weekly NBA power rankings. I do too. So why not take a look at where each team falls across the different media, and where the outliers are.
I’m using the rankings from the following outlets:
ESPN (compiled by Marc Stein) NBA.com (compiled by John Schuhmann) SB Nation (compiled by Tom Ziller) Inside Hoops Sheridan...
5 tags
NBA Week 2 Power Rankings →
Are the Hawks as good as they have looked? They surge 11 spots to No. 4. Heat first, Wizards last, click for everything in between.
2 tags
Keller, Holmes, McKnight highlight final Jets WR... →
The final wide receiver report of the year. The most alarming numbers:
Dustin Keller was targeted 115 times, scoring on just five of the pass plays. The latter seems very low for a tight end.
After receiving for 93 yards in Week 10, Holmes’ high for the final seven games was 58 yards.
Shonn Greene was targeted 41 times and had 211 yards (5.15 yards per target). Joe McKnight was targeted...
2 tags
Week 1 NBA Power Rankings →
Spots to note: Thunder 1 after b2b wins first two nights of season, Rubio and the Wolves 14th, Mavs/Grizzlies 16/20 respectively.
December 2011
7 posts
4 tags
Complete 2011-12 NBA preview
My NBA preview hits newsstands on Saturday. If you can’t wait, here’s your reading material leading up to opening tip on Sunday:
Five on five: Western Conference preview
Five on five: Eastern Conference preview
Top 2011-12 NBA story lines
Western Conference preseason power rankings and predictions
Eastern Conference preseason power rankings and predictions
1 tag
Teaser: Buy Saturday's Newsday
You should already have a subscription to Newsday. Or at least be picking it up everyday from a newsstand. If not, make sure you get Saturday’s edition. NBA preview is coming out, including analysis and predictions from yours truly. More on Saturday.
Also, each Monday, I’ll be working on NBA power rankings for Newsday.com. I’ll link here each week, of course.
1 tag
An open letter to Express on behalf of...
I sent this in am email to Express earlier today. I wanted to share with everyone, and see if others share my plight.
To Whom It May Concern,
Express makes a superb-fitting, great-looking product. I find the Extra Slim Fit 1MX shirts are the only dress shirts in all of the tristate area that fit me properly. In fact, the shirts made such an impression on me that after looking at my reflection in...
2 tags
Nine players the Knicks will target in free agency →
They don’t have much money, but the Knicks will look to add a handful of pieces in free agency. Alan Hahn gave me nine names the team will look at, and I did some research on where they’re at and what they could bring to the team.
3 tags
Curtis Granderson on his new book, and having fun →
The meat and potatoes from my interview with Curtis Granderson on Wednesday.
3 tags
Excerpts from Curtis Granderson interview
I posted in the Steel Cage at Newsday.com earlier today about Curtis Granderson’s affinity for the WWE, and tomorrow on Newsday.com, you’ll find a feature on Granderson and his new children’s book, “All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports.”
In the meantime, some of the interview didn’t make it to “print” — or whatever you’d...
4 tags
Curtis Granderson talks WWE →
I spoke with Curtis Granderson on Wednesday about his new children’s book, the Yankees and, naturally, the WWE. This is from the latter, where Granderson talks about his hypothetical finisher, and why a 12-year-old Curtis Granderson would have chosen fighting in the main event at Wrestlemania 23 over his 20-20-20-20 season in 2007.
November 2011
3 posts
2 tags
Week 12: Jets receivers by the numbers →
Weekly Jets feature on Newsday.com shows how efficient Jets receivers have been each week this season.
Recent trends include Santonio Holmes struggling (18 targets, six catches last two weeks), and Dustin Keller (nine catches on 16 targets, 101 yards, 2 TDs) and Joe McKnight (nine catches on 10 targets, 81 yards) with strong showings against Broncos and Bills.
3 tags
NBA free agent rankings and tracker →
I first unveiled my NBA free agent rankings on May 20, 2011. Now that there is a (tentative) labor agreement between the players and owners, it’s time to start the tracking! Here are the top 35 from the beginning of the offseason, with updates on each player’s status.
No time to click? Here’s the quickie list:
1. Tim Duncan (staying with Spurs) 2. Ray Allen (staying with...
3 tags
Jets will make the playoffs. What?!
Back for the first time in a while, due largely in part to my new favorite toy: ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine. Tool lets you plug in winners of each game, and automatically calibrates playoff situation, tiebreakers and all. Worth checking out for stat geeks.
Here’s what I got, followed by explanations:
AFC
1. Pittsburgh (13-3, currently 7-3) 2. Houston (11-5, currently 7-3) 3. New...
October 2010
1 post
6 tags
2010-11 NBA Predictions
We’ll keep it simple: Rank each conference top to bottom with predicted W/L, play out the playoffs, name a champion. Let me know what y’all think …
Eastern Conference
1) Orlando Magic (62-20) I know what you’re thinking. No Cleveland!? Seriously, though, the only guy in the conference that can even slow Dwight Howard is Joakim Noah. Add in Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter,...
September 2010
1 post
7 tags
Quick rant: Portis, Sainz and why sensitivity is a...
I don’t want this to be construed as anti-woman, anti-reporter, or a blind attack on the very field I love.
And I don’t want my words to be misinterpreted, so before I rant, if Ines Sainz was in fact verbally abused - yes, including something that may seem completely harmless on the surface - the Jets should be punished in some way, and Sainz, as well as the Association for Women in...
August 2010
1 post
4 tags
For the record: 2010-11 NFL season
Each year, a few weeks prior to the season, I go through the NFL schedule trying to predict every game. Why? Part NFL obsession, part love for statistics, and part affinity for watching what I think will happen at the beginning of the year go right down the toilet.
Anyway, do with this what you want. But when the Bengals go 12-4, Vikes and Pack each win 13 games, and three teams in the NFC West...
July 2010
1 post
6 tags
Thank God it's Thursday
Not because we’ll finally know where LeBron is going.
Not because Knicks fans will find out what was true all along - that Santa Clause isn’t coming to town.
And DEFINITELY not because it is barbecue day at work.
Because at last, the most self-appreciative athlete in the history of American professional sports will stop his love fest with himself.
And ESPN.
(First, credit to Drew...
11 tags
Ready? Predicting the NBA offseason
Here goes nothing …
Chris Bosh: Chicago Bulls Bosh starts the free agent fiasco off by committing to Chicago
Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat As expected, Wade re-ups in Miami.
Joe Johnson: New Jersey Nets Following in the lead of the Heat and the Bulls, the Nets add their ‘Bron piece
Amar’e Stoudemire: New York Knicks With free agent pieces falling, Walsh lures Stoudemire to play in...
June 2010
3 posts
4 tags
What's the deal with the NBA?
Now, more than ever, we’re looking at life after the National Basketball Association, and life with the National Benjamins Association.
Today’s report from ESPN’s Chris Broussard that Carmelo Anthony might be dealt from the Denver Nuggets in preparation for the summer of 2011 could signal the beginning of the end of the NBA as we like it.
Or, maybe, just the continuation of the...
3 tags
All-2nd Round NBA Draft team →
Think there’s no reason to watch the NBA Draft since the Knicks are relegated to the 2nd round?
THINK AGAIN!
My All-2nd round NBA Draft team
May 2010
8 posts
3 tags
NBA Lottery's 14 best selections →
Ranked the 14 best selections in the NBA Draft lottery’s history. For those unaware, it started in 1985, with the New York Knicks selecting PAT-TRICK-YOU-ING. Here are the abbreviated rankings, sans analysis, for those with no Newsday access:
1. Kobe Bryant-1996-No. 13 - selected by Charlotte, dealt to Los Angeles for Vlade Divac 2. Shaquille O’Neal-1992-No. 1 - selected by Orlando...
5 tags
String of thoughts in reaction to LA's trouncing...
In no particular order, here are some observations, and musings, from last night’s Lakers-sponsored obliteration of Steve Nash and the Suns.
Hopefully Doug Collins gets the coaching gig with the Sixers. Not because he is qualified for the role, but because I can’t go through another NBA postseason with somebody’s lips as vapor-locked to someone’s rearend like...
7 tags
Where's LeBron going? Here's your answer.
Team-by-team, why LeBron would fit, and why he wouldn’t fit. Ranked in reverse order from where he shouldn’t go to where he should go:
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Why he should stay:
Cleveland, despite recent events, is still LeBron James’ town. He is the MJ of Cleveland, and if he stays, he’ll be able to continue to build his brand in what is essentially a brand-less city....
7 tags
Cavs out, but Suns, Magic alive and kickin'
Wait, the semifinals have already wrapped up?
In rather anticlimactic fashion, three of the four NBA semifinal match-ups failed to get past the minimum four games. The fourth series, while given plenty of media attention considering the LeBron factor, was a pretty rotten series as well.
Even worse, the conference finals could produce a pair of duds as well. In the East, you have an athletic...
3 tags
Quick rant: Enough with the dude that got tasered!
We’ve seen the amateur video more than Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. We’ve heard more analysis than Slick Willy’s sex scandal. All that’s left is a letter from the ACLU.
Why is this taser thing such a BFD?
The facts: A fan ran on to the field, and couldn’t be controlled by security. He was near athletes, and his intentions were unknown. As Howard Stern pointed out...
3 tags
On to the NBA conference semis ...
As promised, the NBA delivered an exciting (enough) first round of playoff action. Maybe it didn’t measure up to last year’s standards, but we’ll take what we can get, people. Here’s a recap of each first round series, followed by a few words about the conference semifinals.
Round 1
EAST
No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Chicago
The pick: Cleveland wins, 4-0
The result:...
3 tags
Ripping a journalist that ripped a journalist
Thanks to Sports by Brooks’ Twitter account (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) for pointing this out.
Mike Goldstein - not sure who he is, but I’m assuming a radio personality - maintains a blog on ESPN760.com. Today, he blogged about a mailbag posted by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez.
Goldstein wrote, “Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Gonzalez is a joke.”
Pretty damn...
4 tags
Quick rant: Celts present a problem for King James
Yep, I’m still perfect. Provided the Hawks can hold homecourt advantage, my first-round NBA Playoff predictions will be a pretty eight-for-eight.
All right, enough with the ego-boosting. I’ll get more in-depth at the end of this weekend regarding the second round of the NBA Playoffs - although I assure you I won’t touch what I’ve predicted - but I do have one worry.
The...
April 2010
10 posts
4 tags
Best #SeinfeldDerbyHorseNames →
Trending on Twitter is a hashtag asking tweeps to post the best Kentucky Derby horse names referencing Seinfeld. I blogged about it, with links to clips, ranking the five best suggestions I’ve seen. It’s over on Newsday … check it out!
3 tags
MLB's players would like to thank Ryan Howard
Just as the NFL and NBA find themselves in salary pinches, the MLB continues to head due north.
Somehow, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Ryan Howard to a five-year extension at $25 million per. My first and only thought:
W-W-WHATTT?!?!?
As noted by MLB insider Keith Law, Howard is a great, but not elite, position player. Sure he’s got serious power, and is a legit cleanup hitter for one...
5 tags
Quick rant: Reseeding in the playoffs is a BAD...
Overheard the other day at Newsday was the following argument from a co-worker (paraphrased):
The NBA needs to follow in the NHL’s steps and re-seed in the playoffs. Why should the No. 1 seed have to play the No. 4 seed if the seventh seed tops the No. 2 seed?
Well, unnamed co-worker, you’re wrong, because the NBA’s got it right, and the NHL’s got it wrong.
The simple...
4 tags
The Jets' 2010 offseason, move-by-move →
Been in hibernation? Here’s a move-by-move look at the Jets’ 2010 offseason, compiled by yours truly.
3 tags
NBA bracketology: From Round 1 to the Finals
What’s the ONLY thing better than filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket? Filling out an NBA playoff bracket, of course!
All right, all right, maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. But appropriately brought up by ESPN First Take’s Jay Crawford the other day, why is it that people go crazy trying to predict the NCAA Tournament, but don’t even consider filling out an...
3 tags
3 tags
Playing out the Knicks' summer of 2010: Version...
The first of a series of attempts at predicting the Knicks’ summer 2010 plan
SCENARIO 1: THE DREAM TEAM
We’re not talking Olympics with MJ and co. We’re talking about what, in my opinion, would set the Knicks up with the purest basketball team. No LBJ or DWade; they’re brands, not ballers, and the Knicks have gone after these types of guys way too often, Starbury and...
5 tags
Top 30 of the NBA's free agent class of 2010 →
After performance adjustments (see: Tracy McGrady tanking, Amare Stoudemire soaring), signings (see: Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobili) and further analysis (see: Kyle Korver, Brendan Haywood), I’ve updated and finalized my rankings for the free agent class of 2010. Ready for primetime, let me know where you agree, where you disagree, and share with your friends. I’ll post the rankings here,...
4 tags
Lottery bound: Who are the top 'spects for the... →
Brief hiatus, but I’m back with an early analysis for the 2010 NBA Draft.
2 tags
NBA Awards time!
As blogged and tweeted by Alan Hahn (who you should add to your daily reading) today, NBA writers received their awards ballots. As the regular season wraps up, it’s time to hand out the hardware. Some awards you’ll recognize, some not so much.
HEADLINERS
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Let’s be real … Did anybody else have a shot? 30 points, 8...
4 tags
Sorry, Pride fans, but Tim Welsh isn't the answer
From around the Hofstra media community, here is some reaction to the hiring of Tim Welsh to be the new head coach for the Pride men’s basketball team:
Jon Lauder (former Hofstra football color commentator: “Good hire that has the potential to take Hofstra b-ball to the next level…”
Unidentified (by request): “An important hire for Hofstra Athletics… proves...
March 2010
12 posts
3 tags
Why 96 < 64 in the NCAA Tournament
On the surface, it looks like the dream scenario for a mid-major. Add 32 teams to the Tournament, add 32 more Cinderella contenders, make the postseason that much more special.
Dig deeper, though, and you realize the expansion would mean the exact opposite. The big reason:
MAJOR CONFERENCE BIAS
These 32 teams won’t be Hofstra, won’t be Lafayette, won’t be Stony Brook, and...
6 tags
Memo to Mike Rice: Stay put!! (For now ...)
When it comes to college basketball, my expertise is … well … limited. Credibility destroyed. Shoot. Let me start again. When it comes to college basketball, I know Hofstra hoops, I know that 65 teams (and counting) make the NCAA Tournament, and I know that my bracket is horrendous. I don’t know much about Mike Rice, Robert Morris, or the Boston College basketball program. That...
3 tags
1 on 1 with Leah Laurenti of American Idol →
I had a chance to interview former American Idol contestant Leah Laurenti from Medford, NY. Leah talked to me about the Idol experience, why Simon and co. made a mistake, and about a huge opportunity she just scored. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but you have to click the link to read about it! (By the way … there’s a hint in the tags …)
1 tag
Guide to athletes on Twitter →
Compiled a list of the top 20 sports tweeps. The list is below … you’ll have to follow the link to find out why …
@OGOchoCinco - Chad Ochocinco
@THE_REAL_SHAQ - Shaquille O’Neal
@ianjamespoulter - Ian Poulter
@andyroddick - Andy Roddick
@CV31 - Charlie Villanueva
@brettfavre - A “Brett Favre” imposter
@ApoloOhno - Apolo Ohno
@NickSwisher - Nick Swisher
...
5 tags
Pecora to Fordham; Hofstra's coaching situation
As reported by Newsday yesterday, Tom Pecora is leaving the Mack Sports Complex and heading over to the A-10 to coach Fordham.
Here are a few thoughts on both Pecora’s tenure at HU, and where Jack Hayes should look to hire his successor:
Pecora’s run at Hofstra was overrated. If you talk to a program outsider, they’ll point to the 20-win seasons, and appearances in the CBI....
NBA free agent rankings: Class of 2010 →
Trying to figure out which players will be landing the biggest contracts in the NBA this summer? Look no further.
The summer of 2010 lays claim to, undeniably, the best free agent class in NBA history. The league’s two best players, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, may both find new teams - or, even end up playing on the same team.
Here is the list of the ranked players, from 1 to 35. If you...
3 tags
Long Island softball review →
ABA? Island? Major? Which Long Island softball league should you sign up with?