Dear Abb. . Dear Phil and Mike

                                                                 

Dear Phil and Mike,

    Maybe you should get together coffee, talk life, and most importantly see what you can do to make your teams worse. The Knicks and Jets have been abysmal for quite a while now, outside of a few good seasons here and there. To be honest with you, if you can take either of your teams even to there 1990’s-early 2000’s team fans would take it! I am a Giants fan, so I do not to worry there, but the Knicks? Come on Phil! The one positive the Knicks have is a star(Melo). Who’s the star for the Jets? Rex Ryan(oops, he’s not there anymore)? Ryan Fitztragic(not coming back, who are we kidding?). As the head of operations for your respective teams, don’t you think you should be able to identify your problems and fix them?

  Let’s start with you Phil. First of all, you took over as PRESIDENT of basketball operations, not COACH. You have to let go of the triangle. It is not working for the Knicks as you can tell. If you plan is to tank, then yes continue to use the triangle. If you want to use the triangle, get on the sideline and implement it. Otherwise let Jeff do is job please. No triangle with 5 players on the court, maybe the pentagon? 

   Once you realize this issue, remember that you have to build around someone. That time for Melo has passed. You chose Kristaps for a reason right? I mean he is showing us he IS the future for this team, so don’t screw it up. In hindsight, the Joakim Noah signing was brilliant. Due to his injury, you no have your starting center of the future with Mr. Hernangomez at the 5. Have KP and Willy is a start. What bothers me most is that fact that you had a chance to obtain Ricky Rubio for Derick Rose straight up and you blew it! Rubio is 2 years younger, has 2 plus years of control, and is an actual point guard, who distributes, defends, and scores. Wouldn’t that be a nice core, Rubio, KP, and Willy? Phil, you worked with Kobe and Michael and all the talent around them, are you telling me that you can’t identify talent? I find that hard to believe.

   Lastly, you need a coach for these young players. You initially hired Derek Fisher, fired him and hired Jeff Hornecek, who is also failing on the sidelines. In their defense, you have not given them enough to work with and you are forcing your ideals on their coach styles. Let them coach their way and see if it works. What a simple idea Phil! Give Jeff enough talent to work with and let him coach.

   Mike, Mike, Mike then we have you. Where do we start with you? Have you spoken to Phil yet? Let’s start here. . your coach is not an issue. Your issue is your quarterback. Since Mark Sanchez took the Jets to back to back Championship games(I know that was not you), you’ve had at least 3 other quaterbacks besides Mark. You need someone to build around, it’s not Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty. You know just as much as anyone else, your quarterback is not on your roster. With the number 6 pick in the draft, you have many options including making trades. Think wisely about this option. Maybe you should talk to Todd about your draft since he is your coach.

    Granted you have let Todd do is job coaching, you should continue to do so, but talk to him about what he needs to do better. That is your job, Give the coach what he needs  to succeed.  Maybe you should trade Brandon Marshall while he still has some value. Let Todd have an input on defense since that is where he shines the most. You and Todd need to be on the same page and communicate.

  The biggest issue your team has is being consistent. You have had a franchise quarterback since Vinny Testiverde. You haven’t had a good or great coach since Bill Parcells. If you believe in Todd, you need to let him grow as a coach, even if he has growing pains like last season. You can’t have 1 season 10-6, then 5-11 then 11-5. If you are going to be bad, at least try and build through being bad. That is what the Giants did and look what happened. At least the Browns are trying to be bad in order to get better, even if its not working right away. You are supposed to be the Messiah for the Jets fans, then act like it. Have coffee with Phil, talk about fixing your respective franchises and be happy.

Sincerely,

A True Sports Fan

Magic Creating Magic?

   Football season is over, baseball season is still in the earliest of stages, basketball and hockey are both in the middle of their incredible seasons. Many people think that just because we are not in the middle of a season, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t action. Sports is like a soap opera with grown men. Last Wednesday, the NBA broke for its traditional All-Star game weekend in New Orleans. The NBA does the smart thing and gives its players a few extra days of after the All-Star game. This year the break happens to end on the Trade Deadline.

    Before All-Star weekend, there were minor trades that occurred between teams. Shortly after the All-Star game Sunday night, we had the biggest blockbuster in quite a while. DeMarcus Cousins goes to New Orleans Pelicans to form most likely the most dominate front-court in basketball. It certainly wasn’t the Kings who received a kings ransom here, it was the Pelicans. If the Pelicans make the playoffs, they will certainly give their opponent a run for their money. Per Vlade Divac, he had a better deal 2 days earlier, but the question is why he didn’t pull the trigger? The  Kings are consistently rebuilding their franchise. For the short term (and potentially long-term) future, the Pelicans have come out the winners.

    We had another trade of sorts that happened. The Lakers have “fired” Jim Buss and Mick Kupchak and hire Magic Johnson as the President of Basketball Operations. Here is why I would be very hesitant.  Why would I not have Stephan A. Smith’s exciting reaction? Easy: Phil Jackson. What am I hesitant to because of Phil Jackson? Phil Jackson is the most recent example of a great failing at another position. Phil Jackson has 9 rings as a COACH, not an executive. He has been horrible as an executive. Maybe he is just an exception and not the rule?

   Look at Larry Bird, Pat Riley, and Jason Kidd. Larry Bird, one of the greatest players of all time, went from player to coach to executive. He is the only NBAer in history to win MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year if that means anything to anyone. Larry Bird seems to know what he is doing. He has all the power he wants in Indiana. Pat Riley has rings as a coach and executive. That’s how got LeBron James to come to Miami (no state tax may do that also). He knows how to breakdown a team, rebuild it, and make it a contender. Jason Kidd went from being floor general to being side-court general. He is bringing his winning ways to the sidelines.

   Before judging Magic for potentially being the next Phil Jackson, lets give him some time. There are about 25 games left in the season. He still needs to evaluate the team and see where they stand and what they need. Maybe Magic can create some Magic and put a spell on the Lakers. Maybe he will listen to his heart and brain and not the green Benjamin Franklins(cough cough Phil). Larry, talk to your counterpart. You both made each other better in college and the pros, maybe you can make each other better in the front office.

The Soldier or the Horse. . .Who serves the team better?

                                              


  Sunday night is the pinnacle of all games for the football season. What is usually the highest rated game/show of the year is sure to be another show, especially with Lady Gaga performing at the halftime show. There are so many questions heading into the game. Which number 1(defense vs. offense) will outperform the other? Who has the better running game? Will Matt Ryan top of a magical season? If Tom Brady wins, is he automatically the greatest QB(and football player) of all time? There is 1 question that has been floated out there during Super Week that I would love to address.
   Many people are asking the following: Are the Patriots winning because of Belichick, Brady, or both? It's a very good question. The coach or the quaterback? The soldier or the horse? When Bill Walsh and Joe Montana had a magical run during the 80's, was it one or the other? In my opinion, it was Montana. Montana not only played well for the 49ers, but helped take the Chiefs on a deep playoff run. Every situation is different.
   In the case of the Patriots, I believe its all Belichick. Now this is not to deny Brady and his talents. As much as I dislike his arrogance, I certainly have to respect his talent and his play. If you remember in 2008, Brady went down in the first quarter of the first game for the season. In came Matt Cassel for the season and the Patriots went 11-5(even though they missed the playoffs). After that season, Matt Cassel landed a few starting jobs but became nothing. For the first 4 games of this season, the Patriots played their 2nd and 3rd string quaterbacks and went 3-1.
   Tom Brady is a 6th round pick. Do you think he would have excelled if he was in 31 other systems? Your first thought maybe "You never know." He was a 6th round pick for a reason! He started because Bledsoe almost got himself killed. Brady did not win that first Super Bowl, Vinateri won it.
Granted he couldn't figure out the Giants, but no one is perfect.
     Many people may disagree with me, but that's why I love debates like these ones. At the end of the day, Bill and Tom have been one hell of a team. They will be for however long they desire. My thoughts on SB 51, 31-28 Falcons. Lets go Falcons!

Lebron the Fake

                                                 


Dear Lebron James,
  Get over yourself!! If you wonder why you will never be like MJ, this is why!! MJ never took his case to the media about how bad he thought his team was that season. You are the defending champs, number 1 team in the East and have a very good shot to repeat. Why are you calling out management? By calling out management, you are also publicly embarrassing your own teammates by telling them they are bad. You are the one who lobbied for Tristen Thompson to resign with the Cavs. You are the one who wanted Kevin Love on your team, another big 3.
   Do you think Steph Curry would call out management and his teammates(publicly) saying that they are not good? You lost 5 of your last 7, it happens!!! Why do you think a team like the Cowboys lost in the playoffs, they lost a total of 3 teams over the season, they had an ego. Maybe you should learn from Dirk and take a pay cut to sign better teams. Dan Gilbert should not have to shell out more money over the luxury tax because Lebron  wants to be the highest paid player. You have enough endorsements to reach your great grandchildren. If you are such a great teammate, such a great leader, you should look at Dirk and see what it takes to build a team. You need superstars to make it to 6 straight finals, he need role players to win 1 championship, something you couldn't do.
  LeBron James, you do not run the Cavs, upper management runs the Cavs. Michael Jordan may have gotten Doug Collins fired, but he did it behind the scenes. He didn't call his team bad. If you are going to tell me that you did not call your team bad, I will tell you now that is not true. Just because you are the greatest player of your generation does not give you a pass at of any of this hear say.
   Lastly, please learn that just because you are selfless on the court, does not mean you are selfless off the court. In order to be a true leader for your team, you need to show your leadership skills on an off the court for your team and not humiliate them. Look at Derek Jeter, do you think he did this off the court? He never called his teammates bad or talked to upper management the way you appear to be doing. Learn from the true greats of their generation, then maybe you you will be one of the greats.
  Sincerely,
Angered Sports Fan(Abe Ades)

Lebron Squatting

                                                       

   When you hear that an athlete is scratched from the starting lineup/game, what is your first thought? What is their injury? When did they get injured? Most importantly, how long will they be out? Last night, against the Indiana Pacers, in Indiana, Lebron James was a “healthy scratch.” We’re about 35  games into this relatively young season, the almighty great LeBron James is has sat a few times already.  Forget the fact that people paid to go see him because I disagree that fans of opposing teams go to the game just because of LeBron. My question is if this going to happen in his age 31 season, will he retire early?

    At the beginning of the 2003 baseball season, Derek Jeter dislocated his shoulder against the Toronto Blue Jays. I was a junior in high school and I remember someone telling me that Jeter will come back and the Yankees will win the World Series. That person was awfully close, he came back and the Yankees lost the Marlins in the Series. What’s my point? Jeter did everything possible to get himself bac on the field that season and stay healthy. Wouldn’t you think that LeBron would condition himself to be healthy enough to play all (or almost all) the seasons games? Baseball is a longer season than basketball and just as grueling of a schedule.

     LeBron does have 11 plus years of basketball seasons on him. There were 5 of them in which he did not make the NBA Finals, which means he has had extended rest on his body. Something I have learned this week is that you need to take care of yourself. The former superstar wrestler, Vader, announced he has 2 years to live because of a heart condition. He is someone who is over 300 pounds. Don’t you think if he took care of himself and conditioned himself better that maybe he would not be in this situation? Now LeBron is not the only one who is guilty of this issue. Greg Popovich has done this with his superstars of Parker, GInobili and Duncan towards the end of the season to get them ready for the playoffs. Wouldn’t you let the players build up the momentum going into the playoffs? You may only be resting them to play 4 games in the playoffs(if they get swept). 

     Michael Jordan, Cal Ripken, Jr., and Bret Favre never asked for games off(unless obviously they were hurt). Are those days over? To me, I feel that players from that era just wanted it more than they do now. Lebron has been to 6 straight finals and has won 3 of them, if he does not win another one I believe he could care less. Many people put in over 40 hours a week for a work week for a job they don’t even enjoy, but these athletes enjoy what they do and people come to see them, shouldn’t they think this through?  Michael Kay brought up a point about this and maybe they should come up with an injury. Should they? Maybe. All I know is that once these players retire, they will rest then until then take care of  yourself and play the game.