2016 New York Islanders...What Can This Team Be?

Man does time fly. Spring is almost upon us, and with spring comes the mad dash of the final stretch of the regular season.

The Islanders just completed a 7 game road trip, finishing 6-1, capped off with a crazy 6-4 victory over the crosstown rival New York Rangers. They followed that game up with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the pesky Penguins on Tuesday night, and had no problem getting over the so called, "Rangers Hangover."  They currently sit in the 3rd place in the metropolitan division (with games in hand), and have been playing extremely well as of recently, winning 11 of their last 14 games. This team is poised to finish strong, and have the possibility to make a strong run in the playoffs.

What can hold them back?

Goaltending: The Islanders goaltending has been strong this season, but Coach Capuano has been splitting time between Jaro Halak and Thomas Greiss, with some JF Berube sprinkled in here and there. Splitting time can be a good thing as it doesn't wear guys out, but it could be hard for a goaltender to get into a rhythm. Luckily this hasn't backfired yet, but Capuano will have to choose his true number one eventually and ride him down the stretch and into the playoffs. Let's hope he chooses the right guy. My choice would be to let Greiss get the reigns and see what he could do as the top guy. (Halak was injured in Tuesday night’s game in a non-contact situation. Could be a groin/hip injury, and that could solve the problem).

Injury bug: Last season the islanders were relatively healthy, until they lost one of their top defenseman, Travis Hamonic, right before the playoffs began. Another blow to one of their top 4 defenseman will doom them for sure.

Coaching: Besides the goaltending issues, Coach Capuano loves shuffling the lines. The only line that seems to have stayed intact throughout the season, is the infamous 4th line of Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, and Cal Clutterbuck. The deadline day pickup of youngster Shane Prince has added to the mix of forwards, and the coach has to figure out the best combinations and stick with them. Most of the core has played together for years, so they are familiar with each other, but too much tampering throughout the final stretch could be detrimental to the line chemistry in the playoffs.

The 2nd and 3rd place teams in the metropolitan division would play each other in the first round of the playoffs. For most of the season, the Rangers and Islanders have been in the 2/3 spots, and chances are that's where the two NY teams finish.

How exciting would that be? Islanders vs Rangers in the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years. And how fitting would it be that the for the islanders to win their first playoff series since 93-94, that they would have to do it against their biggest rivals.

The last 15 or so games will be interesting to watch. This team has enough to make the playoffs, and win a round or two. What do you think?

Is it Time for Lukaku to Return to Chelsea?

After Chelsea took care of their top priority, signing Jose Mourinho to manage the team, the focus has shifted to the transfer market and the search for a top striker. Chelsea has been rumored to be in talks with top forwards such as Edinson Cavani (Napoli) and Hulk (FC Zenit Saint Petersburg), but their best option might already be under contract.

Romelu Lukaku, who was on loan to West Bromwich Albion last season, has stated that he wants to return to the London squad for next season. Lukaku had a phenomenal season at West Brom, netting 17 goals in 35 games, including a hat trick vs Manchester United, in which he was inserted into the game as a second half substitute on the last day of the season. The 20 year old Belgian has often been compared to another former Chelsea star striker, Didier Drogba.

Lukaku is a tall, strong and agile player that has shown that he has ability to give opposing defenders fits in the offensive end of the field. His physical stature and imposing demeanor is what Chelsea have been missing since Drogba left at the end of the 2012 season. Combine that with the success he had last season playing for a lesser club in West Brom, and the fact he has experience playing against top Premier League defenders, and you have a player who is ready to take on the challenge of cracking Chlesea's starting 11.

Back in the 2010-2011 season, then current Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was quoted as saying that he wanted to bring Lukaku over to Real Madrid. Lukaku later decided to join Chelsea, and now Mourninho has the chance to coach the player he insisted on obtaining a few years back.

Chelsea's current forwards Fernando Torres and Demba Ba were unable to be that model of consistency for the Blues up front. Torres, who actually had a quietly productive season, already has been rumored to be heading out of town, possibly to Napoli if they sell Cavani. Demba Ba is a nice player, but he's not a top quality striker for a top quality team. He would be a serviceable backup to Lukaku and/or anyone else Chelsea would buy. Mourinho was the one who brought in Didier Drogba, and was able to shape him into being one of the top forwards in the world. Lukaku has all the right tools to become even better than Drogba was in his prime, and just needs the opportunity and some guidance from "The Special One."

It's time for Lukaku to come home and join his fellow Belgian Eden Hazard in the mission to help Chelsea collect another trophy or two in the upcoming campaign.

CC struggles, Yanks lose opener 8-2

photo courtesy of NY Daily News

After losing over 100 home runs in the offseason, and having stars such as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodiriguez on the disabled list, pitching was supposed to be the strong suit for the Yankees this season.

That was not the case on Monday, as the Yankees fell on opening day to the Red Sox, 8-2 in front of 49,514 at Yankee stadium.

Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia had another poor outing on opening day, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, and 4 walks in just 5 innings.

In 5 opening day starts for the Yanks, Sabathia has yet to come away victorious. He is 0-2 in his 5 starts, with a whopping 7.43 era.

Sabathia has started slow in the past, and usually doesn't reach his full potential until mid season, but his lack of velocity has some cause for concern. Sabathia, who had offseason surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow, failed to reach his average midseason velocity of 95 mph in Mondays start. His fastball ranged from 89.9 to 91.7 mph, and he relied heavily on his off-speed pitches as he threw 33 changeups compared to 35 fastballs.

C. C. didn't seem worried about his velocity, stating that his elbow and shoulder feel fine. He has been a workhorse since he entered the league with Cleveland, and has pitched four straight 200 plus inning seasons for the Yankees.

His age, 32 years old, and his 2,569 career innings, indicate that eventually his production will decline. Of course it's just one game, and being a notorious slow starter could have something to do with it, but the question is a valid one. Was Monday the start of that decline? We'll have to wait and see.

No Mo, Mo' Problems

As many yankee fans were paying their last respects and getting ready to put that final mound of dirt on Mariano Rivera thursday night, I couldn't help but think of the classic song popularized by Frank Sinatra, "My Way" and I knew we hadn't seen the last of the all time saves leader in Major League history. Yankee fans have grown accustom to requiring a lead heading into the 9th inning and from there it was time to rise for "Enter Sandman" and then off to celebrate a Yankee victory while filling up the subway above 161st street. 

Before the gruesome ACL tear, most fans viewed Rivera shagging fly balls in the outfield as fun and traditional. Not many gripes arose about the Rivera ritual as this is nothing new. He began taking outfield practice before games since his career began in May of 1995. Rivera has even said that before he retires he would like to play outfield in a Major League game. So why start complaining now? 

This tragedy should be looked at as a glass half full approach as Yankee fans now get to glare into the crystal ball of the bullpen. As much as we try to block it out and believe otherwise, Mo will not be around forever (unless you count his future plaque in Monument Park) and eventually another player will have to take the mound as Yankee fans sit and await those final three outs in the 9th inning. 

That man is Dave Roberston. Although this is up for debate, Robertson is a good young arm that is ready for the responsibility that comes with closing games in the Bronx time and time again. He is highly tested and highly proven as we've seen his Houdini act coming out of the bullpen and getting strikeouts with runners on base, most notably in the 2009 World Series run. Although Robertson has only been a full time pro for a short time, he's already starting to build his resume.

Robertson was named to his first All Star team last season replacing David Price. Robertson finished last years breakout season with an American League leading 1.08 ERA and finished 2nd in the American League with a 13.5 K/9 ratio. You knew there was going to be a Robertson/Rivera comparison so here it comes. He finished the 2011 season with 100 strikeouts, becoming the first Yankee reliever since Rivera to record 100 strikeouts in a single season. Mo accomplished the feat in 1996, his second pro season. Robertson also mirrored the feat in his second full pro season. Not to mention Robertson led the AL in holds and was named the GIBBY's Setup Man Of The Year for 2011.

Since the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano on January 11th, 2011, i've never felt he was tailor made for the big spotlight of the Bronx as Robertson and Rivera are. Soriano posted his highest ERA (4.12) last season since 2004 when he had a miserable 13.50 ERA with Seattle. He gave up 18 runs in 39 innings which is the third highest of his career. Although Soriano signed here with the intention to one day take over that closer role, he missed a chunk of games with elbow problems last season. He is also five years older than Dave Robertson. Soriano's signing came off of one really good season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010 when he led the American League in saves with 45 and struck out three batters on nine pitches, otherwise known as an immaculate inning.

The only time we should be seeing Rafael Soriano replace Mariano Rivera is when Soriano was named to the All Star Game in 2010 in which Rivera bowed out. So now back to the great one. Whoever does close games for the remainder of this season should know its a tryout and that they are simply keeping the throne warm before Rivera takes his rightful place next season. As this post comes to a close, I keep re-reading the lyrics to "My Way" and continue to believe more and more that this song was made with Rivera in mind. 

Don't believe me? Tell me "regrets i've had a few, but then again too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption" doesn't resemble his 39 blown saves in 647 opportunities. This final line describes our beloved Rivera to a "T" and when he does finally retire it'll be a sad day in Yankee history, but I can assure you it will not be this year.

"But through it all when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way"

Toney Douglas > Mike Bibby

Remember that guy Toney Douglas who was a fan favorite at the garden last year and who was supposed to be the starting point guard for the 2011-2012 Knicks? That's the same guy who shot close to 40% from 3 point range in the previous two seasons and has been known and was drafted for his ability to play defense on the perimeter.

With the recent injuries to Amar'e Stoudemire, Jared Jeffries and Jeremy Lin the Knicks rotation has had some minutes available at the guard spots. With Lin being injured on Monday night, Mike Bibby was inserted into the rotation as the backup point guard to Baron Davis. Davis is still getting into game shape so Bibby was on the court in some key minutes in the most important game of the season for the Knicks so far.

Bibby was a great player in Sacramento and even in Atlanta. He struggled last year with the Miami Heat and has yet to find his range from the 3 point line which was his strength for most of his career. He struggles on the defense end of the floor, especially against younger and quicker point guards, and doesn't bring much to the offense end of the court as far as penetrating and creativity.

So why not give Toney Douglas another shot? No doubt about it Toney struggled at the start of the season when he was asked to be the starting point guard on a team with high aspirations. He was still recovering from having off season shoulder surgery, and was asked to play point guard in a system that is built for a facilitator and not a scorer at the position. Toney has always been considered in between a 1 and a 2 but his defense and accuracy from behind the arc is something that this team could use off the bench.

With a new coach and a new system why not wipe the slate clean on Douglas and give him some minutes off the bench and see what he has. With all the injuries piling up, and the grueling compact season coming down to the final stretch, you never know when you might need him.

Can Melo Fit?

 

Now that we know that Jeremy Lin is for real, the next question is how will Amar'e and Melo fit in with the new style of offense. Many believe that Stoudemire will actually greatly benefit from Lin as his point guard because Amar'e has thrived in this type of system when a true PG was there to run the offense. Amar'e had great seasons with Steve Nash and was an all star last year playing with Raymond Felton for the first half of the season. Stoudemire has struggled at times this season on the offensive end, but the emergence of Lin and the Knicks  reverting back to a true D'Antoni system offense of ball movement and pick and rolls will benefit Amar'e.

Carmelo Anthony on the other hand is another story. Most have speculated that Melo will struggle to adapt to the way the Knicks have been playing in his absence. They say that Melo needs the ball in his hand to be productive. I tend to disagree with most. Obviously Melo is one of the top scorers in the game when it comes to one on one isolation, but he has proven that when he has successful point guard, he can play off the ball as well. In recent interviews he has said all the right things, saying that it is his job to fit in to what Lin is doing, that he can play with anybody, and that he is excited to finally have a point guard that can run the offense. Knicks fans were starting to unfairly boo Melo before his injury. He was asked to play a position he was uncomfortable with.  the point-forward, having to run the offense after Toney Douglas and Iman Shumpert struggled in the beginning of the season to do so.

Jeremy Lin has made everyone around him better. He has transformed five fingers into a fist, and substituting Jared Jeffries and Bill Walker with Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony is sure to make the Knicks a better team. It will take time for Amar'e and Melo to gel in the new offense and get used to playing with Lin, but if they buy in, the Knicks will be back in discussion for one of the top half seeds for the playoffs.

Knicks win streak hits 3 as Jeremy Lin continues to shine

The first time could be luck, the second time could be a trend but after a third straight game in which Jeremy Lin has shined, you can tell that he is the real deal.

Lin had 23 points and a career high 10 assists as the New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards 107-93 at the Verizon Center on Wednesday Night. 

This was the first start on the road for Lin, and he was surprised to receiver a warm ovation from the fans when during his introduction before the game. The fans in Washington continued to give him support after every made basket and even began chanting his name at the end of the game.

"Like I said after the last game, I wouldn't have imagined this” said Lin after the roller coaster ride of the past week.  “Thanks for them for coming out and they came out strong for the Knicks tonight. We had a lot of energy that came from them.”

Lin has been the talk of the town in the Asian-American community and tonight showed the support they have for him as there was multiple signs with his name and even some Taiwanese flags spread throughout the arena.

Lin has raised the level of play for the Knicks and his play making ability has helped Steve Novak burst onto the scene after being buried on the Knicks bench. Novak had 19 points on Wednesday and was 5-9 from downtown. 

Another playing thriving from the play of Jeremy Lin is Tyson Chandler. Chandler was involved in a boatload of pick and roll plays on Wednesday and finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, two points shy of his career high.

No one has been more excited about the play of Jeremy Lin than Coach Mike D’Antoni. Many have been clamoring for D’Antoni’s job after he has struggled integrating Carmelo Anthony into the offense. The Knicks have struggled running D’Antoni’s offense without a true point guard, and Lin has come on the scene right in the Knick of time(pun intended). 

"I think it's for real," Coach D'Antoni said. "The things that are real are his vision, which won't change; his speed, which won't change; his knowledge of the game, which won't change. I think it can only get better."

After two hot shooting games, the Knicks shot just 25 percent from the field in the first quarter and were trailing 23-17. Lin got into foul trouble and had to sit the final four minutes of the first quarter. The Knicks outscored the Wizards 35-23 in the second quarter, thanks to Steve Novak who was on fire connecting on four 3-pointers to give the Knicks a 52-46 halftime lead.

Washington went on a 10-2 run to begin the third quarter before Lin took over. He made play after play in the third and scored 12 points to put the Knicks ahead 77-68 entering the fourth. 

The closest the Wizards got in the fourth was five points at 79-72, but strong play from Lin and rookie Iman Shumpert , who had 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, helped the Knicks pull out their third victory in as many games, and kept the Linsanity going.

Talk is Cheap

Coming into this season, the New York Jets went to back to back AFC Championship games. The Giants have struggled in the regular and post season after winning Super Bowl XLII, and the tide was starting to turn in the Jets favor as to which team runs New York, or so they thought.

The Jets and Rex Ryan ran their mouth earlier in the season stating that they were not the Giants' little brother anymore, especially after not having to play anymore in Giants Stadium. They talked a lot of trash leading into the week 16 matchup, in which the Jets were the "home team" at MetLife Stadium, and even covered up the Giants' Super Bowl banners that were in the stadium. After the Giants defeated the Jets thanks to a 99 yard TD reception by Victor Cruz, the fates of each team seemed to change. The Jets went on to miss the playoffs, where as the Giants went on a mystical run that saw that crowned Super Bowl XLVI champions.

During the Super Bowl celebration at MetLife stadium yesterday, Giants' defensive end Justin Tuck was sure to put in his own two words after the Giants walked the walk.

"The last time we did this, it was in Giants Stadium," Tuck told a crowd of approximately 40-to-45,000 fans at the team’s Super Bowl XLVI championship rally at its home stadium. "And I am sure you know where I am going to go with this. Now we are in MetLife Stadium. It's MetLife Stadium.

"But for one thing you can be sure of -- of whose house it is.”

And so the feud continues between two teams that share a City and a beautiful new stadium.  After the Jets talked the talk for the entire season, the Giants, in true Big Blue fashion, walked the walk, and kept their season motto true to the end, FINISH!

In Davis We Trust (Or at Least Hope)

Knicks' point guard Baron Davis practiced with the team on Monday for the first time since being acquired in mid December. This was the first time Davis has seen the court in nine months as he has been recovering from a herniated disk in his back. Coach Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks are in desperate need of a spark at the point guard position. The Knicks' offense has struggled without a true point guard to run the D'Antoni offense. With great scorers like Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on the team, many thought that defense, not offense, would be the side of the ball that was struggling. The offense has looked stagnant with Anthony playing the point-forward position after D'Antoni tried to run the offense through combo guards Toney Douglas and rookie Iman Shumpert. The Knicks lead the league in isolation plays so far this season, and fans have become restless and have even booed Carmelo Anthony when he runs the offense by holding the ball at the elbow for 10 seconds, as he shimmy and shakes followed by hoisting up a brick. In fairness Anthony has been bothered by injuries, particular to his non shooting hand and wrist but the lack of a true point guard is the main reason for his and his teammates struggles.

In Baron Davis coach D'Antoni, as well as Knicks' fans see a band-aid that can help patch up the offense and make this team into the championship contender that many deemed it would be at the start of the season. Their view is very optimistic and they hope they get the Baron Davis that is an all star point guard and not the one who has struggled in the past couple of years dealing with injuries. The Knicks' season and possibly coach D'Antoni's job will rely on how well Davis performs when he eventually gets into some game action. He is sure to struggle in his first couple of games, having to get acclimated with the Knicks' offense, as well as his teammates. Only time will tell if this glimmer of hope will provide a light at the end of the tunnel.

Did Nelson Cruz Cost the Rangers the World Series?

Game 6. 9th Inning. 3-2 series lead. 7-5 lead in the game. 2 outs, 2 strikes, 2 men on.

This is the setting for Nelson Cruz's blunder from Thursday night. The Cardinals were down to their final strike as David Freese, who has had a hell of postseason, swings and hits a line drive to deep right field. Cruz, who is playing right field, is in a no doubles depth, playing deeper than usual.

Cruz starts back and takes a nonchalant approach as it seems to be a routine fly ball. He gets about 3 or 4 feet from the wall and does a half leap and completely misses the ball. The ball actually wasn't over his head, it hit the wall about halfway up on the right side of Cruz.  His approach and jump makes it seem that he was scared of the wall.

Being an outfielder myself, you are taught as a little leaguer to sprint back, find the wall first, and then find the ball. Sometimes this can be more difficult than usual depending on positioning and the speed of the ball. Cruz completely misplayed the ball, and although his team didn't lose directly because of the play, he had a chance to end the series with a fairly routine catch.YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE GAME ENDING CATCH IN THE WORLD SERIES! GIVE MAXIMUM EFFORT AND BANG INTO THE PADDED WALL IF YOU HAVE TO!

As you know the Cardinals go on to win the game in the 11th inning off another big hit by David Freese. Game 7 is tonight, and Cruz better show up and the Rangers better win or he might just be the next Bill Buckner.


 Here's the play if you haven't seen it: