Last season the Boston Celtics went on to surprise many in getting to the Conference Finals, then taking Miami to a seventh game. Boston’s aging big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen were in year five of an original three year plan, and most media members declared their title window closed.
When All-Star reserves were announced yesterday, several Nets fans were up in arms. Some are just madly in love with Deron Williams, who’s clearly been under-performing this year, while others want justification for Joe Johnson’s large contract. The majority, though, fairly question the inclusion of Tyson Chandler over Brook Lopez.
New York is labeled by most as a basketball town, but this city hasn’t had much to root for on the hardwood during the new millennium. In the twelve seasons since Patrick Ewing’s departure following the 1999-2000 season, the Knickerbockers, for the most part, have stunk up the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena.’
Let me start off by saying the Knicks did manage to end their 3-game skid by beating the Hornets 100-87 on Sunday. Yes, the defense came out flat in the first quarter. Yes, Amar’e Stoudemire is still not back to his old form. Yes, they are still having trouble at the point guard position with Raymond Felton out. And yes, Carmelo Anthony revealed he has been fasting. But with 3-days rest along the trip to London and another 3 on the way back, I believe this mini-vacation over the Atlantic is just what the doctor ordered.
It’s a rare and happy thing to grow great and old in your craft. It’s a gift, an achievement, and a testament to one’s hard work and unique skillset. However, we tend to overlook sustained greatness across the years, and mistake it for something mundane. But genius that repeats and repeats over the long haul is the rarest gift in the world.
Nolan Silbernagel and Mike Valdetara ask Howard Beck whether the firing of Brooklyn’s Head Coach Avery Johnson was justified or premature. They also talk about what possible replacement coaches could be, and if there is any chance the Nets land Phil Jackson.
They also talk about whether the preseason goals of Brooklyn were too unrealistic and if there was too much hype around this team after their hot start.
Click on the plug-in links below to listen.
Mikhail Prokhorov and the rest of Brooklyn Nets ownership fired Head Coach Avery Johnson early this morning on the heels of blowout losses to the Celtics on Christmas day and the Bucks last night. During his press conference this afternoon, General Manager Billy King said: “I just thought he [Avery Johnson] wasn’t able to get through to the players… somehow it just wasn’t translating to the players on the floor, for whatever reason.”
On Christmas morning, kids all over the world will wake up early to find their new iPad, videogames, or toys left for them under the tree. That same morning Knick fans will not only awake to some new gifts, but also a new and improved Knick team.
Saturday during One on One, Amit and I had the distinct opportunity to speak with Yahoo Sports National Baseball writer Jeff Passan about the Winter Meetings that took place last week. We talked about the logistics of the what goes on in the hotel complex, inquired about the outfield market, and got the latest word on the Mets and Yankees. (This was taped just before Zack Greinke signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers).
"I can't even remember last year to be honest," Carmelo Anthony said in front of his locker on Sunday when asked about what’s different this year. Well, let me remind everyone as I take you back to May.
The final horn sounded, and LeBron James wrapped his arms around Anthony in a warm embrace. Despite their head-to-head scoring matchup being even at 139 points apiece, the Knicks season ended and Miami moved on to eventually win the Championship.
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