It's Official

Up to this point in the NBA season I have been going back and forth on the Knicks. From game to game, half to half, play to play. I root for them, then I can't stand them, then for some laughs I root for them again, then they do something so ridiculous that I have to root against them. After this brawl and the unbelievable aftermath I am done. I did not make this decision consciously. Instead, I was at my office party last night and the Knicks fell behind as usual. By the time I got home they had recovered and had the lead. I was drunk and without thinking, reacted in disgust. Down the stretch I was cheering made baskets by Utah and watching with glee when Crawford would chuck crazy shots, or when Curry would go for a rebound with out boxing out and have a guy four inches shorter snatch it from him. In the end the Knicks won against a top team, but I am sick of the organization and its antics.

The team has built up this "me against the world" persona. It really seems like everyone is against them, from New York fans, to NBA fans across the globe, to local/national media, to other NBA franchises. Teams enjoy coming into the Garden and sticking it to the Knicks while the fans boo. It is pathetic, and symbolic of the embarrassing operation that Isiah is running.

At the same time I still enjoy talking about the Knicks with other Knicks fans. Everyone is going through the same dilemma and whether any of us choose to boo or cheer, there is a mutual respect. That is much more than we can say about the product that is put on the court.

Other stuff

• I was impressed by the Utah team. I had wanted to see them play since they got off to such a good start. Deron Williams is a top five point guard in the league. The front line is tremendous, but I would like to see them have another guy who can create his own shot. Okur is a great shooter, and Boozer is great in the low post. Kirilinko has freakish talent, but a very raw offensive game. I like Harpring off the bench, but they still need another piece. Over all though, a very solid team that does not get rattled, and obviously has a top five coach in Jerry Sloan.
• I finished The Education of a Coach by David Halberstam. It is about Bill Bellichek, his family and career. Besides learning about him as a man and how he became the man he is today, the best parts are his dissection of the Buffalo Bills offense in Super Bowl XXV and the St. Louis Rams offense in Super Bowl XXXVI. He is a flat out football genius, and any team that he gets into the playoffs is extremely dangerous. Reading this is what makes me feel that he will be the guy who beats the Chargers in the playoffs. Unless his offense turns over the ball, there is no way his team can lose to a QB such as Phil Rivers. Can he lose to Manning? Yes. Palmer? Yes. McNair? Maybe. No one else in the AFC though.
• In a related note, the AFC is all that matters, because the NFC is a joke. As I said a couple weeks ago, there is going to be one 8-8 team in the playoffs and maybe even two. The only team that has a chance in the Super Bowl is Dallas. Chicago has a brutal QB and an overrated defense. I would say Seattle, but only is Shawn Alexander remembers how to run the football.
• Mets are going to meet with Zito today....If I am the Texas Rangers I am insulted. Texas offered Zito $100 million two weeks ago and he is still waiting on the Mets. In the end i see him coming ot New York for 5-6 years $80-90 million.
• Yankee fans...Thoughts on trading Melky for bullpen help?? I am very much against it. The bullpen is not the reason the Yankees have not won a title since 2000. Getting old and lack of starting pitching is. Melky is a young guy who does not care about playing time. Would it surprise anyone for either Damon, Matsui, Abreu, or even Giambi to miss an extended periond of time? Keep Melky! I understand wanting to bring back Bernie, but his time has passed. Let him walk away. He has given the Yankees many great years, but they also gave him a lot. I feel that it is time to let him go and stick with Melky as the fourth outfielder.
• Random...I love that I continue to get invites to different New Year's Eve parties at bars. Every invitation has the same characteristics....costs minimum $75, has a "great DJ:, not over-crowded, "best deal in town", oh and if you pay double you can get the VIP treatment. They should really say, always a rip-off and a guaranteed horrible time!
• I love that I scored 130 points in fantasy, while the teams that are still in it all had less than that. I will be back with Rudi Johnson, LDT and a high draft pick that the scrubs that finished higher though...
• Im rooting for you smruph in the finals though....glad you took out Curtis, go is back to where he belongs with a 70 pt week.

STKAFI