“Rumors That Tom Thibodeau Will Be Knicks New Coach”

In the last four weeks their has been a lot of turbulence coming out of the Knicks front office about, if David Fizdale is the coach to lead this team going forward. Just a few years ago while the Knicks were interviewing for the next coach to lead Phil Jackson Triangle offense crap, Steve Mills had a voice of opinion that Tom Thibodeau was the guy. Jackson didn’t think that Thibs was the guy to run his offense and his young superstar Porzingis and Jackson decided to Hire coach Jeff Hornacek. Since then Hornacek barely lasted 2 years as the Knicks coach and Phil Jackson is now enjoying his millions as he put the Knicks in purgatory.

This past year Porzingis broke his silence on the Knicks debacle, blaming the poor leadership of Hornacek and Jackson the reasons why he wanted out from the organization. Since then GM Scott Perry and Steve Mills have been running the show and two weeks ago at a press conference both Perry and Mills were stating their displeasure of where the team is going. My inside thought is this doesn’t bold well for Fitz and it is believed that the Knicks will be looking for a new coach at the seasons end. Thibodeau this season is freelancing as a broadcaster and taking the time off, after that three year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

His few years with the Wolves was not a great one thats for sure, with bad decision making adding Jimmy Butler and trading away assets that could set the wolves back for many years. It is believed that Thibodeau will be Steve Mills number one target in the offseason as he was Mills top choice when Jackson and him were interviewing a few years ago. Thibs dream job was and always will be the Knicks as he grew as a coach on Jeff Van Gundy’s staff with the Knicks in the 90s.

Mr. Cooperstown

The day was September 28th 2014. The location was Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox fans were on their feet and giving a standing ovation for a farewell for the ages. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right, this was not David Ortiz’s final game. It was however Derek Jeters. That’s right, a Yankee, hated rival, after 20 seasons of being public enemy number 1, had become, for a day at-least one of their own. He only had 2 at-bats, 1 hit for an rbi. As a DH. But when he was pulled time stopped, and Boston rewarded their arch foe…with that’s right a standing. We didn’t know how often we would see Derek Jeter after that day, but we could bet on at least two more appearances. One is when the Yankees induct him into monument park alongside other Yankee legends. The other is when Jeter would be inducted into Cooperstown, the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. To my surprise, this notion has been challenged quite a bit, and even throughout Jeter’s career, he has been met with a lot of skepticism and judgement.

It started back in 1992, when the Yankees drafted Jeter 6th overall. Many scouts had doubted Jeter’s ability to play in the pros. Jeter was drafted behind Phil Nevin, now a yankee bench coach, Paul Sheuy, B.J Wallace, Jeffrey Hammonds and Chad Mottola. Jeter was scouted by Dick Groch, when told he signed a “good player” Groch would respond “No, I signed a Franchise.” But what makes Jeter so special? Hmm let’s do this one step at a time.

On May 29th 1995 Jeter would debut against the Seattle Mariners, he would go 0-5. He’d play 14 more games after that, with the Yankees finally making the playoffs and being knocked out, ironically by the same Mariners. It also ended an era. Don Mattingly was retiring after a long and memorable career. But the team needed a shift. They needed a leader. They needed a young kid, from Kalamazoo, Michigan. They had guys already there with talent. Guys like John Wettland, Bernie Williams and Paul O’Neil. Yankees would also have a huge fusion of youth. Along with Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada would also come up and help take the Yankees to the next level. However in 1996 only one of them won Rookie of the Year. That season Jeter went on to win the ROY award by hitting .314 with a 183 hits and 10 home runs with 78 RBI’s. Jeter would also go on to make his first All-Star Game, he would hit .324 that season finish with 203 hits 19 home-runs and 84 RBI’s. Also led the American League in runs with 127. And led the Yankees to a World Series title. He would also finish that season 3rd in the MVP voting, 1999 was much of the same another year another All-Star appearance, and another World Series title. This year however Jeter would lead the league in hits with 219 and hit a career high .349. Also a career high in home runs with 24 and rbis with 102 … as a lead off man…let this sink in, if that didn’t make you nod your head in appreciation there’s something wrong!

In 2000 Jeter repeated this same success, All-Star Game, World Series crown, 200 hits, .339 average. This season also saw Jeter make history. As the first player to win the World Series MVP and All-Star game MVP. 2000’s season will be highlighted by his lead off home run against cross town rival, the New York Mets Bobby Jones, which would kill all momentum for the Mets. However Jeter’s greatest highlights would start adding a different nickname.

Jeter would make the all star game again in 2001, he would also end that season hitting .311 21 home runs and 74 rbis’s. But this is where Jeters’s playoff resume begins to add to his legacy. On October 13th, in Oakland in a pivotal game. Shane Spencer’s throw from the right field wall missed cut off man, Tino Martinez. Normally that ball would bounce an extra 3 or 4 hops and then roll to Jorge Posada. Luckily enough Derek Jeter on this day executed one of the smartest baseball plays ever made. We now call it “The Flip.”

2001 however during all of this time was bittersweet. On September 11th America would be attacked by a terrorist group, known as Al Qaeda. 2 Air planes would be flown right into both trade centers in the middle of New York City. The country was mourning, New York was mourning just a little more. Families lost loved ones, friends were gone. Rightfully all major sports organizations stopped. Everything stopped. Just a month later. In the biggest stage of them all Derek Jeter once again made history. First major league game ever played in the month of November. First pitch he saw, hit it over the fence. Crowning him Mr.November. Yankeee would go on to lose that World Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks. But that moment lives on and Jeter even for a day made not just Yankee fans, or baseball fans forget what they were mourning. But all of America. It was a national sign that “Hey, were gonna get through this.”

Jeter would continue to make all star and post season appearances from 2002 to 2006. In what I believe to be his best season in 06, Jeter hit .343 had 214 hits 14 Home Runs and 97 RBI’s. He would finish 2nd in voting for the MVP. He would also win another World Series title in 2009. Making his grand total 5. He would make 14 All-Star games in total and would finish 6th all time on career hits with 3,465. Ranks first among shortstops, also won 5 Gold Gloves, 5th most by a shortstop. Postseason rankings are all outstanding. All time leader in postseason games (158), at bats (650), runs (111), hits (200) total bases (302), doubles (32). Jeter is also T-5th in triples, 3rd in home runs (20), 4th in RBI’s (61) and 6th in stolen bases (18th). These stats alone make Jeter an undisputed 1st ballot Hall of Famer.

However Derek Jeter’s true legend, and career is defined in one word, “Captain.” Derek Jeter was announced the Yankee captain on June 3rd 2003, after Don Mattingly retired in 1995. Derek Jeter always played the game with a passion, and leadership that the team could not help but follow. His guidance and thrill for the big moment never went away, whether it was running into the stands to catch a blooper against the Boston Redsox, bloodying up his face. Or whether it was coming back and getting hit number 3000 on a home run on a “Jetertarian” swing. Or maybe it’s getting a walk off hit on his final game at Yankee stadium.

What’s my favorite Jeter moment? There’s two actually. The first one was the last home game of the old Yankee Stadium. Jeter gave a speech telling the fans of New York that he wants us to continue the honor and tradition of the Yankees across the street. The most recent was his final game at Yankee Stadium, after the game he walked out to shortstop where he stood for 19 seasons before, and just soaked in what he loved. The game, the Yankees and most importantly us! No matter the obstacles Jeter overcame them all in New York. Jeter has had a lot of nicknames over the years, DJ, Captain, Captain Clutch, Mr.November…eh all sound kind of over used. I do have a new one..Mr.Cooperstown. Thanks for the memories Jete!

If It Doesn’t Happen This Year, It Never Will

 

NEW YORK, N.Y.- An all-too-familiar image flashed on the
television Sunday afternoon as Jason Garrett was seen clapping his hands and
shouting encouraging words towards his players coming off the field as yet
another game slipped out of the grasp of the Dallas Cowboys. This image has
become synonymous with the Cowboys, seeming almost as iconic as the star that
brands their logo. The beleaguered head coach has earned a reputation of his
teams underperforming on the big stage, and it’s time for the Cowboys to make a
change if they are truly serious about finishing the season as the lone team
standing.

 

 

 

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and
over and expecting different results.” This is a powerful message from Albert Einstein
that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones needs to recognize, as he continues
to expect championship results while employing the same head coach that has
proven time and time again he is unequipped to tackle that task.

 

 

 

The NFL head coaching position is the most impactful of all four major sports. We’ve seen brilliant head coaches elevate bad teams and terrible head coach destroy great teams. The latter is what is happening to the Cowboys with Garrett at the helm. One of the best indicators of this is simply looking at the win-loss record coupled with the talent on the roster

 

The Cowboys have built one of the best rosters in football
this season and have done so smartly, locking up young players on long-term
deals earlier in their careers to save money in the future. Every position
group is solid and Dallas is littered with top-five players at their respective
position. Ezekiel Elliott. Leighton Vander Esch. Amari Cooper. Demarcus
Lawrence. The list goes on and on. This roster is built for sustained success
and on paper, should be one of the elite teams in the league.

 

 

 

The problem is “the clapper” hasn’t been able to take all of
that skill and translate it to wins on the field. While the Cowboys are 6-5 and
alone in first place in the NFC East, a large part of that “success” so far has
been beating inferior teams coupled with the rest of the division struggling
mightily. Their six wins have come against: Giants (twice), Redskins, Dolphins,
Eagles and Lions. The combined record of those teams is 14-40-1. On the flip
side, Dallas has yet to beat even an average team, losing to the Saints,
Packers, Jets, Vikings and Patriots. With the talent in place to win these
games against tougher opponents, the blame has to fall upon the coaching staff.

 

 

 

The good news if you are a Dallas fan is that it seems like the czar of the Cowboys is finally getting fed up with losing and coming after Garrett. After Sunday’s loss to the Patriots in which New England was severely outmanned yet still found a way to win, Jones called out the coaching staff, saying “I don’t think there’s a game where a coaching staff couldn’t do better.” Jones also went on to say he “shouldn’t be this frustrated” given the makeup of this roster, echoing the same sentiment that a majority of the fan base has been lamenting for years.

 

 

 

 

 

Hearing this first major criticism towards Garrett from
Jerry should be an encouraging sign for fans because the Cowboys’ championship
window is as wide open as it might ever be. With so many key pieces in place
for the next few years, Dallas needs a head coach that can put them in
positions to succeed and take this team to the next level. In the 10 years that
the former Cowboy quarterback has been the head coach, has there ever been a
game where Garrett was credited with outcoaching the opponent?

 

 

 

The best analogy to describe the 2019 Cowboys is to compare
them to a sports car. Dallas has a souped-up engine in a great offensive line,
powering the rest of the team to have success. Ezekiel Elliott is like the best
set of tires, running steady to give the offense rhythm. Adding Amari Cooper to
this offense is like taking the restrictor plate off the engine. And the
defense is a reliable pair of brakes, providing a safety blanket. The only
issue is the driver of this perfectly crafted vehicle is a man who’s unable to push
this car to its potential.

 

 

 

Criticism of Jason Garrett’s conservative decision making
isn’t new. Neither are the calls for him to be fired. But those calls do take
on a different meaning with the way the team is currently constructed. Dallas
has never been better equipped to win their first Super Bowl since 1996 than
they are in the next two-to-three years. Jerry has to realize this and bring in
a coach that can take this team to its peak, something Garrett has failed at
for the past 10 years.

 

 

 

If Jerry truly wants to win another Lombardi Trophy, he
needs to heed Einstein’s advice and try something new, or run the risk of falling
into a never-ending cycle of insanity.

 

Changing The Culture

Changing The Culture

This past week on WWE Backstage on FS1, a big announcement was made in regards to who will be on the show this coming week. Phil Brooks aka CM PUNK broke the internet by making his return to a WWE product. The world became un-glued, as the world automatically starting thinking that Phil Brooks (Cm Punk) is back fully with the WWE. About 6 years ago, Cm Punk quit WWE.

It has been reported since then that he was not happy with the booking of his character and that he was treated poorly by the WWE medical staff. It was reported at the beginning of October, that Phil Brooks signed a deal with FOX to work on WWE Backstage at the start of November. As per multiple sources, We also know that he got this deal directly through FOX and had no contact to or from WWE.

As wrestling fans, we have to understand that this does not mean that we will see Cm Punk back in a WWE ring. Even though Cm Punk and WWE ended on bad terms, He was still one of the greatest characters WWE ever had. He was a straight shooter and had the 2nd longest WWE Championship title run in the companies history. I always say, wrestlers that leave the business, always find their way back to the business. It is in their blood. 6 years ago Cm Punk broke many hearts with his departure. Let’s not get your hopes up fans, and get your heart broken again.

How About Them TarHeels, Not all that it seems!!!

The University of North Carolina Men’s basketball team has gotten off to the best possible start possible sitting 4-0 and 1-0 in ACC play against a gritty Notre Dame team. Sitting at 4-0 might look good in the standings and the ranking may be in the top 10 ( sitting at #5) but this team has plenty of flaws they need to figure out before the ACC gauntlet comes in January and tough non-conference opponents in Ohio State at Chapel Hill and Gonzaga in Spokane.

There are certain flaws that will hurt this team come ACC schedule and come March. One of the two main flaws in this Carolina team is free throw shooting.. The TarHeels as a team are shooting a modest 60.2% from the charity stripe which is the worst Roy Williams have had.. Yes, they are only 4 games in but this young and in-experienced Tarheel team will have to be better if they want to be considered one the best in the ACC and the country..

The second flaw this Tarheel team has is 3-pt shooting.. This is the worst 3pt shooting team Roy Williams has ever had in his tenure at Carolina. Yes, Carolina is known for dominating bigs and dominating the glass but they were always somewhat capable of shooting the 3, this team is showing early signs of struggle on the offensive end and 3pt shooting.. 3 for 19 and 6-18 the last 2 games won’t cut it for this young Tarheel squad

All in all this squad is young and is only 4 games in.. Plenty of room for improvement and if I was a betting man Roy Williams will get this team to play better and execute better on the offensive end doing what’s needed to succeed. But one thing I do know, this will be one fun Carolina season!!