NBA Hands Out Hardware

Last night was a way of closing the book on the 2018-19 NBA Season, handing out individual awards in the great team sport. Its a way to congratulate the individual efforts of some of the best players on the planet in one of the top leagues going. So lets not waste any time and lets dive right into it. Here's how the hardware was distributed last night.

All-NBA First Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

NBA All-Rookie Team
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings

NBA All-Defensive Team
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Basketball Executive of the Year: Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks
Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
NBA Sportsmanship Award Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
NBA Cares Community Assist Award Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Lifetime Achievement Award Larry Bird and Magic Johnson
Sager Strong Award Robin Roberts
Hustle Award Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics

Kia NBA Most Improved Player: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Siakam was a huge factor for Toronto during their push for the playoffs and title run. He could do a little bit of everything for the Raptors this year. The numbers really seem to speak for themselves. He went from averaging 7.3 points a game in 81 games last year, to 16.9 a game in game games and 79 starts this year. It was the biggest point jump by any player who played at least 40 games this season. And just to prove he was a capable defender, Siakam held opponents to 39.4 percent as the closest defender during the 2018-19 season, lowest by any player to face at least 500 shots. He is also the first Raptors player to win the award.

Kia NBA Sixth Man Award: Lou Williams, LA Clippers
Lou Williams is the second player to win Sixth Man of the Year three times, joining Jamal Crawford. Williams joins Kevin McHale and Detlef Schrempf as the only players to win the award in consecutive seasons. Williams pretty much did a little bit of everything coming off the bench for the Clippers this season. He leads the team in scoring and assists, despite playing just 26.6 minutes per game. Oh and the Clippers scored 7.2 more points per 100 possessions with Williams running the show,

Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Rudy may have to start taking hold of the trophy. After winning the award last season, Rudy Gobert is the first player to win Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons since Kawhi Leonard in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Before that, it was Dwight Howard in three straight seasons from 2008 to 2011. Ruydy had himself a fine season. He finished the season averaging 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and was the leader of one of the best defensive units in the NBA. Utah finished the regular season with the second-best defensive rating in the league, allowing just 105.2 points per 100 possessions. Only the Milwaukee Bucks, who finished with the best record in the league, were better on that end of the floor. His stellar defensive play allowed Utah to surge ahead during the 2nd half of the year, ending with 50 wins and a 5th place finish in the West.

NBA Coach of the Year: Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks
Comes off as a bit of a surprise that the guy who helped lead the Raptors to where they are, Nick Nurse, wasn't even a finalist for the award this year. The other two finalists did a fine job with their clubs this year. Doc Rivers, who led the Clippers to a playoff spot with a roster short on top-tier talent. Then you had Michael Malone, who took the Nuggets from outside of the playoff picture to the second seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. But the end result went to Budenholzer, who had Giannis and a cast of supporting characters and took them to the best record in the league

Kia NBA Rookie of the Year: Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
This year's cl;ass of rookies didn't disappoint, with the three finalists posting fine seasons. Trae Young got off to a bit of a slow start this year, but came on extremely strong during the second half of the season when he often looked like a future All-Star. In Phoenix, the top overall pick from last season, Deandre Ayton had a bit more quiet, but still solid, season. He averaged a double double on the year with 16.3 points a game and 10.3 rebounds a game. But it was Luka Doncic that generated headlines almost immediately with his flashy, yet mature play. It was no surprise, with his 21.1 points a game and solid all around play in Dallas, that he walked away with the award


Kia NBA Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
It looked for most of the year like it was going to be Harden winning it for the second year in a row. I mean the numbers do say a lot for Harden, who averaged 36.1 points a game and had a historic offensive season while leading the league in scoring for the second time. But Giannis was the best player on the league's best team record-wise, and managed to average a double double for the year in 27.7 points a game and pulled down 12.5 boards a game. Sure, losing Harden in Houston was a loss, but I think had Giannis missed more time in Milwaukee, I don't think the Bucks would have finished with the best record in basketball.

NHL Schedules Announced

We know the 2018-19 NHL Season has just come to a close. But if your like me, there's no such thing as too much hockey. The NHL has announced today the schedule for the 2019-20 season. So we can start marking our calenders down now for the big games on the schedule. Before we look at the schedule for the locals, here's some other big dates on the schedule for around the league.

October 2nd, 2019: Capitals @ Blues
Blues will raise their Stanley Cup Banner

October 26th, 2910: Blues @ Bruins
First time these two teams will face off since the finals.

October 26th, 2019: Flames vs Jets
Calgary and Winnipeg will face off at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan in the Heritage Classic

January 1st, 2020: Predators @ Stars
The Winter Classic will take place at the Cotton Bowl in Texas featuring a rematch of Round 1 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

January 24th-26th: All Star Weekend @ St Louis

February 15th, 2020: Kings vs Avalanche
For the second time, the NHL brings a Stadium Series game to a U.S. Service Academy as the Kings and Avalanche meet at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

That's just some of the outside stuff. Lets not wait anymore. Here's the 2019-20 schedule for the locals. We'll start on Broadway.

October:
Oct 3 vs Winnipeg 7:00 PM
Oct 5 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Oct 12 vs Edmonton 1:00 PM
Oct 17 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Oct 18 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 20 vs Vancouver 1:00 PM
Oct 22 vs Arizona 7:00 PM
Oct 24 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Oct 27 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Oct 29 vs Tampa Bay 7:00 PM

November:
Nov 2 @ Nashville 2:00 PM
Nov 4 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Nov 6 vs Detroit 8:00 PM
Nov 7 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Nov 10 vs Florida 1:00 PM
Nov 12 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Nov 14 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Nov 16 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Nov 20 vs Washington 8:00 PM
Nov 22 @ Ottawa 7:30 PM
Nov 23 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Nov 25 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM
Nov 27 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Nov 29 @ Boston 1:00 PM
Nov 30 @ New Jersey 1:00 PM

December:
Dec 2 vs Vegas 7:00 PM
Dec 5 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Dec 6 vs Montreal 7:00 PM
Dec 8 @ Vegas 7:00 PM
Dec 10 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Dec 12 @ San Jose 10:30 PM
Dec 14 @ Anaheim 4:00 PM
Dec 16 vs Nashville 7:00 PM
Dec 20 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Dec 22 vs Anaheim 12:30 PM
Dec 23 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Dec 27 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Dec 28 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Dec 31 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM

January:
Jan 2 @ Calgary 9:00 PM
Jan 4 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Jan 7 vs Colorado 7:00 PM
Jan 9 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 11 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Jan 13 vs New York 7:00 PM
Jan 16 @ New York 7:00 PM
Jan 19 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Jan 21 vs New York 7:00 PM
Jan 31 vs Detroit 7:00 PM

February:
Feb 1 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Feb 3 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Feb 5 vs Toronto 7:30 PM
Feb 7 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Feb 9 vs Los Angeles 6:00 PM
Feb 11 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Feb 13 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM
Feb 14 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Feb 16 vs Boston 3:30 PM
Feb 19 @ Chicago 8:00 PM
Feb 21 @ Carolina 7:30 PM
Feb 22 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Feb 25 @ New York 7:00 PM
Feb 27 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Feb 28 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM

March:
Mar 1 vs Philadelphia 12:00 PM
Mar 3 vs St. Louis 7:00 PM
Mar 5 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Mar 7 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Mar 10 @ Dallas 8:30 PM
Mar 11 @ Colorado 10:00 PM
Mar 14 @ Arizona 9:00 PM
Mar 16 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Mar 18 vs Pittsburgh 7:30 PM
Mar 20 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Mar 22 @ Buffalo 3:00 PM
Mar 24 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 26 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Mar 28 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Mar 30 @ Florida 7:00 PM

April
Apr 1 vs Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Apr 2 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Apr 4 vs Chicago 1:00 PM

October:
Oct 4 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 6 vs Winnipeg 7:00 PM
Oct 8 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Oct 11 @ Carolina 7:30 PM
Oct 12 vs Florida 7:00 PM
Mon, Oct 14 vs St. Louis 1:00 PM
Oct 17 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Oct 19 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Oct 24 vs Arizona 7:00 PM
Oct 25 @ Ottawa 7:30 PM
Oct 27 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM

November:
Nov 1 vs Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Nov 2 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Nov 5 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Nov 7 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Nov 9 vs Florida 1:00 PM
Nov 13 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Nov 16 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Nov 19 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Nov 21 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Nov 23 @ San Jose 10:30 PM
Nov 25 @ Anaheim 10:00 PM
Nov 27 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Nov 30 vs Columbus 7:00 PM

December:
Dec 2 @ Detroit 7:30 PM
Dec 3 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Dec 5 vs Vegas 7:00 PM
Dec 7 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Dec 9 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Dec 12 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Dec 14 vs Buffalo 1:00 PM
Dec 17 vs Nashville 7:00 PM
Dec 19 @ Boston 7:00 PM
Dec 21 vs Anaheim 1:00 PM
Dec 23 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Dec 27 @ Chicago 8:30 PM
Dec 29 @ Minnesota 6:00 PM
Dec 31 @ Washington 1:00 PM

January:
Jan 2 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 4 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Jan 6 vs Colorado 7:00 PM
Jan 7 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 11 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Jan 13 @ New York 7:00 PM
Jan 14 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Jan 16 vs New York 7:00 PM
Jan 18 vs Washington 1:00 PM
Jan 19 @ Carolina 5:00 PM
Jan 21 @ New York 7:00 PM

February:
Feb 1 vs Vancouver 1:00 PM
Feb 4 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Feb 6 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM
Feb 8 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Feb 10 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Feb 11 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Feb 13 @ Nashville 8:00 PM
Feb 15 @ Vegas 10:30 PM
Feb 17 @ Arizona 4:00 PM
Feb 19 @ Colorado 10:00 PM
Feb 21 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Feb 23 vs San Jose 5:00 PM
Feb 25 vs New York 7:00 PM
Feb 27 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Feb 29 vs Boston 1:00 PM

March:
Mar 3 vs Montreal 7:00 PM
Mar 5 @ Ottawa 7:30 PM
Mar 7 vs Carolina 1:00 PM
Mar 10 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Mar 12 @ Calgary 9:00 PM
Mar 13 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM
Mar 15 @ Pittsburgh 6:00 PM
Mar 17 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Mar 19 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Mar 21 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Mar 22 vs Carolina 5:00 PM
Mar 24 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Mar 26 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Mar 28 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Mar 30 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 31 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM

April:
Apr 2 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Apr 4 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM

So there you have it. Which games are you looking forward to the most?

Circus Hits Queens

As if things couldn't get any weirder for the 2019 New York Mets, this happens. Both Manager Mickey Callaway and starting pitcher Jason Vargas have been fined $10,000 each for their actions against a team beat writer Sunday after the loss to the Chicago Cubs. This should come as no surprise considering some of the other strange things that have happened to the Mets with Callaway running the team.

So the Mets couldn't hold a lead on Sunday, after Seth Lugo gave up a three run shot to Javy Baez, who I felt was left in way too long while others felt Lugo shouldn't have been pitching at all. Callaway was clearly agitated by the line of questioning after the game, particularly about his reluctance to insert Edwin Diaz as Lugo labored through the inning. Callaway said Diaz might have been available for four outs, but not five. It's stupid to not be using an all star closer for five outs when he hasn't pitched in a few days and is well rested unlike Lugo. And side note Mickey, I thought you knew when you took this job that you'd have to be dealing with stuff like this you stupid idiot.

\Anyway, back to the story. Jason Vargas had to be restrained from going after Newsday reporter Tim Healey in the aftermath of the Mets’ 5-3 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday. The incident began with Callaway imploring a public relations official to “get this motherf–ker out of the clubhouse” after telling Healey moments earlier “Don’t be a smart-ass” after the reporter had said in passing that he would see Callaway tomorrow. The incident occurred in the clubhouse about 15 minutes after Callaway’s postgame press conference in the visiting manager’s office. Vargas then engaged in a stare-down with Healey and threatened to “knock you the f–k out.” When Healey didn’t leave, Vargas took steps toward the reporter before Carlos Gomez and Noah Syndergaard interceded, separating the two.

It is good to see some fire from the players and their manager, but in this regard, it was totally misguided. Mickey should have known after the game that this kind of stuff was going to start coming down on him, and if he hadn't then he really is an idiot. He should have known about how well Lugo functions on his rest, even the radio announcers for the Mets even said it. But Mickey never got the Memo and left Lugo in for way too long, blowing another solid outing by Jacob deGrom Then there was Vargas, overreacting to Tean Healey. He's just trying to do his job, don't jump down his throat. And how about trying to pay attention to what might have been a little sarcasm from the writers.

This kind of frustration is why the Mets are sinking fast. I know there's a lot of baseball left to be played, but unless things starting turning around for the Orange and Blue, its going to be a long rest of the summer.

NHL Hands Out Hardware

It happens at the same time every year. The best in the game of hockey gather in Las Vegas to honor the year that was around the National Hockey League. It's time to hand out the hardware. The NHL honors the individuals in this great team game. Here's the full list of award winners for the 2018-19 NHL Season.

All Rookie Team:
Goalie: Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Defense: Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres, Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
Forwards: Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning, Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks, Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators

First Team All Star:
Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Defense: Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks, Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
Forwards: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Second Team All Star:
Goalie: Ben Bishop, Dallas Stars
Defense: John Carlson, Washington Capitals, Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

William M. Jennings Trophy (Goaltenders of team with fewest goals against): Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss, New York Islanders

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Top goal-scorer): Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (51 goals)

Art Ross Trophy (Top Point Scorer): Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning (128 Points)

Mark Messier Leadership Award (Leadership and community activities): Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers/Nashville Predators

King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and humanitarian contribution): Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and excellence): Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers

NHL General Manager of the Year Award: Don Sweeney, Boston Bruins

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, Sportsmanship, and Dedication): Robin Lehner, New York Islanders

Frank J. Selke Trophy (Defensive forward): Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues

Ted Lindsay Award (Outstanding player voted by Players Association): Nikita Kucherov Tampa Bay Lightning

Jack Adams Award (Best coach): Barry Trotz (New York Islanders)
Not going to lie here, this one came as a tad bit of a surprise. Not to say that I'm not thrilled for Barry Trotz, because I am overjoyed that he became only the second Islanders coach, behind Al Arbour in 1979, to claim the trophy. With what he manged to do with this Islanders team, taking them on a 23 point improvement and turning them from the highest goals against last year to the lowest this year says a lot. This isn't taking anything away from the other two coaches. Jon Cooper lead the bolts to 62 wins tied for most in NHL history and getting them their first Presidents Trophy. Then there's Craig Berube, who I felt should have had stronger consideration for winning the award. Why? Because he helped take the Blues from the worst record in hockey on January 2nd to a playoff birth and an eventual Stanley Cup title., At the end of the day, what I think cost Berube winning this award was the fact that he was an interim coach and not there from the start of the year.

Calder Trophy (Rookie Of The Year): Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Pretty big night for Petterson, who became the second Canucks player to win top rookie honors, joining Pavel Bure in 1991-92 to do it. Pettersson set a Vancouver rookie record with 66 points, on 28 goals and 38 assists in 71 games. Those numbers pass Pavel Bure (1991-92) and Ivan Hlinka (1981-82), who each had 60 points. Strongest case to top him in the ballot for top rookie could have gone to Jordan Binnington of the Blues, who was called up to the big club on January 7th and went 24-5-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and five shutouts in 32 games to help the Blues return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a one-season absence. He's the only one who came close to taking the title away from Petterssson, who was playing on another level for the Canucks. At the rate this kid went this year, there's a bright future in Vancouver that's for sure.

Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender): Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy had himself a great year in the Tampa nets, winning 18 of his final 21 starts. That helped the Lightning tie the NHL record for wins in a season (62) and win the Presidents' Trophy with 128 points. He led the NHL with 39 wins, tied for fourth with six shutouts, and had a 2.40 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 53 games. Great numbers for a great goaltender, becoming the first ever Lightning netminder to come away with the highest honor for a goalie in this game. Both of the other finalists, Robin Lehner of the New York Islanders and Ben Bishop of the Dallas Stars, had fine seasons. In some regards Bishop and Lehner put up better numbers than Vasilevskiy did, but Vasy had a bigger overall impact on his team than the other two netminders did.

Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman): Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
Seems like this award at times has been about which blueliner has put up. Sure Brent Burns of the Sharks put up more points this year, Burns had 84 while Giordano had 74, it was Girdano who walked away with the award. He finished with 17 goals and 57 assists. But it was more to it than that for the Flames captain. He led Calgary in average ice time per game (24:14), had 21 power-play points, six shorthanded points (four goals), and was an even or plus-rated player in 58 of 78 games this season. What helped the cause for Giardano was what he was able to help lead the Flames to do this season. He helped the Flames, who had a 50-25-7 record, finish first in the Western Conference and second in the NHL with a plus-66 goal differential (Tampa Bay Lightning, plus-104). He's the first ever Flames player to win the Norris and, at age 35, is the fourth player age 35 or older to win the Norris Trophy since it was first awarded in 1954. The others were Nicklas Lidstrom did it four times, Doug Harvey three times, and Al MacInnis once.

Hart Trophy (League MVP): Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
Both Sidney Crosby and Conor McDavid had great years, but they both fall short of the year that Kucherov had down in Tampa Bay. He became just the 2nd Lightning player to ever win the award, joining Martin St Louis in 2004 to claim League MVP Honors. The numbers Kucherov put up should be able to speak for themselves. Kucherov played in all 82 games this year, leading the NHL with 128 points (41 goals, 87 assists), breaking Alexander Mogilny's single-season record of 127 set with the Buffalo Sabres in 1992-93 for most by a Russia-born player. It was also the most by any NHL player since 1995-96, when Pittsburgh Penguins center Mario Lemieux had 161 and teammate Jaromir Jagr had 149. The Lightning went 54-5-3 when he had a point and 8-11-1 when he didn't. If those numbers don't tell the whole story then I don't know what will.

Yankees Just Got Deeper

Everybody who follows baseball knows that the New York Yankees are all about one thing: winning. That's what they do. Some people aren't happy with some of the methods the Yanks use to go about it, but the team does what it has to do in order to be able to win. This year, New York has been a first place team in the American League East with a lot of their regulars out of the lineup due to injury. Not only are the Yankees starting to get those players back into the lineup, they just added another big weapon to that offense. Who is it? AL home run leader Edwin Encarnacion. What does it mean?

New York just shipped minor league pitcher Juan Then and cash to the Seattle Mariners for Edwin Encarnacion, who leads the American League with 21 home runs. He joins an outfield that will soon see a return of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Talk about a murders row of slugging outfielders. He can play outfield when need be, but reports are that Edwin will become the DH. What does this mean for the Bombers now? Well, Luke Voit will handle first base, which will mean DJ LeMahieu will possibly have playing time at third base. Stanton will play left field, whicih means that Brett Gardner is going to get moved around, and so will Judge. It does hurt Clint Fraiser, who's been hitting pretty well and getting better, but he looks to be the odd man out here.

What does adding a guy like Encarnacion do to the lineup?

It was tough enough trying to pitch to the lineup as is. Gio Urshela, Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit and Brett Gardner have all been hitting pretty well this year. You add in Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stantion to that lineup, when they come back and find their swing again, it's going to make things even harder. It's turning into one big whopping after another. Now Edwin is 36 years old and has recorded 100 or more strikeouts each of the last three years (he's already at 55 K's with Seattle through 65 games). Just a food for thought.

Sure, this team can hit, but it might not be such a bad idea for Cahsman to consider going out to get an arm. As a team, the Yankees have a 4.07 ERA, well below the MLB average of 4.45 ERA. But they only have 22 quality starts, which ranks 12th in the AL, and 22nd in the majors. The starters are banged up. James Paxton just came back from injury, Luis Severino is MIA and still out with injury (and there's no way to know which one your going to get when he does come back from the injury), and oh yeah, CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka have struggled. The pen has been solid, but going after another arm might help more than getting a bat.

Sure the offense is now loaded, now lets just see if they can keep pace and maybe even pull away from the Rays in the division.

Dynasty Over

Golden State had been to five straight NBA Finals. They had won three of the last four titles including the last two in a row. They had a chance to become a three peat team and cement themselves as a true dynasty team. Then they ran into the Toronto Raptors, a team that came in on a hot streak and had a world of confidence. As well as health. By the time the dust had settled, the Raptors walked away with a six game series win, claiming their first ever NBA championship, as well as Canada's first major championship since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays. A lot of good went into the Raptors win.

Siz xplayers on the Rapotrs finished this six game series averaging double digits in points: Serge Ibaka (11.3), Marc Gasol (12.0), Fred VanVleet (14.0 all coming off the bench more on that later), Kyle Lowry (16.2), Pascal Siakam (19.8), and series MVP Kawhi Leonard (28.5). For Kawhi, this series was a sign of almost redeption. He's one of six players to ever score more than 700 points in an NBA playoff year, he finished with 732. Only two players have scored more than him in a playoff year and they were Michale Jordan in 1992 with 759 and Lebron James last year with 749. Kawhi is the 12th player in history to win multiple finals MVP, but he's the only one to win it in each conference. he won it with the Spurs in 2014 and this year with the Raptors.

Lets put it like this, Kawhi was playing at an almost superhuman level during the finals, maybe even all playoffs long. The old saying goes that the creme of the crop will rise to the top, and Kawhi did that as the playoffs went along. The reason this was a redemption for Kawhi was because of the way he left San Antonio. He had played a grand total of nine games in Texas all of last year, as he was dealing with injuries and wasn't happy with the situation he was in. So when last season ended, he was shipped out to Toronto in a deal that Raptors fans and Kawhi weren't too happy about. As the season went on, Kawhi kept playing, got more comfortable and became happy in Toronto. He became fond of the city from what I've heard and the city fell in love with him. With the way he'd played all year for the Raptors, it looked like Kawhi had found his game again, now leaving one to wonder what his decision is going to be this summer, stay or head elsewhere?

It wasn't just the Kawhi show in the finals, oh no. Pascal Siakam had a big series, falling just short of 20 points a game. Fred VanVleet was a huge factor in this series, averaging double digits in points every game in this series coming off the bench. That's where the Raptors had the edge.

Sure Stephen Curry was great for Golden State, averaging 30.5 a game for the Warriors. Even Klay Thompson was playing great in the finals, averaging 26.5 in the finals until he blew out his ACL in the 3rd quarter in game six. Not having Kevin Durant most of the series really hurt the Warriors. He played a little in game five before tearing his achillies tendon in his right leg, taking him out all of next season. With the limited options that the Warriors had, it made it easier for Toronto to play lock down defense. With a full roster, there's no doubt in anybody's mind, that has good as the Raptors defense is, they wouldn't have been able to cover everybody and been badly out numbered. This isn't to say that it's all the injuries fault that Golden State lost this series, it's also Toronto was just that good overall.

This series win had to come as one of vindication for the franchise. After 24 years, they finally played the first game ever in the finals up in Canada. It was also the first championship in any of the four major sports since the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup and Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series, both coming in 1993.

Congratulations to the Raptors on winning their first ever NBA Championship!

Championship To St Louis

It had been the longest drought in professional sports. The St Louis Blues had been founded in 1967, made it to the finals in each of its first three seasons in the NHL. Since then, the team hasn't made it to the finals. Until this year. That drought is now over. After a hard fought seven game series with the Boston Bruins, the Blues are the Stanley Cup Champions. Lets try and break some it down.

Boston got the jump with a 4-2 win in the opener. The way Boston controlled play in that contest, it made you feel like it could be a quick series in the Bruins favor. Hell, the Blues have never won a game in finals history. Game two changed the tide a little, thanks to Carl Gunnarsson's overtime heroics. It looked like it had started to turn for the Blues, but Boston hung a touchdown on the Blues in game three in St Louis. It was good enough to chase Jordan Binnington. To this point. he'd never been pulled in a game in the playoffs. Game three was a statement from the Bruins that they were going to be a very tough team to beat.

Many were wondering how the Blues would react to the beating they took in game three. They responded in a big way, thanks to a solid performance in net from Binnington and a pair of goals from Ryan O'Reilly to come away with a 4-2 win to even the series. St Louis followed that up with a big win in game five, although it came of the controversial nature. In the third period, said controversy occurred when Blues forward Tyler Bozak tripped Noel Acciari, and no penalty was called on the play. With play continuing, David Perron scored with the puck deflecting off Rask into the net, to give the Blues a 2-0 lead. Boston would eventually get one back, but it was too late by that point.

The same feeling that hit the Blues after giving up the seven goals was now on the Bruins. Some wondered how the Bruins would react in St Louis during game six, if they could even bounce back from the way game five went down. But the Bruins wouldn't go quietly, scoring five times and forcing the seventh game back in Boston.

Jordan Binnington stood on his head early in game seven. He played like a man possessed in this final contest. Don't believe me? Here, look for yourself:


Some of the saves that this kid had to make in game seven were the stuff of legend. He made saves that would hurt your average man. But this time of the year isn't for the average man. Average men go nowhere in the playoffs. Binnington was more than average. He was a close second in my mind to the guy who won the MVP of the playoffs, Ryan O'Reilly.

O'Reilly finished tied with Brad Marchand for the playoff lead in scoring, but he had a much more well rounded game than anybody in the playoffs. With his Conn Smyth win, O'Reilly became the 3rd center in the last four years to walk away with the Trophy. In fact, O'Reilly wasn't the first Blues player to win MVP of the p[layoffs, he was actually the 2nd. The first Blue to win the award was Glenn Hall, who was between the Blues pipes in 1968 and carried them all the way to the Finals before getting swept by the Canadiens that year.

This year was a magical one for St Louis, who looked dead in the water at one point. They had 15 wins total by January 2nd, and were in dead last in the Western Conference. But thanks to the steady hand of Craig Berube, the Blues finished atop the hockey mountain. St Louis managed to win 38 games under Berube, 30 of which came after January 2nd. There was nobody hotter in the hockey world than the Blues going down the stretch. Sure they hit a few bumps in the road during the playoffs, but they are the one left standing with the greatest trophy in all of sports raised over their heads.

So congratulations to the St Louis Blues, the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Champions!

Lets Be Real, Knicks

He's been the talk of the town for the New York Basketball market for most of the year. It's been no secret that Kevin Durant has been the biggest name on not only the free agent market, but on the wish list for New York Knicks fans. After the injury to his Achilles in game five of the finals, it likely means he’ll be out of action until the start of the 2020-21 NBA season. So this does lead one to wonder whether or not its worth taking the shot at signing him in the offseason, if he even hits the free agent market.

Is it worth signing Durant, if he even decides to leave Golden State?

Depends on how you look at it.  For trying to get him on the floor, no way is it worth it. With the injury he has, there's no chance he's going to be playing next season. Surgery for KD already went down, so he's not touching a court for a while. He could stay put right where he is in Oakland, want to come back and play for the Warriors and take care of possible unfinished business and come back healthy for another shot at a title.

But lets stick with what most Knicks fans hope for, Durant leaving the West Coast. If he does come to New York, he won't play that first year here, but it could be a good mentor role. He could help from the bench and sidelines teach the young guys how to adjust to life in the world's best league, both on and off the court. Then, once his leg is healthy enough to get back to playing, he could come back and be the dominating force that all Knicks fans are hoping for. They want him to be the guy who helps bring this team back to the promise land.

Most Knicks fans I've talked to, as well as the ones who've called into sports talk radio here in New York are convinced he's coming here. The team is still showing interest from what I've been hearing. If he does sign here, and that's still an if, it could be great for the Knicks long term. But it shouldn't be just about KD. The team still does hold the #3 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Rumor has it R.J. Barrett from Duke could fall to them there. And they have enough space in the cap to be able to go after max free agents (although most of this is already known by fans).

I just want the Knicks to be aware that he won't be on the court next year because of the injury and might not be the same player once he does return, stating the obvious I know. I just don't want Knicks fans getting there hopes up this summer as high as they did during the draft lottery and getting let down as much as they did over the draft.

KD can be worth it if he can return to his old self.

Welcome Back Ronnie!

Ah the broadcast booth. The voices of sports help make the games more exciting for those watching on TV and listening on the Radio. Call me biased, but one of the best TV broadcast booths resides on SNY with Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. Over the past couple of months, Ronnie has been out dealing with health issues. Tonight, he makes his return to the booth, a joy for the ears of most to all Mets fans.

Ronnie has been a lead analyst for both SNY and TBS, has been out since the middle of April after having surgery to remove a mass on his chest. The prognosis after the surgery was that the cancer was treatable. At 58 years old, he's been cleared and declared good to go to get back into the booth. He's rejoining Gary and Keith for the broadcast of tonight's game between the Mets and Giants. Ron is so good at what he does with the Mets, he has been used for national baseball broadcasts on TBS for the MLB playoffs the last few seasons.

He provides a different perspective to the game, having pitched in the Majors from 1983 to 1995. He pitched for the Mets, and was a fan favorite, from 1983 to 1991, winning 99 games in the Blue and Orange.

When he's in the booth, Ron gives great insight to the game that few analysts can match. When a great play happens, whether it happens for or against the Mets, Ronnie will praise the play and the player who made it. He just loves the game of baseball and that passion comes through during every broadcast. In the time of his absence, Todd Ziele took over in the booth on nights when Keith Hernandez wasn't on the call. Ziele was a solid announcer but seemed a little dry in my mind. With this return, Ziele will go back to being the in studio host on SNY for pre and post game shows.

Welcome back Ronnie! It'll be so nice to have you back in the booth.