A Christmas Un-wish List

With Black Friday coming this Friday, we here at Shea Stadium Blues would like to make one un-wish each for the Knicks, Jets, and Mets.

Even though we here at SSB are Jewish, I am hoping Santa will listen.

Knicks- Don't not sign AI! There is still time! Not signing AI is such a huge blunder. Donnie, I'm begging you! Learn the difference between Marbury, Francis, and Alan Iverson. Iverson is a hall of famer! Not a bum! Donnie, you said bringing him in would stunt your young players' development. Is it that you think fans sitting in the seats at the garden (and watching the game!) would be distracting to the young players? Because that's what AI would have meant! People showing up and watching the games! It wouldn't even hurt next year's cap. And if he was happy, maybe he would stay for less next year, you never know. RECONSIDER!!! There is still time.

Jets- STOP USING REVIS ON PUNT RETURNS! First of all, he doesn't even seem that good at it. Second of all, HE IS YOUR BEST PLAYER! Why risk injury on stupid punt returns? The season is over anyway! Doesn't anyone remember Jason Sehorn (granted that was a kickoff, but still). Instead of using him on punt returns, how about we have him cover the opposing team's best receiver? Did anyone notice that on the Sims-Walker touchdown, Revis was covering Maurice Jones-Drew! WHY???? Did anyone notice that on the play that decided the game, Leonhard was trying to change the coverage (waving his hands and such). Jim, if you aren't sure what to do, leave Revis on an island and double the other guy (covered by non-entity Kerry Rhodes)! Is this so hard? I know Rex said he would be bringing chaos, I didn't think he meant in the defensive huddle.

METS- Don't give Francouer $36M for 4 years! Please! Pretty Please! He had a nice couple of months. Look at the previous 3 years! He sucks. He plays everyday, and that is nice, and I guess he could bat 7th on a playoff team. HE IS NOT A CORNERSTONE OF THE FRANCHISE! If Madoff has all your money, don't waste what you have left on this stiff.

AMEN!

HOT STOVE BLOCKBUSTER

Tampa is sick of Pat Burrell.

I am sick of Luis Castillo.

Burrell has one year and $7M left.

Castillo has 2 and $12M (don't get me started!).

We send Castillo and $5M for Burrell.

Burrell can play 1B or LF (depending on which position we fill through free agency).

Castillo can play 2B for TB, allowing Zobrist to play RF (where he would be better off).

Perfect trade.

Burrell is not good enough to play in the AL (apparently).

He was quite good in the NL East.

Worst case, at least we don't have to watch Castillo sacrifice in the first inning anymore.

Done and done!

The Three Point Line

As I watch the Knicks tonight, it occurs to me...

I remember watching Charlie Ward, former "point guard." He used to dribble up to the three point line, pass off to who ever was farthest from the basket (and moving away from it), then go in the corner (of the arena, not the court) and suck his thumb until the 24 second clock expired.

Tonight, the Hawks present quite a contrast. Mike Bibby dribbles, attempts to penetrate, and when the defense collapses on him, passes to an open man.

But I digress.....

The real purpose of this post was to mention that THESE Knicks seem to have another 3-point line problem. They seem to think shots made from out there (by the other team) don't count.

Now, when you watch a Knick game, you will always see the opposition get uncontested lay-ups, that's a trademark of a D'antoni coached team. What's surprising is how often guys are left standing ALL BY THEMSELVES, waiting for a wide open, undefended three pointer. There have been 5 so far tonight, half way through the 2nd quarter.

This basically means that the 5 Knick players, to the extent they are playing defense at all, are guarding 4 Hawks, and leaving one guy totally uncovered.

I actually understand it, kinda. The strategy goes like this:

1. We can't defend all 5 of them

2. Maybe their 3 point shooters will miss a lot tonight on their uncontested 3's

3. If they miss a lot, maybe we can win.

What I don't get is, why can't the 5 Knicks cover the OTHER 4 guys? Uncontested layup after uncontested layup!

It's like they are playing on a constant power play, and giving up short-handed goals.

On the bright side, Toney Douglas got 2 fouls in the first 6 minutes of the game.