BRONX, NY – This has been a weird week for me. I’ve been sick since Sunday and actually missed a couple of days of work in the first time in… forever. So, between the NFL Draft and the NBA and NHL playoffs, I know there’s been a lot going on. I just might need a few minutes to get my bearings.
The NBA Kids are Alright. When it comes to the NBA playoffs, the only thing New York cares about is that the Knicks are playing well and still in it… and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, here’s who’s not in it: Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and a soon-to-be even expanded roster of longtime marquee NBA names. Even as a Warriors fan, I think this is a good thing. Great for Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves. Huzzah for the Oklahoma City Thunder! I don’t know this team at all, but they too are young upstarts and just dispatched New Orleans (Zion Williamson looked 50 when he was a rookie) in 4 straight. Denver is still pretty youthful themselves. In short, if the Boston Celtics were hoping to win a title, they better make it this year, because it ain’t getting easier. Younger NBA vets like Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who figured these years were their window for winning titles? That window might already be closing, fellas. The kids are coming for you, and they don’t need to orchestrate some Power 3 all-star team, because they’re already good… real good. Oh, and don’t forget about the Wembanyama guy. In the NBA, youth will be served, for the foreseeable future.
NFL Draft. This past weekend’s NFL draft has been discussed plenty, but I’ll add in my 2 cents. As I said before, the absolute highlight of the 2024 draft was Atlanta grabbing its Penix early in the first round, to the shock of everyone and, especially, Kirk Cousins. So amazing was this move that the rest of the draft didn’t seem to matter. Yet, my Vikes needlessly traded up a spot to grab J.J. McCarthy at #10, rather than give up nothing and grab him at 11. Typical. The rest of the draft was filled with the usual “ooohs and ahhhs” from the so-called experts, who then handed out their grades. It’s all pretty silly, if you ask me. I know KC moving up to draft receiver Xavier Worthy got lots of play, but it doesn’t make him the next Tyreek Hill or Tony “Thrill” Hill or even Dan Hill who sang Short Matt’s wedding song, “Sometimes When We Touch.”
MANAGEMENT OBSERVATION: That’s some rug he’s sporting..
Baseball! I’m gonna let the experts handle the hockey playoffs, let’s talk some baseball. Couple of quick things. Florida should no longer be allowed to have baseball teams. Miami is an abomination and should be contracted immediately. You get more people for a random brunch in South Beach than you would get for a good Marlins team, let alone this bunch of sludge. Tampa Bay is probably worth saving, but send them somewhere else, that cares about baseball and has a halfway decent stadium. OK, I’m done talking Florida. Both the Mets and Yanks wasted great pitching performances Monday night. Guys, when you give up only 3 hits and 4 hits respectively, you’re supposed to win those games. Whatever the case, the weather’s getting nicer and it would be great to get out to a game soon, y’know, in lieu of pay.
OK, that’s all for this recovery effort today. I’ll write better as soon as I am able. Come back tomorrow for Buddy Diaz, who may have some thoughts on what losing Bojan Bogdanovic might mean for the Knicks.
