SPANISH HARLEM – The New York Yankees continue to restructure for the long haul, in the span of about a week they signed a new manager, traded for the National League MVP and then cleared cap space by sending Chase Headley to the San Diego Padres for a minor league player and a bag of chips. Oh, and the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers with Kristaps Porzningis contributing 37 points.
First lets start with the Yankees, who took the news of Shohei Ohtani hard. As many people know by now, the Yankees were not flustered at all and added new meaning to the word “greedy.” That’s the way many fans that hate the this team will say proudly, hoping and wishing that their team would use their resources in the way Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner have this off-season. Do the Yankees have a boatload of money? Yes but that can be said for all big market teams. That also includes your New York Mets, who continue to provide their fans with a sub-par product while crying poverty. (They broke the bank signing Anthony Swarzak to a two-year, $14 million contract).
The Yankees are all in and they hope that the moves made so far will get them over the hump and into the World Series. I love that this organization will do whatever it takes to win because they know that to make money, you have to spend money. Sounds cliche, I know, and that may hurt fans across the pond but who cares. Some fans may think we are jaded because they have won so much but no, it’s always exciting. I didn’t ask for Giancarlo Stanton but the Yankees thought otherwise and this is a better team because of that decision. Who am I to argue?
Cashman & Co have done a fabulous job so far clearing money off the books to add Stanton. They traded the aforementioned Headley to clear up even more cap room. If they can somehow talk Jacoby Ellsbury into waving his no-trade clause, then that’s also a move this organization will explore. The beauty of the Yankees being the Yankees is that they are never a finished product; they are always looking to improve. They will continue to think outside the box and make moves that will benefit this team NOW. Does Stanton’s contract scare me? Yes. At some point it may become an issue but I hope by that time, the Yankees will add a Championship or two.
Now onto the New York Knicks… who faced Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN’s Tuesday Night Basketball. This was for marketing purposes only, because both teams are NOT star-studded, unless you consider Porzingis a star. I do. Lonzo Ball has had his fair share of highs and lows so far in this young season but many predict that at some point he will be an elite point guard.
Anyway, it was a match-up of young players looking to shine on the brightest stage. The Unicorn came ready and played elite level offense in the 2nd half, pouring in 37 points in the win. Sure players favor the Lakers at this point but if Kristaps continues to play at this level, there is no denying that he will make this organization a place other people will take seriously. Many people on this site know my feelings when it comes how I want the season to play out but I also can help but get excited when I see what this team can do when everything is clicking. The players genuinely care about each other and it shows when someone like Michael Beasley gets important minutes down the stretch. For me that makes the Knicks fun to watch again!
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