SU is on the way back from some badly need R&R time, but of course has its finger on the pulse of the latest developments in the sports world.  A few thoughts this morning:

• Memorial Day is a key benchmark for baseball teams.  You can generally tell what you have for the season by now.  For the Yankees, who always have higher expectations, SU will stick to its original prediction of at best a .500 team.  Early season success has given way to a spotty offense that is geared to Ellsbury and Gardner getting on base.  Ellsbury has never played a full season and going on the DL will no doubt impact their ability to score consistently.  For the diehard fans like SU, there is little to get excited about with this year’s team.  Admit it – other than seeing A-Rod come up, who are you watching on the edge of your seat?  Chase Headley?  The injuries to the pitching will only heighten the need to get younger and sooner.  SU says bring up the young guys and at least give fans something to watch.
• For the Mets, they never have the same expectations and have surprised thus far with an impressive record despite some important injuries.  The addition of Syndergaard to the rotation is great and now you have three young studs going every 5 days.  Once Wright returns, the offense should stabilize a bit.  They should be in the mix through July and then we shall see if they have staying power.
• What have we learned about tanking an NBA season?  First, do not go out and win a couple of late season games for pride.  Bad move by the Knicks there.  You have to be all in on tanking.  Second, this year’s draft requires you to be in the #1 or #2 spot.  At #4, the Knicks will have to gamble on the kid from the Congo playing in China (or more accurately being injured in China) or else take a lesser impact player.  What’s amusing is that many sports writers are saying that you have to draft someone who will blend nicely with Carmelo.  So, if you go with the point guard, he will have to learn to stand in certain parts of the court once the ball stops moving.  Sure, they will play the triangle offense into late November but after that, Melo will have seen enough and taken over the new and improved “isolation triangle” offense.  This will be Phil Jackson’s defining off-season with the draft picks and some cap room.  Prepare to be under-whelmed.
• SU enjoys watching LeBron and surely he is the best player in the league.  But why do you go away from an offensive scheme that works for the first 44 minutes of the game to having James go one-on-one for the last 4 minutes?  From what SU has seen, he risks losing leads in these games.  It’s fine to isolate him but he still needs to pass it to the wings if guys are open.  He has not been that effective doing this late in games.  SU expects more from him.