Tell the truth. On draft night, did anyone really feel like Porzingis would turn into a franchise, stud player? He has made the Knicks relevant again. SU didn’t see the game Saturday night but in addition to the 7 blocked shots, did you catch the running hook shot? Let’s compare this to most of the big men coming out of college today who have no jump shot and at most some type of jump hook. After all their years of playing, all they can do is dunk and throw up some type of jump hook. Porzingis can shoot the three, has a mid-range jumper and can put the ball on the floor. And he plays defense.
Of course, now you need him to stay healthy and you need Derek Fisher to keep him on the floor in the 4th quarter. Carmelo Anthony is being the good teammate so far and is saying all the right things. But SU predicts the day is coming when he will not be so happy allowing Porzingis to have the spotlight at MSG. Luckily, the team cleared out some of the knuckleheads like JR Smith who would only have made that situation worse. This roster has mostly good guys who will put team first over ego. SU is tuning in again to the Knicks just to see Porzingis. Build around him and keep going younger.
SU loved the Ohio State meltdown by some key players after their loss to Michigan State. Always good to see how players and coaches deal with losing. SU will be interested to see how Urban Meyer deals with his star running back, Elliott, who openly questioned the play calling after the game. Unfortunately for Meyer, he was right – the play calling was ultra-conservative and Ohio State was basically playing not to lose against an under-manned Michigan State team in bad weather conditions. Michigan State is not good but they now have a path to the final 4 playoff.
SU prediction: Urban Meyer is going to be heavily wooed by the NFL in the off-season to take one of several open head coaching slots. You wonder how much he will be tempted if this episode leaves a bad taste in his mouth? I say he goes.
No doubt, few of you watched Novak Djokovic complete one of the most dominant seasons ever in men’s tennis history by winning the ATP Championship season ending event. Consider these stats:
- record of 82 – 6 for the season
- reached the finals of every tournament he played since early January
- won 3 majors and lost in the finals of the French
- won 11 tournaments in total
- $20 million in prize money
- something like 33 – 5 vs. the top 10 players
He gets SU’s vote for SI Athlete of the Year and if they give it to Serena, that is just wrong.
Finally, lots of Brett Gardner trade rumors with the latest being Gardner to the Cubs for Starling Castro to play 2nd base. Say what? Give Refsnyder a chance or platoon him with Ackley and save some money. If you are going to move Gardner, at least get a starting pitcher out of it. Hopefully, this is just a New York Post inspired rumor with no legs.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I think that Carmelo is figuring out that a good second player will really help him. I recall some years back Phil Jackson saying that if Kobe Bryant played all out all the time like someone such as Allen Iverson, he wouldn’t have much left in the tank. Perhaps he’s made that impression upon Carmelo? Although – I’m with SU in that Carmelo won’t share the spotlight for too long (Linsanity ring a bell?). Regardless, they are more fun to watch and with the powerhouse division they are in – one never knows if they can hang around.
Sasha, definitely agree that the Knicks are once again watchable. I do worry about Porzingis staying healthy for the whole year. It’s a fine line as mobile big guys end up stepping on the feet of shorter players which is never a good thing.
Porzingis is the real deal though you would not hear that yet from Clyde the Glide. The game was a well balanced with numerous players contributing. Still the 3 point shot is how we win. The way Houston shot from the 3 point line you would think we should have beaten them by double figures. I hope you are wrong about Melo. If he is not traded I hope is #1 goal is to win a Championship… and not just “be da mon.” Glaring issue is how many offensive rebounds the opponent continues to get. Way too many easy baskets . We need someone to become an enforcer besides our new franchise player.
I don’t agree with your assessment of Michigan State . Yes, your team should have beaten them but didn’t but every team, including Alabama has a bad day. Clemson looked like they were going to lose to Notre Dame… but didn’t. It’s been a much more balanced Top 10 this season. Great for the sport.
I agree on your assessment of who should win Male Athlete….squeaking out American Pharoh.
Andy, good point on American Pharoh. That horse will probably win as SI likes to include animals in the mix and winning a Triple Crown was a major, major achievement. I think you are right. I am not taking anything away from Michigan State but they don’t get style points this year as they struggled against some bad teams in their wins. You would have to think Alabama will rise to the top as they always seem to finish strong down the stretch.
The past “Summer of Drew” should have been enough to indicate that the Yankees are really not sold on Refsnyder. Even when he was on the team and playing decently, you kept hearing things like “Girardi doesn’t trust him” or “his defense isn’t good.” I’m not sure what it is but there’s something about him that the team doesn’t like.
Prozingis looks good. He’s answering the questions everybody was asking. Things will get tougher as he draws more attention but that means points may start to come a little easier for Carmelo. I hope his brain operates in a way that will allow him to see that. As mentioned above, he did not figure that out when Lin was around.
More importantly with the Knicks, they just won two road games against legit Western Conference teams. Both of those teams have their problems (injuries, coaching changes, flawed rosters) but the change from last season couldn’t be more dramatic.
Actually, Lin was recently quoted that he never had any issue with Carmelo and that Melo has treated him well since he left NY. I know he made comments about his Houston contract and JR Smith alluded that there was friction there. But hopefully Melo is maturing and can appreciate having another player who demands attention. The proof will be in the last second shots and who gets to take them. We will see if Melo has his Scottie Pippen moment…