Hell Yeah, Gallo!!!!

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 22, 2010.

"I think that if people don't consider me a good player, they're stupid!" said Danilo Gallinari to Newsday.

For the life of me I don't understand why with all the media chirping about the baron nature and god-awful mediocrity of the Knicks roster that rarely was Danillio Galinari's name brought up in a positive way (Or in any way at all for that matter.) This past year, his first full NBA season, Gallo averaged 15 points, 5 boards, and 2 assists per game, shooting around 40% from beyond the arc and posting a 14.8 PER. Hey, this isn't Larry Bird Territory but it's not bad either. He plays a physical game (often lacking in European players for which fundamentals and finesse is emphasized) and is getting stronger by the day. Is it really that unrealistic to expect to see Gallo post a 17 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, line with an 18 PER for the upcoming season? I think not.

MJ SAYS KOBE BETTER THAN LEBRON...

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 14, 2010.

R.I.P

Posted by Colin Doyle, July 14, 2010.

Image by Colin Doyle

Let's make this a national holiday. For the timely demise of this mindless noise machine is cause for eternal celebration.

THE BOSS, 1930-2010.

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 13, 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Dan Farrell/ The NY Daily News.

He was born on the Fourth of July and died on the morning of the Midsummer Classic. Big George always had a great sense of theatre and uncanny timing.

In 1973, when the Yankees were a fading franchise, a pudgy, largely unknown Ohio-bred shipping magnate named George M. Steinbrenner purchased the team from CBS for $10 Million dollars (Of which, he personally put in around 200 K!) . It turned out to be one of the great purchases in business history.

In his 37 years of ownership, "The Boss" won 11 A.L. Pennants and 7 World Series Championships. He was hated and loved throughout the sporting world.

As a lifelong Yankee fan I must say that I've enjoyed the fruits of George's rabid competitive spirit.

Links:

Mike Lupica, NY Daily News: "George Steinbrenner Steals The Headlines One Last Time..."

Megan McArdle, The Atlantic: "George Steinbrenner, Strategic To The Last."

Ian O'Connor, ESPN New York: "The Boss' Legacy Bigger Than The Babe's."

Buster Olney, ESPN Magazine: "Hard Driving Boss Made A Huge Impact."

Christine Brennan, USA Today: "Steinbrenner's Influence Was Gold To US Olympic Efforts."

George Steinbrenner statement from the Clintons

A joint statement from Bill and Hillary Clinton:

The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era. Baseball has lost a giant, New York has lost a champion, and we have lost a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Steinbrenner family today and with all the friends, colleagues, and fans who loved The Boss.

George was a fierce competitor who was the perfect fit for the city that never sleeps -- colorful, dynamic and always aiming higher. His Yankees brought home seven World Series championships and provided inspiration and entertainment to people in New York and around the world. He was a generous friend and supporter of the community. And after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, when New York needed it most, George and the Yankees helped lift our battered spirits. He was born on the Fourth of July and loved his country even more than his team.

We were delighted to host George and the team at the White House in 1999 to celebrate one of their many World Series victories, and privileged to call him our friend. The man behind the myth was generous, loyal and always passionate. On that day at the White House, as we walked out on the South Lawn together and the band struck up "Hail to the Chief," Bill playfully reminded George, "Don't get any ideas, it's not for you." But George always had his own song. They say that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere, and nobody knew that as well as George Steinbrenner. He will be sorely missed.

More coverage:

• Steinbrenner’s obsession
• Biography

George Steinbrenner was the head of a group that purchased the New York Yankees in 1973. The team won 11 pennants and seven World Series titles under his ownership. Steinbrenner died Tuesday at age 80 from a heart attack.

PAT RILEY IS STILL THE KING.

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 9 ,2010.

Image Courtesy of Gentleman's Quarterly.

No matter where you come down on the LeBron to Miami saga (and chances are you hate it) you can't help but admire the brash genius of Pat Riley. Long propped as the ultimate deal closer in the Association's history, Pat may have just spearheaded a b-ball revolution in South Florida, a new world order of hoopshype that could dwarf even his Showtime Lakers! He's already led the Heat to 2006 NBA title with a paper thin roster (excluding Wade and an older Shaq) and now he may have built basketball's greatest juggernaut.

Photo by Heather Jacobsen.

The man with the golden touch...

"QUITTER!!!!!"

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 9, 2010

Photo Courtesy of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Credit is due to ESPN's Bill Simmons on this one. ....What LeBron did to the Cavs and Cleveland is almost exactly the same thing as what Hulk Hogan did to WCW and the fans in the infamous NWO angle back in 1996. I know Pro Wrestling can be a corny scripted soap opera (with great athletes) but tell me you didn't just get goose bumps when Bobby Heenan screams, "Hulk Hogan has betrayed WCW...he is the third man in this picture!!"

LeBron isn't "The King" he's "The Third Man!!!!"

Below is a copy of the letter Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert wrote to the fans of 
Statement From Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Print RSS Cavs Insider Discuss

“I would like to say thanks for the incredible outpouring of support by the numerous loyal and passionate Cavaliers fans who have offered to contribute to paying the recent fine I was assessed by the NBA.

The humbling offer by so many is another reflection of the strength of Cavs fans and the people who live and work in this region and are always the first to step up and have each other’s back.

I will pay this fine myself, but would be grateful and highly appreciative for any fan who redirects the dollars they kindly offered to contribute towards this fine to the Cavaliers Youth Fund, which will positively impact our region’s kids through the numerous local charitable groups the Cavaliers Youth Fund supports.”

Donation information: Fans can make checks payable to the Cavaliers Youth Fund and send them to the attention of: CYF, One Center Court, Cleveland, OH 44115. They can also make a donation on-line at www.cavs.com/donate.

NO GUTS...NO GLORY.

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 8, 2010.

"No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe."

- Harry Gray

"I've never been afraid to fail."

- Michael Jordan

LeBron James is going to a small, safe market to be a role player. I repeat, LeBron James is going to a small market (Miami is the smallest of the six markets that LBJ considered) to be a role player. He will be Pippen to D. Wade's Jordan. (And that is fine, but it forever takes him out of the running for the title of greatest ever. Forever)

Michael Jordan would never do that. Larry Bird would never do that. Tim Duncan didn't go to Orlando, and only Nixon could go to China. LBJ turned down the greatest city on Earth and the greatest fans in basketball in NY. He turned his back on his battered vulnerable beaten down hometown in Cleveland, OH. He didn't want any part of Jordan's eternal shadow in Chi-Town. He goes now to the least passionate, most fickle sports city in America. In the final analysis, LBJ needed Dwyane Wade, and Dwayne Wade didn't need LBJ.

At 10:37: According to ESPN's Chris Broussard a big name GM in the NBA just called LeBron soft and claimed he (LBJ) doesn't have the mentality of a winner. OUCH!!!!!

At 10:43: Miami native and Herald columnist Dan Le Batard announces , "Miami stinks as a sports town. We don't deserve this."

At 10:55: "I think LeBron will regret not calling Dan Gilbert before this," said Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN.

11:02: According to SB*Nation, police cars have surrounded LeBron's billboard in downtown Cleveland for fear it may be destroyed or vandalized.

LBJ now goes from being the most popular player in the NBA to the most hated. His "brand" has taken a major hit from which he may never, ever recover. He is no longer a leading man but a role player, a Robin to D. Wade's Batman. He will win titles but nobody will see him as a threat to Jordan's legacy ever again. There is only one #23 and trust me #6 is no #23....

12:37: I'm going to bed. LBJ fears NYC. I'll say it again...LBJ fears NYC. To quote the great Ric Flair, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man!" LeBron couldn't beat the man so he up and joined him.

Peace,

-Sean Doyle

Meet The New (And Rather Unfortunate) Face Of NBA Recruitment.

Posted by Colin Doyle, July 8, 2010

Alas, it is true... in return for a life time supply of grey hotdogs and rotten beer at the House that Isiah destroyed, "Rapper" Fat Joe stepped in on behalf of the Knicks organization to help convince Amar'e Stoudemire that his future lay in Midtown Manhattan. All the more ominous for the Knicks and their F-level Rap Star recruitment strategy is this massive mural looking down on the old Garden.

GULP....

LEBRONATHON FINAL WORD. (Wednesday's Whips Vol. V)

Posted By Sean Doyle, July 7, 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Prince Akeem.

It has come to this. We are but 24 short hours away from the most important announcement in NBA free agent (re: human) history. Major pieces are now off the board. Bosh and Wade have both committed to the wily Riley South Beach Superteam. Nowitzki and Pierce have opted to stay home sweet home. Amar'e "STAT" Stoudemire has taken to the Big Apple. So where does this leave the King? Apparently in Greenwich, Connecticut. Hmmm....

Why is LBJ in hedge fund heaven? One does wonder as wild rumors abound. Tommorow night at 9 p.m. LeBron announces live on ESPN which one of the six teams (Cleveland, New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey) pursing him he has finally decided to sign with.

I'm a (long suffering) Knicks fan. I'm biased I admit it. But I think there is a very strong argument as to why LBJ should come to NYC. I'll lay it out (stat-wise) here:

On/Off Court Maximum Earning Potential (According to Interbrand):

NY Knicks: $ 1.9 Billion

Cleveland Cavs: $ 1.1 Billion

Chicago Bulls: $ 1.2 Billion

Miami Heat: $ 0.9 Billion

(Winner: Knicks)

________________________________________________________

Lifetime Probability of Earning a Billion Dollars (According to Interbrand):

NY Knicks: 48.6%

Cleveland Cavs: 1.3%

Chicago Bulls: 1.0%

Miami Heat: 0.0%

Why is this important? Well, for years LeBron James has repeatedly stated his desire to be the first professional athlete to become a billionaire. According to Interbrand, James' probability of achieving this goal is best served (perhaps only served) by inking with the New York Knicks (by a very, very wide margin).

(Winner: Knicks)

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City Population, Greater Urban Population (According to Wikipedia):

New York: 8.4 Million, 18.2 Million

Cleveland: 0.4 Million, 2.3 Million

Chicago: 2.8 Million, 8.7 Million

Miami: 0.4 Million, 1.1 Million

(Winner: Knicks)

This is a big one....There are more than twice as many people in just NYC (8.4 Million) than there are in Cleveland, Chicago, and Miami combined!!! (3.6 Million for all three). Who wants to be a Billionaire, LBJ?

_________________________________________________________

NBA Team Values (According to Forbes):

NY Knicks: $ 586 Million

Cleveland Cavs: $ 476 Million

Chicago Bulls: $ 511 Million

Miami Heat: $ 364 Million

(Winner: Knicks)

_________________________________________________________

Combined PER's (Player Efficiency Ratings) of Team's Current Top Three:

NY Knicks: 51.5 (Stoudemire 22.6, Gallinari 14.8, Chandler 13.7)

Cleveland Cavs: 48.6 (Varejao 15.8, Williams 16.1, Jamison 16.7)

Chicago Bulls: 57.8 (Boozer 21.3, Noah 17.9, Rose 18.6)

Miami Heat: 63.7 (Wade 28.0, Bosh 25.0, Chalmers 10.7)

(Winner: Heat)

* On the pure numbers, Miami is way ahead. However, if LeBron goes to such a loaded team in a such small fickle market it likely would be seen as a cop-out (an easy route to a couple rings...something Jordan or Bird would never ever do) and could seriously (perhaps irreversibly) damage his reputation and by extension his brand....(Bye bye billions...)

_________________________________________________________

Biggest Upside/ Impact (2009-2010 Record, Recent History, etc.)

NY Knicks: 29-53 (2 playoff appearances in last 10 years)

Cleveland Cavs: 61-21 (5 playoff appearances in last 10 years, lost '07 Finals)

Chicago Bulls: 41-41 (5 playoff appearances in last 10 years, Jordan led to 6 Titles in 90's)

Miami Heat: 47-35 (7 playoff appearances in last 10 years, NBA Champs in 2006)

(Winner: Knicks)

Quite simply, if LBJ wants to make the biggest impact he will sign with the Knickerbockers. Thanks to "Fire" Isiah Thomas, the Knicks have suffered through the worst decade in franchise history. If LeBron inks here (NY) he will instantly lead New York to 50 plus wins and a deep playoff run. The Knicks haven't won 50 games in 11 years! LBJ, Amar'e, and Gallo are good for 50+ wins easy. The Bulls are Jordan's team (6 Rings are a minimum requirement there..). 'Nuff said. Miami are Wade's team (always have been and always will be) and they just won the NBA title in 2006! Cleveland is a close 2nd to New York because it is LBJ's home and the city of Cleveland hasn't had a championship in any sport for 46 years!!!

_________________________________________________________

Conclusion:

Miami is a tiny market (smaller than Cleveland!) with perhaps the most fickle dispassionate sports fans of all of the six major players for LeBron. Yes, Miami is a cool, sexy city but it is no sports town and no place to make a billion dollars. In fact, Interbrand has it as a 0% chance that LBJ will make a billion dollars there. o.o freakin' percent!!!!!!! Plus, LBJ will be Scottie Pippen to Dwayne Wade's Michael Jordan, forever ending the notion that he will be considered in the running for greatest of all time. Cheap easy rings = LBJ BRAND FAIL.

LBJ's best bets are Cleveland, New York, and Chicago. I'd steer clear of Chi-town because of MJ's superhuman sized shadow. This leaves Cleveland (Home) and New York (Home away from home)

as LeBron's best chances to build his own unique legacy and brand (not ride on D. Wade's coattails) and make that cool billion dollars he has always aspired to make. As a Knicks fan you know where I stand.

- Sean Doyle

_____________________________________________________________

DUMMY BROS. NBA DRAFT DIARY!

Posted by Sean Doyle, July 1, 2010

Photo by Colin Doyle.

10:00 AM: A line snakes around the Garden in quelled anticipation of a limited amount of $15 dollar tickets for the 2010 NBA Draft. I (Sean) call my brother (Colin) who happens to be in Midtown Manhattan that day for a Schmuck's convention in the Korean button district and ask him to head over to MSG and get on line. "I must be at this draft!!" I bark into the phone. "Why?" he asks. Well, I reply "I wanted to see what middling player (who will never play in the NBA) the Knicks take in the 2nd round. That's why!" Colin, understanding the magnitude of this event hops in a cab and gears towards MSG....

10:38 AM: Colin, now dead last on the ticket line, snaps the above photo. After a few moments he strikes up a conversation with the Danilo Gallinari fan standing in front of him. As it turns out, the kid was a plant hired by James Dolan to create the impression that Knicks fans were actually excited about this draft.

12:13 PM: My cell phone rings as I am lounging by my pool in East Hampton. It's Colin. He sounds totally gassed. "I got the tickets!" he shouts. "What tickets?" I ask. "The tickets to the NBA Draft, dipshit! Remember you asked me to grab them ?" Turns out Colin doesn't follow my sarcasm very well. "Shit dude, I was joking! You actually got them?" I said while fighting back a laugh. Colin didn't sound as amused. "I waited for two hours in effin' Midtown heat! WTF!" he shouted. Looks like I'm going to the NBA Draft!

3:50 PM I pull out of my driveway with my Frederic Weis Knicks jersey on. E.H. is about two hours from N.Y. so I should be in the Garden with time to spare.

7:03 PM: I am still in traffic. Three hours and I am still stuck on the %#$! Long Island Expressway!

7:43 PM: Fuckity really?

Photo by Sean Doyle