SPORTS: Isiah Thomas Has Gotta Go

NBA
Monday is usually reserved for the weekend sports recap, but the Madison Square Garden Brawl between the Knicks and Nuggets is the only topic I can think about at the moment.

Isiah Thomas has been on my **** list for years, following one horrible basketball decision with another. This weekend, he took his ineptitude to the next level. Chris Sheridan reported Saturday that Thomas warned Carmelo Anthony not to play in the paint at the end of the game, and video evidence backed up Sheridan's story.

At first, this loyal Knicks fan blamed JR Smith for starting the fight after he tried to tackle Nate Robinson. (Mardy Collins delivered a hard foul, it happens.) But after listening to the post game interview and reading about Isiah's warnings, it became clear that Thomas started this whole scenario. The fans were getting ready to rain the Garden with boos for yet another blow out loss at home, so why not take the focus away from Isiah's horrible team?

Everyone gets on Carmelo Anthony for his part--the most vicious part--in the brawl. I don't see it that way. I likely would have popped a gasket if the other team's coach warned me not to be in the paint, where Collins hard foul initiated a brawl.

Wouldn't you stick up for your teammate? So, sure, Melo sucker punched and ran, but I'm sure he saw Collins' foul as the same thing.

So I apologize for the quick sports rundown, but all I can think about is how much damage Isiah Thomas has dealt my favorite team since 2003. I can't even say the end is near either, as the worst owner in all of professional sports, James Dolan, gave Isiah the rest of the season to turn things around. Ugh.

NFL
Terrell Owens was, well, himself.
The Giants are done and Tom Coughlin lambasted Eli Manning.
The Bears clinched home field advantage.
The Chargers won despite getting nothing from Philip Rivers.
The Jets and Bills both stayed alive.

NCAA Basketball
No. 7 Wisconsin's Alando Tucker buried Aaron Gray and No. 2 Pittsburgh. (I watched this game and Wisconsin looked to be a vastly superior team).
Greg Oden (the player the Knicks should be drafting but won't because of friggin Isiah Thomas) is the most efficient college basketball player I have ever seen.

MLB
The Red Sox are having second thoughts about JD Drew.
The Yankees, Braves and Pirates discussed a three way trade.

NHL
The Atlantic Division-leading Rangers were blown out on back-to-back nights, at a combined 15-3.

FANTASY NBA: Matt Barnes, Fantasy Stud?

MATT BARNES
With Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy injured, Matt Barnes is making the most of his minutes. As a starting SF, check out his line: 14.8 PPG on 54.9%, 2.4 3PM, 6.2 REB, 3.0 AST, 1.6 STL, 1.2 BLK, 85.7 FT% and 1.2TO.

Right now, Matt Barnes is essentially a top five fantasy NBA player. Who knows how long it will last or what will happen when Richardson and Murphy come back. But to get even one game like last night's 32 point, 11 rebound, three assist and three steal effort seems worth the chance.

SEAN MAY
In the off chance Sean May is still available in your league, pick him up. He slipped in the 2005 NBA draft because of concerns over his body, a la Carlos Boozer. While Bobcat teammate Raymond Felton and Hawk Marvin Williams got all the draft day love, May was the reason the Tar Heels beat Deron William's squad in the 2005 NCAA Championship Game.

Point is, I expect Boozer-like things from May.

May's averages seem rather pedestrian, but he's rattled off five 10+ rebound games, seven 15+ point games and three 5+ assist games this season.

ANTHONY PARKER
Anthony Parker is terribly inconsistent and I would proceed with caution when considering him on your team. Every single one of his statistical categories, however, has improved in December. He's getting over 32 MPG as a starter, up from just under 30.

If you're going to take a flyer on a guy, why not have it be on the starter who is getting more minutes?

BRENDAN HAYWOOD
Etan Thomas sprained his left ankle and Brendan Haywood started in his place last night, good for 12 points and 13 rebounds. He's already averaging 2.3 blocks a game. If you need a center, he's you're guy--for now.

JARED JEFFRIES?
Keep your eyes on Jared Jeffries, although I wouldn't pick him up now. Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas knew Jeffries for most of his life and both share the Indiana connection. He quite possibly could fill a prominent role on the team, despite previously doing little to validate his 2002 lottery selection.

He started last night at PF--possible eligibility at SG, SF and PF--and scored 15 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had three steals.

FANTASY NBA: Emerging Forces

SHALLOW LEAGUES

In my league (which is actually ridiculously deep or "subterranean"), someone dropped PG/SG Randy Foye. I'm sure this happened in plenty of leagues where patience is not a requisite for a league championship, so it deserves to be pointed out he should be picked up immediately if he's available.

You cannot teach a player to be clutch. Coaches rely on this intangible and players who have it get the opportunity to shine. Last night, Foye scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter against the Mavs. En route to victory against the Clippers Saturday he scored 14 of his 15 points in the fourth. He's stepping up in a big way against quality opponents while Kevin Garnett is occupies defenses. The other stats should fill out in time, which is awesome potential for the 13th man.


DEEP LEAGUES

Miami G/F Dorrell Wright is finally cracking the rotation. Drafted in 2004 out of high school, he barely saw the light of day on the Heat bench despite having some freakish athletic gifts. He developed a knowledge of the game, being coached by Pat Riley, playing with some legendary veterans and being part of a championship team. Now, he is budding into a star. With Riley calling out his team, Wright should continue to get minutes as long as keeps earning them.

In three games as a starter, his line: 8.7 PPG on 50%, 100% FTP, 11.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.3 SPG and 1.0 TO.


SUBTERRANEAN LEAGUES

I was one of the many Knicks that attended the 2006 draft who booed Isiah Thomas' draft selection of SF Renaldo Balkman (for the record, Kenny Bloggins called Isiah drafting the most unconventional player possible). While PG Marcus Williams appears capable of being Jason Kidd's successor, Balkman is a high energy rebounder and shot blocker, who has the ability to lead the fast break.

Channing Frye will be inactive for five weeks and Quentin Richardson and Jared Jeffries are out for about a week apiece. Balkman will get more minutes too after coming off a truly spectacular game against Chicago.

In 20 minutes, his line: 10 PTS on 50% FGP, 1 3PM, 13 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK, 1 STL and 1 TO.

NBA: Iverson Is All Heart

By Steve “Supreme Commander” Cernak

"It's just terrible, what's going on in Philadelphia," Allen Iverson said. "I just feel like I've got to do something more than I have been doing to try to help this situation as much as I can."

Kevin Johnson’s story illustrates the lows of humanity. Shot three years ago for refusing to give up his AI jersey to a group of teens, Johnson became quadriplegic. His recent death was attributed to the attack as his respirator failed. Iverson then offered to pay for Johnson’s funeral.

Iverson's antics early in his career made him the poster-child for all that ails the NBA. He also had gun problems of his own. This led to ridiculous attacks on his character for wanting to pay for the funeral--years after said problems.

Funerals aren’t for the dead, they’re for the family of the dead. Iverson will lay Mr. Johnson to rest like a king. His family will know he didn’t die for the name on the back of 76ers marketing material but, rather, their son, brother, cousin or nephew died a man of principle.

We gripe over professional athletes not caring. In this case, the most exciting player to see live in the NBA gave back and it isn’t good enough. AI acts selflessly and gets blasted, which is appalling. Even worse, few are aware of this story like with Kevin Garnett’s $1.2 million pledge last year.

Where is the media coverage on this story? A safe assumption is that teens value mesh cloth because of the TV exposure Iverson enjoys.

But then again, ESPN’s sole responsibility is to sell more beer, trucks and other products males 18-39 thoroughly enjoy before the Budweiser “Lukewarm Seat” segment! (Please note the heavy use of sarcasm.)

AI always leaves his heart on the court and is my all-time favorite player to watch live. A list which includes: Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dominique Wilkins, David Robinson, Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing and many others while sitting at Madison Square Garden. AI tops the list because of his creative mastery with the rock.

That’s really all you should ask of a player: to get your money’s worth (In my case, $60 for section 300 to watch Stephon Marbury "star"). Iverson leaves his heart on the court every game year in, year out. Now, he is proves he is all heart off the court too, which isn’t good enough for some. While that is sad, it is far worse that powers to be allow this issue to be swept under the rug.

Thank you, Mr. Iverson. One man cannot end the gun violence in Philadelphia but, hey, it’s a start.

NBA: New NBA Shoe Commemorates Worst Knicks Team Ever

by Steve "Supreme Commander" Cernak

James Dolan, Madison Square Garden Chairman, President and CEO, announced today Nike commemorated the worst team and franchise he could possibly manage.

“I came really, really close to completely destroying the Rangers, but unfortunately Jagr got good again in New York. It means a lot that Nike would honor my destruction like this too. The shoe looks terrible. I couldn’t be happier.”

Last year’s NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson had the shoe named after him.

“We here at the Nike Corporation felt Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry, Larry Brown or Isiah Thomas would have been excellent choices,” said some ranodm white collar at Nike. “But, Nate Robinson actually could have been good. His commitment to being a crowd pleaser rather than play defensive like a cornerback at Washington made him win the distinction.”

Jalen Rose and Maruice Taylor flew in for the official Madison Square Garden after party.

Good thread