Broadway's Newest Star: The Linderella Man

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-Digger's Daily-

New York's newest star is an unlikely hero. Jeremy Lin - a.k.a. "Linsanity", "Linderella", "The Linderella Man" - is lighting up opponents and energizing Madison Square Garden fans. Lin’s 89 points in his first three starts is the most by an NBA player since the merger in 1976-77.

Last night's performance vs LA Lakers - 38 points, 7 assists - brought everyone to their feat. The Knicks played without star starters Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire giving LA a distinct advantage heading into the contest. Or so they thought. Lin's performance set off a series of high five's and chest bumps throughout the contest. One great spin layup after another left Lakers players stunned on the court. By the time it was all over the Knicks cruised to a 92-85 home victory.

Kobe knows Lin - at least he does now after being clueless two night's ago. When interviewed before heading to New York, Kobe was asked about Lin's two previous breakout performances. He had now clue. After last night's game - players and fans from coast to coast know Jeremy Lin.

NFL had "Tebowing". NBA now has "Linning".

Lin was quoted after his latest thrilling game. "The journey was very different, tough at times, my family has been through a lot," he said, referring to getting cut by two teams and his several D-League stints. “It’s been an unbelievable journey. The whole last year and a half, the downs we had to go through. We’re just trying to enjoy everything and handle everything the right way." (NY Post).

How long can the ride last? All systems go for now. But, the word is out on this kid and opposing defenses will soon devise strategies to stifle Lin's recent surge. Not bad for an undrafted player from Harvard who bounced around from team tryout to team tryout before signing with Golden State in 2010. New York took a chance on Lin via waivers and it's been storybook ever since.

Welcome to the NBA Jeremy Lin. Broadway's lights are shining bright.

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NCAA
March Madness has arrived. Time for the best of the best in college basketball to rise to the top. Ohio State, Kansas, Pittsburgh & Duke represent this year's tourney number one seeds. Will one of the favorites win it all or will a long shot peel off upset after upset? Thousands of fans entered their predictions in office pools and online forums hoping to walk away with a few extra bucks. Even President Obama, with the world on fire from wars to earthquakes to nuclear meltdowns, found time from his busy vacation schedule to create a self fulfilling bracket selection video. Too bad he's not as energetic when it comes to restoring fiscal stability to the United States!

MLB
Phillies players, coaches and fans have good reason to be concerned about Chase Utley's injury. There's a good chance he'll begin 2011 on the disabled list. His achy knee will probably be a chronic problem throughout the year. The Phils are cash strapped and publicly state they're not interested in any trades at this point to fill voids created by injury. 3B Polanco gave everyone a scare when coming up lame (elbow). He'll be ready to go after a few days rest. Utley is the main concern. His injury creates lineup and defensive problems while creating an excellent opportunity for NL East opponents to challenge for division title honors.
One of baseball's all time greatest players retired without much fanfare last year. Just the way he wanted. Ken Griffey, Jr. remained silent on his retirement until today. "I just felt that it was more important for me to retire and instead of being a distraction, it no longer became the Seattle Mariners, it became, 'When is Ken doing this? When is Ken doing that?' and that's something I didn't want to have my teammates, who I truly cared about, having to answer these types of questions day in and day out," Griffey said in Peoria, Ariz. "Second, I gave myself a little bit of a head start. There are a lot of people that are friends of mine that would have tried to talk me out of it. And I just felt that it was best for me and the organization to retire. Through no fault of its own. Things happen. I'm not upset," he told reporters. "I think people thought I was upset about certain things, but that's not the case."

Griffey was one of baseball's good guys on and off the field. His skills were second to none until injury problems started popping up. He always gave 110% every night leading to full speed crashes into outfield walls and torn hamstrings. I think almost all of his fans hoped for one last season of respectability before Griff hung up his spikes. It wasn't to be but shouldn't diminish anything "Junior" accomplished. A certain soon to be first time Hall of Famer.

New York Mets troubles never end. Management is being sued for $1billion, team up for sale, players hurting and ticket sales guaranteed to be way down in 2011. Oft injured Carlos Beltran's knees continue to flare up. He lost starting CF duties (now plays RF). It's now all but official Beltran will begin 2011 disabled. His career will never be the same. Add his name to the growing list of Mets free agent busts. Beltran's been a complete waste of money. Johann Santana and Mets officials continue to deny injury rehab rumors. It's been suggested, and strongly denied, Santana will not pitch this season. He was one of the games most dominant pitchers when healthy. Unfortunately, it appears he's done from live action for a very long time.

NFL
It really stings me when professional sports unions and owners do battle. It's absolutely disgusting hearing grown up athletes complaining they aren't getting paid enough? Does anyone know what the minimum salaries are in pro sports? High enough to place them in the upper 1% of world earners. To watch them moan and grown is pathetic. Are the players being treated unfairly by owners? No. Are they compensated at the highest rates in the world? Yes. What more do they want? When is enough enough? They don't deserve their current salaries yet it's not enough. Owners must cringe every time a player gets arrested for beating his wife, rape, drugs, DWI or murder. Coaches cringe when overpaid narcissists don't hustle or give up at key moments. And these guys want more? What is the average price of tickets to any major sporting event? Throw in transportation, food etc and tell me how a middle class family of four can afford a trip to the ballpark? Why are ticket prices to high? So owners can afford over priced players. Do the players care fans have to shell out big bucks? Not a chance. Time for the millionaire cry babies to take stock of how good they have it when the rest of the world struggles to put food on their tables and gas in their cars. Grow up!

NBA
NBA push for the playoffs is on. Would anyone have believed me if I told you months ago that the Chicago Bulls would own best record in the Eastern Conference? One really has to feel for Cleveland fans. Cavs basketball was strong. One of the leagues best. Advanced to conference semi-finals in 3 of last 5 years (lost), conference finals (lost) and NBA finals (lost). Star LeBron James toyed with them for much of the off season before deciding for big Miami Heat money. Now Cleveland is in shambles. 13-53 represents the NBA's worst record. Quite a turnaround. Cleveland owner's felt duped. Fans outraged. It will be a long time before Cleveland turns around this train wreck.

NHL
Can the Devils do it? New Jersey was left for dead during one of their worst starts in team history (5-13-2 & 10-29-2). Players were puzzled and disgruntled. Superstar net-minder Brodeur was playing terribly. After a 23-4-2 run the Devils find themselves within reach of the playoffs. Coach Jacques Lemaire to the rescue. They've won 24 since he took over a team in disarray. Brodeur's been stellar of late winning 15 of 18 after dropping 8 contests in a row during late December, early January. Devils still have work to do currently 6 points off the playoff pace. However, they're the leagues hottest team and playing exceptional hockey. Go Devils!

(www.allworldallsports.com)

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-Digger's Daily-

So much for February being a quiet month for sports news. Major happenings from coast to coast. Here's my highlighted version just in case you blinked or asleep at the wheel...

NBA
Look out, here come the New York Knicks. They pulled off the trade of the season in a blockbuster 3 team deal with Denver & Minnesota. Knicks landed Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. Knicks gave up a kings ransom for instant bliss. Denver may not be an immediate winner after this deal but their future is bright. New York dealt forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, guard Raymond Felton and center Timofey Mozgov to the Nuggets. New York also shipped centers Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph to Minnesota for forward Corey Brewer. Denver acquired center Kosta Koufos from Minnesota, plus New York's first-round draft pick in 2014, second-round picks in 2012 and 2013 and cash.

So where do the Knicks stand now? Exuberant New Yorkers expecting Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire to immediately dominate. Not so fast. The new look Knicks need to gel first. Playoffs will happen. A title? One never knows how playoff hoops will unfold. New players need play better defense than their predecessors. If everything goes according to plan, Knicks will be top contenders. New York is now loaded with talent. Hungry to win. Time to put it together. Knicks will be a force for years to come. Doom and gloom days soon to become a distant memory in rear view mirror.

New Jersey Nets quickly followed suit with a trade of their own. After publicly ridiculing the Carmelo experience, Nets management re focused and pulled off a big deal. The Nets will send Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations to Utah for All-Star point guard Deron Williams. Nets have a very long climb to respectability. This was a first good step.

MLB
Spring training in full speed. Regular season baseball is less than one month away from opening day. Early injury news struck hard in St. Louis with the Cards losing dominant starting pitcher Adam Wainwright for 2011 (Tommy John surgery).

Carlos Beltran will be the Mets new RF. Knee injuries created limited range for Carlos and opened the door for Angel Pagan. Pagan becomes New York's every day CF. New York remains clouded in controversy as team owners face a stiff lawsuit resulting from their involvement with Bernie Madoff. News reports this morning suggest Mets brass aggressively pursuing loans. MLB reported they loaned New York $25 million last year to help the team cover payroll. Mets have continuously denied cash flow problems. It's time for the Wilpon's & Katz' to sell this franchise before they do any more harm to a team within one pitch of the World Series only a few short seasons ago.

Boston manager Terry Francona performed near miracles keeping the Sox in contention most of last year. Injuries popped up at almost every position. Yesterday, ace Josh Beckett got nailed in the head during spring drills.

NFL
Yes or No? Football in 2011 or not. It's owners vs players. NFL Players Association and owners seem destined for an ugly showdown. Believe what you want but both sides are nuts. In January the NFLPA filed a motion of collusion against the owners. Good luck. Owners clearly in the drivers seat here. Players griping owners making too much money, players not enough. They're fooling themselves. NFLPA may try a tactic to decertify before the current bargaining agreement expires Thursday night. It's a gamble. Both sides seem very far apart. What exactly to the players seek to gain? Owners holding all the cards. NFLPA has no muscle in this issue.

(www.allworldallsports.com)

Is Thomas' Return to Knicks a Double Dribble or Personal Foul?

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-Digger's Daily-

New York Knicks and former failed team President and Head Coach Isiah Thomas have been reunited. The Knicks have hired Florida International coach Thomas as a consultant. This has raised all sorts of red flags. At some point in the not too distant future expect NBA Commissioner Stern to strike down this agreement.

Thomas' tenure in New York was a shipwreck. Thomas on and off court publicity was mostly negative highlighted by a sexual harassment suit levied against the former team prez costing his employers over $11 million.

So what makes Isiah's signing bad? The very fact he's a college coach signed by New York to help evaluate talent. There's a big conflict of interest here. First off, he has two employers with conflicting interests. Second, it's a violation of NBA policy which prevents team officials from having contact with players who aren't yet eligible for the draft. There's a clear and present danger by the Knicks/Thomas agreement. Thomas will be in a position of having contact with players (every team member plus future recruits). Young teenage players could easily be pressured into making decisions they normally wouldn't do. What about agents undue influence of cash and perks which often leads to severe sanctions against universities and suspension of players? This deal is rigged to fail.

I'm not sure how or why the Knicks would even entertain entering into any new relationship with Thomas? Aren't the Knicks supposed to be heading in a new direction? Building a new future? New President? New coach? He was an embarrassment to the team and ownership. I believe in second chances but this is a little absurd. Especially, when violating league rules. It'll be a shocker if this deal survives Commissioner Stern's review.

We seem to be living in an era where history is often ignored and repeated.

NBA Free Agent Frenzy Heats Up

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One by one the biggest names in basketball are being signed to wealthy contracts. Stars of the game are being wined and dined to the max. New York is one of many teams attempting to lure LeBron James. The Knicks showed how James could net well over $1 Billion in contract money plus Big Apple endorsements. New York recently signed another big name by gambling on oft injured Amare Stoudemire (5 years, $99.7M) hoping this too would help land LeBron. Personally, I don't think James necessarily wants to sign with New York. LeBron James can write his own future. He'll sign for maximum dollars no matter where he decides to play. Why would he want to take a step backwards from a championship calibur team to play for a rebuilding New York squad? He doesn't.

Miami has turned up the heat. Wade has been re-signed. Joining Wade is another sought after free agent, Chris Bosh. Adding James would instantly give Miami the leagues best 1-2-3 punch, Wade, Bosh & James. Florida living is superb. Miami is an excellent organization. The way I see it, James will either land in South Florida or decide to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls who just signed Carlos Boozer earlier today.

Decision day is Thursday during an hour long ESPN special. Sorry New Yorkers, it's going to take more than just money to turn around a desperate Knicks franchise struggling to create new glory days.