2009 NBA Draft Pick Brandon Jennings Disses the Knicks in Profanity Laden Interview

Via the NY Post:

Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings was caught on a YouTube video clip cursing out the Knicks for not drafting him last Thursday and taking Arizona forward Jordan Hill instead.

In a profanity-laced video with rapper Joe Budden, Jennings allegedly cursed out Rickey Rubio, among others. Bucks GM John Hammond reportedly has contacted Jennings, who was selected 10th in last week's draft, about the video.

A spokesman for his agent, Bill Duffy, said Jennings, who opted to play basketball with the Italian team Lottomatica Roma out of high school instead of playing college basketball, had no idea he was being taped.

- YEAH RIGHT!!!! Jennings you dope!!!! Way to write the book on how to NEVER EVER get traded to the biggest market in the world! Say bye bye to any hopes of a big pay-day. Congratulations. You are now officially the homer of the 2009 NBA Draft. Here is the video - you can all see it for yourself.

-Mike ;-)

The Longest Lines were at the ATMs at the New Yankee Stadium

I finally saw it - the new and improved Yankee Stadium with bigger, wider sides to accomodate for more stores to sell "stuff." Sigh. What was once a place where families could go to escape the pavement of New York City, has become monstrous homage to merchandising. The new-look Yankees are overpaid home-run hitters. Now I see how they are paying them. Each one of our tickets were $100 a piece. Four of us went. Now I see why much of the rest of the country has come to hate NY and it's overinflated cost of living and bravado.

The NY Giants and Jets are doing the same thing, but even worse to an extent with their Personal Seating Licenses (PSLs) - a one time buy in fee for the right to own your seats like an investment in a company through the stock market. However, it is not clear to me whether the ticket prices drop when the team starts losing. But let me get back to Yankee Stadium...

Besides the relentless and obnoxious in-your-face merchandising, it is my opinion that Yankee stadium was hastily designed. There are a number of noticeable flaws in it's design:

- The scoreboard is too big and too busy. The HD jumbo-tron is gorgeous, make no mistake about it. It's the clearest and biggest picture I've ever seen. It's 60 feet by 100 feet wide! The picture is astoundingly clear. Watching the instant replay on it was cool. However some might argue that it takes your focus off the action on the field. The scoreboard is surrounded with so many advertisements for companies like Budweiser, Utz and Delta, that you can't find the pitch count, outs, etc... There is so much to look at, that it took me almost a minute to find the pitch count. Then, once I did locate it in a tiny area to the left of the enormous screen, I kept having trouble locating it every time because that area is just, well, so darn busy! The MPH per pitch is located at the top of the screen, and the scoreboard by inning is too small and located at the bottom of the screen. The Ball/Strike count is located off to the left surrounded by advertisements. So basically, everything is spread out, rather than in one, quick, easy to see spot. By the time you locate the info you want in order to truly follow the game, your have missed the pitch on the field. That was really, really annoying for the $400 price tag to get in. It was glitzy, flashy, sparkly, and filled with digital graphics meant to awe you into believing $400 was worth it. They overdid it in this department. In my view, it takes away from the game, and makes the whole experience a bit too much techno-metro sexual for my taste. You can see a video with new scoreboard here: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090414&content_id=4263702&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

- Poorly placed and sized signage/directions around the stadium. The hallways were teeming with patrons and the hallways need bigger, better placed signs. It was hard to locate the directions to the men's room.

- The men's rooms were very poorly designed. For a billion dollar stadium, you'd think they would have automatic flushing toilets right? Why would I want to touch that handle? And why is there only one entrance to the bathroom? There should be an entrance and an exit to the men's room with no doors, so you can enter and exit from either side. The door that was installed had no handle on the inside so we couldn't get out! We were locked in there, and had to wait until someone came in and pushed open the door from the outside. I'm not kidding you! They need to add some interior door handles for the men's rooms! Finally there were no air blowers to dry your hands. Instead, the geniuses installed paper towel dispensers 1 foot above the wet sink counter tops, so when you dispense the paper towels, they dispense out onto the wet counter top. Yankee Stadium must be wasting millions of pounds of paper towels because of the poorly placed dispensers.

- For the average Joe, it was way too expensive to have a good time! One beer costs $9.00. We're not talking Amstel Light or Bass Ale here, we are talking 1 normal plastic bottle of Bud Light. A 6 pack at the supermarket is $7.00. There were Yankees stores at every other gate (the gates were poorly labeled as well) and everything inside was approximately 25% more expensive than a store in a mall or on Main Street USA. The steak sandwich, which by itself (no sides came with it) was $16.00.

So in conclusion, the Yankees are now a baseball team with more razzle-dazzle than any other team in MLB. They may be in first place, but the only ones who care are those who either sit in the bleachers for $20 or watch the games from their couch or read about it the next day in the paper. There is nothing macho about this crowd. Instead, you find flashy bankers and middle aged men dishing out $20's to their kids to go consume overpriced food and merchandise. There were too many people getting up and leaving during the course of the game. Too many times I was asked to get up. No one seems to want to just sit and watch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Instead they bleed green the entire time due to a merchandising effort unlike anything I have ever seen. The Steinbrenner boys are certainly milking the majestic Yankee History for every possible dollar. The price is Yankee pride. How can I take pride in the Yankees when they are trying to sell me a 3"x 3" piece of "Yankee History" (dirt) with a few blades of grass on it in a box for the low-low bargain price of $80.00?

By the time the game was over, I could barely remember who had hit each of the 5 home runs in the game. But I absolutely do remember that the longest lines were at the ATM's. That pretty much says it all right there.

NY Giants Draft Offensive-Heavy in 2009 NFL Draft

Needs Analysis: The Giants hit it big in this draft. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is suited to replace Amani Toomer in time and Ramses Barden is a physical clone of Plaxico Burress, which gives them a big red zone target. Clint Sintim can rush the passer and fits well in the Giants' fire-zone scheme. The steal of the fourth round was Andre Brown, a big running back with really good hands. The G-men satisfied every need in the draft and are ready for camp.


Round 1, Pick 29 (29)
Hakeem Nicks
WR
6'1"
212
North Carolina
Pick Analysis:The former Tar Heel is an outstanding receiver with all of the tools to be a No. 1 receiver as a pro. As a big, strong playmaker with outstanding hands, Nicks should fill in nicely for the departed Plaxico Burress in the Giants' receiving corps.

Round 2, Pick 13 (45) (From Saints)
Clint Sintim
OLB
6'3"
256
Virginia
Pick Analysis:The Giants continue to pick up quality football players regardless of position. Though Sintim was used as a 3-4 outside linebacker, the Giants' scheme flexibility will allow the former Cavalier to play to his strengths as an NFL player.

Round 2, Pick 28 (60)
William Beatty
OT
6'6"
307
Connecticut
Pick Analysis:The former Husky surprisingly falls to the Giants in the second round. Though the team doesn't have an immediate need at the position, Beatty gives the Giants a young, athletic offensive tackle prospect to develop for the future.

Round 3, Pick 21 (85) (From Eagles)
Ramses Barden
WR
6'6"
229
Cal Poly
Pick Analysis:The Giants pick up a big, physical receiver with outstanding talent and potential. Barden gives the team another tall receiver to potentially replace Plaxico Burress' production in the passing game.

Round 3, Pick 36 (100) (Compensatory selection)
Travis Beckum
TE
6'3"
243
Wisconsin
Pick Analysis:Beckum is strong and he was very productive in college. He should be able to fit in on special teams nicely. He has some experience playing linebacker and is a decent athlete. The Giants will have to find a role for him.

Round 4, Pick 29 (129)
Andre Brown
RB
6'0"
224
North Carolina State
Pick Analysis:Brown is a steal at this point in the draft. The Giants do a good job with picking their players. He really made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl and flashed outstanding skills. He's got receiving talent and gives the Giants a great replacement for Derrick Ward.

Round 5, Pick 15 (151) (From Saints)
Rhett Bomar
QB
6'2"
225
Sam Houston State
Pick Analysis:The Giants take a chance on Bomar in the fifth round. The Sam Houston State product has all of the tools to develop into a solid pro quarterback and could be a promising developmental prospect and a decent backup for Eli Manning.

Round 6, Pick 27 (200)
DeAndre Wright
DB
5'11"
198
New Mexico
Pick Analysis:Giants scout Steve Malin really liked Wright, and Malin holds some weight in New York's war room. Coming out of New Mexico, Wright has decent size and he'll come in and compete to be a backup for the Giants.

Round 7, Pick 29 (238)
Stoney Woodson
DB
5'11"
197
South Carolina
Pick Analysis:Woodson is a fast corner who the Giants may be looking to for depth purposes after Kevin Dockery departed in the offseason. He turned in times of 4.53 and 4.57 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Trade Rumor - Braylon Edwards to NY Giants

With the 2009 NFL draft just 6 days away, there have a number of new trade rumors swirling around. One of the hottest rumors around is the potential trade of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants. Edwards, a former 3rd overall pick in the 2005 draft is listed at 6'3", 215 lbs. Former NY Giant Plaxico Burress is listed at 6'5" 232lbs. A difference of 2" and 17 lbs. Not much of a difference, right?

In 2007, the year the Giants won the Superbowl, Burress caught 70 receptions for 1025 yards. In his BEST season, Burress caught 76 passes for 1214 yards. This was in 2005, the same year in which Braylon Edwards was drafted. It was his 6th season as a pro in the NFL.

In Edwards' BEST season - 2007, his 3rd season in the NFL, Edwards caught 80 receptions for 1289 yards.

Conclusion - Edwards was better in his 3rd season as a pro on a team that went 10-6, than Burress was in his best season on a team that went 11-5.

These numbers are very similar. However, Edwards gets the edge. because he did it in his 3rd season as a pro while Burress did it in his 6th.

Possible trade discussions have included the Giants giving up a 2nd and a 5th round draft pick(the 2 picks received from New Orleans from the Jeremy Shockey trade), PLUS either WR Steve Smith or Dominic Hixon.

I say, NO Smith and No Hixon. I think Hixon has the potential to be a solid #2 receiver, and Smith is already the perfect slot/possession receiver. Everyone else on the Giant's WR squad is tradable in my opinion.

Moss needs to be part of this trade. He is, and always has been the odd man out. Furthermore, who says we need to give them 2 draft picks and 1 player? Why not give them a combination of 2 players and 1 pick? How about giving up Wide Receiver Sinorice Moss and Linebacker Gerris Wilkinson or Defensive Lineman Barry Coefield and a second round pick. This way the Giants would still have 4 picks in the top 5.

Wilkinson was a 3rd round pick and Moss was a 2nd. That's giving up two 2's and a 3rd for Edwards who was a first round pick. Plus, they all have Superbowl experience to bring to the table.

In my opinion, Moss is a burner and just needs a shot. If the Browns select WR Michael Crabtree with the 5th overall selection in the Draft on Saturday, paired with Moss, that wouldn't be so bad for the Browns. A taller Crabtree and a smaller, speedier Moss (5'8" - 185 lbs) would be difficult for defenses to account for.

Top 10 Wide Recievers Available in 2009 NFL Draft

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, 6-3, 214. 2008: 97 receptions, 1,165 yards and 17 touchdowns.

2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, 6-0, 198. 2008: 102 receptions, 1,260 yards, 13 touchdowns.

3. Percy Harvin, Florida, 5-11, 192. 2008: 40 receptions, 644 yards, 7 touchdowns.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland 6-0, 210. 2008: 42 receptions, 609 yards, 5 touchdowns.

5. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina, 6-1, 215. 2008: 68 receptions, 1,222 yards, 12 touchdowns.

6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers, 6-2, 218. 2008: 87 receptions, 1,371 yards, 7 touchdowns.

7. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma, 6-1, 210. 2008: 74 receptions, 1,150 yards, 10 touchdowns.

8. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State, 6-3, 199. 2008: 42 receptions, 535 yards, 8 touchdowns.

9. Mohammed Masaquoi, Georgia, 6-2, 198. 2008: 58 receptions, 920 yards, 8 touchdowns.

10. Louis Murphy, Florida, 6-2, 203. 2008: 38 receptions, 655 yards, 7 touchdowns.

'Excited' Isiah Thomas accepts FIU basketball coach job

Isiah Thomas' unfortunate career with the NY Knicks is officially over, as he accepts a job to coach the FIU Panthers. FIU has done much better fundraising in recent years than University of Miami, and is slowly making a name for itself in Division 1 sports.

BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
Not knowing where newly hired FIU basketball coach Isiah Thomas would arrive, several TV station cameramen and media waited at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood international airports.
Those stationed in Fort Lauderdale received Thomas just as he de-planed.
Thomas, wearing a dark navy blue jacket, gray slacks and sunglasses flashed a big smile and said: ``I guess you're waiting for me.''
Although his introductory news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning, there was plenty of interest in meeting Thomas on Tuesday.
Fans at the airport offered congratulations to Thomas. Others asked to take their pictures with Thomas and received autographs from the former All-Star point guard who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two NBA championships.
Another group of cameramen and media was perched outside FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena throughout the day Tuesday waiting for Thomas to arrive on campus.
For the most part, the Basketball Hall of Famer declined to comment Tuesday on his new job as coach of the Golden Panthers, instead preferring to speak at length in Wednesday's news conference.
''I'm excited,'' Thomas said. ``I'm happy and I look forward to working with the FIU family and doing good things. I'm happy to be working with kids and be back in the gym again.''
FIU hired Thomas to be its men's head basketball coach Tuesday morning.
Thomas signed a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was re-assigned within the athletic department Monday.
''This is bigger than basketball and bigger than athletics,'' FIU president Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique said. ``Having a nationally recognized coach like Isiah at FIU will have a positive impact on our university as a whole, helping us achieve additional national exposure.''
Said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia: ``He's a workaholic and he's passionate about basketball and he knows the game. I am confident that Isiah Thomas can recruit quality players to FIU.''
At FIU, Thomas inherits a basketball program that last had a winning record in 1999-2000 at 16-14. The Golden Panthers, who went 13-20 this past season, have made one NCAA Tournament appearance -- in 1995 when they lost in the first round to UCLA.
But Thomas, who last coached in 2007-08 with the New York Knicks, will be welcomed by a group of players eager to learn from the former NBA great.
''Everybody is excited to learn from him,'' FIU senior forward Nikola Gacesa said. ``This is a man with great experience coaching at the highest level of basketball. He can help us win a lot of games. I called my teammates and everyone is real pumped to start playing basketball for him.''
Thomas would not comment on his coaching staff, but former Miami Heat great Tim Hardaway, who was candidate for the FIU head-coaching job, could be a possible assistant.
''Nothing yet,'' said Hardaway, when asked if Thomas had contacted him for a job at FIU. ``I'm just waiting. We have a great relationship. I'm happy he got the job and he's going to do great things at FIU.''
Besides getting a new team, Thomas will coach in a renovated home arena.
U.S. Century Bank Arena will undergo a $5 million renovation with the help of the capital improvements trust fund FIU received from the state.
The New York Knicks went 23-59 in Thomas' last season as coach. His overall record in New York, where he also served as team president, was 56-108.
Previously, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers and led them to three straight playoff appearances.
Thomas compiled a 187-223 career record as an NBA head coach.

2009 NY Jets Season Schedule

1. 9/13 at Houston, 1 p.m.

2. 9/20 New England, 1 p.m.

3. 9/27 at Tennessee, 4:15 p.m.

4. 10/4 New Orleans, 4:05 p.m.

5. 10/12 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.

6. 10/18 Buffalo, 4:15 p.m.

7. 10/25 at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

8. 11/1 Miami, 1 p.m.

9. 11/8 Bye

10. 11/15 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

11. 11/22 at New England, 4:15 p.m.

12. 11/29 at Carolina, 1 p.m.

13. 12/3 at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m.

14. 12/13 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

15. 12/20 Atlanta, 1 p.m.

16. 12/27 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

17. 1/3 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.