The Knicks 2010 Plan

It has been widely publicized that the Knicks have enough cap space this upcoming offseason to afford two maximum contracts. Indeed, they will have the space, but this will not be the correct way to approach the long-awaited summer of 2010. 

The salary cap for the 2010-11 season has not yet been determined, but it is projected to be approximately $54 million. The Knicks will presumably have five players on their roster following this season:

1. Eddy Curry at $11.2 million
2. Danilo Gallinari at $3.3 million
3. Wilson Chandler at $2.1 million
4. Toney Douglas at $1 million
5. Bill Walker at approximately $854,000

Sergio Rodriguez has a $2.8 million qualifying offer due for 2010-11, but it can be withdrawn by the Knicks before July 23 without needing the approval of Rodriguez. In my opinion, this is the route Walsh should take.

The five players listed above total $18.5 in team salary. However, there is a salary cap rule that requires the mandatory 12 roster spots to be accounted for, salary cap-wise. The "phantom" player cap hold costs the team $488,000 for each roster spot short of the mandatory 12.

The Knicks will have the mentioned five players, plus three second round draft picks on their roster come free agency time, totaling eight roster spots filled. This leaves four unoccupied spaces on the roster, costing the Knicks $488,000 times four spots, which is $1.95 million in holds counting against the cap this offseason. 

Let's assume the Knicks renounce David Lee and Tracy McGrady's Bird Rights, which would cost them $10.5 in cap holds, and also renounce the exceptions (Mid Level Exception, Bi-Annual Agreement) which would be a $5.8 million cap hold.

This would leave only the five players' salaries, and four "phantom" salaries, counting against the cap, which again is projected  to be $54 million. 

The Knicks would have $33.4 in cap space to spend this summer.

For a $54 million cap, a maximum contract would amount to $16.2 million. So, yes, two max players could hypothetically be afforded, but that would leave $1 million to spend to fill out the rest of the roster. 

Signing one maximum contract is pretty much a given. Whether it be LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh Joe Johnson, or another top-tier player, Donnie Walsh will bring one of them to MSG.

If this isn't the case, then the 2010 plan has failed.

With $33.4 million at his disposal, enough to afford two maximum players, not obtaining  a single one would be considered a failure. Considering the amount of time that has been put into the plan (the sacrificing of two seasons), coming away with none of the prime available players would simply be considered a backfiring of the plan.

With that said, the offseason is obviously dependent on the signing of a maximum player. Personally, I believe LeBron will remain a Cavalier. I do believe that Dwyane Wade will explore all available options however, and eventually land in New York. Just a hunch.

So, by now it's mid-July and the Knicks have Dwyane Wade all to themselves, still with $17.2 million to spend.

Options are numerous for Walsh at this juncture. Many free agents, along with trades, are on the table for Walsh to closely examine. But his next move should be a gimme.

Sign David Lee.

Lee will really be the top forward available this summer next to Chris Bosh, who will likely receive a max deal somewhere. Last offseason, Lee was looking for a deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-12 million. No team signed him to an offer sheet with these demands, and Lee remained a Knick. 

But now, with an All-Star appearance under his belt, a jump shot that scrapes nylon more often than not, and newly acquired post moves to call his own, Lee will receive big money from someone, and if Chris Bosh isn't a New York Knick in 2010-11, David Lee must be.

Once a paramount player such as Wade is received, expect Lee to lower his demands from New York, and return to the Knicks for approximately $11.5 million in 2010-11. 

But then there's the possibility of bringing back Tracy McGrady.

McGrady has said that he would return to New York on the cheap if it meant being surrounded by a great cast of players. I see it very unlikely that the Knicks will be able to afford both Lee and T-Mac, however.

If Lee accepts a deal of about $7-8 million, this would free up $4-5 million more to spend.  In my opinion, a $4-5 million deal would be hard for McGrady to reject.

He's coming off a partially played season, and being surrounded with Dwyane Wade, an improved and even more experienced David Lee, and more players to be acquired later in the summer, is too enticing. 

McGrady's deal won't be the one the Knicks would have to worry about being accepted, David Lee's is.

Lee's ego is seemingly growing with each double-double, and I really can't think his contract demands would decrease after his wonderful 2009-10 season.

If he bites the bullet and accepts a heavily back-loaded deal that earns him only $7-8 million in '10-11 (but maybe, say, $12-13 million a couple years down the road), this would benefit the Knicks greatly...but it might be a tough pill for Lee to swallow, as he may have better offers elsewhere.

Granted, I'm speaking from a fans' perspective, but if I'm David Lee, I trust Donnie Walsh to lead the team to a championship(s) remotely soon. He has carried out his plan very well to this point, and I have no reason to think he won't lead the Knicks to greatness, just as he did the Pacers in the 90s.

I would take a cheaper deal than I desire to play on this team. I would sign for the not-so-much-now, but back-loaded deal to stay in New York.

So, with Lee and T-Mac on board, the Knicks still need a role-playing guard type, and they won't have to look far. Eddie House is a fine option as a guard off the bench and a quick scoring option.

If House won't settle for about $1 million dollars, Anthony Carter from Denver, as well as Luther Head of Indiana, Anthony Morrow of Golden State, Acie Law of Chicago, or even Earl Boykins of the Wizards are all viable options for Walsh.

The Knicks would now have around $5 million to spend in free agency, and important positions are yet to be filled. The team still has no center. David Lee cannot be the full-time center for another season. He lacks the size and defensive ability to do so. 

Donnie Walsh has coveted Marcus Camby, and will do so stronger than ever, come summer 2010, according to the New York Daily News.  

Although Camby will be 36-years-old next season, his defensive and shot-blocking abilities are still ever-present, and he simply carries more of a presence than Lee does in the middle.

At Camby's age, and with his fond memories of New York, he could very well sign for the available money the Knicks have, about $4-5 million.

So the Knicks now have their center, but still have a gaping hole at the point guard position, as they withdrew Sergio Rodriguez's qualifying offer prior to the offseason to create more cap space. 

Time to deal.

Walsh has said that his next trades will be ones that bring in salary, rather than ship it out. One would have to think he would inquire Minnesota regarding Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio, but the likelihood of a deal landing Rubio in NY isn't very bright, as he signed a new three year contract to a team in Barcelona in the summer of 2009.

So Walsh will have to expand his horizons to Toronto for Jose Calderon, Charlotte for DJ Augustin, Detroit for Rodney Stuckey, or possibly even Washington for Gilbert Arenas—pending his status with the league.

If Walsh can find a deal of his liking that works out financially, a point guard will be found, and the line up will just about be filled out.

1. Calderon, Augustin, or other potential trade options
2. Wade
3. McGrady
4. Lee
5. Camby

A very respectable lineup. Throw in Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Eddie House (or his replacement), and Bill Walker off the bench and it's a nice little project put together.

If you haven't noticed, this is still a very small team. Without any remaining cap space to sign free agent big men, a trade would be ideal. 

The last piece to round out the 2010-2011 Knicks? Hasheem Thabeet.

Thabeet was recently sent to the D-League to work on his skills, and has dominated in his time there. He has remarkable size, standing at 7'3'', and he will add bulk to his body as he ages.

Given the chance to grow under the D'Antoni system, while adding his already developed ball-swatting abilities as Marcus Camby's back-up, Thabeet will be the next big thing at the center position in the NBA in no time.

Well, there it is: the entire offseason. Yes, there are plenty of moving parts, but with this main framework, the Knicks will instantly becoming a shoo-in for the NBA Playoffs, and a title contender as team chemistry develops.

In Donnie we trust.

NHL Trade Deadline Frenzy

Just 3 days after a phenomenal Olympics games, the NHL trade deadline has past, and several teams have solidified their teams. Here's a rundown of the local teams, the smartest teams and the...not so smart teams as the deadline is now in the rear view mirror. Who made themselves better? Who's going to watch teams start passing them by? And most importantly, which NHL team is now poised for a run at Lord Stanley's Cup?

The Locals
New York Rangers (29-27-7) – After making 3 moves before the Olympic break, the Rangers only swapped minor leaguers with the Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes in the final 3 days before the deadline. In their moves before the deadline, the Blueshirts acquired tough guy Jody Shelley (from SJS) and grinding forward Brandon Prust (from CGY) to add some needed grit to the team. In the deal for Prust, in which they dealt away offseason additions Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins, the Rangers acquired Finnish scorer Olli Jokinen to give Marian Gaborik some scoring help. However, the Rangers did not manage to free up any cap room at the deadline. Defensemen Wade Redden ($6.5 Million cap hit) and Michal Rozsival ($5 Million cap hit) have managed just 2 goals and 26 points between the two players. Trading either would have been difficult, but Glen Sather always has some magic when it comes to trades.
Notes: In 7 games with the Rangers, Jokinen has 2 goals and 3 assists, while Prust has 2 assists to go along with 34 penalty minutes. The Rangers are tied for 8th in the east.

New York Islanders (26-29-8) – In recent memory, the Islanders have traded for more draft picks than you can count. However, they were relatively quiet at the deadline, only swapping AHL players with Columbus and dealing defenseman Andy Sutton for a second round pick. With the recent injury of Rick DiPietro’s knee, the Islanders were caught in a bad position, not being able to trade one of their two solid goaltenders (Dwayne Roloson or Martin Biron) for needed scoring help due to DiPietro’s condition. The Isles are still in reach of a playoff spot, but made a good decision at the deadline not dealing any of their prospects or rising players.
Notes: DiPietro appeared in 8 games this season before re-injuring himself, going 2-5-0, registering a 2.60 GAA. The Islanders are 5 points out of a playoff spot.

New Jersey Devils (38-21-3) – Making the biggest splash in the NHL so far this year, the Devils made a deal for prolific scorer Ilya Kovalchuk (from ATL) before the Olympic break to help their 21st ranked offense. Kovalchuk brings speed and skill that the fans of New Jersey have not seen in a long time. The deal also brought in (D) Anssi Salmela in exchange for (D) Johnny Oduya, (F) Niclas Bergfors, (F) Patrice Cormier and a 1st round pick. In addition, the Devils traded for (D) Martin Skoula (from TOR), who was dealt from the Penguins to the Leafs just a day ago. With the trade for Kovalchuk and their already great goaltending and defense, the Devils have put themselves in a spot to challenge for the cup.
Notes: Kovalchuk has 2 goals and 5 assists in 7 games with the Devils. The Devils lead the Atlantic divison by 1 point over the Penguins.

The Winner
Washington Capitals (41-13-8) – Any questions about who the favorite in the eastern conference is have been answered. Today, the Capitals made 4 moves, 2 being with the Carolina Hurricanes. With the additions of standout blueliner Joe Corvo (from CAR), for the price of a 2011 2nd rounder, (D) Brian Pothier, and (F) Oskar Osala and the addition of defenseman Milan Jurcina (from CBJ) , the Capitals 18th ranked defense seems to be secured for a Stanley Cup run. In addition, the Capitals added forwards Scott Walker (from CAR) and Eric Belanger (from MIN), to add scoring depth to their already 1st ranked offense, which has scored 33 more goals than any other team in the NHL.
Notes: Jurcina played with the Capitals from 2006-09. The Caps currently lead the NHL in points with 90.

Why’d You Do That?
Carolina Hurricanes (25-30-7) – After a miserable start to the season, the Canes seemed to turn things around. It comes as somewhat of a surprise that just a few years removed from a Stanley Cup win, the Hurricanes have made 7 trades at this deadline, many of which were shipping out solid players for draft picks. The list of players traded include (D) Joe Corvo (to WAS), (D) Niclas Wallin (to SJS), (F) Matt Cullen (to OTT), (D) Aaron Ward (to ANA), (F) Scott Walker (to WAS), (D) Andrew Alberts (to VAN), (F) Stephan Yelle and (F) Harrison Reed (both to COL). That’s four of their top six defensemen being traded, on a team that is only 8 points out of a playoff spot in a wide open eastern conference. The canes did keep aging defenseman Ray Whitney (Age 37), who was expected to be traded. With the cleaning the Hurricanes did this trade deadline, a season with some hope left is now almost surely over.
Notes: After starting the season losing 16 of 18, the Canes are currently on a 6 game winning streak.

This Could Work…
Phoenix Coyotes (37-22-5) – Perhaps the biggest surprise in the NHL this season, the Phoenix Coyotes were buyers at the deadline, making 7 acquisitions.
The biggets trade was obtaining winger Wojtek Wolski, who has 47 points this season, from the Avalanche in exchange for 3rd year player (F) Peter Mueller and former Hobey Baker winner (F) Kevin Porter. The Coyotes also acquired scoring depth by the likes of (F) Lee Stempniak (from TOR) to add to their 25th ranked offense. They also attempted to boost their already stingy defense, backstopped by Russian goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, by receiving veteran defensemen Mathieu Schneider (from VAN, 739 career points) and Derek Morris (from BOS). However, both defensemen come with some risk. Schneider, who is 40 years old, has only played in 17 games this season. Morris, a former first round pick, is on his 3rd team in 2 years and has only managed 3 goals this year with a -2 rating. If Wolski can produce, Schneider can get healthy and Morris can hold up, the Coyotes could be a tough team to meet in the playoffs under new coach Dave Tippett.
Notes: Morris played with the Coyotes from 2004-08. Schneider has not played since December 16. The Coyotes are 5th in the West and have not made the playoffs since 2002.

Where Were You?
Boston Bruins (27-23-11) – With their offense dead last in the NHL in scoring, what did the Bruins do at the deadline? Trade defenseman Derek Morris for a pick and add defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (from FLA), who has 2 goals this season. With injuries hampering them all season, the Bruins needed to add a solid scorer, and they did not add a forward. A season after finishing first in the east, the Bruins are holding on to the 8th spot in the conference with solid defense and goaltending, but have 3 teams within 2 points of them, and did not do much to keep their playoff spot secured.
Notes: The Bruins have averaged 2.33 goals/game this season. Marc Savard (2nd on the team in points for a forward), has played in just 38 games.

NBA Trade Deadline

*Knicks aquire Tracy McGrady. Scroll down for more.*

Donnie Walsh is looking to shake up this current Knicks roster, but more importantly, indirectly affecting the offseason situation.

Let's recap yesterday's events:

The Knicks traded guard Nate Robinson to Boston for guards Eddie House, J.R. Giddens, and a 2nd round draft pick. This trade is yet to be announced.

Hours later, the Knicks acquired forward Brian Cardinal for the T-Wolves for outcast center Darko Milicic. This deal is official, and Cardinal is likely to be waived to create roster space for upcoming trades.

The Knicks have been in constant talks with Houston revolving around guard Tracy McGrady. Late Wednesday night, talks stalled mainly due to disputes over the protection of Houston's incoming picks, and Houston switched their attention over to Sacramento to now pursue the player they've coveted the most, guard Kevin Martin.

Early Thursday morning, a deal was agreed to in principal sending McGrady, forwards Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey to Sacramento for Martin, forwards Kenny Thomas and Hilton Armstrong, and guard Sergio Rodriguez. There is still a possibility that the Knicks can join in this deal to make it a three-team trade and acquire McGrady, which will cause the swap to most likely go down to the wire and require most of the time allowed to complete (about three more hours).

Talks arose early Thursday morning that the Knicks were interested in Chicago forward Tyrus Thomas and sending forward Al Harrington to the Bulls in return. But hours later, talks fizzled and this particular trade is now seen as "a long shot now" according to league sources cited by Yahoo! Sports.

*Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that a deal has been agreed to between the Bulls and Bobcats sending Flip Murray, Acie Law, and a future first round pick to Chicago for Thomas.

The McGrady trade is leaving me confused as to what the Rockets' interests really are. A deal with the Knicks was reportedly in place, with the only haggling point being the protection of the picks. I couldn't imagine this being the deal-breaker for Houston; something else had to have been up in the air.

As for the trade that has gone down with Sacramento, I'm still in confusion. Kevin Martin is a very good basketball player, potentially an all-star; but the man is fragile. The oft-injured Martin has averaged to miss over 20 games each season of his career which is in its sixth season. He has four years remaining on his contract at a steep price for any budget, and will likely handcuff the Rockets for years. But I'm not the one running the team.

This deal will get done, as it helps Walsh's beloved 2010 plan far too much for him to pass up. The Knicks have been dealing with the Rockets, who wanted zero protection on both incoming picks. But as of right now, Tracy McGrady is property of the Kings, who may have different interests than Houston-meaning the deal with Sacramento may be less dependent on the picks. Just an opinion from the outside.

• UPDATE: 12:44 P.M: The Nate Robinson deal has been tentatively agreed to, sending Nate Robinson and a second player to Boston for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens, and Bill Walker. The second Knick involved is not immediately clear, according to ESPN's Chris Sheridan.

• UPDATE: 12:58 P.M: The Kings are asking for David Lee from the Knicks in order to take on the steep price of Jared Jeffries, Yahoo! Sports reports. Personal opinion: if Walsh wants to sign 2 max contracts, there will be no cap space left to re-sign Lee this offseason. So if, and only if, it is necessary, a trade involving Lee is tolerable.

• UPDATE: 1:05 P.M: ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that even if no deal is agreed upon to send McGrady to New York, he will likely be bought out and signed by the Knicks.

• UPDATE: 1:15 P.M: According to Marc Stein of ESPN, a deal has been agreed to by the Kings, Knicks, and Rockets, sending McGrady and point guard Sergio Rodriguez to the Knicks, Kevin Martin, forward Jared Jeffries, the Knicks 2012 first round pick, and the right the swap first round picks in 2011 all go to Houston, and Kings receive forwards Joey Dorsey and Carl Landry, and guard Larry Hughes.

McGrady to Knicks deal:

New York Receives:

• Point Guard Sergio Rodriguez (from SAC)
• Shooting Guard Tracy McGrady (from HOU)

Houston Recieves:

• Shooting Guard Kevin Martin (from SAC)
• Forward/Center Hilton Armstrong (from SAC)
• Forward Jared Jeffries (from NYK)
• Forward Jordan Hill (from NYK)
• The right to swap 2011 first round draft picks with New York in 2011
• New York 2012 first round draft pick

*According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the 2011 pick is Top-1 protected (Knicks keep if they have the first overall pick), and the 2012 pick is Top-5 protected (Knicks keep if the pick is 1st-5th overall).

Sacramento Recieves:

• Forward Carl Landry (from HOU)
• Forward/Center Joey Dorsey (from HOU)
• Guard Larry Hughes (from NYK)

The shedding of Jeffries and Hill means that the only players that the Knicks have under contract past this offseason are Eddy Curry, Danilo Gallinari, Toney Douglas, and Wilson Chandler. Assuming all Bird Rights and Qualifying Offers are waived on June 30th, the Knicks will have approximately $32 million in cap space this summer, which will be enough to afford two maximum contracts this offseason.

The Nate Robinson deal is also finished. Robinson and G Marcus Landry to Boston for guardsEddie House, J.R. Giddens, and Bill Walker. No picks involved.

• UPDATE: 2:37 P.M: Maybe not completely finished: F Shelden Williams may replace Bill Walker in the deal, according to Newsday's Alan Hahn.

• UPDATE: 3:23 P.M: The Robinson deal is official, and includes Walker, not Williams, according to Hahn.

Knicks Making Moves

*Scroll down for updated information.

Thursday's 3 P.M. EST NBA trade deadline is approaching, and the Knicks look to be active.

Multiple reports (here, here, and here) have the Knicks nearing a deal with Boston shipping out Nate Robinson, with the Knicks potentially receiving Eddie House and picks. Robinson did not make the trip with Chicago with the team last night due to the "flu".

At about 2 P.M. Wednesday, Robinson ironically tweeted the Eminem lyrics, "N wen I'm gone just carry on don't mourn rejoice every time u hear da sound of my voice(word aapp)"

Energy. That's what Nate Robinson brings to his basketball team. Now when this energy runs out, he returns to being a very pedestrian, mediocre player. That's when his coach needs to realize the opposing team can gain momentum off his bad shots and turnover-prone basketball, and sub him out.

There's no question Nate can be a huge part of a winning team; but the risk of playing him 40+ minutes outweighs the reward. In most cases, Nate's spark burns out after a few possessions, and just as fast as he ignites the team, he takes them right out of the game. Which is why he can't and probably never will be able to be a starting point guard in the league. But, if used in moderation, he can be a game-changing asset on a playoff team.

Nate Robinson on top of his game, being correctly coached, and with a good surrounding cast, puts both his team and himself in a win-win situation. Nate gets his time to energize the team, and when that time runs out, he's relieved with a less explosive, but more consistent point guard-Rajon Rondo fits the bill.

But Donnie Walsh isn't finished.

The Knicks are simultaneously in conversations with the Houston Rockets regarding Tracy McGrady. McGrady has played in just 6 games this season and is receiving the "Marbury treatment" from the Rockets. Newsday's Alan Hahn has said the deal will "go down to the wire". Depending on the players departing on the New York side, the swap could presumably able the Knicks to sign two maximum contracts this upcoming offseason. Jared Jefferies, who is due to make $6.9 million next season, Larry Hughes, rookie Jordan Hill, and multiple draft picks are reportedly involved in the deal.

The main sticking point of this trade seems to be the draft picks involved. The two teams will reportedly swap first round picks in 2011, with Houston receiving the Knicks' first rounder in 2012. The protection of the picks is what is, again reportedly, holding the trade up.

• UPDATE: 6:01 P.M: The Bulls are no longer in the running for McGrady and Houston has turned their full attention to Walsh and the Knicks, according to sources that have spoken with Yahoo! Sports.

• UPDATE: 6:13 P.M: The Knicks have traded Center Darko Milicic, who has played in just eight games this season, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Forward Brian Cardinal and cash. Both contracts are expiring.

• UPDATE: 7:03 P.M: MSG reports that the Knicks will also receive J.R. Giddens, assuming the trade goes official. His contract expires following this season.

• UPDATE: 7:44 P.M: The Knicks are interested in sending Al Harrington to Chicago, with him possibly being re-routed to a third team, ESPN's Chris Sheridan reports. Chicago has told veteran swingman John Salmons to stay home instead of accompanying the Bulls on their trip to New York Wednesday, with a trade imminent. Salmons has a player option worth $5.8 million for next season, meaning an acquisition of him by the Knicks would essentially cancel out (salary-wise) ridding themselves of Jared Jefferies.

• UPDATE: 8:20 P.M. The Milicic-Cardinal deal is now official, and the Knicks will likely waive Cardinal to make room for other moves to happen, Alan Hahn reports.

• UPDATE: 9:15 P.M: John Salmons has been traded from the Bulls to the Bucks for the expiring contracts of Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson.

• UPDATE: 9:48 P.M: Rockets trying to revive trade talks with the Bulls by recruiting the Kings to be involved in a three-team deal now that John Salmons won't be in the package being sent to Houston, according to Yahoo! Sports.]

• UPDATE: 10:42 P.M: Knicks and Bulls discussing Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington.

• UPDATE: 12:29 A.M: The New York Times reports all players are set for McGrady trade (Jared Jeffries, Larry Hughes and Jordan Hill to Houston in exchange for McGrady, Brian Cook and Joey Dorsey). Houston wants both incoming draft picks to be unprotected-meaning no matter how the Knicks finish the season (playoffs, lottery, etc) Houston will receive both picks. Donnie Walsh is "hopeful" that some of not all of the Knicks' deals will get done.

• UPDATE: 1:49 A.M: T-Mac to the Knicks is dead, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, saying that the Rockets are now pursuing the player they've coveted the most, Kevin Martin of the Kings.

• UPDATE: 1:58 A.M: Deal with Knicks may not be dead after all, as a three-team deal involving the Kings, Knicks, and Rockets may be brewing, Adrian Wojnarowski reports. My head hurts...

• UPDATE: 2:06 A.M (Story also here): To clear all the confusion: The Rockets and Kings have agreed to a trade sending Tracy McGrady, Carl Laundry and Joey Dorsey from Houston to Sacramento for Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, Hilton Armstrong and Sergio Rodriguez. This trade is all but official and has been acknowledged by Kevin Martin, saying ""I appreciate them letting me go to a playoff caliber team at this time of my career." All this according to Yahoo! Sports. The deal, however, may still include New York as Sacramento has not yet decided if they will keep McGrady or ship him to New York.

Time to Wake Up

When last we spoke about the New York Islanders, things couldn't have felt much better. This was less than two weeks ago. They sat just barely out of a playoff spot; it seemed to good to be true.

Well guess what, maybe it was. A mere 13 days ago, the Isles were playing inspired, energetic hockey. Over the past 2 weeks, they have dropped 5 games in a row, and they have been ugly. If they haven't been blown out, they've been plagued by a seemingly anemic offense. A hockey team playing tired is the last thing anybody wants to watch. The games have been very unexciting, which is certainly not this team's style. They seem to be playing sluggish, which is not entirely unexpected from a young team.

The Islanders need to use the upcoming Olympic Break to their advantage. They have only one Olympian on their squad, Mark Streit. The rest of the players (especially the young ones) need to take a few days off to relax, and regroup. Once it's time to get back to business, they will be ready. They have proven that they can contend with the NHL's best, and that isn't just something a team can suddenly lose. So fear not, Islanders fans. While it may seem dim at the moment, this team has showed multiple times, they can turn it around in a New York minute.

Nine years and counting..

2001. The Knicks finished the season in 4th place in the Eastern Conference. A playoff appearence. Jeff Van Gundy as head coach. The best defense in the NBA (league-best 86.1 PPG allowed). And an all-star, Latrell Sprewell. That last one, an all-star.. is something the team hasn't touched since.

This season looked to be the one to finally conclude the near decade-long drought of Eastern Conference all-star benches lacking a New York representative. David Lee, prior to the Janury 28 game vs. Toronto) has averaged 19.4 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game, and is shooting with a percentage of 55.4%, all while playing as a 6 foot-9 inch center. His jumpshot now extends to about 20 feet out and for lack of a better term, is pure money. The game is seemingly just too easy for Lee this season, as he is emerging as a dominant force in the league.

Are these the qualities of an all-star? According to the NBA head coaches, no. Al Horford of the Hawks managed to squeak in as the last forward reserve in the east. Horford is averaging 13.6 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and shooting at 57%.

But the difference in votes to the trip to Dallas next month depended on one element: the standings. The Hawks sit among the elite in the east at third place, behind powerhouses Cleveland and Boston. The Knicks, however, entering Thursday's game, appear at 10th place, 4 games behind Charlotte for the eighth and final playoff seed.

David Lee is one of the finest forwards in the eastern conference, no question. His team however, doesn't particularly share that same success. This fact alone is what kept Lee from appearing in the first All-Star Game of his career, and the first for a Knick in nine.. yes.. nine years. Do the Knicks, their fans, and Lee himself have a legitimate gripe with the final selections? Sure they do. But is the reasoning that supports the voters' decisions wrong in any way? Not at all.

There is one major flaw in not only NBA all-star voting, but in other sports as well. Fans vote for all-star starters, and their (or should I say, our) vote counts 100%. The players, coaches, and the league have absolutely zero say as to who starts in the game. The result of this defect in the voting system is what we are all afraid of, and fears have turned into reality in 2010. Allen Iverson, who started the season in Memphis, played three games there, half-heartedly announced his retirement after Donnie Walsh and the Knicks didn't want to put player-development at risk for the sake of signing him, then returned to the city he called home for a decade, and is currently averaging the lowest numbers of his entire career, has not just made, but is starting the All-Star Game at the point for the East. An all-star roster spot that so many well-deserving players yearn to call theirs, is being held hostage by a 34 year-old point guard, averaging 14 and 4.

But what do I know? I'm just another fan, right? Not according to the NBA, (along with the MLB and NHL) who believes my peers and I deserve the right to determine the best players in the league.

Now What?

Options are rapidly wearing thin for Omar Minaya and the Mets.

Three pitchers that the team has eyed to nab as their number two starter, have found new homes in the past week-none of which being Citi Field.

To begin the madness, on January 22, the top available free agent pitcher at the time was taken off the board, and landed not in New York, but Los Angeles. The Angels agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with Joel Pineiro. In 2009, Pineiro posted a 3.49 ERA and enjoyed a 15 win-season for the Cardinals. The Mets were reportedly in the running for him also, but came up short in negotiations. In three starts against the Mets in '09, Pineiro went 2-0 with a 3.68 ERA. The Mets as a team batted just .253 against him. Compared to the asking price, which according to some reports was 3-4 years at $15 million per, this pick-up is a steal for LA.

Today, Ben Sheets, who the Mets were also in pursuit for, signed with Oakland on a one-year, $10 million+incentives deal. Sheets missed all of the 2009 season after undergoing elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. Granted, $10 million is a lot of cash to throw at a pitcher who has been known to have injury troubles, and coming off elbow surgery; but if anybody is worth the risk, it's Sheets. With a career ERA of 3.72, Sheets is a 4-time All-Star. And prior to 2007, the highest that his team had ever finished in the NL Central standings was 3rd, finishing in last place three times. With both defensive and run support, you can expect a healthy Ben Sheets to be in Cy Young contention. But will he be able to stay on the mound? The Athletics have 10 million reasons to really, really hope so.

Later in the day, news came across the wire that starter Jon Garland, Diamondback-turned-Dodger in '09, had agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Padres. Garland was the next-best available free agent pitcher on the market, and finished last season with a record of 11-13 and a 4.01 ERA. His record with the NL West-Champion Dodgers down the stretch was 3-2. While settling for about half of Sheets' contract value, Garland is looked at as a "sure thing" type pitcher. He's started at least 32 games each season since becoming a full-time starter in 2002, and totaling at least 191 innings in all of those years. He relished back-to-back 18 win seasons for the White Sox in 2005 and 2006, but oddly enough has never been a team's number one starter. San Diego will undoubtedly view their new acquisition as a bargain compared to the contract Sheets recieved just hours earlier.

After this reason shuffle of free agent pitchers, the Mets look at minimal options remaining in this offseason. They have been linked to 43 year-old John Smoltz, who split a mediocre season with Boston and St. Louis in '09. He looked just about finished following his short stint in Boston, but came back from the dead somewhat after signing in St. Louis. But at this point, you ask yourself, do the Mets need a 43 year-old pitcher, who is a shell of his former self, holding down the back end of their rotation? Why not bring back Pedro Martinez, if that's the path they wish to take.

Other possibilities include:

• Former Met-closer Braden Looper who has since been made a starter, and has gone 38-33 with a 4.77 ERA in his three seasons as a starting pitcher. Mets fans' response to considering bringing back Looper for a second stint with the team following his putrid first go-around is a collective "You're kidding, right?"
• Former Yankee Chien-Ming Wang who has enjoyed great success at the big league-level, but with major injury problems, probably won't be expected to pitch any time in the near future.
• LeBron Ja... oops, wrong off-season.

The Mets are really out of options at this point. Whether it be poor management, or just looking into 2011, the book of the 2009-2010 offseason is just about closed for the New York Mets. And if looking into next offseason is the case for Omar Minaya, he probably won't be around by then.