Schwartz On Sports: Thoughts For The Fourth
I thought that 4th of July weekend would be a good time for another round of random observations on the sports world……
*There's no question that it would be awesome for the Knicks to land Lebron James, but I have some reservations about the whole saga. While I understand that the Knicks' recent history has been awful, why does Lebron need to hear and see a dog and pony show from the Knicks about the advantages of playing in New York and at MSG? Shouldn't HIS people be telling him about such things?
I mean, aside from Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni laying out what the Knicks' plan is on the court, I don't see why there is a need for celebrities and fans to beg Lebron to come here. If he really has to be coerced into taking a max contract to play in the greatest city in the world, then maybe it's not a great idea for him to play here. Maybe, the Knicks should speak to players that want to be a part of the turnaround.
I remember when the Islanders acquired Michael Peca from Buffalo in 2001. He embraced the trade because he wanted to be a part of the solution. His attitude was correct as he played a big role in the Islanders return to the playoffs after a seven year absence. The Knicks need the same type of acquisition to put them back on the map. They should target or wait for somebody who wants to be a part of the solution…….
*As far as the Nets go, new owner Mikhail Prokhorov said he had some surprises in store for us. That billboard in New York City certainly belongs in that category. Call me cynical, but I'll be surprised when I see an area start to grow in Brooklyn. I know they had a groundbreaking, but I would like to see some evidence of the Barclays Center rise before my eyes. I wouldn't be surprised if they wound up staying in Newark longer than expected. Just a hunch.
*I was watching the replay of game 7 of the 1993 Patrick Division Finals the other night on MSG. That was when David Volek scored in overtime to give the Islanders the upset victory over the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. What struck me while watching the game was that the Islanders were wearing "90" decals on their helmets as a tribute to Dennis Byrd of the Jets who suffering a career ending injury in 1992. Because the Jets were training at Hofstra which is right across the street from the Coliseum, Gang Green and the Islanders enjoyed a nice relationship over the years. In fact, I remember seeing Byrd at several Islanders games that season, especially during the Stanley Cup playoff run.
Byrd's story has been well documented over the years. His inspirational recovery from that serious neck injury and his emotional goodbye when he walked out of the hospital was one of the most memorable moments in Jets history. However, we haven't heard from the fallen Jet in quite some time. After a brief stint as an NFL analyst for CBS, he's basically been living in seclusion in Oklahoma and has not been an active part of the Jets alumni.
A few years ago, I wanted to write a story about Byrd for Jets Confidential, but the Jets could not help me get a hold of him because he basically has distanced himself from the organization. It's a shame because I would bet the house that many Jet fans would love to hear from him. In fact, I would also wager that he would get a deafening ovation if he ever attended a Jets game………
*Yankees second baseman Robby Cano is having one heck of a season. Raise your hand if you were one of many people who thought he should have been traded a few years ago! He could be on his way to the MVP…. Don't ya know!!!!!!!!!!!
*If you've never been to a Brooklyn Cyclones game, you should go. It's a beautiful stadium there in Coney Island and it's a chance to see the Mets of the future. One of those was Ike Davis who is now, of course, taking care of first base at CitiField. But on August 2nd, the Cyclones will pay tribute to the former Cyclone with a bobble head night. The bobble head is Davis upside down catching a pop-up into the dugout. Whoever came up with that idea is a genius and should be promoted to the big leagues!
*NHL free agency is here and the Islanders have been slow out of the gate (although on Friday they did sign veteran defensemen Mark Eaton and Milan Jurcina) but that's okay. General Manager Garth Snow has done a tremendous job building a young core of players and has mixed it in with some bargains in free agency. He needs to just stay the course until the team makes the playoffs and the arena situation comes into focus. That's when the team will be able to attract Type A free agents……..
*The WWE returns to the Garden in October and that's because the Rangers signed "The Boogeyman". They inked enforcer Derek Boogard who had been with the Minnesota Wild. Yes, that's his nickname!
That's all for now! Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
