Knicks: 28-40.
After blowing a double-digit lead at Wells Fargo Center in a 123-108 loss to the 76ers, before losing a 12 point fourth-quarter lead in a 115-114 loss to the Suns on a 35-foot buzzer-beater by Cam Johnson, the Knicks finally snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 116-103 win over the Clippers on Sunday night. RJ Barret stayed hot with 24 points, while Immanuel Quickly found his groove with 21 points off the bench in the win. New York then continued their winning ways the next night in Sacramento, rallying from 15 points down for a 131-115 win behind Julius Randle’s career-high 46 energy, with 33 coming in the second half. The outing put the Knicks on a winning streak that would continue in a 107-77 thumping in Dallas before a heartbreaking 118–114 loss to the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum, where New York wasted a 15 point lead. On Sunday, the Knicks' play-in hopes were dealt a significant blow when Kevin Durant’s 53 point outburst victimized them in a 110-107 defeat in Brooklyn that sees them fall five games behind the 10th seeded Hawks with just 14 left to play.
NETS: 35-33
There are no excuses because Brooklyn can’t afford that as it stands right now. Kevin Durant going for 31 points on Thursday against the top-seeded Heat and 37 on Sunday in Boston was a welcome sight, but both torrid performances went for naught as the Nets blew leads and dropped both games to fall below .500 on the season, and 1-6 in their last seven games.
But things are now turning up “Brookwin”, as the Nets have reeled off three straight emotional wins. Kyrie went for 50 in Charlotte, as Brooke won that one 132-121. Two nights later, they faced old teammate James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers, before putting on a clinic in a 129-100 thrashing of their arch rivals. Then on Sunday, Kevin Durant exploded for 53 points in a 110-107 victory over their city rival in the Knicks at the Clays.
Brooklyn sits 8th in the Eastern Conference, and if the playoffs started today, they would have to win a play-in game to get into the real thing. There are still no signs of Ben Simmons seeing the court anytime soon which has left many wondering, “What’s wrong with this guy?”
NYCFC: 1-1-1
The reigning champions have yet to score a goal through two MLS games, faking 1-0 to the LA Galaxy and drawing with the Vancouver Whitecaps. But ultimately they were saving their offense for the champions league quarterfinals against Comunicaciones on Wednesday, who they took down 3-1 to get a leg up headed into game two this upcoming Wednesday. On Saturday, the club raised their banner at Yankee stadium and torched the Montreal Impact 4-1 for their first win on the young season.
ISLANDERS: 24-24-8
If there’s one thing you can take away from what has been a lost season, it’s that Illya Sororkin is the Islanders' goalie of the future. The netminder turned aside 27 of 28 shots in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over the St Louis Blues at the UBS arena. On the year, Sorokin is 20-12-7 with a 2.33 GAA and a .925 save %, while Semyon Varlamov is a putrid 4-12-1 with a 2.85 GAA and a .912 save%.
YU: season over
A season that began with hopes of National title crashed on Friday afternoon, when the Yeshiva University Maccabees(25-4) fell in a round of 64 loss to #10 ranked John Hopkins 63-59 at the D3 NCAA tournament in Stockton, New Jersey. Potential NBA draft prospect and franchise leading scorer Ryan Turell went for 27 points in his final game as a Mac. In comparison, co-senior Gabriel Leifer put up 12 points in his last professional basketball game. Gabe will now focus on his accountant job while it’s unclear where Ryan goes from here with his basketball dreams.
RANGERS: 37-17-5
There’s a name that’s been synonymous with the Rangers whenever you’ve heard their title this year, and that’s the man-in-goal Igor Shesterkin. The Hart trophy and Vezina trophy front runner dazzled over the weekend, turning aside 32/33 shots in a 3-1 win over the division rival Devils at MSG, before elevating his lofty standards with 45 saves on 46 shots in a 4-1 road win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Earlier in the week, the Rangers rallied with a three-goal third period, featuring Patrick Nemeth’s first as a Blueshirt, another Chris Kreider goal who’s got 38 entering this week, and an empty netter from Artemi Panarin for the 5-3 win.
Igor entered Wednesday 15-2-1 in his last 18 starts and was 28-6-3 on the season with an astounding GAA of 1.93 and a goddy save% of 940, both leading the NHL.
He had a rough outing in ST Louis, giving up four goals befit evening pulled for the first time in three seasons in the 6-2 defeat, and gave up four goals in the 7-4 win over the Stars, which saw a five point night by Artemi Panarin(1 goal 4 assists), and four New York goals in five minutes.
But one thing is clear,
“Igor Besterkin” is currently the #1 show in New York Sports, so enjoy it while it lasts!
YANKEES:
New York shocked their fanbase when they dealt Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins in exchange for third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Ian-Kiner Fiafa and catcher Ben Rortvedt. On one hand, the Yanks lose Gio Urshela, who while by all means was a fan favorite for his herculean play at times, isn’t the stature that Josh Donaldson brings to the table, as the ultra-competitive 36 year-old batted .247 in 135 games last season with 26 bombs, 72 RBI’s, a .352 OBP, and a .475 slugging %. The Yankees are also taking on the final 2 years $50 million of his contract, putting them over the new luxury tax with a $236 million payroll.
Gio is more known for his defensive abilities, and the 30 year-old can help a young Twins team.
Perhaps the most unsurprisingly part of tue deal was yanked catching-bust Gary Sanchez being traded to make room for Kyle Higashioka to step up and be the starter which felt like it was happening way too many times throughout the last two seasons anyways. A reminder that in 2020, the Yankees started Higashioka with their season on the line against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, and also benched Gary in game three of that series. Maybe a fresh start is all Sanchez needs, and Minnesota will be good for him where the townspeople are more into hockey than baseball. Ben figures to be Kyle’s backup, and he isn’t much better than Sanchez, but not much worse than Higashioka. None of the three provide anything offensively, but New York is getting a young catcher who made his MLB debut and appeared in 39 games for the 2021 Twins, batting .169, more known for his defense behind the plate.
Speaking of the other side of the baseball, Ian Kiner-Fiafa has won a gold glove at short and figures to be a defensive specialist who can provide as a great temporary replacement until Yankees hotshot prospect Anthony Volpe is called up to man the shortstop position. The 27 year-old was traded to the Twins on Friday before being swapped organizations again on Sunday night.
Overall, this brings up more questions than answers. On the Yankees side, they got better at third and shortstop, but considerably worse at catcher while also taking on an extra $25 million per year from the injury-prone Donaldson in his decline. So exactly how did they get better in their pursuit of a Wold championship? On the flip side, the Twins net cap space, a catcher with much potential in Gary, and a prime Gio Urshela, despite the fact the loss of Donaldson likely weakens their team offensively, with losing Kiner-Fiafa meaning someone else must elevate their defensive play.
I would expect more moves to be made on both sides before opening day because the Twins now need a shortstop and the Yankees need a first baseman. While both teams filled their needs here, the price looks a bit quirky and it isn’t a “Slam dunk” either way.
MLB:
After 99 days in between labor impasses, baseball came back. On Wednesday, it was announced that the MLB and MLPA came to an agreement on a new Collective barging agreement that goes until 2026. The deal includes the luxury tax rising from $210 million to $230 million for 2022, and would hit $244 million by 2026. It also featured expanded playoffs where 12 teams(6 from each league) would qualify instead of 10. As for the pre arbitration bonus pool, teams can spread out $50 million to star youngsters in their first couple years in the big leagues before they’re eligible for arbitration, where they can bargain for their own salary. To prevent teams from tanking, their will be a draft lottery for the top six picks prior to the new 20 round amateur draft, which currently doesn’t include international players, as the players and owners have agreed to wait until July 25th to work something out on a rule that would kick in prior to the 2024 campaign. As for other rule changes, MLB must give a 45 day notice to players beforehand, and those 2023 rumors of larger bases, 20 second pitch clock and banning the shift must be approved by the newfound “rules committee” who will meet following the 2022 season to finalize those rules. Last but not least, the universal DH is now permanent, and will be required for the NL too.
This leaves us with a March 17th start date for Spring training games, and an April 7th opening day where a new 162 game season(Albeit a week late) will begin. MLB announced they will add extra days in October to make up for the week of games they missed due to the lockout. After players and fans partied and hardied on social media, free agency began, and the moves have begun to come flying in.
The first big domino to fall was Carlos Rodon, as the San Francisco Giants swiped him up on a 2 year $44 million deal that includes a player option. The lefty is coming off a career best year, where he posted a 2.37ERA in 24 starts and 132.2 innings(6 innings per start). The other major move thus far came via trade as the Mets acquired all-star starter Chris Bassit from the A’s in exchange for two irrelevant at least for now prospects. The move means the Mets boast a formidable starting rotation of Jacob Degrom, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassit, Carlos Carrasco, and Tajuan Walker. The team also agreed to a 1 year $4 million pact with Adam Ottavino for bullpen relief. When you look at what kind of offseason this team has had, also adding Starling Marte, Mark Cahana, and Eduardo Escobar with Buck Showalter at the helm, the Mets are threatening to take over NY for the 2022 season.
STILL TO COME:
World Series champion Braves slugger and 1B Freddie Freeman is expected to make a move tonight. Let’s see what transpires for the biggest free agent on the market.
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