A Welcome Back to a place where fun can be had. Whether it’s old or new, we’re going to try to  make it different than other blogs. Congrats to Roberto Alomar,Bert Blyleven and Pat Gillick on making Cooperstown. Well deserved for the trio even if Mike Francesa believes Blyleven was more of a compiler. I can see rewarding longevity. The Hall Of Fame isn’t exactly easy to figure out in any sport. There will always be omissions and curious inclusions.

We’ve had an eventful summer thus far with our women falling just short against a determined underdog. Kudos to Japan for showing true heart in upsetting three favorites in a row in one of the more improbable runs to the Women’s World Cup. If Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and favorite playmaker Megan Rapinoe got this country excited about soccer, then what of heroic performances from Homare Sawa and Ayumi Kaihori, who combined to stun the USA in a compelling final full of twists and turns? Sometimes, you get beat. Japan did it in miraculous fashion tying it late in regulation and then forcing it to kicks thanks to a remarkable deflection from Sawa. Credit a nation for coming together in the face of real adversity with what’s going on at home. Prayers go out to Japan after the latest natural disaster. They deserved something good, which wasn’t lost on our American women who were good sports. That should count for something too in today’s me-first world. They gave us a fun ride starting with Wambach’s own miraculous late heroics versus Brazil before Solo did the rest in kicks. Thank you for making this a better summer.

Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran deserve all the accolades for the years they’ve had. Who knows what’ll happen with Reyes past this weekend’s trade deadline but the electrifying All-Star shortstop finally showed what he can do when healthy. Whether he’s worth a long-term investment between 6-7 years remains to be seen. Beltran is a better story due to what he came back from. It’s not easy to make it back from chronic knees. To achieve All-Star status and lead the Mets in homers and RBI’s when many expected little and wanted to run him out of town, is a credit to his dedication. Assuming he moves on this week, enjoy his last game.

Congrats to Derek Jeter for reaching 3,000 career hits the only way he could. By doing the unthinkable with a home run putting an exclamation on a five hit day with our favorite Yankee also in the middle of delivering in the clutch for a win, which is what he’s always been about. Still, he probably should’ve let Christian Lopez have the ball even if the diehard Jetorian gave it to him. Francesa might be wrong about a lot of things but he’s dead on about all the money Jeter, Steiner Sports and the Yankees are making off that big hit. Sure. Tix the rest of the year, including playoffs are nice. But he could’ve kept the ball and paid off college tuition. No easy task today.

So, the NFL is Back! Hip hip hooray unless you’re a Big Blue supporter, who can’t wait to see what the Giants drop in our Christmas stocking for their latest collapse. Get the coal ready!

We could be looking at no NBA for a while. That one looks a long way off. Will it reach a boiling point? Are they really going to emulate the NHL lockout or will something change by say January ’12 like it did in ’99 during what turned out to be a wild ride for Knick fans. And of course Dolan is still asking Knicks subscribers to pay up for a season that has no chance of starting. What a jacka$$!

We’ll have a lot more in store. So tune in!

There’s so much happening in sports these days. It just never seems to end. What. With the exciting Masters that saw Tiger fail while younger competition stepped up, the Knicks back in the playoffs versus the hated Celtics, the Rangers battling old nemesis Washington, plus the plight of two New York baseball teams who only play in the same city but sure aren’t the same, it never stops.

Not in the city that never sleeps where beloved April baseball is front and CENTER. Who cares about the prayoffs playoffs?!?!?!?!?! The Knicks and Rangers both in at the same time means Hell must have frozen over or perhaps 2012 really is the acopalypse for mankind. James Dolan actually gets to steal more money from loyal fans because his two Garden main attractions with apologies to the Liberty, are playing meaningful games this Spring for the first time since ’97. Some 14 years ago before this blog and so many others along with the radio madness that’s become WFAN with callers ready to jump off the Verrazano after 15 games are played of a 162-game season.

The Yanks are in first after their great comeback over the Birds assisted by Buck Showalter, who didn’t load the bases to set up the force at home for Jorge Posada. Who cares if his homer tied it off immortal closer Kevin Gregg? Posada was a perfect double play candidate. Instead, the great Uncle Buck watched Mr. Clutch, Nick Swisher’s sac fly score Mark Teixeira for the Bronx Bombers’ two-game sweep to get back into first.

But Jeter’s finished and Phil Hughes needs to be taken out of the rotation for Old and Older Bartolo Colon. Brett Gardner sucks! Get him outta here borrowing a classic line from Jerome of Manhattan. Imagine if these pampered fans rooted for the Mets. There’s nothing Amazin’ about what’s going on in Flushing where you can probably hear the sound of toilets, signifying the putrid homestand under new skipper Terry Collins. The Mets won one game and lost six, falling to a suicidal 4-9. We kid. They can’t be this bad. Can they? Well, if Pelfrey continues his inconsistencies and Jon Niese isn’t a lock, then that rotation sure weakens in a hurry. Even R.A. Dickey’s looked human.

Jose Reyes is hitting and reaching base daily but not stealing much. David Wright looks primed for a big year but his fly to the warning track left the bases jacked with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Colorado to escape in the first of a doubleheader. Instead, it was all for naught as they blew leads in all four games, allowing the Rockies to sweep highlighted by Troy Tulowitzki’s four home runs.  But the season’s ovah! Well, if you believe that Family Guy skit.

Folks. Baseball’s long and teams can turn it around. The Mets at one point last year were eight over .500 with Jerry Manuel in the dugout laughing to every paycheck. Relax!

Besides, there are bigger things going on. Knicks/Celts for the first time since Ewing and Jackson in ’89. And the Rangers/Caps with King Henrik looking to even it up tonight. Paging Marian Gaborik! This is a fun time to enjoy playoffs for both Garden teams when it only happens every 14 years. Better cherish it.

Maybe it will work after all in the Big Apple for ‘Melo and Amar’e. That’s because the overlooked star in the much hyped blockbuster trade at last week’s NBA deadline, Chauncey Billups has shown up ready to ball.

In three games thus far, it’s Mr. Big Shot’s leadership and intangibles that have stood out. After nearly carrying his new team to victory in Cleveland, Billups once again stepped up in crunch time- helping the orange and blue stun the Big Three and the rest of the Heat 91-86 last night in South Beach. For most of the first half, it looked like the new Knicks just weren’t in Miami’s league. Then, down by 15 with nothing going right, they stunned the Heat with a 16-0 run closing the half up one courtesy of Bill Walker’s playground three-point banker.

Just like that, the Knicks led 51-50. However, it didn’t last long as the Heat reestablished momentum by coming out with a 10-2 run. They led for most of the night and were in good position to make it three for four on the season against Mike D’Antoni’s guys. The difference was they played D-Fence, apparently heeding my text  message I sent to a few buddies prior to getting back in it.

On a night Amar’e Stoudemire had a workman like 16 and 10 boards, it was the play of Carmelo Anthony along with ex-Nugget running ‘mate Billups who rode the Knicks to victory.  Taking over down the stretch with their team trailing 84-78 with a few minutes left, ‘Melo and Billups made all the winning plays to stun LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh. Anthony sank a pair of free throws to cut it to four and then Billups hit a tough runner which he was fouled on. But the Knicks didn’t get calls all night. So, they were down two.

After another stop, here came the biggest sequence when Billups held the ball as Stoudemire got position. With Wade plkaying off him in case of the double, it gave Mr. Big Shot enough room to fire a deep trey that hit nothing but net. Just like that:

KNICKS 85 HEAT 84

It became even better when Billups stole the ball from LeBron and set up trailer Shawne Williams, who after missing the gimme, made both free throws to put them up three. The Knicks had run off nine straight until LeBron’s hard drive allowed him to hit two freebies while being booed at the line by a strong New York contingent. The Heat don’t have fans. Just frauds who couldn’t even fill up the empties close to courtside. Between their cheesy PA announcer urging them on and how quiet it was all game in primetime on ESPN, you’d have mistaken it for a funeral.

Maybe that explained the final two possessions. After Williams dropped a Billups entry pass off an in-bounds with less than 13 seconds to go, Miami had a great chance to win it. Instead, Amar’e came flying in to block James’ driving lay-up, neatly pinning it against the glass to Williams, who was fouled. The Knicks’ secret shooting guard whose minutes have hiked since Danilo Gallinari’s departure, cooly sank a pair making it 89-86.

One more opportunity for the star-studded Heat to force overtime. But instead of using LeBron as a decoy and having him set up reliable deep threat Eddie House or even Mike Miller, they isolated James and he took a contested three by Anthony, which never had a chance. Two more Williams’ free throws gave the Knicks an emphatic win, responding to the misery in Cleveland that led D’Antoni to practice extra hard on D.

All in all, a step in the right direction for this new batch of superstars still getting better acquainted. The win also made the Heat 5-11 in games decided by 5-or-less. Problem for them is you can’t put the ball in everyone’s hands. For our money, Wade’s a better one-on-one player down the stretch. But now, it’s James’ team. That didn’t work in Cleveland. Will it in Miami? We’ll see.

The Knicks are back at it tomorrow against red hot Dwight Howard and the Magic. How will they deal with the big man? A great question considering the lack of a true center. It should be interesting.

Game Two of the Melo Era didn’t go as smoothly as the superstar’s home Knicks debut which included a cool separate intro with the former Syracuse standout donning the unfamiliar No.7 with the spotlight on him Broadway style. His 27 and 10 including a pair of tough shots helped his new team close out the Bucks  the other night.

Instead, a reality check came for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Amar’e Stoudemire last night in Cleveland of all places with the Cavs outgunning the Knicks 115-110 minus new acquisition Baron Davis. Nobody said it would be all roses for these new look Knicks who still remind of that old familiar feel in Coach Mike No’D'Antoni’s run ‘n gun philosophy.

In Game Two, Melo struggled after a strong 16-point first quarter, finishing with just 11 the rest of the way, including a measly deuce in crunch time. Not what you expect from one of the game’s best finishers. However, it was partially due to Billups, who after getting zilch in the first half, exploded for 26 with 18 coming in the final stanza. Billups and Stoudemire did the bulk of the scoring, combining for 28 of the orange and blue’s 24 in the fourth.

Trouble was they couldn’t get any stops at the other end. With Melo forced to guard the bigger Antawn Jamison (28 Pts, 13 Rebs) and Stoudemire unable to contain J.J. Hickson (24 and 15, 5 Blks), the Knicks simply couldn’t get it done down the stretch against one of the NBA’s worst teams. Sure, the Cavs have produced upsets like a recent home win over the Lakers but that also was due to a long road trip due to the Grammy’s. What were the Knicks’ excuses?

One of the problems last night was the Knicks’ inability to stop Ramon Sessions’ dribble penetration with the lightning quick guard getting into the lane at will, finding open ‘mates for easy scores. Anthony Parker also hurt New York by converting some tough shots while going an efficient five of six from the field for 16 points.

Most disturbing was the edge on the glass with the Cavs dismantling the Knicks 62-42, featuring 19 offensive rebounds to our 13. One of the problems D’Antoni’s new guys will have going forward is the lack of a true starting center. Ronny Turiaf’s all heart but just isn’t capable of providing reliable minutes. Bringing in Jared Jeffries or Earl Barron probably won’t change that much. But at least it will be another fresh body.

Aside from that, D’Antoni must decide what his rotation will be with only Tony Douglas proven off the bench. Renaldo Balkman got in last night but was a step slow picking up fouls. What about Corey Brewer and is Sheldon Williams out completely?

A daunting task for the coaching staff with tough road tests at Miami tomorrow in primetime and Orlando coming up.

In tonight's Open quarter rematch versus fiesty Robin Soderling, Roger Federer is trying to make a statement.

Here goes. For a guy that’s had a disappointing year by “his standards” despite adding to his slam record with another Australian Open, Roger Federer is playing like a machine tonight against nemesis Robin Soderling, who ended his semifinal streak at Roland Garros.

It is amazing to watch Feds when he’s going this well. There’s a reason the 29 year-old Swiss Maestro is considered the very best. Tonight, it’s all on display in this quarter showdown on Ashe at the U.S. Open. The former world No.1 is aiming to reclaim New York as his after falling to injured Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in a five set epic a year ago.

If he continues to serve this well and run down every ball while defying logic with his all court game, it’s going to be awfully tough for anyone to beat him, including Novak Djokovic- who’s waiting after dismantling too defensive French showman Gael Monfils this afternoon.

Much like last year, Federer leads Soderling by two sets with it on serve in the third. Can the 26 year-old Swede with the monster game repeat what he almost did in that match, coming oh so close to forcing Roger five? A lot of New Yorkers who love tennis hope so. All it will take is one more slip up from the No.5 player for Feds to silence the doubters who wondered if maybe the recent trend of losing in the quarters will continue.

He sure looks focused.

Uh…what happened to the Mets? Were they abducted by aliens during the All-Star break? Swept by last place Arizona. Ouch. And the only win they got was a gift in San Fran thanks to one of the most hideous calls.

The good news is Atlanta lost and they’re still 3.5 out of the wild card. And even Oli Perez pitched out of a bases loaded one out situation. However, they better start hitting soon or they’re ain’t gonna be a pennant race.

It’s Memorial Day and many of us are celebrating the three-day weekend with barbecues, parties, etc. I used to be really into it always getting together with buddies. Whether out here or Point Pleasant, it was always fun. A great time.

Maybe in the midst of all the chaos, we forgot what this holiday is supposed to be about. This country was founded on principles. Many that have long been forgotten. All I know is without the hard work and true dedication of the courageous men and women who sacrificed so much for our way of life, we wouldn’t even be here. A big thank you to all the soldiers, policemen and firefighters who lay their lives on the line everyday.

Here’s to you.

Today is the wake for my good friend Lyndzay. I haven’t slept at all. I keep asking myself why and wind up dumbfounded. The Jamaican King is watching over us right now probably kicking it with the same spirit he owned our place with.

What’s it all for? I’m not sure. We’re brought into this world to eventually die. A crazy yet daunting thought on life. It’s just a matter of when and how. Futuristic was only 20. A young pup full of life, injecting it around those he loved. The world was a better place because of you and I’m having a very difficult time with this. How could you be gone from our lives? Regardless, I’ll never ever forget you and continue to keep your spirit alive as will everyone that ever knew you.

I know you would want us to have fun and put our minds and bodies to good use as you did, harnessing your special musical talents. You truly had the gift and that will be on display later today and in the future.

I may speak at the ceremony tonight. I know exactly what I’ll say. Always happy, smiling, making others laugh and sharing your wonderful prowess. There was never a dull moment or bad time had. Like your unbelievably strong family, you are a gift from up above. One of God’s angels I’m convinced. On what amounts to a challenging day nobody wants to be part of, I’ll try to hold my head high because that’s what you would’ve wanted.

See ya on the other side Dyaygo Escobar. Bow Bow! :-(

Okay. So, it’s been a dreadful year for hoops in the metro area. Unless you’re an avid fan of some of the best HS basketball, there’s little to get amped over. If you frequent this space- meaning you probably got nothing else better to do- than you know how down I am on my alma mater St. John’s, who got predictably walloped by No.1 rated Syracuse last night 85-66. Can someone please wake me up when the Norm Roberts Era Error finally ends?

Then, you’ve got the Knicks who have come apart at the seams in Mike D’Antoni’s second season similar to last year. Monday, I was busy all day on Battle Of New York catching up on all the chaotic NHL hoopla leading into today’s 3 ET trade deadline. It cost me a chance to see a championship game I’d have liked to have caught. The BC Lady Lions fell at Martin Luther 51-44. Sounds like it was a really good game. Darn. Between that and former Berkeley standout Zoe Cohen’s New Paltz losing their league title by five (50-45) over the weekend, bad luck I guess.

At least those teams put out the effort. A foreign term for the Knicks, who are back to humiliating themselves. How else to explain their 30+ point loss to LeBron’s Cavs? A game so uncompetitive that a disgusted orange and blue fan tweeted about it, which made me check the score. When I saw 74 points for Cleveland and only halftime, my eyes almost popped out. They trailed 101-59 at the end of three quarters. C ‘mon!

While the Knicks have dropped 10 of 11 and 13 of their last 15, there aren’t even words to describe the ineptitude of the Nets, who amazingly with their 104-96 upset of the Celtics in Beantown have fared better. Yes. Remarkably, they’ve won two of their last seven. Break ‘em up! Too bad this sad bunch had just four more wins in 59 games, making the Jersey disgrace 6-53. Impossible. This is a pro sports franchise who boasts talented inside/outside duo Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian and Chris Douglas-Roberts aren’t bad either. However, it hasn’t mattered with injuries and lackluster play costing Lawrence Frank his job. If only it was getting better under Kiki Vandeweghe.

Amazingly, when you look at some of the pieces along with the enormous opportunity to win the NBA Lottery and select Kentucky’s John Wall, they could be much improved this Fall. Given the franchise’s uncertainty surrounding Brooklyn with the club shifting from the Meadowlands to The Rock, would a July 1 big name consider them? A lineup featuring Wall, Harris and Lopez is intriguing.

While their closest rivals cleared plenty of space by acquiring Tracy McGrady, there appears to be more unknowns surrounding the Knicks. Outside of Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, there’s little else who will be back. Of the other moves Donnie Walsh made, Eddie House has been alright in his familiar role off the bench. With not many other options, D’Antoni is overusing him which has led to more misses from the outside. Speedy Spanish guard Sergio Rodriguez has proven he can get into the lane and dish but has a tendency to hold onto the ball too much. Spanish Chocolate needs to bulk up. As for Bill Walker, the jury’s out.

For all the positives David Lee brings, his defense is atrocious. Mr. Double Double can’t guard bigger centers and is exposed daily. Would you re-sign him and only target one max player? The Knicks are better off letting Lee walk while chasing Chris Bosh and either LeBron or D-Wade. They still need to address the lack of true point guard and a big man. Something they’ve lacked since that No.33 which hangs from the rafters.

Finally, just to exhibit how bad Net bball is, they’re so desperate to get people to come that they’re whoreing tix anyway they can. Ball Don’t Lie’s Trey Kerby had more on the bizarro marketing of the Nets:

This Friday, the Nets will unleash another in their long line of minor league-esque promos:

Their latest promotion will be unveiled Friday, when the Nets play the Orlando Magic. New Jersey residents 18 or older who attend the game will get a coupon that they can redeem at a Roni Deutch Tax Center to get their state income tax done free.

No one likes doing their taxes, but is it worth having to go to a Nets game? At just a $29 value, I’m not so sure.

Uh…this is a new low. If you’ve flipped to a Net game, the empties make it seem like nobody cares. Either that or huge blizzards every night which come to think of it, could’ve been possible given how the winter’s been. Perhaps it’s time for a new slogan.

CHASING HISTORY: Catch The Circus Before It’s Too Late

Will Donnie Walsh's big gamble land LeBron or D-Wade this summer?

So, the Knicks did what they had to do clearing enough space to ready for this summer and chase the dream LeBron and D-Wade. That’s all well and fine moving forward for a dysfunctional franchise that hasn’t been taken seriously for a decade. Maybe Donnie Walsh will luck out. He’s essentially throwing all his eggs in one basket, sacrificing future No.1 picks (’11, ’12) and draft flop Jordan Hill in a desperate attempt to lure King James to Broadway.

Will it work? You probably have a better shot at dating Ana Ivanovic. James, Wade and other prospective big names Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire have to decide what’s best for their careers. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Knick roster, can they win right away in the Big Apple? A pro outlook would be that young guns Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler are solid ballers who should only improve. Adding T-Mac who’s off to a decent start in his Orange and Blue debut donning Starbury’s No.3, is low risk. If he performs, maybe they convince him to stay thinking he can convince a couple of big names to team up. Whatever happens, McGrady’s contract comes off regardless.

Adding long distance threat Eddie House to the mix is wise as he’s proven it in the spotlight helping the Celtics to an NBA title. The 31 year-old 10-year vet will be a perfect fit for Mike D’Antoni’s system. Hey. They rid themselves of self-serving Nate Robinson, who despite talent needed a change of scenery. Perhaps going to Beantown under Doc Rivers with demanding stars KG and Paul Pierce will pay off as Boston takes another run at the brass ring. Good luck! An added bonus for Walsh is that he got a No.1 pick conditional second rounder back for a player who was a team headache and wasn’t returning. Big ups for the former Pacer executive.

What about “Mr. Double Double” David Lee?!?!?!?!?! No question the late No.1 pick under Lord Isiah has been a good pro earning his first All-Star appearance even if it was due to injury. It’s hard not to admire the 26 year-old former Gator who’s improved every year. The undersized starting center gets 20.1 pPG and 11.5 rebounds along with a career high 3.5 assists. All excellent numbers which make him a staple of D’Antoni’s offense. However, he can’t play a lick of D frequently getting beat up inside. Unfortunately, playing out of position against stiffer competition has its drawbacks. He’ll be a free agent again after the season looking for a nice raise. Last year, there wasn’t any market. So, he stayed put and has been a good soldier. As sufficient as he is offensively, it’s doubtful the Knicks re-sign him.

Let’s say they land LeBron or Wade. Would Lee take less to stay or does he move on? Buyers also might ask if he’s a product of the system. Valid question. Honestly, he would be better served on a team boasting a legit big which would alleviate pressure.

Based on what we’ve seen from McGrady, who’s got a team high 19 along with three dimes in the first half versus Kevin Durant and the Thunder, he’s shown flashes- finishing strong scoring the last five on a trey from the left key plus a bucket putting the Knicks on top 57-52 at the break. He’s 7-of-12 from the field with a trey and 4-of-4 from the line in 17-plus. A nice debut yet there’s still two more quarters to go. At the opening press conference, he did indicate he’d consider taking less if they could land a big fish. But let’s also remember this is a former top star playing for a contract, who’s back from microfracture surgery with his career at stake. In short, he has to do what’s best for T-Mac.

If there’s a negative, it’s that both Gallinari and Chandler hardly touched the ball, combining for only six points in the opening 24 minutes. Not what you want to see. Sergio Rodriguez and Chris Duhon both have goose eggs with just three assists. For as much attention as what the organization has done for the Class of 2010, the glaring weaknesses of no true PG or center are still apparent. Unless Spanish Chocolate or MIA Tony Douglas prove otherwise, that’s a huge hole.

Walsh also failed to move Al Harrington, who’s still in the rotation. Sure. The former St. Patrick’s star has been a solid Knick putting up respectable numbers. But he’s taking away minutes from a kid. Al’s not part of the future. So, it doesn’t make much sense.

Then again, it’s easy to forget that the franchise is still run by Jazzy Jim. One thing that’s lost is that Dolan wants the big names to make the team a hot ticket. He doesn’t necessarily care about winning championships. It still will be intriguing to see how the big summer plays out. For now, the offensive-minded Knicks play out the string with few part of the plan.

We’ll see if the big gamble pays off.