The weekend saw the Knicks go 1-1 record wise, but once again the Knicks lost the P.R. battle. Jeremy Lin’s meniscus tear, reported at 6 pm Saturday prior to the Knicks/Cavs game was information withheld until the deadline for playoff tickets for all four rounds were sold to season ticket holders. Frank Isola of the Daily News says it made business sense, but little else. Meanwhile, Marc Berman of the Post says that if there are no surprises or hiccups, that six week timetable could be expedited and Lin could see action within 2-4 weeks unless the docs see something during the procedure that warrants the longer time off. Al Ianazonne of Newsday writes that without Lin and Stoudemire for the next 13 games and only holding a 2 1/2 game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks for the 8th and final playoff spot, it would seem a very difficult task to even MAKE the playoffs.
Like Frank Isola writes, it made business sense for the Knicks to with hold information regarding Jeremy Lin’s extended absence. Clues were given in Mike Woodson’s press conference when he referred to Lin and Amare’s return as not a “when” he would return but “if” he would return at all. I feel bad for Amar’e since he was just rediscovering the beast mode he seemingly forgot since last season when he was carrying the Knicks to respectability. Lin’s absence is huge because Baron Davis and Mike Bibby are the only point guards available for Mike Woodson to utilize. We all remember the Iman Shumpert at point experiment and the Melo running Point Forward trial run. Toney Douglass has seen more action than he’s seen since Jeremy Lin’s arrival but its only reminded Knick fans why he was benched in the first place. He’s not a true point guard judging by his inability to see a play develop quickly enough. His decisions are always at least five seconds too late. The Knicks are counting on Baron Davis to remain healthy while playing more minutes, Mike Bibby to be respectable, and for Toney Douglass NOT to kill the Knicks at point guard while Lin is absent. Now re-read that sentence and start crying and praying.
Over the next 13 games they face 4 games against teams with sub .500 records. They face Indiana and Orlando and then a home and home against the Bulls. For the record that’s two teams they obliterated during the Mike Woodson era and two games against the team with the best record in the NBA. I’m not saying those are unwinnable games, I’m just saying that the Bucks during that same time period will play @ Wizards, and then at home against the Cavs, Bobcats and Blazers. By the beginning of next week, the Bucks may wind up with the 8th spot in the East. That’s how slim the margins are for the Knicks during this week. Stay tuned.
The Mets made it official yesterday announcing that Johan Santana would be the Opening Day starter for the team. This will be his first start in almost a year and a half and his first opening day nod in two years. Within that report, Andy Martino of the Daily News writes that the Mets and Jon Niese their number 3 starter are close on a long term deal resembling the 5 year $28.5 million deal that Derek Holland signed with the Texas Rangers. Mike Puma of the Post writes that for a change, it was best case scenario for the Mets. Within his report, he writes that Mike Pelfrey knows the pressure of having to produce this season. David Lennon of Newsday writes that despite the want and need for Santana to pitch opening day for the Mets, he had to throw a side session to convince Terry Collins that he would be ready.
Everybody knows that the Mets have been waiting for this news with baited breath. The belief has always been that Johan Santana would get the ball and he would be the Opening Day starter and had this been under another regime he may have gotten the ball ANYWAY. Johan’s a competitor and a fighter and so his demeanor and overall pitching IQ bring a much needed breath of fresh air to the Mets, the likes of which this team and organization are not used to seeing. The two time Cy Young award winner is being paid handsomely but he’s been handcuffed by injuries and general stupidity by the Met organization. This is obviously a step in the right direction. As you will see in my season preview, I’m not completely down on the Mets and I don’t think they will be as bad as many make them out to be. The other teams in the NL East have done nothing to answer questions other than perhaps the Marlins who made big splash moves and added a perfect lead off batter for a line up that has plenty of pop. I’ll be interested to see how the Mets open the season as most other teams will be playing it cool and taking it easy. The Phillies don’t have a line up that scares anybody but their pitching is still elite. The Nationals are deep in pitching but their star, Stephen Strassburg, is on an innings limit as he returns from shoulder surgery. The Braves made NO attempt to make changes to a team that had the Wild Card lead and lost it in the final month of the season possibly rationalizing it by saying that it was just a crazy set of circumstances. Either way, the Mets are not in a hopeless position, but the grind of a six month regular season will eventually catch up to the Mets who are limited depth wise, at the moment.
Interesting to note is that the Mets have locked up Jon Niese recognizing that he could be a number two starter in the future. He has major upside if he learns how to harness that curveball and throw something to keep right handed batters honest. His fastball needs a bit more refinement (read: movement), but he has a good amount of velocity (sits in the low 90’s but can go to mid if he chooses) on it and he needs to work on his change up. He has the best change up thrower in the game as his rotation mate so hopefully he’s spent time working on that with Santana. Pelfrey’s situation is increasingly dire. A report came out this weekend indicating that the front office considered releasing him prior to the season because of his 8 ERA. His number was at 15 but he lowered it thanks to two decent starts. Pelfrey’s arm has never been the question. Its his head that has never been right. He’s never had the ability to bear down and focus and finish the task. He’s a front running pitcher. When things are good, he’s good, but when he faces a little bit of trouble he melts down. Its the lack of control and throwing rather than pitching and its something he has never figured out. I go back to the fact that he can’t even get it to mid to high 90’s with his fast ball, something he was doing in college with regularity. I’ve often wondered what would happen if they moved him to the bullpen. In one or two inning stretches Pelfrey can be effective and as a long man, perhaps very effective. His frame (6’10) makes his sinker so effective and his ability to throw that pitch in the high 90’s makes him a strong bullpen candidate. He needs to go back to just throwing the baseball and pitching it on the corners for strikes. His ground ball ratio has dipped as he’s tried to become a finesse strikeout pitcher. Dan Warthen has tried on numerous times to get him to trust his sinker to get him out of trouble but he would rather try to rear back and throw pitches by hitters. But he won’t get away with that when he’s only throwing 92 and 93. Somewhere during this season Mike Pelfrey may get traded for a bag of baseballs and a beer tap, and Met officials may feel like they got their money’s worth BUT I would caution against that. He’s such a prime candidate, heading into his prime, to figure stuff out and make a run in the bullpen. I know he’s exhausted options in the Mets, but that still remains as one that they have never brought up with him and I’m sure he doesn’t see himself as a member of the bullpen, but if he wants a future he had better take a long hard look at that.
Finally, the NCAA Championship game is tonight. The final that I’m convinced ONLY I PICKED, is facing off as the Kentucky Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks face off. I picked Kentucky to win so I dont see why I would go against that pick. My only hope is IF the Wildcats lose then Thomas Robinson gets to shave off Anthony Davis’ unibrow instead of cutting down the nets as the post game celebration.
Editor’s note: Yankee report coming later in the day
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