This past week has had several major sports stories to follow, not only in the New York region, but both nationally and even internationally as well. The First and probably biggest story of the week, can be summed up in one word. Tiger. Tiger Woods both admitted to his sexual escapades and apologized for them. He had a internationally televised press conference with a hand selected media that wasn't allowed to ask questions. This was a crock. Far too much attention payed to a story that has somehow transcended sports. This is a story that happens to a lesser degree I admit, in more than half of the marriages in America. This is an issue between he and his wife, not he and his wife and the world because he is a international celebrity and athlete. This is a personal matter and as far as I'm concerned, he doesn't owe the public any apologies. He may owe one to the sponsors that he has probably broken image clauses in his contracts with. Even that is stretching it, though. He only, truly owes an apology and an explanation to his wife. Some personal matters in celebrities homes need to stay out of the newspapers and stay in the celebrities homes.
The next story is in the New York area very big too. It was going to be first on my list as I was preparing this blog, until the Tiger press conference was announced. The New York Knicks got their man. Tracy McGrady was traded in a three team deal to the Knicks. This is not the biggest part of the story, as no one really knows if T-Mac has anything left in the tank. The biggest part is that the Knicks opened up enough cap room for the upcoming offseason to be in position to sign multiple big name, big talent, franchise changing type players. That would make them more than very relevant in the city again, and relevancy has been a position the Knicks have not been in for more than a decade. There are so many big names coming into free agency this upcoming offseason, that Madison Square Garden will be jumping next year, regardless of which combination of the two they sign. Whether it be Lebron, Wade, Johnson, Novitzki, Bosh or whoever. There are no better fans and no better place to play than New York when the teams are competitive, that, in and of itself could be a major draw for a few of them.
The next big story was pitchers and catchers reporting (thank God). Not just that, but the many stupid quotes that can be collected during this time of year. For example, a team like the New York Mets, who have boasted for three years or more straight, that have proven nothing, having their captain saying they expect to win the World Series. Are you kidding me? Are you high David Wright or just that stupid? You have done nothing, you have proven nothing. You have backed up nothing. Shut up and play David. Period. Jose Reyes is there, showing that the competitive fires are burning early and that he has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. That is exciting. Johan Santana threw and felt no pain. Hey Mets fans, let me repeat that. Johan Santana FELT NO PAIN!!! That is probably the best news of all in Mets camp. The Yankees are talking about an open competition for the last rotation spot between Hughes and Chamberlain, the one who loses that battle will probably not only set up Rivera this year but may be the heir apparent to him later on.
Finally, the Olympics. Many stories are emerging from Vancouver this week, but I still believe that for all the heart warming, patriotic stuff that NBC is trying to rub off on the population, they have been just as dreadful in the coverage and sensitivity of a tragic event that opened up the games in the first place. The death of the young luger, was shown at least 200 times. That was horrible. They used the tragedy to gain viewership. I read a story before the Olympics started that they were going to lose $200 million estimated before the coverage even started. That is a bad job and poor decision making by NBC. They obviously used this event to try to regain some respect. They are in poor financial and organizational troubles and this was another poor decision. It is a mockery of sports and coverage of sports, they deserve to be bought out. I thought the NFL playoff coverage was bad, but this has gone to another level of stupidity. With a week like the one we just had, it is no wonder that sports is so consuming to so many people. I can't wait to see what next week brings.
The next story is in the New York area very big too. It was going to be first on my list as I was preparing this blog, until the Tiger press conference was announced. The New York Knicks got their man. Tracy McGrady was traded in a three team deal to the Knicks. This is not the biggest part of the story, as no one really knows if T-Mac has anything left in the tank. The biggest part is that the Knicks opened up enough cap room for the upcoming offseason to be in position to sign multiple big name, big talent, franchise changing type players. That would make them more than very relevant in the city again, and relevancy has been a position the Knicks have not been in for more than a decade. There are so many big names coming into free agency this upcoming offseason, that Madison Square Garden will be jumping next year, regardless of which combination of the two they sign. Whether it be Lebron, Wade, Johnson, Novitzki, Bosh or whoever. There are no better fans and no better place to play than New York when the teams are competitive, that, in and of itself could be a major draw for a few of them.
The next big story was pitchers and catchers reporting (thank God). Not just that, but the many stupid quotes that can be collected during this time of year. For example, a team like the New York Mets, who have boasted for three years or more straight, that have proven nothing, having their captain saying they expect to win the World Series. Are you kidding me? Are you high David Wright or just that stupid? You have done nothing, you have proven nothing. You have backed up nothing. Shut up and play David. Period. Jose Reyes is there, showing that the competitive fires are burning early and that he has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. That is exciting. Johan Santana threw and felt no pain. Hey Mets fans, let me repeat that. Johan Santana FELT NO PAIN!!! That is probably the best news of all in Mets camp. The Yankees are talking about an open competition for the last rotation spot between Hughes and Chamberlain, the one who loses that battle will probably not only set up Rivera this year but may be the heir apparent to him later on.
Finally, the Olympics. Many stories are emerging from Vancouver this week, but I still believe that for all the heart warming, patriotic stuff that NBC is trying to rub off on the population, they have been just as dreadful in the coverage and sensitivity of a tragic event that opened up the games in the first place. The death of the young luger, was shown at least 200 times. That was horrible. They used the tragedy to gain viewership. I read a story before the Olympics started that they were going to lose $200 million estimated before the coverage even started. That is a bad job and poor decision making by NBC. They obviously used this event to try to regain some respect. They are in poor financial and organizational troubles and this was another poor decision. It is a mockery of sports and coverage of sports, they deserve to be bought out. I thought the NFL playoff coverage was bad, but this has gone to another level of stupidity. With a week like the one we just had, it is no wonder that sports is so consuming to so many people. I can't wait to see what next week brings.
