99 Problems but a Win isn't One

While the Knicks continue to trudge along in the debacle of a season this one was, one thing stands out to me like a sore thumb with this team. Melo needs to go. Plain and simple. Phil Jackson recently made the worst trade imaginable by ridding J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. Those two guys could have been the foundation to building a better team in the 15-16 season. But no. Phil Jackson needed to clear cap space immediately it seems like. Well Phil, if I were in your shoes, here's what I would have done differently.

    1. Keep Shumpert. He was the best defensive player the Knicks had, and was still on his rookie contract. Yes he is injured, but he could have been the building block for success for this potentially up and coming Knicks team. But no. Knicks need the cap space NOW! Losing Shumpert and Smith dumped $20 million in luxury and salary tax, which makes $35 million available for free agent shopping this summer. Lamarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kawhi Leonard, and DeAndre Jordan are just some of the names they can pursue this summer.

    2. Trade Melo. Jesus god almighty. As much as I love Melo, HE NEEDS TO GO! All he's doing right now is taking up cap space! With Shumpert and Smith gone, there's no one for Melo to work with. So keeping Melo means that he'll take all the work onto his shoulders, make all the other players un happy and un willing to play with him. On top of that, he's injured. Melo has a 5 year contract, for $124 million through 2018. A team like the Hawks, with the most cap space in the league, can maneuver some players around and make a big trade to acquire Melo, and send some players to New York. Someone like Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver would help the Knicks out substantially.

    3. Play for 1st (pick). Let's be real here. With a 10-45 record as of February 24th, there's nothing left to look forward to for the Knicks besides 1st pick in the draft. By doing that, they can build and get younger. Jahil Okafor or Emmanuel Mudiay can help the Knicks tremendously

    4. Make a splash in the Free Agent Pool. How about some fresh talent in NY huh? It seemed to work when the Knicks brought in Carmelo, Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler in back in 2010. If I was in Jacksons shoes, and Melo was already traded, the first thing I would look for is the SF position. Guys like Luol Deng or a Kawhi Leonard (at the right price) could serve great in NY as Anthony's replacement. The next desperatley needed position would be Center. With the power forward position potentially locked down with Cleanthony Early in the D league, the Center would be the next need for the Knicks. If we're going to be honest, the Knicks haven't had a reliable center since Patrick Ewing in the 80's and 90's. A reliable guy like Omer Asik, who is great on defense, and scores when he needs to is just what they need. Or, if the room is there, Lamarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan will be potentially shopping for new teams.

   This Knicks franchise needs a complete revitalization. Phil Jackson needs to realize that the way he has constructed this team is not fit for winning more than 20 games in a season. Getting Shumpert back, trading or dumping Melo, building through the draft and shopping for Free Agents will help this team take a 180 degree turn talent wise, and maybe even record wise. Lord knows they could use it. 

Arod's 2015 will be a Hit or Miss

    When I typed Alex Rodriguez's name into google, the first three related people that came up were Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Manny Ramirez. Those three have one major thing in common with Arod. STEROIDS. But, Yankee fans have been assured this is a new era. A clean era for Arod. With the PED and BioGenesis scandals behind him, Rodriguez can now focus on the more important things, like getting his 39 year old PED reliant body back in baseball shape.

   As a Yankee fan, I'm concerned, yet anxious about Arod's 2015 campaign. He could bomb the season, proving to everyone that he can't play without the juice, regardless of what he's told the fans. He could struggle to bat his weight, and be replaced as the Designated DH by the barely younger Carlos Beltran. Arod could also make a fool out of himself in front of all the booing fans, and walk away from the team after this season with his $61 million and quickly be consigned to oblivion by the baseball world.

  As realistic as all of that sounds, some little part of my pinstriped heart tells me that this could be an omen. Arod could FINALLY produce like he used to back in the mid 2000's. After taking his suspension from the 2013-2014 seasons, he could have gotten 100% healthy again, and play his first full, 162 game season since 2005 with the Yankees. 2005 was also Arod's arguably best year ever in pinstripes, where he posted a .321 average, 130 RBI's and 48 homers. Ever since, loyal yankee fans have seen Arod's numbers decrease. But, 2015 could be the year he actually contributes to this team since 2009, where they won a World Series. His offseason work could all come full circle, and develop a swing that is explosively efficient, making balls pop like popcorn, while simultaneously reducing his strikeouts. IF all of that comes together, Yankee fans could be blessed with a potential post season push.

   But being realistic here, the Arod of 2015 won't be able to hold the jockstrap of Arod of the mid 2000's. Granted, he was on the juice back then, but at least he was a valuable member to such a storied organization! Yankees fans have been sick and tired of hearing Arod this and Arod that in the news, and even more sick of him stinking up the field when he's playing! This year needs to be a tell all for Arod. With three years left on his contract, he needs to make some big changes. If he fails, which is likely, the once glorified Yankee will be pressured by the fan base, and even the front office to take his money and get out of the Bronx so there is more room for actual talent. But, if by chance he manages to pull off a successful season, and lead the Yankees to the playoffs, Arod will once again be worshiped by fans. He once again will be mounted on top of a pedestal for all to view. And potentially, could be forgiven of his dreadful sin by the fans, which, in reality, would be the biggest victory of his career.