Writes the Daily News’ Frank Isola and Kevin Armstrong, “Ideally, the Knicks would have Nash as their starting point guard next season with Jeremy Lin serving as the understudy. The addition of the two-time MVP would go a long way toward making the partnership of Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony a successful one.”

We totally agree. And we understand why Amare Stoudamire has begun making his pitch for Steve Nash public.“Everyone knows that Steve loves New York and that New York loves Steve,” Stoudemire told The New York Daily News. “I love Steve. It would be great to have him here next year.”

The move just makes sense! Think about it…Without Nash next year, Jeremy Lin, who will probably be $5 million richer this summer when he’s offered and accepts the mid-level exception from the N.Y. Knicks, would ultimately be the starting PG. So with an aging and broken down Baron Davis more than likely getting set to retire after blowing out his knee during the Miami series, that would leave Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby, assuming they’re still with the Knicks, to back up Lin.

It would also leave one of them to become the starter in case Lin should experience any after affects from his surgically repaired left knee or suffers any other injury. Then it would be a case of history repeating itself wouldn’t it? If the 2011-2012 season has taught the Knicks anything, it’s that they need an authentic and productive point guard on the floor if they have any hopes of being successful.

Enter one Steve Nash. He’s experienced and is the epitome of a floor general the Knicks so desperately need. He clearly would not need to play 40 minutes a night with Lin coming in off of the bench. And Lin, who’s been quietly compared to Nash, would represent a great spark with fresh legs which is just what the doctor ordered.

Picking up Nash would also solve T.M.P. (The Melo Problem). If you remember, Carmelo Anthony wasn’t too thrilled with Linsanity because with Lin on the floor the ball didn’t go through him; it was either distributed or Lin drove the lane or took jumpers. Nights like Wednesday in Game 6 when Carmelo took 31 shots and Amare 7 won’t happen with Steve Nash playing the point. When Amare was in Phoenix the tandem of Nash, Shawn Marion, and Stoudamire worked pretty successfully and there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t flourish with Nash, Melo, & Amare.

Lastly, there is an intangible that Nash brings to the table that will prove to be invaluable to the Knicks as a whole, and that’s his leadership. I would expect Jeremy Lin to be a much better and smarter point guard under Nash’s tutelage, and since presumably the starting role will be his at some point, what better teacher could he possibly ask for besides the future Hall of Famer?

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LeBron James said,

“Not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7. Hey, and when I say that when I say that, I really believe it. I’m not just up here blowing smoke at none of these fans, because that’s not what I’m about. I’m about business. And we believe we can win multiple championships.”

I understand the confidence, you don’t want to come to a new team and say that you will try to win one championship. You want to win multiple, you want to be borderline arrogant with your statement.

The Miami Heat disposed of the New York Knicks this playoff season in dominate fashion. Although it should have been a sweep, the Knicks posed no threat, due to multiple injuries and chemistry issues. Now the Heat are faced with an intriguing matchup. The Indiana Pacers are a different type of team, no superstars, nothing flashy, just basketball. How will they do?

Well… Game 1 proved to be no problem for the Heat winning easily 95-86. Although they won the game with no issue, they lost a key player Chris Bosh. Chris Bosh, although he has faced many criticisms, averages 18 ppg and 8 rpg. Although he doesn’t prove as dominate in games as his teammates Lebron and Dwyane Wade, he stills bring a certain flash that helps his team get to the next level. Rebounding and scoring in certain situations has been his skill since coming from the Toronto Raptors where he was the number 1 threat.

Unfortunately for Bosh this is what was reported earlier by SportsNation.com…

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh has been sidelined indefinitely with an abdominal strain as his team prepares for Game 2 of its Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Pacers.

What does this mean for the Heat? Can teams like the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics or even the San Antonio Spurs/Oklahoma City Thunder. Take advantage of this important injury? With the pressure that the Heat have put on themselves, will it be a failure if the they don’t deliver a championship this season?

Brought to you by TheSportsBlitz.com

The original “Wall Street” seemed to foreshadow the financial collapse, embodying our imminent greed in Gekko’s crooked grin, so when a sequel was announced, people went crazy.  It was released in 2010, at the height of a historic economic crisis that changed the way everyday Americans think and act, but for me, all of the financial jargon and statements about our country’s state and government fall to the side, and what’s left is Douglas’ resonating performance.  You find out at the end of the movie that Gekko’s quote is all part of an elaborate scheme to steal money, once again feeding his insatiable greed.  However what makes it so impactful, so damn consuming, is that there is loads of truth in it., that’s what makes Gekko so enigmatic.  He’s evil, vanity and deceit epitomized, but he’s also prophetic, anticipating truths about society and people that they don’t even realize in themselves.  The movie ends on a happy note, but whichever way you look at the themes and motifs, there is one underlying truth, don’t trust Gordon Gekko.

I remember watching Josh Beckett in the 2007 playoffs and thinking how lucky the Red Sox were to have him.  He was automatic in the most non-automatic way possible.  He saved their season in the ALCS against the Indians, who had the Sox up against the ropes until an eight inning one run performance from Beckett swung momentum.  Beckett wasn’t just winning every game; he was doing it with style and authority, Boston fans loved it.  His attitude got us what we wanted, and that’s all that mattered.

Things have changed, I can’t think of a more insulting press conference than Beckett’s last one, he just doesn’t get it.  Boston is 12-19.  Beckett is 2-4 with a 5.97 ERA.  He was seen a day after he missed a start because of a torn lat golfing with Clay Buchholz.  It’s another in a string of behavioral incidents for Beckett, who was the center of the chicken and beer incident (Ludacris’ shout-out).  After yesterday’s game, when questioned about the golfing expedition, Beckett actually pulled the last straw.  “We get 18 days off a year…I think we deserve a little time to ourselves,” said Beckett.  Are you kidding me?  How pompous, entitled, and stupid can you be?  You don’t get 18 days off a year because you play once every five games.  The amount of days you get off is actually a lot, now that you want to bring attention to it, and you get paid $15 million dollars to play a game, and you’re not even playing it well.   He’s become an unraveled, Kenny Powers type, who has won his two rings and is content goading Boston into rioting on his front lawn.  Watching Beckett’s self-serving press conference reminded me of watching Gekko, both sets of eyes compelling and visionary, yet filled with only concern for themselves.  I went to sleep with one conclusion, don’t trust Josh Beckett!

Once LeBron’s announcement took place, the affection for Kevin Durant multiplied exponentially.  He seemed to be the anti-LeBron, and the NBA embraced that image with open arms.  Smooth and skinny, Durant made impossible shots and graceful dunks with no celebration.  I guess this qualified him to be the resident good guy around the NBA.  The marketing train took advantage of the perception of Durant, placing him in commercials on the rafters of the Ford Center preaching about championships and dedication.  Or at the scorer’s table scolding cell-phone users for playing doodle jump.  Seriously?  Man, that’s messed up.  Or maybe he’s just looking for a pickup game, like he was during the lockout. The NBA has branded Durant as what’s right in sports, he’s dedicated, loyal and humble.  There’s an authenticity to Durant’s game and demeanor that LeBron just doesn’t have.  So the NBA found a gift in Kevin Durant, a player that loves the game enough to play when the NBA isn’t even around is the perfect promoting tool.  He’s the dramatic foil to LeBron.

The problem with Durant, at least last year, is that he still hadn’t won anything.  So the NBA was going to have to embrace a Miami championship and amplify the LeBron villain angle rather than the heroes fighting against him.  Then came Dirk Nowitzki.  Dirk, who’s game resembles Larry Bird-esc traditionalism, displayed one of the most clutch performances I’ve seen in sports.  Tall, goofy and cognizant in the waning minutes of the game, Dirk discovered the adoration of a nation waiting to spit in the Heat’s face.  Don’t think appearance isn’t relevant, audiences related to his oaffy exterior.  In contrast, audiences rejected the strutting Heat, tatted up and high-flying, representing a city known for flashiness. He found ways to score when LeBron simply couldn’t, which lead to a full year of smothering coverage about LeBron’s lack of clutch gene.  An undermanned team beat a heavy Miami favorite that audiences hated, even if they didn’t know the full story, and none of us know the full story.

What we do know is that LeBron made two mistakes.  One was choosing Miami, which is something that is a personal decision and up to James.  However the bigger mistake was the execution of “The Decision.”  Over the top, obnoxious and self-promoting, LeBron’s announcement drew criticism from every angle of the media, including the enablers at ESPN.  Sure, it was stupid, and it’s easy to root against LeBron, but he was in his mid 20’s and made a self-centered move that will follow him for the rest of his life.  He didn’t hurt anybody or cheat.  Modern athletes have done far worse and received far less criticism, but the machine is moving, and there’s no stopping it now.  The NBA is going to milk LeBron’s image along with his foils for as long and as much money as they can.

The fact that Seau shot himself in the chest, similar to Dave Duerson, who committed suicide because of the effects football had on his mind, could imply that he wants his brain examined, which is exactly what Duerson did.  It’s a fine line that non-athletes feel uncomfortable about.  Bloggers and reporters who didn’t play the game simply don’t have the experience of not knowing where they are because of a vicious hit, It’s an uncomfortable criticism.  There have been hundreds of articles, some scorning the NFL for a lack of protection and some going in the opposite direction, pleading for football to not change because of a couple bad cases, there simply isn’t a right answer.

It’s a gruesome sport, and regardless of protection, head injuries will occur.  Changing the game will anger the traditionalists and thrill the progressives, but until these players understand there are people they can talk to about their problems, the issues will continue.  Concussions and CTE aren’t ending, so the NFL needs to focus on educating players about their mental health.  They need to understand that if these things do happen, they must seek assistance.  Whether it’s a friend, doctor, or family member, athletes must understand that mental problems aren’t offensive linemen they can throw to the side.  It’s a serious issue that millions of regular people deal with everyday.  Some will tragically take their own life, afraid and lonely, and without an option in their minds.  And others fight through it.  They find solace in the things and people they love.  It’s an impossible battle that affects every angle of society, not just football.  The difference is football players are trained to internalize fear and weakness.  The NFL needs to teach them that life on the field, however much it may affect your post-career experience, isn’t a philosophical microcosm for life.  It’s a game, and after that game, talking about how you feel isn’t weak.  It’s brave.

Now, the 76ers have advanced to the second round of the playoffs, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in Philadelphia since 2003,  and he did it with a questionable roster.  He’s forced to squeeze out points from Louis Williams and Spencer Hawes while relying on stellar defense.  Collins has turned Philly into a top three defensive team in the league.  They gave up just around 89 points per game in the regular season, which is the third best in the league, but more than lineup challenges or X’s and O’s, Collins has changed the culture in Philadelphia.  They care, with every fiber of their beings, about winning games, other teams just look lackadaisical against them.  Opponents seem to be bothered by the constant effort of the 76ers.  It’s like that defender in the pickup game that presses full-court and goes harder than every other player.  Except instead of annoying a college student balling in his spare time, the 6ers are annoying professional basketball teams.  And they’re winning games because of it.  The 76ers love going on the court and giving all they have for Collins.  He motivates them.  Collins has coached with his signature defensive style and ability to produce playoff appearances with a limited roster, but his stint in Philadelphia feels different. It feels like a much-needed landing spot for a good coach and even better guy.  It feels like Doug Collins’ team

The key for Denver tonight isn’t simply outrunning the Lakers, but exhausting them.  In the thin Denver air, it’s difficult for older teams like the Lakers to flourish.  The youthful transition offense of the Nuggets is the perfect compliment to the detrimental air.  Even if it’s ineffective early, the Nuggets run and gun offense will pay off if they stick to the plan.  Ageless Andre Miller has had a knack for finding JaVale McGee, which will be essential to match L.A.’s length.  McGee has shown he can be absolutely be dominant or a non-factor, similar to Andrew Bynum.  Bynum can be taken out of a game early if his confidence wavers and he becomes disillusioned.  It’s key for the Nuggets to come out strong and find a rhythm, and to not let Bynum or Pau Gasol get going.  Kobe Bryant, by will alone, will have a strong game, he doesn’t want to play a 7^th game.

So here the Nuggets are, one game away from elimination, relying on JaVale McGee and Andre Miller to produce offense against a franchise with the most championships in NBA history.  It’s unlikely and unpredictable, kind of like the Nuggets themselves.