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Greg Maddux:
Becomes 13th pitcher to reach 3000 Ks. (Yes, that's more impressive than 3000 hits, if only because half as many players have reached the mark.)
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
BROWN. IN.
The Larry Brown Era in New York is
about to begin.
Brown is the NBA's best coach and a "sport-lebrity"
worthy of the New York spotlight. But he's the wrong
guy for these Knicks.
Let's review:
Brown makes good teams great:
The Pistons showcased Brown at his best: Nudging a
team on the precipice to a title. But the Knicks
aren't even good; they're terrible. So...
Brown makes bad teams good:
...And then he bolts. So Knicks fans can expect
instant short-term improvement, which means .500
records and shoddy draft positions.
Last rebuilding job? Olympics.
Oh, wait: Brown rarely bothers considering long-term
fixes like the draft. He loathes young players.
Keeping LeBron and Dwyane on the Olympic bench
triggered the Athens humiliation for the U.S. Enjoy the pine,
Channing Frye.
Right team, wrong time:
Brown is right about one thing: At its best, the
Knicks job is the tops in the NBA. But this is no
quick fix ... and Brown has the commitment problems of
a college freshman on his first wander through the
sorority quad.
Massive egos involved:
This smacks of a vanity play, both for Brown and his
boss, Isiah. (Right: "Boss." This'll be fun to watch,
particularly when Zeke gets ousted.)
As I argued a week ago, the
Knicks finally accepted that "rebuilding" isn't a bad
word.
Knicks fans are obsessed with the "glory days." Brown
returns the Knicks to the old days, all right: The old
days of the "quick fix."
Part 2 coming tomorrow:
The Knicks in June 2008.
Seahawks Sign RB
Seattle inks star Alexander to 1-year
deal that allows Shaun to be a complete free agent
after this season. (via ESPN.com's Len P.)
Anyone else notice an incentive problem? How can
Alexander have both eyes on the goal line in front of
him when one eye will always be on 2006?
NFL Camping
Today's openers:
Colts (Terre Haute, Ind.)
Key plot: How to beat Pats?
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CHECK OUT THE QUICKIE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING! |
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| WHO'S GOT THE MOMENTUM ... |
Al Michaels: Will stay with MNF in move to ESPN in '06
Thrashers GM Don Waddell: Named honcho of USA Hockey 06
Gary Hogeboom: Ex-Cowboys QB will be on next "Survivor" |
| ... AND WHO'S GOT NO MO' |
Nats: Cordero blows save; Ayala walk-off walk in L to ATL
Matt Clement: Red Sox All-Star SP TKO'ed by comebacker
Nomar's 1st rehab game: Pushed back from Tues to today |
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Meanwhile: Edge James will report to camp despite
being given only a one-year "franchise" deal from the
Colts. (again, via Len P.)
Packers (DePere, Wis.)
Key plot: Favre vs. Walker
Yankees Dealing?
Yankees getting desperate? Kevin Brown
is the Walking Scratch. Carl Pavano is behind schedule
on recovery. Jaret Wright? Don't ask.
That ups the pressure on the Yankees to make a deal
for a starting pitcher they seem to need, in addition
to the outfielder they seem to want.
That might explain the added spice to the
plotline to grab Seattle OF Randy Winn -- rumors that the
Yanks want SP Gil Meche, too. (via Seattle P-I)
More Trade Rumors
Does Manny want out? Well, it's not
like Theo will accommodate him, so everyone can just
let it go. (via SI)
Ponson to Rangers? Why have GMs when pushy,
hands-on owners like Angelos and Hicks can tinker with
a deal themselves? (via DAL M-N)
Soriano to Mets? Call it "Texas Hold 'Em" with
a limit -- Rangers just waiting on the Mets to freak
out and cave on Texas' demands.
Astros want RP? Because market for hitters is
too overvalued, says GM Purpura. Says he's 50/50 about
dealing by Sunday. (via Houston Chron)
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What about Burnett? How did he go from trading
deadline's hottest commodity to non-starter? ChiSox
think price too high. (via Chicago S-T)
Games: NCAA CFB '06
This year's cool hook: You make a run
at the Heisman, from high school recruit through your
senior year.
My prep accomplishments as a QB earned me scholarship
offers from Northern Illinois, Wake Forest and
Northwestern (my actual alma mater!).
I moved into the dorm in Evanston, then promptly
joined the same tradition of on-field mediocrity that
NU QBs have been upholding for years.
Well, at least I can fall back on that degree; perhaps
one day I'll get a job merely making catty comments
about sports...
50/50: MT
Impressions of Montana:
P-Jax offseason home: So this is where Phil
Jackson decided to return to the insanity of the
Lakers?
Fly-fishing hot spot: "River Runs Through It"
is probably the best book about fishing ever written.
(Yes, it counts as a sports book.)
Vote Best of Montana
here!
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Brian Vickers:
NASCAR driver came off like a fool last night during a "Daily Show" segment on hair-care products as NASCAR sponsor. Who green-lighted THAT p.r. move?
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Today on ESPN.com
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| Quickie live! |
| Tuesday's MQ |
| Scoop on Vegas |
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| Brown's NY Starting 5 |  Stephon Marbury
| History with PGs is spotty
|  Jamal Crawford
| Larry will love his conscience
|  Quentin Richardson
| The anti-Rip Hamilton
|  Power forward? Ha!
| Fixing chicken salad...
|  Jerome James
| | Sonics import? Ouch. |
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In the biggest game of the MLS-Euro soccer exchange
program, defending MLS champ D.C. United will play EPL
champ Chelsea.
Loving revamped USA Hoops, especially its plan to make
one-time, take-it-or-leave-it offers to players to
sign up for 3-year roles. (via Wash Post)
Pistons deny report they wanted to trade Darko to the
Hawks for Al Harrington. (via DET FreeP) (Over/under
on when Darko Love ends? 01/01/06)
Here's to a healthy recovery for Lakers rookie Ronny
Turiaf, who had heart surgery yesterday.
NBA Deals: Blazers sign another young swingman,
Russian SG Sergei Monya, who they drafted in
2004.
Don't forget: You can chat LIVE with me and the
smartest fans on ESPN.com every weekday morning from
9-10 a.m. ET on SportsNation. See Q It Up.
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