STILL A RIVALRY: How Melo, KG, and LaLa Renewed An East Coast Rivalry

Johnny J

Madison Square Garden has been known to host big fights, such as Joe Frazier v. Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Robinson v. Jake Lamotta. Usually when a fight is over, the loser is usually too tired or too beaten up to try and carry it over in the tunnel or locker room. That wasn't the case for Monday night's match-up between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics.

After the Celtics defeated the Knicks 102-96 in a game that included confrontations and blood being spilled.  Anthony can be angrily seen walking by the Knicks bench toward the Celtics tunnel by-passing any handshakes and brotherly love. Carmelo Anthony waited for Kevin Garnett by the Celtics locker room. When he couldn't reach him there, he waited by the Celtics' bus hoping to finish what was started on the court.

Anthony, who can be identified in the video wearing a red hat, can be seen waiting for Garnett with a handful of MSG security personnel who I believe are trying to talk him out of it. If you look all the way to the left Rajon Rondo can be seen, probably trying to play peacemaker from afar (irony is a cruel beast--Ed). It's as much action as he's seen all night after being suspended for bumping an official.

Apparently Garnett had made some comments about Anthony's wife LaLa and Anthony just wanted to clear the air:

"I wanted to talk to KG, I think it was something that we both needed to get off our chest and see what really was the problem. It wasn't no altercations, it was just some words and a conversation that we needed to have," said Anthony.

Anthony who is the second leading scorer in the NBA averaging 29.0 PPG had an off night against the Celtics swarming defense. Anthony was held to 20 points on 6-26 shooting from the field. Anthony and KG both received technical fouls for the shoving and trash-talking on the floor. Anthony, who is tied with Matt Barnes of the Clippers with a league-leading 9 technical fouls, is very close to a suspension. Once a player reaches 16, they're suspended for one game and can continue for every other tech they receive afterwards.

J.R. Smth received 11 stitches above his right eye after bumping heads with Avery Bradley, who was trying to pick pocket Smith. After a timeout was called to give more time to stop the bleeding, Smith came back out with Vaseline and a headband over his cut (J.R. the prizefighter--Ed). 

While KG was getting into Anthony's head; Paul Pierce took over the game, scoring 23 points and dishing 6 assists. Pierce hit a step back jumper with the shot clock winding down with Tyson Chandler all over him. As he was going back down the floor he starting blowing kisses to the crowd as if saying, "I had a great performance; thanks for coming, but it's over now!"

As a Knicks' fan, I was irritated at what I was seeing.  I know this is a hated, long-time rival, but we're sitting at the top of the division for a reason. There wasn't any ball movement; just isolations for the majority of the game. Melo gets the ball and tries to go to work, but he shot the ball for 23%! If its not working, you have to adjust as a TEAM! You have other stars on the TEAM! They shouldn't be watching one guy every possession. The Celtics are six games behind the Knicks and they can't play down to their level. KG is known for his trash-talking; Back in 2010 Charlie Villanueva accused KG of calling him "A cancer patient." Villanueva suffers from a medical condition called alopecia universalis that results in hair loss (Apparently, KG told Anthony that his wife "tastes like Honey Nut Cheerios". Another incident that is not widely known is the fact that KG, back on Mothers' Day of 1999, went up to Duncan to tell him, "Happy Mothers' Day, mother------!" Duncan's mother died when he was only 14-Ed). 

If Anthony plans on taking his team to the finals this season, he's going to have to put up with people trying to get in his head. He has already shown he's vulnerable and thin-skinned in that aspect.  And now he will pay for his lapse in judgement with a one-game suspension.

More NBA is available, here.



2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #90-86

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

90. Manny Banuelos--SP--New York Yankees

• 2012 Outlook: "21, hard thrower, but comes with control issues"
• 2012 Achievements: #8 Best Yankees' Prospect
• Conclusion: Banuelos only pitched in 24 innings last season which ultimately ended with him undergoing Tommy John Surgery in October and won't be back until 2014. Before he got hurt, Banuelos was said to have a good changeup, but was already having issues with control and command throughout his Minor League career.  He was becoming more hittable as he moved up in class as well.  

89. Jean Segura--SS--Milwaukee Brewers

• 2012 Outlook: "Great contact and adequate power.  Should make Majors by 2013."
• 2012 Achievements: #12 Prospect and Best Baserunner in Texas League. Played in Dominican League.
• Conclusion: Was involved in trade that sent Zack Greinke to the Angels.  Had Segura stayed in Anaheim, he probably would not have been called up in 2012.  But it only took Milwaukee 8 games in their farm system to call up the promising young shortstop. Despite looking overmatched in the Majors, the patience he displayed in the Minors streamlined fairly well in the Big Leagues. Segura's calling card is definitely his ability to get on base. He's expected to be the Brewers' starting SS in 2013.

88. Christian Yelich--OF--Miami Marlins

• 2012 Outlook: "Good gap power, but a couple of years away."
• 2012 Achievements: Made Arizona Fall League's Top Prospects' Team; #4 Prospect and Most Exciting Player in Florida State League.
• Conclusion: Standing at 6'4", but only 189 lbs, Yelich's baseball skills are not the only thing that he needs to develop. What he lacks in homerun production, he makes up for it in hitting doubles, but if he were to bulk up, those doubles could turn into homeruns, obviously. Could also improve his approach at the plate. Regardless, reports show that he probably won't make the Marlins until 2014, but with the Marlins seemingly willing to trade anybody under long-term contract on their roster, I wouldn't be surprised if Yelich makes the Big League club by summer of 2013. 

87. Jon Pettibone--SP--Philadelphia Phillies

• 2012 Outlook: "Throws hard with good command."
• 2012 Achievements: #19 Prospect in Eastern League; Was added to Phillies' 40-man roster in November
• Conclusion: Of all the Phillies pitching prospects, Pettibone was the closest to joining the Big League club, but not in 2012. His chances did not increase much for 2013. At 6'5", he has the size the Phillies are always looking for in their pitchers (i.e. Ryan Madson, Gavin Floyd, etc.). Has improved his K/9 since 2010, but high has only reached 6.8. What he lacks in "punch out power," he makes up for it in good command as evident by low walk rate and WHIP. Too soon to categorize Pettibone as a strikeout pitcher or a future "pitch to contact" hurler.

86. Matt Barnes--SP--Boston Red Sox

• 2012 Outlook: "Might move up very quickly through Minors, but not play in Majors in 2012."
• 2012 Achievements: #3 Carolina League Prospect; #3 Red Sox Prospect as well as having Best Fastball and Curveball in Red Sox farm system.
• Conclusion: Not to be confused with the NBA player.  After dominating Low-A, he struggled a bit in High-A ball.  Still was able to post great K:BB, K/9, and BB/9 rates. Aggressive style might be the reason why he became a bit more hittable in Hi-A as opposed to Lo-A (8.2 H/9 vs 4.0 H/9, respectively). Might spend another full year in the Minors in 2013. 

Prospects #95-91 can be viewed here.

Prospects #85-81 can be viewed here.