LeBron James has been in the New York sports pages more frequently lately as the Knicks and other teams rush to get under the cap in two years to enter the LeBron James Sweepstakes.

Yes, D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Steve Nash, and other free agents will also be available.  But, nobody commands the league and world like LeBron.  He is already referenced by his LBJ initials as former President Lyndon Baines Johnson once was.  Wow!  LeBron is barely old enough to legally purchase alcohol much less run for President.

The Knicks have the edge over most teams residing in the heart of the media capital of the world.  Except, the Nets.  The Nets are moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn next season as I successfully advocated almost two years ago.  More importantly, LeBron is close friends with Nets minority owner Jay-Z.  That could tip the balance to the Nets.

Therefore, the Knicks need to have a Plan B.  That's going to be hard because D-Wade likes South Beach and Chris Bosh loves playing in Toronto.  That leaves Steve Nash who lives in the West Village.  Even if LeBron signs with the Knicks, expect Nash to be reunited as the floor general in former Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo style.

The Knicks are off to a better than expected start, touch wood.  They let the Starbury issue drag on longer than necessary.  It has been and will continue to be a distraction until it is resolved.  I am not going to comment on the recent trades.

Until then, how watchable will the Knicks and Nets be?  Time for Commissioner Stern to gentle nudge the Knicks and Nets behind the scenes to make them more watchable.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

I was writing a LeBron James article while on the bus back to the City.  But, SATT is on the cutting edge of the sports world.  For instance, Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack reported (via Blackberry Pin) that Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress reportedly accidentally shot himself in Midtown Manhattan.

To quote Jack, it was a "flesh wound through the soft tissue of the thigh."

Will Burress play again?  According to ESPN, Burress will NOT play in the Giants big showdown at the Redskins.  If the Giants win, they pretty much seal the NFC East as well as #1 seeding and home field advantage through the playoffs. 

How idiotic can Burress be?  Was his weapon registered?  Why doesn't he have private security detail who are probably better trained in weapons and self-defense?

Burress may have cost his or somebody else's life.  Of much less importance, he may have cost the Giants a chance to defend their championship.

Posted by a bewildered Tank in NY.

Last Week's Review: I was 2-1 on the week and 11-6 on the season.  I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong with the Jets upset victory at the previously undefeated Titans.

This Week's Fearless Picks:

The 49ers lose at the Bills.

The Giants win a tough game at Redskins.

The Broncos lose at the Jets.  If the Jets want the #2 seed in the AFC, they can't afford a let down.  Running the table will help secure it as the Steelers have a much tougher schedule down the stretch.

Posted by The Tank.

I wanted to wish all of our readers a Safe, Happy, and Healthy Thanksgiving!  Thanksgiving is often the best holiday because you don't have to deal with the stress of gifts but enjoy food, family, and football.  How's that for a trifecta?!

I am grateful for your readership and support, even Kathleen is slowly coming around.  :-)

Posted by The Tank in a food coma.

Last Week's Review: I was 4-2 last week and 17-9 on the season.  I was pleasantly surprised with Syracuse's upset win at Notre Dame.  Former Notre Dame and NBA star Adrian Dantley's son led the Orangemen to victory.  Let's Go Orange! 

On the other hand, I was disappointed that Texas Tech didn't show up at Oklahoma and lost 65-21.  Ouch!

This Week's Fearless Picks:

#22 Georgia Tech loses at #11 Georgia.

#4 Florida wins at #20 Florida State.

#23 Oregon loses at #17 Oregon State.  The Oregon "Civil War" is always tough to pick.

#3 Oklahoma wins at #12 Oklahoma State. 

Local:

Syracuse loses at #16 Cincinnati.

Rivalry:

Auburn loses at #1 Alabama.  Roll Tide!

Posted by The Tank in NY.

I had lunch Monday with a unnamed Mets executive.  It was NOT Omar Minaya.  Our Coup D'Omar was unsuccessful as Steve did not get his resume in time to Mr. Wilpon.

Anyway, I followed up on a question from one of Steve's IT colleague per their local Microsoft meeting on Thursday, November 20.  Steve mentioned it during our most recent podcast.  Yes, the new Citi Field will open on time in April 2009. 

The Mets executive asked me about Citibank's recent financial issues.  I explained credit default swaps, the TARP, and other current economic and financial issues.  It would be foolish for Citi to withdraw their sponsorship of Citi Field.

I reassured him that the Sigma Alpha Theta brothers and I have the current financial crisis under control, touch wood.  I might not have been elected President earlier this month but it's time to pitch in and troubleshoot our country's issues.  In the words of fellow "Tank"...

"'How hard can it be?'" SAT brother Jeffrey "'Tank'" Worthen asked. "'Last year we discovered cold fusion in order to keep Geezer from getting kicked out of his grad program. And just last semester we launched a space shuttle in order to win back our girls from the creeps at ZBT.'"

Posted by The Tank reporting live on the road back to US economic recovery.  Keep the Faith!  :-)

Steve and the Tank podcast about the offseason moves for the Mets and Yankees here. (Sorry WMA file only)

Today the resurgent Jets lead by Brett Favre defeated the undefeated (10-0) Titans 34-13. The Jets had command of the game, controlling possession and holding the Titans to only 13 points. Favre looked in command, driving down the field in the final minutes for an insurance TD late in the game. That insurance TD not only put the game out of reach for the Titans, it was also Favre’s 20th TD pass of the season, his 14th consecutive season of doing so, an NFL record.

After defeating the Patriots at home last week n a grudge match, the Jets came up big today on the road against the top team in the NFL and increased their playoff chances. A Jet v Giants Superbowl?

Posted by Steve in New York

K-Rod’s agent provided the Mets with medical information and is waiting for an offer. The Mets are clearly interested and it is a buyers market, so don’t expect this to happen soon. That said, it is in the Mets best interest to sign their closer before the GM Winter Meeting in early December so they can start the process for trading and signing a brand new bullpen as well as a starter.

Speaking of which, do the Mets bring back Pedro and Perez? If I were the Mets I would try to get Pedro at a bargain basement rate with a pay for performance plan. They can negotiate based on that Pedro owes the Mets nearly two full seasons from all his time on the DL in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Oliver Perez? Well he and his agent may have him overpriced right now. I would take the chance and let him shop himself around and make an offer after Perez has some exposure to the market. Then the Mets should throw some money at Lowe or Burnett. Imagine this rotation:

• Johan Santana
• Lowe or Burnett
• Mike Pelfrey
• John Maine
• Pedro or Perez

Not to bad, but also not that likely. The Mets will probably have to trade for a young 24 year old arm and then concentrate in the bullpen.

As for the outfield, Murphy and Pagan are most likely to platoon in left as the payroll dollars will be focused on the bullpen and starting rotation.

Posted by Steve in New York

After 30 years, the Boss, George Steinbrenner, gave up official control of the Yankees to his 40 year old son Hal yesterday.

The Boss lead an investment group that purchased the Yankees from CBS for $8.7 million in 1973 and was an innovator, realizing early on how free agency would change the game. Signing Goose Goosage and Dave Winfield ushered in the Free Agency Era. He was so effective at this and the other teams did not catch on to the change right away that my late grandfather in the early 80s called him “Stein-grabber”, because he would grab the NL star free agents. My grandfather was an old school baseball fan and thought free agency was ruining the game.

With his big signings and blockbuster deals, George saved the Yankees twice, once in the mid 70s and then again in the mid-90s after his own mess of the team after his banning from baseball. The Yankees won 6 World Series and 10 AL pennants in his reign.

“I realize it’s a great responsibility,” said Hal Steinbrenner. “My dad is, needless to say, a tough act to follow.”

Really?

I will argue that the Boss’ tactics, while fun, were not as productive as the numbers show. The golden years of the Yankees were after his ban: 1996-2001, where they won 4 World Series, including 3 in a row, countless division titles and went to the playoffs from 1996-2007. His “saving” of the Yankees in the 90s was by letting others grow the minor league system and not trade them away or sign as many free agents and lose draft picks. A lot of this building went on when the boss was banned. Prior to 1996, the Boss changed managers 20 times and was famous for feuding with manager Billy Martin.

By the mid-90s, the Yankees settled on one manager for over a decade and built the core of their championship teams from their farm system, not trades and free agency. Name the stars that have lead the Yankees over the past decade: Jeter, Riviera, Posada, Pettitte, etc, they were all from the farm.

The minute the Yankees lost the streak in 2001, old George was back. Rumors about firing Joe Torre were all the buzz and the Yankees went back to the superstar signings: Jason Giambi was the first one, and then I predicted the golden age would be over. Then came tons of other flops: Randy Johnson, A-Rod (the jury is still out on him, but his post season performance has proven otherwise so far), etc. Letting Joe Torre go last year, no playoffs this year.

So Hal looks like he is going to continue the path of his father. Too bad.

Posted by Steve in New York