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Q&A: Knicks guard Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson poses in front of his new promotional billboard at 34th and Seventh Avenue. (Rj Mickelson/amNY)
Nate Robinson, the 5-foot-9 Knick, debuted a new billboard image that managed to make him look even smaller in person, but Robinson didn’t mind.
“Representing the short guys,” he said. “It’s great.”
The high-scoring, fourth-year combo guard’s turn as Superman’s nemesis at the All-Star slam dunk contest last month inspired the towering advertisement at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, which is captioned, “Leaps tall centers.”
(For his second slam dunk title, Robinson adopted an all-green alter ego — from shooting sleeve to shoes — and leaped over the good-natured, 6-foot-11 defending champion Dwight “Superman” Howard.)
Meantime, the Seattle native’s alma mater, University of Washington, is the top-seeded Pac-10 team in the NCAA tournament. We asked Robinson about their chances.
Washington’s a fourth seed. Don’t they have a point guard named Isaiah Thomas who wears your No. 2?
I just got off the phone with him. I told him that they have a chance of really doing something special that we never did, me and [Trail Blazers star] Brandon [Roy]. Winning 30 games, getting to the Sweet 16, Elite 8. I’ve got them going all the way to the Final Four, so hopefully they don’t disappoint me.
Who’s the best player from the state of Washington? I’ve got one in mind.
Probably would have to be between Brandon and [former Knicks guard] Jamal [Crawford].
What about the great John Stockton?
I didn’t know he was from Seattle.
Spokane.
Since you say that, yeah, them three! Can’t leave him out.
Tags: nate robinson, knicks, jamal crawford, brandon roy, isaiah thomas, washington huskies
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Big East Tournament: Syracuse Orange vs. Connecticut Huskies
Jonny Flynn #10 and Paul Harris #11 of the Syracuse Orange look on during the 4th overtime against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
By JIM O'CONNELL, AP Basketball Writer 2 minutes ago
NEW YORK (AP)—Syracuse outlasted Connecticut in the second-longest Division I game ever played, capping a Big East tournament quarterfinal doubleheader Thursday in which the second- and third-ranked teams in the country both lost.
Andy Rautins hit a 3-pointer 10 seconds into the sixth overtime Thursday night, giving the Orange their first lead since regulation and they went on to a 127-117 victory over the third-ranked Huskies.
Much earlier in the evening, West Virginia beat No. 2 Pittsburgh 74-60, meaning that instead of a much-anticipated third meeting between two teams that held the No. 1 ranking this season in the semifinals it will be sixth-seeded and 18th-ranked Syracuse and the seventh-seeded Mountaineers.
Big East Tournament: Syracuse Orange v Connecticut Huskies
typed live from CBS announcers' commentary
war of attrition
Hasheem Thabeet fouled out, and the Syracuse big man jackson
Syracuse can attack the rim now with the 7-footer Thabeet out
Syracuse-UConn 4th overtime
walker way of on a three for UConn
Flynn could try a jumpshot
passes to Harris, three times stopped at the rim
he's missed a lot of them
layups traded, 1:50 to go, tied at 104-104
pass to the middle of the zone, floater, missed
off people's fingertips
flynn posts up low with the balll, passes, gets it back
Flynn to the rim with a great basketball move, but misses the reverse
Fynn has played 57 minutes
harris unable to convert at the finish!
the extra pass set it up
he's on the floor but they're hesitant to call that
I like the no-call there don't you?
end fourth overtime
Big East Tournament: Syracuse Orange v Connecticut Huskies
NEW YORK - MARCH 12: Jeff Adrien #4 of the Connecticut Huskies drives to the hoop against Arinze Onuaku #21 the Syracuse Orange during the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
start fifth overtime
106-104 UConn leads
2:14 to go in fifth overtime
Jim Boeheim probably wants to walk over to that rim and rip it down, Jay Bilas says. It has been unkind.
Jonny Flynn is 10-for-10 tonight.
Tied again at 108. 45 seconds to go.
Two minutes all this guy has played
sprint to the middle by poised substitute
Jonny Flynn, talk about poise
he ties the game with his 12th free throw
110-110
Flynn was invited to drive and took very fast advantage
"Adrian! Nooo!"
A sixth overtime
"Yo Adrian, could not deliver the knockout punch. Incredible"
end fifth overtime
start sixth overtime
Connecticut has not lost a game this season leading at the half
of course, that was a couple of months
Harris fouls Harrison
2:09 left in the sixth overtime, Syracuse leads 119-112 after Harris makes both free throws. Orange are 18-for-20 from the line in the six overtimes. Harris gets up for some rebound.
Price. Great ticker that kid has.
1:47 to go
Jonny Flynn, this takes him to legendary status
since the headband snapped, Syracuse has been able to get ahead
this game tipped off at 9:36 Eastern time, it is now 1:06 a.m.
The mental toughness shown by Syracuse in these overtimes has been amazing.
122-112
The performance here gives Jim Boeheim a different kind of pride than the national championship.
you don't think there's a loser, there is a survivor
In true Connecticut tradition, the Huskies fighting to the end.
a three-pointer by the gunslinger from Mississippi makes it a two-possession game. 123-117
Flynn two free throws
They're two tired to cheer on the Syracuse bench
great courage from both sides
"Clearly one of the most remarkable games in the history of this sport" — Jay Bilas
127-117 after Flynn's free throws
Astrid an air ball. They are just totally spent.
This is a tribute to loving a game and putting it all on the line.
Game over
Syracuse wins in sixth overtime, 127-117
"I've never been prouder of a team than this one tonight. We had nothing." — Jim Boeheim
"I kept telling my teammates. This is destiny for us, " said Jonny Flynn. The point guard told his men on court, "We played this long, all we can do is win the game."
Wrapup: "Six overtimes. Syracuse never led in any of the first five. They outscore Connecticut 17-7 in the sixth to win 127-117. ... You'll be seeing it for a long time folks. ... Very privileged to be here."
Tags: college basketball
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CBS TV comments on quadruple overtime, Syracuse-Connecticut, at 102-102, 3:10 remaing
war of attrition
thabeet fouled out, and the syracuse big man jackson
syracuse can attack the rim
walker way of on a three for UConn
Flynn could try a jumpshot
passes to Harris, three times stopped at the rim
he's missed a lot of them
layups traded, 1:50 to go, tied at 104-104
pass to the middle of the zone, floater, missed
off people's fingertips
flynn posts up low with the balll, passes, gets it back
Flynn to the rim with a great basketball move, but misses the reverse
Fynn has played 57 minutes
harris unable to convert at the finish!
the extra pass set it up
he's on the floor but they're hesitant to call that
I like the no-call there don't you?
Tags: college basketball
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Column: Needling Clemens. Imagined encounters between Brian McNamee and Roger Clemens
Brian McNamee, left, accuses Roger Clemens of using steroids. Clemens denies it. (Getty Images)
"Was this usually how it went?” we asked. “Get the drugs, lay them out and then Roger drops his drawers?”
“Yes, sometimes it was in his apartment,” McNamee went on. “Sometimes it was in the Jacuzzi at Yankee Stadium. Sometimes I injected him while he was on the road.”
— from an interview Brian McNamee gave to a Web site called SportsImproper.com
According to an interview conducted this week by a less-than-reputable Web site, Brian McNamee injected Roger Clemens with steroids in a number of settings. The ex-trainer’s claims led me to fabricate a few scenarios to appease my own imagination.
Feb. 13, 1998
Clemens: So you’re the new Toronto Blue Jays trainer I’ve heard about?
McNamee: I am. Brian McNamee. Call me Mac.
C: I just did a military-style workout of my own design. Really grueling. Jacuzzi time! But first, if you would be so kind ...
M: Hey, what are you — come on. Pull your pants back up, Roger.
C: Perhaps we’ve misunderstood each other. Since you’re a trainer, I thought you’d know what to do with this syringe.
M: OK, yeah, I know. Just let me keep the waste. In my basement.
Feb. 13, 2008
C: Mac, I know this is unexpected, but before I testify to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that I never took steroids or HGH, and that you’re lying when you say I did, could we do one more for old times’ sake?
M: And ... there go the pants. “Unexpected” isn’t the word I would use, Roger. Still, I don’t see why I couldn’t help you out this one time.
C: Good. But this doesn’t change anything.
M: Right. My lips are sealed, as long as I have dibs on the trash.
Feb. 13, 2018
C: Brian friggin’ McNamee! How the heck are you, brother?
M: Rodge? Rodge! What brings you to Arby’s?
C: Ah, you know, looking for work. What are you doing here?
M: You’re looking at the general manager!
C: Wow, it is truly great to see you, Mac. Um ...
M: Uh-oh. Not the time or the place, Roger. Really.
C: Right here, right now, Mac.
M: Well ... OK. Dibs!
Tags: roger clemens, brian mcnamee, steroids, toronto blue jays, performance-enhancing drugs, arbys, dibs, military-style workout, jacuzzi, sportsimproper.com, house committee on oversight and government reform, news, yankees, baseball
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Q&A: Baseball Prospectus co-editor Steven Goldman
“Baseball Prospectus 2009” offers 648 pages of analytical insight. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)
Steven Goldman, co-editor of the newly released 14th edition of “Baseball Prospectus,” shared some New York-centric thoughts on the upcoming season.
What do you make of Alex Rodriguez’s unusual physical breakdown this spring?
The real lesson here is that you can sign as many big contracts as you want and have the best front-line team you can imagine, but as you get into the 30s with these guys, your injury risk piles up. If you don’t have the second-line players in the form of youngsters, then you can really be in trouble. And this is only the [Yankees’] first injury of the year.
Lack of positional depth is a long-term problem, isn’t it?
Yeah. If Derek Jeter does anything this year he’ll be knocking on the door of 3,000 hits going into 2011. But very few teams have won with shortstops that old. So you have this whole public relations question of what to do with the captain and not having an obvious replacement for him on hand.
Did the Mets address their bullpen issues enough?
I think this is the area of baseball that’s still not that penetrable to the analysis that we do. Forecasting relievers is very difficult. If you look at the top 50 relievers in any given season, that list turns over by about half every year.
What other weakness could the Mets shore up?
The thing that’s weird about the Mets is you’ve had all these rumors about the Wilpons’ (owners’) involvement with the Madoff situation. They have been sort of strangely quiet with some financial things this winter. Manny Ramirez would have been such a ridiculously good fit for them given the weakness of their outfield. But they were shockingly reticent.
What are the New York teams’ playoff prospects?
What’s exciting this year if you’re a fan of either team is that the real action is going to be in the Eastern divisions. Both the Mets and Yankees are confronted by teams that are equally interesting and equally compromised in some ways — the Rays and the Red Sox in the AL East or the Phillies and the Braves in the NL East. It’s very hard to pick favorites among that group.
Who do you think your book’s audience is?
This book is read in every front office in baseball. It has value and vast applications to the fantasy baseball community, but it’s not explicitly written toward them. It’s adaptable to all kinds of users.
Tags: steven goldman, baseball prospectus, alex rodriguez, derek jeter, johan santana, bernard madoff, philadelphia phillies, boston red sox
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Fantasy Baseball: Drafter's Dozen. It's time to chalk up your draft board
Jose Reyes (Photo by Getty) />
Special to amNewYork
Preparation is the key to success in all fantasy sports, perhaps most noticeably in baseball. Many options might cross your mind through the first round of your upcoming draft, but here are the 12 you should strongly consider, in order. (This assumes a standard 12-team, 5x5 mixed league).
1. Hanley Ramirez
SS, Florida Marlins
Uncommon power for his position
His power/speed combination is almost unparalleled in today’s game, and his age (25) means he still has room for improvement. An expected batting-order move from leadoff to third should nullify his only weakness — RBIs.
2. David Wright
3B, Mets
Speed at “slow” position
Wright narrowly edges Albert Pujols for the second spot due to his position’s inferior depth. He may not approach 30 steals again, but his fantastic contact-hitting skills and plethora of RBI opportunities make him one of the best.
3. Albert Pujols
1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Consistently high power production
Even if first base is deeper than the Atlantic, it’s tough to overlook the following stats in eight seasons: a .330 or higher batting average five times, 35-plus homers six times, and 116-plus RBIs seven times.
4. Jose Reyes
SS, Mets
50-plus steal guarantee
Concerns about his losing steals with a shift to the batting order’s third spot are slightly overblown. He might not reach his 65 steals average from the past four seasons, but the Mets won’t entirely squelch his speed.
5. Grady Sizemore
OF, Cleveland Indians
30/30 reliability
The only statistic that keeps him from entering the Top 3 is a modest .277 career batting average. Otherwise, only Hanley Ramirez can challenge Sizemore for 30/30 supremacy.
6. Miguel Cabrera
1B, Detroit Tigers
Elite power bat entering his prime
His 14 games last season at third could qualify him there depending on league rules. Cabrera’s power production is exceptional and he should return to a .320-plus batting average after last season’s unlucky .292 mark.7. Chase Utley
2B, Philadelphia Phillies
Superior production at inferior position
Utley had off-season hip surgery, but all indications are that he’ll start on Opening Day. He’s been an annual .300-30-100 threat for the last four seasons at fantasy’s most shallow position.
8. Ryan Braun
OF, Milwaukee Brewers
40-home run power
Braun has played just two seasons, but you can already lock him in for 35 homers and 100 RBIs. Throw in 15 steals and a likely .300 batting average, and you essentially have a statistical repeat of Matt Holliday’s Colorado tenure.
9. Jimmy Rollins
SS, Philadelphia Phillies
RBI production from leadoff spot
A return to full health this season should make his stat-line emulate 2006-07 instead of last season’s powerless numbers. He’ll still swipe 40-plus bags, and it’s noteworthy that the shortstop depth plunges after J-Roll.
10. Tim Lincecum
SP, San Francisco Giants
Strikeout prowess
Pitchers shouldn’t usually be targeted in the first round, but Lincecum’s strikeout ability is very tempting. Last year, he became the first pitcher in four seasons to surpass 250 strikeouts, and he could reach 300 with enough innings.
11. Ryan Howard
1B, Philadelphia Phillies
Greatest HR/RBI production
He’s the only player for whom you can say 45 home runs and 135 RBIs are expected. His batting average is an obvious detraction, but those 10-homer, 30-RBI months nearly make up for it.
12. Mark Teixeira
1B, Yankees
Second-half numbers
His production won’t be affected much by A-Rod’s absence. Protection from teammates is vastly overrated, so expect Tex to produce his usual .300-30-110 line with or without A-Rod. Tampa Bay’s B.J. Upton could also go in this spot.
Five left out
1. and 2. Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers; Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers
These Rangers have durability questions even in their mid-20s.
3. Johan Santana, SP, Mets
Elbow issues and a declining K/9 rate raise eyebrows.
4. Lance Berkman, 1B, Houston Astros
Don’t count on 18 steals again, but his power numbers are elite.
5. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees
Missing at least four weeks of regular season relegates him to second or third round status.
Tags: mark teixeira, ian kinsler, josh hamilton, johan santana, lance berkman, alex rodriguez, ryan howard, tim lincecum, jimmy rollins, ryan braun, chase utley, miguel cabrera, grady sizemore, jose reyes, albert pujols, david wright, hanley ramirez, fantasy mlb
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Big East: Unleash the beasts, title in play for 16 teams this week
Coach Rick Pitino of Louisville (Getty Images) Special to amNewYork
The 30th anniversary of the Big East sees six top-25 teams visit Madison Square Garden — plus six more with above-.500 overall records — for a conference tourney that is the deepest in recent history.
1. Louisville
Cardinals (25-5, 16-2)
Key wins: vs. Pittsburgh, at Syracuse; key loss: at Notre Dame
Six years after leaving Conference USA for the Big East, the Cardinals are first-time Big East regular-season champions. Coach Rick Pitino’s
offense, designed to find the open 3-point shooter, has the Cardinals second in the conference with eight 3-pointers made per game.
2. Pittsburgh
Panthers (28-3, 15-3)
Key wins: at UConn, vs. Marquette; key loss: at Providence
Pitt started 13-0 with a relatively weak non-conference schedule then proved its strength in the Big East with home and road wins against UConn. First-team All-Big East forwards DeJuan Blair and Sam Young outmuscle opponents for rebounds (+10.4 rpg margin) and point guard Levance Fields (suffering from a groin injury) dishes to his big men in the paint.
3. Connecticut
Huskies (27-3, 15-3)
Key wins: at Gonzaga, at Louisville, at Marquette; key loss: vs. Georgetown
UConn was ranked No. 1 for several weeks this season. Coach Jim Calhoun’s balanced offense makes it tough for teams to key in on stopping one or two players; four Huskies are averaging more than 13 ppg. Defensively, 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet averages 4.5 blocked shots, sending many into teammates’ hands.
4. Villanova
Wildcats (25-6, 13-5)
Key wins: vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Marquette; key losses: at West Virginia, vs. Georgetown
After a slow 2-3 start in Big East play, the Wildcats have won 11 of their last 13 conference games. Senior forward Dante Cunningham leads ’Nova in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg).
5. Marquette
Golden Eagles (23-8, 12-6)
Key wins: vs. Villanova, at Notre Dame; key losses: at South Florida, vs. Syracuse
Though a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament, Marquette could use a solid Big East showing to regain its confidence. Following a 9-0 in-conference start, the Golden Eagles lost to South Florida on Feb. 6, starting a 3-6 slump to end the regular season.
6. Syracuse
Orange (23-8, 11-7)
Key wins: at Memphis, at Marquette; key loss: at Providence
Syracuse’s season is a testament to the strength of the Big East. The Orange went 12-1 in non-conference play, beating Florida, Kansas and Memphis, then slowed down in-conference. Coach Jim Boeheim’s zone-defense schemes won’t confound this field; they would be more effective against unfamiliar competition in the NCAA tournament, if Syracuse makes it there.
7. West Virginia
Mountaineers (21-10, 10-8)
Key wins: at Ohio St., vs. Villanova; key loss: at Cincinnati
Once a 3-pointer-minded team under former coach John Beilein, West Virginia has adopted a defensive focus with coach Bob Huggins, allowing more than 70 points only three times in Big East play.
8. Providence
Friars (18-12, 10-8)
Key wins: vs. Syracuse, vs. Pittsburgh; key losses: at West Virginia, vs. Notre Dame
The final team with a first-round bye, the Friars probably need to reach the final on Saturday to secure an at-large NCAA bid. A key win against then-No. 1-ranked Pittsburgh likely won’t overshadow their 12 losses.9. Cincinnati
Bearcats (18-13, 8-10)
The Bearcats have lost three straight heading into the tournament, but they face a DePaul team today that’s still in search of its first Big East win.
10. Notre Dame
Fighting Irish (17-13, 8-10)
Once a top-10 team, the Irish had a rough stretch in January, losing seven in a row. A blowout win against Louisville and close losses at Pitt and UConn show that the ability is still there.
11. Seton Hall
Pirates (16-14, 7-11)
Guard Jeremy Hazell is second in the Big East with 22.5 ppg, but the Pirates have no wins against the top half of the league.
12. Georgetown
Hoyas (16-13, 7-11)
The Hoyas look to build off of a 56-54 win at Villanova on Feb. 28 to carry some momentum into the Big East tournament.
13. St. John’s
Red Storm (15-16, 6-12)
This young Red Storm team has won three of its past five, and has the added benefit of playing in front of a friendly and familiar crowd at the Garden.
14. South Florida
Bulls (9-21, 4-14)
Guard Dominique Jones leads the Bulls with 18.2 ppg. South Florida has dropped seven of their past eight.
15. Rutgers
Scarlet Knights (11-20, 2-16)
Freshman guard Mike Rosario (16.3 ppg) put up 20 points in a 70-65 loss against first-round opponent Notre Dame two weeks ago.
16. DePaul
Blue Demons (8-23, 0-18)
This young roster with five freshmen and four sophomores will get a taste of Big East tournament action in preparation for future years.
Tags: rick pitino, big east, connecticut, louisville, st. john's, rutgers, seton hall, notre dame, south florida, providence, jeremy hazell, cincinnati, dominique jones, bob huggins, west virginia, marquette, syracuse, ac milan, college basketball
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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the portentous crow at their epic 2008 Wimbledon final
I viewed the fifth set of the Greatest Match Ever again the other night and noticed a sort of stunning moment that might have been portentous.
Late in the decisive set, as Rafael Nadal balances himself for another tight-spun left-handed serve into the ad court against the tense top-ranked Roger Federer, a large black bird (likely a crow, considering the size and the fact that it was past 9 p.m. that July 6 in London) swoops overhead. Considering that the NBC camera view at the time was overhead and to the rear — as well as the unnatural size of the bird as it flittered blurrily past — the portentous crow's path was likely cut over the Centre Court crowd behind Nadal, in the foreground.
Crows (if that's what this bird was; they are plentiful in London) traditionally symbolize doom, with their dark-sheened feathers, murderous caws and taste for picked-through flesh. This particular avian harbinger fits well in the context of that epic Federer-Nadal match — and even jibes with this point in the match.
Why? Because Federer never won another game.
On serve at 7-6 at the time and digging in to try unsuccessfully to break steely Nadal's serve, the Swiss went on to concede the championship. Nadal won the crow game to hold serve, broke Federer in the next game and held serve again to win 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. Federer, the five-time Wimbledon champion was dethroned. He lost his No. 1 ranking a month later. Nadal went on to win Olympic gold in Beijing. After Federer saved some face by winning his fifth straight U.S. Open in August, Nadal solidified his No. 1 status with another epic defeat of his elder rival at the Australian Open on Feb. 1.
Federer, arguably no longer the game's best all-around player, has now been beaten by Nadal in Grand Slam finals on clay three times and, once each, on grass and hardcourt. At crucial moments, Nadal's vicious spin has proven to be too much for Federer's backhand and service return game.
And at the crucial moment illustrated above, a crow proved portentous.
UPDATE 3/9/09: Roger is trying out out former Agassi coach Darren Cahill in a bid to troubleshoot his fall from No. 1 and break point futility against Nadal. Cahill, of Australia, has been a black crow of sorts over Roger, taking a stern, realistic line on the growing lopsidedness of the Federer-Nadal rivalry in his capacity as a commentator of late for ESPN. What's more, my cousin Jake responds: "I look forward to the white dove that will flit by at Roland Garros as Nadal surrenders the fifth set to a rejuvenated Roger."
END UPDATE
Tags: roger federer, rafael nadal, centre court, wimbledon, darren cahill, tennis
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Your next No. 1 NBA Draft pick, if he leaves after his sophomore year at Oklahoma
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 28: Blake Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners waits to enter the game against the Purdue Boilermakers during the Championship game of the Pre-Season NIT tournament on November 28, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Read more about Oklahoma wunderforward Black Griffin from Thayer Evans of The New York Times. The guy is hammering out 22.1 points and 14.2 rebounds and leading Oklahoma to a possible top NCAA seed in one of the four regions.
Tags: blake griffin, oklahoma, ncaa tournament, nba draft
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The Equalizer: Wins werent David Beckhams U.S. priority with the Los Angeles Galaxy
David Beckham with the L.A. Galaxy, Photo by Getty amNewYork Soccer Columnist
By nature, there should not be many win-win situations in sports.
But in a deal that has been portrayed as beneficial for each side, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Italy’s AC Milan have agreed to a “time-sharing” agreement for the midfielder David Beckham, the Los Angeles Times reported this week. The Englishman will reportedly stay in Milan past the end of the Serie A season on May 31.
Beckham would return to L.A. in July, 17 games into the 30-match season.
The deal could be finalized this week, allowing AC Milan to keep its new star for a few more weeks and likely sign him permanently next winter. For its sacrifice, the Galaxy gets its man for one more summer, plus a hefty, as-yet-unreported payment.
Still, the big surprise to Galaxy executives, whose brains seem nestled inside their money clips, could be that there will in fact be losers in this transaction — namely the Galaxy fans, the Galaxy players and, well, the Galaxy.
The club has failed to reach the playoffs the past two years with Beckham. This is an incredible fact considering that the Galaxy made the playoffs in every other year of the league’s existence and, moreover, it was extremely easy to reach the MLS postseason, with eight spots for 14 teams. For those observers who have labeled America’s “Beckham Experiment” a failure, this is their most cogent evidence.
But with Beckham, winning and losing sometimes seems beside the point. The noble, save-the-children rhetoric of his arrival in 2007 curiously left out any talk of winning a championship, and the way he beamed after a 5-4 loss to the Red Bulls in front of 66,237 fans at Giants stadium that summer spoke volumes about his tepid emotional investment in the team’s success.In all other respects, his stay here has been a success. He raised the profile of soccer and the league, increased attendance around the country as much as one man can and opened the door to MLS for stars such as Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel.
The problem at the heart of this situation is that there is still a game to be played and won or lost.
Beckham, skilled as he is, plays the game of a specialist, and unlike Chicago’s Blanco or the Red Bulls’ Angel, he rarely decides a match. From a team-building standpoint, he is not an ideal designated player for a cash-strapped club.
The MLS and its supporters often speak about garnering respect around the world. But it is hard to respect a franchise that disregards winning, which, despite the cliches, is what the game is all about.
Tags: soccer
