It was just about a year ago that the Brooklyn Nets, fired then coach Avery Johnson when the Nets have a record of 14-14. Fast forward today with new coach Jason Kidd and the Nets are 6-14 after what was considered to be the greatest coup of the off season when the Nets traded for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Celtics. But Boston is 10-12 and at the top of Atlantic division while Brooklyn is 2nd to last.
Now there's plenty of time for Nets to turn it around. Injuries and lack of chemistry have factored in early in the season, but how much more slack will GM Billy King and Jason Kidd have going have if the Nets woes continue.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Place your Bets!
No, this isn't about March Madness. Sports betting has been a hot topic of debate over the last few months in my home state of New Jersey. The aftermath resulted in NCAA withdrawing 6 events the were originally played in New Jersey venues this year including a Div. 1 Women's basketball regional. This also removed the Prudential Center and IZOD Center from the list of NCAA potential event sites for future use. With a recent court decision going in the NCAA's favor. The NCAA reversed the ban — but the damage has already been done in form lost revenue the these events would brought.
For those who don't the history, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 allows for 4 states (Nevada, Montana, Oregon, & Delaware) to have some form of sports betting (sportsbook) or lotteries and had a provision clause for New Jersey to enter by January 1, 1993. The New Jersey Assembly failed to get a bill passed by the deadline and really didn't show much interest pursuing the matter over the last 20 years.
So why now? Overall the "why" has to with New Jersey's financial crisis and steady decline of (let's be honest... dying) the state's casino and horse racing industries. Allowing sportsbooks in Atlantic City casinos and or at race tracks like Monmouth and the Meadowlands certainly could breathe new life and create jobs on top of the revenue.
There's no guarantee however that New Jersey would have the same kind of success that Nevada has enjoyed for decades. In 2009 Delaware passed a law that allowed for betting on all sports. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA filed a lawsuit stating that the Delaware law violated federal law. The US Supreme Court ruled that the Delaware law only partially violated the federal law and when it was all said and done Delaware's sportsbooks could only bet on NFL games which in 2011 only netted the state a whooping 4.4 million dollars(That hardly seems worth it).
While New Jersey is trying to save 2 industries, they're possibly handicapping (no pun intended) others. While I don't see the NFL taking next year's Superbowl away it certainly could affect future considerations. The NCAA has made it perfectly clear that they aren't a fan and a prolonged ban on NCAA events for New Jersey venues would especially hurt the Prudential Center and the IZOD Center in long run as they compete with Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center for sporting events. In 2011 Newark made well over 15 million dollars because of March Madness alone that was a huge boost to local businesses. With the Nets now in Brooklyn, and shortened NHL season due to the lockout that's a lot of lost $$ on top of an estimated loss of 6 million dollars after being removed from the list of host sites for the 2014 & 2015 NCAA Men's basketball tournaments. New Jersey arenas cannot afford to lose that kind of money or ground.
It's estimated that 380 billion dollars is made yearly on illegal sports betting. With the economy the way it is right now most states (not just New Jersey) trying to find ways to bring in money that don't include raising taxes. Sports betting seems to be a option for a lot of state legislatures right now and have been watching to see how New Jersey fares in the courts. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA can't be short sided to see that much of the infrastructure they make their money from is comes from state and local governments footing the bills for the stadiums and arenas which teams play. Let's be honest they ain't fooling anyone with "fantasy sports" either and sooner later they are going to have to share their profits.
For those who don't the history, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 allows for 4 states (Nevada, Montana, Oregon, & Delaware) to have some form of sports betting (sportsbook) or lotteries and had a provision clause for New Jersey to enter by January 1, 1993. The New Jersey Assembly failed to get a bill passed by the deadline and really didn't show much interest pursuing the matter over the last 20 years.
So why now? Overall the "why" has to with New Jersey's financial crisis and steady decline of (let's be honest... dying) the state's casino and horse racing industries. Allowing sportsbooks in Atlantic City casinos and or at race tracks like Monmouth and the Meadowlands certainly could breathe new life and create jobs on top of the revenue.
There's no guarantee however that New Jersey would have the same kind of success that Nevada has enjoyed for decades. In 2009 Delaware passed a law that allowed for betting on all sports. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA filed a lawsuit stating that the Delaware law violated federal law. The US Supreme Court ruled that the Delaware law only partially violated the federal law and when it was all said and done Delaware's sportsbooks could only bet on NFL games which in 2011 only netted the state a whooping 4.4 million dollars(That hardly seems worth it).
While New Jersey is trying to save 2 industries, they're possibly handicapping (no pun intended) others. While I don't see the NFL taking next year's Superbowl away it certainly could affect future considerations. The NCAA has made it perfectly clear that they aren't a fan and a prolonged ban on NCAA events for New Jersey venues would especially hurt the Prudential Center and the IZOD Center in long run as they compete with Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center for sporting events. In 2011 Newark made well over 15 million dollars because of March Madness alone that was a huge boost to local businesses. With the Nets now in Brooklyn, and shortened NHL season due to the lockout that's a lot of lost $$ on top of an estimated loss of 6 million dollars after being removed from the list of host sites for the 2014 & 2015 NCAA Men's basketball tournaments. New Jersey arenas cannot afford to lose that kind of money or ground.
It's estimated that 380 billion dollars is made yearly on illegal sports betting. With the economy the way it is right now most states (not just New Jersey) trying to find ways to bring in money that don't include raising taxes. Sports betting seems to be a option for a lot of state legislatures right now and have been watching to see how New Jersey fares in the courts. The NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA can't be short sided to see that much of the infrastructure they make their money from is comes from state and local governments footing the bills for the stadiums and arenas which teams play. Let's be honest they ain't fooling anyone with "fantasy sports" either and sooner later they are going to have to share their profits.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Re Defining the D-League
ESPN recently posted their 5 on 5 column that primarily focused on the aftermath of Spurs "Restgate" scandal(or whatever you want to call it) with David Stern. One the topics they brought up was the length of the NBA season.Overall I'm fine with an 82 game season. But I'd like them to use the D-league like MLB uses the minors. One of the more productive things that I thought came out of last years Lockout negotiations was the ability to send players back and forth the D-League and their NBA counterparts. About a third of NBA teams have taken advantage of this by owning their own D-league teams. Inserting coaching staff, offensive, and defensive systems to replicate those on the NBA level. This is great and I hope that more teams take advantage of this.
So what does this have to with the NBA season and Restgate? MLB has September Call Ups, The NBA should have February call ups. The D-League's season is only 50 games(excluding playoffs), That leaves 32 games left in the NBA season. Coaches can rest players and it gives that D-leaguers something to work towards.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
What to do about the New York Jets
I've purposely haven't posted anything on the blog for a while until I could fully flush out my thoughts on the recent happenings within the New York Jets–So here we go...
The GM selection process was like watching draft night. A lot of speculation, names you weren't thrilled with, then head scratching, ultimately leading to booing from an already frustrated fanbase. John Idzik (even with his impressive credentials) isn't what this team needed. His handling of Darelle Revis has already made me wary of what the offseason has in store. Reports have come out that Jets are looking at former #1 pick JaMarcus Russell. Seriously!? The Jets are grasping at straws. This throw something at wall and see what sticks approach has not worked out (the greatest example being Tim Tebow).
I'm probably one of the few people who actually is glad the Rex Ryan is still the Jets coach. His antics aside, he has 34-30 record(which doesn't warrant firing in my mind). 2013 will be the defining year for him. With a huge turnover in coaching staff, anemic offense, and lackluster defense he's got his work cut out for him. One of the bright spots of this overhaul is new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg . He's probably the best to evaluate whether or not Mark Sachez has a future with the Jets. If anything they try work to his strengths and minimize his mistakes on the field. Mornhinweg's record as an offense guru is jaw dropping. 8 top 10 scoring offenses as coach or coordinator. 9 top 10 passing offenses. 6 top 10 rushing offenses. Whether or not he'll have similar success with the Jets, will have to wait until July.
Most of the Jets offseason work will be on the defensive side of the ball. Cap casualties and free agency will drastically change how the defense looks. Jets have a young core of players in Coples, Davis, and Wilkerson. Coples and Wilkerson combined for 10.5 sacks, which amazing considering how bad the Jets pass rush has been over the last 3 seasons. Davis had a quiet rookie year, but many believe he'll grow into more of a bigger contributor going into next season. With a deep deep defensive draft the Rex have has no excuses not to build a better defense.
As it stands right now, the New York Jets aren't committed to winning anything as much as they much as they are committed to sports entertainment. The Jets might as well be the WWE, 'The Real Housewives of ___________', or the Kardashian sisters because they seem more concerned with the spectacle and image, than actual football. That is a direct reflection of the owner Woody Johnson. Not to say that he doesn't want to win, but he doesn't seem to want to fully invest in making the Jets successful. That takes a certain level of commitment that the only a handful of owners are willing to do. Sure they might get lucky and win a Superbowl, but to be in the hunt consistently requires a plan and and framework of a good front office and ownership willing go that extra mile. and right now the Jets don't have that.
The GM selection process was like watching draft night. A lot of speculation, names you weren't thrilled with, then head scratching, ultimately leading to booing from an already frustrated fanbase. John Idzik (even with his impressive credentials) isn't what this team needed. His handling of Darelle Revis has already made me wary of what the offseason has in store. Reports have come out that Jets are looking at former #1 pick JaMarcus Russell. Seriously!? The Jets are grasping at straws. This throw something at wall and see what sticks approach has not worked out (the greatest example being Tim Tebow).
I'm probably one of the few people who actually is glad the Rex Ryan is still the Jets coach. His antics aside, he has 34-30 record(which doesn't warrant firing in my mind). 2013 will be the defining year for him. With a huge turnover in coaching staff, anemic offense, and lackluster defense he's got his work cut out for him. One of the bright spots of this overhaul is new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg . He's probably the best to evaluate whether or not Mark Sachez has a future with the Jets. If anything they try work to his strengths and minimize his mistakes on the field. Mornhinweg's record as an offense guru is jaw dropping. 8 top 10 scoring offenses as coach or coordinator. 9 top 10 passing offenses. 6 top 10 rushing offenses. Whether or not he'll have similar success with the Jets, will have to wait until July.
Most of the Jets offseason work will be on the defensive side of the ball. Cap casualties and free agency will drastically change how the defense looks. Jets have a young core of players in Coples, Davis, and Wilkerson. Coples and Wilkerson combined for 10.5 sacks, which amazing considering how bad the Jets pass rush has been over the last 3 seasons. Davis had a quiet rookie year, but many believe he'll grow into more of a bigger contributor going into next season. With a deep deep defensive draft the Rex have has no excuses not to build a better defense.
As it stands right now, the New York Jets aren't committed to winning anything as much as they much as they are committed to sports entertainment. The Jets might as well be the WWE, 'The Real Housewives of ___________', or the Kardashian sisters because they seem more concerned with the spectacle and image, than actual football. That is a direct reflection of the owner Woody Johnson. Not to say that he doesn't want to win, but he doesn't seem to want to fully invest in making the Jets successful. That takes a certain level of commitment that the only a handful of owners are willing to do. Sure they might get lucky and win a Superbowl, but to be in the hunt consistently requires a plan and and framework of a good front office and ownership willing go that extra mile. and right now the Jets don't have that.
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