i've been trying to write a blog for thirty minutes now about the death of Bob Sheppard and it wont save and keeps erasing on me, so here's what you get. Bob Sheppard died. google it for more info.

For the last few years all Knicks fans have had one date in mind...July 1st 2010.  This is the date where the Knick fans were to erase the miserable last 10 years and focus on THE SUMMER OF LEBRON.  This is the date where the Knicks were going to make the big splash in FA by signing to top FA to max contracts.  It was going to be LeBron/Wade, LeBron/Bosh, or some form of two studs.  This plan was still looking strong up until about 10 days ago when other teams found ways to free up money.  The Heat, Bulls, and Nets know have freed up a lot of money to become attractive options for the top guys.  As we are on the eve on the FA mania, it is looking more and more than the top guys aren't going to be lighting up the lights on Broadway.

Here is what reports are stating in regards to the top FA's:

LeBron-most likely is staying in Cleveland...because of the money

Wade-staying in Miami.  He was really never going anywhere.

Bosh-if money is his #1 priority, then a sign in trade with possibly Chicago or Miami makes the most sense.

J Johnson-Knicks are making a strong play, but reports are saying that he will stay in Atlanta

Nowitzki-resigning with Dallas seems most likely, no other teams have said much

Stoudemire-best option financially for him is to resign with the Suns, but if LeBron or Wade come calling...that could change

Boozer-seems like he is the third option for LeBron and Wade, but could also be the consolation prize for Knicks or Nets

Unfortunately Knick fans it seems like a Ridnour, Chandler, Gay, Gallinari, and Lee line-up is appearing most likely for the 2010 season. 

The NASCAR season comes to its midway point this weekend back in Daytona for the Coke-Zero (Firecracker) 400 under the lights celebrating our independence with an amazing fireworks display after the race.  In recent races leading up to this weekend, Jimmie Johnson has taken over the winning  tear from Denny Hamlin with back to back wins himself and stealing the race from an ill-moved Marcos Ambrose at Infineon who was trying to save some fuel and ended up costing him his 1st victory on the big circuit.  Kevin Harvick however is still clinging to the lead in the standings with 2489 points and a 105 point lead over Jimmie Johnson.   Kyle Busch and Hamlin are right behind Johnson and could even take over the top spot themselves with some luck and misfortune in the BIG ONE which is bound to happen at the 400 in Daytona.  As for the rest of the top 12...  Jeff Burton 8th, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffie, Mark Martin and Cousin Carl Edwards rounding out the top 12 as they are doing what they can to keep running strong to hold off the rest of the field.   Dale Jr. is only 3 points out of the top 12 at the moment, and coming back to Daytona where he finished 2nd to Jamie Mac in the Daytona 500 to start the year off, and has had proven he is one of the true masters of the plate tracks at Daytona and as well at Talladega.   the 88 car should end up in Victory Lane and get that monkey of his back that has been haunting Jr and the 88 team.  His last won in 2008 at Michigan where at that time he broke a 76 race winless streak.  Will he breakout this weekend..?  I know that Jr Nation including myself will be pulling for him.  Maybe Dale Sr. will be looking down on the 88 car.   And to add Jr. has had some good races this year and just needs to put it all together.  I hope Daytona is where they do it.  

In other NASCAR news, Danica Patrick made her return to the Nationwide Circuit to finish 30th at New Hampshire.  She will be back on July 9th at Chicago.   Kyle Busch collected his 6th Checkered Flag at NHMS while new bad boy Brad Keselowski holds a 247 point lead over Carl Edwards.  

Reporting from the Pits... I am RonDawg with your NASCAR Report for BleacherBrothers.  For the fans, by the fans.

There are MLB reports stating that the Mariners are already scouting Yankee minor leaguers in preparation of a potential trade for Cliff Lee.  The main target will be Jesus Montero who is a highly regarded catcher, but many feel will end up at another position.  I don't think the Yanks need to get him...unless it is to keep him away from another top contender.  Although, Lee's 2.77 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and a 57/4 K/BB ratio in eight starts for Seattle makes him very attractive.

The Yankees line-up, rotation, and bullpen are strong enough to get them to October.  If the season were to end today, the Yanks post-season rotation would be CC, Burnett, Pettitte, and then Hughes if they go with 4.  I think those 4 matchup against any other rotations.  Yes, Lee would look nice in a Yankee uniform in October, but they don't need him.  Plus, he would only be a rental as he isn't signed for next season.

Let's just hope they don't panic come July and keep their kids for the future.

Last night Strasburg's debut is being compared to the greatest of all-time.  Last night he went 7 strong with 14 K's and no walks, while reaching 100 on the radar gun.

Some other great first games:

Lew Alcindor:  56 points in his first game at UCLA

LeBron James: 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals

Juan Marachal: 9 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 12 K's

Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux: Both scored a goal in their first game

Will Bryce Harper, the first overall pick from this week's draft be the next?

The Yankees head home after dropping 3 of 4 to Johnny Damon and the Tigers.  The Yankees have been hit hard by the injury bug, but more noticeable was the lack of production coming from the line-up.  I understand Posada has been out, Cano is banged up, Swisher is out, Nick Johnson and Granderson are both on the shelf, and the greatest closer of all-time was out for a few games.  Bottom line is they still have a tremendous line-up without those guys, and they still have a strong starting staff.

Although Teixeira and AROD are starting to come around, they are now dealing with a struggling Jeter.  Just like we knew that Tex and AROD will turn it around...we know Jeter will be fine.  His average was similar to this last year at this point and he still hit over .330.

Despite the struggling offense, the Yanks are still winning.  The main reason is the pitching staff.   CC, Burnett, and Pettitte have been great for most of the season. Oh and there might not be a better pitcher in the AL right now than Hughes. 

The Twins come into town as the Yanks look to right the ship and get back on their winning ways

As the Cavs were quiting in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, I could only think...does this mean that LeBron to the Knicks is a possibility?  Over the next 6 weeks, we are going to be hearing more gossip and rumors in regards to the NBA MVP as well as other All-Stars.  LeBron is the grand prize, but that doesn't mean Wade, Bosh, and Joe Johnson can't help rebuild the Knicks.  Next year Carmelo Anthony will be a free agent and then Chris Paul the following year. 

Knicks fans are hoping that come July 1st, we will here:

LeBron welcome the world's most famous arena!!!!

Hey Race Fans,

 With all the rain they got in Fort Worth on Saturday and Sunday, Nascar was forced to push the Sprint Cup race as well as the Nationwide race to Monday.  There were a few drivers who did pull double duty and ran in both races to make it a 800 mile day.  But in the early Sprint Cup race, Denny Hamlin showed that the ACL surgery wasnt gonna keep him from winning for the 2nd time this year despite a late crash taken out some of the main front runners.  2 wins in 3 weeks is pretty good for Denny and Joe Gibbs Racing.  Teammate Kyle Busch finished 3rd after bouncing around the field throughout the race.   The big one happened with less than 20 laps to go which is surprising for Texas.  The crash did take  out Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, Joey Logano and a few others who were all running in the top 10.  But getting 3 wide in the trioval down the front stretch is a no no.  Hitting speeds around 195MPH..  Was this a possible preview of what is coming up next week as they head to Talladega for some serious speeds with the new spoiler and restrictor plates.  We will see, but good to see Denny get another win.  In the late Nationwide race,  Kyle took the momentum from the 3rd place finish and took the checkered flag for back to back wins.  Joey Logano made up for being in the mishap from the early race to follow Kyle and finish in 2nd place.  Another weekend is in the books and now its off to Talladega.  If you havent taken the time to watch a race this year, I promise you this week is the week to sit back and take in a race.  To me this is my favorite track on the NASCAR Circuit.  The 2.66 Mile Tri-Oval is amazing.  The speeds will be over 200 MPH+ for certain.  After the testing sessions they did earlier in the year, I know they are gonna change the Restrictor Plate a bit, but the boys will be doing some serious driving.  This is one of those tracks where as long as you have the right line, you can keep your foot to the floor and fly!!  And be sure Talladega will live up to years and races in past like last year with Carl Edwards doing the flying act or Ryan Newman, or one of the other drivers who have taken the Dega Tumble.  We will see, but you know I will be glued to a TV for certain...

See ya in the pits...

Ron Dawg

You ask most knowledgeable baseball fans and they will tell you the key to the regular season is to win as many individual series as possible.  First the Yankees took two of 3 from the Red Sox, then followed that up with another 2 of 3 again on the road against the Rays, and then tonight they closed out the series against the Angels taking 2 of 3.

The Yankees have been doing this with the same formula of success they had last year: strong pitching, good defense, and well-timed hitting.  Just like last last April, Teixeira isn't hitting, but this year is it is Cano and Granderson carrying them through April and not Swisher.  Of course Jeter has been Jeter...did you expect anything else?  AROD hasn't homered, but has been contributing enough at the plate and in the field.

Almost all of the starters have looked sharp, but Vazquez.  It is way too early for fans to be booing him as he adjusts to being in the AL East and not in the weaker NL.  Fans are forgetting he is the number 4 starter, not the 1 or 2 he was brought into be a few years back.

The bullpen has been solid overall and Rivera continues to dominate.  Not bad for a guy his age,

Up next are the Rangers and Nelson Cruz.  Let's see if the streak continues...

Tomorrow night the Knicks will take the floor one final time when they face the Raptors in Toronto.  A season that began with not much hope other than counting the days until July 1 and  with anticipation of what could be for 2010.  One main positive that they accomplished was that they were able to get even further under the cap and can afford two max contracts.  We won't know until the summer if the Knicks plan will work out, but on most nights they were competitive and even shocked top teams.

The Knicks only have 4 guys under contract for next year: Gallinari, Douglas, Chandler, and Curry.  Thankfully Curry is signed for one more year.  The first three are strong role players and with the right group around them could do well.  Unfortunately for the Knicks, other teams will be going after the top guys and some have better to offer.  The Nets have Lopez, Harris, and some kids, the Bulls have a good young core, and I believe if Wade stays in Miami, they have the money for another guy as well.

Bottom line the Knicks management made the right moves in order to try and get this franchise back to the way it was in the 90's.  Hopefully LeBron will be our big prize, but if not, I am sure Walsh won't disappoint too much.