Connery’s Views from a recliner

They are just bad. They can’t hit and have one reliable starter who is currently getting his ass handed to him by the Red Sox. And people say God doesn’t have a sense of humor.

Back later or tomorrow. I’m currently too disgusted to think of a well thought out blog.

The Yankees lost last night. Geritt Cole was good enough. The bullpen let him down, surprise, surprise. The bats rallied but it wasn’t enough, Yanks lose 6-5 to the Royals.

The story continues to be focused on Cole, other starting pitchers, and something called ‘spin rate’. This is started with wandering journeyman Josh Donaldson, whined and complained about Cole and others, and now MLB is scared and checking pitchers multiple times a game.

I say, just let them pitch. If you see something, say something, obviously. But, just let them pitch otherwise. Maybe, just maybe, Cole is actually a great pitcher and Donaldson wanted attention, attention other than questions about him hitting .240. They have outlets for the unhappy, for some its writing, others its cooking, for some irrelevant sports figures, its whining. Trust me, Josh, I work as a Customer Service Rep, whining, complaining and trying to talk the loudest will get you nowhere.

In other Views, the Mets lost, but more importantly, they also lost starter Marcus Stroman to ‘left hip soreness‘, which could be something, or simply ‘left hip soreness’. To the Mets fans out on ledges, let’s see how this plays out. You still have the best pitcher in baseball, unfortunately, you still have the best pitcher in baseball, who’s temmates stop hitting when he pitches. But, you’re still in first, for now. This could be something or could be Irrelevant.

Speaking of Irrelevant. In Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, the Suns beat the Clippers on a last second alley-oop lob dunk by Deandre Ayton. Good for them.

However, resident talking head and cry back Skip Bayless whined about a foul and travesty. Skip, if it were in LA and Paul George throwing it down, it would have been the greatest play ever. Ty Lue would have been a genius and you would still crow about it years from now.

I’ll end the blog channeling my inner Shannon Sharpe, Skip, you get paid millions to be loud and wrong the majority of the time. Enjoy your money and your family. Maybe focus on having a proper take, because, remember, yelling the loudest will get you nowhere.

Back tomorrow with some NHL talk and more of the usual Views. Enjoy your Wednesday.

Yankees won! Win today and that’s two series in a row! The Mets split, and the world’s fan ever, ‘Frank the Tank’ Fleming was still a negative Nicholas, even though the Mets won, he’s still negative!!!! He’s the type of fan I despise. Miserable. Unhappy when they lose, and somehow, unhappier when the win! Here’s a tip Frank, I know you work at Barstool as a Contributor, I commend you, but, the shtick is old, go join your buddy Skip Bayless, (a fellow Nets fan) and sit in a room together and just whine.

Which brings me to Game 7 of the Bucks and Nets. It had everything. Most sports fans hear ‘Game 7’, the two greatest words in sports and we get hyped! My wife asked me ‘is this a game of interest?’ And I said ‘yes, game 7, with a smirk’, like she was inheritenly supposed to know this was a big deal.

Anyways, back to Game 7. Did I mention it had everything? It did. The Nets played well, Kevin Durant is the best player on the world and showed why, literally all game. For the Bucks, Giannis was, well Giannis, he and Khris Middleton and the scrapy Bucks team were in it at halftime, only down 6, 53-47.

During the half, Nets social media was, I’ll say, guarded Happy to be winning but as Nets Super Fan, Evan Roberts of WFAN New York put it, [The Nets], ‘should be up by more than 6’. Evan, is the type of sports fan I like, even though we don’t root for the same teams, he’s a Met fan, I’m a Yanks fan, he’s a Jets fan, I’m a Giant fan, he’s a Nets fan, I’m a Celtics fan, but the one common ground he and I have is, at the core of it, we’re both fans. we both ride and die with our teams, because we care, perhaps way too much. So, that small tweet, I read that and thought ‘this Dude gets it’. Nets fan were, cautiously optimistic, but sensing something negative brewing.

The second half started and Milwaukee reeled off 7 quick points and took a one pont lead, 54-53, with 10:16 left in the 3rd quarter. The remainder of the second half was just simply, compelling basketball. Guys were making shot after seemingly bigger shot. Both teams showed no fear and no quit as neither team led or trailed by more than 5 points, after the Bucks took their aforementioned lead.

There were two plays in the second half, where, as a fan, rooting for the Bucks, because I hate Brooklyn, (see previous posts on why), I thought ‘well, shit, they’re gonna win, 🤬🖕🏻!!!

With 5:39 left in the 4th Quarter, there was a loose ball sequence, the Nets had the ball in their end, the Bucks made a steal, they lost the ball to James Harden, who flipped a beautiful touch pass to Kevin Durant, who threw down a thunderous dunk and mouthed a bit and mugged for the crowd, as Brooklyn, and the Barclays Center became unglued. Watching it, you thought ok, they’re winning, the spirtual journey will continue. But, once again, the Bucks came back, making it 98-96 Nets after a driving layup by Giannis.

The second time the Nets threw the Knockout Punch, with 4:00 left, James Harden called bank, making a ridiculous three pointer, banking it in off the backboard. Again, you thought, ‘okay, that’s the dagger‘.

Incredibly, from the 4 minute mark of the 4th quarter until 1:05 left in a regulation, the Bucks would again rally, tying the score at 101 after another layup by Giannis, then they would take the lead 109-105 after some free throws.

Then it happened. Kevin Durant, as he had done all series put the Nets on his back. 42 seconda left, 2 point jumper, lead down to two, 109-107. The basket was followed by the teams trading clumsy possessions and the Nets had a chance to tie or win.

Sidelines out of bounds, 6 seconda left. Pass to KD, holding the ball, PJ Tucker draped all over him, KD back to the basket 5 seconds, 4, 3, as I’m watching, I’m thinking, ‘this game has been too good, he gonna make this, it’ll be a three’ 2 seconds like ‘PJ!!!! Force him left, make him drive, a two extends the game, a 3 ends your year!’

Kevin Durant, the best player on the planet, proceeds to swish a turnaround jumpshot…..

Now, it’s Father’s Day weekend. I lost my Dad during the summer of 1989, very unexpectedly. We’ve missed watching a ton of games together, but I swear, he was watching that shot with me last night at that moment. Durant, of course swished it. In the Moment, I heard nothing, not Marv Albert’s great call, not the crowd erupting, nothing. That shot went in and I howled.

Holy shittttt!!!!! No way! Unbelievable!!!! And I, just instinctively, like I was having an out of body experience, from my recliner, looked to my couch on my left, and I started to say, ‘Did you see that?!?’, like my Dad was with on the couch watching this all unfold, waiting to respond.

I shook off the moment and my thoughts went back to the game. TNT is showing a replay, was that….oh no! Durant’s feet were on the line, the Nets didn’t win. The game was tied, meaning overtime!!!

Overtime started and Brooklyn took the lead. My shock at the KD tying basket went to frustration, ‘the Nets are gonna win, Kyrie play in the Conference Finals and kill it. Goddamnit!!!’

But then, just like that, it was over. Milwaukee somehow scored some points in OT, KD was gassed, including a desperate three that fell flat.

Gas out of Brooklyn. Milwaukee moves on. Nets go home. Cue the excuses and bullshit from the Net fans.

Back tomorrow.

The Yankees. God. They have no fire, no intensity, and guys are hurt. Cashman and Boone aren’t clicking. When in the last 25 years were the Yankees ever content to be mediocre and why now? Yeah, thr Red Sox lost, but it means nothing if the Yankees don’t keep pace. It sucks being a Yankee fan right now!

The New York Rangers: Find a head coach who has a good minf for hockey. Beyond that, nope, finding a Coach is a pretty much step one! The Boston Celtics are going thru the same nonsense.

The New York Giants: Well, apparently due to cleat issues and family emergencies, our first round draft pick is somehow a bust! God, I hate the vast majority of sports media professionals and the so-called experts. Why I’m striving to become one at this stage in ny life with this Mom and Pop blog, I must be crazy too.

Silver Linings: The Nets are currently losing, Kyrie turned an ankle. My prediction of the New Nets Narrative, when guys get hurt and they lose and their fans start whining, that seems to be coming true.

And before people say Im heartless. No, I don’t like Kyrie Irving getting hurt. It is after all, the playoffs, you want guys at their best. So, in that regard, Kyrie being out sucks. My venom is towards the Net fans who became Nets fans after KD and Kyrie signed, both their jerseys but then claim they have be rocking with the Nets were years. I’ve got two words for those people, Derrick Coleman. And no, he didn’t ever play at the Barclays Center, he played in East Rutherford New Jersey and the Brendan Byrne Arena, which is part of the Meadowlands, years before it became The Izod Center. The teams he was on on were, mainly atrocious. Where were the jerseys then? That’s my problem with the Brooklyn Nets and their so-called ‘diehard’ fans.

And one other silver lining: Luis Severino is….Wait WHAT? He pulled a groin? Possible MRI?

As stated, it sucks being a fan of the teams I root for at this present moment.

To Skip Bayless, and all the sudden Nets fans, this just became a series again. What happened to the ‘why I think the Bucks will get swept?’ I’ll simply ask this: What will happen if the Nets lose this series? Will they get some guys who can play defense? Or, will they simply just add more offensive weapons and hope they outscore everybody?

In other Views

Aroldis Chapman is a good closer, that’s it. I say that, only because he’s sooo maddeningly, Goddamn inconsistent. As Yankee fans, we, of course were spoiled. We had Mo Rivera, the best to ever do it, who’d blow a save, or struggle then reel off like 40 straight saves. I miss that. Chapman has to get more consistent.

Speaking of the Yanks, how odd is it that the have a scheduled off day on a Friday in June? And, then to play only 2 in Philly? It seems strange, like the schedulers were on a Zoom and realized they screwed up and just made a quick fix. It seems forced, unnecessary, and, avoidable.

To the New York Giants. Minicamp is over. Team looks okay. The Offensive Line seems to be responding to coaching, Jones throwing bombs to Golladay, and the secondary has talked about getting together and being on the same page. That’s all great.

A couple of red flags: Don’t rush Saquon back, even when he tries to be, well, Saquon, and tries to rush back. He can miss most of training camp and the preseason. You want him 100% healthy for Denver.

And for God’s sake, can we make sure our number one draft pick has the correct sized cleat and footwear? I think I’ve read at least three stories where it was a thing that Kadarius Toney had the wrong footwear. The Giants need to get with their Quality Control personnel and fix that.

That’s all ny Views for now. Back this weekend. Thanks for the Viewership. Happy Friday. Be good to yourselves and each other.

Win Game 3 and the Bucks are right back in this against the new best team ever. I said it Saturday and Sunday, if the Nets lose ‘well yeah we didn’t have Harden!!!’ The Nets and their fans can and will never be humble. Enjoy coming back from 21 down in the first quarter against Giannis.

In other Views

Josh Donaldson needs to remember he’s Josh Donaldson and stop whining. And, if you do whine, be a man, and if Gerrit Cole strikes you out twice, own it, instead of ‘not speaking to the media’ and ‘not being made available’ after the game. Big tough guy that hides when he’s pushed. Enjoy last place, hope the 3 seconds of fame was worth it. I’ll keep it PC for the younger crowd, and just call him a coward.

Lastly, good for The Islanders, but Lightning in 7.

Back tomorrow with recaps and some words about the New York Football Giants.

youtube.com/watch

I woke up this morning to news that former Giants Head Coach, Jim Fassel had passed away at the age of 71, after having a heart attack under sedation after experiencing chest pains.

Now, when sports figures pass, it just hits different. This news was no exception. My first thoughts when to his family and their loss, and that was sad. But, then, a strange sense of calm reflection came in the form of one clear thought, Jim Fassel had a hell of a run as Giants Head Coach.

The rest of the word count will be devoted to Fassel’s tenure as Giants Coach….

Fassel came to be Giants Coach in 1997, the previous years were so lean times in New York Football Giants Team History. The team had just gotten over the Ray Handley era, which was awful, and a Dan Reeves era which had some good moments, but also some not so good moments.

The team was in some turmoil and transition, especially at the Quarterback position, and Fassel was a Quarterback Guy and given the reins to right the whole ship. Fans were skeptical. The sentiment of most fans was ‘Dave Brown…is still our Quarterback, he (Fassel) will probably mismanage it somehow and not be the Coach for very long.’

Somehow, in 1997, the Giants were good. They finished 10-5-1 and won the NFC East. Fassel had taken a Dave Brown led and Danny Kanell backed up Giants team to the playoffs!!!! Unfortunately, it ended with a Wild Card at home to the Vikings, which left a sour taste in fans mouth. Fassel, the Giants, and their fans would get sweet revenge on the Vikings three seasons later, but more on that later.

1998 saw a pretty mediocre Giant team slay the mighty and undefeated Denver Broncos. 1999 was another blah year. Then 2000, and this happened.

‘This Team is Going to the Playoffs’

It’s 2000. The Giants have just lost 2 straight at home, the latest to Detroit. Fassel, in a moment of balliness, or defiance proclaimed the Giants were going to the playoffs.

Now, as an 18 year old fan watching from his dorm room, the cynic in me just thought ‘okay, he’s fighting for his job and he knows it. He’s talking scared and trying to make it look good, they’ll go 9-7, maybe, and he might make it to 2001’.

Incredibly, the Giants reeled off 5 straight wins to get into the playoffs and beat the Eagles to play the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game. They would go on to throttle the Vikings and advance to the Super Bowl, eventually losing to the Baltimore Ravens.

Fassel would then go on to navigate the Giants through 2001, including 9/11 and a 7 and 9 record. 2002 saw a division title, beating the Eagles on the last day of the season to get into the playoffs. Then, they lost the next week against San Francisco, which was painful, but not all Jim’s fault at all. 2003 was the end of the run, a 4 and 12 record, including an 8 game losing streak to end the year. Fassel was fired after the season. Oddly, it felt like it was time, Jim looked tired and a change was needed.

Yesterday’s news was sad. But. Jim Fassel the person and his Giants cosching run should be remembered happily and fondly with a number of great memories.

Back tomorrow with the regulat blog.

James Harden goes down very early in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis, Brooklyn goes quiet….

Nets fans if they won the game and the series to advance, ‘see, we have Kyrie and KD! We didn’t need Harden!!!’

Nets fans if they lost the game and later the aeries ‘see, we didn’t have Harden, that’s why we lost!!!’

Spoiler alert: They and won Game 1, at Home. Kevin Durant had 29 and Kyrie Irving had 25. Net fans are ecstatic! So….what? They won game 1 at home and their two stars played like they should EVERY GAME, not when the one feels like it. Again, I say so what? Because Blake Griffin made a hustle play? Clinch the series on the road, then puff out your chests, till then, stop. Your team won a game, don’t light the victory cigars just yet. But again if they lose, it’ll be ‘well yeah Harden was out!!!’ The Nets and their fans are can’t be humble.

In other Views from my Recliner….

The Jon Rahm news sucks. ‘Hey Jon, you are about to win a great golf tournament hosted by a legend…..you have tested positive for COVID-19 and must withdraw’. Heartbreaking stuff.

The Islanders, much like the Nets, won a game they should have, in their own building. Get game 5 in Boston, and I might care or devote some Views to your accomplishments.

Now for the Nostalgic portion of today’s thoughts.

Growing up, I loved going to arcades. In the mid to late 80s, arcades were my thing. One of the reasons, I was so fond of them was, I’d go prinarily with my Dad. After my Dad passed, my Mom, often after Saturday morning swimming lessons, would take me, and I would have a ball!

Anyways, 5here was one at Crossgates Mall, close to home, and we’d go….often, because being 5 and 6, I‘d ask Dad….often, always bargaining, making my bed, picking up toys, offering to help, with stuff I couldn’t do, until Dad would just chuckle and say ‘yeah, let’s go’.

So we’s go. Like I said, a ball would be had, we’d play some games, maybe get some food, it was great! (And I know now, it was a time to bond with Dad).

Anyways. There was this one particular game, a boxing game, Punchout. Now, us playing the game, would consist of my Dad at the controls, and his corner man (Me), glued to his hip, excitedly wide-eyed at the screen, barking instructions, ‘throw the jab!!!! Ok now the right! Your other right!!!!!’ Duck! Block! Jeez Dad I said DUCK!!!!’ And Dad, would grin and say, ‘I got it pal’, and never lose concentration

My point in telling that story was, Punchout had a Big Blue button! The ‘Knockout’ Button. And, every match, every time we played ‘okay Pal, when I tell you….HIT THE BUTTON….mash it’, to which I would excitedly, hand almost shaking, have my hand poised over the button. And, after a few frantic minutes, I’d mash the button. Sometimes, it would work, sometimes even our best efforts would result in a loss.

To Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman and the Yankees, Mash the button! Do something. Try something! Win tonight, avoid getting swept by the Red Sox. What you are doing is not working. This is New York, not Pittsburgh where they embrace losing.

Fix this. Do something!

Back tomorrow, enjoy a hot summer Sunday.