New York Sports And Rhymes

New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, is facing two counts of soliciting a prostitute at a massage parlor in Jupiter, Florida. To get the record straight, Mr. Kraft isn’t involved in a prostitution ring. He would attend this massage parlor frequently, where he’d receive a happy ending. For a man with 6 large Super Bowl rings, one could see why he’d seek out assistance. Is this the definition of good decision-making, not at all? Since Mr. Kraft’s wife, Myra, passed away after 48 years of marriage. His decision-making has been questionable on the dating scene. He’s also 78. Robert Kraft played a pivotal role in reversing rapper Meek Mill’s 30-year prison sentence. He provided the oft-troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon a 5th chance this past season. Gordon, unfortunately, squandered this opportunity due to a disease he continues to battle. The Patriots are paying for Gordon’s current treatment, playing a key role in his recovery. The point is human beings aren’t perfect. We all have our own demons. Robert Kr

Dame Lillard has internalized that game speaks louder than words. We kept our composure and after one win that's what they decided to do. And we were just like OK, what we want to do is win four games. And then when we win those four games there's going to be nothing to talk about.  

Duke Football and the NFL, that’s an oxymoron, maybe cognitive dissonance, right? I would urge the Giants to think twice at pick 17, and eventually pass on a Quarterback. Unless the Giants select Dwayne Haskins or Josh Rosen, I will consider this franchise changing draft an ultimate success if a QB isn’t chosen. In Dave Gettleman I trust. In Daniel Jones, I don’t. Rather, I puke. May pick 6 or 17 not be a player from Duke.

As I sat at the table for Passover dinner with my family and friends I thought about religion. I don’t believe in religion but it’s nice how it can bring people together. It got me to thinking is there anything else that brings people together that I REALLY believe in. Sports. That’s it. Nowhere in the bylaws of sports does it say though shall give back or face eternal damnation. 

After waiting 14 years, Woods won his 5th green jacket, the longest gap in Masters history. Instead of micromanaging his swing, Tiger allowed the rounds to come together. At 43, suddenly, he’s trusting the process of life.  An unspectacular approach. A more mature approach. The approach of a 43-year-old man who’s had 8 neck and back surgeries. The approach of a Champion. Go figure, a lucky -13 broke Tiger’s drought at the Masters. The delayed gratification he experienced was one of the better moments in sports history. As he hugged Charlie, his son, a happy boy who’s living the childhood Tiger never experienced. It was hard to find a dry eye. It’s also a testament to the father Eldrick Woods has become.

Allen Iverson is my favorite athlete and his number 3 means something special to me. After 4 scoring titles and an NBA MVP in 2001. He earned his rightful Nickname, the Answer. There was nothing artificial about his game. He’s also the player responsible for blending sports and rap together. While I haven’t had the same success as Allen Iverson on the court. It’s fitting that my voice box is the one delivering sports and hip-hop. I’ve faced immeasurable odds in my life and have overcome most of them. That’s not to say I don’t continue to battle. My life was almost ruined by opiate addiction. According to studies, 3% of opiate addicts recover. Has my road to recovery been mistake-free, hell no. Still, I’ll take those odds any day. It’s why I have the Allen Iverson #3 tattooed on my right vein. I know what the answer is. It’s on me to continue paving my lane

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After the Giants traded Odell Beckham Jr, everyone questioned GM Dave Gettleman’s sanity. How will the Giants be able to score without Beckham’s heroics? Signing Sterling Shepard to a 4 year, 41 million dollar deal, helps answer that question. Shepard joins veteran slot receiver Golden Tate who signed an almost identical 4-year deal in Free Agency, as the Giants new 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Both players are sure-handed, run crisp routes and are exceptional run blockers. They also break away from defenders with ease, gaining chunks of yards after the catch. The Giants are no longer counting on a fantasy-based roster to produce points. They’re entrenched in reality and will score more frequently and consistently as a result. This is Greg Landorf and that was New York Sports and Rhymes. Gettleman hater’s best halt. Great job opening up and adding Gold and Sterling Silver to the New York Giants Vault.

After the Brooklyn Nets traded their future away for aging superstars in 2015, who could have imagined they’d return to the playoffs 3 years later with a roster fueled by young talent? How were they able to turn matters around in such a timely fashion? Upon hitting rock bottom in 2016, the Nets brought in GM Sean Marks who hired head coach Kenny Atkinson. Marks and Atkinson believed in player development as a key to the Nets rebuild. Marks hired the right people to help him find talent and build off it. He hired lawyers, a number of them, to do capology and analytics. This is how a rebuild turned into an evolving winning culture. “I would say, not ahead of schedule, way ahead of schedule,” said Atkinson. “I was expecting year four, year five, that’s when we’ll start being in the playoff mix. I don’t know. Like I said, I think it’s a special, special year, special moment and very proud as an organization that we’ve come this far in a short time.” And it’s not over.

Two questionable calls, one during the final four in the waning seconds against Auburn and the other in Overtime against Texas Tech in the finals helped the University of Virginia cut down the nets in Minneapolis, where they were crowned the 2019 NCAA National Champions. So is UVA lucky or undeserving of the title? They Went from losing to a 16 seed a year ago to winning a national championship on Monday night. Virginia isn’t Flashy, Sexy or fun. They play lockdown team Defense and boast the slowest offense pace of play in the nation. They never over dribble, rather the Cavaliers pass and move without the ball, finding the open shooter. Virginia was the most well-rounded and composed team in the tournament. In a tournament filled with madness, UVA remained composed when times were most frantic.

Realizing things weren’t working with Derozan and replacing him with Kawhi was the decision of the year. Toronto is reaping the rewards. Everyone’s play has elevated, including Danny Green, who is a serious problem. Trading for Gasol gives the Raptors ample size and legitimate depth. It’s a different team, with a different coach achieving different results. While it’s a team game, Stars take you over the top. This is time for the mystery man Kawhi to return to prime time. He doesn’t talk, his game talks for him. Be a difference maker. Prove you made the right decision to bet on yourself over the Spurs organization.

Jacob deGrom pitched 7 innings of scoreless baseball tonight, with 14 Strikeouts. Dating back to last season, deGROM has pitched 26 straight scoreless innings, Allowing 3 runs or fewer in 31 consecutive starts (These constitute as quality starts – tying some fella by the name of Bob Gibson). For listeners who aren’t familiar with Bob Gibson aka Gibby, aka hoot. Being compared to Gibson is the equivalent of modern NBA players receiving comparisons to Kareem or Bill Russell deGROM’s the 1st pitcher in Mets history to start the season with back-to-back 10+ Strikeout games. Doc Gooden never accomplished this feat or Tom Seaver. After getting paid, isn’t it normal for professionals to bear down, attempting to prove their worth? I haven’t witnessed an athlete more comfortable and locked in. deGROM’s entering a zone few know of. He’s the best pitcher in baseball. How does he get better? By dissecting his starts and Outdueling his prior performances each time he steps on the hill.

Nipsey was the theme music for every young man living out their own dream, finding success in unconventional ways, allowing us to realize what we have to offer. Once this occurs, it’s possible to view life from a different angle, tapping into the good of life, and ultimately giving back. In the last few years, Nipsey participated in anti-gun violence rallies, like the one in 2013, where he met Harris-Dawson. He wanted change, and he wanted it now. The impact of Hussle's death is reverberating across the hip-hop world. For residents of the Crenshaw neighborhood who felt his impact more directly, many will miss his presence and commitment to uplifting others in the community courtesy of the NY Times. "I know in my heart that it’s a higher power and a higher value to what we can do," the rapper told Complex magazine in February. "The times we do it right and it connects and it has that effect on people; that's really, really fulfilling.”

The New York Giants make the most sense for quarterback Josh Rosen. This is a bold statement when the Patriots and Chargers are also interested in Rosen’s services. No matter where Rosen ends up, he’ll have to wait to play. A blessing for last years 10th overall pick. In New York, he would start in 2020, joining Saquon Barkley, the 2nd overall pick in 2018. This young, revamped offensive line would protect Josh Rosen for years to come. As of now, the Giants are Eli Manning’s team, who plan on making a playoff run. There isn’t a better environment for Rosen to learn in. There’s not a better quarterback for Rosen to learn from. No matter how hard the Chargers try, they’ll remain second fiddle in Los Angeles. They’re the Jet’s, except with more meaningless wins. As for the Patriots, who knows how much longer Belichick will want to coach once Brady retires? Plus, it will be 3-4 years before Rosen sees permanent action. He’s too good to wait that long. The team with the biggest question mark at Quarterback is the

Despite the madness of March kicking off last Thursday. The weekend of the sweet 16 and elite 8 is the most exciting weekend of the tournament. These four days are loaded with premier matchups that tend to be more exciting than the final four. 1 seeds will lose, as will tournament darlings. This is where the men separate themselves from the boys. Unlike the first two rounds, teams need to bring their very best or they’ll be sent home. Luck runs out and talent takes over. This is as far as I’ve been from a sure thing. Who will meet in Minnesota is a mystery. Get ready for some of the greatest college hoops in recent history.

The reigning CY Young, Jacob deGrom is coming off one of the most historical seasons by a pitcher in baseball history. How was he rewarded, originally, with a 1 year, 17.5 million dollar contract, while the Mets worked behind the scenes to hammer out a long-term deal? Did he threaten to sit the season out or demand a trade upon hearing this news, nope? Not once did he demand to be the highest paid pitcher in baseball. He doesn’t care what other players are making. He knows himself and he knows his value. He also knows the power of silence, especially when he had nothing to prove and his employer had everything to lose. Jacob deGrom is a man who possesses a quality called maturity; a foreign term to a plethora of would-be stars that proved incapable of performing while ignoring in New York. He trusted the process, letting his current and former agent, now Mets General Manager, Broadie Van Wagenen, come to terms on a long term deal, allowing Jacob deGrom to take his rightful place as the face of the new look Me

How many times have I seen Maryland lose to lesser opponents? Too many. How many times have I seen them rise to the occasion and beat superior opponents, not often? This is why Saturday’s game against LSU, was so special. As the final buzzer rang, the scoreboard read LSU 69 – Maryland 67. Was Maryland deserving of a victory and a spot in the sweet 16 next week? A sweet 16 that’s being played in D.C. no less. Without a doubt. And that’s when it hit me. This is March Madness. There is no explanation. I’m Greg Landorf that was New York Sports and Rhymes and at the end of the day, it’s impossible not the cheer when your squad, shows blood, sweat, and tears

Head Coach Gregg Popovich and his San Antonio Spurs might be the most impressive team in sports. They’re the NBA’s version of the New England Patriots, except people enjoy rooting for them. Plus, you won’t find any MAGA hats lying around the Spurs locker room. In fact, Greg Poppovich stands for social justice and isn’t afraid to speak out against the president. Coach Popp proves the positive impact sports can have on the world on and off of the court. Today I’m going to focus on their play, and how Pop’s system defies logic. They’ve made the playoffs the past 21 seasons, and just extend their streak to 22 tonight. To put things in perspective, the longest active post-season streaks in other sports include the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have appeared in 14  straight NHL Playoffs. The Seattle Sounders have rattled off 11 straight playoff appearances in the MLS. The LA Dodgers lead the Major Leagues with 6 consecutive postseason births. And the New England Patriots have appeared in the NFL playoffs the past 10 sea

Since the Giants don’t believe Haskins fits with them, all signs point to Josh Rosen. Eli Manning will save Rosen’s career, by teaching him how to play QB and succeed in NY. Rosen won’t be thrown into the fire, the way he was in Arizona. He’s going to be humbled. Walking away with his head held high is fitting for the one Giants who defines ride or die. Instead of trusting a rookie QB in 2020, which would also mean an abysmal 2019 season. Rosen will be ready to take over and shine under the bright lights of New York. Unlike bad NFL teams, the Giants groom worthy quarterbacks, avoiding a carousel at the position. This is why last years 10th overall pick, Josh Rosen, will get to prove why he’s the chosen one.

Building a team primarily through the draft, focusing on players who put the team before themselves is essential to success. Short term and long term success that culminates in Super Bowls. Despite having NYC tatted on his back, Odell’s head was way too big for NY. Plus, it’s gets too cold for Beckham’s liking. Unlike tattoo’s, teams aren’t forever, especially not in today’s NFL. What’s become abundantly clear is Odell Beckham Jr. will never be Jerry Rice. He’s another Randy Moss or Terrell Owens and players as such get traded, frequently. Lastly, the Giants have a plan or they wouldn’t have parted ways with a talent that can’t be replicated. This move put the team first, and it’s another example of Dave Gettleman proving his worth.