Boozer To Nets?

By Joe Nelson

According to Peter Vecsey, Utah star, Carlos Boozer is unsure whether he'll return to the team or opt out of his deal to become a free agent. Who is on Boozer's radar? The New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons is what Boozer was telling his close friends, according to Vecsey.

Boozer would be a welcome addition to the Nets' frontline and in my mind would make them immediate contenders in the East. With a young crop of players including rising stars, Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, along with two standout players, Vince Carter and Boozer, the Nets will be a tough team to stop offensively. With the departure of Boozer, more playing time and exposure will come for Paul Millsap, a young, talented player who came off the bench for the Jazz and averaged almost 14 points and 9 boards a game.

Vecsey, from the New York Post also believes the only way for the Nets to get Boozer would be a sign and trade. In my mind, a perfect deal for both teams would be the Nets' first round pick along with second year player Ryan Anderson, who showed off some offensive skill even though only averaging 7.4 points a game, he still showed promise. If that didn't do it for Utah, I would substitute Anderson with a more skilled offensive player like Bobby Simmons.

No matter how the Nets do this, they have to make a move on Boozer. This could be the piece that completes the puzzle. They will be well balanced with outside scorers (Carter and Harris) and frontline scorers and rebounders (Boozer and Lopez). As well as a solid scoring bench with Keyon Dooling and Chris "CDR" Douglas-Roberts.

It should be exciting to see if New Jersey will fill their holes through free agency, or the NBA Draft, which takes place on June 25. Rod Thorn has decisions to make, and he better make up his mind soon.

NBA Fanatic!

By Johnny Hinz

As the National Basketball Association season/playoffs is winding down, we are left with two teams. The always dominant team of Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers and the rising force of Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Although these two may not be my teams of choice, I am still very pumped up to see how this series turns out. Not because i even care about the winner, but because i am a die-hard NBA fan. Do you feel the same way? Well here's your chance to compare among many who share the same love-of-the-game.

Here's a list to help rate yourself on your commitment towards the NBA:

1. You have the D-League schedule memorized.
2. You have bought a pair of game used socks worn by Delonte West.
3. You have sent hand written hate mail to Ron Artest.
4. When you are having trouble sleeping, you pop in the tape of Michael Jordan's shot against the Utah Jazz and watch it over and over again.
5. You know who your favorite team drafted the for the past 5 seasons.
6. The wallpaper and comforter in your room represent your favorite team.
7. Your alarm clock is Lebron James' voice telling you to wake up.
8. The homepage on your computer is NBA.com.
9. You've memorized the amount of air time a"Patrick Chewing" commercial takes up.
10. On rainy Days, you watch a saved video on your computer of Larry Johnson's 4 point play.
11. You've memorized Reggie Miller's Stats for the 95-96 Season.
12. You once owned a Bullets jersey.
13. You cried for a few hours when David Robinson announced his retirement.
14. Your parents know not to talk to you when your team is loosing by more then 10 in the second half.
15. You have the same tattoo in the same spot,done by the same artist, as your favorite player.
16. You know Charles Barkley's favorite quote.
17. You've snuck onto mid to wipe down Paul Pierce's sweat, just to help the grounds crew.
18. You know the length and diameter of Dikembe Mutombo's pointer finger.
19. You have left school early just to prepare your house for a 8:30 game.
20. You have stolen your parents car, to get snacks for a preseason game.
21. You independently learned Chinese, so that you can write on Yao Ming's blog.
22. You have an authentic jersey of every player to participate in the 2003 all-star game.
23. You have "Where Amazing Happens" in brail on a welcome mat in front of your house.
24. You have personally talked to Dwayne Wade's high school sweetheart.
25. When you were little, you got your favorite player's number carved in the back of your head as a bonus to your buzz cut.
26. You've traveled behind your team to an away game, where you went to the same restaurant and stole the same fork that manu ginobili was previously using.

20-23:You should be part of the team.
16-19:You and the coach are on a first name basis
12-15:You have a love for the game
8-11:Your a fan during the playoffs
4-7:You Played on a rec team as a youngin
1-3:You have a basketball in your house
0-1:MetroAreaSports

What It Takes To Be a True Met Fan

By Brendan Costello,

Empty promises, winter long stomach aches, and punch-filled walls, you might know what I'm talking about. This is what a true Mets fan deals with every year. Whether it's Beltran promising the N.L. East Division, to being up 7 games with 17 to play or some of you die hards will remember the Mets blowing a three game lead to the Cubs to lose the wild card in 1998. Even going to back to 1988 N.L.C.S where the Mets were upset by the Dodgers. After going through all of this we find out who are the real orange and blue.

Honestly, in my opinion, this helps me root for the Mets harder. I feel more of a die hard seeing these things going through my head. After going through all this pain and hardship, watching them succeed will be exhilarating. To be a true orange and blue it's pretty hard, there isn't many of them but one's that are know the game of baseball, and are very knowledgeable to the sport.

I feel the New York Mets franchise should be clumped in with the Cubs franchise and pre-2004 Red Sox. No, I'm not trying to feel sorry or self loath, all I'm saying is that if your a Mets fan your a “real fan”. It's not that our ball club doesn't want to win, we have the payroll and new ballpark. The fans are there, and yet we still find a new way to lose traumatically year in and year out. All of this is building up to one of the greatest World Series celebrations of all time.

I feel this can be our year, if healthy we have all the talent to win a championship. Do we the heart and will , I don't know. We will get a glimpse of what the Mets are made of when they square off with the Phillies and Yankees back to back. We shall have a healthy Reyes, Beltran, and Church, the B team will be no longer. In addition we have a proven Gary Sheffield and a up and coming F-Mart. If Putz can get his act together, we can have a solid bullpen. Also, Billy Wagner will be back by mid-July which will be a key addition to our already solid bullpen.

Honestly, I don't have any problems with this team, were banged up and still a game and a half out of first place. When healthy, we can be very dangerous. No, were not as good as the 1999 and 2006 team, but we do resemble a lot of the 2000 team. They battled injuries with Rey Ordenez getting injured in May and Darryl Hamilton getting injured in early June. Also, key slugger Mike Piazza was injured in July after getting clocked in the head by steroid using Roger Clemens. That team also started off slow but managed to catch fire and explode to the World Series even after only winning 94 games.

I feel this team doesn't have to win 94 games, any where from 88 to 92 wins should crown them N.L. East Champs. Lets be honest, when Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer are holding up your 3^rd and 4^th spot's in the rotation your gonna have problems down the road. If we had a ballpark like Citizen,s we could be in the top five in all offensive categories too. Now if we get into the playoffs, do we have the team to get to the World Series? After the 2006 Cardinals won the World Series anything is possible. It just shows you have to be hot at the right time. Personally, I feel we can match up with the Dodgers and Cubs. With Johan, Pelfrey, Maine and a healthy Livan we have a solid four-man rotation as anyone else in the league.

Also, I've been reading a lot that the Mets might be pursuing Pedro Martinez. After watching him pitch in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic it shows the man can still throw. He can be a solid fifth starter in the rotation, also the fans would love to have Pedro back at the ballpark for he was a fan favorite.

Us met Fans are like no other, losing makes us want it more and winning will help us stay humble. I feel great pride tuning into SNY every night. Listening to greats like Ron and Keith, I'm pumped to watch the Mets. At times we can be fun and explosive. When Reyes returns I hope to that fire the Mets need to win a championship. Us Met fans are like no other we are faithful and we get emotional. One thing I can promise is when we finally do drink from the cup it will taste sweeter then any of the Yankees 26.

Johan Santana will come in and save the day

By Brendan Costello

Johan Santana will come in and save the day. That is one statement Mets can confidently say. After watching the Mets blow another game, it will be pleasant to watch Johan pitch. He is what keeps us Met fans safe. The man is a gamer and is the best thing the Mets have had since Seaver in 1969.

Johan will be entering tonight's game with a 7-2 record witch could easily be 11-0 and a 1.77 ERA. Those are some nice numbers, and facing a under achiever in Duke, the Mets should put a licking on the Pirates. Even if we score two runs, this should be a “W” in the record books.

I feel Johan will get 8 innings tonight and personally hand it over to K rod. I think all Met fans would prefer it that way. I feel if Johan can hit his spots against a week Pittsburgh's line up, we should be in great shape.

Pittsburgh, who is top ten in strike-outs in the MLB should have a head- ache with Johan. Lets all hope that Jerry Manuel gets smart and lets Johan go to work and keeps him in the game. Someone should tell the Mets, "Don't worry about scoring 6-7, all they need to do is score 2-3". In reality, lets hope the Mets can be calm do what they have to do and let Johan do everything else.

I think I speak for all Met fans, watching Johan go 8 and K-Rod finish it up would feel good after watching last nights game. Any type of win would feel good after last night. Losing tonight would really mentally give a huge blow to the Mets. I don't see that happening though, not with the savor Johan on the mound. I'm calling it, Mets win 3-1 tonight, I know not really a hard pick but it never is with Santana on the mound.

The Bullpen Fails Again, Well Actually J.J fails Again.

By Brendan Costello

The bullpen fails again, well actually J.J fails again. The Mets started off the game with timely hitting and great base running. To add to the 5 nothing lead, Livan Hernandez was pitching very well, striking out six and giving up 3 in 5.2 innings of work. After Parnell showed ice water in his vein's by getting out of a jam in the 6^th, I felt good.

The Mets bats went silent after the 4^th, but I mean what do you expect. Give these guys some credit 5 runs should be enough to hold off the Pirates right? I guess not. The thing that bothers me is how it happened. J.J Putz, the man who is suppose to be the center piece off our bullpen blows it again, come on! The Mets are spending money you would spend on a closer on this man and he “can't get up for it"? Thats a disgrace to himself, to the Mets and to the faithful.

The more I watch this selfish choke artist, the more I agree on sending him out of here. The guy isn't sure if his arm is sore? Like really? Billy comes back in about 6 weeks and Parnell should be able hold down the fort until then. So please Omar, get what you can get for J.J while you still can.

The Mets are trying to give him confidence by sending Parnell out there in the 6^th. Then by putting J.J in the 8^th they were telling him, “Hey your still our man”. I'm so fed up with losses like this it's going to come back to haunt us.

I'm not saying the season is over or we should all be alarmed about what happened. The Mets did let one out of the bag tonight. Speaking for all Met fans watching the Pirate faithful awaiting the last out in the top of the 9^th sent a cold chill down my spine.

A cruel reminder of last year rummaged through my head. Is this game a huge loss? No probably not, but lets hope we don't look back at the box score in early October and remember this one.

Leon Ends His Drought

By Conor Galvin,

Leon Washington reported to the Jets OTA's today after missing the first three weeks of the workout. Washington was missing the workouts because he was upset over his contract. He wasn't the only Jets running back to hold out as Thomas Jones held out until he reported last Wednesday because he too was upset over his contract.

Washington is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract he signed back in 2006 after being drafted by the Jets in the fourth round. He is scheduled to make about $535,000 this year. Washington is asking for a contract that pays him about $6 million dollars a year, similar to contracts for players like Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew.

Washington is coming off a Pro Bowl season as he rushed for 448 yards off 76 carries and six touchdowns. He also had 355 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns and one touchdown off special teams.

With Washington and Jones back the Jets running tandem shouldn't miss a beat. They will be a huge factor in coach Rex Ryans' new offense. Ryan wants to run an "all weather offense' which means a lot of running will be happening for these two backs.

Stay tuned for more New York Jets and NFL news.

Mets Must Wins in Pitt.

By: Brendan Costello

Yes, it’s Pittsburgh, and they have been a bottom feeder in the central for years. This does not mean the Mets should take them lightly. The Mets are sending out their “B” team for their sixth straight game. Yea they went five and one in the stretch, and winning for these guys is the only way to build experience.

This is a great opportunity for them to build up their confidence against a team like Pittsburgh. For the Yankees are peering down the road.

The Mets throw out their three best pitchers. Living Hernandez, Johan Santana, and Mike Pelfrey. Even more reason why a clean sweep is necessary. The Mets have to take care of teams that are not as skilled as them. Even if the “B team is out there, they are still more talented.

Honestly, I don’t mind this line-up. They all play with heart and its inspiring. Finally some emotion with somebody in a Met uniform that wants no win.

So tonight, if Livan can have a solid start the Mets should cruise to an easy win. With the Sheff playing so well, the Mets walk with a swagger. Signing him was the best move they made all year.

Do I think this is the best team we had in the past three years? It's not even close. But this team definetly tries the hardest. Truly that’s all that matters.