MERRY CHRISTMAS, YOU'RE FIRED

Well that didn't take long. The Nets decided after their 3-10 run in December, that Avery Johnson was not their guy. Johnson was getting complaints from Deron Williams about his system. Johnson even changed his system to try and get the team back on track but that didn't work either. He started off as the Coach of the Month in November but that didn't last. Johnson has compiled a 60-116 record with the Nets for the last two and a half years. P.J. Carlesimo will be the interim coach.

There are a number of coaches who are unemployed right now. Stan Van Gundy, who is a really good coach, is one of them. And then there is the Zen Master, Phil Jackson. I can definitely see Jackson taking the Nets job for one reason and one reason only, just to piss off the Knicks. He was a thorn in the Knicks side during his Chicago days and now he could walk back into the city as the Head Coach for a  team in Brooklyn and not Manhattan.

Interesting what will play out here in the next few weeks.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR NEEDED

With speculation brewing this past week with who should be traded, who should be released, who should be hired and who should be fired, no one saw this one coming.

The only bright spot in this awful season was the aggressive play by the defensive unit and now their leader, Mike Petine has told the Jets, thanks but no thanks. Petine turned down a contract extension and will now go peddle his wares someplace else.

Let's recap. The Jets will have two vacancies to fill immediately. A defensive coordinator and a special teams coach. The retirement of Westhoff is going to be another gaping hole to fill. The two bright spots for the Jets over the last few years are becoming dim with the vacancies of two outstanding coaches. Hopefully these two vacancies will not detract from another glaring problem, the rest of the team.

If Woody Johnson would like to send me an e-mail, I can offer him a group of guys, including myself, to come as a package for his next coaching staff and front office. We would come cheaper than you think and you would be surprised at the results. Come on Mr. Johnson, could it get any worse? But on the flip side, think of the feel good story it would make by hiring a group of unknowns to take the Jets to their first Super Bowl in 34 years!!!

THE JETS ARE DRUNK

Tis the season to be ridiculous.

The Jets have some major problems and a glaring one is under center. The newspapers have reported that Tim Tebow and the Jets have decided to part ways after the season. That is a good move for both parties. The newspapers have also reported that Mark Sanchez would be shopped around. That is a good move for Sanchez' career but I doubt the Jets will get anything for him which will make Sanchez a possible back-up for the Jets. These sound like all good sound decisions but remember the Jets are a three ring circus. What is lurking in the third ring? The Jets are thinking of picking up Michael Vick when the Eagles release him!!!! Are you joking me?

The Jets are going to get rid of Tebow only to try to pick up an older, former great, version of Tebow?  Sources have said that Vick is interested in coming to the Jets if Sanchez is gone. This now becomes a lesson in financial responsibility for the Jets as well as not keeping the circus in town.

If they try to get rid of Sanchez they will have to eat a large portion of his salary and get nothing in return. No team is going to give the Jets any value for a veteran back-up quarterback. The Jets are better off trying to salvage Sanchez' career, even as a back-up, than just giving him away and still having to put out a large sum of money.

I think the financial aspect of Sanchez' departure is pretty straight forward and an owner would have to have his head examined to keep throwing good money after bad money.

By picking up Vick would only prolong the circus for another year. Vick's dogfighting days are behind him but by him coming to the largest media market, you know these issues will be dug up again. They were distracted by the Tebow experiment for an entire year, are they going to just keep up the distractions with another player?

Here is a mantra Woody Johnson must repeat to himself over and over again,

"If you don't learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it."

JUST HORRIBLE

I have seen many Jets seasons but this season takes the cake.

The Jets were a team that played pretty good defense but their offense was non-existent. Their offense appeared to be lost on every play. They couldn't catch any balls thrown at them, they would throw up interceptions way too many times, their offensive line looked disinterested and they couldn't even do the most basic thing, substituting, without looking like an 8 year old Pop Warner team.

The defense did it's fair share of keeping the Jets in the game but when the offense is always going three and out, the defense gets a little frustrated and tired.

The chaos starts at the top and trickles down. The team needs a good cleaning in the off-season. Woody Johnson has got to take this team and give it an enema. There are a number of things that need to get done but due to the money owed number 6 next year, the Jets will have to keep him. Woody Johnson needs to get rid of Tannenbaum and replace him with a better football mind. He needs to get rid of Rex Ryan because he has proved in the last two years that he has no clue about how to operate on the offensive side, keep him as your defensive coordinator if he wants it. While Woody is cleaning up, Sporano needs to go wait in the car because he doesn't appear to know anything about calling an offensive game. Perfect example of this incompetence is the inserting of Tebow on a drive because the coaches wanted to get him a series. Drives are all about rhythm, timing and getting into a flow. By removing Sanchez just to put Tebow in, did way too much damage. Sometimes you just have to go with feel and not what is written down on a piece of paper. The offensive play calling was completely robotic this year and without any common sense.

Johnson needs to get a complement of coaches that are all like minded in their willingness to buy into one system. The head coach needs to come up with a game plan. A game plan that will be a blueprint for years to come and then start to fill in the pieces. It might take a few years but when you look at all the successful teams, the constant game plan is there year after year.

It's not an easy task but it can be done.

12.12.12 THE CONCERT FOR SANDY RELIEF

Last night at Madison Square Garden, the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief was a huge success. From Bruce Springsteen to Paul McCartney, the stars were shining and the music was great. They all came together for a very worthy cause.

I was watching on HBO and when they showed clips of the devastated areas it really hit home. When Jimmy Fallon came on and spoke about Coney Island, it completely got to me. I was watching this and I was sitting and saying, "That could have been my family and me." The area that I grew up in was devastated but I didn't know the extent of the devastation.

I have friends and family who were without power, water and the necessities of life but they were lucky in comparison to some of the people.

I am donating to the Robin Hood Foundation so the needed support can go to the people that were once my neighbors. I ask everyone that is reading this to take the time and go to www.121212concert.org or call 1-855-465-4357 and make a contribution.

BASKETBALL HAPPENINGS

Last night in Brooklyn, the New York Knicks took game 2 in the Battle of the Boroughs.

The Nets have been having trouble in the last six games. The loss of Brook Lopez has been a tough loss. Lopez is day to day with a bad foot. With Lopez in the line-up the Nets are a real good team but without him, the Nets are just about average. I don't know why but I keep getting this feeling that Lopez is going to have a Bill Walton like career. He is going to battle with this foot injury for his entire career just like Walton. When Lopez is in there, he shows signs of being like Walton, but the injuries are going to take it's toll. Lopez will probably be moved a number of times, like Walton, until he ends up on the Celtics bench at the end of his career. Everyone is going to say, "if Lopez could of only stayed healthy, he would of been great." Since Lopez has went down with his injury, the Nets have not looked like the same team.

The other trouble that the Nets are having is the performance they are getting from Deron Williams. He is not draining the important shots at the important times. Without Lopez in the line-up, this becomes glaring.

The Nets are getting good production out of Andray Blatche and Reggie Evans. Blatche scored a team high 23 points and Evans pulling down 18 rebounds.

Across the country, the Lakers are having problems. I don't want to say I told you so but I told you so. D'Antoni was not the answer. D'Antoni was not the answer with the Knicks nor is he the answer for the Lakers. D'Antoni is a track coach not a basketball coach. The Lakers are an older ballclub and D'Antoni's system is just not working. If the Lakers are smart and before their entire season goes down the drain, they have to fire D'Antoni. I kept saying the same thing with the Knicks and they finally did and now look at them.

With the rate things are going in Los Angeles, the Nets might just get Dwight Howard next season in free agency.

THE YANKEES SIGN YOUKALIS

Kevin Youkalis decided that the Bronx is where he wants to play for at least one year. Youkalis is not the first Red Sox player to move south. He is definitely the most un-liked Red Sox to move south just ask Joba who has thrown at Youkalis' head on a number of occasions.

With A-Rod out for who knows how long, there was a gaping hole at third. Youkalis is a right handed bat that plays third and also can play first. Youkalis is a great addition to the line-up and a great addition to the locker room. Youkalis is one of those players that will go deep into the count and he comes to play everyday.

The Yankees are trying to be frugal so they are signing players to one year contracts. Ichiro is signed for a year as well as Petitte, Rivera and Kuroda.

Youkalis will bring something to the Yankees that they have not had in a long time. Youkalis is a baseball star of the Jewish faith. The last time Jewish Yankees fans have had someone to relate to was when Ron Blomberg became baseball's first designated hitter.

Welcome to the Bronx Yooook!!!!

12.12.12 CONCERT

Wednesday night is going to be the largest gathering of musicians ever put together at Madison Square Garden. The performers are all trying to raise money for the people that are still being effected by Hurricane Sandy. All proceeds from this concert will be going to the Robin Hood Foundation.

Some of the performers are Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, The Who and Billy Joel. This concert is also going to be streaming live and it is also going to be televised live on a number of cable channels. The concert starts at 7:30 PM EST.

Great performers for a very great cause.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

It didn't take long for Messi to tie the goal scoring record and then break the goal scoring record. Messi tied the record at the 16 minute mark of Barca's game against Real Betis. Messi dribbled the ball to his left and when he nearly got to the top corner of the penalty box he let loose with a left footed shot that met the back of the net for goal 85.

Goal 86 came about nine minutes later. This goal was typical of a Barca goal. Andres Iniesta had the ball on the left side of the box. He started to dribble forward and then with a quick back heel flick, he put the ball right onto Messi's boot. Messi one timed the ball into the back of the net for his 86th and record setting goal.

I received my Sports Illustrated this week and LeBron James was on the cover for Sportsman of the Year. I whole heartedly disagree with this because the award belongs to Lionel Messi. The record that he broke was on the same level as the 60 homers that Ruth hit and the consecutive games played that was set by Gehrig and broke by Ripken.

2012 is the year that Lionel Messi has shown the world that he is the most dominant athlete of his sport.  In my book he is Sportsman of the Year.

SANCHEZ NEEDS TO GO

I have been a strong supporter of Mark Sanchez through this year's roller coaster ride with the Jets.  Sanchez was sabotaged by the New York Jets unintentionally and the way he has declined as a quarterback is the residual effects of that sabotaging. The Jets coddled Sanchez for three years and then the organization doesn't give Sanchez the personnel to play around him. Sanchez, Tannenbaum and Ryan each get a third of the blame for this season. The Jets hired Tony Sporano as offensive coordinator, brought in Tim Tebow and replaced Plaxico Burress with Stephen Hill. This was bound to happen. Mark Sanchez is not good for this organization anymore and he needs to go to another team to continue his carer. He is not a bad quarterback but his staying with the Jets will make Sanchez a footnote in NFL history.

Rex Ryan is going to go with Sanchez again this Sunday. Sanchez needs to sit and calculate his exit strategy. Every time Mark Sanchez goes under center in a Jets uniform, is another layer stripped away from the promising career Mark Sanchez had and possibly can have with another team.  McElroy is not the answer to the QB problem in New York but it is a better situation all the way around for all interested parties right now.

REMEMBERING DAVE BRUBECK

Dave Brubeck died today at 91 years of age.

In 1951 Dave Brubeck and alto saxophonist Paul Desmond created the most popular West Coast jazz band, the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Brubeck played jazz with time signatures that were almost unheard of in the world of jazz. Between him and Paul Desmond they made some of the best jazz coming out of the west coast. The bands album Time Out would sell more than a million copies. This was never done by a jazz artist.

The above video is from the Ken Burns' series on jazz. He did a piece just of Brubeck.

Brubeck appeared on the cover of Time magazine and in 2009, Brubeck won the Kennedy Center Awards.

RIP Dave, we will miss you.

BECKHAM WINS AGAIN

David Beckham arrived six years ago and what will be remembered of his time in Los Angeles is the four championships he helped the Galaxy win. The other night Beckham helped the Galaxy rally to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS final.

A friend of mine has season seats to the Galaxy. The seats are extremely close to the field and right at one of the corners. I was fortunate to have used these seats and watching Beckham play was incredible.  While Messi is a jazz musician in how he works the field, Beckham is more of a painter. He takes his time and when he sees his opening he is able to place the ball on a dime. Sitting at the corner, I was able to watch Beckham set up the corner kick and basically place it within inches of a Galaxy players boot.  When that movie was called Bend It Like Beckham, I was able to see why. The curve that he would put on the soccer ball was phenomenal. He was another talented athlete that I was lucky to see play live.

Beckham announced that Saturday nights match would be his last match in the MLS. He said that he intends remain involved in American soccer. He might even become part owner of a franchise.

Besides Beckham leaving the Galaxy, Landon Donovan might call it quits.  Donovan is the league's biggest American star. If he leaves, it will mark the end of a six year era for the Galaxy.

Congratulations go to the Los Angeles Galaxy for winning again.

SKETCHES OF SPAIN

Over the years of watching sports, I have been lucky to see some of the greatest athletes at work.  I was lucky to see the tail end of Roberto Clemente's career and I have been able to watch Derek Jeter. I have seen Magic Johnson change the face of basketball and then Michael Jordan take it to another stratosphere. Watching Wayne Gretzky on a hockey rink was seeing someone do things on ice that ordinary people could not do on solid ground.  Seeing Walter Payton and Barry Sanders slash and run their way through teams was breathtaking.

When I was younger, I used to go watch the New York Cosmos and I was able to watch a soccer legend by the name of Pele play the game. I became a fan of the sport and I have been lucky to watch many a soccer talent plying their craft. After watching Pele, I thought I would not see anything like him again until Lionel Messi came along.

If you have not watched a FC Barcelona soccer match, do yourself a favor and sit down and watch one of their games. This Barcelona team is like a great jazz band. They improvise and play off each like jazz musicians jamming on stage. One takes the lead while the rest follow and then the next player steps in at the right time to take the lead. They do this without missing a beat. It is amazing to watch. Soccer fan or not, if you like sports, this FC Barcelona team is a team for the ages. They will make you say, "Did you see that?" on a number of occassions. I like to say that this Barcelona team allows the other team to borrow the ball a few times before they take it back to start their next improvisational song.

Leading this band is Messi, the Miles Davis of soccer and this 2012-2013 team is producing a Sketches of Spain type jazz album.

Lionel Messi is having a year that is going to go down in the record books. Messi is one goal short of Gerd Muller's 1972 record of 85 goals for goal and country. Messi could become the first player to ever win the FIFA Player of the Year Award 4 times. Messi has scored 21 goals for FC Barcelona in their first 14 games this season. FC Barcelona is currently in first place in the Spanish League with a record of 13-0-1. Here is the most astounding statistic, Messi is only 25 and he probably won't reach his prime until at least 29.

YANKEES OFF SEASON

The Yankees have locked up Mo for one more year, they have locked up Andy Petitte and Kuroda for another year. The Yankees starting pitching looks set for 2013. CC, Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Petitte and the fifth will be a combo of Nova and Phelps. This can all get turned around when Michael Pineda comes back in the middle of the season, if he can still actually have the stuff that was promised.

The problem that the Yankees have right now is who is going to catch them. Russell Martin left for the Pirates which leaves last year's back-up Chris Stewart, Francisco Cirvelli and Austin Romine. Cirvelli spent most of last year in the minors but he has the most experience with the Yankees. He is a fan favorite but is he an everyday starter? Austin Romine is coming off an injury and does not have a lot of major league at bats and Stewart is a back-up, case closed. I say use Cervelli and have Romine learn the ropes behind him. The Yankees have a 20 year old catcher, Gary Sanchez, in the minors who is rated as a top prospect. Use what you can until this kid is ready because the free agent market is bleak for catching. Even if the Yankees would sign a Piersynski, he would be asking too much for too long.

Stay the course because Cervelli can handle the staff and Romine can fill in. Romine might end up being the catcher that he was tauted as being, only time will tell. Let's not make another mistake by giving away a young catcher like Jesus Montero for damaged goods. If that trade was not made, the Yankees would be in the same spot except they would have a decent catcher.

I am still waiting for that trade to get rid of the albatross known as Rodriquez.