Jaspers Can’t Beat the Odds

Jaspers Can’t Beat the Odds

March Madness Ends for Manhattan

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, MARCH 21- Neither the Manhattan Jaspers nor the Louisville Cardinals traveled to Orlando, Florida to visit Walt Disney World. The 13^th seeded Jaspers were given the unenviable task of trying to eliminate the defending national champion Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Although ranked 5^th in the nation, Louisville was only selected to be a 4th seed in the tourney. The coach of Louisville, the experienced Rick Pitino did not complain about the seeding of his team, but was vocal in his displeasure of facing Manhattan, “The matchups don’t make sense to me. It’s not ok with the matchups. We press like him, we trap like him, his offsets are like ours. That’s why I don’t like the game. I don’t think it’s fair. This is anybody’s game; it’s not 1-16.”

Manhattan coach Steve Masiello, the junior partner of a lengthy, close relationship, was also upset about coaching against his mentor, “It’s just not fun for me going against someone I have to try to beat, and, almost in my mind, think negatively about. It’s hard for me to do that.”

Masiello has had a positive and close relationship with Pitino for nearly a quarter of a century. As a youngster of 12, Masiello was ball boy for the Pitino coached New York Knicks. He followed Pitino to the University of Kentucky, where he played as a reserve on Pitino’s team. Encouraged by Pitino to be a coach, Masiello served as one of Pitino’s assistants at Louisville from 2005-2011.

He was hired as the head coach at Manhattan three years ago. He had worked at the college a decade earlier as an assistant coach.

Each team played with a full effort and each coach made every move to ensure a victory for his team. 

Louisville took an early lead, but the score was knotted at 8 at 16:30. The Cardinals led throughout the rest of the first half, raising their advantage to a game high eight points, 31-23, with 2:23 on the clock. The Cardinals led, 35-29, at the half.

The Jaspers scored eight unanswered points to begin the second half and take their first lead of the contest, 37-35, at 16:21. The Jaspers did not lead again until 4:57 and the score was tied four additional times, the final time with two minutes left in the contest. Experienced Louisville guard Luke Hancock then took the game over with the score knotted at 60 by scoring eight consecutive points, two threes and two free throws. 

Louisville was victorious by a score of 71-64. Before leaving the court, Pitino praised his former player and assistant Masiello in the highest terms, “That’s one of the best coaching jobs I’ve seen in my 39 years. 

The Manhattan players and staff should return to the Bronx with their heads held high. Louisville will move to the second round to face the St. Louis Billikins on Saturday.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Subway Muggers Sought

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Subway Muggers Sought: Subway Muggers Sought Police Seek to Identify D-Train Robbers By David Greene BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 20- P olice have released a video and ...

Subway Muggers Sought

Subway Muggers Sought

Police Seek to Identify D-Train Robbers

By David Greene

BRONX NEW YORK, MARCH 20- Police have released a video and several photos and are hoping the public can help identify two groups of suspects wanted in connection with two cellphone robberies at a Norwood train station.

According to police, an unidentified 20-year-old male victim was on the mezzanine level of the East 205 Street station when he was approached from behind by two assailants at 8:30 p.m., on February 16.

The victim reported that one of two suspects produced a firearm and demanded valuables. The suspects removed the victim’s wallet and cellphone before fleeing the station.

A surveillance camera captured the two suspects as they exited the station. They are both described as male Hispanics. The armed suspect reportedly had braids in his hair and wore a black hat.

Police reported a second incident that took place at the same train station at 8:15 p.m. on February 17.

Cops in that case say the 34-year-old victim had boarded a southbound D-train when an individual grabbed the victim’s cellphone and fled.

The victim reportedly gave chase and was surrounded on the platform by a group of suspects, who punched him in the face several times and fled.

Investigators have also released surveillance photos of the six suspects in this case, all believed to be in their teens or early 20's. The photo were taken as they too fled the station.

Repeated attempts to reach Gilbert Santos, the MTA Station Manager for the 205 Street Station were unsuccessful.

An employee answering phones at the MTA Transit Police Department referred calls for information to the NYPD.

Police suggest subway riders keep all electronic devices secured and out of sight at all times.

Anyone with any information on either of the individuals is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577, all calls remain confidential.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Can Jackson Turn the Knicks Around?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Can Jackson Turn the Knicks Around?: Can Jackson Turn the Knicks Around?  By Howard Goldin BRONX NEW, MARCH 19-   On Tuesday morning, Phil Jackson returned to the scene...

Can Jackson Turn the Knicks Around?

Can Jackson Turn the Knicks Around? 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX NEW, MARCH 19- On Tuesday morning, Phil Jackson returned to the scene of his first success in the NBA, Madison Square Garden. The 68-year-old former player and coach was present for a press conference in which it was announced that he signed a 5-year contract to be the President of the New York Knicks.

Named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame several years ago, Jackson has compiled one of the most impressive marks in NBA history. He has the highest winning percentage of any NBA coach, .704, and his teams have won a record 11 NBA titles. 

Jackson was also part of the two championship years of the New York franchise, 1970 and 1973, as a player. As a reminder of those highly respected teams, teammates Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Dick Barnett, and the son of Dave DeBusschere were at the conference. Messages were read from another teammate, Willis Reed, and the daughter of their beloved, late coach “Red”’ Holtzman.

The happiest words that fans of the Knicks heard were spoken by owner James Dolan. He affirmed he would “willingly and gratefully cede authority” to Phil Jackson on basketball decisions. Dolan admitted, “I think I’m a little out of my element when it comes to the team. My whole job now is supporting them [Jackson and General Manager Steve Mills] in winning a championship.”

Dolan also said of Jackson, “Phil has a vision for the Knicks to put us on the path to success. Phil will be in charge of all basketball operations.”

Jackson accepted that statement as a proviso for his accepting the position with the Knicks, “I wouldn’t come if that hadn’t happened.” 

After such great success with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Jackson is returning where he began in the NBA. Although he has children, grandchildren and a girlfriend living in California and must be there for medical treatments, Jackson will make the move east, “Moving to the city is difficult but important. I’ll be moving back and forth, but this is where I’ll establish myself.”

His experience has taught him, “This is the best place to play basketball. There’s no better place to win than in New York City. We’re going to make it here.”

He also explained the reason for accepting an executive rather than a position on the court, “I’m too old to play and too lame to coach. I got intrigued to enter into an executive, management position.”

Of the people Jackson was asked to comment on were Carmelo Anthony and current coach Mike Woodson. He spoke positively and carefully of each. Of Anthony he said, “I think Carmelo, as great a player as he is, has another level he can go to.” On the previous day, Anthony spoke with humility regarding cooperating with Jackson, “I’m still willing to learn. I haven’t won anything.” 

Regarding Woodson, Jackson remarked, “Mike has shown he’s a very good basketball coach. He hopes the coach can lead the team the playoffs this year. He expected to meet with Woodson at the end of the season to discuss the future.

He spoke in relatively general terms of the principles he espouses, a team game and a system like the Triangle Offense, “I believe in system basketball.”

He expects 2015 to be the year of great improvement. There will be a larger number of renowned free agents available than this year. Jackson added, perhaps to encourage Anthony and the fans, “We’re looking forward to another solid contributor to help Carmelo.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Pineda Lands Spot as Yankee Starter

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Pineda Lands Spot as Yankee Starter: Pineda Lands Spot as Yankee Starter By Rich Mancuso BRONX NEW, MARCH 19- Michael Pineda has finally arrived for the New York Yanke...

Pineda Lands Spot as Yankee Starter

Pineda Lands Spot as Yankee Starter

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX NEW, MARCH 19- Michael Pineda has finally arrived for the New York Yankees. The 25-year-old right-hander, who underwent left shoulder surgery almost two years ago, just about solidified a fifth start in the Yankees rotation after another outstanding outing on the mound Tuesday in a spring start against the Red Sox down in Tampa Florida.

From all indications the competition is over. Manager Joe Girardi has no choice but to anoint Pineda as one of the five in the Yankees pitching rotation. The questions about Pineda’s fastball remain, but his comeback looks to be complete, Pineda has been a question mark since that trade from Seattle that brought him to the Bronx for two pitchers and a catcher, Jesus Montero in the off-season of January 2012. The Yankees, at the time took a risk because it was always thought that Montero would be an eventual successor for Jorge Posada.

After the trade, Pineda developed problems with the shoulder and underwent surgery. He sat out the entire 2012 season and attempted to throw a ball last year in spring training. The Yankees, until now, appeared to be losers in the deal.

But Pineda went through extensive rehab that now has propelled him to be the projected number 5 starter for the Yankees.

“We got to figure out what’s best for our team overall,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, after Pineda struck out five, gave up no runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings. Girardi would like to see Pineda go longer in another game or two before the team breaks camp next week and heads to opening day in two weeks at Houston.

If Pineda is indeed healthy, it makes the Yankees that much better in the pitching rotation. There are expectations that a slimmer CC Sabathia will have the velocity and have a comeback season as the ace. And though these are spring games that mean nothing, the other three projected Yankees starters appear to be ready for the season.

That includes one of their prize off-season investments, Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who had no issue throwing to Major League hitters. Pineda, from all accounts had his slider clocked at 85. The fastball may never get back to 97, but his command and consistency throwing at 92 have made an impression.

This is what the Yankees were hoping for, though it has taken some time. There were thoughts of releasing Pineda last year when two attempts at getting a start did not materialize because there were recurring issues with the shoulder.

GM Brian Cashman, and the Yankees hierarchy would not take no as an answer. The trade to get Pineda was supposed to supplement Sabathia in the rotation and they gave up Montero who was considered a top prospect. Ivan Nova was another prospect at the time, who is projected to be a number four starter in the rotation.

Girardi added, “He (Pineda) does not look like a guy who’s coming back from a serious injury.” In his rookie season of 2011 with Seattle, Pineda went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA in 28 starts and finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

So, unless something goes wrong in the next 10 days, Pineda appears to be a lock for the rotation.  And that only makes the Yankees more formidable on the mound and leaves Cashman with a smile.

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso www.newyorksportsexaminer.com