Gallinari To Rookie-Sophomore Game

New York Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari has been invited to play in the Rookie-Sophomore game on NBA All-Star weekend. Gallinari didn't play in the game last year as a rookie because he was injured with back problems for most of the season. However, this year, he has been a bit of a surprise. He is averaging 14.6 points per game, and he also is first in three-point shots made.

Gallinari has been a major factor in the Knicks play this year. Despite the Knicks recent slide, which has put them nine games under .500 recently, the Knicks have been much better than last year and the contributions from Gallinari has been a factor. Gallinari has shown the ability to take over down the stretch in some games. His game resembles Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, but he is smaller than Nowitzki.

Gallinari won't be the only player from the Knicks in All-Star festivities. Nate Robinson will participate in the dunk contest for the fourth time on All-Star weekend. He has won two competitions already, including last year's dunk contest. David Lee may also be a participant of the All-Star Game. He is averaging over 19 points a game and 11 rebounds a game. The reserves for the All-Star Game comes out on Thursday January 28.

Edwards, Sheppard Disappointed In Role

The New York Jets loss to the Indianapolis Colts 30-17 in the AFC Championship Game, and there were a couple of unhappy players on the Jets after the game. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards and defensive back Lito Sheppard both voiced their displeasure in their roles in the game. Edwards only had two catches for 100 yards, and Sheppard was told earlier in the week that Dwight Lowery would be starting in his place.

Edwards stated that he could've been more involved in the offense, and he also stated that the Jets could've scored more with him making big plays. Edwards caught a touchdown pass in the first half for the first score of the game for the Jets. However, he was a non-factor afterwards, only making one more catch and not having a catch in the second half.

Sheppard only played a limited role in the loss for the Jets. This was reminiscent of the NFC Championship Game last year between the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. Sheppard was on the Eagles in that game, and he played a very limited role in that game as well. Sheppard is due a roster bonus on March, and it's possible the Jets could cut him before that bonus is due to him.

Edwards does not own the right to complain about his involvement in the offense because he has dropped countless passes this season. That's a problem he has to correct before Mark Sanchez is able to look his way more. The Jets offense did fail to score in the second half, but that isn't because of Edwards lack of involvement. It has to be frustrating for Sheppard because he felt he was getting a fresh start after voicing his displeasure on the Eagles last year and in the offseason. However, head coach Rex Ryan simply did what he felt was best for the defense to succeed.

Knicks Still Covet Rubio

While Ricky Rubio continues to play overseas for FC Barcelona, the Knicks continue to keep their eye on him. Rubio was drafted 5th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft. They owned the 6th pick as well, and used that to select another point guard, Jonny Flynn. They also had the 18th pick, in which they used to select point guard Tywon Lawson. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Rubio decided to go back to Spain instead of coming to the NBA to play. That may have been because of the lack of interest to play in Minnesota, or because the money he would've had to pay the club he was on to leave was too much. However, the Knicks have international scout Kevin Wilson, who lives in Barcelona, taking a look at Rubio.

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn used to work under Knicks president Donnie Walsh with the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks will definitely need a point guard down the road, as Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson will be free agents after the season. They are both not expected to be retained, in order to sign multiple quality free agents, starting with Lebron James. Walsh was told by Kahn that the Timberwolves were not looking to trade Rubio, but that could change.

The Knicks have to look at Rubio very carefully. Rubio has been the topic of discussion since before the draft, but he's only 19 years old and he has to prove himself overseas a little more before he can be trusted at the NBA level. It is wise for the Knicks to covet him though, because the Knicks won't have a point guard if they get Lebron James and another marquee free agent. They should also look to draft a point guard, with the potential loss of Duhon and Robinson.

Jets Season Ends

The New York Jets ended their magical season in the AFC Championship Game after losing to the Indianapolis Colts 30-17. The Jets came into the game running the ball very well and playing very good defense, led by Darrelle Revis. The Jets got off to a great start in the first half, going ahead 17-6 on the strength of two touchdown passes from rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. The first one went to Braylon Edwards, who has struggled to make catches during the season and in the AFC Wild Card Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The second touchdown pass went to Dustin Keller, who has become Sanchez's favorite target. Keller has caught a touchdown in all three games this postseason. The Colts managed to score a touchdown before halftime, which occurred on a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Austin Collie. The second half belonged to the Colts. They outscored the Jets 17-0, where Manning threw two more touchdown passes. Pierre Garcon caught 11 passes for 151 yards and had one of the touchdowns in the second half from Manning.

The Jets offense weren't able to get going in the second half. Rookie running back Shonn Greene got injured, and he didn't return, making it more difficult for the Jets. Greene and Thomas Jones combined for only 83 yards on 26 carries. The Jets defense also failed, giving up 377 passing yards to Manning, and 98 yards to Joseph Addai and Donald Brown on 22 carries. Revis was able to limit Reggie Wayne to only 3 catches for 55 yards, but Lito Sheppard and Dwight Lowery weren't able to contain Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. The Jets season ended at 11-8.

Knicks Lose By 50

The New York Knicks had their worst home game of the season, losing 128-78 to the Dallas Mavericks. This loss came with the absence of Jason Kidd and Erick Dampier. The Knicks were down by 16 at halftime, and it got worst in the 3rd quarter. The Knicks were outscored 38-13 in the quarter, going down by 41 points. The Knicks were down by as many as 53 points at one point in the game. The Knicks haven't beaten the Mavericks since January of 2006.

Jared Jeffries led the Knicks with 14 points, with 12 of them coming in the 1st quarter. Jeffries is only averaging 4.4 points per game this season. David Lee had another double-double, but only scored 11 points while grabbing 14 rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 20 points, and Drew Gooden stepped in and played nicely, scoring 15 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. The Mavericks shot 58 percent from the field, 55 percent from three-point land, and were almost perfect from the free throw line.

The 50 point victory is the largest this season, surpassing the 48 point victory the Knicks had over the Indiana Pacers on January 3rd. The loss for the Knicks is more embarrassing considering their playmaker point guard Jason Kidd didn't play. Seven Mavericks players scored in double figures, while only Jeffries and Lee did the same. Danilo Gallinari only scored 6, Al Harrington only scored 7, and Wilson Chandler only scored 9. Nate Robinson did not play because of a pulled hamstring. The Knicks next game is Tuesday at the Garden against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Playoffs Needed In College Football

The college football season ended yesterday with Alabama claiming the national championship with a 37-21 victory over Texas. However, that seems to be the only important game in college football because of the BCS system. Shortly after the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl involving TCU and Boise State, who both went into the game undefeated as well, there was debate as to whether Boise State, who came out victorious against TCU, deserved a share of the national championship because they finished the season undefeated as well.

One thing should be clear. There should not be any shares of a national championship. Boise State's schedule, outside of games against Oregon and TCU, was very weak, therefore there isn't many people saying they should share the crown with Alabama. However, there shouldn't be any doubt at all. A clear-cut champion should be determined, and the only way that can happen is by a playoff system.

There were 34 bowl games during the bowl season and 33 of them don't count toward anything except bragging rights. Every other sport has a playoff system where a champion is determined fair and square. 68 teams were included in the bowls, which means a playoff system similar to college basketball can be the best fit. If 64 teams were included in the playoffs, which could span over the course of six weeks, that would be very logical with the seeding being determined by a committee.

With every proposal, there are issues that comes along with this. If a playoff system were to span six weeks, that could interfere with final exams and possibly the start of the spring semester. However, these final exams can be administered at another time and players sometimes miss school because of regular season games in September, October and November. Missing the first week of the spring semester wouldn't hurt.

This proposal won't be considered for another four years because ESPN signed a new agreement with the BCS, starting in 2010. A playoff system should be looked at following the 2013 bowl season, because it is clear that the majority of college football fans want a playoff system. It needs to happen rather sooner than later, because fans are being robbed.

Teams have found ways to do well within the BCS system. Two teams, Florida and Texas, kept a #1 and #2 spot in the rankings for most of the season until Florida lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Florida and Texas have scheduled light opponents for the most part to go undefeated and make the championship game. Oklahoma, who had high expectations, play tough non-conference opponents in BYU and Miami. Teams should be required to schedule at least one non-conference opponent from a power conference. We can then determine in the BCS system who's deserving of a national championship spot as well. I don't think Texas was deserving of a spot.

Arenas Tarnishing NBA Image?

The talk of the NBA this week has been about the suspension of Wizards' superstar Gilbert Arenas, and his actions before the suspension. Arenas brought four guns to the Verizon Center, and it's been reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had a dispute about a gambling debt in which the guns were brought out. It was reported by the Washington Post yesterday that Crittenton pulled out his own handgun, loaded it and chambered a round. Crittenton has denied that, saying "I have done nothing wrong."

Commissioner David Stern maintained the stance before that he would let the legal process run its course before he makes a decision on the future of Arenas. However, earlier this week, Arenas constantly joked around with the situation, stating that he was more afraid of Stern because he is "mean." Arenas also did a pregame dance against the 76ers earlier this week with his hand in a gun motion pointing at his teammates. Stern clearly thought Arenas wasn't taking the situation seriously, and acted swiftly to suspend him instead of waiting for the legal process to conclude.

Stern made the right decision in suspending Arenas immediately. Stern needs to protect the image of the NBA, which many people think has a bunch of thugs. Other NBA players who have been in trouble with guns are Stephen Jackson and Sebastian Telfair. Telfair was involved with incidents regarding guns twice. Arenas didn't make a smart move by bringing the guns to the Verizon Center. He initially tried to justify the guns being in a lock box by saying he recently had a daughter and he wanted to get the guns out of the house. That's easy. Turn the guns in to local authorities. They'll be glad to get guns off of your hands. Bringing it to the arena was dumb because it could've turned disastrous.

Arenas wasn't completely wrong for making light of the situation. What good does it do if he constantly repeats himself and apologizes with a grim face to the media? It does nothing. He was still completely wrong and stupid for bringing them. Arenas should not be getting heat for his pregame antics before the 76ers game, or the countless interviews he's done where he's joking around. His contract also should not be terminated by the Wizards. They had to know the guns were there. If not, they would've said so at the beginning of all of this. The only way they should void his contract is if he does substantial time in prison. The Wizards are to blame as well and should get a hefty fine.

The actions of Arenas and Crittenton will damage the NBA's reputation, which has taken a hit with the brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2004 involving Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal. The gun incidents involving Telfair doesn't help either. The NBA shouldn't be looked at as a league of thugs but they'll have to do more community service outside of NBA Cares programs to show they really care and that they aren't thugs.