In just over a week, the United States Men's Hockey team has gone from a long-shot, a "wing-and-a-prayer" scrappy underdog to an undefeated favorite. The American public, not to mention the world, is getting a taste of the excitement that US hockey fans have been feeling for over a year, when it became clear just how different our national team would look from years past.

These games represent a changing of the guard for U. S. hockey - the faces that people have become accustomed to for the last decade (or longer) are becoming fazed out for the future. Names such as Mike Modano, Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin, Doug Weight and other classic figureheads of team U.S.A are not represented on this roster.

In fact, only two players from the 2006 Winter Olympics return for this year - defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Chris Drury. Interestingly, they have been two of the most effective players, and they are certainly offering just as much off the score sheet, providing leadership and veteran savvy to this young roster. The forwards are especially wet behind the ears, with 10 of the 13 being age 25 or younger.

It's safe to say that this team has performed well above expectations. Most would project USA to be a solid "maybe" for a medal. Canada and Russia were heavily favored, with Sweden right behind them and dark horses Slovakia, Finland, and the Czech Republic right in the mix.]]>

Anyone else flashing back to 2004? Johnny still doesn't have the beard or the long hair. But ladies and gentlemen, the idiot is in full force!

He turned down a chance to return to the World Champion Yankees, and had his agent Scott Boras tell New York that the offer needed to start at 3 years/$13 million per season.

Once that door was slammed shut in his face, Damon was left to sift through one year deals, as no one else felt a 36-year old defensively liable outfielder was worth a large, long-term contract.

Damon is a very likable guy. He never forgets the annual Jimmy Fund telethon. He had one of the most memorable home runs in Red Sox playoff history. He came up big in his final season in New York, helping them end their title drought. He's a tough player that grinds through injuries almost as much as he grinds through at bats.]]>

After a very gratifying 2009 season and playoff run that culminated in their 27^th World Series title, the Yankees enter the 2010 season with some potential pitching issues, as evidenced by their decision to use a three-man starting rotation in the playoffs and World Series. True their starters came up big for the most of the postseason, but the pitching concerns really begin with No. 2 starter, A.J. Burnett, who can’t be relied upon as a consistent pitcher.

Burnett can be un-hittable at times, but can also be wildly inconsistent, not only from game to game, but from inning to inning and even pitch to pitch. It’s sometimes seems like a fuse blows, and then he can’t throw a pitch even remotely close to the strike zone. Even Jose Molina has trouble keeping pitches from going to the backstop.]]>

Sometimes, in life, it is all about being a good fit.  Nate Robinson was no longer a good fit with the New York Knicks.  He may turn out to be a good fit with the Boston Celtics. 

Acquiring Robinson, 25, is a very good gamble for the Celtics – the three-time Slam Dunk Award winner is averaging 13.2 PPG on .452 FG, including .375 3-point shooting.  The Celtics desperately needed scoring punch off the bench, and Robinson is capable of exploding for 30 points in any given game.  This type of offensive chutzpah is something that Rasheed Wallace, for the most part, has failed to deliver this season.

The downside for the Celtics is that Robinson, similar to Wallace, is prone to losing his concentration and being very temperamental.  But Robinson, according to his teammates, is a “great guy” who, unlike Wallace, will not walk around with a puss on his face.  And when Robinson does act immature, the Celtics championship veterans will not hesitate to rectify his behavioral issues – the Knicks, not having won a playoff series in 10 years, do not have that type of infrastructural gravitas, which is not conducive in promoting a winning atmosphere, especially for enigmatic players such as Robinson.]]>

What New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh has done over the past 15 months, freeing the organization from salary cap hell and bringing it to the verge of free-agent heaven is nothing short of a miracle.

Since November of 2008, Walsh has made several trades that have positioned the Knicks two sign two “max-salary” free agents this Summer. 

Chances are, the Knicks will able to accomplish this objective.  Adding two premiere free-agents and the continued improvement of Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari should be enough to elevate the Knicks into series contenders to win the Eastern Conference next season.

What a job Walsh would have accomplished in this scenario.

"Knicks President Donnie Walsh looks a lot alike Carmine Lupertazzi, the "Don" of the New York family in The Sopranos.  I guess that is fitting considering that, over the past two years, Walsh's primary role with the Knicks has been waste management." - quote from internet saavy Knicks fan.]]>