yankees228

You've (and others) complained before that Jacko only talks about the positive, as recently as agreeing with VA's assessment that Jacko only starting the Spring Training thread because AJ Burnett had a good outing.

As I've said before, the narrative about Jacko doesn't agree with reality. He definitely leans towards optimism, but he doesn't fit the picture you've portrayed. I could go on and on with examples of Jacko being completely fair when it comes to his opinion of the Yankees Minor League system, but to kick it off, here's his first MiLB update from last year. http://www.talksox.com/forum/538858-post37.html I don't need to break this down for you ... optimism and negativity, in almost equal amounts. EDIT: This is a response to ORS, but it might as well be towards everyone who agrees with him.

Due to what I think is a huge flaw in their primary offensive set, but so be it. For what it's worth, the play call on Arizona's final offensive possession was perfect.

And Isiah wins it! Awesome game.

I don't understand Arizona's offense. The 3-1-1 makes sense against the zone, but they would be much better off with Williams at the foul line than running the base line. It's a lot easier to get him the ball there than on the baseline, and if the defense collapses on him he's in a great position to find his teammates.

Also, this game is fantastic. Isiah doing a phenomenal job down the stretch not only hitting a big three, but also setting up his teammates.

Derrick Williams is fantastic. Has to go number one.

Excellent game ... played out exactly as I expected. Now come on Heat and Lakers, hurry up so I can watch the Knicks.

Yeah he looks really good so far. Wade on the other hand has looked good when taking it the basket, but can't connect from the mid-range. EDIT: RE LeBron

Haha yeah, if it comes down to it, I'm really curious to see what the Heat do in terms of strategy.

Tremendous bucket by LeBron to beat the 1st quarter buzzer.

Hahaha oops. Bad timing.

Such a nice move it's worth posting the video. Easier for Kemba on the switch, but spectacular nonetheless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKWpchS4C2Y&tracker=False

Good start so far. Bosh in foul trouble is going to really hurt against the Lakers huge front line. Kobe is red shot, but they'd be smart to pound the post right now, and then play it out to the perimeter when the inevitable double comes.

That's the part I loved. I don't even dislike the Heat, but I hate when teams celebrate before they've won anything.

I wish I could find it online somewhere, but Charles Barkley's monologue on the Miami Heat to open the pre-game show was awesome.

I actually think the Heat win tonight. I think LeBron and Wade really get it going against the Lakers' sometimes suspect perimeter defense, and win a close one. RE Carmelo/LeBron in someone's sig ... I don't think that has anything to do with Carmelo being more clutch than LeBron, but rather the skill set they possess. LeBron just isn't a great last shot option, because, in those spots, teams will do everything they can to take away the drive. Very rarely are game winners scored at the rim, and LeBron just isn't prepared to settle for a mid-range jumper in those spots. On the other hand, the mid-range is where Carmelo thrives, and that's what makes him such a great end of game player (to the tune of the best in the league - http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/24200/the-truth-about-kobe-bryant-in-crunch-time). The trade wasn't a perfect one, but the Knicks needed to make it and this is one of the biggest reasons why. EDIT: It's Flynn's sig ... and Flynn, not trying to call you out on it or anything, just thought it was an interesting discussion point.

The calls (or non-calls) were terrible, but just to correct one thing, the play wasn't reviewable. There was nothing for the officials to do besides leave the court.

It's not about 18 FG attempts, it's about the way their offense functions down the stretch in close game. Way too much one on one, not enough ball movement, and a ton of poor shots. My second point isn't a contradiction at all. I'm simply saying that it's not a fluke why they keep losing close games, but rather the product of a legitimate issue ... fourth quarter offense. In the playoffs they'll be playing these close games, and if they don't fix these issues, I don't see them winning eight games against Chicago and Boston.

RE: Mike D'Antoni Ital, I think that's a bit of a false narrative. It was never the most important think on a MDA team and he never had a really solid unit of defensive players, but from what I understand having listened to people around the Knicks, it certainly sounds like there has been much more of an emphasis on defense lately.

I don't think so ... defense isn't as difficult to execute as offense (because so much of it is just about working hard and communicating, rather than technique), and Miami is just so strong in that department that I think they could get by even with a coaching staff that isn't known for teaching great defense.

I don't love him for the Knicks, but if the Heat had Mike D'Antoni as their coach, I think they'd be unstoppable. In my opinion, a lot of their issues come down to offensive strategy down the stretch, and MDA would be the perfect guy for them.

That was from Sunday ... haven't seen the one from tonight yet, hoping to catching it on SC after college basketball.