Morning Jolt: Phenom Rubio angling for Heat?
Monday, January 24
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Draft phenom Rubio angling for Miami?
Will Ricky Rubio, whose game in Europe seems to have regressed in the eyes of some, ever play for Minnesota? The best boon to his development might be to play in the N.B.A., where the best point guards are not only great passers but are also able to carry a team with their scoring. In the more-wide-open N.B.A. style, Rubio could flourish. The Timberwolves continue to push him toward the N.B.A. as soon as possible, contending privately that they have a commitment from him for next season. But Rubio's camp does not appear to be convinced. "The bottom line is, why would he want to play in Minnesota?" a senior member of Rubio's camp said this month. "He'll continue to say all the diplomatic things, and Minnesota needs to keep his value up for trade purposes, but the family's preference is to be on the East Coast, specifically New York, Miami or Boston." (The New York Times)Comment
Ex-Met Francoeur rips Citi Field
So much for absence making the hear grow fonder. New Royal Jeff Francoeur played parts of 2009 and 2010 with the Mets and was never a fan of the ballpark, summing up his feelings like this: "Citi Field is a ... joke." Francoeur delivered the diss in an interview that appeared Friday on the Kansas City Star's baseball blog, noting that last season he crushed a drive to right-center that went 415 feet and hit the wall. "That's pretty frustrating," said Francoeur, who hit .249 at Citi over the last two seasons. Potential bad news for Francoeur: his new home, Kauffman Stadium, can be tough on hitters, too. (New York Daily News)Comment
Knicks out of Melo sweepstakes?
Six consecutive losses and the threat of slipping back to .500 likely has Knicks fans concerned, but Carmelo Anthony is not likely walking through the door. [If] anyone thinks that Anthony is on a fast track to the Garden, where the Knicks host the Wizards Monday night, they may be thinking differently after hearing what Knicks president Donnie Walsh said Sunday. ... [Walsh] gave no indication he's ready to break up the team by acquiring Anthony. "We've played better in the last two games," Walsh said, referring to weekend losses in San Antonio and Oklahoma City. "When you get in a period where you're losing, there has to be games where you play better and you might lose, but you show you're playing better. And good things will start happening." (New York Daily News)Comment
Must-See Photo
Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji rumbles to a crucial touchdown late in the fourth quarter of Green Bay's NFC title win in Chicago. (AP)
Must-See Video
Mark Sanchez tries shows how not to be a good teammate with Mark Brunell in the AFC title game.
Game To Watch
Likely All-Star Kevin Durant leads the Thunder into New Orleans to tangle with fellow likely All-Star teammate Chris Paul and the Hornets, 8 p.m. ET
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SI Vault: More Joe Montana
This Day in Sports
- 1982 -- Joe Montana leads the 49ers on a late drive to score a game-winning TD and capture Super Bowl XVI over the Bengals at the Pontiac Silverdome
- 1962 -- Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American elected to baseball's Hall of Fame
- 1968 -- OIympic gold medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton is born in West Virginia
