Morning Jolt: Melo waving white flag on season?
Monday, March 21
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Melo already giving up on season?
Should Knicks fans, in the wake of the team's worst first-quarter scoring output in 55 years and a second straight loss to a lottery-bound team, already be turning the page on 2010-11? Moments after the Knicks fell to the Milwaukee Bucks, 100-95, Sunday at the Bradley Center, an unsure Anthony said this team may never reach peak performance until next winter. "For everyone to get 100% on the same page, it might take next season," Anthony said. "But right now, in this short period of time, we've just got to come together as a unit. As far as everybody jelling and the chemistry and clicking to where we want to be at, it's going to take some time." Sunday's loss dropped the Knicks (35-34) to 7-8 since Anthony's arrival, and they've lost five of their last six. (New York Daily News)Comment
After releasing Luis Castillo, the Mets are likely to soon rid themselves of more unpopular salary. The Mets' mission now is to find the right moment for an inevitable move: Finalizing the decision to release Oliver Perez. With Terry Collins, Sandy Alderson and Perez set to meet Monday morning, the official announcement could finally arrive shortly after. On Sunday, a day after the lefty allowed two home runs and walked a lefthanded batter on four pitches, Perez reported to the team's spring training complex, worked out in the morning, and left without knowing his status. One club official suggested that the Mets wanted to wait another day to make the move, because it would be callous to do so the morning after an ugly outing that ended with vicious booing in the stands at Digital Domain Park. (New York Daily News)Comment
Vikes may trade up for Gabbert
Leslie Frazier, in Missouri to watch Blaine Gabbert throw a football, was just as interested to sit down with the young man for dinner. Frazier acknowledges that what he heard in the evening was just as important as what he saw during the day. The Vikings are giving serious consideration to selecting a quarterback in next month's draft. Minnesota holds the 12th overall pick but there is a possibility they could try to trade up or perhaps even trade back and take a QB. Players of interest include Gabbert, Auburn's Cam Newton, Washington's Jake Locker, TCU's Andy Dalton and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett. Gabbert and Newton are expected to be long gone by the time the 12th pick comes up. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)Comment
Must-See Photo
Notre Dame's Joey Brooks and Eric Atkins offer a demonstration when it is appropriate to break down in the locker room following their 71-57 loss to Florida State in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. (AP)
Must-See Video
Does it really matter that his was called an offensive foul when Suns coach Alvin Gentry said it may have been the best dunk of Blake Griffin's young career?
Game To Watch
The Knicks try to bounce back from consecutive losses to the Pistons and Bucks in a showdown with the Celtics at Madison Square Garden, 7:30 p.m. ET
SI Vault: More UCLA
This Day in Sports
- 1964 -- UCLA beats Duke 98-93 in the NCAA men's national championship to finish season 30-0
- 1978 -- The Padres' Al Dark becomes the secon manager ever fired during spring training
- 1963 -- Former Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston born
