Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Second Coming: Brandon Roy Set to Make His Return-Just Not with Portland

At some point every athlete has to come to terms with the inevitable fact that it's time to hang em' up, unfortunately for Brandon Roy, that time came too soon.

One of the greatest talents to ever bless the hardwood floors was forced into early retirement because of a remarkable six knee surgeries over his short five-year career.

But that may all be a thing of the past now as Brandon Roy announced to the world via twitter Friday night that he has plans of a comeback.

In a series of posts under his former college teammates handle, @ChillConroy, Roy tweeted, "Lord willing, I will play again soon."

He later added, "I’m preparing for a comeback. I’m training daily. I’m preparing for a return next year. I appreciate the love. Hopefully I’ll be back on the floor soon. Health is good.”

 Roy, now 27, is still in the prime of his career, should his knees permit him to enjoy it. In his five seasons in the NBA, Roy never played a full year, and was rarely seen without some type of brace.

If Roy can make his triumphant return, it will have to be with a different franchise, as he also confirmed on Twitter that the NBA does not permit him to return to the only team he has ever known: the Portland Trailblazers.

"Due to the NBA rules I cannot play in Portland until 2014-2015, I’m looking to return sooner."

Just another blow to a franchise that has experienced all types of pain throughout the years.

From the 1984 NBA draft debacle that saw the Trailblazers select Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan, to passing on Kevin Durant for Greg Oden 23 years later, Portland has experienced more than its fair share of heartache.

Keepingupwiththeathletes.blogspot.com asked Trailblazers star guard Wesley Matthews about what it was like to play in a city surrounded by dark clouds.  

"It's a positive place," Matthews said. "We get hit with bad luck unfortunately ya know with injuries to B.Roy, injuries to Greg (Oden),  everyone's going to date back to the Jordan selection, but we got a team that doesn't believe in that."

This was all prior to knowing Roy was going to make his return to the NBA, perhaps now Matthews will change his mind about the black cloud that seems to follow Portland down whatever trail they try to blaze.

Kyle McMorrow is also a Correspondent for Bleacher Report, and a writer and producer for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He has also worked for the Big Ten Network and ABC-TV in New York City. Kyle McMorrow has interviewed numerous prominent athletes, such as Larry FitzgeraldJustin TuckEli Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson. Twitter: @Kyle_McMorrow




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

The New Look Mets Remind Former Amazin' Stud John Franco of Yesteryear

The new look Mets have been given a new lease on life after pulling themselves out of the cellar they've been trapped in since 2008.

In the four years since, the Mets have had more off-field headlines than accomplishments, but some young bloods have rekindled some of that Amazin' power fans have sorely missed.

Guys like Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Lucas Duda, Ruben Tejada, and Daniel Murphy have contributed early and often in this young season, helping New York's ugly step sister to a respectable 32-29 record-good for third in the N.L. East. While most would scoff at a team only three games over .500, the Mets sit only five games back of first, and former Met John Franco knows how these things go all too well.

"It's early yet,"Franco told keepingupwiththeathletes.blogspot.com. "This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon,"

Entering the season with so many new and young faces, not many would have guessed the Mets to be playing so well.

Third baseman David Wright has rediscovered his swing, and may be playing better than any other corner infielder in the league. Johan Santana has bounced back nicely from shoulder surgery, and R.A. Dickey was the first pitcher in the league to nine wins.

A team of perhaps misfit toys has banded together and opened eyes, a feeling Franco says he remembers all too well.

"They kind of remind me a little bit of the 2000 team when nobody gave us a chance and we ended up going to the World Series that year, Franco said. "They are a little bit under the radar, and that's kind of how we were."

But there are reasons why people didn't have their sights set on a Mets comeback, and the franchise may be showing signs of why nobody payed attention at the start. Having lost eight of their last thirteen, and four of six to division opponents over the past two weeks, the Mets may be coming back down to earth.

Whether the Mets can keep pace with the rest of the division remains to be seen, but if they can continue to hang around until September, baseball fans know all too well that anything can happen.



Kyle McMorrow is also a Correspondent for Bleacher Report, and a writer and producer for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He has also worked for the Big Ten Network and ABC-TV in New York City. Kyle McMorrow has interviewed numerous prominent athletes, such as Larry FitzgeraldJustin TuckEli Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson. Twitter: @Kyle_McMorrow



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Former Knick John Starks Optimistic About the Future of the Franchise


The new-look Knicks delivered an all too familiar feeling this season as the team once again failed to deliver any results.

Aside from a small moral victory that delivered the franchises first playoff win in over 10 years, the trio of Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, and Amare Stoudemire weren't enough to propel the Knicks to anything more than a seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. But former Knicks star John Starks doesn't chalk that up to failure.

"It wasn't a disappointment, it was an up and down year," Starks said. "For them to turn it around mid-season and get to the playoffs is a big accomplishment."

The Knicks will now look to build on those accomplishments as they scramble to keep key free agents Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields and Steve Novak. It's no secret the importance Lin has brought to the Knicks not only on the court, but off as well.

In 35 games last season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists-not too bad for an undrafted point guard claimed off of waivers. During that time period Madison Square Garden shares rose 3.9 percent and the stock gained 32 percent.

But if the Knicks hope to keep "Linsanity" in blue and orange they will most likely have to use the mid-level exception to keep him, meaning no more room for upgraded talent at any position. "

"Obviously there's going to be some changes. We've got some free agents we have to sign. Guys just have to come back stronger and better this upcoming season," Starks told keepingupwiththeathletes.blogspot.com.

Should an arbitration hearing on June 13 go the Players Association way, Lin, along with Novak, will retain their "Bird Rights," and thus allow the Knicks to keep their mid-level exception, rather than having to use it on Lin.

If the Knicks could keep Lin while maintaining their mid-level, it could open up all types of possibilities at both the point guard and shooting guard spots.

Names like Steve Nash, Raymond Felton, and Jason Kidd have been mentioned to mentor and help a Knicks team desperate in the backcourt. O.J. Mayo is somebody the Knicks could also look at should J.R. Smith decide not to return to the Big Apple for another year.

Whatever happens in New York next season and beyond, Starks may have summed up every Knicks fan's sentiment when he said, "I'm excited for what the future holds for the Knicks."

Kyle McMorrow is also a Correspondent for Bleacher Report,and a writer and producer for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He has also worked for the Big Ten Network and ABC-TV in New York City. Kyle McMorrow has interviewed numerous prominent athletes, such as Larry Fitzgerald, Justin TuckEli Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson.Follow him on Twitter: @Kyle_McMorrow

Monday, June 4, 2012

Entering His Second Season, Giants' Prince Amukamara Learns From Rookie Mistakes

Last season was rough on Giants corner Prince Amukamara.

After the Giants selected Amukamara out of Nebraska with the No.19 pick in the draft, fans celebrated with aspirations of having their own Darrelle Revis type in blue and white; however, those aspirations quickly faded in the summer. The rookie defensive back ended up breaking a bone in his left foot during training camp, sidelining him for the first nine games of the year.

Upon returning to the team, Amukamara was relied heavily on to pick up some of the slack in the secondary. With CB Terrell Thomas out for the year, the rookie defensive back was asked to immediately step in and help the depleted secondary with New Orleans, Dallas, and Green Bay on the upcoming schedule. His on-the-fly development showed with weeks of poor coverages and blown assignments.

After weeks of inconsistency, Amukamara's lack of production finally got him benched during the second half against the Washington Redskins in week 15.

Even with all the ups and downs Amukamara faced, he managed to stay positive.

"I've dealt with adversity in my life so it was easy just to persevere throughout this whole experience," Amukamara told keepingupwiththeatheltes.blogspot.com Thursday night.

That adversity was magnified because of a compressed schedule thanks to the NFL lockout that seemed to drag on for years rather than just months. Now that Prince has a year under his belt, he believes he has learned some things to help prepare him for the season.

"I think just practicing like a pro, knowing when to not go too hard because durability is very huge in the NFL, Amukamara said. "Just knowing when to turn it down a little bit."

Now entering his second year, Amukamara will get to experience a full year of practicing and  preparing like a pro, something he feels is very important.

"Last year I didn't have OTA's or minicamps, or training camps, so just to have those three big parts will help me make big strides."

With cornerback Aaron Ross leaving to Jacksonville, the Giants will once again rely on Amukamara to contribute in the secondary, and if his play is a reflection of the confidence he showed Thursday night, then the Giants defense will indeed have a royal Prince.


Kyle McMorrow is also a Correspondent for Bleacher Report,and a writer and producer for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He has also worked for the Big Ten Network and ABC-TV in New York City. Kyle McMorrow has interviewed numerous prominent athletes, such as Larry Fitzgerald, Justin TuckEli Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson.Follow him on Twitter: @Kyle_McMorrow



Friday, June 1, 2012

Trading His Helmet for Reading Glasses, Justin Tuck Tackles Illiteracy Thursday Night

Justin Tuck and Vivica Fox
It was a star-studded night on Thursday as athletes and celebrities came together to show their support for two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck.

Tuck, who plays defensive end for the New York Giants,  took a step away from the football field and onto the charity scene at his celebrity billiards tournament in New York City. 

But it wasn't all just fun and games.

The cause drew attention to Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy charity, which raises funds to donate books and reading materials to support under-served children in the New York, New Jersey, and Alabama communities.  

Now in its fourth year,  Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy has raised over $1.5 million and donated over 45,000 new books.

"Tuck's R.U.S.H. for literacy has really ramped up support over the past few years ," Tuck said. This has always been a big night for Lauren and me, and we're excited to see what the future holds."

That ramped up support showed last night as everyone from all over the sports realm stopped by to help out their pal Tuck. Teammates Osi Umenyiora, Prince Amukamara, Jason Pierre Paul, Michael Boley, and Kevin Boothe were on hand and joined by Portland Trailblazers guard Wesley Matthews, retired Mets pitcher John Franco, ESPN's Michael Smith and Hannah Storm, and celebrities Vivica Fox, and Anthony Anderson, who also emceed the event.

 This is my third season here at the Justin Tuck event," Fox said. "I keep coming back because we have to support literacy, I mean  literacy is the key to communications, people need to be able to read and write, especially our children."

When the dust cleared, all the special guests piled into the pool hall to compete in the tournament, which Michael Smith was determined to win.

"I'm winning this, Smith said." I didn't come here to play, I came to win."

Unfortunately for Smith he didn't make it to the final table, that honor fell to the team of Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas  and New York radio personality Angie Martinez, who faced former NBA player Speedy Claxton and James McKenna.

Before the tournament even began, Angie said she was ready to win.

"I'm a competitive person, my goal is to always win, you don't come here to loose, you come here to win."

Her competitiveness may have driven her to the finals, but it wasn't enough to take down the team of Claxton and McKenna, who took home the top prize last night.

 While Claxton and McKenna may have taken home the grand prize luxury package, courtesy of Justin Tuck, it was really the kids, and not the stars, who were the real winners Thursday night.

If you would like to donate please visit http://www.justintuck.com/Charities.aspx   and help out a great cause.


Kyle McMorrow is also a Correspondent for Bleacher Report,and a writer and producer for 1010 WINS Radio in New York City. He has also worked for the Big Ten Network and ABC-TV in New York City. Kyle McMorrow has interviewed numerous prominent athletes, such as Larry Fitzgerald, Justin TuckEli Manning and LaDainian Tomlinson.Follow him on Twitter: @Kyle_McMorrow