(Long Island, N.Y.) Heading into Spring Training, Joe Girardi knew that his starting rotation was going to be a question mark. The Yankee skipper had to put together a quintet without the retired Andy Pettite and Cliff Lee, who took the Phillies’ millions instead.

Both ace CC Sabathia and youngster Phillip Hughes were coming off big seasons in the Bronx, but A.J. Burnett was inconsistent in 2010 and with an unproven Ivan Nova in the mix, there were two spots wide open heading into Tampa. General manager Brian Cashman brought in two veteran arms as a stopgap measure hoping that one would stick for a few starts until he had the opportunity to pull the trigger on a deal for someone long term. But a funny thing happened – no one told the old guys that they were supposed to have a shelf life.

With Bartolo Colon’s complete game shutout at Oakland on Memorial Day, the portly right-hander evened his record at 3-3 with a 3.26 ERA. The 38-year-old has had his fair share of injuries after being one of the most effective pitchers in baseball. In 2005, he won 21 games and also started over 30 games for the eighth consecutive season. But his career was derailed after that and the Yankees know that they are playing with house money.

Thirteen-year veteran Freddy Garcia went through a similar situation and found himself on the outside looking in. Cashman took a flyer on the former Mariners ace and he has rewarded him with a 4-4 mark and 3.34 ERA.

Low risk, high reward signings like this usually end up not working out as well, especially with more than one success story going on at the same time. So the usual veteran fifth starter that takes a few early season poundings only to get handed his release is not the case with these guys.

It’s not a coincidence that the Yankees are leading the American League East by two games and their rotation has held up this well. By having effective starts and pitching deep into games, their bullpen has not been overworked or exposed for a lack of depth.

Rafael Soriano was signed over the winter to be the setup man, but he was mostly ineffective before being placed on the Disabled List. The former Tampa Bay Ray closer gave up 15 hits in 15 innings and walked 15 more batters. He also had a 1-1 record with a high 5.40 ERA before injuring his elbow. Expected to be out until at least late June, Soriano has been a major disappointment so far in pinstripes.

That has put more pressure on Joba Chamberlain, who has rebounded with a 2-0, 3.12 showing throughout his first 25 appearances. The former starter will be counted on to get some important outs before Girardi hands the baseball over to Mariano Rivera to get the save.

But that picture is incomplete without the likes of Colon and Garcia, two names that no one thought we would be speaking about in June.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Sometimes the truth hurts, especially when it’s your boss giving it to you. When Fred Wilpon said what every realistic Mets fan has been thinking for nearly five years, it was a breath of fresh air. There may be hope for this woe-be-gone franchise after all.

All of the fallout caused by the media made the team chairman and chief executive cave in and issue a public apology. But Wilpon should have stuck to his guns because he is the boss and at the end of the day has the final word. That and he was one hundred percent correct in his assessment of not only the entire team – especially their core trio – but also himself.

Wilpon showed a natural frustration when speaking to Jeffrey Toobin and The New Yorker reporter merely was doing his job by including Wilpon’s comments. The conversation that they had took place during a home game versus the Houston Astros while the Mets were mired in that dreadful 5-13 start. If Wilpon had told Toobin that he was content with his team’s performance, he would have been – and should have – been called either an idiot or a liar. This is a team that has shown no leadership, character or even a resemblance of a winning group since dropping Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, so even the most optimistic of people have to become jaded and fed up at some point in time.

When a team has experienced two monumental September collapses and then followed that up with sub-par performances without making the postseason, their owner should be upset. And the common denominator in all of this has been the three players that Wilpon singled out amongst the crowd.

Expected to be the core that would lead the Mets to at least one championship, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright have performed well but not at that level needed for the expectations to become a reality. Reyes has been injured often, somewhat inconsistent and has behaved like a very immature individual. He is a talented shortstop and hitter, but has shown no discipline at the plate, on the base paths and towards management. All of this should be a part in contract negotiations and with the impending free agent reportedly looking for a long term, expensive deal, Wilpon doesn’t even need to rely on the team’s shaky financial situation due to the Bernie Madoff scandal to justify saying goodbye to Reyes.

“He thinks he is going to get Carl Crawford money,” Wilpon told Toobin, referring to the Boston Red Sox seven-year, $142 million contract given to the free agent outfielder who has similar offensive skills as Reyes. “He’s (Reyes) had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it.”

When former Mets general manager Omar Minaya signed Carlos Beltran, the Mets thought that they had plucked a budding superstar as he was hitting his peak coming off an impressive playoff performance for the Houston Astros. He has been a very productive player, but his legacy in Queens will in all likelihood be his – and the team’s – final at-bat in 2006, something that Wilpon has obviously not forgotten.

“We had some schmuck in New York who paid him based on that one series,” Wilpon commented to Toobin, after he did a pantomime of Beltran standing with the bat on his shoulders as he did in that fatal turn at the plate against Adam Wainright and his 0-2 curveball.

Beltran has also had problems with his knees and a couple of incidents that can be viewed as questionable at best that have caused him to likely receive offers from fans to help him pack his bags on the way out the door.

Perhaps the one player mentioned by Wilpon that raised eyebrows was his saying that Wright is a “very good player” but “not a superstar.” While this may sound harsh at first, it makes total sense when you look at it objectively; Wilpon was right on the money. Wright is not a ‘superstar,’ per say, whatever the definition of that word may be. People may have different opinions of what makes a superstar, but it’s probably safe to say that one needs to at least be the best player on his team to hold that distinction, and that is arguably not true when it comes to Wright. He is not a slam-dunk answer to that question and that has been the case throughout his career.

Derek Jeter is a superstar and possesses certain intangibles – even at this later stage of his career – that fill that bill. He comes up big in big situations and his presence in the Yankees’ dugout and clubhouse makes a difference, even when his level of play has fluctuated somewhat. Wright has never been and never will be a leader on a team starving for one.

So before you give Wilpon the business for saying not so nice things about your favorite player, give him a break. The guy just told it like it is.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The best way to erase the bad memories of missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons is to get yourself right back in the first chance you get. That is exactly the way the Long Island Ducks have approached the 2011 campaign and their current position near first place in the Atlantic League’s North Division shows that they have the right mix on their roster.

The organization has been known as one bringing in the big name former major leaguer to the independent circuit, but first year manager Kevin Baez has been able to make things happen with a lack of that type of player. Where as in the past when the likes of Carlos Baerga, Juan Gonzalez, John Rocker, Bill Pulsipher and Carl Everett have garnered the headlines, names such as Lew Ford and Duaner Sanchez will have to do.

Ford is in his second go-round in Central Islip while Sanchez is looking to resurrect a career that has spiraled downward since a late night food run in Miami back in 2006. The setup man had established himself as a reliable eighth inning specialist for the New York Mets before injuring his shoulder as the passenger in a taxi cab. The right-hander had to undergo season-ending surgery and that very well may have played into the Mets falling short of the National League pennant by one game.

A second operation on his pitching shoulder was a sign of things to come for Sanchez and he found himself pitching in Mexico last summer. Now he is being looked at as a veteran at the age of 31 in the Ducks’ bullpen.

For the 34-year-old Ford, he is hoping for similar success as he enjoyed in 2009 as a member of the Ducks. In 93 games, the outfielder hit .330 (good enough for second in the entire league), 10 home runs, two triples and 55 RBI. He also had a 13-game hitting streak and reached base in 40 consecutive games. The Cincinnati Reds signed him before the end of the season, but the former Minnesota Twin did not stick with the organization and joined Sanchez in Mexico in 2010.

Back in 2001, the Mets drafted a tall, slim left-handed starter in the third round and had aspirations that he would turn into a member of their rotation some day. Lenny DiNardo did make it to the major leagues, but it was in Athletics, Red Sox and Royals uniforms. The 6’4″, 195-pounder showed enough in the first month of the current season on Long Island to have Oakland take another flyer out on him. DiNardo will report to Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento with the blessing of Baez.

“We are happy that Lenny will get a chance to return to the major leagues,” the manager said. “He was a tremendous addition to our pitching staff and will surely be missed.”

In three starts as a Duck, DiNardo went 2-1 with a 5.09 ERA, but had 17 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings pitched. That in itself may have been enough to give the southpaw a legitimate shot. And if their success continues, DiNardo will be far from the only Duck signed by a major league organization.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Saying sorry doesn’t always make things better, especially when you do it half-assed. Take the case of Jorge Posada, for instance. The New York Yankees’ designated hitter/wanna-be catcher made an attempt at an about-face from his asking out of the line-up by telling reporters, “I kind of apologized to [manager Joe Girardi]. I just had a bad day yesterday. In reflecting on it and stuff, all the frustration came out. I’m just trying to move on. I appreciate him letting me do that.”

So Posada “kind of” apologized to his manager and used the old “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed” excuse to try and clear his name. Posada also pow-wowed with general manager Brian Cashman and apologized, but didn’t delve into the details.

All parties involved have chosen to let it go and move on, which may not be as easy as it seems. “We had a nice conversation,” Girardi said. “We talked about being emotional and going through struggles and what defines who you are.”

Case in point, Posada may just be a washed-up ball player who has showed flashes of somewhat questionable behavior before this. Remember when he stomped on the two television cameras planted in the dirt by home plate during the 2004 American League Championship Series?

If anything, Posada should have thanked Girardi for wanting to drop him to ninth in the batting order instead of benching him. He is hitting a paltry .165 and has struggled adapting to the role of a DH.

Posada’s wife stirred the hornet’s nest by Tweeting that her husband’s back was bothering him, thus the reason for him asking out of the lineup last Saturday. Surprise, surprise, but the Yankees’ brass said that never came up.

Posada will turn 40 in August and is playing in his 17th major league season. All of those innings crouching behind the plate take their toll on the body and he has not hit .300 since 2007. He is only still in pinstripes for nostalgic reasons, being one of the core guys of the Yankee dynasty since 1996.

Even so, it was a big mistake when Cashman kept Posada from crossing town when the Mets were wooing the free agent and re-signed him to a four-year, $52.4 million contract. Originally, the Bronx Bombers wanted to keep it to a three-year deal, but upped it when former Met general manager Omar Minaya was serious about bringing the veteran to Flushing.

In retrospect, both GM’s were wrong. Imagine the Mets having to pay someone who cannot even catch anymore in a DH-less league a yearly average of $13.1 million in their current financial situation. And the Yanks may not be feeling the money pinch, but a disruption from one of their favorite sons is the last thing that they need in the midst of a losing streak while the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are pulling out games left and right.

Chalk it all up to a bad day.

(Long Island, N.Y.) For all the uncertainties and unanswered questions that surround the Islanders arena situation, we do know one thing. 2015 is the magic year either way this goes. The team’s current lease with SMG expires then and the current plans to build a new building have that year as a target date for a grand opening.

That has made threatening to move a gun with blanks instead of Long Island shaking in their boots about the thought and prospect of losing their only major league sports franchise. No matter how much owner Charles Wang is wooed by Kansas City, Saskatchewan or Montreal, the reality of the Islanders actually moving any time soon is not realistic.

Any potential new city and/or owner would have to pay ransom to get the team out of the lease and coupled with the exorbitant price of getting a transplanted franchise off the ground, it would be difficult to expect any extra capital put aside to pay SMG off. Especially in these shaky economic times that we are experiencing.

So that leaves a lot less leverage for Wang to get what he needs out of the town of Hempstead and Nassau County. He already has stated that he would foot the bill for a new arena but wanted it to be the crown jewel of his Lighthouse Project. That was turned down due to the cost of the rest of the development and now a slimmed down version is on the table.

Wang has made it perfectly clear that he intends to stay on Long Island and that it will be very difficult for the team to contend without an upgrade of their home. Potential free agents have walked away from good offers from general manager Garth Snow because of the condition of the facilities. The Nassau Coliseum is the oldest building in the NHL and looks every bit its age.

This was the theme at what could be described as a pep rally on Wednesday at the Coliseum, where local politicians joined team personnel to announce the latest plan to finally get this done. Nassau County executive Edward Mangano joined Wang in leading the ‘dog and pony show’ that comes down to an August 1 vote by the residents of Nassau County to approve a $400 million bond referendum.

Of that amount, there is $50 million allotted for a minor league baseball stadium, which was also included in the original Lighthouse budget. Just a guess here, but that seems like a decoy that will be pulled before this goes to a vote. Kind of like a coupon the day of the sale. Back then, there was talk of Fred Wilpon placing a Mets farm team in Nassau at the proposed ballpark, but Bernie Madoff has made that impossible. The Mets cannot even afford the big league team right now, so throwing money into, let’s say a Double-A club, wouldn’t make much sense.

Then there was chatter about another Atlantic League team coming there as a local rival of the Long Island Ducks. But expansion is the last thing that the independent minor league needs right now. They have had trouble maintaining eight teams to balance out the two divisions and this year, the Road Warriors are back in action just to make an even number.

So when you really sit back and think of this thing logically, there is no rush to placate the Islanders with expensive new surroundings. Sure, in a perfect situation that would be ideal. Citi Field, a new Yankee Stadium, the new Meadowlands, the Prudential Center, and Red Bull Arena have been erected and even Madison Square Garden is getting a facelift. Why should the Islanders be left out in the cold?

If ground had not been broken on all of the aforementioned places, then they, too, may have been put on the back burner. The economy fell after everything had been put in place for the other teams and the owners themselves paid much of the costs, without a lot of help from the taxpayers.

Hopefully this does happen and the Islanders remain where they were born and belong. So let’s enjoy the next four years however it turns out.

(Long Island, N.Y.) All good things must come to an end. Nothing lasts forever in this world, even if you’re the captain and face of the most recognized franchise in sports history. It happened to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, so Derek Jeter is far from immune.

No matter how long your dominating days in pinstripes last, there will come a time when they are nearing the end. Perhaps the signals began in the offseason when general manager Brian Cashman didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for Jeter when he was seeking a new contract. Sure, the deal got done and he was never serious about leaving town, but Jeter’s ego may have taken a hit by what may have been construed as second class treatment for the media darling of Gotham.

There has been talk of Jeter perhaps moving to another position, even the outfield, in a year or so as his body slows down and makes the all-important position of shortstop a challenge. If Cal Ripken was moved, then anyone can.

But Jeter just shrugs all of this off and shows up at the ballpark. He did just that on Mother’s Day in Texas and blasted his first two home runs of the season. “The first one is always the hardest one to get,” Jeter said to reporters. “It seems that way. First home run. First hit. First everything. It feels good to get one, but I don’t sit around thinking about home runs.”

Totaling four hits on the day, Jeter led the Bronx Bombers back from a 4-0 deficit and now only needs 40 hits to reach 3,000. It’s not as if he needs any more accomplishments, but that number is usually one that is an automatic ticket punch to Cooperstown. Back to the present, Jeter’s batting average is up to .276 following an 11-for-28 road trip (from .242), although his production has a long way to go with only nine RBI.

The slow start by Jeter gave way to speculation that he was more the player that hit .270 a year ago instead of the .313 career hitter. Since taking over the shortstop position in 1996, the 36-year-old had never hit below .290 and has been counted on to get the big hit when it is needed most. Jeter has been named to the American League All-Star team 11 times, has won five Gold Glove awards, four Silver Slugger awards, Rookie of the Year (1996), as well as both the All-Star Game and World Series MVP in 2000.

Skills erode over time, but Jeter is not going to all of a sudden become a liability. He is still an above average fielder and the leader in the clubhouse. Players and managers have come and gone since the Yankees’ dynasty began 16 years ago but there has been only one constant. And Derek Jeter has a little more time in the sun before it sets on his great career.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Sandy Alderson finds himself in a quandary. The Mets general manager knows that trading Jose Reyes now and up until July 31 will bring him the biggest net return on his All-Star shortstop, but he will also be losing one of the team’s most popular (and hottest) players.

Reyes is currently hitting .326 with 11 doubles and 12 stolen bases while being his usual slick-fielding self. Not your prototypical leadoff hitter, Reyes has tried to show more patience at the plate this year and has scratched out 12 bases on balls as a result.

With that said, the 26-year-old is looking for a long-term, big money deal that may be out of the Mets’ current budget. The financial issues that the Wilpon family are going through following the Madoff scandal has effected their budget greatly, no matter how much Fred and his son Jeff say differently.

Signing Reyes to the reported seven-year contract he is seeking is also risky as far as the injury factor goes. The shortstop has missed chunks of time since coming up through the Mets farm system in 2003 due to various injuries and ailments and that should always be taken into consideration when only one expensive contract may be affordable. Alderson has to be wise when throwing around whatever money he is green lighted for. An expensive mistake can set the franchise back years.

Being a veteran, Reyes knows that he very well may be traded before the season ends and will not let that affect him. “I’m still a New York Met, so whatever happens, happens,” he told reporters recently. “I just want to play baseball. I’m still on this team, so I’m going to continue to play and continue to do my job.”

Rumors have sprung up of late that involve the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels all interested in Reyes. In may behoove Alderson to begin serious discussions now while all of these teams are still in playoff contention. The later it gets the better chance that a team like the Brewers falls out of the wild card race.

Plus the risk that Reyes gets injured is another factor making a sooner than later trade more sense. If he is going to ultimately be traded, it would be better for Reyes and the Mets to get it over with. The Mets are in last place in the National League East and will not contend at all this summer, so getting some good young prospects in return for a talent like Reyes is a sound business decision. If he walks, the Mets get nothing in return.

Lastly, Reyes has not shown as much immaturity this year as he has in the past. Being fiery is one thing, but some of his antics (such as his meltdown against Jerry Manuel in the former manager’s first game at the helm in 2008) need to cease in order for Reyes to take that next step and become an actual superstar.

Unfortunately, it appears that will not happen in a Met uniform.

(Long Island, N.Y.) “We want football!” The chant was repeated over and over by the throng of fans in the rafters of Radio City Music Hall following a chorus of boos that greeted NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The 2011 NFL Draft went on as scheduled, but there was definitely an air of uncertainty surrounding the hallowed halls of the classic Manhattan establishment.

“Me too,” said a humbled Goodell in response to the audience’s request for action-packed Sundays this fall. But he did his job – as the mock drafts seemed to be on the money – announcing Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as the overall number one pick of the Carolina Panthers. Von Miller (outside linebacker, Texas A&M) went next to the Denver Broncos, with the Buffalo Bills selecting Marcell Dareus (defensive tackle, Alabama) third and the Cincinnati Bengals taking Georgia wideout AJ Green fourth.

When asked about the labor dispute and possible paydays down the road, Newton stayed with the present. “I’m really not focused on endorsements and money,” he said. “That’s something that’s going to take care of itself. The one thing I’m focused on, my number one priority, is getting in this organization and making steps as far as me becoming a better player.”

Perhaps the most talented player in the draft went next as defensive back Patrick Peterson (LSU) was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals. Perusing previous draft boards, this position has had the least amount of busts while quarterbacks are aplenty.

“I can’t wait to get to Arizona, show those guys what I have to offer and get them back to the Super Bowl,” said Peterson.

The first deal of the night occurred when the Cleveland Browns traded down from fifth to Atlanta, who may have reached a bit to grab Julio Jones, the 6’3″, 220-pound wide receiver from Alabama. The Falcons gave up a lot to move up 21 spots by trading their first round (27th overall), second (59th) and fourth (124th) picks, as well as a first and fourth rounder in 2012.

“Coach (Nick) Saban is a great coach to get you ready for the pros,” Jones said of his Crimson Tide collegiate mentor.

A second straight question mark came next, as the San Francisco 49ers drafted Missouri linebacker Aldon Smith in the seventh slot. Looking to replace Vince Young, the Tennessee Titans chose Jake Locker eighth. The Washington Huskies’ signal caller may have been taken first overall in 2010, but he chose to stay in school for his senior year.

The Dallas Cowboys received an ovation of boos from the pro-New York Giant crowd and selected tackle Tyron Smith out of USC ninth overall. Jacksonville swapped first round picks and added their second with the Washington Redskins to welcome quarterback Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) to the Jaguars to round out the top 10.

Giant fans were disappointed to hear OL Mike Pouncey’s name announced 15th as the Miami Dolphins’ pick, but they were more than happy with their consolation prize, Prince Amukamara. The talented defensive back from Nebraska may have fell a bit from where he was expected to go, but that is all forgotten judging by the warm welcome and wide smile on Amukamara’s face as he took the stage.

“I’m excited; I can hear them now,” he said of the local fans in attendance.

The Jets also had to resort to Plan B as the Cleveland Browns – who traded up after moving down – selected Baylor’s Phil Taylor. The interior defensive lineman had been on Gang Green’s wish list to replace Kris Jenkins. Instead, general manager Mike Tannenbaum went after Temple defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson at number 30, who is versatile enough to play either tackle or end.

“I can move along the line (and) play any position (on the) defensive line,” the newest Jet said. “That’s a credit to Temple playing in a 4-3 and a 3-4. It helped me out and I can fit in with whatever they need to be done at any position.”

All of this, of course, depends on when the labor issues are settled and we can get back to business. But for one evening, at least, we did have football.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The last time baseball fans in New York caught a glimpse of Duaner Sanchez, he was packing his bags after being mercifully released by the Mets during Spring Training in 2009. The former setup man had gone from being a big part of a winning team to the waiver wire all because of a late night food run.

But now he is giving it another shot in the big city – or at least in the vicinity – by signing with the Long Island Ducks to make it back to the majors by way of the independent minor leagues. The 31-year-old split time in 2010 in the Mexican League and Can-Am Association.

“We are happy to bring Duaner and (outfielder) Sean (Smith) aboard this season,” Ducks President/General Manager Michael Pfaff said of the team’s recent acquisitions. “Their talents and experience will certainly help bolster our club.”

A veteran of nine Major League baseball seasons, Sanchez came into his own in 2006 with the Mets when he posted a 5-1 record with a 2.60 ERA. That was the last time the team qualified for the postseason and was knocked out one game from the World Series.

But it was in July of that same summer when Sanchez’s career literally came to a crossroads. While in Miami on a road trip, the right hander was taking a taxi cab to satisfy his midnight hunger pains when a drunk driver ended his season. The cab was involved in an accident and Sanchez suffered a separated shoulder.

Bitter Mets fans will point to the loss of Sanchez as a turning point when reminded that it was Aaron Heilman giving up a late inning home run in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The middle reliever was forced into the setup role in the absence of Sanchez.

The following spring, Sanchez’s bad luck continued when he suffered a hairline fracture to the same shoulder and had to miss the whole year. The general consensus was that the previous injury weakened the shoulder and was a factor in the bone breaking.

Although he returned in 2008 (5-1, 4.32 ERA), Sanchez lost some speed and was not nearly the same pitcher as he was before the two shoulder surgeries. Former Mets GM Omar Minaya released him in March after control problems arose and his fastball didn’t reach 90 miles per hour. Sanchez ended up in San Diego and was ineffective in a short stint out west.

Can Sanchez pull it off and get back to ‘The Show?’ If he can get some zip back on his pitches, then it is a possibility. Middle relief is a supply and demand position and there is always a demand. The problem is the supply source. Teams are always looking for a low-cost answer in the bullpen and Sanchez is still young enough to be that guy.

The first step is succeeding back where he enjoyed his best days. And Sanchez is sure to call room service instead of a cab.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The Big Three versus the Dynamic Duo. Perhaps that will be one of the tags taken from the opening round playoff matchup between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics that begins Sunday evening. These teams have been going at it tooth and nail for decades and with the recent resurgence at Madison Square Garden, perhaps the Knicks can once again hold up their end of the bargain.

They began that by qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the first time in seven years and now will face their divisional rivals again in the postseason. The last time these two faced off when the money was on the table, you may ask yourself? Some of us may feel old being reminded, but that would be all the way back in 1990 when a Patrick Ewing-led Knick squad ousted Larry Bird’s crew in a deciding fifth game of the opening round at the old Boston Garden, breaking a 26-game losing streak at the quant arena known for its parquet floor.

The TD Garden is now hosting Celtic games and the Knicks have not fared much better there, last celebrating a win there in November 2006. All of that can be erased with at least a split on the road in the first two games of the series. Although a tough task, indeed, the Knicks got hot at the right time towards the end of the regular season and the pair of Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony have looked comfortable with one another after a rough period of acclimation.

Breaking it down, things will have to go right with a few lucky bounces for the Knicks to take care of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and company.

POINT GUARD

Rajon Rondo has proven that he is more than just the guy to feed the ball to one of the Big Three and can carry the offense on his back. His youth is an advantage over Chauncey Billups, but the veteran ‘one’ guard has so much playoff experience and savvy. If Billups is one hundred percent healthy, then this is a push. But with the nagging leg injuries, Boston gets the advantage, albeit a small one. (EDGE – CELTICS)

SHOOTING GUARD

No comparison. Ray Allen has been there, done that while Landry Fields is merely a rookie who had a productive first season in the league. (EDGE – CELTICS)

SMALL FORWARD

It is times like this why Donnie Walsh went out and acquired a player like Anthony. His ‘money shot’ ability very well may come into play right off the bat in this series, and Melo wants the ball in crunch time. Even with that said, Pierce is a warrior and makes this one a tough call, but the benefit of the doubt goes to Melo. (EDGE – KNICKS)

POWER FORWARD

The big boys and leaders in both locker rooms, KG and Amar’e will make this a great one to watch on the inside. Either one can take over a game and be the hero, and postseason experience is basically a wash. When in doubt, count the rings and Garnett wins that battle. (EDGE – CELTICS)

CENTER

The weak spot in both cities, for sure. A few years ago, one would have to be mad to say that about either Shaquille O’Neal or Jermaine O’Neal. But time has taken its toll on both and their dominant days are long in the past. The Knicks counter with a two-headed monster of Shelden Williams and Ronny Turiaf, not exactly Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Williams had a few moments and can be a real positive for the Knicks if he can take advantage of an opportunity. Not by much, but the wild card here gives New York a very slight advantage. (EDGE – KNICKS)

PREDICTION

If the Knicks battle hard here and lose to the better team, their rebuilding does not take much of a hit. They had a good season overall and the roster turnaround by Walsh is more important than anything right now. On the other hand, Boston needs to win this series if they have any chance to see another title before Father Time plays too big of a hand in it.

Experience goes a long way in the playoffs and that will be the difference here. Even if the Knicks can steal a game somewhere and take it to the limit, having home court will be too much to overcome.

CELTICS IN 6 GAMES