Thoughts On Three Shakeups

None of the New York area professional sports teams were in action last night. Instead, we got something far more interesting -- a flood of innuendo and rumors and a farewell to an over-the-hill talent.

Each story screams for an up-or-down opinion. I'll tackle them one at a time.

1. New Jersey Nets: Rick Pitino allegedly reaches out to GM Rod Thorn about head coaching position. According to the Daily News, the Louisville coach had intermediaries reach out to Thorn about the coaching job, which is currently being manned by interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe. Pitino flatly denied the story, practically sneering "if you're going to get rejuvenated you don't take over the Nets."

That's fine, Rick. I can't envision any way you'd be successful -- or a good fit, or the right temperament -- with the Nets. All Knicks fans remember Pitino's ill-fated tenure as coach from 1987-89, when he was mediocre and bolted for "greener pastures" at Kentucky. He bombed on his next try in the NBA as well, compiling a 102-146 record in 3+ years with the Celtics. Forget the paying-for-his-mistress'-abortion rumors -- Pitino's not good enough for the Nets on the merits of his coaching alone.

2. Knicks trying to work a three-team deal where they give up Al Harrington and another player and get Tracy McGrady. McGrady's contract comes off the books at the end of the season, and the Knicks can get rid of another expiring contract (probably Larry Hughes) and further help themselves against the salary cap.

There's really no downside to this move. McGrady might not even play a game for the Knicks -- the former star hasn't suited up for Houston since Dec. 23 and has played a total of 47 minutes this season. But Mike D'Antoni's squad is not making the playoffs either way (just look at their last come-from-ahead loss). This gives the Knicks more flexibility going into the 2010 Mega-Free Agent Season. And really, aren't we all just counting the days until LeBron James becomes available?

3. Giants release Antonio Pierce. Big Blue cut the veteran linebacker after he missed the final seven games of the season with a bulging disc in his neck. Even if his neck were fine, letting Pierce go is the right move.

Look, I love Pierce. Without his leadership on defense, the G-Men don't win Super Bowl XLII. And his departure leaves a major void, both in the middle of the defense and the locker room. But to put it bluntly, he's too old and slow to be effective anymore. Watching him try to guard Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook in last year's playoff loss was like watching Jose Molina try to go from first and third on a single: painful and ultimately futile.

Pierce's savvy will be missed, and his contribution to the Super Bowl run will not be soon forgotten. But it was time for him to go.