Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Jeremy Who? Nets Beat Knicks at Garden

This may be the last week in which the New Jersey Nets ever make me proud. In a span of 3 days, they've beaten the Chicago Bulls, the team with the best record in the NBA, on the road, no less; and then last night they walked into Madison Square Garden and laid down a speedbump on the Linsanity Highway, beating the Knicks, 100-92.

True, Derrick Rose was injured and didn't play for the Bulls on Saturday. And Carmelo Anthony just came back from an injury and probably wasn't ready to go last night. And, in between, they lost "at home" in Newark to the Milwaukee Bucks.

But if the Nets were trying to send the message that, "We're coming to New York City in the Fall, and this is going to be a real rivalry for the first time," well, I think the Knickerbockers got the message.

There are 20 New Jersey Nets games left, 11 of them "at home" at the Prudential Center. Unless, of course, they make the Playoffs. That's not likely: Even with these 2 big wins, they're 10-24, 8 games in the loss column out of the last Eastern Conference Playoff spot.

But for 3 days, the Nets have done me proud, possibly one last time.

*

Days until Arsenal play again: See below.

Days until the next North London Derby: 5, this Sunday, at New Highbury. This is the season for Arsenal, who are now in only 2 competitions: To finish in the top 4 of the Premier League and secure Champions League participation next season, and to finish ahead of the Tottenham Scum. Come On You Gunners!

Days until the Devils play another local rival: 6, this Monday night, at Madison Square Garden, against The Scum. The next game against the New York Islanders is the following Sunday, March 4, a matinee at the Nassau Coliseum. The next game against the Philadelphia Flyers is the next Sunday night, March 11, at the Prudential Center.

Days until the U.S. National Soccer Team plays again: 8, a week from tomorrow night, a friendly against Italy, in Genoa, at the stadium shared by Genoa C.F.C. and U.C. Sampdoria. Although they are doing better lately, Italy is one of the world powers of soccer, and it's in Italy, in front of their fanatical fans, so I'm not optimistic.

Days until the Red Bulls play again: 19, on Sunday afternoon, March 11, at FC Dallas. Under 3 weeks.

Days until the Red Bulls' home opener: 33, on Sunday afternoon, March 25, at Red Bull Arena, against the Denver-area-based Colorado Rapids. Just over a month.

Days until the Yankees' next Opening Day: 45, on Friday afternoon, April 6, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays. A little over 6 weeks.

Days until the Yankees' home opener: 52, on Friday afternoon, April 13, against the Whatever They're Calling Themselves This Year Angels of Anaheim. A little over 7 weeks.

Days until the next Yankees-Red Sox series begins: 59, on Friday night, April 20, at Fenway Park in Boston. Under 2 months.

Days until the last Nets game in New Jersey: 62, on Wednesday night, April 23, against the Philadelphia 76ers, at the Prudential Center. Just 2 months before New Jersey no longer has an NBA team.

Days until the 2012 Olympics begin in London: 157 (July 27). A little over 5 months.

Days until Rutgers plays football again: 193, on Saturday September 1, at the Superdome in New Orleans against Tulane University. Not exactly a rivalry game, although Tulane was founded by a Princeton man. And thus will begin the Kyle Flood Era. Good luck...

Days until East Brunswick High School plays football again: 206, on Friday, September 14, opponent and location to be determined.

Days until the 2012 President election: 259, on Tuesday, November 6. Register to vote... and on November 6, vote!

Days until the next East Brunswick-Old Bridge Thanksgiving clash: 275.

Days until Alex Rodriguez collects his 3,000th career hit: 515 (estimated around July 20, 2013).

Days until Super Bowl XLVIII at the Meadowlands: 712 (February 2, 2014).

Days until Alex Rodriguez hits his 700th career home run: 785 (estimated).

Days until Alex Rodriguez hits his 756th career home run to surpass all-time leader Hank Aaron: 1,620 (estimated).

Days until Alex Rodriguez hits his 763rd career home run to become as close to a "real" all-time leader as we are likely to have: 1,654 (estimated -- estimating 28 home runs a year, he should get it late in the 2016 season, maybe around September 1, at age 41).

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