Randy Moller's Epic Goal Calls

Apparently I'm mad late on this, but Florida Panthers radio play-by-play man Randy Moller may be the greatest broadcaster of all time. With every goal call, Moller adds an emphatic song lyric, movie quote or pop culture reference that is completely unrelated to the game.

Now why does that make him the best? Because I -- and I assume the people of Florida -- would tune in just to hear what he says. And while the broadcast is still about the game, he contributes more than just the happenings on the ice. There's a strange, but solid balance of professionalism and flat out ridiculousness. I honestly don't know how I've never heard this before now.

Without further slurping, here are the calls. Credit to the Dan LeBetard Show for compiling these:









Shutouts have to stink.


--Max Caster

Melo To Knicks Makes Too Much Sense

I've spent way too much of my time arguing with friends, updating Twitter, and reading other blogs to not address this Carmelo Anthony/Knicks fiasco personally on our very site. The latest that we heard about all of this was that the Knicks offered the Nuggets:

Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Anthony Randolph, and a first round pick for Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and fillers (Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams).

The Knicks said they had "made their final offer" and "were drawing the line there". Considering the Nuggets really have no leverage in any of this, to me that is more than a generous offer. The Knicks are keeping one of their young three, in Landry Fields and trading away two. Apparently the Nuggets wanted Gallo over Fields. Perhaps the Italian has a higher ceiling but I believe Fields skill-set that he brings to the Knicks would have been harder to replace.

However, news broke tonight that the Nuggets made an "ultimatum" to the Knicks demanding that they include Timofey Mozgov in the deal. If they didn't, Denver would trade Melo to Jersey (still of course, pending the extension he won't sign). I understand the Knicks may have told Denver that they would not budge on the deal or gut the roster. But is Mozgov, a reserve big man, really going to be the hold up in this deal? Is he the reason why the Knicks might not end up with one of the top 5 scorers in the league? What is Mozgov's ceiling anyway? To be a very low end starting center in the league? With the best of luck he might crack the top 30 centers in the league. MAYBE.

I really don't understand the concept of how the Knicks are "gutting" the roster. Sure, they are giving up 60% of their lineup but think about who they are letting go and who is coming back. Raymond Felton and Chauncey Billups contracts end in the same year, after the 2012 season. The same season Chris Paul and Deron Williams are free agents. There is a reason the Knicks gave Felton those amount of years when he signed this off-season. The plan has always been for New York to create their own big three to compete with Miami. Sure Felton is the quicker, younger, point guard of the two, but Billups is a proven winner and could become acclimated to the system, even if it needs some tweaking.

Wilson Chandler is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. He is going to demand a ton of money and if the Knicks were to even sign Carmelo as a free agent, there'd be no space for Wilson, he is irrelevant in this deal as his future with NY is down to just a few months. Finally Mozgov, who makes up your third starter in this deal, started the season played tremendously awful, turned into a corpse on the bench because he was not ready for the NBA. Because of a couple of injuries to the Knicks bigs, Mozgov got a chance to play and shined against Detroit and followed it up with one or two decent performances. Now, all of a sudden he is Joakim Noah? (Who Denver asked Chicago for and the Bulls said helll nawww).

Danilo Gallinari is easily the most controversial component of the deal. Many have told me they'd rather see the Knicks give up Fields instead of their beloved small forward. I truly believe that Melo, Gallo, and Amar'e would not do the Knicks a ton of good when all three are on the floor together. Who is going to rebound? Who is going to defend? We've seen Danillo disappear from games after he has a great run of being aggressive for minutes at a time. Is he even going to show up when there are two guys who dominate the ball on the court?

The core of the Knicks as constructed was never going to win a championship, hell, they were never going to win a playoff round. I could understand people's concern of trading away all these players if the Knicks were lets say 15-20 games over .500. The truth is, they aren't. They are two games over the even mark and are staring down a quick first round exit against the Bulls.

In order to win championships in the NBA you need stars. Bottom line. Superstars bring an organization rings. That's why New York needs to finish the season with a lineup of Billups, Fields, Melo, Stoudemire, and Turiaf. The bench? Toney Douglas, Shawne and Shelden Williams, Bill Walker, Andy Rautins, Anthony Carter, and sign Earl Barron (if necessary). Even with Melo this season, I still don't think this team wins more than a playoff round but at least you are on the course of creating the core you want.

Apparently Deron Williams has told people close to him he wants to team up with the Knicks when his contract runs out in 2012. Even if it means shedding salary cap, the Knicks can still find room for role players to fit. Look at some of the best teams and how they have modeled stars and role players. The Celtics have Perkins, Nate Robinson, and Big Baby Davis, guys who were developed. Miami signed Mike Miller, James Jones. The Spurs with Blair and Matt Bonner. All these guys via draft or cheap deals can be found and have huge roles on championship contending teams.

I'll leave ya'll with this. A lot of reports have been coming out saying that James Dolan is still leaning on good old Isiah Thomas for influence and that the idea of "trading away everyone" has Isiah written all over it. If that's the case, I truly feel sorry for Donnie Walsh who has done an admirable job of shedding salary, finding a jewel in the draft in Landry Fields, yet has to put up with this nonsense. It really is an embarrassing and ugly truth if it is happening.

My prediction: Carmelo becomes a Knick by Thursday's deadline and the Knicks throw in Mozgov into the deal. You cannot, I repeat cannot, let Mozgov be the guy who doesn't have this deal happen. It's not like Denver is also asking for Landry.

-Matt Soldano

Keenan Cahill & Pals

The posts keep coming! Here's a video that debuted during the pre-game of the Knicks/Lakers game tonight on MSG. Youtube sensation Keenan Cahill who is known for going in front of camera and lip-syncing all of your favorite tunes, teamed up with Knicks rookies Landry Fields and Andy Rautins. The threesome performed the famous, "Go New York, Go New York, Go!" smash.

-Matt Soldano

Dunk of The Night: Shannon Brown

Great night for me. Not so much for Max as the Lakers handled the Knicks properly for the second time this season. Although Kobe dropped 19 points in the 1st quarter, this dunk by Shannon Brown was the highlight of the night. This is no doubt in the running for dunk of the year.

To catch a poor pass thrown behind you while in mid air, bring it to your opposite hand, and dunk it with two hands is absolutely crazy! Here's to you Shannon. Big-ups to the classic unis for both teams tonight.

-Matt Soldano

Little Kid Gives Pau Gasol Advice

This seven year old ma' gentlemen, named Tobey knows his stuff! Anyone who tells Pau Gasol to his face that he needs to be tougher and more aggressive is awesome in my book. Very funny stuff.

-Matt Soldano