On the first day of NBA free agency, Baron Davis, point guard for the Golden State Warriors, has opted out of the final year of his 6 year contrac that would have paid him $17.8 million.  (Oh, if only all of us had such options in life!).  There has been no secret that he would like to beocme the floor general for the Knicks.  Question is, do the Knicks want him?

Most likely Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls is on the trading block and the Knicks may have the chips (frontcourt scoring) that the Bulls need.  But is Hinrich the body that Coach Mike D'Antoni needs to run his high powered offense?  Will his shot be pure in the later part of the game as it is at the beginning?  And then there was the discussion making rounds of, get this, Sebastian Telfair, Stephon Marbury's cousin, taking the job away from his cousin.  Not likely.

Back to Davis.  Would his 21.8 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds over the course of playing a full 82 game schedule help?  Of course!  But the drawbacks - his age, 29 may be too old for a team that will not truly come into itself for two years.  And speaking of two years, the Knicks, like the remainder of the NBA, will be in the LeBron James / Chris Bosh / Dwayne Wade sweepstakes.  If the rumors are true (and boy, talk about tampering even if the Nets are completely above-board), Jay-Z's friendship with LeBron has all but sown up his debut in Jersey / Brooklyn in 2010.  Oh, and to sweeten the deal, LeBron's deal with Nike goes to $100 million should he have to take a pay cut (original team has the ability to max out contract while new team with what it has with salay cap manuevabilty) to go to another team in New York, Chicago or LA.  The Nets just cleared out some $20 million (with trading of Richard Jefferson) two years in advance! 

Therefore, the Knicks will be shooting (excuse the pun) for Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh.  The question today is, will the signing of Davis interfere with those acquisitions two years from today?  Game Over

About ten years ago a 10 year old boy was interviewed by a reporter whether he would purchase the (then) new Shaquille O'Neal sneaker.  He replied no, that Shaq was just fronting for the company that was making the sneaker and making a fortune for his name.  10 year olds, they're so sharp, you can't pull the wool over their eyes.

Same with Knick fans.  Long considered the most knowledgable (if not long suffering) fans, they were subjected to the one draft pick in last nights' NBA Draft that they didn't want to hear, Danilo Gallinari of Italy.  Now, first of all, we agree.  We agree its not the selection we would have made.  Robin Lopez (now a Net, watch him hit for 18 a night) would have been the selection when he fell down from what should have been the fourth selection.  This kid a a scorer.  Period.  And a winner.  And a known (to New York fans) quantity after watching him and his twin brother play for Stanford.

Take a look at the Sports Section of the on-line New York Post and it is splashed with banners telling you to buy your season tickets now to see Gallinari play.  They're kidding, right?  This is the most creative they are in trying to persuade New Yorkers to shell out their hard earned money to a Garden that is no longer a guaranteed sell-out?  Oh, and even if he were all that, look at the cast of disfunctional playmates gets gets to share(?) the ball with.  Tell you guys what, when he turns into Dirk Nowitzki, we'll buy those season tickets.  For now, we'll just bum a spot on our friend's couch to watch.

There is hope.  First, that Donnie Walsh knows more than we do.  That Gallinari, like a Nowitzki, was an unknown to the Dallas fan but love what they have now.  We heard all the acclaims yesterday regarding the kid's skills, but an unknown he is.  Second, he was the best player available at the 6th selection.  As we said, the holes are tremendous in this line-up and therefore grab the best available hole filler available.  Finally, with the free agent season about to start (and knowing that the Knicks don't want to add payroll) the Knicks will be turning their eyes to the trade market.  Only, what value does day-old bread have?  The Bull now have three point guards and may be agreeable to take back a desperately needed post scorer.  It can only be a Knick dream to unload Zack Randolph in such a deal.

We can't disagree with the all the assessments we've read today regarding the Knick draft and not feel disappointed.  But what can we expect after the hole that Isiah Thomas dug for us?  Oh, and accross the river, the Nets were active, clearing $22 million of payroll to try to land LeBron in two years, which means playing undermanned for two years.  They are trying to put some pieces into place to entice LeBron to leaving home for the swamps of the Meadowlands / Brooklyn Arena (will it ever happen?)  And one more note, to show the trash and burn mentality of the Nets, its rumored they came close to trading Vince Carter as well.  Though that is hard to believe as there would be no reason to watch a Net highlights as there would be none.  Game Over.

Its the day before the NBA Draft and the rumors are flying, especially here in NYC.  Knick GM Donnie Walsh is looking for ways to ressurect the Knicks like Dr. Frankenstein raised the dead.  With the 6th overall pick are rumored to look for Stephon Marbury's successor at point guard.  UCLA's Russell Westbrook is the strongest of names being flouted about.  Also in the mix are D. J. Augustin of Texas, Jarryd Bayless of Arizona, and Eric Gordon of Indiana.

Also burning up the radio the last 24 hours is the trade rumor of David Lee and Malik Rose to Memphis for the 5th pick, therefore giving the Knicks #'s 5 and 6.  Ain't happening.  Lee is a nice player, but worth the 5th pick?  To a team, like the Knicks, looking to get better?  Lee's NBA worth has been established - he's a hard worker that is a complimentary player, but no team will win with him as a starter.  Memphis is better off drafting Brook Lopez, a 7 footer from Stanford (and rumored to the Nets at #10).  So wake up Knick fans and realize there will only be one selection in the first round.

Now, back to the selection.  The Knicks are hemmoraging at so many locations on their roster that they need to address the selection with the best player on the board.  If Walsh could manufacture David Lee into another selection in this deep draft he will be considered a miracle worker.  More, the Knicks will see success quicker.  Good luck Donnie, we're rooting for ya!  Game Over.

What a Classic!  It truly lived up to its title as 8 divisions fought it out at six different locations throughout NYC to take home the title of Game Over Classic Champs.  Oh yeah, and a bit of trophy bling.  The tourney started on Friday evening and concluded out in the Bronx with the crowning of the 11 and Under Champs late Sunday afternoon.

90 teams came from as far south as Washington DC and as far north (and out of the country) as Canada.  The competition was tough as most games were decided by 5 points or less.

Be sure to check out the videos on our Home Page for highlights of the Classic.  www.gameovernyc.com 

Below are the winners of each Age Division and the Runner-ups.

If you scroll down our stories you will find not only did gameovernyc.com correctly predict a Laker-Celtic Final, but that the Celtics would win it in 6.  What no one could predict was the manner in which Game 6 would be won.  Put simply, the Lakers got Wille Randolphed - dragged accross the country only to have their collective heads handed to them.

What occurred last night wasn't so much a massacre but a complete clinic on man-on-ball pressure, weak-side help, and understanding the passing lanes.  Coaches, take the tape you ran last night in the VCR and make copies for all your players.  While they may not have the physical attributes of these elite players, they can learn the techniques and strategies of the game.  The game is so much more than just putting the ball in the hole.  It is the coming together of 15 players with their coach in how to accomplish a collective desire, winning games and a championship.  All fifteen, and most importantly the superstars, bought into Doc Rivers defense first philosophy and today we all say championship with a distinct Boston accent.

The Lakers have nothing to hang their heads about.  They will be back.  Next year.  Not having Will Bynam may have been the difference in this series.  He will be back ready to go at training camp.  And with a championship run under their belts, the Lakers will be the strong favorites to repeat in the West.  Unless, of course, Kobe repeats his off season request to be traded.  Game Over

The 2008 Game Over Classic  will be held June 20 - 22 in New York City.  Age groups for the Classic are:

10 and Under; 11 and Under; 12 and Under; 13 and Under; 14 and Under; 15 and Under; 16 and Under; and 17 and Under.

The Entry fee is $425.00 per Team.  Money Orders and Bank Checks accepted (no Personal Checks).  Please make checks payable to GO Sports, Inc.

Registration Deadline is Friday, June 10, 2008

For additional information, please contact:

Dana Dingle - 646-773-4878 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shandue McNeill - 516-924-9921 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Darryl Jones - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eric Jones - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Be sure to check out all the Game Over Classic action at www.gameovernyc.com.  Click on the Game On tab and then the Game Over Classic button OR http://www.gameovernyc.com/basketball/go-classic/