Game Face

AP Photo

If you're a Knicks fan (and probably even if you aren't), you remember that fateful day back in 1999 when, in the first round of the draft, the Knicks selected Frederic Weis, a french player who has still yet to see an NBA court. His most infamous moment was being absolutely posterized by Vince Carter during a game between the US and France.

The Knicks have finally exorcized those demons, and in return they receive Georgetown forward Patrick Ewing, Jr., the son of one of the most prolific Knicks of all time. Donnie Walsh has been praising Ewing since the pre-draft process.

Ewing has already had an active offseason. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings, then traded to the Rockets as part of the deal that sent Ron Artest to Houston.

Ironically enough, one of the biggest regrets of drafting Weis was the fact that they missed out on drafting Artest, a New York native who attended St. John's.

Ewing is not guaranteed a spot on the roster, but according to scouts, his height and wingspan project him as a solid defender at the NBA level.

Perhaps he won't bring quite the level of excitement that his father did, but it would be another positive step by the organization towards bringing this team back to what they were in the '90s.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was in a pool off Union Square today, charming the lucky kids who got to swim with him.

The photos are great--huge Phelps, helping little kids with the form; and leading them in jumping jacks (in the water of course).

-Click here for all the photos of Michael Phelps swimming with NYC kids

Ivan Ljubicic, the recently elected European Player Board Representative on the ATP Player Council, was seen in the U.S. Open players’ dining area Wednesday afternoon meeting with top-ranked Rafael Nadal and a Nadal representative, who was translating for the 22-year-old Spaniard.
The top three men’s players — Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic — have been critical of recent ATP efforts to remake the tour calendar. The trio also joined the players advisory council this summer.
Ljubicic, a 29-year-old Bosnian and former world No. 3, is not playing at the U.S. Open. Nadal’s session with Ljubicic, who was listening intently and scribbling on a legal pad that rested on a large binder, was likely related to the player leadership’s plans.
ATP director Etienne de Villiers, who had pushed the schedule reform, failed to have his contract renewed for 2009, and gave an emotional farewell speech to a full meeting of players on Saturday.
The ATP formed in 1990 to unite players and tournaments (but not the four Grand Slams) in running the men’s circuit, with equal representation for each on the board of directors.

— Max

We're less than two weeks away from the start of the NFL season. Hope is high for both local teams; one coming off an improbable Super Bowl run, the other executing a highly productive off-season, capped by landing a Hall of Fame QB.

Here are my predictions for the 2008/09 NFL Season:

AFC East
1) New England Patriots
2) New York Jets*
3) Buffalo Bills
4) Miami Dolphins

The Patriots are just too good not to win this division. The race for second will be a tough one, as the Bills will fight tooth and nail for a wild card berth with the Jets. Favre will help put them over the top in that battle, though. The Dolphins are still rebuilding, though the week one matchup of Favre vs. Pennington in Miami is certainly intriguing.

(CLICK BELOW TO CONTINUE)

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Beware a new USTA policy. Apparently fearing for plastic explosives stuffed into the tubes of bicycles, U.S. Open officials are working with NYC Parks Department in Flushing Meadows to remove all bikes locked in the vicinity of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
I have this from an NYPD officer who told me this as I unlocked my bike to ride back to the amNewYork office yesterday afternoon.
The officer said had I come 30 minutes later, I would have found that my locks had been clipped, a summons issued and a $50 storage fee levied.
Today, on that officer's advice, I parked and locked my bike near the bike rentals trailer about 500 feet from the USTA East Gate. No incidents.
But be careful where you anchor your wheels if bike to the U.S. Open you do.

— Max

Nine year old Jericho Scott has been told he's "too good" to play baseball in New Haven little league because he has a 40 mph fastball. Parents allegedly complained that he was too good, and officials have attempted to disband his team.

UPDATE It's been reported that every single adult in this poor Jericho Scott's life is failing him. His family is officially suing the league that disbanded his team over him being 'too good to play.' However, all is not lost for little Jericho, who turns 10 today. The New Britian Rock Cats have invited him and his family to attend a game against some farm team of the Mets, as well as meet the players, and throw out the cermonial first pitch.

When Jericho took the mound recently, the opposing team packed up their stuff and promptly forfeited the game. The Associated Press reporter that the nine-year-old 'felt bad' that nobody gets to play because he's too good.

Uncomfirmed reports, however, indicate that Hank Steinbrenner was sniffing around the dugout at Jericho's last game. God knows the Yankees need as much pitching help as they can get, nine years old or otherwise.

Check out our pictures of Jericho Scott, pitching phenom, in action.

--Lizzy

LPGA player Ai Miyazato chips onto the green at the seventh hole during the second round of the LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace. (Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox / June 6, 2008)

Our Newsday colleague Mark Herrman posted an excellent column about the LPGA's new "speak-English-or-you're-out policy", which gives its heavily-international golfers two years to learn English, or get suspended.

Herrman makes the point that although the Ladies Professional Golf Association--facing a tough fight to get sponsors in a declining economy--may be implementing the policy out of a sense of necessity, the way they're forcing this on their players is just bad PR.

Not to mention un-American--and, unnecessary.

How international are LPGA players? See photos from the 2008 LGPA championship

Ahman Green (Photo by Getty)

Read the full article by clicking here.

In addition to those who made the cut in the article, I also have tried to steer clear of these players this season:

All Texans running backs. Ahman Green is 31 years old and injured. Chris Brown is always hurt. If neither Green nor Brown is in the lineup, there’s no telling whether Chris Taylor or Steve Slaton would get the start. Save yourself some headaches and just avoid the whole complicated situation.

Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay. He suffered a pretty gruesome leg injury last season. Many wondered if it would end his career. I believe he’ll return at some point in his career, maybe even later this year. But don’t expect him to be his old self in 2008. Besides, the Bucs have enough options at running back (Earnest Graham, Michael Bennett and Warrick Dunn) to keep Cadillac parked so that he can fully recover.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins. He’s not awful as a No. 4 receiver on your team, but he’s usually overrated in fantasy rankings. The former Jet has only surpassed 1,000 yards one of the past four seasons. His reliability index is a miserable .357. (Click here for an explanation of the reliability index.)

Jerry Porter, WR, Jacksonville. He’s been fighting a hamstring injury and has yet to play in a preseason game. That’s a major concern for a receiver trying to learn a new offense and build chemistry with a new quarterback. And oh yeah, Porter has never had a 1,000-yard season.

Donte Stallworth, WR, Cleveland. He was disappointing with Tom Brady as his quarterback, and that’s tough to do. There’s a reason he is playing for his fourth team in four seasons.

All Seahawks receivers. Deion Branch and Bobby Engram are out with injuries, leaving Nate Burleson, who is averaging just 33 receptions over the past three seasons, as the Seahawks’ only experienced receiver to begin the season. But even Burleson is an unknown because his inconsistent play throughout his career makes him a huge question mark after Branch and Engram return. Making matters worse, Matt Hasselbeck seems to have a chronic back injury that may or may not be a factor during the season. Again, let someone else in your league worry about this mess.

Darrell Jackson, WR, Denver. The fact that rookie Eddie Royal appears to have beaten him out of a starting job is an indication that Jackson's best days are behind him.

Composite photo of Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles back at the U.S. Open tennis tournament made from AP and Getty Images.

Former champs were back in the house for the opening gala of the U.S. Open tennis tournament last night in Flushing, Queens--and it was great to see some familiar faces still looking good.

Tennis royalty were joined by Hollywood and fashion celebrities like Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, Paula Abdul and others.

* Click here to see about 20 photos of the tennis and entertainment celebrities at the gala

* Click here to highlights from the tennis matches

* Click here to see 90 photos of Roger Federer winning, losing, and at play through the years

Composite photo of Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, Paula Abdul, Maria Sharapova, and Roger Federer at the U.S. Open tennis tournament made from AP and Getty Images.

It's actually not that crazy of an idea. With Osi Umenyiora done for the season after suffering a preseason knee injury against the Jets, the defending fluke-of-nature Super Bowl Champs New York Giants need someone to fill that void?

And guess what. For the cheap price of $8 million dollars, some chocolate chip cookies, and a kiss on the forehead, Michael Strahan and all of his madness can be your man.

The New York Daily News reported today that the gap-toothed wonder would end his 77 day retirement and flake out his Fox Broadcasting contract (side note: if he does, I will be very sad about that. Someone needed to become Emmitt Smith's replacement. Strahan's lisp would have been perfect) for $8 million dollars and some kind words.

Although right now, it seems G-men coach Tom Coughlin has different ideas in mind, replacing Osi with Mathias Kiwanuka, a former defensive end turned linebacker turned back to defensive end. Man, unretirment is the new black this year isn't it...

Check out Michael Strahan's career in tons of awesome pictures!!

And if you REALLY want to (god knows this turns my stomach) check out some pictures from that stupid Super Bowl parade...

--Lizzy

Roger Federer and Serena Williams at the U.S. Open tennis tournament Wilson Party at Mansion in New York City photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images

With the Olympics over, the U.S. Open tennis tournament moves onto center stage in the sport world. We have tons of coverage, beginning with:

-Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Novak Djokovic, Jonas Bjorkman, Jelena Yankovic, Tracey Austin, Mary Joe Fernandez, and even Virginia Wade at parties around town

-Quick profiles of the five men and five women favorites

-Sports Editor Max Dickstein's breakdown of the men's field

-Quick profiles of the five men and five women favorites

-90 photos of Roger Federer over the years (with special appearances by one Rafael Nadal)

I was admiring Ryan's Photoshop handiwork, and I figured I'd dust off my own skills and give it a whirl.

After their gold medal victory in Beijing, the US Men's Basketball team headed out on a celebratory world tour. When Lebron got to select the first stop, his decision turned a few heads and started some serious speculation.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

(Getty Images)

Nothing beats the sight of giddy gajillionaires unleashing sincere joy at a gold medal ceremony.
Congratulations, men's and women's USA basketball, for placing first in the world.

Click here to see all the USA Basketball men's gold medal celebration photos

Click here to see the USA Basketball women's gold medal celebration photos

— Max

My friend Nick, an avowed Obama supporter who respects of the accomplishments of the San Antonio Spurs, offers this bit of photo research:

— Max

I've been enjoyed this new Nikon D60 digital SLR camera I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I put it to work yesterday at the U.S. Open, training it on a few men's tennis stars who were at practice.

Click here to see 90 photos of Roger Federer winning, losing, and at play through the years

(All photos by Max J. Dickstein/amNY)

No. 2-seeded Swiss Roger Federer, serving and smiling, hit with Rainer Schuettler of Germany for an hour and a half at in Arthur Ashe stadium.

Following Federer at 1 p.m. on Ashe were ...

Americans Andy Roddick, above, and James Blake, below.

Six-foot-10 Ivo Karlovic at the Empire Hotel party Friday night. (Photo by Max J. Dickstein/amNY)

I was probably the only person in New York who took photographs of No. 14 seed Ivo Karlovic practicing Friday and then photographed him at the Heineken Light-sponsored players party at the Empire Hotel. The 29-year-old Karlovic is the player directly responsible for knocking Roger Federer out of the top spot in the world rankings. He did so by beating Federer in two tiebreakers at Cincinnati on Aug. 1, 7-6(6) 4-6 7-6(5).

USA's Kobe Bryant reacts during the men's semifinal basketball game against Argentina at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

USA Basketball can stand tall again, after the Americans got revenge for losing in the semis in the Athens Olympics and demolished the same Argentina team 101-81 to make the gold-medal game against Spain.

Yup, the very Spanish team the U.S. clobbered in pool play, winning by 37 points....

-Click here to see photos of all the highlights in the U.S.-Argentina Olympics basketball game

The U.S. Open can't start too soon for Andy Roddick, who's gunning for another title.

Listen to Roddick talk about how much he loves the US Open.

Listen to Roddick talk about playing on carpet.

With a hot start to the year and a debilitating shoulder injury behind him, Andy Roddick said Thursday that 2008 has been “a tale of two years.”

But for the big-serving American, it’s also been a tale of two careers — from wunderkind to workhorse, phenom to fighter.

Roaring into the season, Roddick won two titles and added spirited defeats of top-three players Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Then injury crept in. He missed the French Open; made early exits this summer at Wimbledon, Toronto and Cincinnati; and skipped the Olympics to rest before the U.S. Open, where he has been winner (2003) and runner-up (2006).

“I was playing about as well as I had to start a year through April and May of this year, and now it’s just trying to get back and get healthy,” the eighth-seeded Roddick said before appearing at Macy’s 34th Street for his clothing sponsor, Lacoste.

When Roddick won the U.S. Open in straight sets five years ago — before Federer began his long reign over men’s tennis — he was a vortex of energy who rocketed to No. 1.

Paradoxically, the younger Roddick was known for Reebok visors and vigorous intensity — and unlimited potential.

But Roddick, who turns 26 next Saturday, is showing signs of settling down. He prefers refined French sportswear and is engaged to Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker.

“I’m very happy, very content,” Roddick said, “and can stop wasting your guys’ time with endless speculation.”

Still stuck on one major title, Roddick has seen more gifted players crowd ahead of him; against the elite, the effort he powers into his play often hasn’t been enough to win.

During a conference call Thursday, CBS analyst John McEnroe said the “stagnant” Roddick lacked swagger and drive.

“It seems like you could make the argument that he’s not focusing enough on his strengths, which is to really have a penetrating forehand,” McEnroe said. “And he certainly hasn’t added a lot to his game ... However, he does have the hardest serve that I’ve ever seen hit ... You’d have to say he has that proverbial puncher’s chance.”

The task is there for Roddick at Flushing Meadows: create the tale of a third career.

Max J. Dickstein is amNewYork’s sports editor.

--Click here to see Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasselhoff, and others in the halter top.

-Check out our photos of Michael Phelps, champion partier.

U.S. Open Casting Call finalist Elijah Boothe, 12, of Jackson, N.J., takes direction from USTA staff as he participates in Thursday's tournament draw.
(Photos by Max J. Dickstein)

What if the superprofessional USTA held a U.S. Open draw ceremony and got part of the men’s tennis bracket wrong?
That was the case for about three minutes Thursday at the TimesCenter on 41st Street, where U.S. Open tournament referee Brian Earley supervised the drawing and placing of the 32 men’s and women's seeds for the final Grand Slam of the year.
All went smoothly until the bracket placement of No. 27 Feliciano Lopez on the men's side was at stake.

United States' Christie Rampone celebrates the US teams' victory over Brazil at the end of the women's soccer gold medal match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in China, with her little daughter Rylie Cate, right. AP Photo/Petr David Josek

An outplayed U.S. women's soccer team managed to beat Brazil in an overtime thriller at the Beijing Olympics today, winning 1-0 on Carli Lloyd's goal.

Goalie Hope Solo was the heroine of the match, bailing out her teammates again and again.

-Click here to check out all the fun celebration and game highlights photos.

-And here are more photos, videos, and live Olympics results for all events

Our third "last" halter-top shot of the night.

(AP Photo/Tom Mihalek, File)

With yesterday's news of Billy Wagner's elbow injuries, the Mets are left without their closer for most (and possibly all of) September, and potentially the playoffs. This forces the Mets to have a "closer by committee" system in the bullpen. If they can overcome Wagner's injury, they would join a small fraternity of teams who got by without a dominant closer. Some others include:

- The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks only got 19 saves out of closer Byung-Hyun Kim. Kim, who sported an ERA approaching 3.00, was also ineffective in the World Series against the Yankees. The D-Backs overcame this bullpen shortcoming, winning in dramatic fashion against Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth in game 7.

- The 2006, the Detroit Tigers got 37 saves from Todd Jones, but he was anything but consistent. Jones recorded 6 losses and had an ERA just under 4.00, but the Tigers were still able to make it to the World Series before falling to the Cardinals.

- In 1993, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams tallied 7 losses and a 3.34 ERA for the NL Champion Phillies.

While these teams didn't lose their inconsistent closers during the home stretch, Jerry Manuel's crew has the potential to survive a severely flawed NL East, with the potential for Wagner's return in the postseason looming if they can get to that point. There's no underestimating the importance of mental toughness in the postseason, and the next 6 weeks will be test to say the least.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

OK, this is REALLY the last of the night. If any Game Face readers who like to dabble in Photoshop want to join in, post your own celebs wearing the Michael Phelps halter top. (If that doesn't work, just e-mail them to me at ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com, and I'll post them.)

-Click here for photos of Michael Phelps, sans top

OK, last one of the night. I have real work to get back to.