Thoughts from Lunatic Fringe

There was so much on my mind while I was at work for the Memorial Day weekend that I have to express it on this fine site that I work for. I always think about sports, sports and sports, and at this time of the year, there’s so much to think about, so here goes:

How has sports radio in town become so bad? I tried listening to both stations in recent months just to turn it off, and it’s so unlistenable that I decided to stop listening for good a month ago. It’s more of hot takes and confrontational radio that Mike Francesa created. I get that it’s a success since it results in ratings and revenue, but this is not great sports radio.

My preference for good sports radio is a great conversation and rational sports takes that make sense. These talkies know that’s how it is supposed to be done, but they are coached to do it differently since it’s a formula that works for the station. Good thing podcasts are invented, so there’s a better option than listening to sports radio in town.

I miss the days when I would buy all five newspapers to get my sports fix since there was so much good information out there. The Internet killed that in a sense because people now get their fix right away from their phone, tablet or computer, which has resulted in the death of newspapers. Most newspapers in town exist by name only now. Their sports coverage comes from wire services now. It’s sad in a great sports town that there is basically only one newspaper in town that covers sports in town.

Don’t be surprised if the Yankees miss the playoffs. The AL East is just too good. You know the Tampa Bay Rays are legit as they have been perennially good since 2008. They are the Miami Heat of baseball, in which both teams created a culture of success through player development.

The Baltimore Orioles have taken off since calling up stud Adley Rutschman last season. The Toronto Blue Jays are talented to keep underachieving. You figure two teams are coming out of the AL East and one team is coming out in the AL West when it comes to the wild-card. I don’t see the Yankees winning the division. Not even the great Aaron Judge can will them to an AL East pennant.

Good thing for the Mets that the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies haven’t taken off. Those are the teams they should fear more than the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, who will likely fade in a long season.

Bruce Bochy cemented himself as a Hall of Famer for winning three championships as the San Francisco Giants manager. His work with the Texas Rangers may be his best work yet. They hired him to create a direction this season, and so far, has led them to a 34-19 record that is good enough to lead the AL West. Last year after 53 games, they were 25-28 on their way to a losing season.

It was foolish to count the Miami Heat out in Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the league, so he would have his team ready to go. The players on the Heat are tough-minded that are led by Jimmy Butler. The Celtics exhumed all their energy taking it to Game 7 after Game 3 as evident with them shooting 0-for-10 in the 3-point line to start the game. Playing at TD Garden was not going to eliminate them. Shame on the national media, basketball wonks and basketball fans for counting the Heat out.

After Jaylen Brown came up small once again in Game 7 against the Miami Heat by scoring 19 points on 8-of-23 shooting, do the Knicks think he can be the answer to their championship drought even by playing with Jalen Brunson?

No offense, but it’s hard for me to get into the NBA Finals. I am not sure if anyone will be watching. With due respect to the Denver Nuggets and the Heat, both teams lack star power or charisma to get a causal fan into the series. Unless there’s nothing really on in the world of sports, I doubt I will watch a minute of the Finals.

In light of Cam Spencer transferring out of Rutgers, this begs me this question: How will Rutgers and Seton Hall compete in college basketball with the big boys in the world of NIL?

Team of Destiny? Florida Panthers or Vegas Golden Knights?

I can’t be the only one rooting against the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Finals, right? It does not sit well with me that this franchise achieved success right away instead of laboring of many losses before they can achieve success. The league rigged them to be in a position to do well right away just so they can have success that can benefit the league.

I dare the New York Rangers to hire Joel Quenneville as their head coach once NHL commissioner Gary Bettman clears him to coach after being suspended for how the Chicago Blackhawks mishandled allegations that former player Kyle Beach was sexually abused by an assistant coach in 2010 during his time as the Blackhawks coach.

Covering the Somerset County Tournament Final a few weeks ago, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ridge’s Connor Byrne pitches in Major League Baseball one day. He has the stuff to pitch in the majors. It was beautiful watching him pinpoint his location against Rutgers Prep despite a 1-0 loss.

Isn’t it time for NBA coaches to get back to wearing suits?

Would someone explain to me why it’s a bad thing to hoist the Conference Finals trophy in the NBA or NHL? I am obviously missing something.

I am not sure if Victor Wembanyama has the body to do well in the NBA. He looks frail. He needs to spend a lot of time in the weight room.

Seeing the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons not get a top pick in the lottery, there is a lesson to be learned: Never rely on the lottery to change your fortunes. Follow what the Miami Heat did in building a team such as drafting well and developing players well.

The New York Rangers have won one championship in the last 83 years of their existence. The New York Knicks have won two championships in the entire 77 years of their existence. That’s pathetic.

You can read Leslie's Jersey Sporting News columns on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.