New York

New York Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison was fined $18,231 for a hit on Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in his team's 17-6 Week 15 win, according to ProFootballTalk.com's Zac Jackson. 

Jackson noted that Harrison was not flagged at the time, but the league office reviewed the hit to the head and deemed it worthy of monetary reprimand. 

However, fines are the least of Harrison's worries following the Giants' 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. 

Not only did Big Blue fail to clinch a playoff spot, but Harrison was forced to leave the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, according to the team's official Twitter account. 

If Harrison can't suit up for the Giants' Week 17 clash with the Washington Redskins, they could be in trouble. Harrison is the NFL's top-rated nose tackle and had the league's top run-stopping percentage, per Pro Football Focus (via USA Today's Kevin Hickey), and he's consistently used his 6'4'', 350-pound frame to clog interior rushing lanes. 

Through 15 appearances during his first season with the Giants, Harrison has logged 82 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. 

If Thursday afternoon's press conference was any indication of what UFC 205 will look like on Saturday, we're in for one hell of a showdown.

Lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will look to defend his title against featherweight champion and lightweight contender Conor McGregor.

It's a difficult fight to break down for a multitude of reasons, mainly because the UFC has never seen McGregor fight at 155 pounds despite the fact that he was the featherweight and lightweight champion in Cage Warriors before signing on with the UFC. 

But before we get into the chaos that was the press conference and the incredible main event that the world is waiting for, let's look at the latest pre-fight odds, according to Odds Shark. 

Fighter	Odds
Conor McGregor	-175
Eddie Alvarez	+145

Alvarez and McGregor were in rare form at Thursday's press conference, which began with McGregor arriving late, something that UFC fans have become all too familiar with.

Alvarez was vocal, playfully jabbing at the Irish contingency in attendance and even went as far as saying how "embarrassed" he felt for Ireland. 

"I'm disappointed in the country of Ireland!" Eddie
Alvarez on Conor McGregor being MIA at the presser. #UFC205 https://t.co/UZJxLAstTk

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 10, 2016

While the crowd and media anxiously awaited McGregor's arrival, Alvarez grew tired of waiting and walked off the stage, eerily similar to the way Nate Diaz left the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference (Warning: contains NSFW language). 

When McGregor eventually came out from the shadows in the most fashionable way imaginable, he did what he does best: steal the show (Warning: contains NSFW language).

Another melee almost happened at the #ufc205 press conference pic.twitter.com/TaI3z1AW3x

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016

Call it staged, exaggerated and planned for selling more pay-per-views, but it was entertainment at its finest. 

And for those curious about McGregor's Gucci mink coat and red turtle neck, Fox Sports gave a good explanation for it on Twitter.

"Smokin' Joe" meets "Mystic Mac" #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/5aSMul5XbQ

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 10, 2016

If McGregor was fined $75,000—not $150,000 as originally thought—for throwing a water bottle and a can of Monster Energy Drink at Nate Diaz and his team at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference, how much would he have been fined for throwing a chair over Alvarez's head?

Maybe the UFC is taking a page out of WWE's playbook. Either way, Saturday can't come soon enough given that both fighters are on edge and ready to throw haymakers at each other. 

Alvarez: I’m prepared to completely destroy Conor McGregor and silence this entire crowd.

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016

McGregor had lots to say, but because most of what he said is inappropriate for many readers, here is the G-rated trash talk from the featherweight champion on Thursday.

McGregor is razzing Alvarez for leaving the Blackzilians. “I’ve been with my coach since Day One."

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 10, 2016

There is no way better way to explain this card than epic. From prelim to main event, it truly is the best fight card the UFC has ever put together. And while there are many good, close fights on the card, let's be real. We're here to talk about history being made.

McGregor is looking to become the first UFC fighter to ever simultaneously hold two belts in two weight divisions while Alvarez is looking to solidify his place in mixed martial arts history with a victory over the biggest name in the sport.

It's not an easy fight for either corner. McGregor has to learn to withstand Alvarez's relentless pressure and his ability to grind out a victory against the cage and in the clinch. The Irishman had some success in the clinch and defending takedown against Diaz, but Alvarez is a much stronger and more technical wrestler. Think Chad Mendes only taller, more aggressive and stronger.

By taking this fight off the feet and slowing down the pace, Alvarez should be able to come away with a decision win or even a submission victory.

But having said that, Alvarez has to withstand "The Notorious."

There is a reason why McGregor has so much bravado and why he is undoubtedly the face of the fight game. He can walk the walk and talk the talk like no other UFC fighter, and he usually predicts how the fight will end, except for the two Diaz bouts.

McGregor has said time and again that he will rearrange Alvarez's face and punish him once they step into the Octagon if he can withstand the barrage of strikes in the first round. McGregor's coach John Kavanagh doesn't agree with his student's prediction of a first-round knockout, but he told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour this past Monday that he envisions a second-round knockout of Alvarez. 

Prediction: Alvarez will eventually go down in history as a great fighter, but he will go down in the second round via McGregor's left hand on Saturday. 

If you want to see everything that went down at Thursday's press conference, you can watch it here via UFC at the 10:28 mark (Warning: contains NSFW language).  

Thousands of runners will descend on New York's five boroughs for the TCS New York City Marathon on November 6. Each marathoner will be looking to make their mark on the Big Apple. 

B/R takes you inside the impressive numbers above.

"As you can tell from how I'm dressed today," began Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda, gesturing to his custom-made, show-themed jersey, "I am very good at the sports ball."

Don't let his tone or terminology fool you, however. Although Miranda doesn't take the field himself, the Broadway smash's cast and crew (including affiliated box-office staff, bartenders and ushers) are very good at the sports ball—or, rather, softball. 

In fact, they're undefeated in the Broadway Show League, dominating all other squads at Central Park's Heckscher Ballfields.

Staying true to their New York residence (and Alexander Hamilton's hometown roots), the group elected to celebrate its achievement with a Yankee-inspired musical number despite the fact the pinstripes' own 24-28 record leaves much to be desired.

[YouTube, h/t Vulture via Cut4]

Carmelo Anthony is here at Citi Field in a half-Yankees, half-Mets hat. pic.twitter.com/ev7J1j0hsK

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 27, 2016

Carmelo Anthony prefers his Big Apple whole.

That's why, despite making an appearance at Citi Field—home of the New York Mets—the New York Knicks superstar elected to keep his allegiances, along with his apparel, neutral Friday.

On the left side of his cap? The Yankees' signature white lettering. On the right? The Mets' stacked "N" and "Y" in blue. 

According to Sports Illustrated's Kenny Ducey, Anthony's dedication to both teams is more than just a commitment to intracity sports diplomacy:

Regarding his hat, I asked Carmelo whether he really liked the Mets or Yankees more. "I like both, can't you see?" he said.

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) May 27, 2016

It's worth noting, however, that for about 82 games a year, Melo suits up in orange and blue.

[Twitter,h/t Barstool Sports]

Thank goodness that's over.

The bad news is the 23-32 New York Knicks were unable to make any deals by the NBA trade deadline that solved their point guard woes, added stars or sped up their fast-break offense.

The good news is the rumors that can unhinge a team's chemistry are behind them.

Painfully out of sync, New York stumbled to a 1-10 losing streak before the All-Star break, and head coach Derek Fisher was abruptly, unexpectedly, fired.

How do the Knicks turn that kind of momentum around? Here are five top priorities to get the rebuild moving onward and upward again.

1. Carmelo Holds Team Meeting

When the Knicks have had success this season, it has been behind strong, active, vocal leadership by Carmelo Anthony. He invited the squad to Puerto Rico for a minicamp to build team spirit over the summer. He's been the first one off the bench to defend his mates in any altercation, and it's made a difference.

Now, the Knicks are facing down two more months of hard work after the surprise firing of their head coach. They're trying to break a 1-9 streak. Plus, they have to soothe any prickly egos that might have been damaged during the lead-up to the trade deadline.

If the Knicks are going to close out the season with a positive outlook, they must do the touchy-feely, kumbaya, inspirational things that reinforce their team spirit. The impetus for that must come from their leader. 

2. Double Down on Defense

Suffocating defense had been one of the team's hallmarks at the beginning of the season. The Knicks were holding opponents well below their regular shooting averages, particularly behind the arc; they had the best perimeter defense through the end of 2015. Anthony was leading the charge.

In 2016, however, the D has softened. In the last 15 games, opponents are shooting considerably better than their average, and the Knicks' perimeter defense is not best but worst; they are letting opponents shoot 5.4 percent above the league average.

Being a squad of harassing, exhausting pests not only gave the Knicks an edge but also an identity. Recapturing that spirit will help propel them back to a winning record. 

3. End Season 14-13 or Better

The 1-10 slide before the All-Star break severely hurt the Knicks' hopes at a playoff berth. They're now five games behind the No. 8 seeded Charlotte Hornets and 4.5 behind a Detroit Pistons team that made significant upgrades at the trade deadline. 

Closing out the season with more wins than losses, however, would give the Knicks something to build on and is a feasible goal. Eleven of their 27 remaining games are against teams that are currently below .500.

Ending the year 14-13 would also have them finish the season one game better than the initial 36-46 projection I made in October; fans would have to call the year a success overall.

Job No. 1: defeat the Brooklyn Nets Friday night.

4. Hire a Head Coach Who's More Than a Phil Jackson Disciple

Right now, there is an experienced NBA head coach without a job, who, according to ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor is "a big, big fan of Carmelo Anthony."

And according to a source of O'Connor's "would crawl to Madison Square Garden" because coaching the Knicks was "the job he's always wanted." 

He made it to the Eastern Conference Finals his first year as a NBA head coach, never failed to make the playoffs in five seasons of leadership, earned Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and still ranked No. 5 on ESPN's top coaches rankings shortly before he was fired.

You've probably heard of him. His name is Tom Thibodeau, and whether or not he ultimately deserves the job of Knicks head coach, he deserves a conversation.

But Phil Jackson isn't going to do that.

Jackson will hire another disciple—someone he knows and has worked with before as a player or assistant coach, like Luke Walton or Brian Shaw. As with last time, when he offered the job to Steve Kerr and then to Derek Fisher, he will be more concerned with his personal history with that individual than with their coaching expertise or lack thereof.

Walton has been praised, and rightly so, for helping the Golden State Warriors to a glorious 39-4 start while head coach Steve Kerr was on medical leave. Walton might be perfect, or he might be fortunate to have had the Splash Brothers and Draymond Green making him look good.

The truth is probably somewhere in between.

Jackson's credibility for hiring coaches is tarnished now. In the brief yet cryptic explanation Jackson tweeted Feb. 9 after firing Fisher, he wrote that his own coaching approach was to be "transformational," not "transactional" and that he's looking for someone in a similar mold. 

A "transformational" coach's goal, in Jackson's description, is to help players "reach self-actualization" (their full potential). The coach uses a team-first approach, and the player who is a part of that grows as a result; "the esteem of an individual [is] fed by the group achievements."

Sounds lovely.

Under Fisher, Anthony is having his best, most well-rounded season in a Knicks jersey and growing into the leader most people said he'd never be. "Draft bust" Derrick Williams has found a place in the regular rotation, has patched up some of the weaknesses in his game and seems to have found a home. The rookie Kristaps Porzingis has surpassed all expectations. The team has already won six more games than it did last season and still has 27 to go.

There's an argument to be made that Fisher fits the "transformational" mold. So why the midseason ax?

The Knicks' 1-9 slide preceding the firing could have been the reason, or it could have been the excuse. Fisher was going increasingly off-script when it came to on-court action. The triangle offense was seen less, while pick-and-roll and other schemes were showing up more.

These offenses are not mutually exclusive. In fact, Jackson indicated that the leader he hires should run "a system of play that includes the group. How that is done can include the [triangle] system of basketball but doesn't exclude other systems that include group play."

So, Jackson may be willing to back off on the triangle, but nevertheless, perhaps the diminishing role of the triangle caused or reflected a strain in the relationship between Fisher and his boss.

Regardless of whether or not Fisher was the right man for the job, when choosing the next coach for the Knicks, Jackson should ask first "does this person suit my players," not "does this person suit me?" 

5. Get Back on the Point Guard Search

The front office was unable to make a deal for a top-notch point guard by the trade deadline. Just because the window of opportunity closed doesn't mean the job opening did.

The trouble is, the team will enter the offseason with the same underwhelming trade assets that it has now, and the free-agent market for point guards is not overflowing with tantalizing options either.

The Knicks might court the Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley. They already passed on Brandon Jennings, and the Orlando Magic may be keen to re-sign him after a trade-deadline swap that sent Tobias Harris to the Detroit Pistons. The Los Angeles Lakers will no doubt lock up Jordan Clarkson.

Rajon Rondo will also be a free agent. A history of problems playing nice with others should keep him out of the running.

The front office could try again to coax the Atlanta Hawks to part with Jeff Teague in the offseason.

However the Knicks get it done, putting a true starting-caliber point guard in the driver's seat is a job Phil Jackson and Co. must accomplish before October...just like they should have done last year...and the year before that.

All stats from NBA.com/stats.

On Jan. 20, the Knicks had clambered up to a .500 record and a finger-hold on a playoff berth; as of Jan. 28, they're 22-25. To start racking up the wins again, the Knickerbockers still have a few improvements to make.

They might find the right tools for the job on the trade market, but don't expect them to bring home any heavy machinery. Their available assets will more likely fetch an off-brand handheld power drill on the clearance rack. (Though there are whispers of them throwing caution to the wind and making a major move for a dreamboat point guard.)

If the front office is going shopping between now and the Feb. 18 trade deadline, here are the priorities it ought to have in mind.

Unreliable Scoring

New York's sharpshooters haven't been very sharp. The Knicks have shot less than 40 percent 14 times this season. Surprise, surprise: They have lost 13 of those games.

They weren't all blowouts, though. Strong defense kept the squad within striking range of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13 and Dec. 23 when they fell 90-84 and 91-84, respectively.

They also nearly squeezed out a win over the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 10. After falling behind by as many as 19, the Knicks made a major comeback in the fourth quarter, somehow managing to put 97 points on the board despite shooting a miserly 39.8 percent. They lost 99-97.

The simple truth is it's hard to win when you just cannot find the bottom of the net.

The Knicks have improved their shooting efficiency in January by attacking the basket. Their field-goal percentage for the month is 45.7 percent (even including abominations like the 116-88 beatdown by the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 22 and soulless dreks like the 97-84 loss the next night to the Charlotte Hornets). However, shooting guard Arron Afflalo is streaky (as Knicks 2s have a tendency to be), and New York could use some more reliable jumpers in its arsenal.

Unpicked Pockets

Your team is down, the opponent has the ball, the game clock is nearing zero, the shot clock is turned off, and you have no fouls to give. You need a steal, a quick bucket and a timeout something fierce.

Well, I hope your team isn't the New York Knickerbockers because while they are good at applying pressure and altering shots, they don't force opponents to cough up the rock. New York is last in steals, opponent turnovers and points off turnovers.

Flash back to Jan. 8. With five minutes left in regulation, the Knicks were down 92-80 to the superb San Antonio Spurs. Then, with a full team effort, the Knicks go on a 19-8 tear.

Down by one with seconds left, Carmelo Anthony, triple-teamed, somehow gets a pass out to Jose Calderon, who has a clean look at a three-pointer at the buzzer...but it's no good. The thriller ends with a 100-99 Knicks loss and head coach Derek Fisher consoling a gobsmacked Anthony paralyzed in some private horror.

Don't blame Melo for the pass or Calderon for the miss. Consider the fact that (a) LaMarcus Aldridge was committed to punishing Kristaps Porzingis for that putback dunk in November and (b) the Knicks only had one steal in that entire game—a pass intercepted by Porzingis in the first quarter. Imagine what the outcome might have been if Langston Galloway or Calderon had picked Tony Parker's pocket during that crunch-time run and prevented just one layup.

The Knicks are at the bottom of the barrel with only 6.0 steals per game—the league average is 7.8. Two extra steals per game might not sound like much, but it makes a difference. When the Knicks perform closer to average and nab eight or more steals, they're 8-6; when they get fewer than eight steals, they're 14-19.

Defensive Rebounding

Flash a bit forward to Tuesday's phenomenal game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks were facing a healthy Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams, while Anthony sat on the bench nursing a sore knee. The forecast was bleak.

Against all odds, the Knicks played a heroic, fast-paced game with 20 lead changes and 22 ties. They took the Thunder to overtime but fell 128-122.

Imagine what the outcome might have been if OKC hadn't out-rebounded New York 59-42.

The two teams were nearly identical in shooting efficiency, free throws and assists; the Knicks actually outdid the Thunder quite a bit on turnovers and blocks. Yet, the battle of the boards was a disaster.

To be fair, the Thunder are one of the best in the league at crashing the glass. But I've been droning on for weeks now about the Knicks' need for more boards on the defensive end.

For a team that's excellent at rim protection, the Knicks allow quite a lot of points to be scored in the paint. Within six feet of the hoop, they squash opponents' shooting efficiency by 3.4 percent—best in the league by a large margin—and they're seventh in blocks.

The generous interpretation is their strong perimeter defense forces opponents inside (though their D near the arc has been lagging recently). A more realistic read is they fail to secure D-bounds and let up 14.0 second-chance points per game (a sad 22nd in the league). 

Fast-Break Offense and Athleticism

You know you love those breakaway alley-oops, steal-and-slams and caution-to-the-wind driving and-1s by Galloway, Jerian Grant and Derrick Williams. You know you still watch the footage of Porzingis' steal, spin and slam from October to make you smile on a bad day.

Fast-break points are fun. Unfortunately, these struggles to tear down defensive boards and force turnovers limit the Knicks' fast-break opportunities. Although their transition game has been livelier in January, they're still last in fast-break points.

So what? Some teams win with a purely half-court offense and force opponents to play at their slow pace. The Miami Heat do it brilliantly.

However, the Knicks have this energetic, young core springing off the bench that has the skill to run a high-speed transition offense, and it should get more support. (Plus, the Knicks aren't able to corral their opponents' transition game quite as well as the Heat, which is a challenge for their defense to take on.)

Let's have another look at Tuesday's game versus Oklahoma City. It wasn't the usual starters who were taking on Westbrook and Durant; it was Galloway, Grant, Williams and Lance Thomas, with a little help from Afflalo and Porzingis. New York could contend because those players could keep up with the breakneck pace OKC was setting.

Until they couldn't.

Eventually, fatigue became a factor, and even the aggressive D-Will stopped looking for his shot. It happened Jan. 13, too. A shortened lineup, led in the fourth quarter by bench players, nearly took home a W, but after even the young legs wore out, the Knicks fell to the Brooklyn Nets 110-104.

An extra body or two who can keep the transition offense cooking when these guys need to rest and a quicker center who better fits with that unit would be a boon to this team.

Jeff Teague Is the Top Target?

Had I thought the Atlanta Hawks would even toy with the idea of parting with starting point guard Jeff Teague, I would have suggested it myself because he'd be an excellent fit for the Knicks. It seemed too improbable to merit more than a daydream.

However, according to a report by ESPN.com's Ian Begley on Wednesday, the Knicks and Hawks have actually been discussing the possibility of bringing Teague to New York.

Begley, unfortunately, doesn't have any details on what the Knicks have offered and reiterated what we already know: "Several executives have labeled the Knicks' trade assets as underwhelming."

Yet if Atlanta is serious about dealing the leader of the team that had the best record in the East last season, the Knicks front office should give it consideration because Teague is perfect for driving some of the necessary changes mentioned above.

Although his scoring numbers are down this season, he's still high on the leaderboards in fast-break points and points off turnovers. He drives, draws fouls, pushes the pace and picks pockets.

Plus, he's the kind of team-first player Fisher wants. Teague has an exhilarating playing style and a calm, composed personal style. It's a nice combo.

How do they get him? Which of their "underwhelming" assets would Atlanta want? That's a tougher question. Although the smoothest swap for the Knicks would involve Calderon, the hotter ticket would probably be Afflalo.

One trouble with that deal from New York's perspective is that Teague is having a miserable time with his jump shot this year. Dealing Afflalo for Teague and moving Galloway into Afflalo's spot in the starting lineup might work, but the Knicks are then back to a limited-range backcourt, relying on Carmelo and Porzingis for a lot of the spacing.

Nevertheless, it might be a gamble worth taking.

If Teague isn't the guy, then lower-priced options such as Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple and Denver Nuggets rising star swingman Will Barton ought to be next on the wish list. 

What else might the Knickerbockers want to repair at the deadline? They could still use some help penetrating the paint. Early-season losses could be attributed almost exclusively to being outscored in the paint by large margins, but the team has improved so drastically both protecting and attacking the interior that it's been left off the main priority list.

They're actually outscoring opponents in the paint by 2.2 points on average this month. Nevertheless, another player who can score inside would be appreciated.

If I were in the Knicks front office, I might forgo trades entirely, invest some of the team's capital in cloning technology and sign a Carmelo Anthony clone (at the proper salary for an undrafted rookie, of course). Although the squad has battled admirably in his absence, the Knicks are 0-5 with Melo on the bench.

All stats are from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7 and Instagram @sara_at_3fromthe7.