The Yankees are open to the idea of going nine innings across the pond at Man City’s home stadium, team president Randy Levine told the London Telegraph.

“The idea has come up through Major League Baseball about us maybe coming over to play,” Levine told the Telegraph. “I don’t think they have actually said it yet, but we’d love to come over to play at the Etihad Stadium.”

Etihad Stadium is in Manchester, England. The NBA and NFL have both played regular-season games in London.

The Yankees and Manchester City announced Tuesday they are combining forces to co-own Major League Soccer’s expansion team in New York City.

The team, named New York City Football Club, will begin play in 2015. The league’s 20th franchise hopes to spark a rivalry with the New York Red Bulls, which plays its home matches in Harrison, N.J.

“We think Manchester City are extraordinary partners for the Yankees – there are some great opportunities and we only team up with people who we think are first rate,” Levine told the Telegraph. “They fit into our overall plan. Obviously our brand is very well known – it’s about winning, winning championships and we are here to lend our support to make sure that it happens.”

As for where NYC FC will play, Levine told WLNY-TV the club will eventually have its own stadium “built somewhere.”

“There’s going to be a new stadium built somewhere,” Levine said on WLNY’s “The Couch.” “We’ve been in it for one day. We’re going to take a look. There’s been a lot of talk about Queens. That’s a possibility, but we’re going to work with our partners to see what’s out there and move forward.”

He said Yankee Stadium could be used as a temporary home for the team.

“Temporarily, there are many sites — could be Yankee Stadium, could be elsewhere. But the team will be on the field in 2015.”

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On Tuesday I went over the Knicks’ financial situation for the next three years, so keep that in mind as we go through the offseason decisions that the Knicks will have to make.

Here are where the pivotal points are going to be.

1) J.R. Smith: The one good thing about Smith’s mediocre … no, wait … awful playoff performance is that he might have played himself out of a contract that would take him out of New York. If Smith opts out of his contract, the most that the Knicks can offer him is about four years and $22 million, and that should be enough. Smith’s other option is to activate his player option, which will pay him a measly $2.8 million next year, but will give the Knicks full Bird rights on him the following offseason when they could pay him more money long-term. Either scenario would give Smith to the Knicks at below or at market value. He has too much talent for the Knicks to simply let him walk. To me, this is a no-brainer as it won’t cap the Knicks out for future seasons, and if Smith walks they have no money to get someone of equal talent.

2) Chris Copeland and Pablo Prigioni: The Knicks can put a qualifying offer on both those players, but if I’m reading the collective bargaining agreement properly, every dollar they sign them for above 120 percent of last year’s salary will eat away at their mini mid-level exception. Both guys will be 20-minutes-a-game players next year, but remember that the Heat got Ray Allen with their small mid-level last year. Is it better to bring back one or both, or go after a veteran in free agency? This is going to be Glen Grunwald’s toughest decision this offseason. Of course, there’s a decent chance that Prigioni goes back to Spain, which will make Grunwald’s decision easier. In a perfect world, the Knicks get them both back.

3) Kenyon Martin: He sat on the free-agent market all year. Nobody wanted him for anything more than the veteran’s minimum. The jury is out on whether he played himself into a bigger contract. I think that the Knicks will be able to bring him back at a bargain and not lose much, if any, of their mid-level exception.

4) The Old Guys: Will Jason Kidd retire? He played like he has already. He’s looked retired for a while now. After the Pacers series, I thought he would call it quits, but apparently he wants to play a couple of more years. If he comes back, his time on the court will be limited. Marcus Camby is signed for two more years as well, and there is no sign that he is contemplating retirement because of his plantar fasciitis. Can Camby again be the player that he was in 2011-2012? If he can, losing Martin won’t hurt nearly as much. He can at least provide a defensive and rebounding presence.

5) The Injured Guy: Amar’e Stoudemire is signed for two more years for about $50 million. He is always hurt. No team will take him in a trade until he is an expiring contract. He is not going anywhere this year, unless Grunwald has mind-controlling powers. Stoudemire’s health and ability to blend in with the team is one way that the Knicks can make a serious improvement next season. You can’t expect him to be healthy, but you can hope. Either way, he will be a part of this team.

6) The First-Round Pick: The Knicks do have a first-round pick this year. In a year in which the draft is considered to be very week, I could see the Knicks trying to package the pick with a mid-sized contract for someone who another team considers overpaid, but still talented. This is an asset that the Knicks need to use one way or another.

7) The Mini Mid-Level Exception: This is the one weapon that the Knicks have to use in free agency, and they have to make it count. Being a 54-win team, they should be able to attract a free agent who can crack the rotation and play a significant role. If Smith, Copeland and Prigioni all come back, a two-way big man who can not only contribute defensively and on the boards, but on offense as well, could be a target. Another target should be an athletic wing who can help make the Knicks run more. If Prigioni, Copeland or Martin leave, finding a replacement for them might be the order of the day.

The Knicks have to find a way to get better this season. They are going to have to get creative to do that, but last year Grunwald showed the ability to do that. The Knicks have a great pipeline to Europe, and Grunwald does a good job managing  the details of the salary cap. With Carmelo Anthony potentially opting out after next season, this year is important for the Knicks to take another step closer to a championship. It starts in the offseason.

I’m taking off until the NBA Finals, the draft and free agency. Enjoy the conference finals, everyone!

You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and New York sports. 

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How do you make a $12 million man disappear? John Tortorella isn’t performing any magic tricks, yet New York Rangers alternate captain Brad Richards finds himself buried on the fourth line and reduced to a near-spectator as the Blueshirts stare down the possibility of a four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Bruins.

After logging 12:57 in Game 1, Richards saw his total ice time slashed to 10:34 in Game 2, and most recently was limited to just 8:10 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The only Rangers who were featured less than Richards in Game 3 were  fellow fourth liners Chris Kreider (7:06) and Arron Asham (4:25). Richards received the least amount of even-strength minutes (5:58) outside of Asham’s 4:25. Had Kreider not left the game in the third period following a high stick, he would have likely surpassed Richards in total ice time.

It’s jarring, startling and hard to fathom how Richards has become a helpless passenger on the Rangers’ road to ruin, and he only has himself to blame for his undesirable situation.

To see an overawed youngster like Kreider and an ineffective grinder in Asham play minimal roles isn’t surprising, but it’s shocking to see a proven playoff point-getter in Richards riding the pine in 5-on-5 situations.

TORTORELLA PERSEVERING WITH RICHARDS ON THE POINT

What’s most surprising of all is Tortorella’s reluctance to move Richards off the point on the power play. Despite having his overall minutes slashed, Richards still logged 2:12 on the power play in Game 3.

If you’re looking for an explanation as to why the Rangers’ power play is 0-for-10 against the Bruins in round two, you needn’t look further than the man wearing No. 19. Richards’ decision-making abilities have abandoned him. He struggles to make simple passes, constantly looks weak on the puck and tends to cough it up with or without pressure from Bruins forecheckers.

CONFIDENCE ZAPPED FROM RICHARDS’ GAME

The usually assured, veteran confidence that was once a hallmark of Richards’ game has completely evaporated.

When Richards penned a nine-year, $60 million contract in July of 2011, the Rangers believed that they were getting a minimal-maintenance character whose example would rub off on youngsters. He demonstrated both veteran poise and panache in Dallas, where he served as a mentor to blossoming talents Loui Eriksson and James Neal.

Yet, in his second season in New York, Richards has been the player whose struggles are most evident despite his track record of playoff success as well as his familiarity and trust with Tortorella and his offensive system.

Richards and Tortorella spent seven years together in Tampa Bay — culminating with Richards winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Lightning lifted the Stanley Cup in 2004.  During Tampa Bay’s magical run, Richards set — and still holds — the NHL record for the most game-winning goals (seven) in a single playoffs.

Back to the present day, Richards has only been able to contribute a lone goal and zero assists through 10 games during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Strikingly, Richards has only averaged 1.8 shots per game this playoffs and is an overall -3 player.

At 33, he’s become a shadow of the player who has tallied 78 points in 93 career playoff appearances.

IS AN AMNESTY BUYOUT LIKELY?

It’s no secret that the Rangers are weighing the possibility of exercising an amnesty buyout of Richards’ contract in the offseason. Doing so would make Richards’ $6,666,667 annual cap hit disappear.

Should the Rangers elect to go that route in the summer of 2013, they would owe him $1.7 million per year through the 2026-27 season. That number would shrink to $1.5 million per year should they opt to buy out Richards after the 2013-14 season.

It’s probably not the answer that disgruntled Blueshirts fans are hoping to hear, but I’m betting that Richards returns in 2013-14. The Rangers’ internal brain trust hopes that Richards will find his legs given a full training camp, and there isn’t an obvious upgrade among centers available in the 2013 free-agent class.

You can follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.

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1. IS THE 2013 NBA DRAFT AS WEAK AS PEOPLE ARE MAKING IT OUT TO BE?

At the top? Yes. There are NO franchise players in this draft. Usually, the team that wins the lottery throws a party. We’re guessing that probably wasn’t the case on Tuesday night in Times Square when the Cleveland Cavaliers got the top overall pick. The 2013 NBA Draft will be filled with role players and reserves. If you’re looking to change the tune of a franchise with one single selection, this is the wrong year.

2. WHO SUFFERS THE MOST FROM THE LACK OF FRANCHISE-TYPE TALENT AT THE TOP?

Without question, it’s the general managers. Having a high selection in the lottery isn’t just an avenue for a franchise to add one of the best players in college basketball. It’s also a major chip that can be used to acquire veteran players that will have an immediate impact next season. Remember, the Boston Celtics traded the fifth-overall pick in 2007 plus other players to land Ray Allen from Seattle. That move was a precursor to the trade for Kevin Garnett later that summer, which ultimately led to Boston winning the 2008 NBA title. We’re not sure if a similar deal is possible this year.

3. WHO WOULD WE TAKE AS THE TOP OVERALL PICK?

Nerlens Noel. Sure, the Kentucky big man is limited offensively and coming off an ACL tear, but he’s still a game-changing shot blocker and has an unbelievable desire to get better. At just under 7-foot-0, Noel is a legitimate NBA center, and that’s something that is a rarity in today’s NBA. The big man averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game at Kentucky before he got injured in February. We see Noel as someone who could be capable of eventually resembling what Dikembe Mutombo was when he first got into the league with the Denver Nuggets. Noel’s offensive game needs work and he could also add some mass, but he’s still the best prospect on the board.

4. WHICH PLAYER IS THE MOST KNOWN COMMODITY?

Georgetown’s Otto Porter. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said earlier this year that Porter should be the top overall pick in the draft, and was the “best all-around player to ever play in the Big East”. The Hoyas’ talented 6-foot-8 forward does a little bit of everything and can dominate a game without scoring. Porter won’t be a star at the next level, but in the right situation he could have an impact next season. Several NBA GMs have told me that if a veteran team traded up to get Porter, he could have a similar impact to what we’re seeing with Kawhi Leonard right now with the San Antonio Spurs.

5. WHERE IS THE STRENGTH OF THIS DRAFT?

The latter part of the first round and beyond. After the first 15-18 picks, there are several players who could help a team in a certain role. Yes, there’s no franchise-type talent in this draft, but there’s several players who could be vital pieces to a team’s puzzle down the road. A player who someone takes in the second round could wind up being just as productive as a player that another team took at 12 or 13 overall. It’s that type of year.

TEAM TO WATCH: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Blazers general manager Neil Olshey struck gold 11 months ago when he drafted NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard sixth overall. What will he do for an encore? Portland drafts 10th, but also has three second-round picks (39, 40, 45) and could look to trade up or down. We know one thing — the Blazers will be very active on June 27th.

MOST INTRIGUING PLAYER: UNLV’S ANTHONY BENNETT

Runnin’ Rebels coach Dave Rice has regularly compared Bennett to former UNLV star Larry Johnson, and it’s hard not to like the comparison. Like Johnson, Bennett is an explosive athlete and built like a blacksmith. The biggest key for Bennett at the next level? Developing a reliable three-point shot from NBA range. In his one season in college, Bennett was impressive from behind the arc, making 37.5 percent of his three-point shots. He’ll need to continue that in the NBA to have a chance of being a really productive player at the next level.

A NAME TO REMEMBER THAT YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF

Norvel Pelle. Who is Pelle? The former No. 1 ranked center in the Class of 2011 who initially committed to St. John’s didn’t qualify and never played college basketball. While Pelle hasn’t played a minute as a collegiate athlete, he’s still 6-foot-11 and is a tenacious rim protector. He may be worth a late second-round pick.

FIVE LATE FIRST-ROUND GEMS

1. TIM HARDAWAY JR., MICHIGAN

2. ALLEN CRABBE, CAL

3. ISAIAH CANAAN, MURRAY STATE

4. JAMES SOUTHERLAND, SYRACUSE

5. LORENZO BROWN, NC STATE

FIVE WORTHY SECOND-ROUND GAMBLES

1. RICARDO LEDO, PROVIDENCE

2. ARCHIE GOODWIN, KENTUCKY

3. SOLOMON HILL, ARIZONA

4. REGGIE BULLOCK, NORTH CAROLINA

5. DEWAYNE DEDMON, USC

EARLY MOCK DRAFT (LOTTERY VERSION)

1. CLEVELAND – NERLENS NOEL, KENTUCKY

2. ORLANDO – TREY BURKE, MICHIGAN

3. WASHINGTON – ALEX LEN, MARYLAND

4. CHARLOTTE – BEN MCLEMORE, KANSAS

5. PHOENIX – OTTO PORTER, GEORGETOWN

6. NEW ORLEANS – VICTOR OLADIPO, INDIANA

7. SACRAMENTO – ANTHONY BENNETT, UNLV

8. DETROIT – C.J. MCCOLLUM, LEHIGH

9. MINNESOTA – SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD, UCLA

10. PORTLAND – KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE, GEORGIA

11. PHILADELPHIA – CODY ZELLER, INDIANA

12. OKLAHOMA CITY – RUDY GOBERT, FRANCE

13. DALLAS – MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS, SYRACUSE

14. UTAH – DENNIS SCHROEDER, GERMANY

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For all those who were itching to head up to Cortland to see the Mark Sanchez-Geno Smith fight, er, quarterback competition, you might want to change those plans.

If it goes according to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s plan, the Jets’ starting-quarterback situation will be settled faster than a speeding hollow-point bullet. Mornhinweg apparently wants this thing in the rearview mirror by the time camp opens, which means that Smith and Sanchez have 10 OTAs, a three-day minicamp, a handful of classroom sessions and some weight-room workouts to separate themselves from each other.

That’s an ambitious plan, and perhaps a little reckless considering that nothing in the offseason happens in pads. Players do look and act differently when dressed in full battle regalia, after all. But considering what has come out of Florham Park this offseason, settling this matter well ahead of schedule actually stands as one of the franchise’s better ideas.

It’s a risk, surely. The choice of jockey who will ride this ragged nag of a team can easily backfire, considering the alternatives of a veteran quarterback whose career has spiraled out of control and a cocky but flawed rookie who is said to collapse when the going gets rough. Still, it’s a risk worth taking.

A quick settlement will have a two-fold benefit. First and foremost, it will allow the chosen one — and yes, put that in quotes if you wish — a maximum of first-unit snaps during camp. As unsexy as that sounds, consider that the first-team offense will consist of new faces at left and right guard, and a wide receiver in Santonio Holmes who missed most of last season.

The extra time with the veteran will help all the receivers get on the same page. The starting backfield — whoever gets that job — will have ample time to fine tune the nuanced aspects of Mornhinweg’s West Coast system.

If the guy is Smith, it stands to reason that everybody will have his hands full adapting to a rookie quarterback who spent most of his college life in the shotgun formation. The timing involved in taking the under-center snap, adjusting to Smith’s inevitable rookie mistakes and just getting comfortable with the strong-armed kid will take time.

The second aspect involves the locker room. The Jets need someone to lead Rex Ryan’s merry band of misfits. The quarterback is a natural locker-room leader. But nobody can motivate from the bench, or with his wrist tied to an adversary in a Texas death match for his job. Whether it’s Sanchez, whose sagging confidence would get a huge boost from winning the job, or Smith and his youthful enthusiasm, picking a quarterback early will send a message throughout the organization: “This is where we’re headed. Now get on board.”

Considering the nonsense that has afflicted the organization over the past two years — from Holmes’ blowup at the end of 2011 to Woody Johnson’s recent “Truth, justice and the American way” insistence on keeping free-agent running back Mike Goodson around despite a pinch for possession of a loaded .45 caliber handgun, ammo and marijuana –Mornhinweg’s ultimate dream passes for downright genius.

They may have gotten this one right.

All Mornhinweg will have to do is get the choice right.

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Below you can listen to — and download — all of the memorable audio from today’s (05/22) edition of the Boomer & Carton Morning Extravaganza in one nice little package for your convenience.

Until tomorrow morning at 6 a.m., when the guys make their return to the airwaves, stay classy New York!!!

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Her challenger, Jeff, did his best and forced it to the final question.

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John Sterling made a blunder on his final call as Nate McLouth hit a walk-0ff home run to the beat the Yankees, 3-2, in 10 innings. The Mets lost again to the Reds, 4-0. This time David Wright was the goat, as his error allowed two runs to score in the first inning.

The Spurs beat the Grizzlies in Game 2 of the NBA conference finals. The Cavs scored the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The Sharks beat the Kings to tie the series up at 2 in the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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I took a lot of heat for my story on Monday, as many people were upset that I was willing to “accept” a “mediocre” season. They were upset that I would “settle” for coming up short from the Knicks’ ultimate goal of playing the Heat and challenging for a championship.

There seems to be a strange consensus from a segment of fans out there who believe that this Knicks team is trapped where they are, and are in need of serious rebuilding. The premise of the Knicks being unable to improve is faulty, in my opinion, but the bigger point is that a rebuild now is both foolish and impractical.

The Knicks started last season with a three-year plan, and for that very reason their salary allocations are way above the salary cap for the next two seasons. Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony alone put the Knicks right at the salary cap. Stoudemire is untradeable because of his injuries. Anthony isn’t the perfect player and he did struggle shooting in the playoffs, but he brought his team just as far as other top stars in the league not named LeBron James did. He’s not going anywhere, either.

The only one of the big three who could potentially be moved is Chandler. But after this playoff performance his value is low, and the Knicks are unlikely to get anyone to replace him who can provide a similar presence in the middle on defense. The odds that he is moved are extremely small as well.

The first glimpse of flexibility for the Knicks will be after next season, when Anthony has an opt-out in his contract and nearly every single contract on the roster has only one year remaining except for Steve Novak, Ray Felton (player option) and Iman Shumpert (qualifying offer). Anthony might opt out and then look for a long-term extension. If he does, the Knicks would have to make a very tough decision regarding Anthony and this group. They will have to decide whether or not Anthony is a player who they think can bring the Knicks to the next level.

POLL: WHICH KNICKS NEED TO GO?

Whether Anthony exercises his option or not, it is two offseasons from now that the Knicks will have some real turnover. That will be the year for real change if the Knicks don’t feel that this group is championship caliber. Everyone is off the books except for Novak and Felton, who has a playoff option. Even Shumpert is a free agent, though the Knicks will hold his Bird rights and will be able to re-sign him if they want to. That’s when the rebuild, or the serious retooling, is going to happen. The slate will be nearly clean, and the Knicks will either be able to build a completely new team around Anthony or start new without him — depending on whether he opts out the season prior.

That’s what makes next season so important for the Knicks, and therefore, this offseason as well. There are actually small ways for the team to get better. The internal ways are simple: a healthy and improving Shumpert for an entire season, a healthier Stoudemire (not expected, but possible) who could help the team more, an improved Mike Woodson — who should have learned a lot of lessons from the playoffs — and natural improvement that comes with better chemistry when a group is together for a second season. As for personnel, with the Knicks’ cap situation their first priority needs to be bringing back their own free agents.

J.R. Smith is unlikely to get a better deal than the Knicks’ four-year, $22-24 million offer. Despite his erratic play, that’s actually a pretty fair deal for a guy who averaged 18 points a game and improved during the season (until the playoffs). The three other priorities are Kenyon Martin, Pablo Prigioni and Chris Copeland, who could all get better offers elsewhere. The Knicks would be wise to bring them all back if they can, though they will have to make some tough decisions if they have to lose some or all of their mid-level exception to bring them back.

For fans who want the Knicks to let some of these players go, it’s essential to understand one important fact: The money that they don’t spend on them can’t be spent elsewhere. It’s a total loss. It isn’t a matter of getting someone else instead of Smith. It is returning Smith or no one. It’s more or less the same for the other three, though their contract situations are a little different since the Knicks do not own their Bird rights.

Depending on how much it costs to return those three, the Knicks will have a chance to add someone with a mini-mid-level exception of about $3 million (re-signing Martin, Prigioni and Copeland could eat into that). The Heat were able to get Ray Allen with that money last year. It could be a significant veteran trying to join a contending team. And yes, a team that finished in the final eight with 54 wins and the second seed does count as a contending team. Depending on what happens with the other free agents, the Knicks could add a point guard, wing player or big man.

The Knicks can also improve with their first-round pick. The actual player who the Knicks select can help the team, but I also think it’s likely that the Knicks deal the pick or a player for someone who can contribute right away. It’s also possible that they package the pick with one of their lower-salaried player like Novak and take a higher-salaried player off of somebody else’s hands. Don’t expect any sign-and-trades because the Knicks will more than likely be over the salary apron, making it impossible to participate in those due to the new CBA.

The only option for the Knicks this offseason is to tweak and improve. A tear down or rebuild isn’t possible. This team won 54 games last year. They should be able to do the same next season, and if their stars play better in the postseason — which would be hard not to do considering their track record — they could face the Heat with a chance to go win a title.

That’s where the Knicks are, like it or not. Big changes are not coming now. They are two years away. They do have to get better, but that will be incremental, not dramatic. The Knicks are Melo’s team, and right now, that’s a good thing.

You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and New York sports.

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Right Click Here To Download

Below you can listen to — and download — all of the memorable audio from today’s (05/21) edition of the Boomer & Carton Morning Extravaganza in one nice little package for your convenience.

Until tomorrow morning at 6 a.m., when the guys make their return to the airwaves, stay classy New York!!!

Right Click Here To Download

He is 100 percent on board with how coach John Tortorella is running the team and gives some insight on what the Rangers need to do to improve their power play and beat the Bruins in Game 3.

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The Mets lose again thanks to some wonderful defense from Ike Davis. Jerry plays some audio of Terry Collins regarding Ike Davis, and that makes Craig reminisce on some other Mets managers.

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As Craig goes through the list of teams in the local area, he realizes how much he appreciates the Yankees and the Giants for being such class acts.

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Craigie starts giving other good ideas of what they should make the arena smell like.

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Before Jerry can start his update, Craig starts in on everyone who has been taking days off and the random reasons they have given to take the day off. Jerry finally begins his update when Craig gives some breaking news. Jerry follows with highlights from another Yankee win as Travis Hafner ties the game up at four in the ninth inning and Vernon Wells gives them the lead in the top of the 10th. Mo closes the 6-4 win out with his 17th save on the season.

In other news, the Mets lose again. This time Ike Davis brings his negative play to the defense as he interferes with a base runner in the three run first inning. The Mets lose 4-3 after Jay Bruce breaks the tie with a solo home run off of Shaun Marcum in the sixth inning. The Rangers get ready for Game 3 against the Bruins at home and the Knicks give some postmortem quotes in reflection on their short lived playoff run.

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Though his knee issues have not entirely faded into the past, Carmelo Anthony’s first post-playoff doctor visit will evidently focus on his left shoulder, according to the New York Daily News. Melo hurt his shoulder on April 14 and exacerbated it in the first round against Boston. Naturally though, at the time — and with the Indiana series ahead — Anthony said only that “(I)t really just kind of popped in and out a little bit, but I’m fine.”

Anthony’s comment was more revealing than he may have intended for it to be. The implications are that he experienced either a shoulder subluxation or dislocation that reduced (went back in place) without assistance. A subluxation is a partial dislocation, and the fact that the humeral head popped out only “a little bit” is what likely enabled the spontaneous reduction.

This means that Anthony’s shoulder joint is lax, meaning it is unstable. The likelihood is that he has an anterior instability — the displacement of the head of the humerus was in the front of the joint. It implies that one or more of the supports of the joint have been stretched or torn. This type of instability is more common than that at the posterior (rear) of the shoulder joint, or instability that exists in multiple directions.

The primary supports at the shoulder include ligaments (which connect bone to bone) and the labrum, which provides a deeper and more stable socket for the humeral head). The fit at the labrum also contributes to the negative pressure within the joint that secures the humeral head in its socket.

Other stabilizers include the shape of the socket itself as well as the rotator cuff and scapular muscles. Different muscles or ligaments are stressed in different shoulder positions, placing variable demand on each to contribute to stability.

Surrounding the joint is a capsule, which, when torn because of a traumatic dislocation, does not heal without surgery. The labrum and ligaments also require surgery if the tears are sufficient enough to result in recurrent dislocation.

Even repeated tweaking of the shoulder from mild episodes caused by instability may be an indication for surgery. These lower grade injuries still result in inflammation and require recovery periods that entail re-strengthening of the surrounding musculature before returning to full activity.

Additional complications of an unstable shoulder include wear and tear on the rotator cuff (known as tendinosis or tendinopathy) or lesions on the bone itself (at the humeral head) from friction. Surgery may be advised to prevent further damage.

Young athletes who experience traumatic dislocation before the age of 18 are those most destined for surgery. Their injuries generally become recurrent and subsequently restrict activity. However, surgery to restore anterior shoulder stability is common across the board. Unfortunately, even I’ve had it, as has one of my sons — and his was on both sides.

As to the outcome of Anthony’s exam? Neither a wait-and-see approach nor surgery would be surprising. However, this injury is more than a warning sign and it doesn’t bode well.

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If you’re a Rangers fan, you have probably hit the panic switch repeatedly through Games 1 and 2 at TD Garden. Chances are you’ve lost faith in John Tortorella and the Blueshirts’ anemic 2-for-36 power play.

The Rangers’ power play has fallen to 5.5 percent, and is edging dangerously close to that 4.5 percent New York City sales tax rate. Seeing defenseman Dan Girardi’s faulty play lead to Henrik Lundqvist surrendering five goals for the first time in his playoff career has sent many Rangers fans into full panic mode.

You’re going to take your accustomed seat at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday or join your friends at your favorite local watering hole with the feeling that the same things are inevitably going to happen as Game 3 gets under way.

I don’t blame you. All the signs are there for a complete and utter collapse as the Rangers are already down 0-2 to a Boston Bruins team that is playing physically and outhustling the Blueshirts. After all, falling apart when the pressure is on is what the Rangers do best — right?

You’re just waiting for that other shoe to drop and you’re readying whether to assign blame to Tortorella, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Glen Sather or any combination of Rangers players, coaches or executives that have drawn your ire.

You feel like you’ve been “sold a bill of goods” about this team. The excitement generated by the Nash trade and the hope left over from last year’s near-journey to the Stanley Cup has subsided. That magical year of 1994 feels like a long time ago, and next season will be the 20th anniversary of the Rangers ending their 54-year curse.

Since that time, you’ve watched the New Jersey Devils parade the Stanley Cup in the parking lot of Izod Center on three occasions and come close to christening Prudential Center with a Stanley Cup of its own.

Adam Henrique’s Game 6 overtime-winner to clinch the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals for New Jersey was a sudden deathblow to what some Rangers fans would describe as their last hope.

After all, Lundqvist is 31, and he’s not getting any younger. His window to win is beginning to close. Lundqvist is more frustrated and feels more helpless than ever. If the arrival of Nash can’t turn the Rangers into a free-scoring team, who can?

And it all comes back to Tortorella. You’re probably sick of his safety-first and inexpressive style of hockey. After seeing the Bruins light up the Rangers for five goals, you’re seething at Tortorella.

You’re probably asking yourself these very questions:

- How can this team, that is supposed to play tight defensive hockey, give up five goals in a game?

- Can this team handle the physicality of the Bruins without Ryane Clowe and Marc Staal?

- Why are these three Bruins rookies (Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski) playing more effectively than more experienced Rangers blueliners?

- Why is Richards still working the point on the power play? Better yet, why is Richards still in the lineup?

OK, I get it. These are all logical questions and your anger is justified.

STEP AWAY FROM THE PANIC SWITCH

Still, despite all this, the Rangers aren’t anywhere close to being done in this series.

They dug themselves out of an 0-2 hole in Washington largely without playing their best hockey. We haven’t seen the best from the Rangers in these playoffs, yet here they stand. They’ve been in this situation before, they’re still alive and Tortorella believes that his team will respond.

“There will be no give in this team,” Tortorella said after Game 2. “Again, we need to go win a game, not look anywhere else, just try to win our first home game of this series.”

Maybe you don’t look at the Rangers with the same set of eyes that I do. I see a group that looks itself in the mirror, examines its flaws and responds. When I observe Tortorella, I don’t see a stubborn, absolutist coach. What is see in Torts is a master motivator who is calculated in every decision that he makes.

He publicly called out Carl Hagelin by declaring that Hagelin “stinks on the power play” ahead of Game 2. Hagelin didn’t solve the Rangers’ power-play woes, though he played with a lot more jump.

Meanwhile, Tortorella has kept telling Nash to keep doing what he’s doing. Through two games against the Bruins, Nash has registered 10 shots, and he finally broke his playoff-goal drought by scoring a stylish goal in Game 2.

Tortorella knows his team inside and out. Give him the benefit of the doubt before you come charging at him with flaming torches and pitchforks to run him out of town.

No team has ever come back from 0-2 deficits in back-to-back series in NHL history. If there’s ever a team that might do it, it’s Tortorella’s prideful Rangers.

You can follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.

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The Mets rebounded from an 0-3 start to their road trip by taking three of their last four, including a series win in Chicago, their first series victory since taking two of three from Washington at Citi Field a month ago.

Daniel Murphy’s go-ahead home run in the eighth inning was the difference as the Mets defeated the Cubs, 4-3, in Chicago on Sunday. It was Murphy’s second home run of the series and his fourth in his last four games at Wrigley Field.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, over that span (since June 27, 2012), Murphy has hit four homers in 17 at-bats at Wrigley, compared to six home runs in 442 at-bats everywhere else.

While Murphy has gotten hot, Ike Davis’ struggles continue. The Mets’ first baseman begins the week hitting just .156 with four homers and nine RBIs in 39 games played this season.

For the second year in a row, there is speculation that the 26-year-old Davis could be demoted to Triple-A. Mets history tells us that Davis’ being sent down would not be unique for a young veteran position player.

In 1970, Ed Kranepool, who had been with the Mets for all or part of every season since 1962 but was still just 25 years old, was struggling.

On June 23 of that season, Kranepool was batting just .118, and was demoted to the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, the Tidewater Tides. He considered retirement, but instead he accepted his reassignment and batted .310 in 47 games at Tidewater.

Kranepool was back with the Mets by the middle of August, but saw very little playing time. Overall that season, Kranepool had only 52 plate appearances in 43 games.

However, Kranepool would bounce back with perhaps his best season in 1971, batting .280 with 14 home runs and 58 runs batted in, and he remained with the Mets through the 1979 season.

Kranepool played more games at first base than anyone in Mets history, while Davis should move into sixth place on that all-time list this week:

•Ed Kranepool: 1302
•Keith Hernandez: 854
•John Olerud: 463
•Carlos Delgado: 458
•Dave Magadan: 418
•Todd Zeile: 367
•John Milner: 366
•Ike Davis: 366
•Dave Kingman: 339
•Eddie Murray: 308

Last Friday, Matt Harvey drove in the go-ahead run for the Mets in the seventh inning, breaking a 2-2 tie with an RBI single and eventually picking up his fifth win of the season.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Harvey is the first Mets starting pitcher to earn a win and drive in a go-ahead run in the seventh inning or later since Sid Fernandez on August 16, 1993. Fernandez broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the seventh inning of a 6-2 win at Riverfront Stadium against the Reds.

Harvey is now 5-0 with a 1.55 ERA in nine starts. Elias notes that only two other major league pitchers over the last 30 seasons remained undefeated through as many starts with as low an ERA: the Atlanta Braves’ Kris Medlen last season (7-0, 0.86 ERA) and the Red Sox’s Pedro Martinez in 2001 (6-0, 1.52).

The Mets have played roughly a quarter of their schedule, going 17-24 through 41 games. It is the team’s worst record at this point of the season since 2003, when they were also 17-24.

The Mets return to Citi Field for an eight-game homestand, with three-game series against the Reds and Braves this week.

The Mets did not fare well against either team at home last season, dropping four of five at Citi Field against Cincinnati and five of the last six against Atlanta in New York in 2012.

Overall, the Mets are 14-22 against the Braves and 5-9 vs. the Reds at Citi Field.

Happy Recap: Daniel Murphy — The Mets’ second baseman lifted his batting average back to .300 by going 14-for-28 on the recent road trip.

Nine Miles of Rough Road: Jeremy Hefner — The starter fell to 0-5 with loss on Saturday to the Cubs. The Mets are 0-8 in his starts, matching Randy Jones (1981) for the club’s worst mark with a starter from the beginning of a season.

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over·rate
transitive verb \ˈō-vər-ˌrāt\

Definition of OVERRATE : to rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>

Little did Daniel Webster know that he not only summed up the sport of basketball in general, but Carmelo Anthony in particular.

And on Saturday night, the symbolism was endless.

With the Knicks up two points and perilously few moments left, Anthony drove to the basket, unimpeded, ready for a trademark jam.

Then, as if to not only swat his shot but also repudiate all that “watch the star” template entails, Roy Hibbert snatched the life from the Knicks, sending the ball back down Anthony’s bread basket.

It was a flashpoint in the game, the series and the season for the Knicks, who have led you to believe that they’re just a few painfully random moments short of a title.

In fact, their blueprint is faulty beyond repair, and they just lost to a team with less talent, but more teamwork, which serves as a perfect microcosm of your Knickerbockers. Five different players led the Pacers in scoring over the six-game series. We know who always leads the Knicks in scoring.

“He had 39 points!” you snap.

And he was 2-for-7 in the fourth quarter, with some woeful turnovers occurring at crunch time. But why let facts interfere with idolatry? The truth is, you got Anthony at his best and the Knicks still lost. That won’t ever change, because Anthony’s limitations far outweigh his talents. He has not, does not, and will not make his teammates better.

The talking heads at MSG Network, the bobble-head dolls, corporate yes-men for all things orange and blue, belched the predictable platitudes, perhaps knowing that the door has been shut and bolted on this club.

One doll talked about having “really good pieces in place,” while another talked about how Marcus Camby can step it up next year. Marcus Camby.

The Knicks owe $74 million in guaranteed money next year. The salary cap is around $59 million. We’ve seen the past and present, and now they have no future. They have gone as far as Anthony will take them.

ESPN flashed a factoid that wasn’t lost on us Anthony detractors. Here are the top four scoring averages from players who never played in the NBA Finals.

1) George  Gervin
2) Carmelo Anthony
3) Dominique Wilkins
4) Pete Maravich

Did any of Anthony’s ring-less contemporaries make his teams exponentially better?

Fun to watch. Fallible to the core.

When you’re a loser you dwell in marginal wins: best record since 1997, first division title since 1994, first playoff series win since 2000. But never, ever, first championship since 1973. That mark is monolithic, as much a part of the Madison Square Garden landscape as Penn Station, Penn Plaza, pretzels and hot dogs.

Knicks fans will scatter like roaches when the kitchen light flicks on. But they won’t leave without a few myopic parting shots, their sights set on Mike Woodson, Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith. Anyone but Anthony, of course.

If I hear one more Knicks fan blame the referees, it will be time to quarantine the entire bunch, stuffed into their accustomed, comfortable cubicles where they hibernate, clutching their conspiracy theories until next fall.

The Knicks have become the Brooklyn Dodgers, always an arm’s length from the promised land. Both are bums. But one team, this team, isn’t so lovable.

10 years and counting for Anthony, and 40 for your… New…York … Knicks!

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Even as we sit well before Memorial Day, a two-sided debate has already started to take shape.

Do we cancel the rest of the season and give Joe Girardi a contract extension and Manager of the Year honors? And do we just get it over with in Flushing and proclaim Terry Collins a goner after this year, if not sooner?

It’s an interesting dualism — on one side a manager who is battling an injury situation that makes plague look like the common cold. Girardi’s team keeps winning despite Andy Pettitte becoming the 13th player to hit the DL since Opening Day, and the 15th since spring training. And you can throw in catcher Chris Stewart in there, too, as he is day-to-day with a left groin injury.

On the other side, you have a different kind of malady that affects Collins’ Mets. It’s an organizational culture that allows immaturity to go unpunished, underachievement to continue, and the talent arrow to remain pointed downward. In other words, you get what you pay for, and what the Mets are getting right now is a season spiraling toward oblivion.

Unlike last year, when they at least put on a passable show through June, they are floundering now. Only Matt Harvey pitching every day, it seems, would give them a chance to work their way up from fourth, a placement made possible only because of the dismantling of the last-place Marlins in the offseason.

Girardi has worked nothing short of magic in the Bronx. With a calm, collected demeanor, and with a lot of wise help from GM Brian Cashman, he has filled in the gaps with economical pickups like Vernon Wells, who still gets the bulk of his $21 million for 2013 from the Angels, Lyle Overbay, and just a couple of days ago a Colorado utility infielder named Reid Brignac who, by the way the Yankees’ year is going, will undoubtedly go on to hit .300 and drive in a slew of clutch runs.

Girardi’s Yanks are having such a lovely time of it that there are no murmurings of controversy coming out of clubhouse; just a bunch of guys eager to get in the lineup and get at-bats. The help comes from all over the lineup, from players like Jayson Nix and Curtis Granderson playing in and out of their natural positions.

The Mets in comparison are exceptionally healthy. Maybe they could use a little non-self-inflicted adversity to pull things together. Instead, Collins has a show-boating bench guy in Jordany Valdespin who garners the same affection from his teammates as he gets from opposing pitchers, a veteran first baseman in Ike Davis who stays in the majors despite a .156 BA that doesn’t begin to tell the story of a current 2-for-33 (.061) slump, and a starting rotation that, outside of Harvey, just hasn’t been good.

Don’t even talk about the bullpen. It’s a disaster. Bad enough that 0-5 Jeremy Hefner — the Mets are 0-8 in his starts, by the way — gave up four runs in four innings the other day, but the pen gave up four more runs. Two of those came off homers. It’s a real chore these days getting to closer Bobby Parnell, the only bright spot out there.

Don’t blame it all on Collins, though. Sandy Alderson hasn’t given him any talent to work with. As Davis and Lucas Duda daily look evermore like glorified Triple-A players, what little money the Bernie Madoff-ized Wilpons have budgeted for Alderson hasn’t been spent wisely.

So we have the contrast, the gap if you will. On one side of town, a first-place team with a manager being talked up as the best of the best. On the other, a fourth-place disaster with little hope of improvement and a manager on the ropes who is just doing the best he can.

Wouldn’t it be nice if things turned around ever so slightly for the Mets, so everyone in New York would have a reason to watch baseball this year?

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Saturday night hurt for Knicks fans, and understandably so.

The Knicks lost a playoff series they easily could have won against Indiana, if their best players played just a little closer to expectations. It’s easy to be despondent and pessimistic after a series like that, even though the team surpassed all expectations in the regular season, winning 54 games and securing the two-seed. But Knicks fans would be wise to cope with this loss with some perspective.

Before the season, the Knicks gathered as many veterans as possible around Carmelo Anthony with the expressed goal of beating the Miami Heat on the way to a championship. Despite that lofty goal, any realistic Knicks fan would have considered it a successful season if they would have challenged the Heat in the Eastern Conference finals and lost. If a championship was the equivalent of a home run, then that would have been a triple. The Knicks fell short, making the end of the season a failure, but not a complete one.

They still smacked a double.

The Knicks were two wins away. New York could have gotten those wins if J.R. Smith didn’t self-destruct and go ice cold at the worst time. They could have gotten those wins if Tyson Chandler was healthy and didn’t play like a shell of himself. They could have gotten those wins if Mike Woodson realized earlier in the Pacers series that the smart way to play Indiana was to go small. Heck, simply putting the Celtics away in four games and getting rest before Game 1 could have been the difference. I didn’t even mention Carmelo’s bum shoulder and poor playoff shooting. If one of those things doesn’t happen, just one, the Knicks might beat Indiana. So many things went horribly wrong, and the Knicks were still six minutes away from hosting a Game 7 that could have brought them to the Eastern Conference finals.

These aren’t franchise-killing fundamental flaws that call for firing the coach, liquidating the roster and starting over. The Knicks aren’t far away from where they want to be. This season is one to build on, not to discard. More times than not, championship teams aren’t put together in a year. They are built over time, even for a win-now team like the Knicks. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this first year of playoff experience that can make the team better next year. Teams and coaches have to live through those mistakes before they can correct them.

As a coach, Woodson needs to get more creative offensively not rely so much on Anthony and Smith to create in one-on-one situations. For their part, Smith and Anthony have to be willing to commit to getting their shots in the flow of the offense rather than freezing the ball. In the end, this will help both players since their shots will be easier, and far more efficient. Right now, the team depends on those guys making some very low-percentage shots to score enough points to win games. Good defensive teams like the Celtics and Pacers took advantage of that tendency and made the third-best offensive team in the regular season look downright pathetic.

Woodson did some things very well this year. He juggled a number of lineups, turned Smith into a better player and dealt with a ton of injuries. But the same weakness that plagued him in Atlanta, an uncreative offense, ended up hurting him with the Knicks. He just didn’t know how to generate points consistently against the better teams. Until he fixes that problem, he won’t be a championship-caliber coach. At times, his lineup decisions were mind-boggling, having more to do with loyalty to veteran players than winning basketball games. I still don’t know why he didn’t make more of Pablo Prigioni and Chris Copeland on the floor. Woodson has to fix these things if the Knicks want to take the next step.

The players also need to learn a few things. The first is that every single game, play and decision within a game can be the difference between a win and a loss. Whether it was Smith’s blown defensive assignments in the fourth quarter of Game 6 against the Pacers, or his elbow against Jason Terry, those plays cost games. Whether it was Anthony not closing out on a Paul George three or failing to get back on defense, those small mistakes lose games. Whether it was Chandler not going after a rebound, Shumpert or Martin committing a dumb foul, Ray Felton shooting a twenty footer instead of driving, or anyone taking a low-percentage shot, those plays lose games. The Knicks can’t lose again next year because the team they played was smarter and played harder.

Hopefully, this team was humbled a bit, too. At times this year, they were far more confident than their play would have dictated. Arrogant teams don’t focus play to play or game to game. They don’t work as hard. The Knicks need to recognize the effort needed to get better to take the next step, before they actually take it. They have to be willing to make the commitment.

Unfortunately they have very little flexibility to improve the roster in free agency, and it’s possible they might even lose some players like Smith, Prigioni and Copeland. (More on that tomorrow.) Their coach isn’t changing either. With the majority of the Knicks contracts expiring after the 2014-15 season, New York has one or two more years to make a run with this group.

They might never beat the Heat, but this season they made a good run — a run they can be proud of.

Somewhere along the way — mostly because of the Yankees — a season was considered a failure if a team didn’t win a championship. I understand the sentiment. I also believe, however, that after a decade of mismanagement from the likes of Scott Layden and Isiah Thomas, any Knicks fan who didn’t thoroughly enjoy this season is a fool.

Anyone who wants to start rebuilding again is just as dumb. Are the Knicks going to win a title next year? I don’t know, probably not. Just look at the odds. It’s not easy. This year they were one of eight teams left, and the second-best team in the East.

It’s OK to be proud of that. It’s OK to enjoy that.

I know I did, even with the way the season ended.

You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and New York sports.

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Horse racing came up in conversation. Rather than talking about the Preakness Stakes, Craig and Michelle decide to talk about horse anatomy…

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Below you can listen to — and download — all of the memorable audio from today’s (05/20) edition of the Boomer & Carton Morning Extravaganza in one nice little package for your convenience.

Until tomorrow morning at 6 a.m., when the guys make their return to the airwaves, stay classy New York!!!

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They make it seem simple: the power play stunk and Lundqvist stunk.

Then Craig tries to set up Michelle with his cousin at the upcoming Game 4 of the Rangers-Bruins series.

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Craigie decides to not only explain what Michelle is missing out on, he also tells her where she can find some other great ice cream choices.

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Michelle Beadle was doing interviews at the Preakness and shared some of her experience at the race, along with her thoughts on horses. Craig admits that he and Boomer completely missed on the winner Oxbow, but wonders if the horse even knows he won a race.

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Erica starts off with the Rangers’ loss to the Bruins. While the game was still close, Ryan Callahan scored, which caused a sideline reporter to ask John Tortorella how huge of a goal it was for the Rangers. Erica played audio of Tortorella’s response to that question along with some post game comments as well.

Also: the Ottawa Senators were able to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second overtime 2-1. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 105 – 83. Carmelo Anthony’s shoulder to be checked out. Daniel Murphy’s solo home run gives the Met’s a 4-3 win.

Since this is Erica’s first update with the show, the guys try to distract her as best as possible with some sound bites in the background. Erica holds her own.

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Saturday’s feature of the day is the Preakness Stakes. We took a long look at that, but there are a few races I like at Belmont Park and Monmouth Park as well that we can discuss.

Last week, we hit a couple of winners and exotic wagers at Monmouth Park. Let’s aim for more.

We head to Belmont Park first.

Race 5: 20K Maidens — 5 1/2 Furlongs on the dirt

King Keene hasn’t won in 15 tries, but showed some early speed in his last race, placing by three lengths. A shorter race and good post position should help. Skyhook gets a major class drop, and after taking a wide trip in last, should be in the mix. Getting Ortiz on the mount looks favorable. Woburn catches the outside draw, but ran a good one the last time out, and had a solid work last week. It’s worth keeping on eye on.

Race 9: The Grade-2 Vagrancy Handicap, $200k Purse — 6 1/2 Furlongs on the dirt

Miss d’Oro is coming off a second-place performance in the Distaff, and recent works show she is ready to go. She has hit the board in each of her seven starts, including four wins and one at this distance. She may choose to go closer to the lead early. Spectacular Sky will hit the lead from the beginning and will try to wire the field. Has hit the board 14 of 19 tries, including six wins. Irish Exchange will have some value, with a ML of 12-1, but if she brings her best she could take this group. Exotics play, for sure.

Now we head down to Monmouth Park and look at the feature race at the Jersey Shore on Preakness day.

Race 11: The Grade-3  Red Bank Stakes, $100K Purse — 1 Mile on the turf

Hobbs is coming off a nice closing win in the Turf Classic at Tampa Downs. He has five turf wins and draws Elvis Trujillo on the mount. He should be coming around the turn and flying late. Finale should be two or three lengths from the lead, and if he has anything left in the tank, he should be heard from late. Would expect an early move from jockey Chris DeCarlo is this horse is going to win. Todd Pletcher horses always get bet at Monmouth. Expect the price to shrink from 6-1. Za Approval is coming off a nice win in the Appleton Stakes against similar, and, like Hobbs, this horse has to be held off late. Joe Bravo gets the call for Christopher Clement and will be tough to ignore.

Obviously the Preakness is the top race of the day, but if you’re in the mix for the day of racing, these are some very appealing races.

I will be tweeting out some picks all day @BMonzoWFAN.  

Good luck!

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New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson was wrong for changing his lineup, going big, benching Pablo Prigioni and trying to match Indiana’s size and toughness down low.

Instead of approaching the ebbs and flows of the Eastern Conference semifinals like a team that had won over 50 games with a style and identity of three-point shooting, floor spacing, and, most importantly, Carmelo Anthony’s versatility in the power-forward position, Woodson panicked.

By going big, double-teaming an average offensive player in Roy Hibbert and letting Indiana dictate the pace and flow of the series, New York found themselves in a 3-1 hole heading into Game 5.

While hearing Woodson admit that he was wrong would be satisfying to some Knick fans, it’s unnecessary. By adjusting back to the formula that helped New York reach this point for the first time in over a decade, Woodson admitted everything that needed to be disclosed.

Sitting down Amar’e Stoudemire and Jason Kidd wasn’t about respect, it was about playing to win. Riding the hot hand in Chris Copeland wasn’t about fairness, it was about finding a jump shooter ready and able to knock down shots.

Despite the 3-2 lead, Indiana isn’t much better than New York. They may be longer and stronger, but they’ve also had the luxury of New York falling into a collective shooting hole. Through five games, this series is where many felt it would be — on the verge of being very, very even.

WFAN takes many calls and thoughts on the Knicks. Over the course of the season, countless calls about rotations, minutes, Copeland and Woodson have lit up the lines. On Thursday, those calls were heard.

Ultimately, this series will be determined by adjustments. We’ll never know what Game 4 would have looked like with the Game 5 decisions, but it’s irrelevant now.

There’s many reasons why Woodson has had a successful tenure in New York. From talent to chemistry to accountability to Anthony’s top 5 MVP finish, the deck has dealt Woodson a good hand to succeed at Madison Square Garden.

Yet, not every coach could have adjusted the way he has. From the tinkering of the rotation to injuries to minute restrictions to suspensions, Woodson has had a challenge since taking over for Mike D’Antoni last year.

That’s why hearing Woodson admit a mistake isn’t necessary. All coaches make them over the course of a series, but the better coaches aren’t stubborn.

They readjust, finding the right formula before it’s truly too late. If you watched the immortal D’Antoni in Los Angeles this season, adjusting and readjusting with a roster not specifically designed for his style was the issue.

Aesthetically pleasing basketball is fun, but winning basketball is all the matters.

When Indiana wanted to go big, Woodson gave in, losing the compass of his basketball team. Ultimately, he allowed Frank Vogel to outcoach him and guide the flow of the series.

On Thursday night, he admitted his mistake, one substitution at a time.

As the chess match continues on Saturday night in Indiana, trust Woodson. It took five games, but he once again has the pulse of his team against Indiana’s strengths and weaknesses.

For Knicks fans, nothing more can be asked.

Joe Giglio was the winner of Fantasy Phenom III in 2012. You can hear him on WFAN this Saturday from 1-3 a.m. Twitter? He’s on it @JoeGiglioSports.

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40-year-old pitcher Andy Pettitte joined the long list of ailing Yankee veterans on Thursday night, leaving in the fifth inning of a 3-2 loss to Seattle. The diagnosis was said to be a left trapezius strain. The lefty had reportedly experienced upper back tightness for several innings, but after a massage in the clubhouse during the top of the fourth inning, he felt well enough to return to pitch the fifth. The symptoms returned immediately, and his only fastball of the inning was clocked at 87 mph, below his usual modest velocity of 88-91.

After a successful start to this season, Pettitte experienced some difficulties in frustrating losses to Oakland and Houston, afterward acknowledging that he had “misplaced” his cutter. His form returned against Kansas City, and he was pitching well on Thursday night without any obvious pain — despite the “knot” in his upper back — until being pulled with two outs in the fifth.

This isn’t Pettitte’s first strain in recent years, and the Yankees have to hope that he will rebound from this one much faster than he did from the groin strain that kept him out of action for two months in 2010.

SO WHERE IS THE TRAPEZIUS, AND WHAT IS ITS ROLE?

The trap muscle (view image here) is shaped like a trapezoid and covers a wide region, originating at the cervical and thoracic vertebrae and inserting on the bony spine of the scapula (shoulder blade) and at the shoulder region on a prominence called the acromion (which is an extension of the scapula). The acromion is positioned like a hood over the joint. See this great image.

One of the main roles of the traps is to stabilize the shoulder blade with movements of the arm. It does this along with several other muscles in the region, most notably the serratus anterior. As a result, portions of the trap are recruited to act with many movements of the upper extremities.

The trapezius muscle has fibers that are oriented to form three distinct sections: the upper, middle and lower traps. When all sections act in unison, their common function — to pinch the shoulder blades together — is the effect. This is known as scapular adduction or retraction.

Acting alone, the upper trap enables us to shrug our shoulders and also helps to suspend the shoulder girdle. This portion of the muscle is generally strong and overused. You will often note people who are weightlifting or performing manual labor hiking their shoulders, substituting their upper traps for weaker muscles that should be working on a more stable shoulder blade.

The upper trap also acts to upwardly rotate the shoulder blade and is one of the muscle groups whose role it is to tilt the head (toward the side that is contracting) or rotate it (away).

The important middle trap acts primarily to retract the scapulae, though it also plays a role in scapular rotation.

The lower trap works (with the serratus anterior) to hold the shoulder blade to the chest wall so it does not shift. Like the upper trap, it also assists with an upward rotation of the scapula.

The middle and lower traps are often weaker than they should be or lack the necessary endurance. When this is the case, it results in overuse of the upper trap, hence the undesired hiking of the shoulders with elevation of the arm.

There are specific exercises to strengthen the lower and middle traps in relative isolation.  Though shoulder shrugs for the upper traps seem to be popular in the gym, especially amongst men, I am not a fan. Focusing instead on the other, weaker portions of the trap with specific wall exercises, seated presses and even light weights in specific positions will accomplish this. Form is crucial to avoid substitution of stronger muscles.

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The Rangers had an opportunity to jump on top of the Bruins and steal the first game of the series.

Boston started the series with three of their veteran defensemen sidelined. Dennis Seidenberg, perhaps the most underrated player on the team, injured his leg in the seventh game of the series against Toronto and was unavailable.

Andrew Ference and Wade Redden were also unavailable. Yes, that Redden.

Bruins head coach Claude Julien had to go with three rookies in their place. Dougie Hamilton, who may well become a star in the NHL in the future, was asked to take a regular turn after spending much of the first round in the press box. The Bruins had recalled Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug from the team’s minor-league affiliate in Providence.

CBS BOSTON: TOUCHER & RICH’S DRUNKEN BRUINS RECAP

Did any of this enter into John Tortorella’s thinking as he devised his team’s strategy?

Take away three veteran defensemen who have seen it all in their careers and bring in three babies who are just feeling their way.

If Tortorella had wanted to take home-ice advantage away from the Bruins, he could have attacked the defense with an extra forechecker and forced the action.

Instead, he stuck with his usual plan of attack, which is to play defense throughout and do whatever he can to protect goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Now there’s a player who needs protection.

Lundqvist is the best goalie in the NHL and probably the best goalie in the world. The Bruins, another defensive-minded team, rarely light up the scoreboard. They are the gang that can’t shoot straight. For every shot that ends up on goal, they usually have an equal number that can’t even find their way to the target.

RANGERS VS. BRUINS MAP: MAKE YOUR MARK!

Instead of pressing the three youngsters and forcing them to carry the puck up ice decisively, they gave them a wide, welcoming swath of ice and allowed the youngsters to feel comfortable.

As a result, the Bruins were not under pressure in Game 1. They took most of the action to the Rangers and used a decisive overtime period that ended when Brad Marchand took a slick pass from Patrice Bergeron and tucked it between Lundqvist’s legs.

Bruins 3, Rangers 2.

This should have been a game in which the Bruins panicked because the Rangers’ forwards undressed the Boston defensemen in the offensive zone.

While it seems unlikely that Ference is going to be back soon, Seidenberg and Redden may be back by the second game. Perhaps not until the third game.

HARTNETT: RANGERS CAN’T REPEAT WALKING-DEAD PERFORMANCE IN GAME 2

Under most circumstances, the Rangers’ game plan is appropriate for their personnel. There is not a lot of goal-scoring talent, even with the presence of Rick Nash — we’re still waiting for his first postseason goal with the Blueshirts – and Brad Richards, who has slowed down quite a bit.

So it usually makes sense to play stellar defense, depend on Lundqvist and wait for the opponent to make a mistake or two.

But not in Game 1 against the injured Bruins. You don’t let a trio of rookies feel comfortable in their own zone. You put the heat on them and make them sweat and work when they carry the puck. You aggressively forecheck so you can get turnovers and force Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask into making acrobatic saves.

It seems obvious, but it takes a courageous decision by a coach who is set in his ways.

It would have made him uncomfortable, but it would have been the right choice.

Tortorella didn’t make it and the Rangers are down a game.

Hand that loss to the Rangers’ coach.

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Two weeks ago, Orb came from the back of the pack in the mud to catch Normandy Invasion and hold off Revolutionary, Golden Soul and Mylute to win the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

It wasn’t easy for Orb, trained by Shug McGaughey, and it won’t get easier at Pimlico for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the immortal Triple Crown of horse racing.

There’s a smaller field of competitors, with only a total of nine horses, but most are capable of winning the race.

Orb drew the unfortunate rail, taking the first post. But the distance and less crowded track should make it a lot easier for jockey Joel Rosario to manipulate traffic and figure out his initial move.

Let’s break down the field, starting with Orb on the rail:

Orb is a closer. He will be coming off the pace, which may be a quick one (not as quick as the Derby with Palace Malace running a half-mile at 45 seconds). Even with his post position, Orb should be sitting six to seven lengths from the lead around the back stretch. If the pace is slow, I would expect Rosario to move him a little earlier than normal. He is 5 for 8 in his career and 4 for 4 this year. I expect Orb to be headed to the Belmont Stakes looking for the Triple Crown. He is currently at even money, but I think 4/5 will be the price when the race goes off.

MORE: ORB PURSUES PART 2

Goldencents has the second post position and I expect Kevin Krigger to revert him back to his previous role going directly to the lead.  His success has come close to or in the lead and I think if he is going to do anything here, he has to get close early. I don’t see him having a hard time doing so, either. Doug O’Neill loves to run them out there, but I think if he goes to the lead, he will be caught by more than one horse.

Titletown Five is another horse that has found most of his success when going to the lead. The third post certainly will make that part of it easy. I like the connections with D. Wayne Lukas and Julien Leparoux on the mount, but when I think Leparoux, I think turf racing and a huge closer. This horse seems outclassed and will off at a big price. May be worth leaving on superfecta tickets, but that’s about it.

Departing has done very little wrong in his five career races. He is 4 for 5 for Albert Stall with Brian Hernandez on the mount. He took the G3 Illinois Derby with ease last month. The question here is can he hang with this class? He should be placed right off the pace and be flying down the stretch. Good horses do good things, and I expect this horse to be close in the end. Include this guy on most if not all exotic tickets.

Mylute gets another chance for Tom Amoss and Rosie Napravnik. He was made the second favorite, behind Orb, on the morning line, and quite frankly that puzzled me. I think he runs well and has some kick, but I don’t see this horse having a winning instinct. He is 0 for 3 this year, and only 2 for 10 in his career. Worth an exotic ticket play, but not a winner.

Oxbow has been the victim of bad trip after bad trip. In the Derby, he got bumped and was the victim of a super-fast pace.  Gary Stevens gets the call, this horse finally gets a good post position and I think will be live on the tote boards. He should be close to the lead — and if Stevens can get the trip, it wouldn’t surprise me if Oxbow pulls of the upset. Is it likely? Probably not. But at 10-1, it may be worth playing.

Will Take Charge was my price horse in the Derby, and if not for having to check up for a fading Verrazano, may have found himself in the money at over 30-1. This time, people will be playing him a little more and I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes off at 8-1. Lukas is playing this horse to win, and brought in hall of fame jockey Mike Smith to take the ride. I just see this as a horse that can run when asked, and I think he is a big-time value play on the win as well as someone to keep on all exotic tickets. His one workout between the races was decent and I think he is ready to go.

Govenor Charlie comes from the West with Bob Baffert. The winner of the G3 Sunland Derby is 2 for 3 and ridden by Martin Garcia. The Baffert stable knows how to win, but this horse hasn’t raced against great competition. In a nine-horse field and Beyers numbers of 94 and 95, you certainly cannot completely dismiss him, but I don’t see him taking much of a piece here.  He does come from champion sprinter Midnight Lute, but I am staying away.

Itsmyluckyday moves from Elvis Trujillo to John Velazquez and will get plenty of attention during the race. The morning line is 10-1, but I could see him being bet down to 5-1. He worked last weekend at Monmouth Park, and looked good, but I don’t think this horse is great at longer than a mile. He has a good post on the outside, and can dictate where he wants to go — and having Velazquez is big — but I don’t see the win coming. I will certainly leave on a handful of tickets, but not going crazy.

MORE: HOW I’D BET $100

As first glance the weather for race looks good, which makes Preakness day that much better.

I think this race is going to go pretty much as expected. With the speed, Goldencents, perhaps Titletown Five and Oxbow will be on the lead, followed by the rest of the group just off the pace. I could see Orb dropping to last early and based on the pace making his move early or late. I just really think if Orb gets the trip, he will be able to catch leaders and come away with the win.

I like Will Take Charge to sit close and finish behind Orb when it’s over.

I think a lot of people will bet Oxbow, Itsmyluckyday and Mylute. I’m hoping they get a lot of attention and keep Orb over even money and Will Take Charge in double digits.

Departing also will be on most of my tickets, including every trifecta and superfecta.

My tops picks:  Orb, Will Take Charge, Departing

Throw away: Goldencents, Govenor Charlie, Titletown Five

Good luck to everyone!

Follow Monzo on Twitter for last-minute thoughts or his plays throughout the day: @BMonzoWFAN.

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You might despise John Tortorella for his curt interactions with the media or disagree with his coaching philosophies. Even if you’re the staunchest Tortorella hater, you have to give him credit for one thing: he’s always brutally honest, especially after a souring overtime defeat in the playoffs.

“I thought it was pretty even going into the overtime, but we get spanked in the overtime,” Tortorella said after Thursday’s loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 1.

Tortorella is never going to give you a bull-flop description of his team’s play. If the Rangers sucked, he’ll tell you they sucked. And Torts will probably give it to you in those exact words. He’s a straight shooter.

The Bruins attacked Henrik Lundqvist’s net, wave after wave of pressure in overtime, while the shuffling Rangers couldn’t even get out of their own way. Eventually, the dam was going to break as Boston out-shot New York 16-5 in overtime.

CBS BOSTON: TOUCHER & RICH’S DRUNKEN BRUINS RECAP

It was a costly mistake pass by Derick Brassard that was the final blow in Game 1, though any one of the 17 turnovers made by the “Walking-Dead Rangers” could have resulted in Bruins goals.

“It was a surge, we couldn’t stop it,” Tortorella said.

LUNDQVIST’S FRUSTRATION GROWING

After the Rangers dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in overtime, Lundqvist shouldered the blame for what he described as a “technical thing.”

“I gotta see the guy in the middle. I was too focused on the puck,” Lundqvist said of Brad Marchand’s game-winning goal.

Endearing accountability is what you get from the highly self-critical Lundqvist on any given night. He willingly accepts blame and carries it on his back as extra motivation. That’s just the kind of guy he is -– but really, Lundqvist doesn’t deserve any blame for the loss.

Yet, there was a unusual hint of frustration at his teammates when Lundqvist was asked about his history of losing playoff games in overtime. Lundqvist is a career 3-11 in those situations.

“Have I played bad in overtime? No. Can I score? No. Is it frustrating? Yes. My record is terrible in overtime, but I’ve got to stick with it, play my game and hopefully it will turn around,” Lundqvist said.

RANGERS OUT OF SYNC IN GAME 1

Lundqvist was forced into making 45 saves, largely due to the 17 giveaways committed by his teammates in Game 1.

The Rangers were scatterbrained in their execution all night. They failed to string together simple passes and played like an out-of-sync orchestra.

They found new depths of despair in a lifeless power play that sunk to 2-for-31 in the 2013 playoffs. If you didn’t think the Rangers could possibly get worse on the power play, they discovered new levels of inadequacy Thursday.

“I don’t think we played up to our standards,” admitted winger Mats Zuccarello.

RANGERS VS. BRUINS MAP: MAKE YOUR MARK!

It was Brassard’s inexcusable cross-ice pass that doomed the Rangers to an overtime defeat. Ryan McDonagh was caught up ice and Brassard unleashed a brainless pass in the offensive zone that allowed the Bruins to rush on a three-on-two break. Brad Marchand out-muscled the tiny Zuccarello and cut into the low-slot.

Patrice Bergeron placed a inch-perfect pass on the tape of Marchand’s stick. Marchand, playfully known as “Nose Face Killah” coolly put the puck through Lundqvist’s five hole and sent TD Garden into a frenzy.

ZOMBIE-NATION BLUESHIRTS GUNNED DOWN BY ‘NOSE FACE KILLAH’

The Bruins’ goal song, “Kernkraft 400” by German electro group Zombie Nation, blared over the TD Garden speakers as teammates rushed a leaping Marchand.

It was fitting, as the Rangers played close to a group of brainless zombies for most of the night, only lacking a lust for flesh — or in their case a lust for goals. The obvious hustle of Boston’s Marchand and Bergeron was absent from the majority of the Rangers, who couldn’t keep their legs churning with an energy equal to the goal-thirsty Bruins.

Lundqvist contended with 15 shots in overtime. He and his trusty posts and crossbar surrounding him were the reason why the Rangers were able to limp on for 15:40 seconds before Marchand’s “Killah” blow.

On the other end of the ice, no one would blame Tuukka Rask had he taken a seat in his crease during the 9-plus minutes the Rangers went without registering a shot on goal in overtime. Rask only had to bat away six saves in overtime.

HUGE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

If there’s something that Rangers fans can cling to, it’s that the Bruins probably played their best hockey in Game 1, the Rangers played their absolute worst – and the Blueshirts were only done in by an overtime goal.

You have to imagine the Rangers’ top guns will give them more in Game 2 should they figure out a way to break through the Bruins’ defensive wall and establish a forecheck.

An aggressive forecheck is a staple of the Rangers’ game and went largely missing throughout. It’s hard to envision the Blueshirts playing this flat again in this series.

If you’re an optimistic type, you can hang your hat on knowing that the Rangers have a lot of time between now and Sunday to correct things.  Game 1 might’ve made brutal watching for Rangers fans, but it’s only one game.

And it’s hardly reason to count the Blueshirts out.

You can follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.

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After watching Games 3 and 4, it would be hard to make the case that the Knicks can win on Saturday night in Indiana.

They shot 35 percent, were dominated on the boards, and lost by double digits in both road games. The Pacers looked like the much better team.

So why will Game 6 be different?

Here’s a dose of hope:

1. The Pacers got career games from Roy Hibbert in Game 3 and George Hill in Game 4.

Hill was ruled out of Game 5 – a win for New York – and is still questionable for Game 6 with a concussion.  Will another Pacers player step up and put together a 20-point performance? The Knicks, on the other hand, didn’t get better-than-average games from any of their players. Eventually someone on the Knicks is going to get hot and take over a game. Right?

2. The Knicks have star power in Carmelo Anthony.

Melo was good in Game 5, but shot only 12-for-28. He missed plenty of make-able shots, including three of the point-blank variety near the rim. Anthony has only been better than 45 percent once in this series (Game 2, 50 percent), and under 40 percent three times. To win an elimination game on the road, Carmelo needs to be a difference maker. I know his shoulder is hampering him, and he deserves credit for fighting through the injury, but if he has a big game left, the Knicks need it in Game 6.

3. The Knicks were horrific on offense in Indiana but still lost by only 11 and 10 points.

They didn’t score over 85 points in either game. They were still hanging around in the fourth quarter. The Pacers didn’t light it up either, finishing with only 82 points in Game 3 and 93 in Game 4. If the Knicks can muster only a decent offensive performance, they’ll score enough points to win. The Pacers are turnover-prone and go through long bouts of missed shots. New York needs to take advantage of those droughts and get easy baskets in transition. If the Knicks score 90, they win the game.

4. Mike Woodson’s long-overdue adjustments might just give N.Y. the edge on offense.

By keeping Jason Kidd and Amar’e Stoudemire on the bench in the second half of Game 5, giving their minutes to Chris Copeland, the Knicks got the added offense needed to get over the top. Copeland scored more points in 19 minutes Thursday night (13) than Kidd and Stoudemire over the entire series. If Woodson keeps those two veterans on the bench for the entirety of Game 6, he might give the Knicks the added offensive boost they need. Fans and writers had been calling for Copeland to play, and rarely are they proven as right as they were in Game 5. Woodson can’t be stubborn here. If Kidd and Stoudemire’s egos are hurt a little bit, so be it. The Knicks’ rotation in Game 6 needs to be Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Anthony, Copeland, Kenyon Martin and Tyson Chandler. That’s it.

5. Say goodbye to double troubles.

The Knicks’ defensive adjustments in Game 5 probably looked a lot better because Hill wasn’t in the game, but the Knicks’ decision to not double-team the Pacers’ big men was huge. Indiana never got going from the perimeter and as expected, and Roy Hibbert and West combined to shoot just 10-of-24 in their post isolations. The Knicks can live with that. They started doubling again in the fourth quarter, but sticking to the man-to-man defense needs to be the plan going forward. It also helped the Knicks on the boards since there weren’t any mismatches under the basket from all the rotating.

6. Welcome back, J.R.

Smith only shot 4-of-11 in the game, but he looked a lot more like his usual self. He appears closer to hitting one of those hot games, which would be all the Knicks need to force a Game 7. Shumpert’s been cold too, and the Knicks would really like it if he could catch fire.

7. One of these games is finally going to go down the wire, right?

So far we haven’t had a game come down to one possession in the final minute. I think that happens in Game 6. With the Knicks’ roster full of guys who can score one-on-one, you would think they have the advantage in those situations. If Hill is out, by the way, the Knicks better win the series. The Pacers are not the same team offensively or defensively without him. His absence down the stretch in a close game will be costly.

_______________

Of course there are problems, too. Chandler and Felton are obviously banged up and you wonder how effective they will be. Hibbert was in foul trouble in Game 5; can the Knicks draw those in Indiana? The Pacers were also dreadful at the free-throw line Thursday, something that won’t continue.

I’m still waiting for the Knicks to finally have a hot-shooting game. Is shooting 45 percent from the field and hitting 10 threes too much to ask? That’s all they need in Game 6.

Honestly, my gut is saying the Knicks will lose on Saturday night. Their shooting has been so putrid, I have a hard time believing the offense will be sharp enough to win.

But one game can indeed change an entire series. The Knicks hope it was Game 5.

No matter how it ends, Game 6 is going to be one Knicks fans will remember for a long time. It’s fitting it’ll come against the longtime rival Pacers.

Saturday night should be a lot of fun — and I hope you’ll be hearing from me on Monday for a Game 7 preview.

You can follow me on Twitter @Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and New York sports.

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Controversy from within is one thing, and heaven knows the Jets generate plenty of that.

But when somebody from the outside jumps unprovoked on the pile, well, that should get everybody’s hackles up.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith decided to go cheap-school with a shot about Mark Sanchez during Wednesday’s co-hosting gig on a Charlotte radio-gab show. Apparently out of thoughts of geographical or demographical relevance, he blurted that he wouldn’t let the embattled quarterback throw him “a paper bag sandwich.”

Aside from one’s preference of sandwich-thrower running directly proportional to one’s hunger level, let’s also point out that Smith makes his current living catching passes from Cam Newton. As far as anyone knows in New York and New Jersey, there are no plans as of yet to trade Sanchez to Carolina. Nor is Carolina likely to send Smith up here. So the throwing of food, pigskins, or any other object from Sanchez’s arm should be of no concern to the flighty and, some might say, unstable, wide receiver.

This is not the first time the opinionated and often animated Smith has overstepped the bounds of class. He was briefly jailed in 2002 for a film-room punchout of practice squad player Anthony Bright. Smith put Bright in the hospital for two days with a broken nose, and wound up in anger management counseling.

In calmer times, Smith remains one of the NFL’s more colorful guys, always quick with an opinion. Clearly, he’s trying to make some inroads into broadcasting, and as Tiki Barber showed the New York crowd, shock-jock tactics are the quickest way to a regular paycheck. But just as Tiki brought legions of critics into Eli Manning’s camp, Smith managed to turn Sanchez into a sympathetic character here.

If the Jets find any unity at all this year, the back of the defense should be circling Dec. 15. That’s when the two teams meet, and that’s when the Jets should be planning one or two on-field get-togethers with Smith regardless of whether Sanchez or Geno Smith starts that game.

It’s like Vegas. What goes on in Florham Park stays in Florham Park. It’s certainly none of Smith’s concern.

On the other hand, no one could blame anyone outside the Jets locker room for having a small, private laugh at the goings-on inside. The same day as Smith unleashed his salvo from afar, free-agent pickup David Garrard threw a hand grenade into the organization’s planned training camp competition by announcing his retirement due to knee problems.

Didn’t see that coming, right? The guy hadn’t played since 2010 because of back and knee issues. This year, he didn’t even make it to training camp, much less serve as a 35-year-old placeholder for Smith. A handful of offseason training sessions, and that was it for the ex-Jaguar. He’s probably better off. At least he’ll leave with his sanity.

The circus rolls on. It’s a two-man race now between Sanchez and Smith, and the emotionally frail veteran will have to beat out a cocky, strong-armed rookie who has made an instant fan out of owner Woody Johnson.

Rex Ryan is still running things at center ring, for sure. But it’s the Jets’ circus. And it’s the Jets fans’ circus.

It’s not Smith’s. Never was, never will be.

Let him get his own sandwich.

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Below you can listen to — and download — all of the memorable audio from today’s (05/17) edition of the Boomer & Carton Morning Extravaganza in one nice little package for your convenience.

Until Monday morning at 6 a.m., when the guys make their return to the airwaves, stay classy New York!!!

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The Rangers lost to the Boston Bruins in overtime in Game 1.  Nash still has yet to light up the lamp! Yankees lost 3-2, and they also lost Andy Pettitte and Chris Stewart to injuries. Girardi talked a bit about Chris Stewart’s groin injury and Pettitte spoke about his healing process. The Mets actually won a game, and the Toronto Blue Jays are making their way in to town to play the Yankees. The Blue Jays are on a four-game winning streak and R.A. Dickey makes another return to New York City.

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