VIDEO: The Matt Harvey apology tour was in full effect this past week

New York Yankees’ retires Derek Jeter’s No. 2 in style, James Harden and the Houston Rockets exit the NBA Playoffs, Jeremy racism experiences in basketball

NBA Playoffs Update

What happened to James Harden?

We are into the Conference Finals round of the NBA Playoffs, and before we talk about where we are right now, let's step back a minute and ask what happened to Houston Rockets guard James Harden. The MVP candidate gave an atrocious effort in Game 6 and an elimination game against the Spurs. Are we being too hard on Harden or is all of the criticism warranted?

NBA Playoffs Final Four

The NBA playoffs are now down to four teams. What can we expect in the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Finals?

Big Ballin’

The three shoe giants, Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, did not offer a shoe deal to NBA prospect Lonzo Ball. Ball's father, LaVar Ball, vowed to have a Lonzo Ball sneaker made. He succeeded and the ZO2 Primer hit the open market to the tune of $495. While some balked at the price, LaVar tweeted “If you can’t afford the ZO2s, you’re NOT a BIG BALLER!”

Will the shoe be a flop? Will people be on the LaVar train if his son Lonzo Ball turns out to be a “Bog Baller” in the NBA?

Rapper Future’s Fans Start a Mother’s Day Squabble

This past week was Mother’s Day and Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, posted a sweet Mother’s Day note on Instagram to his wife, Ciara, and rapper Future’s fans came for Wilson’s head and fans of Wilson and Ciara clapped back. Here’s what the note said:

“Nothing better than spending time with you. You are an amazing mom & I'm so grateful I get to spend the rest of my life with you & raising our kids. I love you! #HappyMothersDay Weekend my love. @Ciara

People objected to Wilson saying “our kids.” Should Wilson have not said, “our”? Are those who objected to Wilson stating “our kids” out of line?

Volkswagen at the New York International Auto Show

Nikolai Jackson from our social media team delivered another new car video from the New York International Auto Show and this time it’s from Volkswagen.

New York Sports Report

New York Yankees

The Yankees retired future Baseball Hall of Famer shortstop Derek Jeter’s No. 2.

New York Mets

The Matt Harvey apology tour was in full effect this past week.

As if things couldn't get any worse for the NY Mets' pitching staff, the club announced that closer Jeurys Familia would be out of the lineup due to an anterior blood clot in his right shoulder.

Doctors say that Familia should be able to throw again in six weeks with a return to competition in about 3-4 months.

Brooklyn Nets' Jeremy Lin on Racism in Basketball

Jeremy Lin, the Nets guard, made some headlines recently when he mentioned that the racial slurs he heard in college were much worse than what he has had to deal with while playing in the NBA.

On The Bench

In view of the Brooklyn Nets guard, Jeremy Lin’s, story about the racism that he encountered in college, I am putting the NCAA and the NCAA's referees on the bench for allowing known racism to persist on the court and within the association.

When referees and coaches know that someone is being racially profiled, they have a responsibility to quash the activity.

US Women’s Soccer Filed Suit Against US Soccer Federation; Warriors Lose to Celtics But Still Want 73 Wins, 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Class Named

In this episode, the What’s The 411Sports team of Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald are talking about and asking lots of question about recent sports news and events.

Congratulations to the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016:  Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, Sheryl Swoopes, John McClendon, Darell Garretson, Tom Izzo, Zelmo Beaty, Yao Ming, Jerry Reinsdorf, and Cumberland Posey.

Five members of the US women’s national soccer team including notable names like Hope Solo and Alex Morgan have filed a wage discrimination action against the US Soccer Federation. The action was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claiming that while the women’s team generated approximately $20 million more in revenue than the men’s team, the women were paid about 25% less than their male counterparts.

San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick met with John Elway, executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Denver Broncos, signaling that Kaepernick could be headed to Denver. Would this be a good move for Colin Kaepernick?

After a 54-regular-home-game win streak, the bubble burst and Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors lost at home to the Boston Celtics 109-106 on Friday, April 1 (no April Fools joke).

NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament definitely put the “madness” in March Madness; at the buzzer, Villanova beat UNC 77-74.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin returns to lineup as the Clippers face the Washington Wizards at the Staples Center. It will be the first time that Griffin will play since Christmas after a tearing his quadriceps. His absence was further extended after a hand injury due to an altercation with the team’s assistant equipment manager which garnered a four-game suspension. And, Griffin’s quadriceps isn’t completely healed. Is this a good move for Griffin to play before complete healing?

Who on the current Brooklyn Nets team will be back next season? Both Keisha and Mike would like to see the return of Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. However, Keisha would also like to see newcomer Sean Kilpatrick in a Brooklyn Nets uniform next season.

The YES Network and Comcast are at war.

Can the New York Mets get back to the World Series, and do the New York Yankees have a chance to win the AL East?

New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey is on the bench for his childish behavior towards the New York sports media following the New York daily newspapers' reports on his urinary tract issues.

New York Giants finally get a win; Victor Cruz may return; and Brooklyn Nets' Boss going to training camp

In this episode of What's The 411Sports recorded on September 28, 2015, the panel of host, Naomi Grey and correspondents Gregory Alcala and Keisha Wilson are talking about the week's MLB, NFL, and NBA sporting events. They are particularly talking about the New York Mets, the New York Jets, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks.

Players under discussion include: Matt Harvey; Yoenis Cespedes; Eric Decker; Odell Beckham Jr.; Ryan Fitzpatrick; Victor Cruz; Eli Manning; Geno Smith; DeMarco Murray; Deron Williams; Jarrett Jack; Robin Lopez; Carmelo Anthony; Jonathan Papelbon and more.

Owners, managers, and coaches under discussion include: Mikhail Prokhorov; Sandy Alderson; Phil Jackson; Tom Coughlin; Chip Kelly; and Lionel Hollins.

What’s Poppin’

The New York Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, 20-7 and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, 21-17.

The New York Giants claimed their first win of the season, beating the Washington NFL team, 32-21 and Head Coach, Tom Coughlin expressed that WR Victor Cruz could make his season debut next week against the Buffalo Bills.

At the end of the 2012-2013 Season, the Philadelphia Eagles fired longtime coach Andy Reid after his team won a paltry four games. When the Philadelphia Eagles hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach, he was a breath of fresh air. He was going to bring about new changes and a high powered offense. He achieved success on the collegiate level with his style of offense and some questioned whether or not his system would translate to the professional level. Is Chip Kelly, a boom or bust?

Under The Radar

Mikhail Prokhorov Goes to Training Camp

This boss ain’t playing around. Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, took to twitter to announce that he will be joining the Nets in Durham, NC at Duke.

Laura Herington Bucking the System

Laura Herington, a former dancer for the Milwaukee Bucks, is suing the team for prolific wage abuse.

On The Bench

On The Bench: Jonathan Papelbon

Washington Nationals pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon, was suspended for three games and fined by Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch at Baltimore Oriole Manny Machado. The pitch aimed at Machado is believed to be in retaliation after Machado hit a two-run home run off Papelbon two innings prior. Papelbon has filed an appeal of the punishment and is permitted to play until the ruling of the appeal is determined.

Baseball Milestones are Drawing in Fans Early in the Season

Mike Trout, a center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (MLB), became the youngest player to join the 100 homers and 100 steals club, after hitting a two-run home run in a 6-3 win over the Houston Astros. Gregory Alcala begs to differ with Glenn Gilliam over who is the face of New York baseball; it is Matt Harvey, and Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is inching closer to breaking Willie Mays' 660 home runs record.

Matt Harvey's a winner and Alex Rodriguez is gaining fans

In his first regular-season start since 2013, New York Mets ace, Matt Harvey, returned to the mound in respectable fashion. In his first outing, Harvey shut out the Washington Nationals for 6 innings as the Mets won 6-3, which was the rubber game of the series.

After a year-long suspension, Alex Rodriguez, is rising to be the New York Yankees best player. A-rod hit his first home-run in a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. A-Rod is five homers away from Willie Mays home-run record of 660. Should this be a cause for celebration?

New York Mets Remaining Players Have To Carry The Load

First-it was Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin who both required Tommy John Surgery to repair a torn UCL (Edgin-Bone Chip in UCL), discovered during spring training.

Then, the projected closer, Jenrry Mejia, who felt elbow stiffness and was placed on the DL-April 7th, was suspended 80 games for using performance enhancing drugs.

From that same bullpen, Vic Black is currently progressing through a Double-A rehab assignment, recovering from right shoulder tendinitis.

Even without the men listed above, the New York Mets got off to a hot start, and claimed an early lead in the National League East, currently 11-3 on the 2015 MLB season, which unfortunately came with a price.

In their series-clinching game against the Miami Marlins, a 7-6 win which capped off a 4-game sweep, the Met's lost reliever and lefty-specialist, Jeremy Blevins-in the 7th, on a Dee Gordon come-backer which fractured his left forearm and Travis D'Arnaud later in that inning on a hit-by-pitch.

And add "The Captain", well, our captain, David Wright, who was off to a torrid start-hitting .333, with a homer and four rbi's, who found himself on the DL, just last week with a mild right hamstring strain.

In the third week of the season, the Met's, the 2015 Met's, whose off-season's theme centered around an organization moving in the right direction, minus the last eight years, due to an abundance of young and live arms, a revamped farm-system and a mixture of veterans and young position players will face their toughest test of the season, now.

Will they survive?

It's pretty obvious that the Met's have put the National League East on notice, early this season and I'm pretty sure the baseball experts and analyst did not pick the Met's as the division leaders, despite this small sample size.

Even still, here we are, and the Met's, currently on a nine-game winning streak, a feat they haven't accomplished since the 1985 season, with their 7-1 win against the Atlanta Braves last night (first game of a three game set), will have to do what is necessary to remain on top until the cavalry arrives.

The Met's will have to rely on a select few of individuals to offset the injuries and of course persevere collectively.

One of those individuals is the no.2 prospect in the Met's farm system and the no.6 overall catching prospect according to MLB.com's, 2015 Prospect Watch: Top 10 Catchers, by Jim Callis, in Kevin Plawecki, who has been optioned up to fill in the void and become the everyday catcher, with Anthony Recker remaining as the back-up.

In his major league debut against the Braves, Plawecki caught a one-run game thrown by Jon Niese, who picked up his second win of the year, while collecting two hits and scoring twice.

It’s exactly the type of debut that gives the fans, the Met's and their front office the confidence that Plawecki can perform in D'Arnaud's absence.

Plawecki contributed to the win, added to the momentum and did it all in his first game in the big leagues, looking like he's been there before.

"It's special, we’re here to win, I'm just happy to be a part of it and happy to be along for the ride," Plawecki said post-game to SNY's Steve Gelbs.

Like Plawecki, who has to step up and be the everyday catcher, Alex Torres has to step up and become a player he was not destined to be, at least for the start of this season.

Torres was brought here from the San Diego Padres to give the Met's lefty insurance out of the bullpen, along with Blevins who was acquired for the same role in the aftermath of Edgin's season ending injury.

And now with Blevins out for the foreseeable future, Torres has to claim that role, something he is not used to doing, but tonight, with his protective hat and all, Torres relieved Eric Goeddel in the bottom of the 7th, and with two men on-base, struck out Freddie Freeman after falling behind in the count to end the inning.

That was big.

Another name that has to perform and or continue to perform is Eric Campbell, the versatile utility-man optioned up from Triple-A Las Vegas last week to fill-in at third-base.

Since his call-up, Campbell has responded picking up five hits in his first eighteen at-bats of the season, three rbi's and seven runs-scored, including two runs scored in the Met's 7-1 win over the Braves.

The Met's don't need Campbell to be Wright but to be the best version of Campbell he can be and so far, his exploits at the plate, on-base and on the field will do.

Continuing on the bases, position players like Curtis Granderson, Michael Cuddyer and Lucas Duda have to lead this squad until some of the core players return.

They are veterans and fortunately for the Mets, all three haven gotten off to great starts.

Granderson, placed at the top of the order, leading-off, which almost seemed like a terrible call by manager Terry Collins, has paid off for the Mets, as Granderson has gotten on-base with consistency (leading the league in walks-12) as well as come-through with the bat like he did tonight.

Granderson picked up three-hits in five at-bats, driving in four runs.

That has to continue.

Although Duda went hitless in this game, to start the season, the first-basemen has arguably become the Met's best hitter leading the team in batting average, .327 and second in rbi's in eight.

Also must continue.

And Cuddyer is actually in a three-way (Granderson, Duda other two) tie with runs-scored in eight.

You know the rest.

It doesn't hurt that Juan Lagares, a gold-glove honoree and Wilmer Flores, a capable short-stop are finally joining the party at the plate.

We all know what the starting pitching will bring so there's no reason to further their praise, but I will anyway.

In the Met's 11 wins presently, the pitching staff of Bartolo Colon, Jacob DeGrom, Matt Harvey, Jon Niese and Dillon Gee, along with the bullpen have limited teams to three-runs or less including four, one-run games and a shut-out.

Harvey and Colon lead the league in strikeouts per walk, 24.00 and 18.00 respectively and Jeurys Familia, who is the closer replacing Mejia, is in a tie with Atlanta's Jason Grilli for the most saves thus far in six.

I believe the Met's can continue this trend.

They just have to continue to pitch well, hit in critical spots and avoid additional injuries to anyone else.

In other words, they just have to play survivor.