The Knicks Fix

Thats the tallest Leprechaun in the world.

He looks like Freeway's Foster father.

1,000th poster! Hurrah! Do I get a plaque or something?

@LNJ,LNY

You hear that? It's the sound of recognition. An award baby!!! Yeauuhh!

And I didn't even have to cry or whine. What a concept.

Now the hosts will announce the winners of the 2007 "Be A real fan"...... which goes to BARF for "BET ARTEST Really Fuc@Ksup" the rest of the Knicks comp!

BARF, congats to a job well done! BERMY!

Peace, Steady,

I just read your post back about Larry Brown and please, please, preach that gospel! IT's tremendous respect for Larry Brown is the reason his tenure as GM took such a huge setback! He thought of LB as a great teacher of young talent and LB f***d him in the a**!! Sorry, it's not clean, but it's true! That Steve Francis deal was all LB and it KILLED US!!! IT waited for 3 MONTHS for this fool and then LB tried to run him out of town?! Classic imperialism. Stop dumping on IT! He's only guilty of having a big heart for a great coach that tried to screw him!! When IT was courting LB, everyone that it was a solid move: a fundamental teacher for a young team. Very solid decision. Then, LB jumps out of character, acts like he didn't know what he was getting into with Marbury, and tries to destroy this team! That philosophy of break down to build up would never work in NY because NO ONE HERE HAS PATIENCE!! LB is from NY; he should know he couldn't take 3 years to build the team with a 28 year old shooting point guard!! Why take the job if you couldn't work with what you had? No, he was conspiring from DAY 1 and IT let his fondness for him get in the way. I'll never forget the press conference: IT spoke endlessly of his love for LB and LB just had a placid look on his face. He could care less about that stuff. He was a team killer, never was on board. Any fool would tell you that ripping the star player before early in the season made no sense. Then all these fools in the media would jump on and say "yeah, that's Larry's way. He has to break you first..." Such BS.

Long comment, I know. But please, recognize that the team is trying to cure that cancer and it TAKES TIME GUYS. Anybody that doubts IT's GM skills, go watch the Summer league boys and tell me who could assemble that 5 with late round 1s and 2s? Name one GM!! ONE!! Give IT his due!!!

What does he want to be called Osama,bin Jefferies..is he gunna move to Afgan..If your gunna sport a beard,shape it, style it something..Great now he will look a mess,and Play a mess...

HarlemBoyinMD,

Such passion, my man. Great post about "Next Town" Brown. Good to see some of the familiar names in here. Think I'll stay awhile.

Keep spreadin' the knowledge bruh.

Peaceman, where you at??

article from knicks.com on rookie wilson chandler:

http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/chandler_feature_070814.html

What up Bronx!

Yeah, I step off for a minute and now it's rush hour in here! Good to see. Everyone's anxious for this season and that's good. That's because we have some players.

I hope JJ is serious. I remember watching him @ Indiana. He was the top scorer and had a nice jump shot. I hope he gets it back and comes back with some fire, determined to battle Balk. Good old competition.

Another thing: we haven't had a true 3 (6'7" - 6'10") player since Bernard! Now, we have Balk, JJ, and Chandler (smooth player; give him time and I know he'll be good).

Lives is often wont to say--the blog adds a whole nother level to fanaticism. That hyperbole about the LB experience was therapeutic just to read so I can imagine the good feeling from writing it. The blog has felt your silences MD boys. What's good with them crab cakes?
Peace,
I have profiled you as a true NYer and a King of the F'n Hill. Your invite is the reason why the transfer over to the 'burb blog will soon happen. You, BARF, Rush and GeorgeM worked like a team with chemistry to rid that cancer at the other post. The cess pool in that bloggers basement should be skank by now. All of this good b-ball exchange here is due to the respect that our host commands. Let's get another K in posts. (And I don't mean from sticky keys on repeat posts).

KFL

Hey Alan,

I HEREBY DECLARE THIS THE NEW KNICKS KNATION!!

Now that we're riding with you, we're going to demand that you go ahead and pull out the shank and cut your boy Frankie. You got to do it Al. No more nice posts about him, ok? It's time to make your Tony Montana move.

WOW!!!
The whole gang's here.
Peace, thanks for the invite. This is the place to be. F**k Frank. He had the nerve to declare himself the winner in the Frank/Berman beef, claiming he had more hits on his blog. That wasn't because of him, that was in spite of him. What a turd. I hope no one and I mean NO ONE posts there anymore.

Now to business.
StarburyFan:
I'm with you most of the times, but that bit of info you stated was very inaccurate. Magic didn't want to run the Knicks. Dolan offered the job to him, but he recommended Isiah. Magic and Zeke are still very close. I also agree with the other poster who said that even the trades that Zeke made that didn't pan out, he recovered with stellar picks that he got from those second moves. Lee, Nate, Collins are all picks he picked up from these second trades.
Drafting and trades are not an exact science. You will get some of them wrong, no doubt, every GM does. You've got to look a bit closer to the trades and what came out of it to see the true value of that decision. Zeke stands right up there with the better GM's in the league. No doubt.

I'm on board. F Isola.

Isiah is the smartest GM in the NBA. He got two 1st rounders for Nazr "the Backup" Mohammed = (Lee, Collins) then Q and Nate for Kurt Thomas who played in like 40 games in three years.Then he goes out and gets a beast in Zach Randolph for only Frey and a bad contract. I still don't understand how that was possible. Those were simply unfair trades for the other teams.
Curry deal didn't turn out too bad and Crawford is ready to explode on the court this season and who did we give up for him? I can't even say now those players are out of the league. How can you knock any of these trades?

That's what I'm talking about. All the other stuff I'm not even sure how to respond. I'm not sure I follow.

To add to that, with the Curry deal we swapped the picks and got Chandler who could become a better player then Noah. What would you say about Curry deal when that happens? Past two years we got Balkman and Chandler vs Tyrus and Noah for Bulls. I think we got better payers both times.

Hey BARF - saw this out of the Wizards blog, made me think of what we were tapping out yesterday. Gilbert Arenas on Joey Crawford:

By the way, Gil had a classic take on Joey Crawford, the ref who was booted out of the league after tossing Tim Duncan for laughing at him last season. "When I saw that, I was kind of relieved because I always thought he (Crawford) just hated me. But if you're gonna toss Tim Duncan, you must hate everybody. I like refs like that. If you know he hates everybody the same, at least you know you're being treated equally."

The ever quotable Agent Zero. Check out the whole post, they describe a game against Denver that Donoghy worked:

"The Nuggets played without Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith that night and the Wizards went into the game favored by three. The over/under was 212.5. The Wiz came out sluggish and Denver built a 30-point second quarter lead but the Wiz made a big second half run and drew within 93-91with 5:36 to play.
While Arenas didn't attempt a single free throw that night (he did throw up 12 three-point attempts), the Nuggets went to the line 28 times in the fourth quarter alone and iced a 117-108 win. According to the game's play by play at www.nba.com, 21 of Denver's fourth quarter free throw attempts came AFTER the Wiz cut the lead to 93-91. Interesting. Donaghy worked that game along with Leroy Richardson and Derrick Stafford."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2007/08/checking_in_with_gilbert.html

That's a helluva find Willis. Gil's one of my favorites. Great article too.

Thanks!

Hopefully, if the knicks do some damage this year in the post season, like the rest of you guys, I'll be commending Zeke and this team he has assembled. Full credit for zeke. Conversely, if for some reason, injuries, scheduling during a certain month of the season, larry brown farts the wrong way, any other reasons why the knicks end up NOT making the playoffs, or if they just don't get very far this year, I'm going to say that it is definitely time for change somewhere in the organization.

Most of you from the other blog can attest I spent a good portion of the 82 games last year defending Isiah and the knicks squad he's assembled either as anonymous or starburyfan. I attacked Isola's criticisms each and everytime, the guy is truly a "venomous" hater. But again, I was really, really disappointed that crap teams like the nets, orlando, all these teams that were doing just as badly as us with a month to go were able to make it, and we did not. We all expected to make it last year, and still we did not.

When Isiah got Zach Randolph recently, he said in 2-3 years we'll be contenders. That's too long for me to wait dude, too long. We haven't made the playoffs since what, 2001? It's 2007-2008 season, am I the only one that thinks it has been TOO LONG since we made the playoffs or won a series?

And Magic did want the Knicks job, he may have publically endorsed Isiah in the end, but he definitely did say he wanted it, wanted a "basketball mind" like himself to replace Scott Layden in New York.

You guys really think I'm hating on Isiah, when in fact I like some of the stuff he's done with this team. Not all, but some. I'm just not as patient as some of you. I moved here in early 2003, and I'd like to go to a playoff game, haven't had the opportunity.

African, respect to you for your good work on the other blog, glad to see you on this one!

For what's it worth, though:

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0312/1349935.html

Starbury:
There's no other way to put it, but you're dead wrong on that Magic issue. If Magic wanted the job, he would have it. Magic is too caught up in his business ventures, and would have no time to be a GM. Not to mention, he's no where close to Zeke as far as recognizing talent. Zeke has a track record.
It's not a maybe. Magic recommended Zeke for the job.
You defenitely are a Knick fan, no doubt, but you sound like Dross with the left handed compliments given to Zeke. The Knicks were right there with a month left, and what happened? They relaxed because of the extension? Major injuries to the entire team buddy! Injuries!! I hate going over this over and over. Your compliments to Zeke are rather shallow at best.
The Knicke ARE three years away. I would agree with Zeke on that one. Away from what? I think a championship is what he was speaking of, not the playoffs. If that's too far for you, why don't you become a Celtic fan?
I hate to hear the same bull over and over.
After you fire Isiah what next? What's your fall-back plan? Larry Brown?

Never in my life did I sound like Dross African.

Never in my life did I sound like Dross African.

Starbury:
No beef. I agree, that was an exaggeration.(lol)
Rome wasn't built in a day, show some patience. We're on the right track.

MSG ran Jamal's 52-point game against the Heat last night on 'Fan Favorites.'

I didn't get to see that game the night it happened (I'm a musician and was playing out of town), so I watched what they ran last night. Crawford was automatic, unconscious, unstoppable.

I'm hoping that he'll bring a lot of that this season. He's due for, and deserves, a breakout season.

I'm not as astute a blogger as many of the people here but what I get from the Zeke-Magic discussion between Starbury and African,is that the knicks at the the end of the layden era needed a GM who's a true basketball guy. I took this to mean someone sharp in picking out talent in the draft and with the type of clout that would help the team recruit stars to NY and had connections throughout the B-ball landscape not only the NBA.

I like IT and his overall track record for picking diamonds in the rough. But I understand Starbury's gripe regarding how much longer any Knick fan should have to wait to see a competitive Knick team in the playoffs. But I'll side with African's interpretation of "the three years away" clip in that with our young talent it doesn't mean three years away from the playoffs rather its three away from a championship run.

Another observation I gather from the hyperlinks and post regarding JJ WC and the NY Post article on Lee, is that this Knick team is being proactive in getting ready for the upcoming season. I like the pressure cooker IT has cooked up on this Knick roster, no one on the knicks is above reproach. What this does is that it make the players work to improve their games or else their the next name mentioned in a trade rumor. However such an atmosphere like any can be taken too far and compromise the overall degree of team chemistry if it becomes the norm-- which I doubt it will.

Love the photo of JJ he looks like a mujahadin.

starburyfan's been down since Stephon was still donning the towel over his head. I think he was unfairly targeted. He's just blowing off some offseason steam. Got to give us fans a chance to vent.

That said, you're my hero African.

On countless occasions, you've definitely saved me the Drossman fate. I find myself wanting to say the same thing over and over. Defending people's misconceptions over and over again.

I remember all last year saying that the Knicks are not that good. Drossman and Co were talking "playoffs or bust" and I was left wondering...isn't this the same team that won 23 games last year?

I hear ya'll Knick fans saying "Oh, but Larry Brown threw the season. He tanked on purpose". As if to say he had his team go out there and win 23 games ON PURPOSE.

C'mon guys. Get a grip. The team went out there every game, sucked and found a way to lose. Blame it on the 82 different starting lineups (African-style exaggeration) or LB's unwillingness to play our rookies (which we had 3 playing major minutes) or what have you. The point is the team wasn't good enough to get anymore than 23 wins.

How some of you guys "expected" a playoff run last year was beyond me. I would have been ecstatic with a playoff run but in no way did I *EXPECT* it.

Don't let the payroll fool you. Just because the Knicks have the highest payroll in the league, doesn't mean they're the best team in the league. Oh, to be a Knick fan. You're just going to have to swallow your pride and be patient. There's no 2 ways about it. If you want to be a proud fan, go find another team cuz the Knicks had (and still have) a ways to go...

barring a surprise, of course. They could over-achieve. But if you expect a team to over-achieve then you're probably a turd.

*Fans HOPE for over-achieving teams.
*Turds expect over-achievement.

You can be disappointed with the rest of us when they miss the playoffs. But if you want to start assuming things would have been better (ie: if Magic would have had the job instead of Isiah, if trades were different, if contracts were shorter) then I agree with the poster who said "speculate an alternative". That's what we're here for right? To dream a Knick dream together.

I don't think I've read anyone who's pro-Isiah or who's proclaimed him the best GM or who defends him in any way say that he is PERFECT. No way. Cuz he's not.

But if you've suffered with the Knicks through Ewing then post-Ewing ...AND STILL CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A KNICK FAN during the Isiah-Era...

you've got to give the man his props. You can call JJAmes a mistake, JJeffries a mistake (I love this latest post by the way, I'm rooting Osama bin Jeffries), Zach a mistake...

but if the player is no longer on the team AND HE WAS TRADED FOR A PLAYER YOU DON'T CONSIDER A MISTAKE then the trade led to a good move.

Which means that Isiah made up for the "mistake" right? Turned a negative into a positive right?

Go ahead and let yourselves vent fellas! We'll be here to check you though. Don't take it personal.

FYI, I know my main man Makunat always hated when I did this, I only CAPITALIZE to show emphasis. If I could ITALICIZE, I would. Alan, if you could talk to the techie in charge of this here blog...put in a request from your 1000th poster. I'd like to be able to italicize and have more options to format this here text. Just a thought. Not necessary but if you're looking to prettify some more, its an idea...Not color either. I'd hate to find a rainbow of text in here. You know what rainbow's mean right?

I'm off!!!!

Have a good weekend my dudes!

JJ beefin' up? This goes back to my point yesterday. Defense!!!!! Zeke signed this guy just for that reason. If he was on his game last year we may not be bloggin' about Artest in Orange n Blue.We would may even "consider" moving Lee.Maybe this could make him better trade bait?

True DLT. I concur. Yet another reason to be patient on Artest. I'd love to see JJeffries show NY why he was signed after Isiah saw him perform in Washington. For some reason, I thought he was older. 25 yrs old means he's got a lot of growing up still left to do. And we have him signed long term too. Washington was using him as a starting 2 when he signed with us. I hope he develops a freaking shot!

Orange and Blue!!! Welcome. Astute blogger? These chumps!? LoL. You're doing fine. You're on you're way to being an astute blogger too. Keep doing what you do.

This time I'm really gone!!!

I have come to understand that blogin' serves to maginify the "fanaticism" related to our favorite teams. When I saw the MD NYers' run on the former coach and that terrible, DISLOYAL experience, I felt the cleansing in effect. Bad Boys 2.0 will not need to endure that garbage.
Word is that the scout team (starring DLee) in Vegas is giving the starters fits.
Which leads me to discuss why I always thought it would have been a good exercise Alan to discuss the players and what they did to improve this summer. It would require for you to use your connects Alan in getting the strength and conditioning coaches to give the heads up on the summer assignments for the players.
I'm not foldin' bank like these guys so it's easy for me to type this thought. I think JJ should have eaten a few more twinkies this summer and add at least 10 more lbs. of muscle. I know that muscle affects the shot. However, if he developed the muscle, he would be encouraged to practice the shot to go with the new muscle. I always envisioned JJ as a perfect "1" in the 2-1-2 zone because of his range, lateral dexterity, and ability to block/alter shots. I recall that you don't have him in your starting five so do you see him playing that role on the second unit? Without the weight, he could barely keep up with the stronger/heavier 4s & 5s on the post. Plus, I'd like to see JJ really pack some wood for the unit on which he will run. What's good with the other players' summer workout plans?

KFL

Hey Alan (and fellow bloggers),

Any idea why the Knicks seem to be underdogs in the Kobe sweepstakes? Compared to Chicago, the Knicks have more assets to give the Lakers, would have more talent left on the roster to join with Kobe, and play on a bigger stage.

Why is Chicago considered the frontrunner?

African, Bronx/Harlem boys in Md,
Good to read your posts! We got Da Crew here now! Guys, can you imagine Knick practice's? Even though we still don't know the final roster, these guys are gonna go to War in practice just to gain PT! Winners are made during practice. It sets the bar for how high or low your team will play come regular season! Anyone remember when the Knicks were STACKED at point guard, with Greg Anthony,Doc Rivers and Derick Harper all positioned for the role of starter! Well Anthony and Rivers, enjoyed their Summer, while Harper hired two personal trainers and came to Camp in the best shape of his life, toying with Anthony and Rivers so badly in drills and scrimages, that Riley had no choice but to award Harper that position! I believe all these Knicks have been told that story by Harper's old team mate Mark Agguire or some other Knick Brass! I wish the season started tomorrow!

Here is an excerpt of a "chat" Kobe had with a LA Times reporter. You can read the entire article at http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simerscol16,1,4871636,full.column?coll=la-headlines-sports :

When it came time for Wednesday's session, most of the media not arriving until next week's games begin, it was only me and the Kobester. And he moaned. Here I am, taking valuable time away from the Choking Dogs, who need all the help they can get, and not for one second did he show his appreciation.

"So, what do you think of the Garnett deal?" I began.

"As far as what?" he snipped.

"Are you disappointed the Lakers couldn't make something happen?"

"I don't have a reaction either way," he said. "I don't think about it too much."

"You don't think about the Lakers, and what they could or could not do to improve after everything you had to say?"

"Why should I?"

This was not the same guy I had met a few weeks ago. I don't know, maybe he was uptight because he was one of three players picked to take a drug test. He was clearly on edge and I hadn't even mentioned Mitch Kupchak's name yet.

I had called the Lakers' publicity department to ask about Kupchak's availability, but was put on hold where I had to listen to Smush Parker highlights. And the Kobester thinks he has it rough.

I hung up, the Lakers called back, and I was told Kupchak was on vacation until the 24th. I'm not surprised he left town after what he told the Daily News recently. "If this was the team that we started the season off with, I'd be fine with it. I feel that we're an improved team over last year."

I read those comments to the Kobester and said, "So what do you say?"

"Talk to Mitch about it, man," he said, obviously forgetting my first name. "If that's what he feels, that's what he feels."

He had a point there because it's hard to argue with the fact "if that's what Mitch feels, that's what Mitch feels," but I asked for the Kobester's opinion.

"I don't have one," he said, growing very irritated, and maybe he was in a hurry to get back to the topless pool where he was spotted the last time he was in town, but if that was the case, I'd have driven him there.

"You're telling me, the Lakers aren't on your mind?"

"Write what you want to write, man," he said, and I get permission like that, and I might start writing rumors like the one on the Internet recently that mentioned something about a divorce.

"You made your future with the Lakers an issue, and don't you think you have left Lakers fans hanging?"

He rolled his eyes, and OK, so maybe neither one of us cares what Lakers fans think, but I'm surprised he'd admit it.

"I'm not making it an issue any more," he said.

"Does that mean you will be at training camp?"

"I have no reason not to be," he said, and now there's news. "Your guy, [ESPN's] Ric Bucher, says you will never play in a Lakers uniform again."

"You know what, man, we'll see what happens."

.....I gave him the Jermaine question one more time.

"I don't know what's going to happen [with O'Neal]," he said. "I don't know. I hear what's going on, but I don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

I could see the mistake I was making; I wasn't asking the right question the way Jimmy Kimmel did last week, the Kobester coming clean and admitting he liked Harry Potter and vacuuming.

"You're the only one who is asking about the Lakers," the Kobester said. "Let it go."

"I don't understand why you just don't clear the air -- especially after the mixed messages you sent earlier."

"Mitch and them know what's going on," the Kobester said. "Go knock down his door. He knows what's going on."

fly,
i think its because chicago has the better record (49-33)
than us (33-49) last year.
plus kobe want to follow the footsteps of "his airness", which is playing for the bulls.

I think Artest/Lee has been pretty well covered. I’m comfortable, for now, with the “patience” approach. I think Isiah is right not to give away the store early. I, too, have a hunch the Kings will panic. Never underestimate these clowns who want to get rid of “bad influences.” Isiah already exploited one of them this summer. I’m hoping he’ll be two-for-two.

Alan – how much has changed, in your estimation, since draft night? As far as this team’s prospects are concerned? I went to sleep that night thinking Boston made a move, then Isiah trumped it. But, obviously, a lot has happened since then.

Do you think Isiah needs to make another move? Do you think HE THINKS he needs to make another move? (Aside from simply needing to get down to 15 players, of course.) Have other eastern conference improvements forced his hand, to some degree?

Thanks for the Kobe thoughts, guys. I hope he goes to Chicago. I'd like to see him have to score on a rotating army of defenders starting with Artest (Nate, a No. 1, plus expiring contracts!), Balkman, Jeffries, Richardson, Marbury, and then back to Artest, with no one to pass to except Hinrich.

I saw a youtube clip of 1993's Game 5 against the Bulls (the Charles Smith game). It reminded me of how good those Knicks-Bulls games were. It would be nice to have another half-decade rivalry between these two. The elements are in place. Now, the Knicks just need to win 48 games and be a real factor in the east.

Interesting questions, Trane. Looking forward to hearing some answers.

I'm sure you will be just as proud as I am, to read about how D Lee is doing with the rest of America's finest:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08172007/sports/knicks/knicks_lee_enjoying_time_with_team_usa_knicks_marc_berman.htm

I must admit when I heard Chris Bosh went down recently I wondered if it was because D Lee was messin' him up. Just a theory...

I hope all that practice helps Lee come back strong off the surgery. A lot of New York had surgery this offseason, even randolph had less serious surgery on his non-shooting righ t hand. Q of course was a major surgery, and I'm pulling for him because the guy was ballin' the first half of the season before his back started to flair up.

Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The sound of Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York in “summer watcher mode”, finally.

Click Clack. The sound of an UnderArmour commercial and a temporary connection between Lives and one of the best blogs, in the tri-state area, moving up with a bullet (or like a Wizard. LAL (laugh a little))

Morning friends. Just a small number of tangential NON-BASKETBALL comments.

***********************

Hey, Whatsup African and Rush. Great to have you join the crew. The Commenter/Poster roll is really shaping up in here. The combination of great basketball discussion with a fan-blogger that really cares is awesome. You are greatly needed additions.

Speaking of the Poster Roll, it is reading mighty enticingly. The knowledge in here is eerily on par with what is at an “old haunt” for many of us. Check this lineup out: BARF, Steady, Speck, Director, Willis, DaVonnJ, FC, Venom, The Police, StarburyFan, HarlemBoyInMD, Fitz, Bronxboy in MD, Don, Orange and Blue, DLT, Flybanjo, Brooklyn Knicks, Peaceman, Oaklee, Trane. I’m Lovin’ it.

But BARF, I am jealous. If I had known there was recognition in the form of “Shiny Stuff”, I would have posted 999 times in a row just to win. I demand a recount or a re-calibration. Ahhh shucks, you deserve it. Get a life.

Peaceman. Big ups for the Poster-Call to our family at Knick Knation. I’m surprised that our drunk uncles and pissin’ cousins didn’t make the trip. So far, so good. Posters here will also learn that you are the real deal – even when you’re on one of your obsessions like Morris Almond or Rashard Lewis or dumping David Lee.

I just peeked in at our “old haunt” and it is deserted like a desert over there for now. I think the HEAD BLOGGER even stepped off his perch to stir up some commentary. It would be nice if the other blogger learned from how Alan is running this blog and reporting the news. There is nothing wrong with having at least two great dialogues going at the same time during these next two years which promise to be a lot of fun and pretty exciting for us fans – preferably winning fun and excitement. I am still considering my posting strategy for the upcoming season. What are you guys intending to do?

I find this AH and FI versus Bermy feud very interesting. When Bermy wants, he can be a very good and effective reporter/writer. I find the POST blog, perhaps because the BARF-MAK feud dried up, lacking in substance, but Berman is rightfully out of Anti-New York Sports News’ doghouse. Or for those who don’t know Anti – Berman has become a more objective reporter and his personal connections benefit the fan. Just another storyline to follow this upcoming season. And also proof that the Posters are having at least a small impact on sports journalism in the city. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS.

A couple of BASKETBALL-related comments:

I am very concerned about David Lee’s legs. Very. I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt because I have had a stress injury like his before and it hurt for a long time. The only thing that healed it was rest (cortizone was a temporary fix), which is really hard to get when you can play through the injury. I am just hoping that his “muscle” comment is not an effort to hide the continuing stress injury. I am concerned, especially for what he will be feeling like by game #75.

As another poster stated, Knick Lifers should be very, very happy. We are having a great summer (the “perfect summer” depends on Eddie Curry). First we win the summer league. Yes, a 5-0 summer in Las Vegas means less, but it is far from meaningless. By running the tables, the Knicks gave us fanatics some good feelin’ to go along with last year’s exciting disappointment and this season’s hope. We also got to see that Zeke did well in the draft again, that they can develop a winning attitude, that Balkman is still that good and getting better, and that Nate is what I said he is – a naturally, competitve, high strung baller who just loves the game and wants to win. Now he is trying to add maturity to the mix, which is what most 20-somethings start to do at some point in their young lives. Then, we hear that our boys are feeling the competitive fire this summer. We know who is in the gym for sure: Zbo, Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, Qrich, David Lee, Balkman (Summer League), Wilson Chandler, Fred Jones, Mardy Collins and Jared Jeffries. Third, many of them have been communicating with each other over the summer, which is indicative of some nice chemistry.

Jared is wearing one of those “working beards”, the type one grows when your appearances are not nearly as important as the goal you are trying to reach. The kind that you tell yourself you will let grow out unclipped until you are satisfied that you have done the best you can, before you can go back to looking pretty again. Jared is now a hard working, committed 25-year old who recognizes he can do better. The opposition should be very afraid, but he may have recognized himself too late to be a major contributor on the Knicks. Plus that commitment makes him even better trade bait. Because of JJII (Jared Jeffries) Zeke will not come close to parting with Balk and Lee for Artest. But, and I repeat, you will not feel bad about having Jared on the team this year. He never got in sync last year – injury, first season in the rough Big Apple spotlight, on a mediocre team still developing chemistry. You got what you really could have expected from him. On a good team, he will be a much better player. Think Bruce Bowen (not skill set, just better).

It will also be interesting to see how the refs call Jeffries’ drives to the basket. He was “always” called for the charge when he made his move. It was as if the refs had pre-determined that any unusual move by Jeffries had to be a foul. (And those who have read me before Donaghy, know that I have been saying this all along). With that said, the unspoken truth is that Donaghy does not bother NBA fans as much as cheating would bother Yankee fans. Why? Because the element of subjectivity is so great in basketball that fan expectations for “fairness” in the game is diminished. We know that the NBA is not pure which is why we didn’t go crazy when Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge seemed to throw lottery-positioning games allegedly to develop chemistry amongst youngsters; that is why we don’t get upset when Cuban tells Michael Irvin he would throw games. We expect it. We don’t get upset when the refs make ridiculous calls against Sheed because he is not on our side and we want him to shut up and just play. But the calls against him amount to cheating – an unfair advantage to the opposition. We know we would go crazy if we expected every foul that occurred to be called. We know the refs are subjective and that the basis of their decisions vary. Whether it’s because of gambling, or because they don’t like a player or because of their perception of how a game should be called – it is subjective and to spend all that time worrying about cheating just takes the fun out of the game. But when it is blatant or when someone is caught, they should get what they deserve.

Finally, Alan, if you get a chance, can you please ask Zeke a bunch of questions about the Knicks defense for this year. I think a lot of us would like to know what we should expect from the Knicks defensively. I for one don’t want to wait all year for them to develop defensively if the coach doesn’t have a plan for that to happen. I am interested in knowing what he plans to do to improve perimeter defense (more press, traps?); is he intending to go more zone with Zbo and Curry in the front court; what will we be looking at a 2-1-2, a 2-3 or both?; will he do a better job of teaching how to defend the pick and roll and the back door; who will be his leader on the defensive end to ensure constant communication?; how can we expect his team to rotate on defensive assignments? I want to know more about the right time for me to scream at Curry on my tele or from the nose bleed seats in the Garden.

Opps. Sunlight. Time to go before . . .

Whirrrrrrrrrrrrr. The sound of Lives returning to “watcher mode.”

LINJLNY--True dat--a majority of the crew from KK is here. Still, you would agree that Tman, Kevin H and George M would contribute to making this site more robust in introspection, with psychosocial soliloquy jaunts and alternative expressions of NYK fanaticism. But then again, steady as I am, I'm going to love the ones I'm with while not coveting my neighbors' preference to take a blow for the summer. Just for Kicks (blog name idea for the Red Bulls) get a gander at the traffic in the Newsday blog of the Yankees. NY,NY--definitely King of the F'n Hill.

KFL

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No sense in excluding anyone.

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My bad. Here's the link I meant.

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Sweet trick. Use it? I think I might.

Why should Kobe be dealt soon?

Dude breaks down why good trades are more about timing then anything else. Usually the unpopular trade is the best one available.

Seems Kobe shot himself in the foot by losing his cool earlier in the summer. He really tied the Lakers hands.

Good News!
Props to the Judge that denied the legal team of Annuca Browne's motion to reopen "Discovery" six month after it closed and one month before trial! This is not a good sign that she even has a remote chance of winning anything! To make matters even worse....Davonn's younger brother ran past Thomas and Marbury outside the court house, simply ignoring them and approached Annuca and asked for her autograph!!! The big smile on her face was priceless...but that dissapeared quickly when Davonn;s brother started jumping up and down!!! Yelling " I GOT BIG BROTHER, KOBE'S AUTOGRAPH!!

BARF,

Thanks for passing that on.I still don't see them trading him.(Hope I am wrong and he ends up with us.)As he says,they need to pack the seats. And who could the Knicks offer them to fill-up those $1000 seats in the nose bleed section.Crawford,Lee?They will need an all-star in return,Marbury,Curry still won't sell in La La land like Kobe.We may need a third team who is willing to part with a big name,T-Mac,Mello (more likely),or they'd prefer Wade,Lebron....not going to happen.Pray that the Lakers want to re-tool,or free up $$$$ for next year's free agents.Our best offer:Crawford,Lee,Curry,and expiring contracts for Kobe AND Bynum.And Hope they take it,.......... I still may not do it!!!!!But, I'm not Zeke.

Timing is everything Alan; I live in the Albany area, but was out on the Cape without a computer. Had I known, I would have recommended a few restaurants in Albany for a good meal . I hope your time in Albany wasn't too painful (and that you had a better meal than a Subway sub.).
BTW, I watched the YouTube video you posted, and read his blog a few weeks ago; and as a mental health professional, Stephon is starting to worry me. There is something out of whack (clinical term) about his comments. Then again, if he plays as selflessly as he did last year, he can say anything he wants.

Peace, I agree with your read of the judge’s ruling, but I question your conclusion. I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve spoken to a few about the case. No question, this was a slap-down for Annuca Browne’s team. But it’s way too complicated to think this alone indicates she can’t win the case. This judge has also kicked the other side up and down the block a few times. My hunch is that nobody is going to come out of this looking too good, which is why the judge has been trying so hard to get them settle, and not go to trial. As I understand it, he has implied there is merit to the sexual discrimination charges. But he has also been quite rough on her. I forget the details, but the way she brought the case (or the timing?) somehow seem to support management more than her.

Alan – can you sort this out? I can’t make a connection between her being dismissed for incompetence, and her problems with the IRS. Something about MSG policy and outside income? But the judge has definitely been rough on both sides, right? Is this a game of brinksmanship? Do you assume it will settle? Or got to trial?

Trane
Apparently she claimed major tax deductions for phantom Knick transactions that are not on any offical Knick record ( trips, conferences..ect,ect!) Once this case is over, she will face the wrath of the IRS without any MSG support or factual based vindication for those deductions! I'm not a lawyer either, but you don't have to be to understand MSG's legal position that her new request is what they termed a "fishing expedition" implying she is trying to buy more time to either settle out of court.....most likely asking Dolan to back her bogus business claims for her complete withdrawel of all charges against MSG. A pathetic but true sign of this being a weak case by her counsil.

Peace – I know these blogs are very prp-MSG and have a lot of animosity toward her. I honestly don’t know the issues of the case well enough to pick sides in this one. But as I understand it, both sides are refusing to settle. She may have a stronger case than you think. The judge has been rough on both sides, not just her. She has some reason to think she could prevail, or she wouldn’t still be in this. And the judge has provided some of those reasons.

Well, I haven't looked in the news stands recently, but I imagine ol' Street and Smith's Pro Basketball and those kinds of annual magazines will be hitting stands soon and will make their educated guesses as to who will come out on top of the eastern and western conferences.

being a knick fan, I basically don't give a rat's ass about the west, beside the hopeful redemption of the san antonio-phoenix controversy this year. that was a damn shame, a true black eye on the nba's policies and those who set them.

So I think it is interesting to bring up the number of teams that THINK they will make the playoffs versus the number of teams that WILL make it in the east. Even if you're the worst team in the league, you should be competing with the playoffs as a basic goal. I'll let you guys offer who you think it will be, I'm just going to focus for now on who THINKS they'll be getting in this season.

(the numbers are merely for counting purposes, as opposed to rankings, I'm too biased to even attempt those)

1. Detroit
2. Chicago
3. New Jersey
4. Cleveland
5. New York
6. Orlando
7. Miami
8. Boston
9. Washington
10. Toronto
11. Charlotte (yes, mj said he wanted to make it now once he pulled the trigger on the Jason Richardson deal)
12. Philly
13. Milwaukee
14. Indiana

So who's it going to be guys? Rick Kamla says the Knicks are going back to the lottery, and I hate him for it. Despite his over-confidence, I've never really convinced of his "basketball knowledge", since I know for a fact the guy can't ball. Can't wait till New York plays Boston, its going to be very entertaining, and kamla will be hearing from me if and when New York kicks their ass.

Obviously there are only 8 spots. with rosters they way they are at the moment, who will make it, who won't?

From today's Miami Herald:

Word is the Heat is intent on making another push to acquire Ron Artest, trying to entice Sacramento with Udonis Haslem and others. . . . Pat Riley noted last week that in ratings he uses, Dorell Wright was fourth in the NBA among backup shooting guards and small forwards. But when Riley said ''this could be [Wright's] breakout year,'' it came with the usual caveat -- ''as long as he doesn't have anybody in front of him that's always giving me a chance to make a decision to play somebody ahead of him.'' . . . Riley said he likes the idea of using Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams and Smush Parker together at times.

Lives:

I saw that on Hoopshype this morning. I think we deluded ourselves thinking that the Knicks are the only ones after Artest. Miami needs live bodies, so they'll acquire anybody right now. I still maintain we should acquire Posey for his toughness, defense, and 3-point shooting.

Not sure if you saw, but the Spurs signed Ime Udoka. He will certainly have an impact just as former Knicks Matt Barnes and Matt Carroll have, Jackie Butler notwithstanding. We always talk about not having 3-point shooters, but when we have them in training camp, they're cut.

Riley getting Shaq out of LA was tantamount roberry a la Red of the C's. Why some GMs and teams are able to do it over others puzzles me.
I too like Posey's game except that we have a glut of players right now which requires some handling. Steady on the patience angle because IT et. al. must sort this out until the Kobe shoe falls.
BTW, if we don't hide Green, he will become this year's Ime Udoka.

KFL

darren-- I made a similar comment a few posts ago, I agree about these former knicks. it was also apparent from new york's summer league team that a player named Brian Greene is worthy of making some nba team's roster. he was the first guy off the bench for that great starting five in july.

we're just too stacked to keep greene. hope we keep nichols though. not only can he shoot, he looked like he can play defense.

Darren - Good point about former Knicks.

I remember remarking to friends about former NYK players during last season's playoffs - they were everywhere.

Maybe it's management's impatience or unwillingness to keep players who may challenge management (K. Thomas comes to mind), but NYK ssems to have let go an awful lot of players who have since gone deep into the playoffs elsewhere.

At the end of the day you can't do anything about it, but it is irksome.

Starburyfan,

Here's how I see the East stacking up:

1. Detroit
2. Miami (any team with Shaq has to be taken very seriously)
3. New Jersey
4. Cleveland
5. New York (yes, NY...lol)
6. Boston (They're a hamstring away from not making the playoffs PERIOD)
7. Washington
8. Orlando

The rest will be positioning themselves for the lottery.

Rick Kamla is a fantasy basketball player...probably wouldn't know what to do with the rock if you threw him a bounce pass...lol. His input about any team (especially the Knicks) is not to be taken seriously.

Can you really hide a player overseas? I've heard it mentioned on the blog and during summer league play several times. If so, we really need to fit that kid Greene with a trench coat and a fake mustache. I think he'll have more impact than Udoka.

OBTW,

I just finished watching the Liberty beat the Sky to qualify for the playoffs (even watched the Mystics/Sun game before that one). I got such a bad b-ball jones, you woulda thought I was watching the Knicks!! I was in med-season form, I tell ya....lol

These are some tough times for us b-ball junkies. We gotta keep each other strong!!

Go Liberty!!!

I really don't get why people miss K.Thomas. He's been in Phoenix long enough to have made an impact. By trading Thomas for salary cap room, Phoenix must not be high on his value either. He's never been able to stay healthy although he was able to play out of position against taller, more physical players (which probably explains his knack for injuries). At this point, I wouldn't want to play him over D.Lee at the four or five so I can't say that I have any problem with letting him go. He was definitely the only Knick that had any trade value when he was traded, being that he was one of the few players who played a specific role. I think in terms of toughness, versatility and overall skills, Malik Rose fills whatever void Kurt Thomas left behind.

Matt Barnes was used plenty by Larry Brown when he was in NY. He played well for us and I believe that's what got him a spot in Don Nelson's first training camp in Golden State. He played well and won Nelly's favor. The style of play and our SF's (Balkman, Q-Rich, J.Jeffries, D.Lee) just do not warrant keeping him on the roster. I think Matt Barnes success in the playoffs last year has everything to do with Don Nelson and his preference to use more athletic players than any other coach. Nelly would rather try to outrun you if he doesn't trust his big guys. After Biedrins Nelly didn't use any of his men. He doesn't play big men who plod down court over the smaller, versatile type swing players. He'd rather play guys out of position and put 5 guys on the court who move the ball and play well together than go with a conventional lineup. Matt Barnes benefited from that quirky/unpredictable coaching of Nelly.

Barnes was looking for a $5 million (full MLE) multi-year deal but settled on a 1-year $3 million deal. What does that say?

Pizza's here. Gotta go. My point is that Udoka, Barnes and Thomas aren't any better than the guys we have playing their positions. Udoka's 30 years old or something. Barnes is in his mid 20's or something. And Kurt is an old man. We have players who are younger and arguably have more potential. Plus, Thomas brought us Q-Rich in a trade so there should be no regret.

BARF,

Don't get me wrong - while I loved Thomas while he was here (he was the last tenuous connection to the Ewing Knicks and a reminder that this team once played defense), I don't pine for him now that he's gone.

I was just observing that fromer Knicks were all over the place in the last playoffs. Not that having them all still here (which would be impossible anyway) would have meant that the Knicks would have been in the playoffs, just remarking that there were quite a few ex-Knicks in the post season.

I'm quite a bit more excited about the young team we have here now. It feels like standing by NYK in the recent lean years is about to pay off.

@bronxboy in Md
Thanks for your feedback dude. Very interesting picks. I think definitely, your top 8 are all legit (and I agree with the comment about Boston's "achilles heel").

This is partially why I couldn't do my own prediction, because I always hope for the best from NY (the past 4-5 years I've lost credibility with my friends because I predicted NY would make the playoffs). I'm even HOPING this year for an atlantic division title!

But no Bulls, no Toronto in your top 8? Toronto won the division last year. Bosh just got hurt. How serious it is, I'm not sure. Without him for extended time, they probably wouldn't make it. Young players don't seem to stay hurt as long though.

There are 10-11 teams that should make it on paper. I guess health will be a big factor in determining who's still in the top 8 come April 2008.

Yo BARF, I agree, I don't miss Kurt that much either. He had limited hops. seemed like he was too small to play the four at times, with people going right over him down low. Could Zach Randolph be his polar opposite for the knicks?

Bronxboy in Md
Good prediction! I would be fine with 5th seed! To reiterate Starburyfan's statement " Health " will decide who dominates the East! Two things that bother me are
1. If Sean Willams is the Monster he's hyped up to be, and the Nets Center returns healthy...as much as I dispise that team, they may be the team to beat!
2. If the Heat end up with Artest, along side a healthy Shaq and Wade...... that club would be a nightmare of a matchup in the East!

The Wizard's could be sleepers if that club is healthy. Detroit 's time may be over, as I don't fear them or the Cav's! Boston's a big ? I would have to see them play before I comment!

If you really think about it, if JJ does have a breakout year hitting the boards and blocking shots, A lineup of JJ,Curry,Zach,Steph and Crawford will be as formidable as any! Our bench will be other teams nightmares as our "2nd Wave" of Lee, Balkman, Chandler/Q, Collins/Nichols and point guard MVP of the summer league Nate "the Ant" Robinson is most likey the deepest bench in the NBA. I believe Nate has done enough to warrent the nod from Thomas to be the first off the bench to replace Marbury! No disrespect for Marty, but Nate can change the tempo of a half court game to warp speed and Lee,Balk, Chandler and Nichols can fly with him! Maybe this year that unit won't have to dig us out of a hole and will increase whatever lead we have! If that's the case...WOW! I can hear Gus Johson and Clyde, enjoying and calling the games as much as we will be watching! Good Day Gents!

Sorry guys;
Predicting who'll make the playoffs in August is....kinda silly. There's still lots of potential moves to be made. Are you guys that pumped!? Calm down...take your meds and see what happens first.
There will be some suprises this year. I can guarantee that. Lets wait and see what transpires.

African-
tell that to Street and Smith's Pro Basketball magazine and all the other pro basketball annuals that hit newstands in September!

Those magazines are nothing but predictions, which is why I asked some of you for your own educated guesses. But only one answered.

peaceman-

mardy can get curry the ball. don't know if nate has as many passing lanes to get curry the ball because of his height. but agreed, nate can do things that no one else on the team can do. he's just that talented athletically speaking.

African,

We're just giving our "uneducated" it...not more, no less.

As starburyfan alluded to, there are a wide array of publications that do the same..I'm sure you've read some of them a time or two.

It aint etched in stone. Just killin' some time before the season starts, that's all. Relax a little.

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