Chicago Hope
Happy New Year!
Three days in Chicago resulted in some unseasonably warm weather, unlimited restaurant choices (may I recommend "Catch 35" on West Wacker, if you like seafood) and, what do you know? Some luck for the Knicks, who generally need all the help they can get.
Welcome the first win of the caldenar year. Circle it. Stare at it. Put a little smiley face on it.
In the books right now it's an assist, but it was a desperate slap by Eddy Curry at a loose ball that was just fingertips away from a critical turnover bounced to Stephon Marbury's hands. And Marbury showed he is starting to get his legs back under him by drilling the three-point dagger to sink the Bulls.
Goes down as a rare assist for Eddy. One of those plays that in 10 years transforms into a Pistol Pete no-look out of the post. But it's all good baby. It's all good.
But really what do you want as a fan right now? The Knicks are 9-24, well out of playoff contention. We know they're a House of Cards, really. We know their offense doesn't have much creativity and their defense is suspect most of the time (the effort against the Bulls at the end of the game was solid, but remember the Bulls were without Luol Deng). We know the chemistry isn't quite there.
So what do you make of these fool's gold wins? Do you really think, a week away from the mid-point of the season, that the Knicks can still make something of this season? Or do you think it's time to start playing young players and seeing what you have?
Isiah said yesterday he can't give ticks to young players such as Wilson Chandler because, "in the situation we’re in now, you’re trying to win as many games as you possible can.”
So then why not send him to the D-League? Same for Randolph Morris, who has appeared in just one game this season for all of five minutes.
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Scenes from an Italian Restaurant....(OK, from the famous Giordanos on Rush Street):
* - David Lee continues to work pregame with Mark Aguirre on an inside-pivot move that, once he gets it down, will be a tremendous asset to him on the post. Lee is a better shooter than you see in games. I saw Jack Sikma, an assistant in Houston, on Saturday and thanked him for the move that I basically lived off of throughout my playing days. Yes, Sikma was a center, but the inside-pivot is a post-up move. It's not restricted to centers and, in fact, it's not at all a back-to-the-basket move because the pivot makes you square up to the basket and face your man. Aguirre used it. Bernard King used it. Lee could develop it into his signature, too.
* - There were two situations at the scorer's table last night. The first was at the start of the game, when the lineup card was submitted with Renaldo Balkman's name written in twice and Quentin Richardson's name omitted. The officials allowed Richardson to play because he was not put on the inactive list so, technically, he was still active. The other was during the fourth quarter, when a point was taken away from the Knicks after several reviews of an Eddy Curry free throw revealed that the shot went in and was not tipped by Lee.
* - Doesn't sound like the NBA has reached out yet to have Nate Robinson back in the Slam Dunk contest at all-star weekend next month. The league usually tries to bring in new faces every so often, but you can't deny N8s crowd appeal. What you can deny him is 15 chances to complete a dunk.
* - Jerome James walking out of the Moody Bible Institute after practice on Monday repeating the refrain, "The NBA is Faaaaan-tastic." Someone noticed his cheery mood and asked if he was close to returning to action. "Nah man," Jerome replied as if he found the question amusing. "I'm not ready."
Yes, The NBA is Faaaan-tastic.
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Comments (22)
"I saw Jack Sikma, an assistant in Houston, on Saturday and thanked him for the move that I basically lived off of throughout my playing days."
Yeah, but mommy knew you had no left hand and just shut you down from anywhere outside of three feet from the hole.
Was the boxscore wrong? N8 gets 10 assists and nobody mentions it? What gives?
Isiah would rather have Randolph Morris learn under a connsumate professional like Jerome James then have to toil in some minor league where guys play there a$$ off for a shot at the Show.
Or maybe Isiah doesn't have any respect for minor league basketball. Look what he did to the CBA.
Is it way to early to say, Isiah is finally starting to understand what he has? NO, I do not want to give him to much credit, but they played well in San Antonio, except for the 1st quarter they played well in Houston and then last night. He finally is giving up on Q and letting Nate play.
I hate to get my hope up, but what's up.
I agree with the D-League idea for Morris & Chandler.
Isiah has completely failed at developing the athletes his much-vaunted “eye for talent” has drafted. After last summer, you would have thought that at least Nate and Balkman had earned some consistent opportunities to build off the hard work and progress they were making. That can’t happen when Nate is the team high-scorer one game, then doesn’t get off the bench next time. (At least in the last few games, he's beginning to see regular court time.) But are Chandler and Morris and Collins getting a chance to develop by just practicing with the team? Other teams are using the D-league to develop players. Why not us? Isiah said recently that Chandler can’t play because wins are too important at this point. Who is he kidding? If Chandler genuinely has a shot at developing into a decent player, it’s much more important at this point in a lost season to give him that chance, and let him begin learning from his mistakes now. I wouldn’t think we’d even have to say this about Balkman, but apparently, Isiah has given up on him. Collins, too. Can the team play any worse? I don’t think Isiah has a plan for developing the young talent. And where he does, it’s misguided. (It’s ironic that Larry Brown gave the younger players more consistent PT than Isiah.) Now is the time to get the kids on the court, to see what we’ve got and give them a chance to learn. Every minute Malik and Q are on the court . . . it’s a setback for the development of one of the players who is supposedly part of the “core” of future winning teams.
I agree with you Trane, but the sad part is Isiah thinks he has a shot at making the playoffs. And with his job on the line he's not thinking about the development of anybody. That's going to be the next coach’s job.
But in fairness, the next time Chandler gets on the court he should do like Nate does, go for his. Don’t look so nervous. Not necessarily go away from the team concept, but don't play hot potato with the ball. Take a minute see if there anything there and then makes something happen a little more than he did in his last game. Which I thought showed he's got something there. Maybe he doesn't show enough in practice. I don't know.
But, Nate just don't give a f@$%, he goes for his. And I like that about Nate. He got confidence.
ALAN, im shocked no one has written anything about NATES 10 ASSISTS AND JUST 1 TURNOVER! he showed signs of being a great drive and kick guy last night, thats what you talked about the whole summer. you gotta write something about ya boi
Alan, I hope you guys can all see that the Knicks is a better team when Q-Rich is not playing. He plays no defense, turns the ball over too much and doesn't contribute none on offense. I read before the game that Q-Rich wasn't playing due to a thigh injury and I wanted to write to you and guarantee a victory, but when I turned on the game and saw him in the starting lineup I turned off my computer. Maybe Isiah was sending a subliminal message when his name wasn't on the lineup card. With N8, Starbury and Jamal in the lineup it allows the big boys to do work in the paint because they are a threat from the perimeter where Q-Rich is not. Steph and N8 also played excellent D last night. I guarantee another victory tonight as long as Q-Rich is sitting on the pine.
i think that for respectability's sake, the knicks need to play to win, and isiah needs to coach that way. they can't play for a draft pick.
they're the laughing stock of the league right now, and it's embarrassing.
Gotta love Jerome James and his great work ehtic. Hopefully the Knicks retire his uniform representing the symbol of all that has gone wrong in the darkest period in team history.
Typical knicks fans...They will feel better if Knicks can win 30+ games this year and get a 12th pick instead of playing the kids, go for the lottery and get a small forward at the 3rd pick that can replace Q Rich...I like Q but it seems he is a better shooter and rebounder with a bad back than when he is supposedly healthy..We need a decent game from him. Come on Q...Stay longer in the gym or go in the inactive list and get your nagging injuries cured.
Every year, Knicks fans and the beat writers force management to overlook the lottery and Knick ended up with Michael Sweeneey instead of Chris Bosh or D Wade. Thanks God, Dolan and Isiah are no longer paying them no mind....As per Dolan, eat your hod dogs, drink your beers, chant FIRE xyz, boo ABC all you want...We are going slowly for the lottery without your advice or blessings...and I agree
Who cares is Nate gets 10 assts.. or 40
he doesn't get the credit he deserves once a season... nor does he get grilled for the "me first" all he plays where he fails to EVER look at a shot clock before he makes his 5th miss in a row or dribbles off his foot... for the second time every game... Boris Yeltzin has a better handle
Nate loses more games than any player we have... he got some assists... weeeeeeeeee
I STILL THINK THAT SINCE THE SEASON IS LOST WE SHOULD GIVE THE YOUNG CATS SOME BURN...
everytime i see q-rich it just reinforces to me that he is shot and will never be the player he was...
what is wilson chandler could be that player?
look how phil jackson is using his young guys(and he hates using rookies and young players)
but he found a way to get the guys in the game and get them experience...and better yet confidence.
I THINK WIILSON CHANDLER PLAYS TENATIVE BECAUSE HE NEVER KNOWS WHEN HE GOING TO PLAY...
nate does go for his but sometime it goes against the team concept...
ISIAH SHOULD BE BUILDING THEIR CONFIDENCE NOT DESTROYING IT.
LOOK AT PORTLAND...ALL THOSE GUYS ARE YOUNG AND
INEXPERIENCED BUT BY HAVING PLAYING TIME THEY HAVE DEVELOPED CONFIDENCE...
also i don't want to ruin our chance to get a good draft pick...
PLAY THE YOUNG GUYS ISIAH AND STOP BEING SELFISH AND THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF..
YOU WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE FIRED ANYWAY SINCE DOLAN IS SUCH A ARROGANT TOOL!
why the hell does Q get any run?
in something of a minor miracle,i was able to sell virtually every ticket i had left for this "season". p.t. barnum was right.
and in more good news for beleaguered knick fans, pitchers and catchers report on february 14th!
Isiah has to choose his rotation, stick with it and reward the hard workers. Right now, guys don't know their roles or their minutes and they're playing tight.
I agree with the comments on Q's play; great guy, hard worker but he's not physically well, not producing on offense or defense.
Now that the brohahaha has settled around Steph, just start Eddy, Zach, Jared, Jamal and Steph with Dave, Nate and 1 swingman off the bench, could be Balkman or Chandler. That's the rotation, only give some spot duty to Malik, Q and Fred as needed.
I love the part about Dave working on his offensive moves, but tonight against the Rockets he really played great D, fronting Yao, hope all of the other Knicks noticed the hard work and effort.
Last year, before Q got hurt, he was probably our best player. I just can't understand why Isiah refuses to face reality. Last year, he kept playing Jeffries when he was a bust. This year it's Q. Is it simply because Isiah/coach doesn't want to make Isiah/GM look bad? UItimately, the deal for Q has to be seen as another Isiah failure. Everybody in the league knew he had back problems. So once again, just like with Curry and Jeffries and James, Isiah was bidding against himself. Didn't he even have to wave the normal insurance before the trade for Q could be finalized? At some point, doesn't Isiah have to admit Q isn't close to the player he was before he hurt his back last year?
Isiah's signature trades - the trades he'll be remembered for - are all now officially total disasters. Curry. Stephon. Q. Randolph isn't a disaster, just a huge mistake. Moreover, even though it was slick the way he was able to dump the Frances contract . . . we never should have had it, and look what IT cost us. When you look at the total assets the Randolph deal cost us (Ariza, the Hardaway maxed-out expiring contract and Frye) . . . it's a terrible deal. No GM in his right mind would have given up so much for Randolph. Then there are the two MLEs -- Isiah's JJs. And now we're stuck with a roster with VERY few players that other teams want. The next GM really has his work cut out for him.
1st there were 2 mistakes in the box scores against the Bull.
A) Curry was credited with 4 Blocks when he only had 2 and one of them was a goal tending but wasn't called in fact Curry had 3 goal tending in the game
B) Robinson had 5 assist and not 10 and from seeing Curry's and Robinson mistakes it look like somehow the Stat guy doubled there totals for some reason
Also I cant get how Q-Rich continues to start and get playing time while Fred Jones is sent to the end of the bench with now 2 games of DNP's. Q has played almost half a season and is still shooting 30% from the field and is taking 8 shoots a game while Jones before he was sent to the bench was shooting 45% from the field and 37% from 3pt range. Also Fred is our best perimeter defender on this team and I much rather have Fred Jones start and play SF then Q or Jeffries. The one game Jones started at SF he had 9 rebounds 19 points 3 assist and 3 steals. Sorry but all you get with Jeffries and Q are guys who can rebound do some defending and thats it where at least in Jones you get scoring and assist and a better defender as well as someone who can hit the 3
Zeke is just plain wacked out as a coach and miss uses his players and talent
Well, another start, and 23 minuted for Q. And another L in the books. Of all Isiah's shortcomings, his refusal to make guys earn their minutes must be the most demoralizing for the guys who aren't his pets.
Alan - about the fool's gold wins. My opinion depends on the fate of the Weasel. If he and his team-building skills will be around for more seasons, then the Knicks aren't going anywhere no matter what, and I'll take a win whenever I can get one. (now THAT'S demoralizing). If losses meant the Weasel gets canned, then let's have them. I'd also feel better with a high draft pick if there was no Isiah around to trade it away for a malcontent with impressive numbers on a losing team.
As for Isiah drafting - I remember the Damon Stoudamire pick in Toronto - yes, he won ROY, but he did so by basically running around the court at random (like Nate now) and hoisting shots whenever he wanted, while the Raptors lost 50. He never came anywhere near those numbers in Portland. If we have a top pick, I'd like to see the rookie land in a better environment then the Knicks have now.
Alan, can you get us the "goods" on the Z-Bo on the trading block rumor? Is Isiah declaring everyone untouchable becasue Dolan won't allow him to move anymore players?
Alan, Anything to these Randolph to the Bucks rumors? Yawn
Don, it's obvious that Wallace isn't close to what he was in his Defensive Player of the Year days with Detroit (and he was slipping even when he won the second). But the Curry-Randolph pairing is going nowhere--almost anything would be better. Second, Randolph is owed $17M for 2010-2011, while Wallace comes off the books after the 2010 season. Paring salary, and getting some kind of usable player in return, are the two major motivations for this trade. It might be possible, with some intelligent trades and by not creating any new bad contracts, to get into the LeBron contest in 2010. It's certainly a strategy worth considering.
With the terrible roster Isiah's assembled, no choices are good: it's really a matter of picking the poison. Is it better to hold onto two overweight bigs, both of whom play no defense, and who've shown no signs so far of meshing their games? Eddy and Zach combined will be owed $28M in the 2010-11 season, and Zach is most of that.