The Knicks Fix

Yep, the Bulls are doing great, aren't they?

I think the reverse about the ship be sinking has come to pass!
Your are right about Zeke's horrible call to play Steph after the Sun's insurection! You are also right about how can Zeke hold Q and Zach accountable after his bad call to play Steph after he abandoned his team?

Last night I saw Zach bail more water out of the sinking ship
by passing out of the double team.

Last night I saw Zeke bail more water out of the sinking ship
by making Steph a DNP!

One down ( Steph) and one to go. ( Q)

Last night Zeke got it right and may we never see Marbury in a
Knick uniform again! Maybe the Knicks were renewed because they knew Marbury wasn't ever coming back! EVER!
Maybe Zeke righted the ship by righting the worst move he ever made by playing Marbury after the team voted NO!
The Knicks looked Cancer free last night, just a few more doses
of Chemo will get the remaining potenial cell division that results in cancer! RIP Marbury! Good Luck out West!

From NBA Insider:

Thomas Turning Down Decent Deals?

Numerous league sources have informed me that embattled Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has been turning down decent deals left and right, meanwhile driving those around him in Knicks Land batty and, according to the New York Daily News, possibly pushing owner Joe Dolan to fire him.
They have been dangling Jamal Crawford in discussions, but I'm told they still won't give up David Lee. That much is bad news for the Kings, who have shown an interest in Lee in the past and would certainly want him in any Ron Artest deal. -- Sacramento Bee

don't buy the theory that the Pistons layed down for the Knicks, maybe Isola missed the Spurs game where they had a chance to win in the final seconds.
the team has talent to compete but no consistency...

It's pretty obvious that minus Marbury the Knicks, share the ball and play with more energy for longer on Def and Offense. Holding on the to that expiring contract for another 18 months is a risk since Marbury could say he's going to Italy if the Knicks try to trade him next year. If they can find a Western conference team, then make the deal. He would probably thrive with a runnning team where both teams shoot close to 50% .... if Tim Thomas and Francis can find a role in the West, so can Marbury.

as clyde would aptly put it, the ship be sinkin' and stinkin'.

i feel it coming, we have seen the last of star-jerk, and isiah-bitch is following close behind.

who said god is dead?

Here we go. It was inevitable. The Knicks win a game and everything is fine. I certainly agree that getting rid of Marbury is a good idea. But it's wishful thinking, at best, to imagine this disaster cruise has been salvaged. Just a few of our most immediately needs: A GM. A couch. And most of a starting unit. That’s doesn’t sound like smooth sailing ahead to me. The roster is marginal at best. Nate and Crawford could be a credible 2nd unit backcourt. So we need a starting point guard and a starting shooting guard. We need a starting small forward. And we need a center. If you want to play Randolph at the 4. Sorry – can’t get too excited by a win, or too depressed by any individual loss. 26 losses and 10 wins means the Knicks have to play .500 ball the rest of the way JUST to win as many games as last year. It’ll never happen. 25 wins a dream. I’m not sure they’ll get 20. Let’s hear it for the age of diminished expectations. If this is something to get excited about . . . count me out.

Great typo. I meant we need a "coach." But the coach and/or the GM could certainly use a few sessions on a "couch."

Ok, Trane is counted out! David Stern has been notified
and has approved!

The Knicks won a game, yes, but it was against a team that played four games in the past five days, and played an OT game the night before the Knicks game. They probably arrived in NY around 3 am.

So, if somehow we can always play exhausted teams, then we have a shot at the big 3 - 0 wins!

Why trade Marbury?

Let him sit at home until he comes off the cap unless he wants to give us a good enough deal in a buyout that it is worth the press to let him go to another team.

We need to sign Artest after he opts out, draft a point guard and try again next year without Marbury.

Word has it that John McEnroe stopped by press row last night to speak to a particular rookie Knicks scribe.

Mr. Incompetent.

Fair enough -- maybe the Knicks were "renewed." Maybe the ship was "righted." About as likely: Maybe George Bush will win the Nobel Peace Prize. Maybe pigs will fly. Sorry – no Kool-aid for me, thanks. I try not to confuse wanting the team to win, with expecting it to happen. We’ve been anticipating this problem. One or two wins and suddenly everything is ok? I don’t think so. Sorry -- 2 wins in 11 games isn’t good enough. This team isn’t any less of a disaster than it was last week, or the week before that, or the week before that. And it’s not the media’s fault. And it’s not the fault of fans clamoring – justifiably - for a new coach and GM. The buck stops with the GM/coach and owner. This disaster is their legacy to New York. A flawed and only marginally-talented roster. Rotations that continue to feature unproductive players. Failure to develop the young talent when this should be the perfect opportunity. A team that’s unprepared for the opposition. Is there one player on this team that could start on a play-off team? Lee? Maybe. Maybe Randolph? Maybe. Anybody else? Some of us are hoping for better from the Knicks.

@ Counted out.

Marginally-talented? That would be false! Yes, we are the league joke because the talent is there but we have so far failed to capitalize on it! Getting rid of the main distraction is a great start!

Just because you quit this season don't expect others to!
Yes Detoit was playing their 4th game in 5 nights,....but

1. Did a spent Piston team make the Knicks pass like we've never seen?

2. Did a spent Piston team make Zach pass out of a double team?

3.Did a spent Piston team make Jeffries play Smart?

Is it a stretch for anyone to think that we could start to play to our potenial?

Or are we too far behind the Conference 4th seed that plays .543 ball, or the 5th seed that plays .541 ball, or the 6th seed that plays .514 ball or the 7th seed that plays.500 ball or the 8th seed that plays .471 ball? If your Counted out you are! But the Knicks aren't Counted out!

Nice to see Peaceman resurface. Of course if you're going to jump on a bandwagon, it helps for there to be a wagon to jump on. I'd love to see a good Knicks team, but I'm not seeing one here. Sorry, not a fanboy kid.

Agree that getting rid of Marbury would help, but I'm not sold that the other underachievers have suddenly learned how to play. We'll see. Tell you what – let’s see if these Knicks run off a winning streak as long as their losing streaks so far. Hell, I’d even settle for 4 or 5 in a row. Then I’ll say they may be turning the corner. But If they keep losing 2 out of 3, lets skip the crowing after those single meaningless wins.

Most importantly, “true” and “false” are irrelevant concepts here. These are opinions, not facts. All of us would do well not to confuse the two. They have NOTHING to do with one another. Except in a world of wishful thinking. And yes, my opinion is this is a team of 2nd unit players from top to bottom. Your calculations about making the playoffs maybe be correct. Who cares? The team still needs a total make-over if it’s every going to have a future. Just making it into the playoffs in this division is still living in the age of diminished expectations. I say it’s great if you’re satisfied with that. Some of us aren’t. If we want to build a team for the future, there are very few players on this roster that could start on that team. If any . . . We don’t have a starting point guard. We don’t’ have a starting shooting guard. We don’t have a starting small forward. WE don’t have a starting center. Not for a starting team that could go deep into the playoffs. We have very few players other teams want. And very few of Isiah’s “talented” draft picks can even crack HIS rotation let alone the starting line-up. We have maybe 1 or 2 players than other teams want. Yes, I call that team “marginally-talented.” but let's see. Your opinion is that this team is going to win the next 4 games. Let's see.

Fair enough Guys,

Our next 4 games are against a 19-16 team twice (Wizards), one against the 18-18 Nets and one against the 8-28 Heat! If you look at our schedule, this is the only realistic chance to gain some confidence and get at least a 5 win streak going! If that happens
we will play Boston with that game being the last of the first half of the season and that is one I don't expect to win but to compete!

Fanboy am I???? Nah...I said from preseason we have to get Marbury's Azz out of town on the next thing smokeing! I have also said we need Artest or would pretty much be in the boat we are.
We will see if the Knicks have in them to have a 5 game win streak! I may be wrong, but I am a Knick fan, and as long as they are still in it, so am I. If by any chance Marbury comes back to the knicks.......We will make Larry Brown's season seem like the "Good old days."

We have always agreed on Artest. He was a no-brainer from the moment Randolph arrived. (And probably sooner than that) Last summer I was hoping Isiah was just playing hard-ball with the Kings, and would make the deal by training camp. Now is probably not the best time to make the move, unless we can catch a break because he's injured. I would be in favor of any deal that squandered boat-loads of Dolan's money (by letting teams throw in some terrible contracts they want to dump, then immediately buying them out) . . . but we need to hold onto the few talented players we have now . . . and let the new GM decide on how best to rebuild this roster/franchise.

Trane,

You might not agree with Zeke, but make no mistake, he's here to stay until we make the playoffs! Dolan is not re-rebuilding!
This team needs "tweaking" not a blow up! The talent is there despite your denial! We just need to add a piece here ...subtract a piece there and ....ZOOM! We have taken the first step yesterday.....watch us work!!!!!!!

I'll agree to disagree, but that's it. We might have enough talent to "make the playoffs" in the weak East. But I've set my sights a little higher than that. How did the bar get set so low? Because we'll never compete for anything significant with this roster. We don't have one player who could start on a championship team. Not one. Tweaking might get us into the playoffs. But what good would that do us? Getting into the playoffs would only be a set-back at this point. I'd rather get a premier player in the draft. That would make us a more talented team in the long-run. What Isiah has built is the league's deepest 2nd unit. Now all we need is a few all-stars and few starters around them, and we've got a basketball team. In other words, we need an entire starting unit. I consider that slightly more than tweaking. I call it building a franchise. If I'm wrong tell me one player on this team who can start on a team that could challenge the best teams in the league for a championship? You may be right about being stuck with Isiah. But that doesn't make it right. I don't know if Dolan is being frugal for once or obstinate, but Isiah has proven he can't put a roster together or coach a team. So I'm curious why he still has any support . . . he'll never run another club in this league. Why do we have the only owner in the league who can't understand that? Look how far it's gotten us so far. The team stinks and loses the most money of any franchise. For most owners that would be enough to consider making a move. Just because Dolan isn't going to rebuild is probably the best argument that it's the smart thing to do.

Trane,
This is where I agree to disagree and thats fine! Tell me,
how many Championship starters did Jordan and Pipen have on their team? Answer: Anyone they wanted, includeing you and I.
Hell, Hahn could have a ring as center if he were near the Bulls!
I believe he was as good as the forgetable Center's besides Cartwright!

Obviously, Jordan was a unique case. But, fine . . . bring in Michael, and maybe a FEW of isiah's players could stick around a while. But using your own criterion . . . anything less than having Michael and Scottie in their prime to build around . . . Isiah's roster offers nothing to a championship team. And, frankly, I'd still take most of the starters off Michael's teams over anybody on the roster today. You're really sort'a shot yourself in the foot this time, Peace. I'd take Grant or Rodman at the 4. Kerr or B.J. Even Cartwright. It might not be a championship team without Michael and Scottie. But it's a better team than we've got today.

Really Trane?
Besides Kerr on the Spurs, Who has gone on to success ?
Grant played for years as a bench staple! Roddman?
Pluleeze!!! These are the people who are of Championship caliber on the Knicks! Everyone...even Curry and James as a backup!
Trane....what do you know about shooting? Even in the foot?
Are you from Da hood ...Bruh? You are one Gangstar Dude!!!! lol

How about Rodman’s 5 rings, for example? Or Gant going to the finals with Orlando before winning another ring in LA? You mean other success like that? C’mon Peace, you keep digging yourself a deeper hole. Or did you mean to say besides Kerr and besides Rodman and besides Grant? But you’re right. Those guys do things we try to avoid on our team. They played defense. And they played team basketball. We sure wouldn’t want any of that in New Yortk. You're right -- our team is much more talented than all those losers with all those championships rings. Keep believing it, Peace. Keep believing we’re better off with Stephon and Curry and James. But you’ve set up an interesting question: You have to wonder if even Michael and Pippen could win with Isiah’s team. VERY doubtful.

I'm willing to see how the next few games unfold, and if the Knicks can use a somewhat favorable schedule to their advantage.

I don't think making the season a bit more respectable helps long term, but as a fan I get tired of seeing the Knicks lose 3 out of every 4. Some wins would be nice.

Jordan and Pippen might be enough to transform this bunch into a contender. Who are the current-day equivalents? Duncan and LeBron? Then we're set - only 2 moves away. Just replace Zach and Crawford with Duncan and LeBron and the championships should follow. Not to be a smart-a$$, but this only points out how far from contention this team really is.

Zeke can call me anytime.
I'll be very to help him.

You too little Piece man

Do you all realize that one of our 1st round picks over the next three years goes over to the Utah Jazz (via the Marbury trade, figure that one out).

In 2008, the pick is top 23 protected
In 2009, the pick is top 22 protected
In 2010, the pick is UNPROTECTED

So even if we do get rid of Isiah in the near future, we will all be reminded of his greatness once 2010 rolls around and we have to give up a lottery pick to Salt Lake.

If Noah made 20 million in a guranteed contract like Marbury he would not have been suspended. Comparing apples and oranges

It's a financial decision and nothing to do with what the Bulls undertstand it's what the blogger dioesn't understand about the NBA and the power veteran players with guranteed contract hold over their team.

of course most teams should be able to expect veteran players with guranteed contracts NOT to be a descipline problem

That’s uncalled for, Dr. K. As far as Isiah is concerned, it’s open season. Fire at will. But Peace didn’t come here with any disrespect. We’re allowed to disagree. Frankly, he raises an interesting point. And maybe this is a good way to turn his own argument against him, and use it to express how terrible a job Isiah has done putting this roster together. He believes the current Knicks team is more talented than the role players who surrounded MJ and Scottie on all those championship teams in Chicago. I strongly disagree. So here’s the hypothetical question:

Could this New York team challenge for a championship if you could add MJ and Scottie in their prime? He certainly seems to think they could. I sincerely doubt it. Anybody else care to venture an opinion?

I guess there are really two questions here. 1) How far can just two great guys carry a team? And 2) To what degree did even MJ and Scottie have to rely on the right supporting cast coming together before they ascended to the level of champions?

Alan,

U gotta let the Phoenix trip go. Isiah took the temperature of the team by asking what they wanted to do. I doubt he ever promised them to bench Steph. He did what he could to back his best player at the time. I think it went in his favor that he backed Steph against what the team wanted. It should've resulted in a committed player - it didn't. Oh well.

The Bulls are in NO WAY a model team. All teams have issues. Orlando's biggest star is scr%wing cheerleaders (on his way to Chuch - no 'r'). Can you imagine if Craw knocked up a Knicks dancer. It would be blamed on the coach no doubt.