Chris Duhon will wear No. 1 for the Knicks. He also intends to start at that position.
But after initial speculation eminated from the Duhon camp that the Knicks told him he'd be the starting point guard, both sides today quickly downplayed the notion that there were any assurances that came along with a short, but hefty two-year contract worth about $12 million.
“I didn’t get any assurance at all, I was just told I would have the opportunity to compete for it and that’s all you want," Duhon said today at his afternoon press conference at the Garden. "You don’t really want things to be given to you, you want to earn it.”
So you're telling me you turned down the Orlando Magic, who wanted to make you Jameer Nelson's backup and put you in the rotation on an up-and-coming team, just to play for the Knicks?
Surely someone had to suggest to Duhon that his days as a backup would be over in New York.
“I don’t know, that’s to be worked out," was the most that Donnie Walsh would say. "That’s what competition is all about. I just know he’s a guy that will compete so I think he will give it his best shot. I think somewhere in time, he’ll be there.”
As for the incumbent, Stephon Marbury? Walsh wouldn't go near committing either way.
“I don’t make any prejudgement on that," he said of Marbury's future. "I came here – what have I been here, for three months? – he wasn’t playing so all I know is the guy’s got a lot of talent, he’s a very good player and that’s it. So we’re trying to get our team ready for next year.”
More later...
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Quick programming note: The Live Chat that was scheduled for today was pushed to tomorrow (Thursday) at 11:30 a.m. This was because of the Duhon press conference, which started at 1 p.m. but those of us who live on the outskirts of town have a train schedule to follow. Better off doing it tomorrow off the Duhon stuff and a lengthy chat with Donnie Walsh.
Comments (13)
Duhon seems intelligent and skilled, good choice, we'll just have to see what happens.
DTR
“I don’t make any prejudgement on that," he said of Marbury's future. "I came here – what have I been here, for three months? – he wasn’t playing so all I know is the guy’s got a lot of talent, he’s a very good player and that’s it. So we’re trying to get our team ready for next year.”
Well wasn't that a ringing endorsement for Buyoutbury.
I'm confident Waltoni will buyout Stephon Marbury before training camp. It's such a no-brainer. It's not even about basketball. I don't care if Methbury can put up 20 and 8. It's about moving on from a era of terrible Knicks basketball. You cannot have a professional setting or winning culture with the biggest cancer and loser in the NBA.
And I cannot wait to see his babysitter Marc Berman cry after it's done.
Duhon will be a good stop gap until the knicks
can find a real PG
i really hope marbury will gone by training camp
he is a selfish ego maniac who thinks he "runs"
the knicks
and actually he has "run' the knicks...
into the ground...LOL
team chemistry is all the knicks can hope for this year
and to achieve that they need
to get rid of marbury
he is not liked by his teammates and his presence
can only hurt the knicks
i know he says this will be his year
and he is going to change
but who really believes he going to change?
Von Wafer is nice.
I watched the draft the year he came out, and the commentators said he made a mistake declaring early, which I agreed. if this ked stays in school another year, he's a lottery pick!
He's a John Starks type. Would he thrive in D'Antoni's system? You bet he would.
Posted by Bronxboy in Md | July 9, 2008 17:49
Bronxboy in Md.....you sure as hell know whats good Bruh!
I knew you would light up likeI did when you read he was in OUR camp! John Starks 2...you nailed it my friend! Maybe better in D'antoni's system! That kid is a straight out pure shooter...something we've lacked since a young Houston/ Bernard King! The best part is he will cost us peanuts and is young!!!!!!!! Look out Crawford...if Wafer has a good summer league...your expendable for a shot blocker!!!!!!!
he was in the mcdonalds high school slam dunk competition as well. bad shot selections but a very nice shooter. couldn't play as much in nuggets since they have their streaky shooter in jr smith. pretty much same type of player.
Check out this Real GM trade Checker #4714035
to go along what we really need!
Alan, will buying Marbury out have the same effect, cap-wise, as letting him play out his contract would? Would they owe him anything past this year, or would it hurt their plans to get under the cap? They probably would have to sign a player to fill his roster spot, but that can be done very inexpensively with an undrafted rookie or development league player.
not trying to kill the von wafer bandwagon, but here are some sobering facts:
he's played with four teams in three seasons.
he's played a grand total of 46 games and 229 minutes in that time.
for his career, he's 6-for-44 from 3PT (13%)
he's scored 66 points in the NBA
he has almost as many personal fouls (19) as field goals (23)
i could go on . . .
@ flybanjo
You could compare those stats to Kevin Johnson, Agent Zero, John Starks and others before they found their game on the right team! Anthony Mason was playing in Turkey before he was invited to the Knicks camp. Given the chance ...this Kid could be a tremendous pick up without spending big money!
Agreed Peaceman
I will certainly take a chance on a project like Waffer. So long as he is not a headcase and chemistry killer. The Knicks have had way to many of those for a lifetime.
Peaceman
I checked the proposed trade on RealGM.
I have no problem with Artest coming home.
But the Knicks' will be further depleted at the 4 spot. and it will mean that Z-Bo might have to stick around a while longer. Also Artest will want to resign for more than the MLE. With the whole 2010 hullabaloo being thrown around, it might compromise Donny's master plan.
Your thoughts.
I like my trade with LA better, only if we get Mbenga from LA.
@ O&B -
Problem is the 15 contracts, they'd need Big Snacks to retire from injury or something like that to sign Von Wafer.
He does look like he can shoot the ball, but those are "highlights".