The Knicks Fix

Marbury needs to be "Juawana Mann-ed"

@ Alan - How would Star-baby know this already? He isn't allowed to talk to other teams while under contract, is he?

Wouldn't it be great to use that statement and prove a breach of contract and pay him nothing??

Man, I really hate this topic...but, yet again, he shows his true colors as a self-centered jerk-off.

Fun game to watch, too bad we lost. Chandler
for some reason has stopped taking the ball to
the hole over the last few games. If his jumper
isn't falling he becomes a non-factor. Hope
Coach D tells him to be more aggressive. A guy
with his athleticism and quickness shouldn't be
settling for jumpers.

Marbury must be close to a meltdown...again
if he is resorting to publicity stunts to get
attention. Hope they sit on his contract unless
Walsh gets an offer he can't refuse.

Great game by the Knicks....its a shame they didn't come away with a win as good as they played.

I thought they should've went to Nate exclusively down the stretch.....Harrington seemed to be forcing things a little in the end.

The back breaker was that steal Harrington ALMOST got that Odom turned into an alley-oop for Ariza.

It's really nice to see how Trevor's game has matured. It's amazing what great coaching can do for a player.

Can you see Trevor in a Knick uniform? I sure could.

I love how this team is competing. There is reason for optimism for this group.

last 2 games begs the question: is there a such thing as a good loss?

I'd contend that there is, and that the Knicks just maybe had one too many against Pheonix and LA. Man, it would've been nice to pull one of those out.

But this trip was certainly a big step for the team, the record. I was at last year's Giants/Patriots game, the last of the season where the Giants lost, but played hard and showed New England that they could hang with the best. That day, I told my friend that the Giants would go to the Super Bowl.

It might be a smaller scale, but after watching last night's game, I'm confident that the Knicks will make the playoffs.

I haven't been able to be proud of this team in a long time, but this West Coast trip showed you a group that has that die-hard quality that made the 90's Knicks a team to root for.

@ Matt B...

"I haven't been able to be proud of this team in a long time, but this West Coast trip showed you a group that has that die-hard quality that made the 90's Knicks a team to root for."

Amen brother..amen.

Somewhere the Oak Man has a smirk...once someone steps up as an enforcer and stops layups, he will finally have a big fat grin.

And so will most Knicks fans, becuase we see the toughness of old...

I only had the juice for the first half but I saw some great things.

Bob, you're right, I think its an issue for the whole club really. They are working the offense well now and open jumpers, especially threes, are there pretty much all the time. The challenge for these guys now is to eschew a shot to work the offense to get the great shot. What that means is the ball has to get to the rim, either off the drive, or with the pass to the back cuts and flashes to the rim that they used so well last night. Open layups in the half court set off passes from the three point line are a pretty amazing thing to pull off in the NBA, like hitting a man with a lead right hand in boxing. Jackson could not have been happy with that - I'm wondering if the Lakers took that away finally in the second half. Part of Chandlers problem is his handle is a little shaky, so he plays it safe at times. (Great block on Kobe by the way).

The decision on when to drive and when to shoot is the challenge for these guys now. When they solve that, they will truly "know" the offense, and offensively challenged guys like Jeffries will be able to be a threat. Once they move the ball and get the defense flowing, it creates moments where lanes open up and the ball can find the rim off the dribble. It reminds me alot of the way an offense in football works - receivers running routes to hold linebackers in a zone, offensive line flowing the opposite direction, all to open up a passing lane for the intended receiver of the play.

What's been amazing is how Nate has picked up on this. With his speed and handle, he can get to the rim any time he wants, but he's shown real acumen of late, using his drives for kick outs and waiting fo the flow of the offense to open lanes for him. He's finally realizing the promise of his athleticism and forging those gifts into weapons. I'm very, very happy for him. Now, he can be Gr8.

Chandler, Harrington, Duhon, Nate, have been great on offense and can be better.

Harrington is looking a little heavy legged of late - I think the travel and the running are starting to wear on him. He needs rest. Sky's the limit for him. A few less forced jumpers, a little more comfort with the system, plus continued ferocity on the D, and his excellent passing (didn't know he had that) and D'Antoni has another top flight 6' 9" player on his hand. He seems determined to lock down LeBron's spot on the squad!

Malik Rose should lobby for a spot on D'Antoni's staff for next year. There could be no better way to begin a coaching career (unless he already has an offer from Pop). But really, this is a great way to play ball. Add a guy with post presence (alas, poor Randolph), and this thing can't be stopped.

Another treat: Pregame, highlights of Houston's 53 point game in La La. Wow.

Stephon Marbury is such an attention wh0re. I really REALLY cannot stand him. Shame on Phoenix or whoever signs this cancer.

As mentioned before, once the knicks get some bigger bodies in the middle
to take away easy lay ups and cut down on their turnovers they'll be
a threat in the east. I also agree Chandler needs to take the
ball the to rack more and stop settling for jumpshots.

Making the playoffs this year will be the most short sighted accomplishment possible.

THis year we have our first roudner and next year we dont. Let's focus on making the playoffs NEXT YEAR in the year before Lebron.

This year lets be satisfied with moral victories, clearing cap space and getting players in here who match up well with D'Antoni's system

there are four potentially great point guards available this year and two off guards in the top ten players potentially coming into the draft.

Keep your eyes on the prize.

I wasn't able to watch the game, stayed up late watching the Suns game on Monday, and I couldnt stay up even later for the Lakers game, I wake up too dam early in the morning for work, but needless to say i was very happy to hear how the Knicks had the Lakers on the ropes.

But, to me this brings up Raja Bell. I think if the Knicks were to add him, they might be in a better position. They need a natural 2, and a defensive stopper, and Bell is one of the best in the game. If they want to challenge the Celtics, Bell would be the perfect guy to try to shut down Pierce or Ray Allen. Of course, I know the Knicks need an interior presence too, but I don't see too many logical options there. The only option I see is trying to convince Motumbo to come play for us instead of Boston. That made be difficult because I'm sure he wants to have a good shot at getting a ring, but it could be worth a try.

I DON'T like the idea of adding Diaw, we have players who do what he does, and honestly, guys who do it better. Harrington and Chandler are our 3 and 4, we don't need Diaw at all, DON"T TRADE FOR HIM PLEASE. Just get Bell, I really think he's just what the Knicks need, plus his contract is only two years. So trade Curry for Bell, I think there's 4 million less on Bell's contract, so the Knicks could maybe use their trade exception, or take Morrison?

Thoughts?

Biggie -

Playoffs or not, the Knicks will most likely land a pick this year somewhere in the mid-teens. Why root for a pick a few spots higher when you don't know who it will be or how they'll effect the team.

The current Knicks are competitive, playing hard, improving, and can be one of those pesky teams that no one wants to face come playoff time. How can you not root for them to succeed? I want a championship too, but I can enjoy the progress along the way.

Especially after the garbage that we had to go through the past few years, how could you not enjoy a shot to see meaningful games at the Garden?

Also, a playoff run this season will:
1- give the team valuable experience
2- increase the trade value of current players
3- give the Knicks more appeal to 2010 free agents as a potential contender
4 - uhh.. be fun to watch?

@ Willis, I am actually impressed with Harrington and his ability to get to the rim at will. Chandler takes way too many threes considering he is our most athletic play over six feet. His handle is suspect, but he always has the ability to pump fake, take a couple of steps in and pull up for a better jumper than that high arching three. He has done with success multiple times and seems to be more of a rythem shot for him. I think the problem with the Knicks offense is not the lack of a post presence, remember Shaq pretty much ruined PHX's offensive chemistry, it is the lack of a go-to scorer (no offense to Harrington who is playing great right now). A guy who can get his own shot at will and break down the defense. A D Wade, LBJ, Nash, Melo, Chris Paul type of superstar. When Duhon goes to rim now, teams are learning not to double him so D. Lee and those guys aren't open any more. If we get that guy who can draw double teams because he can finish at the rim, our offense will truly be unstoppable. Although, after saying that, if I have to watch one more Tim Thomas post up I'll probably go insane so I do see your point and I know how you feel about Shaq already. I think good evidence of our lack of a featured player was us down one with 20 seconds or so to go and we call a Nate Robinson isolation play?!?

@ Biggie, I hear what your saying about missing the playoffs but I would rather see my team compete every night. If we are trying hard and its past the all-star break and we don't have a realistic shot at the playoffs then yeah you start thinking about the lottery. But right now we have a shot, with a full healthy roster, at a possible five, six or seven seed. I can't cheer for my team to lose for a draft pick this early in the season.

@ Sec 11: I've been waiting for a non-D Lee discussion and what do I get . . .a Marbury blog!

@Mike M: Bell would be great, with you 100% there, but who do we have that would be a salary match for Char. and that they want?

Mutombo is too old, slow and with the tempo we play at would only give you 10-15 minutes per game. If we signed him it may help a little but I'm not sure he would be a good short term or long term solution. He would have been perfect maybe three or four years ago. I thought Ratliff would have been great but no way Phili parts with him now.

@ ALAN and K4L...even the sight of MARBURY and reading the dribble that pours from his tiny brain can't wipe the orange and blue smile from my face today.

@WILLIS...good to be reading your insightful prose again, you've been missed biggie time.

@BIGGIE...have you looked at the standings? the knicks would have to lose 80% of their remaining games in order to move into a top 8 pick. that's just not going to happen, and in the coming draft, it's a complete crap shoot between the 9th and the 20th pick. so you might as well kick back and root for your team guilt-free (they are your team, right?).

@ 2010 BEAN COUNTERS....i am increasingly less convinced that the knicks must save cap room for TWO major FA'S. if we were to add LBJ to the current mix, they would kick considerable butt. they wouldn't need another superstar to get that team over the top, they would need a mobile big man who could prowl the paint and clean up the garbage.

I'm not saying root to lose..

But the Knicks are at a point where it is really strange. It is a great group of guys that are easy to like a root for. The games are fun to watch and entertaining. But I really dont care if they win or lose any particular game.

K4L - you are seeing the Knicks compete every nite. They were right there with the Suns and Lakers on Back to back nights. Every entertaining ball.

a five or six seed is way optimistic. best we can probably get is a seven seed and a few garden games which could damage ourt ability to add a quality player in what is a strong guard draft./

It is clear we have a team that competes every nite but doesnt have the dogs to close out down the stretch. Watching Nate on that Iso was painful.. and I love Nate.

Regardign Diaw. He doesnt duplicate Harrington. Maybe Chandler a little bit but we need athletic wings who work well with D'Antoni for the future.

@sec -

you may be right that two whales may not be needed. Of course a mobile big to prowl the paint and clean up the garbage is not a cheap commodity. It kind of describes Bosh doesnt it?

If we could accumulate another draft pick or two this year via trade we could be a real player for Rubio, Jennings, Holiday, Stephon Curry or even Thasbeet. Keep you eye on DeRozen from USC as well.

@Biggie - Harrington is much better than Diaw, and we have Harrington at the 4, and Diaw is a 4, so I don't see the sense in adding him. Plus, Harrington plays D, Diaw is known to not play any D. I see no point in adding him when our primary needs are SG and interior presence.

Re: the draft, the more and more I take a look at who's out there in the draft, the less and less I am impressed. Would Rubio be any better than Duhon at this point? I would think at 18 he needs a few years to develop. Of course there's Blake Griffin, but he's a PF, and it seems Harrington should keep that spot the next few years. We need a C, PG or SG in the draft.

Thabeet/Mullens are a possibility, but both seem very raw and could be busts. Could Thabeet be anything more than a big time shot blocker? Do you really want to waste a top 5 pick on someone like that? Harden sounds like a good option, but is he top 5 material? I don't know, this draft doesn't impress me too much, so I'm not too concerned with getting a top 5 pick. BUT, if the playoffs are out of reach later this year, i will be pulling for them to get a top 5 pick, get lucky a la the Bulls last year. Maybe the good karma from saving Mobley's life will get them a good pick, haha.

What about sending Curry to Memphis for Antoine Walker? Then he and Marbury could have play dates and tea parties together.

Mike M. not to belabor the point but..

Harrington isnt really known for his D. Diaw has a rep as a player who can guard all 5 spots. He locked down Yao when Stoudemire was out. He can guard points too. Al has played some good D and I like his game but he'snot known as a defender.

I think D'Antoni system is getting away from the 2/3/4 defined roles. Athletic wings are what excel in the system. If you can guard more than one spot, run on the break, pass the ball around and hit an open shot you fit in as a 2 a 3 or a 4. Even a five.

Agree wi need better post defense and shot blocking. Thinking Darko may be worth a shot.

there are a good number of pure points and shooters who look real good in the top ten. Rubio looks insanely talented and very very special.

Really, Alan? The game was "overshadowed"? The story "forced itself" to the forefront?

You don't think it had anything to do with the Knick beat writers' all deciding to lede with Marbury. Times, News, Post, Newsday, Marbury's in the 1st paragraph and the headline.

And you blame the "bosses," who insist that Marbury's part of the "entire story"? Come on. Marbury is a saga, a soap opera, and the soap opera sells papers, keeps you a job while others are getting laid off. That's just how the entertainment business that you like to call "sports journalism" works in this town.

That's fine. I don't have a problem with it, and I think that you are the best beat writer in this game. But then don't come with this, "shucks, I'd just love to write about great basketball, but darn it if my bosses don't want another priceless Marbury quote." That's disingenuous.

Have the cajones to stand behind your product, mate. Marbury's the smack, and you, Isola, Berman, are the pushers. You couldn't not write about him if you tried.

submission attempt #4

HARRINGTON is not really a power forward, at least not on a championship team. he's become more of a swing, and with the (surprising) defense he has been showing, i can see him playing more and more of the 2. although shorter, i could see CHANDLER developing more into a 4.

N8 "MACROWAVE" ROBINSON is quickly becoming on of my favorite players.

@CHARLES....good points.

Mike - Bell yes, Diaw no,

Big - I am as happy as you to watch this team lose ( a nasty paraphrase, I know). This is the beauty of watching an organization that has its s#!t together. Whoever comes, gets a role, fulfills it or sits. We know these next few years will be about changing personnel, wins and losses have to be secondary to that. This is what Walsh had in mind I think when he tapped a guy like D'Antoni to run this show. The structure is there, he has the absolute attention and respect of his players, team is above all, and he is thus able to handle anything Walsh throws at him in order to further the long term goals of rebuilding.

Sec - happy holidays to you and yourn - I have a similar feeling about 2010 and beyond. We do need a killer with the full backing of the might of the NBA Machine like LeBron, but there are intriguing talents out there who have yet to hit that tier that Walsh could get to BEFORE they become better than sliced bread. I'm imagining a team filled with young versatile guys who can stretch D'Antoni's rotation to 9 and play that feeding frenzy pace on both sides of the ball for the full 48. With full commitment to both sides of the ball (and don't believe D'Antoni resents the talk of 'Antoni, no D) and real depth, you have a winner that is very hard to match with, especially in 7 game playoff scenarios. Other teams will not be able to keep up the pace.

These things need to be weighed carefully. It is a players league, it is designed for players to be "superstars" whether they are or not, and we would be wise to take advantage of that narrative. I have a feeling teams are getting desperate and Walsh will be able to find a deal for Curry, everybody knows what it will take to get him (anything breathing that has a contract that expires in 2010 - heck they don't even have to play as Mobley showed ((though I regret not having him, I loved his style of play and I am very glad he caught that condition early and will live to love his family and the world))) and teams are getting pretty loopy out there. Ultimately, Ol Dirty Bastard will have enough cash to do some real shopping.

Willis- I wouldnt say Im happy to see the team lose but I am strangely ambivalent to the actual wins and loses. It is a real strange place where you can watch entertaining ball games and root for the win but be OK with the loss for the bigger picture.

@alan -

you should put the raw audio from the half time presser on the site.

Could be some funny stuff.

I like big words, they make me feel smart!

"It is a real strange place where you can watch entertaining ball games and root for the win but be OK with the loss for the bigger picture."

Good point but I still want to see the team win at all costs. The last two years I felt the way you described above. Disgusted by the lack of effort and character on the team. Horrified by the scandals and water fights I still wanted my team to win but cheered for good draft picks and management and player changes.

Yep, I was the same way last year too, but not this year because I see a playoff run as more valuable for the team than a few higher spots in the draft.

It's been fun, but draining. I forgot what it was like to care this much. There's no turning back now. This team, this group of guys, has got me.

One thing going forward, as we forge ahead in this Janus-faced season, it strikes me that players are going to want to come here to play with..... Nate. The more he becomes the facilitator on offense, the devastator on defense (HT, Clyde), with his spirit, this team becomes something everyone wants to be a part of. Of course everybody wants to be a part of the D'Antoni Experience, but a big selling point going forward will be the character of these players. The more good guys we get, the more good guys we get. (Which means no to Antoine Walker). Players like Wade, Bosh, Bron, etc... can pick their team when the time comes. Competitiveness, yes, hugely important, and I think the Knicks have shown that they will be competitive, but the team that gets them has to be a team they want to be a part of. Nate is a larger than life billboard for this. The beauty of the system is that there is room for everybody to be out in front, forward, pushing to make things happen, the ball finds you over and over, you see guys talking real pleasure in making passes, innovating in the offense, trying to get a steal and start a break, etc.... This builds a special esprit de corps that is like rocket fuel for these guys. Imagine, you get to PLAY the game of basketball in the league that has made the business of the game of basketball the biggest it has ever been. I think there are alot of guys who are ok on their digits, but miss the GAME they used to play. The D'Antoni experience is having your cake and eating it too. Nate is the human equivalent of "having your cake and eating it too."

Who else wants in?

I think we should root for the Knicks to win every night. There are 2 major benefits from trying to win every night rather than lose games in the hope for getting higher draft pick.

One, you are changing the culture from a losing one to a winning one. Look, there is no guarantee of the big free agents coming. You can only pave the way for them to come, but whether they actually come or not, nobody knows. So, if there are no free agents coming, then assuming the existing players remain, they would have played two hard fought years together. It would then be much easier to add lesser free agents to the team and fortify it. At worst, it would actually make it more attractive to the free agents.

Secondly, if we realise the actual potential of the current players in this system, we will know exactly what we are lacking and go after the free agents in 2010 that would be a good fit for the team and the system instead of going after some big names.

The Boston Celtics lost a lot of games a couple of years back in the hope of securing a high draft pick and ended with a #5 pick. Miami did the same and ended with a #2 pick. Portland did not try to lose games but ended with a #1 pick anyway. So,there is no guarantee that you can be assured of a high pick if you lose games. Can you imagine what a waste of time it would be if you lose games and don't end up with a high pick? And even if you did end up with a high pick, then you are left at the mercy of the talent in the draft that year. There have been years when there were no good picks in the entire draft, looking back in hindsight. And this upcoming draft is looking more and more like it. It's not worth the risk.

I see only 3, possibly 4, good teams in the east that are clearly better than the others. Celtics, Cavs, Magic and possibly the Hawks. The rest of the playoff spots 5-8 are up for grabs. I don't think the Pistons are that much better than the rest. Everybody else in the east have a shot at seeds 5-8. If the Knicks continue to improve and with the addition of a defensive presence in the middle, I don't see why they cannot go as high as the 5th seed. Now, that is worth taking a risk on. That would create a great momentum going into the next year. So, the Knicks should continue playing hard every night and try and win as many games as possible.

And finally, Yes to Bell and No to Diaw.

Yes to Lee and Nate. No to Diaw, Curry and fragile Jefferies.

Agreed Skot.

I actually don't even think its an issue once all is said and done. D'Antoni is never going to tank a game. He clearly hates losing. As a matter of philosophy, its a topic of interest, but he will never look to lose, and Walsh will never bring in players for short term wins.

@ DaJoka: how can you say Jeffries is the worst signing in Knick history when Jerome James is still on our team. Seriously, he has been awful from day 1 and has done nothing positive for the team. Not one productive minute. Look at his stats for his Knick career. Just embarrasing. Jeffries had a few good games I can remember. Jeffries is pretty terrible, but James defines the IT era like no other.

I was thinking about which big men playing right now and are kind of available for the right price, that would fit the system here and be a little bit of an upgrade. Right now, we need an interior presence, somebody who can take a charge, block some shots, get rebounds and has a decent shot. To find all these qualities in one guy and that guy still be available, would be a reach. But say, we are ready to give up Lee in return. We will be losing a lot of rebounds and a little bit of scoring. So, we need to get somebody else in return who will make up for the rebounds, the little scoring and add a little defense.

Among available guys, Milicic can do some of these things but we will be giving up more in the trade. Camby can be a good replacement but he is older and may not be available. But how about Lamar Odom? He has one more year left on his contract which the Lakers may not extend and so may trade for a good replacement. With Odom coming off the bench, he has not been that effective. Put Lee in his place and he may be more productive. Lee will get his double digit rebounds and score 10-12 points coming off the bench, which will be more productive for the Lakers than what Odom is giving them off the bench. I have seen Odom taking charges time and time again, get a lot of rebounds (not as much as Lee though), and can score more than Lee, can make the passes and handle the ball and can also block some shots. He probably won't be everything we need, but I can see him fitting into this system like a glove. Of course, the salaries won't match, but we have some expiring contracts to add. Somebody here who is familiar with the salaries can match them up and see if it is viable. Or try suggesting some other players and let's see what is out there.

@skot - hate to throw cold water on this love fest but I disagree.

Teh culture changed once Isiah and now Marbury were shown the door.

D'Antoni brings a positive environment that players enjoy playing in.

Not sure who you refer to as the "core" but six of the six in the rotation dont have contracts for 2010 and Gallo hasnt played nore than a few ticks. This roster will stilll turn over drastically in the next two to twenty four months.

Everyone wants to see wins but what I am saying is the loses dont affect me in the way loses would if I truly believed 2008/09 was not a year to air out the stench and turn over the roster.

While two home playoff games against Boston, Cheveland or Orlando would be fun to watch the hang over of focusing on short term goals when we have a long term plan could be a problem.

While you are getting drunk ont he Kool Aid just prepare yourself for another roster move in February because it is more than likely to take place.

should read six of the eight in the rotation

@ DaJoka: Look at this ineptitude and tell me Jeffries is worse. He has played in 3 games the past 2 seaons and started in 18 games, the past FOUR SEASONS, despite how injury plagued Curry is.

G GS MIN REB STL BLK PPG

05-06 NYK 45 9 9.0 2.1 .1 .5 3.0
06-07 NYK 41 11 6.7 1.6 .1 .4 1.9
07-08 NYK 2 2.5 1.5 0 0 2.0
08-09 NYK 1 4.0 2.0 1 0 2.0

This took forever to type out. Where are the number crunchers like Luke. Is he still clinically depressed over the most effecient player in the game, JC getting traded and putting up all those great stats in GS?

Funk this piece of sh!t Marbury. He'll just funk up the team anyway. We need Tanya Harding to come with some tire iron and bust Marbury's knee caps.

Anyway Marbury can come here to destroy another team because after this season and next season, Steve Nash and I are leaving Phoenix. Maybe we will wind up in NY. All I know is Lebron is going to NY and D'Antoni will hit paydirt then.

After Marbury destroys Phoenix he can go back to Italy and eat his pizza hut pizza and drink his purple cool aid.

biggie - what do you mean by hangover of short term goals hurting our long term ones?

i kinda see what you're saying, but trying to see that side of it completely.

is it just the chance for a better draft pick?

if so, do you really think that a 14th pick instead of a 17th pick will make more of a difference for the team long term than a chance to build a track record of playoff appearances and perhaps a taste playoff success (even if it's just 1 win)?

@skot - Odom makes 14 plus mil in the last year. the lakers have gasol and bynam so i dont think Lee is a fit there.

Memphis is an interesting match. Darko and Malik pair off

@ matt b --

read skot's post.. looking to add players to reach the playoff goal while losing focus on the 2010 objective is what I refer to as the ST hang over.

I'd look for ways to accumlate draft picks in 2009 while pairing back more salary and bringing in more D'Antoni players this year..

play to win but enjoy the enthusiasm and competiveness and who cares if we lose tot he Lakers.

odom is pretty lame. for all of the skills god bestowed on him, he is one of the great under achievers in the league.

plus he plays small for his size.

plus he shrinks in big games.

forget it.

After Lebron James, Lamar is the most versatile player in the
league. Your not going to find another player his size with his
all around game. That doesn't mean I want him on the Knicks
but if you think Lamar is an under acheiving..sorry I can't
agree. He's in a system that limits his offense. There is nothing
Lamar can't do on the court. In Dantoni's offense he would be the
shizzle.

Does anyone here really have a problem with Curry straight up for Diaw? Don't you make that deal every day?

@JC

If you do that trade, who gets taken out of the rotation? Who do you justify taking out?

If you say Jeffries, well then Diaw will only get 15-20 minutes a game. Will he sulk because of that? He seems to be a whiner...

Plus he has a longer contract than Curry.

I'm not a big fan, I'd prefer trading Curry for a draft pick, or better suited role player for this team, like Raja Bell.

Mike M:

Isn't there some unwritten NBA GM rule about never trading a big for a guard? I'm not as against Diaw coming to NYC because he did well in D'Antoni's system ... we know he can run, handle the ball and shoot ... he's a decent defender ... those sound like a lot of things that EC doesn't do. I was under the impression that Diaw was kind of soft, but I've read that he's a good defender.

His contract is a year longer than EC's but it's a little over $2 million cheaper ... so the Knicks save that money in 2010.

Is there anyone other than Charlotte and Larry Brown that has shown interest in EC? I think he'd do well with Okafor next to him.

You make a great point about the rotation ... I've tried to work it out, but someone would wind up unhappy.

@JC I would make the trade to get rid of Curry, although I doubt it would happen, but Diaw is not a great choice for the Knicks. Mike M makes a good point about his attitude and his place. I have also read, and posted, that his conditioning is not consistent. I would prefer it to the scenario of including Lee, however. Lee may go, but please not for Diaw!

@pverne I totally agree.

come on pverne. Diaw was out of shape ONE year two years ago and whipped back into shape in no time.

He is no Cupcake Eddy or Big Snacks.

D'Antoni and Walsh live him for his tenacious D and his all around game. Does he put up window dressing numbers ? No .. does he do the little things to win and fit the system like a glove.. Yes.

He would get more than 15 minutes a game. Those getting 29 would certainly come down and would benefit from being exposed on the court for close to 40 a game.

Hoopshype says Marcus Williams may be waived. Do you think Walsh would consider signing him?

@Mike M --

D'Antoni and WAlsh think Diaw is a great fit for what they are trying to do so we will see.

Regarding his contract, while longer than Curry's it is cheaper in 2010 by 2 mil.

I still contend he would be a great rotation player here as he was in PHX under D'Antoni.

Time will tell.

Marcus WIlliams? eh. give him a try.. we need the bodies. I'd rather Jared Jordan get a shot

@Biggie, I don't agree with you at all. Winning breeds winning. It's about learning and knowing how to win. The more you win, the more you know how to win. That was the difference in the game yesterday. The Lakers knew how to win and weren't perturbed by the 15 point deficit at half time. You could see it in the way they came out in the 3rd qtr and cut into the deficit right away.

You didn't quite understans my point. I know most of the contracts end before 2010, but that was my point too. The more you try to win, the more you will know about your players. You can make a better decision in 2010 as to who to keep and which free agents to go after who would complement or join in and take them to the next level. You have to know which players have the heart for the system and are ready to go to the next level. It may not be obvious to us fans who those players are, but the coach will know. And We are not going to have the problems that Phoenix had, in that we are not going to let players go to save money - like Joe Johnson was let go by Phoenix.

What I don't understand is aiming to get a high draft pick, even after knowing it is such a crap shoot and even if you win one, you can't be totally sure of the talent - there are so many failed cases. Your draft pick has to be incidental, not an aim.

the reason the Lakers clsoed the lead in the 3rd quarter and closed out the game was simply one word .. Kobe.

If you have a superstar player who can make the shot in crunch time then you are an elite team. Players like Nate, while fun to watch, arent at that level and will never have the physical skills to be there. And I like Nate.

No one is saying the players or coach should not try to win and put the best product. Just that we as fans can take solice in a loss has a greater purpose than if we were a mid level playoff team that is trying to make a run today and not a team looking to prepare for the future.

D'Antoni and Walsh know what players fit what they are trying to do adn this year is -- as you say -- the time to gather those players.

The feeling surrounding this team is sooo much different this year.
Last year, there were far too many games that players mailed it in. This year, the effort has been pretty consistent, and the Knicks will compete every night.
This team reminds me of the early Pitino teams, enthusiastic, hoisting up threes (though there's not much full court pressing going on.).
I prefer not to dwell on the player fomerly known as *; soon he will be a distant memory; and his roster spot can go to someone hungry, and willing to play within the team concept.
Good things are coming; our patience will be rewarded.

@Biggie: At least in this game, Kobe wasn't the only Laker player scoring and making plays. They played as a team and came back into the game as a team.

I don't know what you mean by taking solace in the loss. Once the game is over, whether a win or a loss you have to accept it. We are talking about the effort that goes into the game. We have to try our very best to win the game and in doing so, if you lose, like yesterday, we will say well done and hope they come back the next game and try again to win.
Once the result is out, whether you are upset or take solace for a bigger cause, whatever, what is the point in even talking about it. The problem comes when you are trying to lose in hope of a higher draft pick, that wiould be foolish.

Certainly would help us if Eddie would get healthy and on the court. Hard to trade a guy who hasn't played a minute this year. Gotta wonder if Curry gets healthy, will he play or does he just never get "healthy" so as to say him some embarassment of not playing? Just would be nice to see him get out there and run his butt off for 20 minutes a night so it would be easier to unload his contract.

I think we are close with this..

I never said I think the players or coaches should play or try to lose.

All i said is that the fans are in a unique position inthat we can root for competitive games and be OK with a win or a loss at the end.

I also dont think Walsh should do any player moves designed to reach the playoffs this year that may compromise the long term plan.
Learnign to

We differ on the "learning to win" thing. Learning to play as a team is one thing but the big shots in the clutch have to be made by players like Kobe who can take over a game and carry a team to a win. Nate or even Al cant do that on a night by night basis. No matter how much they practice or how many times they do it it is a crap shoot with them cause they dont have the A+ superstar skills.

@john k --

dont forget about his heart condition that preceded his trade from Chicago.

I dont think other GMs forget that and will be reluctant to take down the contract given that it is not insured and Curry is such a lazy worthless sloth

I would like Walsh to collect talent that will make us better in the long run. There are a lot of players having contracts that expire in 2010 that can be keepers. Al Harrington looks like one of them. Lamar Odom, if we can get him, can be another of those players.

@ Alan Hahn --
Yo dam right I\'m doin muh thang. Aint nahh thang. Aint nahh thang like uh chickn n corn bread wing on uh strang. Im going Phoenix. Im going Phoenix. It iz hard god damn werk being dis good! Berman, we\'s going Sizler.

@pverne --

I love it when you call me big poppa. Walsh needs to trade Lee for Diaw. Straight from France. Represent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1P1_tWYq4A

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Boris Diaw
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Boris Diaw Position Forward
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight 235 lb (106.6 kg)
League NBA
Team Charlotte Bobcats
Jersey #32
Born April 16, 1982 (1982-04-16) (age 26)
Cormeilles, France
Nationality French
Draft 21st overall, 2003
Atlanta Hawks
Pro career 2001–present
Former teams Pau-Orthez (2001–2003)
Atlanta Hawks (2003–2005)
Phoenix Suns (2005–2008)
Awards 2005-06 NBA Most Improved Player
Official profile Info Page

Boris Babacar Diaw-Riffiod, better known as Boris Diaw (born April 16, 1982 in Cormeilles, France), is a French professional basketball player for the NBA\'s Charlotte Bobcats. After being traded in a multi-player deal with his former team, the Phoenix Suns on December 10, 2008, he is expected to make his debut with the Bobcats on Saturday, December 13.[1] Diaw is 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 235 lbs (106.6 kg). He played for Pau Orthez, France\'s top league team, before joining the NBA. His NBA career averages are 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

At the end of the 2005–06 NBA season, Diaw was awarded the Most Improved Player trophy by garnering 80 first-place votes in balloting by 124 sports writers and sportscasters. He received 489 overall points.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Career
* 2 Player profile
* 3 Family
* 4 Trivia
* 5 NBA career statistics
o 5.1 Regular season
o 5.2 Playoffs
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 External links

[edit] Career

In 2000, he won the European Junior Championship with the French National Team. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, twenty-first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft where he played for two seasons before being traded in the offseason of 2005 with two future first round picks to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Joe Johnson. He had won the bronze medal at the European Championship with the French National Team in 2005.

In Phoenix, Diaw blossomed into an all-round player, playing any position from center to point guard and garnered the nickname \"3D\" because of his multidimensional play (his motto being \"drive, dish, defend\") and the combination of his number (3) and last name. Diaw averaged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.05 blocks per game on .526 field goal percentage and 73.1% from the free throw line in the 2005-06 season for the Phoenix Suns, playing mostly small forward and then center in absence of the injured big men Amare Stoudemire and Kurt Thomas. He was named to the All-Tournament Team. During the 2006 NBA playoffs as the Suns\' starting center, Diaw averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.10 blocks per game on .526 field goal percentage and 76% at the free throw line in 3 rounds of the playoffs. In Game 1 of the 2006 Western Conference Finals against the Mavericks, Diaw scored a career-high 34 points, including the game-winning 7-foot turnaround jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining in regulation, to help his Suns to a 121-118 victory.

Diaw recorded his first career triple-double on January 31, 2006 when his Suns defeated the Philadelphia 76ers at Philadelphia, 123-99. Diaw had 14 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds, as well as a block and zero turnovers in 39 minutes. He is the first French NBA player ever to record a triple-double. He recorded his second career triple-double shortly afterwards on March 5, 2006 when his Suns defeated the Dallas Mavericks at Dallas, 115-107. On April 14, 2006, Diaw recorded his third career triple-double when the Suns suffered a loss to the Golden State Warriors, 110-102. Diaw had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high, 16 assists, while adding three blocks and two steals in 42 minutes. Two days later, Diaw recorded his fourth career triple-double against the Los Angeles Lakers as his Suns lost 109-89. On December 15th, 2006, Diaw recorded his fifth career triple-double in a victory against the Golden State Warriors.

In July 2006 Diaw was named captain of the French national team. Diaw led the French team in the 2006 FIBA World Championship with 107 points and 22 assists in 9 games.

In the 2008 NBA Playoffs, 1st Round, Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, even though he fouled out in the game, Diaw recorded almost another triple double with is 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in 44:51 minutes.

Diaw saw a reduced role with the Suns after the 2005-06 season with the return of Amar\'e Stoudemire and largely played in a reserve role, failing to average double-digit points per game for the next two seasons. On December 10, 2008, Diaw, along with Raja Bell and Sean Singletary, was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley in a move by the Suns to retool their roster.[2]

[edit] Player profile

At 6\'8\" and 230 lbs, Diaw is a natural small forward. However, his passing skills and capability to score inside have earned him a reputation of being capable of playing all positions on the floor well. This is best seen in the 2005-06 season, during which Diaw started as a bench player, then convincingly subbed as a point guard when starting playmaker Steve Nash (that season\'s MVP) was injured, then started as a small forward and was finally moved to center when all three Suns pivots got injured, posting impressive stats of 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the playoffs [1] despite playing out of position. Based on the 2007-2008 Season: His PPG: 8.5 his RPG: 4.50 his BPG: 0.5 his APG: 3.9 his EFF: +11.71. His breakout season (13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game) was crowned with the Most Improved Player Award. He is lauded for his unselfish, but assertive play, and his versatility also makes him a triple-double threat: as of December 2006, he has recorded five of them.

[edit] Family

Athletics run in his family as his mother Élisabeth Riffiod is regarded as one of the best centers in French women\'s basketball history, while his father Issa Diaw was a Senegalese high jump champion. He also has a half brother, Paco Diaw, who was a guard at Georgia Tech, but transferred to Lee University, a small NAIA school in the Southern States Athletic Conference. Paco\'s major is French, which he already speaks as a native of Dakar, Senegal. He is the brother of Martin Diaw, who has also played basketball for California University of Pennsylvania.

[edit] Trivia

* Diaw and fellow French NBA star, Tony Parker, are long-time friends and former roommates. Diaw was the best man in Tony Parker\'s wedding to Mexican-American actress Eva Longoria.[3]

[edit] NBA career statistics
Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

[edit] Regular season
Year ↓ Team ↓ GP ↓ GS ↓ MPG ↓ FG% ↓ 3P% ↓ FT% ↓ RPG ↓ APG ↓ SPG ↓ BPG ↓ PPG ↓
2003–04 Atlanta 76 37 25.3 .447 .231 .602 4.5 2.4 .8 .5 4.5
2004–05 Atlanta 66 25 18.2 .422 .180 .740 2.6 2.3 .6 .3 4.8
2005–06 Phoenix 81 70 35.5 .526 .267 .731 6.9 6.2 .7 1.0 13.3
2006–07 Phoenix 73 59 31.1 .538 .333 .683 4.3 4.8 .4 .5 9.7
2007–08 Phoenix 82 19 28.1 .477 .317 .744 4.6 3.9 .7 .5 8.8
Career 378 210 28.0 .496 .266 .708 4.7 4.0 .6 .5 8.4

[edit] Playoffs
Year ↓ Team ↓ GP ↓ GS ↓ MPG ↓ FG% ↓ 3P% ↓ FT% ↓ RPG ↓ APG ↓ SPG ↓ BPG ↓ PPG ↓
2005–06 Phoenix 20 20 39.8 .526 .429 .761 6.7 5.2 .9 1.1 18.7
2006–07 Phoenix 10 0 23.5 .475 .000 .667 3.2 3.0 .7 .2 6.6
2007–08 Phoenix 5 2 35.6 .547 .000 .500 5.6 4.6 .6 .8 14.6
Career 35 22 34.5 .522 .150 .734 5.5 4.5 .8 .8 14.7

[edit] See also

* List of French NBA players

[edit] References

1. ^ Bell, Diaw, Singeltary to make Bobcats debuts Saturday
2. ^ \"Bobcats Acquire Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary from Phoenix\". NBA.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-11.
3. ^ \"Boris Diaw, Are You Ready to Be Tony Parker\'s Best Man?\". Retrieved on 2007-05-12.

[edit] External links

* NBA.com
* BorisDiaw.com
* ESPN.com
* Basketball-Reference
* Boris Diaw Player Profile (InterBasket)
* CBS Sportsline

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Persondata
NAME Diaw, Boris
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Diaw-Riffiod, Boris Babacar
SHORT DESCRIPTION Professional basketball player
DATE OF BIRTH April 16, 1982
PLACE OF BIRTH Cormeilles, France
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from \"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Diaw\"
Categories: 1982 births | Living people | French basketball players | French expatriates in the United States | French people of Senegalese descent | Atlanta Hawks draft picks | Atlanta Hawks players | Charlotte Bobcats players | Phoenix Suns players | People from Val-d\'Oise | Shooting guards | Small forwards | Power forwards (basketball) | Centers (basketball)
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@ Biggie - Way to go a-hole! You just became the most hated blogger here.

We don't need Diaw - we have 20 6'9" guys. Even better, we have one in Harrington who has stared into the abyss of NBA irrelevance, and has come back chastened, playing for his hometown team and performing like an all star. Diaw had his best years with D'Antoni, I have a feeling he will be available for the rest of his career should we want him, as nobody else will be able to tap his collection of skills. For his sake, I hope I'm wrong and Brown can do something with him.

If we are going to bring in another 6'9" player, he better have a post up game and be a banger. Think Maxiell, Powe, Millsap, etc... they all need work on their post play, but none of them mind a bloody nose. Otherwise - shotblockers, guards are what we need to hold down the fort.

Lee goes nowhere unless an all star comes back. You only fail to re-sign him if the market prices him at ludicrous. He makes the right play.

I think there is some more bogus posting here. I disagree with BiggieSmalls a lot, but have never used the nickname for him that is attributed to me above. I think he knows that and I don't believe it's his post.

Please, Oh please post another page long cut & paste!!

Dang, THEY (whoever the hell THEY are) say you can't rebuild in NY. I think NY is enjoying this rebuilding team. Incompetence is another matter. Its so good to be on the other side of the IT disaster. We'll win some and we'll lose some. Its OK . Guys are playing hard, with a purpose and with hope. And I just can't help playing fantasy GM about the future. To me, that's half the fun, how the team should be built. I think Sec11 referred to the "Bean Counters." I count myself proudly in that category, cause in the salary cap world, if you don't count the beans, you can't have a plan. And its making a plan that 's important. I don't claim to have any insight into what Donnie's plan is, but by counting the beans, you can see some parameters to the plan.

@BIGGIE....completely unforgivable.

go to your room and don't come out until you're ready to stop acting like a compulsive obsessive attention demanding miscreant.

that wasnt me posting that this morning.. someone took my username.

that is seriously outrageous that someone can co opt your username on this site and post stuff attributed to you.

the technology behind this site is a complete joke. Doesnt cablevision have some decent technicians?

this site is set up like a high schooler was in charge. maybe not even

@WILLIS......i assume you would include boozer in that list?

As I stated above, BiggieSmalls did not write the last couple of posts. I am convinced of that. This happened to me once or twice.

Boozer said today that he will opt out and declare.

He has made overtures towards Miami where he has a home. Miami has Marion coming off the cap and will likely offer Boozer a max deal.

This just in from Ken Berger. Steve Kerr said the Suns have "zero" interest in Stephon Marbury. Zero.

http://ken-berger.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/12369160

@ Alan Pawn

I must agree with no qualms at all that you are the best and most intelligent sports writer, however you a clearly one biased azz when it comes to Marbury. In a world of "what have you done for me lately" most all I hear about is what Marbury has done in the PAST and not what he has done comin' in this season. He doesn't give a crap what you or any of the other writers say about him and he shouldn't. It's a shame that Cablevision now owns Newsday b/c IMO your professional intergrity has been compromised. I also am man enough to apologize for hinting that you are a racist. You may be, I don't know, but who am I to judge, as a matter of fact, who are all of us that we judge. Keep up the rest of your good work.