I Don't Miss Nichols

A lot of very frustrated fans are making far too much ado about very little. D. Nichols was a D League SF who may someday make it but not with the Knicks. So what?

IMO, he should have honored the deal that would have sent him on a European holiday. Bill Bradley did it years ago. Seems good enough for modern players as well.

many of the preseason machinations teams do are the cost of doing business. Again, too many pundits act as though the nickel and dime moves made in preseason are mismanagement. Um,... NO.

With Bibby hurt, Artest may once again be in play but I don't think Isiah bites. Chandler looks far too interesting.

Alex Rodriguez forgot the Wally Pip story. I like the fact that the Yankees are saying goodbye.

Dribble Sez:

A few weeks ago we visited the Manhattan residence of Dribble, the turtle, one of the Knicks most patient fans.KnicksMecca's interview went like this:

KM: So Dribble, what do you think of the Knicks progress under Isiah Thomas?

D: Slow but sure.

KM: That pre-season loss to the Celts must have given you doubts, no?

D: I almost decided not to come out of my shell for days.

KM: So who do you see as the Knicks openinhg day lineup?

D: Well, with Q and Jeffries hurt, I'm guessing Nate, Marbs, Crawford, Randolph and Curry.

KM: And are you venturing a guess at wins this season?

D: My guess is 47 wins, 52 if Isiah pulls off a Kobe trade, but 47 sounds right sticking close to the ground.

KM: Thanks, Dribble.

D: Take it slow, WGF.

Cruel AND Unusual

You probably think I'm going to refer to Bush and Cheney - forgetaboutit.

No. Genarlow Wilson will soon be free. From the New York Times, Georgia Supreme Court Frees Man in Sex Case;

The Georgia Supreme Court today ended the 10-year prison sentence of a man who was convicted in 2003 of having consensual oral sex with another teenager. The court said the harsh sentence violated the Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

In a 4-to-3 ruling, the court’s majority said the sentence was “grossly disproportionate” to the crime, which the justices said “did not rise to the level of culpability of adults who prey on children.”

The inmate, Genarlow Wilson, who is now 21, was 17 when he was caught on videotape having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl at a drug- and alcohol-fueled New Year’s Eve party in 2003. He was released this afternoon.

Mr. Wilson was convicted of aggravated child molestation for the act, a charge which carried a mandatory minimum prison term so harsh it shocked his jury and prompted an international outcry from critics who charged that prosecutors had been overzealous and racially motivated. The law, critics said, was meant to keep child molesters behind bars, not to curb teenage sexual activity.

A generation of illiterate and pathological ideologues have polluted America's body of law with legislation so poorly crafted that every American no matter how innocent can be charged, tried, and convicted of one morals charge or another with impunity by prosecutors so devoid of ethical fortitude that justice seems more like a drive by government assassination attempt than a fair and impartial process.

This court's conclusion and accurate assessment of this boy's punishment is a glimmer of hope in a republic waste deep in corruption, scandal, and political filth. When justice is served so infrequently and in such meager helpings one can be sure that prayers are not being answered. It is time for Americans to demand and expect more of the lawmakers and the courts.

NBA Investigating Boston Players After Loss to Knicks

Paul Pierce's unacceptable behavior in grabbing Jamal Crawford's chin is under review by the NBA as is Tony Allen's shoving, the Boston Globe reports.

According to an NBA official, the league didn't announce any review yesterday of the film of the Celtics-Knicks game Monday night, which included physical incidents involving most notably Paul Pierce, as well as Tony Allen. The official also said there is no timetable for any such announcement on whether there will be punishments. One reason the NBA might not be in a rush is because the Celtics don't play a regular-season game until Nov. 2 against Washington.

The incident involving Pierce occurred when teammate Ray Allen fell hard after being fouled by New York's Jamal Crawford with 4:55 remaining in the third quarter of Boston's 94-87 loss. Allen's teammates immediately rushed to his defense, with Pierce grabbing Crawford's chin. Tony Allen later seemed to push Knicks guard Nate Robinson after they got tangled up in the fourth quarter.

IMO, the guy that the NBA needs to take a hard look at is Scalabrine whose clumsy thuggishness marred the Sixers/Celtics game at the Mohegan Sun and continued into the Knicks contest.

I have nothing against physical play on the court but the penny-ante assaults that second-stringers like Scalabrine bring to the floor injure first-string veterans.

Pierce and Boston will not become champions by being immature on the court and that's why many experts are picking the Knicks ahead of Boston. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are being hailed as The Big Three but the Celtics are like a three-legged stool whose third leg can't carry the weight. All the PR in the world can't disguise poor sportsmanship.

Final: Knicks 94-87

Knicks expose Celtics 4-15 are not up to it.

Nate was on fire. Lee is just about uncanny - he just gets to the ball on offense and cleans it up or he is just in that 'D' position.

Now, very interesting development. Isiah seems to be trying Jeffries out as a situational center and it works very nicely. The Knicks bench (outscoring Boston's bench 31-7 at the 7 minute mark, 4th quarter) is playing western ball - looking a lot like a wide-open Phoenix/Warriors type game.

Watching Lee, Randolph, Jeffries, Nate, then add Balkman to that mix and the Knicks are more than deep, they bring a complex set of games to the game.

Now, Lee being interviewed said the East is between Celts, Knicks, Toronto, and NJ. I agree.

Lessons learned. NO WAY Lee is getting traded - amazing talent. Chandler is this year's Lee - by February he's a starter with no apologies to Balkman. Chandler is huge at Sf and cat quick. If Isiah tag teams the two of them forget all about Artest.

Quite frankly, NO to Kobe. We do not want to lose Chandler or Nate.

Nate is way outplaying Crawford.

And, as I said, Jeffries as a situational, long center/PF is a very interesting and innovative idea by Isiah. I like it.

3rdQ - 77-72 Knicks

Chandler just seriously stuffed Garnett, OMG!

Chandler having mixed results guarding Pierce but showing nice flashes. Very active and refreshing in tandem with Lee. Interesting chemistry there -Chandler, Lee, Randolph.

71-68 at a timeout. So what's happened to the lead? Chandler getting beat by Pierce who is taking advantage of the match-up. But, to Isiah's credit, he sticks with Chandler who is showing that he will soon own Pierce. Celts also getting some calls, bleh.

Nate comes in and is everywhere. Drops a trey. fred Jones in for Chandler but Pierce burns him too.

Celtics hate this game. Garnett frustrated. Nate just shuts down Rondo.

2nd Quarter - Knicks 55-46

Nate is killin' the Celts. Pinpoint passing. Knicks playing 'D', just blowing by Celts.

The 55 is most points scored against Celts in pre-season. Game got messy for a while. Garnett with a nice dunk that the Boston Comcast played over and over - much ado about nothing. Heinsohm hates Curry. Claims Curry will never be a player.

Randolph having a great game. Missing a few shots that just rimmed out.

Observation; Rose is stealing time from Jeffries - silly. We need to get Jeffries on track. Rose a non-entity on the court (sorry to say).

Q playing hard as are most Knicks - Heinsohm crying that Bavetta only ref calling it straight up.

If Knicks play this tough at home all season, we will be a lock for the playoffs.

Celts claim Knicks "taking it personally". Yessir, Sherlock.

Knicks-Celts 29-28 Knicks

Big difference tonight. Celts tried to embarrass the Knicks by letting Scalabrine bomb away from the 3. Scalabrine made his way inside and Curry was having none of it. Scalabrine has been very quiet ever since.

Curry very physical with Garnett. Sportscasters are claming Curry is clumsy but... perfect.

Knicks ratcheting up the D without Crawford who is pathetic on d.

Knicks 60% shooting! Celts looking dazed. Knicks physical!

Celtics - 76ers at Mohegan Sun, Miller Time!

I just got back from the exhibition game between the Celts and the 76ers feeling a bit ripped off. Garnett and Pierce didn't suit up. Garnett not suiting up is the upsetting part - not seeing pierce is no loss.

Hard to believe the Celtics beat New York - they lost by 20 to the 76ers. It is true that once you get past Garnett, Allen, and Pierce the Celts get -cough- thin.

Rajon Rondo had flashes of being decent but disappointed most of the time. Nor was Posey impressive. Eddie house was flat out awful.

But Scalabrine was shockingly bad. This guy stumbled, pushed, shoved, and lampooned the game of basketball for the duration. Just embarrassing. The rest of the Boston team may have just as well been a developmental team. Glen "Big Baby" Davis got some burn and is nothing less than a moving bumper car on the court - bodies and fouls just spark out from this guy like a 4th of July sparkler - I'm kind of glad Isiah passed on this guy.

Bleh.

Phladelphia is young and raw. Aside from Ray Allen, Iguodala, Miller, and Evans were the pros on the floor - nice play from all three. Korver is a damned good player as well. Philly played a young center, Jason Smith who looked lost most of the time, so, Boston was really playing 5 on 4 for a lot of the game.

They also showcased a PG, Louis Williams who is raw, raw, raw but silky smooth around the offensive rim. His 'D' needs some seasoning but a latent talent assuming the desire is there.

The guy who disappointed me was Willie Greene - just no electricity on this particular evening.

Rodney Carney looked good but nothing special.

The reason I bother mentioning the game at all is because the one guy nobody talks about these days would be the one trade the Knicks have needed to make for years.

Forget Artest and Kobe. Andre Miller should be highest on the Knicks most-wanted list. Ship Crawford or Jeffries and Nichols (or whatever combination works) to Philly for Miller and slide Marbs over to shooting guard. Knicks would own the East.

Miller looked like Mark Jackson in his prime tonight. Nice, nice passes. Without a doubt the missing link. Philly is thin and a team of tweeners. Even Malik Rose could help them.

Miller is a bit of an odd duck on the Sixers - too old for the rebuild, too prime to be wasted waiting. Just thinking aloud.

And if not Miller then what about Bibby?

Those Very Special Larry Brown Moments

Yesterday's loss to the Celtics by a bazillion points is gut check time for a lot of Knicks fans. Losing hurts but for old-tiers like myself, losing to the Celts big is blasphemy by a Knicks team. These are like RedSox Yankees games. No quarter given/none expected.

I can handle the loss but I find the effort, lack of enthusiasm, and the Knicks being intimidated by the Celtics to be wholly UNACCEPTABLE and unKnickerbockertonian.

So today's lessons learned are;

Somebody had better sit down with Jerome James and put together a retirement plan. If his knee is shot for this season then why fight it. This is a player who was marginal when healthy and owns a contract that is little more than a promissory note. Nobody in this organization will wait for his return because it is a meaningless gesture.

Today, should start the rest of Jerome James life doing something else. And we wish you to get well and the best of luck.

Curry's backup must be Randolph Morris who should learn from Jerome James' career trajectory.

You have an opportunity to play - don't F'up. Now is the time to step up your game, show some cahones, and prove you belong here. Otherwise come February you will have a virtual trade bait tattoo on your forehead. Again, just see Jerome James' reputation on the blogs.

Welcome aboard.

---

Allan Houston is trying out for the Knicks after a long absence. All fans believe he is trying to reframe himself as a Steve Kerr game-changing sharp-shooter and man we could use one of those.

So what the hell was the 6 minutes in the Celtics game about? OH-for-DEUX! Pinch me if I'm speaking out of turn but if Allan wants to be Steve Kerr then; a.) he better be getting fed the ball to shoot, b.) he damned well better be lighting it up., and c.) he better not be playing six minutes to figure out he can't hit the rim.

Maybe Allan is not the best person to talk to Jerome James about retirement.

---

Curry is rushing back to play with a bad wing.

Look, I'm not a doctor but take the time to heal and get in shape. C'mon, I don't have to tell you this.

---

Zach Randolph has not practiced with the team due to a family issue.

It showed and it's no big deal. He and Curry will not clicking for a few months. Boston should enjoy their luck while it lasts because down the stretch more than a few of us will be looking for some payback.

---

Chandler's bringing it.

Until Balkman comes back, Chandler has earned a starting opportunity or two. If Balkman or Q can dislodge him then fine but as of yesterday, Chandler needs to be given some serious respect.

And quite frankly, LA is crazy to be pissing an moaning about trading for Deung, Chandler is the league's best kept secret. The Kobe trade everyone puts down and dismisses(to the Knicks) may go down as LA's (and Kobe's) biggest blunder.

---

We have a problem at the 2 spot.

We cannot afford another year of the mercurial performances of Crawford at the 2 spot.

Either Q or Marbury needs to slide over, maybe even Nate. The minute Crawford goes cold or misses a defensive assignment he should be given a potato gun and told to guard the gatorade. enough is enough. Against a team like the Celtics you have got to be lighting it up.

We need some pros.

The Knicks should consider a move for a no-bullshit, lock down defender. Maybe this is Balkman.

But enough talk about Nichols and Jones. These guys are trivial pursuit answers not solutions to what needs doing with the Knicks.

Could happen...

It is becoming obvious that the Knicks can put together a blockbuster package for Kobe but would they do it? The answer is not easy or obvious. Such a trade would shake the foundations of both coasts.

Is Kobe worth Curry?

Let's call it something like this; Kobe, Kwame, and Crittenton for Curry, Crawford, Chandler, Rose and Collins.

Dubious media speculation supposes Kobe won't come to New York but how could LA turn down that deal?

And a line-up of Marbury, Kobe, Balkman, Lee, and Randlph can certainly make the playoffs Phoenix style.

Risk and opportunity.

The truth about Kobe

The NY sports machine is using Kobe's inevitable departure as just another reason to dump on Isiah. Not only is this unfair, it's a red-herring.

Here's the truth about the Kobe situation as I see it.

Unless Chicago believes that Kobe is as good as MJ then they aren't trading their youth for a guy who couldn't carry the Lakers past round one. In other words, Chicago has invested far too much time to break up a talented team that has no use for Kobe. Chicago can already get into the playoffs and shine.

And Kobe is no Michael Jordan. And Chicago is a notoriously thrifty franchise. They aren't running a team to showcase Kobe any time soon because if it is not a sure thing in LA, it could deteriorate the franchise in Chicago.

Now, what Kobe is is a good role superstar player. In other words a very, very expensive vet who brings good things to the table as long as you have a guy like, say, Randolph patrolling the paint. Ben Wallace on the other hand, was a refreshing over-achiever who is on the back-slide of his career. Would Kobe be happy on a perennially struggling team gutted of the young talent that makes them exciting? He's already on one.

Furthermore, Buss can get a great deal in NY - we know it and he knows it.

That fact that Isiah isn't talking is a two-fold discretion. First, why tip your hand to begin with? There's no bidding war going on for Kobe. It is Buss who will try to up the ante, not the GM's offering a deal.

But Isiah, is also confident enough to know the Knicks are at a tipping point - they are brimming with hungry talent that is ready to explode upon the scene. Kobe would just make them radioactive. So why discuss trade possibilities with guys who are preparing to go all the way with you? That would be demoralizing.

The idea that Kobe wouldn't want the cover that the Dolan, Isiah soap-opera offers is silly. Kobe would look like a choirboy in NY - exactly what he needs to refresh his image and diminishing career prospects.

Finally, Isiah's silence is loudly telling us a deal may be in the works.

Curry or Randolph, Crawford, and a handful of youngsters could get the deal done easily. LA won't get Lee but they might get a Chandler or Balkman and LA may pry Mardy Collins away.

Don't blather saying that kind of deal isn't enticing. If Frazier thinks so highly of Collins you know Phil Jackson is no fool - a Knicks trade offers an instant rebuild of the Lakers AND gives Phil Jackson a Knicks West team to stick around for.

The Knicks may get stuck with Odom or Kwame along the way and the Knicks will look a lot more like a veteran team. Allan Houston would be sure to stick and LA would have to take back a Jerome James to compensate any bad contracts coming this way.

IMO, (and I'm not wishing it), Kobe is closer to being a Knick than a Bull for better or worse. And Dolan, for all his faults is the Joker in any KOBE deal - Knicks can afford it, they're crazy enough to do it, and in NY Kobe can do it his way.

Book it.

I Can't Believe It

The New Orleans team (whatever they're calling themselves) cut Eric Chenowith over the weekend.

Yes, that Eric Chenowith. You have got to hand it to Layden, he was no judge of talent but he really did draft and trade for guys who just refuse to quit.

I miss Allan Houston's Retirement

Look if we're going to lose Nichols - get something for him! Jesus, how hard is this to figure out? Move a few bodies.

Nichols, Nate and change should get us something... a spare draft-pick, a wiley veteran, or maybe a Euro's contract rights.

Will Leitch's Excellent Observations at the NYTimes Today

Oh well, another Yankees post but this one is a testament to NY Sports fans that deserves some attention.

Will Leitch writes, Fair and Foul. In part...

When it ended, fans were not storming the field, or screaming for vengeance, or burning their Yankees caps. When Torre came out to the mound for his final pitching change, fans, while still holding out hope, recognized the moment, chanting his name, knowing they were likely seeing him for the last time. Steinbrenner probably thought – if he was still awake – they would be hissing, furious at another missed opportunity, thirsty for blood. But fans are smarter than that. They knew, if Torre does leave, that they were seeing the end of something that was beautiful to them. Torre had not failed them, and neither had Rodriguez, or Jeter, or even Wang. Sometimes, in baseball, you lose. The fans were not gnashing teeth and rending garments; they were not about to abandon their team. They never were.

Baseball is a game of rhythms, of tradition, of familiar faces, of knowing that every day, your team will be playing and you will be cheering. It is about bonds and family and camaraderie with those whom you otherwise would have nothing in common. It is, above all, about finding a semblance of a home.

Nice piece.

I Miss Joe Torre

Time to trade Jeter as well?

This is the first time in years I've cared about the Yankees and they lose...

Isiah, I need some good news.

Curry Out for Preseason, NBD

No big deal. Unfortunate as injuries are this simply opens up an opportunity for Zach Randolph to establish a comfort zone with the rest of the team without the media micro-analyzing how he and Curry are working together.

Secondly, it offers David Lee the opportunity to get some PF minutes in pre-season.

All of the silly hand-wringing about the trial is a waste of time. Isiah is more likely innocent of the charges as not with the jury verdict being more a reaction to the hubris of the Garden officials than any compelling case being made for harassment.
Anuche should shut up and thank her lucky stars - she's a rich woman thanks to a hand Dolan dealt.

A Chris Rock sketch making the rounds demonstrates how pedestrian the use of the term bitch is in the black vernacular. Crucifying Isiah for pointing out the obvious is not cool.

Great Steve Ditko Documentary

http://www.dograt.com/category/cartooning/comic-books/in-search-of-steve-ditko/