I couldn't be happier to see the Mavs gone. i have been saying for two years that for all his bravado, Cuban has assembled a losing team that starts with Nowitski.
The Kidd trade was a monumental folly that was immediately recognized as such by my fellow NYTimes forumsters out at Elba. A Kidd for Marbury swap seems inevitable as a two-way risk worth taking. Marbury may light it up in Dallas on his bubble year and Kidd simply isn't Marbury in NY as NY tanks another season.
As for Avery Johnson - he deserved better.
I feel a slight remorse for Phoenix. Another monumentally stupid trade in getting Shaq. Shaq is done as is Phoenix.
If Mike D'Antoni is available then New York should jump at the opportunity. Signing D'Antoni as coach would mean bye-bye to Curry and, dear Lord, that will be a happy day in mudsville.
If Cuban doesn't retool Dallas, he's a fool. Phoenix too has a fork in 'em.
In the East, Philly and Atlanta are making me proud. I am hoping Boston gets punked by Atlanta. My, my that would be sweet.
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Chip Stern, meanwhile has sent me some fine jazz that I greatly appreciate and enjoy painting to. How he records the drums in a cab with his band I will never understand.
And Cleveland is giving Lebron every excuse to leave. Carry on, Cleveland, carry on.
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Finally, good luck to Larry Brown in Charlotte.
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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Its all about W's
JVG has removed himself from consideration and I think the reason is the same one he left the Knicks high and dry for before. He can't see winning with this group. Like Phil Jackson, having a winning hand going into the season is a prerequisite for guys like JVG.
Sunshine coach, IMO.
Both Isiah and LB deserve credit for accepting a terrible team and being willing to risk their reputations on making the team better. I would still like to see Larry Brown return and finish the job he started.
Walsh may be looking for a long term coach - someone who will survive short term mediocrity to get to a higher ground. Given the toxic media in NY, LB makes the most sense.
Larry Brown shares a sports analogy to Billy Martin for being a controversial fire-brand who, love-em or hate-em, produces winning teams when given a reasonable gestation time.
Guys like Jackson and Herb are already being toasted in the blogosphere. Clearly, Walsh, a decent man, expected reciprocal decency and is getting a baptism of recriminations about Isiah's tenure.
In many ways, NY is still crippled by the self-inflicted wounds being perpetrated by the media, socio-pathologically disgruntled fans, and a market that cannot tolerate losing. Tough times in the garden.
Bring back LB (BBLB).
Sunshine coach, IMO.
Both Isiah and LB deserve credit for accepting a terrible team and being willing to risk their reputations on making the team better. I would still like to see Larry Brown return and finish the job he started.
Walsh may be looking for a long term coach - someone who will survive short term mediocrity to get to a higher ground. Given the toxic media in NY, LB makes the most sense.
Larry Brown shares a sports analogy to Billy Martin for being a controversial fire-brand who, love-em or hate-em, produces winning teams when given a reasonable gestation time.
Guys like Jackson and Herb are already being toasted in the blogosphere. Clearly, Walsh, a decent man, expected reciprocal decency and is getting a baptism of recriminations about Isiah's tenure.
In many ways, NY is still crippled by the self-inflicted wounds being perpetrated by the media, socio-pathologically disgruntled fans, and a market that cannot tolerate losing. Tough times in the garden.
Bring back LB (BBLB).
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Derrick Rose Fist Fight?
An article in Memphis Rap claims that Derrick Rose and a Memphis football player fought over a girl.
My guess is that his stock is falling.
The two reportedly were fighting over a girl which could be a costly mistake for both of the two athletes. However, as far as other mistakes say during the fight, sources state that Black may have gotten the best of Rose according to Rose's appearance.Whoever drafts this kid is getting someone exercising some extremely poor judgement. This incident has got to only add to the questions surrounding Rose.
In the meantime, this battle between the two reportedly cost Derrick Rose a press conference which was due for Friday that was called off by the Memphis Tigers Athletic Program. At the press conference Rose was expected to announce his early entry into the NBA Draft.
My guess is that his stock is falling.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
My Vote for Coach
I recommended Mark Jackson before Larry Brown was brought in two years ago. But today, my first choice would be Reggie Miller followed closely by Jeff Van Gundy.
Since Walsh is only interviewing Van Gundy, I say go for it. I was a critic of Van Gundy when he was here. He wears out players but to tell you the truth he's precisely the guy we need now.
The team needs a drill sergeant and JVG is the ticket.
DE-FENSE!
Since Walsh is only interviewing Van Gundy, I say go for it. I was a critic of Van Gundy when he was here. He wears out players but to tell you the truth he's precisely the guy we need now.
The team needs a drill sergeant and JVG is the ticket.
DE-FENSE!
Relieved
Yesterday Isiah Thomas was relieved of his coaching duties which, IMO, is too bad. I felt the same way about Larry Brown's departure. Both of these guys need no "second chance" because they have a lifetime of accomplishment that speaks to their abilities and entitles them to a certain degree of benefit of the doubt. In both cases, the record has nothing to do with their abilities. The Knicks under Dolan are a quagmire.
The fact of the matter is that while not all of Isiah's trades and maneuvers have worked out as we might have liked the Knicks roster is exponentially better than the one he inherited as is the cap situation.
The fact of the matter is that the roster's problem is not talent but chemistry and to confuse the issue is to underestimate how close Zeke was to putting together a contending Knicks team.
In the case of both coaches, it was Stephon Marbury who remains a central figure of controversy. So much has been expected of him and so little has been realized. Donnie Walsh has asked Marbury to return healthy for another go. It is hard to imagine that another year of Stephon Marbury in a Knicks uniform will end well.
The devil's bargain being struck in retaining Marbury is removing his contract from the books at next season's end for a pie-in-the-sky cap-space pursuit of the mythical free agent down the road. As I've written before, the Knicks have yet to sign a free agent who has become a championship cog and of the free agents the Knicks have missed out on, none have gone on to create winners where they have signed. IMO, this is a lamentable fool's errand. Every summer's free agent hype is little more than the high-powered marketing of brand-name merchandise. The expensive bobble-heads acquired soon lose their luster by February when the GM realizes that the chances of unloading the over-priced cosmetic jewelry is near zero.
In many ways I think Isiah Thomas understands this unique big city paradox as well as anyone since Dave Checketts. New York is not Indiana. The salary cap restrictions are intended to befuddle big city teams whose expectations are big ticket items. For New York (of all teams) to run a bargain basement team to acquire a big name who can't win elsewhere is a bit silly. The free-agent market is a manufactured illusion sold to small market teams that a recognizable name player can sell more product in Podunk than in IwannaBeSomeplace.
Nobody wins a thing with free-agency except the agents.
Isiah's greatest flaw is one that I talked about at the beginning of the year. As GM, he personalized the talent pool in dangerous ways. The players who most contributed to his demise were Marbury, Curry, and Crawford - all spectacular underachievers and dysfunctional as teammates. Subtract these three and replace them with even marginal position players and the Knicks would be in the playoffs today.
Larry Brown's frustrations of two years ago came to disastrous fruition this year under Zeke. It is Thomas' inability to cut bait with these players who poisoned the Knicks chances of succeeding that ran the Knicks aground.
What Larry Brown needed is precisely what Zeke needed and that is a GM who would look beyond the sincerity of personal relationships and assemble and reassemble the roster create a winner. Brown was victimized by Isiah who refused to move personnel who he was too ingratiated to. And Zeke's inability to step outside his personal relationships with players and family undid everything he had hoped to accomplish.
All Knicks fans feel as though they've been led on a death march punctuated by a mirage of hope that is annually snatched away by harsh realities.As a fan, my frustration lies no so much with the coaches who have come and gone, but with the bleak indifference of players being paid ungodly ransoms to play a game they are expected to win. The concept of guaranteed contracts is a failure.
In the end maybe there is nothing left of my childhood allegiances than an empty uniform. There's a new man in town expected to right the team and like Brown, Isiah, and an army of good men before them I want to believe in the best.
Personally, I think Isiah had one thing right, you have to continuously upgrade the talent. But Brown's criticism is also true. You need the right kind of players. No one I respect believes that a top ten pick (with minor exceptions) can change the fortunes of a team. You not only need to win a lottery but win in the right year by acquiring a once in a generation talent.
I hope Walsh does not give up on these Knicks. Remove Marbury, Curry, and Crawford and add some complimentary players. We don't need miracles or saviors or five year plans. First, get rid of the deadwood.
The fact of the matter is that while not all of Isiah's trades and maneuvers have worked out as we might have liked the Knicks roster is exponentially better than the one he inherited as is the cap situation.
The fact of the matter is that the roster's problem is not talent but chemistry and to confuse the issue is to underestimate how close Zeke was to putting together a contending Knicks team.
In the case of both coaches, it was Stephon Marbury who remains a central figure of controversy. So much has been expected of him and so little has been realized. Donnie Walsh has asked Marbury to return healthy for another go. It is hard to imagine that another year of Stephon Marbury in a Knicks uniform will end well.
The devil's bargain being struck in retaining Marbury is removing his contract from the books at next season's end for a pie-in-the-sky cap-space pursuit of the mythical free agent down the road. As I've written before, the Knicks have yet to sign a free agent who has become a championship cog and of the free agents the Knicks have missed out on, none have gone on to create winners where they have signed. IMO, this is a lamentable fool's errand. Every summer's free agent hype is little more than the high-powered marketing of brand-name merchandise. The expensive bobble-heads acquired soon lose their luster by February when the GM realizes that the chances of unloading the over-priced cosmetic jewelry is near zero.
In many ways I think Isiah Thomas understands this unique big city paradox as well as anyone since Dave Checketts. New York is not Indiana. The salary cap restrictions are intended to befuddle big city teams whose expectations are big ticket items. For New York (of all teams) to run a bargain basement team to acquire a big name who can't win elsewhere is a bit silly. The free-agent market is a manufactured illusion sold to small market teams that a recognizable name player can sell more product in Podunk than in IwannaBeSomeplace.
Nobody wins a thing with free-agency except the agents.
Isiah's greatest flaw is one that I talked about at the beginning of the year. As GM, he personalized the talent pool in dangerous ways. The players who most contributed to his demise were Marbury, Curry, and Crawford - all spectacular underachievers and dysfunctional as teammates. Subtract these three and replace them with even marginal position players and the Knicks would be in the playoffs today.
Larry Brown's frustrations of two years ago came to disastrous fruition this year under Zeke. It is Thomas' inability to cut bait with these players who poisoned the Knicks chances of succeeding that ran the Knicks aground.
What Larry Brown needed is precisely what Zeke needed and that is a GM who would look beyond the sincerity of personal relationships and assemble and reassemble the roster create a winner. Brown was victimized by Isiah who refused to move personnel who he was too ingratiated to. And Zeke's inability to step outside his personal relationships with players and family undid everything he had hoped to accomplish.
All Knicks fans feel as though they've been led on a death march punctuated by a mirage of hope that is annually snatched away by harsh realities.As a fan, my frustration lies no so much with the coaches who have come and gone, but with the bleak indifference of players being paid ungodly ransoms to play a game they are expected to win. The concept of guaranteed contracts is a failure.
In the end maybe there is nothing left of my childhood allegiances than an empty uniform. There's a new man in town expected to right the team and like Brown, Isiah, and an army of good men before them I want to believe in the best.
Personally, I think Isiah had one thing right, you have to continuously upgrade the talent. But Brown's criticism is also true. You need the right kind of players. No one I respect believes that a top ten pick (with minor exceptions) can change the fortunes of a team. You not only need to win a lottery but win in the right year by acquiring a once in a generation talent.
I hope Walsh does not give up on these Knicks. Remove Marbury, Curry, and Crawford and add some complimentary players. We don't need miracles or saviors or five year plans. First, get rid of the deadwood.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
My Donnie Walsh Debriefing
Donnie's never going to ask me but here's what my end of season comments would be:
Bring back Isiah in some capacity maybe even as coach.
Trade Eddy Curry.
Trade Jamal Crawford.
Bring back Fred Jones.
Resign David Lee to a satisfactory long term deal.
Keep 2010 cap space in mind but don't obsess about it. There's enough to work with here to begin the process of creating a competitor.
Insist on summer training and fitness regiments for everyone.
Bring back Isiah in some capacity maybe even as coach.
Trade Eddy Curry.
Trade Jamal Crawford.
Bring back Fred Jones.
Resign David Lee to a satisfactory long term deal.
Keep 2010 cap space in mind but don't obsess about it. There's enough to work with here to begin the process of creating a competitor.
Insist on summer training and fitness regiments for everyone.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Hawks are God
Yeah, they beat the streaking Knicks destroying all our hopes of... um... winning four pointless games in a row.
Ping pong balls don't fail me now!
Ping pong balls don't fail me now!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
More Draft observations
If we can pick Derrick Rose or Brandon Rush, I can live with it otherwise I think we should peddle the pick for something downstream.
Rose was a disappointment during the NCAA playoffs but will hold his value a few years until we can get a better reading of his capabilities.
Rush is the goods. I actually like him better than Rose but he's not a PG.
Joe Dorsey is another fellow I like a lot downstream.
Rose was a disappointment during the NCAA playoffs but will hold his value a few years until we can get a better reading of his capabilities.
Rush is the goods. I actually like him better than Rose but he's not a PG.
Joe Dorsey is another fellow I like a lot downstream.
Insanity
Since my last post the Knicks lost to the Grizzlies and Hornets and inexplicably have beat the Magic, Pistons, and Bobcats.
While it is nice to see Chandler get off the bench and onto the radar and I'm happy for Isiah finally being able to demonstrate the efficiency of the team, winning under these circumstances is absurd.
While I have no stomach for the draft, once you're in hell we should keep going. No point in having a barbeque at the garden at this stage.
While it is nice to see Chandler get off the bench and onto the radar and I'm happy for Isiah finally being able to demonstrate the efficiency of the team, winning under these circumstances is absurd.
While I have no stomach for the draft, once you're in hell we should keep going. No point in having a barbeque at the garden at this stage.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Walsh Is Named Knicks President
All of the Zeke haters think this is -sigh- the end for Zeke. As I've said all along, I doubt it.
Walsh will compliment Zeke in trying to straighten out the Knicks. No more, no less. The move is significant in that another sane voice is added to the NY cacophony.
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I second Zeke's defense of Zach Randolph. If I had my druthers Zach would be sticking around. He's a damned good ball player who walked into a mess.
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Fans who want to trade David Lee are delusional. You won't get back what you already have. Oh well, talking sense is of no consequence.
Walsh will compliment Zeke in trying to straighten out the Knicks. No more, no less. The move is significant in that another sane voice is added to the NY cacophony.
-------------------------------------------------------
I second Zeke's defense of Zach Randolph. If I had my druthers Zach would be sticking around. He's a damned good ball player who walked into a mess.
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Fans who want to trade David Lee are delusional. You won't get back what you already have. Oh well, talking sense is of no consequence.
Milwaukee Boys Club Beats Knicks
Loss # 10765. Did we get a good enough lottery position yet?
The whole tanking thing makes me want to hurl.
The whole tanking thing makes me want to hurl.
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Here, dear readers, is the final resting place of all weary Knicks fans. Yes, here is where one comes when the Triangle refuses to have three sides, when biting one's lip from losing to win later is one loss too far,or when said fan simply hits 'rock' bottom. In short, "the ship be" eternally "sinking" here. Welcome aboard, rearrange the deck chairs as you please.