Knicks Lose to Sixers and Heat

Knicks 24 -35.

Magic Beat Knicks

Knicks 24 - 33 (17- 13 @MSG). Tough Loss.

Knicks Beat Pacers

Knicks 24 - 32 (17 -12 @MSG) Nate!

Raptors Beat Knicks

Knicks 23 - 32. We needed this one. Oh, well.

Knicks Beat Raptors

Knicks 23 -31 (16 - 12 @MSG). Chandler goes off for over thirty points.

We're Back!

Donnie Walsh made a couple of very nice trades today.Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes were acquired for Malik Rose, Tim Thomas, Jerome James and Anthony Roberson. Two additional roster spots were opened up.

The Shaq trade I had expected never materialized. marbury must now buy his way out of New York if he wants to play at all this year. A third roster spot will open soon.

While Knicks fans seem to have a mixed reaction to the trades the most irksome rhetoric is the renewed Isiah bashing that even found iys way into a Howard Beck article on the Times.Quite frankly, the acquisition of Larry Hughes is not as good a transaction as many of Isiah's moves that landed superior talent under the severe constraints the Isiah faced.

But let's move on to a little trade analysis.

I am very surprised and pleased that Walsh was able to acquire Chris Wilcox. I did not think it was possible. Longtime Knicks fans know I was an early and loud advocate for drafting Wilcox years ago when Layden drafted Nene instead and proceeded to trade that pick for a brittle McDyess.

Today's trade corrects that error. I have heard plenty of criticism that Wilcox has not lived up to his potential but I think this is largely due to playing on backwater teams. Losing makes no one look good and it messes with the psyche.

I'm betting that Wilcox becomes a cornerstone player for the Knicks. If he plays well, can accept a one year contract going into 2010 then the Knicks can resign him after they play the FA market and hold onto him to supplement whoever they acquire.

Having Wilcox, Lee, Chandler, Gallo, and Jeffries all available on the front court changes the game for D'Antoni. He now has some muscle inside to supplement Lee who has been carrying the lion'sshare of responsibility there.

I hate to sound this old but this reminds me of the late sixties Knicks teams that were ramping up. I hope Wilcox becomes a keeper.

Acquiring Larry Hughes on the other hand is an interesting trade. Obviously, Walsh was happy to move some contracts and get roster space. But what to do with Hughes? Here's a guy whose has blown multiple chances to shine.

No one really cares if Hughes succeeds or fails because most fans expect nothing. Here's where character counts. Is Hughes smart enough to realize that playing well in NY can salvage his career? Let's hope so.

Chris Wilcox alone should assure the Knicks of being playoff contenders. If Hughes catches fire, the season will get real interesting. The Knicks haven't had this much firepower in years.

Word has it that Mikki Moore has been released by Sacto. Knicks could use a pine brother.

The Trade Deadline Looms

With Brad Miller gone, another trade possibility bites the dust.

It sounds as if the Knicks are doing their best to trade Malik Rose to a contender so he has an opportunity to win something while there's time. Malik for Antonio Daniels of NO "works" but may be a stretch. Otherwise Malik would have to go in a package deal of which many are possible.

Marbury's contract is still in play. If the economy were different I doubt Marbury's paper would raise a yawn but with the NBA attempting to bail out a dozen teams, an expiring contract is gold.

Shaq remains a big prize but keep an eye on Dumars. He wants to rebuild sooner than later and he's got some nice players to dangle.

I don't believe the Knicks are interested in Larry Hughes. I think Gordon is being shopped.

With Mihm going to Memphis then Darko, too, must be close to going somewhere.

KnicksBeat Spurs

Knicks 22 - 31. The playoff train is leaving the station.

Shaq-a-delic

The news before the trading deadline is electric. If rumors are true Shaquille O'Neal will be a Knick before week's end.

Shaquille O'Neal is still the biggest prize on the market. for New York and the teams they visit, it ensures sell-out crowds. For the Knicks and the east, it means New York is back in the game. If the NBA needs a bailout. This is it.

Shaq is a smart man. A move to New York extends his playing career by two or three years. He's coming full circle. Close to home and in a position to put closure to a career with a final flourish.

Sure, the Knicks are "waiting" for 2010 but even Dolan is smart enough to figure this one out. whereas there may be a cap on pedestrian trades, this is not your D-Leaguer exchange.

My money is on Shaq joining the Knicks.

And if that happens expect Cleveland and Boston to re-examine their rosters.

the rest of this season should be fun.

I Miss Ralph Kaplowitz

The New York Times obituary tells the story of one of the very first Knicks.

On Nov. 1, 1946, the Knicks and the Toronto Huskies, both members of the Basketball Association of America, the forerunner of the N.B.A., squared off at Maple Leaf Gardens before an estimated crowd of 8,000.

Kaplowitz, a 6-foot-2 guard from the Bronx who had starred at DeWitt Clinton High School and later at New York University, joined a lineup that included Ossie Schectman, Sonny Hertzberg, Jake Weber and Leo Gottlieb. They beat the Huskies, 68-66.

“Ralph was often called one of the great Jewish players of his time,” said Lou Bender, who starred at DeWitt Clinton a decade earlier and went on to play at Columbia and throughout the 1930s for the Original Celtics, a barnstorming team from New York, and later in the American Basketball League.

“But why not just call him a great player?” Bender, who is 98, said in a telephone interview Friday from his home in Longboat Key, Fla. “What does being Jewish have to do with it? Ralph was a great scorer and a great all-American, and had as good a reputation as a person.”

Clippers Beat Knicks

Knicks 21 - 31. Knicks need reinforcements.

Warriors Beat Knicks.

Knicks 21 - 30.

Shaquerbocker?

I refuse to subscribe to speculation that the Knicks will get Amare, Bosch, LeBron, or any of the premiere quality players.

However like many of my fellow Knick bloggers, I could see Shaq coming over to the Knicks at the trade deadline for Marbury's moribund paper.

I think D'Antoni might have something to prove to Phoenix. And I could see Shaq love tearing up the East. It would actually leverage what he has left. Maybe even deliver a showdown with Kobe.

A long-shot but interesting none-the-less.

Blazers Beat Knicks

Knicks 21 - 29, Lee on fire.

Celts Beat Knicks

Knicks 21 - 28 (14-12 @MSG) Heart-breaker.

The Knicks hang tough once again. Are they getting good enough to turn a corner?

Trade Talk

Alright Knicks fans. Here's my best guess as to potential Knick trades before the February trade deadline:

But, first a mid-season team analysis.

This Knicks team should look familiar to long-time Knick fans. It very much resembles the late sixties teams that preceded the Championship years. The Knicks will have a better second half of the season than the first and I have faith that Donnie will harden the team going forward.

Our keepers are Chandler, Lee, Gallinari, and Duhon. Consider them untouchable unless a blockbuster is in the works. A second-tier consists of Al Harrington and N8 with N8 being a likely trade sweetener if a strong trade is proposed.

Anyone familiar with the season knows our needs; a two guard and a defensive center. And, more generally speaking, chemistry and toughness.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We'll start with a no-brainer.

Tim Thomas for Darko Milicic. Neither player is an impact player for either team and nobody is lining up in Memphis to bid for Darko who has very little value. For the Knicks this is a reclamation project - for Memphis, they save money and get a useful player who comes off the books at year's end.

I'm not sure Darko adds much this year. Still, a low risk big man who D'Antoni might be able to groom.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How about a tarnished futures trade?

Roberson and our upcoming #1 pick for Anthony Randolph and Marcus Williams (GSW)? Randolph and Williams are Pariahs in GS and disappointments to boot. Can our upcoming pick be much different? If one or both of these guys make a splash we come out even. If not, we eat some salary.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The California Dreaming Trade: updated!

Jeffries, Rose, Nate, and a #2 pick for Brad Miller, Bobby Brown, and Franciso Garcia.

Knicks get an aging center and two nice backcourt players for our entertaining N8, expiring Rose, and role-playing Jeffries as well as a second-rounder. Sacto saves a few dollars as well.

Not a great deal but reasonably fair; N8 being the only star quality player who moves.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Washington Bailout trade:

Tim Thomas and Anthony Roberson for Mike James and Juan Dixon. James becomes a Duhon backup, Dixon becomes a resignable asset. washington gets an expiring who saves money over time on James' contract.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Toronto Bailout trade:

Marbury, Jeffries, and N8 for O'Neal, Moon, Ukic, and Kapano. This is cash for talent on the Knicks part. The Knicks swallow O'Neal's huge contract next year to acquire Kapano who solidifies the backcourt and adds firepower.

Moon, and Ukic are the closing costs of this deal. Toronto saves millions and acquires N8 who will help sell tickets once their injured stars return.

Update: O'Neal traded to Miami for Marion - dumb as doornails exchange.

I doubt Donnie does a trade of this scope but it could happen and it will shake up the playoff picture big time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The true blockbuster:

Jeffries, Thomas, Roberson, and our #1 for Hamilton and Afflalo. Detroit saves big on Rip's contract and shores up their front-court.

Rip's 4 year contract seemingly contradicts what the 2010 plan is all about. But not really.

Acquiring Hamilton is another trade that puts the league on notice the Knicks are serious. And Hamilton becomes a potential free agent magnet to attract a Free agent OR he becomes the keystone in a sign and trade for that free agent.

Detroit is going nowhere this year expensively and without paying fanfare. Hamilton will not be easy to move because of money.

Keep your eye on this one or a variation on the theme. Rip could do for the Knicks what Ray Allen did for the Celts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

If any of these trades take place they virtually assure the Knicks of a playoff spot and a fighting chance to have some wins in the playoffs.

Let's wish Donnie a lucrative Feb trading period.

The Man who Lit Up the Knicks

There are a lot of wannabes who show up at the Garden and want to be treated like the second coming.

But there is no one who can top the game that Pistol Pete Maravich brought to the Garden many years ago. Guarded by the legendary Walt Frazier, Maravich put on a show like no other.

Update: I had mistakenly thought this game was played at MSG. I was remembering something I had recently read in the Maravich Biography by Kriegal. In any case, the media is having a feeding frenzy on the record statistical games certain players are having against the Knicks. let's just say its happened before when we had an 'A' team on the floor.

Frazier is rumored to have asked Monroe to try guarding the Pistol to which Monroe is said to have responded, "I thought you were the defensive specialist around here."

No three point line my friends.

Cavs Beat Knicks

Knicks 21 -27 (14 -11 @MSG. Lebron 50 odd points & triple double

LA Beats Knicks

Knicks 21 - 26. (14 - 10 @MSG) Kobe finally reaches his potential. It's all downhill from here.