Let the Trade Speculation Begin

With a little more than a quarter of the season over and the Dec.15 trade threshold in the rear-view mirror let's take a look at where the Knicks are and where they're going.

So far, all my "happy ending" narratives for this year have been running true. Porzingas has turned out to be a better player than many of us hoped he'd be this year.  And injuries have been scarce across the team roster.  And the depth of the roster looks to ensure that an injury or two will not be crippling.

Phil's roster moves have proven to be prescient.

For the Knicks to be hugging the .500 mark is a very good sign. By the three-quarter mark of the season I expect the team to continue to mature, avoid the few silly losses they've endured recently, and to have an above .500 record at that time.

That brings us to the issue of what the Knicks may be looking forward to. Jackson and Fisher are not tipping their hand and there is speculation that the Knicks are looking to complement their front-court. But before we get to that, let's recalibrate where the Knicks are and to to answer this we have to say that their record was where everyone had hoped they'd be all things being rosy.

But let's be honest here.  The Knicks as a team and as a roster are much better than anyone expected. No one has been a disappointment and pleasant surprises abound. But most encouragingly, Anthony has found his complement in Porzingas and Afflalo - he is no longer the Lone Ranger on the court and they are fully complemented by the rest of the roster.

If you are Phil Jackson or Derek Fisher you can take a deep breath and say things are looking good and the Knicks will likely secure a playoff spot. At the beginning of the season, making the playoffs was a highly contentious speculation, for Jackson it had to be a private make or break expectation.

As he looks to the horizon of the playoffs, it is hard to imagine that he's satisfied with just making the playoffs.  After all, he still has an implicit gentleman's obligation to Anthony to put together a championship team. So the question becomes, will Jackson attempt to shock the world by bulking up this year's model into something of a greater than a one-and-done playoff team?

IMO, expect something just that unexpected.

Months ago, I suggested that Calderon could or would be moved for either Brandon Jennings or Rajon Rondo.  These days the MSM speculation is honing in on Jennings who is expendable in Detroit. However, Sacramento's Catch-22 situation of be damned if you are mediocre and smart if you tank, the tanking will likely kick in soon.  But Rondo is a different post.

Another intriguing possibility is Kevin Martin. JJ Redick another should the Clippers implode before the trading deadline as they have the potential to do.

Calderon has been a pleasant surprise in the early going and providing a yeoman's effort in this early season going.  But because of his age, the likelihood of Calderon improving his play or even being as productive is questionable. moving him to the bench is certainly possible but the bench is expected to bring energy to the floor not just provide placeholder coverage.

Back to a Brandon Jennings trade. many pundits see the possibility as a high-risk, high-reward transaction. So let's examine the high-risk. Coming off an Achilles injury, its possible Jennings either functions as a deep bench substitute or simply wears a suit all season.  This would be little different than Calderon sustaining a long-term injury.  This likely wouldn't threaten making the playoffs but it could weaken the team.

For this reason I think any risky trade scenario involves dual transactions. Due to the maturity of Thomas, Cleanthony Early is very expendable through no fault of his own.  Should Jackson make a high risk trade at the high end of the roster I'd expect a smaller bet be placed at the low end to mitigate any risk taken at the high end.

IMO, moving Early somewhere where he might get some minutes is certainly possible. And Phil does well by his players in terms of putting them in a position to succeed elsewhere.

There's a handful of potential Early trades that could return either a splinter-gathering PG or combo guard who could reinforce the Knicks bench. Elijah Millsap, Jonathan Simmons, Russ Smith, Ian Clark, and Joe Harris all have a profile fitting the bill.

To more wildly speculate, I would not discount the possibility that Houston will have to re-examine their situation and attempt to rebuild on the fly. A Cleanthony Early for Jason Terry deal is not out of the question. terry would be a game-changer acquisition with eyes on a playoff run.

I'm expecting the unexpected.

Close game in Toronto or so it would seem

Carmelo Anthony is an enigma.  He plays well for the first three quarters and then loses his mind.

In the fourth quarter of the Tonto win the Knicks had a comfortable lead until Anthony decided it was about him.  Bad shots, bad judgment... scary player.

IMO, Fisher should just yank him the minute he takes a bad shot.  He's going to cost us a game or two unless he sticks to the system.

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Phil should consider cashing in his chips on Seraphin for a draft pick next year and sign N'Dour. Seraphin is playing his way out of town.

Does Carmelo Anthony Belong in the Second Unit?

The latest loss to Milwaukee yet again exposes what has become a toxic pattern with the Knicks for years.  That is that Melo is not a franchise player and never will be. The Milwaukee game was close in the fourth quarter until Melo entered the game and proceeded to eliminate any semblance of team cohesion.

The MSG talking point is that Melo still hasn't recovered his leg strength.  But honestly, his leg strength has nothing to do with bad judgment, lack of basketball IQ, and a failure to ratchet up his game as Phil had hoped.

It's time that maybe Melo might be most useful as a sixth man (JR replacement) off the bench with the hope he can score some points quickly and with the pattern of yanking him with a lead.

Calderon remains the other elephant in the Garden. He's worked his way back to being player #15 behind the available roster spot.

Roster position #15 and the Future of Jose Calderon

Recent reports indicate that the Knicks second unit featuring Grant and Galloway are trouncing the starting unit.  Furthermore, Derek Fisher has expressed a desire to sign a quick Point or Combo Guard to complement the roster.

With Derrick Williams displaying outstanding skills and Cleanthony Early also looking ready to contribute, we may see some early trade activity.

Carlos Boozer is available.  That fact puts the retention of Thomas and Seraphin who is struggling in doubt.

Jackson and Fisher and Melo are serious about winning NOW. Keep in mind Seraphin was signed at the recommendation of team players - he's not a Jackson decision to begin with. Lance Thomas is there as a comfort zone, locker-room presence for Fisher.  Both look to be expendable for the right talent.

It will come to no surprise to this writer if Jose Calderon were packaged with either or both players for a proven back-up quality PG, a future second-rounder, and/or a deep bench player who improves the team speed.

If Calderon is retained in the early going I will further wildly speculate that a mid-Dec trade of Calderon and Thomas for Rajon Rondo++ will be consumed.  There are already reports out of Sacramento that Rondo and Karl are having differences.  Rondo's last chance stop in the NBA may be with his friend Carmelo Anthony as a back-up to Jerian Grant.

A more immediate fix could involve trading Calderon for Brandon Jennings who could become player 15 while he recovers.

Pre-Pre-2015-16 Season Analysis

After months of media and fan-fueled hysteria, Phil Jackson not only acquired a second first-round draft pick but managed to take a risk on Kristaps Porzingis.  Porzingis is proving to rescue the Knicks from the blunder of winning a few end-of-season games that cost them prime lottery position. Jerian Grant the other first rounder also looks like a great investment and the by-product of the trade that brought Grant to the Knicks was the trading of Tim Hardaway.

Hardaway's lack of defense and chucking mentality will not be missed.

Nor did the Knicks resign Shane Larkin whose rookie guard play and diminutive size also cost the Knicks many games. Larkin cannot be solely blamed.  He was thrust into a starting role he was ill-equipped to handle due to Calderon's injury.

Had Jackson signed no one the jettisoning of Hardaway and Larkin would add 10 wins to the Knicks total of last year - say, 27 wins - nothing to write home about but a significant difference.

However, not only did Jackson strike it rich in the draft but he also made some modest, smart free agent signings in Robin Lopez, Kevin Seraphin, Arron Aflallo, Sasha Vujacic, and Derrick Williams. Kyle O'Quinn was acquired from Orlando.

Returning veterans are Calderon, Thomas, Early, Amundson, Melo, and Galloway.

By the end of preseason play Williams, O'Quinn, Early, Porzingis, and Grant all played surprising better than expected. Galloway is playing excellent ball.

Porzingis, Lopez, and Aflallo were all dinged up a bit during the pre-season. Calderon looks healthy and ready to contribute.

The preseason play was mixed bag with the team needing time to gel but at least this year the talent and chemistry is there.

Taking the free agents into account I'm going to predict a window of ten to fifteen addition wins over the 27 the team would win just by losing two lackluster players. So 37-42 wins assuming nothing catastrophic occurs health-wise to key players.

The Knicks may be a player away from a playoff seed but that player may be negotiated in January or February.

New York Trade Exceptions - 2015

After the lottery proceedings the other day, Steve Mills mentioned making use of the existing Trade Exceptions the Knicks have been stock-piling.  The pundits, haters, and psycho-babble that followed in the wake of the draft results drowned out Mills' assertion.

It's an important one.  Here's why - lots of teams are strapped for cash going into July's salary negotiations. Many of them have players they'd love to jettison without assuming responsibility for additional salary obligations. For the Knicks who have cap space and an appetite to acquire more picks, here's an opportunity to both improve the roster depth AND add a pick who could work his way onto the roster or become a Westchester prospect.

Let's examine a few potential Trade exception trades.

The Travis Outlaw exception remains a dormant asset from Jackson's initial trading flurry.  It's a small one but might work in two plausible scenarios;

The TO exception for Atlanta's sg John Jenkins and pick # 50 OR for Orlando's sf Mo Harkless and pick #51.

A second small exception is the Pablo Prigioni exception.  The PP exception could plausibly be applied to the acquisition of Phoenix's Reggie Bullock and pick #44.

Two larger exceptions can be reasonably exercised as well though they impact the Knicks cap space a bit more.

The Iman Shumpert exception  could be offered to OKC for Jeremy Lamb and #14.

Finally, the JR Smith trade exception which is much larger could be offered to Minnesota for Chase Budinger and  picks #31 and #36.

ALL of the acquired players are risky acquisitions, some more than others.  Yet no evaluation of the effectiveness of Phil Jackson trades will be complete until these are factored in.

Given the fiscal state of many teams, the Knicks have great opportunity to call their own plays.

Ruminations on Picking #4

At the end of the season, the Knicks suddenly started playing as if a playoff position was at stake.  Critics of those pointless wins were admonished by saying, "the players get paid to play hard" and "oh, the players are playing for their careers" as if these last few games were going to alter career trajectories.

I criticized the winning then and I reiterate the stupidity of it now. There is a time and place for everything. Pyrrhic victories cost us a greater chance at finishing higher and it's a damned shame.

There are no basketball Gods who smiled down on us and said, "Good on you, you played hard and you deserve a better pick." No, instead the Math and statistical probability Gods said, "Don't you assholes understand arithmetic?" Is it any wonder the retired NBA players go broke in less than a decade?

The Statistical Probability Gods gave us pick #4. Let's examine the probabilities and options for the Knicks.

First and foremost we'll still need a center.  The Knicks could swap picks with someone further back in the lottery and reach for Cauley-Stein or Kaminsky.  That's probably there for them but I doubt they do that.

If the pundits are right, the Knicks will draft Emmanuel Mudiay and they'll keep him.  At 6'5", he's got the kind of size that Phil Jackson likes and the kid is still growing - how much more he grows becomes an interesting speculation.  He could improbably become the Lebron James of this draft class and under Phil's tutelage, a Michael Jordan archetype player.

Maybe there are Basketball Gods after all.

Assuming Mudiay is the pick - dominoes fall.  Gallo moves over to the two guard creating the most unique Knicks backcourt since Frazier and Munroe. Gallo is a lock down guard who can shoot - the Knicks defense is that much better and the back court is a force.

Hardaway becomes VERY expendable. Calderon as well. Signing Shved is less imperative but still a very nice option is Hardaway and/or Calderon can be moved. Corey Joseph, Reggie Jackson and the rest are no longer primary targets.

So what do we do about a center? Trading for a second, first-round pick is one possibility.  More likely, the Knicks make a Hail Mary pass at Marc Gasol.  Simultaneously, I think they make a strong move for DeAndre Jordan, a pragmatic and effective druther.  And the Knicks will no longer be competing with LA for their talents.

Greg Monroe is publicly rumored as another target, one that I'm less enthusiastic about. Holdovers Jason Smith and Cole Aldrich are as good as many of the lesser FA options. Robin Lopez may be the Dark Horse candidate.

That leaves room for another FA signing. Aldrich? Butler? Danny Green? DeMarre Carroll? Lots of interesting possibilities.

Will the Knicks Acquire Another 2015 Draft Pick?

It seems that this may be a distinct possibility.  Until we know the draft order, its a recursive argument about which player will get chosen at the top of the draft.

Instead let's consider the possibility that the Knicks can move Calderon or Hardaway for another pick.  There's been some chatter that OKC could fiscally benefit from trading their pick.  Dallas too may be looking to retool a bit after the disastrous Rondo trade.  The Knicks might have an opportunity to grab a second first round pick if any of that is true.

I mention it only because, after watching the combine, both Justin Anderson and Terry Rozier look to be sleepers in that teens range of picks.

Rozier has a Dwayne Wade swagger to his game that's intriguing.  Anderson, a high basketball IQ, potential 3&D complement to Melo

A Knicks 2015 Free Agent Primer

Let's take a look at free agents who might be interested in playing for the Knicks and who the Knicks might consider good fits.  We'll assume that Melo is the only sure starter and we'll only qualify candidates by a front-court or back-court draft pick.

PG candidates - Of the big four (Dragic, Knight, Rondo, and Jackson), Rondo may be the one who bolts his current team.  That could happen because of Rondo's personality.  If he does, there is the rumor that he will team with Melo.  But there's a very real problem with that - Rondo will want big bucks for the downside of his career.  Willing as Rondo may be to come, it's unlikely that Phil Jackson rolls that way, it would make no long-term sense to do so.

And neither Knight nor RJackson represent a franchise changing talent - desirable, sure - max money, no -  *unless* the Knicks just can't attract anyone else.

Two more likely candidates emerge - Lin and Beverly, both of whom can likely be signed at a cap friendly price and both of whom actually represent value to the team. Gallo, Shved, and either FA would be great talent and depth.

SG candidates - Here's not only where the Knicks have real need but real Free Agent opportunity. Of a crowded field, Gerald Green, Afflalo, Lou Williams, KT McDaniels, Gerald Henderson, and Gary Neal all might be priced right and fill an important role. John Jenkins being a dark horse candidate here as well.  A very  interesting mix.

Here is where draft candidates get interesting as well. We'll talk about that in a later post.

SF candidates - Draymond Green would be a marvelous coup but the odds are long Middleton, Carroll, and Barnes are next best candidates.  At the right price Derrick Williams or Dunleavy may be worth considering.

PF  candidates - Knicks need a rock-solid backup here.  Jason Smith may be enough. Hard to imagine Millsap wanting to play second fiddle. Amir Johnson would be a coup.  Hansbrough a reasonable bench pick-up.

Center candidates - DeAndre Jordan is not out of the question should Phil draft for a guard.  Monrow is rumored, Brandon Wright an inexpensive choice.  Robin Lopez and Kanter longshots.

We're Back!

Yes, thankfully we lost the last game. One of the more interesting observations that Clyde made during the broadcast was that this season showed just how patient Knicks fans have been with the rebuild from Ground up.

He mentioned the high attendance, courtesy of not booing or disparaging the team, and the audience appreciation for how hard the team, though losing, played.  This is empirical evidence that, contrary to popular opinion, the Knicks can attempt rebuilding when few other options exist.

I also love the degree of losses.  Future Knicks teams needing a rebuild can now not feel like outliers.

Yet Another Moronic Victory

These players could not be more malicious to Knicks fans if they could be. Anyone who has suffered as a Knicks fan over the past 15 years and this clustermuck of a season would find nothing positive in these pyrrhic victories.

Should we fall short in the lottery, may our pick displace one of the morons who sees some kind of macho joy in any of this.

Trade them all, resign not a one.

Jaw Dropping Stupidity - Knicks Beat Orlando

To hell with Defense.  The shortage of basketball intelligence displayed tonight is inexplicable.  To endure this kind of season and to have it washed away in the last three games is F'n lunacy.

Jackson can't trade Hardaway soon enough.

Actually, I take that back.  Keep Hardaway. Assign him to the D league for as long as he can possibly be kept there.

Predicting 2015 - 2016

Recent comments by Derek Fisher have been met with a tsunami of derision by pundits, critics and Knick-haters.  Derek merely stated that the Knicks were not interested in simply winning thirty odd games and they were aiming higher and that if the stars aligned 63 wins would not be impossible.

Why would he say something like that?  If you believe the critics, Phil Jackson has done little right and the team has won but 16 games - "you are what your record says you are". And to hear it told it's nothing but a team of D-Leaguers.

The trouble with that analysis is that the NBA won-lost framework forces teams to "tank" in order to get a better chance at a draft pick.  This isn't news yet it never seems to be factored into discussions that presume "you are what your record says you are".  It seems to me that Fisher has factored that in. The Knicks who were in a total rebuild anyway chose to pursue a better draft pick and are doing it with as much grace and transparency as possible. If that reality distortion was not in play the Knicks are more likely a 40 win team in a fresh start season if nothing changed on the current roster.

The delta between a forty win team and a sixty-ish win team is still large but a few significant signings and a top draft pick could move the win total significantly.

Fisher may be an optimist but he's not delusional.

Ruminations Close to the End of the Season

Just a few games left that we should not even think about winning unless Minny wins another before us.

I thought beating Philly was a silly waste of a win.  I would have much preferred this team to have saved it for a team contending for a playoff spot. Oh, well.

Of the away games I watched, Chicago and Nets announcers showed the Knicks respect and discussed this season's strategy with intelligence.  And I'm no Chicago fan.  Just saying that for all of the negative noise being generated, a number of pros get it.

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Until we know what our draft position is and who looks good in workouts, picking a favorite draft choice is like picking a favorite color.  That said, I think the Knicks will go for a big one way or another.  If they get shut out at the three or four on Towns or Okafor, I would expect them to draft for someone else who can deliver Kaminsky or Cauley Stein plus a premium - either a first-rounder in next year's draft or a rotation worthy player.

And I wouldn't rule out a weird pick swap at the top four spots between Philly should they drop to four and NY at a higher spot. Philly has A LOT of bodies that can't all possibly co-exist.  If the Knicks get their man via Philly along with a second player who they like, its a no-brainer.

It could get very interesting, very quickly.

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If the Knicks do go big, the next shoe to drop is what to do about Bargnani.  All of the discussion thus far has centered on Bargnani's recent showing within the Triangle - some call it a good fit. The other side of the coin is his history of disinterest in the game, conditioning, and of course, his appetite to get paid for lackadaisical play.

My suspicion is that the Knicks will keep any offer to a fixed low number.  If Bargnani gets a better offer (and I suspect he will), he's gone.

And, IMO, that is a good thing.  A young center will need to have a teaching, calming presence backing him up and some beefy bangers to keep the kid from getting hammered in the paint. I expect Aldrich, Thomas, and Amundson to stick  with a new face or two joining that group to back the pick and Melo.  Can't help but believe Smith and Acy will get flipped in summer trades.

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I also fully expect that whoever is picked will be joined by a college teammate who falls through the draft or who is acquired on draft night.  Creating a comfort zone for the new guy will be important.

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Shved and Galloway have made a compelling case for securing the PG position.

Expect the two spot to be the position free agency will need to address. Afflalo?

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As for the doom and gloom predictions for next year - rumors of the Knicks demise are greatly exaggerated.

Knicks Lose to Grizz

Yes they do.

Knicks lose to Philly and Raptors

Two games closer to Lady Luck.

Magnificent Loss to Minny

OT.  Great loss.  Lots of nice painless moments.

Spurs Win Exposes the Knicks

It comes as no surprise that the Knicks, relying more on Travis Wear, Lou Amundson, Shved, and Galloway beat the Spurs.

This is a bottom-up rebuild and it's beginning to expose itself.  Don't let anyone talk you into thinking the Spurs do not want that win or that they suddenly lost their mojo.  The new, young Knicks played with an energy that was missing early in the year and they've been playing that way for a while now.

Walt Frazier's glowing reviews of both Galloway and Shved give me the distinct impression that the Knicks have  resolved their PG dilemma.  Shved has turned into a poor man's Ricky Rubio and should just get better.  Galloway, a lock-down defender, and ice-cold pressure shooter are going to be very hard to displace in free agency.  They are inexpensive and impressive in their own right.

Travis Wear is a sneaky talent.  He looks like he doesn't belong on an NBA court yet he's one of those guys who is a subtle facilitator for his teammates. Unspectacular, unassuming, yet usually a solid role player in competitive games - someone to keep an eye on.

Amundson is quickly becoming a fan favorite. He, too, is going to be hard to displace this summer.
This year's rising stars are setting the bar for future signings both in terms of potential and cost-effectiveness.

The Knicks can afford to run lean on free-agent signings this summer and hold their fire for 2016.

No-name Knicks Beat NBA Champion Spurs

The best stinkin' sports team in America beat the San Antonio Spurs tonight at MSG in OT.

Heroes abound; Amundson, Galloway, Shved, Aldrich, and company outlasted, outhustled, and out classed the Champion Spurs.  A Pyrrhic victory that may cost the Knicks a ping-pong ball or two but a game that gives us a taste of the champion caliber team that will be built on the backs of this season.

Kudos to the Knicks.

Reading into the MSG Fan Questionaire

MSG recently asked fans their opinions about MGG and NY sports teams.  They're just looking for some big data to help make business decisions.

One of the more interesting questions was. "If your favorite sports team traded away their star player how much would you still follow the team" - or something to that effect.

One can only take this to be a burning question for Jackson and the Knicks and how the fans answered this question may dictate the decision.

My guess is that discussions about and maybe with Melo have already started.  This off-season could be a furious one.

Knicks beat LA then lose to GSW

Season's end in sight.

Still leading the tankathon.  Yoo hoo.

The Knicks Off-Season Plans Just Got Interesting

The Players Union rejection of a media-money windfall smoothing scheme by NBA owners to prevent a sudden increase in cap space available to sign free agents in 2016 has failed.

This conclusion was inevitable really and I think the Knicks administration recognized this early on.  Phil Jackson (e.g. Knicks) critics have had a litany of dire predictions that the Knicks cannot possibly attract free agents this summer because all of the teams resigning their own free agents can resign them for a longer contract.  THAT algebra just went up in flames.  Why would a top tier free agent want to sign a long term contract based on this year's available market value?

This is not to say that the more brittle of the free agents should sign long term deals just based on possible re-injury but for others it's self-inflicted fiscal frugality.

This summer's free agent signings will hinge not on long term contracts but on the one-year contract AND an organization's ability and sincerity to resign that free-agent in 2016 to a more appropriate contract.  The Knicks and Lakers have always taken care of their own.

There's a second by-product of this fiscal wrinkle. Second-tier free-agents can be overpaid by today's standards and still be considered reasonable longer term signings over time.  What this means is that certain players who wouldn't normally be paid a higher salary can be signed at a higher salary to entice them to move.  In the first year they won't be a bargain but in subsequent years their salaries will look more appropriate for the signing team.  Expect this front-loading tactic to be liberally used to disrupt already fiscally challenged teams to cough up key players either in trade or by falling out of the free-agent bidding.

So what's this all mean for the Knicks?

Phil Jackson has been doing a stealth job for building the Knicks from the ground up.  He can sign many of this team's best fitting players to a short term contract that is incentive for these players to continue to hustle.  Signing richer 2016 contracts is plenty of incentive.

Calderon's fixed-cost contract is that much more desirable to trading partners.

Putting some placeholders in roster spots, next year may feature something like;

C - Bargnani, Aldrich
PF - Melo, Smith, Amundson
SF - fa1, Thomas, Tenacious
SG - fa2
PG - Galloway, Shved

I expect Calderon, Early, THJ, Acey to be on a trade bubble.

We'll have our first-rounder, probably trade for a second-rounder, and still have a couple of spots open.

Sadly Wes Matthews' injury precludes signing him as a free-agent.

Denver and Jazz Beat the Knicks

Two games closer to the Lottery.  Alexey Shved looking impressive.

Knicks Lose Big to Indy

Another game closer to the lottery.

Knicks Lose Big to Sacto

The tank is back in action.

Two in a Row, Bargnani's Knicks Beat Toronto

Very, very entertaining game.

Team effort, team work.  Everyone shined in their own special way.

Now, hopefully back to the work of losing.

CAA Intimidation and Muzzling of the Press

Jeff Van Gundy, a ESPN commentator and critic of Chicago Bulls management has disclosed some disturbing and ominous accounts of what can only be described as strong-arm agent and organization behavior to silence his critiques.

See: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-sherman-sports-media-spt-0227-20150226-column.html

"I've been asked by (LeonRose of CAA, the firm that represents Thibodeau) to tone it down a bit," Van Gundy said this week.

In the wake of Derrick Rose's latest injury, the coach's future likely will be brought up during ABC's telecast of the Clippers-Bulls game Sunday. Mike Breen, Van Gundy, Mark Johnson and Doris Burke will be on the call. Everything seems to be on the table for a franchise that Van Gundy says "feels snake-bit."

Previously, speculation about Thibodeau's status provoked Van Gundy to rail about Bulls management during an ESPN telecast of a January game in Dallas. He alleged the Bulls were leaking stories "to undermine" Thibodeau.
The Bulls quickly fired back. Van Gundy said Bulls general manager Gar Forman, who was at the game, confronted him at halftime. "He called me a bunch of names," Van Gundy said. 

Two days later, John Paxson, the Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations, told the Tribune the remarks were "pathetic" and alleged that Van Gundy "was trying to protect his friend."
Van Gundy said the incident resulted in him receiving a call from Thibodeau's agent.

"He asked that I not say anything bad about (Thibodeau's relationship with the Bulls). It was getting people upset," Van Gundy said. "I told him I have a job to do, but at the same time, I don't want to do anything to hurt Tom."

ESPN and the NBA operatives have become so incestuous that it is unlikely anyone will make a fuss about this but for a sport that wants to legalize gambling, incidents like these should be taken far more seriously than something like Phil Jackson saying that a college player is playing well and calling it tampering.

Intimidation tampers with the integrity of the game and the integrity of the relationship between media and fan to something that resembles authentic truthful analysis.

Suffocating Defense - Knicks Beat Detroit

In the second best game of the year for the Knicks...

Detroit had Jackson, Monroe, Drummond, Tolliver, and a full bench...

The Knicks had...

No Carmelo Anthony, no Jose Calderon, no good reason to win the game, and according to pundits no chance of beating a surging Detroit Piston team.

So what did they do?

Well Langston Galloway took one more step in securing the PG position going forward.  His clutch three pointer that tied the game at the end of regulation sent a loud and clear message that he's here to stay.  Secondly, and this is note-worthy, he established himself as a potential clutch shooter when shots count.  What this does is relieve Melo from being the only go-to player at the end of quarters and games that Fisher can call on.

As for Lou Amundson whose tip-in tied the game at the end of the first time-out, he too has clearly staked out a claim for next year's roster. An effusive Walt Frazier was ecstatic with praise for the toughness and effort that Amundson played with.

The enigmatic Andreas Bargnani also stepped up mightily throughout the game.  He can certainly cobble out a case that he should be resigned next year.  Now that he's healthy, he is demonstrating his worth running Fisher/Jackson's system.

Jason Smith played a strong game and continues to show progress.

Larking and THJ, warts and all, played well enough to seal the victory.  Both are maddeningly inconsistent but that was minimized last night.

Shved and Early showed some promise. Wear looked great on defense.

Biggest news of the game though was the brilliant and relentless teamwork that went into the victory.  The defense, as Walt Frazier repeated like a mantra throughout the game, WAS SUFFOCATING!  The offensive sets were largely a thing of beauty.

Also notable was the disappointing play of both Monroe and Jackson, two coveted free agents whose play raised more questions than excitement.  Galloway outplayed Jackson.  Monroe (even teamed with Drummond) was not MAX-contract effective. In this fan's opinion, the Knicks should pass on both.

The Sound of One Hand Bashing

Phil Jackson is being lambasted by the media, pundits, and talking heads who often aren't very knowledgeable.

The criticisms range from complaints about the -cough- "value" of trade assets could-have, should-have, would-have been.  In hindsight, everything is much easier to process than in the moment.

Fact of the matter is that Dallas seemed to be the only team willing to trade for Chandler AND Felton for what Jackson legitimately hoped would be value.  Calderon has been a disappointment thus far, Dalembert is long gone but the real prizes; second-round picks Early and Tenacious won't begin to realize their potential until next season.  The short-sighted fan view is that the Knicks were short-changed in this trade.  By next year, the opposite may likely be realized.

The trading of Shumpert and Smith also draws the ire of certain disgruntled fans.  Shumpert and Smith are a better fit in Cleveland than the were here.  Critics assume Amundson and Lance Thomas are inadequate compensation, yet both look to be long-term investments for a solid bench.  The additional cap space will come in handy and the second-round pick is yet to be exercised.  JR is a mercurial talent whose dark side troubled potential trading partners and Shumpert was not being resigned nor was there a eager market for him.

In retrospect many, many things coulda, shoulda, woulda been different.  But the fact of the matter is that Jackson and his staff knew they were heading for a summer of housecleaning and signing of free agents.  Whether or not Jackson had planned on competing is irrelevant.  He's no fool and could see early in the season that this team may as well play to secure as good a draft position as is possible.

Fans and pundits who ridicule Fisher are equally wrong-headed.  Fisher has been a breath of fresh air when he's interviewed and he has conditioned his players to keep their eye on the bigger picture - be professionals, keep your head up, play hard - the losing is not about you.

Finally, the miserable commentators on ESPN and TNT are a bunch of grade A bastards.  They ridicule the players we have and treat them like dirt.  There is no end to their disrespect or cruelty - after all this is NY and anything goes.

In a few years when the Knicks are winning, these same assholes will be telling their audiences that they knew all along that Jackson would succeed, that Fisher was a much better coach than those first years indicated and that many of the players who they bashed so mercilessly were in fact ballers whose trial by fire made them special.

Anyone who buys into the idea that the roster cannot win games is a fool.  They can and if they did so would prove nothing.  Having a mediocre record or even a respectable record is more meaningless than being called incompetent, a terrible coach ora D-Leaguer.

The current Knicks organization gets this, Anthony gets this, and the players get this.  This is called the school of hard knocks.  It won't be long.

Knicks Lose to Celts

One loss closer to the Lottery.

Thoughts on the Summer of 2015

I like the moves Phil Jackson has made.  Goodwill moves like letting Stoudamire  pursue winning a ring elsewhere and the trading of Prigioni to a contender all build goodwill amongst the ranks of the players.  They know Phil will do what's right.  This is a very good thing.

I think too many Knicks fans mistake our won - loss record with the quality of the team that Jackson and company are assembling.  Taken as a whole there is a strong emphasis on team, passing the ball, defense, and selfless play (despite THJ's tone deafness to this message).

All of the trading activity has actually helped the Knicks considerably.  Many teams are now locked into expensive lineups and commitments which will take them out of the free-agency bidding as well as make them think twice about resigning their own players who may get over-the-top offers.  The Jeremy Lin maneuver that Houston executed a few years ago opened a Pandora's box of nasty consequences.

So what might we look for this summer?  Position by position let's take a look.

LG - Langston Galloway has been a game-changer in terms of alleviating the Knicks from needing to gamble too much on expensive PG candidates. gDragic would have been a wonderful catch had the Knicks trade proposal been accepted but it's not the end of the world.  With gDragic, Reggie Jackson, and a few others now locked into new teams, the Knicks could either draft a PG, identify a D-Leaguer,  or pursue Corry Joseph and Patrick Beverly.  Both would be a much more economical buy than Dragic or Jackson.

The good news is that Galloway and Calderon are a perfectly adequate tag team.  Galloway will get much better with playing time and Calderon is a better player than he's shown much of this season.

The dark horse is Alexey Shved who has some potential to get resigned inexpensively should he look as if he could earn his keep.

SG - Should Jackson sign a first or second string PG candidate, Calderon is likely to see more time at the two spot.  Secondly Cleanthony Early may see some time there as well.  However, one of the most interesting team chemistries to watch will be the Trailblazers.  Their trade for Afflalo may be the push Wes Matthews needs to move on.

Matthews is a Phil kinda player. IMO, Mathews will be the #1 Knicks target this summer aside from the draft pick.  He's a great fit.

Danny Green will be another option though probably less likely.

SF - Chances are that Tenacious and Early will lock down long minutes here.  I think Phil is serious about the youth movement and I doubt a free agent will be signed for SF based on what we know today.

AT PF, we fully expect Anthony to play major minutes.  Jason Smith and Lance Thomas will likely be resigned to back him.

At Center, the Knicks will likely draft a highly touted prospect whoever that may be.  Expect Aldrich and Amundson to return.

The Derrick Rose Slow Motion Train Wreck

Rose is hurt yet again.  Must be time for a new sneaker endorsement.

We all saw this coming a mile away.

Over a week and a half ago I suggested a Chicago trade;

"Chicago, however, is playing to win it all.  For Thibodeau whose legacy so far has been that he can deliver wins and a playoff round or two is under increasing pressure to deliver rings.  If not this year, when?  Chicago has had its share of injuries and its bench is weak.  Before the trade deadline they need to shore up their depth in more than one place and the cupboard is relatively bare.  They don't need starters but they do need bench. 

Nikola Mirotic has been a disappointment and represents a weak link.  One has to wonder whether or not Chicago might entertain a swap of Mirotic and say, Nazr Mohammed for a combination of Shane Larkin, Jason Smith, and Quincy Acy.  The trade gives Thibodeau bench strength he currently doesn't enjoy.  These are generally speaking high-energy, young and hungry second-stringers who could propel Chicago farther than a first or second round elimination. There's no long term commitment and to a large extent this would be a win now impulse - Chicago still would have their #1 pick to replace Mirotic this summer.

Mirotic is a project and a risk whose long-term upside suits the Knicks rebuilding plans,  Nazr can play out the year backing Amundson and Aldrich.  Mirotic is signed longer term so this would represent an early building block going forward."

Chicago was one of the few teams who needed to make a move and didn't.  While maybe this trade wasn't palatable, it's hard to imagine they had no interest in Prigioni either.

The Rose injury all but assures Chicago of a disappointing finish.  Welcome Chicago to NBA major market rebuilding hell.  Today their team just aged another year.

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Rose isn't the only guy who was likely to go down hard.  STAT, Shump, Chandler, all have that kind of potential as well.  Dallas and Cleveland have deep benches though.

Knicks Lost to Cavs

Big surprise.  BFD.

Loss to Miami

Spoelstra and Miami treated it like a playoff game.  It wasn't.

One game closer to the Lottery.

Post February 2015 Trade Deadline Ruminations

As I had hoped, Pablo Prigioni was traded to a contender.  This shows a lot of class on the Knicks part.

Incoming are two future second round picks and Alexey Shved a tall, thus far enigmatic PG whose contract expires at season's end.

Two options are available for the Knicks, buy him out now or give him a showcase to see if his game works better in the Triangle offense.

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Important as this lead guard position is, Galloway is the player who I think the Knicks will turn the keys over to next year.  Between him, Calderon, and whoever wins the third spot the Knicks are in fairly good shape.

Assuming Melo is the predominant PF (and not SF) candidate and that Jason Smith has shown enough to be the first off-the-bench there and Lance Thomas has earned a hard consideration to stick as well.

AT SF, I think we're all anticipating that Early and Tenacious will claim at least a high minute role there.  Acey and Wear look to be unlikely return candidates.

IMO, THJ gets moved during the summer - probably on draft evening. Two guard is where the Knicks may spend some cash.   Look for Jimmy Butler, Wes Matthews, and others to garner interest.

Amundson and Aldrich are both likely to stick next year as off-the-bench center candidates.  Draft night will determine who joins them.

Updated: Goran Dragic to NY Knicks? It's Possible

The Suns are being backed into a corner.  Dragic is going to either the Lakers or the Knicks.

The kind of trade that will go down is something like Calderon, THJ, and Early for Dragic and Bullock (a contract the Suns want to lose).

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Early Morning update: Sounds like Calderon and THJ are being offered.  Maybe Early would be the final  piece to the puzzle.


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The Knicks could ship Calderon and Bargnani out to Golden State for David Lee and a first-rounder.

That first-rounder could be routed to Phoenix with THJ and Shane Larkin for Dragic.


The bottom line is that Dragic wants a payday.  Boston isn't the spot for it despite having the goods to trade.


Prigioni should also find a nice home with a contender.

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New York Knick Trade Musings; < 3 Days out

The Knicks officially have an open roster spot.

This trade deadline is a game of chicken.  Lots of teams - many that I've identified previously - are looking to harden their rosters for the second half push and the playoffs and others are planning ahead to trying to retain their own valued free-agents-to-be by jettisoning expensive pine brothers.

The rumor mills say that Thanasis Antetokounmpo will be called up.  I have my doubts.  He remains protected in the D-League where he's getting playing time.  There's no reason for the Knicks not to occupy any open roster spots on players who could showcase their talent for consideration for next year's roster.  Rather than exposing Thanasis to a Knicks team with no reason to win, he's better off giving it the college try in Westchester.

Secondly, that open roster spot gives the Knicks options to take back one more player than they give up.  Once the deadline passes and that open spot is still open, all bets are off - maybe we'll see Tenacious.

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The Wizards are looking for a spare PG. No obvious team to team trades pop out but should the Wizards need a third team, Prigioni and Larkin come to mind.  Calderon as a dark horse assuming the Wizards want more than a first-round exit.

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Knicks being mentioned in contention for Miles Plumlee.  Bullock and P.J. Tucker are probably bundled.  Calderon and Hardaway could make that work.  Prenty even trade with the Knicks absorbing a trio of risky, borderline talent. No cap relief or obvious picks in the trade.

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David Lee and the Golden State first-rounder for Bargnani and Calderon works.  Frees up a lot of cash for GS going forward.

Nothing but best wishes for Stoudemire and other ruminations

On January 15th this blog said goodbye to Amare.  I hope he hooks up with a contender who goes deep into the playoffs and maybe even wins a ring.  Amare's injuries limited his talents for much of the contract but as Melo stated, Amare brought credibility back to the franchise, a signing that was not cynical and a player who did not come here to just float downstream.

Dolan deserves kudos for his unwavering support of Amare over the length of the contract.  He has always had nothing but good things to say about Amare.  He deserves a hat tip for letting Amare go.

Prigioni should be the next shoe to drop - another vet who deserves a playoff run before his abilities are consumed by age.

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Clouds on the Horizon

OKC is in trouble.  Word is that much of the roster is up for trade and their chances at making the playoffs remain dubious.  And, given Durant's media confrontation at the All-Star game - NOT making the playoffs is a BIG deal.  The pot is just beginning to boil in OKC.

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Likewise, the Clippers look to be a shipwreck.  Doc Rivers, a fine coach, is once again proving the immutable truth of the Peter Principle.  He is no GM and his administration of the Clippers has beached the team.  Austin Rivers, a D-League talent is an acquisition the Clippers could ill afford. And their roster is aging and pathetic.  The Los Angeles NBA meltdown continues.

Blake Griffin's perverse antics and proclivities have the trajectory of becoming an NBA scandal.  He is a public figure whose commercials feature a boy Robin-like figure whose relationship to Griffin is inexplicable and then the grabbing of opponents and trainer's necks to force their heads into his groin area is a clue something's not right.  The minute one of his entourage claims misconduct, I expect his fall from grace to be even rockier than Tiger Woods'.  Somebody in that organization needs to read him the riot act.

Don't be surprised if the Clippers will one day not miss Donald Sterling and his wacky girlfriend.

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Phoenix, having taken literally the metaphor that the NBA is a PG dominant league and after signing every point guard on the planet has just realized that there are four other important positions.

Welcome to the trade deadline.  They say they want to trade Isiah Thomas now.  Comedians.  can't wait to see the offers they get for an overpaid, undersized PG that only a Phoenix GM could love.

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Minny is bringing back the Lottery barnstorming days of Donald Sterling.  They want to eternally dwell in lottery country, obstructing teams who actually need talent from getting it.  Minny's whole team is up for trade - lots of nice, expensive pieces who unfortunately list Minny on their resume.  A few will escape that cryogenic tomb to once again play basketball.

New York Knick Trade Musings; Deadline 5 days away, The Humpty Dumpty Gambit

There are no rumors coming out of New York about potential mid-season trades.

Some things are becoming crystally obvious, neither Marc Gasol nor LaMarcus Aldridge are signing in New York as Free Agents this summer. All of which means that Phil Jackson and company can concentrate on signing good chemistry guys this summer and there are plenty of them.

But that's getting ahead of the game. Tonight let's examine players who for one reason or another are no longer Knicks but who thrived here as players and who might be fun to require for old time's sake if for no other reason.  And, yes, we know this will never happen.

This thread could easily have been called the 100 Ways to Trade Bargnani as well.


Jeremy Lin - No, he's no longer riding Linsanity but he's expiring and for the second half of a losing season, he'd be a gas to see play in NY again.  The Lakers won't miss him.  Bargnani for Lin and Ryan Kelly is workable.  The Knicks nor Lakers will lose any sleep about Bargs.

Landry Fields - Fields is just one of those glue players.  Fun to watch and earned his pay.  Doing nothing in Toronto.  How about Bargnani and Acy for Landry Fields and Chuck Hayes?

David Lee - Sure, he's a poor defender but he is a gamer and a small ball center.  Good passer.  Great teammate.  How about Bargnani and Calderon for Lee and Brandon Rush?

Shawne Williams - a very god one-dimensional player.  Williams for Larkin?

Nate Robinson - fun to watch, waiting to be signed.

New York Knick Trade Musings; Deadline 6 days away

When it comes to the playoffs, there are contenders and pretenders.  Some teams are just happy to be there.  It stimulates some cash flow and fan interest but there's not a glimmer of real hope that the team is going anywhere beyond the first round.  Brooklyn, Charlotte, Phoenix, and a few others are making that noise.

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Chicago, however, is playing to win it all.  For Thibodeau whose legacy so far has been that he can deliver wins and a playoff round or two is under increasing pressure to deliver rings.  If not this year, when?  Chicago has had its share of injuries and its bench is weak.  Before the trade deadline they need to shore up their depth in more than one place and the cupboard is relatively bare.  They don't need starters but they do need bench.

Nikola Mirotic has been a disappointment and represents a weak link.  One has to wonder whether or not Chicago might entertain a swap of Mirotic and say, Nazr Mohammed for a combination of Shane Larkin, Jason Smith, and Quincy Acy.  The trade gives Thibodeau bench strength he currently doesn't enjoy.  These are generally speaking high-energy, young and hungry second-stringers who could propel Chicago farther than a first or second round elimination. There's no long term commitment and to a large extent this would be a win now impulse - Chicago still would have their #1 pick to replace Mirotic this summer.

Mirotic is a project and a risk whose long-term upside suits the Knicks rebuilding plans,  Nazr can play out the year backing Amundson and Aldrich.  Mirotic is signed longer term so this would represent an early building block going forward.

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Phoenix is looking to transform it's roster as well.  It is doubtful that the Knicks have any interest in Isiah Thomas the point guard Phoenix is looking to move. But Phoenix, very much like the Knicks is a team of spare parts with Phoenix closer to winning something than the Knicks.

Alex Len, Archie Goodwin, and Reggie Bullock fit a development team like the Knicks better than Phoenix who are on the cusp of playing to win (if that's a true objective).  Len, Goodwin, and Bullock for Jason Smith, Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Travis Wear works financially and gives Phoenix a streak shooter and an experienced backup Center/PF option, and Wear a young/long SF prospect.

For the Knicks, they take a chance on some longer term prospects, one of which (Bullock) has been enigmatic in Phoenix.  These players do eat a small amount of cap space.

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Early in January I speculated about a potential Portland deal.  Thomas Robinson seems destined to be traded.  Portland, like some other teams mentioned should be looking for bench depth.

Prigioni and Jason Smith for Robinson and Barton is workable and has some pragmatism for Portland.

Whether or not NY wants to roll the dice on Thomas is another issue.

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The most ambitious team and stealthy out there is Milwaukee.  They're a dark horse candidate to win it all.  Jason Kidd has both the ego and brass balls required to make a serious run at all the favorites.

Would Milwaukee consider a jared Dudley, Damien Inglis, and a second-rounder for Jason Smith, THJ and Acy swap?

Dudley is a weak link in Milwaukee - THJ can be a more explosive scorer.  Milwaukee adds real depth.

For the Knicks Inglis is the prize rook, the second-rounder desirable with Dudley being the cost of doing business?

Loss to Orlando

Keeping hope alive.  Pointless game. Orlando looks terrible.  May be Stat's final game.

Happy trails - forever a great Knick.

Knicks Lose to Miami

A pointless  game to be injured in and... Melo hurts his knee.

Bargnani plays and looks like he earns a Million bucks a second.  Wait....

Some Players NY Should Consider Signing or Trading For at the February Trade Deadline 2015

Some roster spots will open up in the next week or so.  Here are a few players who may be worth a look;

Charles Jenkins - http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9155338/philadelphia-76ers-charles-jenkins-nba-crossroads

A hard-nosed Brooklyn PG now mature enough to maybe show his stuff.



Sonny Weems - http://www.basketballinsiders.com/sonny-weems-nando-de-colo-starring-overseas/

While not a youngster anymore, Weems can be a valuable contributor next year toward rebuilding the Knicks.  His passing ability and scoring punch are just the kinds of weapons Melo needs to complement his game.



John Jenkins - Atlanta Hawks.  Would the Hawks trade Jenkins for Prigioni to fortify their bench looking forward to the playoffs?



Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones for Prigioni and Tim Hardaway Jr.?  OKC is reeling and in danger of missing the playoffs.  Lamb's contract is a tough one to swallow but Perry Jones is a nice prospect.  NY can offer shorter contracts and bench strength.


Likewise Portland has a soft secondary.  Might Thomas Robinson or Will Barton be available in the coming days?

Quality Loss to Warriors

A not altogether bad 4th quarter.  Shane Larkin may be the most frustrating player on the floor these days.  His uncanny ability to snuff out rallies with randomly incoherent plays is just mind-blowing.

We see glimpses of an interesting team here.  Galloway and Lance Thomas show great potential.

Knicks Lose to Nets

Close, exciting game.  Would have been a win worth winning.  Now we wait for the inevitable buyouts of Bargnani and Stoudamire.

Rope a Dope

The MSM and armchair Knicks pundits are having a field day with Phil Jackson's latest interview with Harvey Araton in the Times.  Jackson discusses many things including his disappointment with how the team has performed, his faith that between he and Fisher the team will eventually succeed with some form of Triangle offensive scheme, and he assumes responsibility for the flaws of the team thus far.

For critics, this is the raw meat that they had craved. Jackson, who Knicks fans had so long dreamed of making a return to the Knicks was back AND a failure.  Yes, he had been a great coach. Yes, he had been a player.  Yes, he had been a powerful basketball influence.  And the critics, pick-axes in hand, were here to bury him.

These critics never quite understood the Triangle but understand the win-loss columns could now proclaim loudly, "TOLD YOU SO!"  These critics who enjoy having the Knicks to kick around could keep happily kicking.  The countdown to a Phil Jackson departure from the Knicks is their only agenda.

Call me a fool if you like but these critics who mock Phil Jackson for his Zen trajectory, don't know much about Zen either.

I have followed Jackson's maneuvering and I come to very different conclusions. While I believe Jackson's surprise and disappointment is real, I don't believe for a second that it has paralyzed his ability to recover and co-ordinate subsequent strategies.  I have never once read or heard him disparage the trades he's made, yet his critics make it sound as if he dismantled a contending team for a bag of crumbs.

Fact of the matter is that the Knicks organization is far healthier today than its been since the Ernie Grunfeld/Pat Riley era.  Jackson's periodic updates are sincere, open, and honest.  Let me add two more attributes - they are mindful and purposeful.  Fisher is a pleasure to listen to before and after games.

The Knicks organization is on a mission.  The league, agents, and media who once took advantage of the organization can feel it and they hate it. The Knicks are no longer signing and extending dubious talents to rich, long term contracts.  The Knicks are no longer a dumping ground for fat failing contracts.  Six months into running the organization, the Knicks have cap space, flexibility, keen scouting, patience, intelligent and thoughtful feedback loops, and a handful of young, hungry players to complement Carmelo Anthony.

The win-loss column - the only thing that matters to many critics - is misleading. jackson's latest interview, rather than being defeatist is mindful and purposeful.  Jackson is performing an act of sporting Jiu-Jitsu that is so seamless and natural that the critics enjoy being thrown for the fall. Jackson's dialog with fans is clear and honest and it accomplishes a host of objectives.

First, he creates space for Fisher, the coaching staff, and his advisors to take shelter in.  Jackson's critics will mistake all of this as ego and Jackson sells it as such to the willing fools who want that to be the case.  But what Jackson is really doing is investing the goodwill and good name he's earned over the decades into a trust relationship with the fans.  He is saying, "Take your pot shots at me.  I have the wherewithal to withstand them and while you waste your time trying to bring me down, my staff can go about doing the rebuilding business I was brought here to complete."

Not so many years ago, this was known as "Rope-A-Dope".  Reason won't silence the critics.  Knowing that, he gives them room to howl.  In the meantime, the Eastern Conference teams can feel their window of opportunity shrinking.

Knicks Lose to Boston

One more for the tank.

Knicks Crush LA

How sweet it is

Knicks Lose to Indy

Missed the game.  Good for the tank.

Couldn't Do Bad for Good

The Knicks beat OKC last night - really whooped them.  The night belonged to the Knicks. Unfortunately, in terms of pursuing the best lottery choice, The Knicks are still in it but facing serious competition.

But we won and it was good to see and watch.  Lance Thomas earned getting signed to a contract til the end of the season.  He is looking more and more like a long term glue player.

Also of note is the fact that Tim Hardaway Jr is beginning to play serious ball again.  He's not only scoring points but he's playing defense like the Knicks played defense in the nineties.  His foul takedown of a driving Westbrook is a highlight reel moment - ballsy stuff.

It also means the Knicks need to be careful not to sell 'low' if they sell at all.  Timmy is coming on and some astute GM will reconsider crufty trade deliberations that need recalibration.  They'll be looking to steal Timmy.  Make them pay, Phl.  Make them pay.

And is that swagger we're seeing from King Cole?  He's becoming a likeable beast under the boards.  Hustle, too.

Most pleasantly surprising is Melo's sudden and epiphanous new court behavior - making his teammates better!  Welcome to the superstar club, Melo.  We thought you'd never get here.

Ruminations Before the 2015 Trade Deadline

Three players are on their second 10-day contracts.

Galloway is learning to become a high-value NBA point guard.  He will be given a contract to the end of the year and maybe longer.  NBA guards take 3 to 5 years to fully season.  Galloway is playing at an accelerated pace.  Assuming no injuries hamper his development, he's going to be one of the truly fine point guards in this league for years to come.

Lou Amundson, as I described in an earlier post, is a Phil Jackson player.  He hustles, he bangs, he's tenacious.  He's going to get signed for the rest of the season.

Lance Thomas, again as I described in an earlier post, too is a Phil Jackson archetype player.  A Captain Obvious description of Thomas is that he hustles, he's a glue player, he's not afraid to mix it up.  He'll be signed for the rest of the season as well.  Thomas is a bit of a tweener and somewhat redundant but in small ball line-ups it matters little.  He has shown flashes of scoring ability as well.

Injuries in Portland to both Aldrich and Batum make it a prime destination for Amare Stoudemire to contribute should he request a buyout.

Otherwise, the teams that likely believe they are still in competition for playoff berths or who need obvious hardening of their rosters appear to be;

• Detroit - SVG just lost Jennings for the season
• Indiana - their tradition of making the playoffs with Charlotte in striking distance must make them re-evaluate what they'll need
• Charlotte - hanging on to that last playoff spot with a dubious roster
• Houston - though securely in the playoff mix, they may be the weakest team in the bunch
• Clippers - like Houston, a weak team that's gotten weaker with the addition of Austin Rivers who will become the fall guy for any playoff woes
• Phoenix - battling for that final playoff spot
• New Orleans - battling for that final playoff spot
• OKC - battling for that final playoff spot

Calderon, Prigioni, and Larkin are all available.  

Augustine will step in for Detroit but he's a limited player.  Prigioni would be a good fit for SVG if they were making a playoff push and they have a second rounder (40) to offer.

Prigioni for Houston's #42 or OKC's #47 are worth exploring.

Prigioni for Phoenix's Reggie Bullock might be worth exploring as a trade for a risky talent. Prigioni is an inexpensive PG in the event they move one of their pricier players.

Acey  and THJ are two other players who can be moved.

It is almost certain that Bargnani is bought out.

Assuming he and Stat are no longer here and no trades are made, two roster spots will open up.

If OKC is willing to package Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb for a combination of talent, the Knicks obvious interest in Jackson is fulfilled and OKC is not left empty handed this summer.

Maurice Harkless or Jeremy Lamb might be available under a trade exception.

Knicks lose to Hornets

It was an exciting game and a winnable game.  Thomas, Amundson, and Galloway all played well.

Carmelo sat this one out and Kemba Walker was out for the Hornets.

Something I think this game showed was that critics of this Knicks team are over-the-top in calling it Melo and a bunch of D-Leaguers.  Truth of the matter is that the Knicks are no more unworthy of being given respect than Philly, Orlando, or New Orleans.  The Knicks have had no fewer injuries to their starting lineups than any other team.

ThE Knicks play hard and deserve far more respect than the MSM and their social media critics give them credit for.

Knicks Beat Philly and Orlando

10 day contracts shine

Knicks Beat New Orleans

Amundson, Galloway and Thomas play well and get extended.

Melo also plays as does Stoudemire.

The Knicks After London

Having wished Amare Stoudamire farewell in our last post, let's get real about what the Knicks will need to do going forward.

It's a New Dawn!

This is a time unlike any other in recent Knicks history and it is unique because of the constraints the NBA imposes on rebuilding teams.  Announcers like Reggie Miller don't get it.  Miller mocks the idea that the Knicks should 'tank' and points to recent lottery history that indicates that the teams with the most losses don't necessarily get the first dibs at the most highly rated talent.  The argument is specious in that the process of tanking is about getting a maximum amount of lottery balls that improve your chances to win. And every lottery is different and every ball matters, like it or not - wherever one places in the final draw.  Criticizing the Knicks mercilessly for doing the obvious is just bad journalism.

Secondly, prior to NY and the Lakers contending for lottery position, these commentators cried not a tear when NBA teams tanked for sheer profit.  The Knicks have nothing to apologize for.

So Phil Jackson has indicated that fans and media need not act surprised at whatever moves come next.

A Rebuilding Strategy

Let's speculate that Carmelo Anthony is not traded and let's speculate looking forward to the lottery and taking this year's team into account. We can project three fairly certain roster spots.

Anthony and most probably the draft pick and Cole Aldrich will occupy three of the roster spots.  The big question going forward is whether or not the Knicks build to win sooner or whether Phil embarks on a full rebuild around that core rather than concern himself about wins.  I think it is obvious from his recent comments that the days of the Knicks trying to bandage a dead horse with yet another star pretending to ride that horse are over.  I fully believe we are in a rebuild mindset that precludes quick fixes.

The speculation that follows is a personal strategy that I think the Knicks may follow before the trade deadline.  And I'm going to stick my neck out to say that while it certainly appears that Phil Jackson is obsessed with clearing salaries for summer cap space I'm going to assume that cap space is an asset that he may be willing to apply to acquiring appropriate, otherwise inaccessible talent before the trading deadline.

Prior to the trading deadline there are some opportunities that the Knicks could pursue based simply on the playoff and cap space karma the the league is immersed in.

One of the positions the Knicks are in dire need of addressing either through the draft or free agency is PG. Three potential candidates may become available in Free agency who are of interest. Reggie Jackson, Goran Dragic, and Cory Joseph.  Dragic and Joseph are unlikely to be traded as they are still valuable assets to their respective teams.  Depending on the Knicks priorities this summer either may get serious attention.

The most intriguing of the three before the trade deadline remains Reggie Jackson. Jackson's role in OKC has become unstabilized since the Waiters acquisition.  Playing time has dwindled and his relative importance to the team has diminished. Unsurprisingly, he's in a funk and indications are that he would welcome joining the Knicks next season.  Is there a potential trade?

OKC could use a hardening of their bench and cap relief wouldn't hurt either.  And because Jackson will be becoming a free agent, competition to acquire him will be constrained.  All of this works in favor of the Knicks.

Reggie Jackson?

Would Prigioni, Acy and Bargnani and the money saved be enough to acquire Reggie Jackson and Perkins?  Assuming OKC acquires Brook Lopez, Perkins becomes expendable because of Steven Adams and Prigioni . OKC can cut Bargnani and add Acy as a SF backup.  Prigioni may be the wily vet they need off the bench.

Aaron Afflalo?

Afflalo is having a very bad year and Denver is cutting bait on their players.  While the SG position is not the highest priority, Afflalo is one of the players that Anthony seems to have a professional high regard for. A trade that could work would involve Bargnani for Afflalo and Denver's late second round pick.  Here, NY eats Afflalo's contract for next year which dampens the cap space available  this summer.

Calderon for Jason Terry?

A Calderon for Jason Terry and the return of our second round pick is a popular rumor.  IMO, it could happen. Calderon gives Houston a much stronger second option of the bench.

Saying Goodbye and Thanks to Stoudemire

As I speculated at least a week before the MSM began to talk about it, the Knicks turned a corner in which losing games is far more important than winning games.  Tightly coupled to this state of affairs is the fate of Stoudemire and Prigioni, veteran warriors who no longer have a reason to play their hearts out.

After the London loss, nothing could be clearer than the fact that Stoudemire no longer has a compelling reason to endanger whatever he's got left in the tank (no pun intended) in meaningless games that can't and shouldn't be won.  In fact, taking minutes away from the youngsters would be the harm.

The Knicks won't push Amare out if he decides to stay but the organization is classy enough to let him go.  That will probably happen soon.  Nothing precludes Stat from returning as a free agent signing for next year and his years of service with class and integrity ensures that the door will always be open in NY should he decide to join the organization in other capacilties.

The first Knicks lottery will be his as we wish him well in picking the playoff team he can join to get himself a ring.

Knicks Crushed by Bucks

Humiliating loss in London.  Stoudemire and Anthony suit up and add nothing to the game.

Phil Jackson's Refreshing Mea Culpa

Phil Jackson addressed the media and fans yesterday to admit that the team was badly underperforming and that he was accepting responsibility for that unfortunate reality.  I needed no such explanation.

Years ago, I realized that there is a hard-core cohort of boo-birds who will ruthlessly disparage the Knicks and their management the second their immediate gratifications were unfulfilled.  And on other forums I've had personal correspondences with some of them.  They tend to fall into the category of opportunists, profiteers, and beleaguered true believers.

Opportunists buy ticket packages which can be split to scalp a few that pay for the package granting the opportunist a free ride into the games of choice.

Profiteers buy one or more season tickets with the sole intent of profiting.  Sometimes this may even be an informal syndicate of individuals who buy blocks of tickets.

The true believers bleed blue and gold and want to win no matter what.

And tickets at MSG are not cheap.

All three of these groups have long dictated the way the Knicks managed their team.  That is a system of selling entertainment based on "stars".  A friend of mine calls it the Star-Phuck system when a terrible movie is released featuring a well known star playing a lead character who is no different from the well-known star's own persona.

For well over two decades the knee-jerk reaction to a team disappointment was to trade for a Star-Phuck player - any well-known, available start or former star will do.  That patch is guaranteed to keep ticket prices high and scalping profitable.  Of course it never helped the Knicks actually win anything but the minute the howls went up in the media and amongst the fans, the trade lines heated up.

A nasty consequence of this predictable behavior was that CBA agreements were crafted to cash in on New York's spending habits - luxury tax it's called but it is little more than fiscal extortion for dubious talent exchanges.  As time went on, high-profit, big city teams were further removed from any avenue of correcting poor team performance by denying young draft opportunities to these teams.  The lottery as exercised these days is little more than a sophisticated money-laundering scheme.

Big city teams can ill afford not to win basketball games.  This is why the Knicks under Phil Jackson seem like such a radical departure from the Star-Phuck formula.  Jackson was obligated to sign Carmelo Anthony last summer but one cannot help but sense an ambivalence in doing so.  Yet Jackson fully understood the necessity for a marquee player whose well publicized salary is the make-believe justification in NBA vernacular to charge high ticket prices.

Look! We have a "star" - cha-ching!

Star in hand, Phil Jackson underestimated the bad karma that had finally reached critical mass when he took over.  He reasonably expected a team continuity that could win just enough games to make the playoffs.

We know that hasn't happened much to our and Phil's disappointment.  He need not apologize to the fellow KnickMeccans here.  However, the same loud, self-serving cohorts who for decades have managed to influence Knicks management that yet one more star can save the season are finally being ignored.  This year's Knicks team will not be concerned with losing games but instead concentrate on learning how to play selfless team ball and how to win that way.

In New York that fact is never a foregone conclusion until now.  I'm grateful Jim Dolan is not interfering with this turn of events.  We are finally changing direction.

Knicks Crushed by Hornets

Long offensive stretches without hitting a basket will do that to a team.

Knicks lose to Wizards

Galloway Debut

Reassessing the Knicks Part 1 (updated)

Phil Jackson traded away JR Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavaliers last night for a future second-round pick from the Cavaliers, some trade exceptions and a handful of players who may or may not be waived.  Samuel Dalembert was waived.

A week or so ago, I advocated that the Knicks belly up to the bar and admit that this season is a race to the bottom.  This roster activity indicates that we are no longer in a free fall, we're propelling ourselves into the lottery and steering a course to develop longer term team cohesion.

Contrary to MSM coverage, none of these players were a "locker room cancer" (The true cancer are a few members of the NY Sports media).  Prior to the season I think Jackson and Fisher had hoped that all three would lift their game and help set a course for a playoff bid.  In doing so their trade value would have risen.

The fact that JR likely would have exercised his player option to stay another year, that Shump has played erratically, and that Dalembert simply was ineffective in the Triangle offense all were factors that contributed to an unintended losing streak that effectively made the choice of pursuing a lottery pick inevitable.

Previously I had expected JR to be difficult if not impossible to trade.  When healthy he can be a monster talent but the Plantar Fasciitis injury looked to be the final nail in the coffin of keeping him. Cleveland is taking a risk on JR but their reward upside is enormous because of Cleveland's desire to contend.  Shumpert will add defensive rigor there and maybe can regain some offensive consistency.  I will personally miss both players who in future years will continue to enjoy cult status among the Knicks more knowledgeable fanbase.

And may Sammy also find good fortune in the coming weeks.

Reassessing the Roster

Carmelo Anthony has no reason to play while ailing.  He's unnecessary to complete a season in which we are in a contest to lose more games than Philadelphia or Minnesota.

Previously I had assumed that JR was a fixture, let's reexamine the likely to stack of players;

Mid-year Keepers

Jose Calderon - an expensive contract that will be very difficult to move. Reluctantly a keeper.

Jason Smith - I think Phil likes his toughness. With Dalembert gone, he's Cole Aldrich's backup.

Cole Aldrich - no trade clause.  He's also demonstrating that he can be an effective center in the Triangle.

Cleanthony Early - likely a keeper and finally back from injury.

Travis Wear - unlikely to hold trade value. Beginning to earn his keep.

(speculative done) Langston Galloway - he's expected to be signed on at least a 10 day contract, up from the D-League. Reportedly, Phil likes his potential.

(speculative) Lance Thomas - He's a forward acquired in this latest trade from OKC and is a hustle and effort player - Phil's kind of player. Update: Should Acey get traded, look for the Knicks to sign Thomas to a 10-day contract.

JR Smith is gone and now that we're in full rebuild mode Jose Calderon's tenure is uncertain.  Should he stay I expect that his role will change from lead guard to shooting guard.

Langston Galloway  is expected to take the roster spot that Dalembert vacated.  He may become the new starting  or first off the bench PG.

Lance Thomas is also the most likely player asset from this trade.  He could be the surprise of the trade.Waived but still in consideration by the Knicks for a 10-day contract later.

Pre-Deadline Bubble

Lou Amundson - A tough, hard-nosed Forward/center who is a Phil kinda-guy.  He's likely to be waived but he could also stick assuming other moves are in the works.

Alex Kirk - A D-League center who has had back surgery and weight issues.  Likely to be waived.

Orlando Sanchez - A Westchester forward highly regarded by the Knicks but who is not a protected asset and available to be signed by any team.  A very good passer and Triangle forward candidate. Further Knick moves may clear space for a 10 day contract.

Thanasis (Tenacious) Antetokounmpo - One of the Knicks top-prospects whose contract is protected in the D-League by the Knicks.  In order to promote Tenacious, the Knicks would have to sign him to a new contract ensuring his tenure.  Therefore he's likely to stay in Westchester for the season.

Amare Stoudemire - Amare's enthusiasm, integrity, and work ethic would be wasted in New York for a team that has no reason to win games.  His trade value seems negligible.  Likely to be waived.

Andreas Bargnani - Useful as a doorstop. His contract will never be worth whatever value can be squeezed out of it.  Likely to be traded, waived, or permanently parked at the end of the bench in a suit.

Pablo Prigioni - The Knicks best but limited PG.  Like Amare, Pablo deserves to be playing for a winning team.  Unlikely to be waived but the kindest fate would be to get moved.

Trade Sweeteners

Shane Larkin - An enigmatic second-string PG candidate.  Because his contract was not extended, he will either finish out the year and expire or be included in a trade of some kind as a sweetener or to satisfy CBA financial considerations.

Moveable Assets

Tim Hardaway, Jr - Dynamic, young shooter whose defense is often MIA and whose basketball IQ is questionable. Promoted through attrition and not merit.

Quincy Acy - An undersized energizer bunny of a forward. Unremarkable but reliable, tough, and a hustler.

Reassessing the Knicks Part 2

The recent activity of waiving Dalembert and trading away Jr Smith and Shumpert has changed the mid-season trade opportunities for the Knicks significantly.  First, we can presume further trades with the Cavs and OKC are unlikely or they would have been weaved into yesterday's roster change activity.  Secondly, the Knicks are now armed with A LOT of trade exceptions that can be used to grease the wheels of other teams seeking to improve their second-half playoff chances.

In the first part of this thread, I talked about what the Knicks should do with Stoudemire and Bargnani.  Nothing more needs to be said.

The next order of business, IMO, are potential Pablo Prigioni trades.  Previously, I suggested a trade with the Clippers that still seems to have some potential;

Revised Clips/Knicks Trade Proposal

Jordan Farmar and the Clippers 2015 second-rounder 31-55 that remains the Clips to trade for Prigioni and Acey.

Clippers unload a headache and get a solid second wave PG and gritty PF.

Knicks open up a roster spot as well.  Prigioni gets to play for a contender.

That trade can be slightly modified to include Kirk instead of Acey which gives the Clips an immediate bit of cap relief if *they* waive Kirk.  Or Amundson works instead of Acey as well giving them an expiring contract. Update: Kirk and Amundson are waived.

Revised Portland/Knicks Trade Proposal

Dalembert, Prigioni, and Acey for Thomas Robinson and Will Barton

This trade must be modified to Prigioni and Acey for Barton and Klaver.  Klaver wants out of Portland and Acey becomes redundant in NY given the new faces.

New New Orleans/Knicks Trade Proposal

Prigioni for Salmons

Salmons an expiring contract.

Grizzlies 105 - Knicks 83

Philly beats the Cavs - probably an unspoken part of the deal that sends JR Smith and Shumpert to the Cavs.

Potential Dalembert Destinations

Dalembert may be getting moved this week and while he is not necessarily the most desirable center available his contract is an ending one and there are a number of teams who can use his services given injuries and the opportunity to harden their benches going into the second half and playoff season.

1.) Houston - Dalembert and Prigioni work straight up for Jason Terry and our second rounder being returned.  Dali and Prig work less expensively than Terry  and add defense off the bench.

2.) Cleveland as previously mentioned in an earlier post.

3.) Portland - Dalembert, Prigioni, and Acey for Thomas Robinson and Will Barton

Bucks Beat Knicks 95-83

Another game closer to the lottery.

5 Holiday Losses

Knicks lost to Washington, Sacto, Portland, LAC, and Detroit.

We can only hope Philly wins a few more soon.  We are in the lottery hunt.