More Knick knacks
Will this year’s version of the New York Knicks return to the Beast of the East status? Well, if you look at them now on paper you have to consider the two behemoths on the low blocks: 6-feet-11 and 280 pounds of Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph – all 6-feet-9 and 260 pounds of him. You can couple that with Jerome James and there’s quite a lot of beef to push and shove around. Not to mention guard Stephon Marbury, who’s built like a Mack truck and the muscular and physical types Quentin Richardson, Nate Robinson and Fred Jones. You have what head coach Isiah Thomas is calling “an athletic power team”.
Of course with the new and improved rules regarding hand checking, the Knicks will not exactly resemble the Knicks of the Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason era of slug ball. But with the offensive-minded Randolph and Curry, they can make life miserable for opposing big men.
And the notion of both not being able to operate in the low blocks is pure unadulterated hogwash. I mean… Didn’t the Bird era Boston Celtics feature Kevin McHale and Robert Parish in the low docks? Didn’t the Magic Johnson era feature James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Magic too would post up a pint-sized guard on several possessions during a game. And in the Isiah era Pistons, before Mark Aguirre came on scene, there was Adrian Dantley and James Edwards.
So in the end, the Knicks can never have enough weapons of destruction in the paint. During the playoffs (and yes, I’m thinking playoffs for the Knicks next season), there’s not as much of the Phoenix style up-and-down-the-court stuff as you would get in the regular season. Each and every possession makes or breaks your season.
Now that the East has brought over three of the West 20-point scorers in Randolph, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, the Knicks will have to upgrade their perimeter defense if they are going to be taken seriously. Could Ron Artest be the next reclamation project that Isiah takes on?
If all the Knicks had to give up was a combo of Jared Jeffries and Nate Robinson, then they may have to think about that one. But then again, after Robinson’s stellar performance in the Vegas Summer League, the Knicks may not be willing to do that after all. Sure, Robinson can be a little immature and in some cases a head case but there’s no denying his basketball skills.
And we can’t forget that Jeffries is just a role player. He’s not asked to do any scoring (the Knicks have more than their share of scorers), but defending and rebounding and keeping things even-keeled. He suffered a wrist injury and missed the first 20-something games and then got suspended another 4 games because of his part in the brawl with the Denver Nuggets, and was never really in tuned.
David Lee is off limits.
So the Artest deal may be a dead issue for a while. Besides they’re very high on first-round pick Wilson Chandler and second-rounder Demetris Nichols. Both players, along with sophomore Renaldo Balkman, really showed their stuff in the Vegas League.
Nichols sports NBA shooting range and has shown an ability to put the ball on the floor some, while Chandler is an all-around talent who can shoot, dribble, pass, defend, rebound and jump. So it’s almost a certainty that other moves or buyouts are in the offing because they have 17 bonafide NBA players on the roster.
frank Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
isaiah is a moron. marbury is a ballhog. eddy curry is lazy on d. nate robinson is a poor man’s version of spud webb. jerome james is not worth his contract. they have no quality reserves or role players. and david lee as good as he is, there are dozens of other guys in the nba that could do what he does, and probably do it better on that knicks team.
i love zack randolph (go spartans) but he’s not the answer to their most pressing need, veteran leadership and a go to scorer. and no stephon, that is not what you are.
but in the east, they’ll probably make the playoffs or implode.
my advice to their young players, finish out your contract and sign with any other team when you get a chance.
and did i mention isaiah is a MORON.
Hartley Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
key words… “on paper” It all looks good until you realize that Isiah is running the show…
Les Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
The article sounds good and true.
artamis isaac Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
i think this season the knicks will make it very far the reason i belive this is because we are loaded with offense. if isaih can make it work.
JJ Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
Isiah CAN’T make it work. The Knicks are loaded with egos and no chemistry. Neither Randolph or Curry are unselfish, which is the big difference when comparing them to the old Lakers or Celtics. I also disagree with them not having quality reserves… that’s a lie. The problem is they have guys who used to be starters and are forcing them to accept bench roles. They have players for everything, but everyone operates on their own spectrum.
AB Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
If you watched some Knick games last season you would have seen a team that enjoyed playing together and for their coach. If you didn’t you would have said what frank said.
Knicks were a few healthy players away from the playoffs. If they can remain healthy this year, with their new players, they will definitely make the playoffs.
Ron Artest would be the player that would give them the push to potentially be a championship contender. If the Knicks can somehow work their rotation, where Lee & Balkman see good minutes, if Richardson can stay healthy and play like he did to start last season, Nate can continue his strong start/finish of last season and this years preseason, and Marbury continue to play great basketball…. WATCH OUT EAST.
Arnold Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
Like they always say(don’t know who said it)…………..”This is why you playing the f*cking games” don’t call isiah a moron because any gm that would hang on the KG for dear life thinking you really have a chance at winning a title with their current roster should be fired and they should hire me as their new GM because i would just get rid of the guy and start over and hope and pray that the team i trade him to give me value in return so spare isiah for a few more months. Training camp hasn’t even started for crying out loud, you can talk all your sh*t in january if their 12 games back of the nets
the Brooklyn Kid Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
morans…we didnt have a reason to go to the knicks games before Isaiah came to town, at least he didnt draft jackass fredrik weiss, vice, ice whatever. he got us the second besdt center in the east, how many blocks do shaq average? do shaq play D, what did curry do to the so called best center in the east dwight howard. wake up the best has yet to come.
john Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
i don’t blame isiah for not wanting to pull the trigger on artest. Artest has already said that he would opt out after next season and would like to join the knicks. david lee is the truth, despite ron’s brother’s opinion on lee. personally if i was thomas, i’ll give curry one more season to get his act together, in regards to getting in shape and becoming a force on the boards. if he doesn’t progress, its time to move him…in the meantime, get rid of james, move jeffries,richardson and rose in order to make room for nichols.we must sign that dude. he is the most consistent shooter we have since houston
mobaby Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
i dont care what nobody says, the knicks are young and athletic, marbury is in need of game control and more assist. it’s good that his scoring but he needs to always look for his team first. Every player on that roster is dependable, all useful, so use them to their full potential. Come on baby, go knicks, get ya azzzzs to the playoffs.
Lynval Miller Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
Some of you guys are totally out of control…I read so much crap on the Knicks and I can’t help but reading it because I want to know everything you Knick haters are saying. But in all seriousness I am sure you are all excited that the Knicks have their issues because without these issues a whole bunch of you would be home twiddling your thumbs and going out your minds trying to figure what to do with your other eight fingers.
Please stop with the hate and let my Knicks live!
monte Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
i think the Knicks have suffered enough, maybe it is bout time things started to go thier way, and maybe nows the time.
Theres no doubt that isiah has a good eye for draft pick talent, but at the same time the money he has squandered making bad signings (e.g. Steve Francis) is a major concern, and i think keeping him as a GM and head coach is a major gamble in itself.
i think the addition of randolf is a risk the knicks had to be willing to take especially with there performance last season. and i beleive without having the pressure of Francis, Showbiz will be able to shine again, and hopefully lead the knickerbockers to the playoffs once again like he did in his maiden season at the team.
People may think it only looks good on paper, but isnt that the case with any team… there are no guarantees lets hope the universe re-aligns and the knicks can be dominant in the east once more.
Montell Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:00 pm
Hopfully this will be the Knicks breakout season, with Steve Francis banished to Portland and the aquisition of Randolph, the Knicks are skys the limit, what worries me the most is the whole chemistry thing, remember when francis came down to pair up with Marbury to make one of the NBA’s most dangerous backcourt…on paper, this example kind of gives me the nightmare that what if Randolph and Curry cannot co exist as they are both in need of the ball, hopefully the the Knicks can pull of the Artest trade and get that SF they really need becouse Jefferies aint getting the job done and Q with all those injuries is never going to post up stat like those when he was with the Clippers, with Crawford i think hes still young and seeing some of his stellar performances e.g 52 points against Miami, we have a Kobe in the making minus the D, but i really think if Crawford continues his starter at the SG he can keep developing…
Jason Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
I think the Knicks will do better, can they do any worse? how much better is the question, but Artest is not going to happen they had a meeting between Petrie and Artest, Petrie had stated to Artest in that meeting that they have and had no intentions of trading Artest and Artest replied by saying that he doesnt want to leave that he wants to stay with the kings till he retires, now you can say that players always say that but to me it sounds like hes goin to be with Kings for awhile.
Rashidi Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
It’s funny how you say “each and every possession matters” when describing the halfcourt attack teams use in the playoffs. Curry and Randolph should be the most turnover prone frontline in the league. They will easily be the worst defensively. Both are also shoot first, shoot second, shoot third players. They just don’t fit well together and if anything, one of them probably sits in the 4th quarter more often than not in favor of David Lee.
The move doesn’t help the perimeter defense either, if anything it makes it even tougher on the guards as they have to play further back than ever before, allowing teams to rain threes at will.
Damon Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
I’m impressed with this young Knicks team. With health, this team appears legitimate. Steph started playing well, Q should be healthy and quicker with a new back, and they will have too much force down low. They have true spark plugs coming off the bench in Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman, and David Lee. Isiah had the team playing well before the team’s health deteriorated. I think they will be a competitive team throughout the season if the health holds up.
B Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
The Knicks will be hard to stop, but they’ll hardly stop anyone else for that matter. Lee and Balkman look like good defensive prospects, but only one of those guys can play with Curry and Randolph at a time. Plus, if you’re going to pound the ball in to your post players you want acurrate outside shooters around them to space the floor. Neither Balkman or Lee can fill that role. NY has a talented collection of players. Their frontcourt is loaded with Curry, Randolph, Chandler, Lee, Morris, Jeffries, Balkman, Rose and James. They’ve got Marbury, Crawford, Nate Rob and even Dickau to handle the ball. They’ve really only got Q-Rich, Mardy Collins and F Jones as wing players. Their most talented players have the same skillsets, and despite their depth they have no quality shooters outside the oft-injured Q-Rich, no shotblocking to speak of and no perimeter defenders. They should try and package some guys for Jermaine O’neal and / or RJ. There’s no point in being more than 8 or 9 players deep.
sevenpointman Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
Can’t buy breaking up your young flow for picking up a criminal wacko like Artest.
Stay with your players, and mature your base.
With more motion on the offense and more emotion off the blocks on defense, the Knicks should do all right this season.
Noth Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
I disagree with one of the posts above regarding the Knicks needing a goto scorer.
Im not a big Isiah fan as well, but I love the Zach Randolph trade. The Knicks have a number of potential 20 pt “goto” scorers on most positions including Starbury, Zach, Curry, and even though inconsistent, Crawford.
Zach was the goto scorer previously in Portland, and Crawford is uncanny scoring when hes on a roll, if you watched some knicks games last year before Crawford went down with injury, the Knicks were red hot.
Defense including rebounding and shot blocking is lacking, but let’s hope Curry, Zach will be in good shape to bully skinny players around the post (or away from the buffet table). Can you imagine them pushing the likes of KG (who is rail thin) around? Let’s pray that Jerome James finally starts playing, but that front line is very large. Hopefully David Lee and Ronaldo Balkman continue their high energy rebounding and hustle which the Knicks sorely needs.
Although it has no bearing in the regular season, I feel some excitement with how the younger rookies played in the Vegas Summer League, going 5-0, and with Nate winning MVP. Lets hope this will be a good year for the Knicks.
Old.St.Knick Said,
July 17, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
The 2 slugs on the low blocks can’t play a lick of D. I mean seriously 6-11 & 6-9 = less than 2 blocks per game.
The needed a more complete PF ala Jermain Oneal who can do , rebound , block shots And score.
Artest would fill a glaring need as opposing guards blow by & chew up Marbury with Crawford.
Jarred Jeffries & Nate for Artest ?
Are you freakin kidding me ?
If the kings are that stupid light the candles on the altar & praise the lord you would kill 3 birds with one stone.
Namely , dumping 2 Busts & gaining an all star in return.
Should we start believing in Santa !
enrique Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:21 am
The knicks are going to make the playoffs but they need a coach that can help them get theire strong.Thomas is to much drama and…his realationship with his players is low.What they really need is chemistry,something that would be hard to obtain now that they have added a Zach Randolf to the squad.
sucka Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:23 am
isiah will get ron artest you know what hes like
hell trade malik rose, wilson chandler and a 2008 1st round draft pick(top 23 protected or its going elsewhere) it will be about a pick 20.
rike Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:26 am
The knicks really need a leader….someone that can score and that you can rely on taking the winning shot…..wait, didnt they try to get kobe. Nope, sorry new york but kobe is a LAKER for life.
KOBE BRYANT:”i bleed purple and gold”
Barlo Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:12 am
Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry can’t pass out of a double team to save their lives.
Marbury does not pass the ball and when he is asked to do so, he has dribbled away too much of the shot-clock.
Q-Rich is their best player defensively and offensively as he can shoot from outside and post up, however he hasn’t been healthy.
Jamal Crawford is too trigger-happy.
David Lee and Renaldo Balkman are their high energy guys, great role players.
Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry aren’t worth their contracts.
Nate Robinson is only good for entertainment basketball not winning basketball.
In the end, no TEAM chemistry.
Hard to believe to draw Bird-era or Magic-era from these type of players, Marbury is no bird or magic.
DL Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:12 am
Isiah is a lousy coach and lousy with the media, a media that will rip him apart (nevermind a sexual harassment lawsuit) unless he somehow creates a miracle at MSG. Isiah has assembled a grand collection of veterans not known for their ability to shine on a winning team and a collection of rookies and second year players that while easy to root for, don’t have a star among them. Anything short of advancing in the playoffs (not merely making the playoffs, not when you’re 47 million dollars over the cap) should be the end of Isiah’s career as both a GM and a head coach.
Mark Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:20 am
The Knicks will definitely make the playoffs, they almost made it last year if it wasn’t for a string of bad injuries to some key players. Marbury is always getting beef for his play when he is the only other player other then Oscar Robinson to average 20 points and 8 dimes. The only major challenge the Knicks face is chemistry and I think Isiah will get everybody to buy into the team concept. With the addition of Zach Randolph, Eddie Curry automatically benefits because teams won’t be able to double team him as much and the offensive load won’t fall only on him which will also allow him to focus on playing better defense and better rebounding production. In regards to Isiah being a Moron, how can anyone say that, have people forgotten the team that Isiah inherited from Scott Layden?!?! I know he’s made some questionable signings (Jerome Jame & Jared Jeffries) but overall he’s done a great job revamping what he inherited and building a nice core of young players. Give the guy some credit…
LéGuy Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:44 am
Hey… They are still NY Knicks… They played nothing lats season but everybody was saying that maybe they have the future in Channing Frye. I can see them losing again. And Playoffs? Oh, let me say Pistons, Heat, Cavs, Nets, Raptors, Bulls, Wizards and I think even Bucks, Celtics and maybe even Bobcats with J-Rich are now better then Knicks… So I can see Knicks right above The Hawks… somewhere battling with (rebuilding) Sixers.
LéGuy Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:45 am
I forgot to mention Orlando Magic being better then NY…
sam Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:52 am
I feel with two big men on the blocks, even if one is on the bench you can still have a low post presence at all times. I think free throws will be important this year, becuase not many can hold zach or curry one on one. If the shooters are on i see trouble for many opposing teams.
westcoast Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:22 am
concerning the knicks, it’s been a long time since they mattered. if the knicks were located anywhere but ny would anyone even care about them? lastly i agree that isaiah is an idiot.
duane Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:35 am
all the knicks need is chemistry, isaiah actually put together a team that should do damage. they were actually in the 8th spot before the injuries so there is no reason why they couldn’t at least get the 8th spot again and keep it. go knicks
Elvin Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:26 am
Isiah has done enough this off season, a little maturity from nate can spell the difference. But, try taking kobe for steph, jamaal, jerome james, collins, jeffries, or any one on the team except david lee. Lee is a work horse and is the best, most efficient, hardworker of this team, it make no sense trading him. You trade him, Isiah really sucks!!!!
Eldad Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 4:00 am
LOL, Mr. Hoover, I CAN’T BELIEVE you said the knicks should even think about nate and jared for artest?!!?!!?
Too many people call themselves NBA experts these days.
Zaneos Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 4:10 am
A good move for Zach Randolph, only because they got a bargain. Fact is there is zero defence or rebounding presence on this club, and Marbury hogs the ball too much to make the offence work properly.
A move for Ron Artest would be a good one, he would be in his element with other headcases and egomaniacs, Isiah being the biggest of them all.
Playoffs, no way.
Felix Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 4:25 am
Frank.. i guess zach’s 23/10 isnt a “go to scorer”? . We dont need a go to scorer, we need to play good team defense. There are good defensive teams who dont have gr8 defensive centers, its 5on5. if the entire team can focus on D then we will be fine.
And marbury WAS a ball hog. Last yr he was more pass 1st. Thats why hes 3rd in the team in shots per game. Crawford 15 shots per game, curry 13 shots per game, marbury 11 shots per game. So drop the non sense.
Taulant Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 5:02 am
Hey Guys Im Taulant Nikqi and I love Basketball. I think the New York Knicks will be great this year. I watch every game, even though i am from Kosovo. I wil be entering the NBA Draft in 2009, hope to see you there! Go Eddy Curry ! =0
DYLAN Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 6:11 am
Up yours, Frank! I just don’t get how Isiah Thomas takes any flack for being a “moron”. First of all, he is one of the greatest Point Guards of ALL TIME. Respect the game!!
Next, anybody that knows the league can EASILY name a half dozen GM’s that are far, FAR worse: Danny Ainge comes to mind. Kevin McHale has strguggled with the Wolves FOREVER.
The Knicks were riddled by injuries last year. FACT. And without going thru things year by year, all I can say is this - nobody will call ME a bandwagon jumper when the Knicks win the East this year!!
Patrick Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:33 am
The last time I looked Isiah had more intelligence than a 7 to 12 year old. He is not stupid. Consider this, Steriods have been around for more than 50 yrs and base ball players were using it, yet Barry Bonds is a cheat but not any of those players who were playing since Steroids inception and many of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Why were they never questioned about their participation in steroid use. Is it because they are white?
Now we have the hatred for Isiah I wonder why? Is it because the media
that is inundated with self serving racist told you how to think.
Basket Ball and Base Ball are games to call people Moron because you disagree with their persona is infantile and insidious.
Aaron Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Frank knows so much about the Knicks that he can’t even spell Isiah’s name correctly. Yet he calls Isiah the idiot.
The great question with this team is whether it can remain healthy. Marbury was playing well and allowed the offense to run through Curry. Crawford and Quentin Richardson were already good perimeter defenders, and now Richardson has stated he should be quicker this season as a result of his back surgery.
The Knicks appeared playoff bound before the rash of injuries sidelined many of their top contributors. While neither Randolph nor Curry are greater shot blockers, both are decent on-ball defenders due to their ability to body up smaller opponents.
The Knicks appear to be a legitimate team for a change.
Keith Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 9:30 am
lmfao @ all u knick haters…yall are jus mad cuz u probaly live in iowa or something…dont be mad because the knicks are digging themselves out of the hole they’re in…i bleed orange and blue and as fucked up as they were they’re on the come up…so all u synical pathetic internet bloggers that gossip online 24/7 suck a dick u herd!
Stu Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 9:53 am
anyone who defends isiah thomas is just as dumb as isiah himself. no one can come up with enough excuses to explain why isiah has struggled as a GM. Patrick why are u talking about steroids in baseball and bringing about other players not being questioned about it “because there white”. clearly you have been living under a rock if you forgot that mark mcgwire (white) didnt get into the hall of fame, and several other notable players have been questioned about steroid use i.e. jason giambi (white). and you are trying to say the reason everyone thinks isiah is a moron is because he is black and is picked on by the media…i guess it couldnt have anything to do with the fact that since isiah became a GM with toronto he never got them into the playoffs in the 4 years he ran the show there, after he purchased the CBA in 1998 the league was forced into bankrupcy in 2000 and all of the owners blaimed isiah for running the league into the ground, in his 3 years in indiana as coach he wasnt able to take a highly talented team out of the first round of the playoffs, and since taking over the knicks in 2003 he has never got them into the playoffs. in 2006 the knicks had the highest payroll in the NBA yet finished with the 2nd worst record. and not to mention his sexual harrassment lawsuits…but that doesnt have anything to do with people calling him a moron, it must be because he is black
Vincent Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:08 am
Isiah is not stupid, but there is no ignoring the fact that he has, in the past couple of years, put together extremely dysfunctional teams. This year doesn’t appear to be any different. There is no disputing year after year he has increased the talent level of the team, so really, at some point you would think that sheer talent level would get them some wins, in spite of all the issues they’re going to have with egos, people playing out of position, touches, etc.
The problem with this team has always been that there doesn’t seem to be any vision in the construction. Isiah seems to just be stockpiling talent without any regard to how the piece is going to fit in the grand scheme of things. Do you really need two low post scorers that are turnover prone, blackholes, and weak defensively? Looking at Francis, do you really need two scoring PG’s that aren’t great off the ball? I’m glad he rectified that error.
Now he’s gotten rid of one of his prime assets, Frye, without getting the SF, preferably one that shoots well from outside and plays good defence, that they so desperately needed. I would have given up a lot to try to get Rashard Lewis over there. That seems to me to be a much better fit than Randolph. Another thing that they are sorely lacking is veteren presence with character, as a poster mentioned above. Somebody who’s going to be able to command these young guys’ attention to tell them to get their act together.
Mike C Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:18 am
The Knicks were so hard to watch for so long that I’d almost stopped being a basketball fan. I probably watched ten games total in the past three years - but I just watched three straight summer league games and loved every minute. Robinson, Nichols, Balkman, Chandler, and Morris ALL look NBA ready to me. Robinson made his teammates better, instead of acting like he was in a perpetual slam dunk contest. Nichols can flat out shoot - SO smooth - and did tons of other things to contribute as well. Balkman dominated defensively and made things happen all over the court. Chandler quietly did EVERYTHING well. Morris can play. Clyde called him “Tim Duncan like” in his fundamental execution. I’m exited about the coming season, and I’ve never even seen Randolph play. Something needs to happen to free up some minutes. Maybe Richardson needs to go. Neither James, Jeffries, or Rose should be taking minutes from the kids either. Start Balkman, put Nichols in the rotation to keep defenses honest. I think that they will have no problems making the playoffs, and they will be fun to root for. I can’t wait for the season to start, and that’s something that I haven’t felt in a very long time.
edgar Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:24 am
ummm….ok…..racist……or maybe its being the head of the POOREST MANAGED FRANCHISE IN THE HISTORY OF PRO SPORTS…..lets call it a coin flip.
edgar Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:44 am
I dont understand why a player would willingly go to the Knicks through either sign or trade. Oh wait…dollars. Well if i were Fred Jones or Dickau i would be running for my life because being a knicks player hurts your career. Allow me to open up your mind…. Think of the NY Yankees. Except theirs a salary cap. And their one of the worst 10 teams in the league (and thats being generous). How do they improve? Well get rid of as many unnecessary contracts as possible and the ones you cant get rid of let expire. Get a GM or convert yours into one that can build mainly around the draft while avoiding the temptation to get good quick by signing another Jerome James to a 10mil plus/year contract for half a decade. But if that were the case, i’m sure some other team would end up being man-handled by every other GM in the league. The team is a joke and keeps aquiring max contracts until they hit the jackpot. Sounds like a bad gambler with way to deep of pockets. As for this we would have won the eastern conference if we werent injured talk………your players may forget that they are the center of the universe for a game or two, but you cant say that you didnt expect Q-rich or Francis or Crawford or Houston to be injured when you signed/traded for them? They arent exactly reigning iron-men. Why do you think you get them for nothing? Because their value is nil and their wages are sky high. MAN-HANDLED.
edgar Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:46 am
the “best team in the east” will be fighting for 3rd in the atlantic conference in 6 months with boston. and i dont like their chances.
Irish2u2 Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:47 am
I’m an optimist by nature but the Knicks have a ton of questions to be answered before there can be talk of “Beasts of the East”.
Last season we could not defend the perimeter, the pick and roll, the baseline or the basket. We allowed opponents to shoot 46% from the field and almost 38% from 3 point territory. Conversely we led the league in turnovers commited and our FT % was amongst the league’s worst. Not a good combination of weak areas.
How well we do this season depends on the continued development of Renaldo Balkman, David Lee, Mardy Collins and Nate Robinson. Each could have a key role on this team that addresses our problem areas. In fact I’d love it if Balkman started at SF for the Knicks. He’s easily the best man and team help defender, he doesn’t care about shots and he can address some of our most glaring defensive issues all by himself. I doubt there will be an Artest trade and with Balkman I question the need for one.
I think a healthy Quentin Richardson gives us some other options. He can play defense, rebound and he’s a catch and shoot player. By starting him and Balkman the Knicks have improved 2/5 of their starting lineup defensively. The news is that the back surgery he underwent was successful and he’s as healthy and spry as he has been in years. If true starting Q at SG allows us to bring Jamal Crawford off the bench, IMHO his best role, with a license to gun.
That leads to a key strength on this Knicks team which is depth. If Balkman and Q start that means we could be bringing Lee, Crawford, Nate, Jefferies and maybe Morris off the bench with Collins. Last season our second unit’s press and run tactics got us into games where we were down by double digit points. They often didn’t have enough to put us over the top. This season we could be in a position of having a lead or being close which makes this unit invaluable in wearing down opponents with a lot less depth than we can throw at them.
How Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry play together is anybody’s guess but I like our chances of being a lot more proficient on offense. How these to play on defense may be the key to a successful season. All we have to do is narrow the gap between points scored and points allowed. We averaged 97.5 ppg last season and we add Randolph who hit for 23 a game last year. We should be better on offense. Naturally we have to improve our careless handling of the ball and FT shooting but this team should be over 100ppg. On defense we allowed 100.3 ppg. With Taz and Q in the starting lineup and a pressing, swarming second unit we should be able to bring this number down. It doesn’t have to be much as Toronto won 47 games and the Division by averaging just one more point than they allowed.
Isiah is good with young players and he has a lot of them. Isiah isn’t afraid to play young players either. I think Thomas can get this bunch back over .500 and in the playoffs. Beyond that we may need another coach but I am optimistic Thomas can get us respectable again providing he keeps us realtively healthy. Marbury has gotten dinged up the last 2 years, Lee and Q are coming off season ending injuries, Zach Randolph always seems to miss a lot of games and Crawford has had some injury issues in the past. We can handle losing guys for a few games but losing a key guy, especially Marbury because depth at PG is suspect, for a long period of games could be devastating. Isiah has to use his depth wisely to keep guys fresh.
One thing for certain though is we won’t be the “Least of the East” this season.
nolan Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:53 am
anyone who is bad mouthing isiah needs to remember a few things…the knicks have taken a substantial step forward in the past year with zeke at the helm. I have watched almost every knick game in the past 2 years, and I can honestly say that the knicks played harder, better and were much more exciting to watch than they were when larry brown was coach (and many people consider him to be one of the best coaches of all time) Under brown, i saw the worst season of any nba team that i can remember. As soon as Isiah took over, the whole attitude turned around and you could see the players respond. Also, look at the players he’s drafted. Nate, David, Balkman, Collins, Chandler and Nichols have all shown enormous potential in either regular season or summer league. And Isiah got zach randolph. And go back and ask any players who played for him in Indiana - they all love him. This team will be back on top in the next 2 or 3 years if Isiah sticks around.
JC Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:03 am
Something must be said… with the rule changes in the NBA over the last few seasons, do you realize that defense is close to extinction? The only team that actually plays D in this new NBA are the Spurs, so while folks keep pointing out that Randolph and Curry aren’t exactly defensive specialists, you’d be hard pressed to find players in the league that truly are thanks to these rules.
The Knicks are two things that New York hasn’t seen in a few years: young and playoff-bound.
Patrick Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:17 am
I am not defending Isiah, he has made some silly moves, but it is just that the negative comments seems to be slanted in one direction. Let us look at the other GM’s in the NBA and show me who is brilliant, show me who has taken a bad team like the one Isiah inherited and now have the pieces to make a trade and acquire some good players. Who would be the poster boy, McHale, Danny Ainge, West. You guys should recognize positive changes and not be blinded by hatred.
It should not be because you are not a fan of the Knicks that is why Isiah is a moron. In a couple of months when the Knicks are Leading the division I hope I would hear some positive comments, or you will just hide your hatred and have internal combustion and hope that the Knicks fail. Good Luck on that.
space Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:40 am
poorest managed franchise? bad but not the worst.
ok so isiah has made some dumb moves.
still, isiah actually was making solid longterm ‘planning’ moves in free agency. its not just about what you do, BUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO AFTER THE 1st MOVE & DOWN THE ROAD that makes a good gm. knowing that there would be situations like garnett/kobe/randolph in the near future, thomas gathered tradable pieces to make sure he could be in the running for those big names. to a fan it looks stupid to pick up francis, but he is a big name, former all-star, and quality point in a point-less nba world. the cavaliers would have loved to have had him in the finals [ha ha]. the thought is let him play just because, then pack him in a deal. did that happen— sure did. OK isiah may have just been making blind, insane moves and guessing like matthew mcConaughey in ‘two for the money’. the whole crazy conflip scenario. priceless… i really might be giving isiah too much credit. but he did managed to at least get zach randolph— who is also STiLL highly tradable. he targets guys who are coveted by other franchises maybe hoping to steal something he really wants. isiah is the lonely kid who in kindergarten who brings a football to school hoping for the one day the gym gets locked and he becomes mr popular.
OK, so isiah has made some dumb moves. did i say that already?
the knicks have always had talent almost every season in the post ewing-era.
even when they sucked.
randolph will be a good 4th quarter man. curry will be the meat and potatoes if he can pry the ball away from anyone not named lee, balkman or jeffries. artest for robinson and jeffries may not be all bad. robinson will never get a legit shot over marbury and jeffries, well. fans would flock to the garden just to see artest’s 30+ man entourage every game.
right now they need a few deadly shooters, even no-name guys. if they can get them they can walk past the east’s top 4 remaining playoff teams from last year. IF they have a leader coach to iron a direct for the team. it remains to be proven, but i doubt isiah is that guy. their chemistry is bad. the solution would be ironing them into a system. sadly, larry brown is now the best person to develop the young team and mold them into a system. [is brown still under contract? can they bring him on? ha ha again] isiah has coached but is not a molding type. he would be better suited leading a team of established veterans.
another problem now is beyond the starters of:
marbury, curry, randolph, richardson, crawford
they have 6 more legitimate players in:
lee, robinson, morris, balkman, jeffries, then nichols, chandler, dickau, james
lots of players — no playing time
bad chemistry. the knicks will either be skyhigh or another disjointed team that will compete for 3rd in the atlantic.
Genc Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:44 am
To Zaneos: How are the Kings the worst rebounders when they led the league last year? Dumbass…
Everyone please stop hatin’! The Knicks starting line-up will spell “ALL-STAR” this year. Marbury (who improved tremendously these past few years with his defensive work and ability to penetrate the middle), Crawford (who, when hot, can really light that scoreboard up), Q-Rich (who has the best defense on the Knicks… it’s really fun watching him play and shoot), Zach (great rebounder and post player), and Curry (also good post player but lacks rebounding). The bench is also very deep (although Jerome James is a mistake!).
Eddy will post up and when doubled, he can pass to Zach who will be 15 feet away for the open shot. That’s it!! If you think Marbury is a scoring ball hog, what happened last year? Check his scoring average… Exactly..
Genc Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:45 am
AHHH I said Kings instead of Knicks on top (got confused with the Artest trade talk).
Also, I wouldn’t take Artest because we already have 2 defenders in Jeffries and Q-Rich. Robinson will definitely become a better player and Rose is a good locker room guy.
Stu Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Patrick I am willing to make you a cash bet the knicks don’t win the atlantic division, name the amount.
Ballin Boi D Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Hey yall stop hatin on my boy isiah he is doing a good job with this team he is the best drafter and this is the 3rd or 4th best team in the east (behind detroit chicago cleveland/miami) if they can play to thier potential and keep locker room issues out the way the best down low pair in the east with eddy and zach even though eddy IS NOT better then dwight howard whoeva said that u must not watch dwight but eddy n zach match well down low with renaldo balkman at 3 Q-Rich is piss n he comin off surgery n then jamaal with stephon thats the 2nd or 3rd best startin lineup in the east if stephon can become a point guard not a shoot first pass 2nd n their bench is perfect how it is with nate Q-Rich nichols if signed david lee randolph morris wilson chandler malik rose provides hustle and leadership fred jones n jarred jeffries they not guna make the team so this team is great how it is but trading for artest wuld make it the best or 2nd best in the east without being on paper if chemistry goes well isiah you the man!!
Noth Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Individually All Star Dwight Howard is a better defensive player (blocks and rebounds) than Curry but Curry is a better offensive player minus the turnoves. Lett’s give Curry due, when the Knicks played Orlando in Feb 2007, CURRY DESTROYED Howard and Orlando.
The Orlando coach said “We had no answer for Eddy Curry “, “He did pretty much whatever he wanted to do.”
Howard had five fouls on Curry and his ex- backup, Darko Milicic got six trying to deal with Curry.
So Lets not compare the upcoming Knicks with Orlando please!
Knicks FAN
knicks love Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
ALL U KNICKS HATERS LISTEN HERE WE WOULD HAVE BIN IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR IF NOT 4 INJURY AND FOR LARRY BROWN SETTING US BACK AN ENTIRE YEAR. channing frye david lee and espcially nate robinson went backwars not fowards in there development. It takes a team at least two or three seasons to be together and compete for a championsip last year we were comeing into our own and then the injury bug hit us and the resigning of isah thomas which should have waited till after the season. Also if you think channing frye lived with 12 to 17 foot jumpers that isnt his game. Z BO as they call him shoots over 43 percent from the filed and is and 85 percent fre throw shooter and guess what he can hit threes on ocasion. Q rich is healthy david lee is back and has ron artest giveing him props, nate robinson is the best hes ever bin hes starting to create for his team mates not run to the rim and try to out jump 7 footers and another thing he can shoot his ass of spud webb couldnt so stop all the stupid comaprisons. And the two rookies we got are nba ready all ready i watched every summer leauge game they get there shots off the dribble or catch they are complete players they are both 6,8 and fast and athletic as hell, chandler almost lead the team in blocks this summer. And this guy renaldo balkman everyone who isnt a knick fan will hate him the most hard nosed defender ive seen since artest got in the leauge hes way faster then artest and handles the ball on the brake he is a special guy look out for the knicks this season all u heat fans and bull fans are in denial the pistons and cavs beat both u but if u look randolph has amazing numbers against detroit. And eddy curry also plays well against them. Who ever called curry lazy better chnage that to ALL STAR cuz thats what he will be next year
Ballin Boi D Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
NO. i was not comparing knicks to the magic cuz i kno for a fact the knicks will stomp on the magic but individually Dwight is a beast down low even though he turns the ball over alot he is YOUNG eddy been in the league for a while now and still isnt better then dwight
ben Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
to isiahs credit, he inherited a team with the following players: luc longley, shandon anderson, howard eisley, charlie ward, an injured antonio mcdyess, (an overpaid, past his prime) allan houston, (an overpaid, overrated) keith van horn, ect. Now, take a look at the talent he assembled, at least we have an exciting team and some trading chips to thank him for. if anything we should blame scott layden
The Knicks Have Talent Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I’m a Raptors fan, and I can honestly admit that the Knicks are stockpiled with serious talent. Isiah has always been an excellent drafter and is making much better decisions with his trades compared to past years. Curry and Randolph will absolutely command the paint, on offence. The guards just have to understand to continue to get both of them involved and Curry and Randolph each have to improve their passing out of the double team. I personally believe the Knicks are a playoff team next year.
Noth Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
Betting on winning the Atlantic Division is fools gold for any team.
Im satisfied if the Knicks make the playoffs and get a good seeding and maybe play a lowly seeded team like Orlando was this past playoffs.
Irish2u2 Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Someone else said it before but it bears repeating. Chemistry aside, and those issues do exist on the Knicks, Isiah Thomas has significantly upgraded the talent level on the NY Knicks roster. He has made some mistakes but people who think the Curry trade is a mistake need to wait till we see the whole picture and that may not be for as much as 5 more years. Jared Jefferies seems like a mistake but again the jury should still be out deliberating till he plays a whole year with us. On the other hand while I understand his rationale Tim Thomas and Jerome James were mistakes. Isiah has shown an eye for young talent and he does have an excellent history getting young talent to develop.
The REAL issue with the Knicks has been and still is owner James Dolan. To his credit he never flinches when opening up his wallet but he wants the Knicks to rebuild on the fly and that is extremely difficult to do when you explode your salary cap and Lady Luck doesn’t bless you with a #1 pick in draft’s like this one and LeBron’s. ; ) Dolan was so worried Knicks fans would desert a rebuilding team he didn’t stop to realize his league high ticket prices and a mediocre product with highly paid players wasn’t going to wash with savvy Knick fans who would have understood a housecleaning youth movement better than most fans. A lot of what Isiah has done is because Dolan wants a playoff team ASAP and any old playoff team will do. A smart owner would let Isiah draft, hire a young, promising coach good with players and comfortable with teaching them, let his bloated contracts go and not make any deals for highly paid players, get 2-4 years of Top 10 type picks along with trading for additional picks and then wait for those youngsters to develop before playing his ace in the hole which would have been cap room to attract a bonafide star to basketball’s Mecca.
Isiah Thomas deserves some criticism but blame goes directly to James Dolan.
Marcus Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
The Knicks should package Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford and send them to the Lakers for Kobe… Kobe would replace Jamal in the starting lineup and they’ve already replaced Curry with Randolph, that way you can start Randolph, Lee, Richardson, Bryant, and Marbury together…
Curry and Randolph will NEVER work on the same team, they’re the SAME player, except Randolph knows how to rebound… You pair Randolph and Lee, thats TWO double-double players… PLUS, having Kobe and Q-Rich as lockdown defenders would be PERFECT…
Why do you think the Lakers would want that??? Having Bynum and Curry in their frontcourt for the next eight years would be NASTY, PLUS they would have Crawford who’s pretty good… Get rid of BOTH the former-Bulls, Chicago didn’t want them, now the Knicks should use them to get the best player in the NBA…
immortalTechnik Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Blah Blah Blah… Isiah is a moron based on his past decision…and read the whole thing jackass before you start yelling at your screen…the only reason he probably has some common sense now is becasue Grunwald is there….him not trading certain players now shows that he has some sense…he fucked up the Raptors before he ran with his tail between his legs then tried taking credits for trading for Vince although that happended a year and a half after he left the Raptors…then he fucked up the CBA in less than a year for a league that has survived 50 years before he came along…so track record wise he is a moron but over the last year..prior to last years off season he either got some sense or the reports in the newspapaer about ownership tying his hand when it came to sign and trades actaully produced some results unlike all his sign and trades for overpriced players like QR and so forth
Stu Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
if i was a knicks fan and saw isiah thomas on the street i would spit in his face.
The deal Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
The Knicks should merely announce to the public that it is going to be 2-4 years before they can turn this club around. This way, we do not expect anything for a long while.
Who really cares about “Making the playoffs”. We care about the championship. Any team in the East, especially with a loosing record can make the playoffs just to loose in the first round. Any Moron can do that, even Thomas as a coach. Trade everyone and start from scratch. The Bobcats, look better on paper. They had the lowest sal last year and if you watch them play, they actually tried.
Isiah gives out to many big contracts. Why is Marbury making $20 mil plus for the next 2 years?? Oh yea, Player option. Smart Move.
Toddy K Foster Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Eddy Curry and Zack Randolph in the paint together OMG that alone sais playoffs. i think everyone who disagrees is just a moron and should bet me $500 bucks on if the knicks will make the playoff or not. put your money where your motuh is. This will be marburys greatest collection of talent hes had to play with i see him raking in 10+ assist everynight. I mena the 1st game marbury ever played for new york he had 21 assist!!!! that was w/ keith van horn kurt thomas and allan houston.. dont tell me curry crawford q zack randolph and whoever else wont giv marbury more option to dish tooo. everyone here is jsut a hater. isiah has made questionable move after questionable move but they hav all led us here to this point. and if im not mistaken the knicks were well on their way to making the playoffs last year in either a 7 or 8th seed, but lee was after the allstar break crawford went down frye hurt his hand q played everyoter game even my man balkman felt the injury bug. sooo please before i read anymore stupid ass comments on how my knickerbockers wont make the playoff read this
Mohammed Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
The knicks are gonna be a legit contender in the east next year. all they need is a point forward. that would open things up for everybody. artest has the capability to do that.
Michael Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
How about we just bring back my man Allan Houston? Comeon you know you want to see no.20 back!!
Ed Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
First I like to Start off by saying that I been supporting my knicks team since 1989. I am a die heart knicks fan. I am really impress with everything that Isiah has done since taking over, yea theres been a lot or critizism but so what..the only people that critize the knicks are the haters out there. When healthy knicks are going to be a dangerous team and the east better watch out…if the Cleveland can make it to the finals imagine the knicks. That right there makes more sense to compete for that trophy. Just imagine and starting line up of:
C-Curry
PF-Randolf
SF-Richardson
SG-Crawford
PG-Marbury
And Off the Bech:
C-Randolf (Kentucky)
PF-Lee
SF-Balkman
SG-Chandler or Nichols
PG-Robinson or Collins
This team is full of great players..and just imagine if when can pull of a deal for artest…I don’t see anyone beating us in the East of West. If we can stay healty watch out NYC WE MAY BE ON A VERGE OF A PARADE IN MANHATTAN THAT WILL LAST AT LEAST TWO DAYS. WHOSE WITH ME?
Fletcher Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Whay are you guys so down on Isaiah? He has turned this franchise around from being knobby kneed Allen Houstons team. He has proven he can draft and the Knicks would have made the playoffs last year if it weren’t for injuries to Q-Rich, Crawford, and David Lee. WE have cleared out Francis and yes, ZBO and Eddy can play together. Marbury played so well towards the end of this season, stop talking Frank, what do you know? This team needs to gel, getting Artest is the worst idea i’ve heard yet; let the NY Knicks play, stop signing and trading.
GO Knicks
Ballin Boi D Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
They have a point forward in renaldo balkman
A REAL GM Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
All you Knick lovers must be from NY. First off, I know that because half of you don’t know how to spell. Your best shot at making the playoffs with that weak squad is to get Pat Ewing, Starks, Houston and maybe even old ass Greg Anthony. Nobody on this team can even hit a shot when anyone decent plays D on them. Oh and when they do, Marbury willl do something spectacular like drive and pass to a big man with no hands. Now it will be OK, since Zach Randolph had more turnovers than more than 3 quarters of PG’s in the League last season. There’s a reason Portland didn’t want him and it’s not cause Isiah’s a genious.
frank Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
like i said, i love zach randolph, but i could think of about twenty other guys that i would rather have the ball in their hands in the final seconds of the game. yes he’s a 20-10 guy, but so was ewing, barkely, and malone to name a few… so how many championships have they won? how many times did they choke in the clutch?
and to compare curry/randolph combo to worthy/kareem and mchale/parrish is completely ridiculous. even the dantley/edwards is a stretch right now, but give them a few years and they have a chance be better than adrian and buddha.
ok so i added an “a” to isiah, but this isn’t a spelling bee. i grew up in chicago and detroit, so i’ve been watching zeke play since i was in diapers. i won’t deny isiah was a great player, but that doesn’t transcend to be a good exec. mj was the greatest, but he still drafted kwame brown. and don’t get me started on kevin mchale.
and to compare starbury to the big o is… there’s not even a word for that. what has steph done for his teams? with his skill set, steph should be one of the greatest pg’s in the game, but his ego and me first attitude has been his downfall. 20 and 8? it’s actually 19.9 and 7.9, so stop rounding up. and since when did stats win titles.
DL Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Frank / Marcus: Good points.
The short of it is this: Isiah has built a team to compete for a playoff spot - NOT a championship. This team will never even sniff a championship. I lived in NY for a decade during the Patrick Ewing era, then just beyond. The mantra at MSG was always CHAMPIONSHIP. But now?
The team needs to be deconstructed before it will ever amount to anything.
Dan Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
I disagree with the addition of Randolph but as a Knick fan I am overwhelmed with joy to see Francis off the team. A healthy Knick team last year would’ve been a 6th or 7th seed in the East. On paper they’re a 3 seed behind Detroit and Chicago but don’t be surprised if the Knicks are sitting on a 4 or 5 seed and a division title this year.
Dan Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Also,
Just because Balkman can dribble doesn’t mean he can handle the ball, he’s closer to a power forward than a point forward
Noth Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
I like that crazy fantasy trade idea for Kobe (although I doubt itll happen but you never know), trade Curry and Jamal for Kobe would be a possibility.
Imagine: PG- Marbury, SG-Kobe, SF-Balkman, PF-Lee, C-Curry
That is some serious team, not very deep though except for the other young rookies.
As it is the team is playoff ready, and I agree not good enough for a championship but good enough to do some damage in the playoffs.
The turnovers and not being able to pass from a double team for Curry and Zach are an issue, if they work on the Knicks will be deadly.
Noth Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
I was a fan in the Ewing/Oakley/Starks Knicks years, they were a scrappy team, defense was very good but scoring was an issue. Ewing and Starks were the main scorers and they were inconsistent.
Now the Knicks have 4 positions that can score over 20ppg.
Im relying on the intangibles, hustlers and X-factors to win the game - David Lee and Ronaldo Balkman to scrap for rebounds and loose balls.
Crawford and Nate was an exciting and solid scoring tandem for the second team.
Lets make the trade offer to LA! Crawford and Zach or Curry for KOBE!
bigdre Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Wow. you’re comparing Z-Bo & Curry to Worthy & kareem and Parish & McHale. Those combinations succeeded because those guys played D, blocked shots and rebounded. Z-Bo can rebound, but he’s the one that’s gonna live more on 15 footers, and I doubt Curry can board if he misses. The only way i can see the duo work on O is if they didn’t play at the same time and had Lee playing the 4 beside them. On D? it’s gonna be a disaster. Curry anchoring the D? It’s gonna be ugly.
As for nate, the only reason he was good at Summer League was because the nature of games fit his “power” game. I guarantee u he’d be back to energy guy off the bench in the season.
sevenpointman Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Many uniformed people have called Steph a ball-hog. This is garbage.
Some of the same people want to get Kobe.
So lets just bench our whole team and watch Kobe hoist up 25 shots a night-more than Mal and Steph combined.
Kobe is the greatest scorer in the league but he seems to only pass to himself-when he feels he’s not open.
Stay pat. Build up confidence.
Show different styles and kick butt on defense.
Results and championships could follow.
Brian Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 10:08 pm
The best news in all of this no matter what happens is that Channing Fyr is gone……….imagine a 7ft guy so afraid and wea….he has no game…none except for the midrange when noones in his face….he’s a 3rd string foward within 3 years he hurt us alot last yeah even if he did get lucky and force overtime against Pistons
Knicks will go to the confernce championinship against Heat………..will lose…………Wade will come back healthy by December
Toddy K Foster Said,
July 18, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
knicks will contend for a championship enough said
jeff Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 12:14 am
LOL. I agree that most of these “posters” are morons. Go watch a few game that portland played last year instead of reading the garbage that the newspaper people are writing. Randolph was double teamed always and passed very well out of the double team. He also shot very well from 15 feet and although was a dominant post player, he frequently took that 15-20 foot shot and made it consistently. As far as defense, he played in the west against some of the best power forwards in the game. He averaged over 10 boards a game and held his own defensively in many games. Stop speculating and do some of your own thinking. Many of you clowns are just reading other posts/articles and re-iterating the fear that other uninformed cats are saying. If you don’t want to do any research, the shut your stupid pie hole and wait till mid season to comment. You don’t know how this will turn out!!!!
The Truth Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 3:48 am
O.k what people are missing is that Isiah gave up Steve “Franchise Killer” Francis and got Zach Randolph in return. Francis almost never played last season and was a thorn in the side of the Knicks chemistry. I mean think about it, other than him, what chemistry problems did the Knicks have. In fact, it appeared that it was always one for all. Why do people keep talking about chemistry problems? Because the media states that there will be chemistry problems?
So now lets just say the 20 and 10 of Zach Randoplh (which he will not post with the Knicks by the way) gives the Knicks 8 more victories than the never present Steve Francis that means that the Knicks record would be 41-41; more than enough to make the playoffs in the east. Now lets say we add another 7 more games for a healthy Q-Rich (back surgery), a healthy Crawford (ankle) and a healthy Steph (turf toe) and you are now looking at a 48-34 record. While that will only be enough to give the Knicks the 4th best record in the east, it would give them the best record in the Atlantic Division and a third seed in the east playoff bracket. Overall, they could not only make the playoffs, but actually advance into the second round by beating a lowly six seed in the east.
The missing component for the Knicks is not chemistry as everyone seems to think, but heart and confidence. If the Knicks get off to a decent start and start to believe in themselves the east will have some big problems. However, a slow start with the Knicks fragile psyche would simple mean another disappointing season. Isiah first goal as a coach is to help the team become mentally tough, help them think that they CAN WIN so they don’t walk into games thinking that they are going to lose. Remember how many games they were down by 10-15 points after the first quarter last season? Well there you go a losers mentality: quitting before they even started.
The Truth Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 4:18 am
Oh I forgot one other major injury from the Knicks season last year David Lee who was in the running for sixth many of the year prior to his injury. So add a healthy Lee to the Knicks season and you can pick up another 2 games easily. That would make the Knicks 50-32. I know it sounds unrealistic for the Knicks to go from 33 wins to a 50 win season, but think about it, it is only 17 games. I am pretty confident that a 20 and 10 guy (Zach), coupled with not losing THREE of your starting five (Crawford, Q-Rich, Steph) and your sixth man (David Lee) to injury should account for 17 victories. I mean take Parker, Bowen, Ginobili and Finley off the best team in the league–the San Antonio Spurs and I am pretty sure they would chalk up 17 less wins.
Again, it will be all about the heart with the Knicks. Not chemistry, not talent, not match ups–Just heart!!!
The Voice of Reason Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 4:29 am
With all the hate blasted at Isiah has anyone really taken a look at the roster he has compiled. Forget, the talent and the potential lets take a look at the years. Ignoring Malik Rose and Kelvin Cato, both who will more than like not be back for the 2007-2008 season the Knicks have a roster that average just “4″ years of NBA experience. And that’s with Stephs 11 years in the league.
The Future is mighty bright for the Knicks
Gosh is great to be a KNICK FAN
jj Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 6:27 am
Its funny how alot of posters hate on the Knicks… What that means to me is that there is alot of envy going around. A Knicks team that has not made the playoffs since 2000 is more interesting than most every team in the NBA and has more of a following in 1 NYC borough than San Antonio, Phoenix, Orlando, Detroit or Indy has in the whole country. Stop hatin… The Knicks were better last year until most of their main players got hurt. A poster mentioned the Bobcats… I went to a Bobcats game and you could walk right up front and chose a seat… No one was there, no electricity, no excitement it was like a CBA game… But when the Knicks came to town… Place was jumpin…. Stop hatin
Manny Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 6:37 am
Yeah they may have a lot of scoring in the paint but they can’t stop anyone from scoring in the paint. It is pointless if the front court scores 50 points but allows 70 points. Eddie Curry (.5 bpg), David Lee (.4 bpg), Jerome James (.4 bpg), and Renaldo Balkman (.6 bpg) are not good defenders. Though, Renaldo does have the potential in time to become a decent defender in time. Now they are adding Zack Randolph (.2bpg) who defense leves a lot to be desired. Can Zack score in the paint? Yes, but I think the Knicks will have more of a problem with Zack’s 3rd and 4th quarter “wait at half court defense”. Their is a reason why teams weren’t knocking down Portlands door to get him.
l, wallace Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 8:09 am
Alot of people is getting down on Isaiah but before that guy got here the Knicks were going now where with large contractsand no talent, now we have a bright future with good young players and season vetrans. what is the compliant about? the team was in such a bad state after the Patrick era, that a change had to be made in the drivers seat, they were binging in big contrats and no talent, and trading off good players like camby, sprewell, why they did not get artest, or nene, well thats why Isaiah is here and we have lee, Robinson, balkman, collins, chandler, nichols, the future is bright, sit back and watch the greatnes begin.
space Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 11:15 am
give isaih credit for shedding big nasty contracts & players:
luc longley, shandon anderson, howard eisley, charlie ward, an injured antonio mcdyess, allan houston, keith van horn
give isiah credit for his drafts the last 3 years or so.
give isiah credit for working his way through the larry brown ordeal.
give isiah credit for acquiring curry and randolph & others [noah or curry, enough said]
give isiah credit for coaching through the injuries.
but thats it.
—the knicks chemistry line in question is in not having a set rotation or even team mentality [coach's fault here and marbury's in part]. part of marbury’s shortcoming’s. in that he can play the point but hasn’t excelled in controlling the tempo. the spurs have a formula, the heat have a formula, even the funky wizards… i missed a bunch of knicks games last season, but what i saw didn’t really move me.
BectonD Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Before Isiah took over LB was giving major minutes to guys like Frye, and Butler, while ignoring a player like David Lee. I’ll give Isiah credit he has established a solid roation in just two short years. However, all the major eastern conference changes this year have been the additions of players from the 2 pacific northwest teams. Magliore in NJ, Randolph in NY, Allen in Boston and Leweis in Orlando. I still think the Knicks see Randolph (or any of the other players) changing the landscape in the east. The Knicks are only the third best team in the Atlantic division due to the fact that the stick defensively and Murbury is not a true PG. Therefore, MIA,WAS,NJ,TOR,Chi,Det,Clev are all still better teams than the Knicks. The real question is has NY improved enough to displace Orl as the no.8 seed. I think they have due to the fact that the Magic lost: both: Hill and Millicic. 2 of their top 6 guys and only replaced Hill. The Knicks kept their core and upgraded Frye with Randolph and drafted Chandler and Nichols.
JamOnIt Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
The thing about the Knicks last year was that the players did play hard for Isiah, from beginning to end. When all they had to do to get a new coach was laydown and they’d get a new coach. That goes to show that his players will play hard for him. Unlike some other team/coaches out there who can’t get the team to play at all (Atlanta, Calisimo, Doc Rivers). Isiah wasnt responisble for Steve Francis. THe other coach wanted him. It was impressive how he Randolph for Steve and didn’t have to buy the contract out. I don’t think the Knicks will go far into the playoffs with a perimeter defender, but they will contend for the 7 and 8 spot.
JR Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
It’s an offensive juggernaut in the lineup with a (potentially) solid second unit of Nate, Collins, Balkman, Lee and Randolph Morris. I think Nate and Jared Jeffries are pretty much on their way out for various obvious reasons (trade value and contract, respectively). Then Isiah has the option of actually utilizing Dickau, Jones or the rookies (Malik Rose is just nothing more than the bench veteran right now).
On paper, like this is suggesting, this team can be very good. In NBA Live or NBA 2K, you’re looking at a team that could contend for the Eastern Conference championship… well, I dunno about Live but in 2K, chemistry plays a huge role. So that’s all they need essentially. And as long as Marbury keeps racking up games of “12 to 13 dimes… and 2 or 3 assists,” i think I’m gonna like my season.
David Lee = 6th Man of the Year 2007-08?
Jeff Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Who said zach randolph can’t play defense? you guys are morons. Interior defense is “scheming” unlike perimeter defense. A guy with 10 bounds means is making somebody miss to get the rebounds. Look, I am not saying that he is all defensive team calibur, but none of you clowns have watch the guy play. You all read the crap the sport writers feed you and then the sky is falling. Man..i have never seen a bunch of followers as the posters here. You tell an idiot something and he doesn’t check it out for himself or wait to see how it plays out, he believes it and cry that the sky is falling.
Remember the team Layden created. All scrubs with no future. Stop b@tching and be happy there is hope.
Greg Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Space you are so funny. You make all comments about the knicks but then you admit you didn’t see many knicks games last year. You may have seen about 10 games in the beginning of the year and thats it. You know they us New Yorkers are sofisticated fans but that is a bunch of bullshit. I think its time to call a spade a spade most of yall on this blog would’nt shit about the NBA if it werent for the beat writers who always have an agenda. Isiah has done a great job rebuilding this team and as far as Marbury being selfish and not true point DO NOT KNOW BASKETBALL AT ALL. He made great strides last year and further more when he was with the Nets he only had Keith Van Horn if you remember Kerry Kittles was hurt as well as Kenyon Martin and I don’t they had Richard Jefferson. Everyone was healthy when Jason Kidd arrived. In Phoenix they did not have Amare for entire year and they did have the squad they have now. So please pay attention to whats really going on and think for yourself and stop being sheep. As far as chemistry, my God these guys are hungry so for this year chemistry will not be an issue. Bottom line is in the Eastern playoffs the half court game will rule and with 2 dominant low post scorers along with Marbury and Crawford come on…Every good to great team has a big 3 and the knicks have a pretty good big 3 in Marbury, Randolph and Curry. You can throw in Crawford too.
Nets fan 101 Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
I want 2 be the first on record 2 say all of u knick fans will have 2 eat your words an jump on that ban-wagon when it pulls out of jump ship station just look what isaiah did n indain
Johnny J Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
This years knicks team will be absolutely fine. I think everyone is forgetting about the most talented guard on the team. Jamal Crawford is an excellent player and he is the scoring force the knicks needed last year to finish up their playoff run. If they can stay healthy, their is no reason to think they can’t make the playoffs and win in the first round. The rest is up to our defensive stoppers. If David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, or Jared Jeffries can learn to hit open jumpers like Bruce Bowen their is no reason to think the knicks can’t be a contender for the Eastern conference title. If Stephon can run the show like he has shown he can, scoring 25 with 8 assists 40 minutes and under 4 turnovers, the knicks should be a 48-52 win team.
smitty Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
The problem with Zach isn’t really his defense in the paint, it’s that he sometimes forgets he has to run to the other end to play defense. The game slows down when Zach gets the ball. He’s a good shooter, but holds the ball too long and almost never makes the quick return pass or locates the cutter off the entry pass. He just ignores everyone while he ponders just which shot he is going to take. It can be very frustrating for his teammates, and don’t expect any interior passes from Zach to Curry. But, he makes a good percentage of his shots. Sometimes , however, it gets Quotme-like…40 shots to score 40 points.
The Blazers actually averaged more points when Zach didn’t play. Read into that what you want. Many times, the coaches just told Roy to stop feeding Zach and take over point because he could get in the lane and could either split the doubles or make excellent passes from the lane. Zach just didn’t pass when doubled.
Allan Said,
July 19, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
I agree with Manny. In the NBA you better have at least one of the two: good perimeter defense or good interior defense. The Knicks really don’t have either. Even if you don’t have great individual defenders, you would still need to play good team defense (like the Celtics and Lakers did) and give the EFFORT on the defensive end. I don’t see any of these things on this Knicks team. Throwing one good defensive player on the court (ike Balkman or Jeffies) with 4 other guys who don’t commit to defense doesn’t cut the cake.
space Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 8:16 am
i hear you jeff—
i’ve always kept an eye on randolph and he always makes the other guy work trying to stick him on offense. in addition to his decent [although sometimes uninspired looking defense]. his game changed the last few years to sometimes funnel players into his two shot blocking centers, ratliff & pryzbilla. he does play d. he will in new york too.
another thing overlooked is his ability to hit from the outside. he has a very solid outside shot. if thomas give him consistent playing time i see his numbers a shade under 20-10 again.
Noth Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Im so excited for the season to start!!
Lets bring the championship to NY! I think Randoplh Morris should start at center, hes young athletic and more upside. As it is we have some serious 1st and 2nd teams.
PG - Marbury
SG - Crawford
SF - Zach Randolph
PF - Curry
C - Randoplh Morris
Second team
PG - Nate Robinson
SG - Q Rich
PF - David Lee
SF - Ronaldo Balkman
C - Jerome James (?)
sevenpointman Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Noth,
Your starting team would be destroyed by any team in the league. You have both forwards playing out of position-and a unknown player as your starting center.
Very weird !!!!!
Here’s my tentative team:
PG- Steph
SG- Mal
SF- Q
PF- Zach
C-Eddie
Second Team
PG- Nate
SG- Mardy
SF- Taz( Balkman)
PF- Dave
C- Morris the cat.
Give Nate a twenty or thirty game shot at backing up Steph-if he fails switch
him and Mardy.
James should be in a suit.
Jeffries should be used sparingly.
Rose and Jones should be traded for draft choices next year.
Dickau should be cut.
Nichols should be sent to be seasoned in Europe.
Chandler should be given short bursts of playing time so he can developed.
Michael Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
I cant wait to see the defense down low by Randolph and Curry. I cant think of anything less intimidating.
Michael Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Jeff,
I live in Portland and have watched Randolph for four years and have rarely seen such a bad defender. .22 blocks a game as a 6-9 player. That is horendous. He is so lazey.
jon Said,
July 20, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
I have seen every knicks game since 93 and although i have suffered (season tickets in larry brown year) i always defend the knicks. Isiah has made
some poor free agent signings but only had mid-level exemptions to work with althogh joe dumars got billips like that and has overpaid for certain players andmade some questionable decisions like not lottery protecting the 2first round picks in the curry deal or trading Narz Mohammed when we had no other center but his eye for talent on draft night balances his mistakes out think of the horrible moves Scott layden made in 2001 starting with the trading of ewing them c childs who later destoyed us in the playoffs with toronto imagine if isiah had taken over instead of layden we could have had amara stodamire mabe but I like the fact that he was patient this offseason cause Portland wanted lot more for zack even with sacramento by telling the no balkman or lee if artest really wanted to be a knick he would have keepin his mouth shut isiah might have gotten him for nothing now the kings know he will play for them so y not wait till trade deadline when they could get more this season everyone including marbury wants just to win at anycost the knicks don’t want to be the laughing stock of the NBA so that I believe will help them eddy got to this point because on newyork if u suck the newspapers and the garden will make you cry not like chicago were eddy and chandler were ok in newyork that won’t work example arod I was at opening day were the whole stadiumbooed him and once he hit a homerun the same crowd gave him a standing ovation once zach randolph experiences that he will play teamball eventhough he has put up allstar numbers he has never been I think that bothers him and now he has a fresh start look for the knicks to be winners this season for the love of god
Jeff Said,
July 21, 2007 @ 12:50 am
Micheal,
I live in portland too and I have seen him work his tail off over the last few year to become a good defender. He played against very good PF in the west and ususally make them work for shots. Interior defense is game planning unlike having strong perimeter defense where u are isolated. Blocking shots is not the only measure of a good defender. The plan is to make the other PF work hard to take tough shots and make em. Interior defense relies on team defense with guards doubling down in some instances with the likes of amare and duncan out west. If you really saw the portland games you had to see that there was only one player on that team until last year and even then, they didn’t buy into team defense. randolph made himself into a good player by working hard in the gym. They called him extremely coachable and a hard worker and a gym rat. Why wouldn’t you think he will be sucessful in the east?
As for the idiot who said he didn’t pass out of the double team, I guess Duncan who average 3.5 assist or brand who averaged 2.7 assist or amare who averaged 1 assist or booser with 2.3 assist didn’t pass out of the double team either even though their surrounding players can actually shoot so they can pick up an assist. Randolph averaged 2.2. This is another example of just how stupid people are. Go buy a brain and think for your self. Do some research stupid and stop listening to the moron beat writers who have never followed him before. By the way, those are some hell of forwards to go up against night in and night out and then people cry you can’t play defense when they score. idiots!! get a brain. who the hell stopped those players from scoring? They didn’t stop randolph either.
Here is my starting five that features pretty good defense and offense:
PG Maubury (he can defend very well when he wants to. we saw that last season….well some of us who aren’t fair weather fans who actually watched all the games)
SG Q (who questions his ability to defend when healthy. I heard he is dunking again now that he has recovered from back surgery)
SF Balkman (I know you lose a bit of scoring but don’t need it-That is a hell of a perimeter defending team there)
PF- Randolph (will thrive both offensively and defensively against the lower grade PFs in the east)
C- Curry-
The Knicks will be just fine. Sit back and enjoy the season. Yo space, I see you at the garden during the playoffs.
Juice Said,
July 21, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
The knicks need to take a “Seattle Approach” and start over again with all younger guys, trade for draft picks. Isiah Thomas is in love with big contracts, selfish players, and bad attitudes. He’s not a good GM or Coach in my opinion. As I think of the Knicks picking up some young talent it makes me think, how long has it been since the Knicks had a first round pick(it seems every year they trade it??) also an “offensively minded” team doesn’t work, as we’ve seen with Phoenix. Going back to the old saying “Offense wins games defense wins championships”. Zach Randolf is not a good defender, Eddie Curry is a mediocre post defender but nothing more than that, how often does Marbury play D?, and Ranaldo Balkman…come one! The only play I do give credit to is David Lee who IMO is an athletic freak, at 6′9-6′10 he can jump out of the gym!
edgar Said,
July 21, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
When is the last time new york “won” a trade? I mean an undeniable swindle? They sure have been on the wrong end of a couple *cough Q-rich*
Jeff Said,
July 23, 2007 @ 1:00 am
edgar,
you are an idiot. Trades are proposed to be fair exchanges where each party feels they are getting value. If it plays out right there shouldn’t be a swindle. However if you are asking when was the last time it work out better in the knick favor …..well the curry (the second best big man in the east) who is only 25 and chandler for tyrus thomas and noah is looking okay right now
harlem heat Said,
July 23, 2007 @ 1:26 am
OK here are a few things that must be made clear. first Larry brown demanded the Steve Francis trade and the owner wanted to keep him happy so they went with it so that’s not on zek. the knicks are not done, there starting to pull out of the hole that scott layden with his horrible leadership and ownership with it’s win now keep the butts in the seats way of thinking put us in. tell me the last time the knicks had this much young talent? that alone gives zek future flexibility. James was signed before we pulled off the curry trade, a trade i cant understand why people dog. curry for Noah and thomas?? who would not make that trade in a heart beat? so before the curry trade we had no center and James was the best available. the point i am making is that not only is zek better then scott layden 100 times over it is also clear that he has done way more good things for the knicks then bad, by the way for the Marbury haters who was the knicks PG before he got there and how does his stats stack up next to marbury? chemistry is built with time and playing together so the knicks are going in the right direction but if you want a GM and team to point at and ask “WHAT THE FUCK?!?” go no further then BOSTON!
harlem heat Said,
July 23, 2007 @ 1:49 am
but as i said the knicks are not done, i hope they aim to balance things out. here is something i was thinking about but you guy please give me feed back, how about curry and jones for haywood and caron butler from the wizards? haywood is more of a defense and rebound center and butler is the type of small forward that everybody is screaming we need, it also gives the wizards the low post threat to balance out the offense with agent zero. or hey we can just make a full court press for agent zero who would look great bombing away while our low post guys are being doubled teamed “now that would be great”.
J-Bug Said,
July 23, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
If Isiah Was building this team for the 90’s it would be pretty good, but it’s a new decade and the George W. of the NBA David Stern has turned this league into a euro-league where no one plays defense and no one can dominate the post. How sad is it that Ben Wallace is a 6-9 all star center and the west is filled with 7-foot power forwards? The game has changed and I don’t think it’s been for the better. What the Knicks need to do is find a center thats a forward and have him shoot 3’s.
Joshua Said,
August 6, 2007 @ 2:39 am
Zach Randolph or KG? Game over Knicks fans.