www.KnicksDefense.com

Starburyfan
Good ups, keeping the flow here! A D league uptown would be awesome!
BTW…..You’ve got the NUMBER 1 Knicks Blog in the US! More Hits, Posts and Quality
writing than all three tabloids combind! AND IT’S KILLING ISOLA AND THE GRILL!
So much they are trying to infilatrate here, any way they can!
Little ol Starburyfan is burying NY’S three Major News Blogs! That’s some Nicky Barnes type SHYT!
Even MSG has noticed Knicksdefense.com! Good work! Keep it coming!

By Peaceman on Nov 12, 2007 at 9:34 pm

Great game tonight, NJ v. Hornets. Two teams playing with tremendous heart. I love the effort. No one will say any team did not play hard.

We need that fire man, or else IT will be gone by January.

By HarleminMD on Nov 12, 2007 at 9:46 pm

Great post, Starbury. I’d have to come home if that happens!

By HarleminMD on Nov 12, 2007 at 9:47 pm

Also good to see Byron Scott’s team come in and win a hardly fought game against New Jersey. Rootin for the ol’ Laker because of the injustice he suffered while in the swamp (of course, not when he plays the Harlem Knicks).

By HarleminMD on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:03 pm

HarleminMD

Caught the Nets Hornets game very competitive. But you notice that the Nets are now 4-3 and three and their home record is no better than ares– they are 3-3 we are 2-2. RJ went off but was contained in the fourth and the Hornets rallied after having lead throughout three quarters and then haven fallen behind in the third after a strong Nets charge led by RJ.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:08 pm

Agree again Harlem

Takes the team to two finals appearance and then gets the BOOT! He must of thought what the f!ck?

By Orange & Blue on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:09 pm

we lose to the heat and the move us up a spot. go figure.

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

By Starburyfan on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:34 pm

Starburyfan

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

We ought to loose a whole lot more then. That is if climbing the power rankings instead of the conference and divisioonal rankings means more to the team.

Also I’m looking foward to seeing what new wrinkles you plan to install in this blog o yours. Hope its more effective than Zeke’s plan to make the Knicks a more defensive oriented team.

I’m buggin and of course just bloggin!

By Orange & Blue on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:43 pm

Starburyfan

Did you see my link to a Mitch Lawrence Pic and my league news in the previous post? Hope they’re informative.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:44 pm

I saw that. funny stuff O&B.
weird thing about those rankings by the way, is this:

we lose to the heat and the move us up a spot.

the heat beat just us, and they go from the 30 spot to #23. that’s a 7 spot jump for beating us, you’d think we were a top 5 team or something.

anyway it is still to early to tell who is strong. I think definitely the knicks look stronger this year than last year but I could be wrong.

i wonder who will play tomorrow. will q play? will nate get more than 3 minutes? will zbo be in the state of arizona?

By Starburyfan on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:51 pm

if the answer is no to each of those three questions, you’re looking at another blowout of boston preseason proportions.

By Starburyfan on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:53 pm

Starburyfan

If I recall correctly, Q hyperextended his elbow. And that is the last prognosis I got on his injury. I don’t think he’ll be available. Heck even if he was his shooting might be off with such an injury.

Nate might still need to some R & R to be as fully effective as he might be.

With regards to Zach, although the fan in me would love to have him out there for tommorrow’s game against Pheonix, I would rather Zach get well spiritually and mentally after having lost his grandmother.

I think we’ll be very thin for tommorow’s game against Pheonix. The other Knick Knacks blog by Steve Adameck suggest that Zeke not go all out against the Suns and actually save up the teams energy for the next evenings game against Clippers.

I have to tell you that I actually sort of see his point. But being that the Knicks are a professional team– although they haven’t shown it in some of their losses– they might not do this.

It’s pretty sad though that we haven’t seen the team at full strenght with the full compliment of players they intended to have at their disposal for the start of the Season. I still wonder if things would have been somewhat different having Jefferies out their with his size and athleticism to disrupt Lebron James or Rashard Lewis. Nate can’t pressure the ball as effectively with his hamstring injury and now Q is out and would have helped us stretch the defense against the Heat in the latter parts of our game against the Heat.

On the bright side these injuries are not prognositcated to be as serious and it b/c they hit now there’s hope that we might come out at full strenght as the season goes foward. Hopefully we avoid a later rash of injuries later on in the season

Last point. Do you think that Zeke could have made better decisions coaching this team in some of the games we lost? I recall some blogger here mention that the team should not have collapsed in on Shaq to leave the perimeter open and should have instead applied a Hack a Shaq approach. That wasn’t done. Also when we player Orlando, Van Gundy’s decision to put his best post defender on Z-Bo from about 15-18 feet out left the rim open for some picks and that could’ve gone stronger to the basket while Howard’s back was turned to face Zach. Thomas didn’t try to change his tactics by having Eddy set picks to get cutters to the rack while using Zack as a passer in order to exploit van Gundy’s change in strategy.

Let me know what you think? I’ll check in in the morning since I’ve got to get some shut eye.

Have fun on the night shift.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 12, 2007 at 11:30 pm

o&b, maybe we’ll see wilson chandler activated for some pt? would be nice.

By Starburyfan on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:55 am

i don’t know if zeke could have made better coaching decisions last time. i think last game was an anomoly because he was looking for some production off the bench and it wasn’t there because lee was in the starting lineup and nate wasn’t full speed so he went far beyond the 8-man rotation that was working for the knicks. so if they are shorthanded again this time, it could be as chaotic as last game because he’ll just keep shuffling the deck trying to get a winning combo out there.

if we’re shorthanded again i expect crawford and marbury to try to pick up some of the slack this time. against miami they did not do enough defensively and also offensively they could have been more aggressive.

By Starburyfan on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:58 am

Starburyfan
Take a look at Isola’s article today! According to his “High Source” in the Garden,
The Knicks are looking at ways to get rid of Marbury! Even buying him out!
Considering the Source, I’ll ignore it for now, but maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing?
Of course you would have to change you moniker…..How about ZBOfan?

If there’s any truth to Isola’s story, that would mean that there’s also a BIG name
coming to NY to fill the roster Spot! Maybe we’ll get you know who and Bibby?
It’s very possible as the Kings may not want Marbury, but Jone’s expireing contract
along with Draft picks and CASH may entice the rebuilding Kings? Just blogging!

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 5:46 am

Just to further burry a troll.
Good AM Defenders.

KFLL

By Steady on Nov 13, 2007 at 7:38 am

Let’s Go Knicks

By don on Nov 13, 2007 at 8:24 am

DEE-FENDERS,

The games are played on the COURT, not on PAPER. This talk about losing all four games is being led by MSM. Remember this
group plays better w/ their backs against the wall(a sign of not being focused totally), Do the DEE-FENDERS BELIEVE??
It should never be said that DEE-FENDERS want the DESTINATION w/o having to experience the JOURNEY!!!
KEEP THE FAITH–Adam Clayton Powell.

@Peaceman–When has Isola been right about inside info on the Knicks?? He is a gossip columnist that is attempting to
create CHAOS in KNICKDOM. We will see more of Collins at the expense of Steph,Crawford, & N8, because Isiah realized that
doing the same thing and wanting different results will lead to the UNENJOYMENT LINE.

Howard Beck referred to David Lees’ limitations in todays’ Times. Did he steal his info from a DEE-FENDER.
He better watch it before it deteriorates into an issue on race.

Peace & Blessings

By STATESMAN on Nov 13, 2007 at 8:45 am

Missed ya Don.

Steady as IT goes. Good call Statesman.

KFLL

By Steady on Nov 13, 2007 at 8:54 am

Steady if you have a problum, Frankly Scarlet! Not just blogging!

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 9:59 am

Statesman
Isola has been wrong on a lot of things, but he has also been
right about a lot of things too! I believe this Article!

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:04 am

LGM’S Attorney,
Follow your own advice! If you Don’t want Nothing, Don’t start nothing!
I was here long before you ever came and hope to be here long after your gone!

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:10 am

Starburyfan: Good Post. The D League is currently viewed as banishment to Siberia. Many potential NBA players choose Europe where the skill level and competition is higher as well as salaries. Salaries could increase if the market for attendance and press coverage could be wider, which is not possible in places where population is limited and Friday night football dominates local attention.

A “D” League franchise in the major NBA cites would keep fan interest active, especially if two or three team members on a current “inactive” roster are assigned to play in local games. At present, NBA rules allow only 12 players to be considered “active,” i.e. eligible to suit up for NBA games. A way to truly “Develop” an NBA D League is to encourage such players to play in local arenas—virtually impossible if one has to travel to places such as Tulsa or Albuquerque.

I know of no players listed on NBA rosters who are currently assigned to a D League team. Many Knick fans would consider buying tickets to watch Wilson Chandler play locally on a Harlem team with and against local competition and agaist other NBA assigned players. Between D League games, Chandler and other assigned players could practice with the regular Knick players. His development would emerge that much sooner. Clearly, the establishment of a regional Eastern Division D League with teams in N.Y. N.J. Conn. and PA.) is an idea whose time has come.

By Post-up Prince on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:18 am

Defenders

Good AM and praying all is well with you and yours. I had to peep in on my PEEPS!

Great info BLOGZILLA on the potential D-League Team in the Mecca! That would be the BOMB!

Statesman

Great post as usual and I AM TRUE BELIEVER. You’re right when you say it is a movement and not a monument…Peace and blessing to you too!

Peaceman

Read your post from yesterday, and I RESPECT YOU RIGHT TO DISAGREE, and I HAVE NOTHING BUT GREAT RESPECT FOR YOU. Keep it CRACKIN DEFENDER!

Peace, Love, Longevity, and Prosperity is the my prayer for all my DEFENDER La Familia!

GAME DAY! GO Knicks GO!

Keep it POPPIN!

By cooleyhigh on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:19 am

Peaceman,

Isola article is illogical. First Isola does not have sources at MSG. Besides,Dolan would not buy-out JJames($18mil),
he would not buy-out Air Rose(aprox $12mil), but he will buy-out STEPH at $42mil. Peaceman this does not make CENTS.
How much of you believing this story has to do w/ you wanting Ron-Ron here. DaVon will and has believed every KOBE
story to the Knicks. Peace use your 3rd Eye. We are 5-Games into the SEASON—Love the Ones You are With!!!

Peaceman show some love(no homo)toward Steady. We do not have to agree on everything.

Peace & Blessings

By STATESMAN on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:23 am

Statesman

If Dolan needs a scapegoat,(which he does) it won’t be Air Rose or James.
Look at the picture on Hahn’s blog, that speaks a thousand words!! I doubt that even Isola would put a Big story
like this out there without room for a bail out! Buy out Marbury? Most likely not,
but what teams will take on his contract? Both LA teams??

I’m not really sure whats going on, but I do think that a big change is coming
our way! I’d bet my lungs on it!

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 10:52 am

Isola’s full of it. Even if his “source” said what he was reported to say, how the hell are they going to move his contract? Why would you buy out a player who can still score 20? Pass for 10?

That’s tabloid dung.

Whenever one of these sports tabloids says “source” that means, I had lunch with a dude and we started throwing ideas at each other and this one that I’m reporting right now, kind of made sense to me.

But buying out Stephon is dumb. Trading him…not as dumb but…who’s going to take him on and what are the Knicks getting in return?

I’ll think about it for a while and see what a better scenario would be. And it would probably have something to do with Steph remaining on the team but in a scaled back role. Unfortunately for Steph, he may have found G-d too late in his basketball career. Early in life, but too late for bball. That’s good for him, bad for his bball fans.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 11:09 am

By the way, I saw the games, they ripped me apart inside.

I knew the Knicks weren’t a 57 win team, but without ZBo, they looked wiped out. They were never really in the game against Miami. Yes, they had the lead, but with Shaq not playing a good game, I thought they had enough to win by 7-10 points. QRich going down killed m cuz I really want to see him do well. JohnQ may get his wish now, Balk may be starting.

But as we all saw, DLee starting is not necessarily a good thing. You’re basically weakening our second team by taking a big component to their chemistry. Balk falls in line with that reasoning too.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 11:12 am

Peace, have I told you late, that I love you.

You’ve been hilarious the last few. I’ve been reading just not Knicks juice in me to post.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 11:13 am

BARF

Q. Why did Artest leave the Game early?

A. He wanted to beat the Crowd.

By Peaceman on Nov 13, 2007 at 11:17 am

LMAO

Miss you BARF

By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:06 pm

Perhaps this story will anger Steph and he will channel that into some great play.

Isola should transfer to National Enquirer.

By HarleminMD on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:17 pm

What up defenders!
Assola is full o shit with that story. That makes no sense whatsoever.
Isn’t he the one that revealed the inside story of Stern speaking to Pops Dolan about removing James Dolan and firing Zeke? To which Stern said there’s no truth to the story.
All tabloid junk.
I did mention previously that I saw Wally in Marbury. We need a point whoose main concern is feeding the post, and staying in front of the opposing point.
I saw Chris Paul last night. Poetry in motion. This guy was turning down shots to make sure he fed the bigs. He still had twenty something and had the game winner.

By African on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:19 pm

Follymacher gingerly pokes his right foot in…

Marbury buyout sounds like a crazy rumour. Doesn’t make any sense at all. Falls into one of those it-sounds-so-nuts-they-just-might-believe-it traps. One tiny proviso, unless it’s a trade where the Knicks agree to pay a big chunk of Marbury’s salary. Is that even possible? Not worth much scratching of the head to try and figure out, really.

PostUpPrince, off the top of my head (and I only know this cuz I’ve been following this guy for my keeper league) Kyrylo Fesenko of the Utah Jazz is due to report to D-league any day now. He has a three-year contract. I believe Morris Almond, their first-round draft pick is supposed to spend some time down there, too. There might be a couple other minor “name brand” guys around the league set to go down. I get the feeling D-league is starting to become a bona fide backyard training ground/feeder league for the NBA.

By Charles Follymacher on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:21 pm

Yep, re-read that story. It makes no sense. Isola is lying and hedging his bets again. According to him Starbury is 1) not likely to be traded but likely to

a) have reduced minutes or
b) be bought out

Like Stevie Francis, huh. Isola is not a journalist, he is a rumor mill.

By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:25 pm

Who’s foot is that. Don’t mess with that foot Defenders, I order you.

African pass the blade please.

Just kiddin’ couldn’t help it. Feelin’ good. The Knicks haven’t played Nash & Co. yet.

Ha Ha Ha.

LGK. I Believe.

By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:30 pm

I posted about this @ Modi’s joint. IT is one of the original proponents of a minor league system for the NBA and wanted to fashion the CBA for that purpose. Well we all know how that story ended. It had to happen that way to make room for the D-League.

IT could look for a job with them after the NYK days are done if he does not turn things around here. And NO–injuries, turf toes, deceased loved ones, war on terror in Africa, decreased incomes for Black men in America–none of those issues can be used as excuses. Win or go home. Make way for a winner. If it could happen to gentle Joe who won here, then it should happen to IT who should win this year. Just bloggin’.

These nuts must taste salty.

Meanwhile, Steady as IT goes.

KFLL

By Steady on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:35 pm

And to think, Isola’s the NBA TV’s NYK news reporter. He’s the face of NYK’s local reporting on NBA TV.

He’s got them hoodwinked. The only “inside” relationships he has are anonymous, in other words, they don’t want people to know they know Isola.

Basically, he’s Berman in training.

I was going to breakdown Steph’s dilemma on the Knicks, but after some research I realized we’re 5 games into the season. And by feeding into this silliness, I am getting sucked into the hysteria created by Assola’s tabloidical imagination.

The problem Sunday night was that Nate was needed. QRich was making a difference before Ricky Davis jumped on his elbow and hyper-extended it. Zach was out. Yes, we’re deep but we haven’t exactly been playing a long rotation either. We’re 5 games into the season and this kind of start shouldn’t sway fans who have watched entire seasons before. Fans should know that 82 games is a long season.

Jeffries, Nate, QRich and Zach were out in a tough 4th quarter. The team was close to pulling the victory out against a desperate, Wade-less Miami team. Injuries are not an excuse but a reason why the team collapsed. Understandably so.

You think the same reporter who thought Steve Francis would be bought out and didn’t see a Francis trade happening would be a right about the Stephon situation?

I don’t think so

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:52 pm

Steady

I remember putting out that article about Zeke’s desire to develop the CBA into a D League and linked you guys up to two links to wikipedia articles suggesting as much. If the NBADL turns into a succesful to useful feeder system Stern will have to thank Isiah for his vision. Sadly that won’t happen. He stole his idea he stole his idea he stole his idea.

F!ck Stern!!!!!!!! And his dictator A$$

By Orange & Blue on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:54 pm

The Orlando loss pissed me off a lot more than the one at Miami. Stephon bothered me most in that loss. Jameer had his nuts in his mouth the whole night and let them walk away with a win. Hard fought…but still.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:54 pm

O&B, its funny how Isiah’s CBA management experiment failed because Stern wouldn’t finalize a funding deal with Thomas.

Now, years later, an NBA farm system is exactly what they are making happen. Funny indeed.

A D-League team in Harlem would be great for Harlem and all the borough kids dreaming hoop dreams.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:57 pm

OBTW

It would be nice to have a team in Harlem, Newark, Philadelphia (Pittsburg is too much into Football Bratwurst and fat football fans to appreciate hoops), and Connecticut. It’ be nice if those NBADL sites incorporated somthing ot the local areas Basketball traditions like some sorts of mini shrines or hall of past and present greats and current basketball prospects from those respective cities.

Regarding the Isola Marbury story… I wonder if such a story is sort of allowed to happen, to leak out if you will, in order to get Stephon to step up his game. We all know he should us last year that he was capable of playing very solidly at the point. I wonder if this story was allowed to leak or be manufactured to give the old Coney Island Kid a reason to Ball like his life depended on it. To that end Harlemboy has a point.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 13, 2007 at 12:59 pm

As it is now, whether you like to hear it or not, Stephon is a top fifteen point guard.

If we trade him, what are we getting in return?

You never see a PG for a PG trade.

The problem with talking trades is how unrealistic/unreasonable fans trade proposals are. They are always fanboyistically lop-sided toward the home team. I’m always looking to find a fair trade.

Andre Miller would be a great PG ahead of Nate. 6′4″, vet, somewhat defensive, pass first, mid range jumpshot, running oriented.

The perfect compliment to Nate. But what else can we get for Stephon after they agree to Miller. Stephon is too expensive and Philly has no cap space. Every team with cap space already has a young PG prospect.

Atlanta could be a good fit. But it will be hard to match salary. Much less when you realize how allergic they’ve been to take on big contracts. Joe Johnson is a big contract but there was massive drama surrounding that deal.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:03 pm

BARF

Do you think a DL under Isiah’s guidance would have been more succesful? It’s sad that we’ll never know since Zeke keeps things close to the vest these days. We all know of his eye for talent and acumen and desire to develop young talent. I wonder if his business and organizational acumen would have been able to institutionalize/rationalize the process of turning raw coal–diamonds in the rough– into diamonds. We’ll just never know since in a business environment, sports included,history cannont be reinvestigated unless succesful results are produced.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:06 pm

“Do you think a DL under Isiah’s guidance would have been more succesful? ”

Probably not cuz white people don’t like him.

Sorry guys.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:09 pm

Nah, what I should say is, sensitive people don’t like him. Isiah is a rare case. From the hood, to the leader on the court, to a star in the league, to a intelligent president for a new team/franchise in Toronto, to a motivational leader in Indiana, to an “out of the box” leader in the CBA where he tried to invest the CBA’s owner’s capital into its expansion and the tap into his NBA contacts to fund the expansion further.

Imagine yourself being an owner of a CBA team and taking order from someone who sounds like Isiah. Not Isiah in front of the camera, but Isiah in the boardroom.

Scary ain’t it.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:14 pm

BARF

I see your point. It would rub those old white mens egos the wrong way to have to be directed by a successful black man with that much power.

By Orange & Blue on Nov 13, 2007 at 1:26 pm

Here’s an overview in anticipation of Isiah’s coaching shortly after LB was fired. The writer forgets to mention that one of the biggest reasons to fire LB was that he coached the team through the NY MSM press. Even though the article explains Isiah the coach’s strength’s well the writer disapproves of Isiah the GM and finished the article with the following statement:

“Yes, Brown could have settled on a rotation, but this Knicks team was doomed from the start by all of Thomas’s ill-conceived moves in the offseason and during the season.”

He also linked to this article as a reference link and is where i found this tidbit:

But, yes, Thomas can do this(coach a young team in NYK). He proved it in Indy. He took a team of children to the playoffs three straight years. On his watch, Jermaine O’Neal became a star. On his watch, Ron Artest became a beast.

As a bonus, D’Alessandro may have called the trade for Zach Randolph with the following statement:

Before he (Isiah) changes into sweats, of course, he has to move out at least two extraneous pieces — Jalen Rose and Steve Francis, for starters — and that won’t be easy.

Steve Francis has since been replaced by a double double averaging Zach Randolph. Of course Jalen Rose has since been bought-out, but since the time this article was published, Balkman has shown flashes of the player he will become. If he continues developing, he be a starter soon.
[] [][][] [] [][][] [] [][][] [] [][][]
I already realize I’m in for a long season. They’re going to be busy making sure Isiah’s isn’t as long as mine.

The few games that the team has lost has already made these reporters angry. And there’s 78 games more to play?

Last year, the first player to get killed in the papers was Stephon.

He wears his emotions on his sleeve and this city’s press is ruthless. If he says too much to the media, he’s out of here. He has to keep his head down and find the pulse of this team on the court. If he doesn’t get it together and become the point guard they need in the lead spot, there’s going to be a lot of pressure coming at him. The only way he’s going to get out of this year in NYC is by having a better season than the one he had last year. From start to finish. Plain and simple. He has no time, meaning leeway, to be glum or wait to have his back pinned against the wall.

He’s done some good but the media’s not buying it. They’re not selling it either.

Stephon donated $4 million of his money to NYC’s teachers, firefighters, and police organizations. He’s gone out, started and expanded a tangible consumerist revolution in the form of $15 sneakers. He’s given of his time, his money, his image…but the only thing left to give is stellar play on the court.

He can’t do it alone and the team may not be a final product, but he’s got to make something happen.

By BARF on Nov 13, 2007 at 2:52 pm

this will bring the excitement back to Harlem

By zachary Rudnick on Dec 7, 2008 at 1:46 am