Any doubt since Oden is out, that this young man will be the next rookie of the year? Al Horford may give him a run for his money in the second half of the season, but Kevin Durant is a safe bet to be one of the front runners by the end of this season. I haven’t seen much of his game in the NBA, but I did catch many of his college games last season on ESPN, and they were all phenomenal. He’s a pure scorer and is averaging 20.3p 4.6r and 1.3bl in his rookie campaign thus far. It gets boring to hear Charles Barkley saying every five seconds on TNT how this guy needs to put on weight at 6’9″, 215lbs, but I can only imagine his game would improve once he does.
A lot has been made about the roll the Knicks fans at the garden have had in the team’s recent struggles. The home crowd should cheer for the home team, I believe that, and I’ve never booed any of the games I’ve been to, even when they got blown out up in Boston earlier this year or when they were killing Marbury at this time last season at the Garden. Seems everytime they’d interview Marbury after one of those games, he’d always have the same response: “that’s New York. They’re going to boo if you don’t bring it,” if I can paraphrase last year’s Stephon.
If you want to show the Garden crowd how to really support the home team, check out this link, there are some good deals there on tickets for the Seattle game.
Stephon probably isn’t ready to play yet, but I don’t question by now, he wants to go out there and help the team win some ball games. Randolph shot his way out of his slump last game, so we’ve got one of our two big guys ready to step up and play basketball. Hopefully Eddy Curry isn’t too far behind… Maybe now that Malik Rose has been moved to the IR list, Chandler may actually get some minutes this month. He could be good for the knicks, last time I remember him in a Knicks jersey it was against the Nets in the preseason and there were some encouraging signs he can contribute at the NBA level. Crawford must really try to shift his focus on getting the other players in the starting five going, I’ve seen him do it before, so I know he is capable of finding his rhythm without it being to the detriment of the team.
Kurt Thomas will be back in the Garden, that should be interesting, and the Sonics have other weapons in Chris Wilcox, Earl Watson, WallyWorld, Delonte West, and former Knick guard Gerald Wilkins’ son, Damien, who is putting up solid numbers as a starter for the Sonics in his fourth year in the NBA. Oh, and watch out for the other rookie, Jeff Green, he’s a baller too.
Seattle comes to New York at 5-17, having been blown out by the Bulls 123-96 in the first of a back-to-back on the road.
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Nor will I ever abandon ship on being a fan of the Orange and Blue
KFLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just hope this grim tide turns cause it’s us die hard fans who deserve better from this team.
Fuck the fair wheater fans, and the quitters.
One day when a Knicks team gets that elusive ring, it will make up for all of this misery!
I’ve been busy trying to advise hotel’s of people arriving late cause of da storm (travel agent)….I’m about to give up and just read up on da KNICKS….who cares its not my vacation!
Orange and Blue, thanks for checking in. We definitely noticed a few of our regular homies have been missing as of late.
just found this article from realgm on Coach Thomas’ rotation:
http://realgm.com/src_twoplusthefoul/170/20071212/the_chicken_or_the_egg/
among the many things it states, he suggests q sits and balkman starts. i’ve heard that one here before more than once.
and “present”-for the roll call…
Checking in. Still optimistic waiting on Friday. For those of us that live and breathe the Knicks, we live with each victory and die with each loss. We may be in a sleeper hold right now. But I was that kid that knew that Hulk Hogan would raise his hand up just in time to not submit. The hand is limp right now, but I keep waiting for it to rise! Never giving up. What kind of example do I set for them if I give up. It’s time to fight!! They need to know that there is somebody behind them somebody that is in their corner. It’s not the Fixers or the Knation, that’s for sure.
It’s got to be the Defenders!
We all we got!! – G Money
Need more love up in here!
Re: #191 – Damn Prince. That comment got my spirits up. Thanks.
KnicksDefense
That article from RealGM was very insightful. I think many on this blog have pointed out many of the things he’s suggested.
What’s more I noticed in the Knicks game against the Sonics that Z-Bo is starting to work on his passing game hooking up the cutters-lee balkman etc when he draws the double and passess of to a teamate slicing to the hoop.
Also David Lee appears to be showing signs of improvement on the offensive end. He is now starting to hit the midrange jumper and appears to be working on his post moves.
I like those little silver linings that I see out there in the midst of the storm.
On the other hand, both Balkman and Jefferies (The Giraffe) have to work on a jump shot if they want to help out provide spacing on the offensive end. Neither of them proves to be a threat from 10 ft and out and only Balkman will slash with some effectiveness.
The point has been made by the Real GM writer and others here that the Knicks have players with blemishes, incomplete players etc but a good balancing act by the coach would go a long way in at least steadying this ill sailing ship.
To that degree there is reason to the rally cries against Isiah.
All that said he did a decent job in the drafts, but at the points in the draft he was generally picking it may have been harder to get complete all around players. Who knows maybe he was hoping that they would have developed to becom more complete within a shorter period of time. But that is not the case with Balkman, and only Lee IMHO appears to be working into becoming a more well rounded player.
I’ll check in from time to time and see if we can still hold our game time chats.
Keep the faith fellas!
Saluting…..
Present and accounted for!!!!
Present
yeah i am holding it down here in south jersey, representing the O & B! =)
i have a n00b question though – what does KFLL mean? (Knicks Fan x Life?)
Google Alert – new york knicks Fri 12/14/2007 1:43 AM
Unlike the Knicks, “New York’s Team” Takes the Subway to Work
NBA Commissioner David J. Stern Drops The Ball
Review of: Sonics 117, New York 110
PaulNoize, i wondered the same thing. I thought it was a slight typo, that it was supposed to be KFFL (Knicks Fan For Life), but now I’m goin with Knicks Fan Life Long
Guys don’t get me wrong. I can’t completely turn my back on the Knicks. It won’t take very much for me to watch a game again. A line up change would be a great start.
Someone in here used a famous quote a few threads ago. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the deffinition of insanity.
I’m not insane. Maybe thats the problem ???
I don’t think that the team needs to be blown up and rebuilt but some change deffinitely needs to be made. I’ll be back when effort is shown and changes are made. If they make the effort to play 48 minutes, I’ll make the effort to watch 48 minutes.
Probably the most fair Thomas article I’ve seen written in recent times although he claims that the Bulls are a little better than bad (homer):
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-smith-onnba14dec14,1,5237174.column
Don’t mistake exile for indifference.The Knicks are my heart, and the hearts of many others who are missing here, and hurting badly.But it’s all been said over and over, it needs to be done.Read Vecsey today and you’ll see what we have here is the Gordian knot.And there is only one way to fix it.That is all in Stern’s hands.My views on the team have been noted many times over the years, and they have not changed.Rest assured I watch the Knicks every chance I get, but it is an exercise in self inflicted pain.When you’re in love you accept the good with the bad.Unfortunately, “There’s a thin line between love and hate”.Basically, if the team won’t give the effort to play with heart,I don’t have the heart to write about them.It hurts to much.But just as important, Happy Holidays to all!I’ll be back,when I’m back!Peace,love and Knick love forever!LGK!!!!!!!!!!! T.
Clips waived Ruben Patterson today. i wish Zach hadn’t knocked him the eff out a few years back because i think he would be a useful defender, an upgrade over JJ and a more complete player than Balkman or Chandler or even an 85% healthy Q.
Be interesting to see where he ends up…..maybe Miami will waive Luke Jackson & bring Ruben on board LOL.
Also, Vescey says that a player told him Eddy Curry was moaning on the bench “Get me out of here – someone please get me out of here!”
I think Big Boy needs a change of scenery. He needs to go to a small market where he can be protected and nurtured by a stable coaching staff and a controllable press corps. Charlotte might be nice, i’d love to see a sign and trade for Okafor somehow – owner Johnson seems to be thrifty so maybe we could take a bad contract or two back rather than dealing away future picks.
Wow – Kandiman posted on the Knation that he thinks IT needs to take the blame for seeing a franchise player in Eddy Curry and should be fired.
Respek.
Hard to trust anything Vescey says these days. His veil of credibility has been lifted and that’s one ugly mug underneath.
KD – You’re pretty quiet over there. Working on a new post? Turn the page already! *in Vitalian* It’s game day, baybeeee!
Presente.
I’m chillin fellas. Its been too quiet here lately. Can’t say I blame ya’ll. Have a good weekend guys…
btw, found this in my travels
Can’t lay all Knicks’ woes on Thomas
Yes, he did bring them in. Marbury and maybe Zach Randolph aside, Knicks players generally seem to be good, law-abiding, decent young men whom you could spend a comfortable afternoon with sipping coffee. Unfortunately, that’s their game face.
KnicksD
A new name is due for you.
It should be Knicksdump, because that’s all you’ve been doing lately. Taking a dump on the Knicks.
Curry is not as bad as you guys seem to think.
That’s not the same player from last season.
The reason? He’s not motivated. He needs a new voice.
Zeke’s handling of the Marbury situation, has soured his players, and they have lost their fight.
Zach, although a very good player, has changed this team, and not for the better.
This team is far better than the record shows.
A major overhaul is not the answer.
A new coach, and a trade of Zach for a defender would do it.
I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I’ve never been one to be on the side of the populous.
African…
You’re a negative piece of shit!! How dare you have the audicity to criticize the host of this blog??
You’re besketball IQ is sub-zero, and you’re never part of the solution….you just “dump” garbage and antagonize.
I read these posts but very seldom blog, but from what I’ve read so far, this forum would be batter served without your pompouse, high and mighty, hollier than thou attitude.
You and your “knowing peeps’ DNA”….gimme a break, you fuggin fraud.
Get the fuck outta here and take sorry ass Eddy Curry with you.
Coming from you Mak, aka Rockstar, aka Makunat, aka Boatboy, aka Mr. Atrocities, I take this as a compliment.
Thank you.
You’re battered and bruised from abuse you’ve taken at my hands, so I’ve got to give pity where pity is due.
Come again.
Mak? Who’s that?
You need to come again, patna.
On second thought, do just the opposite….stay away. This blog flows alot better WITHOUT you.
Find another blog and get the fuck out of this one.
Rockstar
and in this corner …………….
Hey guys, did you check out Berman’s article:
http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/knicks/archives/2007/12/zone_will_help.html
Apparently IT’s solution to our defensive or lack there of is to use MORE zone.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but that hasn’t worked out so well.
Wow – African and Kandi are disagreeing on Eddy, this could get interesting!
Zeke would have to work the phones overtime and show some creativity to trade Zach for a defender, since Portland was actively shopping him forever and couldn’t get spit.
i’d prefer Zach to Eddy, although it makes us kind of short. Zach i think is a guy whose energy level will vary according to circumstances….the energy level of his teammates, the crowd, the opposition, etc. In other words, i think if the Knicks start playing effective team “D”, Zach is a guy who can rise to the occasion and bring a little more hustle. Not a LOT more hustle, he is who he is, but he’s a man and he has a heart and when the juice is flowing i know he’ll answer the call.
Eddy just doesn’t have that in him. Sometimes i see him gaze wistfully at Jerome James on the bench and i can see he’d rather be sitting. That’s because like African, i know people’s DNA. i’m not fooled. Eddy is fool’s gold – we should try to trade him now and get ten cents on the dollar, because once we bench him (and we will bench him) he becomes the immovable object.
The listing of supposed aliases is tired, too….unless you have an IP address, you sound like a ‘tard, kinda like Ed does when he says African AKA KKKandi. You don’t know, let it go.
And Rockstar – the line you wrote is priceless. PRICELESS!
“You’re besketball IQ is sub-zero” – HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Although it is sad that 98% of Americans just cannot seem to get the whole you’re/your thing right even when they guess…. the apostrophe takes the place of the letter “A”, what’s the fuggin problem?
Anyone see the Knicks placing any feelers out for Smush Parker? (not that i am recommending that, i’m just sayin’….)
oh, wot the hell, it’s friday…
African says a major overhaul isn’t required — just get a new coach and trade away the team’s best player. that’s all. nothin much. just a lil tweak
i dunno who’s feedin you your intel, African, but the popular opinion of doodoo is that it’s not to be eaten. But you stick with your rogue ways
somethin needs to happen soon tho cuz the bunching at the bottom will not continue. this is the time teams get in gear and go on a little run to separate from the pack. we must needs keep up.
DNM – maybe Isiah IS trying to get fired.
After all my badmouthing Eddy, Chicago is a nice matchup for him since:
1) They did him dirty & Eddy might harbor some bad feelings (NURSE! We’ve got a pulse here!)
2) Ben Wallace aged about ten years the instant the ink dried on his $60M contract, he won’t force Eddy to play much “D” and Eddy can play the power game right back at him when Big Ben tried to body him up in the post.
The line in the comments about Balkman are pretty rough, but i can distinctly recall being a big booster of Anthony Bonner back in the day. i think Balkman can and will add to his game, but ya never know….
What’s the over/under on the number of treys the Bulls hit tonight? My guess is 13.
I’ll take the under unless Dnice gets some burn
we need a steady diet of Fred Jones on Ben Gordon tonight – hopefully he won’t be asked to double the post much and can just man up and stay in Ben’s chest all night. Nate’s too damn short, Q’s not quick enough & Jamal not spirited enough to take BG’s jumper away.
Fred matches up nice though i think, and even though he probably also gets shut down in my mind if they both score twelve points we win.
LGK!
PaulNoize…
My bad….
In my haste I slightly “butchered” the English language.
It should’ve (did I get that right???) been “your”, as in…
“His (African’s) basketball IQ is sub-zero…..lol
PS: This ain’t no alias, BTW. I have no need for that….there’s fear of anyone in here, therefore no reason to hide behind one.
Rockstar
Folly:
You know so much.
Zach was one of the better players, and the leading scorer in Portland.
Why is he now in N.Y.?
The best player is at times not the best player for a team.
Zach is not.
This is my info, not fed to me. I watch the games at the Garden, in person, 90% of the times. I don’t read the tabloids.
Can you say the same?
The team lacks chemistry, and roles have changed causing many players to lose focus.
This team is not that bad. But you already know that, you’re celebral.
Paul:
Your opinion on Curry is the same as 90% of folks.
I just don’t agree.
Call me whatever you may, but I’ve not lost hope.
There’s no right or wrong until ten years down the line. That’s my opinion. The unpopular one.
@ African..
“This team is not that bad. But you already know that, you’re celebral.”
Snicker.
There you go again trying to sound intelligent!
WTF is celebral??? Tell me, oh wise one??
Or did you mean “cerebral”??
Something you’re obviously not.
You’re a fuggin joke, man.
Oh wait…here’s another….
“This is my info, not fed to me. I watch the games at the Garden, in person, 90% of the times. I don’t read the tabloids.
Can you say the same?
Let us dissect that statement, ahall we???
What fuggin’ difference does it make watching it in person or on television?
Are you seeing something different in person than us less fortunate folks that can only afford to watch games on our 61″ hi-def televisions are seeing?
Man, get a clue and a life.
You are hilarious.
AF,
EC has been in the league for what? 6 years ? When’s he going to get it ? In year 10 ?
Nah, I don’t so much, but I do know that swappin out our coach and our best player (by far – you betta axe somebody) does qualify as a major move. And we need one of some kind, def. I continue to disagree with you re keeping curry over zbo tho.
portland, building around the superstar they believe they’ve drafted could afford to move zbo. they believe they got a nice complementary piece in return. good for them.
the knicks lacked a bona fide two-way player. zbo, in the little time he’s been here, has done nothing but be the most consistent force for the knicks. why you’d wanna give up on him so soon in favour of a guy with a long track-record of non-defence is puzzling to me. sure, there’s a period of adjustment to be expected when you’re bringin in a guy with zbo’s stature/skills. but i put it to you that it’s more marbury’s reluctance to play zekeball(2007 version), not to mention his decreasing ability to stay in front of his man, that’s way more to blame for the knicks troubles. zbo’s presence (and i note you haven’t been specific about how zbo’s supposebly spoiling the team chemistry) just ain’t it.
just so we don’t get it twisted, the popular opinion on curry is that he pretty much sux on defence, that his negatives just about cancel out his positives. hey, sometimes the unwashed masses have it right, yo. how you see it differently must require some fertile imagination.
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