Bobcats at Knicks
February 27, 2008 – 3:34 pm
Played basketball in the city yesterday. After the gym closed, a couple of the fellas were still hanging around talking about the NBA as they often do, and someone among the small circle brought up the Knicks, so I was sure to walk over and listen in.
The consensus among the three was that Crawford was the one player the Knicks should really keep. I said nothing. Someone even said that Crawford is carrying the team, and that without him, the Knicks would be much worse. I wondered after hearing this, if this person understood exactly where in the standings the Knicks currently reside.
This other guy I played against, a very good player despite his age, added that Lee, Nate and Renaldo should be kept. I thought to myself, “I can see where this guy is coming from.”
But then the same guy who thinks Crawford is “carrying” the Knicks said he thinks Isiah deserves another year after this one. I made sure I heard him right.
They all thought Lawrence Frank was far worse of a coach than Isiah. No argument from me there. I don’t think Lawrence Frank has really proved himself as a coach yet in this league, nor has Isiah as a coach for that matter. They brought up the fact that during the playoffs last season, Frank allowed Vince Carter to continuously chuck up half-court shots instead of taking the ball to the basket. I reminded them that this is a common trait among aging players that have been injured previously. Look no further than Vince’s cousin Tracy McGrady, and how his game has changed over the years since his Toronto/Orlando days.
When I asked why Frank has yet to be fired by Rod Thorn, they said it is because of his political ability to keep his job. That may be true, but that’s also how I’d describe Isiah’s continued tenure with James Dolan’s Knicks at this point. Would Isiah Thomas the GM fire a NBA coach for going 17-39, from November through February, were it not Isiah Thomas coaching? Isiah fired Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkins and Larry Brown with comparable winning percentages, so you tell me.
But their argument with regard to Isiah staying on was that Isiah hasn’t had the right players to get the Knicks anywhere. I reminded them that Isiah hand-picked each and every player on the Knicks roster, and that he basically bet the franchise on Eddy Curry, giving up several high unprotected lottery picks to get him.
Eddy Curry was great last year as the first option every time, but now that he isn’t the first option, he’s starting to look like less of an NBA player and more of a very large and unhappy bench ornament. The Zach Randolph trade has really backfired in that respect, because last season with the ball going through Curry, as a team, the Knicks were simply more competitive in the NBA. The Knick games were more exciting last season than they are right now. Remember the frequent overtimes, buzzer-beaters, nail-biters? Not so much of that this season. Granted we only won 33 games last season, but we’re on course to win far less than that this season if the Knicks don’t get it together.
This year, they look more lost than when Larry “Next Town” Brown was the coach. Oh, that was another thing–they thought Larry Brown got a raw deal only getting one year to turn the Knicks franchise around into a winner.
Most of this is Dolan’s fault, and not Isiah’s in my opinion. Isiah is doing the best job he can, it just isn’t working out. When Isiah first came to New York, he said they’d have to be very creative and risky in order to try to get better, and that’s basically what he’s done, except the risks have backfired, especially the defensive liabilities. But the real problem here is Dolan doesn’t want to ever admit he was wrong or made a mistake, because when you are that rich, you live in your own world, with people kissing your ass instead of telling you when you suck. Dolan should not be allowed to have anything to do with a basketball team, he doesn’t understand it at all, as he’d be the first to tell you.
Just bloggin’
161 Responses to “Bobcats at Knicks”
So whom do DEFENDERS see as the better franchise owner in 2008-09, Jimmy Dolan or Robert Johnson?
Johnson gets points for owning BET & being largely hands-off as an owner on bball ops. Dolan gets points for handing out OUTRAGEOUS paychecks when asked to do so.
For all the kvetching we do, i’d still rather have Jimmy as owner, with his “media policies” and all, because the gap between those minor quirks and the annoyance caused by a cheapskate owner like Donald Stirling or George Shinn are far, far worse.
And for the fine people of Charlotte, it seems a cruel joke that they transition from the Hornets to the Bobcats, yet still haven’t met an owner who is willing to spend what it takes to compete. They supported the hell out of the Hornets back in the day, and Shinn screwed em almost as bad as Art Modell screwed the Dog Pound.
i like the kid Okafor though, he’s bound to get overpaid in his next deal….he’ll get Ben Wallace money for Ben Wallace Lite production. If it is not in NY though, i hope he stays with Charlotte…
By PaulNoize on Feb 27, 2008 at 3:46 pm
PaulNoize,
Agreed, what Okafor does in terms of defense the Knicks could use.
I foresee Q having a good game tonight because the knicks have rested. That’s how Q is now, as the season wears on, his production decreases, but if there is a layoff of a few days, Q will come out with strong play on the first night back.
my beef with dolan:
he fired brown after just one year, although it has taken two years everywhere he has gone. I wanted brown fired at that time because I believe he was tanking games, but if you hire larry brown, you should give him two years because he hasn’t usually done it in any less time.
he signed isiah to a contract extension at absolutely the wrong time of the season. This sent the wrong message to the Knicks team, and resultantly fucked up any chance of the Knicks making the playoffs last season. first went the Knicks’ health, then they lost their motivation to compete.
they’ve shown little motivation this year for that matter, despite the improved health. you could argue that marbury has been out, but I’m pretty sure Isiah no longer wants Marbury on the team, right or wrong.
By knicksdefense on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Which would you rather
endurewatch?1. Zeke’s tortured post-game interview after another consecutive loss
2. A Chuck Hayes free throw
3. A Crawful brickfest
4. The high noon sun, with naked eye
By Charles Follymacher on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:09 pm
5. Another condescending Follymacher comment.
By knicksdefense on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:21 pm
@ KD: hanh?
I’m not sure I get it, but something tells me #5 is the way to go.
By Charles Follymacher on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Sorry for the hiatus. Its hard to validate the time I invest in writing when the Knicks suck as bad as they do.
KnicksDee with another funny ass demonstration.
“Isiah hand-picked each and every player on the Knicks roster”
Hand picking every player is what expansion teams do. They “hand pick” from a selection of cast offs and unnecessary role players. Isiah made trades. He traded the problems he had for the problems others had.
He traded his problems for Stephon.
He traded his problems for Curry.
He traded his problems for Zach.
Now he has new problems.
Almost all of his trades included the draft picks of other teams. Those picks he used to “hand pick” players. Players most fans like and want to keep.
Don’t say he’s hand-picked players when everyone knew the kind of player Curry was.
Would you prefer to have Ty Thomas and Noah? The Bulls had to dismantle their team and rebuild. Do you think all of the youth on their team had anything to do with it?
Do you think they would have fared better had they kept Chandler, Curry and Pargo?
The Bulls have a future but the present is just as bad if not worse…why? Because no one expected them to be this bad after betting the farm on Ben Wallace. Now they have a contract in Hughes no one thought the Cavs could move. They have Drew Gooden, Thomas and Noah…who all play the same position. Good luck. And still they are better off than they were with Big Ben.
“and that he basically bet the franchise on Eddy Curry, giving up several high unprotected lottery picks to get him”
He didn’t bet the franchise. You’d better stop reading all those newspapers.
Ty Thomas and Noah? You think they would have changed anything? Maybe in 3 or 4 years. Now? Not so much.
Isiah didn’t bet the franchise. The franchise is in a much better position than it has been the last four years. Talent wise and salary wise. Next offseason, it will be in better position.
“The Zach Randolph trade has really backfired in that respect, because last season with the ball going through Curry, as a team, the Knicks were simply more competitive in the NBA.”
While I see the point…I have to say…they won 33 games. Which was great compared to the 23 wins of th year before. Plus, they lost like 10 games by 5 points or less in the final minutes of games which was cause for encouragement…
But that was only because we assumed Curry would get BETTER. He hasn’t.
The addition of a 20 - 10 performer should not mean that now you are going to slack off on your game or its continuing development. When your boss hires a new dude…and the new dude and is nice at his job…maybe even better than you…that means you pick up the pace and start kicking ass…or else you’ll that much worse becuz here’s a new guy who just started and is already better at the job. You either find a way to contribute something the new guy isn’t (because you’re the one with seniority right? you should be able to adjust and not force the new dude to) or prepare your resume cuz your ass is now expendable.
I’m sorry dude. The Knicks were a bad team before Zach. Competitive…yes. Good…no.
They were simply beating teams they matched up with well. They weren’t beating teams like they were the world champion Spurs. They fought hard and busted their tails to eke out victories by small margins.
This year they had an adjustment to make. No one has made the adjustment. Zach is playing a lot like he played in Portland. Curry is playing like he played under Brown. Letting the game happen and not really taking responsiblity for what happens on either end of the floor. Listen to his comments post game and on the papers. He sounds like a blubbering child like he has no idea what is going on here.
The culprit shall sit and his ass is best buds with every bench he’s seen in the last two weeks.
“Most of this is Dolan’s fault, and not Isiah’s in my opinion. ”
There’s your saving grace.
Boy do I agree there.
No one wanted Isiah’s job. Why do you think a dude who’s blamed for the bankruptcy of the CBA got the job? No one wanted it. This franchise was deep in the shitter before Isiah. So if its your job to dig it out of the shit, you’re gonna be covered in shit all the time.
He’s taken a lot of risks. A lot of them are not working out. Do you keep Steve Francis on the bench and the payroll, keep Frye and stay a 30-40 win team while your core (Lee, Craw, Nate) get better with age and experience?
That’s the question. He didn’t want to. He wanted to pick up a 20 - 10 player (who is putting up his numbers with hustle) and hope the chemistry would translate into wins.
Funny thing is Curry and Zach seem to get along. Everyone on the team seem to get along like a family or something. Is that not a good thing? Isn’t that a sign of the culture that is developing?
Will the wins come? I think when the right collection of players step up…they will come. Until then, we’re just trying to figure out what “the right way” top play is with this group.
My hiatus has coincided with my success online with the Knicks playing NBA Live on PS3. Slamming game. I’m hooked. If anyone has the ear of Isiah, let him know I got some strategies for his sub patterns. I kick the shit out of the unsuspecting folks online with a healthy dose of JCraw, Nate, Curry and ZBo.
Still, a lot like Zeke, Curry or Zach sit a whole lot. Its a rare thing to have them both in the game and succeed. Jared Jeffries at the four works well. JCraw on Kidd and Deron Williams works too.
But this roster is far from a finished product.
They still need 2 impact players.
Funny how none of this is new. Been saying this a long time. Kind of sad.
Yo KnicksD…my bad on the whole pulling your quotes…i just needed to use it as inspiration. Kinda hard to sit and mash this out…which I’m sure you can relate to.
By Real Fan..Be One on Feb 27, 2008 at 5:07 pm
You guys got to stop beating Dolan. How can you blame an owner with the highest payroll, and allowing plenty of time to win games? What did Dolan do wrong???
Give me Steinbrenner, Dolan any day. They put the money into their teams.
Management? That’s another question.
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Isiah is probably best suited as a scout. Great evaluator of talent.
Too many overvalued players.
Terrible coach.
Great player. Give me the 1989 Pistons against any team and he was the catalyst.
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Charlotte Bobcats (19-37) at New York Knicks (17-39), 7:30 p.m.
Season Ender
By Syd on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:06 pm
wow. slammin analysis Real @ #6. not sure i agree with 100% of it, but thass some deep shit right there.
By Charles Follymacher on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:11 pm
so was that a BARF sighting or what?
That was almost like watching the democratic debate last night when Hillary tried to make a distinction between “rejecting” or “denouncing” support. Isiah is absolutely responsible for all the players he traded for, just like Steve Kerr will be held responsible for the Shaq trade if the don’t get the shiny stuff this year or next.
Defense was an issue before getting ZBO, and it continues to be an issue with ZBO, picking up players for their strong stats (Crawford with the 50 point game in Chi, ZBO with 20-10 on his career, both on teams with bad records) means little in terms of what they can contribute in terms of team defense. I’ve seen too many wide open uncontested jump shots the past four years to feel otherwise.
I was hoping the Jared Jeffries signing (yes, that was a hand-picked player too) would work out and that he would be able to cover up the team’s defensive ineptitude. But a few weeks later, we got Renaldo Balkman in the first round, these guys are basically mirror images of each other. Absolutely no point in having two guys that do the same thing, much like Francis and Stephon before. Eddy and Zach are not the same kind of player, but neither can keep people out of the paint, and their chemistry on the court has not worked thus far, which is why Curry is getting benched the entire second half of the game for the past month or two.
BARF–if that was you–no need to apologize. We miss your commentary around here. And the barf johnson play-by-play. Like Lives said in the previous post, St. George and Post-up, also BARF and all of the other O.G.’s, we notice when you are not around.
Thanks for stopping by.
By knicksdefense on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
for quality play by play analysis.
Good to read you BARF.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:30 pm
@ BARF,
¿Dónde usted fue mi Hombre? ¡Estoy contento su ir a mirar la espalda de la subida de knicks para tomar thr la semilla octava! THE BOBCATS ARE TOAST!!!!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:45 pm
BTW folks I have a KIKI between my legs!
Fugg him. Colangelo, Dead Red….whatever!
Now people, We make a run with our scrappy
misfits…the Dogs….us against the World!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Agreed. It’s time to get them W’s.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Dee-Fenders
Here we go again!
Let’s hope all this internal fighting will help these guys fight harder and give more effort on the court.
No Wallace,we should take this.
Go Knicks!!
By D L T Knicks on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:05 pm
@Barf a.k.a. The Announcer,
If that was you on Post #6 WELCOME BACK Mi Amigo. Your insight and play by play has been sorely missed. But, I know you’ve been out and about trying to make those ends meet and that’s a righteous way of living. “Where Keeping Your Pivot to make those Digits Makes You an All-Star.” Only in the NBA Barf!
Be cool and always remain a REAL KNICK FAN! Don’t be a stranger, and always Speak Truth to Wisdom…
GO KNICKS GO KNICKS GO KNICKS GO KNICKS GO KNICKS GO KNICKS GO KNICKS
Keep it POPPIN
By Cooleyhigh on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I co-sign on #6 if its BARF and not an im-Poster.
KFLL
By Steady on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:15 pm
In honor of VicBit…
We got this one!
KFLL
By Steady on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:22 pm
That’s A Real Fan Man. Gotta Be Barf. Hurray.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Easy Steady
Wait to see if Okafor will out run/out hustle your boy EC up the court.
By D L T Knicks on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Hopefully BARF’s appearance is a pleasant sign of good vibes coming back around for our beloved Knicks.
We’re coming back around again tonight!
Lets Go Knicks!
By Orange and Blue on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:35 pm
The Bobcats will be without Gerald Wallace’s scoring and explosiveness.
Can the Knicks take advantage and pull the W?
They best step to the plate tonight to give us die hards something to cheer for.
Todays game time roll call!
By Orange and Blue on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Curry with some energy from the get go.
Two block shots a couple of rebounds.
But his soft touch on O seems to have left him by the early signs.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Curry with 2 blocks,just got a facial!
9-7 kNICKS
By D L T Knicks on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Lets go Knicks!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Crawford gets some rest tonight,
lets see if it pays off in the 4TH!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Nate “the Hammer” with a left hook!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Richardson’s been poked in the eye!! We’re saved!! By his own teammate. David Lee knows what’s good. Where’s my man Balkman??
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:26 pm
39-37 Bob’sCats. Never mind. JJeffries with a dunk and 1 but he missed it. 39 all.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:29 pm
N8, Jamal, Lee, Randolph and JJeff
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Knicks take the lead 44-41.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Okeydoke misses two free throws.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Sorry I’m late but it appears I’m right on time. As Randolph sinks a free throw.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:35 pm
50-41 Knicks. 11-0 run by the Knicks.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Looking good!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Misinformation. That was Jason Richardson, not Quentin that got eye poked. Jamal with a runner 13-0 run. N8 coast to coast. 54-41 Knicks. End of first half with a 15 point run by the Knicks.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Is that Kool-aid? I’d like some. What flavor did you say that is?? Playoffs?? Wow!! That’s delicious!!
Can my friends have some?? They’re realllly thirsty.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Crawford 14 points on 6 for 9 shooting including 2 tres. Also 4 assist.
Nate adds three assists and ten points on 4 for 8 shooting
David Lee has 9 boards and only one credited assists, but looks like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem in leading intiating the fast break.
Curry nine decent minutes with 2 boards and 2 blocks but o points.
Q looking stronger, finally getting the ball in the post like last couple of years, 12 pts and four boards on 4 for 8 shooting
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I like that line-up in the 2d Q Harlem. They shall not sit.
The Announcer called it right with JJeff earlier–that dunk and-1 (missed) broke the cats’ back.
Spirited play like that in the 3rd will have Sam-I-Am packin’ balls and fumblin’ salty nuts.
Keep rubbin’ on that lamp JayBee–we Got this!
KFLL
By Steady on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Randolph with 12 points and 6 boards on 5 for 10 shooting. Add 2 assists. He can pass.
4 players in double figures and 14 assists so far.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Team ___1____2_____T
Bobcats__25__16_____41
Knicks___20__34_____54
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Charlotte missing Gerald Wallace something awful.
Okafor 10 points (3 for 9 shooting) and six boards.
Davidson with 7 points in nine minutes and 3/4 shooting.
One tre by Jason Richardson who was poked in the eye by Nate. JRich has 7 points and 1 board. Wow
Mohammad with 8 points in 19 minutes on 4 for 6 shooting.
Only 9 assists. 21 boards.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 8:50 pm
All Knicks shooting over 50% except for Curry (0-3).
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Robinson 4-8, 10
Crawford 6-9, 17
Randolph 5-10, 14
Surprise “X factor” QRich with 12 points on 4-8 shooting. Is his game coming back??
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Knicks with a quick time out after coming out sluggish and sloppy. IT with a good early time out.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Q Rich for 3????????????? Those should be exclamation points but I’m still frowning up like, “WTF?!”
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:06 pm
66-55. Knicks
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Steady,
Back to unbalanced lineup in 3Q. After that 2nd Q, Modi probably threw his TV out the window.
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:08 pm
David Lee with 10 rebounds already, meanwhile Curry sits and depreciates.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Jason Richardson will not be back as his eye hurts. His coach is blowing on the eye and kissing the boo boo.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:09 pm
The memo definitely went out regarding passing the ball.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Lee with 2 blocks tonight. Knicks by 19. 77-58. We got this.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Q increasing his trade value for the offseason!
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Curry sits. Doesn’t that sound like the short scripture, Jesus wept. Two words that have so much meaning both said and unsaid.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:14 pm
That gentleman is 92 years old??? WOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Balkman in the game and makes his presence felt immediately with a block.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Knicks are jacking up three pointers left and right now. Hopefully IT quiets that foolishness. Wilson Chandler is patting his feet and stretching. We need this game. We’re a team on the rise and Charlotte is a team on the decline. His airness is sucking wind right now.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Third Period Domination
Crawford has 20 points (7/13 shooting 53%) and 5 assists in 33 minutes
Nate Robinson 10 points and four assists and three boards in 26 minutes
Zach 18 points and seven boards in 27 minutes
Q Rich 17 points including an emphatic dunk and 5 boards in 21 minutes
David Lee with 14 boards and 4 points in 22 minutes
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:27 pm
End of the Third. 83-60 Knicks. It’s nice to be on the other side of one of those blowouts.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:27 pm
N8, Fred, Balk, Q and Lee. Craw rests.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Robinson 13 points 6 assists.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:32 pm
We needed this easy win.
By HarleminMD on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Sit Q. It’s Wilson Chandler time. And where’s Mardy?
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:34 pm
The Pacers lose tonight!
We need to kick ATL’s azz bacack to Georgia!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Wilson Chandler and Mardy are in the game!!! 6 mins. to go.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Knicks hit garbage time with over five minutes to go and a 26 point lead.
Balkman scores the 100th point on a free throw.
Robinson, Jones, Balkman, Chandler and Collins on the floor.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Opps. Balkman fails to score 100th point.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:44 pm
N8, Fred, Mardy, Balkman, Chandler (Scholar DNP) DNP = Don’t Needta Play
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Fred with a quiet 12.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:46 pm
101-76 Knicks. They need to go ballistic on defense right now.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Wilson Chandler is putting on an offensive show.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Fairweathers didn’t get to do their “Fire Isiah” chant. This was a night for the Diehards.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Knicks with 5 in double figures.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Charlotte’s announcers keep talking about how bad NY is. They may want to look at their own team. Damn homers.
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Great ball movement by the Knicks second unit.
I know it’s Charlotte…but still…lol.
Chandler can play in this league. It amazes me that he doesn’t play more.
By Bronxboy in Md on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:56 pm
G.O.
Team_____1 2 _3 __4_ T
Bobcats 25 16 21 25_ 87
Knicks _20 34 29 30_ 113
Great win!
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:56 pm
That poke in the eye was classic Zeke. Way to “GET” that W. GET = Gouge Eye Tonight
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Nice win fellas
Good energy on both sides the court on the blog.
Lets see if they can bottle some of the hustle tonight and bring that against Atlanta.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Nate Robinson 22 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds in 38 minutes (9 for 18 shooting)
QRich, 17 points and 6 rebounds in 23 minutes on 6 for 11 shooting.
Fred Jones 5 for 6 shooting, 12 points, five boards and 4 assists
JCraw, 20 points on 7/13 shooting (54%) and 5 assists in 33 minutes.
Davis Lee with 14 rebounds in 28 minutes and 3 assists.
Randolph 18 points and 8 boards in 30 minutes.
Good game. Atlanta next.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Chandler is going to be a nice player in this league.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:02 pm
O & B and D L T,
Tu saves what’s good!
We HAD this and GTW!
Playoffs or ’til my love breaks my heart!!
KFLL
By Steady on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Next
@ATL
@Magic
NOH,CAVS, PISTONS,Portland @ Home then @ Dallas. We can go 5-2
then once again here goes our window
Heat
ATL
Pacers
Memphis
Wolfs
Nets
Heat
Raptors
ATL
We may go 8-1……if that happens may pull this off! Not such a
great feat considering we have been playing better than our record!
Bucks
Memphis!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Meant 10-1 with the Bucks and mempis added!
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:12 pm
New Jersey has the 8th spot but they will be moving backwards soon.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Till the End…No Quit, No Tank! When we pull this off…after all we
went through so far will make this SWEETER!!!!
Good Night defenders!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6yeasF6gs
By Peaceman on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:41 pm
@ Defenders,
U didn’t think I was going to let you guys have ALL the fun did you?
First & Foremost, Thanks Blogzilla/KD/*buryFan allowing me to drop in… Interesting Lead and though you were JBing there is some validity to the new THREAD…Your House is still my 3rd Home, because the Blow Me Club scene has been curling my toes and I am in throes of A Boomerang, so that Slop Channel is number 2…LOL LOL
What a satisfying win, due to only the second real KNICK BBALL TEAM FEST(Together Everyone Achieves More)since the Detroit Piston wipe out many moons ago. I’ll take it and enjoy, and Remain Cautiously Optimistic like the Announcer…Man, the timimg of you reappearance is quite surreal…Could it be Karma, as it relates to A Real Man’s Knick Fan, true indeed, true indeed…
Hotlanta ought to be a barn-burner with MBIB running the show for the Hawks…It certainly allows JJOHNSON to roam more freely and play more receiver verses initiator, and he will be more of a threat reminiscent of his days in Phoenix…All he ever needed was a legitimate PG.
Well it’s time to retire and RUN PLAY #8 1/4 of the Blow Me Club Playbook, where you get the Road Trip Walkabout BJ, that is so impactful, just the thought of it wakes U up in time to catch your Flight and no alarm clock required…No Shyte Fellas…
Ask Steady As It Goes to send you a copy…The Playbook is handed out at Kamasutra Training Camp…Coaches Harlem and Bronx are running clinics in the capital area on the regular called, “Don’t let the Good Taste Fool Ya.”…request your flyers today…Kneeling Room only…No Shyte…LOL LOL
Gotta Bounce Defenders!
Ta Ta
Keep it POPPIN!
By Cooleyhigh on Feb 27, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I hate ro tuin the energy guys but this win wasn’t shit…
Richardson, Wallace, Morrison and May didn’t play.
They lost McGinnis in the game so we really played a JV team
tonight.
We still suck but it was nice to see a win like this.
By DaVonn Obama Jefferson on Feb 27, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Knicks are messin’ with DaVonn’s ping pong balls. Get on the bandwagon DaVonn. Right now your thumb is pointing down in the tank position and we’ve got to get that thing pointed in the direction of the playoffs. C’mon DVJ, isn’t that thumb moving a little?
By Jay Bee on Feb 27, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Knicks paste banged-up Bobcats 113-89
Knicks rout Bobcats
By Syd on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:32 am
I saw Berman on NY1 sports talk today. Typical Berman, trashing the Knicks win!
Tomorrow we will move ahead of the Bobcats and gain ground on ATL and the Pacers(we play twice against).
The only positive thing Berman said was that Artest will be in a Knick uniform next year!
Take a look at the schedule for the following teams ahead of us for March @ NBA.com
The Nets, ATL,Bulls,Bucks and Pacers ….all the teams we must leap frog over have MUCH
tougher Schedules than the Knicks! That coupled with the possibility that the majority
of the teams just mentioned ahead of us are going into tank mode…. The Pacers with 36L’s,
the Bucks with 35L’s, the Bulls with 34L’s, The Nets and ALT with 32L’s….I find it hard for
any true fan of the Knicks not to be excited about how this team that the rest of the World
has given up on…will overcome the ” pronouced Dead” title and keep the lights on late April!
Evey night is a watch for what the 5 teams mentioned above us do… Might I add Phillys 32L’S
don’t make them untouchable! We can and will do this…I don’t care who we play round one…
just getting there is a goal we all had and should not relinquish our common goal!
One of the brightest points we all may have missed last night is…WOULD YOU TAKE 30 minutes
of CURRY doing exactly what he did last night? Double his blocks and rebounds in 30 minutes
and score Zero points as he did in the 15 minutes he played last night? I sure as hell would!!!!
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 6:02 am
Seems like both the daily sleuth and the ny roast are reading into some of Monty’s post game press sound bites and speculating that Bonespurry won’t be around next season.
However, the Sleuth and the Roast have contradictory stories as to whether Kinki Vaneweghe will or will not likely be the next Knicks GM.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 28, 2008 at 6:58 am
New York Knicks - Daily Web
OBSERVATIONS RICK BONNELL
Hornets sting Suns, complete season sweep
MEN’S HOOPS: Brunson’s career built on the road not taken
Wednesday’s National Basketball Association Capsules
Knicks’ Curry, Marbury: 1-2 punch to Isiah’s fate
Bobcats blown out by Knicks, lose Richardson to injury
Thomas says Knicks miss Marbury, but won’t say the point guard …
New York Knicks Sued for Fan Abuse
Stephon Marbury Should Be A Professional Prognosticator [New York …
KNICKS DONATE $10000 TO UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND
By Syd on Feb 28, 2008 at 8:22 am
One of the brightest points we all may have missed last night is…WOULD YOU TAKE 30 minutes
of CURRY doing exactly what he did last night? Double his blocks and rebounds in 30 minutes
and score Zero points as he did in the 15 minutes he played last night? I sure as hell would!!!!
I SECOND THAT MOTION !!!! No baggin’ on EC for no points. He found a way to contribute and thats all we ask of him.
By JohnQ on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:44 am
BONESPURRY ??? holy crap thats funny.
By JohnQ on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:48 am
Agreed wholeheartedly with 93 and the initial post by Peaceman.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:48 am
Knicks could add Vandeweghe, keep Thomas. Holy Crap. There’s a lotta smoke blowin in the wind. Is there a fire ‘neath it?
By Charles Follymacher on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:24 am
Suing O&B for copywrite infringement…..
“Agreed wholeheartedly” is my term….I have the dibs on that one!!
I noticed you’ve used it several times, bruh…lol
Get your own term!!!
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Just jokin’…..as you can see, I’m bored as all get out here at work. Time to find someone, errrrr, I mean something to do.
Have a great day Defenders!!!
By Bronxboy in Md on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:27 am
Interesting.
Great to see the energy is still here!!
Good day defenders
By Jazz on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Damn, thanks for the love fellas. I definitely still read the blog and I’m encouraged as to how busy it stays. You guys are most definitely holding it down. Lord knows last year as the losing piled on, the bloggers broke out. Its not really the case this year. It speaks to the caliber of bloggers we got on here. Thanks for the house KnicksDefense aka *buryfan aka BlogZilla.
I hope that my small cameo helped the Knicks in the win last night. I didnt get to watch the game because I was fulfilling my duties at home, ya’ll know how that goes.
It was nice to ride the train this morning and read through the live blog before hearing any news of the game. It sounds like the game was wrapped might quickly.
I like how some of you remind us how Wallace wasn’t playing. Then go on to add Morrison and May (as if they have been playing at all). You guys make it sound like every other team in the league that goes up against our opponents face full healthy squads but when the Knicks face them, stars are missing. Whatever.
If we can’t say “Well, if Marbury was here and Curry could block shots and rebound, we would have won that game” then “the Knicks only won cuz [INSERT TEAM NAME HERE] didn’t have [INSERT STAR PLAYER/S NAME/S HERE] was out” is bull shit too.
I find it funny that Curry had a “breakout year” last year but his regression is being blamed on Isiah.
As if to say there was another Coach last year and this year, Isiah the Coach is blowing it.
Maybe, just maybe, Curry didn’t improve enough from last year to this year. The league learns how players succeed and adjust. If you as a player don’t adjust to the adjustments… eventually, you’re affect on the game stagnates.
This offseason is “make or break” for Isiah and this roster. As much of a disappointment as this season has been so far, it has been a surprise…and somewhat…a fluke. Last couple of games, our best defensive lineups have been with DLee and Zach on the floor. Not because they block shots and are super strong and athletic but because they move their feet and keep their hands active.
Curry’s hands are anything but active. I can’t wait to see last night’s game to see what Curry did to get two blocks. I’m excited.
I like the following lineup against ATL because I know they will be active on defense:
Zach - C - Horford
JJeff - PF - JSmith
DLee - SF - MWilliams
QRich - SG - Joe Johnson
JCraw - PG - Bibby
*Zach - C - Horford*
Horford is undersized at the Center. While I still start Curry in the beginning of the game -because I hope to get something out of Curry before I am forced to pull him - I intend to put the bruiser ZBo on Horford to stop him in the post. The weakness in this is that Horford can stay out in front of ZBo in transition. With Bibby and Johnson always keeping their heads up in transition, this is a risky strategy…but one I will take nonetheless. I’d rather live and die by forcing the opposing PG/TEAM to make assists than to leave Curry in there and give up rebounding and mobility on the defensive end. On the offensive side, I’ll count on ZBo to pick up rebounds using his acumen and help out on D using his hands, strength and persistence.
*JJeff - PF - JSmith*
Tough matchup for us cuz Josh Smith is a beast who does a little (and sometimes a lot) of everything. He’s our worst nightmare in terms of height (6′9- 6′10″), length (stupid wing span), strength, jumping ability, the ability to hit the open 3 ptr on the left elbow and some raw moves and ability to pass from the post. By putting JJeff on him, I’m asking JJeff to help out on the boards on D. On offense, I’m asking JJeff to try and stay out on the perimeter (keeping Josh Smith and his league leading shot blocking out of the paint) to open the post up for ZBo and penetration for our guards. I’d like to JJeff work on his post game. He needs to be able to get into back-down mode quickly and either make a quick spin move to the baseline for a layup or pass out of it. He’s got the length, handle, passing ability and quickness to operate in the post…he just needs to hone that skill. To me, he’s still a keeper. Still young too. He can be useful against ATL.
*DLee - SF - MWilliams*
Marvin isn’t blowing by anyone. I stick DLee on him and give him just enough room on the 3 pt line to think he’s open. DLee is an inch taller and quick enough to contest any perimeter shooting MWill may attempt. His “drive to the basket” game is far from stellar so force him to do it all game and live with the results. Plus, on O, DLee’s passing should be optimized by being used more on the perimeter as a SF. DLee isn’t going to work as a SF on most nights, but when he will work from that position, it’s important we use him there. DLee in transition against MWill should work to our favor. I don’t see Marvin blocking or keeping DLee out of the paint for one ofhis sweet looking dunks.
*QRich - SG - Joe Johnson*
Although I probably still start Nate and JCraw in the backcourt, I go with QRich vs Joe Johnson for the bulk of the game. If that doesn’t do much to slow down Joe Johnson, I’ll eat my pride and sacrifice outside shooting for energy and defensive hustle by using Balk -”HUSTLE HARDER”- man against Johnson. Johnson does it all and he’s one of the deadliest silent assassins in the game. You sleep, he eats. You got to put a body on him that will put in his work and make Johnson work for every stat he gets. As Balk loses his edge, you sub in a QRich or FJones and try to make Johnson work on D.
*JCraw - PG - Bibby*
Again, I’d start Nate to see what kind of mentality the Lil One has for the night. But I won’t wait long to pull his tiny ass if he lets Bibby have too much room on D. You give Bibby any daylight and he’ll pick apart our swiss cheese defense with simple yet precise passes. Nate’s got to pressure him on D early on in the game and work to penetrate if he wants to stay in the game. We need activity from the PG position against the “youthier” and more athletic Hawks. Still, I like JCraw against PG’s he can stay in front of and who I don’t think will shoot over Craw’s long ass arms. JCraw had some success against the Nets’ JKidd in our last few meetings. He was able to stay in front of him for the most part on penetration attempts and his wing span and active hands allowed him to get some steals both “on the ball” and playing the passing lanes. I think Deron, Devin Harris, Andre Miller and Bibby fall along those lines of PG’s who I would use JCraw against. Nate’s size and their posting ability -especially Miller- make Nate a real liability on D if not also on the offensive end. These are also the teams where we miss a 2006-2007 styled Marbury.
CONCLUSION
Overall, its really hardto have a gameplan with these Knicks. These aren’t the Spurs where you can pencil a solid starting five and be sure that you will match up with most of the teams in the league. There are not many teams where our starting five - Marbury, JCraw, QRich, Zach, Curry - have obvious advantages. If anything, our bench is where our best and most versatile talents are. Mix and matching the effective starters with bench players who match up with the opponent is an art.
My experience with the sub patterns are in a video game where I don’t have to consider egos and player moods or even fatigue. Its because of this that I respect the challenge of coaching and GM’ing the Knicks. Those who don’t respect it, I have to question.
No beef, just veggies.
By BARF on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Great post BARF. Good to have you back. I know, you never really left but you know. It ain’t the same.
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Team Payrolls
1. Dallas Mavericks_________$104,915,118
2. New York Knicks__________$88,877,161
3. Cleveland Cavaliers______$80,849,841
4. Denver Nuggets___________$79,612,568
5. Boston Celtics___________$75,100,389
6. Portland Trail Blazers___$74,151,698
7. Miami Heat_______________$73,431,297
8. Los Angeles Lakers_______$71,753,284
9. Philadelphia 76ers_______$71,417,379
10. Phoenix Suns____________$71,033,603
11. Houston Rockets_________$70,690,724
12. San Antonio Spurs_______$69,816,784
13. Minnesota Timberwolves__$69,069,461
14. New Jersey Nets_________$67,722,711
15. Washington Wizards______$67,550,468
16. Indiana Pacers__________$66,945,767
17. Golden State Warriors___$66,376,528
18. Detroit Pistons_________$65,811,092
19. New Orleans Hornets_____$64,873,991
20. Los Angeles Clips_______$64,481,478
21. Sacramento Kings________$63,123,513
22. Chicago Bulls___________$62,665,060
23. Milwaukee Bucks_________$62,599,267
24. Toronto Raptors_________$62,162,141
25. Seattle SuperSonics_____$60,421,387
26. Utah Jazz_______________$59,060,636
27. Orlando Magic___________$58,819,313
28. Atlanta Hawks___________$55,922,635
29. Memphis Grizzlies_______$52,792,812
30. Charlotte Bobcats_______$52,711,896
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Knicks shot 51% last night. Not bad.
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Re: #101 - BTW (no homo) just sayin’.
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I had this nicely formatted and the shi+ disappeared. KD! wassup?? No love today?? Let’s see if anybody remembers that. Anyway I’m not going through all that again so here’s the raw data. I think I remember somebody mentioning that the Kidd trade sent Dallas over the top of us.
Team Payrolls
1. Dallas Mavericks $104,915,118
2. New York Knicks $88,877,161
3. Cleveland Cavaliers $80,849,841
4. Denver Nuggets $79,612,568
5. Boston Celtics $75,100,389
6. Portland Trail Blazers $74,151,698
7. Miami Heat $73,431,297
8. Los Angeles Lakers $71,753,284
9. Philadelphia 76ers $71,417,379
10. Phoenix Suns $71,033,603
11. Houston Rockets $70,690,724
12. San Antonio Spurs $69,816,784
13. Minnesota Timberwolves $69,069,461
14. New Jersey Nets $67,722,711
15. Washington Wizards $67,550,468
16. Indiana Pacers $66,945,767
17. Golden State Warriors $66,376,528
18. Detroit Pistons $65,811,092
19. New Orleans Hornets $64,873,991
20. Los Angeles Clippers $64,481,478
21. Sacramento Kings $63,123,513
22. Chicago Bulls $62,665,060
23. Milwaukee Bucks $62,599,267
24. Toronto Raptors $62,162,141
25. Seattle SuperSonics $60,421,387
26. Utah Jazz $59,060,636
27. Orlando Magic $58,819,313
28. Atlanta Hawks $55,922,635
29. Memphis Grizzlies $52,792,812
30. Charlotte Bobcats $52,711,896
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Zilla what’s going on?? This thing just ate two of my posts.
By Jay Bee on Feb 28, 2008 at 2:07 pm
jay bee, I have no idea, I’ll go check the spam folder and see if anything got screened.
By knicksdefense on Feb 28, 2008 at 2:44 pm
what’s up BARF? Good to see you on here. Thanks for the jumpstart on the Hawks game tomorrow. These past few weeks it has seemed the knicks only place twice a week, considering the gap between games…
By knicksdefense on Feb 28, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Good PM Deenders,
I’m back in the NYC charged and ready to Fire, and I’ve got to get out and about TOWN, Cause I definitely Got to Pivot for My Digits today.
KD, go the word you’re spreading and I want to thank you for your due diligence and for allowing me to Stop by Your House on the regular…You’re a gracious host…You know what’s good HOMIE!
@Barf, you’ve been missed and I know I’m being redundant, but it is what it is, and if you only spend the night, your visits are always memorable and I am grateful for that time. LIke the Ole Folks, “Oatmeal is better than no meal.”
Gotta Bounce Defenders!
Keep it POPPIN!
By Cooleyhigh on Feb 28, 2008 at 3:07 pm
The Knicks are no longer the highest payroll in the league!!!!!
Yes!
I had no idea.
With Cleveland a close 3rd.
WoW!
Good info.
Does this mean Isiah is doing a better job than some like to think?
If it weren’t for all those losses…we’d be a franchise that’s turning the corner. Ha. But those losses are getting in the way.
I wonder what Berman will write about now if he can’t say the Knicks have the highest payroll.
Dallas has to win a chip this year or the next. No doubt.
Yeah KnicksD, the last few weeks have seemed barren in terms of games played. And even when they play games, they aren’t much to speak about. Right? At least that’s how it seems.
Wow…Stephon’s contract coming off the books puts us at around #14 overall. Takes Malik’s contract off and we are #25.
Considering these two players don’t get any PT or contribute to this year’s Knicks…that means, next year we could have the same team we have this year (a sucker ass one) and be in a position to actually sign a free agent. Go figure.
In a year we’ll be talking in terms of:
25. Seattle SuperSonics $60,421,387
26. Utah Jazz $59,060,636
27. Orlando Magic $58,819,313
28. Atlanta Hawks $55,922,635
29. Memphis Grizzlies $52,792,812
30. Charlotte Bobcats $52,711,896
Personally I wouldn’t trade rosters with any of these teams.
I like Utah but Mehmet bothers me. Deron and Kirilenko make that team great though. Milsap is pretty fresh too. Gooden’s ok…I just don’t like his game.
Orlando is ok. I’d take Dwight and Rashard but not at Rashard’s payscale. Hedo is having a fluke year. I find it hard to believe he’ll be a clutch performer when the playoffs start.
Charlotte is ass. Jordan is lucky Isiah gets so much flack. Anyone say Adam Morrison? Sean May? BUSTS. At least Curry is known for his offensive game. He has a specialty. Those two? Diabetes and leg injuries are their claims to fame, respectively. They did a good job signing JRich and re-signing Gerald Wallace though. Gotta give credit where it’s due. Brandan Wright ain’t doing shit in GS under Nellie. No surprise. I thought it was a sucker ass deal not to pay JRich. Not an end of the world type mistake for Mully and Co. but not a good move either.
By BARF on Feb 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm
The Knicks are no longer the highest payroll in the league!!!!!
Yes!
I had no idea.
With Cleveland a close 3rd.
WoW!
Good info.
Does this mean Isiah is doing a better job than some like to think?
If it weren’t for all those losses…we’d be a franchise that’s turning the corner. Ha. But those losses are getting in the way.
I wonder what Berman will write about now if he can’t say the Knicks have the highest payroll.
Dallas has to win a chip this year or the next. No doubt.
Yeah KnicksD, the last few weeks have seemed barren in terms of games played. And even when they play games, they aren’t much to speak about. Right? At least that’s how it seems.
Wow…Stephon’s contract coming off the books puts us at around #14 overall. Takes Malik’s contract off and we are #25.
Considering these two players don’t get any PT or contribute to this year’s Knicks…that means, next year we could have the same team we have this year (a sucker ass one) and be in a position to actually sign a free agent. Go figure.
In a year we’ll be talking in terms of:
25. Seattle SuperSonics $60,421,387
26. Utah Jazz $59,060,636
27. Orlando Magic $58,819,313
28. Atlanta Hawks $55,922,635
29. Memphis Grizzlies $52,792,812
30. Charlotte Bobcats $52,711,896
Personally I wouldn’t trade rosters with any of these teams.
I like Utah but Mehmet bothers me at Center. Deron and Kirilenko make that team great though. Milsap is pretty fresh too. Gooden’s ok…I just don’t like his game. Out of this list, Utah’s the gem. Korver and some of their young guys are fresh and exciting.
Orlando is ok. I’d take Dwight and Rashard but not at Rashard’s payscale. Hedo is having a fluke year. I find it hard to believe he’ll be a clutch performer when the playoffs start.
Charlotte is ass. Jordan is lucky Isiah gets so much flack. He should try coaching that team and see where that takes them. Anyone say Adam Morrison? Sean May? BUSTS. At least Curry is known for his offensive game. He has a specialty. Those two? Diabetes and leg injuries are their claims to fame, respectively. They did a good job signing JRich and re-signing Gerald Wallace though. Gotta give credit where it’s due. Brandan Wright ain’t doing shit in GS under Nellie. No surprise. I thought it was a sucker ass deal not to pay JRich. Not an “end of the world” type mistake for Mully and Co. but far from a good move.
Memphis and Atlanta both have some good individual talent but 1 - 12, I’ll take the Knicks. Thank You.
Just like most teams that are not winning consistently, a few trades or a few draft picks will help change the situation to the good quick. We aren’t very far away but there are glaring holes that Marbury, JJames and Malik’s occupied roster spots aren’t helping. The good thing about such a surprisingly terrible season is that there are a lot of trading chips. Last off season there was quite a disparity in who fans were willing to let go of. Now, I think that list is substantially longer…rightfully so.
It just goes to show, just cuz the Knicks are getting better…doesn’t mean the other teams in the East (and the league) are sitting on their hands. But there’s something on the horizon and from here it looks like $30 million of expiring contracts.
By BARF on Feb 28, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The Knicks are no longer the highest payroll in the league!!!!!
Yes!
I had no idea.
With Cleveland a close 3rd.
WoW!
Good info.
Does this mean Isiah is doing a better job than some like to think?
If it weren’t for all those losses…we’d be a franchise that’s turning the corner. Ha. But those losses are getting in the way.
I wonder what Vermin will write about now if he can’t say the Knicks have the highest payroll.
Dallas has to win a chip this year or the next. No doubt.
Yeah KnicksD, the last few weeks have seemed barren in terms of games played. And even when they play games, they aren’t much to speak about. Right? At least that’s how it seems.
Wow JB…Stephon’s contract coming off the books puts us at around #14 overall. Takes Malik’s contract off and we are #25.
Considering these two players don’t get any PT or contribute to this year’s Knicks…that means, next year we could have the same team we have this year (a sucker ass one) and be in a position to actually sign a free agent. Go figure.
In a year we’ll be talking in terms of:
25. Seattle SuperSonics $60,421,387
26. Utah Jazz $59,060,636
27. Orlando Magic $58,819,313
28. Atlanta Hawks $55,922,635
29. Memphis Grizzlies $52,792,812
30. Charlotte Bobcats $52,711,896
Personally, I wouldn’t trade rosters with any of these teams.
I like Utah but Mehmet bothers me at Center. Deron and Kirilenko make that team great though. Deron’s still young too. Milsap is pretty fresh too. Gooden’s ok…I just don’t like his game. Out of this list, Utah’s the gem. Korver and some of their young guys are fresh and exciting.
Orlando is ok. I’d take Dwight and Rashard but not at Rashard’s payscale. Hedo is having a fluke year. I find it hard to believe he’ll be a clutch performer when the playoffs start. Their bench is thin and their 2 guard spot is tough but not clutch. I think Washington is better but not without Arenas…and definitely not without Arenas AND Butler.
Charlotte is ass. Jordan is lucky Isiah gets so much flack. He should also try coaching that team and see where that takes them. Anyone say Adam Morrison? Sean May? BUSTS. At least Curry is known for his offensive game. He has a specialty. Those two? Diabetes and leg injuries are their claims to fame, respectively. They did a good job signing JRich and re-signing Gerald Wallace though. Gotta give credit where it’s due. Brandan Wright ain’t doing shit in GS under Nellie. No surprise. I thought it was a sucker ass deal not to pay JRich. Not an “end of the world” type mistake for Mully and Co. but far from a good move.
Memphis and Atlanta both have some great individual talent (JSmith, Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, Conley Jr) but 1 - 12, I’ll take the Knicks. Thank You. I’m a homer.
Just like most teams that are not winning consistently, a few trades or a few draft picks will help change the situation to the good quick. We aren’t very far away but there are glaring holes that Marbury, JJames and Malik’s occupied roster spots aren’t helping. Yes, the Zach acquisition didn’t help the defensive end but defensive power forwards are necessarily growing on trees. What better PF has been available? Don’t say KG cuz everyone knows no one but Danny Ainge had any chance at picking him up. Gasol alongside Curry wouldn’t work either so don’t even try it. Drew Gooden would have been an interesting choice but I don’t like his contract size relative to his production. Plus I don’t think he’s tough enough on defense to make up for Curry’s shortcomings.
ALthough it may be hard to imagine, maybe the Zach trade was the perfect thing to happen. Maybe that will be the trade that helps us transition to a post-Curry era. Already, more fans prefer Zach’s flawed game to Curry’s. They respect Zach’s swag and hustle. Curry’s got skills and no swag. He’s got style and no substance, no hustle. Maybe he’ll tire of the public ridicule and shame…dedicate himself to revitalizing his career here BY CONCENTRATING ON DEFENSE and take the offseason more serious than ever. Maybe he’ll realize that he’s the only one with the power to fulfill his potential.
Or maybe he’ll spend the offseason shaving a few calories off his diet and keep working on his offensive moves in the post. Maybe he’ll ignore his weaknesses and continue obsessing on his strengths.
Marbury’s all but gone.
Malik’s clock is ticking.
I think next season is gonna be big in terms of roster activity.
The good thing about such a surprisingly terrible season is that there are now a lot of trading chips. Last off season there was quite a disparity in who fans were willing to let go of. Now, I think that list is substantially longer…rightfully so.
It just goes to show, just cuz the Knicks are getting better…doesn’t mean the other teams in the East (and the league) are sitting on their hands. But there’s something on the horizon and from here it looks like $30 million of expiring contracts.
By BARF on Feb 28, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Yo KnicksD
A few of my posts were swallowed up.
If you go through em just release the last one.
Laters
By BARF on Feb 28, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Any one think this guy could help off the bench
for our BIG PUSH? http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/cassell_waived_080228.html
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Cooleyhigh,
my brother from another mother, I’m interested in your take on the above mentioned Prop?
BTW…I can’t wait to meet you in the flesh! (No Homo)
African & Statesman….where the hell are are brothers?????
Mark got you guys in the basement again! If so I’ll come save you guys with that Samari Sword! lol
I swear I won’t tell a soul! You defenders…we should be blogging! We are going to do this…
make History!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Knicks 110 ATL 88. Bibby needs more time to gel…
and he ain’t in game shape!
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 9:12 pm
@Peaceman,
Just dropped in before I head out for a little mischief in the City that never sleeps, and if things go right, I’ll probably won’t get enough Z’s my damn self, but I digress…LOL
Regarding your Prop, If Sam was wllling to come in and share his wealth of experience and tutor N8 and take the minimum, it wouldn’t be the worse thang, but Zeke would have to manage and soothe a few egos, plus the addition wouldn’t address our weakest aspect, which is perimeter defense, so I see some merits, but if it was my call, I would stand pat and let OUR YOUNGINS mature and learn how to win toegther. The talent is there, IMHO it is just a matter of effort and will.
Lastly, it would truly be my pleasure and privilege to meet you too Peaceman. I wish OUR KNICKS were playing while I was here, so I could meet and fellowship with the NYC contingent. If someone or something creates an oppotunity to watch tomorrow’s game, just give me a shout on the THREAD…
Also, I’ve been digging your Optimism, Commitment, and Courage against ALL odds…Quite refreshing my Bruh, quite refreshing…
Keep it POPPIN!
By Cooleyhigh on Feb 28, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Yo Peaceman
I wouldn’t mind the Knicks acquiring Sam I Am from a far away land not only for the experience and intangibles he would bring to the table. But especially so he won’t clear waivers and land in Beantown.
Sad to say it but I keep listening in on the radio and there are stories about the Leper-Con artists wanting to nab the hard court space alien brother from a far far far away mother.
Kill two birds with one stone…
Nab a point gaurd and deny the Celtics of additional depth to make a deeper playoff run.
Isn’t it all about fucking with the Cs even if were the underdogs.
OBTW Peaceman
You are a pusher
A Knicks Koolaide pusher
Getting us defenders all riled up for some late season heroics and unforeseen turnarounds.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 28, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Good PM Defenders
Just popin’ my head in for a second.Need to catch up on the postings.
No Marbury in 08-09 says IT!
The drama continues
In it till the end.
Go Knicks!!!!
By D L T Knicks on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Thanks cooley,
Enjoy the Apple while your here, but in the future let me know in advance!
It’s hard to get time off when your the REAL House MD. but I’ll make it for
people like you “MY BLOGGA!” Banned word alternative! LOL! PEACE Out!
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Also in considering whether to “try” to pick up Sam I Am off waivers is the reality that sans Bonespurry the Knicks have had to rely much more heavily on Crawford and Nate and that a willing an able additional gaurd can help remedy that problem. Well that is if we still believe the team can make an actual playoff run.
Night!
By Orange and Blue on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:11 pm
AH my “BLOGGA’S” TILL THE END!
The Movie “300″ ain’t got shyt on us!!!!!!
Defenders… WE CAN MOVE MOUTAINS….AS ONE FAMILY!!!!!!!
LIFE IS FRAGILE…HOPE IS OUR MOTHER EARTH THAT WE WALK UPON!
FAITH IS OUR’S UPON THE SUN COMING UP EACH DAY WITHOUT PROMISE!
WHO PROMISED? NO ONE!!!!!! THAT IS FAITH…..AND the KNICKS
are OUR PART OF OUR FAITH with NO PROMISE BUT A INSTILLED THING CALLED LOVE!!!!!
By Peaceman on Feb 28, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Steady
Checked your retort to my rather odd selection of what to call dinner for that special maled centric holiday “steak” BJ & STFU day. Funny stuff.
________________________________________________________________________________________
“O&B,
What about Springbok or rhinoceros or even wilderbeast or wharthog?
Guess it’s time for a new thread Blogzilla. Before we start to eat our innards again.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Well it’s not my fault I was raised on tripe, dear, Llama heart, and since my sis got me into bufalo carcass I can’t quit.
But most of that stuff is lean meat.
Can’t help it I was raised country!
By Orange and Blue on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:00 pm
sorry about that barf, just pushed the last one through.
the software is acting frisky again, it held a few of jay bee’s comments this morning, for some unknown reason.
LGK!
Atlanta tomorrow homies.
By knicksdefense on Feb 28, 2008 at 11:28 pm
BARF is an essential read. His offerings are ones you really need to think about. Great stuff baby.
Peace, you’re going to get a medal for leading the charge without wavering. Zeke’s troops better get movin’.
O&B, that you for the llama heart confirmation. I was afraid to ask. What is it cooked with? Do you know if it’s better than ostrich? I hate ostrich.
Frank Isola rarely gets anything right (he hit Marbury going AWOL on the head)but this Isiah as coach is probably unbelievably accurate because Isola disses Isiah so much that I can’t believe he would pencil Monty in as coach even if it heard it in Dolan’s dreams. That is very interesting. What is motivating Dolan? What is his prime objective? What is the foundation of his decision-making process? I think Tman keeps trying to give some hints, but I don’t get it. Is he tired of spending millions and refuses to spring for a GM, coach and a new severance package? Is he trying to punish Zeke by keeping him in the foxhole with him for another season? Is he still flexing his middle-finger to the know-little press? What is Dolan doing? It would be mighty generous if he would share the strategy with us fans, then maybe we wouldn’t feel so much heartbreak. But I guess as long as he’s banking bank, he doesn’t feel the need to explain diddly to us. Yeah, I don’t get it.
It’s cute that everybody has got their favorite person who that don’t think should be blamed for this fiasco. My take is that anybody in the chain of command and responsibility with decision-making power (the ability and authority to chose between possible actions and/or solutions to problems) that impacts the ability of the organization to function effectively is a candidate for blame or praise depending on the outcomes impacted by the use, misuse or failure to use that power.
In other words, all those Mofo’s (Isiah, Dolan, Steph & Curry) are responsible for this fiasco to varying degrees. Of course things are correctable and not everything they have done is wrong, but they all bear responsibility for where we are now.
I hope to read you and write you tonight. We have Not-so-Hotlanta tonight and Orlando tomorrow. I really enjoyed watching Eddie Curry in those few minutes he played. Although the “D” got burned a couple of times, he was very aggressive. I sa him bend his knees a couple of times to jump. And he moved like an antelope a couple of times. It’s a shame Isiah didn’t reward him with a little more playing time.
Q is looking much better almost like last year, but with hops. Isiah screwed up big time by giving Q the entire season to get back into shape after back surgery, but QRich seems excited and tryign to provide that leadership to salvage the year. His value is going up: back problem resolved. Somebody is going to make room for Chandler in the rotation next year and it will be either him or Jeffries, unless Balkman is traded. Chandler is going to be nice alongside David Lee. Not only does Chandler shoot, but he will go after his misses. He is anxious to use his good given talents. All you David Lee salesman have got to love that mid-range jumper DLee has. That boy is very serviceable. DO NOT TRADE DAVID LEE FOR SHYTE.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Feb 29, 2008 at 5:13 am
Tonight we leap frog over the Bobcats, who play the Celtics,
it helps that the Pacers play the Raptors, the WiZ play the Bulls and
Philly plays @ GSW!….we must beat ATL!!!!We need this BAD!!!!!
By Peaceman on Feb 29, 2008 at 5:57 am
Good day yall
Hey it seems that Isiah Thomas has instructed Stephon Bonespurry to no longer attend Knick homes games.
But I think all of you readers here have to like it how Asswhole pulls things out his ass both literally and figuratively, especially when you read how he just grasp at straws with super qualified statements such as the following comments in brackets:
‘[Insiders believe Thomas feels] Marbury cost the Knicks the season by rebelling so strongly in November when the coach looked to remove Marbury from the starting lineup after five games. Marbury’s bolting of Phoenix fractured the locker room. Thomas also resents Marbury for having surgery instead of trying to postpone it. “It was very bad timing for the team,” the friend said, “but it had to be done.”‘
For asswhola speculation = observation!
eter Vescey Fit just writes on and on about Zekes con job in a way that makes Dolan look like the sole victim.
But like lives wrote,… every person with a stake in managing and making the team go has to share the blame.
Vescey’s article can be read as a slight at the Knick fan who sees a turnaround not far around the corner.
He implicitly makes the distinction between genuine Knick fans and Koolaid drinkers in his lil rant.
By Orange and Blue on Feb 29, 2008 at 7:21 am
Quick answer for Lives
Llama heart is a delicacy skewered and flame broiled over and open earth oven.
Question for all
Is Atlanta a run and gun style team, in the mold of GSW or a young court pressing scoring off of turnovers team like the Sixers?
Both of those teams got the better of the Knicks this year so I just wanted to get into better perspective what would be needed to win.
I tend to agree with BARF with regard to the style of PG Bibby is, and concurr with BronxboyinMD that he is still getting up to speed so their initiator at the point might be contained tonight.
Game time tonight.
Lets Go Knicks!
By Orange and Blue on Feb 29, 2008 at 7:27 am
Starbury to the Brooklyn Nets delivered by KV. WAS(wait and see).
By Cloakley on Feb 29, 2008 at 9:56 am
Watched an interview last night “John Thompson sat down with Jason Kidd” One question intrigue me “Why did the Nets fail the past few seasons?”
Kidd: “We played badly because as the point guard I failed to get the ball to everyone in the right positions. I take responsibility for that.”
If you as me, the Nets failed because they fired Byron Scott and Lawrence Frank is not the same caliber coach, but do you see Steph ever taking that responsibility? How many playoff appearances has Steph made in his career?
By Jazz on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:34 am
Can the coach actually ban a player from coming to MSG? That is one of those crappy stories crafted by Burman!!!
By Jazz on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:42 am
Jazz, at the risk of sounding too cynical (again), I think Kidd can afford to say that cuz he knows nooobody is gonna b’lee dat for even a milisecond. Still, props for takin the high road. If it was Barkley, you know we’da heard somethin different (the cold troof).
I found my old KD pre-season prediction. I was only way wrong with Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia. Oh and the Knicks. It’s kinda cute to look back on all those pre-season hopes now. The playoff die-hards in here are to be either commended or committed.
By Charles Follymacher on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:43 am
Chuck,
I think it just goes to show what the Knicks are missing. A true leader on the floor. A coach can only do so much. Last night I heard one of the commentators describe Phil Jackson as a genius. I think he is in his ability to always get great stars to coach.
Being one of the Playoff die-hards at lease I can say that you have a point but don’t you think it is a possibility if the Knicks are able to sting some wins? I have been away for sometime but since returning I’ve seen the Knicks pay some really nice ball but they didn’t have any wins for them. But at this point in the season, the only way we can get in is if something really bad were to happen to the teams ahead of us and if we played flawless bball. Either way the team will have to continue trying to find that chemistry.
Since in all likelihood IT is coming back, we just have to work with what we’ve got
By Jazz on Feb 29, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Agreed on the floor leader thing, Jazz. Someone who leads by example, someone who bleeds for wins and is able to command respect and inspire the best from everyone else. Tall order but surely it is a must have for any championship team.
Anything is possible and small miracles happen every day, all day. But the “reality” of the situation is, imho, there’s too many teams ahead and they’re too many games behind. They need a long run of wins and an impressive collapse from all them teams to get it done. As much as they’ve improved lately, I just don’t see this as a reasonable scenario.
That said, mathematical death is still a little ways off so hats off to the True Believers (Wishers?).
off-topic, but if they get a new GM in before the season is out, then it’s on him (not dolan) to can Zeke before december ‘08 if the team isn’t showing a marked improvement.
By Charles Follymacher on