Four number ones made it. Incredible! The only team I’ve had a good look at is Memphis, so I’m no authority on this, but I’ll go with Memphis over UCLA and Kansas over North Carolina (simply because I don’t want to hear Kenny Smith talkin’ smack on Inside the NBA for the next two months), with Memphis taking the cake. Don’t quote me on it, I mostly just watch Knicks games.
{ 69 comments }
new coach speculation:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2008/04/04/2008-04-04_mark_jackson_emerging_as_favorite_to_rep.html
“Anti-New York Sports News is what they called him”
For some reason I was thinking of that Martin high school reunion episode when Martin kept on saying “Pretty Ricky is what they called him!”
WELL ANYWAY:
PaulNze,
“Anti – you say “I suspected racism from the beginning once Larry Brown gotten fired(and I know I’m not wrong with those suspicions)” – i have not had my morning cup of coffee and may need this one ’splained to me. Do you mean that Brown wouldn’t have been fired if he were African-American?”
1st I’d like to tell u a good question you asked!
Answer: I’m not saying Larry Brown wouldn’t have been fired if he were Afro-American. Everyone knows that Larry Brown did a poor job on purpose, as some say, to get Isiah fired as GM so he can take the reins. I don’t know about that, but something was up.
Not beating around the georgebush, I think some(A FEW) peeps in the press that are white men, can be, are, and would be quick to turn against a man of color then they would, say, a person of their own color. Seeing a Black man in possession with the power to fire a white man does not sit right with some white folks, I’m sure. Something about that image doesn’t go well with their psyche in the way things were when, I say, when, they were like, a lad growing up. You know what I mean?
So when something like that happens, and now that white coach is fired and replaced by a Afro-American coach—the ink starts to splatter on the paper with words that’s vile, racist innuendos you can say, but wisely disguised as tough NY media criticism and professional sports journalism. I’m not a fool, I read between the lines. And I’m a avid reader of words and choice selection when reading by that writer(s), thinking while reading why he/she used that particular word he used for the effect he wanted to convey to slyly start to bring down the purpose to destroy that person. Examle: like say Isiah Thomas, Barry Bonds, but different words used to describe a person like Larry Brown or Pre-Congress “mis-remembered” Roger Clemons. You see what I’m saying?
Or sometimes I may hear something that triggers the thought that “SOME” not “ALL” peeps in media biz may be secreted racist. Take this statement from Chris “Mad Dog” Russo saying the the only player that’s good, and that he would keep on the Knicks is, you ready for this:
DAVID LEE.
I tell you one thing, I would think if you are a white man and heard that statement you probably wouldn’t take as not such a big deal, but what if you’re Afro-American? Are you thinking that statement-maker is a closeted racist, may pop up in your mind. Be honest, it just might, you know what I’m say?
Of course no matter what color you are, David Lee is good, but he has his faults and strengths just like any particular player on the Knicks with their particular issues.
With statements like this and others that I hear and read is why I suspect racism.
Let me make one thing clear—I’m not advocating that Isiah Thomas should NOT be fired—because I think it’s time for him to go. To pack his bags and take the 1st flight to Chi-Town. (But for him to come back get on Knicks Draft night with a few nice potential draft selections.lol).
No matter what color Isiah was, he could be Green like the HULK and strong like him too—if you did a poor job, with a losing record to show for it—then buddy, it’s time for you to go. Just that, if he were the HULK, I’m not the one to tell him he’s fired—I leave that to Ed Drossman! lol (Best wishes Ed—I visit u in the Emergency Room when I get the time.)
So in a nut shell that’s how I feel about the/this whole Isiah Thomas, Larry Brown, NY Sports News( particularly when covering the knicks last season) and why I became Anti-NYSportsNews.
“Just as an aside, the Philly sports media make the NY sports media look like the hippie chicks on The Magic Garden. Maybe your movement should spread and there should be an Anti-PSN!
About Philly, their fans and media, they’re supposed to be the “place of brotherly love”, but that place over there is anything but. They’re right for each other.
“Anti–One suggestion on your new handle: Reject, Renounce, Repudiate NEGATIVITY. Negativity is bad. Repeating after my cyber sage/coach who quoted the Bible: Nothing good comes from bad. In other words, drop the ANTI. (LOL)”
Steady,
TY for the advice—I’m still thinking of a handle—but one thing for sure—NEVER Anti-Steady! lol WriteOn!!!
CooleyHigh,
“I understand why a change in handle might occur, but based on MY profile of you DEFENDER, I always thought of you as one that felt,’It doesn’t matter what you call me, as long as you call me’ All of us here call you A TRUE NEW YORK KNICK FAN…There’s no better handle than that my Brudder…”
Thanks, I’m still a Defender just not as an Anti anymore! I was thinking about using my REAL name, but I quickly came to my senses when I put down the crack pipe. lol.
WriteOn, guys!!!!
Great a no defense show boat slow footed gaurd to take the reigns as the Knicks Head Coach!
Maybe Lives was right about his reserved caution!
Don’t get fooled into thinking Jackson is a shoe-in for new coach. That he has been mentioned so often only makes him the media choice. The coaching job is still very much in the air as is every other position if you believe anything Donnie said at his press conference. ANTI……I would leave that moniker just the way it is. The NY media still suxx. Read Asshola’s 2 articles today. What a clown.
Here here JohnQ
I co sign on your recent post!
from Jay Bee on the last thread, on ex-UNC alum Walsh firing Zeke as revenge for Isiah’s treatment of LB:
Oh Jay Bee, come on. No one needs to couch a firing of Zeke in politically correct terms, nor do you need to invent or assign motives for doing so.
A neutral, thorough assessment of his tenure by anyone – black, white, young, old, rich, poor, female, male, Democrat, Rethuglican, et al will certainly yield sufficient evidence to fire Isiah by any reasonable professional standards that exist inside or outside of basketball.
Does that mean he couldn’t continue to help the Knicks in 2008-09, and provide a net positive to the orange and blue going forward? No….but i personally would thoroughly grill him on the upcoming draft just to pick his grill, let him twist during pre-draft workouts while continuing to get his knowledge, and then dump his ass once a draft position and draft board has been established.
Zeke’s got money, fame, rings, his health, etc – he’ll be just hunky-dory.
Paulnoize
I don’t think Anti is at all opposed to the firing or termination of Isiah Thomas.
I think he senses that the added vitroil heaved upon Zeke had a racial undertone.
He never said that the calls for his ouster at this juncture are undeserved.
With all due respect.
Read the blogger correctly.
Blogga Puleeeze!
O & B – i was addressing Jay Bee, not Anti.
Besides, at the risk of ruining the kumbahyah spirit, the utterance of phrases like your second sentence are partially at fault for preserving racism way past its natural shelf life.
Maybe some people see shadows that aren’t really there…..it’s called ego.
What’s wrong with the theory that kids are piling on to the anti Isiah bandwagon because his performance justifies it? Fifteen months ago, okay, maybe a racial angle had some relevance.
But is there any point at all at which an intelligent, hard-working African American in a position of very high rank can do such a poor job over a long stretch of time that he can be called incompetent and fired WITHOUT someone muttering about racist crackers?
Yo Paulnoize
My bad for the misunderstanding.
I read Jay Bee’s spiel on the other thread you cited. Very sadistic, a blogger after my own personality.
But on a serious tip. “Blogga Puleeeze.” Where does that come across as offensive. I could have used other words but “Blogga Puleeeze” is race neutral and blogger genuine.
All a mix up.
No blood no foul, O & B….and i didn’t take offense.
But just like the racial bias is clear when some people say David Lee is the only good player on the Knicks, i think there is also a CLEAR racial bias when people suggest the hatred of Isiah at this point has some kind of racial undertone.
i don’t think you were one to take that position, i know my comment was kinda strongly worded – but my point wasn’t directed at you, just the people who see a racial angle to the criticism of Isiah Lord Thomas.
Just to be clear O & B, we all cool in my book. =)
Anti News, awesome post. I missed your insights. Powerful stuff. P-Nice and OB, keeping it real and poppin’ as always!!! KD Kansas is not taking the Tar Heels down. Memphis will struggle against the Bruins but should prevail. Memphis versus North Carolina Monday night will be a classic. A toss up that too close to call right now. I’ll holla bak bout dis un!!!!!
And in fairness to Jay Bee, i gotta say…..while i thought the UNC connection firing angle is baseless, it was pretty damn funny.
i can’t wait for Fitty’s next album to drop….”Gory Gay Mansex”!!! LOL!!!
i picked Kansas, only as a tactical move here in the office pool to keep my picks distinct.
i think they’re a real underdog, but i guess i’ll be rooting for them even though i am out of the running for the overall winner. =(
i think the Knicks are a mess….as a Rutgers alum, i should probably save a bit of my hoops vitriol for the Scarlet Knights. Oh well….we’ll always have the near-miss in ’76, i guess. ;(
i think Marbury will be back and productive next year, his contract year. i do not support buying him out with our current PG situation….if we luck into Rose, then fine, buy out Marbs if you must. But a lesser point plus Jamal/Nate/Mardy next season looks like another year of stalled player development to me.
But a Marbury / Jermaine O’Neal swap is one that could really make sense for us both.
Paul,
I agree that Marbs will be productive next year. Most players in a contract year usually are. I would deffinitely buy him out though if we are lucky enough to scoop Rose in the draft. I wouldn’t let Steph’s me 1st attitude corrupt my new PG. Maybe we can get a group rate on whatever train Zeke’s leaving on ?
How long is O’Niell’s pact as opposed to Steph’s ? Remember that Donnie said that he will not be adding to the payroll in hopes for a big score in FA in 2010.
Jermaine has two guaranteed years left, so it would not affect Walsh’s timeline.
Plus, he understands the needs and desires of both teams and front offices….so if it fits, he’s the man to get that done.
Mind you, i wonder if the new fiscal responsibility era stated by Isiah earlier this year is real, and extends to not paying the extra year of salary plus the extra year of luxury tax that O’Neal would bring with him.
We’d also need to try real hard to turn one of Curry/Zach/Lee into a point to rebalance the roster.
Re: #6 – Back from lunch and already I’m misinterpreted.
“Oh Jay Bee, come on. No one needs to couch a firing of Zeke in politically correct terms, nor do you need to invent or assign motives for doing so.”
The somewhat veiled point I was making was that there was another indicator of the coaching future of the franchise. That Isiah has earned his way out of the Apple for not growing this team is not lost on me nor do I ever ask anyone to agree with my theories, predictions or any other kind of opinions I may spew out (no homo). It was only a point that North Carolina guys are loyal to Dean, The school and each other. That Walsh, a former assistant coach of Larry Brown, would be in a position to exact revenge for an old friend is not hard to fathom. While he (Walsh) is remaining mum on the matter, all I’m doing is putting out a theory that maybe there is an indicator of which way this is going to go. Comedy aside, I thought it was a valid point. So as far as motives are concerned, you might be reading too much into it. I don’t mind if you disagree with me, just don’t misunderstand me. No blood, no foul.
Cool, thanks for replying Jay Bee. =)
Actually, the unfortunate part of me highlighting your post was that you excellent point about the Dave Hanners/UNC connection kinda got lost in the mix.
Things that make ya go “Hmmmm”
Paul,John,Jay-Bee
Like reading your ideas. Finally we are back to talking basketball.
Why does everyone dislike Jackson so much?
True, I hated him as a Pacer,but I would like to hear what ideas he has that makes him a media favorite.
Carlisle? Maybe.
Skiles……won’t work unless you dump Curry and Crawford and that’s not a bad idea either.
I believe in giving the new blood a chance. Look at Byron Scott,Doc Rivers,Nate McMillan,Avery Johnson these coaches
(that are all former point guards/guards)have all had sucess in reaching this new wave of new jack ganger players.
Jackson could fit that bill also.
We need not try the same old coaches Brown,Nelson,Wilkens, where did they take us?
New blood for the young ones is the phrase of the day!
This air of competitivenes baffles me. Still, who is trying to prove what to whom?
KFlL
Steady
I will continue to frequent KnicksD b/c there are many quality people still on board whose opinions and commentary I respect. I will also now do the Knicksfix, and knicksfanatics circuit b/c there are peeps there who also have developed cache with yours truly.
Feel free to roam and give a holler to the cyber gang.
Good night to the Defenders.
Not that it matters anymore this season, but Mardy had a nice dunk tonight. Didn’t think he still had the springs to do it like that, perhaps he feels he’s trying out for Walsh’s squad in November.
Testing!
My post got lost somewhere. Good AM Defenders!
I believe that in SM, we have the NG Chris Paul.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-spdonnie0406,0,1918135.story
wow. kansas up 40-13 on unc.
I was hearing that most analyst expected thre reverse result between North Carolina and Kansas.
I’m as surprised as many others.
I’d like to poll the Defenders here…….
Once the new regime is firmly in place, would you recomend that the Knicks
A. Have a fire sale and get under the cap by 2010 in hope for a big FA signing ?
B. Keep the scorers (Crawford and Zach) and add talent to compliment them ( Artest, D. Rose and a center)?
C. Stay the course w/ the roster (minus Marbury plus D Rose)and see what a new coach can get out of them ?
I’m of the oppinion that B is the way to go. Keep those 2 plus Lee and Balkman and add a quality C w/ Marbury’s expiring deal or Malik and Curry as a package. Would you run w/ D. Rose, Crawford, Artest, ZBO, and lets say B. Miller W/ Lee and Balkman and Nate coming off the bench ? I would.
JohnQ,
I like B. It may be that either Curry or Zach may have to be packaged. A scenario like Zach back home to Indiana for Jermaine could be intriguing. I need to run that scenario to see if it works. I like the idea of the King but openly going after an OTP who is under contract and may stay with his current team should be viewed as a violation of the CBA. I guess since the Lil’ General is partaking in the love fest then I guess it’s all good.
I’ll get back to you with an adjust ment on B. This team could have gone to the playoffs but the scriptologist had them tankin’ and we just got the confirmation memo.
KF?L
PaulNoize,
(Responding to #168 and #175 at the previous thread)
Sorry, but I did write what I believe “in.” I believe that w/o more info Walsh is the wrong choice except for marketing
reasons.
You were very articulate at #175 stating how you would handle the situation except that you rely heavily on illusion and deception, slight of hand. The only thing that really changes is that Greg Anthony gets a chance largely based, I believe, on the basis that he was hired by ESPN and can talk a good game with a confident voice. Ah, a broadcaster choice like Mark Jackson. Oh, there other qualification is the success of other first time former guard coaches. But can they lead and organize the young men of today. Hey, it’s going to be a lost year anyway. What the heck, give one of them a shot.
I have a slightly different view.
Regarding the President’s position, I am not sure as I am not privy to who is out there and available to take the position. Anything would be “just bloggin’.” But for that reason alone, I would do some extensive due diligence and look for a hungry, young GM. I would plan for beyond three years and the imminent retirement of Walsh. My initial uninformed reaction is that I would look at Keith Grant, Vice President of Operations for the Dallas Mavericks who comes to mind. Dallas runs a very strong organization.
Regarding coaches, I would give a serious look at Bill Laimbeer & Michael Cooper. New Yorkers could use a little fire and desire so I would go with Laimbeer first. It doesn’t matter to me that they have been coaching women to Championships. It shows their organizational skills have been developed and we already know they can relate to male ballers. The downside is that Laimbeer was a Piston and Cooper was a Laker. (Still I would take them both over Mark Jackson and Greg Anthony who have strong voices but a minimum of coaching experience).
I would also check out David Blatt – Former coach of Benetton Treviso, Coach of Russian National Team and Maccabi Tel Aviv (European Champion). He developed Andrea Bargnani. I am surprised the Knicks never checked him out given that he played point at Princeton when Steve Mills was there with Michele Obama’s brother Craig Robinson. He is the most successful American coach in European ball history and fits into Walsh’s notion that we need outside shooters which these days means you must look at Euro Heros.
I would consider Terry Porter who may be ready for a more successful run. He is currently an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. He coached Milwaukee in from 03-05 to 71-93 record.
Tom Thibideau is an intersting prospect, but he simply spells a return of the Van Gundy defense which many Knicks fans complained about as being boring and plodding. I like Van Gundy and defense, but we still need good entertainment and an exciting product.
For those who want a native New Yorker, A Defender may not be a bad idea as in D-League Los Angeles D-Fender Head Coach Dan Panaggio.
Panaggio, a native of Rochester, New York recently served as an assistant coach with the Marquette University men’s basketball team for the 2005-06 NCAA season. Preceding his coaching duties at Marquette, Panaggio was an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers for four seasons (2000-04), and acted as an assistant coach at Indiana University (1999-2000) before joining the NBA. Panaggio had accrued more career victories than any other active coach in the CBA, and left ranked third all-time in games coached (504), third in playoff victories (71), and fifth in regular season winning percentage. Before joining the CBA, Panaggio served as the head coach at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. Panaggio is a graduate of SUNY-Brockport, and he and his wife Ellen are the proud parents of five children.
John Calipari may also be ready for another run at the pros. I would look at him although I am not sure.
Isiah Thomas with Tom Thibodeau (minus Herb Williams and Mark Aquirre). Yep, I would consider keeping Isiah Thomas unless I decided the best thing to do with Marbury’s contract is to play him. I like the fact that Isiah has failed miserably and has coached, far below his capability, under extremely difficult circumstances. I would consider taking advantage of his experience with current Knicks players, many of whom still respect him and his desire to succeed. I like the thought of him grooming Derek Rose and handling Ron Artest or Stephon Jackson (my preference in exchange for Jamal Crawford and Renaldo Balkman). Persistence turns failure into a pathway to success.
If not I would consider making Isiah either Vice President of Basketball Operations or General Manager, because he is talented and because I don’t want to pay him for not working.
Ha Ha Ha. Mr. Poster (not directed at PaulNoise), I see you getting over excited at your keyboard about my selection of Isiah at the bottom of my list, but before you finish typing some ignorant inconsiderate hyperbole consider that I might hire your dumb looking ass after you had a colossel failure at work because I thought you could do better or would learn from your failure. Oh, but you haven’t failed before. Sorry, type on. I’ll take my beating like a manager of people.
I apologize in advance for the apparent hijacking of the blog. As a courtesy warning, I suggest those who do not know me and those who only want to read about basketball skip the following LAPs (Long Ass Posts) as they will be non-basketball related, very self-indulgent and directed to specific individual members of this community.
SHOOTER
(inspired by Lil Wayne’s track “Shooter”)
(Dedicated to and for KD Poets such as DVJ, Bronx and BARF. Holler at a Brother.)
Rat-a-tat-tat Rat-a-tat-tat
They want me to drop my brain
and give up my name
die or accept the chains
backed in the corner once again
What was Claude McKay sayin’
I’m fire when I’m on fire
touch me, fuel me, burn higher
too tired to smolder
not lookin’ over my shoulder
for every insult
guided to a negative result
Living to construct
listening to instruct
trying not to misjudge the conduct
and erupt
because of a misunder –
I’m standing deManding
clearing the landing
it’s my heart I’m handling
no, not just glad handing
“stop the grandstanding”
Why can’t I LIVES and love
without taking shots at my bough
how
come I keep ducking and dodging
to keep the the shot from lodging
in the vitals
of my flow
Let me be, Let me go
I see you shooter
catch your bullet and build me
a lesson from the wound dressing
I’m not who you think I am
I’m bigger than that
Fire
rat-a-tat-tat
I’m still smiling – Shooter
You missed the point – Hater
dead is not the death of me
yet – shooter
Rat-a-tat-tat. You missed.
LIVES
I apologize in advance for the apparent hijacking of the blog. As a courtesy warning, I suggest those who do not know me and those who only want to read about basketball skip the following LAPs (Long Ass Posts) as they will be non-basketball related, very self-indulgent and directed to specific individual members of this community.
Open Letter To Steady, Cooleyhigh and Knicksdefense PART I of III
COURTESY WARNING: THIS LONG JOINT IS NON-BASKETBALL SELF-INDULGENT GARBAJE. IT ONLY HAS VALUE TO A FEW MEMBERS OF THE KNICKS DEFENSE COMMUNITY. I REALLY WARN YOU NOT TO WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
REDEMPTION SONG
Steady, my brilliant brother, thank you for reaching out to me on Friday and expressing your concern about yet another imminent dissolution of our fellowship as a result of Knicksdefense’s understandable, questionable and regrettable expulsion of African, Statesman and Peaceman.
We ended our convo with me promising to mull over the problem of how to handle my anticipated role in the development of a new blog home for the expelled and discontent upon the request of my verbally volatile and provocative friend Peaceman versus my stated intent and plan to continue posting at the spot of our equally volatile, literally emotional blog leader, and most often gracious host, Anonymous/Starburyfan/Knicksdefense/Blogzilla.
As you may recall, I expressed to you that I felt LIVES was being swept up by a current of events in the Knicks’ blogosphere because I had more pressing, tangible and immediate priorities to deal with. Preparing for my child’s first birthday party and responding to my wife’s, clients and others’ concerns certainly were more important to me that night than addressing the consequences of the spat between hotheads on missions to embarrass each other.
As I recall, as I laughed at the hilarity and ridiculousness of the situation, you reminded me that there is a very serious element to all this that must be considered. That has to do with the realness of how we fellowship and interact with each other. It may be a faceless relationship we are engaging in, but it is no less real and it touches us, as we touch each other, in a real way. Some of us are looking for relations, but not the responsibility of relationships, but overtime relationships happen anyway, even in cyberspace.
So we ended a wonderful conversation having shared a good laugh and some serious thoughts. We ended the conversation with the challenge of how to navigate this disagreement where all parties’ reasoning, motivations and behaviors are cracked by major fault lines which leave us caught in their jagged openings, both literally and figuratively.
I think I admitted that determining my next move would be a nice challenge, yet not a difficult one because I always try to base decisions that impact others on enduring personal principles applied to each factual circumstance, not emotionally soaked or rushed judgment. In other words, I ain’t mad at nobody so I can be a little more practical and less emotional than I may be from time to time.
So, I slept on it. This past morning, I woke up before the children and I ventured to the computer. And what did I hear on my playlist? “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the words rang “tru dat.” Marley told me,
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? ooh!
Some say its just a part of it:
We’ve got to fulfil de book
As Clyde would say, “Serendipity.” God places the answer right in front of me. Thank you for framing the problem in a way that helped me understand. Now, this is how I scroll.
illusion? deception? sleight of hand? ouch.
nice post on your choices though, you answered the call and then some.
i hope you & The Fellowship find a place to chill and relax at some point, and perhaps focus on the positivity that Mr. Marley so aptly brought to life throughout his glorious but brief reign. i also hope you keep posting here at KD, it wouldn’t be quite the same without you & Steady. =)
Woot Kansas! i may be out of the running at work, but at least i can make up some ground.
Magic tonight, i wanna see Zach rise to the challenge of Dwight Howard….last time out, i believe he was a gametime scratch with a sore ankle, plus he had a nasty yellow rash running all the way up his spine. Time to show Donnie he’s more than just a scorer!
C’mon Paul, that wasn’t a shot at your bough meant to hurt. You explicitly let us know you would keep the media policy and deceptive. That little tickle (ouch) was a self-inflcited wound, like so many at the KD Ranch (and every other blog where there is a Knicks fan, past, present and future).. (LOL).
The funny thing is that the whole “tight media policy” thing doesn’t work, anyway. Zach speaks his mind when he wants. Someone (Jamal?) keeps representin’ for Zeke’s return. The Scholar and/or Nate do their deep throat thing (not sure who).
Even Steph has the temerity to pipe in from the sidelines. (Message from Paul to Steph: shut the fuck up and rehab, cuz you’re ballin next year – and it’s your last great stand in NY before you get consigned to the headcase/shitheel scrapheap)
i do think though, that a new administration should have an opportunity to market “their” product in a reasonably consistent and cohesive fashion. i dunno if that means Dolan’s jackbooted Blackberry-thumbin stormtroopers still get deployed on the daily or not…..i would hope a steady hand on the rudder would render those kind of measures obsolete.
Is Walsh that guy? i dunno….he’s been OK so far. Isiah’s not that guy, though, so at least we have that much going for us.
Interesting take on Coach Cal’s ability to talk Bron-Bron on any NY coaching interview. i’d love to see how Jamal reacts to calls for a full court press, LOL!!!
don’t take #38 as me advocating Calipari as Knicks’ coach…i don’t.
will Isiah stick with “Mr. Triple Single” Jared Jeffries tonight against a fearsome Magic front line?
Chandler got less than a minute in the last game, Balkman only four. Balkman’s lack of development this year is very disturbing to me. i don’t know if it’s because of his health or the rotations, but i really thought he was gonna step up and be a big-time game changer off the bench, a nice energetic fifteen minute guy who could defend all comers.
Did i see something that isn’t really there in ‘Naldo?
“Naldo” needs experience, playing time, a good defensive system and a coach. He is still playing on instincts, not knowledge, much of the time. He should watch some Scottie Pippen, James Worthy and Dennis Rodman tapes. He will be on a Championship contender one day — in the Western Conference most likely.
“I Open Letter To Steady, Cooleyhigh and Knicksdefense PART IIA of III
COURTESY WARNING: THIS LONG JOINT IS NON-BASKETBALL SELF-INDULGENT GARBAJE. IT ONLY HAS VALUE TO A FEW MEMBERS OF THE KNICKS DEFENSE COMMUNITY. I REALLY WARN YOU NOT TO WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
I’m like a stepping razor. Don’t watch my size. I’m dangerous.”
– Peter Tosh
ROLL CALL: A Point Of Reference
At the beginning of this promising season, Knicks Fix’s diverse roster of posters included the following characters before an exodus to Knicks Defense:
Brooklyn Knicks, Starburyfan, Avila, Don, Tod Lautenberg, Trane, Charlie O’s, BAA01, St. George, Patrick H., Peso, Rush, Mark, Alfredo, Eli, Legend, Kevin Harewood, Flybanjo, Post-Up Prince, Ben Wogu, Kadar Brock, Marzak, Jack, JohnQ, CDC, Landlord, LINJ-LNY, Moody, IMG, Dross, Lyricist, Don Ado, Darren, Paul, GIALS, Adam L, Henry, Bucktooth, #1 Knickfan.
Throughout this disappointing season, Knicks Defender grew to include almost any blogger, of all types and opinions, willing to participate in an open and contentious community. By the end of October it included the likes of the following:
Modi, BARF, Peaceman, Jazz, BronxboyinMD, Orange and Blue, Cooleyhigh, Steady, John Q, Shamgod, Robin, Lives In New Jersey, Bumrush40, DaVonnJ, African, Post-Up Prince, Anti-NYSportsnews, Boomann, Statesman, Syd, DNM, DLT Knicks, Poppin Scoski, Harlemboyin MD, St._George, Charles Follymacher, Stopmikelupica, Bokonon, George M., Knicksome, Saipanknickster, TMAN, Minnesota Knicks Fan, MAK, LGM, Andone, Kandiman, Don, Ali G, Dross, Rush, Kevin Harewood, Frantz Richard, Sean Butcher, Trane, Vic Corbitt, Marquette ‘07 (Trane’s slightly altered ego).
Later the group was joined by others like Charley Follymacher, PaulNoize, and JayBee.
Since March 25, 2008 despite the Knicks despicable demise and clearly intentional tanking** and because of the energizing move of hiring Donnie “Watchdog” Walsh, the Defenders have included the following:
Vic Corbit, Orange and Blue, Ed Drossman, Steady, DLT Knicks, Peaceman, DaVonn Jefferson, Top Shotta, Marzak, PaulNoize, HarlemMD, BronxMD, KnicksDefense, Mike, Steady, BARF, JohnQ, TMAN, Cooleyhigh, Jay Bee, LINJ-LNY, Rose, Jazz, African, Poppin’ Scoski, Anti-NYSN, Modi and Statesman (forgive me if I missed anyone, I’m rushing now).
Collectively, the group comprised some of the most entertaining, intelligent, incisive, funny, ignorant, silly, fun commentary and opinions in cyberspace. Together we were like a “stepping razor” in cyberspace: Dangerous, to commercial blogs and ourselves. At the very least the group had two common values: (1) A shared passion for the their favorite team, the New York Knicks and (2) shared participation in a community of fans who were free to offer their opinions and ideas on a myriad of issues directly or tangentially related to the Knicks community and fandom.
This gathering was made possible by Knicks Defense who graciously invited us to his already established blog and then preceded to be the ultimate fan for other fans. He oversaw and participated in a community where posters assumed roles and personas that soon became familiar to other posters. For example, Syd, Poppin and DVJ were news carriers; Cooleyhigh became the spiritual advisor; Steady became the weatherman keeping us steady and on course through the storm; Jay Bee became reason; African was our seeing eye and pink eye; Peaceman was our comedic observer of life (a la Richard Pryor); KD was our laissez-faire caretaker and BARF was our Master Handyman – he could do it all. All was good in KD land, or so some of us thought.
But change was around the corner.
**Steady I think the three quarters of surprising competition against the Hornets was Isiah’s audition. Did you notice that his substitution patterns were very similar to last year when he was clearly trying to win games. His rotation was fairly tight until the end of the third quarter. They did say Walsh was in the house watching. The notion that they were tanking the entire season rankles me so much that I can’t even comment.
“Open Letter To Steady, Cooleyhigh and Knicksdefense PART IIB of III
COURTESY WARNING: THIS LONG JOINT IS NON-BASKETBALL SELF-INDULGENT GARBAJE. IT ONLY HAS VALUE TO A FEW MEMBERS OF THE KNICKS DEFENSE COMMUNITY. I REALLY WARN YOU NOT TO WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
CHANGE IS GONNA COME: RESPONSE TO KD at #116 on April 3
The Prime Objective
We hold these truths to be self evident: KnicksDefense, the blog, belongs to Knicks Defense the blogger. He pays the cost to be the boss. The ruler sets the rules. A blog is a private space, a daily log where a blogger shares his thoughts and opinions and invites others to share their comments and thoughts. Foremost, a blog is governed by the desire of its creator to have a place for self-expression and public sharing.
KD is absolutely right when he suggests life is short and that “his” blog should be fun. When most of us joined this blog, like pilgrims escaping the tyranny of corporate blogging, there were no apparent rules or guidelines just an open invitation to share and fellowship over a common love for a team with six straight losing seasons.
But although no rules were apparent, certain restrictions should have been clear. The mere fact that this blog existed before our arrival and was created for and by the blog host has its own inherent guidelines. The blog belongs to the host and all are here at the largesse and good will of the host. Unlike, Newsday, the Daily News and the like, this blog did not start off as a public commercial blog for a paper serving its readership and seeking another stream of profiteering. Knicks Defense was a private, personal commitment to one’s love for the New York Knicks.
In a rush to make a protest against Newsday real, an entire community rushed through the open door that was Knicks Defense. We were offered shelter. Not the keys. Instead of building our own, we accepted the invite: we threw our coats on the floor, plopped our asses on the couch, started sprinkling the floor with chips, spilled some beer on the table and began to complain about the hospitality.
But we didn’t just complain about the hospitality. We were pointed, relentless and just down right nasty about it. We pissed on the rug, left shit unflushed in the toilet and on the rim of the cover and broken wine glasses in the sink. Grateful lot we were.
As KD said, he created this blog to be fun. It is his prime objective for it to be personally fun for him. There is nothing wrong with that and is understandably the basis of his decisions regarding how he will allow himself to be treated on “his” blog. I wonder how many of us would dare allow our passion for the Knicks to turn into a daily berating of us as a person or a host. How many of us would dare offer constant detractors the privilege to post with like-minded people? How many of us would be so gracious as to take the constant verbal beating and then allow someone to enjoy the benefit of the community on our dime? I question whether even I can be that gracious – but if my prime objective was to enjoy my Knicks fandom, I would not take that shit from anybody. And I don’t care how much I like Peaceman, African, Statesman . . . . Steady, myself, BARF, I would not tolerate such a disruption of my prime objective from anybody.
But, if I was caught throwin’ shit in my own house, how should I expect my visitors to act. If I tell them it’s time to stop messin’ up the joint, what should I expect of my visitors if I am putting garbage on the floor at the same time I’m announcing a change in house cleaning policy?
“Open Letter To Steady, Cooleyhigh and Knicksdefense PART IIC of III
COURTESY WARNING: THIS LONG JOINT IS NON-BASKETBALL SELF-INDULGENT GARBAJE. IT ONLY HAS VALUE TO A FEW MEMBERS OF THE KNICKS DEFENSE COMMUNITY. I REALLY WARN YOU NOT TO WASTE YOUR TIME READING THIS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
CHANGE IS GONNA COME: RESPONSE TO KD at #116 on April 3
TRUE CHANGE MUST BE TRUE TO ITSELF
(KD, I’ve spent many hours today thinking about how to design the contents of this section so that my criticism would be constructive in some way, but the truth is that criticism can be constructive only if it is given in that spirit and it is received with the belief that the critic means well and not ill. Hours later it dawned on me that I could assert the former, but I can’t force you to believe the latter. So I will just be straightforward and hope that I help more than harm.)
As I stated in regards to Donnie Walsh, not all change meant for apparent good is good. If the change doesn’t impact the foundation of your structure, it’s only cosmetic and cannot stand against the harsh winds of truth.
The same holds true for your recently announced change. While I think I understand your response, I am extremely disappointed at how Statesman, African, Peaceman and BARF were expelled and/or dismissed. I am disappointed because 1) the response was far more personal than practical as it relates to the KD community and 2) the reasoning behind it was simply hypocritical, arbitrary and capricious. As a result, change that was cast and sold as something for the improvement of the community comes off as little more than a vindictive response that leaves other members of the community caught in the middle and does far more to dismantle KD than it does to strengthen it.
The very first change you announced was fundamental. It was the addition of the forum and other changes followed by advertisers to help pay the costs of the blog. The forums were a change requested by fellow posters interested in discussing specific topics instead of riffing in an open forum. The addition of advertisers made sense given the number of hits the blog received.
Personally, neither change made any difference to me. I enjoyed the open forum and did not have time for the topic-specific forums. I could not care less about the advertisers one way or another. I could even understand that the advent of advertisers required a new tone on the blog. Why would the NBA store want its name associated with the “N-Word?” However, you never stated that as a concern in changing the policy on the blog.
Probably unintended, similar to life in open space, the cyberspace economic change was followed by a political change. Your largely laissez-faire approach to the blog where you largely depended on the community to police itself changed. It started with one word and a very unclear policy on disrespectful and racist comments beginning with the “N-Word.”
As a concerned member of the community, I tried to warn you of the slippery slope. Perhaps you already understood. This chilly and chilling fissure was inevitable, signaled in advance by several including African and you. I believe even Trane noted the inevitability of the clash of unrelenting righteousness between the host and certain posters (I think I, a cyber-alphadog for sure, am included in that group of posters). Or perhaps I just did a bad job of warning you of the inevitable result.
In any event, KD, it appears that the KD community was not your primary concern – your emotions and feelings were. If that is true then I accept that as your right. It is your site. My problem is when you try to sell it to me as something else, like “the communal good” or other “people have been asking for this”. Since I have willingly and happily been a part of the community developed on your site, I would have gladly supported a communal decision or even a decision imposed by the owner supported by the majority of the community. But I object to being told what is good for me as a member of the community based on imaginary and false standards or on the wishes of posters I don’t recognize or know as community members.
KD, you announced times are changing. You wrote, “Threats, childish insults, and racist remarks have no place on this blog, not now, not ever. This is a blog about knicks basketball.” Your home, your rules. However, it becomes very confusing when the blog leader does not lead by example. It is difficult to expect adults to follow rules set by a ruler who does not follow them. For example, how can you “put down” childish insults and complain about intolerance and make the following comment: “Be a real fan, kiss isiah’s ass!”?
I’m not exactly sure of all the meaning in that comment. Is that a swipe at BARF’s (Be A Real Fan) opinion? Is that a swipe at anyone’s opinion regarding Isiah that differs from yours? Does anyone who disagree with your lead posts pummeling Isiah have their lips on Isiah’s ass? Is it a sarcastic swipe at one’s definition of a real New York Knicks fan? I don’t understand the full meaning of that comment, but I do understand that it easily falls into the category of childish comments you have railed against. And quite frankly it is not the first time.
Just for example on 2/25 at #26, you told posters to “Say hi to Isiah at the family reunion for me.” Previously, you referred to posters who disagreed with you as “Isiah Thomas polesmokers” (that was funny). The point is you give as much as you get. If times are changing, does that mean you are changing too? If so, it is certainly not evident in your announcement.
The same concern arises as to your invitation to post here. You state that “if you want to talk Knicks, whatever your opinion may be, I’m happy to have you and your ideas and opinions.” Yet, like many others here you attempt to intelligently address a multitude of topics. In your lead post as recently as March 18, 2008, you wrote “If Isiah goes, I would hate to see Mills and Grunwald stay, that would be like having George W. Bush step down only to be succeeded by John McCain, who essentially will continue the same foreign policies.” Sure that is a Knicks basketball lead, but that is a political statement of enormous proportions that surely could and should inspire comment. At #160 on April 3, 2008 you offered your opinion on Barack Obama which had nothing to do with “Knicks” basketball.
Despite the fact that I agree with many of your comments and your right to say it, those comments do not comport with your statement regarding Knicks basketball. Is your statement regarding welcome comments a guideline or a mandate? Until now, I assumed it was a guideline and that all discussion was welcome here, but if you are basing expulsions or invitations to leave on topics to be discussed , we should be clear about the standards we are being asked to adhere to.
I believe that there is one thing that most of you guys don’t get or refuse to understand in your calls for respect and to eliminate disrespect. Respect commands respect. Repeat. Respect commands respect. A blog that emphasizes criticism of other human beings in a disrespectful manner does not invite respect or create a respectful environment. Sports fan blogs are inherently disrespectful. The entire conversation is built on one’s belief that he or she has a right to say nasty, derogatory things about the people who entertain them. Case in point. Like all of us here, you, our leader, have consistently made disrespectful comments about others like James “El Duce” Dolan, “scrub” Steve Mills, “Next Town” Brown. These are all comments that you would not dare say to these gentlemen to their faces because they are disrespectful comments. Forget the notion that the people you talk about or their friends or family members may come to this blog. Forget that they may respond angrily to the disrespectful comments in a major blog. But understand that such nasty comments inspire and initiate a tone destined to continue throughout the discussion no matter who joins the discussion with a differing opinion.
I ask, how can anyone expect that type of discussion to invite a respectful exchange? It does not and never will. Automatically anyone who disagrees will do so in a nasty or aggressive manner to protect and emphasize their view. Automatically (almost, like my three point shot). The tone of the discussion will never be contained to the targeted entertainers. The point is that managing “disrespect” in an inherently disrespectful environment is practically impossible unless there are very strict standards followed by the person establishing those standards.
Finally, on one hand you preach intolerance and then you expel your harshest critics, Statesman and African. Personally, I would not talk to people the way You, African and Statesman do (except on special occasion) on the web. While it is direct, all of you are confrontational and abrasive. Their comments are designed to exploit the emotional weaknesses of their intended victims. And much of the time they get their man. The proof of their statements are in the responses of their targets.
They are as abrasive and as annoying as hell at times. But it seems that you expelled them for their opinion about your opinions. None of the comments were racist or anymore out of bounds than yours. They opined that your riff on Isiah was boring and you sounded like a baby to them. That’s an opinion. Someone is always complaining about something I write or say. It’s their opinion. Why do you give their opinion any more credence than it deserves. The truth is that a lot of the shit we all write is boring. So fucking what?
The obvious reason for their expulsion is not a solid standard of disrespect but that they disagree with you in a way that pissed you off and you chose not to ignore. That’s simply dead wrong. Not because it is hypocritical, which it is, but because it leaves some of us at a quandry regarding whether we can disagree in this forum. It leaves the impression that we are to do as the ruler says not as he does. I’m sorry but it’s just plain silly and unacceptable.
On one hand, this is all more entertaining than bothersome, but all of you are acting just like plain silly, whiny babies. Instead of taking the ball and going home, you kicked the boys off the court and forced them to go buy their own ball based on fake standards. And now we’re caught in this mess.
Men acting badly. Priceless. Where are the women.
Lives,
Thank you.
KF?L
Good, thought-provoking read Lives. =)
Hey Steady, i know this question has been answered before, but what does your signature KF(L)L mean?
Good PM Defenders!
@LIVES
Where do you find the time. But IMHO, it was time well spent. Truthful, Useful, Thoughtful, Practical, and Insightful.
Amen, Hallelujah, Lord Have Mercy On OUR Souls….
Let Us Bow Our Heads In DEFENDER Prayer:
‘Almighty God, we have come into thy daily sanctuary to commune with thee. Be thou our strength, our hope, our guide. Give purpose to our work, meaning to our struggle, and direction to our striving. Cause US to understand that only through human betterment, true FELLOWSHIP, and deeds of kindness can we feel thy presence. May this OUR daily worhip, bring peace to OUR hearts, and strengthen our desire to LIVE in peace with ALL of our fellowmen, and THE DEFENDER FAMILY says, Amen.’
THIS PRAYER ASCENDS IN THE MEMORY OF THE LATE AND GREAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
Let the healing begin!
Keep it POPPIN!
“Open Letter To Steady, Cooleyhigh and Knicksdefense PART III of III
THE DEATH OF LIVES
(The End Finally)
At this point, what is done is done and as Bob Marley says “none of them can stop the time.”
Time is moving on and this is not fun for me anymore.
Up to this episode, I have enjoyed this experience immensely. I have accepted the praise for some of my work and tried not to take it too seriously. I enjoyed the disagreements and the criticisms and saw them as challenges to do better and be better. I tested myself to ignore the repetitive redundant idiots as invasive of my time instead of responding to every ignorant attack. But most of all, I loved the blog experience because it gives me a community of people with one simple commonality which has exploded into a lot more.
This experience is a guilty pleasure that has been great for me. I just absolutely love some of you guys for things that just have to do with everyday living. That love is made up of a lot of simple pleasures: Steady’s creative language; DVJ’s youthful and poetic energy, focus and obstinance; Cooley’s spiritual leadership and slick subtle pimp slapping; African’s direct, unyielding fire and pink eye; Peaceman’s hit or miss humor; O&B’s knowledge and inquisitive nature; KD’s generous spirit; ANTI’s on the mark advocacy; TMAN’s wisdom and bball insight; Syd’s quiet vision and on and on. It has been like a family in so many ways including the knucklehead moments. In fact, I have often thought that some of you know how I think better than some members of my family and that’s deep to me.
What is done is done, but I am really disappointed that African, Statesman, Peaceman and BARF were booted as I would be if KD kicked himself off. Personally, I love each of their commentary, although I understand exactly why other posters are disturbed by their occasional refusal to adhere to certain social graces. But I don’t agree with someone trying to coerce me as to how to express an opinion .
The truth of the matter is that most of us have formed a bond with them and have developed quite successful strategies in interacting with them as they have with us. We talk about how this site continued to pop as the Knicks nosedived and as the NCAAs started. Peaceman led that effort. Yeah Peaceman uses off color language that is not necessary, but does anyone notice that more often than not Peaceman is incited by posters like Rockstar and Ed Drossman who can be more vile in his racialism and constant affirmation and confirmation of the racialism in his views. A fair standard would take care of all of them; better yet Bronx, Harlem, Steady and others usually put folks in their place and return them to civility.
Statesman has aimed many a barb at me personally, mostly respectfully, often defensively and sometimes in a snarky, devilish, prickly kind of way that actually tickles if you let it get close to you. But I truly enjoy States because he speaks his mind and lo and behold he is sometimes right (but when he is wrong it’s really fucked up. LOL). Still, his view is often unique and pointed.
African has been the conscience of the community and he always has been. Those who interpret African as a racist are sadly mistaken. A racialist maybe. An antagonist absolutely. Self-righteous. Ha Ha Ha. But a racist, I don’t think so and I have had the pleasure of actually seeing him interact with people of various ethnicities and hues. He is a tough customer and he calls them as he sees them, through his 20-20 pink eye and all. I love him because he barely gives a shit what others think which gives him a power that a poster shouldn’t have over more sensitive types. African means little harm – he does mean for you to harm yourself by forcing you to consider and reconsider your position particularly when there is a bit of hypocrisy involved. I can see how he can get on someone’s nerves. But he is given power by his respondents.
BARF is a star on any blog. He is one of my favorite reads and the loss of BARF is devastating to me. I absolutely do not need instructions on whether to seek out any blog that BARF may start. I’m reading him wherever he is.
For two years, I have been getting requests to do my own blog. I would love to do one, not to compete with KnicksDefense but to honor and join Knicks Defense and Modi and DaVonn and Anti-NY in providing another venue for Knicks Fans. I know exactly what I would do and I can see how it would be fun, but I don’t have the time to do half as good a job as KnicksDefense has. AND HE HAS DONE A MAGNIFICIENT JOB. So, I will not be doing my own blog.
But now some of my boys are beginning their own blog – one to be run by the group (the Four Horsemen) and I have agreed to help them get started. KD is right that there should be plenty of blogs to suit personal fancies. Variety is a good thing and there is plenty of space in cyberspace for different venues and varied environments. Splinter groups happen all the time in all types of industries.
But there is an energy here that has nothing to do with honoring each other that is not my speed. It makes this absolutely no fun for me. I am not going to be forced into a position where I’ve got to choose between two sets of people I care about or two sets of idiots I care about. I am not going to lead an Exodus from KD because he had a spat with my other boys. And I’m not using my little tiff with him as an excuse. That’s over. I don’t spit at people’s regrets unless they are insincere. Do unto others. . . . Not going there. Not doing that.
But I will help my home growns set up their own site, while still posting here. All of this will be for a short period because one cannot support two masters, when he can barely handle one. So that leaves me in the middle, doesn’t it?
Only sorta. Being in the middle has forced me to make a decision I’ve been trying to make for quite a while. LIVES time in cyberspace is coming to an end. It is time for LIVES to die.
I am sad, but I am excited about the upcoming event.
Of course, death is sad and has a disturbing finality to it. I had hoped that LIVES would be around long enough to develop a meaningful body of work and to touch and challenge more people. It would have been cool if LIVES’ death would be the just the continuation of a lasting legacy; if it would have been some important announcement like the death of Charlton Heston today. But sometimes, death comes before you expect it, before all your dreams come true, before all of your goals are accomplished. Death does not wait for the completion of a business plan or an article or for you to show love or give thanks. Death has its own schedule.
Don’t cry for me cyberspace.
Cyberspace need not cry for me because the real deal is that this is not fun for me anymore and neglecting some of my other responsibilities (or extending my day by catching fewer ZZZZZs) for something that is not enjoyable or productive is 100% unacceptable to me. I’ve been looking for an excuse to cut out this addiction and it doesn’t get any better than this one.
But this death is going to be fun; a celebration of the life of LIVES. I don’t have it all planned out but the funeral will happen sometime around the draft. Cooleyhigh is going to deliver the eulogy at the church of Knicks Defense and if Peaceman and African and BARF can’t come to that church, we’ll have a repast at the other blog.
The few people who would come to my funeral will be encouraged to say some meaningful things about me, if they can find some to share. I hope some of them are nice. I hope some of them are funny. In fact to guarantee something nice is said about me, I am going to write a statement for KD to read at the funeral, even if he might be mad at me for not being so nice. Maybe it will be uncharacteristically short and say something like “LIVES LOVED.”
So you can consider LIVES on the respirator after being hit in the middle of the road by dissension and discord. And I am now forced to make whatever I do these last few days more meaningful, a more significant part of an enduring legacy. SO instead of having helped build one cool blog, I’ll be in heaven taking credit for two. (LOL).
THE END, FINALLY.
Peace and Blessings. LGK.
I wouldn’t belong to any club that would have someone like me as a member. … W.C. Fields
If everybody’s thinking alike, somebody isn’t thinking.
Everyone, every site has its standards, and they should be respected,but the death penalty is not the answer to every transgression.If you killed every friend or relative who dissed you in your own home you’d be living in a very quiet place all by yourself.Lighten up!Sometimes a few minutes in the timeout room is a better answer.
The marketplace is the answer.Post wherever, whenever you want!But remember the grass only looks greener on the other side of the hill.It’s usually just as wacky one place as another.It’s the people you enjoy being around that really matter to you.That’s what makes life worthwhile.
footnote;See conversation between the Little Prince and the fox about the silent field of roses in book by the same name, The Little Prince.
As you can see by the times, I did not write the previous missive as a response to Lives epitaph, although it seems strangely related.Live, my man, your introspective sojourn brought me sleepy eyed out of self imposed exile.I see where you’re coming from and your pain is pretty obvious.My best wishes to you, yours and the entire “band of Knick brothers”, wherever they post,and hopefully, God will smile down on us all!LGK
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