Joey Crawford’s revenge ruined a great game.Poor David Stern.He’s trying to overcome the scandal of one of his crooked refs being in the fixer’s pocket so he bravely puts Crawford, the moke, who has had several scrapes with Duncan and Pop in a critical game on TNT.That was brave but stupid.Crawford then self-destructs by blowing an obvious shot in the head to Brent Barry by Derek that seals the deal for LA, a team that should have easily beat an exhausted Spur team, but he choked, or worse, cheated.Unless Crawford was blind he obviously swallowed his whistle and got his revenge on Duncan and Pop.He was suspended for being a fool last time.This time he should be fired for cheating.Just watch the play if you don’t believe that.He’s disgraced himself again and should be eased out for undermining the integrity of the game.He didn’t bet on the game, but after witnessing that last call he was stupid not to.

I’m not sure how big a day that will be in Knicks history, but it doesn’t feel any bigger than usual. The sixth pick gives you armchair GMs a few more options than a later pick, but right now it doesn’t give one that “Franchise” feeling. A sixth pick just feels like “something to do.”

Last post-season, I thought we, commentors, would shut it down, but the excitement generated by the end of the season, despite the injuries, was invigorating. Discussions centered around possible trades for Artest and Kobe; and then we were all caught by surprise with what seemed like a promising trade; getting rid of the Francis contract for a real baller. It was an exciting post-season.

This post-season, not so much. The Knicks blogosphere is almost dead, without the fire and excitement of diverse opinions. when one would think it should be jumping after the displacement of Isiah, the arrival of D’Antoni and the Knicks lottery appearance. It’s good to see old pals like TMan and Kevin Harewood spreading knowledge with a little more frequency. They are among my favorite reads. As it is good to see KD pushing his passion.

I have no idea what it all means except that folks have decided to take a break and have adopted a wait and see attitude. I do know from off-line conversations, that many posters tired of the unnecessary Isiah bashing-whining and the overall intolerance amongst posters for diverse opinion. It is what it is and that should ebb with Walsh’s next moves, unless they are moves that bolster the “Isiah Is Still In Power” Theory. Moves like keeping Aquirre as big man coach and Grunfeld as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations through the draft (you know trades stop in July, so what do you need a GM for after June 26th? To clean up the office?).

In any event, I am preparing a couple of gifts for the diehards to thank you for a fun run the past two seasons. I really enjoyed our convos and I really really enjoyed meeting folks off-line like Kevin Harewood, Tman, Peaceman, African, Cooley, Steady, Bronx, Modi and Harlem. Those additional relationships made this quite the unexpected gift. Therefore, I am satisified with my time on the blogs. Very satisfied.

In return for those gifts, I’m cookin’ up a Pre-draft special of about 15 posts and 50 comments from now to June 25th. Yeah, I’m aiming for quantity, but let’s see if we can collectively push up the level of this convo for the next thirty –minus a day or so– days.

I will be hopping in and out of the Fix, Defendertown and Fanatic Way whenever I can, probably late at night with a few surprises, nonsensical and perhaps insightful. And hopefully, I’ll run into some old friends along the way.

Let’s start with a little word from Eddie Curry who is talking about being happy in Chicago. Is this man working with Tim Grover. It seems that everyone else is: O.J. Mayo , Dwaine Wade and Dajaun Wagner (trying to restart his career) are at the gym in Chi-town? What is Curry doing and has D’Antoni talked to him about his summer training program?

Eddy Curry: Rose Can Be Happy In Chicago

May 23, 2008 – 3:30 am

Chicago Tribune –

Eddy Curry was the last high-profile player to land on his hometown team in Chicago, and he believes that if the Bulls select Derrick Rose with the first overall pick everyone would be happy, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

“That team is more talented than they showed last season, and it’d be a great thing to have him here in Chicago,” Curry said. “I know this: The fans would embrace him. I can’t see him not loving being here if that’s what happens.”

Some believe that playing for your home team can be a distraction, but Curry disagrees.

“You know what? That depends on who you have around you,” Curry said. “And the people I talk to say he has a good foundation. That’s what helped me, too, because my family and close friends helped keep me in line.”

“The first year I put too much pressure on myself. But once I got used to being in the NBA, playing in my hometown was fun because the fans were great. They really root for you.”

“I loved playing here,” Curry said. “Other than the fact we lost early, I have no complaints. Tickets can be a pain sometimes, but other than that and the traffic, you’re good.”

just curious of what you think of him

I agree with the all-around game galinari looks to have,he definitely looks to be worth a look. He appears to have fire and competiveness, which many on our current roster lack.

this is one scenario in which Mike D’s connections (in Italy) will help, I am sure he knows the kinny on this kid, although he(Mike D) seems to be playing coy when questioned about him Danilo.

However if the Knick select him, I strongly feel that a deal or 2 maybe in the works because thn you have a surplus of 3′s on the roster…one website (cannot recall which) suggested that Danilo maybe able to play the 2 in the NBA.

I guess this all boils down to how DWalsh and Mike D have priortized the teams needs(get rid of Z-Bo and/or Marbury,or Curry. My guess is Curry will be the last to go( if at all) b/c of the uninsurable contract, and the fact that he is not a bad guy nor a troublemaker and also he plays a lot better when coddled, motivated and is feeling the love…i think Mike D’s phlosophy of ” maximizing what players can do as opposed to focusing on what they cannot do……..will help EC this year.

As for Steph I’d bet the exit interviews conducted by Donnie W were extremely key, before Mike D, took the job the two of them probably discussed the current roster, and they know who they will keep and how is priority to jettison. All the players I am sure provided details about Steph that maybe even Zeke did not know, Zeke gave an his account of the season that went wrong, an I am sure in his eyes (with exception of the ABS trial) the Phoenix flight was waht doomed the season in his mind. Next was Herb he seems to be a straight shooter, and I also feel that Hanners( who probably knew he was done) told his side and as one who had nothing to lose nor gain, p rovided so great insight. One interesting occurence is that Marbury knew of D’Antonis coronation and we all need to wonder how soon did he know, because if he knew form the front office then I think that means that plan to keep him at least at the ouset of the season.

just my 2 yuan(since the dollar ain’t worth much these days

I keep hearing that the biggest knocks against him are that his athleticsm is questionable, which might affect his effectiveness as a scorer and limit his ability to play NBA quality defense, these criticsm also reflect a reticence to perhaps draft a European player that high in the draft since Bargnani has at this moment proven to be a high round draft day bust .

I actually thought about it for a while, and asked myself who on the Knicks, (besides Balkman, and Chandler, and perhaps Collins at times), plays NBA calibur defense? I also asked myself how much athleticsm is actually required to be an effective player never mind scorer in the NBA.

What came to mind was that Z-Bo isn’t the most athletic 4 in the league and he is an effective scorer, the same applies, (according to many analyst), to a dynamic player like Chris Paul.

Then after watching the NBA western conference finals I observed two foreign players who suggested to me that the reservations some analyst have about Gallinari might indeed be overplayed and well played out. Namely the two players I write of are Sasha Vujacic, and Manu Ginobli. Off course Ginobli it the more impressive of the two foriegn born players I observed. But what I notice is that Ginobli is the type of wow you above the rim player but neverthless he is an effective slasher, and can be lethal from the three point stripe, he is a fiery competitor, which denotes his Argentinean- Italian heritage, who is one of the key cogs of the San Antonio Championship machine. With regards to Vujacic, what stuck out to me is that he is a solid if unspectacular defensive player who provides the Lakers with perimeter shooting. So the initial thing I took from those observations about Gallinari’s potential shortcomings is that they are as overscrutinized as the possible shortcomings of other players listed in the draft.

Honestly, and Peacman might not agree with me here, but If neither Mayo or Bayless are around, I’m seriously giving thought to either Gallinari, Randolph, or Augustin. But off the three Gallinari would get the go ahead.

OBTW

NBA.COM’s consensus mock draft with all the mock draft sources listed below.

http://www.nba.com/features/draft2008_consensus.html

Here is an article from The Sporting News trashing the knicks for their bad contracts. I’m so used to haterade I don’t get upset anymore when people refer to the Knicks condescendingly. I know it will get better in time but I hope it is sooner because these people have been writing this stuff for years.

The key for Donnie and Mike D is to stick the plan of not taking on big contracts until 2010 when LeBron and the other elite talent becomes available. Until then, we’ll have to be very careful…

Hope everyone in Knick land is enjoying their memorial day weekend.

Also I think the Knicks in this draft might be facing the ghost of draft picks, and players trades past. I’ll explain later but simply put match these names and the words there associated with.

Curry… Potential … Jordan
Lampe… European Player … Gallinari
Marbury/Robinson/Crawfor Tweener gaurd … Gordon, Mayo, Baydless

Randolph, Love, and Augustin intrigue me but also have question marks which have been notably raised by scouts of this years draft.

Randolph, (assuming Chadler may be out this year, I hope not and for the best for that kid), is a long 6-10 — 6-11 shot blocker with a mid range jump shot who could provide great help defense, run the floor, and hit the jumper but is too underweight according to many critics. Alo of upside but he will probrably need to bulk up to play in the league as a 4.

Love, intangibles is the word of the day with this guy but his athleticims is questioned, and there are worries that his inside game will not translate to the pros. What he may be is a slightly better version of Michael Doleac, good jumper with solid range who rebounds well, and may be a pick and pop option. Can he be more than that?

Augustin may be the best or second best pure point gaurd in the draft. By what I’ve read he is a good shooter with impressive range on his shot, he is very quick, can split the double team, and score at the basket with ease. His biggest question mark is his size, (arguably 6 feet but may be closer to 5-11), and many reviews seem to point to this as an issue which may make it more difficult for him to be effective against the quicker, and taller talent in the NBA.

Last point I have to make is that whether the Knicks can get Mayo, Baydless or any of the players many a fan hopes the Knicks get, may depend on which player Minnesota, and Memphis select. Hence the fate of the Knicks draft may be dictated by what choices are made by two of the NBA’s smaller market clubs.

Both team are portrayed, according to many a draft analyst, as teams needing help at the 4 and or 5 spot, with Minnesota needing help at the 5 to free up their current center to play his natural power foward position, while Memphis is portrayed as lacking a tough and effective 4 capable of faciliting the already present talen on that team.

These descriptions lend themselves to picks that could readily translate into either Lopez, Love, or Randolph. But of the three mentioned only Lopez’s game is portrayed as translating seemlesly into the pro game.