Knicks Revivalism (Part 2: Divine Numerology; Arm Chair Joe Questions; and to Hang Ten at the Tides Crest or Wipe Out Amidst a Tsunami of Immense Expectations)

[As the Knicks draw ever so closer to the Sanctified date indicated by the 2010 Plan Cult Holy Trinity, resident blogger Orange and Blue throws some lime in that 2010 koolaid and dares to question the logic of the Holy Trinity Franchise Orthodoxy!]

Hang Ten at the Tides Crest . . . or a Wipe Out at the Tsunami on the Horizon?

Three is the Magic Number and Good Things Come in Threes, heck if you use numerology to size up what number the sacred day 2010 produces, … ta da it produces the number 3! Hey if you spell out the names of the three members of the Knicks 2010 Plan Cult Holy Trilogy: Donnie Walsh (11); Lebron James (11); and Alan Hahn (8) you get 11+11+8=30 but in numerology is actually 3. Whoa! This ain’t coincidence people, … there are magical forces at work in the universe beyond our control fating the fortunes of Walsh, Hahn and James together in a cosmological equation beyond our understanding. No Doubt about it! The 2010 date as day of jubilee is indeed on its way!

“THE PLAN,” getting ready to Hang Ten at the Tides Crest…?

OBTW “The Plan” = 7 + “Tatoo” = 5… 7+5 = 12 = a numerological … 3!

Ain’t the Plan Lovely?…

Back to reality and some spiking of that 2010 Koolaid with a dose of questions and some unheeded reality. As noted previously, the 2010 Plan Cult Holy Trinity represents a shifting of the tide for the Knicks organization. However, does that tide in and of itself usher in a whole different set of imbalances detrimental to the building of a contending NBA Franchise. Currently the Franchise’s actions, or lack thereof, indicate that management may have key free agents expire when their contracts are up without possibly obtaining anything in return. Additionally, the Franchise option not to secure an up and coming buck to address the team’s need at point guard, where such a move may have provided the organization with an additional value added asset when exposed to the current system of play. Lastly, the current head coach’s, failure to address the need for adequate coaching on the defensive side of the ball, while insisting on a style of play that devolves into an overreliance on three point shooting and long jumpers is a model that has consistently failed to succeed against more defensively oriented coaching models. More importantly is the understated nature of the gamble at play in 2010 and the great stakes for the Franchise should 2010 not materialize as ideally expected. At stake in the latest “Win Now” gamble, and make no mistake 2010 is “Win Now” on a studder step, may very well be the slow but steadily replenished cupboard of talent nursed to fruition over the span of time after the Scott Layden regime. What may be deduced from assessing the possible flaws, actual miscues and high stakes gamble at play resulting from management’s dogged stated fixation with “the plan,” suggest that the organization might just as easily Wipe Out as it just may Hang Ten when the 2010 Tsunami of inflated expectations comes to the shores of Knicks Fate.

Maybe NOT!…

Maybe NOT!!!

Squandering Assets and opportunities?

I. LoveLee hand, DeadLee hand, drifting Nates and fleeting fates

The contract plights of RFAs David Lee and Nate Robinson, in which both waited till the week before the beginning of the 2009-10 training camp to secure one year offers beyond the qualifying minimum[1], could result in a scenario whereby the Franchise may fail to retain either player when they join the pool of unrestricted free agents in 2010. The Franchise’s failure to secure both players in a manner which may have provided them fuller trade possibilities, namely by resigning either or both in the summer of 2008, may prove to be an important miscue when one considers the importance of young capable talent in today’s NBA. It is important to remember that an absence of talented trade assets is a situation experienced by the Knicks in it’s recent past under the Scott Layden Regime[2] and addressed, in part, by the succeeding Isiah Thomas Regime. Although Thomas’ efforts to cycle limited and undesirable players for questionable young talent via trades that stripped the Knicks of draft prospects in 2007 and 2010 failed, Thomas’ drafting acumen did yield the Franchise several popular and capable talents in the trio of Lee, Robinson and Chandler. Back to the point. Young capable talent, when acquired at a relatively reasonable cost, are important assets in the league because they may be used as resources that facilitate sound trades to acquire talent in return. By sound I mean not the lopsided variety entered into by Isiah Thomas in his wayward trade efforts to revitalize the barren talent cupboard left to him by Scott Layden.

A valid question then is Could David Lee and or Nate Robinson have been resigned in the summer of 2008 when their value, prior to heavy minutes in the “[ ]”Antoni system, was still low and conjectural[3] instead of inflated and debatable? [4] The resigning of Lee and possibly Nate when their value was conjectural rather than debatable would have allowed the franchise to have either or both available and as preserved trade assets. Perhaps a contract offers at a more reasonable price scale with increases prior to 2010 and a decrease in salary for 2010 coupled with a team option in the 3rd year and a player option in the 4th year would have preserved the Franchise’s option to exercise a trade of either one or both Lee or Robinson without the required permission that must accompany one year contracts of players acquiring Larry Bird or Early Bird Rights.[5] Such an arrangement could also have allowed all parties better options long term to test and use value as new outside free agent streams opened up in succeeding years beyond 2010. It should not be forgotten that much discussion of both David Lee and Nate Robinson has continued to be inextricably tied to possible cap reducing moves for the summer of 2010 and in particular as trade inducements to help facilitate trades with current Knicks’ undesirables Eddy Curry and Jared Jefferies. Additionally the retention of Lee and Robinson would have given the Franchise additional trade assets for the purposes of acquiring outside talent in return, since very few upper tier talents just leave their franchises without that franchise obtaining something in return, should the 2010 pool have dried up or not flowed as expected. Lastly despite the many articles written in the NY Press regarding Robinson’s supposed immaturity and Lee’s player limitations both have shown the professionalism lacking from franchise Albatrosses Eddy Curry and Stephon Marbury. Namely, both Lee and Robinson have consistently shown improvement to their overall games by addressing voids in therein. Moreover, Robinson’s relentless offensive abandon for a player his size and Lee’s willingness to play out of position on defense, contribute to making both players far less gambles had they been resigned in the summer of 2008 than either Curry or Marbury were due to both players histories with their prior teams. With all that said did Walsh’s failure to secure Lee and Nate in the summer of 2008 signal the squandering of a Lovelee hand potentially turned Deadlee should Nate and Lee exit the franchise for nothing in return?

II. Penny Wise Pound Foolish? A buck stopped but not here as common sense yields to timid purse strings

As the summer of 2009 developed, it became increasingly clear to the Knicks and many amongst their fan base that the current solution at point guard was insufficient. The organization indicated as such through their pursuit of various point guards available in the 2009 summer free agent market- e.g., Jason Kidd, Andre Miller, Ramon Sessions-and the drafting of rookie point guard Toney Douglass. As Jason Kidd, thankfully, decided to spurn the Knicks and Andre Miller secured a deal with the Trailblazers, Ramon Sessions reportedly remained the main point guard in the Knicks cross hairs. As articulated by Tommy Beer of Hoopsworld, Ramon Sessions presented the Knicks a point guard prospects with a good combination of height, strength and upside.[6] Also as Beer points out, while not fully seasoned, Ramon Sessions’ two year stint in the NBA with the Bucks clearly demonstrated the young pure point guard’s upside- e.g., Sessions 15.1 PPG, 7.6 assists, 4.2 boards, and 1.3 steals per game average as a starter in 37 games for the Bucks. Additionally Ramon Sessions per 36 minutes per game production, in the half court oriented Bucks offense, in terms of assist and scoring exceeded[7] that of Chris Duhon’s whose production benefited from exposure to the “[ ]”Antoni up tempo style of play. [8]

As the summer sailed along numerous reports emerged of Walsh’s mythical patience at play, craftily waiting out Sessions. During the summer of 2009 the Bucks organization made offseason moves that pointed to their lukewarm interest in matching offers made to Sessions above the qualifying minimum. As the New York Sports Daily’s continued their boisterous speculation that the Master Turtle, like an apex predator was awaiting the perfect time to pounce over the free agent point guard, Sessions services were snatched up by Walsh protégé, David Kahn, who signed the RFA to a contract offer totaling 16 million dollars over four years, which the Bucks failed to match.[9] The moment which many NY Sports reporters, and fan boys, so brazenly claimed was Walsh’ for the taking in which Walsh supposedly had the up an coming and relatively inexpensive point guard where Walsh wanted him, became just more hot air.  Because Sessions was secured to manageable contract, which the Knicks easily could have exceeded, Sessions’ services and possible value increase while in the “[ ]”’Antoni  offense was squandered. For a team, such as the Knicks seeking a point guard capable of better directing the “[ ]”’Antoni offense, and with a skeleton crew possibly entering into the summer of 2010, the failure to sign an affordable and talented player with a combination of physical tools and potential to address an important aspect of the team’s offensive scheme may just result to be another Penny Wise Pound Foolish Move on the part of the 2010 Cap Space Cult.

III. Lost in a mess of Seven Seconds or Less and the 2010 Cap Space Cult Tunnel Vision: the unheeded overtures of Defense wins Championships and No Rebounds no Rings

As opportunities are lost and assets possibly squandered in the dream world tunnel vision that is the 2010 Plan, often neglected are the possible limitations with the Knicks’ current style of play. As previously noted the acquisition of Mike “[ ]”Antoni at the coaching helm is a move that was a significant improvement in many ways from the former listless coaching tenure of the Isaiah Thomas era. However, if the ultimate goal for the franchise is to eventually contend for and win an NBA Championship, then the current style of play, with its nonchalant approach to the defensive side of the ball, and apparent failure to bolster coaching on that end, may well prevent the franchise from its stated objective. During the 2008-09 season the Knicks were ranked 28th out of 30 teams in scoring defense, yielding 107.8 points per game, and 28th out of 30 teams in field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to connect on 47.98% of their shot attempts.[10] Certainly the absence of a presence in the middle of the paint to anchor the defense would help but the problems affecting the Knicks defense may be as much philosophical as they are a reflection of the franchise’s absence of an interior presence. The current approach towards the defense is exemplified in  “[ ]”Antoni’s simplistic player personnel preference approach to bolstering the team’s defense to the current exclusion of any wholesale improvement in the team’s overall coaching approach on that end, which would require either a greater attention to coordinating and orchestrating that side of the ball or acquiring an assistant capable of effectively directing defense. For instance, although “[ ]”Antoni may be credited with favoring players prepackaged with a defensive mindset, “[ ]”Antoni’s failure to properly direct or acquire such a director on that end indicates a general  unwillingness to craft an orchestra on defense for the grand stage. During the course of the 2008-09 season opportunities existed to enlist the services of Mark I’avaroni, Bill Lambieer and even former Knicks defensive standout Charles Oakley but no move was made by the organization to acquire either named coach or personnel.  Ultimately, could it be that the simple valuation and acquisition of individual defenders without acquiring defensive oriented coaching to improve and provide cohesiveness and structure on that end, hints at a neglect of the defensive side of the ball[11] that rivals, former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan’s self destructive spurning of his offensive players during his tenure with the formidable NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles teams.

In addition to the concern with the teams defense, less mentioned is the Knicks shortcomings in the area of rebounding. Although the Knicks were ranked 8th in total rebounds per game the Knicks ranked 26 out of 30 teams in rebounding differential giving up 4 rebounds more per game 46.1 than secured 42.1. Lee in 2008-09 Season ranked third in the league in rebounding pulling down 11.7 rebounds per game. With David Lee’s possible exit in the summer of 2010, in order for the 2010 Caps Space Cult to carve out further Cap Space[12] for Le Saviour, the remnant Knicks roster may well end up without any proven rebounder approaching Lee’s ability. That scenario could likely lessen the scraps of talent on the Knicks roster when the Franchise invites the King or their next “Saviour” onto the Garden.

All Eggs in a Basket with some large holes in it, … or …

Going to a shoot out with plenty of ammo but not enough men?

While much of the talk about King James emphasizes his aspirations as a mogul and not just icon, often lost in that conversation is King James’ serious aversion to losing and desire to reach the leagues pinnacle by winning a championship. The most instrumental example of the Kings’ unwillingness to readily accept defeat was on display during his recent playoff appearance against the more balanced Dwight Howard led Orlando Magic team, when King James refused to shake Hands with the victorious Magic team that had eliminated the Kings Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With that as the backdrop is it possible then that King James would so readily bolt an average team on an organization that has attempted to improve the product on the Kings behalf for a possibly gutted Knicks team that could be without its best rebounder, a scorer off the bench, and direction at the point. Would James, leave a team ranked near in the top five to ten in most defensive categories[13] for a team that ranks near the bottom in those same categories. Also consider that the 2010 market is not simply the Knicks play pen that the local press paints it out to be as there will be other potential buyer’s, many of which may possess either a combination of comparable cap room or a fuller set of complimentary talent or both. [14] With the possible holes in the Knicks roster that may result from the Franchise’s effort to maximize every bit of cap space for LeSaviour, why would James, or any upper tier free agent for that matter, merely go for only a bigger salary if the supporting cast offered by other teams may generally be better constituted than the remnant supporting cast the Knicks stroll out in 2010?  Lest everyone forget that Superstars generally need sidekicks and a capable team around them in all aspects of the game.

The Stakes at Play

As stated earlier a tide has turned for the Knicks Franchise as they have shifted from overpaying for players whose production would not yield results towards an end game of entering into and succeeding in post-season play to an agenda of obtaining cap space flexibility to secure star caliber talent in the upcoming free agent wave. But no matter how lovely the plan might appear it is nonetheless a gamble and yet another variation on a creature that has been fostered by New York’s win now mandate- 2010 will be only two full regular seasons and three summers removed from the end of Isiah Thomas’ regime. With a team that may well lose two of it’s own key free agents and has passed on acquiring talent that could address a key component of the offense, not to mention the important task of improving the team’s play on the defensive end, the stakes at play in this gamble might leave the franchise without their long sought out Savior and possibly with another empty cupboard. Should the Knicks not “Hang Ten” and rather wipe out on the wave of 2010 free agency, it will be the fan base who will finally have to come to terms with the Tsunami of heightened expectations fed to them by the local sports media.

U2’s Staring at the Sun

Waves that leave me out of reach
Breaking on your back like a beach
Will we ever live in peace?

‘Cause those that can’t do
Often have to
And those that can’t do
Often have to preach

To the ones
Staring at the sun
Afraid of what you’d find
If you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb
[you’re] staring at the sun
[you’re] not the only one
Who’d rather go blind

---

[1] David Lee’s deal is reportedly worth 7 million dollars in 2009-10 season with incentive clauses that could increase the value of the contract to 8 million. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-leeknicks092409&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

The increase in David Lee’s contract to a maximum of 8 million would occur only if the Knicks make the playoffs in the 2009-10 season.  Nate Robinson is reported to have signed a one-year deal worth more than the 2.9 million qualifying offer the Knicks are required to extend to Robinson by league rules.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/david-lee-re-signs-with-knicks-1.1471520

[2] For a thorough discussion of the Knicks’ dearth of talent under the Scott Layden regime and the Herculean efforts of Isiah Thomas to revive the Franchises’ talent base, See http://www.cosellout.com/?p=128

[3] An article suggested that the 2008 offseason negotiations to resign Lee would have had to have started at about 6 million per season at minimum. See New York Post article “’Shaky’ Deal: Lee Status with Knicks Up in Air: by Marc Berman (last updated 7/14/08 at 6:46am)

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/shaky_deal_U1LbMN5E8MR9IkRPsPgBvO

[4] David Lee’s production per 36 minutes per game in “[ ]”Antoni system of play increased Lee’s scoring average by 4.07 points per game from 12.43 PPG to 16.5 PPG, his rebounding average per 36 minutes per game increased by .5 per game from 11.1 RPG to 11.6 RPG.

Nate Robinson’s statistical production in terms of points per 36 minutes also improved by about  4 point per, from 16.733 PPG to 20.7 PPG, while in the “[ ]”Antoni system of play. Robinson’s assist per game per 36 minutes increased by 1.6 per game, from 3.3 APG to 4.9 APG with his turnover remaining steady 2.2 TOV to 2.3 TOV with “[ ]”antoni.

See Player Statistical Reference at Basketball Reference.Com

http://www.basketball-reference.com/

[5] See Coon, Larry (2005); “NBA Salary Cap/Collective Bargaining Agreement FAQ”

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm, last visited September 28, 2009

In particular read answer to question80. When can a team trade a free agent it signs? Do they have to keep him forever?

[6] See Tommy Beer’s Hoopsworld.com Article entitled “Knicks: Sessions Makes Sense in New York!” (last updated 8/4/09 at 9:04am ET)

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13500&print=yes

[7] Ramon Sessions per 36 minutes per game scoring and assist average is 15.3 points per game and 7.9 assist per game.

[8] Chris Duhon’s per 36 minute per game scoring and assist average during the 2008-09 NBA season with the New York Knicks is 7.0 assist per game with 10.9 points per game. That figure represented a .725 assist per game increase from Duhon’s 4 year career assist total of 6.275 with the Bulls and a 1.225 point per game increase from Duhon’s 9.675 points per game average while with the Bulls.

[9] Associated Press “Sessions to fill Rubio’s Shoes in Minnesota,” Krawzcynski, John, September 15, 2009. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g1I0RUcT7zvlTBR0Id4REm7h2FfgD9AO2HPO0

[10] http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=tmcompare&season=2009&seasontype=2&league=nba

[11] To D’antoni’s credit he recently recognized that he did not properly emphasize defense during the 2008-09 NBA Season. D’antoni has set a goal to have the Knicks in the top half in defense for the upcoming 2009-10 Season. Via Twitter (Marc Berman, New York Post), September 29, 2009.

[12] Note that unless a Team renounces their rights to a player, that player’s salary is counted against the team’s payroll at a percentage relative to the particular type of free agent that that player represents.

Since, David Lee negotiated a contract with the Knicks above the Qualifying Minimum of his Rookie Scale Contract he will become a Free Agent in 2010 not on a Rookie Scale Contract, which would place his cap hold at 150% of his current salary, 7 million annually, or a 10.5 million cap hold on the Knicks 2010 Salary Cap. The Knicks could clear that cap hold by renouncing David Lee’s rights. However, once renounced in that particular situation the Knicks cannot undo that renouncement even if they wipeout against the 2010 Free Agent Wave. See Questions 14, 29, 30, and 32-34 in Coon, Larry (2005); “NBA Salary Cap/Collective Bargaining Agreement FAQ”.

[13] Cleveland Ranked first in scoring defense limiting their opponents to 91.4 points per game. They ranked 2nd in defensive field goal percentage limiting their opponents to 43.0% shooting. Cavaliers ranked 7th in shot blocking averaging 5.3 blocks for contest. The Cavs also ranked 3rd in rebounding differential outrebounding their opponents by 3.3. rebounds per game. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=teamstatreb&season=2009&seasontype=2

[14] Assume Salary Cap in 2010 = 57,000,000.00

** Indicates key player in team’s possession

The list below points to teams who will likely have significant cap space in order to be players in the 2010 free agent market. The cap space estimates are rough estimates and do not take into account the cap space hold rules noted above in footnote 12 or other rules applicable to determining Salary Cap Space that can be found in questions 14, 19, 20 and 35 of Larry Coons Salary Cap FAQ

Information regarding team salary commitment scenarios and salary cap space alternatives in 2010 extracted from tables found at Hoopshype Team Salaries and Payroll page found at http://hoopshype.com/salaries.htm

Cavs in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $25,346,007 when James test free agency

– $8,196,764.00 should James not opt out- not likely

(Notable Players, possibly, still on Roster:)

– A. Varejao, M.”Williams, D. West, D. Gibson, J. Moon.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

– **L. James, S. O’Neal

Knicks in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $35,099,217.00

– $29,664,176.00 retaining both W. Chandler and D. Gallinari

(Notable Players, possibly, still on Roster)

– Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari, Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Eddy Curry, Jared Jefferies.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

– D. Lee, N. Robinson

Rockets in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $17,339,518.00 assuming Aaron Brooks retained by Rockets

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– Yao Ming, Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

T. McGrady, L. Scola, Y. Ming

Heat in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $51,190,760.00 D. Wade Opts out and team options exercised retaining M. Beasley and M. Chalmers

– $34,041,517.00 should D. Wade not opt out (not likely) and the Heat retain M. Beasley and M. Chalmers

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– M. Chalmers, M. Beasley.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

– **Dwayne Wade, U. Haslem

Bulls in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $19,330,174.00 in cap space with only J. Noah and D. Rose retained.

– $13,073,368.00 in cap space for 2010- assume J. Noah, D. Rose and T. Thomas retained by Bulls

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– L. Deng, K. Hinrich, J. Salmons, D. Rose, T. Thomas, J. Noah

Kings in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $21,759,595.00  no team option exercised and no qualifying offer tendered

– $18,953,707.00 if S. Rodriguez retained with qualifying offer

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– K. Martin, A. Nocioni, B. Udrih, F. Garcia, T. Evans

Clippers in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $17,907,455.00 assuming E. Gordon and A. Thorton are retained by Clippers.

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– B. Davis, C. Kaman, B. Griffin, E. Gordon, A. Thorton

Nets in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $39,176,520.00 not retaining RFO and not exercising team options to retain named players

– $25,010,456.00 in cap space retaining RFO with QO and exercising team options on named players

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– D. Harris, B. Lopez, Y. Jianlian, J. Boone, S. Williams, C. Lee, C.Douglas-Roberts

Blazers in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $18,365,374.00 Blazers extend QO to L. Aldridge and exercise team options retaining G. Oden, J. Bayless, R. Fernandez and N. Batum

– Blazers will likely resign Brandon Roy effectively limiting their participation in the 2010 market.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

** B. Roy, T. Outlaw, S. Blake

Hawks in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $25,896,303.00 in cap space with A. Horford Retained

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– J. Smith, J. Crawford, A. Horford

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

– **J. Johnson

Thunder in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $26,730,214.00 in cap space with K Durant and W. Wesbrook retained.

(Notable Players, possibly, still on Roster)

– K. Durant, R. Westbrook.

Suns in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $26,180,796.00 A. Stoudemire exercises Player Option

– $24,313,476.00 A. Stoudemire Opts out and Suns Retian R. Lopez

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– J. Richardson, S. Nash, L. Barbosa, R. Lopez.

(Key Expiring Contracts or Players possibly electing to exercise Player Options)

– **A. Stoudemire,

Grizzlies in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $20,196,987.00 Team options not exercised on OJ Mayo, M. Conley nor extend QO to R. Gay.

– $6,404,998.00 Grizzlies exercise team options on OJ Mayo, M. Conley and extend QO to R. Gay

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– M. Gasol, H. Thabeet, Z. Randolph, OJ Mayo, R. Gay, M. Conley

TWolves in 2010

(Cap space in 2010 not considering cap hold figures)

– $35,494,200.00 no team options exercise – really about $31,494,200.00 b/c of Contract with R. Sessions

– $28,152,448.00 team options exercise on K. Love and C. Brewer – really $24, 152,448.00 same as above.

(Notable Players, possibly,  still on Roster)

– A. Jefferson, R. Gomes, K. Love, J. Flynn,

Knicks Got Sixty-nine (69) Issues And (Hopefully) Bitching Ain’t One

Knicks fans love their basketball, but just as important as the play on the field is the drama that surrounds our home  team.  When teams like the Oklahoma Thunder and the Toronto Raptors have poor seasons from the beginning it can be easy to lose interest.  But the Knicks always have some drama going on either on the court,  in the locker room or outside of MSG.  Each year seems to have many great story lines to follow; and watching the Knicks is like watching a soap opera or at other times a situation comedy.

This year, like every other, there are many story lines to follow to hold one’s interest.  We have identified the following 69 issues or story lines that we will follow closely this season. Of course, the Scriptologists among you probably already know the resolution to most of these plotlines.  If any of you have more story lines, please share them in the comment section.

AS THE KNICKS’ WORLD TURNS

1. Will Danilo Galinari’s back hold up for 70-82 games?

2. Will Thrill Will earn his name and show more aggression consistently?

3. Will Toney Douglas become the starting point guard by the All-Star Break?

4. Will Eddie Curry ever get into “Seven Seconds Or Less” shape or revert to “Fat and Overweight” shape?

5. Will D’Antoni emphasize defense more this season or officially remove the “D” from his name?

6. Will the Knicks be in the battle for the 7th to 8th playoff spots or the NY lottery in January?

7. Will David Lee agree to a trade by February?

8. Will Darko go crazy in front of the camera again?

9. Will Walsh trade Jared Jeffries this season?

10. Will Walsh trade Larry Hughes this season?

11. Will Al Harrington or Nate Robinson be the spark plug off the bench?

12. Will the starting unit ever be Douglas, Robinson, Galinari, Lee, Chandler?

13. Will David Lee and Nate Robinson earn their million dollar bonuses and make the playoffs?

14. When the Hawks visit the Garden will Jamal Crawford receive an ovation?

15. When Jamal Crawford plays the Knicks, will he score 30 or more points or will he be guarded by Douglas?

16. Will Nate Robinson enter the All-Star Dunk competition?

17. Will Nate Robinson jump over Yao Ming to win the Slam Dunk competition?

18. Will the Scab Refs have jobs after the All-Star Break?

19. Will Toney Douglas shoot over 40% from under the arc?

20. Will Darko Milicic run the floor and play defense or rub his butt on the bench all season?

21. Will Larry Hughes hit a shot when it means something?

22. Will Larry Hughes be traded before David Lee?

23. Will David Lee continue to be the Knicks double-double man?

24. Will David Lee be forced to guard centers again?

25. Will anybody get sued by a chauffer this year?

26. Will the Newsday writers quit because of the humiliation of being told how to report on the Knicks?

27. What will Stephon Marbury do to get attention during the season?

28. Will the New York press go “goo goo ga ga” over LeBron when he comes to New York again?

29. Will Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum humiliate the Knicks?

30. Will the Knicks get 40+ wins?

31. Will D’Antoni return to the 7seconds or Less offense or continue to emphasize the pick and roll?

32. When Galinari drive to the hole, who will he kick out to for the tre?

33. Are there enough balls for a unit including Harrington, Hughes, Galinari and Robinson?

34. Will FIU make it to the NIT?

35. How many times will LeBron tell the press he is not leaving Cleveland during the season?

36. How many times will LeBron tell the press he is going to test the free agency market?

37. Will Ratner have enough money by December to save the Atlantic Yard project?

38. Will Chris Duhon shut down Brandon Jennings for punking him?

39. Will the Knicks be able to trade Eddie Curry this year?

40. Will the truth about Eddie’s alleged knee injury last year be revealed as pretext for being out of shape?

41. Will Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen embarrass the Knicks at MSG?

42. Will the Knicks keep looking for a point guard during the season?

43. Will the Knicks continue to be without an All-Star Game participant?

44. Will Nate Robinson agree to a trade to the Western Conference?

45. Will Carmelo Anthony, Birdman, Chauncey Billups and K-Mart get pimp slapped by the Knicks?

46. Will Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph try to show off in the Garden and succeed?

47. Will Wilson Chandler and David Le be too much for Blake Griffin?

48. Will the press continue to treat Nate like garbage?

49. Will Wilson Chandler develop an inside game?

50. What will be Jeffries shooting percentage from under the basket?

51. How will D’Antoni use defenders like Douglas, Chandler, Jeffries, Hughes and Hill?

52. Who will complain about lack of minutes first, Darko or Curry?

53. What will Q-Rich do when he gets to the Garden?

54. Will Hill develop a consistent, strong inside move by the playoffs?

55. Will the incentive laden contract give David Lee incentive to play defense?

56. Will anybody take a charge besides Jeffries and Galinari?

57. Will someone assume the role of enforcer for the Knicks?

58. Will Stephon Marbury come to see the Knicks play in NY or LA?

59. Will Newsday ever write anything critical of Knicks management?

60. Will David Lee be able to guard Shaq while Chandler guards LeBron?

61. Will Curry’s former chauffer file for arbitration or bail on the entire process?

62. Will Newsday, which is owned by Cablevision which owns the Knicks, continue to have the most positive spin on the Knicks in New York?

63. Will Mike Breen continue to regale viewers his claims that Robinson is immature?

64. Will the New York media return to the days when black athletes had low basketball IQ’s and all the white athletes were geniuses, according to the press?

65. If the Knicks make the playoffs will Robinson and Lee share a part of their bonuses with teammates?

66. Will Chris Bosh or Joe Johnson become the Knicks’ new targets as “Saviors?”

67. Will the players make progress on the CBA?

68. Who will become the team leader?

69. Will opponents continue to enjoy their visits to the garden?

 

Knicks Revivalism (Part I the 2010 Plan Holy Trinity)

[In keeping with Knicks’ spirit week resident blogger Orange and Blue offers his take on the divine nature of fandom and offers a positive take on the first year’s work of the new regime. Stay tuned for Part Two in which O&B questions the trajectory and moves, or lack thereof, of the new regimes. So join in and get ready to receive and  in Part 2 question the Spirit,… the Holy Spirit and Sacred Trinity of Knicks Sports Fandom!]

Fandom as Religion and Knicks Fans Messianic Dreams

Fandom is a quasi religious phenomena because of what it often entails- e.g., adoration, faith and loyalty, and zealous commitment throughout the team’s rising and waning fortunes. Examples of the quasi religious nature of fandom in general can be found in the shrines that adorn many a fanatics home, the idolization (and demonization) of players and personalities linked/associated with the team’s fortunes, and the shared and general belief amongst fans that their team, (despite their objective plight), will defy odds in any particular game, season or undertaking to carry the fanbase to the miraculous and euphoric. In the electronic age the religious experience of fandom has blossomed into different denominations as a result of the proliferation of team oriented weblogs-both corporate or private, sponsored or independent.

For the legions of Knick fans, fandom has not been an easy endeavor. With the Franchise’s last championship occurring over 35 years ago and the last championship run occurring during the 1998-99 season, the term “long suffering” has become an ever more apropos term for a fanbase whose arid plight can be likened to the Israelites march through the desert.  In the doldrums of a long championship drought, Knick fans, (and the organization as well), have searched for and sought out a Savior to lead the franchise to a championship resurrection. From the mid 1980s through the end of the century the drafting of center Patrick Ewing was supposed to usher in a return to glory but the teams at Ewing’s disposal at best came within a game of that much hoped upon return. The turn of the century then saw the Franchise pin it’s hopes, (and extend or acquire disproportionate contract offers), on the deteriorating Knees of Shooting Guard Allan Houston, and later upon the questionable character of Point Guard Stephon Marbury. Also, throughout the 1980’s into and through the turn of the century the Names of Knick adversaries such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant also figured prominently in conversations about a potential Knick messiah.

“The Knicks Holy Trinity” and Revivalist Mythology for Popular Consumption

I. A Franchise’s Downward Spiral

As 1973 slips into the distant memory, the sole decade of championship contention during the 1990s appears ever more like an oasis in a vast wasteland of organizational ineptitude. But for many Knicks’ fans the recent decade at the turn of the century came to represent the worst era of franchise futility- or at least the most dubiously publicized period. For instance, personnel decisions made during the first decade of the turn of the century, (a veritable what not to do for the potential Arm Chair GM), mired the organization in bad contracts and coaching and managerial instability, which at best ended in buyouts and settlement agreements but at worst tarnished the organizations public image under the glaring ravenous lens of the local sports media hawks.

II. A Revival

But just as the Franchise approached an apparent nadir, and Knick fandom was on the verge of losing its religion, a new vision of redemption emerged onto the spotlight of Broadway for the popular consumption and sedation of legions of fans. The new vision of the franchise’s championship resurrection easily became monumental orthodoxy cast in the form of an unassailable holy trinity. That holy trinity has come to encompass the persons, personalities and essences of Donnie Walsh, Lebron James and Newsday’s sports blog coverage of the Knicks.  This holy trinity captures the spirit of the times and marks a turning of the tide against the organizational failings and imbalances since the turn of the century.

In the Knicks holy trininty, “[ ]”onnie Walsh represents the Father Figure.  Cast as a wise and timeless figure, sort of like the creator gods of many religions, it is “[ ]” onnie Walsh who is assigned the task of recreating the Knicks into a Championship contender.  According to popular belief, “[ ]”onnie Walsh’s mythic creational/transformational powers come from a vast well of experience that imbues his managerial decisions with an other worldly patience necessary to carry out a master plan for the franchises resurrection.

If “[ ]”onnie Walsh is the Father of the Trinity, then Lebron James is the incarnate personification of the long desired franchise savior. As basketball’s king on earth, King James, is considered the chosen one, the one who will carry Knicks fandom to the promised land of an NBA Championship that has alluded the Franchise for over 35 years.  King James has to date certainly matched and or exceeded the hype that surrounded his entrance into the NBA, by displaying the legendary greatness attributed to him, during dramatic playoff performances against the Pistons and Magic, and by carrying an average Cavaliers’ team to the top seeding in the 2008-09 NBA Playoffs.

But what would the Knicks resurrection and the return of its rumored savior be if the Zeitgeist of the ever-drawing moment did not find itself in the hearts and minds of Knicks fans. To that end a trinity is nothing without it’s Holy Spirit, which is inblognated in the Cablevision bought and owned, Newsday Sports Coverage of the New York Knicks.  Newsday’s coverage of the unfolding “resurrection” is spearheaded by the highly popular reporter/blogger Alan Hahn.   Hahn’s abilities as a prolific blogger, coupled with his careful consideration to his fan base of bloggers and overall affable personality has helped Newsday’s blog the Knicks Fix become one of the more important sources for disseminating the message, spirit and belief in the inevitable return of a Knicks’ Messiah and coming of a 2010 Championship resurrection.

III. The Trilogy and “The Plan” in 2010 as a Turning of the Tide

Collectively the trinity represents a shifting of the tide for the Franchise against mistakes of prior Knick regimes at the turn of the century. For instance the hiring of “[ ]”onnie Walsh, as the Head of Basketball Operations, signaled the end of a free wheeling era that reached it’s Zenith under Isiah Thomas.  That era can be said to be marked by numerous gambles in terms of acquiring talented yet highly priced players, either: 1) who were high risk due to character issues; 2) whose statistical production did not significantly improve the organization’s opportunities to engage in and succeed in post season play; 3) whose presence resulted in roster redundancies that negated the player’s value and cut into the development of younger players. Moreover the acquisitions of several of the highly priced yet non-impact talent on the Knicks rosters came at the high cost of lost future draft picks, that were traded away in the hopes that the talent acquired would flourish under Zeke’s management and influence, where they previously had faltered or exhausted their welcomes with their prior teams. To Walsh’s credit the greater part of his first full year as Head of Basketball Operations witnessed the jettisoning of high salary, yet low value per production players such as Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford. Walsh’s first year also witnessed the jettisoning of Knicks’ team Mascot Jerome James and the eventual dismissal of Brooklyn legend turned pariah, Stephon Marbury.

The shifting of the tide away from talented yet risky players and generally low value per production players, to an objective of targeting proven Star free agents suggested the organization had quite possibly learned certain lessons prominent in the management war rooms of the teams that had dumped their undesirables onto the Knicks roster.   To that extent the fascination with acquiring a player of Lebron James’ caliber in 2010, a/k/a “The Plan”, signals not merely a fan boy fantasy but also a partial revelation of what it might take to resurrect a moribund NBA Franchise. Thus for the Knicks Franchise a proverbial veritable lightbulb is finally turned on to illuminate the organization’s trajectory to a vision of acquiring a talent/saviour that many expect will lead the Knicks to a light at the end of the tunnel.

Additionally, Walsh’s acquisition of Head Coach Mike “[ ]” Antoni, infused an upbeat atmosphere into the downtrodden lockeroom, while providing the players discipline and direction (on at least one side of the coaching equation). “[ ]”Antoni’s presence also signaled to the team that playing time, (with the exception of Stephon Marbury’s quarantine),  was not a given but would be earned by performance on the court and in practice. The Wally Pip Rule alluded to by Isiah Thomas, the formerly conflicted head coach and president of basketball operations, became a reality with the franchise under a separate head coach and Management. Notably, the Knicks in “[ ]”Antoni’s, first year at the helm had better balance on the line up between offensive and defensive players and youthful and veteran players on the court- e.g., the willing to utilize defensive reserve Jared Jefferies more frequently and to utilize him on opposing team’s point guards, the insertion of talented sophomore Wilson Chandler into the team’s regular rotation, the insertion of fan favorite David Lee into the starting line up.

As the franchise was steered towards an improved trajectory, Franchise ownership also directed their efforts to better controlling/combating the negative coverage of the Franchise by the local sports media outlets.  The Change in the Franchises media policy, from an iron curtain preventing reporter access to a more open approach signaling a détente with sports reporting entities was one step taken to change the Franchises image in the eyes of the local sports journals. The greater move however, involved the purchase of Newsday by Cablevision, which also owns the Knicks- and according to some even Alan Hahn. In a war for the hearts and minds of Knicks’ fans the purchase of Newsday represented the acquisition of a veritable Tokyo Rose/Axis Sally megaphone casting pro Knicks spin via Alan Hahn’s sports coverage of the Knicks as both reporter and blogger. The change in the Knicks media policy when coupled with the partisan voice cast in the Franchise’s favor by Newsday has quickly influenced other corporate Knicks’ fan blogs, which similarly disseminate the inevitability and certainty of the Knick’s Messiah’s return in 2010- see SNY’s Knicks Blog.

Aint “THE PLAN” Lovely?…

Is Michael Jordan Planning To Start A 50 and Over League?

Before he and his class were inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, Michael Jordan served basketball fans and his admirers with a speech highlighting the individuals and events that provided fuel for the internal drive leading him to become one of the greatest athletes in sports history.  His speech, which was often funny and at other times raw and biting, but always grateful if not gracious, offered us a fascinatingly candid glimpse of that competitive edge which put fear in opponents and put out teammates who did not possess the will nor desire to match his intense need to win.

Michael spoke to us in a way that promises to confound many who don’t understand what it takes to be, or what it is to be great at something that you love and appreciate with all your heart.  He probably disappointed those who thought he should have been soft and graciously corporate immediately before riding into the sunset so that his memory could be neatly packaged and shelved in their minds, only to be dusted off for sports anniversaries and cross-generational comparisons to the next anointed G.O.A.Ts.

If we listened closely, however, we heard Michael tell us that his passion was borne from a burning childhood desire to prove that he belonged, whether it was amongst his competitive siblings, or on the cover of Sports Illustrated with teammates as a college freshman or mentioned in the same breath as the stars who preceded him, like Isiah Thomas, George Gervin, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson who he respectfully named.  We also heard amongst the laughter and remembrances, that his childlike passion for the game still lives within him and that he is not prepared to be separated from the game and buried beneath accolades and idol worship.  He is still alive and maintains a desire to compete and to prove he belongs.  Michael said,

We are left to ask ourselves whether he was kidding or teasing us.  Is he preparing to pull a George Foreman and pop back into his sport at 50 to challenge an older Kobe or join LeBron in his prime, perhaps in New York, to win a 7th championship?  Or maybe, Michael and his body will remember how hard it was as a Wizard with waning magic to compete with the younguns, most of them with the work ethics of spoon-fed children.  Maybe he will settle into his dream to be an owner and instead of joining the NBA, he will come back only to promote his new 50-years old and over league of former NBA and college stars who still have enough game to entertain an audience.   Perhaps he has figured out that if people are willing to watch a declining (darn near reclining) Shaq play sports he has no business playing, people will surely accept watching former stars play on a shorter court for a shorter period of time; perhaps we will even accept gimmicks like trampolines to help our stars regain the hops they once credited to the shoes they wore.  Or even better, the teams would be comprised of former female stars too, perhaps giving a boost to the women’s game in the O Double G (Old Guys and Gals)Summer League.  I’d watch Cheryl Miller outshine her brother Reggie,  Magic and Dr. J any day.

Hey Michael, I’m not laughing.  Old Mature people need old mature role models too.  I can barely dream of being LeBron these days, but if you come back, I could still dream of being like Mike.  It should be a little easier for me in three years, shouldn’t it?

PART 1 of 3

 

 

PART 2 of 3

 

 

Part 3 of 3

 

 

Previous Related Posts: 

CONGRATULATIONS MJ, Jerry Sloan, David “Admiral” Robinson, John Stockton and Ms. Vivian Stringer

RIP Van Donnie Tourtoise’s 2010 Tunnel Vision Conundrum!

(This offering was originally posted as comment #26 in the “David Lee Is Not Happy With The Knicks” tread.  Let’s give a Fanatic welcome to O&B’s first non-LBE penthouse offering in the new diggs. (About time!))

RIP VAN DONNIE

The Knicks under Isiah turned over a terrible roster inherited from the layden years. Thomas then used the draft and trades to bring in other young talent with upside and WARTS!

The WARTS on the players acquired to be the teams leader on the court, Starbury, and franchise big man, Eddy “The Giant Midget” Curry where acquisitions of experienced players to help steady a team built primarily through the draft. Add to that group s one dimensional player overvalued at the MLE, Jared Jefferies, and overpaid one way palyers, Z-Bo and Crawford, in an era before the importance of money ball and a tightening cap started to become a GMs reality and reasoning and the Knicks young core were set up for a let down of a mismatched roster with a disjointed leadership and structure.

I think Walsh this time around intended well by acquiring either Jason Kidd or Grant Hill, he perhaps concluded that the young nucleus inherited by Zeke and recently acquired during his tenure required players whose pedigree and approach to the game would provide the necessary leadership required for a currently wayward roster to build forward towards the future. Giving Walsh credit, that was a way better idea than acquiring malcontents, percieved or real, whose impact on the team failed to pull them from a decades long morass of underachievement, despite those very malcontented players very promising upside.

That said, acquiring players near the tail end of the career, while solid in spirit, is a short term move whose long term application may not be present when the Knicks really need those players talents and efforts to take the next necessary steps in what many a Knicks fan hopes will be a playoff run of some signifigance. Walsh perhaps was hoping that the signing of either Hill or Kidd would help construct the bridge of professionalism and pedigree that would bridge a complete overhaul in culture leading into the oft mentioned Shangrila summer of 2010.

But again the question would be at what price?… Fading vets who might not have anything left in the tank when the Alpha Dog Free agent needs his teamates to step up? Sure many of the younger players may have the professionalism and work ethic and habit of a HIll or Kidd rub off on them,.. but the playoff wars requires “all hands on deck” and fading players are like a glass jaw on a prize fighter,… ones to be exploited by capable teams with good coaching who are capable of exploiting matchups.

In the meantime,… players like Sessions who are cost effective considering their age and production, assuming acceptance of a reasonable price tag along an MLE offer, are given the importance of a tick on the Knicks radar list. What’s worse the one of the most professional and hardest working of the teams own products, David Lee, is an afterthought to veterans soon to be entering the nadir of their careers.

The question begs to be answered do Dolan and Donnie not trust their current sideline care takers to incrementally increase the needed professionalism, dedication and work ethic needed to steer the team in an appealing and more competitive direction for the oncoming of the 2010 bonanza? Would not retaining David Lee and acquiring Sessions to head the team and provide it leadership while they would still be very much in their primes when paired with a 2010 free agent, Nilo and Chandler not be as plausible a route as having their overpriced vets fade in the intensity of the playoffs?

No doubt, the economic situation has put a damper on 2010, and their appears now more than ever a desperation to pinch every penny and attempt to expedite every albatross. But while expediting every albatross contract, Curry, Jefferies (b/c their price per production is not favorable to the Knicks), is the right way to go, jettisoning home grown talent or failing to acquire young talent on the come for fear of not being able to afford a robin to Free Agent A’s batman is gamble that insist that A and B can and will certainly be signed come 2010. Does anyone have that kind of certified foresight? I think not?

Then again why not get one piece of the puzzle in 2010, sure up the base this year, (Lee and Sessions), and then see if their are any players in 2011 who can be the Robin or the Batman to compliment the player acquired in 2010? That way other teams can’t lord over the organizations desperation to expedite Jefferies’ or Curry’s contracts. Better said that however, Curry’s or Jefferies contracts expire it will be handled in a manner that the organization does not cut off it’s nose to spite it’s face to present an overbitten smile for one mere fateful date but rather has flexibility in it’s plans for the future.

THE BOOK OF FANATIC PAUL ON WALSH, D’ANTONI, LOPEZ and the DOGGED DAYS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA

OR     

Well, I may be back on the East Coast but I am feeling the heat as I respond to over 200 personal and business emails and re-adjust to some familial responsibilities. Las Vegas  was crazy fantasy fun, but now back to reality, which means it may be another day before I offer a new post.  But thank goodness for the Fanatic Family which is the heart of  it all anyway.  I just read Paul’s response to Statesman’s query about his comparison of Lopez and Bynum (and Walsh v. Isiah).  While I find a lot to disagree with in Paul’s remark, as usual it is well stated and provocative.  Therefore, we elevate his comments to the Penthouse for further illumination and discussion.  Peace and Blessings.

“Statesman, thanks for your comprehensive response. Your question to me is: Paul what Sound logic or reasoning do you base the Frye over Bynum, was more devastating than Roosta over Lopez?

My quick answer your question is: i think Bynum is a slightly better player than Lopez, and i think Gallinari will be a considerably better player than Frye.

Here goes:

1) I think Lopez & Bynum are both fine players

2) I think Gallinari has more potential than Frye on both sides of the ball

3) Despite their very different career paths, Bynum is a year older and is a better career shotblocker, better eFG% shooter, has better PER, and is a better rebounder than Lopez.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bynuman01.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lopezbr01.html

4) Your point on Bynum’s injuries are noted & valid. Bynum’s a good 20-25 pounds heavier than Lopez, which is both blessing and curse. I did not think Lopez would be a particularly athletic power forward nor a dominant center, and would develop into a better version of Michael Doleac. His solid rookie season was a revelation, and provides a wonderful foundation for the Nyets to build upon.

5) It’s unfair to simultaneously criticize a GM for both trying to upgrade, and not doing enough to upgrade. If Walsh trades Duhon for Miller or Sessions, you criticize him for signing Duhon in the first place. Does he need a mulligan? If he stands pat, he’s not being aggressive enough. It’s a lose/lose script for Walsh.

6) Walsh wasn’t the “lets increase the talent level around here” G.M. – that was Isiah Thomas. Zeke steadily increased our talent level for five years, sometimes with extreme ingenuity. It didn’t work. Walsh is clearly more on a Moneyball-type “productivity per cap dollar” mission.

7) D’Antoni was clearly brought in here to dazzle & distract us while Walsh dismantled a completely dysfunctional, mismatched & overpaid roster. It’s my belief that he agreed to do it under the condition that we draft Gallinari – that CERTAINLY would have been a deal-killer for me, but Wlash/Dolan opted in. Knicks fans aren’t trying to hear “rebuilding” after the failures of the Layden & Thomas Eras, most are crying out for the quick fix. Easier said than done – not every team has a dump trade (Gasol, KG) or a Ewing-type draft miracle up their sleeves.

Walsh has done a decent, if not spectacular, job of getting rid of our worst problem children. D’Antoni did NOT have a good year last year, and probably needs a drastic improvement in Season 2 to avoid a parting of ways. But it wouldn’t have made sense to bring in a Skiles-like defensive taskmaster to a squad that had Zach / Marbs / Craw / Eddy / Nate, would it?

And the 2010 LeBron plan, if it ever truly was more than a smokescreen, is clearly shot to hell…it was always predicated on TWO max free agents conspiring with each other to revitalize NY. Now we may not even be able to afford ONE max contract! You’ve rightfully pointed out that LeBron won’t come here just to play with Gallo, Chandler, Hill & Toney plus a roster of minimums & undrafteds. Nevertheless, our way out of this revolving door is to begin accumulating assets that produce more than they cost. If we accumulate talent at a premium cost, we doom our younger & low cost players to supporting or bit player roles, where they will never shine or have an opportunity to grow while our premium assets depreciate.

Yeah, religious extremists of all types generally suck. I don’t recall posting or thinking Obama was a terrorist, but let’s just say i am bitterly clinging to his wish that he be judged after his first 1000 days rather than his first 100. He’s had a pretty awful start, virtually across the board thus far, but there is still plenty of time to turn things around. If only Waldotoni had that luxury!”

STEPHON TALKS AND MORE AVATARS FOR SALE

GREAT LAST SECOND SHOT BY BIG BABY

The Celtics tied the series 2-2 with a beautiful last second jumper by “Big Baby” Davis who looked like a ballerina as he lifted himself off the floor to hit the shot. It was beautiful, but it made me think about how maligned he would be as a New York Knick. Arguably, Big Baby’s game is not as good as David Lee’s game but in some ways they are similar. Both are inside players and both have learned how to become a bit more accurate with that mid-range jumper. Both have questionable defensive skills and little lateral foot speed, but Davis uses his considerable girth as an obstacle where as David Lee will sweep clean a corridor to the basket to make it more accessible to the opposition. I think Bradley has it right that Lee would make a good part of a Championship contender, just like Big Shot, Big Baby Davis.

STEPHON UNFILTERED

Stephon Marbury tells almost all in a compelling and informative interview with Lang Whitaker in  Slam OnLine.    Stephon gives us some insight into what has happened with him psychologically over the past few tumultous and  disappointing (at least to Knicks fans) past few years.  He also expresses the wonderment of finally being in an atmosphere with a Championship mentality.
Lang lets Stephon’s words speak for themselves and fill in some critical blanks for us.     My only disappointment about the Whitaker piece is that Marbury did not really answer the question concerning what it was like to play with Isiah.  After exhaling, Marbury said , “That’s another feature. We could do it, but…another feature. . . . It’s like this: It’s like you thought you had a problem that you figured out, and then all of a sudden it’s not even the question or the answer. It’s just…mindblowing. It’s mindblowing, man…it’s mindblowing.”

Other than that sidestep, I recommend that Fanatics interested in piecing together some of the internal workings of the knicks recent past and the Marbury mind, read this.

I found this joint courtesy of our friend Modi, who sports quite the Stabury article collection — mostly written by him of course.  His latest piece on Marbury, “I’d rather own than be owned,” can be found here.

MORE AVATARS FOR SALE

I had a little time on my hands, so I went Antiquing at the Avatar Antique shop this weekend and I found these potential Avatars for our friends CooleyHigh and Statesman.  The last proposed Avatar is the pic from Modi’s Cosellout website.  I think the pics fit quite nicely, although the notion of Mao raising the O’Brien Trophy should probably be a picture dedicated and donated to David Stern.  Check ’em out.  Whatayathink?

SPECIAL FOR COOLEYHIGH

STATESMAN 1

STATESMAN 2

MODI/COSELLOUT

FREE JAMAL CRAWFORD

In this month’s Sports Illustrated, Phil Taylor writes what is essentially a prayer to the basketball Gods to release Jamal Crawford from a horrible curse that has been crueler to only three other professional ballers.  Only NBA Players Tom Van Arsdale, Otto Moore and Nate Williams have played in more basketball games without making the playoffs,  Of course it eats at the former Knicks star that none of his 597 games include a post-season game.

“Guys tell me that being in the playoffs is like walking on air,” Crawford tells Taylor. “They say it’s unbelievable, that your aches and pains from the season don’t even hurt anymore. When you’re in the playoffs, it’s all you think about. I just want to know what that’s like.”

Jamal had a tough season although he averaged 19.7 points and 4.4 assists.   After the Knicks got off to a decent start in the first 11 games of the season, Crawford (Crawsome to some, Crawful to others)  was surprisingly traded to the Warriors for Walsh’s project Al Harrington with a promise of more defense and better inside scoring.   Crawford had the misfortune of winding up with Don Nelson who seems to remind one of Dean Martin at the end of his show after he dropped a shot or two of Johnnie Walker Red down the hole in his kidney.  Nelson who is famous for not knowing how to end relationships has threatened to trade Crawford, perhaps to a playoff team, if he does not opt out.   In an April 17th interview with ESPN, Crawford sounds like the sound businessman as he embraces the Warriors like he is still a Warrior.  When asked what he took away from the season, Jamal responded  “Of course …watching the young players play. Seeing how they developed was great and seeing the future of our team.”

Jamal  was certainly one of my favorite Knicks.   In NYC, he was smart, personable and exciting to watch.  Of course, he was infuriating on defense even on D’Antoni’s team which didn’t play NBA style defense, but he was far better to watch than Statesman’s fave one, Larry “the Bricklayer” Hughes.  There is also something special about watching good players grow with your team or system. Jamal still says it was an honor playing for Isiah, who turned him into a starter and a star.  Unfortunately for Crawford, basketball is a team sport and while it is much easier to make the playoffs these days, a player still needs to be on the right team at the right time. While Crawford should not be the number one star of a playoff team, he can certainly contribute to a good team.  Some fans may not think so, but other ballers dig his game.

The Dallas Mavericks are right — he is certainly one of the best players never to play in a playoff game.  But remember, Phil Mickleson was once the best golfer never to win a major.  The sports Gods are fickle until the players get it right.  I’m betting that Crawford gets it right before he retires.

Postseason Dreamin’

These players have played the most regular-season games without making a playoff appearance (active players are in bold)

Player Games Tom Van Arsdale 929 Otto Moore 682 Nate Williams 642 Jamal Crawford 597 Troy Murphy 549 Popeye Jones 535 Eddy Curry 504 Mike Dunleavy Jr. 499 Doug Overton 499 Geoff Huston 496 Lee Mayberry 496

Source: NBA

KNICKS FANS STILL HAVE SOME SKIN IN THE PLAYOFFS

The NBA Playoffs are in full swing and although most analyst and fans are anticipating an eventual Kobe-Lebron matchup, there is still some good basketball to watch before we get to the finals.  For Knicks fans, although we are moving into the General Management Season, there are still many on-court storylines of interest to many of us.  There is no storyline more interesting than the ultimate fate of Stephon Marbury who escaped (or was tossed if you are reporting from the Newsday, owned by Cablevision which is owned by the Dolans, perspective) New York to join the world champions.  It appears that the Celtics, who have lost both Leon Powe and Kevin Garnett, are unlikely to reach the Finals this year.  And nothing would be better for some Knicks fans to blame the Marbury curse for injuries to Garnett and Powe.  Marbury has yet to rise above the first round of the playoffs, but those failures were on teams where he was given the bulk of the responsibility to make his team a winner.  Thus far, Marbury is struggling in his role as a back-up PG.  He played 10 minutes in each of the first two games and scored a total of two points in those twenty minutes.  In his best game, he realized 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 turnovers and no points.  He is trying to fit into his role as a playmaker here.   Helping his team to the second round and possibly giving King James a battle in the Eastern Conference Finals would be seen by others as a sort of karmic justice for Starbury who not only dished out his share of negativity but was also the target of it from the Knicks organization.  Stay tuned to this drama.

The storyline which is probably most critical to the Knicks future is that of LeBron James.  There are those who still believe, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that Walsh’s so-called 2010 plan can result in the name LeBron across the back of a Knick jersey.  Some believe that if LeBron wins a chip, he is more likely to leave his Ohio homebase. Others believe that LeBron, who’s major principal is loyalty not royalties, will leave be more likely to leave Cleveland if he loses because he would have more faith in the Knick organization to being him Championships than the Cleveland organization.   Doesn’t that make you laugh out loud. LOL. LOL. LOL.

Also as DLT pointed out in his comment in the previous thread, there are several former Knicks in the playoffs this year.  In addition to Stephon,  some of those playoff contributors are former-Isiah Thomas players: Trevor Ariza (Lakers), Channing Frye (Trailblazers); Renaldo Balkman (Denver Broncos).  And a couple of recent Walsh’s pick-up-discards (Tim Thomas and Anthony Roberson) are warming the bench with the Bulls.

Most notably, Isiah’s second round #43 pick, Trevor Ariza is a starter and major contributor for the Lakers who are rolling over the Jazz thus far.  In his first game, Ariza played 34 minutes, scored 21 points on 8 for 10 shooting, 3 for 4 from tre-land and added 4 rebounds and 2 assists.  In the next game he only played 32 minutes and scored only 13 points on 5-6 shooting  (3-3 on tres).  He also had 2 steals, 4 rebounds and 9 assists.

Renaldo Balkman is a slightly different story.  Although Balkman was a contributor to the Nuggets success and played significant minutes in wins towards the end of  the season, he was at the end of the bench for the first game of the series against the Hornets.  Karl prefers to shorten his rotation to nine players during the playoffs so Balkman’s minutes will be limited until their is foul trouble and his high, game changing energy is needed.  He has proven to be negligible as an offensive force on this high scoring team.

Ime Udoka, who played 8 games for the Knicks in the 2005-06 season, is a solid backup in San Antonio.  Channing Frye is also on the edge of the bench although he played in 63 games this season and averaged 11.8 minutes but only 4.2 points on 42% field goal shooting.  Very disappointing for a #7 pick, but he is in the playoffs which is more than can be said for the current crop of Knicks.

Knicks fans may also want to pay attention to what type of players may be available during this off-season as the Knicks look to continue the 2010 or Bust rebuilding process.  Perhaps Donnie Walsh will see some magnificient opportunities out there, like expecting Byron Scott to be available in about 1 1/2 seasons. LOL.

Below is the remainder of the playoff schedule.  I will give it it’s own page too, for easy access during the remainder of the games.

NBA Playoff Schedule

Eastern Conference
Cleveland  2  vs. Detroit  0
Game 1 – Sat April 18 Detroit  84 at Cleveland  102
Game 2 – Tue April 21 Detroit 82 at Cleveland 94
Game 3 – Fri April 24 Cleveland at Detroit 7:00PM ESPN
Game 4 – Sun April 26 Cleveland at Detroit 3:30PM ABC
Game 5 * Wed April 29 Detroit at Cleveland TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Cleveland at Detroit TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Detroit at Cleveland TBD TBD

Boston 1 vs. Chicago 1
Game 1 – Sat April 18 Chicago 105 at Boston 103
Game 2 – Mon April 20 Chicago 115 at Boston 118
Game 3 – Thu April 23 Boston at Chicago 8:00PM TNT
Game 4 – Sun April 26 Boston at Chicago 1:00PM ABC
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Chicago at Boston TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Boston at Chicago TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Chicago at Boston TBD TNT

Orlando  0 vs. Philadelphia 1
Game 1 – Sun April 19 Philadelphia 100 at Orlando 98
Game 2 – Wed April 22 Philadelphia at Orlando 7:00PM NBATV
Game 3 – Fri April 24 Orlando at Philadelphia 8:00PM ESPN2
Game 4 – Sun April 26 Orlando at Philadelphia 6:30PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Philadelphia at Orlando TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Orlando at Philadelphia TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Philadelphia at Orlando TBD TNT

Atlanta 1 vs. Miami 0
Game 1 – Sun April 19 Miami 64 at Atlanta 90
Game 2 – Wed April 22 Miami at Atlanta 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 – Sat April 25 Atlanta at Miami 6:30PM TNT
Game 4 – Mon April 27 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 29 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD

Western Conference
L.A. Lakers 2 vs. Utah 0
Game 1 – Sun April 19 Utah 100 at L.A. Lakers 113
Game 2 – Tue April 21 Utah 109 at L.A. Lakers 119
Game 3 – Thu April 23 L.A. Lakers at Utah 10:30PM TNT
Game 4 – Sat April 25 L.A. Lakers at Utah 9:00PM ESPN
Game 5 * Mon April 27 Utah at L.A. Lakers TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 L.A. Lakers at Utah TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Utah at L.A. Lakers TBD TNT

Denver 1 vs. New Orleans 0
Game 1 – Sun April 19 New Orleans 84 at Denver 113
Game 2 – Wed April 22 New Orleans at Denver 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 – Sat April 25 Denver at New Orleans 1:00PM ESPN
Game 4 – Mon April 27 Denver at New Orleans TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 29 New Orleans at Denver TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Denver at New Orleans TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 New Orleans at Denver TBD TBD

San Antonio 1 vs. Dallas 1
Game 1 – Sat April 18 Dallas 105 at San Antonio 97
Game 2 – Mon April 20 Dallas 84 at San Antonio 105
Game 3 – Thu April 23 San Antonio at Dallas 8:30PM NBATV
Game 4 – Sat April 25 San Antonio at Dallas 4:00PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TBD

Portland 1 vs. Houston1
Game 1 – Sat April 18 Houston 108 at Portland 81
Game 2 – Tue April 21 Houston 103 at Portland 107
Game 3 – Fri April 24 Portland at Houston 9:30PM ESPN
Game 4 – Sun April 26 Portland at Houston 9:00PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Houston at Portland TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Portland at Houston TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Houston at Portland TBD TNT

* if necessary

2009 Playoffs & Finals Around the Web

Yahoo! Sports – NBA Playoffs – Streaming video reports and interviews, the complete TV schedule, the latest scores, stats, breaking news and photos.

Slam! Sports – Basketball – Late breaking news, scoreboard, together with daily stats on assists, blocks, points, steals, blocks and rebounds.

TSN.ca – NBA Playoffs – A series preview and all the teams in contention, their standings in playoff history along with their related regular season logs and stats.

Espn – NBA Playoffs — Everything you want to know about the 2009 Playoffs.

By the way, in case you are interested, the Miami Heat Dancers won their fourth straight NBA DANCE TEAM COMPETITION. It’s not hard to see why, is it? Yeah, the real definition of professionalism is to get to the playoffs without being distracted by your dance team.  Then again one may wonder how Heat players stay married.   Just Bloggin’.

Isiah Thomas Moves On To The Next Phase Baby

                 

If you love redemption stories, you gotta love this Easter 2009 tale in which an embattled NBA Executive overcomes likely banishment to basketball purgatory after being dragged through basketball hell on his own wheels.  Instead of being blackballed from basketball for being the nominal steward of one of the Knicks’ worst eras, on and off the court,  in recent memory, Mr. Isiah Thomas starts the process of rebuilding his career and name by taking a head coaching job at the relatively obscure college basketball program of Florida International.

If you love redemption stories, you gotta love that Mr. Thomas ignores the critics who claimed that he would never be able to coach again.  It ain’t none of my business, but I do wonder about that mess surrounding his alleged suicide attempt in which he publicily involved his daughter.  The episode curiously included a publicity seeking Police Chief who , in violation of HIPPA and police department protocol, made public comments regarding Isiah’s role in the events at his home.  I wonder because I am curious as how the suicide attempt is reconciled to this man’s apparent “never-say-die” approach to life.  Is it that even the strongest of us can buckle under the pressure?  Or is it simply that there was no suicide attempt, just an overdose of pills that far too many people take in multitudes in order to fall asleep?  I just wonder.

But what I don’t have to wonder, is that this guy does not give up.  Given that his tenure as a coach of the New York Knicks was an abysmal failure and his stint as an Executive suffered significantly because he overestimated his ability to relate to the priority and pride of his star players, for Mr. Thomas to accept a job at Florida International is impressive.  He clearly understands the value of failure and how it can the necessary skills and lessons needed to move forward towards success.  How well he has learned from this last episode remains to be seen.

What is even more impressive is that he is giving back his salary to the educational institution, especially since he has made a ton of money by traveling arond the country to enjoy college sporting events while earning his money by “not advising” Donnie Walsh according to Walsh.  Some may not see this as a big deal, but it is, especially when you compare it to the money made by preachers from athelete tithing as seen today on ESPN’s “Behind The Lines” 

So Isiah moves on to a new phase in his life.  It is a good move for him, because he is clearly an excellent teacher, particularly for young men of color.  What he gives the youngsters will hopefully make him a better person for himself. And in Florida, unlike New York, he won’t be faced with a media that will claim he brainwashed his players like a modern day Rasputin.  And we won’t be subjected to another MSM comment about Isiah’s wardrobe (which is as dapper as D’Antoni’s unmentioned closet) as though it’s hard to believe a black man could wear a nice suit.

As a Knick Fan, I am glad to see Isiah move on — I wish he had taken Walsh with him, but we’ll deal with that later.   Also as a fan of redemption stories, I am glad that he has humbled, and thereby strengthened, himself enough to start over.   We will see him in the NBA again.  He is smart and he has skills.