The Knicks Fix

I think Isiah is doing the right thing by slowing down the decisions about Nichols and the roster. There is no need to do anything for two months so why not have other teams with shortages come to him with some offers first. Thats how he's been making all these onesided trades by being cool.

Excellent point Rush...

We still have one month exactly till training camp opens and Isiah doesn't have to rush to do anything.

I don't want to say it guys because I know all of you are going to get mad at me but I have to.

I want Kobe on the Knicks next year.

I know Alan said don't read to much into it but you can't help yourself. Kobe, Zach and Steph is right there with KG. Allan and Pierce....IF NOT BETTER. We are so, so deep that we will def have a team to contend with even if we do trade for Kobe. Grant it we probably won't have Lee, Balkman and maybe even Curry, Crawford or Nichols.

You give me this starting 5 anyday...

Steph
Kobe
Q-Rich
Zach
Morris or James

Remember our center will only have to focus on defense and rebounds.

It's hard to determine who will be off the bench because you don't know who would be included in the deal.

We should be hearing about the Kobe situation soon now that the FIBA tournament is over.

It's obvious which team has more talent out of Chi and NY....

Let's just hope Kobe doesn't want to follow in Mike's footsteps that much that he goes to Chi....instead he should come to NY where he can build if not one of the greatest legacy's sports has ever seen. Let's not forget he still has a good 7-8 years left. He will be 37 in 8 years. Jordan was still winning chips at 37 and we all know if anybody can do that.....who else would it be but Kobe?

I'm with you on Kobe Davonn. We should get him if we can, he is an unbeleivable player as clutch as they come.

If I was the Lakers and saw that things were not working out with Kobe I would try to raid the Knicks. We have a lot of young pieces with great upside. Chandler, Balkman Lee Collins Nate Morris. From Lakers standpoint I would give up Kobe for Crawford Lee Balkman and Collins. These four with Bynum can be great in a couple of years. I'm not sure if I'd do this from Knicks standpoint but Kobe may be actually worth it. Knowing that Isiah can always get young talent in the draft I may be willing to give up a ton of them for Kobe.

Alan,

Thanks for the 411 and taking time to post this holiday weekend. Glad to hear your kitchen is coming along, so hang in there AH.

Alan, I join with you, and I am certain the rest of the crew does as well, in sending our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and condolences to Jameer Nelson's Family on the tragic home going of his Father. God bless them and strengthen them in their hour of bereavement!

IT and the franchise are in a hold pattern and I agree w/Rush & DVJ, we don't need to rush, and let all of the possible scenarios play out. Time is on our side at the moment....

In regards to KOBE, I'm on record regarding my position...

Lastly Alan, I posted a lengthy piece yesterday afternoon on the blog and when I last checked it had not appeared, I believe it was snagged by the blog inspectors. If you can have your webmaster send it back to me I would greatly appreciate it...

Keep dreaming!
I for one am not on board about Kobe! Say we get Kobe. What next? Then Buy Greg Oden? Then Buy Durant? Do we buy a championship? Yes, we can afford to but what happens to the love of the game of Basketball when you can buy...instead of compete on an Even level? What a Cheap feeling true Fan's would Harbor with a Kobe bought title verses one Won by the rebuilding, Brick by Brick, with Balkman, Nate, Collins, Chandler, Lee, Nichols, Zach, Curry! I would no longer be a knick fan the Moment Kobe joined. I wouldn't miss a Game, and would cheer for the Knicks demise in a more open way than Isola does!

Truth be told, I'll never have to worry about that, because of the Kidd/Kobe love fest going on, I'll bet 10-1 odd's that Kobe lands in Jersey, for Carter, RJ, Marcus Williams and future #1 Picks! That my fellow bloggers is much more realistic than Kobe ever coming to NY! And Guess what? That will Give Starburyfan and I even more reason the Hate the NETS!

To add to prior post By waiting Isiah may benefit from a bunch of unlikely scenarios that do happen rather regularly with NBA players. Players get hurt, arrested, do stupid sh*t all over the place and these things can trigger unexpected trade possibilities.

DaVonn,Davonn,Davon,

You want Kobe at any cost!!! You are now even considering starting Jerome James if it means getting Kobe. Would acquiring Kobe make the knicks better, or more entertaining? Kobe has not taken Kwame Brown, or Chris Mihms to the chips. How could he get 'Snacks' there? Let's get through this season before we focus on next year. Also Jordan was not winning chips at 37 and Kobe does not have 7-8 more productive years. Remember it is not the year of the car it is the miles on the car. As you know Kobe came straight from high school, while Jordan spent 3 years at UNC. Also the Bulls did not go deep in the playoffs until Jordan had been in the league 6 plus years, so his body was well rested at 27-28. Kobe has played a lot of games (w/ Shaq he was able to go deep into the playoffs early in his career), therefore he has a lot of miles on them legs. Sometimes a team will miss out on a great player, but they can still win. DVJ, I do understand your passion for seeing Kobe in the knicks unie. For years I wanted the 'Doctor', on the knicks in his prime. It never happen.

Regarding the knicks starting 5, JJeff cannot start w/ Zach & Curry due to his inability to shoot the jumper. JJ is a good athlete, but his skill-set was better for last year's team as opposed to this year club. Having Richarson and Marbury on the wings will open things for the post players. This is going to be an entertaining year w/o Kobe!!!

Peace I'm perfectly fine with what we have but Kobe with EZ and Marbury and QRich is a "dream team" line up. How do you not want to see something like that?

anyone know anything about this quote? I didn't hear anything about it at the end of last season:

Deron Williams: Despite a wonderful revival season, things ended on a sour note with Williams publicly turning on his Jazz teammates, without naming names. It remains to be seen how the team responds.

I know that everyone thinks Isiah is doing well to have not signed Demetris Nichols, but he has so many attributes that the knicks need, why make a player feel bad that we could use? Everyone that knows him on the knicks has said that he has NBA game, so why treat him like anything else than a second round steal?

F*ck Jerome James. He's the anti-knick as far as I'm concerned. I understand Isiah is a proud man with his free agent signings but, for crying out tears, eliminate the heartless scrubs already. You're drafting ballers, and you're alienating them for what, Jerome James? Whatever.

Let Jerome James get picked up by another team. I don't give a rat's ass about Jerome James being on another team even if he plays for the league minimum.

peace,

Balkman, Nate, Collins, Chandler, Lee, Nichols, Zach, Curry != title

You need a few more pieces there for a title. Artest, or Kobe, somebody of that magnitude, around that size that can shoot, pass and play defense. each of the above guys is missing one of the those three attributes.

I doubt there will be a trade before the season opens. there may be trades before the deadline, but obviously Isiah can't wait that long to sign Nichols to an inexpensive second-round contract.

I would give up Curry, Crawford, Lee, Balkman,Nichols and Nate for Kobe and Bynum. That would give us a starting line up of:
Bynum
Zach
Q-rich
Kobe
Marbury

Our Bench:
Morris
Collins
JJ
Chandler
Jones
James
Dickau
Rose

The Lakers starters:
Curry
Lee
Odom
Crawford
D. Fisher

This is a Fair trade for both teams.

I think the knicks would be a top three team in the East.

A couple of salient points:

--The Lakers will not trade Kobe until they absolutely have to. Which means that they won't trade him until next off season at the earliest. He has two years until his option, so he has little leverage.

--The Knicks, according to reports, have agreed on a non-guaranteed, one year contract with Nichols to protect their rights to the player. Whether he makes the final roster yet or not, will likely be determined both by his play in training camp, and whether the Knicks can move any contracts.

Starburyfan and Rush,
Those players I mentioned above are a young foundation, but I omitted MORRIS AND CRAWFORD by accident. Those ten are not even in their prime! Add through the draft/trade 5 more future pieces while these players reach their prime and we have life in the Garden in June for a long time. As it stands we may be able to get Artest for very little in exchange. No one wants Artest (except Miami) and if D Dick and Jones expiring contracts plus Rose or future draft picks, gets it done, I'm fine with that!

BTW, Lets not get carried away with ZEKE not signing Nichols at this very moment! He's got something up his sleeve! Remember last year when we all questioned why he didn't add a player to our open roster spot? Even with injuries? That reason became Randolph Morris, a first round steal! Had we not had that Open Roster spot, it would of been illegal for Thomas to do that! I believe there's a message behind Thomas's procrastionation to sign Nichols! Please surprise us Zeke!

I hope the Knick resist and say NO to a Kobe Bryant deal. A Trade like that will leave us and Kobe in the same position, a one man gang type of team like LA and Cleveland are now. Stripping the Knicks of all our young talent will leave a shell of a team with Kobe. Then we will have to sit and wait 3 or 4 more years to build around Kobe. No Thanks to that. Just because Kobe is now on a bad team the league must shut down until he is with a contender. I say let Kobe suffer on the team he has created Sans Shaq. I think I. Thomas should stay the course with the team we have now only trying to add R. Artest this year or next.

Zdiddy,

I want to start by saying I love Kobe. When he said he wanted a trade to NY or Chi, I was as intrigued as anyone. I was reading your trade scenario and I find it flawed. What happens when Q gets hurt? Who starts at SF? Chandler ? DNick ? Where does the scoring come from off the bench ? Collins? Jones ? I admit thats a darn good starting 5. I don't think its a wise trade because it puts us in the same situation as Boston (hoping that nobody gets injured after having to play the starters extended minutes over an 82 game sched due to an anorexic bench). If Zeke has to give up the store for Kobe, let him go to Chicago. That will weaken their team and trap Kobe into the same situation he's in now thus nuetralizing him. The trade that makes sense is
Artest for the expiring contracts of DD and Jones w/ Nate. ESPN's trade machine says it works. That gives them 3 pgs. That would then free them up to trade Bibby which we know is something they have been desperate to do. Maybe they can do something w/ Cleveland for Drew Gooden.
Zeke make this trade please. It pares down the roster to 15. It saves you from having to cut JJames and admit it was a terrible signing. It allows you to keep promising young DNick. It makes the Knicks a true finals contender. If Artest turns out to be a burden, he can be shipped at the trade deadline or released at the end of the year. If he is as commited to bball as he says he is for the upcoming year we have a title run and if not we get cap relief or a new player as part of a trade.
WIN WIN ! All you subtract is Nate. Get your best suit on, bust out that snake-oil salesman smile, get to Vegas and make this deal please.

JohnQ

I agree with most of what you say. I would love to have Kobe too.....but the price is too deep,NO BENCH!!
Artest would put us up there with the rest of the east and we will still have a bench. I just don't think Sac will take DD,Jones and Nate just for cap room.They would be losing a major talent for what? Hey,if they are happy with fine,but I don't think so. We may have to add some sugar, like Balk to get it gone.

I wouldn't swing this one if Balk or Lee are involved in the deal. Us and Miami are the only ones interested. They aren't going to get anyone from Miami of any significance either. So what are their choices? Are they going to let him walk at seasons end ? What club is going to want to trade for him if hes going to walk on them in a year ? NY is the only club that has a shot of retaining him past the season. I would offer a mix and match of Nate, DD, Jones, James, Jeffries, Rose and Chandler to get Ronny but anyone else is too much. The scenario I mentioned just works for their needs as well as salary cap wise. If you have to give up Balk or Lee, I say stand pat.

Let's get Artest...trade Jones,Dickau, and any of our young players except, Lee or Balkman...cus I believe we have a young Artest in Balkman. And we have a potential all-star in Lee. I think if he plays 35 mpg, he can average 17 pts and 12 rbs easily. And he's only 23!!! Zeke would have to be an idiot to trade him for anyone short of Kobe.

Balk just does not have a jump shot. RonRon can score NOW from anywhere.I like Balk and Lee too.But once you add Ron you won't have the minutes for all. Zeke has already offered Jefferies in package,Sac did not bite,and forget James no one wants him at that price.

Men, we have beat the Kobe and Artest horse to death, and in the end, what will be will be.

Assuming we go to WAR with what we've got,

LIVES in NJ, DVJ, Statesman, Steady, Peaceman, BX In MD, Willis, Starburyfan, African, JohnQ, even you Rush, I want to pose this question. What would you do in Training Camp to build Chemistry and what type of D would you implement if you were in IT's shoes?

I respect your opinions and would love to review the discourse.

If I have omitted anyone, attribute it to my head and not my heart.

Hit me back!

O.K Cooley...I got ya.

Assuming we go to war with what we got now! I think Zach will help out big time over all. We need for our shooters to keep the floor spead by hitting the 3"s Marbury,Q,Crawford,Nate."D" is still a big question. Zach,Curry,Crawford not the best ballhawks.I think it is important we keep Jones, he seems to be an upgrade for our "D". We need to have a Hawking/"in your face"/Pressing defense. This way we can wear teams down with our bench,Lee,Balk,Jeferies,Collins,Nate,and play our rooks in spots.
But to answer your question, we need to press....the whole game.

Fixers,
Now that we're back to the grind, I'm glad to see that a majority of the community (old and new) has checked in. Thus, I assume the Great Equalizer provided us and our loved ones on mano a mano defense. And for Mr. Nelson and others called too soon, may their SRIP.

I'm often the voice here about not being covetous of OTPs. You burn with the squad you've got. I suppose as fans, it's OK to speculate about a player coming in and how entertaining it would be. I suggest the experience as KFL would be enhanced if we stayed in our lanes--running matchup scenarios and building up the squad we have (including the JJs). We don't need to throw anyone under the bus the way the old coach used to sabotage the psyche of his own side. Chemistry, as you requested Cooleyhigh, is built early on (like this summer) by establishing a vision and claiming it. If I'm IT, I say we're coming out of the East giving some West Coast team HOLY HELL FOR 7 GAMES. I repeat it everyday saying this is what we need to do TODAY and RIGHT NOW to get to that vision. Don't play the schedule in the calendar or through blogs/media. That's why I get so vexed when I read forecast of a 42-win season. Let's not turn this blog into a Fantasy League chat room.

Watching Spike's series on Katrina was VERY EFFECTIVE for team building last year. I think the issue this year is Mike Vick and "what would you do or what is a teammate supposed to do". Air it out. Get Z in on it. Get the fellas in situations where they end uo depending on one another for a successful mark. Shooting freethrows makes or else laps for example. IT did that last year but more free throws are needed. More game time scenarios: clock down to .05 with Orange on ball. LAPS and WINDS for giving up backdoor layups or oops (see Nets and Wizards losses).

On defense, I mold my side according to the matchups and I create matchup problems with my offensive side. Do you agree that the best D is an offensive O? If a team has to account for my 22s bigs and a hawkish on-ball D like Q or SM, then I can live with the zone. The second unit is running a la Phoenix so it's press and a modified zone. I expect to see a lot of rotations and guys supporting one another (rolling off to pick up the open man, etc.) EC is a number one culprit for this. He frustrates me to no end when he just lets the baseline open after SM or JC forces the man to go right. EC will not stand in for the charge nor will he appear for the swat. If EC wants the acclaim as ECity then he'll have to earn it on D. I'm not giving him the keys for post moves, head-fakes and a soft baby-J. He gave up the ball too much for my liking. And so did Lee for that matter.

Peaceman, you type about "buying the title" and fighting through the competition thus making it the more joyful, prideful or sweeter. For a minute there, I looked to remove the famous "veil of hypocrates". How do you rationalize an Artest acquisition? Wouldn't buying his get us closer to the chip? Since you covet Artest more than you covet Kobe, then it would not be "buying the chip" if Ron Ron came this summer in a package deal? What happened to the 24-hr read behind the coded Berger story. (BTW, I think the remaking of Ron Ron smells like IT but c'mon, Dude!) Teams are always looking to improve talent and makeup using pieces they have in store or will have through the draft. When those new players are acquired, it is not to "buy the chip", it is to field an entertaining and winning side. I believe we have that combo and chemistry right now--subject to verification at camp. So once again, steady as IT goes, stay the course, do not covet OTP. We're KFL and as such our team is top of the heap, A number one. Ya'll know what's good.

KFL

@ Cooley and DLT Knicks,
DLT, ditto on pressing the whole game! Define that press so whomever is in the game is on auto pilot as to where he plays, for example, when Balk is in the game, his spot should be the "sneak"(middle 3) off the ball passing lane intercepter, a few feet away from the key as he's quick enough! Nate should be the 1 on a 1-3-1 press spelling Crawford if he's the starter!

Make a comittment to one and out, defensive rebounding, which = the same comittment to the conditioning of the entire team. New conditoning/medical staff would also be required.

Foul shooting comittent. No player from the entire team leaves practice until everyone makes 9 out of ten! That Means everyone!

Practice at the Garden More than any other Knick team in history has! Make our Home Court the Garden instead of SUNY Purchase!
I could go on and on but I'll give you guys the floor!

Guess I was "On Too Long" but check this out. Here's what happens when a fan allowed for reality to lift his veil...

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23207.shtml

You may need to cut/paste or DVJ/Starburyfan, ya'll know what's good.

KFL

Steady
Ron is the unwanted, like the "cast of the Movie Platoon!" He's Cheap compared to Kobe, and He's not proclaimed to be the BEST IN THE NBA! He won't cost us our first borns in trades either! He's just a perfect fit for our team and being HOME AGAIN is iceing on the Cake! How you even compare Artest to my buying statement is beyond me? Isn't the Difference between Artest and Kobe about 85 million???

I think that other teams still overlook us. I don't see us in many analysts playoff scenarios either. I always see us spoken of as the bubble team. I think Zeke can unify the team under an "us against the world" mantra. Basically saying nobody believes in you. Believe in yourself and we will make them believe !
When it comes to getting these players commited to defense, your guess is as good as mine. I would assume he would put guys like Q, on the 1st team and Balk on the 2nd in more vocal roles and let the team police itself. Make every man responsible. I'm not a big fan of the zone but its always matchup dependant when you talk defense. You would think that Zeke would be able to employ a descent defensive scheme seeing as he was the PG on such a stingy hard nosed defensive team himself, wouldn't ya ?

I agree with Steady that we have to go to war with what we have and not covet other players, but the emphasis has to be on the defensive end. Hard-nosed, in-your-face man to man. Nolan Richardson used to refer to it as "forty minutes of hell"..we need to add another eight minutes of torture. We've got the players to do just that. Like DaVonn stated previously, either keep up or sit down.

I also agree with John Q as far as the "us against the world" attitude. It's not that far from the truth, believe it or not. Not many people outside of our circles believes in the Knicks' chances. They need to have not just chips but boulders on their shoulders. After all the misery they've endured the last couple of seasons, they shouldn't have a problem with the motivation.

It's time to shyt or get off the fuggin pot.

@steady
I gotta believe Jared Jeffries is working his ass off right now. That first year in NYK was rough for him, but I believe he is a true knick and will have a better second year, much like Q was having last season before the onset of injuries. Conversely, I gotta believe Jerome James is not working his ass off right now, or, like last year, he is working his ass off, will make it to training camp in shape and simply hurt himself in training camp. He will be glad he just made it to camp in shape and sit on the bench the rest of the year and get paid. It's sad, all I wish he'd do is try.

@cooley
I like the idea of full court press with the second unit. all those guys are young and can run all day with fresh knees. assuming d lee does not start, you've got nate, mardy, randolph morris, balkman and lee. those guys were "born to run" and could press and fast break at their heart's desire. the veterans such as steph and curry and randolph, don't know if they'd want to press for large portions of the game. I see that starting unit as more of a grind it out half court style.

Also, what built team unity more than that brawl last year? I say have another to kick off 2007-2008. j/k. but it did something to the team chemistry no doubt. it could have been the emotions of the brawl or it could have been a reduction in the rotation, only 6-7 guys to suit up means people get used to being on the floor together and know what is expected of them. less players to play means less egos to stroke considering shot attempts, minutes, ect.

In regards to the Kobe/Artest debate, who do you guys think would be more loyal to the knicks and not let his ego get the best of him when the fit hits the shan, kobe or artest?

and finally, we've got our first recorded internet season preview of the knicks, brought to you by a tsn canuck. it confuses me a bit to see this canadian dude say "centre" in refrence to curry and then use the word "centerpiece" about curry as the key offensive player last year, but I guess that's just how they roll North of the Border.

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=217526&hubname=nba

Note how they seem to regard Curry as expendable with the arrival of the "superior" Zach Randolph. Like some of you guys have mentioned, this guy seems to think Isiah would deal Curry in a package to fill another need down the road.

also note they've got D Lee slated to start at the threespot. that's something isiah has been reluctant to do, even though most of us here feel D lee has earn a starter's role on this team.

BTW Steady,
The Lakers of old tried to "BUY" more than one title with three of the Best Basketball players on the Planet playing together at one time, and it failed! Big time! Those players were 1. Wilt 2. Elgin Baylor 3. Jerry West! They lost to the lesser talented Knicks and Celtics! This can be verified by Lives, The General or Tman! True Historians of Da Game!

What sometimes gets lost in the Kobe talk is that if you get Kobe you go get Artest too so the team won't be gutted. I'll take my chances with kobe, Aretst, Randolph and Curry if he's not traded as well. Artest is 27, you want him guarding Lebron for the next 5 years and you want Kobe going head to head with Wade for the next 5 as well. Having said that with that team Marbury would have to go, he's not the point man for a team that loaded.

@ Starburyfan..

Nice piece on the Knicks on that link. His use of the word "centre" did seem kinda strange.

I agreed with his take on Curry for the most part, however. Although he made great strides last year, he's gotta want it a little more for the Knicks to ascend to the heights they're capable.

Peaceman don't forget about the more recent example of adding Payton and Malone to Shaq and Kobe in LA. That worked out just as well.

Bronxboy,
How in the world do we go to War with what we've got if even WE don't know what the hell we really have? Is there an untouchable amoungst our team? I'm serious! Until Nov second, this team could look much different than what we expect! That's the problem with the NY media dogging the Knicks, no one can get close enough for legit inside info! On the flip side Starburyfan preposed a question of loyalty between Kobe and Artest! I just read that Kobe may not show up for camp with the lakers! He sounds like one hell of a loyal dude!
Artest never made such a statement about the Kings, even though his price tag is Wallmart compared to Kobe's Sac's 5th ave price tag!

John Q
Good point, that's a classic example. I don't know how old you are, but Wilt, Baylor and West of yesterday would be like combining, Kobe,Melo and Duncan on the same team!

Continued,
let me rephrase that for John Q,
Wilt, Baylor and West of yesteryear, would be like combining KOBE, MELO, and DUNCAN...on the same team today with STERIODS!

Just got finished watching the Justin Timberlake Concert at MSG. He rocked the GARDEN and there were plenty of Dimes in audience...WHEW!

COOLEYHIGH EXHALE!

Steady, Kudos for providing the link and its surreal illustration of what it takes to play at the next level and the commitment many make to improve their game...I tossed in the reference to JT because the KNICKS ARE GOING TO ROCK AT THE GARDEN TOO. I am a believer in Karma, Cause and Effect, Positive Thinking. And, based on our Collective Intel about current events involving the team, our Collective Good Karma/Feeling about this TEAM (TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE; I've been reading all of the posts), and our Collective Analysis, this is a formidable group and their ability to incorporate Purity of Purpose and United Strength to Perform at their Very Best is the recipe; and some of what I've read by you TRUE KNCIK FANS when broken into pieces, should and will take place at TRAINING CAMP and a whole lot more.

I am frim believer if we ELEVATE OUR COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS, we can WILL GOOD VIBES to our BELOVED KNICKS...I am sensing PURPOSE Brethren, Yes I am...

More Detail in the AM.
Closing with APTITUDE + ATTITUDE = ALTITUDE...AS A MAN THINKETH, SO IS HE...

Buenos Noches!

Cooleyhigh...you are deep bro...

I'm feeling your plan...if anybody here is with you...it's me.

I saw the movie the Secret and I'm a believer as well....

Knicks will kick butt this year....

AT THE GARDEN AND ON THE ROAD!!!

I can't wait to watch this team.

Fixers,

As often is the case, you have put my juices into overdrive with your pinpoint analysis and infectious enthusiasm for life as a KFL’er. CooleyHigh is putting marks on his helmet by posing interesting and challenging questions to the Fixer Think Tank, squeezing out that COLLECTIVE intel, forcing us to spend less territory on the over-discussed (for people who like action) Artest-Bryant scenarios which have been tapped from every position including doggy style.

Great discussion. I’m in. Unfortunately for me, I am unable to address these issues with blog-precise brevity like many of you have, so I’ll just type as what I think I know flows. It’s September, time to move forward. This is how I SCROLL.

NYK CHEMISTRY: THE NOT SO-SECRET, Part I

When COOLEYHIGH posed his questions about CHEMISTRY, the UNIVERSE did a COLLECTIVE HOORAH. It cheered and opened up because it was finally clear that KNICK FANATICS everywhere were finally ready to ATTRACT positivity, COLLECTIVE positivity unlike the negativity vomited by most of the NY media. WE NOW FOCUS ON WHAT WE WANT. We WANT the KNICKS TO ATTRACT POSITIVE COLLECTIVE ENERGY AND ACTION.

We want CHAMPIONHIPS. We want TEAM CHEMISTRY. TEAM CHEMISTRY IS ESSENTIAL FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The development of team chemistry depends upon many factors most of which related to the personalities, skill sets and mind-sets in the organization and the locker-room. TEAM CHEMISTRY is not necessarily one of those overtly tangible elements of a winning organization, but as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice once said about pornography, “I know it when I see it.”

When we ASK that and VISUALIZE the KNICKS develop TEAM chemistry, we are simply visualizing the ability and WILLINGNESS of a group of individuals to come together for a common purpose to achieve a common goal, with an explicit agreement to collectively address and resolve all obstacles and challenges to the fulfillment of their COLLECTIVE goal.

There are many strategies and tactics that can be employed in building team chemistry, but it is not built overnight nor without trial and error. Some of the best chemistry builders, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, Red Holtzman, Greg Popovich, K.C. Jones, and Chuck Daley, approached their teams differently in accordance with their own managerial strengths and what they perceived the needs to be of the team and its individuals. Yet there was one commonality between all these CHEMISTRY BUILDERS – they started with a VISION, a positive vision, that they worked to share with the UNIVERSE and others open to sharing that vision. The VISION is the center of the COLLECTIVE.

The VISION IS SHARED first through leadership. It is shared with conviction, passion, excitement, joy, gratitude and, yes, love. As KNICK LEADER, I would solidify my own leadership role, by not only sharing that vision, but sharing RESPONSIBILITY for that vision. That means SHARING leadership which must be delegated to the floor generals. The teams that succeed not only look to the coach, but the coach’s extension on the floor. Chauncey Billups, Magic Johnson, Avery Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Isiah Thomas are all primary examples of a Championship team’s need for leadership on the floor. It’s even better when you have more than one leader as did many championship teams such as the Boston Celtics (Johnson and Bird) and Detroit Pistons (Zeke and Dumars).

As Knicks coach, I want to continue to ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT my floor/locker-room leaders. For the Knicks, they appear to be Stephon Marbury and Quentin Richardson. On defense, I want Jared Jeffries to exert his leadership skills. Of course, although he is only a role player, Malik Rose must also be allowed to exert his positive leadership influence also. I don’t want to retard the development of other leaders and I don’t want to establish my relationships through the print media or based upon rumors about one’s past. I want to develop current, real dynamic personal relationships with my players including Nate Robinson, Mardy Collins, Fred Jones, Renaldo Balkman and Zach Randolph and tap into their leadership skills by first making sure they accept responsibility for their ROLE in achieving the VISION.

LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE and I need leaders totally invested in what we are collectively asking of the universe and each other.

I would want it to be clear that the purpose of leadership is to ensure that everyone not only accepts their responsibility to the collective, but also fulfill that responsibility. Therefore, each individual must be clear about their and everyone else’s responsibility to the collective. Players must not only know their own role, they must know everyone’s role and be responsible for supporting and reinforcing others on the team.

NYK CHEMISTRY: THE NOT SO-SECRET, Part II

“Attitude reflects leadership,”

From REMEMBER THE TITANS

As I demonstrate my willingness to take responsibility for my players, I want my leaders to take responsibility for their teammates. I lead by example. I would assign two players to making sure that Zbo is socially comfortable in his new environment and with his new teammates. I would make sure that his acclimation to his new environment goes smoothly. Further, by way of example, I would put David Lee, Quentin Richardson, Zbo and Eddie Curry together to discuss and demonstrate rebounding techniques to each other. I would convince one of them to challenge the others to try to out-rebound him every game. I want them not to just out-rebound the opposition – I want them to out-rebound each other.

I would put certain players together (like Crawford and Curry or Lee and Marbury) and require that they work with each other on free throw shooting in addition to the regular free throw training provided by the organization. (I will assume that the Knicks have a free throw shooting teacher like the Mavericks do). I would have them compete against each other shooting free throws.

I want my team to VISUALIZE, ASK, BELIEVE AND WORK together towards achieving the shared VISION.

Team chemistry hardens, sets in, when the collective works together to solve problems as a group. Not only do they learn each other’s strength and weaknesses, they bond and begin to share and trust each other. Their mutual dedication to the collective vision turns into care and concern for the individuals in that collective. That’s what I want.

Fortunately, for the Knicks that process has begun. I believe it started with the disintegration of the team caused by Larry Brown. While it tore the team apart, it created an opportunity for MSG leadership to take advantage of a universal disdain for Brown amongst the players. MSG did that when it made Isiah the coach. It was then that a vision for the team had to be articulated, a vision that put the past exactly where it belonged and reestablished the team’s commitment to the team and the individuals hurt by Larry’s ways.

(As an aside, I will state with absolute confidence that anyone with an ounce of sense and objectivity who understands the process of team building would also know that LARRY BROWN violated every principal of team building by focusing on himself, his way, and his own press. He did not seek to build leadership. He sought to establish his control which he has come to mistake for leadership. This theory of tearing down to build up only works consistently as a theory or in the construction industry. LARRY BROWN WAS A HORRIBLE COACH, but created a WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.)

The chemistry created by Isiah continued all throughout the season as the Knicks collectively battled many foes on and off the court including the New York media. The real test was the brawl. The fight brought the team together as men who had each other’s backs. No matter what the public says, right or wrong, men bond when the fists close on each other’s behalf. Nate Robinson let us know that when he told us that his teammates helped him out financially when he was hit with the fine. Jared Jeffries won major points amongst his teammates.

The building of chemistry was evident when Marbury publicly cried at the loss of Crawford. He knew it was the worst blow to their playoff aspirations and their short term goals.

The chemistry continued to build in the off season as players talked to each other frequently by phone, as Nate Robinson’s family and Eddie Curry’s family spent summer vacation together, as Nate and Balk dominated the summer league together, as 12 Knick players practiced together at the Knicks facilities and as they responded to Eddie’s misfortune this summer.

TEAM CHEMISTRY is about repetition, constantly practicing achieving objectives. TEAM CHEMISTRY is about working through problems on the floor and that comes from playing under actual game time pressure and from practice. It comes from practicing situations together, over and over again. ENERGY FLOWS WHERE ATTENTION GOES. But practice is nothing without collective commitment and responsibility.

Fortunately, chemistry has been building for over two seasons now.

So the question for us is really, how do you continue to build chemistry? The answer is easy since the process is in motion. It is about treating players as men and reinforcing the COLLECTIVE vision, purpose, goals and objectives. It is about being accountable and sharing responsibility to accomplish collective objectives. Continued team chemistry is about reminding these men to be THANKFUL for the moment and the opportunity to be a COLLECTIVE OF ONE, FIFTEEN STRONG, as it is a fleeting moment and will quickly become a memory – a time when the joy of being in the locker-room will only be a tale for grandfathers to share with their grandchildren. It is about being victorious in the moment and joyous with every step you take together.

TEAM CHEMISTRY IS BUT A DESIRE AWAY. A COLLECTIVE DESIRE AWAY.

LET’S GO KNICKS.

Peace,

The Old Lakers trying to buy a championship and failing is not totally accurate. By the time Wilt came to the Lakers Baylor was a shadow of himself. Knee injuries had taken a high percentage of what he had. Team also probably would have won a championship together if Butch Van Bred kolf hadn't kept Wilt out of the last minutes of the seventh game in Russell's last championship.

Team actually won the championship in 71-72 a season in which Baylor had to retire after nine games. Day he retired was day Lakers started a record 33 game winning streak. Wilt was the bought part and he did bring them a championship. As such it didn't fail.

Championships are won in many different ways. Sometimes via draft, sometimes via trades free agency. Keep in mind that both Shaq and Kobe were originally property of teams other than the Lakers (even though Kobe never played for Hornets). Other than Tayshaun Prince none of the key Pistons in their recent run were drafted by them. All came via trades or free agency. Miami Heat other than Wade and Haslem is a similar situation.

I DONT KNOW HOW SERIOUS THE KNICKS ARE THIS YR. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE 4 REAL THEY EVEN GAVE THEMSELVES A NICK NAME CALLED NICE AND NASTY BUT THAT REMAIN TO BE SEEN ISIAH STILL REMAINS TO BE QUIET BUT WE ALL KNOW HE HAVE A MOVE OR TWO UP HIS SLEEVE THATS WHY D NICHOLS IS WAITING IN THE WING I STILL BELIVE ARTEST WILL BE IN A KNICKS LINE UP FOR THE START OF THE SEASON WHATS HOLDING THAT DEAL UP IS BALKMAN BECAUSE SAC KNOWS LEE IS OFF LIMITS AND THEY WANT NO PART OF NATE LETS JUST HOPE THIS GET DONE SOON SO WE ALL COULD SLEEP A LITTLE EASIER.
LETS GO NICE AND NASTY!

I KNOW U GUYS HEARD THE RUMBLINGS LAST WK.THAT ISIAH WAS TALKING TO ATLANTA ABOUT BRINGING JOSH SMITH TO THE KNICKS TO PLAY SMALL FORWARD BUT THAT HIT A SNAG BECAUSE ATLANTA WANT MORE FOR SMITH THEN SAC WANTS FOR ARTEST IHEARD THEY WANT D.LEE AND A PICK PACKAGE OR A BIGGER DEAL THAT MAY INCLUDE JOE JOHNSON BAD CONTRACT AND ISIAH DIDNT BITE WHAT IN THE HELL WILL WE WANT WITH 8 GUADRS SO ISIAH IS BEING PATIENT TO MAKE THE RIGHT MOVES BECAUSE HE THINKS THIS IS GOING TO BE A SPECIAL AND EXCITING SEASON ESPECIALLY WHEN NOBODY ELSE THINKS WE WILL.

LETS GO NICE AND NASTY!

Now that's what I'm talking about...

Kevin H, way to go in breaking it down for Peace, brick by brick (please hit us back and drop your perspective about the questioned posed)...I'm sure you have given Peace something to chew on, and hopefully he will brown bag it then upper room it for future reference. I have faith in you Peaceman...lol

DVJ, Steady, DLT, Peace, Starbury, Mike, My man BX in MD, and LIVES NJ, thanks for taking the hand-off fellas and running wide and for the building blocks that all of you contributed that will continually allow us to score TD after TD (TOTAL DEDICATION, it's fooball season, GO JETS & GIANTS, NYC for LIFE).

Fellas I believe in giving a person their flowers while they live and LIVES and Steady poured their Collective Hearts and Souls on the pad and their insights are earnest, provocative, historically relevant, intricate, calculating, and infused with the creation of the KEY INGREDIENT: *VISION*

I'm sure you guys are familiar with the biblical verse, "People without a VISION will perish.* Bruhs, we are laying bricks of Solidarity and Fellowship that surpass Fanship and albeit KINSHIP. We must practice what we preach, and in order for our COLLECTIVE GOODWILL to transcend, OUR VISION must correlate and engage the divine attributes that dwell in all living creatures. We are the walking Armor-Bearers for our BELOVED KNICKS, and we cannot ask THEM to RISE and Collectively climb the Mountain of Competition and we not climb the MOUNTAIN of FELLOWSHIP.

As a Baller from back in the day, I was privilege to have a coach that constantly dropped pearls of wisdom; after a practice, he huddled the team together and said these words verbatim, "If we want to be successful as a TEAM (TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE-OUR TEAM MANTRA)and as Human beings, we must daily understand the innate power of the following equation: Involution-Revolution-Evolution.
Go home and chew on this bread I have given you, and at tomorrow's practice if you understand what I have said, it will be refelcted in your behavior and actions."...

PONDER CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!

This lesson in life is transferable and applicable to all endeavors, and if you're a BELIEVER (A Faith-Based System of Living; A belief in something)you will be guided by an ETHOS that is firm yet flexible, solid but not harden.

Gentlemen, the stars have aligned, and Our KNICKS will build their house on a foundation which is a mixture (I'll repeat) of PURITY OF PURPOSE-UNITED STRENGTH-A WILLINGNESS TO PERFORM AT THEIR VERY...
BEST. And gentlemen, SO WILL WE...How? By giving purpose to our postings, finding meaning in our strugggles (the season is long)and direction in our striving (respect yourselves and respect all who join us and disagree without becoming diasagreeable). So we may come to understand that only through Human Betterment,True Fellowship, and Deeds of Kindness will OUR ULTIMATE GOAL BE ACHIEVED...

To whomever is reading this posting, THIS IS ALL ABOUT BASKETBALL and ABOUT US GROWING TOGETHER...our time is precious...WE SHARE A COMMON INTEREST...OUR LOVE FOR THE KNICKS...Gents we will have a blast this season...Especially the Knicks...

OUR KNICKS WILL BE A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH and SO WILL WE...Defense, Defense, Defense, Defense....

It's all about sacrifice and heart...AND I"M ALL HEART...

I'm Out!

TO.KNICKSNATION
I LIKE TO TAKE A TIMEOUT TO THANK ALL THE KNICKS BLOGGERS DAVONN J,DLT KNICKS,PEACEMAN;KFFL,RUSH,STEADY;COOLEYHIGH,BRONXBOY,STATESMAN,LIVES IN NJ,STARBURY;ZIDDY;DAVID,SHAMGOD;JOHN Q OF COURSE ALAN AND MANY OTHER BLOGGERS I FORGOT TO MENTION I BEEN READING YAR BLOGS 4 A LONGTIME AND I NEVER VOICE MY OPION YAR ARE TRUE FANS THAT SH?T BLUE AND BLEED ORANGE SO KEEP THAT UP BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING SEASON IN A LONG LONG TIME.
FROM HOZ THE KNICK

LETS GO NICE AND NASTY!

Fixers,
This KFL experience has been elevated to a whole 'nother level. Thanks for the rise cooleyhigh.

Tman, if you're in the sphere, you're missed.

HOZ, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT SHOUTING. YOU JUST DROPPIN' KNOWLEDGE LIKE YOU KNOW IT. GOOD SCOOPS TO THE HOOP.

Think of it this way Fixers. When the player joins the team, we end up cheering for him anyway because we are loyal FANS and we know what TEAM means. (Except if that player is PJ Brown LOL). That's why I say it is not worth coveting and the musings about OTPs. Let's just love the ones we've got.

SAY HOZ, WHAT'S GOOD WITH THE JJ OFF-SEASON WORKOUT PROGRAM? YOU KNOW WHICH ONE!

KFL

Hoz,

What up! Thanks for dropping the critical Intel and bruhman asyou can tell we ride and die with the Men in Blue and Orange...Hoz, we apprecaite you man, and let the masses know there is a MOVEMENT going on in NY KNICK LAND...

Quick note about TC! Imagine how powerfulit would be if there leader IT beared his soul (without jeopardizing his case)and tlaked to HIS TEAM about the case and howthye can avoid falling into such scenarios. One thing LIVES you hit on that struck a chord with me, true leaders build other leaders and not followers, because followers will follow anybody, verses leaders that network and hold each other accountable due to the recognition that everyone that sits at the table brings something to the table and that something is VALUABLE to the overall success of the WHOLE...When you ad some the other pieces all of you have dropped (Accountablity drills, A discussion on the Michael Vick Matter, Today's NAWLINS *A year in retrospect*, and much more), LIKE I SAID ITS A MOVEMENT AFOOT...THE KNICKS WILL RUN NEW YORK

Hey I would like to put together a collection so we can get Cooleyhigh to do that pep talk for the boys in orange and blue ! Way to speak w/ conviction and focus !

If Zeke isn't interested you should think about starting a church somewhere man. Hallelujah, lets go Knicks. lol.

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