The Knicks Fix

Alan,

I think you hit the nail on the head. Isiah's acquisitions:

--Marbury: not a team player, poor defense player, can't make others better.

--Crawford: shoots too much, can't play defense, longest non playoff streak of any NBA player.

--Curry: Cost the Knicks a ton, doesn't rebound, doesn't play defense, doesn't hustle.

--Randolph: Too early to tell, but doesn't shoot well, has not won anywhere he's been, doesn't pass well.

At what point, does Isiah lose his job. Soon, I hope.

David,

Agreed with you until you got to Zach.

Let's see any other player in the NBA - or anywhere else - take a break from mourning his dead grandmother, fly half way across the country to help out his team, and put up a double double.

IMO, ZBo may be one of the few things Thomas has done right.

Like you said, 'too early to tell.' And the league is stinking with players who 'haven't won anything anywhere (they've) been.'

Jason Williams has an expiring contract so I'd love to make that swap for that quitter Stephon Marbury. Salaries don't match so Miami would have to add something else. I'm guessing Ricky Davis or my personal choice, Udonis Haslem.

Alan while I agree with your post there were really no scapegoats in last nights game. Everybody hustled and everybody shot poorly. There were numerous plays where Curry defended Kaman and even Crawford blocked a couple of shots, huge one at the end. Our D was rocking without Balkman or Collins.
All other players made good and bad plays equally.

They tried hard against Suns too. Their prior two games lacked any intensity and that was the reason IT had to shake em up a little. The difference is evident.
We are a much better offensive team then we showed, in part because defense is being emphasized earlier then usual this season. I'm certain that this will go a long way in getting us to the next level once our O starts clicking. Knicks are young and some butt kicking was warranted. They are shaken right now but in a couple of days it will be forgotten and will actually bring the team together.

alan yea David Lee hasnt been shooting well but have you seen everything else he has done when he is out on the floor. That assist to marbury last night? and what about that feed to randolph when the guards couldnt get it in? I think Zeke is holding him back.... Curry isnt playing as well as he can be but when has he ever i think it is going to take time for the whole team to get back into things these distractions are costly. Check this out for me and tell me what you think.. www.ilike.com/artist/nyknicks33

Good Points Alan,

I think the majority of the problem is the focus and now unity on the team. I also think they are wary of Isiah decisions now more then ever. This team will get worse in that department if Marbury starts against Sac-town. Maybe this team needs an Artest to smack Marbs in the mouth with his weak apologies and me first attitude...

At what point do we get to see if Chandler can bring anything to the table? Watching QRich throwing up awkward threes on his bum elbow was painful. Fred Jones is a tweener and really struggled the other night. Jeffries!?! Come on. He should never see the light of day. Chandler deserves some burn. You know hes still young enough that he hasnt been poisoned yet, hes big strong and physical, defends and even hit a few jumpers in preseason. Give the kid a shot.

Speaking of which. Morris has got to be a better option then Rose. Especially when were down Randolph and missing his 17-20 ppg

Zach Randolph does not show for Shawn Marion and Phoenix and 24 hours later tries to make like Willis Reed against Tim Thomas and the Clippers. This guy's no hero.

Why isn't anyone asking Randolph why he played in LA, but not against Marion, Amare Stoudemire, and the Suns?

The guy's playing us all for damn fools, and we're letting him.

I think people have to face the fact that while Curry does have some mad skils he doesn't have the personality to lead the team.

That's OK!

He isn't a max contract but he is a very valuable piece.

Crawford also has skills but doesn't quite have the drive to be a starter.

Again, That's OK.

I think we would have been fine of Curry,Nate and Balkman were completely healthy all year.

I think we should be starting Nate at the point with Marbury at SG, Jeffries at sf, Zach and Curry.

Hey Alan,

Before you criticize guys for lack of effort and passion, remember that this was team that voted -- unanimously -- to have Steph sit the game out, with a promise from Zeke that he'd honor their wishes.

I can only imagine what they must have been feeling when Marbury checked in. The fact that they competed until the final horn speaks volumes for their integrity as players. If they quit on the coach and went through the motions for the last three quarters, I would not have blamed them one bit.

You have to think management is ready to move on now. Is No. 20 going to be the new GM/president? I'd love to hear your thoughts on what the next steps might be.

Someday this will all be over.

I think Williams and Mark Blount works under league rules, but the Heat might also want to dump Smush Parker's deal as well. NYK might have to kick in Randolph Morris to free up a roster spot.

Blount, who has three years left on his deal, can't be traded until two months after he was traded from Minnesota (which is something like five or six weeks from now).

It's hard to believe the Knicks could be a bigger laughing stock then they were two years ago under Larry Brown....

But they've managed to achieve it.

Marbury has to go.

And if Eddy Curry doesn't play D or bound or hustle, bench his fat ass and let Morris play...even if he can't score.

Lewis – I’m confused. Randolph makes a huge sacrifice by flying to LA, then plays his heart out. (16 points/19 rebounds) And you criticize him for not making an even bigger sacrifice?

Wow - I was going to give you a Ferrari for Xmas, but I was afraid it wasn't the right model, that you like the best. And you'd be mad. (Hope you like the socks.)

It’s early yet, but it seems to me that all he’s has done since the season started is play his heart out for this team. He has a funny way of making fools of us, averaging a double-double.

I think you’re buying into too many of the scare stories that get told about this kid. There are just as many who know him who say he’s a good kid, and a tireless worker. Which is all he’s shown us so far. Also, I assume he’s not a choirboy. I don’t want a choirboy at power forward. I don’t mind a little attitude at the 4. So far, I like the attitude I’ve seen from Zach.

I’ll be very happy to feel just as foolish all season if he just keeps up what he’s been doing . . .

It seemed like everyone, but Zach and Crawford were just going through the motions. Yes, Crawford has been terrible with the turnovers, but there was a long stretch where the ball was not going in unless it came off Crawford's hands. For the most part, this team knows they're headed for an iceberg and everyone's just holding on to something sturdy.

Lewis

Are you a total jerk. So Zach going to comfort his family when the woman who raised him just died is selfish. You smoke crack. I guess you just laugh it off when your family members die.

ZACH DESERVES CREDIT FOR COMIO\NG BACK TO PLAY IN LA EVEN THOUGH HIS GRANDMA"S FUNERAL WAS A FEW DAYS LATER> HE"LL BE THERE ON SATURDAY TOO>

Starting Lineup should be

Williams
Crawford
Artest
Randolph
Curry

Trade mArbury for WIlliams and Haslem or anyone, but Davis (ie another selfish 1 on 1 player.

TRrade Balkman, and a few others for Artest, even if you have to give up Lee, but try not to

There are no other options.

There are no trades to be made.

Thomas must be fired. Dolan must hire someone to run the franchise and he must step away.

Marbury must be cut or traded.

The franchise is the laughing stock of all sports. The NBA is suffering from this horrific management team.

Even long time season ticket holders want nothing to do with the team.

Discussion on WFAN today said that Isiah will not coach another game at MSG. Let's hope its true.

We have to get a few wins under our belt and rudder the ship. Isiah is still tweaking with his rotation. I do agree with Alan's comments.

I would like to see Chandler, Zach, N8, and Balkman stay. Everyone else can go for the right price. Equal value or better.

I also would do the williams/davis for marbury trade. Davis can't be traded until XMAS.

Any trades at this point would be like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And Isiah has had four years to tweak the rotation.

what

David are you high? Do you remember the Knicks roster before Isaiah...I'll refresh your memory Howard Isely, Shandon Anderson, Othella, Doleac,Spoon, Charlie with Allan and Spree...that is a shameful roster. And we still had to pay the luxery tax.

Now look at the roster good young talented players...there was none whe Isaiah got here...come on if you are going to argue tell the truth.

Now we have players other people will take when they are rebuilding if we go the trade route.

I think this team can and will get it together...they just need to make a effort to sacrifice and play together. Amen.

No Blaine, I am not high.

Knicks average wins in the three years before Isiah: 35.3 wins

Knicks average wins in the three years of Isiah regime: 29.6 (not including this season of course).

Yes, he has added some talent. No, the talent does not play well together.

Yes, he has turned this franchise into the joke of all sports.

And, not Blaine, this team does not have the capacity to "sacrifice" and "play together." At least not under Isiah.

Stop being an apologist. Stop buying the garbage that Isiah feeds you. Wake up and watch the team play.

Alan,

You are officially allowed to return the "wacky" to the headline.

Look, guys – Isiah is no longer the issue. Over the summer, I thought he should have this year to see what he can do with this team because he had the support of the team. And with so many young players, I thought that was important. Now that he’s squandered that, and with the franchise in chaos – once again – I see no reason to keep him except inertia. Who is available to take his place? I would hire a new GM first, however, and let the GM hire the coach he wants. In that time, if Isiah can get things under control . . . maybe he’ll buy himself more time. There’s no question that he would leave the roster in a lot better shape than it was in when he got here. He had the luxury of unlimited amounts of money to do it . . . but as fans, that’s not our concern. He also had the luxury of all that money covering up many of the bad moves through buy-outs. A savvy GM could come in and make one or two moves and probably bring in the key players that we need. A strong starting small forward. And now I think we have to look at a replacement for Marbury for starting point guard. I’d hate to try to go with Nate and Collins for the rest of the year, unless Collins shows he can start and play significant minutes.

Alan,

Much better post today. I'm glad that you're not reporting on Vescey's BS this morning on NY Post. The media is pulling no punches and has clearly turned on the heat in getting Isiah out of town.

This notion that the players are mad at Marbury and Thomas and the locker room is divided is a bunch of wishfull thinking for all the peopel who want Isiah out.

Dolan gave him money and time to turn this thing around. He made it clear that unlike Layden he's looking for a risk taker. Someone who's not afarid of making a mistake. After all it's only shareholder money, it's not even Dolans.

Isiah made a few mistakes. He had great drafts and a couple of decent trades. Zach trade looks like the best trade Knicks ever but it's too early to tell.

We are now a young team, very athletic, and very talented.

Effort wise, Isiah is doing what he can. 5 games into the season he benched the team capetan and warned another. He's playing the dictator card and to play this card you need authority and power.

MSM is trying to discredit him. They are asking for his head. The players are confused and the ownership has been quiet.

Dolan needs to visit the team and assure them that Isiah isn't going anywhere. Players will regroup and turn the page. ala last year.

You gotta give this team the whole season to be able to judge them. I remain Bullish on the Knicks.

We’re going to find out very soon – possibly by the end of this road trip – whether or not Isiah still has the support of this team. And, too, we’re gonna see if he’s up to the task of begining to create a cohesive unit from a roster that still has holes in it. If he can do those things, then I don’t think it would be a huge mistake to give him more time. I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to pulling the plug now, either -- just to stop the bleeding. But this is a good test of his triage skills. Frankly, he did a good job last year, and was able to rally the troops after the disaster of Larry Brown, so there’s precedent for this. But the franchise is looking into an abyss not dissimilar to the year of Larry Brown. And we can’t afford another entire season of that. If Isiah can’t get this ship sailing smoothly again . . . and soon . . . he’s gotta be outta here.

Mostly good points by all. There are only 2 teams in the entire NBA without holes in their roster. The Spurs and the Mavs. Yeah Boston is balling but those dudes are old a could easily get hurt and then what happends. What does how much money he spent to get his players have to do with it? The point is that we are much better off than we were before he got here. So Steph left for a day bug deal...he came back and he played hard and he played unselfishly. If everyone does that then we are a team. Isaiah is not going to allow these guys not to be together and he said he let it go too long last year and he is not having it. Look for Jamal and Curry to be the next starters to get bench.

Bye the way we lost to the Cavs, Suns, Magic and Clippers...(the heat lost was unaceptable) but check where the other teams are picked to finish...look how they ended last year...we were not going to beat those teams at this point in the season because of the injuries last year and the addition of Zbo we are just building our chemistry and continuity...give it some time.

Isaiah has a plan. What he is trying to do is mold this team into the Bad Boys or the PE Knicks which were similar in styles and make-up. The pieces are here...

Pat-Curry
Starks-Jamal
Harper-Steph

Oak-Zbo
Smith-Q
Mase-Lee
hubert-Nate
anthony-Balkman
Doc-Mardy/Jones

See how it is divided....He has got to get his top 3 players to buy into playing the old Knicks way. The rest of them are reincarnations of their predecessors but I would say this group is better...ahh...not better...say more talented.

Sure it will be hard to change Steph, Curry and Jamal but it is possible. If not get rid of them for a rebounding/defensive center with a chance to develop his offensive game and a true point guard.

Avery Johnson is the only guy who has been successfull in getting scorers to try to play defense. The players of today will only listen to someone who did it.

So we gotta identify who that new guy is but when you get a new coach/gm we have to turn the roster over to fit the style and philosophy...that means 5 more years of sucking

You don't want that!

Ride it out we are 2-5 not 2-25!

Alan,
I was at that game and I agree with everything you said. Stupid turnovers by Crawford. Curry should get 10 rebounds in his sleep, he missed that same hook shot in the lane it seemed like 20 times in the second half; he tried nothing different, nothing to get him to the line. He looks as if he lacks Testosterone, as the new catchphrase says, he has no motor. He doesn't have the savvy to play aggressive and stay out of foul trouble. He reminds me of someone I saw play here for many years, Benoit Benjamin. What you saw is all you got. Crawford plays in a fog, thinks he's at the playground. Richardson is killing us, I would start Balkman in a heartbeat. If Q can't hit the 3 consistantly, he is useless. I think Dave Lee's only problem is Zach Randolph. Zach is just better and he needs 35 minutes a game. Lee can't make a shot outside of 2 feet, and he can't guard the better Power Forwards or Centers in this League. Where is that shot he supposedly worked on all summer?. Jared Jeffries; is there any value less than Zero?. Steph just got older. The legs are going, and if he can't just score, he can't morph into a pass first point guard. Off the court he hasn't changed one bit from the person people hated on his teams and around this league. Knick fans, in their revisionist history will say they didn't turn a blind eye to his antics, that they weren't excited when he came on. That the Knicks already had Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley, they didn't need him. They're lying. Now that he can't do the things he used to, these other poor character traits are magnified.
In his prime, and especialy in his 5 Knick years, he was never an elite guard. The fact that he is considered the best, or most valuable player on this team speaks volumes about where this team lies now, in the gutter. Isiah enabled this kid for 5 years, and it will probably cost him his job.

All I can say is I'd love to be the guy who gets this squad after Zeke, GM or Coach.

No promises to nobody and admirable duplication at the most important spots in the NBA these days. Don't Like Curry (and I'm not giving up on him at all, but he needs a real motivator to coach him), you can trade him and still have low post scoring. And remember, this team, I've always thought, was still a trade away from really being a contender anyway. We lucked into the Randolph trade, didn't have to give up any of the young CHEAP assets we have. We still have the goods for another trade for The Guy, (whoever he is).

I watched Mavs-Spurs last night. If I'm coaching the Knicks, Starbury is my Stackhouse. Free to do his freaky thing, no responsibility, no thinking - until of course I can jettison him. If he doesn't like coming off the bench, well there's a rehab stint with Lucas down in Houston with his name on it. Tendinitis is a be-otch, no?

The only thing in the way of this team, is this disfunctional regime. They are young - that's the point. That means they can only win by big effort, speed, and depth. None of those can be accomplished when your point guard can't share. Let's say they tank, Mardy and Nate are learning on the job, we get a high pick to go with Zach and Curry and the rest.

Another thing: none of these guys are bad guys, other than Marbury. Crawford a space cadet, but beloved. Nate, a knucklehead losing his knuckles, but not a mean bone in his body and a real competitor. Collins, a 4 year man under Chaney at Temple - he will rise, Curry, too passive, but a team oriented guy, and a monstrous talent. Q (not 100% yet, back surgery aint over just because they took the stiches out and he can run) Lee, Balkman, you get the point. A real coach can make much good of this squad. And lost in all of this is the fact that Jeffries has looked great. He's finally doing what he was doing in Washington: defense, put backs, rebounds, hustle. Of course he can't shoot -- who thought he could shoot? Its not his fault he's ending up with the ball, that's just poor offense. And we know where that comes from.

Can someone answer me something? Armstrong from the Nets got hurt and they quickly got someone from the D-league to take his position….why can’t we bench this cancer ( Marbs ) and put him in the inactive or injured list and bring someone from the D-league that would love to have this apportunity to make the NBA, that perseon would give it his all just to be in a NBA team and especially to play at the garden.

Knicksome - the answer is roster space. Also why we could not keep D-Nic. Speaking of Rookies, what must Chandler and Morris think being dropped into the middle of all this?

Maybe Zach Randolph punches out Marbury like he did Ruben Patterson. How he's dealing with this crap over here (came back from his grandma's funeral not to let his teammates down, while the "leader" thinks its perfectly fine to walk out at will) gives you a different perspective on the stories about Zach from Portland. The clocking of Patterson may have been the act of a sane man locked in an asylum.

Isiah will finally, thankfully be gone very soon. After this road trip, I believe there's a great chance at 2-7 he could be gone. If not, hopefully he and the other loser, Marbury, get booed every time we see them.

And Dolan sell the team!

The Knicks are hopeless!

I just read the Marbury/vote story last night and was too upset to comment. But someone brought up a good point, im sorry I forgot who. No one has said that Thomas ever asked his player's opinion. Did he call for a vote? Or did the players take one by themselves and then tell Thomas the outcome. This isnt a democracy, what coach says goes.
If it is the latter scenario, I have no problem with what Thomas did.
There is a big difference.

Having said that.
Marbury has distanced himself from his teamates. I would rather Thomas take the approach of benching Marbury for at least a couple of games to see how this team would respond. I think there would be some possitive results. I think the guys want to prove they can win without Steph.

I just dont know how I can root for this guy anymore.
Winning WILL cure all of this. Maybe a Marburyectimy would be good for what ails them.

Alan, until further notice, I think you should add "wacky" back to your byline.

director -

How do you know that the players being mad at Marbury is wishful thinking on the media's part? Have you been in the locker room? Last time I checked the media, even if they skew stories, have all sorts of access that you will never have (unless of course you get a job as a reporter).

I'm not saying that all they say is definitely true, but how can you claim to know that it is absolutely false? That just isn't logical and doesn't make any sense.

Has anyone else noticed Crawford's improved D? His one on one is looking pretty tough. Still not so good getting out on the shooters.
There are 2 Crawfords.
There is Crawford when the inner points of his eyebrows are pointed up. This is happy go lucky Crawford. He shoots a lot of faid away jump shot and floaters and gets beat off the dribble at will. We have seen too much of him last couple of years, though not as much last year.

Then there is Crawford when the inner points of his eyebrows are pointed down. This is angry Crawford. Teams dont want to see angry Crawford. Angry Crawford takes the ball hard to the rack. He steps into his jump shots. He plays tough one on one D and gets into the passing lanes. We have seen a whole lot of angry Crawford this year and I love it!!!

People always want to call Marbury Thomas' protege. It is cleary Crawford who wants to take on Thomas' character on the court. He must now adapt to the new strict interpretation of palming violations. When he does, watch Angry Crawford do his thing.

Tod & Trane,

Randolph didn't make a sacrifice. He found an excuse not to play against Marion, Stoudemire and the Suns. That's all.

One night that guy's too torn up to play and the next night he's Willis Reed against Wilt? I'm not buying it.

I'm not expecting choir boys, but I damn figure on every Knick playing every game unless he's got broken bones. This guy played this trick on the Blazers; he'll play it on the Knicks.

Besides, Zach was in the locker room. He knew what was coming down with Marbury and Isiah. He knew the team would struggle and that the national press would be all over the place. So Zach took a walk.

I'm not swallowing that crap that Zach couldn't play Tuesday but was fine Wednesday especially since the Knicks played a weaker team, the Clips, without All-Star Elton from Peekskill.

Lewis,
From everything I heard Zach was very close to his grandmother, she played a large part in bringing him up.

I dont know the situation with his family. im not sure if Zach felt he couldnt play due to grief or if he is the one in the family who takes care of things.

Zach is a competitor. no way he was scared of playing Marion and Amare. NO WAY!!!!!!!

Well, Lewis - that's your right, to interpret those events any way you like. I think you're totally off-base, and seem to be looking for opportunities to find fault with this kid who has done nothing less than play his heart out for the Knicks. My interpretations is that he saw how depleted the roster was in Phoenix, so he made the extra effort to come to LA for less than 24 hours, just to play in that game. Then he returned for his grandmother's funeral. The way I understand it, this woman effectively raised him. So imagine your mother has just died. I don't think anyone at your job will find fault with you for taking a few days off work. If you make an extra effort to come in one day because the unit you work with is very short-handed, you'll only be praised . . . not criticized because you didn't come in the other days. Again, I'm sorry about that Ferrari. But I'd hate for you to have to put up with one that wasn't perfect enough for you. From the way you write, I have to assume you couldn't be bothered with any of those not-top of the line Ferraris anyway. And since it was going to be a surprise, I realized I might have chosen a color you don't like. That would be a REAL mess, wouldn't it? Think about it: You'd be stuck with a less than top of the line Ferrari . . . in the wrong color! Can you imagine how much of a drag that would be!

Score from last night Suns 112-Bulls-102. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

everyone it is still early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go knicks tonight

Attn Fixers,

This is what any intellegent person would conclude from all the events that took place and from what Isiah was really saying before the press twisted evrything around.

Facts:
1. After the Nuggets game the team reverted back to playing soft basketball. Miami game was given away through lack of effort.
2.Both Isiah and Dolan were pissed and decided to shake up the team while its on the road trip (vs being at MSG) and facing the Suns without Zach and Q. This game was labeled a loss even before the season started so this was a good opportunity to do this.
3. Isiah scolded 3 starters and threatened to sit them unless they improve their defensive intensity.
4. Marbury left the team for unspecified reasons, coincedently visiting his late mentor at the wake.
( there is something fishy here and it could very well be that Marbury was allowed to do this by Isiah in covert op while the rest of the team played itself into shape against Suns and showed to Isiah what they had without Marbury. but this is just a theory).
5. Marbury returns against the Clips sitting on the bench while the starters, who voted him out of that game, proceed to sh!t all over themselves in the first 10 minutes of that game. Isiah fully expects to win this game because Clips are not the Suns, but seeing that the starters are not ready he puts Marbury in. They play much better with him at point and lead at the half. In second half IT calls on Marbury much quicker and the Knicks proceed to miss 17 shots in a row from point blank range before recovering and tieing the score with 1 min left in the game. All of it with Marbury on the floor.
6. In both games there is ample evidence that this shake up produced better defensive intensity from Curry, Crawford and Marbury. Curry and Zach defended Kaman into 6 for 17 and Clips shot .365 and .250 from 3. Knicks shot about the same and lost.
7. When asked about Marbury playing against his teammates wishes Isiah said he was merely trying “to win a basketball game,”
“I’ve played with people I don’t like; I’ve won with people I don’t like,” this meaning that his players can win with Marbury regardless of how they feel about him.
“My job is to try to win the basketball game,” he said. “However I feel about a person, that doesn’t matter. We’re trying to win. Whatever happened in the past is in the past, and we move forward.”

My conclusion from all of this is that Isiahs actions had a positive affect on the team with regard to effrot and defense. There is also evidence that IT had Dolans blessing to shake up the team so to assume that Isiah acted on his own and will get fired for this is silly. Another thing you can conclude is that the press is completely clueless and is spinning this for their own benefit.

What is going on with the conspiracy theorists? Zach Randolph shows up while grieving the loss of his Grandmother and pulls down 19 boards while playing harder than any other Knick on the floor and his motives are questioned. That just doesn’t sit right. I think Zach is the real deal and will do so until he proves me wrong. It's called the benefit of the doubt and he has mine.

Can we get Jeff Van Gundy back coaching the Knicks? That man had heart!

good call rush, i think marbury's over reaction was just something not anticipated. isola got wind of isiah and dolan's meeting because we have a snitch in mangement/team staff. it's unfortunate about randolph on this trip but it shows the kid is the goods.

Sorry, guys, this is a test.

I’ve had a few posts “reviewed” today and I’m trying to figure out what the red flags are. Feel free to IGNORE this post.

just what did Jeff do with a a team with 2 superstars? Thomas should get a chance to coach this team. It's too early and he needs to get Zach back.

Alan, your post was on the money (You're right, Lee does shoot with too much palm, and not his fingertips.).

As crazy as it may seem, this squad would benefit from someone like Larry Brown. You can bet your a** Marbury would have sat out a game, or three, and there would not have been a need to poll the team.