The Knicks Fix

But, Alan, c’mon – I, for one, would love to turn Patrick loose on Curry, and see what he could do. And who knows? Maybe he can really challenge Eddy? Look – so far, Patrick’s track record is pretty good. You could argue he had a lot more to work with in Yao and Howard. But c’mon, don’t you want to find out? If there’s even a spark inside Curry, Patrick might be the guy to fan those flames.

But the way I heard the story was that Patrick reached out to Isiah over the summer, and Isiah never even returned his calls. Not exactly what I’d call “close.” Did Isiah’s nose grow a little longer when he said that?

Too bad, too. I'm sure Ewing could surely teach Curry some skills. The special assitant thing is done the same way in Los Angeles with Kareem and Bynum, and look at how much of a difference that made.

How about bringing in Peter Holt to work with Dolan and either of the Colangelos to work with IT? That would help a LOT more than Patrick with Curry though Ewing should get a shot with Curry. For that matter Oak should get a shot AT Curry, maybe that would get his juices going.

I dont understand...Aguire is good, but Patrick has a link to us fans!

Why does Herb got a job...what does he do well? Players dont respect him? He is the only coach is the NBA that got his job off of pure pity!!!

I say ditch that short fat white guy and Herb, and bring in Ewing and Oakley!

On herb:

Anyone notice after the "HOORAH" between Q and RJ, who was holding the bench back? A FREAKING WATER BOY!
Aguire sat there like he was on the bowl, and my dead Grandma got up faster than herb

Also, did anyone see the faces of the coaching staff when Zek got ejected the other night...they didnt know what to do! what idiots!

Knicks..dam man worse franchise in sports!

Pat was one of the great JUMP SHOOTING centers of all time but, seeing him lumber into the paint with that PONDEROUS drop step was the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Eddy doesn't need Ewing to show him how to shoot jump shots and, you can't teach someone to rebound; its all effort and desire.

Pat is not suited to coach EC. He needs someone who plays with their back to basket like Shaq to coach him.

Curry has never had a real big mans coach. Bynum has Karreem. Dwight has had 2 (Patrick, Ray)of the best. Why Curry cant have a real big mans coach is beyond me.

Alan I think you are the best blog around but lately you have been taking some cheap shots you used to be above.

Big Pat would at least teach Curry not to airball 2 foot hook shots and maybe he can develop a sweeping (traveling) hook across the lane like the Big Guy.

Then again, bringing in the Oak Tree might teach some of the players some toughness or at least have another "desire" guy on the bench as a coach.

There are certainly some guys with better instincts for rebounding than others. But I’m not sure it can’t be taught, at least to some degree. Eddy is so lost out there. There are tricks when it comes boxing out and positioning for rebounds that I believe he can learn. Also, I remember an interview with Rodman once who was talking about learning to anticipate how a miss would bounce off the rim, so he could get a jump on where it might go. You can’t teach desire and you can’t teach instinct. But Curry has so much to learn, I have to believe that a really good rebounding big man like Patrick or Oak could help him enormously.

Trane: I totally agree. Rodman used to watch tape of shooters and chart where their shots tended to end up. Rebounding is a skill that can be learned. W/O desire you won't be great but you can still get enough to not embarrass yourself. You know, if there was such a thing as Knick pride. Mark Jackson would have been given a chance at coaching, Ewing, Oak, LJohnson, Starks and Xman would have been given positions in the organization or on the bench. Of course, W. Reed didn't work out that well as a GM but still, you gotta give these guys a shot and try to build on what you got instead of importing other franchises' "traditions".

Hey Alan,

What does IT say when people ask him why Chandler's not getting any burn?

BRING EWING BACK HOME!
now i admit that i am a bit biased being that Ewing is the reason i fell in love with the knicks in the first place, but he has a lot to offer. Did you see Dwight Howard's numbers last season, have you seen them lately? BIG DIFFERENCE! Not only would he work Curry hard, Ewing has a work ethic, he wont just smile when Eddy gets the ball literally just taken from him, he is gonna be hard on him. Also I think that having a big-man to develop Lee will also help. I know Lee is a PF and Ewing was a C, but Lee posts up all the time and is having trouble sinking the ball in the hole because he is getting shut down. Herb is a nice guy, met him once, but he is too soft, just like EC. I think Ewing can make a difference with this team. Also its not that Eddy can't rebound he just is too lazy too.

Bring Ewing home? What's going to happen the first time the Knicks are down by 22 and Pat is on the bench? The chants would be enormous and it won't be fire isiah it would be hire patrick. Isiah is not stupid enough to sign his own death certificate.

To quote Rick Pitino, "Larry Bird ain't walking through that door".

We need players that are playing today to win and not more drama in the garden. I would love to have Pat work with Curry but I understand why he's not.

I had tickets to the game in DC but I am still in ND where the high tomorrow is 0*. Let's go for 4. And what's up with more opponent's highlights when WE win?

Honestly, I could care less what happens this season. I don't want any trades at all. We play out with this same roster for the next 2.5 years. We develop some draft picks, let contracts expire, then we have a boat load of cap space to dish out for James/Wade in the offseason. At that point, Zach and Eddy will still be on the team (maybe they will have learned to coexist) along with Jamal. Maybe we'll have a real pg at that point via the draft. Hopefully D. Lee will have developed a jumper and some better defense. And we'll still have Nate, Renaldo, Chandler, and Collins. Assuming we get some good draft picks in there, it could be a very enticing place to play for these superstars (along with the ridiculous endorsements they will get). Honestly, if the Knicks add minimal payroll and just let either eddy's or zach's contract expire, they could get both wade and lebron...

I LIKE JAMAL AT THE POINT...

i can't wait to erase marbury's sour face off the roster.

HE IS JUST GOING FOR SURGERY SO I.T. CAN'T TRADE HIS LOSER BUTT...

I SAY GOOD RIDDANCE!

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/50349/20080117/knicks_offered_randolph_for_carter/

Haven't heard anyone comment on the Randolph for Carter offer that's supposed to have happened. This is the sum of all fears.

Jeepers H Crackers, is there any player who screams "I don't give a fck" louder than Carter? At least Randolph wants to win, and plays hard all the time. Imagine Curry and Carter sitting in LazyBoys together watching the game go by. The signing of Carter was sheer suicide. I used to think those guys were smart over there. I don't think you have to look any further for the problems they have over in Jersey than Carter. And Zeke was going to go and get him????

He's like Marbury (I want all the shots, none of the responsibility) with a pleasant phone manner.

trane,

ur putting us to sleep.

yawn

Guys, I love Ewing and he's one of my favorites!
I was a Knick fan long before Thomas came and will be one long after he's gone, but Zeke is the present! Zeke never ran Ewing out of town! That was Isola and Berman's "GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDENCE" back covers of their tabloids!

Ewing may very well be a part of this team tomorrow, but Zeke is here for now, tomorrow or next week and you have to respect the fact that Ewing was a Pawn in keeping Zeke out of Dream team 1.
Zeke has two rings! Ewing Zip! Maybe Ewing should seek out John Stockton for a job??? That's who Ewing chose over Zeke for Dream team 1. And BTW.... how many rings does Stockton have???? The Truth hurts! let it hurt!

Amen

Ewing is a life long Knick. He is always welcomed back. He should read old Knicks stories to the young Knicks like in grade school. Once apon - a good team in the East.... A villain named Jordan.... Oh! Lots of heartbreak...

Steph should refund the organization the remaining money on his contract. He could feed most third world countries for months if not years with the money remaining on his contract.

The only real team altering trade would be for Kobe Bryant. But, the Knicks need to build from within. Otherwise, you really become another Miami Heat that took the Shaq deal really for a one season championship stand. Don't trade. Dump salary. Trade for draft picks. Build a dynasty. I like Josh Smith if Atlanta doesn't sign him back this year. We need hustle players that play with defensive savvy. The excludes Curry next to walk after Steph.

Yeah, Patrick and Oak's summer basketball improvement program. Patrick shows them what to do and Oak slaps 'em upside the head if they don't do it.

I love it.

Alan,

WHY HASN'T ANYONE COMMENTED THAT JAMAL CRAWFORD SHOULD NOT BE TRADED. LARRY HUGHES IS HALF THE PLAYER JAMAL IS AND HE SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME INJURED

HIRE PATRICK. GIVE OAKLEY A STARKS PR JOB.

Funny how Ewing is Public Enemy #1 to some folks here...try remebering history correctly.

Public Enemy to Zeke and his Dream Team desire was Mr. Basketball star himself: #23 Michael Jordan. Don't try blaming the Big Guy for anything the the NBA Golden child masterminded and executed.

@old school- like peaceman said and I have said before. Every GM/Coach brings in their own. Not only is Pat not one of Zeke's past associates they don't like each other. Tell Jordan to hire Pat, why is it Pat got jobs from the Van Gundy's; he's in their click. Let Zeke do it his way and if he get's fired it's not becasue he tried to please the ever changing opinions of the city's journalist. He is a basketball person not a PR guy.

Berman writes the Knicks could have "snared" Hughes from the Cavs for Jamal-a joke.

Ride out the season, all these trades that we are supposedly turning down will be there at the end of the season plus draft picks.

Isiah is making players earn minutes and won't let them escape via trade to force them to play hard and turn it around as a team. We still have some ego's who think because I am the best player on a bad team I should play every minute. Who does Zeke think he is, the coach?

I've been catching up on my reading...

Bibby: No way, injury-prone & not that good...we have 1 Q already.

Artest: head-case hustler, unless Zeke can keep Balkman & Lee...he's not pullling that trigger. So, it AIN'T happening.

Kobe/leBron/Any other major star: AIN'T happening...noboby wants what we've got beyond the 2 mentioned above & maybe Crawford.

#1 - Keep losing and for once get this team a Top 5 pick...we need help at 3 positions: PG, a consistent shooting SG/SF and Center. We lose when all our "shooters" have an off night.

#2 - Buyout Mar-baby - He's got his way & doesn't need to worry about being a "loser" this year, b/c he's not going to be playing w/ this team...so he can't be blamed, right?

#3 - Zeke probably needs to make a decision soon on Lee or Balkman, because they are the same player & there's a 3rd named Chandler.

#4 - If the Zach/Curry combo won't work then 1 goes to the bench or 1 goes period! If Zach goes, we need a rebounding shotblocking center who scores. If Curry goes, we only need shot-blocking & rebounding (and that's an upgrade folks!).

More to come after I research who's contracts are almost up & match in a trade for what we don't get in the draft...and are possible.

Well Kareem has not exactly done wonders for Kwame… so it is not fair to say a big man coach makes or breaks a player. It is the player himself who has to make the shots, learn the offense & defense, and execute the game plan. A lot of being a ball player is heart, pride, and instinct. You either are or not made to be a basketball player.

It may sound like I am against Patrick coming back, I am not he has earned the right to be a part of this franchise. I love Patrick and I do think him working with Curry makes sense. He will have an impact on him both in terms of the game and pride. I know that because Patrick CARES about this team with a fiery passion that no one can deny and that kind of thing is contagious. Patrick will tell him the stories, he will talk about Knick pride, and he will demand better of him.

It is hard to understand "Knick pride" when it is being taught to you by a guy from the pistons and his best friend from the old neighborhood. Oh, yeah Herb was a Knick but he was a bench player. He is not the answer. Now do I think Patrick could be a head coach in the NBA? I am not sure. He deserves a chance to be with the Knicks though and to prove what he can do. If he can get this ship turned around than in my eyes he should be given a shot at whatever he likes.

I hate to say it guys, but now that Marbury's shadow has lifted, the winning will start as sure as Spring follows Winter. No top 3 draft picks this year.

Everybody can share the ball now and we still have two of the toughest covers in the post. Balkman, Jeffries, Lee, to cover up mistakes and inhale boards - wait until these guys start to get a rhythm and have some consistency with what they do, those three will be even better. Q's back and conditioning are getting better and Nate is having his breakout season. And in Crawford we have the clearout guy that today's NBA is legislated for. Just watch the turnover - assist numbers, and have fun playing FOR your team. Funny how none of that is possible when Marbury is moping around.

They look like a basketball team - the way they should have looked at the beginning of the year. Call it a 3 1/2 month training camp. Anybody can beat anybody regular season, the lack of super-star guy won't be a problem until you get in the playoffs.

Thorn – I read an interview with Kareem the other day about the work he’s doing with Bynum. He mentions that he’s given Kwame advice from time to time, but he was brought in almost exclusively to work with the kid. So Kwame isn’t an indication of Kareem’s value as a teacher. But Bynum is. And you’ve got to admit he’s shown some real progress. I suppose you could argue that he was loaded with talent anyway. But why quibble with success? I think the Lakers are real happy with Kareem’s work. Also, see my post above. You’re right that you can’t teach instincts and passion. But crafty big men know a lot of tricks about boxing out and positioning under the hoop and how the ball bounces off the rim. That kind’a stuff can be taught. Also: Why not? Curry has so much to learn, and considering the extravagant investment we made in him . . . I think it’s worth bringing in someone like Patrick or Oak to work on his rebounding.

Old School – Amen, to your #1, especially. But I’m not sure about buying out Marbury. Yes, we get the roster slot back. But his salary continues against the cap. And we lose an incredibly valuable trade asset for next year. An expiring maxed-out contract like Marbury’s is worth Curry’s weight in gold to a GM. I suggest it would be worth keeping him on the roster . . .as long as he doesn’t play. And he seems to have solved that problem for us by having the surgery on his ankle.

I’m sure the new GM we hire over the summer would be thrilled to have Marbury’s contract to offer in trade. It’s not as though this team is so deep in talent that he’ll have a lot to offer to make deals with . . .

I Co-SIGN your last post Willis!

Trane,

Your subliminal thoughts come out as facts during your posts!
Such as "I'm sure the new GM we hire over the summer...."
You distort opinion's as Facts! Your better than that Trane!

Happy New Year Peaceman

I'm not a big fan of Patrick as a coach, though I'd go to battle with him without hesitation, and I respect him more than anybody I ever saw play the game, he never had the big picture - a great Warrior, not a great General. As a tutor to big men, I can see it. His career was defined by building techniques, and skills that he never had in college. Every year he would come into the season with something new that he had honed over the summer, so, yeah, he could help a big do that.

But for ex players as coaches, Mario Elie comes to mind, and I'd take Sam Cassel as player-coach right now - he's gonna be a good one. Mark Jackson should really get on somebody's staff soon and learn the position - he'll be a good head coach one day too.

Hey Alan,

How come most of the local NY scribes were clueless about all these trade rumours? There are so many of them reported on ESPN, I am surprised. Not even the incident concerning Zach was reported. Either all of these are totally untrue and completely made up, or, all of you guys just don't care about them anymore. Only now all the local newspapers are reporting about the reports on ESPN.

There’s nothing subliminal about it. Those words were chosen quite deliberately. But give me a break, Peace. It’s obviously speculation, if it’s a future event, that hasn’t happened yet. I choose to believe it will happen. It’s what I want to happen. It’s what I hope will happen. I've stated it openly many times. We need a new coach and we need a new GM. Desperately. No need to be subliminal. Of course it’s an opinion. Yet I choose to think positively, and have been using that phrasing for weeks . . . again, quite intentionally. Maybe if we hope and hope and hope . . . it will come true.

Trane,

don't confuse the word "WE" with you! No matter how much you hope!

Peace – This is getting tedious. I’m sure you’d like to believe I’m alone in that opinion, or that I share it only with “haters” or slaves to the opinion of the big bad media. That’s your privilege. But when Newsday ran a poll, however unscientific, 80% agreed with me that isiah should be fired. And I get the sense there are at least a few Knicks ticket holders who agree with me too. I’m not saying it’s right. Just that the “we” isn’t presumptuous. But I promise you, I never imagine you’re a part of any “we” I might refer to. Are any of these objections really worth the effort? Your subliminal discovery of something that’s been stated openly on this blog for weeks? A statement of “fact” for something that hasn’t happened yet?

Can we not just agree to disagree? And leave it at that. Nobody cares. I’m flattered that you have the time and feel the need to pick over every word I write. But each objection proves groundless, so you reach for something new. Now it's "we"? "We" is weak, Peace. That's my sin tonight? "We"? Wow. Mea culpa. Ultimately, you discovered nothing . . . except that we disagree. Let’s leave it at that. At least, I plan to. I hope everyone else has moved on. I'm sure they'd be bored silly by this dialogue.