PreGame: Knicks at Raptors
James Dolan isn't up here in Mother Canada, but he was in attendance at Friday's game for the first time in a long time. We're still waiting to hear Dolan's first public words since the day he announced Isiah Thomas' contract extension -- almost a full year ago -- and that notorious video deposition doesn't count.
So Isiah Thomas was asked before tonight's game against the Raptors if he had a good conversation with his owner.
“If you have questions for him," Thomas said, "you can ask him.”
Testy.
STARTING LINEUPS
KNICKS (17-38)
Richardson
Randolph
Curry
Crawford
Robinson
RAPTORS (29-24)
Moon
Bosh
Bargnani
Parker
Calderon
Enjoy the Oscars.
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Comments (10)
TYPICAL KNICK'S BASKETBALL...
win one,lose one
(and sometimes win one lose 8 in a row)
If you go through the balance of the Knicks schedule, you'll see that they have a number of soft games, two against Miami, two against Atlanta, two against Charlotte, and one against Minnesota. Also games against average teams like the Nets. It is highly likely that they will go 10-16 over the balance of the season which will probably move them into the seventh or eight slot in the lottery. That would guarantee a good pick, but not a great player.
The cycle just continues.
The only way out is to hire a really smart GM and a strong coach. And to allow all the large contracts (Marbury, Rose, etc.) to expire and hope to have a winning team by 2010 or 2011.
True. But there is not one player or a single move to change this losing culture brought here by Lord Thomas. There needs to be a series of contract buyouts and coaching terminations. New York is one of the best markets in the country and any young talent would love to start their career here. We need a whole new starting five. Our players are not athletic, not intelligent, and have questionable work ethics. Everything New York basketball isn't. I keep those memories of the good old days alive because we will be back again and play that way again.
Knicks 08-09 New Team. New Mission.
@ Trane,
I think we do not need as much change as you may think.
As NYC 2 Infinity put it in a prior post,
1. We need a pass first PG
2.We need a shot blocker, that also intimidates and alters shots
and cleans the glass.
I know you hate the thought but I believe with Dolan's recent statement " we will be the next Celtics" is indicative of Zeke and him having a plan in place for next year! With Jones contract expiring this year, Marbury's, Rose and Morris's next year
equals 38 million to get the above mentioned needs!
Add this article
Ron
Artest to Opt out, Possibly Sign with New York Knicks
And Dolan and Zeke could know something we all don't
or I believe we would have traded and Zeke would have been gone 30 games ago! I am pro Knick not pro Zeke, but I believe given the positives next year and our draft pick this year, Zeke will be
around to stop the bleeding, some that he caused and some that he didn't.
What else can I say that hasn't been said a thousand times before??
Anyway, check out this clip. It's pretty obvious that Randolph is now just 'trying to get his' and is applying the team concept; selfishness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvYf08X6tc
I hate this team.
Alan,
We need some creativity here. The Knicks aren't giving us anything new to talk about, trade dealine gone; fire isiah; curry sucks; dolan is an idiot; dump salary; david lee is the greatest role player ever; we need a point guard. Same old stuff.
Can we legally gamble in your blog. Maybe wager the starting lineup or Curry sightings?
How about we get a second round at the final record and playoff appearance chances?
fyi to many in here: buying out a crappy contract does not clear cap space, it only clears roster space.
someone please explain to me why any g.m. in his right mind would trade for mebury's contract. please cite a few example trades that would actually benefit the knicks, rather than saddle them with another long term albatross. keep in mind that mebury makes 20mil, and the contract values have to be (i believe) within 10% of each other.
Two names that will be floating for contracts next year are JJ Redick and Josh Smith in the off season if they opt out or demand trades. Josh Smith can ball and block shots. JJ has the shooters touch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocaatPvI90k&feature=related
I was going to post something like "so that's what happens when Jamal doesn't go for 40 against the Raptors..." But we've all seen those fool's gold wins many times before.
I read somewhere (can't remember the source - ESPN Daily Dime last week, maybe, so take it with a grain of salt) that Artest said he would be back in Sacramento next season, and not opting out. It makes sense - he would make almost 8 million instead of the Knicks' mid-level (would you throw away 3-4 just to come home a season sooner?) an get a real contract year. If he has a good season, he would stand to make a heck of a lot more signing as a free agent. So even if he took a one year deal from the Knicks (which is pretty much unheard of) he's leaving millions on the table, and if he signs a multi-year at the mid-level like J. James, he stands to lose a fortune. I can't see anyone just giving away that kind of money to play for the Knicks - even if he is a city guy. I don't see him opting out this summer.
Above should read "AND get a real contract year."