The Knicks Fix

It is strange that Walsh made reducing salary a key to his administration, and yet, one would assume that Randolph for a second round pick would be better for the Clips than Camby. Camby is relatively one dimensional and is almost 35. Randolph is only 27 and can score and rebound with the best of them.

So, either the Clippers made a poor decision, or Walsh believes that he can get more for Randolph (which is unlikely).

Overall, its still early, but as Knick fans, we have to be disappointed thus far . . .as you said Alan, all they've done is add salary. Marbury is still a Knick. Randolph is still a Knick. Curry is still a Knick. And their lottery pick has a bad back.

When do we get a chance to see the future?

Although I agree with you guys that this move is a bit of a head scratcher - call me an optimist - but I'm going to reserve judgment for a few months to see what unfolds. For the first time in years there seems to be a positive energy in the organization and more importantly a plan. It may turn out that this was a mistake, but I'm not ready to jump on Walsh just yet. Just bloggin'

Alan, keep up the good work...helps me keep up with the Knicks while in VA. Enjoy the weekend...

@ O&B....

I think you missed the Major part of the summation on Bayless from Hoops world, as follow;

"Bayless has been hands-down the BEST FLOOR LEADER of summer league."

A shoot first Guard is NOT a Floor leader! He's made a lot of excellent passes but to get the assist the reciever has to knock down the shot!

Nate Robinson was the best floor leader in last year's summer league.

So?

Whether or not you believe a big name free agent is coming here in 2010, that year has been tossed out there too often not to thing that Donnie is operating on at least a two year time frame to remake this team. We're not even half way through an off-season yet - and if he is planning on taking his sweet-a$$ time for things to unfold then he is feeling absolutely zero sense of urgency to get things done at the moment. At this point in his timetable, he'll just let any deal that isn't exactly what he wants go. For me, and a lot of other fixers who would like to see things happening now, this is maddening, but Donnnie built contending teams twice in Indy (the Miller-Davis-Smits squad that lost to LA in the finals, and the Artest-O'Neal group that imploded after the Brawl). Let's see where the team is at this time next year.

Judging the two year plan based on a couple of months of an off-season is like predicting NBA suprstardom based on a strong summer league showing.

For what it's worth I'd cast my vote for "the White Castles" as a Curry/James nickname

@ flybanjo,
It was Nate's Third year. He was not a Rookie.
so I ask you...SO? Bayless has Super Star potenial and WON'T Play Summer League ever Again! I hope that answers your ..so?
Your So...... Should be directed at The Rooster...and should be ..WHAT?????

Alan,
Your are right to pursue this line of thinking and questioning. We are all assuming that Donnie knows all, and will make the right moves, but in actuality maybe he already took a mistep, and just didn't drill down enough at this point in time because he's not ready, and thus lost out on Camby.
Keep challenging him, I'm calling BS also, and someone has to keep him and D'Antoni honest, they have to earn our respect and faith.

The only time that being under the cap is going to matter is two years into the future not now.

This obsessive/impulsive compulsion on the part of certain fans to just throw players under the bus is as hilarious as it is disturbing.

Zach is not chopped liver and Donnie knows it. Getting back unusable cap space and ancient players will deliver yet another 20+ peanuts win season and usher Don and D'Ant out of town as fast as Larry Brown.

This team is not as bad as its record. We are playing to win folks. Alien as it is as a concept in NY, winning feels good and you need pros to get that done. For all their flaws and dietary indiscretions The Knicks are capable of winning and will.

There is no way Donnie gives Zach away or uses Lee as a throw-in or any other such nonsense. Put the crack pipes down.

There's an old saying that bears repeating for its wisdom, "The deal of a lifetime comes along every day."

When the time is right, the Knicks will deal from strength.

Even with all the baggage associated with Randolph, if D'Antoni can get him anywhere near near the 24 and 10 he averaged his last year with the Blazers, its hard to believe that we couldn't get some talent for him at the trading deadline. There are too many teams looking for a solid inside presence and rebounding (Denver, Miami etc.) I think this will end up looking like a wise move by Walsh.

I think it's way too early to be upset with management. The last regime was known for quick fix/big splash moves without any long term strategy. Remember the Garden cheering the Randolph trade on draft night? Let's have some patience for a president who by all accounts is reasonable and intelligent. As for people so stuck on Bayless, Donnie made the decision, and rightly so I think, that while he's a super talent, he gives the Knicks what they already have -- a dynamic scoring point guard. He's not Steve Nash or Chris Paul. But whether you agree with me or not, let's give the Roostah a shot. The kid can play.

few points:
1. beasley will easily win ROY.
2. im glad we didn't take bayless
3. tha rooster is lookin' more like tha chicken...1 game & done. he won't do much this year. but he'll have his moments.
4. paging all available backup centers...where art thou?? come hither.

Alan, it's becoming abundantly more obvious that Donnie Walsh is waiting to trade his "untradeable" players (Randolph, Curry, Richardson) until their trade value goes up after a year in D'Antoni's system. Walsh must have enough faith in D'Antoni to turn around some of these players in the hopes that their trade value goes up. Randolph and Curry, if motivated and playing well, are attractive on the open market - highly skilled, offensive big men - and could fetch more than Brevin Knight or a second-round pick if they play even somewhat better this year. Walsh doesn't need to be under the cap this year anyway, so it makes no difference if he waits to trade Randolph until next summer as opposed to this summer.

@ fwk, we are not suggesting throwing our players under a bus, but we can't go into another season with the twin towers (Zach and Eddy). They are a terrible duo in the post. Lee and Zach won't get it done either. Any opportunity we have to get rid of Zach or Eddy so the other can flourish, we can get a defensive minded C or PF to play alongside them and Lee can get more minutes we have to jump at. We also get a trade exception for trading Zach to the Clips which is very valuable down the line for teams willing to trade stars or draft picks for cap room later.

Bayless and Mayo will be stars, would have been on their rookie salaries, and were exactly what this team needed but no need to continue to harp on it. What is done, is done. We all knew fixing the Knicks wouldn't be easy so I'll be patient but point out when we make bad decisions.

i think randolph will be great in dantonie's system he is kinda like stoudemire in phoniex, zach has a better post game then stoudimire, zach has a better jump shot then him, and he just might be a better rebounder then him, of course stoudemire is more athletic but that is about it

Alan...

i have been criticizing walsh for the past two weeks
and i have been getting major headaches from the
Fixer nation

but come on
does this not sound strange

now
it was walsh who came up with the 2010
Lebron James plan
and now he passes on a chance
to unload Zach's contract which would
have freed up cap room for 2010

we have 5 SF and then we draft another SF
and don't have a trade in place to unload the SF
we already have

hmm...now does that make sense?
i want to be optimistic about the future of the knicks
and i don't to bash walsh
but i think he is falling into the same
problem isiah had:

OVERVALUING THE KNICKS TALENT

Zach is not a hot stock right now
he is a 20 and 10 guy
but he is a wild card

we cannnot go into the season with
Zach and Curry as our "Twix Towers"

to be honest i want to something
to hope for...to see a bright spot.
after being abused for 4 years
we knicks fans deserve some hope

i would love to see
zach
Curry
marbury
"big snacks"

GONE!

all those guys represent everything
that is wrong with the knicks

Also...

Bayless reminds me of Monta Ellis
but a cheaper version with more range
(because Bayless can hit the 3 ball)

now when the knicks were supposedly
talking about trading for Monta Ellis
a lot of people thought that was a good idea

so why not just draft a player who has game
like him but is cheaper and has more upside?

Ellis is going to play the PG for the Warriors
and he does not have great vision either

So if you guys were down with Monta Ellis
Why are you guys not down with drafting his Clone Bayless?

i hear all the chatter that he is a shoot first guard
and yada yada
but Ellis is also a shoot first guard with limited vision
and he wants 10 mil a year

now i am not dissing Gallo because i think
(well i hope) he is going to be a good player

but i think that Bayless is going to be a star

Two thoughts:

Wilson Chandler is Joe Alexander

Bobcats have a nice defensive system

Is Donnie Walsh a Cylon?

... Jerryd Bayless = Tony Parker ...

... Wilson Chandler = a young Jamal Mashburn ...

Did I just read where someone said Bayless will be as good as Ellis?

Please tell me that was a typo....
Bayless is not going to be a star in this league. He will be a serviceable player for whatever team he plays on.

Botton line, Gallo is a better fit in Dantoni's system than any player available at that time.

I feel like if Walsh would've picked a guard...you people would be saying "we already have 5 guards"...

Let the man do his job and stop crying about the moves being made.

These guys know what their doing...let them do their job.

However, I do think we should trade either Zach or Curry before the season.

@Knicks4Life - What makes you think D'Ant has any plans to play Zach and Curry together?

I think many fandom critics are making poor assumptions. just because we have Curry and Zach doesn't mean they somehow negate each other. It may very well be that they can complement each other in yet-to-be-discovered ways that nebver occurred to Isiah.

Last year was a team fiasco that revolved around Marbury and the death of his dad. It paralyzed the rest of the season for everyone. If D'ant can start fresh and if Donnie can eliminate the noise, Curry and Zach may yet both prosper. Even Reggie Miller predicted as much early last season.

I don't expect anyone to be patient cause I sure as hell am not, but Zach is a real asset that doesn't come along every day. My instincts tell me to hang onto Zach and jettison Curry if anyone is to go..

Davonn.....You have to be "Kobeing me?"
Bayless is the truth! Don't even go there!

Honestly i wanted Coangelo to be GM...

but i had to settle on walsh...LOL

But Seriously and i don't mean any disrespect
the best GMs in the League seem to be younger guys

RC Buford
Kevin Pritchard

these guys are movers and shakers

"scared money don't make money"

is Walsh still on top of his game?

i am keeping the faith
but i think turning around the
knicks is a young man's game

you've go to think outside the box
to get rid of these awful contracts

Bayless scores 36 (including the game winner)
to lead Portland past PHX at the Vegas Summer League

this guy is the truth...
the knicks will regret passing on bayless

this kid is a star.

we should have drafted bayless and traded crawford
for an athletic 4 or 5

there are some hysterical pansies in this room that i sure wouldn't want to go to war with.

gallo gets a sore back and you guys throw him under the bus.

walsh doesn't bite at a crappy trade offer and you think he is senile.

d'antoni hasn't won a championship so you say he never can.

curry doesn't show for the first day in vegas and you assume he has gained 30 pounds.

bayless and randolph light up vegas once or twice and you proclaim them to be the truth.

get a grip boys, this isn't the junior prom. this is a complicated business with many problems to fix. it ain't gonna get done in a day or week or month or year. it's gonna take THREE years. you can't catch a cold every time someone gets a cough, if you do, you ain't gonna last very long.

anyone who thinks randolph should be dumped for salary relief only is an idgit. who are you planning on putting on the court next season? the guys value is at an all time low, and you think this is a good time to deal him? hello? the same goes for curry. are you really worried that their values will go down? is it even possible that they can sink any lower? obviously not if the clipper offer is to be believed.

you think walsh was a fool to turn that deal down? think again. the real fools were the nuggets, who gave away the premier defensive player in the league ( and one of the better values, 2 years 18 mil left)
for nothing, nada. for what purpose, so that they could hold on to 3 of the worst contracts in the league? oy, all i can say is thank god that g.m. isn't coming here.

i've said this before, i will say it again. there is no urgency to cap relief at this particular time. both randolph's and curry's contracts and tradr value will increase as the tiem passes, because they will become cheaper by the day, and their value on the court has nowhere to go but up.

so chill, and enjoy. a lot of good things have happened in the past few months. the glass is half full, not half empty.

Dude who was comparing randolph to amare:
D'Antoni offense is about quickness and passing (they are related). These are Randolph's two biggest flaws. Have you ever seen him take a jumpshot without holding the ball and taking several jab steps first? Have you ever seen him pass?

Curry is a power player. When he's playing well (IE when Randolph is not on the floor) he catches the ball and makes his move or passes it back out within a couple of seconds.

If Randolph is still on this team come november, D'Antoni will be forced to play him due to his salary, but I promise you that within a couple of weeks D'Antoni will be playing him as few minutes as he can get away with.

I've been a big advocate of moving Zach this summer with the premise that he doesn't fit D'Antoni's system and therefore may end up having problems this coming year and losing trade value. I understood the counter arguement that next summer Zach would have one less year on that overly large contract and that would make it easier to deal him and may boost his value. I still hope to move him this summer, I just think the team will have better on the court chemistry without him. But the deal that the Clippers offered? Jeez! If that's the best offer we're going to get, his value can't get any worse. I'm trusting Walsh. Wait it out. Must be a better offer out there sometime in the next few months.

Maxwell
i totally agree with you

zach randolph is no Amare Stoudamire

unless zach is willing to change his game
his minutes and value will go down

who thinks that zach will change his game?

remember this is why Portland
dumped him on the knicks
because he can't (or won't) pass the ball

i predict that zach's numbers at the end of 08
will be down and thus lowering his trade value
even more

the only solution i see if we don't trade him
is to play him at the 5 and bring curry off the bench

When are you beatnuts gonna start putting the nY press on Crawford? With Starbury fading into buyout-ville, how about you writers annoint your new whupping boy, Crawford. Ask him all the tough questions, ask him how come in 8 seasons he's never been to the playoffs. Ask him how come he avg 19 points on 16 shots a night and only avg 4 trips to free throw line? whoever said Crawford drives more instead of shoot threes is a liar. Ask Crawford how come without Marbury this year, he made no impact, made no one better, and defended no one. Let see. Corey Magette avg'd 20 on 13 shots, and Magette defends. Its getting almost childish to see the countless, and I surf the net, countless Marbury hater, you guys change his name, play on the STarBury thing, but none of you so called experts, never, never bring it to Crawford, he's a bum, but he doesn't stir the pot, he stays in the background as far as drama, but on the court he kills us every night. No defense, bad shots, cant play with teammates. Its a shame that I sit and watch games with people and only on that night that I'm in the room, I hear that Crawfords a bum, but I get online, and everybody is killing Marbury. Put it all on Crawford, its your team now softie, I don't believe he's NY tough, he's a bum. where was he during the Nuggets Knicks fight? probably running scared? Everyone says he'll thrive in Dantoni offense, He won't, you have to make shots in his offense, catch and shoot. that is not what crawford excels at all. How is he gonna catch and shoot, when he has to do all his hesitation dribbles and carry crossovers, before he launches that brickness. Come Fake KNicks Fans lets call it for what it is. Tell me about Crawford. Don't tell me he plays with heart and bs, show me why he should be kept and not Marbury, and Marbury expiring contract puts Marbury ahead of him of being worth more. He' and NATE are garbage, look at nate in the last two summer league games....he should have stayed away. You guys all got it wrong this time. Marbury is perfect for the system, and no d'antoni didn't release him before. He got rid of Q richardson too, right. No simple answers, no copouts, don't tell me about Marbury making people better, tell me how garbage, bad shot taking, no defense ever, no basketball I.Q Crawford, is supposed to stay over, multi talented, top 10 at his position, sour face, bad teammate Marbury. Gimmie a t.o over a chrebet anyday, and I loved chrebet. Marbury over Crawford its easy.

well put together knicks fans get A

thatz rite crawford is a sixman at best i been said that
marbury is perfect for dantonz system

marbury at his best over any p.g in the league rite now
yess over cp3 d.will. u name it marbury in his best dayz is better

yes marbury has been bad over the last 3 seasons
but him at his best come on now..

knicks got done by 28 damm...

stay tuned for more KnowLedge

@Knick fans get a clue,

Marbury's azz will be out of this city on the first thing smoking,
and I would personally pay for his Airline ticket. Marbury is a Cancer to any team and each team he leaves get better...much better. Crawford will have a stellar year under D'Anotino, he's coachable and Humble which Marbury is neither.

On a wild sequence the Suns called time out, which was granted by the officials. Bayless yelled out, "They ain't got no time outs." Sure enough Phoenix had erred and was penalized with a technical foul which Bayless then sunk.
That is a winners tude, awareness and IQ...........which the Knicks sorely need. What is done is done and we can't change that...but Walsh needs to step it up. I was pro Augustin before the draft because Bayless was predicted to go @ 3 by many.
It's just tough to to handed a shyte sandwich and then be told to
"Just eat it."

Portland Trailblazers vs. Phoenix Suns

There can't be any doubt who gets the Las Vegas NBA Summer League MVP Trophy. Jerryd Bayless had an outstanding game after a slow first half against the Phoenix Suns.

At the break the Suns had a 40-30 lead. Nearly the entire Blazers roster was in a shooting funk (28.9%) with Bayless hitting just 3-11 for nine points.

By the end of the third, Bayless had 19 points and the Phoenix lead was just three.

It looked like the Suns had reestablished their lead after a costly Blazer turnover helped the Suns score a pair of consecutive three-point plays.

Bayless outright dominated in the final minute - with a three-point play - a couple of off-balanced wild jumpers that had no choice but to hit home.

On a wild sequence the Suns called time out, which was granted by the officials. Bayless yelled out, "They ain't got no time outs." Sure enough Phoenix had erred and was penalized with a technical foul which Bayless then sunk.

The Suns had their chances at the other end but couldn't get a final score after Bayless gave the Blazers a 74-73 lead on his 36th point.

Alando Tucker had 18 points and DJ Strawberry contributed 15. Robin Lopez had a tough night hitting just 2-10 from the field for eight points.

Bayless hit 14-26 from the field - 11 for 15 in the second half while no one else on his squad was able to score over six - and scored 17 in the fourth quarter alone.

On a wild sequence the Suns called time out, which was granted by the officials. Bayless yelled out, "They ain't got no time outs." Sure enough Phoenix had erred and was penalized with a technical foul which Bayless then sunk.
That is a winners tude, awareness and IQ...........which the Knicks sorely need. What is done is done and we can't change that...but Walsh needs to step it up. I was pro Augustin before the draft because Bayless was predicted to go @ 3 by many.
It's just tough to be handed a shyte sandwich and then be told to
"Just eat it."

Portland Trailblazers vs. Phoenix Suns

There can't be any doubt who gets the Las Vegas NBA Summer League MVP Trophy. Jerryd Bayless had an outstanding game after a slow first half against the Phoenix Suns.

At the break the Suns had a 40-30 lead. Nearly the entire Blazers roster was in a shooting funk (28.9%) with Bayless hitting just 3-11 for nine points.

By the end of the third, Bayless had 19 points and the Phoenix lead was just three.

It looked like the Suns had reestablished their lead after a costly Blazer turnover helped the Suns score a pair of consecutive three-point plays.

Bayless outright dominated in the final minute - with a three-point play - a couple of off-balanced wild jumpers that had no choice but to hit home.

On a wild sequence the Suns called time out, which was granted by the officials. Bayless yelled out, "They ain't got no time outs." Sure enough Phoenix had erred and was penalized with a technical foul which Bayless then sunk.

The Suns had their chances at the other end but couldn't get a final score after Bayless gave the Blazers a 74-73 lead on his 36th point.

Alando Tucker had 18 points and DJ Strawberry contributed 15. Robin Lopez had a tough night hitting just 2-10 from the field for eight points.

Bayless hit 14-26 from the field - 11 for 15 in the second half while no one else on his squad was able to score over six - and scored 17 in the fourth quarter alone.

PEOPLE PLEASE

We talkin about Summer League. Some of you fools gettin off on JBayless havin outstanding games in freakin SUMMER LEAGUE.

We talking about Summer League!!!
Not a game.
Not a GAME.
NOT A GAME

WE TALKIN' ABOUT SUMMER LEAGUE

Wake Up.

WE TALKIN' ABOUT SUMMER LEAGUE
Posted by Frostie

Oh Snap...your right! Damn ... ... all here thought we were talking about WINTER league.....our bad! Thanks for the education bruh!

Took you 22 minutes to come up with that reply?

Nice one my brother. Keep up the good work.

Well, might as well include a link here to the quote everyone on the fix keeps alluding to recently, even the host. Here it is, enjoy.

How come no one is talking about Joe "the one that got away" Alexander in Vegas? What a bust. He hasn't been able to throw it in the ocean. I guess his career is over now. Time for him to pack it in. Maybe he'll catch on with Real Madrid.

Seriously though, Alexander's performance in summer league means zero. As does everyone else's who was chosen in the first round of the draft. This is a practice for them; a run-through.

Summer League is only a tryout for undrafted rookies, potential euro-leaguers, NBDL'ers and borderline NBA journeymen. No one else goes full speed and the coaching staffs don't want them to.

You can get something of an idea of a player's talent and skill level, but absolutely no idea of what he will do against NBA talent in a real game situation. It's not even pre-season. The games are less than meaningless for guys who will definitely make NBA rosters. It's a get to know you / orientation session, and no one is risking their future health and career to "tough it out" and prove anything to fans. That's what the real games are for.

As for Gallo getting "hurt", how does anyone even know that he would have missed a single second of game time if the games had meant anything? We might not have even heard of it. If he was really injured, do you think his team, which has invested millions in guaranteed money would be alright with him playing with the Itallian national team?

According to past Summer League stats, Keith Bogans is the truth, and the Cavs made a serious mistake passing him up for that bust LeBron. TJ Ford is also head and shoulders above D Wade, and Tayshaun Prince is the future scoring leader/MVP of the NBA.

Enjoy the summer league for what it is. A fun showcase. Nothing more. Maybe we see a surprise or two, but even the surprise standouts mean virtually nothing until the ball goes up in for real.

sec11rowH - I agree with your post, and have been making some of the same points myself (although not summed up like that). At the same time, I can see where some concerns are coming from - IF Donnie was indecisive, this is exactly how he would start out. My first "red flag" was his unwillingness to make a clean break with Isiah - that he needed those last few games to "evaluate" a situation that had been a league-wide laughingstock was a sign of b.s. or dithering, neither of which scream decisive management. I don't know what the Clips were really offering, so I can't say if it was smart to pass up, but the only way Zach's value is rising is because time is passing on his contract. It's a pipe dream to think D'Antoni will transform a a guy who has poor court vision, doesn't make quick decisions and most importantly runs the floor slowly into a desirable player. How long has he been in the league? He is what he is. The Duhon and Roberson signings make sense, but neither count as visionary moves. I realize that we are only into one summer of the new regime, which is why I'm talking about decisions that have already been made.

I'm not throwing anyone under the bus (except maybe Zach, who I'd dump in a heartbeat) - but this is like summer league: you look for signs. And I haven't seen any signs of innovative thinking or a coherent plan YET. Maybe by Christmas or next year there will be, but at some point that first good move has to be made, and so far, we haven't seen it.

bokonon - amen

Jamal Crawford is not a star
he is a role player forced to be a star
and he is overpaid

all Crawford can do is shoot (at a low percentage)
and he plays no defense
and he does not drive to the hole enough
he is one dimentional

the knicks should have drafted Bayless
and traded Crawford for frontline help

I don't think that Walsh was creative enough
on draft night...

i think we should have drafted a
Crawford type(Bayless or Gordon)
and used crawford as trade bait
for an Athletic 4 or 5

Crawford and Lil Nate are both role players
and should be used in a Barbosa role

the big difference is that lil nate
is still on a rookie salary scale
and Crawford is paid like a star

The knicks need help on the front line
and the "White Castles" is not going to cut it
Big Snacks,and i smell chicken "Curry"
don't intimidate anyone

@ Pete

bokonon is always the voice of reason, and makes you think
about what you've posted, without being condesending to anyone.

You can get something of an idea of a player's talent and skill level, but absolutely no idea of what he will do against NBA talent in a real game situation. It's not even pre-season. The games are less than meaningless for guys who will definitely make NBA rosters. It's a get to know you / orientation session, and no one is risking their future health and career to "tough it out" and prove anything to fans. That's what the real games are for.
Posted by bokonon

Even the voice of reason can be questioned. If these games are
meaningless...then why practice? So for Summer league, a coach
will get absolutely no idea of what he will do against NBA talent in a real game situation? That couldn't be farther from the truth. The Summer League is the "Bottom" ....and the Bottom is where every strong House builds it's foundation.

@Pete

I think the Knicks need bold and smart management

Walsh has been indecisive

and maybe their is a master plan
in the background
but all i have heard is get under the cap
by 2010 for Lebron James

thats not very innovative

and then you get a chance to dump zach
and you pass...

then you draft Gallo who is a SF
and we have 5 already

no trades on draft night...no 2nd rounder

he says he targeting Chalmers but still does not get him

now in contrast Kevin Pritchard targeted Bayless
and was able to land him in the 1st round

and the knicks could not even pick up a 2nd rounder
to grab Chalmers

and the marbury thing
is he gone or not?

be decisive!

People say that isiah had too quick a trigger
but is it possble to be too patient?

Its a bit baffling that after a few summer league games many posters here have decided that Bayless is better than Gallinari. There is a very long list of summer league stars who never made it in the NBA, and there is also a long list of summer league stars who contributed but never at the level of their summer league success.

Gallinari starred at a higher level league than the NCAA last year; is a better long range shooter than Bayless; and is a far superior passer. Bayless is probably going to be a good player, in the mold of many, many, decent "tweeners" but these players are a dime a dozen. If fact, we have a few ourselves - - - Crawford, Robinson, Marbury - - this was the last position we needed to add to.

Galinari has a much higher ceiling and has the potential to be an impact player, and a rare combination of size, court vision and shooting.

I would recommend that everyone wait to pass judgement until we get deeper into the real NBA season.

@anonymous

i agree with you on the Gallo front
the kid will be a good player
but will he be great?

and will his back problems be chronic?

what if he does not grow to be 6'11 and he has to play SF
would that still have been a good pick?

since we already have wilson chandler at the SF position

I THINK THESE PLAYERS WILL BE STARS:

OJ Mayo
Jarryd Bayless
Anthony Randolph

the knicks could have had two of the three...

Sorry, that last anonymous post was mine.

And NYC2 Infinity, there are no guarantees with any picks. Who knew that Greg Oden would miss his entire rookie year. However, a number of top draft picks have missed much of the summer league including Derrick Rose.

And whether Gallo can play the 3 or 4 is relatively irrelevant particularly in D'Antoni's system. Finally, Chandler has proven absolutely nothing yet, so its not like saying the Knicks have an all star at the four.

Also, regarding your thoughts on the next "stars," what do you base that on? Mayo and Bayless will score, but will they pass, defend and win? And Randolph won't even play many minutes this season, he is way too raw.

I spoke to Mr. Dolan recently. He said that once Walsh retires, Isiah will take over.

@David

true their are no guarantees

But i think Bayless will be a Star
OJ too...and Randolph will play signicant minutes next year
because the warriors are weak on the frontline

and also Nelson likes the kid

and it does make a difference if Gallo is 6'9 and 6'11
because 6'9 is Mike Dunleavey
6'11 is Dirk

and Walsh said that he drafted Gallo
because he thinks he will grow to be 6'11
if he drafted Gallo to play at the 3 then that would
give the knicks 6 SF

and don't knock Wilson Chandler
that kid has a major upside.

Guys don't knock Walsh for indeciseveness. Since we don't know all the details tradewise how can you tell? Results on the floor are whats important. He went after Dantoni hard and got us an innovative coach not some retread. Also I liked Isiah for his desiciveness and multitude of trades that he made but that didn't workout too well did it?

@ NYC 2 Infinity - I think you can be too patient sometimes. I haven't soured on Donnie yet, but I'm waiting for that first good move (like Colangelo picking up O'Neal for the Raptors - if O'Neal and Calderon stay healthy, that is going to be a greatly improved team) that says things are changing. (@rush - credit where it is due - you're right on D'Antoni as a nice hire).

I'm not really seeing the 5 SFs thing though - Jeffries and Q have no future with the team and Balkman is more iffy as he continues to get older without developing. Chandler is definitely a keeper (maybe even the future starter) but if he pans out, he'll be seeing some minutes as a Matrix-type 4. It's not like the Knicks are loaded with Hawks caliber SF prospects. Having the likes of Jeffries and Q cluttering up the roster isn't going to prevent Donnie and D'Ant from adding what they think is a big-time prospect.

Zach and Lee are our two best and only rebounders an absolute neccessety in DAntonis system. To give both of them away could be a huge mistake so Walsh has to be careful how he plays those roster spots.

@Pete

i agree with you.
and i have not soured on Walsh yet
but i too am waiting for that first big move
patience is a virtue but
"sleep is the cousin of death"

and to listen to him talk
i feel he is overvaluing our talent
i hope that is just spin and not how he really feels

i heard him talking on MSG during the
Knicks Summer League game
and he said that he thinks that curry could become
a better defensive player

is he for real or is that spin?

how many people on this blog
believe that Curry can become a better defensive player?

i for one do not.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/nba-summer-league/2008/jul/19/nba-day-9-just-crown-him-already/

@NYC...say what you will about jamal crawford (yes, he is flawed), but in context of the nba pay scale, he is certainly NOT overpaid.

jamal makes 8 mil a year, which is fair market value for a starting combo guard who can create his own shot, can shoot from anywhere on the court, can take it to the hole against anyone (usually by starting his move with one of the most devastating crossovers in the league), is nearly a 90% free throw shooter, who logs more minutes per game than virtually anyone in the league, and who is wiling and able to make big crunch shots.

in point of fact it is likely that he will opt out of the last year of his contract, because he will get much more in his next deal. i'm sure this will please you and other in here to no end.

@Sec11

8 Mil is still too much crawford

hey i like crawford
he is a real nice guy
he talks to reporters after wins or loses
he says all the right things

but Crawford is essentially the same
one dimensional player he was in Chicago

he is a shot jacker
he is not a star

he plays no defense at all
yes he shoots 90 percent from the free throw line
but he does not take it to the basket enough
he is strictly a jumpshooter

check his stats and see how many times he hits
the free thow line.
its miniscule compared to other SGs

i think crawford would be best served
coming off the bench for a contender

What ever happened to Randolph Morris? I think he's a free agent but is he still with the Knicks? He does'nt appear on the roster. At times toward the end of last season he looked like he could mabey develop into a decent player. Other times and quite often he looked very lazy around the basket on defense not fighting for rebounds and not contesting shots. Any thoughts on Randolph Morris?

nyc what you just said about Crawford applies twofold to your boy Agent Zero. How much does he make?

Last years squad was so effed up by Isiah and Marbury its hard to tell about Morris. No one had any desire to play team basketball. I thought he had some potential in the low blocks and with a midrange jumper. He is a young guy who can improve still. I don't think he is on the roster though.

Im surprised Fred Jones was not picked up he was good on d and running and gunning with a 3 point shot. Youd think he would do well in DAntonis system.

@Rush

i can't believe the wizards gave (or tried to give)
Agent Zero a max contract

but he is the face of the wizards
and when he does not play it affects
their marketability

and also Agent Zero has actually
been to the playoffs

but i would give not gilbert
18 mil or more a year like the wizards did

only players that deserve that much money
are KG,Lebron,Wade and Kobe

oh yeah and Shaq when he was younger

Agree I think Arenas will never live up to the money. He got tired and wasn't shooting well at the end of the season. Just like Crawford.

Tobe honest Wade is not living up to the money either. He will never be as good as he was on that championship run. Its all about team basketball in the end.

Lotta posts about Bayless here, and second guessing NYK's decision to take Gallo.

I just gotta say this: let's say Bayless defies all the odds and becomes one of the league's elite players, in the mold of Gilbert Arenas. If the Knicks had him, that means they would have to somehow find two more All-Star players to put with him, and -- based on what the Wizards have done with those assets -- they'd still only win 46 games and get punted out of the playoffs after the first or second round.

Ball dominating PGs don't go deep in the playoffs. If you think that's false, then name a ball dominating PG -- just name one! -- who led his team deep into May and June.

Let's say Bayless meets normal expectations and carves out a career like Ben Gordon, who is currently on the trade block as he and his agent look for a team that will give a long-term deal to an undersized two-guard. Remember, Gordon was a No. 3 overall pick and the best player on a team that won a national championship. Bayless's team went 19-15 in his only season.

Finally, to second guess NYK on this means that you're implying that you know more about PGs than Mike D'Antoni, who took Nash from an above-average player to two-time MVP. The only other guy in the league with a track record that can compare is Larry Brown, whose team also passed on Bayless and took Augustin instead.

I'm sure I saw Morris' name on some other team's summer roster, but I can't remember what one. I know he's not affiliated with the Knicks anymore. Too bad - never really got to see what he had...

As for Crawford, there is a big difference between taking shots from anywhere on the floor and making them. His percentage is horrible and he may be the worst defensive starting 2 guard in the league. I think his shooting might tick upward if he can get more open looks out of a motion offense, but I can't see him improving much defensively.

@NYC 2 Infinity - You may be onto something with Donnie overvaluing the players. I hope you're not right.

@ flybanjo - I'm with you on Bayless. Next thing you know he'll be getting called the next Dwyane Wade (who didn't play the point in college or the pros).

Would anyone want josh smith on the knicks?

if we had traded zach to LA couldn't we have
used the trade exeption to sign Josh Smith to
an offer sheet?

pair him with curry...

any thoughts?

@ pete and flybanjo
I feel your anxiety. But smart management isn't based on quick decisions or fan pleasing trades to show change is happening. Walsh isn't going to tell us much more of his plan than he already has. Wouldn't be wise to tip off other teams. And we don't have the crystal ball to see where he's going with roster. I'm not saying he's going to be a savior, but sometimes a good poker player just keeps his cards close and even folds on some hands to score big later. I'm just saying, with Gallo, with Crawford, with trades to be made or not made, with Donnie's leadership of the Knicks, I won't be passing judgement today or tomorrow. I hope to start to see something by the end of the summer and know the project will take 2 to 3 years to complete.

So Marbury sucks balls and everyone knows it and so some of you want to deflect blame on Crawford ? Some of you are just plain sad ....

Crawford hasnt played on a playoff team because quite frankly hes never been on a team good enough to make it. If you dont believe me just ask KG who before he was sent to Boston was staring down the barrel of several years of no playoffs and headed to a few more regardless of how good of a player and leader he is.Basketball is a team sport and it takes a team to make the playoffs .

In 07 the knicks came pretty close to making the playoffs but injuries to Crawford and lee killed that chance but what some of you Starbury lovers ignore is that knicks miss out on the playoffs by a few games but Marbury doesnt even show up the entire first half of the season after doing his best to get Brown fired.You take off 30-36 games due to being physically and mentally unready to play . How does Crawford get blamed for not being on a team capable of overcoming Marbuys team eating seasons ?

You talk about winning well lee and Nate are entering the same territory Crawford was in when he joined the knicks except the Bulls were known to be in rebuilding mode for years already and were not concerned about wins as neither Brand or Artest or Miller won there.

You wanna keep the young players around let them lose while you build picks and think some star will want to join us to play with them losers ? because thats what they would be if we applied the same stupid logic used by some people towards Crawford.

Crawford was 12th in the league among sg's in free throw attempts per game and 10th among sg's in total free throws attempted..

He was 6th among sg's in assists per game as well and was one of six sg's to average 5 or more assists per game .

Now I dont believe he some big time star but hes no bum and when people mention Maggette who is known to care about only two things ...his minutes and his shots its just ridiculous . Maggette barely defends and what was the Clippers record despite having a all star caliber center,a veteran SG ,and a top rookie ? oh yeah 23 wins . The only time the Clipps made the playoffs in Maggette's time there was when he came off the bench and missed the majority of the season .They had Ross starting over him and played much better team ball but scrapped all that after maggette complained . Why do you think they let him go ? They know what hes about and didnt want to be bothered with his selfish attitude but considering the same person who brought him up also loves Marbury its no surprise he mentioned him.

I think most just want to see how Crawford works with a coach within his system and at least average pg .We havent had a pg 3 years and we accumulated all this talent under the notion that we had a hometown all star caliber pg but he turned out to be the biggest fraud ever in the nba.

@Luke

i wish that Marbury was gone as well

i don't speak from bias about Crawford
i like Crawford
but just because i like Crawford does not
make him a star

Crawford would be better off being on
a playoff team coming off the bench
like a barbosa type

he is a good player
a role player

but he is not a star
and didn't the bulls have Duhon
when Crawford was there?

and what is Duhon?
the 2nd coming of steve nash?
NOT!

Duhon is a okay stop gap
but he is not going to vault the knicks
into the playoffs...

and KG made it to the playoffs several times
he only got out of the first round once
and that was the time
he went to the western conference finals

but he had gone to playoffs before being sent
to paradise in Boston

so don't compare KG to Crawford
Crawford could not carry KG's jockstrap

Alan,
Have you head your boy Sturbman is saying that a EURO
source stated Gallo had Knee trouble in addtion to Hamstring trouble while playing in Italy?

KNICKS HAVE GALLINARI DOUBTS

In his lone game, Gallinari had an impressive seven minutes in the second half when he scored 14 points after going scoreless in the first 2½ quarters.

Gallinari's summer league raises questions on whether he'll be durable enough to withstand the NBA's physical pounding, at 6-10, 227, as a rookie. A European source said Gallinari had various hamstring and knee problems in Italy, but a Knicks source said that was "growing pains."
NYP.

Ummm.HEARD..LOL

I would like to see Josh Smith on the Knicks - I have a few reservations about his attitude, but his skill set fits nicely with the players that are here, as well as D'Antonio's style of play.

@ john k - I hear you, I'm just saying that that first good move has to happen sooner or later, and we're still waiting to see it. I'm curious to see what the team looks like in training camp and by Xmas.

I watched about 1/2 of the summer league game that was on @ 10:30 last night.

Donnie sat down w/ Clyde and the other announcer and I felt he was pretty forthcoming and said a lot, while not saying too much.

That was the most I have ever seen any Knicks offical say in years, I felt Donnie derserved "kudos" for being much more open w/ fans, etc.

Keepin' it Old School...

Oak - I liked what Walsh was saying as well. A couple of things were telling:

He said "there is a pecking order of things" a little bit of a mangled metaphor, but what he was said after was, first their is the draft, then free agency, then summer league, then evaluating the team, and the trading period through Feb.

I think this might explain his lack of activity or boldness. He had a draft, had a MLE to use, and with those two things, and in that order, he took care of what he thought the team needed. He got a guy who would run D'Antoni's offense in Duhon. Nobody on this squad other than Collins (who is not ideal due to his lack of shooting) would be willing and able to do that. Crawford, Starbury, Nate, all would be more hindrance than help. As far as drafting Gallo, he said something that pointed to the other crying need - teamwork. He said the combination of Gallo's size, handle, shooting, and upside (19 yrs) was important. He mentioned Gordon and Joe Alexander as guys he liked as well with similar attraction. But what Gallo had was a commitment to team, and an understanding of how to play as a team and play within the team. Clyde spoke about is as well, and we have spoken about it here. In the first half of the one game he played - he ran the offense. He looked to get the ball to other players. He looked to get back on D. All the things that the Knicks have been crying for. All the things that we castigate (rightly so) the immensely talented Zach Randolph for lacking, and laud David Lee as the second coming of Dave Debuscerre for having in spades. That the GM is making that a criteria for choosing players makes me very, very happy.

Gallo is one of the best players in Las Vegas League right now. Bank on it. As is Bayless, as is Chandler. In fact, it is clear that Chandler, if he chose to, and the knicks were running a super-star oriented offense, he would score 30 every game. But we're not doing that in Vegas, and Chandler has his s#it in check and is looking to become a real player, he's not trying to be a big fish in a little pond. Neither was Gallo. If Gallo played out the string in Vegas, trust me, he would be killing those scrubs. Killing em.

Next in Walsh's pecking order is evaluating the team. The trades will come. Do not be concerned, there are no sacred cows here, and anyone can be moved. Donnie knows the league, he has watched damn near every game of summer league and he talks to everybody, all the time. When asked, he agreed that alot of our players were undervalued due to the losing. Course he's talking his book as they say, and MSG's Crispino is pushing a knick management line here, but it is true. If the SI article is correct, the league is acting like Madison Square Garden is a village to be pillaged. Donnie has to fight that perception and find value. Little steps is how it happens. Piece by piece, game by game, you slowly turn this thing around. The Knicks are at one of the lowest points any team has ever been in the league. (That would be an interesting thread, which teams in NBA history have had to rebuild from a bigger crater than Asteroid Zeke's?). I don't want a "quick fix".

Last thing he said that was music to my ears was he wants a shot blocker.

NYC 2 Infinity -

Why would Crawford he best be suited for a Barbosa type role ? He is much more skilled player than Barbosa.

Duhon was not on the Bulls while Crawford was there he came afterwards I believe

Duhon aint no savior but in basketball the pg is the head of the body the knicks have had no head for the past three years .Its kinda hard to properly evaluate a body with no head. Thats what Duhon is the head that will allow Walsh to evaluate the roster properly without all the distractions .

hahaha yeah dont compare Crawford to KG but arent both nba players ? If KG as incomparable as he is can have his team not make the playoffs then how do you even try and make it as though Crawford should be expected to get the knicks to the playoffs by himself ?

You said Crawford aint worth 8 million per year but look at the other 20 ppg scorers in the league and their current salaries or projected extensions and you realize Crawford aint bad at all for what we are paying.Our problem is we need more guys to come in and actually produce over the course of an entire season.Weve had over the past three years too many players giving us 25% or roughly 19-20 games a year where they are playing up to their capabilities no team can survive that and it puts undue pressure on the remaining players like the lee's and Crawfords.