Jerome James Lives!
Danilo Gallinari took the usual Jerome James posistion on the first day of training camp: courtside on a stationary bike. Meanwhile, Jerome ran the floor like he was chasing after the $12.8 million he stood to lose if he didn't show up here ready to play.
"When it’s my time to hang it up, it’s my time to hang it up," Jerome said after the morning workout. "But I just felt it wasn’t my time yet. When that time comes I’m going to do that, but right now it’s not my time."
It was close. The 7-1 James admitted that he ballooned to as much as 347 pounds this summer. He attributed it to not being able to run from March until August. And that if he just looks at a Krispy Kreme . . .
“The body I got, if I work out, I lose weight like anything," he said. "But if I take any time off it just pounces back on me.”
Thirty pounds of it pounced back off him since August, which means he's still well over 300 but at least he can participate in actual drills. James looked good getting up and down in different up-tempo drills during the two-hour morning conditioning session. And despite his lumbering body, he feels like he can contribute in Mike D'Antoni's high-octane system.
"It's the same way we played in Seattle," James said. "Whatever it took to get Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis open, I ran the floor and set picks. Block shots, defense."
Speaking of Seattle, James said he has "something to prove to the people of New York. I want to let them know I am the Jerome James that played in Seattle and took care of business out there. I mean, I did my thing in Seattle.”
As for the injury problems that plagued his Knicks career: "I’m tired of getting hurt. So if I stay healthy, I’m going to play.”
He also might tear down a rim here at Skidmore College before the week is over. These are the type that shatter pretty easily.
* *
* - While James was the biggest early surprise of camp (literally), the first concern comes with the other Knicks big man who has had conditioning issues: Eddy Curry. He sat out the morning session because he's battling with a virus that revealed itself with a fever on Monday night. D'Antoni admitted he was disappointed that Curry already missed a day, but then he added, "You know what, I heard he was throwing up and everything, so, it's a great way to lose weight."
* - One thing you immediately notice about Allan Houston is he doesn't run with the gimp he had in his gait during his short comeback attempt last season. He runs fluidly, though doesn't have a great burst of speed nor can he stop and pop on a dime. But he can shoot it. I don't recall seeing him miss in the drills this morning.
* - Danny Grunfeld looks so much like his dad it's amazing. I said to him, 'Danny, all you need to do is grow the mustache." He replied, "You want to hear something funny? I can't grow one. It just doesn't come in."
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Comments (22)
I believe James has already proven something to the people of NY. He needs to prove something else, something positive.
Alan Houston never had a quick first step to begin with so I don't expect him to have one now, but it is encouraging that he is running the floor better.
We feel the same way when we see you too Eddy, we want to throw up.
Alan:
You are sneaky funny man......JJ tearing down the rims at Skidmore.....made me almost skidmore in my pants!!!!!!!!!
JJ is such a sad case?
Who is more delusional: Steph or JJ?
Who do we now want at center? Snacks (JJ) or Peanuts (Eddy)?
We need to get the clowns out of the gym, so Coach D can stop the farce and start coaching real players!
This must be hard on Coach D and the real players, but it will all shake out when the fat boys get hurt, sick, or throwup because they can't patricipate in a real training camp designed to shed pounds, clowns and losers!
If Jessica Alba can lose 25 lbs. in 3 months on a 1700 calorie diet, and working out 6 days a week...so can Jerome! He just needs some positive thinking!
Hey Alan...anything on Patrick Ewing Jr?
Thanks for the updates Alan. It kills me that I'm 30 minutes away and I can't get a look at the team!
If JJ were able to get his arse in shape (How many times has that been uttered), he could provide the shot blocking and presence in the paint they so badly need. Walk the walk big man.
Re-post of my caption entries:
"Hold still, Ken, and you could be the new president of the 'Garden of Dreams' foundation."
"Of course I'm the best point guard in the league. You think Chris Paul can hug like this?"
Now on to this entry:
Why do both Marbury and JJames sound like habitual wife beaters? "C'mon, if you just let me back, I promise this time will be different. Come on, baby, I've changed. I want to win you back."
What's the expression? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and you can call me James if I can call you Isiah."
eyes closed: not talking myself into Jerome James as a legitimate option at center... not talking myself into Jerome James as a legitimate option at center...not talking myself into Jerome James as a legitimate option at center...
First day of training camp and our new coach is making fat jokes about our "franchise" center.
Your New! York! Knicks!!
I can't wait for that comment to get picked & blown completely out of proportion.
Speaking of proportions...I have a new nickname for Eddy & Big Snacks:
EPIC PROPORTIONS!!
Here's a quote from Marbury that gives us a clue as to his current thinking!
“From what I’ve seen, he allowed Steve Nash to dribble the ball for 22 seconds,” Marbury said. “He allows guys to shoot coming down on the break, one-on-three. For me, I like that style of basketball.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ApzYsBYxcCbTqEyaboUMRw05nYcB?slug=aw-knicks092908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I blame the press (including you Alan) for a lot of these Marbury stories and distractions. The man is borderline mentally ill, has little or no real education or intellect, but has an evil streak that enjoys the disease he is to all those around him. The public doesn’t care what he has to say or what he does! Many of us aren’t even sure we are happy he’s a living breathing member of the same species, let alone on our favorite team. If members of the press had the best interests of the team in mind, they would just ignore him. Everytime I read one of his quotes I sink to the depressing level of hoping he just gets knocked off by some gang members or something. It disgusts me just to see his face.
If I was Tim Grover I would be embarassed that Eddy had come from my camp!!! How can you say that you are an elite trainer of athletes when Eddy habitually comes in at over 300 after attending your camp ?? There has to be a rule about not being prepared to do your job. If I came in hung over every day and obviously not prepared to face the job I have to do what would happen to me ? My job would send me to rehab so I could be functional. Now I'm not getting paid millions to work but I'm deemed important enough to invest in so I can do my job. Is this fat, unmotivated slob not important enough to invest in a relentless personal trainer or at least a fat camp ? Pathetic !!
"I'm not selfish, I only care about Jerome." - Jerome James
Italian Stallion - now that's factorial!
Actually you raise an interesting point about how stupid Marbury really is. I don't expect sports figures to be intellectuals but he seems substantially more idiotic then most, and has for as long as I can remember. Is it possible, however, that he is trying to stir up trouble, to either rile up the fans or piss off management to the point where he gets his full $$$ buyout just to make him go away? Could he really be so inane that he doesn't realize the effect of what he says?
AH-
Dont take the bait. Ignore Jerome"worstKnickever".
why pile on Jerkbury and then let WKE any ink.
He is a bum and has no pride. He is a coward.
Listen any doctor, PT, or anyone off the street will tell you,
you have foot problems if you weigh 350 pounds.
get him out of here.
He has proved everything he needs to. He is a dog and a complete idiot.
When can we start talking about positive players, like Dave Lee, Jamal, Nate.
Guys who want to win.
"You know what, I heard he was throwing up and everything, so, it's a great way to lose weight."
I like D'Antoni more every day. LOL
I don't respect our Knicks yet, as long as Steph and Big Snacks (JJ) are still around. I feel like mocking them, along with the media.
Hopefully Coach D can cut some people, throw people out of the gym to gain the respect of the real players and the fans.
This is still an embarrassing disgrace.
BiG Snacks(JJ) says he can contribute...lol
Why is he still here?
i wonder will his presence force
walsh to have to cut one of the young guys
(like Pat Ewing Jr)
i hope not
Not getting rid of Marbury will be proven the best move Donnie did not make this off season. Not one of us has spent time in the Knicks locker room, not one of us has spent personal time with Stephon to judge him as a man. Tupac said it best, "only GOD can judge me". Believe half of what you see and half of what you heard, but none of what you read.
Did Berman cry in his pants when he learned that Marbury gave KB a love hug?
Let Mackie Shilstone work on JJames and ECurry. I guarantee that you'll see results -------- conditioning wise. Those 2 are a disgrace.
Tupac said it better, "Thug 4 life." Marbury has to go but we can wait a while longer for Walsh to get something in return for Marbury's expiring contract.
he also said somethin bout "changes". its comin. soon. tyme i hope u and all the other steph lovers follow him out the F@#%ing door. i cant wait to see that scowl n towel combo from the end of the bench (at least til they dump him). here's to hoping Q knocks him the F#$% out next time. that is if marbury is man enough to come out of the locker room next time.... he's a beeya beeeeyotch!!! just wondering, do they hav wnba franchises in italy?????? hes a big POOOSEEEE.
Tupac and Steph have both said that all they want is money.
i want steph to stay and resign