Knicks won't let Zach-Memphis trump Ewing today
For those who haven't seen it by now, Memphis Grizzlies beat writer Ronald Tillery posted a blog yesterday in which he said talks between the Griz and Knicks regarding Zach Randolph have reached a point where Memphis is trying to get the Knicks to take some of the deferred money in the contract (recall that Portland had a chunk of Zach's contract deferred when they signed him to it).
A person I generally trust when it comes to these matters suddenly clammed up when I asked about this most recent, quite detailed report from the Memphis side.
With Patrick Ewing's induction into the Hall of Fame tonight, I doubt the Knicks would want any news, especially a trade rumor, to overshadow Ewing's day. So stay tuned on this one . . .
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This won't exactly overshadow Ewing today, but there was some other Knicks-related news to come out. According to the Daily News, Stephon Marbury's cousin, Jamel Thomas, has a book ready to release and apparently Stephon is a target once again.
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I spoke with Charles Oakley earlier this week to get some stuff about Ewing. Oak is funny and sometimes he's unintentionally funny. It might be unintentionally funny, but Oak still has that cooking show, "Cafe Oakley", that he's hoping will get picked up for the fall. Right now SNY and the Food Network are considering it. MSG Network passed.
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I'm heading over to the Hall of Fame press conference in a few. I'll try to post more items throughout the day.
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Comments (23)
Assuming That the deal is ZBo for Darko then cash should not be a show-stopper. This is actually a fine deal.
If Jaric is involved the money issue might be harder to justify because the Knicks are getting stuck with more driftwood. If cash is going to be added they should insist on Conley instead of Jaric.
Co-sign on the above post, except that I might be a little more flexible and accept Lowry instead of Jaric, although preferring Conley.
Congrats to the Big Man!
We Luv You Pat!
Hope your back in the Garden to watch Pat Jr. and the Knicks.
The day you left was the beginning of the end.
Congrats on the Hall of Fame, Pat!
Let's hope these rumors are true and the Knicks are nearing a deal for Zach. However, if they are to pick up Jaric's contract, which does run through 2010, they should receive another inexpensive player like Kyle Lowry.
One (small) positive to Jaric is that his contract is much smaller than Zach's which should make him easier to move in the future.
Darko doesn't excite me, but he does block shots which the Knicks desperately need. I don't think he has much upside though. I'd do the deal, but don't expect too much from it.
I've gotta say, with the way that the Knicks pulled the Ewing Jr. deal, the deserved attention they're giving the Big Fella's induction (sending a big crew of staff and alumni to the HOF ceremony, making sure that the story today is about him), and these Zach rumors, I'm finally starting to feel like they're just doing the right thing.
For too long, this team made one head-scratching move after another, and just seemed to handle *everything* they did the exact opposite way of where common sense would point them.
They're relatively minor things, but the doubly feel-good Weis for Ewing Jr trade, plus the Zach rumors... It's all got me feeling good about this team for the first time in a long time. Like we're in good hands.
Yeah, you might still squabble over little things - did we give Duhon too much money?, etc. - but you're going to have those types of debates with any GM and with any team. It's what makes sports sports. At least now, it's seems like when common sense should prevail, it has.
@ Matt B - Amen, brotha!
You get a forearm shiver from the Oak Man!
@ Alan - How have they not tapped Oakley to do some commentary for games if he's in the area & available (besides that cookin' show)?
My guess is he and Jimmy D wouldn't get along...
Keepin' it Old School...
Zach for Darko, Chucker Walker & 2nd RD pick
Cut Bumbury and Q.
Curry
Lee
Chandler
Crawford
Duhon
-----------------
Gallo
Nate
Darko
Jeffries
Walker
Ewing
Roberson
James & Rose in suits
I'm not thrilled with this ultimatum from Chris Wallace and Co. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but we shouldn't be taking on the Grizzlies worst contract for our....(*gulp*) "best" player.
If we're not getting Lowry, or at least shedding Jerome, than this deal should be shot down. I have enough confidence in Walsh to believe he'll do the right thing.
Alan - "I'm no kiss-ass" but I have to say that you are positively a breath of fresh air in NY media.
You really stay on top of things and I find your constant blog updates candid & straight forward.
You seem to have a few key sources that keep you one step ahead of the other media jokers in town and you manage to convey a nice balance of both fan and media insider.
I know you are just doing your job but you are doing it the right way and I feel like that is honorable considering some of the other horror show Knick beat writers in this town who clearly only have their eyes on the negative.
Keep up the good work - keep it balanced and remember your roots, failure to do so could have you turning into an Isoala (sounds like ass-hola) or a Berman-bury.
Thanks again...now lets get this Zach deal finalized and try to sneak me in one of Kyle Lowry, Hakim Warrick or a 2010 #1 pick in the process :)
Saw the state Federation title game in 1995.
Lincoln against Christ The King.
Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, 20 miles north of Saratoga Springs.
The Coney Island Cupcake, Jamel Thomas, and Gary Saunders against Lamar Odom and Ira Miller. In all seven Division I talents on the floor to start the contest.
The Cupcake scored 11 straight for both sides in the first half, 17 straight for Lincoln. Finished the first half with 22, the game with 27.
Lincoln won, 65-62.
Watching along the baseline, front row, saw the Cupcake played the game with a combination of disdain and disinterest. No love. No passion. No desire.
Turned to a pal. Said The Cupcake will never go any higher, never win another title. The Cupcake doesn't love the game. The Cupcake isn't determined to sacrifice himself for victory. The Cupcake is NOT a leader.
Georgia Tech, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, and New York. The Cupcake's played for 'em all. Never won a damn thing.
Pure Selfish Loser.
I'm going to pull a famous democratic flip flop and say do the deal if you don't have to take on Jaric and get a PG from Memphis. If you do have to take on Jaric then get a draft pick out of it. If we keep D. Lee then he starts and maybe we get better with addition by subtraction. I fear Darko after the injury becomes J. James or Kwame Brown and doesn't help the team in any way but his K is only for two years like Duhon's so whatever, take the risk. I'm probably in the minority here as usual, but I actually like Jaric's game (although I admit I didn't see him play last year) and think he could be a good fit, its his K that scares me off. Neither player puts us in the playoffs but at this late stage of the summer we aren't making the playoffs anyway so full speed ahead with 2010 (yeah!).
I can't imagine anyone in their right minds trading for J. James in any capacity. He is a disgrace and the pinnacle of IT's bad judgment as an executive. No one on our current team is good enough to justify taking on that garbage in a trade.
@ Alan - why not do an interview w/ the Oak Man & make it a Blog entry or why not have a 'live" Q&A w/ the Fixers?
You seem to be "boys"...
Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric are total scrubs but you have to make this trade. And as a bonus, we get to see Jaric's wife Adrianna Lima at courtside! :)
Alan,
Donnie Walsh has to make this trade & have Memphis eat his money. Say what you wan't about Zach, he can score & rebound.
Thanks, Frank
Hell No!!!
Donnie, don't make this trade.
I would rather do the trade with the Clippers.
We have to get something else. We're not trading a top 3 player of ours for 2 of their worse players.
Are you serious?
You guys need to be more patient.
Donnie, please don't make this deal.
Zach can net you something way better than these 2 bums.
Darko just had a major injury at that.
WOW!!!!!!!!
DW, please do not make this trade:
zach can score and rebound but darko and jaric cannot.
i don't like the deal, these guys are bums. having written that, if Dlee (whom the knicks wont be able to resign next year), lowrey and a #1 are added in, then my ears perk up.
perhaps the knicks are floating this rumor (along with it's sense of imminence) in order to get cleveland or the lakers to finally raise the ante for zach.
Finally back to some meat and potatoes!
I love this deal aslong as it doesnt involve any 2010 contracts and they talk all money in 09 and 10 from zack. Clearin space babay, love it! I was the first to mention taking some of zack contract to do this aslong as its in 2008...then we start fresh in 09
Keeping 2010 alive
with some bulljive
Ok Ok let me do some back=steppin here. I just read on Hoopshype that the trade proposed is Zach for Darko and Juric. I wouldnt make that deal because juric has a contract that stretches into 2010.
Especially if they want us to take some of Zach's deal, but if they dont then im 50/50 on it because it does save us 10 mil in 2010.
As you can see im not sure on this one..I would much rather trade for Walker and Darko.
NO!! Who will be our low post threat after Eddie picks up two offensive fouls? Salary or not, you can't just give up a young talented player like Zach for nothing. Give Zach a chance to rebuild his value so we can get something better for him. Who knows, he may adjust better to the new system than we expect. His jumper makes him more of a threat in the pick and roll than Eddie. Also, we will need offensive boards. We should at least be able to get a healthy player for Zach with starter potential.
Please don't pull the trigger on that Deal, Donnie. Marko & Darko?
Give me a break! 2010 is not a realistic "Plan." It is to keep fan's
at bay with what ever happens, we can always defer to "2010."
I'll take Zach's tude and hustle that he brings every game. I think all you will jump on the band wagon that will be Zach in Mickey D's system. What we really need to do is get rid of Marbury, James, Collins, Rose. Not add more stiffs like them!
BTW,
I believe Walsh is setting up himself to look good by putting Zach out there as trade bait, only to refuse this current trade rumor of more "Bench Weight" and when Zach has a stellar year, he will look like a GENIOUS.