The Knicks Fix

Jamal Crawford closed the book on his Knicks career with his Garden return Saturday with the Golden State Warriors. But we had to remind him he still has a responsibility to his career as a Newsday blogger. A farewell blog would be nice.

"I know, man," he said. "I'll do one."

The trade still has him out of sorts. He was traded on Nov. 21 and a week later found himself in New York, at his place in Westchester, packing up stuff to send to California and he has yet to arrive in the Bay Area because the Warriors are on an extended road trip.

But there's also the shock of being among the unwanted in the inevitable salary purge that everyone knew Donnie Walsh would have to undertake to rescue the Knicks from cap hell. Jamal admitted he never expected to be one of the first to be shipped out.

“I didn’t expect to go, period," he said. "That’s the thing that was more discouraging than anything. My name wasn’t ever out there at all. As far as trades go, you heard a lot of people’s names, but my name was never the one you heard. So I was caught off guard, that’s what was more frustrating to me.”

Business is business, so the decision is understood. But the bitterness comes from knowing that after five years of experiencing the worst era in franchise history he won't be around to experience the anticipated revival.

“That’s the most frustrating part," Jamal said. "I was there through the roughest times in franchise history and now that things seem to be changing, I wanted to be there as well. At this point, there’s nothing I can do about it other than move on and try to help the Golden State Warriors.”

And do they need it, judging by how his new team gave up 138 points and treated the pick-and-roll as if it were some newfangled trick play they'd never seen before. Chris Duhon (22 assists) broke a 50-year-old record set by Richie Guerin from the belted-waistband, satin uniform days of Father Knickerbocker. I believe Guerin played in the original Garden and dined with Stanford White.

Perhaps one day Crawford will finally end his dubious career playoff drought with the Warriors -- not this year, of course. Nellie has already conceded that much. But aside from how bad Corey Maggette really is as a feature player and how poorly promising rookie Anthony Randolph is being developed (and somebody needs to pluck Rony Turiaf off that roster), Crawford can look forward to Monta Ellis returning later this season. The two of them should make a prolific backcourt duo in the NellieBall free-for-all.

We Believe! . . . in the chuck-n-duck.

(I think David Lee just dunked again.)

Jamal can always escape the Golden State madness after this season by opting out of his contract, which would leave two years and $19 million on the table. He could certainly make that money back in another contract, plus add perhaps three more years. There are plenty of places where he would fit well and have a great shot at finally popping his playoff ch...I mean, getting his first playoff experience.

“That’s a ways away, honestly," Jamal said of his opt-out decision. "We’ll see what happens. I haven’t been to Oakland yet and I’m sure I’m going to like it there. It’s closer to home, Seattle, for me. Hopefully something can work out long term there."

It wasn't going to work out here, not with Mission 2010 in place.

“They’re trying to position themsevels for 2010, it’s no secret," Jamal said of the Knicks. "My thing was, in 2010, whoever we would get they would need players around those superstar players if you get them.”

Superstars? You mean like that guy in Cleveland you're tight with?

That conjured a laugh.

“Me and LeBron have a good relationship," Jamal said. "I’ve known him since he was in high school. It’s not talked about much."

The King emailed his friend after the trade went down to check in and make sure he was OK. LeBron knew what playing in New York meant to Jamal.

As for his own reaction to it?

“He was surprised,” Jamal said.

Players rarely talk shop with each other, though the topic does come up from time to time when it is unavoidable. Jamal said he and LeBron have never gotten into specifics about New York and the 2010 Cap Space Odyssey, but if and when that day comes Jamal will certainly offer his thoughts.

“I would tell him what comes along with it," he said, "and be as honest as possible with him.”

What comes along with it is a blog on Newsday.com and the opportunity to hang out with Starberman (by then, perhaps he'll be known as LeBerman) every day.

Bonus!

But no way LB goes to Newark though, right?

Another laugh.

“Go ask Jay-Z.”

Get me J-Hova's email and I will, yo.

Now go write your blog!

* * *

The conversation couldn't end without the requisite Stephon Marbury question. Jamal was adamant in his defense of Marbury, his former backcourt partner, whom he admittedly hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with both on the court and off of it. But Jamal insists that during the preseason and even most of the first month of the regular season, Marbury's presence was never a distraction with the players. He also added, "He was good to me" over the past month and regularly offered encouragement during practices and games.

Of course things blew up after Jamal left, when Steph turned down the opportunity to play in Milwaukee and then allegedly refused to play in Detroit. (Note the use of "allegedly" here for journalistic integrity).

“I was surprised when I first heard it," Jamal said. "Maybe he has his reasons, I don’t know exactly what happened. It’s two people saying two different things.”

Jamal said he knew Stephon wanted to play, which is why his decision not to was such a surprise.

The end result won't be. Crawford is gone. Zach Randolph is gone. Stephon appears the next to be gone after Monday's meeting with Donnie Walsh, which is expected to eventually result in a mutual parting of ways.

“With a new regime, we didn’t know who was going to be there," Jamal said. "We didn’t know what was going to happen. We knew one way or another, something would have to give.”

* * *

Regarding Jamal's blog, I appreciate all of the input on who Fixer Nation would like to see take over Jamal's spot. Interestingly enough, a player has stepped forward to offer his services. We're currently trying to work out the details to make it happen. Stay tuned . . .

* * *

Fixers, were you expecting another blog on the Marbury situation? There will be plenty there to keep us busy over the next 48 hours.

Stephon Marbury has been suspended for one game -- Saturday against the Golden State Warriors -- and docked the equivalent of one game's salary for refusing to play in Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

ESPN is also reporting the story on its website.

The Knicks are practicing today at 11 a.m. at the MSG Training Center. Marbury will not be there and, as a result of the suspension, will not be at the Garden for Saturday's game, as well. It is expected that the team will look to expedite the process of a separation, but it is unclear exactly what direction they will take. Team president Donnie Walsh is in Indiana with his family for the Thanksgiving holiday. He will be back to attend Saturday's game.

The options include:

* - A buyout, which would have to involve Marbury taking significantly less than the $21.9 million owed to him this season, something he has said he is not interested in doing. We have reported that Marbury recently did offer to take $1 million less, but the Knicks rejected the offer. This is the most mutually beneficial because it would free up a roster spot for the Knicks to either sign a guard or bring in Patrick Ewing Jr., who has been waiting in the wings. It would also allow Marbury to find another team to play for this season.

* - A permanent paid leave, which Marbury would have to agree to. It would mean he would sit out likely the entire season while being paid his full salary. This does not work well for either side because Marbury would go an entire year without playing and then enter free agency with just 24 games under his belt over the past two seasons. It also doesn't work for the Knicks, who would go the rest of the season with 14 roster spots.

Expect the NBA players union to appeal Marbury's lost salary as a result of the suspension.

Don't expect Donnie Walsh to act quickly here with Stephon Marbury. Don't expect him to act with emotion or rashness.

Expect a measured, calculated and precise plan of action that follows every letter of the law and exhausts every option he has in this excruciatingly methodical disunion.

Stephon's greatest weakness won't be his defiant stance with that fiery glare that only burned to the ground any standing structures of loyalty and empathy from those who wear the Knicks uniform (in accordance with Quentin Richardson's declaration, we will strike the term "teammate" from the record and hereby object to its use hereafter). Marbury's case has and will continue to crumble because he refuses proper representation -- e.g. an agent -- which in cases such as these would have found an amenable solution to this issue.

An agent would have negotiated a buyout; would have done so only after securing a new and desired destination, a beneficial relocation that would have the potential to allow the client to have a career renaissance in the most opportune seasons of all: the contract year. One solid season of basketball -- and, to quote a Ms. Mary J. Blige, no more drama -- would have easily earned a mult-year contract that most assuredly would have made up for any of the monies lost in the buyout process. A trusted agent would have explained all this.

A trusted agent would have had the perception to prepare an exit strategy when his client was getting the patronizing kudos mixed with the he'll-play-over-my-dead-body vibe during training camp. Anyone who believed the Coach (Mike D'Antoni) had any intentions of giving the Player (Marbury) an important role on this team in this season that is -- as evidenced by the recent trading day -- essentially the demolition stage of a major renovation was terribly mistaken.

But a trusted agent would have protected his client from perpetual inactive status, claiming the club was denying his client's right to earn his wage. An agent would have advised the client to be seen and not heard and simply ride the wave of empathy that could have been a valuable tool: public opinion.

And an agent, along the way, could have negotiated with the club president and also worked backchannels to perhaps find potential trade partners. Exhibit A: The Detroit Pistons made a payroll-motivated move for Allen Iverson ($21.9 million expiring contract) and have since struggled offensively with a shoot-first guard. They are now preparing to fine Iverson for blowing off a Thanksgiving Day practice, which everyone else on the team found the time -- and responsibility -- to attend.

A good agent would call Joe Dumars just to pose the hypothetical of swapping Iverson for Stephon Marbury, who is more of a combo guard that arguably could, at least short-term, fit much better with scorer Rip Hamilton in the backcourt and in the Pistons' pick-and-roll system. The salaries are an exact match. And Iverson would obviously fill the Knicks' needs for a go-to scorer, while Iverson would also step into an offensive system in which he would thrive.

Dumars would likely decline because, despite his allergic reaction to practicing, Iverson is still an elite player in the NBA. Marbury, who appeared in just 24 games last season and hasn't seen a tick this season, is an unknown entity at this point in his career, save for his history of going nuclear on coaches.

But a good agent would also reach out to those deep-pocketed European clubs that are hungry to cherry-pick a named NBA player and convince one team -- be it Greece, Italy or Spain -- to pony up enough one-year guaranteed money to make up the difference that would lead to a more agreeable buyout with the current club (i.e.: $4 million from Greece -- not outragous if the far-less offensively gifted and recognized Josh Childress can get three years and $20 million -- would result in a $17.9 million buyout offer, which is closer to the $15 million the Knicks).

A good agent would have made this a personal priority because the story is such a high-profile situation in the largest media market in the world. And because if you can have a brand renaissance for Starbury the player, it could reap lucrative rewards by July.

Instead, Walsh works essentially pater familias in this case, with Marbury represented by his union lawyers who, in all due respect, are mainly there to ensure all actions follow the exact definitions of the collective bargaining agreement. Walsh, as any club executive should, well understands whatever machinations exist in the CBA that will expedite the impending divorce between player and club to a reasonable settlement.

This won't be a swift slice of the sword. Patrick Ewing, Jr. may have to keep waiting a little longer for that roster spot to open.

Walsh is not done with this chess board yet. He's had the King in sight (we don't mean LeBron....that game's on another board) for some time now, but an aggressive attempt at a game-winning move is always the most precarious choice. So the strategy, instead, was to let the opponent beat himself, which, understandably, can take some time. But endgame started to develop in Milwaukee and brought Walsh to the verge Wednesday in Detroit . . .

And now checkmate awaits.

....Upside downside inside and outside
Hittin you from every angle there's no doubt
I am, the one and only Method Man
The master of the plan wrappin s--- like Saran....

More in the print edition . . . but here's a tease:

“I don’t consider him my teammate, so, I mean, whatever," Quentin Richardson said. "He hasn’t played with us all year, he doesn’t want to play with us. He’s expressed that a second time, so whatever. I don’t look at him as a teammate because teammates don’t do that. Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever, you’re not going to allow your teammates to be left out there the way they were left out there . . . Regardless of how you’re trying to stick it to whoever. At the end of the day, we’re getting left out there and we’re shorthanded, people are hurt and people are still playing. Chris is banged up pretty bad. He’s got an ankle injury and his back is messed up pretty bad and he’s playing. But I mean, once again, I don’t really pay any attention to it because I don’t look at him as a teammate anyway.”

With the Knicks down to just two healthy guards (Chris Duhon and Anthony Roberson), Mike D'Antoni went to Stephon Marbury earlier today to ask him to play in tonight's game against the Pistons. The response was the same as it was last Friday in Milwaukee.

“I don’t want to keep talking about it and talking about it," D'Antoni said before the game. "It kind of follows the same path so we’ll go from here.”

Our old buddy K-Berg had the story first at his new digs CBSSports.com. This will be the last time we show love. Must be nice to blog from the sofa, K-Berg.... :-P

So instead of "small ball" the Knicks will go big. Quentin Richardson can play the two and Al Harrington will slide into the three spot, with Wilson Chandler and David Lee in the frontcourt.

The Marbury Saga appears to be coming to a head. This could be the last straw.

That's all I can share here right now.

Stay tuned . . .

Hot Rizzle here (I've legally changed my nickname).

Ready for more Stephon Marbury talk? Neither are we, but prepare for it. Another storm is brewing and this one could drop a little hail. I gave my take on the impending Marbury situation in this online column.

The King Fixer said it best in his early morning post. Even on a good day, such as the one Knicks fans were enjoying last Friday after Donnie Walsh pulled off those two trades to clear cap space for The Great Run of 2010, somehow Marbury still finds a way to make himself a story.

Quite frankly, whether anyone likes it or not (and I'm sure most of you out there in Fixer Land don't) it's going to be that way until this shake down between Marbury and Walsh ends. Who blinks first?

Doesn't matter, really. As long as someone does. Immediately.

Alan Hahn answers your Knicks questions in a live chat at 1 p.m. (Sorry for the time change. Alan was delayed on his flight to Detroit).

LeBron seemed to enjoy being the object of affection tonight at the Garden. As much as he would discourage his own talk of 2010 and how it's two years away, he also made sure to encourage others to keep the fire burning in the meantime.

"If you guys want to sleep and not wake up until July 1, 2010, then go ahead," he said, "because it is going to be a big day."

It's going to be a long wait.

You can't entirely judge the Knicks awful performance against the Cavs. The trades made to get the cap-space to be in the game for LeBron in 2010 also stripped them of their leading scorers and they are now a team without bona fide go-to scorers. And, as we saw, they still can not defend.

Is it really pointless to break down too much from this game because the Knicks are essentially starting over.

What is more important is the injury to Nate Robinson (groin strain), which happened in the second quarter. Nate said he heard a pop which is never a good thing. For someone who relies on speed and explosiveness, a groin injury is a major concern. I would expect that Nate will be out for Wednesday's game in Detroit and even if he does play he won't be anywhere near full speed.

Of course that brings us to the issue that just keeps coming back: ol' No. 3.

Cuttino Mobley is still out. The Knicks, as we expected, waived the physical just to allow the trade to go through, but Mobley has another week to deal with some extra tests and consultations about an apparent heart issue that was discovered in his physical with the Knicks.

Right now, with Mobley and Robinson out, the Knicks are down to two guards - Chris Duhon and Anthony Roberson. And, of course, Stephon Marbury, who has already once before declined -- see I used "declined" instead of "refused" -- to play when the Knicks were shorthanded. Will Mike D'Antoni go to Steph a second time before the game against the Pistons and ask him to play? Will Marbury once again refu- I mean decline to play?

Will it even matter at this point, considering that Marbury is about as sharp as a marble after going almost a full month without playing in a game?

I was standing in the Garden before the game Tuesday night talking with Newsday columnist Johnette Howard as we discussed the collection of story angles that dominated the evening -- LeBron and Cuttino's physical. And then I turned to her and said, "So how does Stephon Marbury becomes a story by the end of the night? Because you know he will."

Sure enough....

* * * *

This is a brutal back-to-back situation. I wanted to update the blog on the Mobley situation but I was sitting in traffic on the LIE when the Knicks officially completed the deal. By the time I got to the Garden it was the usual pregame mixer of meet-n-greets. Had to check in with Wally Szczerbiak to see how his dad, Walt, was doing after a recent medical procedure. Wally said Dad was fine and as I tried to continue the conversation I realized I had wandered into the Cavs locker room before it was open to media. Oops.

There were agents and celebrities -- check out Spike Lee talking about the 2010 plan to our guy Hot Rod Boone in Wednesday's print edition -- and everyone else to check in with before LeBron's pregame press conference.

And now a late night at the Garden comes to an end (it's 2 a.m. and I'm still awake) and next is an early flight to Detroit for the annual Thanksgiving Eve game at Auburn Hills. Back on Thursday just in time for turkey.

I'll check in from Day-twah tomorrow. Gotta catch me a Z...

The Zach Randolph salary dump is in jeopardy . . . but that doesn't mean it won't go through.

The Knicks have until 6:30 p.m. to clarify the issue with Cuttino Mobley's failed physical. It apparently has to do with a heart condition that, according to the L.A. Daily News, the Clippers knew about.

Donnie Walsh can simply waive the physical to complete the trade and it is in his best interest to do so because, let's be honest, he wants more to get rid of Randolph's $17.3 million salary for the 2010-11 season than he wants Mobley to play for the Knicks.

Mobley didn't show any health issues with the Clippers this season. He played in 11 games and averaged 33.5 minutes per game.

Stay tuned . . .