[Bloghost note: Wrote this on the plane to Toronto. Just an observation after a week of watching practices and watching people grow:]

Nate Robinson is into movies. Recently his favorites include a dashing Canadian actor named Steve Nash, who, in real life, actually has a jones for making films more than starring in them.

But Robinson’s a big fan. He owns several of Nash’s classics, especially during his award-winning run in 2004-05 and 05-06. He spent yet another summer having his own Steve Nash Film Festival, when he watched and studied and also found himself thoroughly entertained. And enlightened.

I laughed, I cried, I learned how to be a point guard! -- raves Newsday.

“I watched how he moves and everything, where guys are supposed to be,” Nate said “Like, Steve Nash can literally make every pass with his eyes closed because he knows exactly where that guy is supposed to be. I’m trying to get to that point, but I’m a long way.”

Quite frankly, he’s currently closer than any of the other Knick players to mastering the system Mike D’Antoni is trying to install here in New York. Quentin Richardson, of course, gets it because he played a full season in Phoenix under D’Antoni. But when it comes to knowing the system, understanding it and being one with it – na-na-na-na-na-na… -- Robinson seems to have already found a comfort level.

“Coach always says think at 100 miles an hour and know where each player is supposed to be on the court,” he said confidently. “I know each spot.”

Watch this kid young man Wednesday night, Fixers. Our little Nate may finally be coming of age.

* *

Danilo Gallinari chatted with his Italian homeboy, Andrea Bargnani, earlier today and the Raptors big man says Gallo "is getting better, but he's not ready yet."

So what does Bargnani think of Gallinari's future once he does get healthy enough to play?

"He can do everything," Bargnani told Michael Grange of the Globe & Mail. "He can play two guard, he can shoot, he can play with his back to the basket. He is a typical Mike D'Antoni player."

Wir haben alle Hände voll zu tun!

No, our true cause for celebration comes from the well-respected, quite hilarious Yahoo!-based blog, Ball Don't Lie, which recently ranked us the No. 1 Knicks blog on the web.

The little blog that could overcomes the big dogs. Fixer Nation is a force to be reckoned with because a blog isn't just a platform for soap boxing and pushing an agenda (or promoting a sneaker line or a fitness video), but also a forum where readers interact and inspire. We learn from each other.

Like Chuck D said:

...I teach and speak
So when its spoke, it's no joke
The voice of choice
The place shakes with bass
Called one for the treble
The rhythm is the rebel...

* *

Would love to hear input from those who were able to watch the broadcast of the team's practice today on NBAtv. If you didn't get to DVR it, I believe it will replay tonight.

If you did get to watch, you saw Eddy Curry participate in his first practice of the year. Eddy looked like you would expect someone who spent the past week with his head in the garbage can of his hotel room running a 104 degree fever. But the good news is he gave it a go and while talking with us he stated, without hesitation, that he plans to be a starter.

"I'm not out here planning to come off the bench, I'm planning to start," Curry said. "But if that's how he sees me playing, that's what will happen. But for now, I'm not planning to come off the bench."

* *

* - You could see a lot of tired legs toward the end of the two-hour practice. The scrimmage got sloppy and the intensity dropped dramatically. The one guy who just has not stopped going 100 miles an hour is Nate Robinson. While Chris Duhon has looked solid (not spectacular, just solid) at the point, I would dare to say N8 da Gr8 might be the most impressive guard consistently in camp. Mardy Collins deserves some credit here, too, for what has been a very impressive showing so far. He's still not a reliable shooter, but Mardy looks physically stronger than any of the other guards and has been smart with the ball. The coaching staff has noticed.

That's not good news for Anthony Roberson, who isn't burning up the nets like he did in those summer league practices. Something's got to give with only so many roster spots and minutes available. It might come down to deciding between Allan Houston and Roberson. Still early, however.

* - Gallinari's regimen today involved some shooting drills with light running. It's evident they're taking him slow, trying to get his core muscles as strong as possible so the bulging disc isn't an issue anymore.

* - The NBAtv thing was a great idea and, of course, quite clever in some ways if you want to allow yourself to think the Knicks agreed to it so teams around the league can get a little glimpse of some of the Knicks players who may be (wink, wink) available for trade. Showcase!

* - Mark it on your Outlook: we're going to do a live chat on Wednesday afternoon (1 p.m.) from Toronto. Live from the Renaissance Skydome. I'd do it from Wayne Gretzky's restaurant, but I don't think they rock the wireless there. If we have any Fixers in TO, be sure to come down to courtside and holla atcha boy. Same goes for you Philly-based Fixers on Friday.

* - Jerome James just made it six consecutive practices. If anyone should be making a fitness video, it's a guy who was almost 350 pounds three months ago.

(And if you look closely, you might even see Danilo Gallinari jogging a bit. Bonus!)

If you get NBAtv -- or know someone who does -- set your DVR for 11 a.m. and let it run for two hours, because Monday's practice at the MSG Training Center will be broadcast live, with commentators. This is the first time the Knicks have had their practice featured on NBAtv....which is yet another sign the days of the closed-access, Kremlinesque secrecy are over.

If you don't get NBAtv...what the hell are you waiting for?..sign up today! Cable subscribers click here for more information. DirecTV subscribers go here and Dish Network people go here.

If you have an analog TV...please, go here. Go now, rabbit ears.

The preseason opener is Wednesday in Toronto, so consider this a sneak peek behind the scenes.

Enjoy.

In the meantime, here's Houston's vlog from MSG.com, where he wraps up the week of camp in Saratoga Springs.

Perhaps we shouldn't make a joke about Curry's illness -- the bacterial infection which has kept him out of camp all week -- because it has the Knicks concerned. There is hope about him making a return this week, but whenever he is feeling up to taking the court he will clearly need to take it slow. At 6-11 and nearly 300 pounds, slow has always been the issue for Curry. What D'Antoni had wanted to do was get Big Eddy playing faster.

Just getting him playing is the goal right now. In the meantime, you're looking at a lineup of Zach Randolph and David Lee going up against Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh in Wednesday's preseason opener. Tall order. Literally. (Whoa..that cliche appeared out of nowhere...my bad).

So while it's easy to come away from camp impressed with how well the Knicks get to the rim and finish and get up and down the floor, you do have to remind yourself that they're doing all of this against one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season: The Knicks.

[A refresher: the Knicks were ninth-worst in points against (103.53 pg), third-worst in field goals percentage against (47.4 pct) and the worst shot-blocking team in the NBA (2.6 blocks per game as a team, which was lower than the averages of individuals such as Marcus Camby (3.61), Josh Smith (2.8) and Chris Kaman (2.77)).]

There still aren't any shot-blockers (or even shot distractors) in the paint and none on the way even after Curry and Danilo Gallinari return. After an impressive first day, the only guy on the roster with swat team creds, Jerome James, slowed down noticably to where he even stopped dunking. Interior defense is limited to a lot of fake-and-retreat moves and rare challenges. Jared Jeffries was D'Antoni's early choice at center because the 6-11 Jeffries had the athleticism to run and also to defend down low, but with his injury the interior becomes a major issue.

The Knicks are hoping to hide their interior deficiencies by keeping the game in transition as often as possible and, perhaps, taking their opponents' bigs out of the game with the speed-factor. They'll also have to rely on something they did very poorly last season: help defense. People often criticize D'Antoni for not coaching defense, but he spent time on defense each day throughout the week with an interesting 5-on-3 drill in which there were three defenders in a triangle zone and they had to shuffle, talk and play areas against five offensive players. It was a very intense drill and D'Antoni made it competitive by rotating in different three-man groups.

There's no doubt the Knicks have a load of talent on the perimeter. Perhaps Donnie Walsh can use his excess of guards (what do you do with Mardy Collins and Anthony Roberson if Stephon Marbury is to remain?) to find some shot-blocking help on the trade market.

* *

My anticipated starting lineup and first four off the bench after watching a week of practice:
PG - Duhon
SG - Crawford
SF - Richardson
PF - Lee
C - Randolph
Reserves:
PG - Robinson
SG - Marbury
SF/PF - Chandler
C - Curry (by default)/ Malik Rose

Rookies - Get back to you on Gallinari. So far behind we can't even attempt to assess. Patrick Ewing Jr. has looked overwhelmed at times and his shot hasn't been good at all. But in transition he's had some very positive moments, especially as a finisher. He is strong enough to defend and goes after shots. He's a project. Danny Grunfeld can stroke it and is very confident. He has caught a few people off guard and competes. I've read he has an offer waiting for him in Spain.

Biggest surprise -- Seeing Jerome James running the floor and practicing all week with intensity and effort.

Biggest disappointment -- Jeffries' injury, because he came into camp loaded with confidence and looking good.

Most impressive -- Nate Robinson showing that player he was in the summer league two summers ago. He seems very comfortable in this offense and rarely forced a shot or took a bad one. Physically in phenomenal shape and never seems to get tired.

Most encouraging -- Zach Randolph and his "whatever-they-want" personality. Yes, it's early, but Z-Bo appears to have showed up willing to buy-in. And, yes, he still knows how to get his shots. But very competitive and energetic in camp. Even giving it his all running the floor.

Big issue -- The Marbury situation. If Stephon accepts a sixth-man role, it could work out great for both parties. D'Antoni has made it clear he's calling the shots and it's up to Stephon to fall in line.

Bigger issue -- Gallinari's back. He hasn't been able to run hard for two months. Now he's already a week behind in learning the system along with being two months behind in conditioning and strength. Might be a while before the rookie proves he can be effective.

Biggest issue -- The interior defense. Amare Stoudemire was hardly a formidable force as the last line of defense (awful on help D...just ask Marion), but he still had 2.06 blocks per game. Curry isn't just going to instantly turn into Bill Russell, but they'd take Bill Cartwright at this point.

* *

Saratoga was in my rear view mirror around 9 p.m. Friday night. Four hours to reflect on the week that opened the new season -- and new era -- for the Knicks.

And, of course, the long drive allowed me to wear out the battery in my mp3 player, sing at the windshield and think about how enjoyable it was to spend some time in the leafy, postcard town at the start of the foliage season. We probably won't be back next year, only because the Knicks are expecting they will be next in the NBA's European trip plans. With D'Antoni and Gallinari on the team, Milan would be an obvious location.

Yeah, training camp and some preseason in Milan. Not exactly an assignment Mike Rowe would be interested in. But I'll take it.

But if we're not to be back for another two years, if at all, I leave The Spa with good memories, aside from the treat of being able to actually watch the Knicks practice.

There was jogging down Broadway and it's row of stunning, meticulously-perfect homes that give me the itch to visit Lowes for a new project on my own shack. Meeting people like Greta, the vegetarian hostess at Circus Cafe, who is from Oceanside and is the daughter of -- get this -- a butcher. Running into one of my high school teammates, Pat McCloskey, who is a Manhattan lawyer and a former star guard for Skidmore. He came up to visit his alma mater and catch a Knicks practice. A million years ago he was draining threes for St. Anthony's in a huge Catholic League playoff game. It was also fun to mingle with the friendly coeds at Skidmore and convert a few to join Fixer Nation. "Hey, I read you today!" one fella called to me a day after I scolded him for not knowing about the Fix.

Atta boy, son. There's hope for you yet.

A hyperbaric chamber. Get one.

Terrell Owens reached out to Jeffries after hearing about the fibula fracture he suffered in Thursday's practice. TO experienced a similar injury when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2004 season. There was talk he might miss the Super Bowl.

But T.O. used a hyberbaric chamber. And he did play in that Super Bowl.

Jeffries, who is said to be out 6 to 8 weeks, is convinced enough to give it a shot.

"He got a hyperbaric chamber," Jeffries said of Owens. "So I’m going to get me a hyperbaric chamber."

So much for signing a cast.

* *

* - Short workout this morning. The team will scrimmage tonight and then have one practice on Saturday before breaking camp. It was a fast week, but it was great to be able to come in and watch practice and get an idea about things. A few of the reporters made sure to thank Mike D'Antoni for opening his practices to us this season after years of being banned outside the gym doors and secrecy. As Howard Beck said a while back, "It's Glasnost!" We'll take it.

* - I'll check in after the scrimmage before making my way home for the long drive back to Long Island tonight. K-Berg is at the wheel tomorrow. Be sure to hug him.

Sweet. Vecsey rips, therefore I am.

Usually the venerable Mr. Vecsey is spending his time hatcheting the work of my esteemed, far more experienced colleagues such as Frank Isola and even Vescey's own teammate at the Post, Starberman (who, by the way, reported twice on the Grizzlies deal and even said it could be imminent based on Darko Milicic's "99 percent" claim...but I guess Peter was too caught up in getting his Fix to pay attention to Marc's work).

It's nice to be relevant. Thank you, Peter.

It's also nice to be relevant and factually accurate, which we have been all along. Even without the help of Mother Cablevision.

The Knicks announced tonight that Jeffries had suffered a left fibula fracture. It happened in today's practice when Jeffries made an impressively athletic defensive play for a 6-11 man. He sprinted to catch Stephon Marbury on a fast break and blocked Marbury's layup attempt from behind. But when he landed, Jeffries said he felt like "a horse kicked me in my shin."

Jeffries tried to get back into the game a short while later but he was clearly in pain. Mike D'Antoni immediately waved him off the court and told him not to push it. Jeffries said he heard a pop at that point. He walked off the court and talked to reporters after practice. He also walked to the team bus.

He was taken to Saratoga Hospital where x-rays showed the fracture. The team says he'll miss 6-to-8 weeks, which means sometime before Thanksgiving, or, at least the first 15 games.

This is a major blow to D'Antoni's plans for the rotation. Jeffries was penciled in as the starting center -- yes, center -- because of his high basketball IQ, skills handling the ball and, of course, the athleticism to make such plays as the block on Marbury.

But aside from his undisputable shooting issues, Jeffries has also shown a penchant for early injuries. Two years ago he broke his wrist in the first preseason game and missed the first 23 games of the season. Last year he had a sprained knee (ACL) and missed the first five games of the season.

Without Jeffries, the Knicks' already weak interior defense only gets weaker. Eddy Curry is not a shot-blocker and has yet to show any kind of defensive instincts. And then there's the little fact that the bacterial infection that has kept him out of the first three days of camp will, according to D'Antoni, will likely keep him out until perhaps Monday. Eddy will be way behind both in conditioning and in learning the system. D'Antoni will also be behind in figuring out how best to use Curry in his plans.

"When we get Eddy out here and get him up and down, then we’ll evaluate where he is," D'Antoni said today. "He can do this, he can be a force."

I would expect D'Antoni will give a look at a few different scenarios, which include a very small frontcourt of Zach Randolph and David Lee and also perhaps give Wilson Chandler a look at the four spot next to Eddy Curry.

And there's also Jerome James...

Wow.

I've watched Houston closely in the practices thus far. He moves fluidly, he can get up and down the floor and his J is still as sweet as honey. Laterally he may be slow as molasses, but there's time for that. It takes your groins a long time to get back to wanting to moving laterally (and, quite frankly, they really never want to). And, Fixers, let's be honest: Houston never really moved that quickly on D when he was healthy.

He took himself out of the scrimmage at the end of Tuesday's workout to rest his quad, which has been tightening up on him. He made it through both practices on Wednesday. "I just got to try to be smart," he said. "I feel pretty good, I feel pretty good, actually."

Houston's main concern are his muscles and how they handle the workload. The knees are not a problem. "I don't feel it in my knees," he said. "It's more just my body. Getting used to doing it again. Even when I was 30 years old, two-a-days were tough."

* *

Some roster decisions to ponder:

* - Anthony Roberson hasn't stood out much in camp but also hasn't played poorly enough to think he's not in the plans. However, Mardy Collins showed up at camp in tremendous shape and he continually shows off an ability to get to the rim with power and has finished more than a few with strong dunks in traffic. Both players have one year of guaranteed money on their contracts -- Roberson has $797,581 and Collins is at $997,800 -- that would be easy to waive or possibly trade for a second-rounder.

* - Patrick Ewing, Jr. hasn't stood out and seems to get overwhelmed under the basket against the veteran bodies, but I have watched him closely enough to see him defend very well against Wilson Chandler in some matchups. Ewing, Jr. is a player the Knicks want to keep, so he can be allowed some time to develop and progress.

* - Zach Randolph has played well and, with Eddy Curry already experiencing a set-back from the illness, I could see D'Antoni considering a frontcourt of Randolph and Jared Jeffries. They could go very small with David Lee and Randolph as well or go big with Jeffries and Curry. But the more I watch what D'Antoni plans to do with his system, the more I'm convinced we won't see much, if any, of the Curry-Randolph tandem.

* - Jeffries was married to his longtime girlfriend in July and the couple is due with their first child, a girl, in December. Fatherhood changes you, I told him, especially when it's a girl. He smiled. "You know what? I can't listen to rap music anymore," he said. "I just can't stand it, all this about b-tches and hoes . . ."

* - The players are going out for a team dinner tonight, when the rookies will be initiated. One event being planned for the evening is to have Danilo Gallinari sing some Italian opera. I suggested Bocelli. He might throw his back out again if he tries to hit Pavoratti's deep notes.

Con te partiro
Su navi per mari
Che io lo so
No no non esitono piu
Con te io li rivivro . .

I think here -- yes, even after just one day of camp -- is a critical moment for the Knicks to do whatever they can as a team, as a franchise, to keep the vibe going. Even through the lowpoints, when we're all going to expect this group to collapse like the economy (also built on some bad contracts), this team has to for once keep a stiff upper lip.

To show the rest of the league they are no longer a punchline. Or a punching bag.

"For me, the only thing that affects me is to lose and the way we lose, the teams we lose to and the way teams play us, you know what I’m saying, their demeanor and the way they look at us, I don’t like that because I’m not a loser and I know that," Quentin Richardson said. "For me, I don’t like to see the team morale the way it’s been. Just the way we played, the way we lost, I know when I looked around the locker room I look at the individuals and I know we are better than we put out there. That’s the only thing that affects me and got me down over the last few years.”

So I asked him, in order to avoid the tailspins of the past and deal with the residual issues in the present (see: Stephon), shouldn't the players start taking it upon themselves to eliminate the problems in the locker room. In hockey, we call it "self-policing" and "holding your teammates accountable." It's a major element that separates a strong locker room from a weak one. And it can change a perennial loser into a winning team without a single adjustment in the talent level.

"I think so, I think we definitely will," Quentin said. "I think if we have any situations like that, I’m in a place where I know I will say something. I will try and right whatever wrong’s been done. We have a couple of guys. Malik [Rose] will speak up. He’s a presence in the locker room that everybody respects and listens to because he’s a champion whose been there and knows things. I think we’ve got a couple of guys who will speak up and say different things if anything would arise."

We have no reason to believe them right now after one day of camp. But it's certainly a peripheral issue to closely monitor as the days go deeper into winter.

Even D'Antoni admits it's easy right now to say all the right things. There will be stormy weather ahead; there is in every season.

“I’m excited, you can tell; I’ve got adrenaline going," he said. "But check back in at the start of November. There’ll be some tough days.”

* *

* - The new regime opened camp with a video session that showed a motivational highlight film of great Knick moments of the past and how the city was in love with the team. My guess is that Isiah Thomas ("You haven't been proud in 30 years") didn't narrate the film.

* - Tuesday night's session was highlighted by a controlled five-on-five scrimmage in which 8 seconds were put on the shot clock and each team had to find an open shot in that time. When a basket was scored, play was stopped and another 8 was put on the board. A miss or a shot violation went the other way.

Not reading into it too much, but one group was made up of Duhon-Crawford-Richardson-Lee-Jeffries. The other was Robinson-Marbury-Chandler-Randolph-James.

* - Allan Houston took himself out of the scrimmage portion of the night session to ride the stationary bike. He said it was just because his right thigh was getting tight. Houston has the green light to rest as he deems it necessary.

* - Yes, Stephon Marbury has looked good. But Mike D'Antoni maintained a non-committal stance when asked about him yesterday. Key quote, which should serve as a personal message to Stephon: “If you can play and you’re a good guy, a coach will find where you need to play.”

* - Here's what we know about Danilo Gallinari's back: it was a bulging disc, which irritated nerves around the area and caused that shooting pain Gallo mentioned. The disc has since receded and he is feeling better, but it is a situation where you have to allow the inflamed area to recover and the back to be strengthened. The Knicks expect him to be ready to go soon, but the bigger concern isn't about his back but his conditioning. Gallinari has not been allowed to run for a few months now. But I can tell you this from watching some of the drills on the side of the court after practice: this kid can shoot it.

* - Eddy Curry's illness is a bacterial virus, as you might have read in the stories today. He is said to be feeling better and probably will not practice today, but could be back by Thursday to finish the week. It doesn't help that he's fallen behind already in conditioning -- not that he was anywhere close to where they wanted him to be when he arrived last week -- but as usual D'Antoni was Mr. Brightside. "I heard he was throwing up and everything," D'Antoni said, "and that’s a great way to lose weight."

"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."

So now that it seems like things are working again this morning, let's try this again. I'm up at the hotel here in Saratoga Springs preparing for the first practice of the year.

Most of you have probably read the obvious headline moments from yesterday's Media Day. Here's a link to my story in the print edition.

It was all Marbury, as expected. If you're tired of hearing about it for now -- pretty much all of the stories centered around that theme -- here are some moments to share that flew under the radar:

* - Gallinari injury speculation grows with Dr. Berman's "sciatica" prognosis. All kidding aside, I think anything's possible at this point, including surgery. So I asked Gallo what he thought of a growing suspicion that he is a fragile player. He didn't get offended, but you could tell he didn't like the label.

“It’s a thing that probably if I’m a journalist and I see a guy hurt, I would think about it that this guy is probably going to be hurt all the season," he said. "But it’s not true about me. I will be ready.”

* - Zach Randolph said he heard the trade rumors but is fine with still being a Knick and vows to do whatever Mike D'Antoni asks of him, even if it means coming off the bench. "If that’s going to help our team win," Zach said, "then that’s what I’m going to do.” Funny moment came when Frank Isola asked him about the team drafting a player they expect to eventually fill his role as power forward and Zach quickly cut him off with a perturbed, "Who?!"

Um, Zach, have you met Danilo?

* - Chris Duhon isn't deferring to anyone despite Stephon Marbury's continued presence on the roster. I asked Chris if he felt because of Marbury's tenure as the starting point guard that he might feel like he should defer to him in practice.

“You don’t defer, you go out and compete," he said. "I’m a competitor. I want to go out there and show and prove not only to myself but my teammates and the coaching staff that I can compete at a high level and play. I look at it as a challenge. Not making it a distraction, it’s a challenge.”

* - Quentin Richardson has that swagger back from two seasons ago and you can tell he wants to take up more of a leadership role with this team. "I’m in a place where I know I will say something," Q said. "I will try and right whatever wrong’s been done."

* - Jerome James says he's going back to Seattle after he sat mostly ignored at his table in the gym. At one point he got up, walked past Jamal Crawford's table and said, "Man, I'm going back to Seattle," which is a reference to the one NBA city where he was relevant to the media. Crawford replied, "There's no team there anymore."

More to come this afternoon between the practice sessions. The morning session will be more drills and conditioning.

* *
Let's re-open the caption contest, since it seems no one was able to post on the previous entry.

And I can hear K-Berg singing a little Britney this morning...

It's getting late
To give you up
I took a sip
From my devil cup
Slowly
It's taking over me

With a taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic
I'm slipping under
With a taste of poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic.

Me: It's 173 miles to Saratoga, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of Slim Jims, it's a new era but we're still writing about Marbury.

Starberman: Hit it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On a serious note, it was interesting to see that the story behind Donnie Walsh's health issues were revealed Sunday by Peter Vescey. He had a piece of his tongue removed in late June because of cancer.

We all noticed that Donnie was slurring his speech at the Chris Duhon press conference back in July and we politely kept it out of print. Walsh seemed worn down in Vegas at the NBA Summer League and Vescey's story explains why.

Throughout the ordeal, Walsh and his staff -- credit Glen Grunwald here -- were still able to get some things done, such as Duhon and also dealing Renaldo Balkman to create space for promising rookie legacy Patrick Ewing, Jr. It's still one of the most notable trades in recent history because the Knicks were actually able to make something useful out of the Freddie Weis draft disaster.

But Walsh was not able to get that Clipper deal done, which was something discussed in mid-July. Walsh wouldn't talk about it on Friday and made reference to how "Mike" (as in Clips coach Mike Dunleavy) was a friend and he left it at that. Clearly something bothered him there with the Clips doing an about-face and taking Marcus Camby from Denver instead of Zach Randolph.

The good news that came from the story is Donnie says he is cancer-free and has finally kicked a decades-long smoking habit.

Here's to hoping the coming season doesn't test his will power.

* *

Media Day is Monday afternoon. I'll check in here at the Fix afterwards to give you a little taste before we all jump into my ride and do the Saratoga Shuffle.

Responsibility.

Mike D'Antoni candidly admitted he was expecting a lot more out of the summer than merely the additions of Chris Duhon, Anthony Roberson and Patrick Ewing, Jr.

“To be honest, I thought things would change," he said, "but in the NBA, it takes two to tango.”

Donnie Walsh had a chance to dump Zach Randolph's hefty contract to the Clippers, but before he could get into a deep discussion the Clips pulled out and instead scooped up Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets instead.

Walsh yesterday decided not to discuss his frustration the Clipper situation because he is close to Clips coach Mike Dunleavy. But when it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies talks for Randolph, clearly Donnie wasn't happy with that deal. And in saying so, he gave a strong indication that no longer would the Knicks be a dumping ground for bad contracts and subject to lopsided deals because of the Garden riches.

“Look," Walsh asid, "if you called up the New York Knicks and every trade you said, ‘I want a first-round pick, $3 million and you get a lesser player than I’m getting,’ at some point I think somebody’s got to say, ‘I’m not going to do that.’”

Walsh has a similar attitude about buyouts, which is why, he says, he is so reluctant to just hand Stephon Marbury $21.9 million to go away.

"I was doing this in Indiana for a long time and I can’t remember buying out a contract," he said. "I really can’t. I dealt with it with trades, I guess. I always tried not to do that. That isn’t good management if you have to do that.”

But considering he works for an owner who has showed a willingness to do it in the past, would he?

“I don’t know," he said. "I haven’t asked the question yet.”

Will be on with loyal Fixer Brandon Tierney at 8:40 p.m. on ESPN Radio. Listen in if you can. BT always gives props to the Fix and is a regular visitor.

Check back here later tonight for a blog about today's notes and quotes.