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If you're a Knicks fan (and probably even if you aren't), you remember that fateful day back in 1999 when, in the first round of the draft, the Knicks selected Frederic Weis, a french player who has still yet to see an NBA court. His most infamous moment was being absolutely posterized by Vince Carter during a game between the US and France.

The Knicks have finally exorcized those demons, and in return they receive Georgetown forward Patrick Ewing, Jr., the son of one of the most prolific Knicks of all time. Donnie Walsh has been praising Ewing since the pre-draft process.

Ewing has already had an active offseason. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings, then traded to the Rockets as part of the deal that sent Ron Artest to Houston.

Ironically enough, one of the biggest regrets of drafting Weis was the fact that they missed out on drafting Artest, a New York native who attended St. John's.

Ewing is not guaranteed a spot on the roster, but according to scouts, his height and wingspan project him as a solid defender at the NBA level.

Perhaps he won't bring quite the level of excitement that his father did, but it would be another positive step by the organization towards bringing this team back to what they were in the '90s.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

I was admiring Ryan's Photoshop handiwork, and I figured I'd dust off my own skills and give it a whirl.

After their gold medal victory in Beijing, the US Men's Basketball team headed out on a celebratory world tour. When Lebron got to select the first stop, his decision turned a few heads and started some serious speculation.

-- Tim Fiorvanti

David Lee and the Knicks open their season against Miami. (Photo by Getty Images)

The Mike D'Antoni era officially gets under way Oct. 29.

The Knickerbockers' 2008-09 schedule was released today. They open Oct. 29, when Dwyane Wade and the Heat travel to the Garden.

A few other home highlights:
- Nov. 25: Cleveland at the Knicks. LeBron James is always a draw, and every time he strolls through town the "will he become a Knick in 2010?" speculation will pick up.

- Jan. 4: The world champion Celtics come to the Big Apple.

- Feb. 2: Kobe and the Lakers visit.

- March 18, April 15: The arch-rival Nets cross the Hudson.

Some road highlights:
- Dec. 3-21: Knicks will be tested as they play seven of nine on the road, including games at Cleveland, Atlanta, Phoenix, the Lakers and Boston.

- Dec. 15: Mike D'Antoni returns to Phoenix.

- Jan. 31: Donnie Walsh returns to Indiana.

For the entire schedule, visit: http://www.nba.com/knicks/schedule/

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks just announced that a 2010 second-round draft choice, guard Taurean Green and guard/forward Bobby Jones have been acquired from Denver for forward Renaldo Balkman and cash considerations.
Somebody explain this to me.
It doesn't seem plausible that the Knicks feared what Balkman, a versatile, energetic reserve, would demand from the Knicks once his contract was up in 2011. Perhaps the Knicks see more in Green and Jones — two sub-mediocre NBAers — than I do. Perhaps the 2010 second rounder will turn into a Nick Van Exel steal.
Somebody explain this to me.

— Max

Hi, I'm Tim. You probably don't know who I am, but I'm a lifelong Knicks fan, and I'm happy you're here.

First of all, welcome to New York. Anyone other than Isiah Thomas would have been a godsend, but you bring a winning attitude and a wealth of basketball knowledge with you into this job.

It will not be an easy one. If the roster remains as it is, you will have to deal with Stephon Marbury, who is nothing if not a coach killer. You wisely got rid of him early on in Phoenix, but salary cap wise, you need to eat this contract if you want a shot a Mr. James in 2010.

Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph are not Amare Stoudemire. They're not even Shaq, circa 2008. These are just a few of the roadblocks between you and early success in New York.

Here's a few tips for you as you start your journey:

1) Don't trade David Lee. He's one of your hardest working players, he doesn't quit like the others, and he's younger and far more mobile than most of his teammates. Getting another top 10 draft pick is not worth it, especially in this year's draft.

2) You can make Jamal Crawford a big time player. He fits your system far better than many realize, and he will improve upon his numbers last year, when he started 80 games and quietly averaged 20.6 points and 5 assists per game.

(Photo compilation by Tim Fiorvanti)

... and we're back. Lets meet our next three eligible gentlemen. Bachelor number one?

Bachelor 1: Hi, I'm Avery, and I'm from Dallas. I was very successful at my last job, where I took my team to the playoffs every year I was their coach. In 2006, I was the coach of the year, and I helped the Mavericks to their first and only NBA Finals. I have a reputation for being unable to finish the job, but rest assured, that won't be a problem. I like to take long walks on the beach, and I can speak fluent German.

Alright. Bachelor number two?

Bachelor 2: Hey, I'm Mark from New York. I'm a retired basketball player, and I would looove to be your coach. I've grown up in New York, played my college ball in New York, and I played for the Knicks. I may not be as experienced as everyone else, but I make up for that with character and a willingness to try everything, at least once. If you make me your coach, I promise you that Stephon Marbury will stay out of trouble, and I'll keep him away from the interns.

And bachelor number three?

Bachelor 3: My name is Mike, I'm from Phoenix, Arizona. I was a little apprehensive to do this at first but my wi.... err, general manager thought it would be a good idea if we "started seeing other people". I took the Suns to the conference finals twice, and we made the playoffs all four full years that I coached. I like to play fast and furious, so if you think you can keep up, you should pick me. As long as the money's right.

Now lets introduce our contestant tonight. He's the president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks, ladies and gentlemen let's put our hands together for the great Donnie Walsh.

Donnie: Thanks, Chuck, it's great to be here. Let's get ourselves a coach!

Alright Donnie, let's get started with the questions. Donnie?

Donnie: Sure thing. Bachelor number one. If I make you the coach of the Knicks, what can you provide us that the other's simply can't?

Avery:: That's easy. My teams have dominated in the regular season, and that was in the Western Conference. No offense, but besides the Celtics, there's not much competition in the East. I can have this team competing for a conference title inside three years. And I've actually been to the NBA Finals, unlike some people...

Mike: At least I didn't lose to an eight seed in the first round.

Avery: They had Baron Davis! There were match-up problems.

Alright, settle down, you'll all have your turn...

Donnie: Bachelor number two, same question.

Mark: I know New York, I can handle the media and the pressure. I'd have this team playing tough, gritty defense, get em back to the fundamentals. If you give me a chance, I will rock your world.

Donnie: Good answer number two. Bachelor three?

Mike:I'd change some of the personnel, and we'd play real fast. I'd like to build around guys like David Lee and Nate Robinson, guys who can run it all game long. I'd find a way to tra..(Cell Phone Rings) Hello? John Paxson? $25 million? I'll be on the next plane to Chicago. Sorry guys, it's been fun.

Um, we're going to take a commercial break. See you in two and two....

-- Tim Fiorvanti

Add Mike D’Antoni’s name to the list of candidates to become the Knicks’ coach.

The Suns have given the Knicks permission to talk to D’Antoni, Phoenix sports radio station KTAR is reporting Monday. If Phoenix and D’Antoni announce a split, the coach doesn’t figure to be out of work long. (The Bulls also have reportedly received the OK to contact D’Antoni.)

D’Antoni has a 267-172 career record in six years as a NBA coach, leading the Suns to the playoffs the last four years and to the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006.

Former Knick Mark Jackson, ex-Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, fired Mavs coach Avery Johnson and Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau are also up for the Knicks’ job, with Jackson rumored to be the front-runner. But considering Jackson has also attracted some attention from the Bulls, why are the Knicks moving so slowly to strike a deal, if not that they are waiting to see if a proven winner, like D’Antoni, becomes available?

Our friend, Alan Hahn of Newsday, has more on the possibility of D’Antoni coming to the Garden.

Photo by AP

The Wizards, Hawks, and Rockets look to avoid elimination tonight. The Cavs, Celtics, and Jazz are all looking to end it. With Round 2 games already looming tomorrow (Hornets v. Spurs, Pistons v. Magic), who will step up in these crucial games?

The prevailing rumor at the moment is that Mark Jackson is the front-runner to become the next head coach of the Knicks. If he doesn't take the Knicks job, there are several other teams, such as the Bulls, who would love Jackson behind their bench.

While expectations might be low (how could they get lower than the eras of Isiah Thomas and Larry Brown), Knicks fans would likely prefer any candidate to have some level of experience. Marc Jackson is likely one exception to that rule, as a former Knick, but it got me to thinking about where he might gain experience on a slightly lower level.

Then it hit me like an errant Stephon Marbury jumper to the temple.

A college team, one that the city of New York has gotten behind in the past, but has fallen on hard times. A school that has emerged from scandal, but has thus far struggled to re-establish a winning identity.

They are the fifth-winningest program in NCAA Men's basketball history, with 1673 wins, and own the 7th best winning percentage (.680). They also have the 7th most NCAA tournament appearances (27), two Wooden National Player of the Year Award Winners, 11 consensus All-Americans, and 6 members of the Hall of Fame.

They play their home games at the World's Most Famous Arena. And it is the school where Jackson spent his collegiate career.

Give up?

There is hope here at the end of the existential saga of Isiah Thomas, which melded Zeke’s own soft-spoken self-reflections and the harsh curses of resentful Knicks fans, while the media played the biased referee. Sometime after Wednesday night's Knicks finale (hopefully soon after), the Knicks’ new president, Donnie Walsh, is certain to either demote or dismiss Thomas.
Even with his coaching career in ruins, there is some good news for Thomas. The noted popcorn aficionado co-owns Dale and Thomas Popcorn, so he’ll have something to snack on while he watches the Knicks try to recover from his reign.
— Max

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Knicks fans dying to show Isiah Thomas the door at Madison Square Garden shouldn’t get too excited just yet. The Knicks’ hiring of Donnie Walsh on Wednesday means the embattled Isiah Thomas is out as team president, but his fate as head coach remains unclear.

Walsh, a Bronx native, said he plans to speak with Thomas in the coming days before making a decision.

“I’ve known Isiah for a long time and have great respect for his knowledge of the game,” Walsh said at a news conference at Madison Square Garden. “I think he is a great basketball mind, and I’m not going to judge anything from afar.”

Walsh, who said several times he believed the Knicks had good players, hinted that there could be a spot for Thomas within the organization next season, if not as coach.

“I think he has the skills to help this franchise,” said Walsh, who resigned as Indiana Pacers president last month.

Walsh, who has worked in the Pacers’ front office since 1987 and enjoyed 16 playoff runs from 1989 to 2006, hired Thomas as Indiana’s coach in 2000. In his three seasons there, Thomas took his teams to the postseason every year.

But since taking over as the Knicks’ president of basketball operations in December 2003, the team has finished five straight seasons with losing records. Thomas had a 51-103 record in his two seasons as Knicks coach entering Wednesday night’s game at Memphis.

Walsh, 67, will have complete control over the team’s basketball operations. In reaching a four-year contract, team owner James Dolan gave into Walsh’s terms regarding authority and autonomy, ESPN.com reported yesterday.

He stopped short of making any ambitious promises to fans. While Walsh said he hoped to quickly make the team competitive, he added that he was looking ahead to three years from now, when the team will be in good salary-cap position and can go on a free-agent shopping spree. That could mean the team might avoid awarding any long-term contracts over the next couple of seasons, Walsh added.

“My commitment is to try to get us to be good,” Walsh said. “If you can get it to be an elite team [immediately], great. But you just build it to the point where at a certain point in time you can go out into the free-agent market and try to make this an elite team.

“I don’t want anyone to be fooled. There’s no magic wand here. It’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

More in Thursday's amNewYork ...

Isiah Thomas says he’s not a candidate for the University of Indiana job because “I have a job.”

That’s true, but for how much longer? If you examine his words closely enough, Thomas’ interest in coaching his alma mater seems to come with a qualifier.

And it adds to the tradition of employed coaches drawing interest for other jobs who give ambiguous answers — or sometimes flat-out lies. But understandably, they’re in a no-win situation.

Tell the media you’re interested, and they and the fans will blast you. (Example: Larry Brown calling the Knicks his “dream job” while he was coaching the Pistons.)

Tell the media you’re not interested, and they assume you’re hiding something. (Example: LSU football coach Les Miles, drawing interest from Michigan, telling reporters, “I will be the head coach at LSU.” Within minutes, ESPN talking heads were trying to read between the lines because Miles didn’t clearly state how long he’d be the coach at LSU.)

Admittedly, coaches are somewhat to blame. Remember former Dolphins coach Nick Saban declaring “I will not be the coach at Alabama”?

But there are times coaches seem to be evasive in a Bill Clinton kind of way. What they say might technically be true, but the presentation is misleading.

Just before last year’s championship game, when Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan was rumored to be a candidate for the Kentucky job, he responded in dismissive fashion: “That has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with Kentucky.”

Never at the time did he say he wasn’t interested in the UK job, leaving the perceptive to assume he was at least giving the position consideration.

Isiah’s “I have a job” defense might hold water for now. But until Indiana names a coach who isn’t him, the speculation won’t go away.

Don’t blame the media or the fans. Blame all the coaches who in the past could never be taken at face value.

Photo by Getty Images

You know your team stinks when the coach holds his nose on the sideline. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Isiah appears to be out as Knickerbockers GM, but owner James Dolan is leaning toward retaining him as coach, The Daily News is reporting.

The Knickerbockers have won just 20 games this season, after winning 33 a year ago. Maybe when James Dolan demanded “evident progress” upon naming Thomas as coach in 2006, someone should have asked, “Progress in which direction?”

If it’s backwards he wants, Dolan is doing one heckuva job!

And why shouldn’t Thomas remain coach? As our friend Alan Hahn of Newsday points out, Thomas is such an innovator that he’s deemed practicing unnecessary.

Way to fight to the bitter end, Zeke!

ESPN's Patrick Hruby has a subtly brilliant and deliciously sarcastic take on the one-year anniversary of Isiah Thomas' contract extension. It's a must read, I think, in case you missed it.

— Max

Here's my take on the present relationship of Knicks fans with their team. The column appears in Friday's edition of amNewYork (as it does each week).
My initial intention was to bash Isiah for foisting blame on Knicks fans, but conversations with Knicks fans, and some extra reflection, led me to take the topic in a different direction.

Have a great weekend!

— Max

Here is a Q&A I conducted with my friend Sam Amick, a fine beat reporter who himself blogs for The Sacramento Bee.
By the way, The Bee was my newspaper growing up in the River City. On school days, I used to shower earlier than my brother before school each morning so that I could beat him to the paper, grab the Bee, bypass everything but its sports section, and then check the agate to see whether Kings shooting guard Mitch Richmond's scoring average had increased.
Hey, stop snickering. Michael Jordan has said that "The Rock" was the toughest cover among his NBA opponents.
Still laughing at me? Well, that's because I'm worthy of ridicule after all.

— Max

It's already been a horrible season for Stephon Marbury and the Knicks--and now comes this.....

Marbury's dad dies during Knicks game

Don Marbury was watching his son in a losing effort against Phoenix before being taken from the Garden at halftime to an area hospital.

Getty Images photo by Chris McGrath