Knicks-China
It's halftime and I have to blog now because after the game the reporters are supposed to meet with Isiah Thomas for one last time before we all break for summer.
Knicks are up 48-34 at the half and seem to be cruising. Randolph Morris is putting it right in my face with 9 points and 6 rebounds in 14:33. He stared me down after an and-one.
Nah, just kidding.
Wang Zhizhi, China's 7-foot center, drilled a three and then put his fists to his forehead, which made Quentin Richardson crack up. Q-Rich was sitting the crowd with Malik Rose and Dorell Wright from the Miami Heat. Wang and Q played together with the Clippers.
Renaldo Balkman took on yet another lottery pick. After guarding Kevin Durant on Monday, Balkman matched up with Yi Jianlian. First half stats for Yi: 0-for-3. 2 points. 1 rebound. 6 fouls.
Aw man, crazy.
My man Demetris Nichols, who was a possible scratch before the game because of a stomach ailment, came in and started draining jumpers again. He was 3 for 5 from the floor, including 2 of 3 from three-point range and led the Knicks with 10 points at halftime.
You really have to start wondering about the roster and which two of the 17 players won't be on it come the start of the season. Nichols is showing more than enough to make a case for a roster spot -- you can't have enough shooters. So who goes?
Dan Dickau is an expiring contract and you would think the Knicks would be more committed to Nate Robinson and Mardy Collins. Freddy Jones is an Isiah guy, so it's hard to believe he'd be jettisoned. Do you waive Jerome James? Try to trade Rose?
It's going to be interesting.
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* - With a bloated roster and no cap space, the Knicks aren't expected to be active at all in free agency. The moratorium on signings ends today, so players can start inking contracts. Whispers say Mo Williams will take less to play in Miami. We already know Rashard Lewis plans to sign with Orlando. Isiah has said he doesn't plan to use his mid-level exception, but you never know with the Knicks.
* - Rose got here literally straight from Paris, where he and his wife attended the wedding of Tony Parker and Eva Longoria. He said it was an amazing spectacle, which included -- no kidding -- fireworks.
* - I'm headed home tomorrow, so the blog's going to take a travel day. Enjoy.
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Comments (7)
Alan,
thank you for your blog. You are doing a fantastic job.
I was blacked out from watching the game on NBATV last night. That was after watching the Lakers game all through overtime. The Chinese team and Knicks were warming up when all of a sudden....
Damn!
I went to bed dejected.
Thanks for the info Alan. Taz is going to be something special off the bench this year. There are lots of variations and styles that our bench will allow the Knicks to show. Isiah will have to be on attention.
There has to be a taker for JJames or MRose. Those are two professional "nice" guys playing premium positions and leadership roles off the bench. I know their contracts are ugly but if Zeke can find a spot for Steve Francis and his $17 mil...I mean, anything is possible right?
Alan:
You continue to set the standard for Knick beat writers. First I've heard about Steve Blake. He'd be a nice fit, although if Isiah is talking to Blake, what does that say about his opinion of Jones and Dickau. Also, have you heard anything about Zeke talking to Desmond Mason or James Posey? Either would be ideal as both are excellent defenders.
Alan, I'm curious as to what you've heard about Nichols being sent to Europe? Its being reported in both the NYPost and NYTimes that Isiah is considering just such a move? WIth fat contracts, and uninspiring players still on the roster such as James and Rose, why would he export Nichols and keep those two guys who have contributed little to the team over the past few years? It makes no sense.
I STILL BELIVE ZEKE IS GOING TO MAKE ONE MORE TRADE,WE HAVE 2 EXTRA PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER SO LOOK FOR ZEKE TO MAKE A MOVE,MAYBE IT MITE STILL BE ARTEST,HE MITE GIVE UP BALKMAN IN THE TRADE TO MAKE IT WORK,RON IS JUST UPSET BECAUSE ZEKE WILL NOT KIVE UP LEE IN THE TRADE HE BELIVES HE IS BETTER THAN LEE AND THE KNICKS SHOULD JUST PUT LEE IN THE TRADE.
Alan, I love your reporting . . .but it seems to me the Knicks have zero chance to land either Williams or Yi. They won't trade Lee, and without David in a deal, they won't get either player. Too bad you don't post these stories on the blog, its already up on the newspaper web site.
Isiah should use this oppurtunity to send Nichols, Morris and Chandler to the NBDL to hone their games. Is this poosible? Is it OK to have 17 guys under contract with 3 in the NBDL?