Monday Morning QB
Maybe it's me. I have like the opposite of the Midas touch when it comes to sports teams. You should all have groaned when you heard I was coming to the Knicks beat last year. Wherever I go, teams lose. Bad things happen.
Bad things man.
On Thursday, when I was doing the fill-in Giants thing, Mike Jennings was a happy kid with a grill that shined like a 14 karat Escalade. While he smiled and talked about his golden - no pun intended...ok, it was - opportunity to get playing time while Plaxico Burress nursed an ankle, I kept hearing one of my all-time old school favorites, Slick Rick...
The compliment showed she had a mind in her
And when I smiled (PING!) I almost blinded her
She said, "Great Scott! Are you a thief?
Seems like you have a mouth full of gold teeth"
Ha-ha, hah! Had to find that funny
So I said, "No child, I work hard for the money
And calling me a thief? Please! Don't even try it
Sit down eat your slice of pizza, and be quiet"
Jennings then ruptured his Achilles on Sunday.
So I'm taking on the blame right now. It's not Isiah. It's not the Knicks medical staff, which sent Jared Jeffries back into a preseason game without checking a wrist he hurt (that turned out to be fractured)...or struggled to diagnose David Lee's injury late in the season (can you believe the final conclusion was labeled a "sore leg"? Sore leg?)...
You want this jacket? I don't need it. Because I'm cloaked in failure!
Moving on...
* *
Yeoman work by my regulars here at the Fix to carry the blog through the weekend while I made my return from Albany -- Don, I was told of a great sushi place, but never ventured so it's my bad -- and put my Knicks cap back on. My house used to be a two-story colonial. It's now a one-story trailer. Looks like one of those flat Frank Lloyd Wright designs, but with a big blue tarp on it. I kept calling the contractor all weekend to make sure he was, indeed, coming back on Monday to start rebuilding.
Right now as of 7 a.m., there's not much happening in the World of Knicks. I plan to venture out this week and catch up with another Knicks player, so hopefully I'll have some fresh stuff later in the week. It's slow, yo. This part of August has everyone still in hiding, other than Stephon who - as fate would have it - is in Albany today.
No. I'm not going back!
I was catching up on some of the comments. A few thoughts .. . .
- Miami's interest in Ron Artest is valid, but I think giving up Udonis Haslem (three years and a relatively cheap $19.6 left on his contract) is a bad move in my humble opinion. As you all know, Ronnie can opt-out after next season. Yes, Artest has better range and can defend the perimeter as well as the low block, but for the money, the risk and the team-chemistry considerations, Haslem is a better option. The kid's game is improving and I like the intangibles he brings (not to mention how quietly he does it). Riles' reason for making Haslem attainable has to be because he has confidence in Wayne Simien.
Now you can use that argument to say that's why Isiah should deal David Lee to Sac-town for Artest, because you have Renaldo Balkman and a fit-and-furry Jared Jeffries. But I see David as an invaluable intangibles guy. Too valuable to trade for someone who could - not saying he would, but no guarantees here - pull an X-man on you.
Now here's a question: What if you make the trade pending an agreement to sign Artest to an extension? If you can't come to an agreeable number with the Artest camp, then the trade is off. Sacramento gives you say 24 hours to get an extension signed. Perhaps then it's worth giving a long, hard look at tossing Lee into the deal.
But I still would rather stick with the homegrown talent, especially one that has so much upside.
I'm not saying the Knicks shouldn't be in win-now mode. But they don't need to be in win-right-now mode. With an aging Shaq, the Heat have to be.
- A few of you made some order-of-finish predictions. I noticed one had Toronto and Washington out of the playoff race. I encourage you to rethink and revisit. Toronto is a playoff team. Yes, Bosh's foot injury is a concern, but right now, until we hit November and Bosh is still limping around, Toronto is a playoff team. Washington is a team I'll give you as a bubble, only because I felt they were suspect all last season. House of Cards. Gilbert is Gilbert, a great scorer. Jamison is a good player, too. But I just don't know what kind of depth they'll have. Still, you can't just dismiss them that easily.
Your opinion, of course, so stick to your guns.
- I know the sides are saying otherwise, but I still have this feeling that the Garden and Anucha will settle before things really get ugly. I think at this point Anucha might have more to lose (reputation, future career plans) and you might think that most of the worst stuff about Isiah and other Garden people have been publicized in the depositions. But if Anucha plans to go down swinging, it could get ugly and embarrassing, which is what the Judge was warning the two sides.
If anyone thinks the trial will be a distraction to the Knicks, you're mistaken. These people just don't seem to get embarrassed by much. (see: one playoff appearance since 2001, green jerseys, Steve Francis trade, Jerome James contract, Larry Brown...)
- Gotta go meet the contractor. I'll catch up later. The shovel will be out looking to scoop.
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Comments (41)
just don't seem to get embarrassed by much. (see: one playoff appearance since 2001, green jerseys, Steve Francis trade, Jerome James contract, Larry Brown...)
oooooh, that's cold.
Nice to have you back. And in light of this new information regarding athletes coming up injured after talking to you...we may have to bar you from talking to any Knicks the rest of the off season.
On the other hand, feel free to spread your brand of voodoo across all the Atlantic Division. Concidentally, I have a sudden urge to see at-length interviews with RJ, Bargnani, Rajon Rondo and Andre Miller. LoL.
With all due respect Alan, there was a disclaimer on my list of teams--it definitely wasn't a ranking more than a list of teams that all think they're going to make it.
nevertheless you precisely made my point: Washinton and Toronto are playoff teams. so are 8 other teams in the east. MJ thinks Charlotte is a playoff team this year. there are 10-11 teams that are on paper, playoff teams in the east. but of course, there are only 8 spots, which is why I asked your constituency for their educated guess as to who will be in, who will be out. yes there will be trades and injuries, but when the half-dozen street and smith's pro basketball-style annual magazines come out in less than two weeks, those guys actually will be making predictions under these exact same circumstances.
Yeah, the Islanders really turned it around after you lef thier beat... LOGAN-4-LIFE!!!!
D lee is a difference maker (as if you didn't already know)
http://hoopshype.com/blogs/ferranti/index.php/2007/08/14/difference-makers/
funny thing is, two names from that list of "difference makers" are being thrown around in trades for artest. Haslem and Lee.
Alan, This is what is making the East fun. There are 11-12 teams who have legit cases for making it. Off the top of my head we have: NY, NJ, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Miami, Washington, and Orlando who all have legit cases to make it. This list doesnt include Indiana (who still has Jermaine), the Bobcats (who could make a huge improvement) or Milwaukee (suffered a lot of injuries and still have Redd, Mo Williams and an athletic frontline).
Finally a regular season that will be worth watching!
So that's why DLee didn't talk to you.
Given the choice of you getting to use the (worthless) 'E-word' and having a Knicks player on the injured list or you not getting an interview and having everyone healthy, I'll take the latter, Alan. No offense.
Alan,
By now you should realize that our appreciation for you is not necessarily because of the "scoop" but it is for being our eyes and ears at places that your press creds and other connects get you. And when you get there, you know exactly what we want to know and then come back with the goods. As you can see, we're all big kids and very "fanatical" about our team. We can carry the blog when you throw the keys on the table. If you're a fan like we are and you know what you know, we'll leave you to judge what's good with the one-on-ones!
Meanwhile, we've already seen what JJ with his "working man's beard" (LINJ,LNY thanks for the apropos metaphore) and the interview about what he's doing in the summer. What's good with the other fellas and their summer regimen? What is the coaching talk about new playing style and defensive schemes? Who is the defensive guru on the bench this year, Dave H?
BTW, Lives, the Anucha as ugly as a cow catcher line is your best metaphor yet--almost pure BARFesque. Maybe that was my extrapolation. Either way, she's got a cow catcher for sure.
KFL
The thing that scares me about Washington is that (If I'm not mistaken) Arenas is a free agent at the end of the season (As if he isn't motivated enough.). It's way too early to know who will make the cut. I remember asking a ref during a preseason game who he thought was going to the finals (insert joke here), and he said "Who knows? It's way too early to have any idea." What will end up being the deciding factor will be who stays healthy. Thankfully, the Knicks have some depth.
I truly hate the lull at this time, but i'm so happy that Football and Basketball are just around the corner.
I feel the Knicks are a solid playoff team. Part of the good vibes come from Zach, but the other part is that it's basically the same core group and coaching. This I feel will give this team the good start they need. IF this team gains confidence early it will be a very good year. Zach is gonna add a TON of swagger to this team and it's gonna be fun to watch.
Nixluva you hit the nail on the head....this time of year we need something! Zach is a great addition.If we do nothing else, we should make the playoffs. But will Artest take us to the E-Finals?If Artest goes to Miami that will make them solid with Boston,Detriot,Orlando,Toronto and Cleveland.We make have to make the trade JUST to keep him away from the Heat.
DLT Knicks
I'm with you! As long as it's not for Balkman!
This down time sucks.
Question, what lone Knick on our current roster has 2 College National Championship rings? Don't think too long!
Got to be Randolph Morris....yea?
peace: this is a trick question.
Renaldo Balkman
he won back to back NIT titles at the garden before Isiah drafted him.
Quick update: I've got some interview time locked up for tomorrow (Don..chill..I'm bringing my rosary beads..I plan to exorcise this injury bug that plagues me before I go), so I won't be able to catch up with the blog until later in the day, if not night.
I'll share the goods then if there's anything good to share.
Until then...keys tossed.
An article discussing the Sac town Kings take on the rumors swirling around Artest and Bibby
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_23007.shtml
Also a link of articles traking Miami's interest in Mickael Pietrus.
I gather from the article in the first hyperlink that Sacramento will likely wait untill it can evaluate its team during the regular season before considering any trades. Off course the value in exchange is expected.
Starburyfan
In the words of Gus Johnson
Pure!
Over at hoopshype they link to a syracuse paper story about Nichols - he's fired his first agent, is looking to make the team and will be on the training camp roster. Apparently there was some talk of him playing in Italy, but he is having none of it. I'm a little computer impaired so I couldn't get the link.
Don't lose this guy.
i am in awe of this blog of real nba fans...sometimes i get sick of the hatred of knicks ...i understand they've been bad but there is some pure hatred of the knicks going on in most blogs so its nice to see posts that make you think basketball and not politics...so , big ups to all you bloggers in here and keep it.
(pardon me) KEEP IT UP FELLAS!
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/sports/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/118768696984100.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
or thanks to Heck
Chandler Concerned About Not Being A Knick
Thanks for the kind words, Steady.
Stay Steady guys, the summer is almost over and the fun is about to begin. I have some real treats coming September -- I just need to decide where.
Enjoy the sunshine (and rain).
Who the heck writes this blog and what on earth is he doing writing for a decent paper like Newsday?? I hate people who call athletes by their first names. All the B.S. "street" lingo this guy uses doesn't belong in a paper. This is just awful. "It's slow, yo."????And Newday pays someone for this crap? UGH!!!!!
Alan,
Usually, you write some insightful material.
However, as of late, you read like a cross between Stuart Scott and bad rap. English remains the language, son. You usually employ it with a fair amount of aptitude.
Please, listen to Gary Harper, do us all a favor, and stop writing like a member of Stephon Marbury's posse. You are making a fool of yourself and, when competing against the likes of Marc Berman, that is most certainly not an easy thing to do.
Ditch the street lingo and write like the somewhat educated, rather insightful, and often adept scribe that Newsday hired for this job.
And leave the rap lingo and street schtick on the pickup playgrounds where it belongs.
Gary Harper
I don't know how you found your way in But My friend will help you find your way out! His name is FAH QUE! Go read Lupica and spare your virgin eyes!
AH is DA Man!
at least there's a fiba game tomorrow night (at 11pm?). I swear to you all, the only time I will root for J Kidd to do well is when he's playing for our country and not the nets. I'll even root for Kobe on team USA! Game will be on ESPN classic for the basketball deprived.
could this be the year we have the nets number? they'll be getting kristic back, and as someone else pointed out, their draft pick is supposed to be a beast on defense, but I heard someone say, good defense looses to better offense.
championship teams don't usually confirm this sports proverb, but when Isiah's got the team built the way he does, I'm hoping there's some truth to it this year!
Uh oh,
The Cancer has spread!
Alan, please give this blog some Chemo Therapy!
I understand the nature of the conversations about Miami going after Artest and Bibby. A lot of this "cybermasturbation" is nothing but general managing through the media.
KFL
Mark/Isloa has offically posted at 12:22. At 12:11 Frankie Ice posted as Gary Harper! That is Pathetic!
Grrreeaatt, Mark's here? Yo peace, is this the mark from that other blog, the reason why most of us came here in the first place? That's the problem with inviting the good writers from KK over here, the ones we don't care for eventually find their way here once there is no action at KK.
This reminds me of Optimus Prime's response to seeing Blur:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bq1_6D9QS9Y
I don't get why geezahs have beef with the informality of blogs. For the ones complaining, there is a difference from an informal blog and a sports article. Welcome to 2007.
Alan feel free to ban Mark's ip address from your blog dude. NOBODY would miss him.
Knicks Had Deal With Nichols' Old Agent To Go To Italy?
August 21, 2007 - 12:38 pm
Syracuse.com -
Demetris Nichols hasn't played in his first NBA game yet, but he's already fired one agent and hired another.
Nichols, the 53rd player selected in June's NBA Draft, recently hired Bill Neff after ending his brief relationship with Bill Duffy of BDA Associates.
According to Neff, Nichols was unhappy with the New York Knicks ' roster situation. The Knicks traded for the 6-foot-8 Nichols in a draft-night deal with Portland. However, the Knicks have 16 players with fully guaranteed contracts, putting them one over the NBA's roster limit before Nichols gets factored in.
Neff said Duffy had talked with the Knicks on a plan to send Nichols, who led Syracuse in scoring last year with 18.9 points per game, to Italy for a year - an arrangement that would allow the Knicks to retain his rights.
"There was an understanding with the previous agent and the Knicks that he would go overseas," Neff said.
"Unfortunately, I don't think Demetris was privy to that. He doesn't want to go overseas.
"He hopes to make the Knicks and I think he will," Neff said, "but if he doesn't, after his showing in Las Vegas, I think other teams will be interested in him. But the plan is for him to be a Knick." [READ]
___________________________
Kobe's Position Still The Same As Beginning Of Summer?
August 21, 2007 - 11:54 am
ESPN -
Much of the offseason has been dominated by Kobe Bryant's situation with the Lakers.
On Saturday, ESPN's Chris Sheridan asked Bryant if he still wants the Lakers to trade him.
"I'm not going to answer that question," said Bryant. "The Lakers know exactly where I stand, and they've known exactly where I stand since the beginning of the summer."
The Kobe story might have regained some legs, thanks in large part to an on-camera interview Bryant gave to ESPN colleague Rachel Nichols in which he seemed to give an indication that things between him and the Lakers had smoothed over.
Here's a section of that interview:
Nichols: "You said one day you wanted to be traded, you said you wanted to be a 'Laker for life.' There were different phone calls back and forth."
Bryant: "I think a lot of people misinterpreted it. But that's water under the bridge to me, because going forward, we're handling our situation between ourselves, meaning the Lakers organization and myself. If things, if things were to be different, we both would have handled the situation a little differently."
"Water under the bridge," he said to Nichols. [READ]
Send Nichols in a package with jeffries and a first round pick for Artest.
Or if that doesn't work...find a way for him to be included in the deal to get Artest.
After what he did in the summer league..I'm sure the Kings would heavily consider taking him.
It's going to be tough because the Kings already have that kid Martin at the 2.
I would love for him to be on the Knicks but we'll see what happens.
Looks like the Kobe situation hasn't changed his mind at all....
Alan said it first...you have to hold on to ALL your chips until we find out what's really going on with Kobe.
According to Kobe...his position has not changed and he wants to be traded.
Do the Bulls really have more than us to offer?
I'm looking at the rosters and I don't think they do.
Let me rephrase that...
I think the Bulls have enough to give them but when Kobe gets to Chicago....they won't have anywhere near enough to compete.
Now if the Knicks trade for him...we will have more than enough to compete....AFTER THE TRADE IS DONE.
August could be boring....but we can always find things to talk about.
He Alan, I love your lingo bro...it shows that you are connected with your audience.
I'm sure Newsday doesn't mind you speaking like this because it's only available in the blog.
Good stuff man...keep it coming.... !!!
Big Year For Us Knicks Fans !!
Yo Peaceman..what do you think about my thoughts on Nichols?
You think if he doesn't want to go overseas...should we include him in a package for Artest?
Let's see if we can get back to agreeing with each other again.
Great idea Starburyfan except it would be illegal to do that. However, Alan, should there be a "glitch" of sorts, like those "ants" you described in previous posts, then, "Oh Well!" For the newbies, the ants are those illicit links to &$^&#(gh@ on the main page.
Alan, no need to respond to these hater entries. As you can see, we got yo back. Peaceman has already indicated that "we got dis". Just watch this swarming, Bad Boys II defense. When the NY Marylanders chime in, fuhgedaboutit!
If anyone wants to start up a debate or "get up to speed" on the evolution of journalism and use of blogs, spare us the megabytes. This blog represents a "community" that is well established and secure within the Newsday blogsphere. Mr. Hahn has already informed and alerted the blog community members here that his style is different for entries in the PRINT VERSION of Newsday.
Mr. Harper, intent to sound overly simplistic, "who is you anyway?" By what standards are you rating Newsday only "decent"? Are you or any other blog cancer SO repulsed by the loose and respectful nature of the exchange between the bloggers here and the host? Will you and other blog cancers express that disdain by simply walking away never to squander your time and Internet subscription? Cool!!! Otherwise, treat this blog like double-dutch: you can watch, read, and comment about the NYK since this is a community of NYK fans. Once you learn how to skip and jump, to the cadance of the turners, then you are invited to do so repectfully as has been evidenced from other bloggers. We would all hate to see you BARFed.
KFL
Mark/Gary:
You've never written any insightful material.
It's called a blog worm! You've tried it before, and we all know the results.
You sound like a cross between Mr. Rodgers and David Duke.
FYI. The English language is ever evolving with some of the same so-called slang being included in common vocabulary and in the dictionary no less. I guess you'll commit suicide even quicker than expected for that reason.
We're holding our breath, so hurry. The future and existence of this whole generation is dependent on your self affliction.
Wasn't there a spray to keep Lepers away back then? We've got to investigate further.
Well said, Steady.
KFL-
A beautiful analogy: Double Dutch. That's why we read.
Willis
Calm down, guys. If you've got caustic remarks to make, send them to Berman's or Isola's blogs.
Let's keep Knix Fix about basketball, not each other.
Gentlemen,
Good to see that practically everyone from the "Nation" has found their way to the "strong island, suburbian blog".
It's kinda nice out here, yanno? The air is fresh, the vibe is good....the food even tastes better. Heck, you can even leave your doors unlocked sometimes. Unfortunately, when you do, unwelcomed guests stumble in and foul up the flow, wreaking havoc on the "vibe" in the crib..(oh, I forgot... gotta use proper english....lol)
Mark and Mr. Harper (AKA Mr. Isola), please crawl out the same way you crawled in? Your input isn't welcomed, and you're surely not missed.
You're messing with this blogs' "ph balance"....
Mr. Hahn, please feel free to communicate how you see fit. Keep up the good work, my man.
If haters cry out in the forest will anybody hear them? No! I guesse that's why they go out looking for cyberspaces to have their hateraide heard.
Hurray for community.
Willis, you get a second on that jump rope analogy.
Me like dat "ph balance" too and a good word from Professor Motherland is always welcome.
My trigger finger is itching but I just gotta wait 'til September or until something exciting happens.
Meanwhile, Kudos KKboys in KF.
what on earth are you talking bout? miami will lose more by trading haslem for artest? who's haslem again and what has he done? yo' dumbass, it's simple, you don't trade a former all-star and defensive player award for nothing (haslem).clearly this was article was meant to increase the value of haslem and fool the kings into making the trade..this trade, if ever, will do nothing else but improve the heat, and it appears that's what you want..are you really writing for the knix or some other team?! artest was traded for peja, that's an all-star for all-star trade, that's how it is and how it should be..haslem has more value than artest?! what a dumbass!
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