The Knicks Fix

Alan, the reason this blog has become so popular in a relatively short period is at least in part because of the respect you show your readers and posters. It would only be sporting for some of the posters to reciprocate (to you and one another). You have certainly earned the benefit of our doubt by now.

While it would break my heart to see Houston knocking down 3's for the Nets, I don't see how he can fit into our roster plans now. The only way Isiah could make it work would be to trade a 2-for-1 (like Crawford and Balkman for Artest) and waive Dickau and James to sign Houston. That said, I'd greenlight both those deals in a heartbeat.

Seems you've put the screen up, kid.

I never swore. Never made threats. Never used inappropriate social commentary or terminology.

As expected, you're running and hiding, kid.

not to be a bum-kisser.. but who doesnt love that you include insight from previous posts in your blog..

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Some Alan censors. Some Alan lets through.

What is Alan hiding?

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Who is Alan hiding from?????

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C'mon, Alan, be a man. Kick my butt before all your admirers in the field of wordplay, in the open, uncensored exchange of ideas. Your fans will cheer you on. Don't resort to censorship and hiding. That's so George Orwell and Dick Cheney.

C'mon, Alan, your believers are behind you. Don't hide posts of substance because they undercut your arguments.

Be a man, Alan.

I can see the Nets coming away with Houston in Camp this fall. They have a history of looking at players, quality guys, coming back from injury. You might remember that this time last year Jay Williams was making the rounds of the league, trying to find a home after that horrible motorcycle accident. The Nets brought him into camp and gave him a shot with special trainers over the tail end of the summer, and he saw some time with the squad in preseason. Marcus Williams was of course a lock for the # 2 spot behind Kidd, and Jay didn't make it. From what I understand, he's beginning a career as an agent and is doing well. Giving Houston a shot is a no-lose proposition for the Nets, so I expect that to go forward. Given their lack of Post game (sorry Krstic - we have to see what comes from you this year, and with Carter dominating the ball, no chance they are a pure inside out offense anyway) The complement they really could use at SG is the Ben Gordan, Boobie, Nate Robinson type. Shooter with water bug speed, who can create on the perimeter. And as far as Nets go, I think the Carter signing was a mistake.

"If you're a Knicks fan or someone who follows the team closely (be it by choice or for a living)"

Alan, how many would you say, between your newspaper, the daily news, the post and the ny times--all of the ny sports media covering the knicks--are in fact knicks fans. I think that may be the problem here. all of the media who are covering the knicks consider their job to be just that, a job. but the people reading their work are real fans, fans that want to see their team succeed. when I read a certain reporter spin any knick story (and I'm not talking about this trial mind you) for the worse, it is an insult to me, because I am a knicks fan. i am not paid to follow the team. i want to follow the team of my own volition. if you are not a knicks fan, try to imagine whatever team you do like (hockey or basketball) try to imagine that team being constantly beat up by the press. it boils our blood.

that is not to say that there have not been mistakes in the organization, or that these mistakes should not be fully chronicled, but this media market leaves the fans who wish to read something positive no choice. it was my hope that your paper would provide knicks fans an alternative to the Vesceys, Isolas, and Bermans. the guys who obviously want the paycheck but aren't going to do their job they way they should. it was never in your job description to piss us all off to no end. you should be mindful of your audience when you write, no?

look at fox news, they do a great job of telling us what we want to hear. they conceal the atrocities of the iraq war and all the other hidden ugliness around the world and report what they think america should know. that is what i'm looking for in my knicks newspaper. if it can't be fair and balanced, spin it the other way so that it reads positive. tell us what we want to hear. we may not be a first place team. but most of us believe this team has playoffs written all over it. no one has wrote that story yet, nor will they until two months into the season.

i'm not telling you how to do your job. this is just my opinion on how at least one newspaper in town could do business. because if you pick up any one of those other papers, they'll all read the same.

why will no paper be a fan's paper in this town? i don't care if your are the atlanta hawks, there should be a paper in every nba town that assumes you actually "like" the knicks are are not being "paid" to follow them.

interesting point willis.

imagine if we cut nate at training camp and both he and houston sign with the nets...

i think alan hit the nail on the head though, because I wouldn't disagree if houston was invited to training camp. have like 18 or so guys killing each other for 15 spots. sounds tryouts for the high school varsity team.

there are obviously roster redundancies that everyone is aware of (curry-randolph), (jeffries-balkman), (chandler-richardson), (marbury-crawford). I say look to eliminate those redundancies first, rather than trading away rookie contracts that may turn out to be solid nba players.

"look at fox news, they do a great job of telling us what we want to hear. they conceal the atrocities of the iraq war and all the other hidden ugliness around the world and report what they think america should know. that is what i'm looking for in my knicks newspaper. if it can't be fair and balanced, spin it the other way so that it reads positive. tell us what we want to hear."

If it can't be fair and balanced, spin it the other way so that it reads positive.

Are you serious?

You'd rather be told happy lies than the truth.

Does freedom mean nothing to you?

Where in the First Amendment did Tommy J, Benny Frank, and the rest of the boys in the band ever mention expressing only the positive, the happy, and that which only the reader favors?

Did the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and even this current fiasco in Iraq mean nothing to you?

Millions of people have died so that we might read the truth. Do their deaths carry no value whatsoever to you?

Where is your dignity? Where is your common sense? Where is your respect for those who fought so that we could - and can - be free?

Dr. King, Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, Steve Biko, and Nelson Mandella - do these people mean nothing to you?

Excuse me, but I must adjourn to the restroom. The paragraph which I quoted above truly and totally sickens me.

hey,
lets get something straight right here, right now. i hate fox news. i was making an analogy. i don't think i could have written that if i was a fan of fox news. you inflammatory pr*ck.
the only people that like fox news are bible belt republicans. it turns out enough of them exist that george w. got in for a second term. did you vote against george w? i did. so shut your piehole.

i love the knicks. i want a fan's newspaper. i stand by my words.

you think the people that want real news go to fox news? I certainly don't.

the spirit is of mark is with you everett.

Everett,

I will say it, uneloquently and I hope I am wrong. You are being an ass. You've made your earlier point now you are heavily weighting it as the focal point of this blog.

Providing a gut check for our host or raising a socially representative point of view in the midst of a sordid trial is acceptable and appropriate.

Relentlessly chastising the rest of the posters with the valor of your tongue and whatever historical reference suits the moment is, frankly, specious and opens a window into your world of pain and need for attention.

As much as I know that Artest was wrong for what he did...

you've got to appreciate the context of the situation. With time, the truth is revealed.

This article describes how the guy who sparked the Malice at the Palace is a habitual offender.

I may get flack for this but...maybe someone needed to give the guy a good beatdown. Sounds like dude is out of control. Unfortunately, Artest missed.

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers."

Star - where you see redundancy, I see insurance. Depth is the name of the game for me. If Q had not been out fopr the season when Crawford had to shut it down, we would have been able to continue to be competitive, may be make the playoffs, get valuable experience, show off our redundant assets in the big show for trades later (I think this is what you mean - we can trade some of these guys) and drop Chicago's pick to an irrelevant late first rounder. The league is all about speed, guys get away with murder with the dribble and travels, everybody runs isolations, which means to me, to play defense, you can't have enough fouls. Especially at the 3 spot. the Small Forward seems to be the premier spot now in the NBA and we have alot of good ones in the East with Lewis coming over - Pierce, LeBron, Lewis, Carter, KG at times, Prince, Deng, the list goes on and on. In my mind, we can't have enough of those guys. We're going to need Jeffries, Balkman, Chandler to play D, force those go-to guys to work for every basket. Plus the way things are these days, its rare for a player to be healthy a whole season. All the succesful teams are deep - Spurs, Detroit, Chicago is predicated on it - the teams that are at risk of falling out are those without quality depth - Miami? one Haslem ankle injury away (god forbid) from deep doo-doo.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm thinking Channing is going to have a big year for the Blazers. With Oden out, he may very well be the main post option. Aldrige doesn't really have a post game, so Frye should get a lot of touches. It would suck for us if he went on to average 18 ppg and 7 rebs.

what were they going to do with joel prysbilla if greg oden didn't get hurt? was he going to be a reserve?

channing, prysbilla and aldrige. even without oden that's not bad for the frontcourt.

i hear your willis.

last year was crazy with all the injuries around the league. and we'll probably need 18 fouls to stop lebron if we see him in the playoffs. it would suck though if we traded away any young players (i like the way isiah drafts) and see them develop on another team. that's why I mentioned the redundancies. somebody's got to go. there aren't too many knicks I don't like right now, except jerome. good thing i don't have to make the decision as to who should leave.

What took them so long?

Nellie is back in GS.

DNM

Portland is extremely high on Aldridge this year. I got the impression that LaMarcus was going to be the first option in the post from their blogs and reporters. Oden's game in the post is not mature enough yet so they were going on and on about Aldridge. I'm already on record as saying LaMarcus is going to have a break out year.

Channing is his back up and I doubt he'll dig himself up from the role. They are going to be a half court team and under Next Town's (LB's) half court regime, Frye did well. I just don't see him having a better year than Aldridge especially when he's playing behind him.
Someone know anything about Pryzbilla? Portland fans are all about him and I know Jack about him.

@DNM

I've said this before...

Channing Frye has no post game. He may start, he may not. Right now they got that guy Joel Pr????? starting at the 5 with Aldridge at the 4.

I think the only 2 things Isiah can do is

A) Drop James, Jones and Dickau....Doing this would allow Isiah to sign Houston bringing the total # of contracts to 15.

B) Drop James and trade Jones, Dickau and a first rounder for either Artest or Josh Smith. This would also bring our total # of contracts down to 14 but with the addition of Artest or Smith we would have 15. In other words Houston would be a Net next year.

If there is anyway he can make a deal that would include the Portland throw ins along with say a Jeffries and still be able to drop James....that would bring our contracts down to 13. We would be able to add a player from the Jeffries and Blazers trade (14) and still sign Houston (15). Then we would be ready to make our championship run.

Marbury
Q
Artest
Zach
Curry

Bench would be the best in the league by far...

Crawford
Lee
Houston
Balkman
Nate
Collins
Morris
Rose
Nichols
Chandler

Let me tell ya'll something else....if Isiah can get that point guard J. Jordan then we're really in business.

He was projected as the 2nd best pg coming out in the draft this year.

The reason why nobody has really heard his name is because he played at Marist. Their not really a house name like the big wigs. This kid would be the best pure pg on our team if he played for us. Nate, Steph or Collins have nothing on this kid when it comes to seeing the floor.

I'm going to see if I can youtube him and send you guys the link.

I would trade anybody on our team except Curry, Zach, Lee, Balkman, Crawford (only because he and Eddy play so well together) and Q (only because if what they say is true about him being 100 percent he will be PIVOTAL (spell check) to us in stopping all those sf's the east have.)

Everybody else my friend is fair game. I know you guys think I lose my mind every once in a while but I never steer us wrong when it comes to the young boys from college.

People were surprised when David Lee came in doing what he was doing. If you saw him at Florida you weren't. Actually, when he played at Florida he was nicer.

Everybody that watched the NIT knew about Balkman.

Anybody that watched Brandon Roy in college also saw Nate. I knew Nate was going to be nice because he and Roy was nice together in college.

We need this kid Jordan. He is our present and future answer to any pg we face. I will say his defense is a little suspect but look at Nash and better yet.....look at the other pg's that were drafted. Conley Jr plays no D, Law plays no D....man please.

Isiah...go out and get this kid Jordan. He will be another crowd favorite and we will finally have our true pg of the future.

Did I say it'll also make trading Marbury a lot easier next year when he has 1 year left on his contract.

Man, the season starts next month...I love it.

(not proof read)

If the room can be made for both Houston and Nichols, I suppose that it's a good idea to pick him up and see what he can do. I just wouldn't let Nichols go in order to take a look at H2O. He's likely a very high risk for injury or just plain ineffectiveness.

I love this paragraph...

"That's not to say the two-time All-Star isn't considering all suitors, but Houston made his reputation in New York, developed an abnormally cordial relationship with owner Jim Dolan and was the face of the franchise for nine mostly successful seasons. Moreover, he lives a short drive from the Knicks' training complex in Greenburgh, N.Y."

Now that my friends is great stuff.

Yep,
I am a Houston fan and I think he will give us good play for 20 minutes. We may not even have to play his some nights. That way he can be truly 100 percent come playoff time. Then he can let it all hang out.

Get Houston, Jordan and Artest.

Get rid of James, Jeffries, Jones, Dickau, Rose and a first round pick for next year.

Here's my take on slimming the roster (apologies for cutting and pasting from a post on another blog, but hey its still my own words)

**
No way do I want to see Marbury shipped out. When all is said and done, he still has LOADS of talent that is useful on the court, and we would never get equal value back if we traded him. Nobody wants him. He is our super-talented headache to deal with, and NYC is is home so I’m all for it.

Clearly Steph has a couple screws loose. In fact, with all the shenanigans this summer, he is really looking a classic manic-depressive bi-polar case. Even with the alter-ego Starbury name and all that. I wouldn’t be so surprised if this, or another related disorder, comes out at some point down the line for this guy.

But regardles, dude can play, and he is a valuable asset to this team. In some ways, still the MVP of these Knicks. Not because he will have the most stats or is the best player (though still arguably is), but because his play is the most important to our success, and thus the most valuable.

Finally, as I posted earlier in the summer, I’m actually leaning towards keeping Dickau over Jones if a choice had to be made. Now, to be paradoxical, I think Jones is the more athletic better basketball player between the two. However, when looking at need, which should be the basis for the 15th spot on the roster, we could use a 3rd string PG much more than we could a 4th or 5th string wing man. Jones is an athletic young defensive-minded wing man, but we’ve got an army full of those guys. Dickau is a pass-first PG, albeit unproven, whose working on stretching out the range of his jump shot. That is somewhat along Mardy’s resume, but thats it. If Steph goes down for any sinificant stretch, I’d like to have the option of Dickau coming in rather than relying on Nate/Crawford to spell Mardy.

Just a thought. I’m guessing most people disagree.
**

Also, to weigh in on the playoff banter, I too have very high hops for this Knicks team. I bleed orange and blue like everyone else here. I watch every second of every game religiously and DVR them when I won't be home in time. I love my Knicks!

But, being a realist, it is certianly no LOCK that we are in the postseason this year. I think the pundits that blast the knicks and forecast another lottery season, sure they have a vendetta against us and Zeke and Steph, but they are also looking at recent history. The knicks have been nasty on paper for a while now, and it was easy to argue they would make the playoffs each year, but then they never did. So now people are finally thinking that won't change, even with the addition of Z-Bo, simply because recent history proves otherwise.

Look at the 8 who made the playoffs last year. Nobody is a sure thing to drop out. Orlando certainly was the weakest, but they got a lot stronger with the Lewis signing. Add to that the upgrades by Boston and our squad, and that is 10 playoff-worthy teams competing for 8 spots. Nobody is a true lock.

That being said, I say this knowing I am talking to bretheren and other Knicks faithful here. If I was having this conversation with anyone from NJ, Philly, or Boston, you better believe I'd be siding with everyone else and declaring our domination of those subpar squads. Its only amongst trusted alies that I can let some doubts and insecurities show. Don't tell anyone.

And of course, when all is said and done, I would still put my money on a Knicks post-season berth. Hell's f*ckin yeah! I just don't think it is as much of a lock as some others here might, and so I am not as appalled that the predictions may have us falling out. In some ways, it is a logical argument.

DAVONN J I LOVE YOUR POST U IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY GREAT BLOG CAN U IMAGINE ECITY AND ZBO BANGIN DOWN LOW DKNICK,Q,AH20 DROPPIN BOMBS AND NOT TO MENTION IF WE GET ARTEST 4GET THE ATLANTIC WE SHOULD BE EASTERN CONFRENCE CHAMPS I WOULD GO TO WAR WITH THAT TEAM IN A NY MINUTE.....

We would be the best team in the league.

Call me crazy if you want to but I really feel that way.

There would be no team in the league that would be able to match up with us.

Spurs, Mavs and Suns cannot match up with what we would have if we made those deals.

HEY DAVONN I KNOW U SAY JORDAN IS GOOD BUTT WHY ARE THE CLIPPERS IS DYING TO TRADE THIS GUY WHEN THEY DONT HAVE A DECENT PG THEMSELVES?/ SHOULDNT THEY KEEP HIM?

If Houston has any semblance of that sweet shot, I say we forget Artest until 2008 and see if Balkman can develop into a low-budget Artest. Artest didn't have that jump shot when he entered the league, so it's possible that Balk can develop his also.

Houston would compliment Curry well and would provide great LEADERSHIP among this crazy cast of characters.

Dickau, Fred Jones: see ya.

Houston DESERVES that roster spot.

I remember how bad IT was trying to dump him. Now I'm thinking there's drama to it. Maybe he feels threatened of Houston's connection with Dolan. I DON'T CARE. If he can run the floor for 20 minutes, I WANT THAT JUMPSHOT ON MY TEAM.

Let's go Knicks!!

Let me clarify my previous rants by saying that this is exactly what I expected to hear from Houston. Force your way on THE NEW YORK KNICKS. I don't want to hear teaming with the enemy (jkidd), reuniting with traitor (riles), complimenting NBA's future (LeBron). COME HOME and stabilize this cast of loonies with your SWEET J.

Let's go Knicks! I can smell a 3rd seed baby! I'm driving up for my playoff tickets in 6 months!!!

I don't mind all of ya'll dreaming about Alan Houston because I know IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.

He had the roster spot already and his moment has passed with the Knicks. It's a new regime, new kids and a new core.

His agent is using the Knicks as a tool to hype up negotiations. Little does he know, GM's around the league want Isiah to take Houston. It'd be another thing they could use against him when it doesn't work.

Adding another guard is a problem. Adding a player with a history of injuries is a problem. Adding a one dimensional player is a problem. Adding an old player is a problem. With Houston, you are adding all these problems in one package.

Not to mention, he's already had a Knick run. We've already paid him enough.

His lone saving grace is that jump shot. Oh, and he's character. Great character guy. If you guys want him as a coach, I'm down. All of our young guys could use a jump shooting instructor with his pedigree, professionalism and poise (the 3 P's of coachinghood ???).

Other than that, you guys are just adding roster problems. Another guy who's going to get beat on offense that will make EC look slow on defensive rotations.

@HOZ

I'm really not sure why their trying to trade him. It could be something to do with his agent or it may be because he is not a scoring pg. He doesn't really have a 3 point shot and his jumper is inconsistent. The only things he's GREAT at are ball handling and court vision. He's not anywhere near as fast as Steph but his court vision is so much better than Steph it's not even close.

I know that sounds crazy but I'm telling you...this kid is as PURE a pg as your going go find.

I found some statements on him and his pre draft camp performance. You may have read this before but here is is anyway LOL....

Jordan
There were questions about his shooting and athleticism, with the MAAC giving little in the way of competition or exposure.

But the ability to run a team is certainly developed above the shoulders, and tends to translate over better than other tools. Jordan might be undersized and a step slow, but this week he proved once and for all just what a special point guard he was at Marist and will be as a professional. The first two games were run almost to perfection – Jordan handled more athletic defenders with relative ease, created basket after basket with crisp full court passing and dazzling looks from within offensive sets.

While Jordan’s shooting percentages weren’t ideal at the NCAA level, that could have had a lot to do with his leading role. In this setting, he did a phenomenal job of picking his spots to look for his own. He didn’t light it up from the outside, but showed off improved form on his jumper and was deadly in the midrange. Almost never did he force the action, but was able to burn defenses that dared him to score quite easily. At the end of the day, he was as impressive as any point guard in the camp.

We could hire 8 guards and I wouldn't care. Curry/Zach needs a guard to feed the post, and if double-teamed, be prepared to receive the pass and hit the three. BARF, I think you are a huge fan of Crawford. I like him too. Great combo guard. But I remember him struggling. He shoots 40% for his career, 34% from 3-point range. AH shoots 44%, 40% from 3-point range. I say let Houston, Crawford and Q battle for those minutes. It's a logjam at the SF spot, might as well create more competition at the SG spot too. "Last man standing" gets the job and we'll be better for it.

HBinMD

No doubt I'm a Crawford lover(no homo). I like his versatility, his willingness to learn, the bounce off the backboard trick he does, his passing and his character. I know the shooting stats and how JC's looks bad in comparison. But I think he's young and learning well. There's enough depth on the team to make managing the minutes a problem and adding AH would only make that worse...oops...lunch came, i'm gonna eat. will finish this later. my bad.

Why can't we have both Crawford and Houston?

It's not like Allan Houston will be making big money just sitting on the bench. He'll be getting paid pennies. Plus he would be able to teach Crawford and kind of be a mentor to Crawford and Nichols.

I say we sign him.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I am READY for some KNICKS basketball. I watched the re-run of Knicks vs Utah last night and it reminds me of how happy I am watching my all time favorite team play. I am tired of baseball, Isiah trial and almost everything on TV.

If Alan H wants to be on the roster then we should make accomodations. He is one of my all time favorite Knicks player.

Get rid of Jerome (I am too fat and lazy to work on my game) James ASAP.

I cannot stand players that get good contract and don't work their ass off to live up to the money. That bum should, at the minimum, try to be in game shape for once in his freaking life. I can't wait for his contract to be up or we just release him. He should be forced to run 10 miles before he can eat.

Players deserve whatever contract they can negotiate from owners. However, players should be obligated to perform to the best of their ability for the life of that contract. I don't care if it is 5 points per game or 20. Just do the best you can......Jerome James (you waste of height and time).

Anyway Knicks for life!!!!

I feel u Alan, but I think u are way off on the Houston and Nichols thing... First off the Knicks are an extremely young team with little leadership. The majority of the team is under 25, and have never been to the playoffs... What they need more than anything else, is veteran leadership... Someone who is respected by the team, coach, and the organization... Unfortunately Steph is the main leader on this team and as u can see that isnt workin all that well... Remember how much the Knicks fell off when LJ left the team he was considered the glue in the locker room that kept all the Knick personalities together... Who on this team can assume that role?

How many minutes will Nichols play anyway, this year or next for that matter... He is already behind Q, Balkman, Mardy, and Chandler a the 3... And will be likely for years to come... Throw Lee in and Jared at times and he never gets off the bench...He would be a situational guy that comes in during blowouts, and last resort situations... 15 to 20 minutes of Houston is more than we'll get from Nichols this year or next... And this team needs to make the playoffs this year... If Grant Hill and Mourning can help lead there teams in limited roles, why not Houston... Last thing we need is him on the Nets killin us... If Nichols goes there he wont play there either... Look how deep they are... If Houston is healthy invite him to camp, if he out plays Nichols, and shows some of the old swag... Give him a contract, and take a chance that he will hold up... We know what he is capable of, its a stretch at this point to think Nichols will even come close to what Houston was on his worst days... And at the end of the day he brings the same jump shot, with leadership, knowledge of the game, and playoff experience... Hopefully, Isiah can work some magic and we can keep both, but if not I pick Houston...

First, I think if Channing has good stats for the Blazers it won't mean all that much.

He obviously will be getting many more touches and scoring chances without other options there. It wouldn't "suck" for the Knicks, as someone mentioned, because Zach R. will be posting up better numbers on a more stacked team. (Yes, the Knicks are "stacked" compared to the Blazers).

Re: Allen Houston- the only way I see it is if a couple backcourt guys (like Crawford and Nate) get traded soon. How long will Allen wait before committing to a team?

Lastly, thanks again for being a thoughtful blog.

I do not get teary eyed about Anucha like you Alan and others. I know of at least three corporate law suits that everybody knew were bogus. For example at one company a woman went into a coworker's desk, pulled out some literature that didn't even qualify as po*n and filed a harassment suit right before she was going to get fired for poor performance. That allowed her to continue to work for another couple of years with no one coming close to her Women are people just like men not some innocent flowers made of sugar and spice. Alot of them are greedy, controlling bs. :)

As a matter of fact a few years back a good friend of mine who is absolutely harmless but who does in fact jokes alot and I admit with some sexual innuendo at times but in a very good natured, non threatening manner. Guess what? some "lady" got him fired for that from a 200k job on Wall Street. Beleive you me that had nothing to do with any harrasment.

Here is another example of how some women think. I forget the womans name but she's a reporter for ESPN sometimes and appears on Around the Horn. Tall white woman looks like an Army nurse. You know who i'm talking about.
Last year this broad was covering Chad Johnsons TD antics when he was on his knee as if proposing to some cheerleader on the sideline. This is what she said on national TV:
"If I was this girl I would call a lawyer and file a lawsuit against CJ" for falsely raising her hopes of being a bride and thus causing some kind of damage. Thats some very high moral standards we are witnessing here.:)

I think her name is Jackie MacMullan...yea she's pretty butch.

But what can you say? Women...can't live with em or live without em.

I believe there are too many lawsuits, but such is the world we live in. People don't resolve differences anymore, they sue.

I am not following the trial and hope it can be resolved out of court.

As a season tix holder, my wife and I met Ms. Sanders and in fact, my lovely wife was a yearlong feature on the "Go NY, Go NY" promo. Frank ? the left handed point guard bust from Illinois was there as well, and we had a little 'fan input' session. I dunno, she was trying hard and seemed earnest in her job and what she wanted to accomplish. I implored Ms. Sanders to stop those half time hee-haw, circus acts and give us cosmopolitan music and more Knick City Dancers. I think the Garden wanted to pivot into a more family friendly atmosphere which prevailed and perhaps why we see 3' guys running around shooting hoops at halftime.

After the little repartee session, I said to my wife: "If she is VP of Marketing, so am I"

Starburyfan,
With all due respect, I love Fox News,and i'm from the South
(Bronx that is )I am the furthest thing from religious,and am as big a Knick fan as anybody here.
Did you ever think that all those other cable and network news shows are full of crap?
They slant the hell out of the news and never write about any of the good things happening in Iraq,so they can get the typical Americans to oppose the war and "handcuff the president, so he can't properly prosecute the war.
And regarding team friendly coverage checkout NYKNICKS.COM
where all is shiny and happy.
If the team s*cks, say it!If they're great say it!
If someone tells a man with a small one, that it's big,he may feel better, but it doesn't change reality.
Our team must earn the right to be praised as winners,the same way their forefathers (Ewing,Oak,Reed,etc) did!

thanks scott, i respect your opinion and your freedom to like foxnews and the ny media's point-of-view regarding the knicks.

Not that it matters, i myself may not like foxnews, but i am originally from florida, to be honest. florida is definitely not a "blue state."

i've never rooted for any other team than the knicks. i used to go to the magic games wearing orange and blue, and I wasn't the only one.

they way I feel about any cable news, they probably couldn't tell us the full story even if they wanted to because of the powers that be.

in regards to my original point, i simply believe that out of four or five local newspapers, all saying the same thing, there should be diversity in opinion. even if the four papers who justifiably hate on the knicks (they have not been to the playoffs since 2001), perhaps the fifth would do well to take a different approach?

reality can be subjective. some of us believe that the knicks are turning the corner, but if you read the ny daily news they'd tell you quite frankly that this team is heading strait back in to the lottery after this season.

I simply don't believe the knicks are as bad as they would have you believe. I certainly don't think that Mitch Lawrence, Mike Lupica or Frank Isola know more about basketball than I do. At least alan hahn has some experience playing the game.

Guys,
For some comic relief you must check out this Ledgend guy who posted as a beat writer for Frankie ice's spot, telling Frank he can make up reporting too! He poses as a beat writer for the "Daily view." I was laughing so hard I had to leave work for a while! I think it may be BARF having some fun, but I haven't laughed that hard in so long that tears were streaming outta my eyes! Check it out for a laugh, it's about Lawrence and Isola being reported on, in their own NY beat style writing!

Everett-
Your assuming that your posts are of substance, which may be a delusion of grandeur.
What makes this blog so damn good is that Alan tells it like it is, and acknowledges when his interests affect his writing. Don't believe it? Try reading the drivel written on the other NY newspaper blogs
I'm tired of the whining; if you want to whine, find another place to do it. If you want to discuss Knicks basketball this is the place.

And now, for something completely different.

I saw this on the Knickerblogger.net site, an article which he had gotten from TSN :

"Curry has demonstrated an almost stubborn approach to development and commitment as an NBA player. To watch the Knicks last year was to watch the most reluctant 20 point per game scorer in the NBA operate. Curry looks utterly unconvincing in the role of franchise player, regardless of what his stats would lead you to believe. He was literally force-fed the ball for every minute he was on the court, most big-men’s dream, and he still looked to pass out or over-dribble too much. Combine that with the fact that he is laughably disinterested in rebounding for someone his size, and I don’t even know if he’s even been asked to play defense given how bad he is at it and this guy starts looking more and more unattractive as a centerpiece all the time."

Wow. Unfortunately there's more than a kernel of truth there. Thoughts?

Starburyfan-
I'm with ya on Isola and Berman not being fans, but I disagree with Vescey. While Vescey often writes with a poison pen, there's usually something to it (As opposed to Mitch Lawrence, who's disdain for the Knicks is tangible, and never gives the Knicks any credit.)
Vescey also provides a sense of history/perspective that most writers can't touch.

For the millionth time (but likely the first for our new Fixer, Everett): I have no control over the comments that come to this blog. I merely post blogs. That's it. Everything else is handled by whatever the company is that hosts the Newsday.com blogs. You really think I sit online all day and monitor this blog?? Check every comment as it comes in and sift out any criticism?
I wish I had that kind of time.
This is a solid blog with a great readership of passionate and educated basketball fans. Plenty of Fixers here to keep me in check. And they do. And I dig that about them.
Truthfully, we've had this situation come up before with other posters on the site, so you're not the first and probably won't be the last.
No need to hide, not that I could. I sit courtside at every home game, near the visitor's bench. It's called Press Row. Always happy to engage in a real-time chat.
Thanks for coming to the blog, giving us more hits and joining the conversation. All are welcome and the numbers keep growing.
Have a good weekend everyone.

Vescey has his talents Don, I'll give you on that. for a long time he had the reputation breaking trades before they happened--now I have realgm.com for that, and occasionally some of the espn cats like Ric Bucher come through as well.

Vescey has on many occasions bashed the knicks of the 90's and early 21st century. last time off the top of my head I disagreed with Vescey was the Steve Francis-Trevor Ariza trade. I think he kind of overestimated Ariza's value at the time. Ariza was just starting to impress the orlando crowd and Vescey ripped the knicks for letting him go for francis. Yes ariza is very athletic and good on the break, but we now have balkman who in many ways is comparable to ariza, if not an improvement. neither player can shoot, and both are still role players, however at the moment, but I like balkman's ball handling skills--plus he seems to be an even better rebounder and defender than the former knick favorite trevor ariza.

i respect you guys for the different perspectives that you bring to the table. that's the good thing about blogs like this one. we have different projected starting fives, different opinions of the ny media, different favorite news channels or lack thereof, diversity is a good thing.

Speaking of Vescey where the hell has he been ? Nothing at all ?

Thanks to the General for the perspective. As to Don, you do not see the post I had mentioned before. Alan claims he has no control over the situation. Perhaps he's telling the truth? Strange, don't you think, that a post critical, but respectful of Alan, failed repeatedly to make this page?

Instead, all I got was:

Thank you for commenting.

Your comment has been received and held for approval by the blog owner.

Return to the original entry

Who is this mysterious blog owner? Where is he or she located? Seems mighty fishy.

Everett
No one is twisting your arm to post here! If you don't like it go post somewhere else or stop acting like what Marbury called Anucha!

Alan,
If you think this blog is growing, you aint seen nothing yet! Trust me !

I have two questions for you, Everett.

Most of us who post here find this the most interesting blog. As for Alan, he not only has a unique and objective point of view, he’s realized the full potential of the medium by making this a genuinely interactive blog. He participates – as well as leads – to an extent light years ahead of any of the other Knicks beat writers. Witness his post at 10:52 last night. He’s the host, but also one of us. Lastly, we find him a genuinely decent human being.

This brings me to my first question. The subject is decency. We all disagree with one another . . . all the time (as Starburyfan says, diversity is a good thing) and we even – blasphemy – disagree with Alan . . . a LOT. But most of us manage to do it in a civil manner. My question is: Are you incapable of expressing yourself in a civil manner? Or do you simply choose not to? Your posts are arrogant – in the extreme – and disrespectful. There’s no place for that here. Reread Peaceman at 5 am today . . . good point, Peace.

My second question is similar to his. I’m curious why you even bother with Neanderthals like Alan, and the rest of us? You obviously feel as though you have insight that far exceeds his and ours – which you’re certainly entitled to believe. So why lower yourself like this? Why waste your time? There’s obviously nothing of interest for you here. Fine. That’s what makes horse races. We wish you well finding that community of like-minded somewhere else.

Rush – I don’t quite understand the relevance that some sexual harassment suits are bogus. Of course they are. And some aren’t. I’m sure you wouldn’t be trying to suggest that just because SOME are bogus, THIS one is bogus . . . so please help me understand the point of those posts.

Starburyfan – if you see bias in the media against a favorite team or player, I can understand why that would be enormously troubling. But what you’re suggesting is that sports writers should be biased in the OTHER direction . . . you’re asking them to be fans, not journalists. Can I suggest that we’d all be satisfied with some down-home, old-fashioned objectivity instead? I don’t only want to read “good” news. I want to read what’s happening, and make up my own mind about what I think about it. Besides, we’ve got plenty of columnists and, now, blogs for all the opinions in the world.

Let’s not lower the standards of good journalism. And New York has always had great sports journalists. I would resent any sports writer who displayed bias, in EITHER direction . . . for or against.

Everett

Here's my attempt at lending some perspective.

In probably my longest post on this blog, I spend a day trying to figure out why my post wouldn't go through. I re-worded, re-transfigured my curses (barf is a stubborn potty mouth) and when that did not work i started curbing all the criticism.

some of the changes I made were cosmetic, others were changing the point of my message(always keeping a copy of the original).

i had spent some serious time on the post and did not just want to scrap it. so i had to find some creative way to filter out the bad word and find out what the site will allow.

at the end of it, do you know what the culprit was? one word. a name brand. P-R-A-D-A. So I changed it to Louis Vuitton, changed all my curses and criticisms back and went on my merry way.

Maybe someone at Newsday has a problem with P.R.A.D.A. I couldn't tell you.

I wish there were a way that the "Preview" button would tell you whether or not the comment will be "held for questioning". Nothing too elaborate.

Yo, Peace, LEGEND isn't me. I thought that joint was hilarious though. I was coughing into my hand at work trying to cover up the sound of my "noisy grin". I read one line, and laughed. Another line, and laughed. I thought maybe it was African or you. I love the faux reporter style. Oh, man, I'm going to read it again for laughs now.

Have a good Saturday and go do something productive!

Alan,
What's good on any Jerome James intel? As one steady voice on this blog requesting that we see and show value to ALL OUR PLAYERS, I'd like to know if anyone has seen him this summer.

HOZ, Cooley (if you're back from DR), DVJ--whoever's gots da connects, you know what's good.

About 2 months ago, (maybe it was due to b-ball depravity) we got some popular posters to agree that there is value in JJ because bigs don't come easy in the NBA. Look at what just happened in Portland! Who woulda thunk that? When you have bigs on your roster, they give your PT bigs an honest look/burn during practice. And finally, if one goes down, you can at least spell the injured with similar length and girth.

Is the veil of hypocrates so thick that people won't see through the value of a player as either an asset for play or trade? On what team in the NBA does ALL 15 play daily?

Last month when you did the mail bag Alan, I asked you to get the intel on what offseason work-out was doled out to each player. In Herb Williams' interview on MSG posted here by (BARF/Star?), we read the confirmation that each player was given "summer homework". Anyone who ever balled at any level knows that is the drill. Especially if you are in the coaches'/team's plan for the upcoming season. So I say if we see or know what JJ did last summer, we will know if he's deserving of some of the venemous hyperboles hurled toward him in the blogsphere. And as we continue to blow up your status with these repeated hits as Peace is suggesting, your status will be elevated on the beat and you will get returned calls. Keep your head up Dude--you're most deserving of this access. You may not be King of the F'n hill as beat writers go right now because of various reasons you know too well. Here, you are. There (on the beat), you're certainly Top of the Heap, A Number One!

IT knew he was getting a player who's knick-name is "Contract Year". Then, imagine the psyche of the player who was told "you da man" to lure him into signing and then soon thereafter handed a towel and bench seat for EC. Do any of you remember how JJ was gloating after coming out of the restaurant, passing out cigars and telling everyone in earshot that he was "the new starting Center of the NY Knicks"? The JJ issue is not an easy one to deal with like the Maurice Taylor or Jalen Rose or Penny Hardaway situations. And the Lil' General has that reputation of double-talk and flip-floppin' like all the rest of them. But I know IT wants to WIN BY ANY MEANS and for that I will continue to support him.

------
I support the formulations about LJ playing the role of "glue" in the locker room and look for him to making many more appearances with the fellas this season. I've said it before, and I'll type it again (until it all plays out) the AH20 situation is one that will involve Jim Dolan personally and directly regadless of/despite IT.

@Don,
We saw that Sportingnews piece (he was Canadian you know) and had a series of posts on it. It was posted by Star and/or Alan commented on it. If you look back on previous AH blog you will see many interesting posts with which you would most likely agree.

Steady as IT goes. Clearly the Lil' General is not done tweaking the team and roster--he's got 2 too many.

Who are your lists of H-type players? Players with good on and of court personalities that will keep this team on course for the shiny stuff? I say AH20 is on that roster/locker room floor by mid-season. AH did not toss the keys--who's runnin' da show this weekend?

KFL

good article below by Chad Ford of espn on the silver lining perspective on greg oden's tragic injury.

those are two words you never hear from any nyc media: silver lining.

highlights include:

at least he will get nba-level medical care (hopefully not anyone from the knicks medical staff)

at least he got a rookie deal, if he had gone back to school, he would have had to play 4 years of school just to attempt to regain the first pick status.

i feel bad for the kid, but it could have been worse. Len Bias never even had an opportunity to live after being drafted, let alone play in the nba. at least oden can work hard and try to come back.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=3017819&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26id%3d3017819

Trane if from what you heard about the case you still don't think its bogus then I don't know what else I can explain to you. Just the fact that the MSG is fighting it will tell you it's bogus. If any of this shyt was real you would never heard of her. Don't forget that she demanded money before she sued. What does that tell you? That fact tells me that she was not fighting for herself and women's cause against inequality as much as she wanted the money. Get it?

Dear Fixers,

Allow me to indulge or at least lend me your ears on this early fall afternoon. I’ve never played organized b-ball, so I stand before you accepting my role as a novice pundit on this blog amidst all the experts who regularly convene.

However, I do play my ass off in pick-up games and can shoot the rock enough to help myself. Heck – I’ve won the Fantasy Football Championship in my 12 man league twice and I’ve never strapped on a helmet either.

I also did stay at a Holiday Inn last night……

I’ve been a Knick season ticket holder all the way from Bernard King and a half empty garden. I want to therefore, weigh in on my beloved Knicks and I have gone through the current roster and made some recommendations.

I think this team should be play by performance where players should push each other for jobs. No one player should feel entitled to specific minutes. For example, Crawford should not be tolerated to wildly chuck up shots all game long when he is cold as ice; long rebound; fast break the other way. How many times have we seen that? But he should be fed in the last two minutes when we know he can hit a clutch shot.

Unlike a lot of Fixers, I believe in addition by subtraction and Jack Welching non-performers regardless of what the resume says. It is against this backdrop that I humbly offer to all you experts, my recommendation for the New York Knicks:

Current Roster:

1. Balkman
2. Chandler
3. Collins
4. Crawford
5. Curry
6. Jared Jeffries
7. Fred Jones
8. Lee
9. Marbury
10. Morris
11. Nichols
12. Q-Rich
13. Nate
14. Malik Rose
15. Dan Dickau
16. James
17. Randolph

Expendable (either via trade or waiver wire):

1. Jerome James – (take your cheesy, greasy, White Castle at 1am grin back to the Pacific North West. They love big tall buffoons out there. Let’s Jack Welch this loser’s stench from the locker room).
2. Jared Jeffries (I agree that his talent level and resume is better than his performance, but if you looked into his eyes last year; especially after the fight; he was scared. I think he is okay in a DC market, but he is not a cat who can handle the glare of MSG. Therefore he is trade bait).
3. Malik Rose (addition by subtraction and I don’t buy into the locker room amiable stuff; reporter’s dream garbage. Houston* will cover that as long as he leaves the gospel at home. If we cannot move, waiver wire baby. Cost of doing business)
4. Dan Dickau – (please, move him, please – he’ll get picked up by the Bobcats or some expansion outfit like that)
5. Fred Jones – (we’ll have a Fred Jones watch, especially on D, but if we have to include body in a trade, you’re it).

So Isiah can either get the roster down to 13 or 14 pending trade’s/releases and we easily will open up a spot for Houston or to take back a player in a 2 or 3 for 1 trade.

Final Roster:

1. Balkman
2. Chandler
3. Collins
4. Crawford
5. Curry
6. Jones
7. Lee
8. Marbury
9. Morris
10. Nichols
11. Q-Rich
12. Nate
13. Randolph
14. *Houston (co-captain)
15. Jeffries

Starting Lineups :

• Collins – PG (gets the start in order to begin our games with a tall, ball handling defensive presence at PG)
• Marbury – SG
• Lee – SF
• Randolph – PF
• Curry – C

Bench:

• Nate
• Crawford
• Houston
• Balkman
• Q-Rich
• Morris
• Chandler
• Jones
• Jeffries (on the roster until we can trade him)

Last 2 minutes of the game Team (depending whether we are behind or ahead):

• Marbury / Collins
• Crawford
• Houston /Balkman /Q-Rich
• Randolph
• Lee (need someone to board or a put back, fellas. Curry’s huge ass (no homo) will be weighing him down, he won’t jump quickly enough to be a factor; cannot cash in at the free throw line and Zach/Crawford/Houston will be more than enough offense)

Over…

The starting line up logic still escapes me General.

Trane and BARF,

You both make some valid points. I do need to question a couple of things though. (Who doesn't?)

Trane, you claim that I have been arrogant and disrespectful. Neither was not my intention. If so, I apologize.

I could point out that many on this blog, and other Knicks blogs, use swear words, call homosexual those people who they either seem not to like or somehow disagree with, and use words like "bitch" and "whore" to describe women. I do not want to turn this into a fight. That's not my point, and each of you deserves far better for your comments.

Instead, I'm angry at what, in my opinion, which could be as right or wrong as anybody else's, was the horrible manner that Alan Hahn used to describe his feelings about this whole Thomas matter. Rather than state without question his opposition to sexual harassment, Alan, who I had until that post greatly respected, wrote instead about what seemed to be a discomfort that this whole series of allegations - and they are only allegations - made it into public. Alan seemed more worried about how it would look for him to work with Isiah, especially if he's found guilty, than whether or not Isiah actually is guilty of the allegations against him. Alan appeared more interested in keeping everything quiet than in dealing with what could be a real, profound problem in the Garden.

When I called him on this, Alan, and again I could be wrong, tried to dive behind the U2 lyrics and misinterpretation.

Alan wrote that blog entry. Alan used that song to make a point. Alan did not have to write that entry. Alan could have used another song. Alan owns that entry. It's his responsibility. I just called him on it.

I don't know if Isiah is guilty of these charges. A jury of his peers will decide that.

I do know that women are never targets. Not at home. Not in a bar. Not on the playground. Not at work. Not at the Garden.

Does that make me old fashioned, a prude, or a damn fool? If so, I welcome all those titles - and more - if it means that a man always respects a woman. Always. In my world, some things are just always so. Sun rises in the east. Taxes. Death. A man respects a woman.

Thanks for the feedback.

To the General,

I like your ideas about the Knick's roster.

Getting rid of that big, never in shape, good for only 10 minutes in a season, piece of crap Jerome James is the best thing we can do.

Secondly, Rose and his locker room guidance is over rated.....bring Houston back for locker room presence.

I also agree with a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 to trim the roster.

I like the players you suggest to keep, unless Sac-town or the Laker wants them for Artest or Kobe.

Knicks fan for life....and I am out.

General: good post. think isiah would give the nod to mardy over Q or Crawford? I hope mardy learned how to shoot over the summer! It is going to be an interesting season, to see who comes up with a lineup with some chemistry so that we're not down by 10-15 going into the fourth.

Trane: I completely agree that journalism should be just that, reporting things as they happen, yet I don't see that happening in the NYC any time soon. there is a 99% chance the reporters in new york have been treated unjustly, and they've drawn a line as to how the knicks are going to be presented in their papers. I recall that you were there last season when the Daily News declared war on the knicks, now look at isola's blog. used to be a bunch of respectful, knowledgeable fans on that blog, now its all vile, name-calling bitterness and bigotry, with very little to do with the knicks or basketball for that matter. I only go back there to compare the popularity of that blog with respect to t