The Knicks Fix

Doesn't make it the least bit OK. He's wrong and deserves to be punished for it in the court of public opinion and everywhere else, including within his own race. As a white male, I have no authority and even less background to speak on the issues among black people, but it is hard not to notice the uproar he has caused within his own community (even after he tried to clarify his comments after the video deposition was released).

"Isiah Thomas owes black women a public apology,” reads a statement released Friday by a coalition of African American leaders and posted on Lee Bailey's EURweb.com. “That type of statement and mindset that Thomas has is ridiculous and should be condemned. There is no distinction in disrespecting black women. It’s not acceptable for anyone to use vulgar and disparaging remarks when addressing black women."

I'd like to add here -- though I shouldn't need to, it should be a given -- that it should not be acceptable to use vulgar and disparaging remaks when addressing any woman; white, black, brown, yellow or even those in that orangy fake-n-bake color that is the result of too many visits to the tanning salon.

Alan,

Thank you for those three paragraphs. The entire post was refreshing and, whether I agree with all your views or not, makes clear that certain types of behavior are always incorrect and inappropriate.

I never viewed this story through the prisms of race or money.

Human decency. Simple, basic human decency.

What's up fixers. This blog has reached as far as Brasil and other places south. I am writing from the Trinidad area and want all NYK fans to know that we wear nothing but Knick Jerseys in the Caribbean. Alan I have been reading blogs for a while, my all time favourite was the NYTimes Kinck blog. Thank you for taking blogging to another level. Props to all the regular fixers also, you all have helped me to get through the summer without much Knick basketball withdrawal symptoms. I envy you all because where I am I have to follow the games at the NBA.com web site using their play by play and man that really sucks but if you are a Knick junkie you have to do what you have to do. So thanks to all you. Can't wait for training camp to begin so life can get back to normal in Knick land

Wow, this blog has taken off man.

I'm with you St GEorge. Thanks to the regulars and new comers here I've been able to get through the summer.

Don't get me wrong, football season starting a few weeks ago didn't hurt either but this blog was the main reason.

Back in the day on the other blog, we use to be able to name everybody in one post. Now it's way to many to even try.

Alan your right about Isiah feeling froggy and making a big trade to take the spotlight off his trial. I wouldn't trade Lee for AK either. AK is nice though. I hate to say it but I think I would trade Balkman for him. That wouldn't work though because AK makes way more than Ro Ro. I don't know how it would work but I'm sure Isiah will find a way.

AK is a very, very good player as I'm sure we here all know. I would rather have AK and Lee instead of Lee and Balkman.

Then again if you have AK and Balkman....your defense will look great. Especially with Fred Jones and a hopefully healthy Collins.

We shouldn't focus on AK...we need to focus on Ron. He's less expensive than AK and he has better on the ball defense and offense.

Alan, if your right about them calling Isiah soon for Ron, I hope they can work out a deal that's good for both teams and at the same time doesn't include Lee or Balkman.

Once that deal goes down...it's time to get down to business.

If people don't have us in the playoffs after we get Ron....then you know something is really fishy. I don't care about the teams that made it last year. With our new team, we will be better than any team in the East.

Marbury, Q, Artest, Zach and Curry.

Go To Sleep!!!!

Not olny deos Aestrt hvae the ptonetail to be a laeedr on tihs taem but wtih a haehtly Q taht may gvie us 2 palyres who can mkae the all dnefiesve taem this yaer.

I konw i mghit be jmpunig the gun hree but I ralely, rlaely hvae taht flenieg.

Gerat psot Aaln.

Yuor tulry the lsat of a dniyg bered.

The Knicks need to pay close attention to the situation in Utah land. AK47 would be a very good fit with the knicks. He is a very good shot blocker and defender. However, he needs to get is confidence back on the offensive end. He use to be a good offensive player, hence the big contract he was awarded....$60 million left.

With our lack of shot blocking ability with Ecity and Zack, we could use a guy like Kirelenko. He is a very good defender and God knows we alway have room for a good defender.

Let's go Knicks.....a fan for life!!!!

Besides we already know Artest will probably win defensive player of the year if he plays with us this year. I don't think Wallace will win it again and I don't think Bowen can either.

It's all in the hands of Ron Ron.

I hate the fact they waited till the end of the off season to get this done. Now we're stuck in limbo not knowing whats going on.

If anything at all......

Calling a woman a "bitch" is indefensible. Calling a black man "Nigga" is indefensible. Calling a child "stupid" is worse. But people do it everyday. Adults make money off the words everyday. Kids imitate the adults, including teachers, everyday. I can see we're serious about solving this problem. Yeah, right.

Double standard? It's worst than a double standard. We have no standards, just false morality.

Case in point. Here I am on a commecial blog that has enough internal controls to censor and ban certain language. The words P.R.A.D.A. and R.A.P.E. are not allowed but those horrible words bitches, hos and niggas are allowed. Can I get an apology for being allowed to use such language on a public forum.

Herein lies my problem with white folks, black leaders, green folks and everybody who believes the hype: We get selectively indignant and self-righteous about words and symbols with multiple meanings in different contexts only to ignore the critical root problems of racism and injustice. We pretend to bury words at funeral processions for a moment of publicity; we fire up radio and television personalities for a moment with no substantive, permanent change; we live our own double standards every day.

And here we are again, focusing on the fact that Isiah exposes a double standard which is the absolute truth. He made a mistake by telling the truth. Pooh on him and his lawyers.

But again we miss an opportunity to understand the heart of the racial divide that we so greatly complain about. We are so afraid of the shadow of our racist selves that we continue to hide behind red herrings.

Sometimes it seems like we all are acing like Bitches when it's time to deal with the real issues.

strong>MSG TRIAL BY MEDIA,
JUST ANOTHER BITCH HUNT

While the conclusion of the trial will hinge, in part, on whether the jury believes that Isiah persistently called Anucha a “bitch” and a “ho” especially after being told to stop by MSG management, the mainstream press has already found Isiah quilty of inappropriately calling the once powerful female executive out of her name.

This is especially true of the Daily News whose management and writers are known to have a public hate/hate relationship with everything Dolan and MSG. Writers such as Jane Ridley and Mike Lupica have described Isiah in the harshest of terms (without calling him a “bitch”) and Anucha Browne as the brave, earnest victim of MSG male-bonding, aggression and indifference.

Jane Ridley called Isiah Thomas a “knucklehead” without the “tiniest bit of grace.” She said he was a person without “class and judgment.” However, she saved her harshest salvo for Thomas’ deposition confession that he thought it was worse for a white man to call a woman a “black bitch” than a white man. She stated that the apparent “double standard came straight out of the locker room.”

What pops out for me is the absolute ignorance and arrogance of these writers, whose agenda is nothing more than to bash an image they created as opposed to gaining a true understanding of the events and the underlying truths of the racial divide they continue to expand. It is time to make it plain and real and talk about the truth.

UNDERSTANDING THE SO-CALLED DOUBLE STANDARD

During a deposition, Mr. Thomas stated that he believed that a white man calling a black woman a “bitch” is more derogatory than a black man calling a black woman a “bitch.” I realize that many people may want to take offense with that statement and judge Isiah harshly, but I am going to offer an explanation that will help those who want to understand how this is not only an indication of a degree of honesty, but is also the acknowledgment of a reality that reflects the impact of decades of segregation, discrimination and racial hatred on Black men in general.

First, and let us not lose this point by way of the following explanation, calling a woman a “bitch” especially when she does not recognize it as an endearing term and/or when it is an unwelcome greeting or declaration is REPULSIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL. I am not discussing instances where woman affectionately call each other bitch or where woman have claimed ownership of the term and define it as indicating a sort of “power” which men can’t handle or where a certain segment of our rebellious culture has twisted the term where it is acceptable amongst youth as a “cool” term. Generally, amongst 40somethings, it is repulsive and carries with it very negative connotations. So for the purpose of this discussion and this trial we accept the any use of the word as negative.

Isiah’s statement about his belief concerning the relative harshness of the word depending on who uses it against whom is filled with an EMOTIONAL TRUTH that reflects years of segregation and racial oppression in this country. In Isiah’s admission that he believes it is worse for a white man to call a black woman a bitch you can see the reality of one black professional man’s challenge to overcome the reality of his segregated childhood which does not match the faux-logic of the world in which he works. The false logic and false sense of morality in corporate America pretends that all men are treated equally. The corollary is that all men equally should be able to call all women “bitches” regardless of race; or at least that all men should be treated with equal disdain for calling any woman a “bitch.”

Yet many people find exceedingly hard to accept or refuse to recognize the reality of the cultural importance and significance of years of segregation and oppression on the collective and individual psyches of Americans of all races and hues.

For a Black man who has grown up in a segregated environment, the term “Bitch” (much the same as variations on “nigga”) has a different meaning when used by a white person as opposed to a Black person. It is not a logical difference. It is an EMOTIONAL difference. It is not logical because two individuals of different races or ethnicities can use the same derogatory term for the exact same reasons towards the exact same person and the EMOTIONAL interpretation will be different.

At the risk of oversimplification, consider the following. A black man when using a term such as “bitch” in a derogatory, antagonistic context (not for entertainment purposes) most often believes that the use of the term is SPECIFIC to an individual whose actions or demeanor is deserving of that term. It is a term most often reserved for a SPECIFIC person at a specific time. A black man who has been forced to live in de facto segregation (such as growing up in Chicago, Philly and Boston in the 1960s) is likely to interpret a white man’s use of the term “bitch”, regardless of the context, to be a derogatory reference to an entire group of Black women. That group of Black women automatically includes his all the black women in his life. Such usage automatically contains an emotional meaning reflecting years of racial abuse, r.a.p.e., slavery, jim crow segregation and white superiority complex. “Bitch” from a white man to a Black woman is not likely to mean just “Bitch.” It means so much more, especially in light of America’s historical ( and yes, current) treatment of the Black community. Such behavior must be emotionally unacceptable to a black male who feels obligated to protect Black womanhood from “outsiders.” THIS IS WHAT AMERICA HAS CREATED.
hether you agree with it or not is irrelevant, because you are not going to change years of history. If you start to talk about the inherent contradiction, you have missed the point. LOGIC has no pre-eminence in racial matters, whether viewed from the vantage point of a Black person, White person or any other “race.” What begins to break down barriers is an acceptance and understanding of the different perspectives regarding similar situations. It does not mean one must agree, but to discount it can easily be seen as disrespectful and insensitive. It is this disdain and disrespect for a Black person’s perspective as exhibited by people such as Jane Ridley that continues to fuel hate and distrust amongst people of different races and ethnic backgrounds.

It fuels distrust because some people know that this is not a difficult concept to understand. The easiest parallel is how you feel when you talk badly about a family member, but you do not like someone outside your family to say the same thing. It is like the girlfriend who dogs out her asshole boyfriend, but wants to cut up the another woman who days later calls the same boyfriend an asshole based on the girlfriend’s comments. Or its similar to when Jessie Jackson used a term “hymie” which many Jews use but find offensive and one step from anti-Semitism when used by a non-Jew. It is not a simple concept to understand which leads people to believe many whites have no respect for the experiences and history of blacks in America.

(Personal note 1: I for one have NEVER (as far as I can remember; which means I might have used it once or twice in extreme anger) called a woman a “bitch” to her face. I have certainly silently mumbled what I thought was a deserving description on many, many occasions in reference to women AND men. I think the only reason I don’t use the word is because it was not a part of my vocabulary growing up, except when listening to Richard Pryor or Lenny Bruce albums. “Bitch” (which we were taught was a reference to a female dog) was not a word that could be used in my house to describe anyone including my many 6 sisters. I personally don’t care for the word even when women “take ownership” of the word and twist it to mean something positive to them. It is just fraught with too much negative connotation for everyday speech).

(Personal note 2: There are Black folks who will shake their head and wonder why anyone would try to explain anything about how Black people feel to mainstream America, because they believe (and it has been proven) that much of mainstream America has a love/hate relationship with Black American culture. Mainstream America loves the surface appearances of what makes Black America, cool, hip avante garde, but few want to grapple with the depth and nuances of the history that has created some of the pathologies, illness, fears and frailties of Black America. They don’t want to deal with it because they will have to emotionally acknowledge and admit how this nation has and continues to contribute to the horrors of racially-based maltreatment. But I do so because I believe in my heart (and this has been proven) that many people want to understand and do understand what we need to do to improve our relationships with one another. And sometimes, like now, our contribution must be hard, truthful and to the point.

BASKETBALL TIME IS TOO FAR AWAY. HOLLER BACK. I'M DONE.

I thought you were leaving this to Ken Berger? Now your suggesting trades with no source other than the feeling of desperation Zeke "might" have. Did MSG mess up your credentials Alan? Zeke isn't loved, Dolan is a loyalist, and Stephon isn't the articulate one. We know this. So why do I have to sift through a blog I look forward to and comments way too long, and can't find any relevant Knicks discussion? I'd rather wait till you get to S.C. than read this. Traveling mercies homie.

O'k so I didn't go yet. After spending all that time trying to get my post posted, I had to get my fix.

I got it bad. BARF at 2:50pm and Orange and Blue. Great Stuff.

Steady, you're in PR and I'm headed ot Chi to hang out with 60 year old woman I don't even remember. Something is wrong with that picture.

Good night guys.

Oh, and if I was off my rocker those last two posts, just tell me; but I am not handing out any apologies unless it impacts my wallet. (LOL)

African, I think the MSG attorneys did a bad job. Have you heard some of the dumb testimony by the MSG people. Astonishing. Isiah really should have kept that honest shyte to himself. That was a sign of someone confident or arrogant enough to believe he was in good shape to win the case. He better manage his club better than he managed that deposition or I'm getting in the goodbye coach/GM parade.

Gotta pack. Peace.

@ LNJLNY:

"(Personal note 2: There are Black folks who will shake their head and wonder why anyone would try to explain anything about how Black people feel to mainstream America, because they believe (and it has been proven) that much of mainstream America has a love/hate relationship with Black American culture. Mainstream America loves the surface appearances of what makes Black America, cool, hip avante garde, but few want to grapple with the depth and nuances of the history that has created some of the pathologies, illness, fears and frailties of Black America. They don’t want to deal with it because they will have to emotionally acknowledge and admit how this nation has and continues to contribute to the horrors of racially-based maltreatment. But I do so because I believe in my heart (and this has been proven) that many people want to understand and do understand what we need to do to improve our relationships with one another. And sometimes, like now, our contribution must be hard, truthful and to the point."

That line was o purely classic. While I have pointed out in previous post that I am South American, I feel what you put out in that paragraph. Believe me that dilema has it's corrollary wherever the scars of colonialsm and racist societies have scarred people of color.

Alan.

Here is a question for a mailbag. Out of all of the players on our current roster, which Knick-- besides Big Snacks James-- player's improvement will have the most impact on the teams success this season. A corrallary is which player has a deficiency in his game which requires the most attention and improvement.

Also I was wondering if you would be doing interviews on some of the local sports radio stations to assess the Knicks upcoming season. I'd like to hear you on the Max Kellerman show since he is a real Knick fan in his own right and much like you has been very successful in his broadcast area.

Happy hunting Fixers

Lives in NJ: There has been an agenda with the writers of the NYDN and POSt that seemed to emerge when Isaiah came on board. I don't believe he ever got a honeymoon or grace period before the sniping began. First it was Fratello vs lenny then any and everything they could find. Funny thinf is that all other cities with sport teams get the support of their daily newspapers. NY tabloids have degenerated to the point of bringing down individuals as a method of selling papers. i am sure these are intelligent folks but they pander to the basest of human instincts. The Knicks have a promising group of players and IT has done some good here. WOuld be great if some of these writers would put their energies on the positive aspects of the Knicks.

Alan

Your title says it all "win or lose"it's a mess.

Just want to take a minute to reply the negative people on this blog.If you are not feeling the post by our host GO ELSEWHERE!We are Fixers!! Our host is only leading us in conversation.You can give your thoughts on the topic not on Alan's view... Why are some posters attacking him. You know who you are. Please stop,or GO! We are here to talk Knicks,not DISS Alan.We should be talking b-ball.......THAT"S ALL.

On that note, I see so many are talking about Artest coming back home.Can someone send me a recent link where this is coming from?I did not find anything on trade talks with Sac. I would like to see him in the Blue and Orange too,but AK47 is not a bad 2nd choice.

TRUE FIXER FOR LIFE

LNJ, LNY: That's a solid breakdown. My take on the trial is similar. Like I've written before, a white male saying b*tch to a black female is worse because it has the gender abuse aspect (no one should ever call a woman a b*tch), but because there is also a potential racial aspect to it, too. That's why it's worse. Isiah never said it "was okay for a black male to call a black female a b*tch". It disgust me to read various accounts in the main stream media that attempt to phrase it in that manner. He never said it was okay. Anyone that wrote that is straight up lying, and there were a lot of them out there.

Alan: Where did you "come across" this video? I doubt you were just checking You Tube and stumbled upon it... it's not cool to fail to credit websites that you find stuff on. I know you're not a real "blogger", but come on... you wouldn't want people to use content or material from your post and not credit you, right? Ethics man. Ethics. Do the right thing... unless Newsday doesn't allow you to link to those pesky blogs....

Alan: Great post otherwise, by the way...

Alan and the Fixers you all got your panties in an uproar over this bogus case. Please stop now. Take a que from Dolan just understand one thing that the worst that could happen is he loses 10 million dollars. Wow wee! What a big effin deal.
While all of you getting 2 and half credits in kithchen law on this blog, Dolan, and this is why I love him, said to Anucha and everybody else F all you all Mother eFFers I will be on front page even if it cost me 10mil.
Once we start playing nobody will remember this shyt anyway.

Ps Allen did your leagal counsel wrote this post for you? You sound like you're preparing for a long litigation with somebody. Everett possibly? :-

Rush I love how you got that I'm from NY so I don't give a fcuk attitude.

I have that same positive problem my friend.

Once we start winning games....everything will be forgotten. I just want to see how the writers cover our games once we start winning. It's going to be a new experience for them LOL....

Good point, Alan – has MSG learned anything about setting the agenda in the press from watching the Republicans all these years? Maybe Karl Rove left the White House so he could come to MSG to work on the Ron Artest trade . . . ? ? ?

In fairness to Isiah, he’s in a difficult situation. I’ve believed all summer that he’s had another move up his sleeve before camp starts. Obviously, he’d rather address the roster’s arithmetic problems through a big 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 trade . . . instead of simply buying out a few contracts. Once again, the question comes back to, which 2 or 3?

But if he pulls off a big trade now, it’ll be branded some kind of “October surprise,” and he’ll be accused of doing it for the PR value . . . whether or not it’s in the team’s best interest.

What stinks is that it always comes back to the stupid trial. Alan - how big an impact will the verdict have? If the jury finds for the defendants, I suppose everybody goes back to work, having lost valuable time right before the season, a little tarnished by some of the revelations, but everybody picks up where they left off. Right?

What if she wins . . . then what happens? I’m serious .. . what happens ? She walks away with a big check and MSG walks away with . . . a black eye? Is that all? Does Mills keep his job? Does Isiah? If there’s an owner in the league who could ignore it all, and keep them in place, it’s Dolan. At what point does the little general step in? Any commissioner who’s worried about jeans on charter flights, can’t be too happy with the kind image-hit the league will take if the team loses. Do we know anything about the history of Dolan and Stern? IS there a history? Would Stern be inclined to give Dolan the benefit of the doubt? Or might he be looking for an excuse to shake things up?

I think I’ve been underestimating the trial’s potential fall-out. I honestly don’t know. Is this, in the end, just a hiccup for the team, and life goes on? Or could we be looking at a major shake-up?

Trane,
Those who are desirous of a major shakeup at MSG are doing it through the press.

We've discussed here that the media is a tool and it can be used by both camps (to do either good or do bad). When the media is coopted into silence about half-truths and lives are lost, then that is effective use of media for bad. The case in point is the massacre in Rwanda circa 1994. The media (radio) was the instrument.

Lets say that Stern is in on to this "lets rid the league of Dolan and his likes from the flagship franchise" campaign that some fans and print media types harp on. Then the slightest transgression will be fodder for venom. I don't believe Dolan and IT will buckle after the NYK having survived the coups and mutinies from Bianchi, Riley, Nelson, Van Gundy, the last HOF guy, Tapscott, Grunfeld, Knix and ABS. That corporation is wrouhgt with intrigue and drama. Word is the big blue and Coca-Cola used to be that way.

I submit that the NYK will not need to do a damn thing to change a thing going forward. It will not be business as usual and Ojala for that. However, you can't help but connect the logic of the ABS lawyers who know that the Rangers suit is on deck and they have an opportunity to share discovery that will weaken the prey. How much more of a black eye can the plaintiffs effect on MSG and IT? It's ovah!

Lives,
Brilliant. You took the time and delivered admirably.

KFL

Fixers,
What's this fixation here with where pundits seed the NYK or preview how the team will fare? So the F what? In the final analysis, it is who wins the game and ship. Or are we just blogin'?

KFL

Fixers,
No one should even roll their eyes concerning this trial! We knew the agenda of the tabloids and when there's no negative court proceedures to Capitalze on, they do things like put Zeke in Jackass ears or a clown suit and put it on the cover or back page of their papers! Rush and Davonn have the correct tude...Fluck them, we are the salt of the Knicks! New Yorker's, New Yorker! Trane you should know better than that....the only shake up that will happen is our winning record out of the block, that will exceed Davonn's humble predictions!
D L T. You don't have to have a media link to have info on Artest. I don't know where your posting from, but here in the Apple there are lots of his friends and family and former coach's, players whom will outright tell you Ron is headed this way, and the BOLDEST statement he has made short of DEMANDING a trade is " it's OK if a team wants to rent me for one year!" That my friend, has made him as attractive to other GM's as Don Imus is as a wanted columnest to the Amsterdam News. I'll put away the slide ruler I was going to hand you because I don't think you need it any longer! This next statement is for STATESMAN, because I know you love me bro!

ARTEST OR BUST 2007-08

Steady – I don’t disagree that there are forces aligned against the leadership at MSG working through the media. You and Peace should read my post more carefully. I didn’t advocate a shake—up. I simply speculated about that possibility. But I would also caution you both against making too much of the association between current management/leadership and the team itself. We’ve had many other coaches and GMs in the past. We will have many other coaches and GMs in the future.

The Knicks, however, are forever.

I would also suggest it’s not a good idea to question the sincerity of critics. That’s what the Bush administration does, by questioning the patriotism of anybody who disagrees with their policies. I assure you, there are loyal fans who love Isiah, and there are equally loyal fans who’ll celebrate the day he walks out the door. That’s what makes horse races – to mix some (sports) metaphors. There is no acid-test for what makes a “true” fan. And it certainly doesn’t hinge on loyalty to a particular owner or GM.

TO KNICKSNATION
I BELIVE THE KNICKS SHOULD START SHOWING INTREST IN AK47 NOT TO AQUIRRE BUT TO USE HIM SO THAT WILL MAKE THE KINGS NERVOUS AND TRADE ARTEST TO US AT A WHOLESALE PRICE TEAMS BEEN TRYING TO USE US FOR YRS.NOW ITS TIME FOR US TO RETURN THE FAVOR IF THE KINGS THOUGHT WE WAS ABOUT TO GET AK THEY WILL BE CALLING US EVERY SECOND TRYING TO GIVE US RONRON!SO ISIAH IF YOUR LISTENING TRY TO BE CREATIVE..

LETS GO NICE AND NASTY....

Alan, once again, the judge did not say Anucha's case was weak. He said her claim that Isiah got her fired in retaliation was weak. One part of her case, not the entire case. He said nothing about her claims of sexual harassment by Isiah or her claims of retaliation against Dolan (which he did enough of a job of proving himself) or incompetence by the HR department. There are enough half truths being published over this case. You're better than that.

"We've discussed here that the media is a tool and it can be used by both camps (to do either good or do bad). When the media is coopted into silence about half-truths and lives are lost, then that is effective use of media for bad. The case in point is the massacre in Rwanda circa 1994. The media (radio) was the instrument."

Steady,

You've compared the Rwandan massacre of 1994 in which two Hutu extremist militia groups, the Interahamwe and the Impuzamugambi, murdered - most often by machete - an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 100 days to a New York City sexual harassment trial involving an NBA general manager/coach and a former team executive?

The Rwandan massacre, sadly, offered the largest concentrated slaughter of humanity since the Holocaust, and you've likened its victims to Isiah Thomas and James Dolan?

Have you lost any and all perspective on life and its value? Are you really that ... for lack of a better word ... paranoid?

I just cannot believe you actually wrote and/or believe that analogy.

Steady,

Many fine accounts have been written about the Rwandan genocide. I especially encourage you to read Philip Gourevitch's "We Wish To Inform You That We Will Be Killed With Our Families." Here's the link to that book:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780312243357&pwb=1&z=y

You will find that Gourevitch's book in no way, shape, or form resembles the alleged and/or admitted under oath behaviors of Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, and Stephon Marbury.

The Rwandan genocide was raw horror and an example of man's greatest inhumanity to man.

Thomas, Dolan, and Marbury epitomize the behavior of the rich, pampered, male fraternity allegedly - or admittedly - gone sadly and far awry.

Thank you.

Trane
You make a good point! Tomorrow there may/will be a new coach! Yesterday there was a different coach, but Today ZEKE is the Coach! There's ZERO chance of ZEKE not getting the Chance to prove himself this year! The Current players won't allow anyone else but Zeke!
They have total loyality to ZEKE and if any change were made, the results would be a complete blow up of this franchise! We're almost complete with a total rebuilding process! We as fans will enjoy the benefits of that process THIS YEAR! I could give a Rats a#s what the outcome of the trial is! No one goes to jail when the jury completes it's verdict in a civil labor law trial! What more can anyone write about our Knicks that hasen't already been written? Time to play ball and forget about the soap opera! I hope Larry Brown does work as an assistant coach for the Celtics! Thats the Kind of drama I want to see! Davonn, I'll bet you Knicks tickets for one game in Jersey that We will kill the CAVS opening Night! Watch us "Bitch slap"..oops! Um... destroy the CAVS!

Steady,

"You've compared the Rwandan massacre of 1994 ,... to a New York City sexual harassment trial involving an NBA general manager/coach and a former team executive?

The Rwandan massacre, sadly, offered the largest concentrated slaughter of humanity since the Holocaust, and you've likened its victims to Isiah Thomas and James Dolan?

Have you lost any and all perspective on life and its value? Are you really that ... for lack of a better word ... paranoid?

I just cannot believe you actually wrote and/or believe that analogy."

@ Easy E (Everett):

One word hyperbole, it's what NY sportswriters are good at why can't the laymen use the same tools, even if it's an extreme form of hyperbole.

I think Steady's point is that th News media can be just as complicit in obtaining ends for good or ill by publication as well as by omission. Also I don't think steady would have referenced the Rwandan genocide--that is what it was-- if he wasn't himself appalled by it. I think you might have misinterpreted Steady to make an analogy between the Genocide and the Hoopla at the Garden. If so, ... which I'm sure he'll let you know, you ought to apologize to the man.

Last point why do you come across to me as a fire and brimstone dude? Also the structure of your inquiries come off like your trying to make people look unintelligent. Do you personally know any of the people in this blog to step the plate with statements that belie that assumption? I don't personally know all the personal stuff about the people on this blog but I will make a healthy assumption that most are intelligent, and open people who shouldn't be talked down to. Live and learn my man. I give you, as all the bloggers here the benefit of the doubt but belittling people doesn't sit well with me.

Do the fixers have my back here?

Uh oh...with all of this non-basketball, racial, political talk...this reminds of Isola's blog...beware people...we escaped from that torture chamber because of it. Let's not make Alan's blog like Isola.

I'm just wondering if the court decission Isiah makes are solely based on a player skills and smarts. Will a player like Dickua get as many chances to make the team (like Nate does)or NOT AS MUCH. Do we have as many scouts in Europe as we do in the states or NOT AS MUCH. Didn't we need a healthy small forward instead of a power forward (D Lee) or NOT AS MUCH.

And forget about Artest, with all the bad publicity the Knicks are getting they don't need anymore. Now for some PR watch for Alan Houston to come on board.

DNM- I completely agree. I left the other blog to talk about the knicks and more specifically, hoops. The trial is a travesty that will hopefully be dealt with properly in the courtroom and the correct verdict, whatever that is, will be reached. Anything more than the crime and punishment is just a smear campaign by ABS and the media in my opinion. Only weak and gossiping minds get sucked into believing that crap before a verdict has been reached.

I love eddy curry the same way I love David Lee (no homo): Put them on the floor for the knicks and lets go kick ass and put the Bulls, Nets and Celtics in their place this season!

O&B, HELL NAAAAW I don’t have your back. I’m still stuck on the bitch topic. (LOL). BTW, Peaceman that was funny.

Everett,

It’s good to meet you and I look forward to reading your analysis of the Knicks during the season. I promise it will be a lot of fun.

In case you take O&B the wrong way, let me assure you he is welcoming you with open arms and trying to offer a few words on the best way to ENJOY your experience as part of this blogging community. We don’t have any rules and are in no position to impose any anyway, but we do have a few guidelines that can help one’s blogging experience here.

One guideline is “Don’t Start None, Won’t Be None.”

Personally, I like it when new people enter the blog and start taking a headless sledgehammer to the regulars. It wakes everybody up and gives me something funny to read. In fact if you spend enough time attacking posters, Peaceman and Starbury fan jump out at you and it is a hoot.

I have a feeling you have some good stuff to share. (Warning: The Professor will advise you that I am the eternal optimist until I get a little pissed. I’m doing good now, I just unloaded over two days, so the prune juice did me good.)

In all seriousness, we want you to have a fun blogging experience. We certainly disagree here and we can be mighty harsh and filled with hyperbole when we shoot the shyte. But you have entered a community where we’ve gotten to know each other a bit. And so far everybody here is pretty damn savvy from Willis to Trane to O&B to Statesman and on and on. I encourage you to do you as you see fit. . .but realize that if you really are here to enjoy the company and the experience that comes with it . . . get to know a few of the folks before you try to slap them around.

Finally, I think the reason O&B senses that you are here for other than enjoying our company and growing with us is that he is not sure, nor am I, how you can suggest that Steady was comparing the carnage in Rwanda to the damage in Knickland. His point was about the use and power of the media and Rwanda was merely an example of the impact of the media’s use.

Trane,
Thanks for engaging me @7:51 am. We can both note that each one should read the other better. I did read your speculative comment. I addressed you because you provoked my thoughts about the media. I concluded that thought by saying that Dolan is not going anywhere because he has survived other coups, and bad choice employees before. The institution and fanatics of it (folks like us) will live on despite this case.

Furthermore, it is not the sincerity of detractors that I question/challenge. I have coined here the "veil of hypocrates" (encompassing hypocracy, jealousy, two-faced bold lying) to explain their venemous hyperboles.

In previous posts, I've offered that I could imagine as true ABS allegations about having being referred in a derogatory manner by IT. I would have to hear it myself or from other wittnesses to believe it. In law, he said she says are not compelling.

Peace and I have also indicated that we will be on the back of anyone who comes into the job at MSG and does not produce wins and ships. We're not giving IT a pass, we're letting him do his job as the owner of the team has decided to do. We the fans can only support what the owner puts out there on the floor until/unless it starts to reek miserably.

Orange & Blue, mi rey de las montanas. GRACIAS. You have read and correctly conveyed my intent from the previous post. I've got your back here and forever because you are ours.

Everett,
Thank you for engaging me @ 9:30 am AND 9:56 am. You definitely called me out. First, I will not refer to you as Dude because that familiarity is reserved for others with whom a colleagial and familiar bond is already established. I don't believe that you enjoy that here yet. Moreover, I'm more in line with our host's formulation that "for all we know, you may be a woman..." (EVE-rett).

It appears Everett that you come out only for the metaphysical and socio-political discourse RELATED to b-ball. As you note, there are those like DNM @ 11:01 am with little patience for the diverse intellectual capacity within this community of bloggers. You can respond to whatever you may. However, the cancerous types on blogs are those that sit on the fringes and incite ramblings similar to the one posted here. I submit that I respond to: defensive strategies; team chemistry/make-up; best of the NYK; whether Q should start @ the 2 in order to have more length @ the 3 with JC coming off the bench with DLee (for you DNM); and on and on. Should you opt to be the moral conscience of the community, policing when human decency is violated by a blogger, then fine. That is your choice. You're just bloggin'.

What is not fine, however, Everett is this RUSH to judgement on posts and about posters. Orange & Blue has already "policed" you on that so I will not pile on. Admittedly, the debate served to elicit a sensible response whereby others could get familiar and live an atrocity that I WITTNESSED. Yes Everett, I WAS THERE. When the Rwandan Hutus and Tutsis were trecking into Rwanda with their worldy posessions on their heads, I WAS THERE (developing strategies to help them cope with reinsertion from refugee camps into mainstream Rwandan society and getting them "return kits"). I have published articles on the Hutu/Tutsi experience in the Great Lakes.

My only regret is that I did not mention the Jena 6 scenario to have hopefully raised your ire and allow for a similar education on this space. That too is a case where the use of media (TV, newspaper) is leading to a bad outcome.

You may already know that in the Rwandan scenario, the medium was radio. The Hutu government officials WENT ON RADIO (journalist and media types implicated) to incite the intra-community killings (a bad and inhumane outcome).

For me, this ABS case does not rise to life and death Everett--Sudan, Darfur, the Haitian cane cutters in the DR, Palestinian civilians caught in the middle of Israeli military action/bombings, yes those are life and death scenarios. You said it yourself, Everett, "Human decency. Simple, basic human decency".

ABS used media and the knowledge of media utilization to develop sympathy and winnings (up to $10 million for going along with the effort). She potentially damaged the outcome of future trials by women (and maybe men) claiming sexual harassment where the circumstances do not meet the threshold established by law. There's nothing humane or decent about that.

KFL

Guys hear about Scottie Pippen making a comeback? Apparently the guy is going to play for a pro team in Finland.

Why can't these guys just stay retired...

DNM,
For the money and because they can while some buyer is willing to spend.

I'm outa here--gonna soak in the Condado lagoon. In advances, my apologies to the fishes of in the lagoon because I'm about to rinse these bad tastes out of my mouth: A(ll)BS, backstabbing HOF coaches, power-hungry/powerplays @MSG. I will ask the guardian of the Seas to watch our side and keep them and us healthy, wealthy (to afford to watch them en vivo) and wise (so that we don't p!$$ off people here). LOL

KFL

Fixers,
RUSHED post @ 12:49 con typos. Ya'll know what's good.

KFL

Alan,

After reading your post I thought, well Frank is at it again. He's being lazy repeating the same garbage that every sports writer is saying because he's too lazy to do the work and write something that requires objective thought. Then I realized this isn't Isola, this is Hahn. Alan, Isola may be one of your mentors, but does that require you to write his junk.

Alan please explain self-inflicted, when Brown-Sanders brought the suit. The crap about the once proud garden. Please!! Where was this crap when Riley brought his mistress from L.A. to head up the Knicks cheerleading squad? The Brawl w/ Denver. Did that compare w/ what happen w/ the Heat, or because Van Gundy(not a Black Man) was the coach, it did not tarnish the franchise.

Jeff Nix, long and distinguish career. He headed the draft before Isiah arrived, and drafted Frank Williams & Mike Sweatney in the first round. Tell me how was he distinguished. He was being ousted before the trial,(salary cut and demotion), do you think he may have had an axe to grind?

Isiah has been under scrutiny, some of it justified and some of it excessive. Real cute play w/ words Alan/Frank. Justified implies deserved, while excessive implies warranted but greater then deserved. Unjust which implies unfair or wrong is appropriate. As a writer I am sure you understand the difference and connotations associated w/ each word. Has some of the criticism of Isiah been unjustified?

Alan after reading your post for the last 2 months I do believe that I have a feel for your work. Unlike some of my fellow bloggers I differentiate between 'information' and the 'essential information'. Case in point. Many bloggers were thrilled to see your write on Nate Robinson, and they wrote how you were really working hard. I thought Nate is the 10th or 11th most important Knick. If he blew out his knee in traing camp, it would not have a material effect on the Knicks season. Jared Jeffreys, he's 9th-12th most important Knick. So while others were appreciative my thoughts were, is this relevant. I wanted stories on How is Q, doing w/ his rehab. Is Crawford at full speed w/ his ankle, Is Curry in top condition, will Lee's leg injury affect his vertical and lateral movement (if you look hard you will see lateral movement). Give me pertinent information Alan, not filler. Remember the KNICKS are the story not you, your renovations or preparations for the season

Alan, I do not think any woman should be called a beach or whoa by a man of any race. However, it is not your position to determine what is appropriate for Black Men to say to Black Women. I attribute this to white male hegemongy. In 2007, this is unacceptable. Quoting Lee Bailye does not give you credibility, because I am sure there is not much you know about Lee Bailey. Alan where I come from we call this 'Trickery'. Alan I expect more from you and Newsday.

Finally Alan I am sure there are those who will come to your defense. It appears that thinking critically, and calling what they see is out. It appears that you have been 'given' a waiver, because your Mentor's blog was so bad. You have not earned a waiver, you have been given a waiver.

Guys, I'm not opposed to "diverse intellectual capacity within this community of bloggers."

If I wanted a to discuss my views on race, politics, atrocities committed against mankind...I would not come to a Knicks blog. There are places specifically dedicated to that material. And on those blogs or venues, discussion of the Knicks would not be suitable.

I'm not trying to police what is discussed on this blog or anything of that sort, but I am here because I got sick of the non-basketball related issues on Isola's blog. Maybe it's me, but I prefer to view basketball as an escape from all the problems in the world.

But please, if people feel like they want to discuss non-basketball related issues, then it is their right to do so. But no one has a right to judge me or anyone else that does not want to engross themselves with racial or political discussion.

Steady/Peace – I have no problem with most of that, except that I do care about the outcome of the trial . . . but ONLY to the extent that I’m concerned it COULD impact the team. You seem convinced it won’t. Maybe you’re right. But I’m a worrier from the old school of worriers . . . and this worries me. Look – in a sense, the stupid trial is already impacting the team because it’s taking so much of Isiah’s focus away from the upcoming season at such a critical time. He’s got roster moves to make, rotations to determine. I want him thinking about that, not testimony in court. And I agree that this team is better set-up right now, going into THIS season, than it has been in years. No doubt, Isiah did a masterful job last year pulling this team together after the LB disaster movie. And I’d hate to see anything screw that up.

Also, I would totally agree with you that IT has his enemies, particularly in the media. BUT . . . I’d hate to get to the point where any and all fair-minded criticism gets characterized as bias and hate. Statesman is right in his concern for the demise of critical thinking. We need to embrace it, not discourage it.

I also don’t want to get to the point where there’s some kind of litmus test for a “true” Knicks fan, and somehow that gets tied to the current GM/coach. I’ve been critical of Isiah in the past, but I’ve also been very clear in my praise for his successes. And another of the many things I hate about this trial is that we were coming into this year on such an up-swing . . . with so much raw talent and potential . . . I’d hate for anything to diminish that enthusiasm and confidence. We don’t know what the verdict will be, so it’s impossible to know what kinds of ripple effects it could have . . . speculation . . . worry . . . call it paranoia, if you will. Somehow I think we’d be damn lucky to come out of this entire sordid affair unscathed . . . that’s all.

@ LNJLNY & Steady:

Thanks for having my back and the positive feedback. Have fun while your away and a safe return home to both of you guys.

@ Fixers:

I can understand the disdain for the ongoing analysis and overanalysis of the ABS trial and our collective take that the media has an agenda.

My take on the string of discussion regarding ABS that have spilled over into ethnic/racial/political issues is the following. Namely, most if not all fixers are aware that the NY media has an agenda that ABS has exploited and that the media would love to have the team blown up. That being said, I think the reason why fixers such as LNJLNY, BARF, myself and et al, have harped and called out the hypocrisy for what it is, is b/c to not do so would be like saying there is not an alternative position on these matters. I think when one side barks louder w/o being held in check that side starts to turn allegation and hysteria into a quasi truth. Discussions on such hysteria here can only help to provide a counter-balance and some levity to the media hyperbole.

I love this site b/c there are loads of Knicks fans who genuinely want to see this team come out on top and are hard core and as such why not let some counterspin to the same old Lupicas and Isolas get out on a site where Knick fans of like stripes can acces it.

Lastly, I have attached links to preseason reviews posed basketball related questions and even given my take on items such as AK47 and what role Q should fill this year so I am very much eager to focus on basketball.

Lets start with a debate regarding the possibility of acquiring Artest or AK47 and what's the max we would be willing to give up for each respective player. Any takers?

Enjoy your weekends!

Alan, I'm impressed.You didn't have to stand up for Everett's right to speak his mind, but you did.You "Did the Right Thing", baby, and I like some backbone.Loved the Steph video too,the man, man-ed up and admitted to his wife, his family and his Maker that he had made a mistake.If They can forgive him, then who are we not to let this thing go?Whatever the court decision, hopefully, everyone will learn something positive from it and move on.In the very best of all worlds Anucha will be happy somewhere else in the corporate world, and probably be the tough answer to a trivia question. And, hopefully, Isiah will be the coach of the NBA championship NY Knicks!And then just maybe, maybe, we'll be a little bit kinder to one another when we get real angry.That would actually make this mess somehow worthwhile.Good job A.I'll be dropping by more.Besides, if I can't get Lives, and Steady, on my station,I'm just gonna have to flip the script a little bit.LGK

DMN
I'm with you, with the exception of a Knick related topic that;
1.Effects the on court play of the team!
2. A knick is singled out
unjustly while there's proof others have did the same and have not been held to the same standard!

Besides that, life is a bowel of cherrys! Hey, whats this Jewish Holiday about today? I'm not big on religion, so was this Yan Kipper guy a Jewish field goal kicker for the Giants?

Statesman,
Useful post. Very useful post. Thanks, thanks and many thanks.

In a previous entry, I mentioned the saying: You tell on yourself by the company you keep. I invited you or Tman to finish the thought here.

I've been known to fix for AH here and am one to have "given" him a waiver (because of where I came from). So I say this, not to fix but to inspire. AH is an up and comer and his experiences give me hope for our community and world. I have a sense that he will rise to his expectations and meet some of ours. As I did before when someone challenged the back of the pack, consider our grooming of the up-n-comers as leadership succession. Heck, we all should aspire to be King/Queen of the F'n hill.

KFL

Trane,
Thanks for sharing.

DNM,

You stated:
"But please, if people feel like they want to discuss non-basketball related issues, then it is their right to do so. But no one has a right to judge me or anyone else that does not want to engross themselves with racial or political discussion."

Who did that? You post what you want and read what you want. The End.

Fixers,
I've said before and it has been repeated: Don't start none, won't be none. This blog has not sunk to the doldrums of the other places else I would no longer post here. People are respectful here and engage each other respectfully without name- calling and vile language. Wether I want to discuss/avoid ethnicity or religion at a b-ball blog or not, these issues do not go away and I certainly will be inclined to join in if my handle is challenged/beckoned.

KFL

I've posted before that we should not be covetous of OTPs. Steady as IT goes before he and Glen has this matter under full control. We, the fans, just don't know about it yet. I think the team is under control and in good hands despite ABS.
Funny how some folks would like AK47 now DESPITE his $63 million price tag. Meanwhile, IT has been criticized for runaway spending. Why would he do that? Two players must be cut from the roster and all I'm concerned about is the health of last year's injured players and the physical condition of all our players going into the season. Anything else is just bloggin'.

KFL

STEADY
You exceed my point! Artest would cost the KNICKS 8.....let me repeat that.....8 million! Thats Rose plus a throw in that don't include Lee Or Balkman! Get on the roll or get rolled over! Knicks 2007-2008 WORLD CHAMPS WITH ARTEST.....UNBEATABLE!

DAVONN,
I'm gonna really make YOU HAPPY NOW! Take this senario and run with it! Say Kobe has a BAD year in LA! It's gonna happen! I can see him signing with the Knicks for Peanuts....because the endorsment money would ten fold whatever the the KNICKS would pay him! Yeah he might sign with the Knicks for MLE, but in NY, he would make 100+ million in endorsments alone!...... NOW if KOBE CAME OUT WITH A $14.95 sneaker....... In NY....AS A KNICK... the SKY is the limit for his Personal Bank! STARBURY'S WOULD BE FARBURY'S!

We may very well have Kobe on the Knicks.... but on OUR OWN TERMS!

On to more productive things.Years ago I used to watch Reggie launch bombs at UCLA.I remember thinking the kid had no conscience, no touch, but a really nice stroke.Look how that turned out.I’m getting that same vibe when I watch Demetrius Nichols(D-Knick).He reminds me of Reggie.It’s not really so much his game as his mentality.He also looks more consistent than Jamal, and if Q’s back flares up, what then?In any case, he’s right.He doesn’t belong in Europe, and there’s no way he should be traded until he gets a season to show his goods.It’s a long season and can we really afford to give up on a bona-fide shooter after the last year?Given a shot we may have something special by the All Star break.If he’s busting it in practice, he’ll eventually get his chance.IT really needs to win now, more than ever.It really comes down to does D-Knick have the fire in his belly to do it at this level.I vote, “Yes”.don’t trade this kid.LGK

PS.Coming back with bad knees is just a mistake that will be compounded and paid for in full in the near future. Ask any expert on arthritic knees, if they get better.I love Houston, but whoever's advising him to play pro ball again is not his friend.Yeah,he might be able to play a little more,make a little more money, but at what price?It's only about ego anyway!Money, you already won the Big one, you have a great family and your health.Play tennis and enjoy running around with your kids.If you're not convinced come watch me walk up steps.It ain't pretty.

Toronto Raptors-in the Knicks division- get a five-day breakto start the season.

East stars (LBJ,JKidd) might not favor the Celtics, but they expressed respect for their offseason improvements. Meanwhile, Ray Allen says "Orlando got a little better. New York got a little better with Zach Randolph. Those teams are going to be good and what we are going to see from our perspective is the best of what every team has to offer."

Warriors get depth, acquire Hudson.

# Veteran point guard leaves Minnesota and agrees to a one-year deal
>>
Q and A with Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson talks about beating "Golden State twice last season playing at their preferred, frantic pace and also won at Phoenix, Denver, Cleveland, Toronto and L.A. [Clippers] pushing the pace."

@Steady

Yes we need to dump 2 by the start of the season,SO why would we be interested in AH20 too, if not only for a feel good story.If we can package 2-4 guys for AK47/RonRon I think we should go 4 it. Yes, AK47 contract will be for more years,BUT he is a talent(maybe even an all-star) to help us win now. Plus he is one of the leaders in block shots, which we need badly.

Fixers!

I just got off the red-eye from San Diego (5:30a.m.), kissed the wife (let my Mami get some more Z's), hugged my son, and played a bit with my dog, then I had to seat down at the desk and catch up on my reading...

YOU FELLAS BEEN BUSY! As always AH, you lead by example and you set the tone, and your last two posts were reflective of the enormous sewage that is spewing from this trial. I appreciate and respect your your views and perspective. I said it earlier, and it bears repeating, "there will be no winners, just losers, guilt or innocence, I leave for the Divine Property, and all of the testimony and depositions and assertions shows the inevitable breakdown of the human dynamic, when there is lack of human decency, respect for others, and where true fellowship and deeds of kindness are not existent, the culture will be toxic." It's a sad situation...

But I like the fire and the analysis in FIXER NATION these last few days. Like Frederick Douglas stated, "You've got to agitiate the soil in order to produce GROWTH, and let nature do the rest." Without a doubt, The Knick Fix Nation is on a role, and the passions are running high for the NYK as we draw closer to training camp; and the social, legal, and political commentary has been quite provocative too, and the exchange of thoughts and personal views has this site smoldering.

St George, welcome FIXER NATION La Familia, and we look forward to your Island Flava on OUR BELOVED NYK, and wish you well.

Everette, If Alan can extend the hand of fellowship to you, despite you personal attacks on his character, so can I (I do not have to utter word on your behavior, the VETS have spoken, that is sufficient, and it is now FIXER LAW; so let it be written, so shall it be done)...LOL

Steady, BARF, O & B, Peacamn, Trane, Willis and Statesman great work gentlemen, especially the Jerome James Breakdown...I know I was cracking up when I read it.

Lives N NJ, I hope you enjoyed the reunion and your shyte was on point, well thought out and eloquently expressed. Boring no, INFORMATIVE, ThOUGHT PROVOKING, BIG YES...loved it! That analytical mind of yours is impressive...

Like some of you Fixers, I am hopeful IT does not pull the t