The Knicks Fix

Portland did it with Francis and nobody blinked. I say trade him to Sac for Bibby and Kenny Thomas, then buy out Thomas.

It seems to me Marbury was the key to all the promise this season held . . . IF , that is, we saw the Stephon who started to emerge last season. It’s all well and good to bring in premier players for your front line. But they’ll only be as effective as the people getting them the ball.

Can Nate really do it? Can Nate and Collins carry the PG spot for a team looking to make a major move this year? I know Nate excelled in Vegas, but he wasn’t playing against the NBA’s best.

It’s also ironic that this hits the paper two days after Hardaway comes to town starting for the Heat. THAT trade could look very different soon, huh? I have trouble believing the Isola story. I know Isiah needs to win now. But it’s hard for me to believe he’s willing to give up on Steph after 5 games. Unless he’s being pushed. If Steph is moved out, let the recalculations on that trade begin . . .

I have two words on this whole New York press ridiculousness regarding Stephon Marbury being bought out: NOT HAPPENING.

If I'm proven wrong, I'll admit it, but I've read that "story" about Marbury and let me tell you, in my opinion, it's a joke. What credited source has even intimated a buy-out? One bad game and he's outta here? Come on.

Ridiculous.

Basketball is a tough game mentally. It takes the right kind of focus. Some ball players need to adjust to that focus and start slowly. Last season, Marbury started the season horrendously, he was out of shape, everyone believed he was washed up, couldn't defend, etc. He ended up playing like an MVP for the whole middle of the season until he got hurt. His defense was outstanding. This was just last year.

Now he's in shape, so everyone expects the moon right away. I got news for you, there's a bigger adjustment for some of these frenetic scoring pgs then just physical. Look at Arenas. He's terrible right now. Last season, same thing. Who remembers when Arenas was in talks for MVP last season? Everyone. Who remembers that for the first month of the season, Arenas was awful, got crushed at the garden, and couldn't shoot straight? I do.

PG is a tough position. To some playing right comes natural. To others, its tough to get in the right frame of mind. Defense also can be tough for those who are adjusting to playing it the right way.

Fact is, the season has just started. Marbury's obviously a slow starter. Newsflash - no one on this team can even come close to replacing Marbury's solid game when the chips are down three months from now and he's playing solid d again, scoring, and distributing like we know he's capable of.

Sunday was ugly, but to say we should get rid of Marbury is nuts.

That article about Marbury, and you know he's read it buy now, already has put this 4 game west coast trip in disaster mode.

Its bad enough Zach and Q probably won't play, but this is just going to hang over the club until Thomas says something, hopefully soon.

If the Knicks come back from this trip 0-4, we'll probably never see .500 for the rest of the season.

"Anyone who has followed this blog knows my take on the Knicks PG situation. I don't know if Nate is the answer right now as a starter, but when his hamstring is healthy -- and clearly it is not -- he is a much better option on the defensive end, not to mention a better player to run the team's offense (now that he's embraced the idea of understanding the offense as a whole and not just knowing where he is supposed to go)."

Alan, just want to go on the record as saying that is not your position historically on the blog with regard to Nate. Since I started reading the blog, you have been a pretty tough critic on Nate as a bench player, let alone a starter.

In my opinion the Knicks would never win with Marbury, but in this case he is not the cause of the losses. Isiah made some bad substitutions. Why does he feel that it is better to play Rose, Balkman, and Lee at the same time. Teams sag into the middle and dare them to shoot.
Look the Knicks have too many players that can't shoot. Lee, Balkman Jeffries, Rose and they all play important minutes, excluding Jeffries. The Knicks must start playing Morris instead of Rose at center. Last season during the rash of injuries Collins played exceptionally well, now he is buried at the end of the bench. Marbury should play less and give more time to Mardy and Nate.
The reason why they can't win with Marbury is because he is a simplistic emotional wreck. He is annoyed at any transgressions by his team-mates and the referees. He should be either traded of played less.

Ladies,

This is Frank Isola writting. I don't trust Frank with anything he says. If the Knicks don't deny the rumor tonight that it will have some substance. I

f the Knicks really put this out there then why and what is their motivation?

I think this is an attempt from the Dolans to pressure the shareholders to sell the company to Dolans at their price and at the same time light a fire under Marbury's ass.

If this has a shred of truth in it, then Isiah is next to go. Soon.
Is Steph a cancer in the locker room?. I know He's lost at least a step but buy him out?. Why would Isola bring this up at the beginning of this trip when it will do nothing but bring more negative pressure to this team?. Isiah will have to spend all of his time making ANOTHER set of denials to keep Steph's head in these games now. Curry and Crawford had 2 lousy games, are they going to cut them too?. Nate and Collins are injured; this would be a signal that they are giving up on this season now.
Nate's hamstring could be a problem for most of the season if he keeps trying to play on it. This reminds me of the ugly press stories that ran Ewing out of town and we know how that turned out. This is GAME SIX!!!. Isiah has to spend ANOTHER month
in denials of this story instead of concentrating on Basketball.
If they were even considering this, I could not imagine why it was not done before the season. Unless this is a one for one swap for Bibby in Sac, which would make NO SENSE for Sac, this is the
worst of the worst case scenarios for right now. Steph is the scapegoat for all that is wrong with this organization?. He played hard last year, he got older and now they throw him under the bus?. Thomas should walk right out the door with him. Don't let the doorknob hit him.

Marbury is a loser, who personifies the me first player in the NBA.

Good riddance.he's a joke!

I agree with a few of the main points Patrick made – I don’t think Stephon is ever going to take a team to the Finals. And yet . . . is he the Knicks biggest problem right now? I don’t think so. He showed last year he can play Isiah-ball. You’ve got $20 mil a year invested in a guy, I think you give him more than 5 games to get his legs under him, and his head straight (admittedly, asking a lot here).

With all the talk about Isiah’s “eye for talent” (which I would never deny, not after his last few drafts) . . . I think serious questions can be raised about his roster management. He keeps bringing in the players he likes, not the players he needs.

Between the investment the team has made in Marbury . . . and the progress he made last year . . . I think he deserves more of a chance, unless Isiah is in the process of swinging a deal for the Knicks PG of the next 10 years, which I doubt. Otherwise, we have much bigger problems to deal with than PG.

All summer all we could hear about was that this is the roster of the future. Well, either Isiah the GM has to admit that’s not the case and make a move . . . or Isiah the coach has to realize it’s now on his shoulders to make this roster work . . . together . . . as a team . . . on BOTH ends of the court.

The surprise is not that the Knicks are considering options regarding Marbury's future. The surprise is that Dolan is not considering options regarding Isiah Thomas' future. Isiah acquired Marbury, who has been part of losing teams wherever he has played. Thomas acquired Crawford, who has been part of losing teams wherever he's played. Same deal with Curry and with Randoph.

For four years, this team has made the same mistakes. Poor perimeter defense. Selfish point guard play. Tons of unforced turnovers. And, losing, losing, losing.

It is time for a change at point guard, coach, general manager, and mostly, in ownership.

The only joke here is Frank Isola.
"discussion between Dolan and Isiah Thomas COULD MEAN the beginning of the end of Stephon Marbury."
"Dolan's and Thomas' history SUGGESTS that they would not rule out negotiating a buyout for Marbury,"
"PERHAPS Marbury is being set up as the scapegoat in the aftermath"
Speculation and Hearsay!!!!!!!!
What kind of reporting is this. He is just guessing.
3 losses and already the wolves are attacking.
What a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only thing I can think of with this Marbury situation is maybe Zach has problems with him in the locker room. Zach was pretty demonstrative on the floor a couple of times with Marbury so it may carried into a locker room. Zach is awol now and this could be the reason. This is very interesting. Marbury didnt look too bad on the floor so it has to be something locker room related.

Nate4prez - don't worry, Alan knows who we are. Just ignore.

If only we could change owners.

I'd hate to do it, but Marbury for Nash straight up. Tonight. My final offer.

Minus Marbury, with Crawford coming off the bench, where he can be returned whenever he suffers one of his fits of turnovers and defensive flaking, this team is solid, deep and could be a great defensive team. Pound the post, limit other teams possesions, strangle them with the likes of Jeffries and Balkman, rebound and go to the line. We do not need fireworks in the backcourt to make this team work. Mardy Collins can load the gun in the post, Nate can shoot with range wheen necessary, and having Randolph and Curry means we can have an offensive liability at the 3 spot, because if teams choose to double with their 3, the other big man is there, and a cutting Balkman is a strong disincentive to leave him alone - especially if we keep him weakside in the half court sets.

Get me Jeff Van Gundy and he'll make Mardy Collins into Derek Harper (he's not far off) and Nate Robinson into John Starks. Just surround those two big men with rebounders, defensive players and let them go to town. Pound it inside. Dare teams to stop the run. Then the threes are makeable, you cut down on fast break opportunities for the other squad. Simplicity is the best offense - we have two of the best offensive front court men in the league, anything that detracts from turning that strength into domination must go.

Thomas deserves the season.
A midseason coaching change would be a disaster.
Are people really suggesting we start Mardy Collins over Marbury?

Listen, Its playoffs or bust this season.
Give Thomas the whole season to prove himself.

Hey Mark,STFU!!!!!! YOU KNOW EVEN LESS THAN THOSE YOU CRITICISE YOU MORON!!!!!!!!! Save your breath.You're gonna need it later to blow up your inflatable DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rush,
Zach is awol.....come on......what does that mean.......

I understand a trade., but a buyout. Seriously stop smoking crack. If Steve francis could bring something with nothing left to offer, then Marbury could bring something.

How about Marbury and Curry, for Kobe, and co

I was shocked Isiah was able to get anything for the Francis contract, let alone a premier power forward. But, if anything, Marbury + the $42 mil left on his contract make Stephon Marbury about as untradeable as any player in the NBA. I would love to be proven wrong about this. But who can imagine a GM out there craving for SM? Perhaps our only chance is a GM out there desperate to dump someone . . . not untlike, I suppose, Portland was desperate to dump Zach . . . to our enormous benefit. How frightened of Artest is Sacramento? Dare I dream?

I still say we get Artest and put the "All Outcast" team on the court. Zach, Artest, even Stephon. Then the Knicks logo turns into a swtichblade, with blood dripping off it . . . (I'm kidding, but only about the logo).

Why not a team with a chip on its shoulder? Something to prove? Something to believe in? (Themselves). At least we'd keep getting more talented . . .

I would happily sacrifice some wins and even the playoffs this year (It's not as if the team will compete for a championship) to see this team either develop Mardy and Nate,or trade for a traditional PG who would play within the offense.
Marbury has only been a winner with regard to his ridiculous income and his reasonably priced sneakers.
Isn't it interesting how this team has three captains?
Is that because they don't have even one individual with strong enough character to be the sole captain?
This team lacks heart and attitute.
I would rather see a team compete and lose than just fold up like a flower on a cold spring day.
As the quote roughly states, "an idiot with a plan is more dangerous than a genious without one.
Point guard fire sale MSG this weekend 9:00 am till...........

if you think that one player is responsible for the 2-3 record, your full of the horsesh*t that passes as journalism over at ny daily news.

basketball is a team game. win together, lose together. period.

Question: If Marbury's $21 mil ended this season and he was a free agent, would you want him back?

Artest playing for Isiah would be amazing but, I dont want to give up Lee, Balk or Nate.
The only deal Sac would listen to is Artest, Bibby, and Thomas for Steph, Rose and either Lee or Balk. They would only take Rose because he and Thomas make about the same annualy but, Thomas has 1 extra year on his contract.
I might consider this only if Artest signs a 2 year extension.(He can opt out after this year)
But I dont think Dolan would sign off on this trade. I dont see him taking on another head-ache.
Having said that, lets give this team 20 games to see what they are made of.

I mean 20 games before we seriously start talking trades......

Remember before the season started I had asked Alan if he felt that some of his fellow media members wanted to see the team blown up and for Isiah to lose his job before they can start to show their promise and have success?

Isola's article is a perfect example of that.

If the Knicks are really going to buy out their starting PG after 5 games then Thomas should go at the same time. What a giant clusterf*ck. Marbury may be strange, might be on the tail end of his career, but anyone watching that game against the Heat knows that he's not the sole reason we lost. If anyone is to blame it is Thomas -- the entire team looked lackluster, uninterested, uninspired. I'm sick to my stomach. What happened to my team?

Nate4 prez -

Ding ding ding ding ding

we have a winner

Someone who can actually read!!!!!

That Isola "piece" said nothing at all!

I was going to report my news...

"James Dolan and Isiah thomas were seen in adjacent stalls in the mensroom after the game.

They could be thinking about packaging Marbury, Thomas and several other players for Bryant but sourses were unable to confirm an exact offer."

Only in Isolas world does that qualify as news.

If they have an editor over there I sure hope they don't pay him much.

I hope this isn't the end of $15 sneakers. I love that deal!

Wow if this is done, if he’s bought out would’nt it mess up the little chemistry that this team has? I think it would definitly have some kind of effect somewhat like a rebuilding kinda thing.

also could that be the open door maybe in bringing in Artest and bibby….maybe this change would make this team have and about face in looking at playing their hardest every game.

At the same time its only 5 games give this group a chance.

Just bloggin.

Why did I fall in love with this team

Marbury is AWOL Isola said Curry may not start or even play tonight. Could it be that we are getting Kobe?

I just heard Isola on Stephen A. Smith's show, and he almost sounded like he was sticking up for Steph. Weird.

At any rate, I go with those who think this is a non-story, meant to stir up sh!t within the NYK organization.

Steph not showing for the AM shootaround - that's a bit more serious.

And the news that there will be no Zach, a bench guard starting, someone starting for Curry... makes me wonder WTF is going on in Zeke's head. This road trip could be painful...

Here's a realistic deal you could get for Marbury:

To Minnesota for Greg Buckner, Marko Jaric, and Theo Ratliff. It would mean taking on two extra years of bad contracts, but some might argue that it's worth it. Here's what the contracts look like:

http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/minnesota.htm

Marbury has left the team.

http://knicks.lohudblogs.com/2007/11/13/marbury-has-left-the-building/

Isola wants to have it both ways.
First the knicks look bad because Steph is a malcontent.
He also wants the knicks to look bad by saying they are trying to make Steph the scapegoat.

So which one is it Frank?
Is it Steph or the Knicks who are the problem?

He just throws out both scenarios and whichever one we except, it doesnt matter.

I want to wait and see how this thing shakes out because we must consider the source.

Isola hates Thomas and will flip flop as needed to make him the bad guy.

I JUST HOPE WE GET A POINT GUARD IN RETURN. TELL ME SOMEONE WON'T TAKE A CHANCE ON A GUY WHO IS CAREER 20 PTS 8 ASSISTS. NEXT YEAR HE IS AN EXPIRING CONTRACT. HE COULD HELP A TEAM FOR A YEAR AT 20 MILLION ISN'T UNTRADEABLE. LET'S SALVAGE THIS SEASON

A three ring circus (Dolan, Thomas, Marbury), indeed.

Emac2 is correct that the first Isola article (SM's "days might be numbered") is mostly speculation. But it’s not all speculation. Though it’s an unnamed source, Frank does cite a source:

“A high-ranking team official told the Daily News that Thomas and Dolan have been in talks in recent days concerning Marbury's future”

Then we're told Collins is starting instead of Stephon? This was reported coming from Isiah, so it's hard imagine this was made-up.

Then we're told that Curry, who WAS at the morning shoot-around, IS NOT STARTING. Is this true? Was there a source on this?

Did Isiah pull off some blockbuster, including Curry . . . and doesn’t want him to break his leg tonight? Why else wouldn’t Curry start?

Something’s definitely going on . . . isn’t it?

ALAN??? C'mon . . . What's going on out there?

LEAVE THE KNICKS THE WAY THEY ARE. WHEN THE CAVALIERS DIDNT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS FOR 100 YEARS, NO BODY SAID ANYTHING. THE KNICKS HAVENT MADE THE PLAYOFF IN A WHILE, WELL GIVE THEM TIME. THIS YEAR THEY WILL. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, ONCE THEY BEGIN TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER, THIS TEAM IS DANGEROUS. KEEPING HATING EVERYONE, YOUR HATING DAYS ARE NUMBERED