The Knicks Fix

i will personally drive stephon to the airport on that day IF he is ever traded...that is my word !! N how funny would it be to see him back teamed again w/ garnett. haha. no way ainge would do it though. stephon is a frikkin' cancer....wherever he goes, turns rotten shortly thereafter.

The best for all concerned would be a one year retirement for Steph next year. He is an expert on wearing out his welcome, his rhetoric now is all about the "business" of the NBA, and how he's no fool. Let him take a year off and return to a FA contract and help a team. But that aint going to happen because Stephon has a "contract."

When Steph starts talking about business, as he has recently, it means you've asked him to give up more Starbury that he feels the terms of his "contract" allow. This "contract" I speak of is not with any team, or rather, its with all teams, or actually, its some sort of cosmic contract that he and his dad made with with the world a long time ago. I believe all the Marbury boys were afforded this contract, its really the same one alot of poor kids sign in this country. Very few make of it what Marbury has. The contract states:

"No team will impede my drive to the top - not biddy league, not AAU, not High School, not College. No team will ask me to be less than THE star, or I will not play for this team, because not being the THE star means I will not make it to the top and get to the loot. I will play for you, and being the best player on the floor, you will probably win. And in winning, you will further my cause. However, I reserve the right to do what is in my perceived self interest, and any attempt to take away my Star potential will be construed as a breech of contract and thereby cause any earthly contract to be null and void."

I had hoped that New York would be his last stop because he wouldn't do what he's done everywhere else, here. I took him at his word that playing for his Knicks was the ultimate, and that finally, his need to stay and be loved in his hometown would spur him to confront and overcome the dysfunction in his game that made him simultaneously a drop dead Star, and an ineffective also-ran. That the "contract" had been fulfilled enough by the millions stacked on millions he'd rightly taken from the NBA game. That he had achieved the goal of financial security for himself and his family, and now was time to win for a team, for a city, hell, just to time to win.

I always added "the grain of salt" to all the "addition by subtraction" talk - too easy, too venomous, the world is more complex than that. Teams got better because his talent brought them better players in return, allowed the team trading him to unload garbage as part of the cost of trading for a legit Star, brought them expiring contracts so they could target great players after assembling mistake teams. I still believe all this is part of the "addition by subtraction" formula. But now, having lived with him here and seen how dark his vision is, how that first contract he and his dad wrote with destiny has become a contract with the devil himself, I can see that he can't let it go. He can't take the accursed shoes off, and he is doomed to dance this manic, mad dance until he retires. After basketball? Then what? That's a scary prospect too, and I don't think happily ever after is part of the tale.

Will the Knicks be better off without him? Absolutely. More than mediocre, just okie dokie? Perhaps, but now at least they will play basketball together and see if playing for one another makes them each want to play better than just playing for themselves. That's all we ask; we want our TEAM back. Win. Lose. Whatever. But be a team. And you never know, there are alot of shaky teams out there that can be beat if you play hard and play together.

The final, sad irony of "addition by subtraction" is the one team that really needs to hit paydirt as a result of his subtraction, the home town team that we'd hope he'd save, won't get anything in return. No Nash, no Kidd, no nothing, is coming back in return when he gets subtracted this time. Because he's wrung all the currency once and for all out of the Star that he vowed to become. And this will finally be, what all the "haters" and "experts" and everybody else has been saying for years, the real "addition by subtraction" with nothing coming back, just the end of yet another contract between Starbury and us.

So this prima donna gets 20 plus million a year to play basketball and still manages to emit more negativeness than a nuclear explosion. Marbury has been truly cancerous to any team he's been on, but I wouldn't be letting him walk with all that money. No, I'd sit him on the bench, make him practice and perhaps assist with the team's luggage. The guys ego would not allow him to stay and do those things and he would just quit or not follow the rules, in which case you fine him and suspend him. You don't just let this jerk walk out the door with all your money. Money For Nothing....I hope not. Make him earn some of it at least. The amounts these guys get paid is absolutely obscene.

I HONESTLY THINK CURRY FOR B.WALLACE IS BETTER BUT ZACH FOR WALLACE AINT BAD EITHER WE NEED A DEFENSIVE PRESENTZ IN THE MIDDLE...I THINK MARBURY IS GONNA PLAY GOOD NEXT YEAR WHEREVA HE IS AT...KNICKS MIGHT WIN 30 STRAIGHT.LMAO...MARDY COLLINS IS BETTER AT POINT BUT FRED CAN SHOOT BETTER SO ZEKE PLAYZ HIM..AS A COACH U GOTTA MAKE IT WORK SINCE Z-BO HAS A JUMPSHOT DESIGN PLAYZ FOR HIM TO WORKOUT OF THE PAINT.REMEMBER ITZ ALL WHAT THE COACH WANTS AN IF PLAYERS AINT FEELING HIS STYLE THEN THEY LOOSE AS U CAN TELL BY NOW ZEKE ISN'T A GOOD COACH AT ALLL...STAY TUNED FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE

Steph hasn't body or motivation to be the best because he is over paid. There's no glory if you got the gold already. He is selfish and is looking after himself and will always be a cancer where ever he go's. Remember, we he got traded to the Knicks in 04 he was mad at the Suns for pushing the trade. He never wanted to be here. We need heart and pride back in this organization and quality individuals that would put the team in front of there own ambitions as men and athletes. Him not being on this team is one step of MANY that will change the direction of the franchise. And I hope no other mistakes such as his acquisition for a player of his demeanor is made again.

personally i think that would be an awful pick up by boston... I mean I know there unselfish veterans in the big three but adding marberry at the point would mean the ball would probably stick and you throw off the chemistry of a team thats doing really well... I'm all for the buyout by the way and if we do trade eddy or randolph it better be for some young talent or some cap space because that is what we need... give it up this year we need to build for next year and expiring contracts are exactly what we need that and first round draft pick... we need to get young and have cap space so we can attract a free agent

Willis – are you sure we get nothing back? This is why I object to all this talk of a buyout. What’s the point? So we get the roster spot back and can sign a PG from the D-league for the rest of the season? Moreover, I’m also always shocked by how little the team actually saves when they buy out a contract. Aren’t we a LOT better off if we just keep paying him so we have the contract over the summer and into next season as trade bait? Few things in this league are more valuable than an expiring maxed-out contract. Yes, it would still be a year away. But this team has so little talent to offer in trade (and I pretty much agree that the few players teams want, we should probably keep). I’m reluctant to kiss off this contract when at least we could realize some benefit to the team for having put up with Stephon all these years. However sleazy Larry Brown was when he was here . . . he was certainly right about Stephon. He must be smiling tonight.

Chad Ford wrote an interesting piece on how to solve the Knicks problems; Check it out.

Fixing the Knicks, Part II: Four steps to success

The Isiah Thomas era in New York has been dying a slow death for the past two seasons. A three-game win streak not withstanding, owner James Dolan has had all the ammunition he needs to kick Isiah to the curb for more than a year now. (Here's a transaction-by-transaction case for why the Knicks' president of basketball operations needs to go.)

At this point, it seems to be a matter of "when", not "if", Isiah will get fired.
Zach Randolph
Isiah's deal for Zach Randolph has backfired in New York so far.

And at some juncture, whether Isiah loses his job now or at the end of the season, someone is going to have to come in, sift through the rubble and try to salvage a basketball team out of the Knicks.

Dubbed "Mission Impossible" by several prominent GMs, the once-coveted Knicks job is now considered a quagmire of salary-cap hell mingled with combustible chemistry.

Big name executives with stellar reputations -- like Jerry West, Jerry and Bryan Colangelo and Donnie Walsh -- have been mentioned as possible candidates for the job. But this mission, should any executive choose to accept it, would be the most challenging of their career.

For more than a year I've been talking with GMs about what they would do to fix the Knicks. The answer, invariably, has been a chuckle followed with a rejoinder: What would you do?

It's easy to criticize Isiah Thomas for the moves he has made. Suggesting a course correction is more difficult … but I'm up for the challenge.

The Knicks' situation is salvageable. Bring in the right people at the top, change the culture, hire a great head coach, manage the cap carefully, develop the young guys and the Knicks might actually look like a basketball team in a few years.

I think the model to follow is the Blazers. Four years ago they were the "Jail Blazers" -- a team filled with talented players, zero chemistry and plenty of problems. Now? They are the hottest team in basketball, with a young core fans can stand behind.

Mr. Dolan, I hope you're taking notes.

Step One: Buy out Stephon Marbury

When Isiah acquired Marbury three years ago, just about everyone thought it was a slam dunk of a deal. The Knicks gave up a few expiring contracts and draft picks and in turn landed a young point guard who could re-energize the Garden.

Only Marbury hasn't been nearly as good as Isiah (or Stephon, for that matter) thought he'd be, and the Knicks haven't been able to put together a winning season in New York.

Marbury has one more year and nearly $20 million left on his contract after this season. The Knicks have tried to trade him or the past 2½ years, but no one's biting. He hasn't had a good season in several years, he's been at odds with his past two coaches and he's been missing in action since his father died.

At this point, no one is trading for him. So the Knicks should fire him. Yes, it would cost them a fortune, but it would be worth every penny.

Some will argue that he'll be a valuable trading chip next summer because of his expiring contract. But using expiring contracts to collect talent hasn't worked out well for the Knicks. With this strategy, they have gotten back overpaid, third-tier type players in return; generally teams that want cap room won't give up great talent to get it.

Although Marbury could bring the Knicks something in return, it most likely won't be as valuable as getting back some cap flexibility down the road.

And whether Marbury goes on to resurrect his career elsewhere is not an issue. It's not happening in New York. The quicker the Knicks get him out, the quicker the team can begin to move away from the Isiah era. Making a bold move like dumping him sends a message to the team's next coach: The front office is serious about creating a different atmosphere in New York.

Step Two: Trade Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph

If the Marbury deal was the one that started the Knicks' descent into hell, it was the Curry trade that sealed the door. The Knicks gave up two lottery picks and paid a boatload of cash for Curry, a talented low-post scorer who does little else on the court. And, so far, he's been unable to coexist with Randolph.

Eddy Curry
As disappointing as Eddy Curry has been, he might have trade value.

Although it may be Randolph who is begging for a trade, I think Curry may be easier to pawn off. Randolph is the more talented of the two, but he also has more off-the-court baggage. Curry's deal is also for far less money, and the fact that he's a center may make him attractive to a team with a huge hole in the middle.

Although it may seem crazy to give away a guy the Knicks spent so much money on, cost is irrelevant at this point. He's a bad fit and the Knicks need flexibility and chemistry.

What type of deal might make sense for the Knicks?

First I'd hit up the Hawks, who are making a push for the playoffs. Although Al Horford has been great for them in the middle, he's much more suited for the power forward position. A deal that sends Zaza Pachulia and Tyronn Lue to the Knicks for Curry (or if the Hawks won't part with Pachulia, then Lorenzen Wright) would give the Knicks cap relief.

Another team that might be willing to take Curry is the Magic. They have Dwight Howard dominating in the middle, but he and Curry could play together in the front court. Two expiring contracts (take your pick of Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, Keith Bogans and Pat Garrity) along with J.J. Redick might be enough for the Knicks.

They may also try to entice the Wizards with a deal of Curry and Malik Rose for Antawn Jamison, whose contract comes off the books at the end of the season.

If the Knicks can't trade Curry, they can keep trying to find a home for Randolph. There's been talk in the media about Randolph being sent to the Bucks. However, if you look at the long-term salary cap implications of the rumored deal, it doesn't make sense for the Knicks -- even if Charlie Villanueva is in the deal.

The Lakers could also put together a deal that included Kwame Brown's expiring contract and one or two of their young players like Jordan Farmar, Javaris Crittenton and/or Trevor Ariza.

Or the Knicks could try to get Jamison for Randolph if the Wizards won't bite on Curry.

They also could try a swap with the Cavs to get Drew Gooden and expiring contracts in return.

Still, getting rid of Curry or Randolph is only half the battle. For the Knicks to have real cap flexibility in the next few years, they need to find a way to get one more guy off their roster. Whether that's Jared Jeffries, Jamal Crawford or whoever's left between Curry and Randolph, they'll have to find a way to get a player whose contract expires in the summer of 2010.

Step Three: Start to dig the Knicks out of salary-cap hell

The Knicks' payroll issues are bleak. The team has committed to a whopping $95.2 million in payroll this season. Add in the roughly $27 million they'll owe the league in luxury=tax penalties and it gets even uglier.

Things don't get much better next season -- they only drop one contract, Fred Jones', from the books. As it stands now, the Knicks' payroll goes down to $89.8 million in 2008-09.

The watershed year is the summer of 2009. Marbury, Rose and Mardy Collins all come off the books and the Knicks' payroll plummets to $62 million. That's not enough to sign free agents, but for the first time in a long time the Knicks will have breathing room from the luxury tax.

Of course, had they not pulled the trigger on the Randolph deal this past summer, they could've been $10-$15 million under the cap in 2009.

If the Knicks are patient for one more year after that, Quentin Richardson and Jerome James can come off the books, too. However, by then they'll have to decide how much to pay David Lee and Nate Robinson.

So, in the summer of 2010 -- the same summer that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh become unrestricted free agents -- the Knicks could conceivably have cap room, especially if they move Curry or Randolph for cap space down the road.

Patience is a virtue here. If Isiah had bit the bullet and whittled away the Knicks' salary cap when he got to New York, he would have had serious cap room this past summer.

Instead, the Knicks are in worse shape than when he arrived. The next guy can't make the same mistake.

Cap room doesn't win championships, but it gives teams the flexibility to make things happen. Right now the Knicks have zero flexibility, essentially neutralizing anything intelligent that a GM can do.

If the Knicks can find a way to get rid of some combination of Curry or Randolph plus either Jeffries or Crawford for a contract that expires after the 2009-10 season, they could be major players on the free-agent market in 2010.

Step Four: Start collecting lottery balls

With the exception of Lee and Robinson, the Knicks have done a poor job of cultivating their young talent. That has to change.

If the Knicks start rebuilding, it should produce high lottery picks the next few years. If they can get a high pick this season and use it to draft a franchise player like Memphis' Derrick Rose, the Knicks suddenly would have some talent to build around.

Two draft picks combined with Lee and Robinson could form a nice core. And it needs to happen now -- Utah owns the Knicks' 2010 pick, which is unprotected. So they need to score big in the next two drafts.

Chad Ford offers his opinion on how to fix the Knicks; check it out.

Fixing the Knicks, Part II: Four steps to success

The Isiah Thomas era in New York has been dying a slow death for the past two seasons. A three-game win streak not withstanding, owner James Dolan has had all the ammunition he needs to kick Isiah to the curb for more than a year now. (Here's a transaction-by-transaction case for why the Knicks' president of basketball operations needs to go.)

At this point, it seems to be a matter of "when", not "if", Isiah will get fired.
Zach Randolph
Isiah's deal for Zach Randolph has backfired in New York so far.

And at some juncture, whether Isiah loses his job now or at the end of the season, someone is going to have to come in, sift through the rubble and try to salvage a basketball team out of the Knicks.

Dubbed "Mission Impossible" by several prominent GMs, the once-coveted Knicks job is now considered a quagmire of salary-cap hell mingled with combustible chemistry.

Big name executives with stellar reputations -- like Jerry West, Jerry and Bryan Colangelo and Donnie Walsh -- have been mentioned as possible candidates for the job. But this mission, should any executive choose to accept it, would be the most challenging of their career.

For more than a year I've been talking with GMs about what they would do to fix the Knicks. The answer, invariably, has been a chuckle followed with a rejoinder: What would you do?

It's easy to criticize Isiah Thomas for the moves he has made. Suggesting a course correction is more difficult … but I'm up for the challenge.

The Knicks' situation is salvageable. Bring in the right people at the top, change the culture, hire a great head coach, manage the cap carefully, develop the young guys and the Knicks might actually look like a basketball team in a few years.

I think the model to follow is the Blazers. Four years ago they were the "Jail Blazers" -- a team filled with talented players, zero chemistry and plenty of problems. Now? They are the hottest team in basketball, with a young core fans can stand behind.

Mr. Dolan, I hope you're taking notes.

Step One: Buy out Stephon Marbury

When Isiah acquired Marbury three years ago, just about everyone thought it was a slam dunk of a deal. The Knicks gave up a few expiring contracts and draft picks and in turn landed a young point guard who could re-energize the Garden.

Only Marbury hasn't been nearly as good as Isiah (or Stephon, for that matter) thought he'd be, and the Knicks haven't been able to put together a winning season in New York.

Marbury has one more year and nearly $20 million left on his contract after this season. The Knicks have tried to trade him or the past 2½ years, but no one's biting. He hasn't had a good season in several years, he's been at odds with his past two coaches and he's been missing in action since his father died.

At this point, no one is trading for him. So the Knicks should fire him. Yes, it would cost them a fortune, but it would be worth every penny.

Some will argue that he'll be a valuable trading chip next summer because of his expiring contract. But using expiring contracts to collect talent hasn't worked out well for the Knicks. With this strategy, they have gotten back overpaid, third-tier type players in return; generally teams that want cap room won't give up great talent to get it.

Although Marbury could bring the Knicks something in return, it most likely won't be as valuable as getting back some cap flexibility down the road.

And whether Marbury goes on to resurrect his career elsewhere is not an issue. It's not happening in New York. The quicker the Knicks get him out, the quicker the team can begin to move away from the Isiah era. Making a bold move like dumping him sends a message to the team's next coach: The front office is serious about creating a different atmosphere in New York.

Step Two: Trade Eddy Curry or Zach Randolph

If the Marbury deal was the one that started the Knicks' descent into hell, it was the Curry trade that sealed the door. The Knicks gave up two lottery picks and paid a boatload of cash for Curry, a talented low-post scorer who does little else on the court. And, so far, he's been unable to coexist with Randolph.

Eddy Curry
As disappointing as Eddy Curry has been, he might have trade value.

Although it may be Randolph who is begging for a trade, I think Curry may be easier to pawn off. Randolph is the more talented of the two, but he also has more off-the-court baggage. Curry's deal is also for far less money, and the fact that he's a center may make him attractive to a team with a huge hole in the middle.

Although it may seem crazy to give away a guy the Knicks spent so much money on, cost is irrelevant at this point. He's a bad fit and the Knicks need flexibility and chemistry.

What type of deal might make sense for the Knicks?

First I'd hit up the Hawks, who are making a push for the playoffs. Although Al Horford has been great for them in the middle, he's much more suited for the power forward position. A deal that sends Zaza Pachulia and Tyronn Lue to the Knicks for Curry (or if the Hawks won't part with Pachulia, then Lorenzen Wright) would give the Knicks cap relief.

Another team that might be willing to take Curry is the Magic. They have Dwight Howard dominating in the middle, but he and Curry could play together in the front court. Two expiring contracts (take your pick of Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, Keith Bogans and Pat Garrity) along with J.J. Redick might be enough for the Knicks.

They may also try to entice the Wizards with a deal of Curry and Malik Rose for Antawn Jamison, whose contract comes off the books at the end of the season.

If the Knicks can't trade Curry, they can keep trying to find a home for Randolph. There's been talk in the media about Randolph being sent to the Bucks. However, if you look at the long-term salary cap implications of the rumored deal, it doesn't make sense for the Knicks -- even if Charlie Villanueva is in the deal.

The Lakers could also put together a deal that included Kwame Brown's expiring contract and one or two of their young players like Jordan Farmar, Javaris Crittenton and/or Trevor Ariza.

Or the Knicks could try to get Jamison for Randolph if the Wizards won't bite on Curry.

They also could try a swap with the Cavs to get Drew Gooden and expiring contracts in return.

Still, getting rid of Curry or Randolph is only half the battle. For the Knicks to have real cap flexibility in the next few years, they need to find a way to get one more guy off their roster. Whether that's Jared Jeffries, Jamal Crawford or whoever's left between Curry and Randolph, they'll have to find a way to get a player whose contract expires in the summer of 2010.

Step Three: Start to dig the Knicks out of salary-cap hell

The Knicks' payroll issues are bleak. The team has committed to a whopping $95.2 million in payroll this season. Add in the roughly $27 million they'll owe the league in luxury=tax penalties and it gets even uglier.

Things don't get much better next season -- they only drop one contract, Fred Jones', from the books. As it stands now, the Knicks' payroll goes down to $89.8 million in 2008-09.

The watershed year is the summer of 2009. Marbury, Rose and Mardy Collins all come off the books and the Knicks' payroll plummets to $62 million. That's not enough to sign free agents, but for the first time in a long time the Knicks will have breathing room from the luxury tax.

Of course, had they not pulled the trigger on the Randolph deal this past summer, they could've been $10-$15 million under the cap in 2009.

If the Knicks are patient for one more year after that, Quentin Richardson and Jerome James can come off the books, too. However, by then they'll have to decide how much to pay David Lee and Nate Robinson.

So, in the summer of 2010 -- the same summer that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh become unrestricted free agents -- the Knicks could conceivably have cap room, especially if they move Curry or Randolph for cap space down the road.

Patience is a virtue here. If Isiah had bit the bullet and whittled away the Knicks' salary cap when he got to New York, he would have had serious cap room this past summer.

Instead, the Knicks are in worse shape than when he arrived. The next guy can't make the same mistake.

Cap room doesn't win championships, but it gives teams the flexibility to make things happen. Right now the Knicks have zero flexibility, essentially neutralizing anything intelligent that a GM can do.

If the Knicks can find a way to get rid of some combination of Curry or Randolph plus either Jeffries or Crawford for a contract that expires after the 2009-10 season, they could be major players on the free-agent market in 2010.

Step Four: Start collecting lottery balls

With the exception of Lee and Robinson, the Knicks have done a poor job of cultivating their young talent. That has to change.

If the Knicks start rebuilding, it should produce high lottery picks the next few years. If they can get a high pick this season and use it to draft a franchise player like Memphis' Derrick Rose, the Knicks suddenly would have some talent to build around.

Two draft picks combined with Lee and Robinson could form a nice core. And it needs to happen now -- Utah owns the Knicks' 2010 pick, which is unprotected. So they need to score big in the next two drafts.

Dang, I could've summarized Chad Ford's formula on how to fix the Knicks, very simply:
* exterminate the vermin, Isiah Lord Thomas;
* Hire Bryan Colangelo (or one of the 2 Jerrys)
* Former New Yorker and LBrown's teammate Donnie Walsh? Pacers have been wallowing in mediocrity for several years now so I'm not sure about him.

This is not rocket-science.
Don't need a 14 page book report or analysis, thesis, hypothesis and anti-thesis to fix the Knicks.

Keep it simple, show The Weasel the door.

Alah Hahn:
Lots of typo error on the header but very good substance.

I could've sworn we were promised a pregame entry as of this game?

Such has been the way with anything related to the Knicks since the unlikely run to the '99 Finals. Broken promises and broken hearts.

Any remnants of the glory days and the "proud franchise" are long gone. The Knicks are no longer just a joke and easy target for ridicule. They are the poster child for the true ugliness that lies within the core of professional sports: -

Individuals with god given talents and physical attributes who cash in their gifts for wheels, bling, and 2 minutes of glory in the back of their truck.

Oh but dont worry, as long as you go to church on sunday, and always thank God at the end of all your public speeches, then you are good to go and cleansed of all your sins.

Hypocricy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue.

For what its worth, lets not forget when the Knicks have played there best over the past 2 years. That stretch of 20-17 starting after the brawl, and the 6 game win streak in January under Larry Brown. Marbury was the best player during both of those stretches, and was the catalyst to the team playing well.

Maybe it is indeed time to move on without him, but he was still the Knicks best chance for any success this year.