Stephon Marbury don't fret, you are still the Knicks most electric, talented and impactful player on the roster- and it looks like it will stay that way for at least one last season. While Chris Duhon will make for a great backup point guard for the Knickerbockers, all stock has been put in the free agent Class of 2010...and rightfully so. Duhon received a 2 year deal, as to not get in the way of the courtship of Dwayne Wade, Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony in a few years. But Duhon offers more. He's a steady point guard, who dishes the ball, protects the ball, and shoots the ball with success. That being said, he is a nice player, not a thunder stealer from Stephon Marbury, the man who knows he must resurrect his career before he hits free agency. The player who knows that if he can't succeed in the fun and gun style of Mike D'Antoni, where would he succeed? The player that knows he now must live up to the $21.8 million salary he has this year.

The Knicks need Marbury to survive 2008-2009, and the sooner the team, the fans and Marbury himself realizes it, the better. ... [read more]

Normally, I am not one to be easily swayed by conspiracy theories, but after delving into Eliot Asinof's Eight Men Out, I am convinced that anything is possible (in a much more troubling and somber manner than KG's interpretation of the phrase after winning the title) in the world of sports and the NBA could easily be fixing games and forcing action.  In case you didn't know,Asinof's book chronicles the fixing of the 1919 World Series, in which several of the Chicago White Sox' best players conspired with notorious gamblers and bettors to intentionally lose the World Series to the less talented Cincinnati Reds.

What is so chilling about this account is not the corruption of the players (in fact, I sympathize with them quite a bit), but the tacit (and frequently explicit) cooperation of the owners and President of the National League to cover up the dirty underside of baseball for the stated purpose of protecting the game and preserving the incredibly lucrative (albeit illicit) industry of sports betting, a central pillar in the foundation of American baseball.

Now, I'm not saying that I absolutely believe that the NBA is fixed, but I do think that it would be relatively easy for the league or other outside actors to influence games to maximize profits for the NBA.  The motivation is there (send Wade to the line 20 times in one night because Stern would rather die than hand Mark Cuban a trophy!), and the means to do so are available and effective.  Furthermore, the "fixing" of games only takes the tacit cooperation of the league, who, much lik... [read more] (2 comments)

Well, I'm back again for my belated follow-up blog and I'll tell you this - for the first time in a long time with the Knicks I have hope. I wasn't one of the clueless people that booed the draft pick last Thursday. I was there in attendance though and while I would have prefered Jerryd Bayless, I am now very happy with Danilo Gallinari as the Knicks draft pick. He is a 19 year old kid with all tools of one day becoming a ver good and even great player. Right now though, he's a project. And so are the Knicks.

As the free agent signing period begins,  we must realize that the Knicks are not going to sign anyone of merit. They are looking for a cheap and short-term solution at point guard for the next 2 years. At the same time, Marbury's time in NY are numbered. I personally do not want to see him back and I hope he is waived in the summer. But he isn't the only one that needs to go. I would like to see half the roster leave as well but unfortunately that's not possible at the moment. If Walsh can get rid of Randolph, Curry, or Crawford this offseason for a shorter contract, he will be a miracle worker.

As for this upcoming season, we'll discuss it at length later. Just remember that the Knicks will stink anyway for the next 2 years as they look to tradeoff contracts and develop young talent in hopes of making a run at major free agent (hint: LeBron) in 2010.

Right now, I gotta go but keep on reading Knicks Ball. I'll be back soon to add much more to my blog and hopefully bring in more fans. Take care.... [read more]

spree and allan houston. they were the last players to rep the knicks in the NBA All Star Game.......how can it be that Zeke has failed to generate one all star in his entire tenure? with the knicks salary capped beyond belief are we to believe that all of that mountain of greenbacks could not once produce at least one player who had a 1/2 season of impact........enough impact to be considered on the top 12 players in the east.......back up the truck on this team, keep lee, balkman and jamal crawford, they are a good core group to be 5th 6th 7th and 8th man material in a decent rotation, otherwise the knicks have nothing but garbage that the rest of the league simply has no interest in...wow...how has it come to this in " the mecca ".......Isiah has to be relieved of his bizarre tenure...bring in somebody...anybody with a broom and a slight idea how to construct a winning franchise...and i dont want to hear complaints about jimmy dolan, he has provided enough cash and let the basketball people do their jobs...they have simply sucked and now he has to start to right the ship by cutting loose a lot of basketball staff and administration that has fostered an era and feeling of losing, of becoming a disrespected joke of a franchise.... [read more] (1 comment)

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/02/im-sickand-blogging-like-crazy.html

Sick day! So I'm home, sick as hell, and blogging like crazy! I'm going to rattle off a day long blog about current NBA affairs and just link up some other great sports or NBA blogs. Let's get the sick party rollin'!

This isn't necessarily a basketball post but it does concern all bloggers. Jim Fassel, former NFL coach has placed blame on the blog world for not getting hired to be the next Washington Redskins coach. Please...What on Earth are the New York Knicks doing? Oh just unloading two of their best players and dropping themselves further into the gutter. Zach Randolph may be the worst teammate in the NBA but at least the team has started playing better as of late.The Starting Five got to sit in during the NBA All-Star game teleconference and love every minute of it. Lucky!Shaq just wants a 'little respect' from the league. Well Bill Walton won't, and the Diesel had some choice words for the old hippie.Third Quarter Collapse on J.J. Redick and his frustrations with lack of playing time.Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post and ESPN would like to change the NBA All-Star game to a 'U.S. vs. the World' contest. Could be interesting, will never happen though.Sports Illustrated's 'Hot Clicks' is a fantastic daily read. Make sure to check it out as much as possible.CelticsBlog with a daily links post.Anyone seen the plans for the Orlando Magic's new arena? Slam Dunk Central has you covered! Add this site to your list of daily blogs; it's one of the best recap sites ... [read more]

There exists an unwritten rule in modern corporate culture that certain topics remain off limits. This is especially true in New York City, the sports capital of the world.

The average office worker would never consider discussing the inner workings of politics or abortion rights with their boss. Religion, Race, Sexuality are camped firmly outside the realm of acceptable conversation. Feelings can be hurt, prejudices revealed and very important toes stepped on. It's best to remain non-committal when approached on a sensitive topic such as "What do you think about politician X's position on controversial issue #63?

But who doesn't chat up co-workers about the Super Bowl or last night's Knicks game? It's a safe area, right? Sports are harmless and innocent, a casual outside-of-work diversion that almost everyone can agree on.

Or is it?

I submit that this is equally dangerous territory, especially in New York.
 
In brief, here are some scenarios:
 
1. Determining that your boss/subordinate is mentally incapable of doing his/ her job—as allegiance to the wrong team directly reflects one’s intelligence.

2. Gambling--including bets and guarantees of victory (which directly leads to violence and/or workplace harassment)

3. The direct correlation between a big sports issue and work not getting done as demonstrated by Internet searches on work computers looking for “Shane Spencer’s career slugging percentage”.

4. Offending spouses or significant others. Offending Mothers an... [read more]

Shaq has always been one of my least favorite NBA players.  By all accounts, he is gregarious, fun loving, and a good teammate.  Why do I hate him when I am all of those 3 things (I was...when I played sports...I guess I still am when I fill on on the flag football team)?

I can't stand him because he's not accountable.  Here's what I mean: Find a game on ESPN classic from when he first got to LA.  Better yet, find a classic college game when he was at LSU.  The dude was huge obviously, but he was also in great shape.  He was explosive.  He looked like a more jacked version of Greg Oden.  Those days are long behind us.

Say what you want about Kobe Bryant, but his criticisms of Shaq are right on.  Shaq sits on his behind all off season and plays himself into shape during the regular season.  The 1st couple years of this, he could get away with it, so he kept doing it.  After he couldn't gt away with it, he did it anyway.  No one called him on it because he gave great quotes to the press and made self serving comments; giving himself a new nickname every week.

It started with him missing 10 games a year, then 20, then 30.  It wasn't just the stuff caused by people hammering him because he couldn't hit water if fell out of a boat from the line, it was knees, ankles, feet, back...or the things you hurt when you are carrying too much weight.  AKA, fat people injuries.  

His contract cripples any team's cap situation, he demands the ball 30 times per game despite not b... [read more]

Magic had a long meeting with old friend / nemesis Isiah recently. After the meeting magic pronounced the Knicks had turned the corner and looked good for the 7 seed in the east. Magic, what team have you been watching turn the corner. If you believe Magic Johnson has watched 1 full 48 minute, usually sad and depressing, Knicks game this season I have a large bridge in Brooklyn for sale, please e mail me right away. You may also believe that the King of Nigeria has a desperate need to give 80,000 g's if you can just send  a few grand to help his family flee the country, or you may believe that you can get a free applebees gift certificate by clicking HERE. Or you might believe that the Knicks will be in the NBA Playoffs.

 ... [read more]

In New York City right now there is general sports euphoria, what with the Giants on their way to a sure big time Super Bowl  defeat in Arizona. Forgotten as a big time franchise, the New York Knickerbockers are still playing National Basketball Association games. Unfortunately, no one cares about the Knicks in New York. The team that was the hottest ticket in the country in the mid 90's is playing to empty seats and GM / Coach Isiah Thomas has driven this team into salary cap oblivion and more shockingly, general apathy and disinterest from fans.

Tonight the Knicks take on the world's #1 basketball virtuoso, Laker forward Kobe Bryant. Hey folks you better recognize that when Kobe steps on the hardwood every night he is your best chance to get a feel for what MJ , His Airness, looked like in his late 80's early 90's prime. #24 is an assassin, this guy constantly hits 3 pt. backbreakers and his ability to finish at the orange ring is immense. All young NBA guys should also take note that he plays hard every night, which, after you lay out $125 for a ticket, is the least you could hope for at a NBA game.

The above paragraph is a sad statement on what the Knicks have become. When I first moved to NY I bought New Jersey Nets tickets and the entire Nets sales pitch was come see Jordan and the Bulls, get a good seat for the Knicks / Nets at then Continental Airlines Arena, in other words all attention was on the other team, the other team was the reason you might attend a Nets game, not to co... [read more] (1 comment)

Los Angeles-

The turmoil over the summer led to Kobe Bryant stating that Andrew Bynum step up or trade him.  Now Andrew seems to be the missing link to the Lakers hope of making it the playoffs!  Andrew Bynum was having what appears to an outstanding year has been greatly missed...  Kareem Abdul Jabbar needs to work with Kwame Brown or the Lakers may fall out of the playoff race! Andrew Bynum has become a great asset to the Lakers as he has been the only consistent player to put up numbers along side Kobe Bryant. A leaky roof which delayed the Laker-Cleveland game today about 15 minutes was no answer to stopping King James!  LeBron James scored 41 points in leading the Cavaliers over Lakers.

Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao was helped off the court with 3:12 left in the third quarter with an injured left ankle. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 6:14 to play, and Larry Hughes also scored 16 points for the Cavaliers (24-19), who have beaten the Lakers in their last five meetings. The Cavaliers took a 94-93 lead on a basket by James with 1:16 remaining, and Bryant drew an offensive foul nine seconds later.  After an empty possession by each team, James ran the shot clock down before hitting from outside with 20 seconds to go, giving the Cavaliers a three-point lead.

Lamar Odom had 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Lakers (27-15), who have a 2-4 record since the loss of Andrew Bynum injuring his left knee. It was also the fourth game without Trevor Ariza who b... [read more]

Report: Duhon agrees to deal with Knicks (AP)

Chris Duhon verbally agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks on Friday, the point guard and his agent told The Sporting News. "I am just excited, I am ready to get to work for the Knicks," said Duhon, the former Duke player who averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 assists in four seasons for Chicago. "It's a big stage, playing in New York. [read full article]

Posted Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:08:55 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Knicks pick Gallinari to start Walsh era (AP)

The New York Knicks made Danilo Gallinari the first major addition to what they hope is a new, successful era with Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni as braintrust, taking the Italian teenager with the sixth pick in the NBA draft Thursday night. The 19-year-old forward led his team, Armani Jeans of Milan, with 17.5 points per game and averaged 5.7 rebounds. [read full article]

Posted Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:20:47 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

New Knicks staff includes Herb Williams (AP)

The New York Knicks added three assistants to coach Mike D'Antoni's staff Friday, retaining Herb Williams from Isiah Thomas' crew and signing former Suns assistants Phil Weber and Dan D'Antoni. "We have three top quality assistant coaches that will be great assets as we work toward our goal of bringing winning basketball back to New York," said Donnie Walsh, the Knicks' president of basketball... [read full article]

Posted Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:04:42 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Undistracted Mayo works out for Knicks (AP)

[read full article]

Posted Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:31:39 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Undistracted Mayo works out for Knick (AP)

[read full article]

Posted Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:31:39 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports