Walsh and D’Antoni Greet the Media

As NYKnicks.com is reporting, Coach Mike D’Antoni and GM Donnie Walsh sat down for a press conference on Friday as the team prepares for the opening of training camp.  There have been many issues and rumors that have been talked about regarding the Knicks all summer long.  But now is the time to open up training camp, get guys in shape, and see how everything plays out.  There were a couple of quotes from Walsh that kind of stuck out to me.

“We need to show the city that this franchise is for real,” said Walsh. “I’m out there, and I’ve got people talking to me all the time. I’m not sure they were convinced we were (for real). This city has had a great history of basketball, and I grew up in it… This history of the Knicks, when people look at the city, they want the team to play for real. And we’ve got to do that. The best way to do that is to win the games. I think that they’ll embrace a team that does that if they see there’s a future, a direction and hope down the line.”

“I’ve bought into Mike D’Antoni,” said Walsh, who made it clear he believes D’Antoni is among the NBA’s very best at his job. “I like the way his teams’ interrelated with each other and with him. Since he’s been here, I’ve discovered why. The way he approaches players and contact he has, it’s very positive and open, but definitive… The end result is if you have a problem with Mike, the problem is probably with you.”

The one thing I took away from the interview was that this is D’Antoni’s team all the way.  Mike has been given the keys to this long and daunting rebuilding job.  Training camp will be about D’Antoni finding out which guys will excel playing his style of basketball and finding out who are guys that he likes as players.  It will then be up to Walsh to try to unload some of the guys that are not D’Antoni guys.  You can obviously make the argument that Steph and Randolph do not appear to be D’Antoni guys.  But there is only one way to find out.  Let’s get the guys into training camp and then see what’s what.

“We have a new coach who I have a great deal of respect and admiration and faith in,” said Walsh. “So we’re going to start and see who on this team is going to be able to fit into a team that competes, can play together, can play hard and will represent our franchise and our city.”

Updates on Marbury, James, and Rose

The most talked about issue with the Knicks prior to the start of training camp has obviously been the possible buyout of Stephon.  If you saw his interview with Bruce Beck, you would have learned that Steph is not interested in negotiating a discount for the buyout.  He wants all of his $21.9 million either way.  It seems like Walsh and Dolan are having a hard time letting him play for someone else and paying this large sum of money as well.  I think they would feel more comfortable negotiating a settlement in the $15 million range.  However, they may end up having a bigger problem with letting him remain on the team at the start of the season.  Do not expect this story to go away any time soon.

Newsday has also reported that Jerome James and Malik Rose may be finished with the Knicks as well.  Everyone remembers the assanine 5-year, $30 million contract Isiah signed him to.  Sadly there are still 2 years and $12.6 million left on his deal.  The Knicks are reportedly trying to convince James to retire due to medical reasons.  This would help the Knicks by allowing insurance to pay for a nice chunk of what is still owed to Jerome.  This is funny to me since it seems like James has been in retirement mode the last two seasons.  He sure keeps his body in retirement-like shape.

My favorite Jerome James Knick moment came during the Larry Brown year (AKA “The Longest Year”).  There was one game (I forget the opponent) where James was given the start at center.  It was surreal.  James had the best six minutes of his life.  He was making everything.  I believe he scored a dozen or so points in the first six minutes.  Then there was a whistle for a foul and I see James bent over as he was huffing and puffing.  He was so fat and out of shape that he was gassed midway through the first quarter.  So he signals towards the bench that he needs to be taken out.  This during his best start to a game in forever.  I remember the look on Brown’s face when he signaled to him that he was done.  Brown just gave a blank stare out towards the court and shook his head.  Vintage Jerome James.

The other news is that the Knicks may consider buying out Malik Rose.  This makes no sense to me.  Rose has $7.6 million owed to him for the rest of his deal.  I say hold onto him.  He is a good character guy that can actually play some defense.  Keep him as a mentor for the young guys and a guy you can use off the bench every now and then.  If you’re going to have to pay him, you might as well hold onto him or dump him at the trading deadline to another team.

If you waive Steph, convince James to retire, hang onto Rose, and get a comeback from Allan Houston that leaves you with a roster of 15.  Perfect.  That would be my plan.  Even if Houston’s comeback is short lived, as I expect it to be, you can sign a cheap guard off the street.  Maybe the return of Fred Jones?

Coast to Coast: 9/26/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• AP is reporting that the Kings have agrred to a multiyear deal with Francisco Garcia.  He was eligible to become a free agent at the end of this season.  Good move by Sacramento as Garcia is a good two way player that they desperately need.
• AP is reporting that no punishment has been decided for point guard Monta Ellis.  It turned out his injury occurred in a moped accident after signing a 6-year, $66 million deal in the offseason.  This is a tough situation for an organization.  You don’t want to create any friction between the organization and your centerpieces of the franchise.  However, something needs to be done to assure that Ellis has learned his lesson.
• AP is reporting that the Rockets have matches the Bobcats’ offer sheet for restricted free agent Carl Landry.  It is an offer sheet of 3 years and $9 million.  This is an absolute must for Houston.  I thought Landry and Luis Scola really played hard and gave them great energy down low.  You also cannot afford to lose his size with the injury concern of Yao Ming.
• AP is reporting that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is not pleased with all the talk of LeBron eventually leaving Cleveland in free agency.  ”It’s kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland in my opinion — an insult to the Midwest,” said Gilbert.  It is also a bit of an insult to continue to be unable to give James a good supporting cast in Cleveland.  Playing with Larry Hughes will make a lot of people want to leave places.
• AP is reporting that after signing free agent Elton Brand, the 76ers and the city of Philadelphia are expecting some big things.  So am I.  The 76ers are my sleeper team to contend for an Eastern Conference title.
• AP is reporting that Sun Yue, the newest Laker, has mononucleosis and will miss the beginning of training camp.  The real problem for Yue will be finding playing time in the crowded backcourt for LA.
• AP is reporting that guard Chucky Atkins of the Denver Nuggets will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee.
• The Rocky Mountain News speculates on the future of Allen Iverson.  AI is in the final year of his contract worth just over $20 million.  They seem to believe he is a strong candidate to be dealt before the regular season trading deadline.  I agree since it is doubtful the Nuggets will contend this year or be willing to give Iverson a long term deal.
• Newsday is reporting that our New York Knicks are trying to convince fatso Jerome James to retire.  Worst free agent signing in NBA history.  Period.

Steph with Beck

Recently Stephon Marbury sat down with Bruce Beck of NBC for an unedited interview and you can watch it here.  One thing you can take away from it is that Stephon Marbury is a very weird dude.

My prediction remains the same: Marbury will be cut by the Knicks before the end of training camp

Mike D’Antoni Interview

Recently the new head coach of the Knicks, Mike D’Antoni, sat down for an interview with NYKnicks.com.  You can read my take on the hire of Coach D’Antoni here.  

Here are some of the interesting things that he had to say:

NYKnicks.com: When you first got hired, you said one of the main reasons you decided to come to the Knicks was the opportunity to work with Donnie Walsh. How has that relationship been working out for the last few months? 

D’Antoni: It’s been great. He’s a good guy, and he’s fun to be around first of all. You know, he’s one of the best (executives) in the league, and just the day-to-day relationship we have with each other, it makes it very comfortable to work. 

NYKnicks.com: Let’s name a few players on the roster, and if you can just say the first thing that pops into your mind, starting with Quentin Richardson, whom you already know from having coached him in Phoenix. 

D’Antoni: He’s a guy you want to go to battle with. He comes up with big plays. 

NYKnicks.com: How about Jamal Crawford? 

D’Antoni: He’s a very, very talented basketball player. 

NYKnicks.com: Eddy Curry? 

D’Antoni: Big. He’s one of the better centers in the league. 

NYKnicks.com: Nate Robinson? 

D’Antoni: Nate … He’s fun to watch. Very exciting. And an unbelievable talent. 

NYKnicks.com: David Lee? 

D’Antoni: He works hard. He’s everybody’s favorite … and he’s definitely a coach’s favorite. 

NYKnicks.com: Zach Randolph? 

D’Antoni: Zach is a 20-10 guy who is one of the two or three guys in the league that can do it. 

NYKnicks.com: How about Wilson Chandler? He’s a player you might not have known a lot about before you came over here. 

D’Antoni: He’s got unbelievable potential. The same with (Danilo) Gallinari. He also has unbelievable talent and can really make others around him better. 

NYKnicks.com: Is there anybody who has surprised you so far from what you’ve seen? 

D’Antoni: Jared Jeffries. He’s surprised me. He’s been a lot better than I thought. 

NYKnicks.com: When training camp starts next week, what are some of the things you are looking to establish? 

D’Antoni: Um, running. Playing together. Just doing the right thing and see where we are and where we can go. I’m excited to get on the road and see the direction where we all want to go to. 

NYKnicks.com: We have been asking players this question, so we’ll put it to you, too: If you have one thing you want to tell the fans about the Knicks this year, one single message, what is it you want to tell them? 

D’Antoni: That we’re going to be exciting. We’re going to be a lot of fun to watch.

You can read the entire interview here.

NBA Top 10 PG Rankings

As we get closer and closer to the opening tip of the NBA season we will be doing some positional rankings in the next couple weeks.  I will be ranking the top 10 players at each position.  So let’s get started with the top 10 point guards in the Association.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans: This guy might be the best overall player in the whole NBA.  He had a PER of 28.39 last year which was 2nd in the league and by far the best among point guards.  He will win multiple MVPs and has elevated the franchise to bring a legitimate contender.  Plus he is just 23.  Look out.
2. Deron Williams, Utah: Here is another young and emerging star in the NBA.  He is tough to keep out of the paint, but the thing that really makes him special is his outstanding shooting range.  I think we all remember the big shots he hit in the Olympics gold medal game against Spain.  I look forward to several Western Conference playoff battles between Paul and Williams for years to come.
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix: Everyone knows that his vision and shooting ability are unmatched.  However, the fact that he is not capable of keeping other guards out of the paint is a mjaor problem.  It’s too bad that the championship window for the Suns has closed.
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio: Probably still one of the more underrated players in the league.  His speed and energy is really what makes the Spurs offense go.  He also excels under pressure where he is as cool as the other side of the pillow.
5. Chauncey Billups, Detroit: He has not played at the same high level recently but he is still Mr. Big Shot.  I think Billups and the Pistons will have a big bounce back year and be in the mix for a championship.  What we really need to see is the hunger and tenacity from Billups again.  His skills are unquestioned.
6. Baron Davis, LA Clippers: When Davis plays a full 82 games, he is one of the best players in the league.  He showed that in Golden State where he led them to the 2nd round of the playoffs two years ago.  However, his supporting cast in LA leaves a lot to be desired.
7. Gilbert Arenas, Washington: Agent Zero’s confidence and shooting ability are not in doubt.  However, he has become a major health concern.  He has another knee surgery to overcome and you wonder just how much more we will get to see him out on the floor.
8. Monta Ellis, Golden State: The injury was a disappointment because with Davis gone, this was supposed to be the major breakthrough year for Ellis.  He had a PER of 19.01 last year which was 9th among point guards.  When he returns he will remind people just how tough he is to defend.
9. Jason Kidd, Dallas: Kidd helped lead USA basketball to another gold medal but he was more of a coach and leader than a clutch performer.  He still has the smarts and vision to be a good point guard but his athleticism has declined.  He cannot defend anymore and his career is winding down at the moment.
10. Andre Miller, Philadelphia: This is another aging point guard but not as old as Kidd.  Miller has always been underrated since he continues to be one of the best assist men in the league.  Putting him together with Andre Iguodola and Elton Brand will be very exciting for Philly fans to see this year.

That’s it.  That’s the list.

Also receiving votes: Jose Calderon, TJ Ford, Kirk Hinrich, Mo Williams, Jason Terry

Coast to Coast: 9/25/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• KTAR.com is reporting Goran Dragic of the Suns had his first practice with the Suns and he is comparing his game to Tony Parker’s.  ”I like to penetrate, play pass basketball,” he said. “I’m a good defender, I like to play defense and make some [opportunities] for other teammates.”  Remember the backup to Steve Nash is a very important position.  You don’t want to have to go into a funk offensively when Nash is on the bench.
• The Seattle Post Intelligencer is reporting that the Spurs have signed George Hill, the team’s first round draft pick.  Hill and free agent addition Salim Stoudamire need to help rejuvenate the Spurs bench.  Their bench was old and ineffective last year and was their ultimate undoing.]
• The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that the Nuggets are bringing Nick Fazekas to training camp on a nonguaranteed contract.  I can see him as a good fit in Denver because of his scoring ability and his indifference towards playing defense.
• Frank Isola of the Daily News is wondering the same thing as all of us: how is what Jay Z doing not tampering with LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Says Isola, “Did you happen to see the photo of Jay-Z and LeBron James in last Friday’s Daily News? The Nets minority owner and the NBA’s second best player were together attending a fundraiser in Manhattan (and no, it wasn’t to help finance the Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn.)  These two guys are spotted together so often that Beyonce is starting to ask questions. At what point will the Cleveland Cavaliers start accusing the Nets of tampering?”  Yes Frank, it is enough to make you sick.  Maybe the Nets should consider getting some NBA level talent before expecting LeBron to come to a terrible team.
• The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Hedo Turkoglu will likely opt out of his contract at the end of the season.  This is somewhat of a problem for Orlando.  Sure he is old but he is still arguably the best scorer on their roster and someone they look to in the clutch.
• The Orange County Register had an interesting Q & A with Andrew Bynum.  The most interesting quote was this: “Yet perhaps the most revealing and key bit of information Bynum shared with a near-capacity room of Lakers fans during the Register-sponsored Q&A was that his surgically repaired knee is in “super” condition.”  Look out Western Conference.

Houston is Back With the Knicks

The Knicks will be opening up training camp on Tuesday.  The news about if Stephon Marbury will be there has been well documented already.  However, it has been reported by the New York Post that longtime Knick Allan Houston has also been invited to training camp as he tries to make one last comeback attempt.  It has been reported by the Post that Houston has accepted the invitation and will be there on Tuesday.  

Houston’s last comeback attempt did not go well and he was done after just one week.  However, Houston is trying to tell us that this year will be different.  He believes that his knees are in much better shape this year and that he will be ready to go.

Here is Jamal Crawford from his blog on how Houston is looking at the workouts: “He’s back and looks a lot healthier than he did in his last comeback attempt last season…I think he may have rushed that one a little bit, but he looks a lot better this time! AND of course we all know his jumper is razor sharp!!!!!!! I can learn a lot watching him.”

I have no problem inviting him to camp since he is a veteran that is a good character guy and maybe he has some advice for some of the younger players on the team.  However, I am not expecting his comeback attempt to last into the regular season.  I think deep down we all know that his body will just not allow it to happen.

—-

Photo via Getty Images

Walsh Says Marbury Is Here to Stay

Alan Hahn of Newsday is now reporting that Stephon Marbury may not actually be waived after all.  Donnie Walsh told ESPN.com that Marbury will be reporting to training camp.  Walsh is dismissing this as something that the media has created and blown up.  I doubt that’s the case but what else is Donnie going to say publicly at the moment?

Here is Hahn with the latest on the situation: “Walsh, who did not return a message seeking comment from Newsday on Monday, told ESPN.com that “this thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about it.” A majority of the Knicks veterans were expecting Marbury to be gone by the time camp opened. And despite Walsh’s statement to the contrary, it would be a surprise if Marbury is on the gym floor at Skidmore College on Tuesday morning. Walsh signed free agent Chris Duhon to a two-year, $12-million contract in July with the promise that he would compete with Marbury to be the team’s starting point guard.”

And here is Hahn on the potential of a buyout: “Multiple sources said the Knicks have had internal discussions regarding Marbury throughout the offseason and there was a conclusion that he should be moved. With no takers on the trade market, the only other option would be to buy him out and place him on waivers. Madison Square Gardenchairman James Dolan would have to approve the buyout, which likely would be somewhere around $16.5 million.”

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that we get conflicting reports about Marbury’s status with the Knicks.  It appears there have been rumors going back and forth on his situation all summer long.  I also believe that Hahn’s original report of the Knicks wanted to dump him came from some good sources and that is still the way the organization would like to go.  The big amount of money is still and issue but I think they will swallow it just to improve the nature of the locker room.  A lot of veterans on the team appear to not want Steph around.  So despite Walsh claiming Steph will stay, I still expect Marbury to be waived before the start of the season.  

But who knows?  This story seems to change daily so we’ll keep you posted.

Coast to Coast: 9/23/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• The big news around the league, especially around the Knicks, has to do with the inevitable release of Stephon Marbury.  One thing to remember is that it is not official yet, but it is expected to be by the end of the week.  The only thing holding things up at the moment is the approval of The Clown himself, James Dolan.
• Henry Abbout of TrueHoop on Marbury: “He has had opportunities galore. He was Kevin Garnett’s sidekick — and it didn’t work out. He was supposed to be the point guard who lifted the Nets of Kenyon Martin to fulfill their potential … instead they did that the moment he left town was replaced by Jason Kidd. And the Knicks spent like drunken sailors to surround him with the best (or at least, most expensive) coaches and talent money can buy, and it became a cautionary tale for the ages.”
• The Wizards have lost Gilbert Arenas for a significant chunk of the season.  However, they did make a move on Tuesday by signing free agent Juan Dixon, as the AP has reported.  “Juan is a proven NBA player and we like what he brings to our team,” said Grunfeld.
• The Wizards also made other news with the interview involving Grunfield and coach Eddie Jordan.  Despite the loss of Agent Zero they are keeping expectations high as CBS Sportsline is reporting.  Good luck with that.  ”We feel very confident in the players that we have and the way we played last year, the way we shared the ball, moved the ball, played defense and made the playoffs,” Jordan said.
• However, the uncertainty around Arenas remains.  ”We don’t have a time frame for when he’s going to be back,” Grunfeld said. “It’s a process. We expect him to be back and be an outstanding player in this league. This, for us, is not a two- or three-month proposition. We’re looking at the long term here. He’s only 26.”
• Disgraced ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy has reported to federal jail to serve his 15-month sentence, CBS Sportsline is reporting.  He may be removed from society for over a year, but the black cloud that his scandal has created over NBA officials remains.
• Miami Heat fans should be excited about their new trio of Shawn Marion, Dwayne Wade, and Michael Beasley.  However, the Miami Herald reports that he is on the last year of his deal and will likely head into the start of training camp without an extension.  So this trio may not be together for that long.  I think it also might be a good idea to see how the three of them coexist before giving Marion a big deal.
• The writing appeared to be on the wall this summer for Jamaal Tinsley.  The Pacers brought in point guards TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack to take over his job.  But the way they are pushing Tinsley out the door does seem a bit rough.  Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reports, “Jamaal Tinsley remains on the roster, but the Pacers have taken steps to distance themselves from the point guard. They’ve removed Tinsley’s nameplate from the locker he used at Conseco Fieldhouse and he is not expected to be at the team’s media day Monday.”
• Good news for USA basketball: Jerry Colangelo is considering staying on board and taking aim at more success with the national team, as the Seattle Times is reporting.  ”I’m kind of leaning toward continuing, but we still have some things that we’re talking through just in terms of organization,” Colangelo said Monday at a luncheon benefiting the Special Olympics of Arizona. “I’m kind of inclined to continue because it is my connection to basketball.”  Maybe we will see him at the World Championships in 2010.