The Uptempo Coach’s Criticism

Mike D’Antoni has always been accused of not bothering coaching defense which is rediculous.  A lot of times people have looked at the amount of points per game his team’s have given up and automatically assumed that they were terrible defensively.  The truth is that in Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo system, they take shots quicker and therefore there are more possessions in the game for both teams.  So obviously teams they play against will allow more points because they get more chances than they would against most other teams.  This is why defensive efficiency, or points allowed per 100 possessions, is a much better measure of a team’s defense.  

George Karl brought his Nuggets to the Garden on Sunday and his teams of the passed have come under similar criticism.  He plays an uptempo style and always here the same things that D’Antoni has.  Ken Berger of Sportsline.com chatted with George Karl who had some interesting things to say about that type of crticism and of the new coach in New York:

“I feel for him,” Karl said after the Nuggets escaped the dreaded matinee at Madison Square Garden with a 117-110 victory over the Knicks. “My feeling is, when you give up a lot of points, nobody’s going to think you’re defending. Last year in our halfcourt defense, we were a pretty good defensive team. But no one would ever write that, because we were awful in transition and we were awful in giving up a lot of numbers. So I don’t know that anybody is ever going to give the due.”

On the cusp of the 30-game mark in D’Antoni’s first year in New York, the Knicks (11-18) are a far cry from the hardnosed, defensive-minded teams that had so much success in the 1990s. They also are nothing at all like the meandering teams that occupied basketball’s most famous venue for all the years since — bumbling along with no apparent plan other than spending money and committing the worst sin of all: failing to entertain.

The Knicks are nothing if not entertaining. For the first time in years, they inspire curiosity for the right reasons. The last vestige of the previous failed regime, Stephon Marbury, is enjoying a paid vacation until after New Year’s, when buyout talks will crank up again. Other than that, the Knicks are embroiled in the most drama-free six-game losing streak in their recent history. The Knicks are still losing, but who cares? Can’t you see the future?

Karl can. The first difference he noticed in watching film of D’Antoni’s Knicks is how frustrating they are to play. He noticed upon personal inspection that the energy has returned to the building, too. And it was nothing like the sky-is-falling drama that Karl remembers from past visits, such as the one marred by the infamous brawl between the Knicks and Nuggets two years ago.

“You can’t grow or build without a positive belief that this is going to be better in a year or three years,” Karl said.

There is reason to root for this team again, reason to hope. Many believe this is because of the future plans of a certain MVP candidate who wears No. 23 in Cleveland. In reality, it all emanates from a regular-looking guy with salt-and-pepper hair and a mustache, stomping around on the sideline in an expensive Italian suit and flashing indecipherable hand signals.

“Mike is an interesting hire,” Karl said. “My recollection of New York is the city game, the street game, the playground game. And he plays as fast and free as any coach I’ve ever played against. I know the Knick (teams) have been based on defense. But I was kidding with one of my assistants that I would like to see Mike D’Antoni get a Carolina or Kentucky or Kansas job, because people don’t think (his style) can win. People don’t think it can win championships. And I think that’s crazy.

“I think if you get the best players,” Karl said, “this style will be incredibly difficult to play against –- impossible, maybe, to play against. But we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don’t know how to stop someone.”

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?

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.

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.

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Photo via Getty Images

Danilo Gallinari Interview

Danilo Gallinari, the young centerpiece of the franchise, recently sat down with NYKnicks.com for an interview.  For the record, I thought that the pick of Gallinari at #6 in the draft was the right move.  The Knicks desperately needed a good swingman, especially if they are going to play at Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo pace.  I love Danilo’s handle and stroke.  I also like the love that ESPN’s international basketball guru Fran Frischilla gave him at the draft.  I also like that in Italy he was already competing against grown men in the professional league.  I think this will make the transition to the NBA a little bit easier for him.

Meanwhile, here are some of the interesting things that Gallinari had to say in his interview:

NYKnicks.com: How’s your back feeling?

Gallinari: It’s better, it’s better. I think I will be fine for the season.

NYKnicks.com: What else did you do over the summer to get ready?

Gallinari: I tried to clear my mind and not think about coming over here. I’m going to have enough time to do that. I was thinking about myself and my family and enjoy them. I want my mind free for the season.

NYKnicks.com: You said before you got drafted that you wanted to be in New York. It’s a few months later, and now you have been in The Garden and are wearing a shirt with Knicks across the chest. What’s that like? So far, has it been everything you hoped?

Gallinari: It’s a great feeling. The most exciting night was the night of the draft. After the night of the draft, my excitement and emotion were going away a little bit because I went back to Italy. I couldn’t wait to get back to New York. I love New York.

NYKnicks.com: You played that one game in Summer League where you really played well. How was that?

Gallinari: It was nice because it was my first game in the USA. I didn’t like the situation that I only played one game. I should have played many more games. I like to play. But we are here now, and it counts and is more important, so I am ready for the season.

NYKnicks.com: Are you going to miss playing in Italy?

Gallinari: Probably yes, but I will not be missing playing in Italy, I will be missing Italy in general. It is my life and my friends. It is always over there. But for basketball this is what I always wanted. It’s a dream for me so I’m excited.

You can read the entire interview here.

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Photo via AP

Anthony Roberson Interview

I understand some of the criticism that has come out since the Knicks signed Anthony Roberson.  It is true that the Knicks already have a glut of guards and most people only saw him as an extra body to allow the team to cut Stephon Marbury.  However, I actually think it could be a move that helps the Knicks this year.  Roberson is a very good shooter and those a the type of players that can excel in Mike D’Antoni’s system.  The Knicks view Roberson as basically what Eddie House was for D’Antoni in Phoenix except with a better handle.  Plus when you have a team that cannot play good defense, you need as many shooters as you can get to be able to put up points to keep your team in the game.  It sounds to me like he could a good fit as a role player this year.

Anyway, he recently sat down for an interview with NYKnicks.com.  Here is an excerpt of some of the interesting things that he had to say:

NYKnicks.com: You bounced around the NBA trying to establish yourself. Was that a difficult period for you?

Roberson: It’s been a good experience, actually. My rookie year, I was in Memphis and learned a lot. I was a young player on a veteran team and didn’t play that much, but I learned a lot on the bench from those guys like Eddie Jones, Damon Stoudemire, Bobby Jackson and some others. It was a good experience for me and I’m just happy that Jerry West gave me that opportunity to play and experience the NBA that first year. Then I played in Golden State my second year with Don Nelson, and that gave me an opportunity to play a lot more. I learned a lot more, because I think the more you play at the NBA level the more you learn and the more confidence you get. And I was real confident my second year. It was very successful for me. Now this year I am coming in with a new attitude and am just trying to be a part of this new attitude and new era that D’Antoni is trying to bring to New York. So I’m trying to stay positive, play hard when I get my opportunities and do what I do best.

NYKnicks.com: Has coach D’Antoni told you about what he expects out of you?

Roberson: Just to be ready when my number is called. And that’s all I can ask. At the same time, I’m just happy for the opportunity and when my number gets called I’m going to be sure to be ready to play.

NYKnicks.com: How do you fit in with the new style of basketball the Knicks want to play here under coach D’Antoni.

Roberson: I think I fit in well. You know, D’Antoni plays some exciting ball. He loves to get up the court and shoot fast. This team has a lot of good shooters and playmakers, and I look at myself as one of them.

NYKnicks.com: Along with Wilson Chandler, you are one of the few people to play with Danilo Gallinari. How would you characterize what you saw from him in Vegas?

Roberson: He’s very talented. He can do a lot of things on the floor. He’s also a good teammate — someone who listens and also plays hard every day. I think he’s going to be very, very good. I’m excited to get back out there with him.

NYKnicks.com: And with Chandler, how was it playing with him?

Roberson: Me and Wilson had a good connection. Real good. We’re both from Michigan and knew each other from high school, so our bond has always been real good. He is getting better and better. The fans got a surprise on their hands when they got him, and when they see him this year, he’s a lot better than he was last year. He looks real good. He improved a lot. I think his confidence is way above where it was last year, and I think he’s going to be a big part of this team.

You can read the entire interview here.

Gallinari Back Talk

I have to be honest.  I am very concerned about the back of Danilo Gallinari which he injured during summer league back in June.  There have been no reports of any improvement and that is an alarming sign.  However, the New York Times has recently given Knicks fans a reason to smile:

“The back injury that kept Danilo Gallinari out of action all summer will not prevent him from practicing with the Knicks when training camp opens in 12 days, Gallinari’s agent said Wednesday.”

This is the first positive news surrounding his back but two months of inactivity has to raise some red flags.  Let’s hope the cortisone shot does the trick and everything goes along to plan.  The Knicks appear to be acting very carefully with him which is good judgment on their part.  He is just a 20-year old kid.

My Top 10 Clydeisms

This time of the year is usually pretty boring for those of us who love the NBA.  The draft is done with as is a lot of the free agency moves.  The Olympics came and gave basketball fans a nice taste of high level basketball but that was a very short tease.  The regular season is still about two months away.  

However, two months from now Knicks fans can enjoy the presence of Walt Clyde Frazier on the MSG TV broadcasts.  I’m sure different people out there learned the English language in many different ways.  For me personally, nobody has had a greater impact on my vocabulary and knowledge of the English language than Walt Frazier.

So I’ve decided to spend some time to rank my favorite phrases that Clyde will let out during the upcoming season.  Feel free to comment and mention any good ones that didn’t make my top 10.  But here are my top 10 Clydeisms:

10.  “The precocious neophyte”

9.  “Dancing and prancing”

8.  “[Insert name] is starting to percolate”

7.  “The Knicks with the matador D”

6.  “Slicing and dicing”

5.  “All the Knicks with the knack right now”

4.  “Dishing and swishing”

3.  “Shaking and baking”

2.  “Posting and toasting”

1.  “Bounding and astounding”

Others receiving votes: Swooping and hooping, altruisitic bounce pass, spinning and winning, wheeling and dealing, styling and profiling, swiss cheese defense

Here is one small clip that illustrates Clyde’s skills with the mic: