I found this on NBAplaybook.com…as we’ve noted before, very in-depth Xs and Os analysis, which we love.

To me, it all comes down to being willing to work hard on defense.  Ama’re Stoudemire has the physical tools to be a good defender because of his length and quickness, he just doesn’t use it.  And while the two above plays were bad, the one I am about to show really displays Amar’e’s laziness on the defensive end.

The NBA is all about the pick and roll, and this is where, to me, the Knicks need to utilize Turiaf in the right situations. Same with Randolph because of length. As good as Amar’e is with the pick and roll, offensively, he struggles at it defensively. I can’t say it’s all about effort though. It plays a part but it’s more about communication. Amar’e needs to do a better job communicating with his teammate getting screened and give them the room to get over.

Via ESPN

I want to be a coach, bad. I’d love to coach the Knicks or St. John’s, but I’d go anywhere. I want to coach immediately after I retire. I’d be good for a bunch of reasons. I know the little things, like how important spacing is. I also understand how to deal with players, so I’m able to coach a player like me now. I know when the problem is emotional versus selfishness. I’ve hurt teams with my selfishness, and I’ve hurt teams with my emotion. I know the difference. If a player doesn’t listen to me, I know how to respond. And, of course, I know defense. It’s not just physical; it’s more than that. How do I get through a playoff game with only one foul, as physical as I am? It’s about knowledge. I know every player’s moves and tendencies. I know exactly where all 10 guys on the court are supposed to be, and when. I’m 100% sure this coaching thing will work. All I need is a good staff, and to watch more tape. One thing I don’t do is watch tape. I gotta start if I want to coach.

Well…

sportsguy33

Bill Simmons

@sportsguy33: Don't ask why I'm thinking about this 4 weeks later, but NYK was the perfect landing spot for Anthony Randolph. That trade was sneaky-nice.

Jul 29, 2010 @ 11:11 PM from UberTwitter

Well, I have an idea…seriously though, first Hollinger now Simmons. What’s fair is fair.

Update 7:10- Tommy Says...Multiple sources confirm that the Knicks have NOT offered Shannon Brown, but they are closely monitoring the situation with the Lakers. The Lakers are in flux in trying to maneuver players to fit the roster. They obviously had an active FA off season. The Knicks will wait to see what happens with the Lakers before officially offering Brown. Word is both sides have mutual interest.

Via Ken Berger:

The Knicks have extended an offer to Shannon Brown and are waiting to hear whether the Lakers’ free-agent guard will take it or wait for L.A. to make room to re-sign him by trading Sasha Vujacic, two people with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com Thursday.

Via Yahoo:

The Heat have reached an agreement with 32-year-old guard Eddie House on a two-year contract for $2.8 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday. The second year of the deal is a player option for $1.4 million.

House was part of the package that came over from Boston in the Nate trade at last year’s deadline.

The Bulls were also said to be interested in the veteran’s services.

Via AllanHouston.com

First I acknowledged that it was a very good question. I knew coming in that if we try to live our lives based on what people think about us, and how others see us, then we’ll be miserable. Our identity -who we are- must be based on what God says about us. This is easier said than done, but One piece of advice that we share with players who come to NY, is that you can’t care about what people think…

Allan is one of the most easy going guys you can deal with. He’s always working with players and talking to people. He understands the game in New York. When I go to practice I’m not looking for an angle, frankly my conversations are more centered around Xs and Os and player development.  I’ve seen quotes can spun into headline stories and honestly wondered why. I can see where players and coaches get miffed, which is why words have to be used carefully. Sad, but true.

Via the NY Post:

Former Knicks guard Stephon Marbury has agreed to three more years with a Chinese basketball team….

Marbury played 15 games last season with Shanxi Zhongyu of the Chinese Basketball Association. The point guard was a fan favorite in the rustbelt city of Taiyuan, showing none of the defiant personality that had alienated management, teammates and fans in the U.S.

Marbury, 33, will play two more years and may be asked to become an assistant coach in the third, Shanxi said in an announcement on its website.

Coach Marbury.  Yowzers…

Via Huffington Post

Now, the fog is clearing, and according to haaretz.com, the Knicks power forward’s trip to Israel comes in light of his learning that his mother is Jewish. As sbnation.com pointed out, this means that Stoudemire is also Jewish.

He seems to be embracing his newly discovered religious roots, as he is quickly picking up on some Hebrew, as he noted in his latest tweet, and has ended each of his last two with “Shalom.”

Be sure to follow Amar’e on Twitter as he’s tweeting about his trip…

Via Chicago Sun-Times

For the second time in little more than a month, a Cook County judge has issued an arrest warrant for former Chicago  Bull Eddy Curry in a legal case that raises new questions about the NBA player’s financial woes.

Cook County Circuit Judge Alexander White ordered  Curry’s arrest on Monday,  after learning Curry failed to sign an agreement to pay the balance of a $660,000 legal settlement reached after he was sued for allegedly having sex with an underage girl.

Not much more to say about Curry, frankly.

We’ve talked about this a lot in terms of flaws in Mike D”Antoni’s system. His tendency is to play players a ton of minutes by using a short rotation. Now, every coach shortens their rotation at some point during the season, mostly during the playoffs or for must-win games choosing to lean on their stars, but I agree it can’t be for a full season.

Alvin Gentry was actually an exception to that rule this past season. Frankly, had Ron Artest not made a miracle put back (or had someone on the Suns put a body on him, whichever way you want to look at it) in a critical Game 5 at Staples Center, along with a legendary Kobe performance in Game 6, the Suns may have represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.

Gentry would use 9 or 10 players and lean on a young bench to keep the pace going that Steve Nash creates, but with seemingly more defensive-minded players. In fairness to D’Antoni, guys like Jared Dudley and even Robin Lopez are sharp players he didn’t have to lean on off the bench.

D’Antoni has the chance to do so this season because he has a young group of players, and to waste that athleticism would be a shame. This is not the veteran-dominated roster that he’s had here or in Phoenix.

I’d start Felton, eventually Azubuike, Gallinari, Turiaf and Amar’e, then be really young and athletic off the bench with Douglas, Walker,  Chandler, Randolph and, for about 10 minutes per if he’s ready,  Mozgov. Yes, it’s early but you get the idea.

Again, there will be days when the bench players are flat, the Suns had that issue on the road, especially in the playoffs,  but if you’re on the second unit your focus would be to maintain pace and focus on defense. And ultimately, starters get starts minutes.

It worked well enough in Phoenix this year, and it’s a model that I would like to see D’Antoni adjust to more this season.

What do you guys think?

Via From the Baseline-

Chandler is a player that knows how to gain position and go right into his move without getting called for a violation. In the post he can either go left or right or use his fadeway shot. Now that we know he has gained some extra muscle it will be a hard cover for anyone guarding him in the post. Especially with him standing at 6’8 playing shooting guard.

With regard to Danilo Gallinari, it was mentioned on Knicks Night Live that Gallo has been working out with Kobe Bryant’s trainer in Italy. If that’s not a positive sign I don’t know what is. Danilo Gallinari finished last season as one of the best deep shooters in the game. He also proved that he is not scared to go up against the best competition in the league. Besides his shooting, last season we got a glimpse of his postup game.

I’m still not sure if Chandler is guy to fit the two guard spot, but at worst, he’s a strong rotation player. He’s a good defender who can get better, but he’s shown flashes. He has to be able to prove he can finish a season as well. This is 2 years in a row he’s been shut down due to being banged up. He’s physical but hasn’t proven durable. You have to like Gallinari working with Kobe’s trainer, but he too has to make a step forward physically. Last year he was very strong at times, yet passive far too often.

I’m excited to see how both developed.

Via Indianapolis Star:

The Pacers don’t feel comfortable going into next season with their current roster.

That’s why team officials want to make a trade for the first time in nearly two years.

The two players they’re trying to move are T.J. Ford and Mike Dunleavy, according to sources.

Dunleavy has battled some injuries but he can shoot lights out. Just two years ago he averaged 19 and 5 on 48%/42%. His health is obviously the key, but he’s a pure shooting guard, and again, is Bill Walker going to cut it for 82 games?

Saw this one from The Columbian about the Blazers’ young guards Patty Mills and recent draft pick Armon Johnson.

“A decision has not been made about the future of guards Patty Mills and Armon Johnson, a team source said. Both players improved their stock during Summer League play, and their value to the organization will be assessed during meetings this week.”

The Knicks reportedly had heavy interest in Johnson leading into the draft and Mills is a good player in my eyes.  I would probably prefer to fill the roster with another veteran on a one year deal, but either of these guys can be intriguing if let go by the Blazers.

Via RealGM:

Alan Hahn reports that according to a source who has knowledge of the situation, the Knicks are not offering Wilson Chandler for Rudy Fernandez, whom the Blazers have made available.

I’m sure this will help a lot of Chandler fans sleep easier at night…