Before I get to telling you what I think, like it matters, I guess I should give you a reason to believe I’m more than just some disgruntled Knick fan sitting at home whining about how good other teams have it, like we’re seeing on message boards across the net.

Since January, I have been working for the National Basketball Association in the production department. My job is to more or less break down every game into video clips by the possession, so the important people can use them in highlights, promos, etc. But, what that job entails is a lot more than sitting around watching basketball. I have to know every player on every team. Every assistant on every bench. Every mascot in every arena. I know more about the Atlanta Hawks “A-Town Dancers” then I ever thought I would… and I’m not complaining.

So for the past week and a half I’ve had the absolute joy of working four of the five Hornets/Mavericks games (and hearing every post game interview and press conference that goes along with them). I don’t think there’s a person out there that isn’t in love with Chris Paul’s game, and anyone who watched these games should have no doubt in their mind that he should be this year’s MVP. Sure, Kobe Bryant is the best player in the game, but in terms of most valuable, it’s Paul hands down. Would I be shocked if Kobe wins? Not at all. Disappointed? Completely.

Of course it’s easy to win games when you have the MVP of the league on your team, but it makes things a whole lot easier when you have Paul’s fellow all-star David West canning jumpers and owning the post. There were times when West was just flat out dominant. Erick Dampier should be ashamed. Let me put this into perspective: when we “star” a play, that means it goes into a bank that the producers can choose from for highlight reels. There were more David West turnaround and fadeaway jumpers than anything else. That speaks volumes when you have guys like Paul running the floor with exciting youngsters like Julian Wright and Tyson Chandler.

Oh, by the way, Julian Wright is a name you should remember for a long long time. And you won’t have trouble remembering it when he’s plastered all over SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays for the next few years.

I can’t forget about guys like Jannero Pargo and Peja Stojakovic. It seems like every time the Hornets need a big hoop, one of them delivers. Not who you’d expect, huh? Neither did I.I’m sold on Pargo as one of the best backup point guards in the league. He’s got handle, he’s got a smooth jumper and, man, does he have the speed. I can’t forget about his professionalism either. He could have broken every bone in his face because of Jason Kidd. I don’t know if this made it on-air, but Pargo hugged Kidd after they won last night. Classy, knowing what I would have done if I were Pargo.

Then you have the 2007-2008 Coach of the Year, Byron Scott at the helm. Scott is suspect to me… I don’t really buy into him. I feel like his success with the Nets had a lot to do with Eddie Jordan, but I can’t argue with his record when he has the talent on his roster. The players love him too. West and Paul praised the living daylights out of him in last night’s press conference. And rightfully so… I guess.

The bottom line is, how can you not have fun watching this team? How can you not feel good for the city of New Orleans? While our Knicks are festering in the basement of the Eastern conference, I think I may have to “adopt” the Hornets.

Watch some Hornets games, you’ll share the same sentiments.

Marc Stein is reporting on ESPN that the Mavs, who limped out of the playoffs getting whooped up on by the Hornets, have decided to fire head coach Avery Johnson.

“NBA front offices sources told ESPN.com that both the Mavs and Johnson, feeling that a coaching change was inevitable, wanted to come to a resolution quickly so Dallas could begin interviewing other candidates and Johnson could pursue another job. “

This comes as little surprise and makes Johnson a candidate for the Knicks opening. The final straw may have come the other day when reports surfaced of a players-only practice following a team meeting. I’m not overly enthusiastic about Johnson to the Knicks, but a finals appearance is nothing to sneeze at.

Suns GM Steve Kerr has denied the rumors that head coach Mike D’Antoni is on his way out.

“There’s no truth to that,” Kerr told the Arizona Republic. “I asked Mike when the story came out and he denied it. Mike’s our coach and has done a great job for four years. We’ll get together soon and talk about where this team can go from here.”

Sportsillustrated.com posted a report late Tuesday saying D’Antoni would not be back, and it followed a story in the magazine last week that painted a picture of strife between the coaching staff and management.”

The plot thickens.

Tracy McGrady revealed Monday that he’s playing on a left knee that needs painkilling injections just so he can get on the floor and hinted postseason surgery is a possibility.

“It is back to that situation where it was in the beginning of the season,” he said. “I’m still playing. I played on it the other night. I took a couple of shots. I’ll be playing on it.”

Asked how the bad knee had limited him, McGrady said: “My elevation. There has been a couple times when I went to the basket I would have dunked, finished over the top. I don’t even know if it (needs) rest. I might have to talk to the doctors and see. It might need something I don’t want to have to do. We’ll see.” — Houston Chronicle

Didn’t seem like his knee was bothering him the other night in dropping 29 on the Jazz in getting the Rockets back in the series. That said, this should damper any T-Mac-to-New York rumors that were buzzing around a few months ago. I’m sure the Rockets, should they lose in the first round, would swap T-Mac in a package for Marbury’s expiring, an idea that Donnie Walsh should promptly ignore.

According to the Seattle Times, Sonics rookie Kevin Durant will be named the league’s Rookie of the Year on Thursday, beating out Hawks’ rookie Al Horford of Atlanta for the honor.

“Two league sources confirmed Durant outdistanced second-place finisher Al Horford, an Atlanta forward. The sources spoke anonymously because the official announcement is scheduled for Thursday.”

All I keep thinking about is Durant’s fourth quarter dunk at the Garden. Also, check out a video mix of KD to Wu-Tang’s “triumph”

….Andrew Smith writes……

I also think Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola deserves some accolades. Most basketball fans look at the Rockets’ success and just shake their head in amazement. But, from a coach’s standpoint, it’s a joy to watch them play team defense and never, ever take a possession off.  Scola was their “glue guy,” and although this could be said for McGrady, Yao, Battier, and Alston, the Rockets would not may not have even been a playoff team without Scola. 

His 10.3 ppg and 51.5 FG % were not too shabby either, but it brings up the Ichiro Suzuki dilemma. Should a 28-year old, two-time Spanish League MVP be considered for the Rookie of the Year? What do you guys think?

Jack McCallum of SI, says that Phoenix will part ways with head coach Mike D’Antoni following the team’s early exit at the hands of the Spurs, and that the Raptors, Knicks and Bulls are two possible landing spots.

“One landing spot for him would seem to be Chicago, where general manager John Paxson has not yet replaced Jim Boylan, who himself replaced Scott Skiles (now in charge in Milwaukee). The Bulls underachieved this season under both coaches but would seem to have the kind of offensive nucleus (Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni) with which D’Antoni could build.

One other possibility is New York, where new president Donnie Walsh is taking his time making a head-coaching decision despite speculation that the hiring of former point guard Marc Jackson is a done deal. There has also been whispers of D’Antoni’s taking over in Toronto, where Sam Mitchell‘s coaching future is an ongoing discussion and where Bryan Colangelo, D’Antoni’s former boss in Phoenix and still a close friend, is calling the shots. But Toronto doesn’t seem as comfortable a fit for D’Antoni as Chicago or even New York. Don’t look for that to happen.”

The Journal News’ Mike Dougherty agrees that D’Antoni may not be a fit with the frugal Raptors, who would have to pay Sam Mitchell $9 million dollars.

“The powers that be in Toronto must first decide whether they are comfortable eating up to $9 million. It’s not likely to be an easy decision. The fiscally prudent Raptors have already begun wondering how they will be able to afford T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, so they aren’t likely to simply throw money away.”

Over on his blog, Newsday’s Alan Hahn has heard rumblings about Z-bo’s future in NY.

“There were some gossip items in the tabloids today involving a party that Zach Randolph threw at The Plumm, which is a West Village hangout. Apparently Z-Bo was telling people he doesn’t expect to be back with the Knicks next season.”

Clearly, Donnie Walsh has stated his desire to get under the cap by 2010, so it makes sense that he’ll dump Z-bo the first chance he gets.

Frank Isola of the Daily News gives Michael Jordan a point in his apparent ongoing feud with long time rival Isiah Thomas.

Marc Berman has an easy explanation for the apparent snubbing of Patrick Ewing from the head coach consideration.

“With all due respect, Patrick, you were never a leader as a player. Why would you be considered a leader as a coach.”

We understand Patrick’s treatment of the media over the years, but Ewing had plenty of leadership moments. How about playing on a torn achillies in 1999? I often hear a lot of negativity about Ewing’s character, but his son was the ultimate team player at Georgetown so let’s give is dad some a little credit. More importantly, ask yourselves this. If a 35-year-old Ewing were thrust into a lineup with this current bunch of Knicks, would they win 23 games?

My guess would be closer to 43.

Several fans in the RealGM Knicks forum have posed the question: Should the Knicks trade their lottery pick (assuming #5) to the Nets for the 10th and 21st picks in June’s NBA draft.
It is our stance that the team needs to dump it’s assets if it can move Randolph, Eddy Curry and Quentin Richardson‘s contracts. We’re not sold on picks 3-10 so trading down is the play so long as we shed contract.

The better question is why would the Nets make a deal with us?

Also, check out an active and informative 2008 NBA draft discussion on ProSportsDaily.

At his press conference yesterday Larry Brown told reporters that he did a bad job as coach of the Knicks.

” ‘I was a bad coach. I did a bad job. I learned from that,’ Brown said, referring to his time with the Knicks. ‘But being out of it in the last few years, even though I had a title in Philly … I just missed being around the game. I love it. I want to be a part of it.’ “

While we agree Brown’s starting lineups were more mad scientist concoctions than “strategy”, Brown’s history says he improves every team after shotty first seasons. And we would have liked this kind of accountability at the time, but some accountability is better than none.

Drew Cieszynski has done what many of us only dream of. The 26-year-old from Milwaukee has caught a game in every arena in the NBA and on January 11th made his way to Madison Square Garden.

Ciezynski notes his experience of the game verses the Lakers on his blog:

“This is what I was waiting for…

What happened on this day in New York was what I was in search of during my tour.

I’m not going to get into my interactions with the Knicks media/public relations dept, but rather just say thank you to my cousin Jennifer and James Polsky for getting me great seats for the game.

The game that fell into my lap for the Knicks was versus the Lakers on Christmas eve eve. A Sunday afternoon game. Kobe Bryant missed his last game at Madison Square Garden due to suspension, so the stakes were raised for this particular competition.

Madison Square Garden, or ‘the Garden,’ or MSG is located in downtown Manhattan, just a few blocks from Times Square. Dave & I once again took the train from NJ Penn Station to Manhattan. Once we were off the train, we simply had to walk upstairs and we were there. Strangely enough, Circ de Soleil was performing the same day, giving you a sense for how big this arena actually. is.

There were many Lakers fans in attendance, including my boys who flew out from LA for the game. That’s an “L” for Lakers although I would be a Knicks fan today.”

This is pretty cool stuff and is on the very top of my bucket list. As far as your dealings with Knicks PR, we understand Drew, we really do.

ESPN “analyst” Steven A. Smith insisted that the team do whatever it takes to get Memphis point guard Derrick Rose.

“Keep in mind y’all, the Atlanta Hawks are in the postseason this year,” Smith screamed at, told Chris McKendry the other night on SportsCenter. “They’re not even a .500 team. Trust me. The New York Knicks will be able to compete for a playoff spot if they got a leader. Derrick Rose. Memphis. I keep saying that. Derrick Rose Memphis. I don’t care what you gotta do. Fix the ping pong balls, do something. Get him. Get him.”

SAS is such an easy target and this one is just too easy, and maybe a little reach. But you mean to tell us, seriously, the best move for a team in desperate need of a franchise point guard is to invent ways to get him and we’re supposed to accept that as analysis?

Thanks SAS, what would the basketball world do without you.

Hat tip to “You Been Blinded” for the link….

Andy Katz of ESPN highlights the impact of several college players who have declared for the NBA draft but have failed to sign with agents, meaning they can still head back to campus.

Names like Chase Budinger of Arizona, Ronald Steele of Alabama, Marreese Speights of Florida, Darrell Arthur of Kansas, Donte Greene of Syracuse and Bill Walker of KSU will rely on good pre-draft camps in order to maximize their status in June.

Meanwhile, Chad Ford discusses just which players who have made the ultimate leap of faith, actually may have made the right decision.

The draft is easily my favorite event of the summer and we are working towards posting from both the NBA lottery and the NBA draft, but we will provide in-depth coverage including our own team-by-team mock draft in the weeks to come.

Not surprisingly, Larry Brown has gone home (how many homes does this guy have?) and will be reunited with UNC brethren Michael Jordan having accepted the head coaching job with the Charlotte Bobcats, the Charlotte Observer is reporting.

I’m one of the few who actually thought Brown got a completely raw deal here. He hated Isiah’s players but realized he couldn’t move any of them and became frustrated. Granted, he should have realized that before taking the job in the first place. Either way Brown deserves on last chance, he’s too good a coach for the Knicks to be his swan song. Good luck ya nomad.

Did T.J. Ford play his last game in Toronto last night? The Magic closed the series out in five games and rumblings are that Ford may be on the move, and one possible destination is with the Knicks. Ford himself acknowledged that his days in Toronto may be nearing an end.

“Ford was asked if he felt he had played his last game for the Raps. He smiled before replaying: ‘No, not really, but I also know it’s a business and I’ve been through that process before so it won’t be anything new for me if that were to happen. Do I think it will happen? No, but I’m not sure. I don’t really know. I guess we’ll see how it goes.’ “

Someone call the cliché police please.

I think acquiring Ford is a step in the right direction for Walsh even though he has said there is no way he will sign players past 2010 and Ford has a player option for 2011. Yes, he’s injury prone, but he’s one of the most productive point guards per minute in the NBA when healthy. If you could swap Crawford’s contract, you’d have to really think about pulling the trigger and having a true point guard on the roster. Unless, of course we manage a top 2 pick.

….Andrew Smith writes…

If the Raptors would trade Ford for Crawford, I think it is a no-brainer. When healthy, he is one of the best drive-and-kick point guards in the league, and in a division with lightning-quick guards like Rajon Rondo and Devin Harris, we will need a point guard that can keep up with their pace. He is definitely vulnerable to being posted up, but Crawford is vulnerable to everything on the defensive end of the court, and despite the injury risks, an injured Ford might even be more valuable than a healthy Crawford. It’s no coincidence that Crawford’s never been on a winning team in his career. The Raptors also have Jason Kapono making 18 million over the next three seasons and he is rotting away behind Jamario Moon and Andrea Bargnani, we know how desperate our team is for a spot-up shooter, could there be a match in a 2-for-2 trade?

Like a vacationer at an outlet strip mall, Donnie Walsh appears to be taking his time shopping for his first head coach, and by now you’ve heard most of the names. Mark Jackson, the local product and former Knick rookie of the year, who set the city a buzz when he commuted to work at the Garden from Jamaica, Queens, seems perched on top of the list of these candidates, Chicago interview aside. Tom Thibodeau, the former Knick assistant and one who would bring a defensive system to a team that plays at a second grade level defensively would also make Knick fans happy should he get the nod. Mike D’Antoni, Avery Johnson and Sam Mitchell are also being discussed but are considered long shots at best.

But one name that hasn’t been mentioned and should get serious consideration is Hornets assistant Darrell Walker, for a bevy of reasons. Yes, I know he has had his shot and in two full NBA seasons he’s managed just a 56-113 record, but you tell me who could have won in Toronto and Washington? Plus at 35 he may have been a little over his head. First, and foremost he was a Knick and frankly, may have been the best on-ball defender the NBA has ever seen, a weakness that has plagued the Knicks for years. When you don’t have pressure on the ball and guards get into the lane at will, it exposes the team’s lack of interior presence. That needs to be fixed and who better than Walker. Secondly, he’s entrenched himself in a winning situation as a member of the Hornets staff, preaching defense first leading to transition, a game plan that the team has executed to perfection and one that needs to be adopted in New York. Walker also learned under the great Hubie Brown, and managed to find his way on the Bulls roster, learning championship basketball under Michael Jordan. Oh, and did we mention he’s been involved in turning around a franchise that didn’t have a home gym for over a year and is now possibly on the cusp of become Western Conference champions?

Obviously, this team is a few years away and Walker should be given the chance to succeed, like Doc Rivers has been in Boston. Remember it wasn’t too long ago that Doc was about to get the pink slip after losing with an ensemble cast of rookies. The patience (2-2 verses the Hawks aside) shown by Danny Ainge was the wise move, as the Celtics still are the favorites to come out of the East.

The old saying goes “anyone can win with talent” and I agree. But plenty of coaches have lost with talent. Maybe Walker can grow with this team and be the right choice as the team looks to add talent much like the Celtics did last offseason.

I mean with a laundry list of candidates what’s one more, right?