Donnie Walsh still has about a month before training camp to go, but when you consider what he’s accomplished so far, he’s done a nice job of tweaking the roster in a short period of time.

Let’s take a look at the group assembled when Mike D’Antoni walks in the gym in Saratoga on Sept 29th as it stands today. Yes, traditional positions mean very little in D’Antoni’s system, but roster balance is still very important.

Centers: Eddy Curry, Jerome James
Power Forwards: Zach Randolph, David Lee, Malik Rose
Small Forwards: Wilson Chandler. Danilo Gallinari. Jared Jeffries, Pat Ewing Jr.
Shooting Guards:Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Nate Robinson
Point Guards: Chris Duhon, Mardy Collins, Anthony Roberson, Stephon Marbury

With 16 players Walsh has some decisions to make, meaning that should this rumored Darko and Walker (or Jaric) for Randolph deal go down, they’ll have to either cut two players, or include another to make it a two- for-two swap then cut a player.

Should Memphis not want to add any more salary, meaning they aren’t interested in bringing in Malik Rose’s $7 million even for one year, then Walsh would have to cut two players from the roster.

Stephon Marbury seems to be the logical choice, and you’d have to think that Jerome James would be the other. Maybe they can give him a one-year TV gig in exchange for a buyout like they did for Jerome “JYD” Williams.

Either way, those hoping the other shoe to drop need to understand what Walsh is looking at. A two-for -one would add another player to the roster bringing it to 17. That won’t work at this point.

So should this Memphis thing happen, expect a two-for-two trade, if/when Memphis agrees, or a two-for-one with Walsh asking Dolan to pay for the rest of Big Snacks’ meal ticket.

Strengths

Perimeter length and athleticism could make him a standout NBA defender almost right away. He can guard the 1-2-3 position but he is a perfectly suited Small Forward who can contest most all shots. He is an outstanding weak side defender and gets a ton of blocks reading plays going to the basket in help situations. Protects his teammates very well defensivey. Offensively, he is very raw but he has been taught that an east to west pass is far more important to offensive structure than a forced shot. So he’s not a liabilty, he has the ability to finish very well for a small forward in transition and he can create some off the dribble. Ewing seemed to work hard on getting a higher release point on his jump shot from Jr-to Sr. year as I noticed better form and rotation in his last year.

Weaknesses

Offensively he’s not a one-on-one threat at this point, but can create some off the dribble. He’s simply not a breakdown Isolation player. He does not handle well nor is he an inside out, spot shooter. He has a solid skill set, but his defense is ions better than his offense.As it stands his ceiling is defensive specialist type on the perimeter at best, if he can’t improve offensiively he’ll be limited to role player minutes.

Overall

The kid would be an NBA player if his name were “John Johnson” but having to deal with the expectations of being a hall-of-famers son has to be difficult. That said it’s hard to imagine anyone doing it better than this kid He’s got the potential to have a long career as a defender, but he has to show that he can stay on the floor offensively. If he can gain any kid of perimeter game or a pick and pop jumper or slash, he should have a nice NBA career. Should he not develop one, like all 2nd rounders, he could be out of the league in 2 years.

So I get out of my car yesterday about 12:45 at a private golf club in New Jersey called Hamilton Farm. I was running late and didn’t know if they had one of those strict cell phone policies so I tell the valet kid to park the car as I went to meet my group for our 1 o’clock tee time.

Long story short I get back in the car around 6 and I have 50 missed calls.

“Who died,”  I thought.

After sifting through the messages, I come to learn the Knicks have made a minor deal. As I touch base will all my TKB brethren it seems no one is near a computer. Steve is buried in tape, Andrew is parking cars at the US tennis Open, and Alvino is moving he stuff back to BC.

It was the perfect storm. Either way, we love the Ewing trade and have considered him an option and an NBA player for some time now. What bothers me is this Balkman comparison. Balkman’s gone people, this wasn’t a Balkman-for- Ewing trade, ok maybe on some level it is, but it’s the right move.

People have asked me why I think Ewing has the ability to have a career in the NBA and my answer is this. In today’s NBA, meaning where bigs are skilled and creating space offensively is much easier than it was, say, 10-15 years ago, there is a premium for long, athletic defensive-minded perimeter players, which Ewing Jr. certainly is. Ewing is longer than Balkman.

Granted, you can say Isiah brought in a bunch of far-from-complete players during his regime and with Ewing’s lack of a perimeter game offensively, you can ask how is this move different. I think Ewing has the ability to be a nice offensive player, he does have a good stroke.  

In the end, Walsh was able to rid the Curse of Weis, and get back Ewing in return. To me at worst  it’s a great PR move. But Walsh isn’t thinking PR, he’s thinking he got a kid with some talent, and he’d like him as a player regardless of his name.

I hope that everyone reading this post is sitting down for this one. Earlier today, Donnie Walsh acquired Patrick Ewing Jr. from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to Frederic Weis.

Wow. Let me say that one again. Today, Donnie Walsh traded the draft rights to Frederic Weis to the Rockets for Patrick Ewing Jr.

Great move by Donnie Walsh.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the significance of this deal, let me fill you in a bit. Nine years ago (I can’t believe it was that long ago), I remember watching the NBA draft with my dad and watching the Knicks make one of the most foolish mistakes in team history. With the 15^th overall pick (remember the 1999 finals run as the 8^th seed), the Knicks selected the young, unknown center prospect out of France by the name of Frederic Weis. Generally, Knicks fans are tough on their draft picks, but this one was a bit different, namely because local phenom Ron Artest, was still on the board. My dad, who was a big fan of Artest while he had his amazing run at St. John’s, blasted the Knicks for passing on him. When the Bulls selected Artest at 16, my dad turned the TV off in a fit of rage. Matters only got worse when Weis decided not to come play in New York. Pathetically, Weis is most famous for being dunked over (literally) by Vince Carter in the 2004 Olympics. Up until today, Weis has largely been considered the biggest draft bust in New York Knicks’ history.

But today, more than nine full years later, Donnie Walsh dug deep into the Knicks’ history archives and traded the rights to Weis for Patrick Ewing Jr., the son of perhaps the greatest player in Knicks history. For months, Tommy Dee and the rest of us at theKnicksblog.com have pushed for attaining the athletic defensive stud out of Georgetown. Ewing Jr. will not wow anyone with his offensive game, but he is a great glue player. He will help the flow of the team by doing the dirty work and bringing intangibles everyday, both at practice and in the game. With a 42 inch vertical and great length, Ewing Jr. figures to be able to provide strong perimeter defense and perhaps become a good shot-blocker. In fact, with a 42 inch vertical, Ewing Jr. may be able to also dunk over Weis just like Carter did. Knicks fans have to realize that Ewing Jr. is not his dad and never, ever will be. But if the Knicks bring down Ewing Sr.’s #33 from the rafters for his son to wear, Ewing Jr. will wear that jersey with pride and determination to excel in New York. New Yorkers will be proud of what he brings to the table.

Ironically, Ewing Jr. was drafted by the Kings and dealt to the Rockets in the deal that sent Artest to Houston. In a strange sense, the Frederic Weis era in New York began and ended with Artest looming in the background.

All in all, this was an absolute classic trade, and a hysterical one at that. Even though Ewing Jr. may very well ride the pine all season and Weis has never played in an NBA game, I cannot remember the Knicks ever making a minor trade with so much interesting background information. Good luck Patrick. We are rooting for you here at theKnicksblog.com. And Frederic, Knicks fans would love to say goodbye to you, but you never actually gave us the pleasure of saying hello. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free-agent center Hamed Haddadi pronounced (ha-MED ha-DAHD-dee), who led all 2008 Olympians in rebounding and blocks, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Ahvaz, Iran native recently participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, where he was the only player to average a double-double (16.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks) in Olympic competition while playing five games for the Iranian National Team.

The 7-2, 254-pound center had his best performance came against eventual bronze medal winner Argentina when he had a team-high 21 points and game-high 16 rebounds on Aug. 16.

“We are pleased to sign Hamed,” said Wallace. “He is a young center who was very productive as a rebounder, shotblocker and scorer at the Rocky Mountain Revue Summer League in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2008 Olympics and the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament in Nanjing, China prior to the Olympics. Our coaching staff is eager to begin working with Hamed.”

Haddadi, who is slated to become the first Iranian to play in the NBA, poured in 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Lebanon in the 2007 FIBA Asian Championship in Japan, helping Iran clinch its first Olympic basketball berth since 1948.

The 23-year-old, who was not selected in the 2004 NBA Draft, recently averaged 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 25.5 minutes in two games for the Iranian team against NBA competition at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Revue.

Haddadi, who spent the 2007-08 season playing for Saba Battery BC in the Iranian Super League, will join former Grizzlies Jake Tsakalidis and Cezary Trybanski as the tallest players in franchise history. He is also the second Grizzlies player to appear in the 2008 Olympics, joining center Marc Gasol, who captured a silver medal with the Spanish National Team.

- via press release

More importantly they have another young big in the mix along side Gasol, meaning Darko should be expendable.

SI.com is reporting that Mike D’Antoni is on a very short list to be named head coach of the Olympic team for the London games in 2012.

“Now that Coach K. has helped restore the U.S. to its rightful place atop the world basketball throne, who will be his replacement? Don’t you think it should be an NBA coach this time around?
– Dom, Chicago

It’s too early to say right now. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan are two prominent names you will hear in the coming days. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, an assistant on Coach K.’s staff this year and an experienced hand in international play, also could be in the mix. Either way, I think it will be an NBA coach. I don’t see another Coach K. out there on the college landscape right now who could step in and handle a team full of NBA egos.

Obviously, D’Antoni got a ton of credit for how effective his offensive system was in China, and the players love him, so he should be atop the list.

The question for me is, which player will represent the Knicks in the Olympics. There’s going to be at least one.

Not real newsworthy, but hoopsworld.com is reporting a source close to the Grizz has confirmed that they are indeed seriously considering a Z-Bo for Darko and Walker deal.

I’m curious as to why no one is talking about Darko’s achillies injury, he injured it in July. Either way, Donnie has to make this deal in a second, and apparently these rumors are simmering and almost reaching a boil.

Stay tuned.

I am not a fan of providing misinformation to readers, and thus I am writing this post to apologize for past posts in which I claimed that Oklahoma City’s new name is the Thunder.  According to ESPN.com, the OKC team has yet to decide on a new team name.  The organization plans on releasing its new name and uniforms on September 3.  “Thunder” is apparently one of the names being considered.

I am not sure if anyone was/ is bothered by my error(s), but if so, then I apologize.  I was under the impression that they had already settled on “Thunder.” 

As I wrote in my previous post, the OKC team has some decisions to make regarding their young centers.  Who knows, maybe their decision might involve sending one of them to the Knicks.

Hoopsworld.com makes sense of the Z-Bo rumors this morning:

“The logic behind the Zach Randolph to Memphis rumors is simply trading bad for bad. If the Grizzlies can get New York to take on some of Memphis’ unwanted contracts, then it’s worth looking at. The rumor as it stands is Memphis would assume the remaining three years and $43.9 million on Zach’s deal, with a 2008-2009 salary of just under $14.7 million. If the Grizz could send out the final two years and $14.5 million owed to Darko Milicic and the final two years and $18.7 owed to Antoine Walker, it seems like that’s what Memphis is looking at. Marko Jaric’s boat anchor of a deal could easily be subbed in for Walker, because you can argue that Walker’s contract, which is the highest on the team is the best deal, as the final year is a non-guaranteed year.”

Sounds as if the question is would Walsh take on Jaric’s contract. He’s due $7.6 million in 2010-11 and Walsh has been adamant about not adding salary. But to rid themselves of Z-Bo’s contract would be enormous in the quest to get under the cap. Twan’s contract has a team option after this year, so it’s unclear whether Memphis would let that just “walk” away. I’d bring in Jaric just so I can see his girl, Victoria Secret model Adriana Lima, walking around MSG. But hey, executive decisions aren’t made such ways. Maybe they should be.

Z-Bo would add serious beef to a very thin front line and a lineup of Mike Conley, Mayo, Gay, Z-Bo and Marc Gasol would be an interesting fit.

They also have a slew of point guards including Javaris Crittenton and Kyle Lowery, but this wouldn’t be a 3- for-1 deal, you’d have to assume Walsh would have to include another player.

Stay tuned, like we said, I think Walsh will make a move before camp.

Ronald Tillery of memphisedge.com says the ongoing talks between the Knicks and Grizzlies in regards to Zach Randolph, are back on.

“Memphis wants to throw all of its money at an impact guy or do nothing in free agency. So with the exception of signing Iranian center Hamed Ehadadi for NBA peanuts there are a few whispers around the league involving the Griz and possible deals:

While the Griz were courting Smith they also had trade discussions regarding New York Knicks power forward Zach Randolph. Those discussions — mostly internal – are still ongoing as Randolph has been made available.

The Griz are willing to part with Darko Milicic (last year’s big free agent signing) in a package that wouldn’t require a core player (OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, etc). What the brain trust seems to be debating is whether Randolph fits the Grizzlies’ style on and off the court.”

How about Milicic and Crittenton? Where do we sign?

Mike D’Antoni, himself, has expressed excitement about the prospects of having you in his offense, so it’s a big year Jamal.

No more excuses. You’ve heard them, and right atop the list sits,

“He’s never been coached right. He’s had too many coaches in his career.”

Everyone remembers Crawford playing well under Larry Brown, but that was just on the offensive end. I maintain that offensively the ball still sticks to his hands too much and he settles for too many tough jumpers, and defensively, well…

But we’ll be positive here.

Jamal, we need you to elevate your game and become a complete player. Complete players harass people defensively, and in addition to scoring from the floor. They also get to the line, but we’ve talked about that before.

Now’s your chance to learn and we think you have the ability to. This means less dribbling east to west and more running off screens. You attack your man as well as anyone off the dribble, but in D’Antoni’s system others will be open well before you commit to a drive and pull up. He’ll be fine with the shots you take, so long as it’s the best one in that set. So be patient and always have your head up.

It’s a big year for you with your option kicking in at season’s end, so you have all the motivation in the world to play well, but judging from what we know about your character it’s not about the money, it’s about reputation.

The team will probably lose it’s fair share this year, and this is about the future, so management will have to decide what it holds for you. Molding your game in this coach’s system and becoming a well-rounded player will make the decision very easy for them.

You’re a good guy and a talented player, which is why fans run hot and cold with you. Even your biggest skeptics want to see you play well. But there’s more to the game than just scoring.

No more excuses, you’re in a system of a coach that is widely credited for redeeming his country, so the time is now.

It’s too much to ask that you’ll be as productive this time around under D’Antoni, or is it? No, you won’t get 35 minutes per game, or 13 shots a game, but we’re okay with you taking 8-10.  Maybe you can push Crawford in preseason for the starting spot, since we think Chandler is a lock to start at the 3.

We should expect you to play solid backup minutes at the 2/3 depending how Gallinari develops. You’ll contribute solid defense, and we know you’ll be in top shape, and it stands to reason that your leadership and talent will be a strong factor. Your contract is long and tough to trade, so you’ll have to be comfortable with being a role player. But that doesn’t mean you should go quietly.

At the two you can knock down 3s, but I think D’Antoni sees you as a post threat as well. If you are paired with Chandler or Gallinari, both of whom can knock down perimeter shots, you should get the opportunity to post smaller twos, something we’re completely comfortable with.

Play hard Q, you’ve been the consummate pro here, and we think your leadership is important. You’re comfortable with D’Antoni so we look for solid things from you, so long as you stay healthy.

We think you can still break twos down off the dribble too, so we may see some more of this…

Real important note about D’Antoni’s system. This was the spread set many college teams have adopted, the idea of opening the block for dribble penetration. Notice the ball starts in the post on the opposite block (Curry) and is reversed (if Curry learns to stop passing to the other team). As it’s reversed the strong side block is open and the big man guarding the opposite block has to stay home. Dirk can’t help or it’s a wide open three. With a quick cross Q beats his man and there’s no help at the basket.

“Attacking the block” – Just something to watch for this season under D’Antoni.

I am not sure if anyone remembers when the Suns signed Steve Nash.  It was the summer of 2004, and the Suns, fully armed with ample cap space, were rumored to be very much interested in signing superstar guard Kobe Bryant.  Well, the clock struck midnight on July 1, and the Suns wasted no time shocking the NBA world by bringing in a less heralded and much more pedestrian guard by the name of Steve Nash.  At the time, the Suns’ offer to Nash trumped that of Dallas’ offer to retain him, and thus the Suns and Mike D’Antoni had gotten their man.  Two MVP awards later, Coach Mike looks like a genius.

There is no doubt in my mind that Chris Duhon was the guy that Walsh and D’Antoni envisioned running the Knicks next season all along.  Passing on combo guards Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gordon during the draft, Walsh believed that the point guard of his choice would ultimately be around for him to snag.  A couple of weeks later, Walsh threw everything that the Knicks had to offer at Chris Duhon, dishing out practically twice the amount that the runner-up Orlando Magic was offering.  At the time, I loved the move, but could not help but think that Walsh seemingly outbid himself for Duhon’s services.  But this move was clearly not all Walsh’s decision.  D’Antoni, the offensive guru, definitely played a major role in bringing in the young point guard.

I am truly convinced that D’Antoni sees something in Duhon that none of us do.  Walsh’s full-court press to sign him proves that.  Now even though it seems like I am trying to compare the Steve Nash signing to the Chris Duhon signing, I am not.  My point is that there is something about Duhon that I have yet to see.  Walsh and D’Antoni have a plan, and Duhon was clearly a key cog in that plan.  Walsh made sure that he got Duhon – that is why he went after him so aggressively.  As Tommy Dee said, Duhon could provide quality minutes off the bench if Walsh found a stud point for the future, but given Walsh’s eagerness to get him, I cannot help but be intrigued by the Duhon signing.  He might not be the next Steve Nash, but given D’Antoni’s keen eye for point guard potential, Knicks fans might be seeing a side of Chris Duhon that they have never seen before.  Let’s hope!

No Knicks on the team, but still, that Spain game was great basketball. Congrats…Finger point to spursreport.com, for the photo.

…and by the way, the more I watch Rubio, the more I REALLY love his game. I can see him throwing lobs to Chris Bosh in 2010 right now.

Have we seen the end of Gus Johnson on MSG?

According to Bob Raissman, Johnson’s contract expired at season’s end and he is renegotiating with MSG suits, a process not going very well.

“How are the negotiations going? Here’s where it gets sticky. The same sources said MSG Network brass – boss Mike Bair and executive producer Lydia Murphy-Stephans – are playing hardball with Johnson over terms of a new deal.

Would these two be bubbleheaded enough not to ink Johnson? The Excitable One has spent 10 seasons as part of MSG’s Knicks radio team – the past five as the Knicks’ No. 1 radiocaster, working with veteran analyst John (Legend) Andariese.

The fact that it’s almost September and MSG has not come to terms with Johnson is a tad strange. Especially considering what’s taking place on the court.

With Mike D’Antoni in place as coach, and Donnie Walsh now the brains of the organization, the fog on 33rd St. has a chance of lifting. The Garden will be selling optimism. It better if it wants anyone to purchase overpriced tickets.

The broadcast end of the operation will be key in describing the transition to friend and foe alike. Johnson should be part of this. He’s been with MSG through mostly bad times. If this is the start of a turnaround, Johnson has the chops to chronicle the franchise’s resurrection on the radio.

Did Johnson cut Isiah Thomas major slack and spread MSGulag party propaganda? Yep. He, along with all the other MSG Knicks voices who joined him, have been ripped to shreds in this space. A new day may be dawning.

I’m kinda 50/50 on Gus, he’s a class guy for sure, but he took it waaay too easy on the Isiah Thomas Era. So much so it seemed Johnny Hoops had to keep himself from laughing at Gus’ takes during telecasts. “Folks don’t let the scoreboard fool you, despite losing by 25, the Knicks REALLY COMPETED TONIGHT.”

Such propaganda affects your credibility.

On the other hand, Gus has entrenched himself in the fabric of March Madness where every game he does is a must-listen.