Monthly Archives: September 2008
Berman tracked down Stephon yesterday, who had a couple of very telling things to say, and why I 
believe there is no chance he will suit up for the Knicks when the regular season starts in November.
On if it’s about the money:
“”It can’t be about the money. If you feel you’re better without me, just let me go. If not, let’s get down to the business of playing basketball. We shouldn’t be talking about me getting waived or not. We should be talking about bringing playoff life back to the Garden like when I got here (in 2004-2005).”
Like when you got here? Steph just doesn’t get it. In his mind he’s still the best point guard in the NBA. If he were, why would they have signed Chris Duhon?
On not wanting to be a distraction:
“We need to concentrate on how we’re going to win, not whether I’m getting waived or if I’m getting all my money,”
Absolutely correct. But then he follows with…
“I’m not coming off the bench here in New York”
What happened to the “we”? Steph, you need to understand that you weren’t brought here by Walsh, and D’Antoni has a history with you. When new coaches/management comes in there is an evaluation process, meaning you have no say in the matter. If they think you’re better off coming off the bench, you come off the bench. This last quote shows me that Steph is still very selfish, and that he won’t be around much longer.
He thinks he has leverage. What leverage can a guy have that’s won nothing?
Do you honestly think D’Antoni and Walsh are going to pencil Steph in the starting lineup? More importantly, do you think that they’ll put up with his BS if he’s on the bench?
The Knicks have announced the signings of Dan Grunfeld and Allan Houston today, and both will be in 
camp in Saratoga starting Tuesday.
“Signings” or invites, will continue to stir speculation that, with such a cluttered roster, Walsh will have to trim some dead weight. Maybe Walsh is telling us his plans ahead of time in flooding the roster, you know, the actions speak louder than words thing?
He has already shot down rumors of a Marbury buyout, but that doesn’t mean they won’t cut him. Same goes with Jerome James and Malik Rose, who’s due $7 million dollars this year and is in the final year of his contract.
The Knicks have been trying to get James to retire, claiming that he’s not healthy enough to play at the NBA level. We’ll see what comes out of that.
As we’ve stated, we think Walsh has a plan for Patrick Ewing Jr. and he should make the team, and if Houston shows anything at all, you can bet that his presence will be wanted in the locker room, and why not? The guy is one of the great pure shooters when right.
This is going to get REAL interesting.
Also, nice grab by Bruce Beck with the Steph interview, where Marbs confrimed he’s “not taking a penny less that what he’s owed. Does Dolan just send Steph on his way? This is an important note, because as much as we know Donnie Walsh has autonomy to make decisions, does he have a blank check with Dolan’s signature?
Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to TKB by Knick fan Bill Obenauer. As always we 
encourage opinion pieces to be submitted.
With reports widely publicized that talks regarding Zach Randolph between Donnie Walsh of the New York Knicks and Chris Wallace of the Memphis Grizzlies are dead, many Knick fans are concerned as to how this will affect the future of the club. While having Randolph on the team’s roster at the start of the season may cause a logjam in the front court that hinders the development of some of the younger players, it may not prohibit the team’s long-term plans of landing a marquee free agent as some have suggested.
First of all, if there’s one thing we did learn from the talks between New York and Memphis, it’s that Walsh may be willing to add a contract worth $7.6 million (i.e. Marko Jaric) in 2010-2011 if it meant unloading Randolph’s $17.3 million that year. Had that taken place and the Knicks had signed David Lee to an extension that would presumably be worth $7 million per year, the team would have hardly shedded any salary cap space for the summer of 2010. For this reason alone, trading Randolph for Mililic and Jaric would have actually hurt the Knicks’ free agency plans more than keeping Zach around for a while.
Having said that, if Walsh was willing to add Jaric’s $7.6 million in 2010-2011, there’s no reason to hesitate on signing Lee to an extension at this point. He’s a workhorse with a positive attitude who practically averages a double-double in less than thirty minutes a game. Basically, he’s the kind of guy that star players like to have on their team. Locking him up will make the Knicks a more appealing destination for any free agent.
If they do lock up Lee, however, that would give the Knicks approximately $52 million on the books for 2010-2011, leaving very little room to sign James, Wade, Bosh etc. That’s okay because the possibility of trading Randolph is at its ultimate low right now. The Knicks are coming off a season where their roster simply did not work and other GM’s are biting at the chomp to see what the Knicks are willing to dump. People expect to see Walsh make his mark on this franchise (which he has been doing by showing that he will not be taken advantage of) and as long as the perception is that Randolph is unwanted in New York, the Knicks won’t receive a good offer for him. The fact of the matter is, however, for as untradeable as Knick fans are fearing that Randolph is, the team has already received offers for him from two different teams this summer.
The closer Randolph comes to the end of his contract, the easier he becomes to move, but he will also be very marketable mid-season. In a wide open Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls have a glaring hole in their frontcourt. If they can reach a contract agreement with Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes becomes very expendable and should the Bulls find themselves in the mix come mid-season, John Paxson may be willing to ship him out and take a chance on Randolph.
Though the Cavaliers may not want to help the Knicks clear cap space to go after their top free-agent in 2010, Cleveland could also be a sensible destination for Randolph. Should the Cavaliers struggle with the vastly improved Philadelphia 76ers, whom they will face twice in the preseason and then two more times before the trade deadline, a tweak in the frontcourt may become imminent. While a rapidly declining Ben Wallace may seem more likely to contain Elton Brand than a defensively invisible Zach Randolph would be, Randolph may actually have a better shot at slowing down Brand by wearing him out with his offensive pressure.
While there could be several other trading partners out there, including Sacramento (with the recent retirement of Abdur-Rahim) and Houston (if Tracy McGrady’s chronic back problems were to get even worse), there is still the possibility that Randolph could be on the Knicks’ roster come 2010, but if that were the case, it would make the Knicks a prime sign-and-trade partner. Though a Randolph for LeBron James trade may seem to make no sense, it would be better for the Cavs than losing James to the Nets for nothing, especially if the Knicks threw in some cash and a draft pick. Consider the fact that the Detroit Pistons were practically forced to send Grant Hill, who was widely regarded as the league’s best player at the time, to Orlando for the little-known Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins in August of 2000 and using Randolph in a sign-and-trade doesn’t seem so unrealistic.
The other consideration that can’t be neglected is that the hype around the summer of 2010 is based upon speculation that every player with the opportunity to opt out that summer will. Perhaps, the Cavaliers commit to James that they will land another marquee player in 2010 if he doesn’t opt out, and he chooses to stick around one more season and see how it plays out. Or, maybe, Chris Bosh decides that he doesn’t want to hit the free agent market going up against James and Wade. Also, Kobe Bryant becomes a free agent in 2011 and although he will be 33 at that time, that’s no older than Michael Jordan was when he won his final three NBA Championships. Whatever the case may be, if the Knicks can’t position themselves well for the summer of 2010, they currently have not a single contract on the books for 2011 where we should see some good opportunities for free agent signings as well.
In all reality, the Isiah-Era has created the most negative attitude that New York basketball has ever seen. Fans are angry, disgusted, frustrated, scared, and ashamed. The media has taken these emotions and used them in the case of the Zach Randolph situation to create panic and sell newspapers. The reality is that fans should be happy that Walsh rejected Wallace’s offer for Randolph. It shows that the team president is no longer flying by the seat his pants, and it’s not as critical to the franchise’s future as the media would scare you into believing.
Thanks Bill. One has to wonder if Walsh was hesitant with the Jaric contract. That and the said first round pick inclusion made it a no-brainer to turn down. I think that Walsh would have traded the first round pick had Memphis included Antoine Walker. I’m not sure he would have pulled the trigger on Darko and Jaric. Darko would have had an audition here, but you could have replaced his contract with Lee’s extension.
If heard a lot of rumbling over Ben Wallace, and I keep asking myself “would Ferry help the Knicks salary situation at the price of winning games this year??”
Kudos to our boy Alvino who was all over the Ben Gordon situation all summer and it turns out he was 
right, according to the Daily News.
“Marbury will earn $21 million in the final season of his contract this year, which makes trading him difficult. Over the summer, Walsh talked to the Chicago Bulls regarding a sign-and-trade for free agent Ben Gordon, but Chicago had little interest in Marbury.”
They are reporting Donnie Walsh was interested in dealing for Gordon, who is in a contract stalemate, and offered Marbury’s contract. The talks then stopped.
This goes to show my point of Steph being the least wanted franchise salary in league history. So many players with this type of deal have value. That said, teams may put up with Steph from the trade deadline on, increasing his value.
I am skeptical of the report, however, in the sense that they would have to match salary, and the Knicks don’t have the roster space to take on more than 2 players. You’d have to think Larry Hughes would have been part of the deal.
The Post’s Marc Berman, who is very close with Stephon, is confirming the Daily News report that 
Marbury will be at camp next Tuesday in Saratoga. Interestingly, he mentions that Marbury could still be gone before the end of camp.
“Meanwhile, Knicks president Donnie Walsh last night denied a report Marbury will be waived by week’s end. Walsh said through a spokesman, “He is coming to training camp. We have not approached Stephon about a buyout.”
However, there’s a strong possibility Marbury could be released during camp, which would give Houston a better chance of making it. The Knicks will have 17 players, two over the maximum. Houston, who hasn’t played a regular-season game since the 2004-2005 season when microfracture knee surgery cut short his career, would need to beat out Marbury and, ironically, his former teammate’s son, Patrick Ewing Jr.”
Donnie Walsh is adamant about the fact that talks of the team parting ways with its moody point guard are premature.
For me it makes little sense to keep the guy around, but maybe Dolan is playing hardball in not wanting to pay Steph every cent to just go away. But, he’d have to pay him anyway to play.
With Marbury and now Allan Houston coming to camp the team has 17 players competing for 15 spots. The team is serious about keeping Houston but it won’t be at the expense of Patrick Ewing Jr., who Walsh loves. It makes sense for Walsh to see what Houston has before aggressively moving on Steph.
That would mean two players won’t make the opening season roster. Will they cut Anthony Roberson? Doubtful.
In the end I’d be shocked if Marbury and Jerome James are on the opening night roster.
Stay tuned.
Well, don’t go calling your Stephon Marbury Knicks jersey a throw-back just yet. According to ESPN.com, Donnie Walsh refuted the rumor that surfaced this morning that had the Knicks buying out Marbury by the end of the week. “This thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about it,” Walsh said. “I haven’t approached [Marbury] about a buyout.” Marbury is on the hook this year for $21.9 million this season.
I don’t really know what to say about this whole Marbury situation. He is currently on the Knicks’ books for one more season. As Tommy Dee noted earlier, any trade involving Marbury would require the Knicks to match salaries with their trade partner. Are there any interested teams out there with an expendable, max player with either one or two years remaining on his deal? Probably not. The Miami Heat have been rumored to be interested in Marbury, but they would never trade a player like Shawn Marion for him. In fact, no team will give up anything of substance for a complete question mark in Stephon Marbury.
This is truly a wait-and-see situation which has been so drawn out that it is probably not even worth any further speculation. If Marbury gets bought out, then so be it. Great. If not… well, I guess I am still going to have to cheer for # 3. Personally, I do not think that he has a spot on this team anymore. It is time to turn the page. But if Walsh sees otherwise, I will respect his decision. However, I hope Walsh understands that a decision not to buy out Marbury might create a major distraction that this team does not need going forward. The media will be in a frenzy over Marbury when he walks into training camp, when he says his first idiotic word, and when he dogs it on the court for the first time this season. If Walsh does not understand the distraction that Marbury brings to the table, then he can pretty much ask anyone who has followed the Knicks over the last few years. After all, I am not sure if Walsh read the Post or the Daily News out in Indiana.
We figured it would happen soon.
I trust Hahn on this one. As you’ve probably read by now, he’s reporting that the Knicks will probably cut ties with Marbury as early as the end of the week.
Hoopsworld questions the move, based on the notion that he could still play at a high level and the Knicks are essentially giving him away, but there’s an easy answer for that.
“It’s inevitable that the Knicks part ways with Stephon, but where is the benefit to the Knicks? Steph is in the final year of his deal earning $21.9 million. There is a modern belief that you’re guaranteed to pay Steph $21.9 million, the question becomes how much can you get him to knock off in order to be free of the Knicks? Would knocking $2 million off the deal be enough to get James Dolan to write off another deal? Is telling Cablevision shareholders that you saved $2 million enough?”
Take a look at all the huge contracts over the years and you’ll see there’s a sniff of interest from other teams on the trade market. Marbury has received zero, zilch, nada. What does that tell you?
It tells me that he’s not worth trading for. Is he worth giving a shot to without giving anything up? Sure.
In order for Steph to be traded, a match would have to be made salary-wise, and the Knicks don’t have the roster space to take back the three or four players it would take to match.
Wait until the deadline to increase that value, you say? Why? It would be the same situation, and who knows what would happen to the locker room before then.
Don’t take minutes from Nate, or Duhon, or Jamal, not when D’Antoni expects Crawford to elevate to an all-star level. Here’s your chance Jamal, time to become the complete player we’ve been waiting for.
In the end it was a sad run for the Coney Island Kid and I rooted for him. It should have been a NYC kid’s dream come true. However, thanks to his dust up with coaches, namely Larry Brown, followed by his indifference to the Anucha trial, which spelled doom for the franchise, it became a nightmare.
It’s just time to start fresh and time to move on.
Guest Column: Why Landing a Top-Flight Free Agent Will Not Bring a Championship Banner to the Knicks
Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to TKB by Knick fan Bill Obenauer. As always we
encourage opinion pieces to be submitted.
Though I do not believe that Donnie Walsh will be able to position the Knicks to land a marquee player, such as LeBron James or Dwayne Wade, in 2010, I have often pondered what would happen in the Bronx-born Knicks president did pull off the impossible. Hearing James’ name called out on the public address for the first time would probably result in a roar so load that the walls of the Garden would literally shake and the roof would be at risk of blowing off, but that would probably be the highlight of his career as a Knick. If historical trends are any indicator of the future, landing a big-name free agent signing in Gotham would just about ensure that the Knicks don’t hang another banner from the rafters any time soon.
Let’s take a look at the Knicks’ past first. What do Patrick Ewing, Bill Bradley, Willis Reed, and Walt “Clyde” Frazier have in common? Not only are they some of the greatest players in team history, but they were all home grown New York draft picks. Bradley, Reed, and Frazier teamed up for two NBA titles in the seventies, while the newly recognized Hall of Fame member, Patrick Ewing, lead the team to two finals appearances in the nineties.
What about the other key member to those championship teams of the seventies, and the star the Knicks added to help win the title in 1973. Dave DeBusschere and Earl “The Pearl” Monroe were both acquired via trades. Key players to the success of the Knicks in the nineties such as Charles Oakley, Marcus Camby, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, and Derek Harper were also traded to the Knicks. Though they may not be worth discussing because they really aren’t associated with the Knicks winning, I’ll mention a few other former franchise players. Bob McAdoo, the Knicks’ All-Star of the late seventies who helped end the team’s playoff drought, came over in a trade from Buffalo. Oh, and how about the Knicks’ sensational leader in the mid-eighties, Bernard King? He came over in a trade with the Golden State Warriors as well.
Okay, so the Knicks have obtained most of their key players through trades or the draft, but there must have been some good free agent signings, right? I will not insult your intelligence by examining any Isiah Thomas signings, such as Vin Baker, Jarred Jeffries, or Jerome James.To read the rest click here.
Thanks Bill, for a very well-written piece.
There are so many questions regarding the team before they head into camp next Monday, where
do you start?
It seems to me, and it’s been my stance all summer, that this team cannot be healthy with Randolph in the same front court as Eddy Curry and David Lee. And with his apparent dust up with the front office, one has to wonder just how healthy ZBo will be the locker room. I mean think about it, D’Antoni just left a locker room of complete profession with a common goal in China, and now he’s going to put up with needless BS from a losing team in NY?
No way.
Speaking of which, that brings us to Marbury. Still no word, but one has to wonder why he hasn’t been around. You’d have to think that Donnie will have to make an announcement either way on Steph’s status soon. My gut? He’s a goner.
How about Jerome James? Last I heard the team was trying to get him to call it quits.
Gallinari’s back; who starts at the one; and Lee and Nate’s contracts- yep, Donnie will have his hands full a week from today.
With the deal Memphis deal apparently no longer on the table, it appears that Donnie Walsh is
desperately looking for a suitor to unload Zach Randolph on.
A source close to TKB tells us that Randolph did something to really anger Walsh, and although there are no specifics, it would seem as if Walsh isn’t happy. The problem is he just rejected the trade with the Grizzlies, the only suitor.
That said, one could think that Memphis may have known of the rift, thus giving them leverage to try and get Walsh to break on a one-sided deal: Darko and Jaric for ZBo and a first round pick.
To his credit, Walsh did not.
We will see over the next few weeks what comes from the rift, but one has to assume that Walsh is still actively trying to move Randolph.
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