2009 is here, and the highlight of the 2008-2009 season for Knicks fans so far is November 21^st , the day in which Donnie Walsh put the Knicks in the position to sign not one, but two major free agents in 2010.  Seemingly out of nowhere, Jamal Crawford was first traded to the Warriors for Al Harrington.  Then, Zach Randolph was traded for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley to the Clippers.  Now, with Tim Thomas and Al Harrington both having played 17 games in a Knicks uniform and with Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford settled in with their respective teams, we can accurately assess who got the upper hand in each trade.

Al Harrington for Jamal Crawford – The Knicks won, plain and simple.  The Warriors added another tweener guard, and the Knicks got a prototypical D’antoni big man.  Crawford’s departure has allowed Nate Robinson to step up, but it’s also left a gaping hole at the shooting guard position.  Yet, Harrington’s a flat out better player than Crawford, and Harrington does more for the Knicks than Crawford ever has.  In practically the exact same amount of minutes, Crawfords averaging a point less with the Warriors and shooting a less than spectacular 40% from the field.  He’s dishing out five dimes a game playing point guard for Golden State, and he still can’t even spell defense.  Al Harrington, on the other hand, is on pace for a career year.  He’s already won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, and is putting up 22 and 7 a night, shooting free throws better than he ever has, and he’s playing with a renewed sense of passion, letting us Knick fans know that he wants to be here past 2010.  He’s showed stints of persistent defense, and really gave Steve Nash fits.  A slump was inevitable, after he played out of his mind for a while, but if he takes his own advice, and starts off inside, he’ll be fine.

Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley for Zach Randolph- I was always a fan of Zach Randolph, but not of his contract, and although the Knicks gave up their top scorer and really only got Tim “You can’t see me” Thomas in return, I still think New York won the trade.  Sure, Deandre Jordan, Marcus Camby, or maybe a pick would have been nice, but the Knicks found their takers, and Z-bo is no star.  Dunleavy is the new Isiah Thomas and not only did he sign Baron Davis, a player that only strives in a fast break system, for $65 million and put him in a half-court offense, but he traded for Zach Randolph, as if he was the missing piece to the puzzle, and he would catapult them into contention in the Western Conference.  Trading Zach Randolph allowed the Knicks to shave about $27 million in salary cap in the summer of 2010.  Count me in.  Plus, the Clippers are 6-12 with Randolph.  So in essence, it’s Zach Randolph for Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley, and two major FA in 2010, and I’ll take the latter.  The Clippers absolutely got the better player, but the Knicks took a huge stride towards a very plausible goal, and will now have the money to not only actively pursue Lebron James, but to pair him with another star. 

From day one, Donnie Walsh was clear that signing a major FA in 2010 was the ultimate goal, and he’s carried that out meticulously.  Simply put, Donnie Walsh is a miracle worker.

According to Marc Berman at the NY Post, Larry Brown said that he tried to trade for Tim Thomas before the Knicks made a deal for him.  Needing depth up front, the Bobcats have been rumored to be looking for a center to play with Emeka Okafor for a while now.

Try to trade for Tim Thomas?  The Clippers woud have given him away.  Not for anything, but Larry, how hard did you try? Anyway, Larry if you still want him, then I know Bell would be a nice fit on the Knicks.  In fact, Bell epitomizes essentailly everything that the Knicks need right now.  How about Bell  for Tim Thomas?  How about right now?  Am I wrong in thinking that would be a good deal for both teams?  Forget about the 60 day waiting period.  Each player can be traded by himself right now.  Make it happen.

Via the Arizona Republic

“…In an interview with NBC sports correspondent Graham Bensinger, Nash talked about his prospects when his contract with the Suns expires after the 2009-10 season.

“There’s a few situations out there that would be attractive, so I feel fortunate that there could be some possibilities for me,” Nash said. “One would be for me to stay here in Phoenix. I’ve had a great 4 1/2 years here. New York, obviously, is our off-season home, so we love the city. It’s a basketball mecca. Mike D’Antoni is there so there’s a lot of attractive variables. And then Toronto, to go back to Canada to play for the home team, so to speak.

“I feel good that one of those three could really be a really strong possibility. Like I said, Phoenix would be the natural choice, just because I’ve been here and enjoyed success here and really feel at home here..”

Chalk Nash to NY as a done deal in 2010 as far as I’m concerned it makes too much sense. Nash will combine with Duhon or if they can acquire a point guard via the draft, but without question I see a Nash and D’Antoni reunion- at a discount. Yes, he’ll be older but he’s in great shape and would be a great complimentary guard. I would not be the second big contract by any means…

Finger point to brooklynmutt for the video

So I just went into the forum of Bobcats Planet where the topic of Curry and lee for Diaw and Bell came up. Here are some classic posts.

• “Damn, thanks for the heart attack. When I saw the title I thought we’d actually traded for that big fat POS, then after a post or so later I thought we’d traded Boris for that fat POS! It’s the NY Daily News. No one other than a schill for the Knicks would even think this is a fair trade.” -Spectre

• “I saw this on on inside hoops too. I would HATE for this to happen. Okafor is opening up big time, becoming a huge scoring threat. as well as diaw putting up good numbers of his own. And bell is starting to do alot better, i feel like he is just playing rather than pressuring. I would hate this trade, cuz lee is like a poor version of emeka, and eddy curry is like a more talent but bigger version of sean may and i do not need someone taking up another 2 seats on the bench (sean may and currry are to fat to sit next to each other). I like the team we got, i think we got a chance. Were only what 3.5-4.5 out of the playoffs? Lets try to get into some kind of groove!”- ALuhrs704

• “Curry’s been in the league for 8 years…yet we should still trade for him hoping that he’ll suddenly be motivated? I think Lee wants to play on the big stage, so IMO LB won’t make that big of a difference. Regardless, are we willing to sign him to a 10 per contract to basically play the exact same way Mek does except for less defense? They couldn’t work together as they both play within 5 ft of the rim…so we want another extremely overpaid bench player?
• I can’t see the benefit is trading for players, then once the players start getting used to the team and the team actually looks better and plays better… then you trade those players for sorry under acheivers (sp)Makes no sense “- CarolinaKat

I can’t say I blame the lack of optimism from Cats fans. Curry would allow Emeka to move to his natural position and Lee is Lee. Diaw and Bell together can’t be traded until February, but are essentially role players and I can’t see the Cats wanting to keep Diaw’s contract.

He really impressed me last night by the way, so i’ve changed my tune, I make that deal in a second. But if that is the proposed deal it’s going to have to wait.

Box Score
Shot Chart

One of the worst defensive teams versus the worst offensive team in the league. The Bobcats offense is brutal, but it’s good to see the Knicks show some effort on defense. After a 6 game losing streak in which the opposition scored an average of 115.5 points a night, yes, 115.5 points a night, including 120 to the lowly Timberwolves, the Knicks were active on the defensive end, racking up 12 steals and 6 blocks. Clutch free throw shooting from Duhon and Nate Robinson in the final minute and clutch all around play from Wilson Chandler closed this one out.

Say what you want about Jared Jeffrie’s offensive ineptitude, but I’ll take 8 points, 5 boards, 3 steals, and 3 blocks on 4/8 shooting any day from him. It wouldn’t hurt for him to stop posting up and shooting contested jumpers, but this is what D’Antoni had in mind before the season started. After shooting 71% in the 1st quarter the Knicks cooled down, and the Bobcats slowly chipped away. Gerald Wallace would be an absolute star if he had a jumpshot. Wallace led a furious Bobcats comeback in the 4th quarter, but the Knicks held on to the lead and escaped Time Warner Cable Arena with a victory, with the help of a 7 point, 4 rebound fourth quarter from Wilson Chandler. Before tonight, Wilson had only made 15 of his previous 49 shots, but he got off to a hot start, including a highlight dunk over Emeka Okafor, and made his first 3 shots from the field. The inability to put a hand in Diaw’s face in any one of those three huge 3s in the fourth quarter was sickening, but the Knicks needed a victory, and they got it.

Augustin is going to be the starting point guard for Charlotte in the near future, and he was a steal at 9. He had 15 and 4 boards. David Lee recorded his 7th double double in 8 games, with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Mike Breen pointed out during the TV broadcast that he’s 3rd in the league in that category. Al Harrington finally took his own advice, and took the ball inside, only taking 4 three pointers.

The Knicks are learning how to close out games, and they did that on the road against Charlotte, even with a 2/11 shooting performance from arguably their best scorer, Nate Robinson. The Knicks take on the 10-21 Pacers at home on Friday.

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Sorry, just saw BDL and this had me laughing. I trust Kelly Dwyer’s  spoof of The Young and the Restless, I’ve never seen it…

I got past the fact that the guy should have been better a long time ago. I remember him at Patterson Catholic (and Five Star) as one of the best players this area has ever seen, he had the tools to be Lebron before Lebron.

And that’s no stretch.

He was strong, could handle, had a jump shot and the athleticism to take over games every night.

To be fair he’s been a good NBA player. The guy is smooth and has a pretty decent stroke. But his great games, like the 26- point performance against the Nets a few weeks ago always have you thirsting for more.

He his what he is, and when he’s good you expect more, but there are often serious disappearing acts.

In fairness, I think this vote may be skewed by the fact that he was underwhelming in his first go around here, but I think he was decent then. There was just too high of an expectation level. He didn’t outplay Keith Van Horn and that says something, but Thomas was on a team that made the playoffs, as meaningless as that is.

So you have to deflate your expectations, as I have, and understand that the guy is a decent role player.

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Cheers to Gian on another job well done. He makes losses important to watch.

Real pumped for this game and it’s almost halftime, just some quick thoughts because it boasts two of the nation’s notable big men in Hasheem Thabeet and Greg Monroe.

Monroe is an NBA star in the making on the defensive end. I had a question about what I thought his prospects were and I really believe that if he follows the G-Town tradition of staying 4 years and developing, he’ll be an All-Star year after year. He’s that good.

Sadly that won’t happen, I think should he declare and the Knicks ultimately make the lottery and pick in that 5-9 range they should really think about Monroe if he choses to come out. His potential is unlimited. Figure that both Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings will be long gone by then.

I have the exact opposite feeling about Thabeet. His problem is he can’t be the focal point of an offense, which is impossible to believe at 7’3. Granted, Calhoun hasn’t done him any favors by surrounding him with chuckers, and very talented and fast chuckers at that, but there still has to be a way to get the guy more touches.

I’ve seen draft outlets that have the Knicks high on him.

Please ignore them as the Knicks are not interested. How could they be? He can’t play in D’Antoni’s system and there’s no reason to have him stand under the basket on the defensive end.

To me Monroe has the higher ceiling and fits Donnie Walsh’s need (and mine) for a hoop protector. He’s simply a far better prospect that Thabeet.

And it isn’t close.

Although he needs more time, sign me up to have another Georgetown big man suit up for us next season.

The offensive spark of this team without question is Nate Robinson. He’s by far the team’s best athlete, and may be the best pound for pound athlete in the game, and it’s why he fits so well in this system.

It’s good or bad with Nate, for me, because he’s a scorer and that often can stifle the ball movement D’Antoni likes in his system. The whole gym knows when Nate’s about to pull the trigger.

Defensively, he should get 2 steals a game so you take the 1.5 he’s getting, but he often gets under screens and allows for open looks for the bigger guards he’s trying to check.

Donnie Walsh needs to make a decision on Nate, but for now he’s arguable been the team’s best player. Is he a starter in the NBA? To me maybe, but I would say not on a good team. He’s a great bench player who can provide instant energy.

But is there a team willing to give him starter’s money? Say in that 6-8 million range? And if there isn’t shouldn’t that tell us something?

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The unhappiness of the Nets with former 1st round pick Sean Williams has culminated with the former Boston College standout being sent to the D league.

Myself, Andrew and Chris have repeatedly stated that Williams would be a good fit here, and I’ve been told that Donnie Walsh is not in the mindset of bringing in players with poor attitudes, as it has been his job to try and change the culture here in one year.

Granted, it’s not a perfect match as Williams doesn’t have a jumpshot, but it could be seen as a low risk/high reward gamble. The kid will play hard if he’s given proper minutes. And with Jared Jefferies inability to stay healthy, they need help up front.

But what Williams possesses is a rare combination of defensive tenacity with the athleticism to finish hard at the rim and with his value reaching a low point, Walsh should explore the possibility of a deal.

That said, he, his players, as well as fans, are waiting for the other shoe to drop from a roster standpoint. Those moves have to come soon before more and more losses pile up.

“Deep unspeakable suffering may well be called a baptism, a regeneration, the initiation into a new state…” writer George Eliot

The hardest thing to remember about this team is that this year is not all that important.

Unfortunately that’s not what fans ever want to hear. Not when they pay cable bills, not when they love their hoops and not when they call themselves Knick fans.

Many have fled this team years ago, but we’ve stayed. To the younger fans like Alvino, trust me these are the days you’ll look back on and say “I was a die hard fan when we had Eddy Curry” much like some of us have said “I go back to the days of Pat Cummings” (Insert your version of “bad Knick players here_____)

Bad is bad, and yes, enough is enough, but deep down we knew this season was going to be a rough one. Despite a positive start, we’ve fallen on hard times with an imbalanced roster and there’s minor hope of relief in sight.

But at the end of the day does it really matter? Do you think Donnie Walsh would be bothered by a lottery pick? A chance to get Ricky Rubio? You guys think that Walsh has done an outstanding job thus far, so let’s not get crazy.

We’re bad, but this season, based on what Walsh did on November 22nd, is a tremendous success.

I was at my buddy’s wedding last night talking to people and they were asking me about the team.

“The hardest thing for fans is to be told we’re two years away,” I said. “Why would they want to hear that? But when you think about what Walsh has done- he’s allowed for this organization to offer the opportunity for a franchise player along with really solid pieces, that’s really significant… the opportunity.”

Who wouldn’t want to come here and try to restore this franchise and this building? Who wouldn’t want to follow the footsteps of champions in a city that puts them on a pedestal like no other?

“Two big players are coming here,” I recalled saying after a my share of wedding cocktails. ” There’s no way guys like, Lebron or Wade or Bosh, Amare, Nash,etc are all going to turn down the opportunity. Walsh will rank them in order of priority and make them offers they’d find tough to turn down.”

Throw in a guy like Wilson Chandler, Gallinari, Duhon along with another pick and a piece here and there, and in two years were talking about competing for the Eastern Conference Championship.

Yet the real problem is the suffering, so fans it won’t be like this for much longer, it only feels like it will.

You have to stay positive, I know I will…