There are a bunch of issues that can be mentioned about the current construction of this roster.

As much as it pains me to bring up, if Walsh had an idea that he would trade Crawford, then why wouldn’t D’Antoni give Marbury some burn?  Was there a lack of communication between them?  D’Antoni claimed that Marbury was not in the team’s future plans, but was Crawford?  Like him or hate him, Marbury behaved himself in training camp and to start the year.  I hate the fact that he would refuse to play, but he never would have been put in that situation if D’Antoni didn’t banish him from the start.

Anthony Roberson making the team over Ewing Jr. raised my eyebrows a bit, but I got over that quickly.  He seems like a good guy, but I never felt he has an NBA game.  I guess last night he showed that he can put up some points, but only if given the shots.  The guy is a supposed 3 point specialist, but he is shooting in the low thirties from beyond the arc.  On a night to night basis, Roberson will not get as many shots.  To steal words from Alan Hahn, Roberson needs to come out with a “loaded clip” (sorry Plax) every night.  He is a 4th or 5th guard on an NBA team.

The Knicks, as of right now, have two players that they have no intention of ever playing in a game.  They are Marbury and Jerome James.  Just a hunch, but Gallo will probably be out for the rest of the season.  That is three of our 15 roster spots being occupied and wasted.  Factor in the possibility that Mobley might never play for the Knicks, and there you have 4 wasted roster spots.  If you want to throw in Roberson because he should not be playing big minutes, that is 5 spots. 

Who knows what they have planned for Curry or even what his status is.  That is six wasted roster spots on a 15 man roster.

Once Robinson and Jared Jeffries come back (Nate’s return is key, but JJ’s contribution still remains to be seen), the Knicks should get some depth back, but not nearly enough back.  This Marbury situation has to work itself out because the Knicks cannot run out 7 guys every night for the rest of the season.  Not in this system and not with this personnel.

Last night was only one game, but even against the Blazers they ran out of steam.  There is no such thing as a moral victory in the NBA.  Winning through 40 minutes does not mean anything.  You have to win through 48 minutes.  To be able to do that on a consistent basis, you constantly have to have 5 players on the court with good energy.

D’Antoni likes his team to run.  Actually scratch that.  D’Antoni likes his team to all-out sprint for 48 minutes.  It is time for Donnie to do something to give D’Antoni a chance to do that.   

If Marbury is bought out, then Donnie will be able to make a 2 for 1 deal.  Things might get interesting if that happens.  Can Ray Felton be had from Charlotte?  Are they still interested in Curry?  Curry for Felton and Carroll?  Curry for Ray and Morrison?  Just throwing that out there.  Haven’t heard anything about Charlotte’s interest in Curry in a while, and they are certainly not interested in him if he is hurt.