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Talk to Me

by Tommy Dee on September 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am

First off, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday.

I’m grateful for all the comments and always encourage free thought. That said, I made a decision to edit a comment, something that I don’t WANT to do, but it’s definitely worth addressing.

To be fair, Gym Rat “haS” is an excellent commentor and I edited a comment that contained a drug-related reference. Now I understand the feedback from fans that there has been other references towards other people, namely Stephon Marbury, and the sentiment that I took exception to the comment because it was made towards Donnie Walsh needs to be addressed.

That was simply not the case.

I normally don’t police the comments section because of the trust and respect that I have of the people who make this site what it is. I just want to make sure that people don’t get the impression that it’s acceptable to use this space as a place to take  personal and unnecessary shots in such a manner. The  fact is, by working a full-time job I simply don’t have the time to read all the comments.

Now I understand, fully, that the actions of editing free thought sets a precedent, but I truly don’t want to make it a habit of having to do it. Again, I trust you guys to keep the space the fan-friendly place that it has become.

With that aside, I will be here for the next few hours, and will respond to any comments or concerns that you may have. It is my contention that, in year two of the Walsh regime, the team is better constructed than it was last year. I was under the impression that this off season would be active, and that was before the NBA announced a shrinking salary cap for 2010. Clearly, as Walsh has admitted, that “restricted” him from making significant moves. But remember, there is still plenty of time before next summer.

All Topics Welcome….
  • BiggieSmalls

    TD-

    thanks for all you do. I disagree with the idea of editing comments mainly because it grows a life of its own.

    I know the comment, and had it been put through and let to stand on its own for all to evaluate and “self police” I dont think we’d still be talking about it.’

    That said, no one wants the comments to spiral into the abyss that some other forums have denigrated to. And with your registration policy I think TKB has a better chance to maintain some semblance of decorum.

    I dont think you did it for any ulterior motive to suppress Donnie banter — even if i’ve joked that it may have been done for those reasons.

    Keep up the great work. We all learn every day in life. Its water under the bridge and time to move on.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Agreed Big and thanks for all your comments-

    maintaining “some semblance of decorum” may be impossible but we’ve done a solid job of it, i feel, and I agree that has to do with the self policing from everyone, including “haS.”

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    i consider all Knicks fans, to a degree, family, and addressing issues thru communication is important to alleviating them.

    hence the reason for the post…

  • jaknicksfan

    Tommy, i have only been on the blog for a couple of months, but i wanted to say Thanks to you Chris, Myles, Ben all of the guys that halp me get through my days at work and let me read and speak about my favorite team. congrats on your marriage and happy holidays to you and your staff. also thanks to all the fans on this site who make it the best!!!

  • HaS

    Haha, I’m famous!

    No but seriously, while I still feel like if I had said what I said about anyone else it wouldn’t have been erased, I am letting it go.

    Maybe it’s just that, as you have admitted, you don’t have time to read all the comments and maybe the insults to other players and NBA executives flies under the radar.

    I do find it kind of hard to believe you have never read the disparaging comments on Marbury here, but whatever. Like BiggieSmalls (with Littles around now you have to spell it out.) said it’s water under the bridge.

    Like I just posted in the prior thread, this is one of the better blogs and probably the best Knicks blog. While there are some individuals here that clearly missed a few stages of evolution :-) , for the most part this is a great place to debate.

    I just hope that, like I said in another post, this continues to be a site for the fans! Where we can let out our frustrations, our elation, our opinions and our ideas (fantasies in some cases).

    Thanks for the post.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    THX… we won’t tell your boss how much time you spend here.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    You’ll always be able to do that, now you know exactly how to.

  • Section 40

    my 2 cents

    I did not see the “comment in question”, so I cannot say whether or not it should have been removed. That being said, this is the only blog where I actually read the comments section, which is a testament to the people that post here. It is a good group that seems to be well informed for the most part. The comments section in other blogs are filled with random insults that have nothing to do with the story. In my opinion those types of comments should be deleted. Like I said, I did not see the comment that was removed here so I don’t know if it fell into that category.

    Keep up the good work Tommy, this is a great blog (even though you were wrong about so many things this summer….zing! lol)

    Anyway, we will all forgive you if you are right about Lebron next summer :)

    Go Knicks

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Lebron has made a lot of news this off season and it goes back and forth. I saw a note the other day from an NBA exec who, along with other execs think lebron is staying.

    again, it goes back to asking yourself did Lebron give his team the best chance to improve this season.

    And if that answer is “no” and if he’s all about winning a championship, then why not sign, and welcome a player who can put them over the top long term.

  • SilentJay

    I’ve been reading this blog for a while now, only participating for a couple of months. Other forums literally end up destroying each other on the mere fact that they stand on different sides of an issue, yet the funny thing is that they’re fans of the same team! I thnk it’s great that here we’ve got a great number of posters who know their basketball really well; are ready to take a stand on different points of view; and, most importantly, are willingly to accept when someone who has taken the opposite view actually has better arguments. It takes maturation and understanding of the game to do that. Here there’s that by the loads.
    I was at home working and read throughout the weekend everything that happened, and by the end of all the back and forwards, everyone was back on track, which goes to show that sometimes any issue can get the better of us. We are all prone to make mistakes every now and then, but we all still understand that whatever our opinion is on a different subject, the greater good are the color we proudly defend: the orange & blue.
    So now that the whole Sessions issue is in the past now, I actually think it’s time to start speculating what other moves are out there for DW to make, what the team is gonna look like during camp, who’s disposable for trades and who’s not, etc, etc.
    Thanks to all the posters, thanks to Tommy for making this place happen and of course…

    LET’S GO KNICKS!!

  • Tigerkid6

    Tommy, love reading your blogs. With as many holes as this team has, why not take a chance on Iverson? You won’t be hurting the cap and you get a proven scorer. I’m not sold on Chandler and Gallo being difference-makers this year and I don’t want us to just give away a lotto pick. This team as constructed isn’t challenging for a playoff spot. I can see Utah ending up with a Top-3 pick and Walsh just claiming that it wasn’t his transaction that led them to losing the pick. Also, where is this move you thought was brewing several days ago?

  • virgil atl

    TD
    Really you do a great job and I 2 will say that there were plenty of remarks about 3, curry and zeke that I wished were edited, But I do agree by far the comments are some of the more interesting debates.

  • joetheknick

    I too recently found this blog and I congratulate you and your crew on providing a great forum for information and for comment. I find the commenters to be respectful of one another and generally correct in their view of the players and the organization. Go Knicks

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    as far as trades, it’s going to be a long process, but ultimately the team has plenty of contracts that can be moved towards the deadline. The question becomes how valuable are they and is the other team only willing to give a player who cuts into 2010?

    Can the team make a deal for a player who fits the puzzle, while giving up a less talented one?

    that is the challenge for Walsh.

  • virgil atl

    I agree at this point why not AI. The development of Gallo and Chandler won’t take that much of a distraction. With AI we could still monitor their workload and not through the whole NY media and hype on them. Let AI be the distraction and take the blame for the season

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    The brewing move hasn’t happened and was a gut feeling. It was me thinking that the roster is a bit jumbled and would be along the lines of a Q/Darko deal to alleviate that.

  • agross95

    Hey Tommy, what are the chances that they sign Lee and/or Nate and for how much? And do you think they’ll sign someone else too or instead, now that Sessions/Iverson are out of the picture

  • bob go knicks

    now that SESSIONS is a done deal,the KNICKS still need a point guard.besides IVERSON,what are other possibilities? i cant bear to go into the upcoming season ,with CHRIS DUHON at the helm

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Iverson is a polarizing player. I’m always leery of superstars on the other half. Can you recall a superstar who turned into a role player?

    That’s why you stay away from iverson. They are used to being the focal point and can be separate from the team bc they play by different rules.

    they are never comfortable otherwise, and to ask iverson to come in and play 30 min one night and 20 another won’t make sense.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Duhon gets a bad rap. He’s not a starter, we know that, but I thought he played well last year until he ran out of gas.

    No, he’s not the answer, but per minute (let’s say 25-27) he’s solid.

    I think they’ll take a look at another PG in camp, but the plan may again be to play Nate there and hope he can click.

    If not then Douglas will get minutes, but Duhon will start.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Welcome to the blog jtk….

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Hoopsworld is reporting that the Lee deal is far from done, but I think the sides will agree.

    the holdup is the numbers, because with the shrinking cap, the team would benefit from smaller cap holds.

  • KBT1615

    I have no problem with you editing comments if its inappropriate. Don’t see why people are so bothered by it. I mean I know we are all grown here and we should be able to say what we want but why be vulgar when you dont have to or just to get a cheap laugh?

  • jaknicksfan

    Lol, thats a good 1, btw i really do think this team is gonna have a good season between Gallo, Chandler< the Rooks, and i expect a Big year from Al harrington hes been working out really hard and seems to have his head in the right place. Knick fans get ready to surprise people LETS GO KNICKS!!!!!!

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Care to share a prediction?

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I really hope that we won’t have to make a habit of it…

  • jaknicksfan

    Great post KBT

  • jaknicksfan

    i think we are gonna be about 500 and with a trade at deadline we can make the playoffs

  • dino2008

    Tommy,

    I love this site. Thanks for all the hard work. Do you have any idea of who Donnie will find to be our pg of the future, because I really thought Sessions was it. I proposed this but several people thought it was crazy but do you think a Wilson Chandler for Johnny Flynn swap is a fair deal. I mean it is perfect for both teams. We need a pg and they need an athletic 3, like chandler. khan says sessions and flynn can play together, but i dont see that working.

  • virgil atl

    I posed this on another site but now here Antonio Daniels is an option with a trade of n8 and maybe jeffries(didn’t) include him at first. or just n8. What about trying to get sergio again from Sac for n8 jeffries, for sergio and k thomas

  • agross95

    What about Nate? Any chances?

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Flynn will not be made available any time soon unless he becomes unhappy in Minny. I like Jonny and think he’s going to have a great career.

    as far as who is the next PG here, i think Chris Paul will be traded at some point over the next few years, but as far as next year, remember the Knicks do have a 2nd round pick and can obtain a 1st round pick like this year.

    That sets up the team for next year to look at an alexy shved or hope that Kemba walker comes out early and slips.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee
  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    As much as I thought that it wouldn’t be the case, I’d expect Nate back…which is good value per dollar.

  • dino2008

    Thanks tommy. Does anyone know where Mucha is… I miss reading his comments.

  • jaknicksfan

    Thanks for that story, Shved looks like a good prospect

  • agross95

    great

  • Dave the Rave

    Hey Tommy, I don’t know what u mean by “editing.” Deleting posts? Deleting sentences? Changing words?

    It’s your blog and I just want a clean and respectful one, so I’m happy with deletions. Not ok with changing words, but I don’t know if you do that. XXXXX’ing out bad stuff seems fine with me, but I’m sure you have better things to spend your time on.

    * * *

    Regarding Duhon as the starting pt guard all season — come on, the entire them has not one star. Walsh is trying to build a great team and he is after stars. So we have no choice but to be patient and deal with Duhon as a starter. The guy plays smart and is a great 3-pt shooter. He just needs less minutes, and hopefully Douglas will give him relief, or take his starting job if we are lucky.

    DTR

  • J-Knick

    Hi Tommy,

    first I also want to thank you and your staff for setting this place where fans can express themselves and interact, even if it’s sometimes explosive ! (well it has to, since we’re all passionate about our team but cannot all share the same views)

    like you I’m a believer of the 2010 plan but I’m also looking forward to next season to see how the franchise’s future (gallo, chandler, hill & douglas) grows. These guys are our only plan B, but also fit plan A !

    What is your 2010 dream team ?

  • CircleLimit4

    I agree on CP3. I used to think they’d shed David West before Paul, but I think that if the Hornets don’t compete this year, Paul is going to make some gripes and would be livid if they didn’t get equal or greater talent for West.

    RealGM via the Times-Picayune is reporting that Hornets are shopping Antonio Daniels whose $6.6mil contract is expiring:

    http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/61470/20090907/hornets_arent_done_tweaking_roster_could_move_daniels/#

    Perhaps they have interest in Jeffries if we through in some precious cash. They’ve already added Diogu and Sean Marks, but only have 2 centers which Jeffries can play to an extent. Okafor/Armstrong/Jeffries would be a nice trio of defensive bigs.

  • CircleLimit4

    I’m also with you on Kemba Walker (not just because I love the Huskies,) I think he might be the most underrated PG this upcoming season.

  • Jon

    Hey Tommy,

    WHat are your honest thoughts on Gallinari concerning his recovery, whether you believe his back will permanently hold him back from his full potential his whole career, his role on the team and his ability to be a big piece to the puzzle right away this year?

  • CircleLimit4

    *threw not through.

  • nyknicksfan

    Tommy i was wondering why ppl dont understand that haveing nate for one year even as a trade piece is worth it. Also in saying he is a trade piece why not pick M.Almonds up he can tade nate’s place as off the bench points and may turn into more. It would def help the sg problem we have this year even though we have hughes(who i think can share time with almond if he is able to play like the end of last year there isnt a problem). what do you think?

    P.S no one should have a problem with what you did and they should respect the freedoms of the site and shouldn’t risk them by saying things that can get you in trouble or anyone else on this site

  • Rene

    IMO you can’t defend Donnie enough,my Dad died recently and his era is a passing time Donnie is three years younger than my dad and ,it’s pretty incredible he’s still around for our rebuilding project ,we should thank god for the opportunity to take advantage of all his contacts and experience.I allways respected older people and Donnie deserves our respect.I miss taking football with my dad who knew Acorsi and was a sports nut like all of us here ,we love the game and play GM all the time with our teams.I like this blog because everyone here shows alot of class.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Deleting inappropriate things…not changing anything.

    editing was prob the wrong word.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    My dream team starts with the combination of Magic and Jordan that is Lebron…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I think Gallinari will struggle, not with health, but with expectations, at first then take the city by storm.

  • nyknicksfan

    i agree 100%

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I think Almond will be in camp, and no one can disagree with your assessment of Nate…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    thanks Rene…

  • KBT1615

    Almond has to be at Camp. Especially since Hughes will most likely either be traded or buried in the bench.

  • nyknicksfan

    Tommy do you think Rudy Fernandez is possible to get.I would love to have himin this system and i think rubio would cry for a trade lol

  • BiggieLittles

    The knicks are going to be better this season but I don’t know how much better.

    The thing that gets me pissed is donnie gave this duhon guy 6mill a year
    I don’t know what u guys know about basketball but I played alot of basketball an watched alot of nba games an once duhon is our starting p.g we will suck an that’s the truth.

    A healthy gallo will help the guy can shoot.
    But I think the suprises will be darko an t.doug..

    Good blog keep up the good work to all..

  • jaknicksfan

    He is gonna be a Star in NYC

  • blkexec

    Tommy,

    I’ve been a long fan of your blog….too many yrs to even count.

    But I never signed on until reading your latest blog on deleting fans post replies. I never read the post, but I know how fans (especially knick fans) can be sometimes…..

    We’ve been through a lot during the Ewing days and especially the post Ewing days…..

    I’m actually a fan of Walsh and think he doing what I wanted Isiah and others to do…..Have a clear plan, and stick to it. Walsh has the backbone to go against the main stream. And I trust his knowledge of the game.

    I think if Nate was a Buck, putting up Session type stats…..Majority of Knicks fans would be screaming to sign him.

    I don’t see why everybody wants to overpay for a guy, that has similar skills as Nate and Douglas……Plus, I think Nate and Douglas has the same if not more potential than Sessions.

    I also think Duhon is a solid basketball player…Somebody thats not going to complain whether he starts or comes off the bench…..Same with Chandler and Gallo. These are the kinds of roll players you need. These guys are good guys without the superstar egos…..

    I know it’s been said several times already, but keep up the good work……Keep us informed during this slow off season!

  • jaknicksfan

    Good Post, i agree with darko, T douglas, i really am looking forward to seeing Al Harrington. he seems to be determined to prove himself for a new contract and says he wants to be a team player. It should be interesting

  • HaS

    I see what you did there. I’m taking the high road.

  • bob go knicks

    no simalar skills,sessions a pass first point guard!

  • jaknicksfan

    Thanks Rene and i am very Sorry for your loss

  • jaknicksfan

    that would be a great trade

  • dino2008

    I’m looking forward to obviousally Gallo, the sky is the limit for him. I am also looking forward to eddy curry. you can say what you want about zeke, but he knows talent and imo eddy is very very talented. we know how he can dominate the post and hopefully the lost weight will make him more agile on the defensive end. also eddy wont have to play big minutes because we have darko and you can play J Hill and D Lee at the center position too. The whole point of this season is to develop our young players and to trade curry and jj, so if we have to deal with duhon at the point it doesnt matter. i wanted sessions but if we can trade curry and jj and have the opportunity to sign two max fa then who cares about ramon sessions……

  • LatinRuiz77

    Bring in Iverson for 1 year…He will take it the deal…I know Walsh and coach D. are looking at a different direction, but he can tutor the younger players on the roster namely Toney Douglas and get lots of fans and excitement into the Garden…

  • blkexec

    Here in AZ….I’m hearing nothing but good news about Jordan Hill….I played against him in a pickup game (here in Tucson), and he is really long. But from what I gather, he’s a hustling big man, who loves to run, with loads of energy and potential on offense and defense.

    But he needs playing time, like all youngsters.

    I’m hoping Walsh can pull a similar trade with Zach….Wait until Eddy Curry starts playing like the old Curry, and trade him early in the season….

  • greatman42001

    Hey TD
    I have been a long time follower of the blog, and I’ve posted here many times ( although not so much in the past 2 months)
    I have only 2 requests

    1) Never eliminate the comments section or try to alter and edit it so much like they tried to do recently on Metsblog.com, because I honestly felt that was a very bad move that made people very upset.

    2) Please edit Chris Alvino’s posts, so he can no longer post crazy trades that everyone knows will never happen.. ( Lamarcus Aldridge) . I’m just joking about this request but please take my advice on the first.

  • italian stallion

    Tommy,

    I think you have every right to edit posts that contain profane language, that contain personal attacks against other members etc… I even think you have a right to bar people for repeated abuse like that.

    The only thing I would have a problem with is barring people or editing comments because they don’t fit in with the generally accepted ideas and goals of the host and/or most regular contributors. I have experienced that kind of thing personally elsewhere and think it was extremely unprofessional.

    These kinds of forums should contain diverse opinions about players, playing styles, how to measure talent and skill, how to build a great team etc…

    That’s why I like this forum. If people disagree with you, you don’t take it as a personal attack on your beliefs or a threat to your career and blog. It’s just an opinion.

  • Mucha

    Still here mayne, I appreciate the love.

    Nothing is really happening – and I didn’t want to write about Ramon Sessions (the guy this summer was really about) anymore – I mean the news were overly repetitive. And many great posters talked about it.

    Peace.

  • BobbyFromBK

    Tommy, I just started posting to this site a few days ago because to me, you’ve given Donnie Walsh way to much leeway, and in my opinion, go out of your way not to call DW to task with not just the inactivity, but some of the moves he HAS made. If they needed a point guard so bad, why didn’t they draft Brandon Jennings as opposed to that stiff, Jordan Hill. I don’t even think he should’ve hired D’Antoni either, but that’s for another post. That being said, every one is entitled to their opinion and even if someone disagrees, they are entitled to have their opinion. Anyway, I may not always agree with you, Tommy, and I will let you know when I don’t. But one thing I will say is that I respect what you’re doing with TKB and respect you as a person. Peace.

  • Chris Alvino

    I’m glad I left a lasting impression…

  • bob go knicks

    i wish we got ramon sessions and i hope lebron stays in cleveland

  • bob go knicks

    i dont think he gets a bad enough rap ,he had played his best ,when Z-BO AND JAMAAL CRAWFORD WERE HERE after they were traded duhon was easily figured out by everyone,and i remember whe i used to blog on here by the end of the season i would say”THAT IT LOOKS AS IF DUHON IS ACTUALLY THROWING THE GAMES(I WAS JOKING OF COURSE ,BUT THATS HOW BAD HE WAS PLAYING)IT WAS THEN I KNEW WE NEEDED A POINT

  • bob go knicks

    WHAT A GENIUS!

  • bob go knicks

    HUGHS WILL be our starting 2 guard on opening night,……i guarentee it(i cant spell)

  • ScottD

    Rene,

    I’m truly sorry for your loss.
    I lost my dad in May 08′
    The old school guys are no joke, and don’t take the easy way out too often.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Duhon was paid last year with no restrictions on the 2010 plan and in a different market.