Monthly Archives: September 2009
Check out my appearance on BigAppleChannel.com from over the summer.
I just saw this video from Fooch, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t post a video on my favorite all time Knick. Herb is right, Oakley was a fan favorite and epitomized what it meant to play here.
In a report over at the NY Post, it seems that the Knicks have done a top-of-the-line job in setting up the team’s flexibility for the 2010 season.
“In re-signing Lee and Robinson for just one year, the Knicks emerge from the offseason with a league-best $21 million in cap room to spend on 2010′s free-agent class. The Knicks will need to be at least $16 million under to offer LeBron James the maximum contract next July 1.
“We have the most room in the league,” Walsh said. “That’s good. We’re No. 1.”
We still have a 2009 season to play, right?
Whether or not you are a fan of DW’s master plan, it is great news to hear that something is going right in Knicks-land these days. While there is no doubt that the other under-the-cap suitors will be in serious play next summer as well, being #1 in this category should have its dividends.
Considering Walsh has been targeting next summer as “the first day of the rest of the Knicks’ life” since the day he was hired, I trust him to use this flexibility in a smart and savvy way.
I can still remember the words that Coach Mike D’Antoni seemingly mouthed after 
greeting Raja Bell at for the first time at the Garden before tip off.
“…We need him here…”
Well, according to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski the Bobcats are shopping the 33-year-old guard around the league.
It’s hard to figure the Knicks would be a destination, but he does have a favorable contract and would be a perfect answer at the two. The only issue is that the Knicks would want to move Larry Hughes but there isn’t a match without bringing in salary.
A source with knowledge of the situation told me don’t expect Rafer Alston to be a Knick any time soon. The Knicks are always looking for the right deal, but seem ready to enter camp as presently constituted. Alston’s “list” may be the Knicks and Heat, but how exactly does he have any leverage on demanding where he wants to play?
And besides, what exactly would the Nyets get in return from the Knicks? I wouldn’t expect the Nyets to do the Knicks any favors.
How healthy is Danilo Gallinari and is he ready to contribute? Of all the questions fans 
may have as the Knicks enter the 2009-10 season, or the “Season Before the Summer,” the health of the Gallinari sits atop of the list.With training camp just a few days away and with David Lee and Nate Robinson assured to be decked out in Knicks mesh up in Saratoga, the biggest anticipation is to see how Gallinari has progressed during his first off-season.
Donnie Walsh’s first-ever draft pick as headman of the Knicks showed flashes of brilliance last season before being shut down late in the year to ensure he’d be healthy in October, and with that time now upon us, it’s time to see where he stands.
Make no mistake, the organization’s belief in the young Italian is as big of a reason for them not making waves in the free agent market as was them not wanting to jeopardize the 2010 fund. They really believe with a big season he’ll be a key asset to a major free agent, and may even be as attractive as the perks and endorsements that come with playing in the Big Apple. More.
Via Knick Knacks:
“…The biggest “wow moment,” though, came when Walsh was asked how much Eddy Curry _ certain to be THE story of training camp and beyond _ currently weighs.
Walsh said when he checked last week, the center once ordained by Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas as a potential franchise player was at 317, or about 40 pounds below where he was when he started his summer workout program.”
That’s a nice weight for Eddy, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I’m anxiously waiting for training camp to commence, with a couple things in mind specifically. I’m hearing that Al Harrington is in awesome shape, and if that’s the case he should attack the basket more with his newfound explosiveness. Obviously Eddy Curry’s actual weight will have us all on the edge of our seats, but I really want to see what Darko looks like. I know he has been spending as much times as possible with his newborn, and you can’t be mad at that, but I haven’t heard of any workout regimens, and he hasn’t been to any of the voluntary team workouts, so I just hope that he’s ready for the season, and he realizes that this can be a huge year for him. After all, it’s his contract year, and quite frankly, if he stinks it up this year he could be out of the league next year. He needs to use this system to tap into his potential. In terms of Eddy Curry, I’m not expecting anything spectacular from his this season. I expect him to struggle early on (he hasn’t played in a year,) and then become a consistent scoring option. He’s not going to rebound or block shots. We know this. If I had to predict, I’d say 13 points and 6 rebounds a game.
Via 1050:
“New Jersey Nets guard Rafer Alston expects to start the NBA regular season with either the New York Knicks or the Miami Heat, according to a source close to the situation.
“New York and Miami are the top two teams on Rafer’s list,” said the source. “He can’t play in a contract year in New Jersey behind Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling.”
Alston along with Tony Battie and Courtney Lee was acquired by New Jersey in a draft day trade that sent Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando.
With only one year left on his contract, Alston is an attractive piece for the Knicks for a plethora of reasons. He gives New York a bona fide point guard that started for the Magic in last year’s NBA Finals while not jeopradizing the team’s cap space in the precious Summer of 2010. Alston has one year left on his current contract at $5.25 million dollars.”
Interesting thought. I doubt anything happens this late, as the Knicks have resigned Nate Robinson, drafted Toney Douglas, and brought in Gabe Pruitt and Sun Yue. Is there even any room in the back court? I do, however, really like what Skip Alston can bring to the table. Leader, durable, plays hard, true point guard, and although he is streaky, he can shoot the three. He’s a better player than Chris Duhon. With that being said, I’m definitely not giving up much for a 33 year old point guard who shot 39% from the field.
The Knicks have invited F Marcus Landry and G Ron Howard to training camp.
Good luck fellas…
Howard actually had some decent stats in the D-League last year. In all honesty, I do not know anything about Howard. As for Landry, I’ve seen him play, but I am not well versed on his game. I am sure our good freind Gery Woelful is excited about his opportunity.
According to Alan Hahn, Darko Milicic has arrived and is taking his physical today. Milicic was acquired in the days leading up to the draft in a deal for Quentin Richardson.
After reading much of the Lee chatter yesterday and today, it appears that there is a large contingent that believes David Lee will be this team’s starting center on opening night. I am not the coach, so I am not going to say that idea is wrong, but I will say that I do not think Lee will start at center for this team. With hopefully two able centers on the roster in Eddy Curry and Darko, Lee should be shifted back to the PF position. That said, if Curry is unable to play, then I can see Lee starting at center for this team with Darko coming off the pine.
If all goes according to plan with Curry, he will be the starting center on opening night. Perhaps a lineup of Duhon, Chandler, Harrington, Lee, and Curry will be the front five at the opening tip in Miami. I think Gallo should have to earn his spot in the starting rotation. Unless he dominates camp and dominates the pre-season games, Gallo should come off the bench. As for Larry Hughes, I can see him coming off the bench potentially as well in an effort to spell Chris Duhon. I know he is not the ideal backup at the point, but he is better at that spot than Nate in my opinion. I prefer Nate on the perimeter and I prefer Hughes trying to create off the dribble. Like Gallo, Toney Douglas has to earn his spot in the rotation.
Anyway, if Curry is healthy, I think he will be the team’s starting center, if for no other reason than to simply showcase him. There is no point in having both Curry and Darko off the bench.
Just a thought…
← Older postsNewer posts →“…Lee deal is actually 1 year $7M with a $1M bonus if the Knicks make the playoffs…
David Lee and the Knicks have reached an agreement for a 1 year at $8M, includes team-related bonuses…”
