Monday News and Notes

I’ll throw this full disclaimer out there. I dislike both the Cavs and Celtics and it is painful for me to watch the Eastern Conference playoffs without the Knicks in there, so I have not watched much of this series. With that said, it seems like choosing your poison. If you put LBJ on Rondo, Pierce is going to absolutely kill you and it makes it harder for LBJ to play help defense. It may also wear down LBJ by the 4th qtr when the Cavs need him to take over.

Mike D’Antoni did it successfully with Jared Jeffries (shutting down Rondo) but the Knicks didn’t need any offense from Jeffries. Seems like a tough choice and it really is a huge credit to Rondo for bringing his game to this point where we are talking about him as a top 5 PG that LBJ needs to guard in the Eastern Semi-finals.

Now can the Knicks finally draft a PG . . .

Ppl sleep on Toney Douglas. Not that he’s the 2nd coming of Walt Clyde Frasier, but I think Douglas can be a decent guard in the league. His defense is tough. And he’s young.. so you can assume it’ll only get tougher.

as for his offense, he’s showing his outside shot isn’t as bad as I originally thought and if he works on knocking that shot down over 40% of the time he could be our pg on a team with a Lebron/Wade… even a Bosh/Johnson combo.

Regarding The Cavs/Celts.. I actually don’t think the Cavs are better than the Celts. Truthfully minus Lebron (ehhh, and Jamison), the rest of those guys are so mediocre to me. Jamison’s issue is he seems a bit passive.. and Mo Williams is a bum when it comes to situations where he needs to step up. If the Cavs win it’s simply going to be on Lebron’s dominance. If they put Lebron on Rondo you might as well call the series over. Pierce will make them pay for that… unless they play Moon/Parker more than West… but then they’re losintg offense. Tough decision for Mike Brown.

I didn’t mean to infer we would get Lebron AND Wade… I meant to say Douglas can be our pg if we had Lebron.. OR Wade.. or if we had a combo of Bosh/Johnson or something like that.

Did you guys see this link from Alan Hahn? NYmags creative and entertaining recruiting package for LeBron. Worth checking out.

http://nymag.com/news/sports/lebron/

Kleiza has some skills I remember him playing on Denver, he can shoot and
rebound which are two things we can use. On his european team he was probably a go to guy so that must of increased his confidence as well. I’m not sure what kind of price he would want but if I were Walsh I would look at it.

I liked Kleiza too.. only issue is he’s really a 3 (or super undersized 4).. and I don’t like him better than Gallo or Chandler for that matter. He doesn’t really seem to be an answer to me…

“And of course we know about Rubio, who led his team FC Barcelona to an impressive 18 point victory.”

With 5 turnovers in 17 mins, you’re kidding right?

Did you really watch that game?

I can tell if the knicks got Rubio some how and Lee is no longer there he would thake Lee’s place as your new target. Haters always find a way to hate.

Probably, but in this case Has is right. Rubio isn’t even mentioned by the Spanish language papers–he scored 9 points and had 5 turnovers.

That’s just a fact, not a slam.

It’s kind of like saying ‘Nate Robinson led his new team to a playoff victory over the Cavaliers’ , when he never left the bench.

Navarro is the season MVP, and looks good.

http://www.saliraganar.com/baloncesto/final-four-de-baloncesto-paris-2010-el-barcelona-ya-es-nba

In defense of HaS, there is a lot to hate. And those Rubio numbers aren’t good at all.

However, personally, I’d love for the Knicks to land Rubio. The hilights I’ve seen of him are cool. Dunno about his athleticism but his feel for the game is otherworldly. I am confident he will be successful along the lines of Jason Kidd – not the level of success (HOFer, perenial all star) but the creative style of play.

I don’t know how good he will be in the NBA but to trash him because he is getting hype is hating. Despite how he plays overseas, nobody can say with all certainty that he wont be very good in the NBA. Just as if he was killing overseas, nobody could say forsure he would be good in the NBA just because he is doing good overseas.

I read that too Has, “unbelievable!” Half of the time or more I can not get through one or two paragraphs of Tommy’s comments on a topic or subject matter, the Cats pathetic! That’s why I’ve questioned his knowledge several times and stated to him if he had played the game he would know more about the game. Though he have posted that he have or could have (I forget which one) played college ball. He even went on to throw in a reference about someone who he imagine his circumstances is similar to “JVG”, who his build/stature it would appear is similar to, and how JVG played college ball. Of the 1,000′s of colleges out there if you know how to dribble a basketball I’m sure you can make there roster, add to that how many students are enrolled there and it would be true that even if you lacked game could make a roster. And if your father was the coach your mother would make sure you made that roster! As to Rubio I would have thought the infatuation with him would have ended after yesterdays game and where it was shown (by Olympiakos Athens”s back up point guard mind you) that this Cat’s skills are no where near a starting PG in the NBA level! How can anyone see it differently than his own coach who took him out the game twice (in the 1st and also 2nd half) for his inability to stop the opposing pg from either taking the ball from him or forcing him into turnovers. Which in turn kept him glued to the bench most of the second half! I have to honest, Jennings was to kind in his comments about this Cat, If it was me i would have said that “This Cat Rubio will get RAPED (his game that is) when he come to the NBA and i will be the first in line! As a matter of fact if he was to come into any gym now i was playing at this Cat would be mine! would rape him

“I can tell if the knicks got Rubio some how and Lee is no longer there he would thake Lee’s place as your new target. Haters always find a way to hate.”

“I don’t know how good he will be in the NBA but to trash him because he is getting hype is hating.”

LOL whatever dude.

The fact of the matter is from looking at the numbers… matter of fact throw the numbers out completely because they could be misleading… 17 mins?

Kind of hard to say he LED HIS TEAM to victory.

Also, I never said he wouldn’t be good, he’s young and anything is possible, but the hype that surrounds this kid is unbelievable. It will be impossible for him to live up to the hype he’s gotten so far. Based on the level of hype and attention he’s getting you would imagine he was leading his team in nearly every statistical category including minutes, assists and scoring.

I think if he came to the NBA he would at least halfway through his rookie contract before he becomes at least a solid player or better, but to hear some people talk about him you would expect him to average 10 assists in his 1st season. Amazing.

I’m just not convinced.

From what I’ve seen he seems like a bigger slower version of Jason Williams (without a worse jumpshot) in the early part of his career. However, he’s still a kid so we’ll just have to wait and see.

TD’s comments are cracking me up.

The other day he claimed that nba execs were scouting some Euro guy, who had actually declared he wasn’t going to the NBA like a week earlier.

Now Rubio has ‘led his team’

Right, dude.

But, this has nothing to do with Rubio, who may well be good someday, just not yet-how many 19 yo’s can run an nba team? Most likely it’s another Telfair situation, anyway, but that’s not Rubio’s fault either.

WITH a worse jumpshot*

If he is getting too much hype that is not his fault. Only LBJ lived up to hype so big so i would think nobody is really expecting him to live up to the hype. People are just excited about the possibility with him. There are players who you only see flashes from that make you wonder while their overall game is not all that impressive. Thats what it is with Rubio. If a man was a millionaire that didn’t deserve the money nobody would really hate except haters so don’t hate on the young boy on something he can’t control.

Let me also go on the record and say, “That I do not want Tony Parker!”

(1)- This Cat is a shoot first PG “who can’t shoot!”
(2)- He’s an old 28/29
(3)- He plays a lot smaller than his listed height 6’2
(4)- It’s too easy to defend the Cat, all you have to do is play off him (back away from him 2-3 feet), than either clog the lane or have a big in the post because he rarely passes the ball
(5)-The most significant reason i would not care to have this Cat, “Ihsmael Smith” and “Jerome Randle” could do more than this cat can do for the Knicks making less than 1/10 of what TP is making, and by the way their both pass 1st PGs!

I agree that Rubio does not seem very impressive, but neither did Jennings in Europe either, so who knows. I think he’s slow and doesn’t have a good jumper. I think his hype is too much to live up to especially if he came to the Knicks of all places.

That being said, you could have done without the whole first part of your comment. TD provides this blog as a forum for you and the rest of us to talk about the Knicks; if you disagree fine, but to call someone pathetic and challenge their reputation or their talents is just flat out uncalled for.

“As a matter of fact if he was to come into any gym now i was playing at this Cat would be mine! would rape him”

Haha…somehow I doubt that.

“People are just excited about the possibility with him”

No, a small certain segment of the populace is “excited” about this manufactured Euro superstar.

“There are players who you only see flashes from that make you wonder while their overall game is not all that impressive”

That’s why you need to watch more than a players highlights video to gauge as to whether or not that player has the skills to succeed. How Walsh didn’t see that in Jennings I have no idea!, Oh that’s right he didn’t have a “feel for him!”

Joe Johnson hasnt made anyone pine for him the way he is playing versus Orlando. Its clear Joe is a second tier guy and not in the LBJ Wade I cant remember Joe much as a Sun except when Stackhouse took him out in that playoff game. Everytime I watch Joe he is a ball stopper, was he such a ball stopper at Phoenix or was Nash hitting him for jumpers?

We may need to take a shot at Earl Clarke and I know we cant get Drag Goran but he’d b nice. The bottom line with the DAntoni offense, if we dont get LBJ we need guards (im only listing guys we possibly can obtain) like Calderon, Tony Parker, D Harris(shooting suspect), Barrerra, CP3(trade), DWill, Udrih (suspect) and Livingston (shooting suspect)

If Tony Parker’s height is an issue, then how is Randle and Smith’s height not an issue? Smith is also listed as like 10 lbs lighter than Randle, he would get manhandled if he ever tried to get in the lane. I’ve also seen Randle play a lot, and he often gets carried away with trying to be a primary scoring option. He can shoot, but he takes a lot of bad shots when he starts to get a bit ahead of himself. Also his final year in college, he averaged 18 ppg and 4 apg. He never really played like a pass first PG I don’t know where that comes from.

That being said, I actually don’t have a problem with drafting either. I prefer Randle because he can ball and I think he could be a good backup, change of pace PG who can shoot, but theo nly issue I really see with Parker is his age and the fact that he is injury prone. I don’t want Parker either, but I can’t say for sure that Randle or Smith will be anything but busts in the NBA.

When I was saying that Tony Parker “plays a lot smaller than his listed height”, that was in reference to TP playing closer to the court/floor as oppose to someone like Rando who plays taller than his height! Also Ihsmael plays taller than his height and Randle (who showed his pass 1st PG skills at Portsmouth) has superior shooting skills so that if you play up on him he,ll drive by you, and if you play off of him he can drain his jumper on you all day!

exactly…………………….hilarious………

my exactly hilarious comment was in agreement to Has,TG and Vor don’t knw y it was placed there………

JJ was a beast in Pheonix in D’antoni’s system. It suits him better.

What about Earl Barron? He’s a very good rebounder. What are we doing with him? I hope he can be signed for cheap.

I think Lebron to NY is a long-shot (unless the Cavs fail to make the finals).
Imo the only way Bosh comes to NY would be if we get Lebron (or Wade, which we all know won’t happen).
Amare seems more and more happy with the Suns, so I think he re-signs.
Joe Johnson is the only big FA that can be had imo. I wouldn’t want him though. We (a rebuilding young team) don’t need a 29 year old who can’t dominate the game and who will command MAX money. It makes more sense for a more established playoff team to sign him for the max.

Why can’t Rubio just tell Kahn, “I will never play for your team, ever. I want to be traded to NY.” It’s obvious that he doesn’t want to play for Minnesota. Why not give Kahn (aka a Vince McMahon wanna-be) an ultimatium?

oh and by the way it is even more your fault when u refuse to play for the team that drafted you………………….1

“The bottom line with the DAntoni offense, if we dont get LBJ we need guards (im only listing guys we possibly can obtain) like Calderon, Tony Parker, D Harris(shooting suspect), Barrerra, CP3(trade),”

The trade for CP3 have as of a few days ago been moved from being a “pipe dream” to now being a “crack dream” reserved for discussion by the most ardent, unyielding abusers of crack! THEIR NEW OWNER IS A “BILLIONAIRE WHO IS NOT LACKING IN THE MONEY DEPARTMENT!!!”

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/66336/20100503/chouest_agrees_to_buy_majority_interest_in_hornets/

Most knowledgeable Knicks supporters don’t want “system” players, they want players who can thrive in any system! Case in point, why get a player for MD’s system when he will not be here in two years! That’s why I’m all for drafting a player like Pittman, because even if MD find a reason not to play him, when Pittman is ready to start/get significant minutes MD will be gone!

I have to agree with ya VOR, money issues no longer hamper the Hornents.

So 50 more days to see how it pans out for our Knicks.

Young guys we no longer have: Frye and Ariza have found home Ariza he has a ring, both had size for defense. Both were never given the chance to grow. Who else beside J Hill that didnt get a chance to grow in our system?

Well as far as Randle go’s when your the PG and the best scorer on your team that can put you in a bind, add to that the fact that you can pass the ball to somebody but they have to finish with it to make it an assist. Is there anyone else on Cal that is even good enough to talk about besides Randle? Add to that when he was playing with better talent (in Portsmouth) he was showing people his excellent court vision and play making ability (he was Portsmouth’s MVP) He shot 40% from 3pt for his career lightning release blur of a first step and his defensive hustle and I see a lot of upside.

” but I can’t say for sure that Randle or Smith will be anything but busts in the NBA.” Thats your right to see it that way but the same would apply to Rubio dont you think?

I, again have to put this out there, because even though Tommy gave inference to Walsh scouting the likes of “Linas Kleiza, Josh Childress, and Fran Vazquez, anyone with half the sense they were born with knows that Walsh was over there to scout and “get a feel” for Rubio. Rubio was the center of Walsh’s attention. So for Tommy to make the statement and I quote

“And of course we know about Rubio, who led his team FC Barcelona to an impressive 18 point victory”

just goes to confirm another statement i have to make on this blog frequently, that is that Tommy have his face so far up Walsh’s crack that most of what is said by him is here say, something that was heard by him rather than actually seen by him. As long as he keep his face up Walsh’s A$$ he will not see much and know less!

What’s the point of coming onto a blog to bash the writer in the comment section? This is the knicks blog, not the Tommy Dee’s Opinion blog. Stop whining.

As for the sport of basketball. I don’t think LeBron should guard rondo at all, let alone the fact that he might not even be able to. The cavs offense is so terrible and one dimensional, lacking in dynamic and a variety of threats; If you make Lebron chase rondo around all those screens for 40 minutes the offense will only worse for it. It may seem like the defense is their problem because rondo did so well, but if you watch the game you’ll see that they’re terrible offense leads to bad shots and turnovers –> scrambling back on defense. They can’t execute anything besides a high pick and roll and a drive and kick; its disgusting to watch.

If there was ever a player in the history of the game who was built to play in transition, it is lebron james (and i don’t mean transition defense which is all they seem to be doing this series.) You cannot stop him in the open floor, at all, yet they just keep having him stand around and try to force his way into the paint or kick out for a three play after play. gross.

Here we go again, Lord defender of the Knicksblog. I read where you’re ignoring me because I called you a retard! I did no such thing!

I called you a ree-tard! BIG DIFFERENCE! A “ree-tard” is a person that has no physical or mental challenges other than refusing to use their brain or put the price together. In order words, it’s a choice and you’re 100% prime choice! lol You’re double EE playa!

BTW How does Gentry look now sweeping the Spurs when our coach Danni Boy couldn’t get past the Spurs with even greater talent? Come on Fauci, demonstrate that prime choice!

Dude, It’s not about bashing the writer and etc. Why do some of ya wear such sensitive panties? lol

Tommy Dee is smart enough to know how to push buttons just to get a reaction even if he may feel otherwise. That’s just being smart!

I gather that most of us what our Knicks to be real contenders but some just don’t understand that our coach sucks and most of the players too. It’s sorta of the chicken or egg dilemma in which one came first?

Regardless of which one is the real answer, they both are here and we stink!

Did you think we were going to do anything besides stink up until this point? You have to at least give the ‘plan’ a chance to exist before you claim its a failure.

Even if we strike out on the big guys; let’s say we just become a decent team and make the playoffs, remaining young and under the cap. That would actually be amazing; just think about where we are coming from. If you think we deserve more you are a typical spoiled NY fan.

My point is that until you see the product that is put on the floor next year, and what that product turns into over subsequent years, it’s just not time to judge yet. I’m not saying good or bad; we just have to wait and see. Saying we suck now is almost redundant.

I was listening to the makeup of the Jazz yesterday, 2nd rounders, undrafted players, one lottery, 2 imported via trades and they play well together. If in the Eastern conference no telling how far they’d go.

The Knicks with 2-3 stars would be nice but if we could get diamonds in the rough and have players that trust each other on offense and especially defense that would be nice.

I hear ya and that has been my pt from the start! We should have used these last 2 years to draft wisely and play our youth so that when we had a chance to get a star, that star would have someone worthy to play with.

I always stated that getting a LBJ or Wade and etc is a longshot and that our GM and coach needed to be on the same page from the beginning. Why were mixed messages being sent to overpay Duhon, Harrington and others rather than establishing a culture of playing better defense and smarter?

This si my biggest complain in that we have wasted 2 years and have some have put absolutely NO expectation on our coach and etc. There are many things a good coach can do even if we don’t have the horses to contend for the playoffs or a ring.

Other teams are trying to move forward and are not standing still while we waste 2 years.

In my eyes Tommy have not reach the stature where his comment can not be questioned by even a commoner of such low birth as myself! If i offend in the future just read past my postings, because even Tommy by now knows I’m gonna bring it!

word…..

Jerry Sloan gets the most out of his players.

Jerry Sloan should be fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh of course, and I’ve said I don’t like Rubio and he could very well be a bust as well. I was referring to Tony Parker in that sense because he’s already proven in the NBA, so I don’t think you could necessarily say we’d be better off with someone like Randle since he hasn’t played at the NBA level yet. I do really like Randle, and you’re right he was far and away the best player on that Cal team and had to shoulder more responsibility.

I think Rubio’s and Randle’s chances to succeed in the NBA are not separated by much…they have different strengths, but I’d rather draft Randle and keep Chandler (or package him with Curry) because I love Randle’s speed and his ability to shoot the ball. He might get taken advantage of on defense by bigger guards, but he does try really hard on the defensive end and is a good hustle player.

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Yep and our coach gets not much out of ours!