Via the Pioneer Press:

“…We know we have a young team with a new coaching staff and a new culture, but we don’t want to overly rely on those things as crutches,” he said. “At some point, we need to stop talking about those things. We’re all accountable, myself especially.”

Kahn made numerous moves in the offseason, sparing only five players from last season’s roster. Before the season, he consistently maintained that the team would struggle. He asked for patience from fans and projected a “two- to three-year plan” for turning the team around.

Monday’s performance, however, challenged Kahn to remain positive.

“It’s much too early to paint everything with a bad brush,” he said. “When things clicked, we’ve had some very bright moments. There have also been some moments that were abysmal, but that’s part of who we are as a team…”

I could see something brewing here, and I’m not just talking about Rubio. Cardinal is a valuable expiring, maybe if Walsh added Chandler with Jeffries, we can get Cardinal, Oleksiy Pecherov and Minnesota’s lottery protected 1st rounder from the Ty Lawson deal? Minnesota also has Utah’s top 17 protected…

Hmmm…

I feel like I should apologize based on the fact that watching this team during camp and preseason led me to believe that they were working on building something.

Talking to players and coaches, it seemed that everyone was on the same page and motivated.

They aren’t.

I’m not dumb, but this team so far has made me feel that way because the energy and effort in practice and the togetherness seemed genuine.

This is not the coach’s fault or management’s. The direction of the franchise is clear and most all of you reading the site were down with the plan. At that point any plan would have done, but they have to protect everything about 2010. Coach D’Antoni has coached defense in practice, and when someone like Chris Broussard of ESPN talks about the league laughing at the Knicks and their coach because defense isn’t stressed. Actually, that joke is on him. Where were you during training camp and early in the season, Chris? Not in the gym that’s for sure. But in fairness, the Knicks are the laughing stock of the league and not one veteran, it seems,  has the pride to want to change that. (more…)

We can write all that we want in the season previews about what to
expect, but we all know that none of us have any clue what will
happen, and more than anything we are all just hungry for some hoops.
I’ve read a lot of previews, but the one that sums up my take on the
season comes from Kevin Pelton of BasketballProspectus.com:

“In their first season adjusting to a major stylistic change on the
sidelines, the Knicks won 32 games. They lost Quentin Richardson while
adding Darko Milicic and rookies Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas, not to
mention a healthy Danilo Gallinari. So why are people expecting New
York to get worse? To me, this feels like an overreaction to a summer
that could have been ugly had the Knicks not been able to re-sign
David Lee and Nate Robinson. With them in place, there’s plenty of
talent in the Garden and the right coach to mold it.”

To me, the more a team is scrutinized in the offseason, the easier it
is to create negativity. I do understand the concern of many fans that
the players might not have an incentive to win if the focus of the
organization is solely on free agency period of next summer. But, I
think that mindset is outweighed by the competitiveness that Coach
D’Antoni exudes and he simply won’t allow his team to fold. His system
has developed an aura of team chemistry that has been missing from
this organization for too long, and if the positive vibes can
continue, I think this team has a chance to sneak into the postseason.
If a player is out to get his to try and get a contract next season,
he will sit.

I know I will be in the minority on this, but I think there are only
four playoff locks in the Eastern Conference in Boston, Cleveland,
Orlando, and Philadelphia. I think Chicago is the next best in the
batch. I do have doubts of them making up for Ben Gordon‘s scoring
output, but Derrick Rose should be able to carry them into the
postseason.. I think Atlanta has digressed with the acquisition of
Jamal Crawford, and that Washington is very injury-prone, but both
should fight their way to .500. Last year, the Pistons made the
playoffs with a 39-43 record, and I think the Knicks will face a
similar fate this year. Now, you can try to label me as a kool-aid
rah-rah guy, but I predicted 32 wins last season, and I am reasonable
in understanding this team’s limitations. To me, this year’s opening
night roster is more balanced offensively, and better defensively than
last year’s opening night roster— bottom line. I am predicting a
38-44 season in which they sneak into the postseason as an 8 seed. As
negative as us Knicks fans have been programmed to be over the last
few years, I hope that all fans would sign for that right now.

I used Eric Live’s original anthem on my radio show. That was pre-TKB. Since then Eric has brought one every year and this one is pretty strong.

Check it out.

Via Westcheddar: One of the hippest blogs around in terms of music, sports and all around coolness from my boy and White Plains legend Dan Isenberg. BTW, I was Digger Phelps.

“…The Yankees are in the World Series, but the NBA season starts this week, and as much as we love baseball, it’s hoops that we’re most passionate about here at Westcheddar.  I rounded up my top basketball analysts to give us a breakdown of what’s going on in the NBA, NCAA, and even with the local High Schools too.  Tommy Dee writes and does commentary for The Knicks Blog, has appeared all over the TV dial from SNY to CNN, and coaches with Stepinac High School in White Plains.  Johnny Halas writes for The Jockosphere, and this season is transitioning from playing pro ball with the Rochester Razorsharks to coaching at Amherst College.  And Brian Duignan co-hosts The Yellow Brick Road, a New York Knicks online radio talk show, and also coaches the modified boys team in Mamaroneck.

These are local guys who live and breathe basketball.  I roomed with Tommy and Brian down at University of Maryland, where Brian managed the Terps for four years, and it was like living with Digger Phelps and Al Trautwig.  And Johnny, well I remember when I used to rock his world in One on One back in the day living next door to him on Ogden Avenue, and now I probably wouldn’t be able to get a shot off.  He’s gearing up to be the next Bill Walton.  Let’s hear what these guys have to say…

IP: Ok boys, let’s start with The Knicks.  Will they make the playoffs this year?  Who’s our “go to” guy?

TD: I think, based on what I’ve seen in the pre-season from a defensive standpoint, that the team is going to be improved.  They won 32 games last year and with a little better effort defensively, I can see them getting a few more W’s against the average NBA teams.  That should translate to 36-40 wins and a year-long battle for a playoff spot.  I think they sneak in.

JH:  The Knicks may sneak in at 8, but I don’t see it happening.  I’m hoping that Wilson Chandler steps up as the “go to”, but I think they’re still gonna defer to Al Harrington, who’s an amazing talent, but can’t seem to put it all together.

BD:  No.  ”Go to” is tough, the Knicks don’t really have one.  I plan to enjoy Nate Robinson for one last season & wait for LeBron.

IP:  How about the rest of league?  Is it the Cavs?  Can the Lakers win it again?  Celtics?

TD:  I’m not sold at all with what some of the teams at the top of the Eastern Conference did.   Shaquille O’Neal will not mesh well in Cleveland, but Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon will.  I’m not sold on Vince Carter in Orlando either.  I think Rasheed Wallace helps the Celtics as much as any addition and with a healthy KG the Celtics will represent the East.  And yes, Ron Artest makes the Lakers better, which is hard to imagine, if he keeps taking his meds.

BD:  Have to root for Shaq.  I used to like Garnett until he went to Boston and started losing his mind.  How annoying was he when the Celts won the championship a year ago?  The worst was when MJ made the Hall Of Fame, and the NBA interviewed some prominent NBA players to hear their thoughts.  A’mare Stoudamire said “he’s the best player I’ve ever seen”, which I agree with.  Then Garnett inhales through his nose, takes a dramatic pause, and says “he’s the gatekeeper”.  What is this, Dungeons & Dragons?

JH:  Adding Shaq is an interesting move, I didn’t agree with it.  I think getting a guy who can really coach would’ve been a better decision for the Cavs, but it’s tough to fire the reigning coach of the year.  The Lakers can definitely win it again, if Andrew Bynum stays healthy.  They also need Jordan Farmar to elevate his game and give them better minutes.  I don’t see the Celtics doing much this year.  Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are all a year older, that doesn’t help them.  Rondo is too much of a wildcard at the point to be taken seriously in a 7 game series…” More.

“It is a mistake to look too far ahead.  The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.”  ~ Sir Winston Churchill

Another start to a season, and another quote to start my preview.  While this season is not as dramatic as what Churchill was discussing, the same principle applies.  It is foolish to look beyond this season and focus on July 1, 2010.  There is a full season of Knicks basketball to be played first.  If the Knicks are to reach championship status in the next few years, this team has to continue to grow and develop an identity this season.

Coming off a 32 win season, the Knicks clearly have a lot to prove.  There is no denying that.  Without dwelling too heavily on last season, it is fair to say that the team was one of the worst defensive teams in the league.  But that was last season (we hope).

Instead, let’s take a look at some of the statistics from the pre-season.  In seven games, the Knicks went 5-2.  As a team, the Knicks shot a woeful 39% from the field and only 28% from beyond the arc.  As Mike D’Antoni has noted, field goal percentage is a very important statistic.  The Knicks are not going to be in the top five in the league in that category simply because of the high volume of shots taken and the pace at which the team plays.  With the amount of shots this team is capable of putting up in a game, being in the top five in field goal percentage would translate to a 50+ win season.  However, the Knicks were near the bottom in the league in that category last season.  Translation… a 32 win season.  The Knicks will take a ton of outside shots and will live and die with the 3 point ball.  If the team is going to be successful, players must nail their outside jumpers.  Simple, but true.

On the other side of the ball, the Knicks showed a marked improvement defensively.  In the pre-season, the Knicks averaged close to 11 steals per game and 4 blocks per game, allowing opponents to score an average of 95 points per contest.  Darko Milicic’s presence has helped, but the improvement stretches far beyond the long reach of Milicic’s left arm.  This team has developed a new found aggressiveness on the defensive end.  This team now attempts to block shots.  They fight over screens (especially Douglas).  They swipe at the basketball.  They try and get into the passing lanes.  Mike D’Antoni has this team pushing to create turnovers.  When Milicic is not in the game, the Knicks are incredibly weak with their interior defense, so it is imperative for the Knicks to keep the ball out of the paint as much as possible.  Offensively, the Knicks employ the aggressive 7 seconds or less theory.  Based upon stretches that I saw this pre-season, it appears that the team has a similar aggressive approach on the defensive end.  Creating turnovers quickly and often is the name of their defensive game.  This can be risky, but both the Knicks’ length and quickness at all five positions allow them to take chances.

To start the season, I expect to see a starting lineup of Chris Duhon, Wilson Chandler, Al Harrington, David Lee and Jared Jeffries.  This coaching staff loves Jeffries, and will love him even more if he can continue to nail over 30% of his 3 pointers.  Jeffries perhaps has shown the most improvement since last season.  While I am not trying to anoint Jeffries the next Reggie Miller, his jumper has come a long way.  With teams willing to give him shots, Jeffries has to continue to knock some of them down.  Once Jeffries keeps opponents honest, he will then be able to drive past defenders and take the ball to the rim.  Jeffries is a good enough ball handler and passer to be able to beat his man off the dribble and kick it to open teammates on the perimeter.  I expect a good year from Jeffries. (more…)

Going into the 2009-2010 season I like every true Knick fan around the world tries with all their heart to be optimistic. However, we must also be realistic. If we don’t hold team officials accountable for their decisions who is to say they will put a sincere effort into making positive changes? If they still sell out all the games no matter how terrible they might be it would likely lull them into inactivity. The main thing on everybody’s mind now a day seems to be next season. We should not be tempted to think of the 2009-2010 campaign as an afterthought. If the Knicks make no significant improvements from last season who can honestly expect Donnie Walsh to attract any big name free agents? It seems as though team officials have proscribed to this notion of a one track mind on next summer. From Lebron James to Dwayne Wade to Chris Bosh they all have the same interest. TO HAVE THE BEST CHANCE AT WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP! Simply having the most money is not going to cut it. The one roster move which frustrates me each and every day is the drafting of Jordan Hill. How can your #8 pick not even break the rotation? Meanwhile their #29 pick Toney Douglas is a lock to make the rotation. As stated in Dan Tomasino’s article, Douglas has progressed nicely through summer league and training camp. When the Knicks open their season Wednesday against the Heat in Miami, Douglas likely will play a more prominent role than lottery pick Jordan Hill. “He will be a significant part of the rotation,” D’Antoni said. “And hopefully keep growing into a bigger role.” To me this is simply unacceptable. Being that our draft rights in 2010 go to the Utah Jazz this was our last top 10 pick for the foreseeable future. Despite this fact at least the Knicks partially made up for their error in judgment with the excellent late first round pick of Toney Douglas. (more…)

Look around and grab your friendly neighborhood NBA preview and, if you are a Knicks fan, you can’t be really too excited about what you see.

But previews are as meaningful, to me, as VIP passes to a high school game.

As expected, the team is ready to prove its doubters wrong and that journey begins down in South Beach against one of the game’s best, who has a habit of destroying the Knicks.

“They got the message, they know what to do,” Coach D’Antoni said from practice today. “I think we have some added elements to the team, little bit more speed and a little bit more length and a little more focus that the players are putting in on the defensive end and I think that we’ll be pretty good.”

As we’ve noted countless times this preseason, the Knicks have improved defensively, but that won’t translate unless the team can make sure they match the regular season energy of opponents.

Miami isn’t Cleveland or the Lakers, one of the big reasons Wade is “keeping his options open,” but, like the Knicks, they are in good shape from a cap standpoint and many consider them to be the Knicks biggest rival in the 2010 sweepstakes. (more…)

Marc Berman posed the question, what if this season doesn’t produce the positive signs for free agents?

“… If the Knicks stink badly, if Gallinari does not show great promise, why come?

“I understand that argument,” Walsh told The Post. “The truth is, I have no way of knowing how people will think when we get to next summer. But I want to be a good team. We want to be competing for the playoffs. We’ll see if we’re good enough to do that as the year goes on.

“He (Gallinari) will do things that make you say, ‘This guy’s 21 years old and really playing his first full year, he’s got a great future,’ ” Walsh said. “He’ll show that…”

Frank Isola notes that the players are certainly on the same page and that can only help camaraderie as the season progresses, should the team continue to play defense and more shots start to fall.

“…But what is one more losing season in a decade of losing seasons if the reward is LeBron James? or maybe Dwyane Wade? Hope is on its way.

And if the fans stuck with the Knicks through Stephon Marbury, Isiah Thomas, sexual harassment and Jerome James, they can survive 82 more games. Right?

“We all understand what’s going on here,” David Lee says. “The plan was to save a lot for the future and have a big summer for the organization. But in order for us to make it as good a summer as we can, we have to put something together this year.

“That’s why this is definitely not a throwaway season…” (more…)

So the questions have been posed towards Coach D’Antoni for well-over a week now in terms of the starting lineup and rotation, and there has been little-to-no clarity on either subject.

Other than assuming that Larry Hughes, who won’t be bought out, is on the outside looking in, as well as the developing Jordan Hill, it’s tough to tell what the combination will be.

Al Harrington wants to start. Heck, every player wants to start, but Al has earned it.  That being said, it make make sense for him to bring it off the bench. For whatever reason, I haven’t been overly impressed with when both Harrington and David Lee are on the floor together and that’s something to keep an eye on.

I wouldn’t play Lee at the five. It’s asking far too much for him to guard bigs, and he’s better off playing with a space eating 5. But is it better for the system? As I mentioned last night on the show, I truly believe that Harrington is the prime 4 in this system, but it’s hard to then play Lee at the 5. But we’ll see.

So here’s my starting 5.

PG- Chris Duhon- No real shock here.
SG- Nate Robinson- Nate has earned the start with his unselfish, all around play.  I think “energy” off the bench is overrated. Yes, Nate has defensive issues, but I’d put Nate on the PG and Duhon on the shooting guard.
SF- Wilson Chandler- Will needs space to be able to shoot and slash. He’s simply not a two, he’s a natural 3.
PF- David Lee- With Jeffries knocking down jumpers, Lee can play the 5 spot on offense and the 4 on defense.
C- Jared Jeffries- Sure, he’s been better offensively, but can he guard other team’s 5s? Not sure, but you know he’ll try.

Rotation for the first 12-18 minutes-

Sub Harrington for Lee
Sub Douglas for Duhon
Sub Gallinari for Chandler
Sub Milicic for Jeffries

Skinny: Milicic, Gallinari and Douglas form an excellent second team defense so the hope is twofold. First, the starting team can establish itself offensively, and second that Gallinari and Harrington are on so that they can sustain a bulk of the scoring while playing solid defense.

Then adjust from there. But I have to say, I agree with the coach that players should worry about who finishes more than who starts…

Who would you start?

Our good buddy Robert Silverman is banging the keys for knickerblogger.net, and he has an offering through several installments, for the upcoming season.

“…With the 2010 season nearly upon us, it’s time to go into season preview mode. We’re going to kick it off with a look at the players in a 4 part series, followed by more Knickly goodness. We’re going to run right up to the start of the season (save for a weekend breather). So here we go…

Chris Duhon – Point Guard

What the Numbers Say
Pre All-Star game: 12.5 ppg, 8.0 apg, 3.4 rpg.
Post All-Star game: 8.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.1 rpg.

What the Team Says
“Donnie was exploring everything, which he should,” D’Antoni said. “But there was never any doubt Chris would be the point guard.”

What the Player Says
“He (Obama) talks the whole time. He’s never quiet…can’t guard me!’ Just random talk,” Duhon replied. “He knows the game. He’s like a point guard out there, and so he’s always telling guys where to go, what to do, very vocal.” Who won? “Oh, I won – he may be running for president, but I’m not going to let him win, not going to take it easy on him. I don’t take it easy on anyone.”

What My Gut Says
There really isn’t one facet to his game that one can identify as his strength (save possibly his Vulcan mind meld with DLee on the pick and roll). Seriously, what does he actually do well? He’s an average on the ball defender, average shooter, below average finisher, average passer, and average floor general. But like the numbers show, he was playing solid ball before his 2nd half collapse (possibly due to playing close to 40 mpg in the 1st half, or possibly due to his rumored proclivity for nocturnal activities and whatnot) And, he is tight with the POTUS, so he’s got that going for him, which is nice…” More.

I had the chance to be interviewed for one of my favorite outlets, Crain’s New York, where Dan Massey wanted to yap about all things Knicks. Dan is a strong writer, and a big Knick fan so he gets the finger point on a great piece on the direction of the team from a business standpoint as the team readies itself for this summer.

“…MSG Sports President Scott O’Neil says that the team has sold nearly 2,400 new season-ticket packages so far for 2009-10 (the third-most in the NBA), compared with about 1,500 new ones at this time last year. Some 30 new sponsors have signed on with the Knicks, including Amtrak, Burger King and Time Warner Cable. Traffic on the official Knicks.com Web site was up 30% in September versus the year-earlier period.

“First and foremost, you have the best coach on the planet,” Mr. O’Neil says. “The second thing is, fans continue to say Donnie Walsh is a proven winner. He has a plan, and he’s sticking to it.”

Tommy Dee, editor of Web site TheKnicksBlog.com, is not yet convinced that pitching the team’s coach and president will win over fans. “The focus is not really on any superstar,” he says. “That’s boring and not sexy. But given what they’ve had to deal with over the last decade, it’s a smart way to go. I’m curious to see if the fans will buy into it.”

Knicks officials can’t comment on the possibility of signing Mr. James, or speculate on his financial impact if he were to join their team. But sports experts note that the Cavaliers’ estimated value cited in the latest annual Forbes ranking has more than doubled since the Ohio team drafted Mr. James in 2003, hitting $477 million…” More.