NEW YORK @ ATLANTA

The Knicks visit Atlanta to battle the Hawks tonight. (4:00pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-David Lee
PF-Jared Jeffries
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Quentin Richardson
PG-Jamal Crawford

ATLANTA HAWKS
C-Al Horford
PF-Marvin Williams
SF-Josh Smith
SG-Joe Johnson
PG-Mike Bibby

TEXAS @ MEMPHIS

In a battle of potential-future-Knick-point-guards, Derrick Rose and #1 seed Memphis take on D.J Augustine and the #2 Texas Longhorns for the right to go to the Final Four. (2pm CBS)

KING OF NEW YORK?

Could Billy King be coming to the Knicks along with Donnie Walsh? Considering everything he did with the Sixers I sure hope so. They've got great young talent, and room under the cap. Sign me up!

WHO WANT'S ISIAH?

This I find VERY hard to believe, but some of the Knicks actually want Thomas to return as coach next season.

A MAN WITHOUT A CITY

That's exactly what Isiah Thomas has become, and deservedly so.

NEW YORK @ TORONTO

The Knicks visit the Toronto Raptors tonight (7:00pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO).

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-David Lee
PF-Jared Jeffries
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Quentin Richardson
PG-Jamal Crawford

TOTRONTO RAPTORS
C-Rasho Nesterovic
PF-Chris Bosh
SF-Jamario Moon
SG-Anthony Parker
PG-T.J. Ford

MSG TO STAY PUT

A proposed plan to move Madison Square Garden and Penn Station across the street and into the Post Office building has be abandoned. Instead, Cablevision has decided to renovate The World's Most Famous Arena again, just as in the early 90's. Personally, I like this non-move. Yes the Yanks and Mets are getting new parks next year. However, while the Mets aren't leaving anything worthwhile, the Yankees are leaving behind their own personal Indian Burial Grounds. Yankee Stadium is much older than MSG and is due to be retired with honor. I don't think The Garden is quite there yet. New York deserves to see a quality team in THIS Garden before we get rewarded with a new one. A few years from now, once the Knicks contend again, The New Garden will come. Then it'll get the limelight that it'll deserve.

MVP PREDICTIONS

My pick would be Chris Paul. Hands down. Although he deserved it, Steve Nash's first MVP should have gone to Jason Kidd a year earlier, and Paul is having a better season than either of them did. I wouldn't complain about LeBron getting it either, T-Mac 3rd, Garnett 4th, and Stoudamire 5th. Kobe isn't even close in my opinion, as great as he is. The Lakers were competitive, but not CONTENDERS until Bynum developed early this year and then they stole Gasol. They've proven that: by getting Gasol BECAUSE Bynum got hurt, and struggling with Gasol hurt. KG's my favorite singular player in the league (so it KILLS me to see him in Boston), but the Celtics still have Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Plus, they've played well without KG or Allen. T-Mac and Paul have taken their teams to the TOP OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE mostly by themselves. LeBron is Lebron, but Paul is still my pick.

Who's your pick?

MIAMI @ NEW YORK

The Miami Heat will be in town to take on the Knicks, in a battle for ping-pong balls. (7:30pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Jared Jeffries
SG-Wilson Chandler
PG-Jamal Crawford

MIAMI HEAT
C-Mark Blount
PF-Earl Barron
SF-Ricky Davis
SG-Daequan Cook
PG-Chris Quinn

WALSH TO NEW YORK IS OFFICIAL?

According to ESPNews, Donnie Walsh as agreed to accept a 3year/$15million contract to run the New York Knickerbockers at the end of the season. I smell something fishy here, but this seems to be Dolan's M.O.: hire the replacement before firing the incumbent. That's how Thomas was brought to New York in the first place. I'm not sure if traveling down the same path that has brought us to where we are is a good idea at all. Hopefully this time I'm wrong, but only time will tell.

NEW JERSEY @ NEW YORK

The New Jersey Nets will travel across the Hudson River and take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden tonight. (7:30pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Jared Jeffries
SG-Wilson Chandler
PG-Jamal Crawford

NEW JERSEY NETS
C-Josh Boone
PF-Nenad Kristic
SF-Richard Jefferson
SG-Vince Carter
PG-Devin Harris

FALL-OUT

In a surprising turn of events, Donnie Walsh and the Indiana Pacers will be parting ways at the end of the season. Walsh intends to "pursue other opportunities". This would seem to put him atop the list of candidates to replace Isiah Thomas. While Walsh may be qualified, I think it would be rash to sign the first guy spoken to. There has been no conformation of any contact between Jim Dolan and anyone other than Walsh. Dolan needs to be thorough and diligent with his process. Interview EVERYONE. Don't just make an impulse purchase based on someone else's recommendation this time. If this results in Walsh, so be it. Just make sure he's the right guy for the job BEFORE you hire him. Don't just read his resume. Someone else might turn out to be a better fit (Jerry Colangelo?). That's what interviewing people to do a JOB is all about.

AGENT ZERO & PATRICK EWING?

All is quiet on the Knicks' front, and I'm bored: so I'm thinking...

Lets start with the obvious: FIRE ISIAH. Personally, I'd like to see Jerry Colangelo as the Prez/GM. If not Colangelo, ANYONE will (probably) be an upgrade. Next, whoever is brought in as coach should have some experience in my opinion. Atlanta's Mike Woodson is next to get the axe after Isiah, and despite that would be a good fit given what he's done with the young Hawks. Del Harris should also be considered. I know the fancy names of Marc Jackson and Greg Anthony have been thrown around looking for the next Avery Johnson, but that's asking for more doom. Most people forget Johnson coached under Don Nelson before taking the reigns himself. Bring Marc Jackson AND PATRICK EWING on as assistant coaches.

Lets say Gilbert Arenas declines his option, which is unlikely, unless Washington prefers he declines. It MIGHT possible to sell him on New York, bringing the Knickerbockers back to the limelight of the NBA, all the endorsements, everything that comes with all that, endear him on being able to prove "it's not all about the money" and convince him to take a short 3-4 year exemption @ about $6-7 with the promise of a max extension afterwards.

DRAFT Derrick Rose
C 2nd RD

TRADE
TO TOR: Jamal Crawford ($8.6 '08-9)
TO NY: Radoslav Nesterovic (1/$8.4)

TO CHI: Zach Randolph
TO NY: Tyrus Thomas & Drew Gooden

BUYOUT Quentin Richardson

C-Eddy Curry
PF-David Lee
SF-Tyrus Thomas
SG-Agent Zero
PG-Derrick Rose
-------------------
G-Nate Robinson
C/F-Drew Gooden
F-Wilson Chandler
C
F/G-Renaldo Balkman
G-Mardy Collins
F-Jared Jeffries
SUIT Malik Rose, Jerome James, Nesterovic

Since that'll never happen, maybe a sign-and-trade is in order:

TO NY: GilbertArenas (1/$12.8), Darius Songaila (3/$13.5) ($17 '08-9)

TO WASH: Jamal Crawford (3/$27.9), Malik Rose (1/$7.6) Renaldo Balkman (1/$1.2) ($17.4 '08-9)
'09 1st Round pick

DRAFT Derrick Rose
C 2nd RD

TO CHI: Zach Randolph
TO NY: Tyrus Thomas & Drew Gooden

BUYOUT Quentin Richardson

C-Eddy Curry
PF-David Lee
SF-Tyrus Thomas
SG-Agent Zero
PG-Derrick Rose
-------------------
G-Nate Robinson
C/F-Drew Gooden
F-Wilson Chandler
C
F-Darius Songaila
G-Mardy Collins
F-Jared Jeffries
SUIT Jerome James

Hey, I can dream.

NEW YORK @ MINNESOTA

Tonight the Knicks visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. (8:00pm, MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Randolph Morris
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Fred Jones
PG-Jamal Crawford

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
C-Al Jefferson
PF-Ryan Gomes
SF-Kirk Snyder
SG-Marco Jaric
PG-Randy Foye

NO WALSH IN NEW YORK

It looks like Donnie Walsh will remain in Indiana, and not replace Isiah Thomas at Madison Square Garden. This should shift Dolan's focus to more appropriate replacements: Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, Kiki Vandeweghe.

MEMPHIS @ NEW YORK

The Memphis Grizzlies visit Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks tonight (7:30pm)

STARTING LINE-UPS:
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Randolph Morris
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Jamal Crawford
PG-Nate Robinson

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
C-Darko Milicic
PF-Hakim Warrick
SF-Rudy Gay
SG-Mike Miller
PG-Mike Conley

THE FUTURE IS NOW

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the Knicks' and Isiah Thomas' respective futures. With all the rumors flying around about owner Jim Dolan meeting with perspective execs Kiki Vandeweghe and Donnie Walsh, it seems that Dolan is finally ready to rid the Knicks of Isiah's presence. The sooner the better, in my opinion. Personally, I'm hoping for Jerry Colangelo. But ANYONE would be an upgrade over Thomas. Hiring the GM (or President of Basketball Operations, if you prefer ) is MUCH more important than worrying about the next coach. Dolan needs to hire an accomplished and savvy basketball man, then let him do his job and hire a coach that fits his philosophy.

Only one thing is certain, next year can't be as bad as this one (unless Isiah Thomas is still here).

NEW YORK @ INDIANA

Tonight the Knicks are in Indiana to play the Pacers, and will wear green uniforms in honor of St. Patrick's day. (7:00pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Jamal Crawford
PG-Nate Robinson

INDIANA PACERS
C-Jeff Foster
PF-Troy Murphy
SF-Danny Granger
SG-Mike Dunleavy
PG-Flip Murray

SAY IT AIN'T SO

It's been made public knowledge that Indiana Pacers' CEO Donnie Walsh, a New York native, is postponing his retirement. There is speculation that Jim Dolan would like Walsh to replace Isiah Thomas the president (so far so good), but let Zeke stay on as head-coach (D'oh!). Remember, Walsh hired Isiah Thomas to be head-coach of the Indiana Pacers before the 2000-01 season.

Walsh's agent, Steven A. Kauffman, said yesterday that his client has the right pedigree to become successful in New York. "Donnie has the experience, the temperament and personality to deal with the New York Knicks' situation," said Kauffman, whom Walsh hired last summer to represent him. "He has roots there."

ATLANTA @ NEW YORK

Tonight the Atlanta Hawks will take on The New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in the heated rematch of "teams like that". (6:00pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINE-UPS
=================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Jamal Crawford
PG-Nate Robinson

ATLANTA HAWKS
C-Al Hortford
PF-Marvin Williams
SF-Josh Smith
SG-Joe Johnson
PG-Mike Bibby

LET THE LEE-ERA BEGIN

With the Knicks season over long ago, the time has come to focus on the future. In particular, David Lee has been shining in his role (FINALLY) as a starter. He's added the abilities to knock down the 15-footer and take opponents off the dribble, to go along with his natural Lee-bounding and finishing at the rim. Hopefully, Zach Randolph is moved this off-season (he'll bring more in return than Curry) so Lee can start at PF full-time in '08-09.

"THEY'RE DONE"

According to "The Big O" Oscar Robertson, "Just stick a fork in them, they're done. They need an overall transformation, from top to bottom."

NO MORE CURRY

It's official. Today the Knicks confirmed that Eddy Curry will miss all remaining 19 games this season. If only us fans were so lucky. He finishes the season averaging 13.2 PTS and just 4.7 REB per game.

NEW YORK @ MIAMI

Tonight the Knicks are in Miami to play the Heat in a battle for NBA futility. (7:30pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO)

STARTING LINEUPS
================
NEW YORK KNICKS
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Jamal Crawford
PG-Nate Robinson
OUT-Eddy Curry (knee), Quentin Richardson (wrist)

MIAMI HEAT
C-Mark Blount
PF-Shawn Marion
SF-Ricky Davis
SG-Daequan Cook
PG-Jayson Williams
OUT-Dwayne Wade (knee)

JUST TO MAKE A POINT

After the Feb 29th game in Atlanta (99-93 ATL), Josh Cildress was interviewed on 1050 ESPN radio here in NY. Not that big of a deal, until he said "I'm glad we got to play a team like that headed into the stretch run." I'll let that sink in.....
(to be fair, I turned off the radio immediately after he said it so I don't know what Johnny Hoops' response was).

This is how bad things have gotten around here. The 6th man from the annually-bottom-feeding Atlanta Hawks called the Knicks "A TEAM LIKE THAT" ON THEIR OWN RADIO STATION (and not in the same way that the Spurs are a team like that). Need I say more?

Q & A

I'm asking what you would like to see here next.

I realize that I could easily sit here and rant about how ridiculous this once model franchise has become. But at this point, what's the point, right? I mean, on Saturday against Portland (starting 7'1, 6'11 at C,PF) with Curry, Randolph and Crawford all DNP's, 6'7 Malik Rose started at C and 6'11 Randolph Morris doesn't take off his warm-ups? (or Mardy Collins?)

Anyway, would you like more rants just so we can get a "venting" conversation going lol? You want rumor-ville, or more just basic reporting/news/links? Leave your chatter in the comments, thanx.

"IT'S HARD TO BE A KNICKS FAN"

So said John McEnroe when he interviewed Roger Federer IN Madison Square Garden this weekend.

NEW YORK @ DALLAS

The Knicks are in Dallas tonight to take on the Mavericks, in the first of a 2 game mini-road trip (8:30pm MSG).

STARING LINE UPS
===============
NEW YORK
C-Zach Randolph
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Quentin Richardson
PG-Jamal Crawford
OUT-Eddy Curry (knee)

DALLAS
C-Eric Dampier
PF-Dirk Nowitzki
SF-Josh Howard
SG-Jerry Stackhouse
PG-Jason Kidd

CURRY DONE?

UPDATE: The MRI revealed a vertical cartilage tear in his right knee. A Knicks' spokesman said Curry will undergo "aggressive treatment over the next three days" in an attempt to postpone surgery until after the season. However, with the Knicks lousy record he'll probably end up having the surgery.

Could Eddy Curry's season be mercifully over? For the sake of his trade value, I hope not. He didn't travel with team to Dallas last night, and is scheduled to have an MRI on his swollen knee today.

UN-HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Last night marked the 1 year anniversary of Isiah Thomas' contract extension. Fittingly they lost, bringing his record to a putrid 22-60 since then, and 51-94 overall as head coach. Wow. At least Thomas takes full responsibility for his ineptness. Yet he still expects to be ruining the Knicks in '09. Wow.

Friday against Detroit, Thomas went with a mini youth movement, playing Wilson Chandler, Renaldo Balkman, Randolph Morris, and Mardy Collins in the same game for just the second time this season (and not playing Quentin Richardson at all). Yet, without Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph, and Eddy Curry last night, Q-Rich started at SG, while both Morris and Collins were DNP's. Huh?

NATE THE GREAT

Nate Robinson had an explosive and dazzling career-high 45 PTS (16-28 FG, 2-6 3PT, 11-13 FT) to along with 6 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL, and only 2 TO in 52 MIN, including the tying basket with 2 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Alas, it was not enough, as Portland outscored New York 12-6 in the extra period to win 120-114.

PORTLAND @ NEW YORK

The Portland Trail Blazers visit Madison Square Garden and the circus that is the New York Knickerbockers tonight, in the last game of a 4 game 0-3 homestand (7:30pm MSG / 1050 ESPN NY RADIO).
It's Garden Of Dreams weekend at The Garden.

STARTING LINE UPS
=================
NEW YORK
C-Malik Rose
PF-David Lee
SF-Wilson Chandler
SG-Quentin Richardson
PG-Nate Robinson
OUT-Jamal Crawford (hand), Zach Randolph (foot/ankle?), Eddy Curry (knee)

PORTLAND
C-Joel Pryzbilla
PF-LaMarcus Aldridge
SF-Martell Webster
SG-Brandoy Roy
PG-Steve Blake

UNC @ DUKE

#1 North Carolina visits #6 Duke tonight (9pm ESPN). My Tar-Heels will be looking to lock up the ACC regular-season title, a #1 NCAA Tournament seed, and exact revenge on the Blue-Devils for a 89-78 loss at Duke on Feb 6.
From UNC, I'll have a close eye on Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and of course Mr. Hansbrough.
From Duke, DeMarcus Nelson and Greg Paulus.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Last night in a close 101-97 loss at home to the Detroit Pistons, Isiah Thomas finally leaned in favor of playing the Knicks' younger players instead of their under performing veterans. As Frank Isola of the NY Daily News points out, "For only the second time this season and the first since Nov. 13, Thomas played rookie Wilson Chandler as well as second-year players Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins and Randolph Morris in the same game." Quentin Richardson (finally) received a DNP-coaches decision. In his place, Wilson Chandler got the start and played 25 MIN with 4 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 4 fouls. Trying to shake-off the rust after barely playing lately, Balkman had 0 PTS, 4 REB, 3 TO, 3 fouls in 11 min. In 9 MIN, Morris collected 1 REB and 1 TO. Collins saw just 3 MIN of court time and had 2 PTS, 1 STL, 1 TO. Between the 4 kids, that's a combined 50 MIN and just 6 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, and 5 TO. At least they played. Now they need to keep playing, learning from their experiences, and getting better.

The Knicks had a 7 point lead early, but Detroit flexed to take a 13 point lead with a 12-0 run. NY then followed with their own 12-0 run, and would go into half time tied at 53. Crawford left the game with a bruised hand in the 3rd quarter, but came back at the start of the 4th. Nate was great down the stretch, except for the time the Knicks were down 73-71 and he made a leaping steal of the inbounds pass, then just chucked up a contested brick from downtown. Detroit got the rebound, came down the court, and scored. Checkmate. Ultimately, this team can't make good decisions under pressure. They can't even win at home with Detroit missing Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton getting ejected, and Chauncey Billups being a ghost until the last minute. However, they continued to show some skill last night (Malik Rose even hit a 3!) but they're a team of role payers with a clueless head coach, and it shows.

I take nothing anyway from the Detroit Pistons, for them to win a game on the road with last night's circumstances shows exactly why they're a championship caliber team, and exactly why the Knicks are not.

A TEAM LIKE THIS

After the Feb 29th game in Atlanta (99-93 ATL), Josh Cildress was interviewed on 1050 ESPN radio here in NY. Not that big of a deal, until he said "I'm glad we got to play a team like that headed into the stretch run." I'll let that sink in.....
(to be fair, I turned off the radio immediately after he said it so I don't know what Johnny Hoops' response was).

This is how bad things have gotten around here. The 6th man from the annually-bottom-feeding Atlanta Hawks called the Knicks "A TEAM LIKE THAT" ON THEIR OWN RADIO STATION (and not in the same way that the Spurs are a team like that). Need I say more?

LOST CAUSE

Where did this season go oh-so-wrong? Forget the Starbury debacle, or the Randolph/Curry redundancy. This team has QUIT on it's coach, and I can't really say I blame them.

After Marbury bolted from the team during their early season west coast trip, Isiah had them vote if he should play in the next game. They UNANIMOUSLY voted NO. Of course, Steph played 34 minutes.

If Isiah was going to play Steph no matter what, why even bother having them vote? He should have just played the most talented player without spitting in the collective faces of the most important ones. Since then they have collectively one-upped him (and us).

MY BLUEPRINT FOR 2008-09

FIRE ISIAH!

GM Jerry Colangelo
HEAD COACH Del Harris
ASST Herb Williams, Patrick Ewing, ?, ?

=======================================================

TO CHC: Zach Randolph(3/$48), ($14.6 '08), '09 2nd RD PICK
TO NY: Tyrus Thomas(3/$14.8), Drew Gooden(1/$7.1), Viktor Khryapa(1/$2), Shannon Brown(1/$1.5), ($14.4 '08)

TO LAC: Eddy Curry(3/$31.4), Stephon Marbury(1/$22), Wilson Chandler(4/$7.6), ($32.9 '08), '09 1st RD PICK, '10 2nd RD PICK
TO NY: Corey Maggette(1/$8.4), Chris Kaman(4/$43.4), Cuttino Mobley(2/$18.9), Tim Thomas(2/$12.7), ($33 '08), '09 2nd RD PICK

======================================================

NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS

BUY OUT Tim Thomas(2/$12.7) & Quentin Richardson(2/$18.1)
EXTEND Corey Maggette (NOT MAX, THINK Al Jefferson 5/$65)

DRAFT Derrick Rose PG
PF/C IN 2nd RD

Chris Kaman 35
David Lee 42
Corey Maggette 50
Jamal Crawford 11
Derrick Rose 23
-----------------
Tyrus Thomas 24
Nate Robinson 4
Drew Gooden 90
Cuttino Mobley 5
Renaldo Balkman 32
PF/C
Jared Jeffries 20

===============================================

CHICAGO

DRAFT PF/C

Joakim Noah 13
Zach Randolph 50
Luol Deng 9
Larry Hughes 32
Kirk Hinrich 12
----------------
Andres Nocioni 5
Chris Duhon 21
PF/C
Thabo Sefolosha 2
(PROBABLE SIGNnTRADE Ben Gordon - NO, ORL, DEN, PHIL?)

===============================================

LAC

DRAFT G, SIGN/DRAFT BACKUP PF/C

Eddy Curry 34
Elton Brand 42
AL Thornton 12
Stephon Marbury 3
Shaun Livingston 14
-------------------
Wilson Chandler 23
G
PF/C
Brevin Knight 22
Josh Powell 21
Paul Davis 40
Nick Fazekas 20

TIP-OFF!

Welcome to the inaugural KNICKERBOCKERCHATTER post!

As a life-long Knicks fan, I wanted to start this blog for not only myself, but YOU my fellow fans as well. I'll be talking/typing about the everyday going-ons of the New York Knickerbockers. I'll also keep an eye on college hoops (scouting possible future Knicks). There'll be game threads, rumoring, trade ideas, and things of the sort. Have fun and enjoy. GO NEW YORK, GO NEW YORK, GO!