FanNation - The Republic of Sport

   As I type, the Knicks just wrapped up a 107-99 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Knicks now boast a record of 4-2, good for the 7th place in the Eastern Conference. In beating the Jazz, center Zach Randolph posted 25 points and 14 boards while point guard Chris Duhon notched 16 points, 9 assists and 3 steals. Throw in a 32 point, 4 assist game from Jamal Crawford and this story is enough to make you wonder what I've been smoking, right? But everything I just wrote is 100% true... hence the title of this post. Knicks fans should not start planning to attend playoff games just yet, but they have to be encouraged by what they are seeing.

Credit where it is due:

   For all of the second guessing and questioning being tossed around by bloggers and casual fans alike, Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are doing a great job so far. Yes, the Marbury debacle is time bomb waiting to explode, but so far even that situation has been managed without significant collateral damage. Walsh, D'Antoni, and Marbury have an understanding of the situation: the Knicks don't want Marbury around and Marbury is fine being the richest Knicks fan in New York as long as he gets paid. Of course, this story carries a constant line of "to be continued...", but so far the fragile cargo appears to handled deftly.

But the real victory belongs to:

   Mike D'Antoni. Somehow, some way, D'Antoni has stepped in to a situation most ousiders expected (and many contiue to expect) him to fail at. It wasn't supposed to even depend on how well he performed, most people expect D'Antoni's stint in New York to end in flames. But just 6 games in, one has to admit that there are some tangible signs of life not seen on a Knicks team in years. This team seems to really be buying in to D'Antoni's system. Randolph has played solidly over the first 6 games and Duhon is beginning to prove that Walsh and D'Antoni may not be crazy for signing him- and benching Marbury to play him. If you ask me -a guy who has watched the closely as the Jail Blazers reformed to once again become Rip City here in Portland- Knicks fans have more reason for optimism now than they've since Patrick Ewing left town.

Disclaimer:

   With the Knicks having just completed game # 6 out of 82, I totally reserve the right to rescind my praise for them at any time. Walsh and D'Antoni still have a long way to go to meet the expectations of New York sports enthusiasts... and they have yet to endure any real trials and tribulations during their watch in the Big Apple. I am already expecting to hear from a few New Yorkers who passionately dissagree with my assessment of thier team, but I can take it... after all, it's not like I have to endure the same scrutiny as one who coaches or manages a New York sports team. Walsh and D'Antoni will have to find a way to sustain this early success and even then, Knicks fans rightfully expect the progress to continue until the Knicks have accomplished a complete 180 degree turnaround from the Isaih Thomas era. It's going to be a long bumpy road, but don't worry New York: I think your team is finally headed in the right direction... and being led by the right people.