Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury were two of six Knicks to score in double figures as New York edged feisty Minnesota 97-93 in their home opener at Madison Square Garden.
I almost laughed out loud when I read that. Setting aside Marbury (for the moment), praising Crawford for Sunday night's performance is comical. Yes, Crawford is a terrific offensive player (he scored 24 points against the Timberwolves, including 10 in the fourth quarter), but defensively he is a human turnstile. Rashad McCants and the offensively challenged Greg Buckner each took turns abusing Crawford in scoring 13 points apiece.
And the "feisty" Timberwolves? One league executive actually used Minnesota as a verb recently when he said more and more teams were going to "Minnesota" themselves, which I took to mean as rebooting the entire thing by throwing a bunch of young kids on the floor and seeing what happens. Translation: We're not expecting too many wins this season.
But the Knicks, at least internally, are expecting a lot, and I just don't see how that's going to happen. Here are three things that should happen to the Knicks before Christmas.
Fire Isiah Thomas
It's over. Done. Finished. Thomas is not the coach for this team. Nor is he the president. Thomas would be a great fit as the Knicks' director of college scouting, but I don't think he would agree to that type of demotion.
I know Knicks owner James Dolan has developed a bit of a man-crush on Thomas and the Knicks did reward Isiah with an extension last March, but it's time to cut the cord. Bring in former Knick Kiki Vandeweghe -- sources say the ex-Nuggets GM would want the job -- to run the team and let him hire an experienced coach (Paul Silas comes to mind).
Buy out Marbury and Jerome James
Watching the Knicks play last season, I couldn't help but think that they would be better off letting Mardy Collins run the offense instead of Marbury. Collins is neither a pure point guard nor much of a scorer, but he is a heady player who won't turn the ball over and is capable of maintaining control of the offense. And the Knicks certainly don't need another scorer.
Marbury is owed the balance of his $19 million this season and another $20.8 million next season, but it's time to go. Point guards are supposed to be leaders and it is clear that in the Knicks' locker room, Marbury's allies are few and far between. Cut him loose.
As for James, well, it's time the Knicks stop sponsoring his vacation. A salary of $5.8 million this season? Even if James won't take a buyout, waive him, eat his salary and move on.
Commit to Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, David Lee, Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman, Collins and Wilson Chandler
In some ways, the Knicks already have. Curry is the cornerstone of the franchise, and Thomas has refused to include Lee in any trade discussions. But until the Knicks' rotation stops including Jared Jeffries, Crawford, Quentin Richardson and Marbury, the development of the rest of the roster will be stunted.
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Comments (38) Add A Comment
Knicks optimism is always misguided. Knick fans believe that with this roster they should be Champions.
I live here, and am surrounded by Knick fans so I have heard all the hype.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18063)
Knick Fans and Optimism should be an oxymoron by now. What do they have to be optimistic about?
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18063)
Chris, you forgot the fourth and most important ingredient for long term success - the owner should fire himself. Someone else needs to have a shot at overseeing this dysfunctional franchise.
Bob B.
Albuquerque, NM
Total Comments (53)
In Mexico the Knicks are still known as "Reggie Miller's Beaches."
aloha
Total Comments (27)
Marbury is terrible and a cancer to the team. Cutting him alone would get them 7-8 more wins this year.
ScorpioJones
New York, NY
Total Comments (330)
Agree with Bob B. Dont know if the writers and reporters are told by the league to stay-off criticizing ownership. The single biggest reason for the KNicks current state is the uninterested ownership of Dolans. We need to take our Knicks back from the Dolans!!
moreggae
Redmond , WA
Total Comments (4)
if the knicks can get Ron Artest and Eddy Curry becomes more defensive minded the Knicks can go places. I agree dump Marbury.
dcummings39
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (203)
before making an assessment. lets wait 20 games into the season. During the Pre-Season they had a roster of twenty players. Guys are starting to gell and get to know each other. It is too early in the season to say that the team will be good or bad. They have some defensive liabilities but allow them to adjust with the roster that they have. I think they should stick with this team for two more years and they should have the cap flexibility to sign a big time free agent and the core of young players the knicks have now will be mature savvy veterans by then. Patience
akibo2007
Bowie , MD
Total Comments (15)
You guys are nuts. First of all, if it wasn't for crawford they wouldn't be in have the games that they play. I understand he is not a great defensive or even a good defensive player but how many shooting guards are?? His cross-over is well underrated and his offense is something that you cannot give up. One more thing.. Mardy Collins...WHAT are you CRAZY Mannix>?? Come on. Lets be serious here, i think all other 29 teams would take Marbury over Collins any day. Marbury has matured enough to the point he knows his job. The knicks have a deep bench and they're young enough to say "YES" optimism is something we all should have. You guys need to stop disliking the knicks just because of the off-court issues. Thats a different story. Isiah made this team a hell a lot better than they were before he came. Enough said. - Mike
NYK20
South Richmond Hill , NY
Total Comments (7)
This story is a little offensive the the players for the knicks. I understand the knicks have off-court issues, but that doesn't matter when it comes to playing basketball. The knicks are looking better than ever. Before Isiah Thomas came, where were the knicks going? Someone answer that please. Because now you can say the knicks are young and very talented. They need a couple more years and everyone will see what kind of team that Isiah has developed. So stop knocking the knicks if you don't know the facts. The Eastern Conference champions beat the Knicks by 4 points last Friday. And it took Lebron to score 45 point for it to happen. Knicks play competitive ball and they should optimistic for this season. Crawford may not be a great defender but how many shooting guards can you list that are?? He is a great offensive player and his cross-over is very underrated. Collins over Marbury? What are you out of your mind? Marbury is far better and he has matured as a player to focus on passing before shooting. They have a great front court and not many teams can stop them in the paint. Defense has a way to go but thats why im giving them a year or two. But people need to stop disliking the Knicks just because of their off-court issues. Thats not basketball. Basktetball is the sport being played at the most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. I gurantee the knicks will have a breakout season. So at seasons end, the knicks should be a part of the great NBA playoffs. And hey, you never know, in the playoffs anything can happen. I really hope
that Chris Mannix responds to my comment here. Go Knicks.
NYK20
South Richmond Hill , NY
Total Comments (7)
Yeah i commented twice by accident. My comp froze. So i made the second one a little clearer.
NYK20
South Richmond Hill , NY
Total Comments (7)
Knicks suck. Congrats on beating Minnesota because if you lost that one...
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18063)
the moron who wrote this blog picked the knicks to finish 6th in the east in his NBA PREVIEW in sports illustrated - now he thinks he can do this and make up for it? Although I admire him throwing in the towel a week after his SI article, its still a joke and he shuodl be accountable when they finish 10th or 11th
hoopsguynyc
New York , NY
Total Comments (8)
NYK20, Yes Anybody over Marbury. The Knicks can't go anywhere with him. He has no real skills as a point guard whatsoever. He either chucks up shots, or passes the ball and stands outside doing nothing. For a guy his size, he should be banging for rebounds. But he's lazy. He has no basketball I.Q. at all. I go to games regularly and I wonder if Starbury knows how to play basketball in any way, shape or form. As far as I can tell, all he can do really well is dribble the ball. That's about it. I've never seen a guy drive into traffic and get stuffed or toss up stupid tear drop shots more than Marbury.
ScorpioJones
New York, NY
Total Comments (330)
some of you guys are looking at every thing except basketball, the knick have a very talented team, they do need a little time to jell, but they will make some noise in the nba this season, stop hating on zeke, no body is perfect, tell me how many of you would like someone whom has not played or put together a team writing that you should be fired, this wasn't one of the best articals I have read, does tht mean you should be fired, please stop with your personal vindetta's against zeke and marbury, and watch this team continue to grow into champs
RonRon
Total Comments (2)
same old garbage.
Go Teamers
Washington, DC
Total Comments (2)
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