i know there's been some talk about Al resenting the fact that the offense has been focused primarily on featuring D Lee... i think the loss of team chemistry has a lot to do w/the conflict between these 2 guys... maybe i'm reading too much into body language but that's how i see it.

i know Al has a penchant to force up shots in his career but i've never seen it be as bad as this... i actually thought he was playing well in Golden State when he helped them win 48 games in 07... they missed out on the playoffs but he wasn't forcing the action like he is in NY this season & took 3 less shot attempts in similar minutes as he's putting up this year here... i'm actually surprised we didn't trade Al at the deadline.

ActionJackson wrote:I think it's "Racial"

that could be it as well... perhaps Papabear has some insight into this issue.

Pharzeone wrote:

TMS wrote:i don't doubt that Al is a nice guy, but nice guys can dislike each other too... i really think it's become personal between these 2... i could be wrong but that's the feeling i get... i think Al may be a little jealous of D Lee & probably feels resentment towards him because of the preferential treatment he gets from the head coach... i think this has a lot to do with why u see Al forcing up shots at every opportunity, because he feels he's not getting his fair shake in the offense to show his skills & he's entering his contract year so he takes it upon himself to get his points however way he can get them.

i know Al has a penchant to force up shots in his career but i've never seen it be as bad as this... i actually thought he was playing well in Golden State when he helped them win 48 games in 07... they missed out on the playoffs but he wasn't forcing the action like he is in NY this season & took 3 less shot attempts in similar minutes as he's putting up this year here... i'm actually surprised we didn't trade Al at the deadline.

I think no playoffs once again and losing friends on their team have them down. Nate was a popular guy in that locker room. I know Lee and Al both express how they will miss him. Gallo and Chandler were close with him as well. I think Lee is upset with the whole lets get Lebron at cost to the team. Duhon not starting anymore. T-Mac becoming a focal point. A lot of stuff is going on that team without a lot of it out of their control. I don't think they have personal issues with each other.

i think the losing gets to everyone, you're right, but i don't see any cameraderie between these 2 like i see from other guys... i dunno but i must have missed it when you saw these 2 whispering sweet nothings into each others ears... i just have never seen Lee walk away from any of his teammates w/o lending a helping hand to get up, & i always see him give a finger point to anyone who dishes him a nice pass, but he doesn't do these things for Al & it's the same way in the reverse... in recent games i've seen D Lee dish off a nice pass to Al cutting into the lane for an easy layup & Al just runs up the court w/o so much as a finger point, which otherwise wouldn't be a big deal but i see these 2 doing it for other guys... just sense a little tension in the air... i have a feeling Al is frustrated over the offense being centered around D Lee while guys like him have had to take a backseat, so he's forcing up shots to compensate cuz he wants to get his while he can... earlier in the season Al was averaging about 20 ppg as a 6th man, now his production has gone way down

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:I heard that Al wanted to sit next to Coach on the bus but then David told Chris to tell Al he had a girl waiting to see him by the gate. And then when Al left the bus David TOTALLY just snaked his seat. Then when Al came back he made a big fuss but the coach yelled at him to grow up. Like, OMG, what a jerk!

really? no way... that would explain the hostility

Finestrg wrote:One thing I've noticed this year -- from time to time I've seen Al get frustrated when he and Lee fight for the same rebound. It's happened quite a few times -- in those "same, same" scenarios where Lee winds up coming away with the ball, Al usually seems pissed, even if Lee secures the rebound. Everytime it happens, I've always thought it was a weird reaction by Al. I mean who cares - I can see that type of frustrated reaction if two guys both fight each other for the ball and it winds up going out of bounds, but not if the other guy secures it. Always thought that was a weird little thing between the two. Maybe Al thinks Lee's just a little too stat-conscience when it comes to those rebounds...

because both of them are fighting for their next contract & every rebound puts another dollar in their pocket.