Let the haters hate

I like that quote

we lost a lot of close games- I tend to think a lot of folks are overstating the effect brown is going to have, but its going to be a factor.

Good playoff prediction from hoopsworld:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13763.shtml

New York: The New York Knicks have gone through a series of changes this summer that include adding more youth, size and potential as well as the addition of Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. Through the NBA Draft, the Knicks were able to acquire center Channing Frye, forward David Lee, & point guard Nate Robinson. Robinson was part of the trade package that brought Quentin Richardson to NY for Kurt Thomas and Dijon Thompson. Through free agency, the Knicks acquired 7-footer Jerome James, the former Sonics big man who played the best basketball of his five-year career during the playoffs this summer.

Perhaps the Knicks biggest acquisition this summer was the hiring of coach Larry Brown. Thomas and the Knicks waited patiently to obtain Brown’s services, and it should prove to be a wise decision. However, the Knicks do face one big problem in this hiring…..the Knicks are not the Pistons, and the Pistons exemplified Brown’s philosophy as a coach. They shared the ball on offense. They were tough-minded players who understood how and why you play aggressive team defense. The Pistons played an unselfish brand of basketball. In essence, the Pistons played like a team that checked all egos at the front door and put the team first. That’s not to say that the Knicks cannot become that kind of team. That is to say that as of today, the New York Knicks do not even slightly resemble a team that can play Larry Brown’s type of team basketball, and this will be a huge problem until Brown can nag Isiah Thomas enough to pull some risky moves to get the kind of players Brown needs in order to succeed as the Knicks coach. The first order of business of course has dealt with the self-proclaimed, best point guard in the league. There is no secret that Larry Brown is not too high on Stephon Marbury’s abilities as a point guard. In fact, Brown views him more as a shooting guard, which is more than likely the position he will play should he remain in New York. By the way, do not think that the Knicks will not or have not at least explored its options as it relates to shipping Starbury out of NYC. Remember, this is the same coach who was hell-bent on getting Allen Iverson shipped out of Philly. This is also the same coach who wanted Mutumbo in Philly even if it meant giving up a fan favorite but injured defensive stud in Theo Ratliff. Brown and the 76ers organization were heavily criticized for making this deal, but the criticism soon ended as Brown led the Sixers to the NBA Finals that season.

Brown will be expected to work his magic in New York, but it will take some time and cooperation from Knick brass as well as players. Brown will push for player moves that will surprise and even anger some Knick fans, but looking at Brown’s track record, it’s safe to say the end will justify the means. My prediction for the New York Knicks is they will make a trade deadline acquisition that will be the difference-maker for their team. This trade along with the overall team progress, courtesy of Larry Brown, will not only propel the Knicks into the playoffs as a sixth or seventh seed, but it will propel the Knicks into the second round of the playoffs after they pull off a first round upset.

yes, we needed a center so we went out and got one. but the center we got was only really worth of a 3 year deal MAX, or at a much cheaper rate for the 5 year committment. i know what the market is for big men, but that doesn't mean we have to follow it. i think we're all going to like what james brings this year, and next year. it's the THREE YEARS AFTER THAT which will probably dictate whether it's a good deal or not.