Posted by eViL:

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

Marbury and Isiah acted idiotic last year but there is no doubt LB had his own agenda as well. They were like 3 children

Let me clue you into Larry's agenda -- he wanted to turn this franchise around. He knew that Marbury and Zeke's incestuous relationship was destroying any possibility of achieving that. The minute Zeke abandoned Larry -- Larry knew he had no chance. If he made a play to go over Zeke's head -- it was 100% justified. I believe that Larry would have worked with Zeke and done things the right way, had Zeke worked with the Larry and afforded him the respect he deserved. Instead, Zeke stood by and watched Marbury be insubordinate to his coach because he didn't want to look bad. He didn't want his signature player to be exposed. We are all finding out the hard way that Larry was right.

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

Ive seen LB up close 15 years before the Knicks. I know how he works. I never wanted him hired because I knew he wouldnt be here more than 2 years. That doesnt excuse Isiah nor Marbury. They were a problem before LB and they are a problem after LB. BUt I watched LB. I saw a man that looked like in some instances he prefered losing. I saw a guy whose rotations often seemed to be more about politics and pr than the games.

Posted by eViL:

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

Ive seen LB up close 15 years before the Knicks. I know how he works. I never wanted him hired because I knew he wouldnt be here more than 2 years. That doesnt excuse Isiah nor Marbury. They were a problem before LB and they are a problem after LB. BUt I watched LB. I saw a man that looked like in some instances he prefered losing. I saw a guy whose rotations often seemed to be more about politics and pr than the games.

Playing Marbury the entire fourth quarter tonight ahead of Nate Robinson? Politics? Benching Francis instead of Marbury earlier this season? Politics? Refusing to step in between the Marbury/LB feud? Politics? These political games are part of this team's culture -- this is not something that just showed up with Larry Brown.

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

But mark my words LB has had problems else where before. His I'm fired/ You are not fired press conferance with Red Mccombs was hilarious.

Posted by nixluva:

I like the WAY the team played overall, but we just ran out of gas as others have said. When you're dead tired from chasing the Bulls around all game, you don't think as clearly or perform at your best. If we had gotten good games from Jamal and Nate that might have helped. Also if we had shot better from the Line. We had too many TO's as well.

What struck me was that with Lee and Balkman in the SL, you lose that punch off the bench we usually have. I'm not so upset that we lost, since the team seemed to be playing hard until about 6 mins left in the 4th. It just looked like they had nothing left.

In terms of the PG situation, I can't use this game as an example of us not having a PG who can run the show late in games. With Steph and Francis playing long and hard trying to keep up with the Guards on the Bulls, that's a tough assignment. Nate has to improve his defense, cuz for a guy as quick as he is, he really doesn't defend as well as he should.

Posted by bigbeast:

Posted by nyk4ever:

The Knicks need a REAL point-guard to run this team. They need someone who is a floor-general, someone who can control the flow of the game and they need someone who can be the glue to the team and make a huge mark out on the court running plays and directing traffic. Marbury is NONE of these things. Get him out of here and then start looking for someone who can do these things.

In addition to this, I would LOVE to see the Knicks acquire a pure SG and run Q at the 3 when he comes back. The Knicks lack a true SG, someone who can break teams down from the wing and drain the 3 consistently. Is there anyway to get Ray Allen from Seattle?

[Edited by - nyk4ever on 11-28-2006 11:24 PM]

You make a great point that seems to e overlooked. We have no legit SG! Actually, the whole backcourt needs to be revamped, but we seriously need a legit, shooting guard who can actually shoot and has the length to defend. How many times do you Francis come off of screens, recieve the ball, then put the ball on the floor instead of catching and shooting? I love the youth and energy and promise of the front court, but we need a steady backcourt that can compliment them. A pg, who can break down the defense and get easy baskets for frye and Curry underneath instead of Curry haeving to go one-on -one all time which isn't a strength right now. Lee and Curry are finishers and someone to consistantly set them up. And we need a shooter to strecth the D and open things up for the bigs.

Posted by SugarRayRichardson:

The team I saw before they ran out of gas comepeted for every ince. Marbury and Francis ran out of gas. They probably shouldnt have played as much but Isiah didnt want to change them when things were going well.

Lee defended and rebounded. Yeah he got burnt from outside by Nocioni but thats a PF being asked to guard the 3 point line.

Balk showed energy all over the court

Francis was very good going to the hoop and feeding the post

Marbury had some questionable shots but he defended and is learning have to do a pick and roll on offense instead of a pick and pop.

Curry was a man against Wallace down low. When the 4 time DPOY needs double help play after play against our center than we have a real weapon! When was the last time we had a player score 20 plus 3 games in a row?

Isiahs 3-4-5 guard lineups continue to be a negative. I wish he would stop already. They havent worked all year.

Posted by misterearl:

Funny thing is

I have a feeling Isiah and Larry were on the same page last season as they claimed in the early press coverage

the roster moves of this season are consistent with that plan

for whatever reason, Larry decided to get too cute with trying to go straight to Dolan for a sit-down... and brokering deals behind his bosses back and... well... you know what happens when you go behind the bosses back...

what would Tony Soprano do?