E-6

buddapaw I stand corrected. thx

The Mayor gets minutes Knicks go on 3-0 run.

Coincidence or conspiracy?

Easy people. Let's see what the guy can do when the real bullets start flying. Count me as impressed, but not convinced that Chandler is a foundation type player. I want to see the guy play big minutes, in big games and make big plays.

Final Grades

http://www.nysun.com/sports/knicks-year-end-grades-arent-going-fridge

WILSON CHANDLER: C Where did this come from? Why hasn't he been playing all year? He's not as explosive as Balkman, but he's a good athlete who has keyed the Knicks' surprise three-game winning streak. We'll hope to see much more of him during his sophomore campaign.

FRED JONES: C+ Along with David Lee, he was one of the two Knicks who seemed to be making an honest effort to work hard even as the team collapsed around them. No, Jones didn't play particularly well and is probably best suited as a fourth guard, but at least he tried.

JAMAL CRAWFORD: B- I'm always amazed at how he can be totally oblivious to the circus going on around him. Regardless of what else is happening, Crawford plays 37 minutes and finishes with 18 points and five assists; it's remarkable on a team where everybody else's numbers yo-yoed so much. This was arguably his best season as a pro, averaging 20.5 points per 40 minutes and cutting his turnover rate. That said, Crawford still needs to rein in his inner gunner a bit and focus more on the defensive end.

NATE ROBINSON: B Robinson's development was one of the season's few positives. He's still selfish and immature and needs to make better decisions, but he improved in all those areas this season. And the kid can really score, pumping in 19.4 points per 40 minutes with a solid shooting percentage and a low Turnover Ratio . He doesn't really have a position, but he can be a huge force providing instant offense off the bench.

DAVID LEE: B+ Lee was the Knicks' best player for a second straight season, shooting 55.4% from the floor and having one of the best Rebound Rates at his position. Yes, his defense needs some work, but he's not out to lunch the way Curry and Randolph are either. His best role is probably off the bench because of his energy, but the Knicks shouldn't flinch if he has to start once Curry, Randolph or both have been exiled.

Craw always has shot a low %. I've given up hoping that he'll improve.

Prez - Crawford's shooting percentage bugs me as well, along with the number of attempted three point shots or impulsive hoists outside of any continuity.

The question to ask is how Jamal would respond to playing alongside a legit lead guard who would simultaneously take responsibility for managing the flow and the distribution of shots.

Is World B Jamal hoisting away, with Mark Jackson as his conscience, playing next to Derrick Rose or Jerryd Bayless?

Thank The Mayor for cutting into Jamals attempts over the last 3 games.

Cosmic - of course you can lump The Mayor wiht every other frustration of the past decade. You can claim that he he not demonstrated anything beyond "garbage time" basketball in a lost season against teams that could care less.

You can compare him to the other forwards, including Lee (who I love), who had their shots rejected with relative ease by the bouncy Hawks.

On the other hand, I would offer that if you placed The Mayor on the Mavs, Cavs, Lakers or Suns I guarantee we would be collectively wringing our hands over why Isiah passed on him in the draft.

18 and 8, in 31 minutes, against one of the more athletic frontcourts in the league is no mirage. He understands spacing and passing angles and the best part....? he plays defense.

If he maintains the proper motivation and is blessed with good health along his NBA journey, why isn't The Mayor worth looking forward to with a smile on your face instead of a scowl?

Vote 21

Slimpack - jumping the gun?

What, you would rather The Answer Man sit on his hands waiting to only cheer the obvious?

what's the fun in that?