posted: Friday, February 3, 2006

Ridiculous. Then again, that's why it makes perfect sense that the Knicks just did it.

I'm not one of those Isiah Thomas bashers. I don't think he's done a terrible job as the Knicks president. I don't think his performance warrants his being fired. I don't think the roster is nearly as awful as Larry Brown says it is. In fact, I think the roster is fairly talented.

The Knicks players lack the intangibles -- most notably, knowing how to win -- but that's what The Great LB was brought in for. He hasn't held up his end of the bargain. Don't bash Isiah for that.

But this trade of Antonio Davis for Jalen Rose and a first-round draft pick makes no sense. I understand the Knicks needed a pick, but whatever young player they get at No. 20 or whatever, is not going to be any better than the youngsters they already have. They don't need another young player, unless it's a high-lottery type.

So essentially, it was Davis for Rose. I've got no problem sending Davis away. Channing Frye should be starting at PF anyway, whether he's hit the rookie wall or not. Let the kid play through his bumps in the road, Larry. Your squads not going anywhere this season anyway.

My problem is not even with Rose. I really like Jalen. Nice talent, can still play. For his sake, I wish he had been sent to a contender so he could put his skills to good use.

That said, does bringing him to New York make the Knicks markedly better, does it assure them of getting into the playoffs (where they would get pummeled by Detroit anyway)? Absolutely not.

So why add another max contract -- Jalen will make $16.9 million next season -- for little, if any, gain on the court? Why not let Davis' $13.9 million fall off the payroll after this season?

Why keep spending mega-millions when you're still lottery bound with no lottery pick?

Plus, with Jalen at the 3, the development of Qyntel Woods, David Lee and the fading Trevor Ariza will now be stunted. Who knows if those three will amount to anything, but Woods -- Lee too, for that matter -- were showing promise.

Now, at least one of them may be glued to the bench for the rest of the year.

I'm not even going to get into whether this is a power play, the beginning of a feud between Isiah and Larry. I've heard whispers that they're once great relationship is deteriorating faster than the Knicks' playoff hopes, but I won't go there today. I don't feel like getting into the sordid inner-workings of the Garden right now.

But this deal goes against all the Knicks' proclamations about rebuilding. Trading for Jalen is not rebuilding.

It's just another sign of confusion.

Whats so hard to understand? This trade was done for the pick (12-20) and Rose becomes an asset next yr. Can be dealt for a player nxt yr or just let him walk, along with Taylor.

Just Letting AD walk next year wouldn't have done anything as far as the cap is concerned.

what a moron, its easy to see why this deal makes perfect sense. these writers are morons if they dont haev any knowledge of the knicks payroll over the next couple years. this trade has no affect on the knicks payroll in the 07/08 season when over $76mil comes off the books this season and the next. so adding a 1st rounder in the process, while not screwing up that chance of being under the cap in 07/08 makes perfect sense.

Check these opening paragraphs from The Post and Marc Berman


February 4, 2006 -- TORONTO — Knick owner James Dolan was unwilling to pay a couple of million bucks to make a sexual-harassment lawsuit against his team president disappear.

But yesterday, Dolan signed off on a deal to bring in defensively deficient, 33-year-old Jalen Rose — a move that will cost Dolan $34 million in future payroll, including luxury tax.

In what smacks of a diversionary attempt by the franchise to get Knick fans talking basketball and not lawsuits, president Isiah Thomas obtained Rose from Toronto for maligned Antonio Davis.


How many times will the lawsuit and payroll (it ain't his money either) be a convenient lead-in to everything written?

A diversionary attempt to fool the fans?

Enough is enough

[Edited by - MisterEarl on 02-04-2006 05:10 AM]

"Its just another sign of confusion"

Thats the best part of the article, the true point. Just analyze Isiah's moves and you will see that he really has no clue on what to do to make this team win again.

While its true that the 1st round pick was important for this deal to happen and that with Isiah's great eye for talent that player could become a very good one once picked, its also true that Isiah has no true plan and that he is just trying to patch things up hoping that the boat won't sink. Jalen Rose comes here to try to make the Knicks win a few more games and save them from total embarrasment. Isiah hopes that saves him from giving the Bulls the #1 pick in the next draft. Bringing Jalen is a move for the present.

This is just Isiah showing he still lacks a plan with the direction of the team. Yeah, it looks like a smart move to get a veteran that might help you win some games now and a pick that may turn out to be a good player. But how does it helps if you have no plan on which identity you want the team to have? Isiah could keep adding good players to the team, yet the team will still suck as much as they have this year because they lack the identity and the intangibles that are oh so important in a team. Just look at Detroit, they may not have the best players, but the right players for their game.

The Knicks need a plan soon...

Posted by Knight:

^The plan is called Larry Brown. IT gets him players he wants.

It was supposed to be, but it has yet to start. Of course, thats also a responsability of Brown...

Posted by Knicksfan:

Posted by Knight:

^The plan is called Larry Brown. IT gets him players he wants.

It was supposed to be, but it has yet to start. Of course, thats also a responsability of Brown...

Like Isiah said, he signed LB to a five year contract--we're only to the halfway point of the first year. LB wanted Jalen along with IT.

Posted by Knicksfan:

Posted by Knight:

Posted by Knicksfan:

Posted by Knight:

^The plan is called Larry Brown. IT gets him players he wants.

It was supposed to be, but it has yet to start. Of course, thats also a responsability of Brown...

Like Isiah said, he signed LB to a five year contract--we're only to the halfway point of the first year. LB wanted Jalen along with IT.

I doubt Larry wanted him, but he surely welcomes a veteran that can score and give him stability at SF. Of course, once he remembers that Rose doesn't play a bit of defense, its gonna be the same old story for us...

Defense isn't our only problem--we needed a ball handler and a player who can make plays for themselves and others. That's why Larry agreed to deal his favorite power forward.