I went to tonight's Knicks-Celtics game.

These might be obvious, but here's what stood out:

-QRich's talent, maturity, and smarts are really clear. We NEED him. I hope IT isn't just trying to raise his trade value.

-Jamal is on a higher plane athletically than anyone out there - really quite amazing live.

-Franchise and Rose have to go. Especially Francis - he's a mistake machine - cost us about 10 possessions with his bad decisions and bizarre play.

-Curry seems worse live - doesn't aticipate any action, always responding to things that happened 2 or 3 seconds earlier. Doesn't seem to "see" the full game - gets lost in the details.

Also, I don't know how this came across on TV, but the Garden LOVES Balkman.

And on the sidelines: I have new respect for Fat Joe - he signed autographs, took pictures, and shook hands with dozens of fans and little kids. I got tired just watching him - very cool attidude.

Curry didn't look all that bad on TV. He looked pretty good to me. I thought he had a better game than Q Rich personally...

francis just appears lost. At the moment he doesn't appear to fit in. I'm not sure he understands how to play unless he is going one on one. maybe he'll get it. Luckily we have 18 other guards that do the exact same thing he does.

Guys can learn so you never say can't. But it will be a tough go for him. We will really get a chance to see if he has matured. Because if he struggles because of a new role there is the temptation to cry and moan. Hopefully this doesn't occur.