since the first half of the season is over we could assess the knicks progress thus far.

allan houston ( B+)- houston started the year with something to prove. he was putting up 30 pt. numbers like nothing. but we were also losing too. he has slacked since spree cam back being very inconsistent. but he is still solid. still not worth $100 mill.

latrell sprewell (B-)- when he first cam back, he was struggling offensively. we were questioning his ability. but over the past three weeks he has esculated his game. he still has the defensive intensity. he is valuable but we have so many needs that we know he will be traded before next year to help those needs.

kurt thomas (B)- kurt is having an all- around solid year. he has very impressive numbers. but, like sprewell, i feel he will not be here next year. as a matter of fact, he is probably the biggest trading asset we have with his contract and ability. still can be a bonehead and react before thinking.

howard eisley (B-)- by far the biggest suprise this year. he is putting up great numbers ( as a matter of fact, one of my friend's said that his fantasy numbers are good). he has definately improve his numbers this year enough to be a legit starter. keeping his turnovers down, hitting the key shots, penetrating, and playing decent defense. but he is still overpayed.

othello harrington (C+)- he is playing decently. increased his rebounding but he must be better. still our best post player. filled the power forward postion decently but he is no dice.

shannon anderson (C)- him and eisley are the most improved knicks this year. they were both voted by me the worst knicks ever. i have to admit that so far this season they are proving me wrong. anderson seems to really flourish under chaney's system. anderson is a very solid backup. but he is a backup. he is getting starter money. again overpayed.

clarence weatherspoon (C)- another player playing better but vastly overpaid. he is doing decently in most games but still undersized or slow in the pf and sf postion respectively. probably our best rebounder on the team. but he is a liability defensively if he is in there for a long period of time.

charlie ward (C+)- ward started the year on fire but cooled off after his injury. still a good team player as you can find. wrecks havoc on defense. handles the point guard postion effectively but not flashy. starting to get his three point shots back from two years ago. another one that could be wearing a different uniform this time next year.

michael doleac (C-)- i know that he is starting to heat up more now but he was dreadful for two months before his recent resurgance. he still can not rebound or block shots but he sets effective picks and keeps the defense honest with his outside shot. a bargain deal for layzie. he will fit benefit more than anyone with dice returning next year.

lee nailon (C-)- he should wish that there are more injuries on the team he is on. he gets more pt and lights the scoreboard up. no question that he can score. but this year, scoring is not the problem but rebounding and size which nailon doaes'nt help with anyway. he is an insurance if spree is traded. he is good offensively but as matador as they come with defense.

travis knight ( F+)- i do not want to waste any space to say why he is an F. ending contract is a tradeable asset which is the plus part of the F.

lavor postell (D)- all- star on the rise? he will get asnother chance in march when we are officially out of the playoff race but when he is in there at garbage time, he has not improved at all. he just guns. and he is missing quite a bit when he does.

frank williams (imcomplete)- remember, he is a rookie coming off of wrist surgery. the other players said that he is awesome in practice and he will be a great point guard in the nba. we will see, along with postell, at the end of march. we should'nt judge him with the few games he has played. he is still learning a very complicated offensive set.

don chaney (A-)- now i know why layzie extended his contract. seems more comfortable this year and doing an outstanding job with the players he got. he is the right coach for the right time. i do not think that any other coach has the patience for a team as chaney has. did'nt give up once dice went down. he has earned the respect that was not evident a year ago. the players not only respect him but will do anything for him. kudos to chaney for doing a great job.

layzie and management (D)- came up from an F last year. only because they did not squander the medical exception for dice on garbage. signing lee nailon could prove to be a good deal too. this time next year, they need a B rating or layzie will be fired.

I would give Eisley and Anderson C+'s, just due to their improvement since last year. Other then that its right on.