More Kool-Aid, Please
By Donald Christopher

April 4, 2007

As a kid playing outside in the backyard, do you remember how after falling down and peeling skin from your knee, you would come running into the house with crocodile tears rolling down your face? All hell broke loose the very moment you noticed blood. Once inside, do you remember how your mother, in her most soothing voice, always showered your minor injury but bruised ego with compassionate words of comfort? Then she'd place an "everything is going to be just fine" bandage over the scrape that would bring your crying to a conclusion and make you feel much better. Still, in all your splendid glory, you never failed to capitalize on this touching moment as the perfect time to play upon her willing emotions to get what you really wanted...


"May I have a glass of Kool-Aid?"

Those were the infamous words softly muttered from your mouth. After such a disappointing-turned-touching moment, there was just something about the sweet, refreshing taste of Kool-Aid that personally assured you that not only was everything going to be just fine, but that everything, in fact, was just fine.

Well, in such unhappy times, an ice cold glass of Kool-Aid may be just what New York Knick fans need.

Drink up.

Now, although the Knicks may once again fall short of an NBA playoff appearance as we suffer through yet another losing record, president and head coach Isiah Thomas has certainly improved the team. He has. It's just that his planted seeds haven't quite come into fruition yet.

Had it not been for key injuries to key players, at key points of the season, there is a strong chance the Knicks would have played there way back into the playoffs -- somewhere the team hasn't been since Thomas became team president and nurturer in December 2003. Even without the services of productive players such as David Lee, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson down the stretch, the team managed to stay in the playoff race until the very end. Now when was the last time fans were able to say that?

In Lee, who has emerged as a leading NBA sixth man, they lost their best rebounder as well as the best draft pick the team has made in years. I could be wrong, but doesn't it seem as if he's grabbed more rebounds than every draft pick beforehand, combined? Through his hard work and undying hustle, Lee has embodied true Knickerbocker spirit while becoming one of the more popular players with the fans. Soon, Spike Lee may have to move over as Madison Square Garden favorite as there becomes a new Lee in town. The team could use the blue collar, Blastin' Berry Cherry style of play as they somehow continue to fight for the eighth and finals seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

If by chance, you've ever had anything negative to say about former Knick now Phoenix Sun Kurt Thomas, then you should have nothing to say about current players Nate Robinson and Richardson. If you've ever had anything negative to say concerning any trade where you may have felt Isiah Thomas was bamboozled, then you should have nothing whatsoever to say about the armed robbery that took place when New York received these two players and dumped an average, aging-veteran player upon the Suns. Not to say that "Dirty Kurt" didn't produce in New York, but an indictment should have been handed down by league officials for such an obvious heist. The trade itself wouldn't have been accepted in online fantasy leagues. It was that one-sided. Yes, Richardson recently underwent a season-ending back surgery but perhaps most importantly, after a few sips of Oh-Yeah Orange-Pineapple and some rest, Q will be as good as new.

At times, yes I know the often bad-decisioned and turnover-styled play of both Robinson and Crawford make you just want to put your yearning hands around their necks and squeeze some basketball IQ into them but for all of their ill-advised play, these two Slammin' Strawberry Kiwi-type players but often immature young men are two of the more talented players on the team and a big reason why the Knicks were even in a playoff hunt. They may also serve as concrete evidence of how sometimes you simply have to take the good with the bad. In the end, they bring more thrills than chills on the court and that's all that matters.

Like me, you may have experienced sweet turned bitter turned sweet again sentiments when it comes to the present face of the franchise Stephon Marbury. But as far as I can tell, his cancerous attitude has gone into remission. That's not to say it won't return but until it does, we should appreciate the Rainbow Punch manner in which he has held his composure and proudly carried the team. For all of highly concentrated efforts, we should unquestionably embrace the player who has helped to resurrect the dead spirit from the former gravesite affectionately known as the Garden. Through the emergence of Marbury and Eddy Curry -- both cornerstone acquisitions of the Thomas era, and exceptional draft picks such as Channing Frye, Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins, the injury-plagued team has continued to show identity and character which is a clear indication of a franchise headed in the right direction.

After last seasons promising Orange turned Incrediberry 23-59 nightmare, which led to then coach Larry Brown being axed in favor of Thomas -- but not before Knick boss James Dolan issued a ultimatum demanding significant improvement or else -- the morale of the franchise was at an all-time low. And rightfully so. Brown was too stubborn to realize that today's generation of young players prefer a much more sweeter vibe from their coach. Brown's well-documented downfall was a result of his refusal to add more sugar into the mixture as well as his failure to listen to his team when they suggested a disagreeable and downright nasty taste. Another former coach under Thomas sent packing, Lenny Wilkens, was simply too fine of a gentleman to consume "sugar water." And Don Chaney...well, it isn't that he did an awful job, his ability to take lemons and make lemonade was appreciated but in the end, it's just that he didn't have enough "Oh Yeah!" within his coaching resume to appease Thomas. Not to mention the sitting duck personality of Chaney was a bit too Eerie Orange even for New Yorkers. The coaching carousel may even serve notice that if Thomas isn't getting what he wants from someone, he isn't hesitant to shake it up or pour it out and start all over again, which is something not seen in prior years. Thomas has even stopped bringing in mammoth contracts which may be the sign of a humbled man willing to admit and learn from his mistakes. Since salary cap woes have regrettably been the crutch of the organization for years, I'd say that alone calls for a contract extension and a few servings of Root Beer. At Dolan's expense, of course.

For those who may feel like the Knicks are still closer to being a perennial lottery team than a perennial playoff contender, you can ease your mind by taking solace in the fact that the team continues to take progressive steps. Although it may not be at a speed to your liking, it can and should always be considered as forward movement nevertheless. The fact that Thomas came out of nowhere and signed NCAA player-and-NBA free agent Randolph Morris proves that he's doing his best to constantly improve the team. Surely no one expected the team to be trasformed into a contender overnight? Even recent Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson experienced some level of rejection before her seemingly out-of-nowhere arrival upon prominence. Likewise, in the NBA, it doesn't happen in 24 hours or "just like that." It only appears that way when you haven't been paying close attention. During the prelude to ex-American Idol performers' Sunshine Punch-filled glory, there was an imminent and time-consuming process which took place behind the scenes. Or before you actually noticed.

In the NBA, this methodical process consist of solid draft picks, key free agent acquisitions, proper management of the salary cap, celebrated coaching, luck, establishing and then enforcing a team identity, and an overall commitment by everyone involved. Except for maybe Jerome James. It may take a visit from the Great Bluedini to cast a spell upon James.

Also, when you take a look at the state of the franchise upon the arrival of Thomas in comparision to where it stands today, it's like comparing former American Idol stars William Hung to Ruben Studdard -- the latter has more substance. Many are quick to criticize the non-importance or irrelavance of Thomas, but his positive influences and changes upon the franchise cannot be denied by anyone -- except for maybe Anucha Rice.

For years, fans and critics alike have pointed to the team's lack of an inside presence. Well, Thomas manuevered and brought in Curry. Although this 24-year old, 6' 11", 285 pounder's Changin' Cherry, presence in the paint requires the needed defensive efforts to be considered as dominant, he does resemble a 20 point per game scorer who can command double teams, which nowadays in the league has become somewhat of a commodity from the center postion. The knock on this trade is that it came at an expensive price. But you can count on two hands the number of legitimate big men patrolling the paint in the league. And the last time I checked neither Sweetney, Tim Thomas, Dikembe Mutombo, nor Frank Williams were being mentioned in the same breath as 2007 NBA All-Star. No one is knocking down their respective teams' door to acquire them. In other words -- people, let it go.

As fans, we tend to overly praise some actions while overly criticizing others. We tend to compare the plights of other teams while knowing very well that every plight is different. That's what we are here to do. We truly love our team but at the same time, we hate the fact that our beloved team is no longer among the NBA's elite. As fans, we simply cannot help the love-hate relationship shown at times. It's okay, we're having what is known as a Raspberry Reaction. But things will get better. There's no doubt in my mind that Thomas is going to restore order in New York. He will.

Once you take into account that Thomas had to begin his journey with having to find a needle in a haystack, then and only then can one truly see the vast improvements that have been made. All things considered, it's a rather daunting task having to start with Scary Black Cherry and transforming it into Blue Berry Yum Yum. So never underestimate the considerable process of rebuilding. Again, it doesn't occur overnight -- it takes time, moves have to be made, players have to be brought in. Events of which are taking place as we speak.

Although this sometimes painful and unpleasant adventure may appear to be moving at a tortoise's pace as far as we're concerned, we must never fail to overlook or disregard its existence. Even if it does take the tortoise a little more time than we feel we should allow, and even if it does take a few comforting words at somewhat critical moments to heal our bruised egos, as long as the process itslef is in motion, then that much anticipated, glorious moment of truth will eventually arrive.

*Placing the empty pitcher of Kool-Aid back into the refrigerator*

Ahh...more Kool-aid, please.

http://www.nykfanpage.com/editorials/viewarticle.php?articleid=225