With apologies to my hero djsu, it went something like this:

Run into Knicks fan at baggage claim in Las Vegas Airport. The baggage claim area has more lighted oversize billboards per capita than Time Square. Walk outside to catch a cab and it is hotter than hades.

walked up to Thomas and Mack Center on Friday, cop tickets. There are two adjacent arenas with games going on simuultaneously. Hoops heaven. I walk to entrance of Cox Pavillion and bump immediately into Malik Rose. Malik is talking on his cel so I don't bother him. David Lee walks up sporting an afro and scriffy beard. Did I mention that I love David Lee?

Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins chat it up during the final minutes of the preceeding game. Isiah is nowhere to be found.

Knicks run drills instead of a layup line. They conga line back and forth and work on conditioning more than shooting. Balkman is bigger from the wasit down than I imagined. He stretches just a few feet away. I feel like I could get next.

Impressions

Wilson Chandler busts a three and plays the game with efficient effort. His handle is decent but his footwork is even better. He plays defense with an excellent sense of anticipation and can rise.

Nichols is a sniper with range. He has a smooth stroke and confident in space. He appears thin but is tighly muscled.

Randolph Morris, although he looks mechanical, will grab a mans rebound.

Balkman plays enforcer and nearly gets in a fight in the second half. Refs call it close and the Balkster has seven personals. If he had Nate's jumper, Balkman would be an AllStar.

Knicks startes play 20 points better than Kings guys

Yeah, I know its only summer league but....

did I mention its hotter than hades?

more later

I almost forgot

Green is a keeper.

We need an ultimateknicks fantasy get away. TO vegas!

Cheap to get in the summer.

Can hit the buffets, watch summerleague games, and send a message to Eddy!

Misterearl can get to vegas, but not Eddy!!!!!

Earl gets UK fan of the year!

Earl, thanks. Keep it comin!

Posted by martin:

Earl, thanks. Keep it comin!

apparently thats what earl said to Balkman was well



HAHAHAHAHAHA

Part 2

Mardy Collins blends in with the crowd in casual attire. He spends most of the time along the wall at the baseline. No crutches.

David Lee and Mailk sit across from the Knicks bench in the fifth row. They are having a good time watching the rookies. Mark Aguirre paces the sidelines behind the benches. After the knicks lead is cut from 20 down to 10, he walks behind the Knicks bench, whispers something to two asssistants and just like magic... all the starters return.

There is no offense, other than Green, in the second unit. Green is build along the lines of Eric Piakowski, with as much confience in his shot. He's wearing some black shoes trimmed in Univ of Colorado gold that stand out. I'd like to at least see him invited to training camp.

Wilson Chandler runs the floor like a gazelle. His gait is fluid, but he can cover a lot of space retreating on defense or on the break. He busts a three and the Knicks fans seated behind me smile.

bigSmooth - don't forget your sunscreen. It is Africa-hot in LasVegas. Daily 25 tickets get you into all the games in both arenas.

Nate is a two guard trapped in a point guard body. He is as combative in summer league as the regular season. At one point, Renaldo has to separate Nate from going after one of the officials,scowls, shouts at him and pops him upside the head trying to snap some sense into him. Nate and Balkman share a laugh about five minutes later.

Lee and Malik just kick back.

Funny thing, the knicks I've talked with out here are stragely optimistic

Clyde and Gus Johnson look like ther're having a good time. If I wasn't headed for the grand canyon I'd make today's sessions.

The individual skills sets among the starters makes one wonder what they could accomplish with a lead guard. Mardy Collins running with this unit would have been perfect.

Wilson Chandler is already a better basketball player than Trevor Ariza. Just more court-awareness and a willingness to help on defense with quick reaction. A decptive ballplayer at first glance because he is so fluid. But don't be misled by the hype. There is enough in his skill-set to work with over the next 2-3 years.

earl, you are a gentlemen and a scholar.

Only thing a want to really know, is Randolph Morris really 6'11, 6'10 or 6'9

Posted by misterearl:

Balkman plays enforcer and nearly gets in a fight in the second half. Refs call it close and the Balkster has seven personals. If he had Nate's jumper, Balkman would be an AllStar.

Yup but that's just the thing -

He doesn't have a jumper.



Sooo, lets not go there...

Mr.Earl, this is by far your best and most useful post I've read on this board.
BTW- For you jazz fans I have two nights left at the Village Vanguard this week playing with Drum legend Paul Motian.

Great job Earl!