http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/sports/basketball/25knicks.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

“I know I bring a different aspect from Nate and Fred,” said Collins, who said playing as the first guard off the bench was “always the goal.”

The problem, other than the Knicks’ usual glut of guards, has been a slow-to-heal left knee. Collins had arthroscopic surgery in May and is not 100 percent. Thomas held Collins out of two preseason games in part to protect the knee, which took a beating in training camp.

“I thought I’d be further along,” Collins said.

But Collins, who showed great promise in the final month of his rookie season, figures to be around a while. He has often been compared with a fellow Temple product, Aaron McKie, who made a 13-year N.B.A. career out of being versatile and smart — traits that endeared McKie to coaches.

“Mardy’s tough, man,” said McKie, a starter for the 76ers team that went to the 2001 finals. “There’s always room on the team for a versatile guard.”

Although Collins is not a natural point guard, he can play the position capably. With Stephon Marbury planning to leave when his contract expires in 2009, Collins could be competing with Robinson to be Marbury’s successor.

“That’s your first reaction when you hear stuff like that — two years, well, get ready,” Collins said. “Whatever he decides to do, I’m ready to step in and try to fill his shoes.”

“I just like his demeanor, his approach to the game,” McKie said. “He has a love and a passion for the game. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be able to stay in this league as long as he wants.”

I like Mardy.

So Mardy's gonna wear Starburys?

Panos - because some hack of a writer only sees stereotypes and not skill-sets

Mardy is already more useful than Marbury, why do we need to wait for Steph to decide, as if he's a Supreme Court judge appointed for life. Mardy is already more useful than kookoobury.

Mardy, heal thy knee.

Posted by Bippity10:

I believe Fred Jones is the congressman and Mardy is the "State Rep". I will need Basketball JOnes to check my facts. To be honest the succession from Marbs is going to be very important for us. We should be grooming those on the roster to take the spot and also looking outside the organization should we not feel that our current ones can man the position.

I'm pretty sure Mardy is the Senator.

I think Mardy would make a nice utility man.

hold up, Zach is The District Attorney

I thought Marbury was The State Representative

I probably should have written some of these nicknames down

I see so much Derek Harper in Mardy it's ridiculous.

I said the same thing about Frankie Williams(I saw some Derek Harper/Gary Grant game in him, also).

If Mardy can almost be the PG Derek was, I'll be ecstatic.