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Zach: "I'm Not EY's Problem"
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TrueBlue
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1/6/2008  10:18 AM
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01062008/sports/knicks/zach__im_not_eddys_problem_96793.htm
ZACH: I'M NOT EDDY'S PROBLEM

By MARC BERMAN

IDIOTIC: Ref Courtney Kirkland chats with a Rockets staffer during a halftime stunt last night. Stephon Marbury saw the scene and smirked.

January 6, 2008 -- HOUSTON - An angry Zach Randolph denied he's held Eddy Curry back this season and believes the two can still play together.

Despite the Knicks looking like a more cohesive unit without Randolph in their tight battle in San Antonio, Isiah Thomas played it safe and returned the controversial power forward back into the starting lineup last night vs. the Rockets. It didn't work as the Knicks got off to a 20-9 deficit before Randolph was removed. Randolph had six turnovers but posted 18 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in the 103-91 loss.

"Eddy can play like [he did in San Antonio] every night," Randolph said. "It has nothing to do with me. Play strong, play big. Ain't nobody stopping you. I tell him that all the time."

Randolph thinks he's getting a bad rap, though his lack of ball movement has, in many instances, reduced Curry's touches.

"It does bother me," Randolph said of the perception he's ruined Curry. "We can play. Other teams have big men and power forwards and play together. And it's not the first time I've played with a dominant big man, so it's kind of frustrating."

Thomas wants to give it more of a chance.

"We got to find a way to incorporate him," Thomas said. "He's a good player. He's extremely talented and gifted. We have to find a way to work that into what we do within the framework of our team."

Randolph was upset by the benching and said Friday that he sometimes wonders why the Knicks acquired got him.

"I don't think it's a question that he hasn't fit in," Thomas said. "I think he and Eddy have played well at times. But we haven't played well as a team."

The Knicks have been the butt of jokes across the nation for their basketball the past two months, but the club wasn't thrilled Spurs forward Matt Bonner crossed the line with a tasteless joke after the Spurs' win Friday night. Referring to Thomas' sexual-harassment suit, Bonner said to the San Antonio Express, "I felt some pinching - it made me uncomfortable." A Knicks spokesman declined comment on Bonner's joke.





Randolph said he expected to appeal the money he lost ($160,000) from one-game suspension for tossing his headband that accidentally hit the ref's foot. "I thought it was minor," Randolph said.
No hard feelings as Rockets guard Steve Francis hugged Thomas before game as the coach addressed the media. Francis is out with leg tendinitis.
LMFAO @ the Bio [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephon_Marbury[/url]
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BlueSeats
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1/6/2008  10:40 AM
I'm not worried, Isiah is the master motivator and the perfect coach for "his" guys.

Unlike Larry, Isiah will play the rookies, play up-tempo, and play players to their strengths. Isiah's not one to divide the team and pit players against each other. Trust me, Isiah wants to win, and that alone should be enough to put us in the playoffs hunt.

I still can't believe LB wanted to buy out MoT, Jalen, Malik, Francis, Snacks and Marbury. That guy had it in for this team.
4949
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1/6/2008  10:57 AM
It is still very apparent. The egos on this team are the biggest problems on this team and are the sole explanation of why this team hasn't performed to they're individual talents. These attitudes (which I have mentioned before) destroy chemistry. That' is the fault of the coach. I site Phil Jackson on this one. When he was the bulls coach, when they got Dennis Rodman, master trouble maker extrodinair, Phil was able to make the team co-exist (of course with a little help from Mike) and got just enough to win the big ones, or at least the last three. When he was in L.A. with the Shaq-Kobe attack, he was able to make them co-exist just enough to win three more. Of course there simply was no more room for those two anymore and why they finally broke up. Point being, Isiah has a point about the talent on this team and as he said 'just getting them to play together' is evidence. So with that, as the coach, the one directing, in close contact with his players, the coach is the one who is responsible for that.

-- break away paragraph for thos of you who hate long paragraphs --

The question is WHY' can't Isiah get these guys to play together, if he is anything of a motivator? where these guys just simply born under so different star systems, that they will never' co-exist? Or is Isiah that bad of a motivator. I have a short theory on how it got out of hand.

-- a complimentary break away to next paragraph for those of you who have difficulty --

I distinctly remember Isiah letting starbury run all over Brown, when he was coach. I distinctly remember Isiah letting Nate strut his stuff and which I beleive led further into that big fight last year against Denver. The chemistry break-up here is a reflection on Isiah. Anyone dissagree? If so then why do you dissagree? I have always maintained that if a guy cannot live up to the hype, then he will self destruct, which is what happened to this teams psyche and why they are so mentally blocked and can't even....

-- break in the action --

beat the simplist of teams (philly twice in a row). I beleive this is a direct reflection on Isiah. It's his own mess and anyone with a half a brain (like me) could easily figure this out. In baseball 90% of the game is mental. I would bet a majority of it is the same in basketball. Concentration and using the fundamentals are essential to success. Now there are a few players who do not fit this mode and I won't start an argument as to who they are, just to be fair here.

-- typing time out --

Thoughts?
I'll never trust this' team again.
BlueSeats
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1/6/2008  11:19 AM
First thing we have to put to rest is the theory that guys will play harder for the GM who brought them in. You need guys who play hard in all circumstances for the love of the game, personal pride and to win.

Second, Isiah is a bad X and O coach and his brand of motivation thru flattery and coddling only works for a distinct few players. I think he was the right guy at the right time for Jermaine O'Neal, and maybe Al Harrington, and that's about it. I've seen no one grow under him here, with the possible exception of Nate, who's still a nut without a position.

Third, even the best coaches have a hard time making teamwork with guys like Eddy and Steph, who need their own private systems, or Zach and Crawford, who need a lot of touches and forced shot attempts or they're lost.

Fourth, it's very hard to win when you have poor perimeter and interior defense. You can't have guys who only score, and others who only defend, and then keep all your defenders in the dog house.

Fifth, play the guys who fit the needed roles and stop corollating playtime to contract size.

Sixth, I'm gonna stop I could go on forever and we know it all already. Poorly constructed team of malcontents and castoffs, badly coached and managed.

I need to stop posting and watching, I have no love for this incarnation of the team formerly known as the knicks.

And FWIW, I agree with Zach. Eddy, stop being a cream puff and play hard every damn night without excuse. Jeeze.
4949
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1/6/2008  11:33 AM
We already know what the floor problems are. Where it's all coming from is the question. And that's in the mentality.
I'll never trust this' team again.
TrueBlue
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1/6/2008  11:40 AM
Blue with everything you stated, mind giving another synopsis but this time concerning actual moves you'd make to change this team?
LMFAO @ the Bio [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephon_Marbury[/url]
Solace
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1/6/2008  12:11 PM
Zach definitely brings up some good points. It really is baffling why we have Zach on this team with these issues that were obvious to many.
Wishing everyone well. I enjoyed posting here for a while, but as I matured I realized this forum isn't for me. We all evolve. Thanks for the memories everyone.
BlueSeats
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1/6/2008  12:54 PM
Posted by TrueBlue:

Blue with everything you stated, mind giving another synopsis but this time concerning actual moves you'd make to change this team?

Clean house and install a new president of basketball operations with one of Stern's recommendations. Give a competent management team the same power, leeway and funding given to Isiah. Bring in hard workers.
TrueBlue
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1/6/2008  12:55 PM
Posted by BlueSeats:
Posted by TrueBlue:

Blue with everything you stated, mind giving another synopsis but this time concerning actual moves you'd make to change this team?

Clean house and install a new president of basketball operations with one of Stern's recommendations. Give a competent management team the same power, leeway and funding given to Isiah. Bring in hard workers.

With Dolan still here correct?
LMFAO @ the Bio [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephon_Marbury[/url]
BlueSeats
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1/6/2008  1:01 PM
Posted by TrueBlue:
Posted by BlueSeats:
Posted by TrueBlue:

Blue with everything you stated, mind giving another synopsis but this time concerning actual moves you'd make to change this team?

Clean house and install a new president of basketball operations with one of Stern's recommendations. Give a competent management team the same power, leeway and funding given to Isiah. Bring in hard workers.

With Dolan still here correct?

is there another possibility?

martin
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1/6/2008  1:07 PM
Posted by TrueBlue:
Posted by BlueSeats:
Posted by TrueBlue:

Blue with everything you stated, mind giving another synopsis but this time concerning actual moves you'd make to change this team?

Clean house and install a new president of basketball operations with one of Stern's recommendations. Give a competent management team the same power, leeway and funding given to Isiah. Bring in hard workers.

With Dolan still here correct?

For all of Dolan's over-reliance on Isiah, he has given the Knicks organization exactly what they needed to the President - full control. For that, we can't complain. We have no idea what else he has imposed on the team outside of the ridiculous media policy but full control and lots of $ is pretty darn good. Big faux pas in extending Isiah last season before really seeing tangible results.
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SupremeCommander
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1/6/2008  1:15 PM
Here's the blurb about the Marb's prank:
January 6, 2008 -- HOUSTON - The Rockets' entertainment staff mocked the Knicks, specifically Stephon Marbury, in a stunt during a second-quarter timeout. A Rockets staffer posed as a Knicks fan wearing a blue Marbury jersey and Statue of Liberty crown. The fake Marbury fan was given a torch to hold up with the basketball in its cradle, so the Rockets' mascot "Clutch The Bear" could take the ball and dunk it.

After the fake Marbury fan kept dropping the ball, "Clutch" ripped the torch away, blindfolded him and replaced the torch with an "Idiot" sign. The fake Marbury fan stood for 30 seconds holding the "Idiot" sign aloft even as the real Marbury came on to the court, standing a few feet from him, waiting for play to resume as the fans erupted in laughter at the scene. Marbury brushed it off, wearing a smirk.
DLeethal wrote: Lol Rick needs a safe space
4949
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1/6/2008  1:27 PM
Posted by SupremeCommander:

Here's the blurb about the Marb's prank:
January 6, 2008 -- HOUSTON - The Rockets' entertainment staff mocked the Knicks, specifically Stephon Marbury, in a stunt during a second-quarter timeout. A Rockets staffer posed as a Knicks fan wearing a blue Marbury jersey and Statue of Liberty crown. The fake Marbury fan was given a torch to hold up with the basketball in its cradle, so the Rockets' mascot "Clutch The Bear" could take the ball and dunk it.

After the fake Marbury fan kept dropping the ball, "Clutch" ripped the torch away, blindfolded him and replaced the torch with an "Idiot" sign. The fake Marbury fan stood for 30 seconds holding the "Idiot" sign aloft even as the real Marbury came on to the court, standing a few feet from him, waiting for play to resume as the fans erupted in laughter at the scene. Marbury brushed it off, wearing a smirk.

That is correct. Just what i read and' we are now the official laughing stock of the NBA.

I think Dolan should sue!!! Seriously! Or at least Marbury should. Just because he sucks doesn't give other organizations the right to ridicule. They suspended Zach for throwing a 'headband' of all things, but this is just bad publicity. It is an insult to NYC and it's fans. Marbury could have suckered the clown, but didn't and if he did, there would have been another major set of suspensions on our team. I totally disagree with this move by the Rockets! How about you guys?

[Edited by - 4949 on 01-06-2008 1:29 PM]
I'll never trust this' team again.
nixluva
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1/6/2008  1:34 PM
Posted by 4949:
Posted by SupremeCommander:

Here's the blurb about the Marb's prank:
January 6, 2008 -- HOUSTON - The Rockets' entertainment staff mocked the Knicks, specifically Stephon Marbury, in a stunt during a second-quarter timeout. A Rockets staffer posed as a Knicks fan wearing a blue Marbury jersey and Statue of Liberty crown. The fake Marbury fan was given a torch to hold up with the basketball in its cradle, so the Rockets' mascot "Clutch The Bear" could take the ball and dunk it.

After the fake Marbury fan kept dropping the ball, "Clutch" ripped the torch away, blindfolded him and replaced the torch with an "Idiot" sign. The fake Marbury fan stood for 30 seconds holding the "Idiot" sign aloft even as the real Marbury came on to the court, standing a few feet from him, waiting for play to resume as the fans erupted in laughter at the scene. Marbury brushed it off, wearing a smirk.

That is correct. Just what i read and' we are now the official laughing stock of the NBA.

I think Dolan should sue!!! Seriously! Or at least Marbury should. Just because he sucks doesn't give other organizations the right to ridicule. They suspended Zach for throwing a 'headband' of all things, but this is just bad publicity. It is an insult to NYC and it's fans. Marbury could have suckered the clown, but didn't and if he did, there would have been another major set of suspensions on our team. I totally disagree with this move by the Rockets! How about you guys?

Yeah it was tasteless and disrespectful. If we did such a thing NY would get killed. No matter how downtrodden a team gets, you shouldn't resort to such things. Especially Houston, since they aren't exactly tearing up the West either at this point. They may not make it themselves.
4949
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1/6/2008  1:37 PM
Sounds like a thread to me.
I'll never trust this' team again.
TMS
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1/6/2008  4:51 PM
Posted by Solace:

Zach definitely brings up some good points. It really is baffling why we have Zach on this team with these issues that were obvious to many.

he definitely does... i think he's right that it's not necessarily him that's holding Eddy back... Eddy needs to take charge & demand the ball in the paint the way he started doing last season when he was on that tear... for some reason he's decided to take a back seat to Zach when they're on the court together... many of us knew some kind of regression would take place in his play when Zach got here... w/Eddy it's mostly mental... he can be a great player if he wants to be, but he just doesn't seem to want it.

even still, i'm sure most of us would have much preferred not to have Zach's disgusting contract on the books for the next 3 years regardless of how Eddy Curry is playing right now.
After 7 years & 40K+ posts, banned by martin for calling Nalod a 'moron'. Awesome.
blueNorange
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1/6/2008  5:33 PM
wow so that's why that fan was walking away looking like he was about to cry.
some Knick fans accept mediocrity as excellence .... I don't!
Zach: "I'm Not EY's Problem"

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