What happened?


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KNICKS NEED CHEER
Comments: 0 Read Comments Leave a Comment By MARC BERMAN
Posted: 2:17 am
September 29, 2008

With no New York baseball left, the KnicksNew York Knicks introduce themselves today on media day. Don't expect them to cheer you up.

New coach Mike D'Antoni has a good sense of humor about the shaky plight, taking over a 23-59 club that made no significant roster changes and yet is mulling cutting its most proven talent, Stephon MarburyStephon Marbury . Worse, team president Donnie Walsh hasn't even improved its critical 2010 cap situation to make room for LeBron James.

When asked about the chances of becoming respectable, D'Antoni quipped, "I'm just trying to get Donnie to schedule more games. If we played 120, we can win a nice number."

D'Antoni has a sharp sense of humor, but will it last if things continue to deteriorate. Already, Eddy Curry has reported in lousy shape and could be useless in the run-and-gun. Danilo Gallinari looks to be headed for a bust of a rookie year. Lingering back pain will have the Italian Stallion on the sidelines most of camp.

And Marbury could become a camp powderkeg if he feels the team is keeping him around as a negotiating tactic. Marbury already has told The Post he doesn't want to be a bench player.

At least Walsh is honest. When asked what he's accomplished, Walsh said, "I haven't accomplished anything yet, except forming a plan."

The plan centers on D'Antoni making sense of a mismatched roster Isiah Thomas put together.

Many in the organization blame their wrecked season on a poisonous atmosphere created because Thomas' sexual-harassment trial dragged into camp. However, Jamal Crawford said, "I don't want to make excuses. I think our fans are tired of excuses."

The Knicks' best shot is D'Antoni, who believes their prime new addition, Chris Duhon, can be the floor general to make it come together. In clear slight to Marbury, Walsh touched on the team's blatant lack of chemistry. He feels Duhon, mostly a backup in Chicago, can improve it.

"Everyone could do their thing [last year], but I didn't see guys who can bring a team together and help other players do those things," Walsh said. "I think Duhon could help do that."

marc.berman@nypost.com

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Yeah, and, Marbury is ready to be the consummate teammate, and Zach worked on his defense, and Lee can now shoot 3s, and Crawford has improved his efficiency, Q worked out all summer with Eddy at Grover's... and on and on down the list of "everything's great!" when it's simply not.

You'd think after seven offseasons of hearing the same thing only to find different that they'd stop this positive spin nonsense. It sounds good when these guys are sealed behind closed doors all summer but once we actually SEE them and find different? What do they expect? Patience? For an 8th season in a row destined to be a disaster?

Seriously, enough with the offseason BS.

very discouranging eddy not getting it done in the off season if true.

This guy has some value but if its just a job to this guy then he is just mailing it in as he needs to. If he really cared he'd come in shape and maybe at worst get traded to a system that could best utilize his strengths.

I DONT THINK CURRY WILL EVER BE TRULY DOMINANT. HE JUST DOESNT HAVE THE DRIVE. HE'LL COLLECT UNTIL THIS CONTRACT IS OVER AND I'D BE VERY AMAZED IF HE EVER LANDS A STARTING ROLE AFTER THAT. SAD TOO, B/C HE IS SO BIG, WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HOOTZBAH, HE COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT.

oh, and sorry for all caps, button got stuck and too lazy to re-write.

It is relatively easy to change the personal (not in NBA, and not for the Knicks) but it is difficult too impossible to change people.
People can be used in best possible way as they are or dumped.
We are not talking about kindergarden here; we are talking about knickergarden.

Posted by fimslim3:

MDA probably gave him an incentive to try less now because of this. I think Bobby Knight should take over this team, maybe he'll throw a chair at McCurry.

Does he get to choke someone on the bench too? If so, sign me up.

Posted by EnySpree:

Ight I think Jimimou has already broken his quota of posts for the year, lol.

gonna retire for good at 500.

Posted by Vmart:

As soon as I saw the X-Box, bed and Hot tub at Tim Grovers Gym I knew that Eddie was making full use of it.

I think Tim Grover failed us Knicks fans. They should shut that gym down for false advertising. Who would have tough its just a fancy hotel.

If Tim Grover's facility didn't have those things, do you think Eddy would sign up?????????

Posted by MS:

I think if you D'Antoni you run eddy till he collapses it's the only way to get him in shape and keep doing it. Have him on the second team and never leave the floor. He is one guy that really needs summer league and to constantly playing

I think that would be unfair to Eddie. A coach should not be allowed to take a player's joy away.

Posted by K22:

Posted by fimslim3:

MDA probably gave him an incentive to try less now because of this. I think Bobby Knight should take over this team, maybe he'll throw a chair at McCurry.

Does he get to choke someone on the bench too? If so, sign me up.

He must have sasquatch sized hands... even Curry's neck is fat

[Edited by - supremecommander on 09-29-2008 10:23 PM]