right, no one is really going to beat LA, let's face the music. As long as Kobe can keep his baby-ass IN the game, they are gonna win a few out there. God, do I LOATHE those damm Lakers......

Any suggestions on roster changes? Kurt at the 5, maybe Othella at the 4?? Can we do anything???

It looks like we're going to have to suffer for the bad decisions made over the past couple of years. The thing is, the Knicks organization doesn't accept the concept of rebuilding - maybe you can't get away with that in New York.

I think we're pretty much stuck with the guys that we have. They could make the playoffs again though. They could surprise us.

Who in the east can beat LA anyway?

Where to begin.

Does every Knick fan feel like we're getting worse as other teams are improving?? Is there no end to this salary-cap debacle we're in?

Our starters will probably be:
5-Marcus
4-Thomas
3-Spree
2-Houston
1-Charlie?

We are gonna get SMOKED. 50 games would be a total and utter stretch for us this season and the next 3 or 4.

What do you guys think???

I don't know about specific lineups - I liked the way Harrington played when he wasn't in foul trouble but I don't know if he's better than Thomas overall. If Rice's foot is healed, he can have an impact. He surprised me in a couple of games last year - I didn't know he could post up and rebound like that.

I was a little appalled at the deal to keep Houston. He's a great player, but he rarely shows that "Fire and Desire" as my man Clyde would say.

I'd also like to see the Knicks keep and develop Lavor Postell. I'm no expert but he seems to have a lot of potential. I'm not sure he'll get much of a chance to play on this team though.

I think the lineup will be as you suggested, except I think Mark Jackson will start over Ward.

Winning this season will require some creativity on the part of JVG, something he hasn't shown a lot of.

whoa, the Sixers still the same? Didn't they have half their team out of action for months at a time because of injury? Eric Snow didn't seem to be the same player when he came back, McKie was dragging his leg throughout the playoffs (did he miss time during the season?) and Mutombo was only on the team for a stretch of 2 months. Given a full year together, this team could be dangerous. Plus, we now have Charlie and Mark J to guard Iverson, not the combo of Charlie and Childs (No way Houston guards Iverson).

Toronto is not worse. They just gained a whole lot of playoff experience - OK, Oak will be missed. Alvin Williams seems to be on the verge of a coming out party in the NBA.

Orlando puts out a lineup that will give the Knicks big-time headaches. Grant and TMac? Tracy seems to always get the better of Houston, and Grant is a much bigger player than Spree.

Seems to me that the Knicks will have a harder time this year making it far into the playoffs.

Way too much bitching going on here. I think that if houston plays like he did during the finals run (put up 30 on a nightly basis) and with camby constantly improving i think we can win the east. Sixers are still the same and you know iverson can't keep taking all that physical punishment. Bucks are the same, miami is worse, toronto is worse unless they get the dream, orlando is a little better but they have the same problem as the knicks... too many small forwards/ shooting gaurds, and charlotte got a little worse with the loss of ERob. I think you forget that if some ass doesn't take camby's family hostage we would be in the second round and who knows what would have happened against philly who had trouble with everyone in the playoffs.

Come on, Hill? With one leg? I'll belive that he can play WHEN I see it. Not before. But Tracy? One word: NASTY. He's one of the premiere players in the league and he's young. Scary combo.
Oh, and did anyone read today Post? Supposedly, Marcus has put on some weight and Houston is going to be spending the summer in the Hamptons. Does anyone wanna volunteer to find his ass on the beach and tell him that what we EXPECT from $100 million dollars is game 5 EVERY NIGHT. Not during the playoffs, and not during the first half of every damm season. EVERY NIGHT. He needs to sack-up and play the 2 or the 3. And for Christ's sake Allan, learn to play some D. I hear that GP and Kidd play some street-ball over here in Oakland (I live in SF)once-in-a-while, I KNOW GP will D him up-two times.

I apologize for the negativity, but I'm just aching for 50, maybe 55 wins this season and, as with any NY'er, will not settle for less.

I totally agree with Martin.

Toronto is the same, however we'll find out in a few days with Hakeem. Although, this year they have something to prove. Just like the Houston fans have said, with this new 6 year contract to be signed, watch for Carter (again).

Orlando is the team to beat. Hill is back and with the leadership (which is exactly what they needed) they are the threat.

Philly will be more established, and look for Iverson to be more of a team player.

Even Miami. I can't believe for a second, even with the luxury tax, that Riley does not have something up his sleave. I expect a huge three team deal within the next week, with the Heat benefiting. Maybe they'll pick up Hakeem to backup Mourning. I don't think Riley is going to keep exposed with the possible loss of zo again, like last year.

NY needs to trade Rice and Harrington and Ward (or Jax) for a young pg. with a handle. Rice is too pricey (however I think now extremely marketable). And for god sakes waive Longely and LJ. Do something to get LJ out of VG's playbook.

Hold up. "IF Houston plays like he did during the finals??" That is the biggest IF I've heard yet. When was the last time he dominated a game like AI or Stack? Um, never. When was the last time he stepped on the court and gave as much as Spree? NEVER. When was the last time you saw him make a strong move to the hole? Right, a few times-at best!

Let's face the facts here: Houston is SOFT. All-Star-Cailber? From the East, yes. In the NBA? No. Oh, and as a side-note; he don't play no D, neither! 2-Guard roll buy him like he's standing still. He plays the ball, not the body (a no-no in this league). What is he, the son of a coach? Interesting.

Don't get me wrong here, I am a Knicks fan 120%. Always have been, always will be. I want them to win (just like everyone in NY) and by signing that sassy-ass Houston for Lord knows too long, is NOT going to do it. If we are to succeed with jump-shooters, we need a low-post presence. Someone to pull double teams that can free up jump shooters like Houston. Man-on-man, Houston's game does not work. He likes the pick-and-roll (which we don't execute nearly as well as, say, the Sixers) and likes open looks, w/out a double at the 4 or in the pivot, we don't do it. So there it is folks, my assessment of our beloved Knicks.

Way too much bitching going on here. I think that if houston plays like he did during the finals run (put up 30 on a nightly basis) and with camby constantly improving i think we can win the east. Sixers are still the same and you know iverson can't keep taking all that physical punishment. Bucks are the same, miami is worse, toronto is worse unless they get the dream, orlando is a little better but they have the same problem as the knicks... too many small forwards/ shooting gaurds, and charlotte got a little worse with the loss of ERob. I think you forget that if some ass doesn't take camby's family hostage we would be in the second round and who knows what would have happened against philly who had trouble with everyone in the playoffs.