Isiah Thomas was once smitten with Keith Van Horn, just like every other general manager. As Toronto VP in 1996, Thomas sent word to the University of Utah that he would select Van Horn, then a junior, with the second pick in the draft if the forward turned pro.

Rick Majerus, naturally, screamed foul. Keep your nose out of my program and stay away from my player, the Utah coach said publicly. Take Marcus Camby instead, because my guy isn't going anywhere for another year, and he won't be tempted by your overtures.







Seven years later, Van Horn works for Thomas, and it's easy to wonder whether his scoring surge is a cause-effect phenomenon. For someone who had been struggling for the better part of two months, Van Horn's back-to-back 28-point performances have been a revelation, and they come on the heels of the team president's warning that anything can happen.


NEWARK LEDGER

Keith has to continue to play well to prove his worth.

I dunno if KVH is all that great and he is definately not worth his max contract. He is a good compliment but we still need the franchise that can attract double teams. KVH starts to back off when someone plays physical. If Zeke gets in his face and gets Keith to play hard touch bball we are in really really good shape.

KVH has been playing really well and if he can keep if up he will really help the knicks and my fantasy teams. I dont think he can keep this up though. He is relying way too much on the 3's instead of going in all the time. He is 6'10 and I have seen him post up. He is not bad at that. Maybe Fwill gives him the ball in the post every time from now on.

Posted by playa2:

Lately you have to choose your poison on the nyknicks. If Houston doesn't get ya KVH will and if neither of those guys get it going Frank Williams will get them going. Deke plays when he has to and keeps opposing team fearful of trying to walk down the lane like they did last yr. Anderson is a good finisher to keep our fast break potent. But KVH can give opposing teams fits when it comes to matching up with him while he's on offense.

[Edited by - playa2 on 12/29/2003 09:48:05]

Playa, me as well as some others are happy to see KVH do what he has the talent to do and that is play well, and we are happy to see the knicks win 2 gmaes in a row, but remember playa it is just two games.
When you start throwing around phrases like Pick your poison with the knicks and Anderson making our fast break potent, you start to lose credibility, and your message gets lost among that kind of ridiculous drivel. Lets be happy, that is true, but lets not go overboard..

Go Knicks!!

First of all Knicks are a playoff contender in the EAST at best, not a title contender, so stop the silly pick your poison crap. And Anderson is a good role player, but for his money it’s a crime. As for Van Horn, why not wait till he does well in a solid stretch of games, say like 10, to declare that he is the next best thing since sliced bread. By solid stretch I mean averaging like 7 rbs 18 pts on 45 % shooting from the field and 30+% shooting from 3, consistent going to the charity stripe and a reduction in to's. When he plays similar to what he did the past few games for such a stretch, get back to me.

Dude, there has been a management change. You can't try to take credit with all the "I knew it" stuff because you made those predictions when LayDown was GM.

It's tough for a guy to contribute year in and year out when it seems like he averages one or two bad ankle sprains per season. It hurts all elements of his game.

KVH played his best basketball when he was paired with Sam Cassell, a PG who knows how to pick his spots and always seems to push his teammates. Sammy seems to get the most out of the talent around him by getting them involved early in the game. (he saves his ballhogging for the 2nd half)

It didn't work out for KVH when he was paired with Marbury (a guy who likes to go 1 on 5 then shoot it). Jason Kidd usually turns 3 or 4 teammates into 13-16ppg scorers no matter where he goes, with no single killer scoring threat. (McDyess averaged 15/7.6 with Kidd several years ago in Phoenix)

In Philly, he had some dominant moments in the playoffs, then faded in the end... but overall, he didn't score too much since no one is capable of being a big scorer when you have Iverson (a guard very much like Marbury) taking on teams all by himself.

As far as here goes... at the very least, FW's offensive game is much more like that of a Cassell or Payton, not to say he's going to be as good as either of them, but he makes things happen even when he's not scoring or getting assists. It draws attention to the defense, but not so much that it takes his teammates out of the play.

The Knicks players (especially KVH) aren't standing around waiting for a pass into the post. They're moving and cutting. This is where KVH excels. He's not a great half-court player, nor does he a great running game (he can finish on the fast break, though). He does excel in a motion offense-- it allows him to get into the flow.

They always say get your scorers easy shots early... and build their confidence. With Eisley running the team, the Knicks were taking perimeter shots with the clock ticking from the get-go.

[Edited by - technomaster on 12/29/2003 17:27:05]

[Edited by - technomaster on 12/29/2003 17:28:39]

yes sir tech. kinda how a real team plays. one thing positive about eisley i can say is he can definitly get you an open jumper.(w/about 4sec. on the clock.)

I have always like KVH too and he is very effecient. It was just a matter of time his jumper came back but he seems to disappear in the clutch way too often. He also cannot defend well.