The Answer Man understands that negative details are much more compelling than positive ones. Anyone can tell you what is wrong with something. Just watch Fox News. The negative sells papers and everyone is an expert on how how the accident happened. Seeing someone fail, in a twisted way, makes a person entertained by that failure - feel better about their miserable condition. The Answer Man takes another course. He chooses to see what is right, and thinks about what can be done to build on that foundation.

Even without donning the rose-tinted shades The Answer Man can also state with the certainty of a Kareem Abdul Jabbar sky hook that there is more to be optimistic about than the apparently sweet stroke of Danilo Gallinari.

Those who want to debate whether Nate Robinson, or Eddy Curry, deserves minutes may be missing the fundamental point of the prime directive being enforced by Head Coach Mike D'Antoni. Second guessers have nothing forward thinking to offer, other than glances through the rear view mirror. Amid all the wringing of hands by the second-guessers is another message.

I would offer that D'Antoni has been empowered by Donnie Walsh to raise the level of expectations for ANY player who takes the floor for the Knicks. It is about ratcheting up the professionalism - and for that we should be grateful as fans. Of course, Nate is gifted and talented, but if his professionalism, whether in practice/on the team bus/ on the MSG court is not up to the standard his coach expects, he gotta sit. The coach makes the decision. Not the press. Same with Eddy Curry. He has worked his way back to the appearance of a basketball player, but that evidently is not enough. Punishment? Banned? Personal? It does not matter. D'Antoni is King of The Minutes and what he says is final.

I'm cool with that.

Cablevision signed off on Mike D'Antoni as a dictator. You can be certain that power was a part of the deal. He was not hired to be a consensus builder. Essentially, the player auditions were over during training camp. To his credit Larry Hughes played his way back from "exile" and provided a business model for others to follow. Anyone who was not ready had some catching up to do.

You Suck. You Sit.

There are four Knicks players to feel great about in 2010-2011

4 - David Lee - forget about kvetching over the dollars. David Lee is a heart and soul type player in the mode of Oak and Dave DeBusshere. You keep him. Period. The fact he is taking the jump shot and making it is a good thing. Flawed? Of course. But there is nothing that a help defender, cut from the Marcus Camby fabric, cannot compensate for. Lee brings consistent, unselfish effort every night. You cannot put a price tag on that. He stays.

3 - Jonathan Bender - you can never have too many guys in the locker room with outstanding personalities. Along with David Lee, Bender is a role model for perseverance, tenacity and hard work. You don't stay away from any professional sport and walk back in without some setbacks. Why is he playing immediately? For the same reasons I like him. Bender is is seven feet tall. He knows what to do with the basketball, knows how to shoot from long range and has that "old man" strength. The question is not whether he gets knocked down. Does he get back up?

2 - Danilo Gallinari - it is great to see him run up the court. Gallo has not played a full NBA season and yet people worry about his game as if he were a four year veteran. He is still one of OUR two yoots. A 6'10 yoot at that. Allow him the time to figure it out after he played about 162 regular season games. And pray for the health of his tender back. By December of 2010, there will be more comparisons to sift through. Forget the comparisons. Gallinari is versatile and rugged. Charles Oakley will talk to him one day after practice and impart some wisdom on throwing elbows.

1 - The Mayor - 22 years old, 6'8 and 240 pounds, with the fluidity and grace of a gazelle. What's not to like? Oh, he made yet ANOTHER unforced error? Off with his head! Nah. Take a deep breath, sit back and watch how he comes back down the court and does something that makes others teams salivate over his rights. Wilson Chandler is the type of player you hold on to and nourish. You don't expect perfection from a 22 year old, you expect mistakes that drive you nuts, and you watch how he responds. The Knicks would be wise to keep him. Doris Burke knows and Doris is drop dead smart.

Four to Feel Good About

5 - Jordan Hill - he will earn his moment. He is 6'11. Chicks dig tall guys.

6 - Toney Douglas - Mr Douglas will not allow him to be less than committed to his profession, and Mrs Douglas will keep the skeezers away from the post game meetup. She don't play that.

7 - Al Harrington - for all his flaws he plays with passion. he will make a decent seventh man in 2010

8 - Marcus Landry - any dude who pays his way to a tryout is cool with me. Hungry is good.

Eight Is Enough

There are between 4-6 roster spots for Walsh to consider for next season. In one month the 1-9 Knicks grew from despicable to watchable - and on most nights - respectable.

expect the unexpected.

misterearl wrote:The New Year

Those who want to debate whether Nate Robinson, or Eddy Curry, deserves minutes may be missing the fundamental point of the prime directive being enforced by Head Coach Mike D'Antoni. Second guessers have nothing forward thinking to offer, other than glances through the rear view mirror. Amid all the wringing of hands by the second-guessers is another message.

I would offer that D'Antoni has been empowered by Donnie Walsh to raise the level of expectations for ANY player who takes the floor for the Knicks. It is about ratcheting up the professionalism - and for that we should be grateful as fans. Of course, Nate is gifted and talented, but if his professionalism, whether in practice/on the team bus/ on the MSG court is not up to the standard his coach expects, he gotta sit. The coach makes the decision. Not the press. Same with Eddy Curry. He has worked his way back to the appearance of a basketball player, but that evidently is not enough. Punishment? Banned? Personal? It does not matter. D'Antoni is King of The Minutes and what he says is final.

I'm cool with that.

Cablevision signed off on Mike D'Antoni as a dictator. You can be certain that power was a part of the deal. He was not hired to be a consensus builder. Essentially, the player auditions were over during training camp. To his credit Larry Hughes played his way back from "exile" and provided a business model for others to follow. Anyone who was not ready had some catching up to do.

You Suck. You Sit.

walsh must've been napping thru 's ascension to dictator with total autonomy

from Hahn's blog:

Donnie Walsh said he sees Eddy Curry and Nate Robinson playing again "down the road . . . it's not like I think they're going to sit there all year,"

Walsh is giving enough rope to hang himself with. The day Dolan lets donnie hire a GM is the day will be on the chopping block.

Just not in New York

misterearl wrote:McK1 - of course Eddy and Nate will play again, "down the road..."

Just not in New York

not according to Walsh

Now we just need the young guys to develop. If they do, with all the money we have coming off the books, we can turn this thing around pretty quickly.

misterearl wrote:The Answer Man Must Be Stopped

buddapaw - "NOW This is total BULLSHIT, (Bender) hasn't played for 3 years after a devastating injury. When Big Al was traded here he had to be acclimated to the system why is Bender any different? This little pet project is an insult to every other Knick player who came to training camp and practiced the entire season only to see Johnny Come lately show up and get minutes when they are getting none. Earl you can continue to spout the grass is green and everything's flowery BULLSHIT but I aint buying."

buddapaw - the grass IS greener.

Why?

Because if you watch closely how this new Knicks edition plays, they are playing more cohesive basketball defensively.

Jonathan Bender is different because Donnie Walsh, like Al Harrington, has an intimate, eight year understanding of his character and skill set. The only "Johnny Come Late-lies" in this case are the lately-conditioned Eddy Curry, the moody and lately looking forward to his return to Europe Darko Milicic and the late-to-discover the serious nature of being a champion, Nate Robinson... who may never arrive at the conclusion that being a winner trumps putting on a show.

Walsh gives Bender the opportunity to apparently "walk on" because he knows who Bender is. If any player takes it as a personal insult, good for them. Play better.

Why is the grass greener? Because THE New York Knicks are only two players away from earning serious respect from their competition on a consistent, nightly basis. With a four man core that is being welded together as we speak, the bar has also been raised for professionalism and team personality. Complainers, or players who feel minutes are entitlements and not earned - will be gone faster than you can say Lonnie Shelton. That is a necessary and tough decision that is NOT based on popularity.

The replacements? Hear The Answer Man now and believe him later.... ONE of those new Knicks players will be a floor leader and facilitator - and the other will be a player who can snatch a rebound, as well as dunk, in traffic. At least one of those players will be a free agent signing. The other will be acquired via a creative transaction that no one saw coming.

finally buddapaw, I double dog dare you to rebut any of the Answer Mans remarks for the four players described to kick off this thread. Please refrain from any personal comments directed at The Answer Man and stick to basketball skill sets.

Let me start by saying Eddy and Darko sucks ass don't even care about them never will.

misterearl wrote:The Answer Man Must Be Stopped

Jonathan Bender is different because Donnie Walsh, like Al Harrington, has an intimate, eight year understanding of his character and skill set.

I didn't know Donnie was coaching the team.

My other point, we are about to revert to problem which plagued us during the Ewing years - never developing our own talent only to see them become major contributors on champion ship teams(for example: Ariza). TD has done rather well in his rookie year yet he can't get in the game. Apart from Gallo I don't see anyone else trying to block shots at our end of the basket which Hill could probably help us there. Every team needs a spark off the bench when the shots are not falling, Nate for all of immaturity can at least provide that. The last thing we need is another big chucking from three point land which is what Bender brings(he also puts his head down trying drive to the basket a la AL - doesn't work much for him either).

In your words we're only two players from getting respect, is that all you want? I'm sorry but I want much more. Please do tell who are those two players? Also the 2010 scenario, wouldn't it be prudent to develop Douglas cause lord knows Dusuck is not the answer here. He's been pretty brutal.

I also hate Al Harrington, he puts his head down and that's the end of it. Earl I'll give you this though you're quite upbeat, maybe I'm just jaded because of swimming in this crap for so long that I just don't even care anymore. I ain't mad at ya bro, everything is criss.

P.S.
We're still shooting too many three point shots(especially Dubumble**** with his threes from 40 feet)

buddapaw - we are about to revert to problem which plagued us during the Ewing years - never developing our own talent only to see them become major contributors on champion ship teams(for example: Ariza).

I know what you mean. I'm still not over giving up on Doug Christie, Ime Udoka, Mark Jackson or Rod Strickland - but I got over Renaldo Balkman okay.

buddapaw - Nate for all of immaturity can at least provide (a spark off the bench).

AM: Immaturity is never a good thing when you are trying to make the next incremental step towards a championship. I don't care if Will Ferrell shouts "shake a bake" from courtside. Nate needs to hit the open man and develop the same poker face that Clyde wore. It is that simple.

Q. buddapaw - In your words we're only two players from getting respect, is that all you want?

A. The Answer Man really wants is a muffaletta sandwich from Central Grocery in New Orleans for lunch. Other than that, world peace would be sweet.

Q. buddapaw - Please do tell who are those two players?

A. Donatas Motiejunas would be perfect. It will be Chris Bosh and a lead guard to be named later. Book it.

buddapaw - "I also hate Al Harrington"

AM. don't hate the playa, hate the hanging on the rim

buddapaw - I'm just jaded because of swimming in this crap for so long that I just don't even care anymore.

Get out of that turd pool and rinse yourself off. In two days it will be 2010. A new decade. Besides, you care. Admit it. If you didn't care you would not write about it.

buddapaw - I didn't know Donnie was coaching the team.

AM: Me neither