I'm very curious to hear what Starbury has to say about KVH now. To me, this is a pretty easy first test of whether Starbury has really grown up and is going to lead the Knicks by making people around him better or is going to to be a destructive force who wins some games with his talent but doesn't make the team better.

Remember, Starbury has thrown some gratuitous, classless insults at KVH over the last year or 2 (lumping him in w/ McIlvaine and George M as talentless former teammates, saying he's not tough enuf for NY), but KVH was still diplomatic about Starbury coming in the trade. Now Starbury's got to bury the hatchet in a public way. He should apologize for those comments and say KVH's performance over the last couple of weeks is proving him wrong (even if he doesn't believe it). He should know that KVH responds better to encouragement than criticism, and should go out of his way to show some contrition and humility.

There will be appropriate times as the season progresses for Starbury to get on his teammates when they're not playing well enough, but first he's got to build a foundation and prove he's on their side.

The fans in Phoenix have been talking about how different Stephon is from waht they thought he was. They have never heard of any incident calling him a clubhouse cancer or a ball hog. They said he changed a lot when he came over.

Stephon also played a big role in Amare's improvement. And he does make players around him better. He has averaged 8 assists all season and almost all career long. He has to make people better averaging that kind of assists! He isn't the same ballhog, all about the stats guy we saw in jersey hat we are getting here.

He is older, more mature more motivated and very very happy to be back home. It really seems as if it was just a matter of time before he ended up here. I think him and KVH get along fine and he helps H2O a lot too! H2O is going to be so open so many times! I cannot wait for the first 60 point game from out backcourt!

Silver

The 60 may be just from Houston popping 3's, because if they double Steph's going to the hoop or swinging to KVH for a short jumper.

Starbury has the keys to the city now, and what he does with them is on him.

Star has said some dumb things in the past. Its NY we give second chances, so he can be the prince again.

He should suck it up alittle and make a good piece with KVH. NY would love it if Steph would revitalize KVH and his game. Winning does that. Great leaders become selfless. Kidd might not like all of his teamates, but he makes them better, alot better.

Its a great opportunity for him to step up. Leaders learn to accept blame, or even take it when its not his to win over his trust of players and move the team forward. He has been in the league long enough to absorb.

Isiah is a good role model to learn what it takes to move the team to a new level.

Steph has the money now for the 5-6 years, so padding stats should not be on his agenda.

Its a big price to pay, but he is a talent and could own the town!

but KVH is the 2nd best player on our team

Kurt is better than Keith too, I think. But it's not good enough to say it's Stephon's team, so we do things his way. He's got to change (maybe he has already) if he's going to get the best out of his teammates.

i wouldn't say kurt is better than keith. You cant give kurt the ball and expect him to score but kvh will. Kurt's offense is now that good. He sits his jumpers when he faces up but he has no low post game and athletism, which is the reason I thought Dice would start eventually over him.