This from Chad Ford of Insider:

Has Latrell Sprewell finally had it with the Knicks? It's definitely starting to sound that way. Spree, who has complained all summer at the job GM Scott Layden was doing, may ask for a trade soon, a source close to Sprewell told Insider last week.

According to the source, Spree plans to become increasingly vocal about the Knicks in an effort to spur action in the front office. He's been pushing Layden to get a legitimate big man to balance the Knicks' strong backcourt. But a series of offseason moves only produced Shandon Anderson, Howard Eisley and Clarence Weatherspoon -- none of whom qualify. The Knicks' inability to find a way to land his buddy and top free agent Chris Webber only added to his angst.

With yet another injury to the Knicks' only legitimate big man, Marcus Camby, Spree has had enough. His upcoming message to the front office: Either improve the team or trade me.

"He's sick of losing and he's really worried about the direction of the team," said the source. "If the Knicks can't prove to him that they're willing to do what it takes to compete for a championship, Spree wants the chance to play for a team that does."

It already looks like the war of words is increasing. When asked Sunday whether the Knicks were contenders this year, Spree was candid.

"You hope that, but we've kind of gone the other way," Sprewell told reporters. "I think that's a direct result of taking away Patrick [Ewing], taking away Larry [Johnson]. Now Marcus [Camby]'s injury makes it tougher. You need five, if not six or seven, guys who can really play to advance in the playoffs. . .You just wonder if we're going to do something. You try and stay focused on basketball and not worry about Scott Layden's job, which is to bring players in. My job is to play with the players that are here. I can't go out and really worry about what he has to do or what is going to happen to change the makeup of the team. I can be the guy getting traded."

Spree's eroding confidence in the Knicks couldn't come at a worst time. He already alienated teammate Allan Houston after the playoffs last year when he insinuated that Houston should go. Though Spree and Houston have made up, Spree's comments aren't the overwhelming pledge of support to newcomers Anderson, Eisley and Weatherspoon that the Knicks were hoping for. Whether, in the end, the Knicks would be willing to trade their most popular player is fodder for the tabloids. But ironically, it may be their only real shot at landing the big man that he craves.

We all know he's right though, we were in dire straits without any lenghty help for Camby and Layden hasn't done anything to address this problem during last season and the beginning of this one. Moving up the draft or using one of the exceptions could have done the trick but this has all been executed badly. I don't think Spree actually wants to be traded but he's just trying to force the issue and get some backup from the media with this. Either the Dolans fire Layden or give Layden a final warning that something has to be done soon to get that big man. It's abit misinforming that the offseason moves regarding Spoon, Eisley and Anderson are misproductive but they always look good

IF we add a freaking center to the bunch

Just like the Rice trade didn't seem bad but it needed a second trade to make it a good one.

I don't see why it's all doom and gloom already, even before our first game.

All we need to do is get another big man. It's as simple as that! Marc Jackson, Adonal Foyle, or even Olden Polynice would do.

And then we should move Camby to his natural position (power forward) and put the new guy (whoever it may be) at center. Then we have a lineup of:

• PG: M. Jackson (although I would prefer Howard Eisely)
• SG: A. Houston
• SF: L. Sprewell
• PF: M. Camby
• True center (I would love Marc, he could be dominant in the East!)

That would be a top-3 unit in this conference. Also, we would have a much better bench (Spoon, Anderson, Thomas, Othella) than most teams in the East.

[Edited by - MCfan23 on 10/29/2001 10:36:50]

Our current problem is no backup, if we trade for just one center Camby still has to perform his duties primarily on the center position but if healthy he could do the same as Spree and shift between his natural position and the position in which he could get the most time on the floor, center. I say we trade for a big body, with Marc being slighty too hefty of a price tag tradewise I think, Dampier of Foyle and sign some relatively unknown talented backups to try and get a decent backup for the guy we traded for. Only then can we shift Camby back to the PF position. Menk Batere comes to mind,who the Nuggets cut remember. Maybe give Jake Voshkul a shot who'll probably be cut by the Bulls. It's not certain Obina "ekezenie" ,or however you write it, will keep his roster spot eventhough he had good preseason stats. To get our roster in order there's alot of work to be done and I don't think Layden is the man to accomplish this or JVG is the man to develop these new players into "our guys". JVG has to let them play more and go maybe 11-12 deep. Play them a minute or two each game is a start right? Postell per example should be developed with more tenacity then it's the case now.

[Edited by - knicksbabyyeah on 10/29/2001 10:30:44]

Yeah, if we could get 2 decent centers that would be even better!

But I think that having a guy like Foyle/Jackson starting at center, with Camby playing power forward, and backup center would be great. And if Kurt is part of the trade to get a center (or two), that would mean sufficient minutes for Spoon and Harrington as well.

We need to get Foyle for Ward. That would solve our problems for now.

oops i almost forgot i luv spree he is everthing the knicks as i know it stand for. remember the heart and the fire of :

Starks
LJ
Pat
Harper
Doc Rivers
Oakley
Mase
Frazier
Reed

He ranks right up there.

Damn I'd really hate to see Spree get traded. I agree that we are just one move away from being championship contenders (Eisley or Ward for one of GSW's centers) but geez the season hasn't even started so why is Spree complaining already??? All we need to do is get in the Playoffs and get all our players healthy for that time cuz let's not forget this team went to the 99' Finals, thye are capable of anything!