Posted by diderotn:

I would go with Herb Williams, but based on the relationship that Marburry had with Flip, and perhaps a chance to lure KG to N.Y. I would go with Flip. Something tells me that Marb and KG will be reunited before the end of their career....And Flip may be that bridge to make it happen.....

Marbury spent the first 21/2 seasons of his career playing for Saunders before he forced the Timberwolves to trade him to the Nets. One former Minnesota teammate believes Marbury would welcome Saunders in New York with open arms.

"Steph wants to be coached," Marbury's ex-teammate said. "He'll do anything to win. But if he has a guy who is hesitant, Steph will do what he wants. He took Flip for granted. He thought it was like that everywhere in the league.

"If Flip came to New York, I'm sure Steph would love that. I haven't talked to him about it, but I think he'd be all for Flip."

Boston point guard Gary Payton had problems adjusting to Jackson's demands last season when he was with the Lakers. Asked if Marbury could play in Jackson's offense, Payton said:

"I don't know. I can't tell you. I couldn't play in it. I don't know if he could play in it. That's his thing. He would have to adjust to it."

Posted by franco12:

what about Maurice Cheeks?

Tuesday, February 15, 2005
BY DAVID WALDSTEIN
Star-Ledger Staff

PHILADELPHIA -- Flip Saunders, who was fired Saturday after more than nine seasons as head coach of the Timberwolves, will be added to the short list of coaches the Knicks might pursue after the season. Topping the list, of course, is Phil Jackson.

Since there will be difficulties signing Jackson, Saunders could emerge as the front-runner if the Knicks decide to replace Herb Williams. Saunders is said to have a good relationship with Knicks president Isiah Thomas, and is definitely liked by Stephon Marbury, the one player Thomas would most want to please.

Marbury refused to make any declarations about Saunders coming to the Knicks out of deference to Williams. But he endorsed Saunders as one of the top coaches in the NBA.

"He's a great coach," Marbury said before last night's game against the Sixers.

Saunders was coach of the Timberwolves in June 1996 when the team acquired Marbury during a draft day trade with Milwaukee. Marbury, who entered the NBA after his freshman year at Georgia Tech, said his game and Saunders' system was a "perfect fit" at the time.

"He's the dude that taught me the NBA game," Marbury said.

Marbury said one of the reasons he likes Saunders so much is his genuine character.

"Flip is real," the point guard said. "He's not like everyone else. He doesn't fall on the bandwagon of what someone else says. Unfortunately there are more fake people than real people."

As for T'wolves president Kevin McHale, who fired Saunders and then replaced him on the bench, Marbury didn't have a lot of praise. Asked his impression of McHale as coach, Marbury responded with a dismissive raspberry sound, making clear his disdain.

Tim Thomas re-injured

his left index finger in the first half and sat out the entire fourth quarter. Thomas said he wasn't sure if he would be able to play tomorrow against the Bucks.

"I don't know," Thomas said after the game. "All in know is, it's throbbing right now."

Jamal Crawford had

32 points last night in his first start since injuring his left ankle Feb. 5 in Phoenix.

T'wolves guard

Latrell Sprewell is being mentioned in trade talks with the Sixers. Minnesota is looking for Glenn Robinson in return. An Iverson-Sprewell backcourt could realign the power structure in the Atlantic Division, according to one of Spree's ex-Knicks teammates.

"Wherever he goes he's going to make a big contribution," Kurt Thomas said. "He's a great player, a great leader. Every time he steps on the court he leaves it all out there on the court."

Minnesota has been looking to trade Sprewell since contract negotiations stalled earlier this season. In addition to Thomas, a few Knicks, including Williams, would love to have Sprewell back. Before that could happen the team would have to change ownership. Sprewell became public enemy No. 1 to Garden boss James Dolan. In his first game last year at the Garden since being dealt to Minnesota, Sprewell had several choice words for Dolan.

The Knicks

will have a team in the Las Vegas Summer League in July for rookies and free agents. Assistant coach Mike Malone will likely lead the squad. Williams coached last year's summer league team in Los Angeles.