http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3548792

New York - Grade: F
There are too many worms in the Big Apple's hoop hopes. Stephon Marbury is a loser. Tim Thomas is a career underachiever. Allan Houston is history. Michael Sweetney is fat. Anfernee Hardaway is old and in the way.

However, there are still several reasons for the Knicks to thrive: Jamal Crawford is an immense talent who desperately needs a highly structured system (the triangle?) to become an authentic star. Trevor Ariza could turn into a poor man's Scottie Pippen (and why hasn't the rookie been playing 30-plus minutes over the past few weeks?). Malik Rose and Jerome Williams are warriors. When and if Maurice Taylor ever gets himself into game shape, he'd become a dynamic scorer off the bench. Kurt Thomas has been worn down by too many minutes at the center spot, but remains a trough defender and reliable jump-shooter.

In sum, the Knicks have the seeds of a competitive ball club.

What do they need? A center. A dependable hot-shooting small forward who isn't averse to playing defense (Did someone say Ron Artest?), and a real point guard.

How can they get these players? Trade Kurt Thomas while he still has some value. And, above all, take the hit and deal Marbury. What about a new coach? Phil Jackson would fill the bill, although it's hard to imagine him patiently devoting 2-3 precious seasons while the franchise is rebuilt. The big-time pressure would most likely flip out Flip Saunders. Larry Brown would be a plus for about two seasons — although New Yorkers would eagerly embrace Brown as a Billy Martin-type quick-fixer. If no celebrity coach is available (or willing) to take the job, perhaps Herb Williams could adequately man the ramparts for the duration.


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you know, maybe it's time to offer Marbury around the league, fire Zeke and give Phil Jax the reins.

I still love the fact that people just label Marbury a loser and that its his fault the team isn't winning, even though the team sorely needs help at all the areas the guy listed. It'd be nice for them to stop ripping Stephon for once.

funny how Marbury is a loser but spends 40 minutes attacking the rim, while Crawford has tremendous talent while avoiding contact and shooting 8 3's a game. Marbury is 3 years older so I guess thats the big distinction.

I feel sad for Marbury because he has always wanted to play for the Knicks and he has real great talent... but maybe its true that he ies not what we really need. Im afraid that NY really is a big mess because it has many talented players but none really fit on the same team. The trades Isiah has done have been for names but not really for what the team needs. I don't care if they have a big name or not, I just want a real team giving their all every night, playing has a real team. We dont have that. Marbury sometimes makes a lot of assists, but is he really the team leader on the court? Does he really makes guys around him better? We know he is no J. Kidd, though many still hope him to turn just like him. Is the right thing to keep Stephon? Should we trade him now that we can? Should we instead trade Crawford? Anyone would mean that Isiah made a mistake, and Im not sure if he would accept that.

What to do...?

We really need a plan and I doubt that Isiah has one. We just still have no identity and as many pointed out, we have players that may not really mesh together. What to do? Trade Marb? Or Craw? Or what? We still don't know what kind of a team we want, so how do we know which players should we trade or bring? Isiah brought both Marb and Craw, yet they don't seem to complement each other...