Mobley Takes a Bow.

“‘Getting an MRI basically saved my life,’ Mobley said. ‘You have to thank the Knicks for this.‘” Well, if nothing else comes out of New York’s recent bench-clearing for LeBron, it still ended up being an extremely worthwhile trade. New tests revealed that Cuttino Mobley’s heart condition (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) is much more serious than anyone knew, and thus Mobley is retiring from the game. “‘The only thing I can tell the younger guys is life goes on, be a good person,’ Mobley said. ‘It’s only 15 minutes of fame that you have and my minutes are up, but I can always still be a good person.‘”

Said Knicks GM Donnie Walsh of Mobley’s decision: “I was happy he arrived at that [conclusion] himself, because that’s necessary for him. None of this is as important as somebody’s life.”

Clearing the Court for King James.

Following up on his stated intentions to free cap space and pave the way for acquiring LeBron James in 2010, Knicks GM Donnie Walsh pulls the trigger on two big trades, sending Zack Randolph (and trade-filler Mardy Collins) to the Clips for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley (pending a heart issue) and Jamal Crawford to the Warriors for Al Harrington, all of which will be off the books during the crucial free agent season in question.

I guess it seems a bit distasteful to embrace so openly the hired-gun philosophy of winning a championship…but, hey, that’s the way the game is played. So, with that in mind, kudos to Walsh on a job well done (and good luck moving Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry.) Besides, we Knicks fans have slogged through the past eight years since the cap- and karma-destroying trading of Patrick Ewing. At this point, we can probably eat another two.

Tipoff ’09.

While Philadelphians wait one more day (they hope) to end their 25-year losing streak, basketball-inclined sports fans such as myself are now focused on Beantown, where the 2008-09 NBA season tips off tonight on TNT. (And, hey, with zero games played in the season, this newest iteration of new-look Knicks are tied for best record in the league!)

Seriously, tho, while I expect another, ahem, “rebuilding” year in New York despite the best efforts of Walsh and D’Antoni, it’ll be good to have the NBA back in town — and Kenny, EJ, and Charles back in the studio. Particularly now with Mad Men in mothballs again, Inside the NBA is probably my favorite show on television…even if they don’t deign to show the Knicks this year.

Coney Island Low.

“One observer from yesterday’s workout noted the uneasy atmosphere among the other players. ‘You could just feel the hate,’ the person said.” It’s been rumored all summer, particularly since the Knicks acquired Bulls backup Chris Duhon. Now, according to the Daily News, the tortuous Marbury era in Madison Square Garden looks like it may be coming to an end this Friday. “Several persons with knowledge of the situation have indicated that the Knicks are planning to part ways with Marbury by the end of the week…The Knicks will likely place Marbury on waivers and, once he clears, begin negotiating a buyout. Marbury will then be free to sign with another team; the Miami Heat have a desperate need at point guard.“

On one hand, getting nothing in return for a player like Marbury seems like a loss for the Knicks. Then again, with his massive contract, Stephon basically has little-to-no trade value — See also Zach Randolph. And if he’s as much of a locker room cancer at this point as this article suggests, we might as well just cut him and start the D’Antoni era fresh. So, so long, Stephon. And if you start actually playing to your long-heralded potential this coming season for Miami, I’m going to be very irate.

Update: “This thing is initiated in the press and then I have to ask questions about it,’ Walsh said, sounding somewhat perturbed. ‘I haven’t approached [Marbury] about a buyout.’” New GM Donnie Walsh says it’s not so.

Bring the Thunder | The Ewings | Donnie & Darko?

Round 2 of everybody’s favorite party game: What do Berkeley and Seattle sports fans have in common this week? Answer: They both absolutely detest the sound of “Thunder.” The Oklahoma City Thunder (nee Seattle Supersonics) officially unveil their new name and logo. (I guess the Oklahoma City Whirlwind might still have been considered in poor taste.)

On the Knicks side of the ledger: As Patrick Ewing enters the Hall of Fame — and his son, Patrick Ewing Jr., comes to Knicks training camp — is new GM Donnie Walsh really thinking of picking up former Detroit bust Darko Milicic? I know we want to unload Zach Randolph’s contract at all costs before 2010, but aren’t we a big enough joke around the league without adding the Frederic Weis of #2 picks to our roster?

D’Antoni Balks.

The Knicks lose their Gamecock on the bench: Energy player Renaldo Balkman is traded to the Nuggets for peanuts (a 2010 second-rounder, Taurean Green, and Bobby Jones, both of whom will be waived.) “Balkman became expendable with the addition of first-round pick Danilo Gallinari. The Knicks also have an increased role in mind for Wilson Chandler at small forward.” (What about Q-Rich?) That’s too bad…I always liked Balkman. You can’t teach hustle.

D’Antoni goes Duhon.

“The chance for Chris to be a starter was too much to pass up.” The Knicks sign Bulls backup PG Chris Duhon to a 2-year deal, meaning that the “Starbury” Era at MSG looks to be on its way out. “Bradbury said the Knicks have made it clear that Duhon could start, which could mean that Stephon Marbury’s days with the Knicks are numbered. Marbury is in the final year of his contract.” Update: Marbury talks the talk.

Benvenuto Danilo.

“He’ll be a 6-11,3-point shooting, ball handler and passer,” D’Antoni said. “We think he has the potential to be above a good player. That’s how you build a team. We’re starting with him.” The Knicks begin the D’Antoni/Walsh era by picking Euroleague star Danilo Gallinari with the sixth pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Like most of the Knicks fan in attendance last night, I’m not particularly sold on the choice — an offense-minded, potentially soft swingman? Last I checked, we couldn’t and didn’t play D — especially since it means we’ll be bouncing David Lee. Then again, something had to give, I guess. Let’s just hope Gallinari is Italian for “Detlef Schrempf” and not “Darko Milicic.”

The Way the Bull Bounces.

“After this season, we needed a break and I think we just got one tonight.” Take that, D’Antoni: With only a 1.7 percent chance to procure the #1 pick, the Chicago Bulls beat the odds last night in the NBA lottery, thus knocking the Knicks down to No. 6. Well, bleah.

Meanwhile, as far as the NBA Finals go, I got three of the Final Four correct (So much for the Suns.) That being said, Lakers-Spurs in the West is sort of a worst-case scenario for me. And while I can’t believe it’s come to this, I may actually be rooting for Kobe and the Lakers in this series. Ugh, I feel dirty.

D’Antoni to the Garden?

Has Donnie Walsh landed his first big fish? Word is NY has outbid Chicago, and the Phoenix Suns’ Mike D’Antoni is our new Knicks coach. Um…gratz? Mike D’Antoni seems like a good coach and an amiable guy, but is an offensive-minded, fast-break specialist really what we need right now? It’s really hard to envision Eddy Curry, Zack Randolph, and the gang running the floor for D’Antoni like the Suns did. And while we have many problems, and consistent offense surely ranks among them, defense is really where the Knickerbockers have stunk up the joint of late.

Well, it’s an interesting pick, if nothing else. Let’s see where it goes.