“‘I think the majority of Knick fans have said that this trade was the start of the downfall of the franchise, that this was the first step toward the morass that everybody has been entrenched in since,’ Checketts said. ‘I just think that’s silliness. It was only the first in a series of very bad moves.‘” Although Dave Checketts demures, the NYT retraces the sorry state of the Knicks — 5 years and counting — to the Ewing trade. I can see their point, although that in no way absolves Scott Layden or Isiah Thomas for some seriously lousy decision-making over the past couple of seasons.
Category: Trades
The Centers Cannot Hold.
Two centers with unproven upside switch coasts: Washington’s Kwame Brown to the Lakers (for Caron Butler), and Seattle’s Jerome James to the Knicks. And, with Cuttino Mobley heading for the Clips, it seems the NBA offseason is already in full swing. (My thoughts on the James acquistion — Well, we desperately needed a true center after losing Kurt and Nazr (and rookie Channing Frye doesn’t seem like he’ll have an immediate impact), and James had a few big playoff games last year. That being said, he’s no silver bullet.)
Pistons Misfire.
So, in a Game 7 that only Tim Duncan’s mother could love, the Spurs rallied past the Pistons 81-74. I really doubt the league won over too many new fans with last night’s ugly performance, the third lowest-scoring Finals Game 7 ever. But, hey, the draft is right around the corner, and it looks like the Knicks have picked up Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas. So, here’s to next season…
Original Sin.
TNT announcer and former 3-point specialist Steve Kerr traces the Knicks’ current mediocrity back to the Ewing trade in 2000. Ah well, at least we (barely) beat Kobe and his Sidekick Lakers last night.
Trading Day.
Trades galore today in the NBA, with C-Webb off to Philly, ‘Toine back in Boston(?!), Baron in Golden State, Big Dog to N’Orleans, Van Horn in Dallas, and the Knicks…well, they picked up Malik Rose, Mo Taylor, and a couple of picks, which, well, probably isn’t going to get the job done. But, then again, we didn’t give up much either (Nazr, Vin Baker, and Moochie). I’m just glad I’m not writing the checks.
Hey Vinny,
After several years of trying to gripe his way out of Toronto, Air Canada has landed in Newark (in exchange for ‘Zo, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two draft picks.) If he stays healthy, that’s probably a good deal for the Nets…although I still don’t see them going anywhere this year.
Stop the Vinsanity!
Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter becomes the latest high-profile NBA player to demand a trade. Bad news for the league, good news for the Knicks.
Lakered.
The Glove balks at Boston. Said Payton of his former team, the Lakers: “It’s about respect. They didn’t respect me. Why should I respect them? They used me so they could get other players.” Well, you know, Glove, that’s the problem with Faustian bargains…
Wally World East.
Wally Szczerbiak for Kurt Thomas? I’m not sure that makes much sense…the Knicks are already rife with guards, even assuming Allan Houston is out again for awhile. We need more Bigs.
Glove in the Hub.
Also in NBA news, Gary Payton is traded to the Celts. The Glove seemed to lose a couple of steps out there in La-La-Land last year, so hopefully Boston will provide a return to form. At least I can root for the guy again now that he’s an ex-Laker. (Yes, I’m talking to you, Vlade…for shame.)