Another year and the same old story for the Knick players. Just when the New York fans thought they had something to cheer about with a new coach and new management, the same old Knick players showed up with their antics. No wonder Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni are trying to rid themselves of this entire roster and start from scratch.
According to the New York Post, Eddy Curry showed up to training camp out shape. Shocking, I know. How bad is it? Jerome James came to camp in better shape and made it through the first practice. Jerome James, the same man who the Knicks were praying/persuading to retire! Nothing makes a better impression with your first year coach than showing up to camp out of shape on the first day.
What is laughable is it actually gets worse. It turns out Curry contracted a bacterial infection as well, and he will miss the remainder of training camp. Part of me thinks he injected himself with the virus in order to not have to participate in camp. At least D’Antoni still has his sense of humor. He says regarding Curry’s infection:
“It could be a blessing in disguise. Throwing up is a good way to lose weight.”
In further Knick news from training camp, the “Italian Stallion” and first round pick Danilo Gallinari will miss all of training camp and all of the preseason with a back injury. Some would say things are not lookiing up for the Knicks, but I would be cautious in rushing to that conclusion. Yes, they have already had some set backs but nobody is expecting anything out of the Knicks this year.
It hurts Gallinari’s development by not participating in camp, but he is only 19 years old and there will be plenty of training camps for him to partake in. It is more important that he is healthy.
The goal of the Knicks this year is to change their mentality. They will not be looking to keep many of these players around, but they need to change the atmosphere around the organization from negative to positive. I believe they have already made great strides with the new management and new coaching staff that was brought in.
Even though they only signed one player who will get minutes this year in Chris Duhon, he brings a good character and a solid work ethic. He may not be the flashiest point guard, but he is solid and perhaps the best point guard on the team already.
I look for Jamal Crawford to step up his game as well and why not. D’Antoni’s system is perfect for Crawford and deep down Crawford should see huge dollar signs on what can come out of playing well under D’Antoni. Look at Joe Johnson as an example, who was in a supporting role with Suns, and then signed a 5 year $70 million contract with the Hawks. Crawford is not on the level of Johnson, but he does have a ton of talent and needs let it out.
Overall, the Knicks will be better this year. Heck, that really isn’t saying much for a team that finished with only 23 wins last year. I guess you could call me Mr. Obvious.
They will win a few more games and think they finish with approximately 30 wins. What will be more important is for them to be able to evaluate their talent, change the attitude of the team, and see who they want on their roster when Lebron James comes to town in 2010. Yes, I am already predicting he goes and you can tell everybody you heard it here first.
The Knicks rebuilding project should have started years ago, but now this is year one. With this team of guys, I question whether we get out of the recession first or the Knicks make the playoffs first?
16 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rodge Correa 9 months ago
First day of training camp didn't look so well. With cCurry getting sick, danilo's back and the distraction Marbury had with the media.
However, absolutely wonderful things are going on with the Knicks. Not just saying it because I'm a fan. But the young players on the squad and some of the old players are hyped and ready to change their mentality. They want to win! D'Antoni's style may not not make the Knicks winners this year but it will most certainly improve it! and that should be the only thing were aiming towards this year.
Grat contribution kid!
Keep it up...
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PJ Edelman 9 months ago
cant wait for Allan Houston. How old is he now?
I refuse to watch the knicks until every player from the past 5 years is off the roster.
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
Mike D'Antoni is going to wish he never accepted the job. He thought that the Suns didn't play defense just wait until he sees the Knicks team in a real game. The Knicks will get a record of most points allowed and either D'Antoni shoots himself or resigns after 10 games. Mike D'Antoni was the worst decision for the Knicks to bring in as coach.
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Jaime Irvine 9 months ago
Who would have been a better decision for the knicks to bring in as a coach? D'Antoni and Walsh understand that this is a work a in progress and know they need to rid themselves of the current contracts they have. So who cares what they do this year and if they play no defense.
They need to put themselves in a position to be able to sign free agents in a couple of years. Arguably, D'Antoni is the most attractive coach to anybody in free agency. 90% of the players in the league would want to play in his system.
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bart simpson 9 months ago
Steven hates anything associated with the suns…this guy thinks Nash is not even a top ten point guard and Bosh is a better P. forward then Stoudamire.
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Johnny Miller 9 months ago
Curry is reading the hand writing on the wall - there is no place for him on a D'Antoni basketball team. If Marbury looks sharp during the pre-season they should look to bundle him with Curry for a potential trade. Miami needs a point guard and Riley would be a great coach for Curry. In return Knicks should try to get Shawn Marion. Then try to package Z-Bo and Lee for somebody who can shot block and run the floor.
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Curly Morris 9 months ago
As a life long Knicks fan, I'm finally getting to a point where I really cannot tolerate any more news from MSG until there is some major upheaval and turnaround. We suck ass.
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
Nash isn't a top ten point guard he's the most overrated player in NBA history.
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Sean Kenealy 9 months ago
you're an idiot. Steve Nash 2 time MVP says it all
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bart simpson 9 months ago
steven; just for ish & giggles who are the other TEN point gaurds that pheonix should trade Nash for?
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
This article is ridiculous & aimless.
You can always tell which writers never played sports on highly-competitive level, and just sit on their couch, as potatoes.
For instance, training camp IS FOR getting in shape. And not, for arriving to, already in shape...unless that is a player's choice.
There's no contract, on Earth, that requires/pays a player to be in shape 'prior to' arriving for camp.
And remember too; don't be hypocritical!
The Suns didn't play defense, and it wasn't just because their marquee player (Nash) only had *NCAA Division II-A* defensive skills. It's because the coach had no tolerance for defense. Period. So don't be a hypocritical here and apply a requirement to the Knicks, that was a-okay to NOT APPLY to the Suns...via the D'Antoni style
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Jaime Irvine 9 months ago
Interesting, I wrote the article and played division 1 college basketball...
yungCaucasoid, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this blog post is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
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Steven Goldman 9 months ago
When a player turns up to training camp out of shape, it shows that he doesn't give a s---.
A committed player actually practices and tries to improve during the off season, unless he is injured. When you have players so out-of-shape to the point that some of them cannot finish a practice, you have a problem.
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Steven Resnick 9 months ago
1. Baron Davis
2. Chris Paul
3. Deron Williams
4. TJ Ford
5. Mo Williams
6. Monta Ellis
7. Steve Blake
8. Tony Parker
9. Mike Bibby
10. Jamal Tinsley
11. Jarrett Jack
I found 11.
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Jaime,
I understand that you may be a bit upset, because I exposed how idiotic your article is, but...if not true?
Then, please, link me up a player's contract that *REQUIRES* he/she be in game-shape or conditioned, upon arriving at camp...please...I dare you!
Thats what I thought.
.
.
.
.
Oh yey, and please, do show where D'Antoni's Suns teams had any desire ---or coaching!--- that exuded a defensive scheme...please...I dare you!
.
.
.
.
And while you're at it, do provide the name of any NBA-MVP ---or All-Star PG, period!--- who has ever ever ever ever played worse defense, than Steve Nash...please...I dare you!
Thats what I thought.
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yungCaucasoid ... 9 months ago
Steven,
I agree with you, but still, because camp is for getting in shape, then...you can't judge Curry, nor any other player, until camp is over and that player didn't complete the desired objective of getting in shape. If he has no success, then you could say that maybe he should've spent his off-season more wisely.
But, more hypocritically, every year so far...Steve Nash sucks, putridly, on the defensive end of the Court. No one complains about how he didn't spend his off-season getting better on defense. And his liability has literally caused the Suns' season to end early, more than once...just ask Tony Parker!
So, stay keen, not to be as hypocritical as Jaime was in the clownly-article that he wrote here.
peace
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