Bleacher Report - Articles by Marc Cogliano

Should New York Knicks Trade Up For Ricky Rubio? Why Not

Marc Cogliano — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:05:10 -0400

As of now the New York Knicks do not have a steady point guard.

Chris Duhon did not play well towards the end of the season, and Nate Robinson is going to test the market most likely if the Knicks do not resign him.

But with Knicks sitting at the eighth spot at the NBA draft most experts have them picking Stephon Curry. I'm not against that pick if the Knicks are still at number eight of course.

But I do think the Knicks should try and make a deal to get Ricky Rubio.

Ricky Rubio is most likely going to go Memphis Grizzlies at number two. So if the Knicks really want him they would have to give up their first round pick, Chris Duhon, and Quentin Richardson.

If Memphis wants to get someone else from the Knicks that is not too valuable, why not do it?

Ricky Rubio would run D'Antoni's system to perfection.

Yes, Ricky is only 19 but this kid can ball.

He is a true point guard and that's what we need to make this system flourish. His NBA comparison is Walt Frazier/Steve Nash, now that's a great company to be mentioned in.

If you haven't seen this kid's game yet you better go on youtube and check out his skills. He has a great height at 6'3 but he can bulk up a little he is only 180 pounds. But with his weight like the way it is he can fly up and down the court.

However, his style of play is extremely relaxed and confident because the game comes so easily to him. People say including myself that he will have no problem adjusting to the speed of the NBA because of his basketball IQ.

If I'm Donnie Walsh and i have an opportunity like this. I will not just be satisfied with the eighth pick. I would make a deal and hop right up to the top of the NBA draft and get Ricky Rubio.

New York Giants Top 10 Linebackers of All Time

Marc Cogliano — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:33:13 -0400

These are the Giants Top 10 Linebackers of All Time. Being a linebacker for the New York Giants is hard enough, but to be in the top 10 of all time is a quite accomplishment. A linebacker is a person that has no regard for his own body, willing to sacrifice himself so that his teammates can rally behind him and take the person out. Linebackers are the main guys of the defense. They make the call and run the show on the field. A middle linebacker is the general of the defense, also the quarterback of defense. You as a defensive coordinator always put your best tackler and most hard nose player at the middle linebacker position. Simply you have to be a leader on the field, you are the one that has to set the tone early. Thats a linebacker suppose to do.

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Can The New York Knicks Make A Playoff Spot Next Year?

Marc Cogliano — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:53:04 -0400

The New York Knicks have not made the NBA playoffs since 2003–04 season under Lenny Wilkens, when they were swept by the New Jersey Nets in the first round.

Needless to say, since then I haven't been a happy camper, seeing my team crumble each year. But with Isiah and Marbury gone, the Knicks should have a better shot of making the playoffs, right?

I would certainly have to say that the Knicks were pretty exciting to watch under Mike D'Antoni this year. We are doing a great job with knocking down the salary cap to go after the big names in the summer of 2010, but the Knicks need to make the playoffs next year to be able to draw the big names in and make a run deep into the playoffs.

However, I honestly don't believe D'Antoni's system can get the Knicks into the playoffs. Yes, the Phoenix Suns were very successful with it, but the Knicks don't have players like Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion.

In the East it's all about playing defense, and with D'Antoni's system, I don't believe the run-and-gun offense will get this New York team far. The Knicks were always known for being a tough bunch of guys that love to play defense, but through the years philosophy and personal change.

If the Knicks still have Mike D'Antoni as their head coach in the summer of 2010, then we have to go after guys that can shoot and make plays to get far in the playoffs. Hopefully it can work, but if he is not there, we have to go after coaches that know how to coach defense and get the right guys to play it.

The Knicks need to get lucky and make the playoffs next year to get some big names, or the Knicks need to look for a defensive coach and win the hard way—like the old days.

Former Knicks Player Stephon Marbury Could Land With The Wizards

Marc Cogliano — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:02:30 -0400

Stephon Marbury's up and down playoff run with the Boston Celtics probably won't result in a nice fat contract next season but there is one team that could have interest in the former Knicks guard. It's the Washington Wizards, they had a huge make over with an arrival of their new head coach Flip Saunders.

He would strongly considering adding Marbury to the roster if there is a spot empty. The biggest hurdle for Marbury is that Mike James and Javaris Crittenton are both under contract.

The Washington Wizards president is Ernie Grunfeld, he was a big Marbury fan when Ernie ran the Knicks. He tried to get him the year that Marbury was traded to the Nets.

But the thing that I don't get is why on earth does another team have any interest in Marbury? Flip and Ernie do you get that this guy is a cancer for every team that he goes on. Like you can't be serious?

Look what Marbury did to the T'Wolves, yea he reached the playoffs twice with them but still he left on a terrible note. By steaming with Timberwolves management from a dispute with coaches about his role in the offense. Next team to ruin the New Jersey Nets, yes Marbury became a star with them but most importantly he never reached the playoffs with them. So he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Jason Kidd.Lets see didn't the Nets reached the NBA Finals back-to-back years right after Marbury Left? Yea, indeed they did.

Than my beloved New York Knicks makes a dramatic turn for the worse ... trading to receive Stephon Marbury. One thing lead to another Marbury ruins another franchise.

All in all who ever picks up ''StarBury" better consider the consequences to their franchise.

P.S. Aren't the Celtics out of the playoffs? Oh yeah, it's the Marbury disease.

Anquan Boldin: Why the Giants Should Get Him

Marc Cogliano — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:14:53 -0400

Without a big-time receiver, the Giants are not going to have a dominant offense this upcoming season.

Look at the playoff game this past year: The Eagles were bringing eight in the box because Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson knew that they had no big-time receiver that could hurt them.

With Burress gone, they need a huge playmaker at the receiver spot. Lots of people, including myself, say why not go after Anquan Boldin?

One of the more talented wide receivers in the league today, Boldin has been said to want out of the Desert.

He has a deal through 2010, but that deal only pays him $4 million a year—not top wideout money. That's why Boldin fired his agent Drew Rosenhaus a couple of days ago—he didn't like the stalemate between himself and the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants have to make this deal for Boldin if they want a sure No. 1 spot in the NFC or NFL. Boldin is asking for $10 million, but that's a little much for the Giants to swallow.

But think about it Boldin, Nicks, Smith, and Boss. That seems dangerous for any defense coordinator in the league to figure out how to match up.

For me, it’s simple.

Get Boldin. He wants out of Arizona.

The Giants don’t have Plax anymore.

The Giants need an All-Pro receiver.

Sounds like a perfect match, doesn’t it?

New York Giants: My Favorite To Win 2009 NFC

Marc Cogliano — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:54:23 -0400

There is no reason why the Giants can't run the show in the NFC, with a new and improved defense resembling the Super Bowl 42 squad, and a well run offense that can be very productive and score in the red zone.

This offense will be stellar for several reasons, their offensive line is going to have another great year. They were great for pass blocking and helping their running backs to reach 1,000 yards each.

The Giants receiver core has great depth this year. They are boasting Steve Smith, who has the most experience and reps in the group. He can be a standout receiver if he can stay healthy. Next, you have Domenik Hixon who had some spectacular plays against the Cleveland Browns in the pre-season last year, and had a couple of good games this past season.

Then they have the sensational rookie Hakeem Nicks. He will be a huge factor this year, he looks like a kid that can really play. Everybody raves about his catching skills. To be a success and contribute to his team, Nicks needs to have a good year.

Finally, you have Ramses Barden, who is the closest thing to a Plaxico type of player. Sinorice Moss and Mario Manningham have been taken out by injuries, so we are going to have to wait and see if they can contribute. Also, Kevin Boss will be boosting the receiver position for the Giants with his size, helping the offensive line and creating confusion regarding match ups.

Eli Manning is getting better each year by being a quarterback who doesn't throw tons of interceptions or have a bad completion percentage. This past year, Eli jumped from 56.1 pct to 60.3 pct. As for interceptions, he cut his number in half from 20 to 10. That's exactly what Eli needs to do to become a top quarterback in the NFL.

When they say defense wins championships, you should look to the 2007 New York Giants' defense to see if it's true. I believe this year's defense can be as good or even better than the '07 defense.

If you take one look at our defensive line this year and their line from two years ago, they have one thing in common, depth. The new guys in the rotation like Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard should have a huge impact on the defensive line. They will join Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Barry Cofield, Fred Robbins, Dave Tollefson, and Jay Alford. In my mind, the Giants will be "ballin" a lot this year.

Next, the linebackers are going to be lead by veteran Antonio Pierce. He had some distractions last year, but should bounce back this year, because he is the heart beat of the defense. With Steve Spagnuolo gone, Pierce has to be the man and step up.

Along side of him will be newly acquired Michael Boley, who will help the outside linebackers with the experience he brings with him. Also, we have Clint Sintim, who the Giants just drafted. He will join the competition for the starting spot with Danny Clark. Clint looks like a hard nose player who would hit his own mother if she had the ball. Mathias Kiwanuka will be in the mix for OLB/DE. It seems this poor guy can't stay in one position for more than a year.

Finally, we have the secondary which should improve from last year. At the corner back position, with his experience and skills, Aaron Ross is becoming a shutdown player. He is a good player because he has a great football IQ. Across the field his partner is Corey Webster, who came off a good season with the Giants. He could have another good one this year. Also, Kevin Dockery will be filtering into the team.

As we see the 2009 New York Giants on paper, there should be no question why they can't be the best team in the NFC.

Also, a quick stat for Giants fans, the final four playoff teams we beat in regular season were: Arizona Cardinals(37-29), Philadelphia Eagles(36-31), Baltimore Ravens(30-10), and finally the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers(21-14).