Note to Isiah

[ChumpDumper]

Well, if his goal is to pick up only one player that plays the way Larry wants, Zeke needs to fire Brown, pay his entire contract himself and take up the coaching duties.

[FromWayDowntown]

At least you end up with a guy who can ball and who has a name. A team like the Knicks doesn't have to worry as much about their lottery years since they can still make $ regardless. What matters is when your team is in Minnesota or Cleveland and is trying to survive.

Exactly. If the Rockets could, essentially, force the Magic to take Francis in exchange for McGrady, I would think the same logic would support Isiah's decision to acquire Francis to use him for exactly the same purpose in seeking to acquire Garnett or Lebron. If Garnett goes McGrady and demands a trade, Minnesota is going to take what it can get, ala Orlando in dealing McGrady. Enter Steve Francis or Stephon Marbury or Jamal Crawford or Jalen Rose or Quentin Richardson or Jerome James or Malik Rose or any other big contract that Isiah has at his disposal. Same goes with Lebron.

The point is this: Isiah was NEVER going to have capspace to rebuild his team. He needs big contracts to match salaries in making any deal for a big-time player down the road. His sole hope to get there is manipulate his roster to make it over -- to have draft picks that he can use (and as whottt has shown, Isiah does that wisely) and to have contracts attached to players who can be dealt to acquire the big pieces the Knicks need. I don't think Isiah acquired Francis with the idea that Francis and Marbury would be the Knicks backcourt of the future or anything like that. One or the other (at least) will be shipped out this summer for someone else. If that someone else happens to be KG, Isiah will have done pretty damned well.

[ChumpDumper]

Let's dispel one myth - the Knicks are not currently profitable. According to Forbes, they are slated to lose $50 million this season alone.

[Peter]

The Knicks are a work in progress. The key is what the team looks like two years from now. Expecting a GM to do miracles overnight is a bit much. Plus, they're in NYC. If a team isn't winning a championship then the fan base wants action. There's a certain pressure there that isn't as virulent elsewhere.

As we all know, drafting well can go a long way to turning a NBA team into a winner. I'm inclined to wait and see on Thomas' tenure in NY before rendering a virtual judgement.

[SenorSpur]

Those dumbass journalists (as you called it) are the not the only ones that question the moves that Isiah's made. I doubt you would find one GM in the league that truly understands what he's doing with that franchise.

There's only one reason to make moves - to make your team appreciably better. No one can justify adding another ballhog (Francis) and a lazy, seven-foot center (James), all at high price tags, are steps in making your team better.

Call it what you want - rebuilding or reloading - the Knicks have been doing it for 33 years. I feel sorry for the fans because they are some of the best around. But for all I care they can stay in the cellar.

[nkdlunch]

His latest bonehead move is to acquire the most overhyped, and one of the most overpayed player in the NBA, Stevie Franchise.

[Winnipeg_Spur]

Yet still added Steve Francis, Jalen Rose and Eddie Curry...

Figure it out.

Yeah, they added three amazingly overpaid cancers who don't play any defense at all. In fact I don't know if there's a single above average defender on the whole roster (ok, maybe Malik), so I don't think it's fair to blame Brown for their lack of D.
I really doubt Thomas is going to be able to trade any of this junk for LBJ or KG (let alone both). If either of those players leave, their teams will be looking to start over again, not build around Steve Francis or Eddy Curry.

[FromWayDowntown]

Those dumbass journalists (as you called it) are the not the only ones that question the moves that Isiah's made. I doubt you would find one GM in the league that truly understands what he's doing with that franchise.

I doubt that. I suspect they all know. They may wonder if it will work, but I think they're aware of what Isiah is attempting to accomplish.

There's only one reason to make moves - to make your team appreciably better. No one can justify adding another ballhog (Francis) and a lazy, seven-foot center (James), all at high price tags, are steps in making your team better.

Again, you're looking at this as a short-term proposition. Isiah isn't. Isiah hasn't made many of these moves with the hope of making his team better in the short term. If he still has his own #1 in 2006 (I don't honestly remember) he may be tanking the season in the hope of securing the best 2006 pick he can. But moves like the Francis move aren't intended (without more) to make the Knicks compe ive. They're intended to give the Knicks a better chance to become compe ive down the road.

[ChumpDumper]

If he still has his own #1 in 2006 (I don't honestly remember) he may be tanking the season in the hope of securing the best 2006 pick he can.

Nope, he has Denver's and ours.

I guess he's tanking to get Chicago the best pick they can.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

At least you end up with a guy who can ball and who has a name. A team like the Knicks doesn't have to worry as much about their lottery years since they can still make $ regardless. What matters is when your team is in Minnesota or Cleveland and is trying to survive.

The point I'm trying to make is that with each passing season his "name" is worth less and less as it becomes more and more synonimous with ing and lack of wins. So those teams like the Wolves and Cavs and other smaller clubs aren't going to try to pick him up for name recognition or the hopes that he's going to put fans in the stands. His value as a "tradeable asset" has slipped with every time he's traded and I think it will probably slip a little bit more if and when the Knicks can find a taker for him.

While it may be true that economically picking up Francis isn't going to kill the Knicks, it's still a far cry from good business sense to pick up a guy with that kind of contract who for two straight seasons has pouted his way through the year enough to the point where two different teams were glad to see him go. And it's going to make even less sense if and when he gets handed another indefinite suspension for conduct detrimental to his team.

There's just no up side to this trade.

[FromWayDowntown]

I guess he's tanking to get Chicago the best pick they can.

I appreciate knowing that. I don't think tanking is a crucial part of Isiah's strategy for the Knicks, though it would have given a further short-term explanation for those decisions.

If he manages to get Garnett or someone of that caliber for the players acquired in giving up that pick and in other transactions, I guess he'll prove himself to be pretty smart.

[BigVee]

After 2004 Olympics, doubtful LBJ would ever play for Brown....KG too old to be the answer, and yes the Knicks are loaded with talent. If I were on the outside courts in Laguna Beach, I would want them all on my team. But NBA-win a championship- talent? Not in that group.

[ChumpDumper]

Does Garnett have no-trade clause? I'm not saying he wouldn't waive it - I just want to know if he has the power to determine where he goes.

[Peter]

I appreciate knowing that. I don't think tanking is a crucial part of Isiah's strategy for the Knicks, though it would have given a further short-term explanation for those decisions.

If he manages to get Garnett or someone of that caliber for the players acquired in giving up that pick and in other transactions, I guess he'll prove himself to be pretty smart.

The thing with the picks is that nowadays having the top picks doesn't matter as much (the Spurs are a prime example). This is not to say that giving up an unconditional picks with no reason to expect a dramatic turnaround is a smart move. But the Knicks aren't doomed by it as they would've been say 10 to 15 years ago.

[ChumpDumper]

AS for LBJ, I can't think of any franchise level, sure-fire max player that didn't sign an extension before he even became a restricted FA outside of Elton Brand, and we all know the reason for that.

[whottt]

Sure, it's because of Nazr that Hawks and knicks sucked.
I didn't say he is a great player but that he is better than Lee and he was 23 when Brown traded him.

And he couldn't even dent Brown's rotation, while Lee has...Lee is a good solid player and I gurantee you if the Spurs could get him for Nazr after this season they would do it in a heartbeat.

He don't turn Sweetney into Curry.
The deal was mainly Curry for Sweetney + an unprotected first + rights to swap picks in 07.
Trading an unprotected first (and the swap in 07 can be very painfull for knicks too)

Well most teams in the NBA would give up a lottery pick for Curry...lazy or not. He's still. one of the most talented bigmen in the league and he has proven NBA talent...I don't think the Knicks anticipated being this bad this year, and they definitely don't anticipate it for next year...but I don't see anyone who is going to solve their problems as the #1 pick this year...another F?

Curry is young and very talented but he has a bad work ethic, he can't stay in shape, he is a poor rebounder, he has an heart condition and he is a poor defender.

Excepting the heart condition you just described 99% of the C's in the NBA...including Shaq...who would you have prefered he get? Tim Duncan? Empty space?

The Francis trade is greta talent wise for NY but it makes no sense to have Marbury, Francis, Crawford and Nate Robinson on a same team. It's 4 guards who main quality is scoring, ther are only one ball in BB.

And I don't imagine he is planning on keeping all those guards...but then again, at my worst, I have the memory capacity of at least a re ed horse, unlike yourself, and can easily recall Isiah's penchant for frequent trades.

Marbury was so good that Suns traded him. Marbury is though but he is a ballhog and he isn't a leader.

I wonder why Isiah probably has a sensitive spot to that type of criticism...

Do you even remember who he gave up to get Marbury?

Chemistry issues come from the roster Thomas has built, it's not related with Brown.

Chemistry issues were there to begin with.

[Peter]

AS for LBJ, I can't think of any franchise level, sure-fire max player that didn't sign an extension before he even became a restricted FA outside of Elton Brand, and we all know the reason for that.

Sure, but there is an incentive for LBJ to end up in NY. I'm sure Nike would be happy to cover whatever insurance was needed to forego the extension.

[ChumpDumper]

Sure, but there is an incentive for LBJ to end up in NY. I'm sure Nike would be happy to cover whatever insurance was needed to forego the extension.

Yeah, we heard the same thing about Yao when he was going to the Lakers.

[Peter]

LBJ in NY is more important than Yao in LA for Nike.

[ChumpDumper]

It's Reebok, cupcake. We'll find out soon enough.

[Peter]

Like I said.

[whottt]

Let's dispel one myth - the Knicks are not currently profitable. According to Forbes, they are slated to lose $50 million this season alone.

Let's dispel anther myth...that of Chump having a brain...the Knicks are the most valuable NBA franchise. Figure it out.

[whottt]

I don't see Ferry letting go of LBJ whether LBJ wants it or not...but I have a hunch LBJ would love to go play for Isiah.


There have long been rumors of Garnett willing to play for the Knicks(and Chicago) if he ever left Minny.

The Knicks could give up Jalen Rose and Mo Taylor for Garnett and put the TWolves payroll at 25 million following next season...

[pache100]

I just can't get over how overwhelmed Larry Brown looks these days. He looks like he just doesn't know what to do next. I have never seen him like this.

[ChumpDumper]

Let's dispel anther myth...that of Chump having a brain...the Knicks are the most valuable NBA franchise. Figure it out.

TAke it up with Forbes you idiot -- they are losing money equal to 10% of their total value this season alone.

Tell me how that is good.