SB Nation User Blog: solanumbrella

NBA Necessity

solanumbrella — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:19:48 -0000

Every good team, let alone great team, has a leader; plain and simple. Look through history and every NBA Finals winner has a clearly defined leader, not necessarily in the tangible hockey sense, though some teams in the NBA have made their leader a cute little "C" (which I assume stands for "contrived"). It is not always an organized process (in fact, I'm of the belief that it should NOT be organized), but it is a necessary one; the definition of a team leader, in one sense or another.

Let's rap!

The past few years, the Knicks have had some dogshit "Captain" types: Stephon Marbury, a "Bench presence" in the form of Malik ass Rose, Steve Francis, etc. You get the picture. But in today's NBA landscape particularly, you cannot get by with a team of fuck-job noncompetitors. Let's review:

Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe Bryant

(which actually brings me to my first amendment: A great coach can act as a leader, so long as there is a player who acts as a supplementary leader. This shit will all make sense. I'm not talking about a good, flavor-of-the week motherfuckers, which precludes anyone named "Brown" from getting that title, I'm talking about genuinely great coaches; Popovich, Jackson, Riley, Van Gundy. In the instance where both a great coach and a player-leader are involved, you have a chance for a transcendent team (read: 90's Bulls, Bad Boy Pistons, Early 00's Lakers, Late 90's-2008 Spurs, Faggot 60's Celtics, Showtime Lakers).

Boston Celtics - Kevin Garnett (is a bitch).

Orlando Magic - Stan Van Gundy (no matter how much you hate him).

San Antonio Spurs - Tim Duncan/Greg Popovich.

And here's what brings me to my REAL question; who is the leader of the Knicks? Even decent teams have floor leaders, such as the Blazers in Brandon Roy, or the SuperSonics in Kevin Durant.

Let's take a look at what's preventing us from having a real leader.

1. Almost every player on the Knicks is, to some capacity, a goofy bitch.

I mean, let's just think about this for a second. Gallo is still too young to contend for a floor general position, and he's the only non-silly bitch we have on our team. David Lee makes silly faces when he dunks, plus he gets blocked on about 1/8th his shots, plus I play better defense than he does. Wilson Chandler is a silly bitch because he still thinks he should shoot threes and he gets to the line about once a year. Al Harrington is a silly mouthpiece bitch, drawing fouls and firing up the team as much as he can, but he's not exactly "intelligent" in the common sense, and I think he might actually be allergic to passing. Chris Duhon hasn't taken a three-point in over a year that hasn't been from half-court (albeit he makes some), plus he shoots about 11% in the immediate basket area; all signs of a silly bitch!

2. Most players are gone after this year.

I mean, Jeffries is gone, Hughes is gone, Nate is gone (face it), Lee is probably gone, Duhon is probably gone. The list goes on and on. For this reason, I think it would be a little silly on MY part to prevent these guys from being eligible for the "Knicks Leader" position, which is akin to "Best post-2000 Eddie Murphy Movie."

3. Most of the Knicks don't play defese. At all.

I mean, some of them play a FORM of defense: Larry Hughes steals the ball, Chris Duhon tries sometimes, Wilson Chandler pretends to guard the best wing player on their team, David Lee looks like he's doing a hell of a job on-the-ball when he's guarding the post (but this is just because every other player is so much bigger than he is that it looks like he's a workhorse). Al Harrington tries pretty hard, but he's not actually very good laterally and can't hang with most wing players. He shows up successfully on defense about one in every five games.

The only true motherfuckers who play defense on the Knicks are: Jared Jeffries, Danilo Gallinari and Toney Douglas. That's the list.

Those of you who saw last nights game know what's about to be written. You may not like it, you may not understand it fully, you may not believe it. But it's fucking true and you have to deal with it.

Jared Scott Carter Jeffries is the leader of the New York Knicks.

Yes, our season is fucked. Yes, the world has been turned inside-out. No, I don't like this. Yes, this is the first time in NBA history that a franchise is going to have to swindle another team to pawn off the team leader at the trade deadline. But he's all we have. Guys, give me your thoughts on this. We should all be here for each other in support, akin to AA.

Jared, with great power comes great responsibility. Take us to the promised land.

D'exaggeration

solanumbrella — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:09:13 -0000

From realgm.com

Mike D'Antoni told the media that he has never seen a shooter as good as Danilo Gallinari.

"He's the best shooter I've ever seen," D'Antoni said.

I mean, I don't know what else to add. I mean, I don't need to tell you guys the players D'Antoni has coached. Just remember that he's 58 years old and has been around basketball his entire life. He's coached Steve Nash on the Suns and Mike Miller, Michael Redd, Kobe Bryant, etc. in the Olympics. Comments?

Home Run Record

solanumbrella — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 03:49:12 -0000

This year we've been thinking about the overall home run record set by the 1997 Mariner's (264) for a single season, but one we haven't been paying much attention to is a less relevant, but still existent record: Most players with 20 or more home runs in a single season. According to Baseball Almanac, the American League record stands at 7 ('96 Orioles, 2000 Blue Jays, 2005 Rangers). Currently, our Yankees have three players (Teixeira, A-Rod, Damon) who have hit the 20 home run mark, with four others (Swisher-18, Cano-18, Matsui-17, Posada-15) clearly on pace. That would give us seven, tying the record.

Two things I think are worth mentioning are that Derek Jeter has 13 and Melky Cabrera has 11. While I don't expect either of them to hit the 20 mark, stranger things have happened and it would be cool to hold the record. The other thing is that all three of the current records represent the "Steroid Era" in Major League Baseball to its fullest extent. While A-Rod has admitted to using PEDs in the past, I can confidently say our Yankees look like they may wind up with the "cleanest" seven 20-home-run guys, so to speak.

I just thought it was something worth mentioning as well as something to root for.

Keep your eyes on right field!

A Rubio Hypothesis.

solanumbrella — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:36:57 -0000

Admittedly, I'm in love with Ricky Rubio pause. But I have an objective hypothesis concerning our acquisition of the spicy point guard pause, and here it is:

Rubio was taken 5th overall by the Wolves, who then proceeded to take Jonny Flynn 6th overall. They definitely need a point guard, but they certainly do not need two. This leads us to believe that one of the recent additions will be moved.

First Question: Why would they move one of their picks?

First Answer: As individuals, Rubio and Flynn are both higher-echelon talents. Rubio is Harry Potter with the rock and Jonny Flynn is an excellent energy player who could develop into a starting NBA point guard within the year. In tandem, however, the two playing on the court together simply does not work. One of the them would have to guard the two position, a job of which neither player is capable (Flynn for obvious reasons and Rubio because he's only 6'4" and lacking muscle). This leads me to believe that the Wolves never planned to combine the two guards, as it would be foolish for them to draft a player who would play back-up with the 5th or 6th overall selection. Moving on.

Second Question: Of the two, which one is more likely to be moved?

Second Answer: Rubio. The reason for the is a simple one: Money. Had the Timberwolves planned on keeping Rubio, they would have taken him 6th rather than 5th, so they would pay slightly less considering the rookie pay scale. I could also cite his disappointment with his selection, but I don't read too much into that shit. However, in the NBA, as with every industry, you must follow the dolla signs, bitch.

Third Question: What would make the Knicks his most likely destination?

Third Answer: Need. The Knicks were one of the many teams who went into this draft with a mindset of nabbing a "point guard of the future." From a quick analysis, they were the only team who was unsuccessful. The Kings, Warriors, Bucks, Sixers, etc. all got their players (no matter what Monta Ellis's shooting guard ass has to say about it). Our Knicks, however, remain stagnant with a mediocre Chris Duhon.

Also we must consider the needs of the Timberwolves. They will, in some way, have come out of this draft with a solid point guard. They have have an excellent PF/C in Al Jefferson, and an additional power forward in Kevin Love. A quick glance at the three spot makes any sportsfan want to vomit. With Ryan Gomes and Rodney Carney playing the small forward position, the Wolves need help. I think you guys know where I'm going with this: Wilson Chandler.

Giving up Willie would be painful, but we really need to let the cock spin. You truly do not want to click that.

I'll let you guys go nuts with the trade machine concerning the salaries, but a quick glance at the free agent list shows you plenty of expiring deals on the part of the T-Wolves, and you know we gobble that shit up son pause.

What would you guys think of some fangled deal swapping Willie for Rubio and more burn for Gallo?

Peace.

This started out as a comment, ended up as a girl's diary entry.

solanumbrella — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:45:34 -0000

This was originally a response to Seth’s comment in the post about New York being the Mecca of Basketball, but it got way too lengthy so fuck it. It’s a post now.

I never lived in the city and only spent 7 years of my life in the state of New York before moving to Pennsylvania. I have yet to meet another person out in Pennsylvania who even CLOSE to shares the same feelings toward the Knicks that I do.

Normally I wouldn't consider this a good thing, but I've kind of enjoyed it, retrospectively.

In the past however many years, I've watched the Knicks get their asses handed to them by some of the worst teams ever assembled. I've watched them get their asses kicked to shambles by teams in a division marked the "Titanic" conference.

I've watched the Knicks play like SHIT against teams of almost all white guys (here's to you, 2006-2009 Indiana Pacers!).

They are going to get a lot better sometime relatively soon, and you're going to have a lot more people going absolutely bugshit about them almost entirely because of their improved record. I welcome this, but at the same time it's going to make me look back on the game threads of "Knicks vs. Nets 2008: Everybody get ready for a terrifying shitshow pitting the worst teams of all time against each other!" and kind of miss them.

It probably seems really pompous that I'm even typing this up, seeing as the Knicks' improvement is far from guaranteed. But these last few (ten) years have been a test of will, and I think we all deserve it.

Any given year, I want the Knicks to go 82-0 and sweep the playoffs. I want to see, in my lifetime, not just a Knicks Championship team, but a fucking Dynasty. I want to be able to say "Wow, someone from your team won the dunk contest? Cool...what was your record this year again?" I want the Celtics to fake injury at the end of the year against us because really, there's no point in trying to beat us at the Garden.

Anyway, back to what I was saying in the way beginning, when I was unnecessarily giving a stupid autobiography for no reason. I live far, far away from the nearest Knicks fan, and this website has consistently given a shit about the Knicks even when the Knicks didn’t give a shit about the Knicks.

I agree with Seth that the fans of this site are predominantly diehard and realistic people. When there is a welcome influx of fans who are neither (which, frankly, has already started), I’m going to love it, but about 1% of me is going to look back on the last few years and say “Jesus Christ we were terrible, thank God other people still gave a shit!”

I just hope, with the impending flood of new fans of this site (Once again, I’m pumped for this, not dreading it. Welcome everybody), I just hope it won’t mean we have to do shit like, FOR REAL. I hope we still get ridiculous recaps, even if we’re winning 50 games a season (Please, God).

A girl can only hope, Diary. Goodnight.

Knicks All-Decades Awards

solanumbrella — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:33:25 -0000

Editor's Note: Knicks-Bucks thread coming soon. In the meantime, solanumbrella presents an interesting discussion topic.

Via Isola [Article on Knicks site here]

Donnie Walsh says he's having a "Greatest Players" tribute representing the greatest Knicks player from each of the last 6 decades at halftime of the March 23rd game vs. the Magic. He has each decade pegged:

40s: Carl Braun

50s: Richie Guerin

60s: Willis Reed

70s: Walt "Clyde" Frazier

80s: Bernard King

90s: ~~Chris Dudley~~ Patrick Ewing

2000s: ??? [Will be honored in 2010, when this shitshow is over]

with Dick McGuire getting a Legacy Award.

Isola hypothesizes Spree or Houston as far as 2000s are concerned, and one of the comments suggests maybe Marbury. Any other ideas? Agreement? Disagreement?

I say if, by some miracle, David Lee can string together 20 straight games of Godliness and lead us to the playoffs, he should get the nod for rescuing us from death's capture and deading the Isiah Era once and for all.

Marbury to Celtics

solanumbrella — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:57:57 -0000

As reported by the times

Marbury is definitely going to the Celtics, as we all suspected. The Times is reporting that he'll sign for the veteran's minimum (1.3 mil, I think). Quoth the Times:

"Marbury is scheduled to meet with reporters in Boston on Friday morning and be in uniform Friday night when the Celtics host the Indiana Pacers."

Definitely the best quote of the short article is:

"An elite player in his prime, Marbury has not always been considered a positive influence on the teams he has played for."

This guy is a douchebag. Thoughts, gentlemen?

Breaking: Tim Thomas & Big Snacks for Larry Hughes

solanumbrella — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:33:32 -0000

Just read on ESPN.com that Chad Ford heard the Knicks and Bulls have agreed to the following trade:

Jerome James

Tim Thomas

for

Larry Hughes

What the hell would this do to help us? I don't know, give us back a player who has forgotten how to be a good basketball player in the last 3 years? You guys tell me.

Is he serviceable? Is this a mistake? Are we going to miss Tim's 3-point shooting and size, with no real big men? Does this mean less playing time for anybody? Thoughts.

ESPN report

solanumbrella — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:45:54 -0000

This shit that Chad Ford (is white as fuck) just wrote up lists his top ten ballerz most likely to move before the trade deadline. David Lee is listed as #7 with the following reasoning:

"But to keep Lee, who becomes a restricted free agent next summer, the Knicks would have to pay a terrible price, considering that team president Donnie Walsh is trying to clear cap space for the summer of 2010. As the Knicks currently stand, if Walsh signs Lee to a big extension, any hope of having cap space to lure LeBron James goes out the window."

with some other shit, too.

Personally, I think David Lee is the only big man we currently have that I wouldn't peg an "alien" in that test they did at the beginning of Men In Black. Not sure what this means, but it's definitely something. I would like to hang on to him as long as possible no homo.

Thoughts? Concerns?

Someone help me out, here.

solanumbrella — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:55:27 -0000

I'm trying to figure out some way for the Knicks to get ahold of Raymond Felton. I know he's not an unbelievable point guard by any means, but I've watched him a little over the past couple of years (Don't ask me why the fuck I get the Bobcats channel) and I have to say he's pretty sick.

Here's what Hollinger over at ESPN has to say about him:

Scouting report: Felton's penetration skills are his primary asset. He is very quick off the dribble, can go with either hand and is effective pushing the ball in transition. He has good court vision, too, and might be able to indulge that part of his game more now that he has a few teammates who can score. While Felton has a reputation as a poor outside shooter, he's actually done decently from outside the past couple seasons. Instead, finishing at the rim has been his big problem.

Defensively, it would be nice if he were an inch or two taller, but Felton does a good job keeping opposing guards in front of him and doesn't appear to have any glaring weaknesses. Opponents rarely attacked him since some of his teammates were such easy targets, but that might change this season.

Does that sound like someone who should be running in a D'Antoni System? My vote is yes.

Also: According to Chad Ford over at ESPN:

"Analysis: I'm a D.J. Augustin admirer, and I think he'll be an improvement over Raymond Felton eventually. The Bobcats were shopping Felton before the draft and I think they'll keep doing it now."

So, what trades can we think of? What do the 'cats need that we have? Matching Salaries? Watch some youtube, get on the ESPN Trade Machine and give me your opinion.

May the The Cock be with you.

[Early] Update: David Lee is my second favorite player on the Knicks (RENALDOOOO!!!!!), and I love him (no homo).
I love the way he plays, I love his work ethic, I love his desire to get better, his desire to play no matter how shitty his team is, and his commitment to excellence. But he is a career 6th or 7th man, no matter how you slice it. His defense simply isn't good enough to make up for the fact that he'll average ten points his whole career. He would be excellent on a competitive team as a staple of the second unit (a la Millsap).

However, we just drafted a project (The Cock), and priority number one right now is developing him. You want to know how to develop players? Pass it to them. On a regular team, this wouldn't be a problem at all. On the Knicks, there is NO ONE to pass him the ball. Last year the Knicks ranked dead last in assists per game. We need, I repeat, NEED somebody to distribute this year. Nobody will get better if we do not have a pass-first PG who can actually ball a little (Sorry, Mardy).

There are people on the board talking about getting someone better for David Lee (understandable). But I don't see how we could get much more than someone like Felton. Let's brainstorm and think of other PG's to go after. There are talks of getting someone like Mike Conley Jr. of the Grizz.

To put this into perspective, people are entertaining the idea that we should acquire a FOURTH OVERALL PICK from last year's LOADED-ASS-MOTHERFUCKING-DRAFT for David Lee.

As much as I love Lee, this is nothing short of insane.

I'm essentially just rambling, here, but I think priority #1 at this point should be to cop a competent passer, of which our Knicks have ZERO. Thoughts?