Season is just around the corner! Finally some basketball. There should be some last minute trade buzz around the league in coming weeks. The Knicks have to be among those teams most talked about they have a ton of players. Thank god for preseason basketball. Is it just me or was anyone else getting tired of all the off court issues. I don't have much to say about those issues except that they are office related. I'm a basketball fan. I just can't wait for the focus to switch back to basketball. I am not going to concern myself with the non basketball related business operations of MSG.
A trade or a signing now that's news. Everything else is for the judge to decide and for the behind the scene people to deal with. Let the businessmen deal with the consequences, let the fans deal with basketball! We want to know about our team. So I'm tired of hearing about the trial. It's taking away from the team we have under construction.
On to more important issues, like whats going on with the Knicks roster? They already released Dickau but by possibly adding Houston they have 20 players. The roster limit being 12 with 3 IR spots leaves 5 players to be cut, released, traded or sent overseas.
Where are all the stories about how this is going to be resolved? Obviously Roderick Wilmont and Walker Russell will not be on the team. What’s Isiah’s plan for them? Are they overseas bond or straight out released. What about Jared Jordan? That still leaves 18 players so 3 more must go. Jerome James comes to mind, will he finally be in shape and injury free? able to prove himself or at least make it up and down the court? If he stays does Morris go? Malik Rose a valuable veteran presence, but unfortunately not much on the court and a hefty contract. Jeffries? I've heard reports of him working his butt off to prove he wasn't a mistake. Fred Jones, one of Isiah's favorites, but he's a 6'2" SG with average talent.
My cuts would be J.James, Fred Jones and Malik Rose (along with Wilmont and Russell). James hasn't been ready to play once, in his tenure as a Knick. Fred Jones is undersized veteran and will only impede the growth of our young players. Malik Rose, hurts the most, he's a class act, shows leadership and is a never quit, play hard every night type guy. But it's him or some of the young talent on the team. They may be unproven, but the Knicks and Rose aren't going anywhere together. These aren't the cuts likely to be made. Rose still has 2 yrs on his deal, 7 mill each. That’s a lot of cash to eat. Jones being one of Isiah’s faves, will be safe. Isiah may not be ready to give up on the big guy. It was one of his signings and he has trouble admitting mistakes and rebuilding periods and sexual harassment.
Morris the promising young center, may be among the cuts. Demetris Nichols may not make the cut, which would be a shame, he shows a lot of promise. Other possibilities will be trades. Is Artest in our future or very unlikely Kobe? With all the court appearances and trial prep, Thomas and Dolan couldn't be working on much basketball.These trades seem to be in limbo. I haven't heard news on either or any other possibilities. The only thing I've heard was a buzz about Dolan saying something big is brewing. But that could be just a diversion tactic from the court case that has been the main focus of the media.
Eddy Curry is going to miss some time with a shoulder injury, delaying the debut of the Randolph and Curry era on the court as well as valuable playing time together. All in all it is time to get back into basketball. Dolan and Isiah have to concentrate on this team now. The season starts in less then a month, preseason has already begun, if they are going to make anymore additions or changes, they must do it now, set a roster now so they have time to gel together. These upcoming weeks should be interesting.
-JZero29
