Could we see A.I. in N.Y.?

Monday November 16, 2009 6:38 PM By Alan Hahn

We recently promoted the idea that the struggling Knicks should pursue Allen Iverson. As of tonight, the Knicks could get him for the veteran's minimum, as he is once again a free agent after just three games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies said they agreed to set Iverson free so he could walk away from the game to focus on the "personal reasons" that caused him to leave the team last week.

And now the Knicks are expected to give some serious thought to it, but the Iverson-to-New York scenario remains unlikely, as you may recall the follow-up story to our Iverson suggestion.

And again consider that the Knicks twice had chances to get Iverson over the past year. The Denver Nuggets were shopping him around the league and before they found that tremendous deal with the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, there were some conversations with the Knicks that went nowhere.

Then over the summer, when Iverson was a free agent and included the Knicks among teams he wanted to play for, there was zero  interest.

Again some fans misunderstand the Mike D'Antoni system as somewhat of a clear-out for the point guard to beat his man off the dribble and use players around the perimeter as outlets when a double-team comes. Sure, it looks that way when Nate Robinson has the ball, but it's really not supposed to be that way. So Iverson really isn't going to solve the share-the-ball philosophy this system is supposed to promote.

And, quite frankly, if you felt the Knicks defense couldn't get any worse . . . have you ever seen Iverson go over a screen to stay with his man?

My take, however, is that things are just so awful right now, Iverson would provide at least a 75-game distraction for beleaguered Knicks fans as everyone awaits July 1, 2010.

As long as D'Antoni believes he should start, of course.

Let the youth movement begin

Saturday November 14, 2009 12:01 AM By Alan Hahn

Mike D'Antoni sounded like a coach who was ready to expire the expiring contracts and look to the future. At 1-9, the worst 10-game start in franchise history, how much worse can it get?

"It's bad, there's no doubt about it," he said after his rudderless team collectively laid down against the Warriors tonight. "We got [four] days off. We'll practice hard and we'll try to figure out something better and let's see who wants to come forward."

The latter portion of that statement rang like a challenge to the young players who have mostly been deferring to the vets. Time to make your case, kids.

Al Harrington works his butt off, but, as we've been saying here over-and-over, he's just completely wrong for the way D'Antoni wants to play. He doesn't play up-tempo. He grinds. He gets the ball, faces up, puts his head down and barrels to the rim. His idea of quick ball movement is to catch and shoot on the perimeter, where his shot just refuses to go in on a regular basis. It's like a battle of wills between Al and the ball.

Larry Hughes has leveled off since his early burst that earned him playing time. Chris Duhon has been a mess since training camp. Jared Jeffries? Darko Milicic? You're just getting nothing. And it's about time undersized David Lee was relieved of his duties as the starting center, because it is clear opposing teams have it in their scouting report to attack him regularly. Perhaps the addition of Eddy Curry will move Lee back to his natural 4-spot, but then again, from what we remember of Curry as a player (it's been a while), he doesn't do much to defend the rim, either.

Jordan Hill had a mercurial 8:55 stint in the third quarter. D'Antoni said he started the rookie in the second half because "we had some zombies out there and I just wanted to see Jordan." Hill wasted little time as he hit a midrange jumper right away and also ran the floor hard to finish with a dunk. Overall, he was 5-for-5 for 10 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot in 14:25. But he picked up four fouls in the third quarter, which forced D'Antoni to put him back on the bench until the fourth.

One of Hill's turnovers was only his fault because of the rookie penchant to defer to a veteran. Hill had the ball at the circle and saw Hughes coming toward him. Hill attempted a hand-off to Hughes, but it was never receieved and, instead, was stolen by Kelenna Azubuike (who, by the way, should be on the Knicks' B-list for 2010). Hill's play there should have been to let Hughes go through. Hughes' play there should have been to not bring his defender to Hill.

But, again, if you're going to lose, at least let a young player like Hill learn in the process.

D'Antoni said he thought Hill was "OK ... He does some things that are good. He still has a lot to learn, but I'd like to keep playing him and see what happens."

The most pointed message D'Antoni sent Friday night was that he was disgusted with his team's collected lack of fight.

Perhaps if he goes young and scrappy -- Marcus Landry may not have a ton of talent, but at least the kid competes -- the Knicks will at least be somewhat watchable.

So what about an eight-man rotation of Douglas-Gallinari-Chandler-Lee-Curry with Nate, Hill and Landry off the bench?

Seriously, how much worse can it get?

* * *

Quick follow-up to the LeBron James call to retire No. 23: I asked the Knicks' resident No. 23 -- rookie Toney Douglas -- what he thought of it. His reply suggested he wasn't really in favor: "It really doesn't matter to me what he said about the number thing. I don't really have no comment about it to tell you the truth."

Douglas said he has worn No. 23 since he was a 3-year-old and, of course, it was for Michael Jordan.

So, yes, LeBron has considered changing his number to 6, but I couldn't help but ask Douglas the hypothetical, "What if a veteran signed with the Knicks and requested the No. 23?"

He laughed.

"I'm not in that situation right now," he said. "So I'm going to have to wait until that veteran comes."

* * *

Leave it to Don Nelson to keep Stephen Curry buried on the bench for all but 2:35 of his NBA debut at the Garden. Nellie found it amusing when a reporter told him the Warriors "spoiled the Garden party" at the draft last June and tossed another dagger when he dismissed the idea that Jordan Hill was even next on their board. "We liked Brandon Jennings, too," he said.

Before the game, Curry, who shared a short-lived love affair with the Knicks before the draft, tried to suggest that he "left all that in the summer." But then he admitted that when he watches the Knicks, "you kind of picture yourself and how you could have played, what kind of plays you could have made."

Coulda been so beautiful ...

D'Antoni system isn't getting the point

Thursday November 12, 2009 12:53 AM By Alan Hahn

As Charles Barkley might say if he ever watched the Knicks run the once-vaunted Mike D'Antoni offense, "Steve Nash is rolling over in his grave."

With a lineup littered with ball-stoppers and joggers, what can you expect? Of course you would expect a little more if the most important position on the floor in this system -- the point guard -- was producing better results.

A year ago Chris Duhon ran this offense like he'd been playing it for years. And not just when he had Zach Randolph picking-and-popping like a 13-year-old with acne and Jamal Crawford doing his best Chuck Person "Rifleman" impersonation, but even after those two were expunged from the 2010-11 payroll. What made Duhon's first half so impressive was how well he played through that stretch of games after the Nov. 21 trades, especially when the roster was half-empty because of injuries (Eddy Curry), exiles (Stephon Marbury) and the Cuttino Mobley situation.

A year later, Duhon looks flat-out gassed and we're only nine games into the season (at least last season it took half the schedule to wear him down). He's not looking to push the pace -- and no one is even trying to break out, either -- and his shot appears allergic to nylon at this point. Consider that, including tonight's 0-for-6 in the loss to the Hawks, three times in the last four games Duhon has failed to hit a field goal. He is 2-for-23 in that stretch and 2-for-12 from downtown.

There is reason to be very concerned here about Duhon and his performance level. Is he feeling the pressure of being in a contract year? Is he just not that good? Is it related to something off-the-court we don't know about?

Whether he likes it or not, as Duhon falls out of the limelight, the spotlight will shine brighter. And it's clear D'Antoni is trying to do all he can to keep Duhon from disintergrating.

Perhaps that's why when D'Antoni gives rookie Toney Douglas the starting nod tonight he curiously also leaves Duhon in the Fav Five.

Even D'Antoni afterward couldn't explain why. "It's a good question," he said. "I don't know . . . I don't really have an answer for that."

It actually worked to a degree because the Knicks finally got off to a good start for a change. But similarly to the loss to the Pacers last week -- coincidentally, also on a Wednesday -- the Knicks just couldn't hit that extra gear to build a commanding lead against the Hawks, who struggled early and clearly have major issues with sharing the ball on offense.

The key moment was late in the second quarter, as it was against the Pacers last week. A three-point play by David Lee made it a 54-41 lead with 1:22 left. Joe Johnson scored a runner with 1:04 left to cut it to an 11-point deficit. Then on the next Knicks possession, Wilson Chandler misses a three. The Hawks come down and score and the Knicks get the ball back and once again, a jump shot (Al Harrington) is what the Knicks settle on.

They get a stop with 25.4 seconds left, which gives them the chance at ending the half on a positive note. Instead, Duhon jacks up a three -- yes, three straight possessions with perimeter shots -- with 5.9 ticks still left on the clock (and four on the shot clock) and Mo Evans closes out the half with a jumper just before the buzzer to turn what was a 13-point deficit with less than 90 seconds to go into afar-less daunting 54-47 score.

Duhon wasn't the only culprit in those final plays of the half and his shot was an open look. But for a player who is struggling to hit shots and a team that needed a good possession there to end the half, it was a poor decision. Atlanta got it going in the third, mainly behind Al Horford, who dominated Lee and Co. inside for 14 of his 25 points.

Getting back to Douglas, he did top his previous game with a career-best 23 points and made 10 of 19 shots. But what he did for himself in getting shots, he didn't do for others (one assist), which is pretty much a prerequisite if you're going to be the point guard in this system.

Douglas is very similar to Nate Robinson in that they are scoring guards who pass mostly out of what comes of their own moves. Still, Douglas brings a great deal of defensive tenacity -- he drove Mike Bibby crazy for much of the game -- and I believe when Nate does return on Friday against the Warriors, D'Antoni might go ahead and put Douglas and Robinson together in the backcourt against the Warriors undersized tandem of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.

Duhon, meanwhile, should be slipping down the ladder like Darko Milicic (second straight DNP-CD) has lately. But D'Antoni knows Duhon is the only guard on the team with any ability to facilitate and run an offense.As D'Antoni said after the game, "He's got to play out of it."

What other choice does D'Antoni have? Douglas is proving to be a nice player who can be very productive at both ends of the floor, but as a true point guard that can run an offense and get others involved? "He's got some learning to do," D'Antoni said.

Robinson is the same. Larry Hughes has some ability to move the ball, but will also make sure he gets his shots up, too. Still, he may be the only player aside from Duhon who can run a system when that's his designated job.

There's not anything out there on the open market that's going to help now, though we'll focus our eyes on Houston over the next week to keep tabs on Tracy McGrady, who could easily play point guard in this system. Perhaps another option would be to kidnap/rescue Steph Curry when he arrives at the Garden on Friday.

What a disaster the 2009 draft has proven to be -- at least initially -- for both the Warriors and Knicks. Clearly the decision to draft Curry, a combo guard, was not appreciated at all by Monta Ellis, who seems like he'd rather hand it off to the other team than make a pass to an open Curry. Would things be different for both teams if the Warriors decided to take Jordan Hill instead?

Probably not. Because early indications show that Curry -- despite being so obviously dismissed on the court by his own teammate -- probably wouldn't have been ready to step in as an effective starter here and clearly has some physical challenges on defense at the NBA level. But, to be fair, we really can't judge his offense since whatever the Warriors are running can't really be labeled as an actual strategy.

Then again, Harrington putting his head down and dribbling into a double-team and losing the ball isn't quite a "system" either.

Friday's game oughta be a beaut. Might make Barkley say something like, "Dr. Naismith is rolling over in his grave."

Jamal Crawford sure happy to be in Atlanta

Wednesday November 11, 2009 7:03 PM By Barbara Barker

          Barbara Barker here for Alan Hahn tonight.

          Talked to former Knick player and Newsday blogger Jamal Crawford before the game. He sure had a big smile on his face. He also had some interesting things to say about his time in New York. Crawford says he believes the Knicks would have made the playoffs last year if they hadn't traded him in November.

            "I think so. Thirty-seven, thirty-eight wins wold have been good enough," he said. "I think we would have gone."

          Crawford also revealed that he is good friends with LeBron James and has known him James was in high school. He said he talked to James by phone the night James was back here Friday, but he wouldn't say what they had talked about. Crawford did say that he thought it would be tough for the Knicks to get James out of Cleveland.

          "Both Lebron and Dwyane Wade are on really good teams. It's goingn to be hard to get them to leave."

            FYI Alan Hahn, Crawford said he might consider finishing up his blog at Newsday when Atlanta gets to the playoffs.

          In current Knick news, Nate Robinson is out again tonight with a sprained ankle. This is the sixth game in a row that he has missed. Also, Mike D'Antoni confirmed before the game ethat he will decide on Tuesday whether Eddy Curry will return to play at Indiana on Wednesday.

        I will be tweeting during the game

-- Barbara Barker, AKA meanbarb on twitter

Chiseled Curry makes his return

Tuesday November 10, 2009 1:40 PM By Alan Hahn

Eddy Curry practiced with th team today and, according to Newsday's Barbara Barker, who covered practice at the MSG Training Center, the 7-foot center looked noticably leaner.

UPDATE: Scroll to the bottom for video evidence of Curry's new look (courtesy of nyknicks.com)

"It's sure good to be back," Curry said afterward. "I would love to be back on the court. I can't wait until I'm in a game."

With two games in the next three days, it is not likely to happen until next week. After Friday's game, the team has a four-day break before they play in Indiana, so the Nov. 18 game against the Pacers appears to be the target date.

It still remains to be seen what Curry can do basketball-wise after being off the court and so badly out of shape over the past year. But on appearance alone, there is reason for optimism.

"He looks good," Mike D'Antoni said. "It's good to get him on the court and get started. We'll see how long this process is. Physically, he looks good."

We reported in today's Newsday that multiple sources indicated Curry's weight is actually under 300 pounds. His listed weight is 295 pounds, but that number hasn't been accurate in years. Donnie Walsh said before training camp that Curry weighed in at 318 pounds. According to personal trainer Tommy Weatherspoon, who was hired to get him in condition this offseason, Curry topped out at almost 360 pounds at the end of last season.

Weatherspoon helped Curry lose a great deal of the weight, but he told me in July that the coaching staff was "delusional" if they thought he could ever again play at under 300 pounds. Knicks longtime strength coach Greg Brittenham, however, proved it was possible. Curry worked two-to-three times daily with Brittenham, another team trainer Dave Hancock and newly-hired "performance specialist" Andy Barr, over the past month with a regimen that varied from extensive work in the pool to boxing training and, of course, basketball drills.

Curry still has to prove his low-post game can be effective in D'Antoni's system, but you have to expect the Knicks will do whatever they can to properly incorporate Curry into the gameplan. Not only does the team need a go-to scoring threat on the low post (remember, Curry proved he could be a dominant scorer in 2006-07), but they need to pump up his value if they are to trade him before the February trade deadline to ensure the ability to offer not one but two max contracts in 2010.

This is a very critical moment. And even in his optimism, Walsh admitted he isn't yet convinced that it'll work this time with Curry.

"I'm not," Walsh said. "That's the whole idea. We've done everything we can to get him to the point where he can do that. But until he does it, I'm not certain."

* * *

The Knicks also welcomed back another player, Nate Robinson, who said he might be able to return from his sprained right ankle as early as tomorrow against the Atlanta Hawks.

Here's the video:

Amazing...

Ankle sprain sidelines Nate

Sunday November 1, 2009 6:25 PM By Alan Hahn

Mike D'Antoni said today at practice that Nate Robinson's right ankle sprain, which he suffered during the fourth quarter of Saturday's overtime loss to the 76ers, will keep him out of Monday's game against Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.

D'Antoni also said the Knicks may be without their 5-9 energizer for 10 to 14 days.

Robinson, who signed a one-year contract and is headed to free agency next summer, has struggled to find his dynamic double-edged game in the first three games of the season. In three games, he is shooting just 28.6 percent from the field and averaging 8.7 points per game in 25.7 minutes.

Is he feeling the pressure of the one-year deal? Robinson's shot hasn't been consistent since training camp began and his effectiveness as a game-changer off the bench hasn't nearly been at the level it was last season, when Robinson was one of the runners-up for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

With Robinson out, you can expect Mike D'Antoni to continue to involve veteran Larry Hughes in the rotation. And you can expect rookie Toney Douglas, who was left on the bench for Saturday's home opener, will get more playing time, as well.

As Robinson goes out, Chris Paul comes into the Garden. The two were engaged in a terrific battle in the Hornets' last visit here on March 27, which resulted in a 103-93 Knicks win. There were heated words, and shoves, exchanged, but afterward the two expressed nothing but respect for each other.

Gallo 'bust'-ing out; Knicks to follow?

Sunday November 1, 2009 12:42 AM By Alan Hahn

Here's how you know Danilo Gallinari gets it.

Asked if he could enjoy his career-high 30-point performance in the furious overtime loss to the 76ers on Saturday, the 21-year-old said no.

"It doesn't mean nothing, we lost," he said. "I don't care how much I score or waht I do. I just want to win with this team. My game is not important. We lost. I'm not happy."

A night after Chris Duhon called out his teammates for what he viewed as poor pregame focus before Friday's double-OT loss to the Bobcats, the Knicks had yet another awful first half against the red-hot Sixers. But they mounted another comeback -- again fueled by the shooting of Gallinari along with Al Harrington's determined offense in his new role off the bench -- and showed some more optimistic signs that there is something to work with here.

But unlike last season, when the Knicks seemed to feel good about merely competing in an 0-3 week against the Cavaliers, Lakers and Celtics, complacency wasn't allowed to grow around the post-game locker room of this 0-3 team.

"It's positives and negatives, but I think we need to focus on the negatives to get better," said Harrington, who ran his butt off up and down the floor in this game. "We just have to find a way to play with a sense of urgency. We can't keep giving teams 20-point leads, fighting back and then coming in here feeling good about ourselves. That's not what it's about."

The Sixers were just on fire for much of this game -- Lou Williams hit 10 of 12 from the floor...I mean... -- but the Knick defense was way too soft, especially on the inside, where the Sixers recorded 54 of their 141 points. Mike D'Antoni tried to make defense a focus in training camp and through the preseason, but in three regular season games so far, the same issues from the past are coming back: interior defense.

David Lee struggled in foul trouble once again and is clearly overmatched guarding centers and athletic bigs. Opponents have one simple remark in the scouting report on Lee: go right at him. It hurts the Knicks when he gets into foul trouble because he is so effective in the pick-and-roll. But they also can't afford to have him play a surrender defense (just puts two hands up) so he avoids foul trouble.

Darko Milicic (13:53) didn't bring much to the table tonight in that deparment and neither did Jared Jeffries, who looked rattled by the Garden crowd, which jeered him on three missed field goals.

This is where Jordan Hill is going to need to develop. You watch Marreese Speights (20 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks) and see a player Hill should emulate. The Knicks desperately need someone to emerge as a stopper in the paint.

* * *

Let the Gallinari Gushing begin. You don't hear much talk about the 2008 sixth overall pick being a bust anymore. In fact, if you ask Sixers forward Elton Brand, "he was defnitely worth the pick if you ask me."

Three-point specialist Jason Kapono was impressed, as he told Newsday's Mark Herrmann (a hockey pal who teamed up with me on the coverage tonight): "He can shoot it, man, he's tough."

* * *

Nate Robinson left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle. He left the Garden on crutches. We'll get an update on Sunday, but if he's going to miss any length of time, it makes Harrington's role as an scorer off the bench that much more important and, of course, it means important minutes for rookie Toney Douglas, who was left on the bench for this one in favor of Larry Hughes who played very well. We'll have more on him in the next blog.

Shaking off his 0-for-Nate

Friday October 30, 2009 8:53 AM By Alan Hahn

After an uncharacteristically quiet opening game (scoreless, 0-for-8) for Nate Robinson, who on most days couldn't be quiet in a vaccum,he vowed after practice on Thursday to channel his inner Tasmanian Devil against the Bobcats Friday night in Charlotte.

In fact, he encouraged his entire team to do the same and went as far as suggesting the big-money Knicks embrace the role of the scrappy underdog.

[Bloghost note: I think I just named three cartoon characters just two sentences into this blog. Four, if you count Nate.]

"We're undersized, so we have to play a little more scrappy," he said. "We weren't that much scrappy [against Miami]. They outhustled us. We didn't really get to loose balls and they had a couple of offensive rebounds. They wanted it a little more than us, I guess.

"But that's something we have to have every night: we have to play with a chip on our shoulder, thinking, we're small, we've got to come out being fiesty. Everybody on the team's gotta be Tasmanian Devils, even if that's not your character. You've got to find it. That's something we've got to do."

Robinson's main role is to bring that kind of attitude off the bench, but he was very ineffective against the Heat. His shot, which was inconsistent in the preseason, looked terribly off-target. He also tried to style on one drive to the basket late in the first quarter and it was blocked by Joel Anthony.

The biggest concern was that Robinson seemed to allow his shooting issues impact his effectiveness on defense. Some players, and Robinson appears to be this type, desperately need swagger to play at a high level. When the offense isn't there, the swagger level droops.

If Robinson is going to earn himself a long-term extension here or anywhere else, he's got to separate his offense from his defense. A bad shooting day at one end of the floor should motivate him to make it a great day on defense. We too often judge Sixth Man of the Year too much on a player's offensive impact off the bench, probably because it's too easy to judge. But a true quality Sixth Man is one who can enter the game and make a difference, whether on offense or defense, for the better.

But he's right about the attitude this team needs to take.

* * *

As we reported today in Newsday, Mike D'Antoni suggested there could be a change coming with the starting rotation. It likely involves Danilo Gallinari moving into the starting five (inevitable, for sure), but the debate is whom he will replace.

UPDATE: 12:30 -- At the morning shoot-around here in Charlotte, D'Antoni said it was "too early" to make any radical changes with the lineup, so it'll remain the same tonight. But he left the door wide open for the possibility of changes coming on the horizon, especially with a nod toward the team's future.

That wouls suggest that Wilson Chandler, who struggled in the first half on Wednesday, but picked it up in the second half and clearly isn't 100 percent yet after the offseason bone spur surgery, is not going to come out of the starting five.

The coaching staff likes the defensive versatility that Jared Jeffries gives them on the floor, but if you recall the original five D'Antoni went with in camp included Duhon, Chandler, Gallinari, Harrington and Lee. So Jared could be the player who goes to the bench eventually.

I wonder, however, especially when Eddy Curry comes back (or as Darko Milicic continues to get comfortable in the system), if D'Antoni might consider Al Harrington off the bench.

Is it a dangerous situation? Absolutely, especially considering that Harrington, in a contract year, made it clear last week that while he'd accept the role, he strongly believes he's a starter. But Harrington really isn't a three and he shouldn't replace David Lee at the four. If Gallinari's second half is any indication that he found his touch,he should be starting. This team needs to open games in a rhythm offensively, but I'm not sure Mike D'Antoni, who has already exiled Larry Hughes to the end of the bench, is ready to stir up a hornets nest with Harrington.

But despite how D'Antoni regularly downplays the importance of the starting team (he stresses that it's more important to be in the rotation), he did admit there is no doubt you need to begin the game with your best five players that fit the best together.

"That's one of the reasons why, with a veteran team, everybody has their role and you know it from the get-go," he said. "Where, we still haven't won and we're still looking for that elusive stuff. We've got a lot of new guys that we've got to fit in. We've got, also, a future to think about. A lot of things go into it, but I want to get there sooner rather than later. And I will. I don't think it's today that it has to be, but it will be soon."

TD a nice pick for Knicks

Thursday October 22, 2009 2:37 AM By Alan Hahn

Jordan Hill is certainly playing more like a No. 29 right now, which he admitted himself after Wednesday's preseason finale win over the Nets when the lottery pick told me, "It's going to take time."

Fixers, take heart. At least you have Toney Douglas.

As several scouts predicted when the Knicks got him from the Lakers in a purchased pick, Douglas came NBA-ready as a defensive player. And after four weeks of training camp and preseason, Douglas' offense is starting to pick up, too.

He had his most effective game in the finale, where he played the fourth quarter and came up with the biggest basket of the night: a drive right at 7-footer Brook Lopez for a tough finish that all but sealed the game (aside from a wild ending with Courtney Lee getting purposely-missed free throws and being fouled - twice - by Larry Hughes. But with 1.1 seconds left, Lee had to actually make both FTs to tie and he missed the front-end).

Douglas finished with 13 points and made 6 of 9 from the field in 19:49. By the looks of the first three quarters, when Mike D'Antoni looked like he was going with his regular rotation, Douglas has secured the nine-hole as the second guard off the bench. This is where Larry Hughes would have likely fit if Douglas wasn't ready to contribute. But he clearly is and since he is also the future and Hughes is an expiring contract with noticably fading skills, Douglas gets the spot.

For more on the Hughes situation, check my story for Thursday's print editions.

* * *

* - Speaking of spots, the team has to cut one player from the 15-man roster by Monday's deadline, or officially waive the retired Cuttino Mobley. The fringe players are center Chris Hunter, who made his preseason debut against the Nets (4  points, 0 rebounds in 8:37), forward Marcus Landry (1 point, 4 rebounds in 9:34) and guard Joe Crawford, who remained on the bench in the preseason finale. D'Antoni opted to keep Hughes on the court down the stretch rather than insert Crawford.

I don't believe it's any indication of how the coaching staff feels about Crawford, who has impressed observers with a good release and confidence on offense. Hunter has battled shin splits through camp and has only gotten himself back on the court over the past week. But he has great size and a soft touch. The versatile, hardworking Landry seems to be a favorite.

* - It was somewhat disappointing to see Danilo Gallinari's shot regress after a little breakout performance against the Celtics in the previous game. Gallinari was 2-for-8 from the floor and made just 1 of 3 from downtown for 7 points, but he did grab 6 boards with 2 assists and 3 turnovers in 20:45.

* -The Knicks and Nets faced each other three times in the preseason and the Knicks (5-2) won all three. The Nets, who were once again without Devin Harris (groin) went 0-6 in the preseason and were on the verge of being blown out of this game at the cavernous Prudential Center in Newark when D'Antoni's regulars suddenly - and inexplicably - pulled off the accelerator after taking an 18 point lead at the half.

"In the third, for whatever reason, some guys thought they could just turn it off, which is too bad," said D'Antoni, who was thrilled with the first half effort and with the work from the bench in the fourth quarter to hold on for the W. "It was the part in between we can forget about and move on and hope doesn't repeat itself."

Early in the fourth, things got chippy when Nate Robinson took a hard foul from Bobby Simmons and when the two grabbed arms and went face-to-face, burly replacement referee Michael Henderson (a former NBA referee) put Robinson nearly in a sleeper hold to pull him away.

That didn't stop Robinson from keeping up a dialogue with Simmons when play resumed.  Simmons then buried Nate with a hard pick at the other end of the floor, which drew another whistle and fury from the Nets bench. As temperatures started to rise, D'Antoni quickly summoned Landry and gave Robinson the rest of the night off.

* - The team was free from practice on Thursday, but will then have a five-day mini-camp to prepare for next Wednesday's season opener in Miami against Dwyane Wade and the Heat. We go live from here, Fixers.

Gallo arrives, Knicks thrive

Tuesday October 20, 2009 11:44 PM By Alan Hahn

Danilo Gallinari says he has approached every preseason game the same way, but you could tell by the look in his eyes that he brought that "it" everyone sees in him tonight in the 108-103 win over the Celtics. After a quiet start to the game, Gallinari suddenly was engaged and quite noticably locked-and-loaded when he caught the ball.

Perhaps the most impressive moment in his night didn't involve a rainbow three or a drive that drew a foul. It came when he was being guarded by Paul Pierce, master elbow-room maker, and Gallo dug his elbow into Pierce's chest to clear some space. As Gallinari rose up for his shot, Pierce patted Gallinari's chest in response to the 'bow. It was like Boba Fett nodding to a fellow bounty hunter.

"He likes the physical game, I like the physical game," Gallinari said after his 18 point performance, by far the best he's looked all preseason. "I think that's what Boston basketball is all about. I like that."

Gallinari hit 4 of 9 from the field, including 3 of 6 from downtown and, perhaps more notably, took 10 free throws in his 25 minutes. His determination stood out in the second half, as he caught the ball and looked to the rim with purpose. He scored on a nifty dunk-under against Marquis Daniels and earlier in the game did one of those Hedo Turkoglu crossover, step-back jumpers against Brian Scalabrine to draw a foul.

"I think he just rose to the occasion," Mike D'Antoni said. "He knew it was Boston and he knew he needed to get it going."

Perhaps this will be Gallinari's role at the outset. He and Nate Robinson (21 points) came off the bench to provide energy and offense and some defense, as well. Robinson was a dynamo with five steals as he hounded Rajon Rondo and Eddie House throughout the game. Gallinari didn't impress all that much on the defensive end, especially one-on-one against Daniels.

But overall the 21-year-old finally looked like he was playing with purpose. However if you ask him, he hasn't played any differently.

"Every time I try to be aggressive," he said. "Sometimes it comes out better, sometimes not. I try to be aggressive every time. I can not permit myself to not be aggressive."

He also won't allow himself to focus too much on his own game, even though a good portion of the team's chances at success this season may rest on his shoulders. He was asked if he felt this good performance could give him the jump-start he's been needing.

"We'll see," he said. "I think it was a good game for everybody. I don't think about myself. What I do, I always think about the team. I think we played a good game and that's what I'm thinking about."

Fair enough. The rest of us can think he finally found a groove. And we should think there is still a lot more there we haven't seen yet.

* * *

* - D'Antoni said he planned to treat the final two preseason games as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. He went nine-deep, which left veteran Larry Hughes and lottery pick Jordan Hill as two notable DNP-CDs.

Rookie Toney Douglas (8:20) saw the extra minutes in the guard rotation, as Chris Duhon (34:31) and Robinson (29:07) shared the bulk of the time in the backcourt.Douglas was OK.

The Knicks still didn't shoot the ball consistently well (43.8 percent) but they did connect from downtown, which obviously will be the team's do-or-die weapon this season. Against Boston they made 13 of 36 three-pointers (36.1 percent). Boston made just 6 of 24.

D'Antoni again immediately pointed to a better effort on defense that allowed the team to hang in there with Boston, which is a change from last season. "Our dfense was really good at first and we took a couple of threes and we were ahead," he said. "Before, we'd have to make about 20 threes to get back into it."

It's important to note that Doc Rivers, with a game tomorrow night against Cleveland, pulled his starters with about 7 minutes to go. So the Knicks had to hold on for the win against the Celtics JV. But the first three quarters were regular rotation and very entertaining.

P.S. - Note to the Eastern Conference: KG is back. Boston, with a strong bench, is clearly the team to beat.

* - Al Harrington, back in the starting lineup, had 20 points and 8 rebounds and made 4 of 7 from downtown. Jared Jeffries may not have the prettiest shot (he seems to only make the standing set-shots), but he finds ways to be effective all over the stat sheet: 4-for-10, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block in 30:16.

* - Chris Duhon struggled with his shooting (1-for-7) and had five turnovers, but he did run the pick-and-roll several times to perfection. David Lee, who has become his favorite PNR target, had a strong game with 19 points and 16 rebounds (though he did record an unsightly six turnovers).

* - Wilson Chandler made a great block on Kendrick Perkins' reverse-dunk attempt, which prompted Doc Rivers to turn to his bench and remind the players how Perk always wants to make SportsCenter. "Well, that will make SportsCenter," Rivers then cracked.

But while Chandler has played well at times in the preseason, he just isn't playing with the same explosive pop that he did last season. Chandler says he's 100 percent back after the bone spur surgery from this summer, but he definitely hasn't gotten his springs back.

* - Michael Sweetney wasn't with the Celtics for the game because he was sent back to Boston with flu symptoms. Rivers raved about Sweetney and the effort he made to try to make the loaded roster, but it seems improbable that he will. Hopefully Eddy Curry is paying close attention.

* - One last item for you Fixers who are often asking for Pat Ewing, Jr. updates. He was at the game tonight and we said hello in the tunnel after the game. PJ had surgery on his knee in July - "Just a scope," he said -- which explains why he was unable to play for the Knicks' summer league team and did not come back to training camp.He said doctors have told him to stay off the basketball court until at least January. He seemed otherwise in good spirits and joked about gaining weight. "When you get older, your metabolism slows down," he explained.

Tell me about it, kid.

KryptoNate's next target: The King

Monday October 19, 2009 7:49 AM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson hinted after he soared over Dwight Howard to win his second Sprite Slam Dunk title last February that it might be his last jump. He figured after three appearances in the popular All-Star Saturday event, fans "might be sick of me."

On the contrary. His jersey skyrocketed in popularity (top 10 in the NBA) and he often drew cheers in road arenas. So when I asked him before Sunday's exhibition game against Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv if he was reconsidering his plans for All-Star Weekend, Robinson used the opportunity to throw out a challenge.

"It's a definite," he said, "only if LeBron does it."

You remember last year, on the TNT broadcast of the contest, LeBron James told TNT's David Aldridge that he was "preliminarily putting my name in the 2010 dunk contest."

LeBron's presence would bring back some cache to the Slam Dunk competition, after many years of B-list players dominating the card. Of course it all started with Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, who were not only two of the best dunkers in the game, but two of the game's best and most electrifying players. Spud Webb's win in 1986 was mainly a novelty and then came Kenny "Sky" Walker, who in '89 seemed to start a trend of unheralded champions (Cedric Ceballos, Dee Brown, Harold Minor, J.R. Rider, Brent Barry, Fred Jones, Desmond Mason, Gerald Green).

Some marquee buzz came back when Kobe Bryant won it in '97 and Vince Carter took it in 2000. But since then, the only superstar-level player to take the crown was Howard, who won it as Superman in 2008.

But not since Wilkins last won it in 1990 has the contest had a marquee megastar champion. For LeBron to enter the contest -- and he's yet to officially submit his intention to compete -- would bring a great deal of interest in the show. In fact, the NBA might want to consider moving it from the American Airlines Center, where the All-Star Saturday events will be held, to the new Cowboys Stadium where it's monstrous 60-yard scoreboard over midfield would be a perfect place to show those slo-mo replays.

That would certainly clinch it for a KryptoNate comeback.

"To be in that dunk contest with LeBron," he said, "I think that would be awesome."

We already started offering some ideas. One was to have a 2010 contract taped to the backboard and sign it while dunking. Another would be to sign the actual backboard.

"That would go right on eBay," Nate laughed.

What about jumping over a carboard cut-out of LeBron in a Knicks jersey?

There are so many options. But they have to be good if they're going to be enough to keep the crown away from the King.

"I just want to win," Nate said. "Beating him would be better than anything."

* * *

* - Not that we asked Nate only about the dunk contest. In fact, I first asked him about his shooting in the preseason. Robinson, who had 19 points, four assists and two steals against Maccabi in 27:29, is shooting 37.9 percent from the floor and 26.9 percent from three-point range. So, since this is the popular excuse around the team, is it the legs?

"No, it's never the legs," he said. "For me, it is what it is . . . It'll fall. It's preseason. You've got to get all the kinks out now. One thing about our team, we know we can score points whether we're shooting good or not. We just got to play defense. I think our defense has picked up and it's good to see."

Asked about Stephon Marbury's recent criticism of his shooting frequency (a sort of pot-meets-kettle moment) and the team, overall, Robinson's eyes lowered to the carpet and he shook his head, seeming more saddened than angered. He then replied, "We're praying for him."

* - It's officially time to put out an APB on Danilo Gallinari's game. Against Maccabi, a team he should dominate, Gallo once again looked passive on offense and attempted just five shots. Four of them were from downtown. He hit two from the field and just one from beyond the arc and even fouled out in the fourth quarter. Seven points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

In fact, former Knicks second-round pick Maciej Lampe -- his nickname is "Magic," which is kind of funny because it's not in reference to him being a great-passing big guard. It's more like, Magic Lampe...get it? Eh... -- had a more impressive game. The solidly-built, 6-9 Lampe seemed to be Gallinari better than Gallinari, with a decent inside-outside game and a strong effort on the boards.He made 7 of 14 from the floor for 14 points and 7 rebounds in 24:50.

D'Antoni had Lampe in Phoenix, after the Knicks traded him as part of the Stephon Marbury trade. The Knicks didn't give him much of a chance, but neither did the Suns. D'Antoni said Lampe, who is from Poland, had nice skills, but might have come over to the NBA too soon.

"I thought it would have served him a lot more if he were to stay in Europe a few more years and got a little seasoned about his game," D'Antoni said.

* - Al Harrington was back in the lineup after he missed Friday's game against the Nets with a bruised knee. He sported a compression sleeve and came off the bench for 17:31 and had 11 points.

* - Larry Hughes hit a shot to end his preseason drought at 0-for-18. But he ended the game 1-for-3, which makes him 1-for-20 in preseason play. His minutes are also noticably being pushed later into these games. Late against Maccabi, Hughes was the one vet on the floor with four young players.

* - Our game story for today's Newsday print and online editions centered around Maccabi coach Pini Gershon's refusal to leave the court after he drew two techs within 53 seconds of the third quarter. The Knicks were up by 24 points at the time and, well, stop me if you heard this one before: a coach, a referee and a rabbi walked onto a basketball court . . .

Youth won't be served right away

Saturday October 3, 2009 10:03 PM By Alan Hahn

Larry Hughes wore that knowing smile when I asked him if he wondered coming into camp what his role would be on this team, which was going through an obvious transition.

"Not really," he said. "We kind of waited all offseason for different moves to be made and different guys to be signed and free agents to come in. I just prepared myself to go through camp."

Recall that in June, the Knicks had talked to the Washington Wizards about several trade scenarios, one of which involved Hughes. And after he shot 39 percent from the floor in 25 games as a Knick last season, his value was believed to be more about his expiring contract than what he could bring on the court.

But Hughes has played well enough to retain his starting spot in Sunday's preseason opener against the Nets in Albany.

Mike D'Antoni said not to read too much into the lineup he chose to go with for the game, which will be Hughes with Chris Duhon in the backcourt, Jared Jeffries, Al Harrington and David Lee up front.

For most of the week, D'Antoni had kept together a five-man group of Duhon-Wilson Chandler-Danilo Gallinari-Harrington-Lee.

D'Antoni said the choice to "go with age" tomorrow has "no real reason."

But there's always a reason. Gallinari had a great start to camp but seemed to fade as his legs got tired from the two-a-days and full-court running. Chandler hasn't stood out much until today's workout and it seems he's still recovering from missing time this summer because of the bone spur surgery.

Meanwhile, Hughes has been in terrific shape and Jeffries has consistently been one of the standout players during each scrimmage.

There's little doubt that Gallinari and Chandler will be key pieces in D'Antoni's rotation - likely as starters - before the preseason ends. D'Antoni is trying to figure out where Hughes will fit, if at all, considering his backcourt is already loaded with Nate Robinson in his usual spot as the first guard in and rookie Toney Douglas pushing for playing time, as well.

D'Antoni could consider sliding Chandler out of the two-spot and working him in among the forwards, which is also packed with players who are commanding burn.

D'Antoni wants to get down to an 8-to-9 man rotation by the preseason finale. Someone is going to be the odd-man out. These next seven games will decide who that will be.

* * *

* - We say good-bye to Saratoga after a fairly quick week of camp. We're expecting to be in Italy next year, which should be interesting. The question is, of course, who will be wearing No. 23 then?

* - Nate Robinson is talking with Sirius satellite radio about having his own show. He says it'll be about basketball, music and life and he will take calls from fans. Really, this dude should have his own reality show. KryptoNate Plus 8.

* - Tough start time tomorrow (2 p.m.) going up against the Giants game. IT sounds like plenty of seats are still available so if anyone wants to make the trek up to Albany . . .

Camp officially started tonight

Friday October 2, 2009 11:12 PM By Alan Hahn

Those tired legs got their spring back. The blood was pumping and the sweat was dripping. Mike D'Antoni let the dogs loose in Friday night's scrimmage here at Skidmore College and these guys got after it in a heated run that was the most entertaining segment of camp so far.

Nate Robinson has been letting everyone know how successful his squads have been in the scrimmages so far and it seemed Chris Duhon had heard enough. Duhon looked terrific running the blue squad and played with very noticable intensity. At one point, after excellent ball movement resulted in a three-pointer by Jared Jeffries -- no, that's not a typo -- and sent Robinson's white team to the sidelines in the "knock-out" format, Duhon barked to Robinson, "Go get some water! Go get some water and watch us play!"

Shortly after that, Duhon was about 10 feet off the three-point line and buried the long-range bomb from straightaway to send the gray team off. Before the shot, Robinson suggested Duhon was too deep to take the shot.

After he drained it, Duhon growled, "Don't worry about how deep I am!"

It was an impressive run for Duhon, who ran the blue team with a floor general's authority and worked very well with Danilo Gallinari at the two spot (yes, the two spot). The best lineup for the blues included a huge group of Gallinari, Jeffries, Lee and Milicic. That group moved the ball beautifully and seemed to have great chemistry at both ends of the floor. Milicic ran the floor well and, along with Lee, dominated the boards.

Milicic had a rough go, however. He pulled himself out of the scrimmage early on and saw a trainer, but got back into the game without any sign of trouble. Then in a battle with Toney Douglas he fell to the court and Douglas fell over him and landed on his head. He was down for a few seconds, but eventually got up and was fine.

Again, not to oversell it, but Jeffries has looked very good in camp. He is even finding some consistency and confidence in his previously wayward shot. Not to say he's a legit scorer, but Jeffries is trying hard to show he won't be a liability on offense.

The blue team's members weren't the only ones to stand out. Al Harrington seemed to set the tone for the scrimmage early on by bringing a serious competitive nature. Big Al knocked down open shots, competed on the boards with ferocity and even attempted taking a charge. He was whistled for a block by one of the local referees hired for the scrimmage and Harrington got up furious at the call.

The intensity never got out of hand, nor did it seem to be on the verge of it. Just a good, hard run that was entertaining and encouraging.

The team will have one practice tomorrow before Sunday's preseason opener against the Nets in Albany at 2 p.m. The game is on MSG Network.

* * *

* - Milicic doesn't accept the label of a lottery bust who hasn't lived up to being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft, which included LeBron James (No. 1), Carmelo Anthony (No. 3), Chris Bosh (No. 4), and Dwyane Wade (No. 5): "I didn't ask nobody to be the second pick," he said. "I didn't fight for this spot. [The Pistons] wanted me to be the second pick. They saw me at 7-foot, could shoot, run, dunk, all this stuff. They saw all this stuff and they never used it."

D'Antoni's plan is to try to use as much of Milicic's talent as he can and Milicic says he already sees what type of role he can fill.

"There's a lot of scorers on this team, scoring is not a problem here," he said. "So I will try to help in other ways; try to rebound, try to block shots. All of this stuff is going to make this team better and get a couple of more wins, maybe for a playoff spot."

* - The team used Skidmore College's pool for some water training after the morning practice. Eddy Curry was in the diving pool with strength coach Greg Brittenham for his conditioning work while he lets the calf injury heal. Nate, of course, had the most fun in the pool and did a flip into the water. He then wandered over to the diving pool and walked out onto the lower board with wide eyes. Man you knew something spectacular -- and funny -- was bound to happen.

But athletic trainer Roger Hinds advised against it and Nate wisely obeyed.

For Sale: Used stationary bikes

Tuesday September 29, 2009 3:52 PM By Alan Hahn

They looked so sad, those two high-tech stationary bikes, stashed into an alcove in the gym, unused, unwanted and, for the first time in recent years, un-needed. They were glorified towel racks at this point. Such a humbling fate for equipment once such a focal point of Knicks training camp.

There was a time last season when those bikes were the center of attention. Danilo Gallinari made his rookie debut right there in that corner, churning away like Lance Armstrong. Or better yet, Lance Backweak.

There was Jerome James, as well. We believe Jerome had his own bike at this point, one with cup holders and a snack tray. Word is he asked for a TV and was denied.

It's true, the Knicks just don't know how to treat their players with respect.

Eddy Curry never made it to the bikes last year because he never made it to the gym. He had a bacterial infection and spent the week doing the most destructive activity of anyone with his metabolism: sitting in bed.

But a year later these bikes were afterthoughts. One seemed to perk up a second when Curry stepped off the court after his turn in a drill and motioned to a trainer. Curry had a tight wrap applied to his right calf, which, like his left hamstring, is already barking after running full-court scrimmages last week.

But Curry then got back in line. Never missed a turn. I swear if a stationary bike could ever look slumped, you could see it at the handebars. It was visibly dejected. Perhaps somewhere in Chicago, at that very moment, Jerome glanced to the sidelines looking for his long, lost friend . . .

The good news for Curry was that he got through the morning session, which was loaded with full-court drills and plenty of running.

Did he look ready to go? No. Not even close. There was an amble in his gait and he was clearly losing his legs as the practice went on. But he didn't pull himself out. He never once went near the stationary bikes.

"I think he's made some progress," Mike D'Antoni said. "The camp will be really good for him. He needs to get down a little bit [more in weight] but that's kind of normal. Even if he had a great year last year he'd come in and probably would have to drop a few pounds in camp. He'll do that."

Donnie Walsh told us on Friday that Curry's most recent weigh-in was 317 pounds. As you watch him in uniform on the court, you have to wonder if he had both legs on the scale. Curry looks huge. As I said yesterday, his shoulders alone look immense, so perhaps it's muscle weight. But it's impossible to believe that he's 317 pounds.

Still, regardless of the weight debate, he was on the court and he was working. Progress was made. The team has a scrimmage tonight and then another two-a-day tomorrow. More challenges await Eddy before the week is up.

Meanwhile, Gallinari looks fast up and down the court, but his explosiveness was lacking. D'Antoni noted that Gallo is also going to need time to get his legs under him. He already has the J and stroked it without issue, even with a bandage on his right (shooting) hand, which was protecting what the team called a "skin issue".

I could go through the entire roster with a line on how each player "looked" but let's be honest, it was a 90 minute practice with drills. Let me just say this, the good news that came out of this opening day morning session was that, unlike years past, the team trainers weren't the hardest working people in the gym.

* * * 

* - William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley was in attendance yesterday, marking the second straight year the well-connected attache to many NBA stars (including LeBron James) has been present at Knicks camp. Wesley has an interest in Curry's progress, of course. He is the one who set Curry up with strength coach Tommy Weatherspoon and basketball trainer Jerry Powell to work with Curry this summer.  For most of June, Curry stayed at Wesley's home outside of Detroit.

* - Each year I pick my favorite bubble guy. This year it'll be Sun Yue, the former Lakers draft pick. He's 6-9, handles the ball very fluidly and in the drills showed off a very sweet lefty jumper.

* - On the training camp roster is 6-7 forward Marcus Landry, who is a rookie out of Wisconsin and the younger brother of Rockets forward Carl Landry. Marcus, like his brother, has a great work ethic, but he played center in college and now is trying to make it as a swingman in the NBA.

* - The Knicks are trying out some interesting technical advancements this year. Each player wears a monitor on their body that measures heartrate, which can tell trainers which players may need a break and which may need to go Emeril and kick it up and notch. It also - incredibly - reads the sweat drops to see what nutrients each player is losing, which tells the trainers what each player specifically needs in their recovery drinks. Nate Robinson's read "lithium ion".

Check back here later tonight for an update on the scrimmage and, as always, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for live news, views, insights and random musings from the gym and elsewhere here in Saratoga this week.

No hugs, just hope for new season

Monday September 28, 2009 3:48 PM By Alan Hahn

I had that "Sounds of Blackness" chorus in my head the entire time spent mingling in the gym on Media Day.

You can win . . . as long as you keep your head to the sky . . .

Optimistic. 

We had just entered the gym where the usual set-up of tables arranged around the floor with a player seated at each. Times scribe Howard Beck noted the place had a very clean smell.

No amount of Febreze could have cleared the air a year ago, when my former running mate Ken Berger made the back page when he got bear hugged by Stephon Marbury and there were still so many unwanted guests on the roster. It was a collection of players that Mike D'Antoni made reference to when I asked about the negative atmosphere that may have lingered from the previous regime and the penchant this team had for collectively going south when even the slightest controversy hit:

"I think we weeded out those guys," he said.

Hard not to wonder, however, with so many expiring contracts on the roster around several young players on a team that has such low expectations from outsiders, if this year's group can be a disastrous mix in it's own way.

But today that vibe didn't quite exist. At least not yet. Of course everything looks good on the first day.

That includes Eddy Curry, who spoke openly about his issues from last season and, of course, his weight. His shoulders looked huge, by the way. "Really?" he said. "A lot of push-ups."

He apparently did the Bobby Brady hang-from-the-closet-rod trick to get taller, because the Knicks now list Curry at 7-feet even. For eight seasons in the NBA, he's been 6-11. (The team also lists him at 295, 10 pounds more than the listed weight used over his career and yet 22 pounds lighter than what Donnie Walsh reported on Friday.)

Curry said his current condition "is the best I've felt in a long time," though, as we told you over the weekend, he did tweak his hamstring in a scrimmage last week. Pre-emptive strike for tomorrow's first day of training camp? Perhaps. From what I hear, with all of the hard work he put in to lose 40 pounds and get himself in good shape, Curry hasn't done a great deal of full-court work this summer. Now with the hamstring issue, it might still be some time before we see Curry ready to go 100 percent.

Al Harrington, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to go. He even had a basketball at his table, ready to jump out of his seat and into a drill at a moment's notice. Big Al looks lean, but he says he actually gained eight pounds from last season. It's just been reconfigured. He comes in at 260 pounds after an offseason that involved something new to his trainig regimen.

"I never really lift weights, but I lifted weights this year eight straight weeks, no basketball," Harrington said.

He started in mid-June and went through July pumping iron in a two-a-day schedule. Now he finds himself far more explosive than he was last season and feeling quicker.

"It's crazy, I thought you had to lose weight to feel quicker," he said. "But I'm just stronger. I can't wait to get on the court."

Nate Robinson showed off his new jersey number, which is No. 2, the number he wore basically all of his career until he joined the Knicks. The No. 2 is in honor of Deion Sanders, whom Robinson, a two-sport star in high school and college, idolized. I told Nate he needs to now honor Larry Johnson by flashing the "LJ" after he hits his first three of the season. He got the reference.

Darko Milicic sat at a far table across the gym and I didn't have the chance to make it to him before he left, but he did have this to say to AP's Brian Mahoney about Mike D'Antoni's system, which the Knicks expect to be a more comfortable fit for the 7-foot Serbian and former lottery pick.

"I don't know him personally, but I watch his teams," Milicic said. "He's great. It's great, the way he wants you to play with the freedom. You have the green light, you know how to do it, just do it . . . As long as you play right and as long as you play hard, you've got the freedom to play. Just enjoy. Go out there and enjoy. So it's a great, great, great way to play."

Uh, yeah . . .

Chris Duhon said he is much more prepared for the demands of the starting PG role this season than he was last season, when he admits his body broke down from the heavy workload.

"This year, I have a better feeling of what to expect, what it's going to take to maintain my body and what I need to do on and off the court," he said. "I'm more prepared for it. If that situation happens again, I really believe I won't break down like I did last year."

Everyone was quick to deflect the 2010 talk and say, as one would expect, that the focus at hand is this season. The best line of the day came from Curry, who was asked about the 2010 talk and how his contract is the biggest load (no pun intended) against the salary cap.

"If that's their goal, to showcase me or whatever to make my contract more attractive, then so be it," he said. "I still have to be able to go out there and play."

Then he added, "I hope they do get LeBron. I hope I'm here when he comes. If not, I think the city deserves a player like him."

I'll be leaving Greenburgh soon for the trek to Saratoga Springs. Check here every day for updates from training camp and also follow me on twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn).

Welcome to the hump year

Friday September 25, 2009 8:42 PM By Alan Hahn

Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni both insisted this season will be about making a run at the playoffs. D'Antoni even went as far as saying he thinks his team "can fool a lot of people" and "we can overachieve."

But Walsh acknowledged on Friday that the close of this uneventful summer comes as somewhat of a relief to him because he escaped it without losing any of that precious salary cap space the franchise has hoarded for 2010.

"We did the best we could do in trying to be competitive for this year and yet retain the salary cap flexibility we want next year and the year after," Walsh said. "That was the goal when I got here and that remains the goal."

Walsh proudly announced that next summer the Knicks will "have the most room in the league," though no one knows yet exactly how much room that will be until the NBA releases the salary cap number on July 7, 2010. The U.S. economy, and its effect on the NBA revenue bottom line this season, will be the determining factor.

"I know that we're gong to have a lot of room," Walsh said.

But will he have the kind of team that can attract a superstar-level free agent such as you-know-who (the kid from Akron who likes the Yankees)? Because, you know, top free agents will want to go where they have the best chance to win.

Before Walsh could answer, Mike D'Antoni couldn't help but interject.

"Do you really believe that?" said D'Antoni, who, you remember, was surrounded by the NBA's best players last summer in Beijing. "They're going to go where the money is.

"I would think any superstar would think, 'If I go there, I'll make a difference. I'll win wherever I go.'"

Walsh added that the Knicks also have many things to offer, aside from the win-now aspect.

"I think that it's a bigger decision than that for most free agents," he said. "I think the fact that it's New York plays into it, how good our team is plays into it, that we have a great coach in Mike D'Antoni plays into it.

"There's a lot more factors than just how many good players do they have . . . They have to want to leave, to a degree, their home team. And the home team can always keep them because they are always able to give more money."

And right now, those home teams already have that money on the table. And it's just sitting there.

* * * 

* - Walsh said Eddy Curry's more recent weigh-in (last week) was 317 pounds, which is over 40 pounds lighter than he was at the end of last season. Or, as D'Antoni said, "Two Backstreet Boys." But Walsh took a cautious tone when asked about the early expectations put on Curry: "I think it's going to take him time to get back into a flow."

* - Nate Robinson and David Lee both were officially signed Friday morning. As we reported yesterday, Lee recieved $7M and Robinson was given a $4M deal and both players have $1M bonuses if the team makes the playoffs. Walsh said he never wanted to push either into taking their qualfying offers ($2.6M for Lee and $2.9M for Robinson), even though that's all the team, by rule, had to give them. Walsh considered it "fair to them" for understanding the team's stance about not offering long-term deals to protect the cap space in 2010.

* - I've heard a lot of buzz about Al Harrington, who apparently has showed up in tremendous shape. The trimmed-down Harrington has shown an explosiveness off the dribble in scrimmages. And not a single chin-up on the rim.

* - D'Antoni and Walsh seem most thrilled with the overall personality and work ethic of the team. Asked about any lingering losing/negative mentality from the previous regime that still so noticably existed last season, D'Antoni replied, "I think we weeded out those guys."

* - Darko Milicic was en route to the States from Serbia on Friday. Meanwhile, Robinson left New York on Friday to spend the weekend with his family in Seattle before camp opens. Robinson and his girlfriend welcomed the couple's third child into the world last week. Robinson will return solo while the rest of the family won't join him until January, when his newborn daughter will be old enough to fly cross-country.

* - Remember to follow me on twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for instant news, views and notes throughout media day, training camp and the entire season.

* - Just a note about the comments section: I was told by our web people that there is a bug in the system that  popped up recently and the comments aren't coming through. Trust me, they are posting because I can see them from the program where I file. They're working on it and in the meanwhile each comment has to be individually pushed through by hand. Since I can't sit here online all day, you'll have to bear with us until this is fixed. Or if you can't wait to be heard, just follow me on twitter and post your thoughts there!

Make the playoffs, make a million

Friday September 25, 2009 12:32 AM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson said taking a one-year deal was never an issue because he was well aware of Donnie Walsh's rebuilding plan, which relied heavily on have salary cap flexibility in 2010.

"Donnie has a plan, he's on a mission and he's doing everything according to his plan," Robinson said. "I told him I'm not trying to mess nothing up."

But there was more to it than just the 2010 Cap Space Odyssey, as David Lee explains:

"The other part of it was, quite frankly, we haven't won as much as we wanted to," Lee said.

Ding!

Robinson and Lee were rookies in the 2005-06 season, which resulted in 23 wins. The following year, with Isiah Thomas on the bench, the total was 33. Thomas' second year saw a drop back to 23 and last season, under Mike D'Antoni, the record was 32-50.

That's an average of 27.75 wins per season and zero playoff appearanceas. To be fair, the two had three coaches in their first four NBA seasons. And a whole lotta drama going on in every corner of the locker room.

But today Lee and Robinson are no longer the young players who feel obligated to defer to -- or simply avoid -- the veterans in the locker room and on the court. After all of Walsh's wheeling and dealing over the past calendar year, Lee and Robinson, who were drafted in June 2005, are the most tenured Knicks.

"It's funny you should say that because me and D-Lee were talking about that the other day," Robinson said. "He was like, 'Man, it's crazy.' We're still here and now we're vets."

Sure, Larry Hughes and Al Harrington are technically the elders of the locker room, but Lee and Robinson are both home-grown talents who should start taking it upon themselves to set the example for the new crop -- Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas -- and take greater responsibility in the culture change that still needs to take place in the Knick locker room. It is up to them to set the standard, to raise the level of play and to enforce accountability.

Be the reason why instead of finding reasons why not.

It is up to them to sacrifice stats for wins, which you can expect because Walsh cleverly decided to add that $1M bonus if the team makes the playoffs. You want to see a guy hold his teammates accountable? Put a million bucks on the table and he'll make sure everyone around him is playing just as hard as he is. Cutting corners costs him money.

Honestly, this is the way all contracts should be structured in the NBA. Bonuses should be a combination of player performance in relation to team performance (it seems so obvious). That way, everybody wins.

In other words, follow the example of the JR Smith contract with the Denver Nuggets:

Smith gets a bonus if he plays 2,000 minutes and the team wins 42 games. So this works two-fold: to get his minutes, Smith has to make a positive impact and please George Karl. And when he's playing, he has to care about winning, because getting those 2,000 minutes means nothing if the team doesn't get to 42 wins.

The result was Smith had his best season as a pro, played 2,245 minutes and the Nuggets won 54 games. Cha-ching for everyone.

For Lee and Robinson, it's simple math: Make the playoffs, make a million dollars.

"We're going to shock everybody this year," Robinson said.

I didn't mean to stammer when he said that, but I did.

You think you can make the playoffs?

"I think we can," he said. "The only thing about our team is we just have to play defense. We can score points. That's easy. There are nights we might be off, but we can still score. It's just stopping the other team from scoring . . . We have everything else. We just have to pick up our defense and everything will be OK."

Then it's money well spent by the team. And greater value next summer for the players.

"Both sides are excited about this year," Lee said. "And if I have the kind of year I think I can have and I think the team can have, it can end up being an even bigger home run for us."

Now this is how you do business.

D-Lee and Nate official on Friday

Thursday September 24, 2009 7:02 PM By Alan Hahn

Spent some time with Nate Robinson in NYC today and on the way back got the word that David Lee accepted a one-year for $7M.

Both Lee and Robinson (also accepted a one-year for over his QO) will be officially announced by the team on Friday. What's interesting is both players were given incentive bonuses for if the team made the playoffs. For Lee, it's an extra $1M.

Here's the web story we posted a short while ago. I'll be back later tonight with tons more on both players and some inside info, as well.

Remember, follow me on twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for Knicks news, views and information throughout the season.

Nate deal official announcement on hold

Wednesday September 23, 2009 1:58 PM By Alan Hahn

Was told the Nate Robinson signing won't be officially announced today. Details? Not sure. An agreement is in place, however.

As for the trade-veto question, I was told Nate would have to consent to any trades.

Nate Robinson deal done today

Wednesday September 23, 2009 11:24 AM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson will be signed to a one-year contract today and, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Robinson, who was a restricted free agent who earlier this summer told the Knicks he had no interest in playing anywhere else, will get more than his $2.9M qualifying offer. There are also performance bonuses included in the deal.

David Lee, the team's other restricted free agent, is still unsigned, though his agent, Mark Bartelstein, and Donnie Walsh are in the midst of negotiatins on a one-year deal.

Deals in works for David and Nate

Monday September 21, 2009 9:03 PM By Alan Hahn

....this time we mean it.

We're getting word tonight that the Knicks are engaged in talks with the respective representations of both restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson. There is little doubt both players will be signed and ready for training camp, which opens next Tuesday in Saratoga.

It was predetermined that both players will receive one-year deals, but at this point no financial terms have been set just yet.

Lee's qualifying offer is $2.6 million, but it has been long believed that the team would be willing to go above that number on a one-year contract. Robinson's QO is $2.9 million and there is a possibility that Robinson will take the QO.

Both players will be unrestricted free agents next summer.

This time, Nate jumps into a big man

Monday September 21, 2009 1:58 PM By Alan Hahn

Before he headed back to New York for the upcoming season (yes, he'll be signed this week), Nate Robinson witnessed his alma mater's upset over USC this weekend in Seattle. You can find him along the sidelines in this video celebrating the game-winning field goal. Follow Kings center Spencer Hawes, who runs along the sideline, finds Robinson and then does the mid-air crash.

Nate Robinson a daddy again, a Knick for life?

Friday September 18, 2009 9:59 AM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson and his longtime girlfriend, Sheena Felitz, celebrated on Thursday the birth of the couple's third child. After two boys, the couple had a girl. (I have two girls, myself, and I recommended to Nate a moat, tower and a fire-breathing dragon. It's never too soon to start planning your defense, Daddy).

Robinson has been in Seattle with Felitz and his family for the birth and will return to New York next week to prepare for training camp. Yes, you can expect Robinson to be there on the court, Sept. 29, when camp opens in Saratoga. A one-year deal, likely for the $2.9M qualifying offer, is expected to be signed, sealed and delivered by then.

It's an important season for Robinson, who has been made aware that his over-the-top histrionics won't be tolerated. The energy, of course, is not something the Knicks -- or any team -- should try to contain. That's his greatest weapon. But if Robinson has anything more to prove at the NBA level -- and I think the same goes for David Lee here, as well -- it's that he can be a key part of a winning situation. That he can conform to fit into a team concept.

Let's review: both Robinson and Lee had career-years, statistically, but the team won 32 games. I think it's fair to say what the next step is for both is to put less emphasis on the numbers now and more on winning.

To quote Louie Anderson in Coming to America: "And that's when the big bucks start rolling in."

I'm neither suggesting that Lee or Robinson don't care about winning, nor am I saying the 50 losses are all on their shoulders. But this is Year 5 of their careers in the NBA and with the Knicks. They are veterans now. If they want to be part of a winning program, they have to start taking responsibility for the atmopshere in the locker room. Set the standard and then maintain it.

These are two homegrown talents and while we focus so much on 2010 and the max contract situation and the LeBron thing, rebuilding a troubled franchise starts with setting the foundation with homegrown players. The Yankees did it with Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte and then built around them through free agency.

The Knicks can do the same, but it's up to the players to create and set that winning standard, which makes them far more valuable than anything a point per game average or double-double total can do alone.

Lee-for-Boozer "not happening"

Wednesday September 16, 2009 11:04 PM By Alan Hahn

ESPN's Ric Bucher made mentioned Wednesday night that he believed the Jazz were trying to land David Lee in a sign-and-trade that could involve Carlos Boozer. While what Bucher wrote was not as much a "report" as his "take", the scenario had been discussed earlier in the summer -- as we dutifully reported for you here on the Fix. But multiple sources denied anything lately had developed to bring any imminent status.

One went as far as saying "Not happening" when asked specifically about the Jazz scenario.

It seems pretty clear that Donnie Walsh isn't interested in dumping an impressive young power forward who happens to be one of the franchise's homegrown assets.

Fact is, however, Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, had discussed a sign-and-trade with the Jazz as far back as July. The Jazz were interested (at the time Paul Millsap was still unsigned and then was tendered a hefty offer sheet by the Trail Blazers) and obviously there were indications that power forward Carlos Boozer and his expiring contract could be on the block.

Boozer certainly fits into the Knicks short-term plans when it comes to 2010. He's not quite a prototypical Mike D'Antoni player, however, but that doesn't mean they couldn't get it to work out.

Now in Springfield last weekend, I chatted with someone familiar with the Jazz planning and it seems very unlikely that they would pursue Lee at this point, especially after matching Millsap's sheet. The Jazz are over the luxury tax threshold for the first time and if they're going to pay tax this season, they'd likely prefer to do it with Boozer, an important piece in the old Jazz standard, the pick-and-roll, with Deron Williams.

The risk, obviously, is they could lose Boozer for nothing next summer. Boozer has openly talked about places he'd love to go (Chicago, for one). But to bring in Lee on a long-term deal when you already have Millsap doesn't make much sense.

Again, it sounds like Walsh's preference all along has been to keep David, sign him to a one-year deal and revisit contract talks next summer, when there is cap space and more clarity with the cap and with exactly who is out there for the Knicks to target.

Nate Robinson seemed to accept this gameplan from the start (latest I heard today about Nate was a deal would be done soon), but Lee had hoped he might be able to cash in this summer, when the market was very tight. He's put in a very determined summer of work and I've heard a lot of rave reviews about how he's looked so far among his teammates in the scrimmages at the Training Center.

This is the best play. Take the one-year and have another strong year and then go unrestricted into one of the biggest free agency summers in recent memory, when half the league will have cap space. If he proves himself to not only be a guy who puts up impressive stats but also is a leader who raises the standard bar around here, the Knicks next summer will have to do whatever it takes to keep him.

Follow me on twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for the latest news, views and random thoughts on the Knicks and the NBA.

Mo players, mo problems

Wednesday September 16, 2009 1:55 PM By Alan Hahn

There are still some interesting names on the list of unsigned free agents (aside from David Lee and Nate Robinson) and aside from adding Gabe Pruitt, Sun Yue and Warren Carter to the training camp roster, it doesn't sound like the Knicks are making a serious push at bringing in a player that may actually push for rotation minutes.

The always-reliable, ridiculously-connected Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports mentioned via twitter that the Knicks were in on Sasha Pavlovic, who was bought out by the Suns and quickly signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves. But from what I was told, despite the willingness Pavlovic had to take a one-year deal, the Knicks were not involved at all.

So why the status quo with a 32- win team? Why not go for a Pavlovic, who may be able to give you a little something on the wing with Danilo Gallinari, or take a chance on a sourpuss such as Rashad McCants? What about Wally Szczerbiak, who is still unsigned, to give you some needed veteran presence and shooting?

Maybe because the roster is already loaded with players who all expect to get minutes in Mike D'Antoni's tight rotation.

If you begin with the obvious: Chris Duhon at the point, Gallinari, Wilson Chandler at the two-three spots (interchanging on either end of the floor) and, once he's signed, David Lee and Al Harrington at the four with Eddy Curry and Darko Milicic at the five. That's seven players right there. You have to include Nate Robinson (soon to be signed) and one would expect Jared Jeffries, who is a D'Antoni favorite, will be part of the gameplan. That's already nine and we still haven't mentioned either rookie (Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas) or veteran Larry Hughes, who is in a contract year and we have already seen how he gets when he's dumped on the bench.

So just imagine if the team added someone like a Pavlovic or McCants and had to figure out how to fit them into the equation. It's not like we're talking about a bona fide starter and winner who would have impact. This would be adding role players to a group of role players. Better to leave the minutes for Gallinari and Chandler to get as much burn as possible and develop and allow Hill and Douglas the same, as well.

Would D'Antoni consider opening up his rotation this season, at least early on, to involve a larger amount of players? He may have to.

* * *

Hearing that Robinson's situation is expected to be settled soon. It seems pretty easy. All he has to do is accept the 1-year qualifying offer of $2.9M.

Though it was thought to be a foregone conclusion that the sign-and-trade market was closed and a discussion for a 1-year deal with the Knicks for above the QO was underway, it's now apparent that Lee's representation is still trying to work some sign-and-trade scenarios. So far, none of these S&Ts have interested the Knicks.

And, curiously, from what I understand, the Knicks haven't yet made Lee an offer, either.

This couldn't still be about money, could it?

No one forsees a "holdout" situation, which is of zero benefit to Lee, considering his QO ($2.7M) expires on the third day of camp. But a few sources have shot down media speculation seen here (and elsewhere) that Lee would get as high as an $8M payday.

Robinson seems content with taking his QO and going into next summer, when almost half the league will have cap space, as an unrestricted free agent. Lee does not seem as comfortable with that gameplan.

Stay tuned.

Gallo: 'I'm ready to go'

Tuesday September 15, 2009 11:07 PM By Alan Hahn

It's been two months since I last saw Danilo Gallinari. Somehow, he looks taller.

I'm 6'6" and rarely feel that dwarfed by most NBA players. When I saw Gallo on Tuesday at the Garden, it felt like my head was at his shoulders.

For anyone bored by this and in need of more 2010 talk, Jon Stewart did his part in trying to woo LeBron:

Stories for the water cooler

Monday September 14, 2009 12:28 PM By Alan Hahn

Eddy Curry is back at the MSG Training Center, we're told, after completing an offseason committed to conditioning and nutrition. Curry has been on his own since the start of September because both trainers, Tommy Weatherspoon and Jerry Powell, had contracts with him that expired on Aug. 31.

The finished product will be officially unvieled on Sept. 29, the first day of training camp, but teammates are curious to see him run in pre-camp scrimmages.

So what will it be at the 5 spot for Mike D'Antoni? Will he try to shoe-horn Curry's lumbering power game into his up-tempo, spread offense? Or will he go with the more natural fit of Darko Milicic?

Meanwhile, David Lee is still not signed and neither is Nate Robinson. Knicks media day is in exactly two weeks. Camp opens two weeks from tomorrow. Lee has been working out at the MSG Training Center and Robinson is in Seattle with his girlfriend for the birth of their third child.

In case you missed it this weekend, the Knicks added three names to the training camp invite list: G Gabe Pruitt, G/F Sun Yue and F Warren Carter. Beat the rush and order your jerseys now.

* * *

So Kanye West created yet another stir, this time at the VMA's last night with his bizarre interuption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech. (Bloghost note: We agree Beyonce's video was better, but that's because of two factors: Beyonce and the outfit she was wearing). But Taylor's been through other humbling tribulations before. Matter of fact, one happened right here in New York.

When she was 12, Swift was a contestant in the Knicks Kids Talent search at halftime of a game. And she lost.

The contest winner is determined by crowd response. Perhaps it was an excusable oversight of legit promising talent, considering the Garden crowd hasn't really seen it in a long time.

* * *

Have you heard about one of the recent MegaMillions winners? Meet Jimmy Groves, a 49-year-old Harlem man who is a laborer at the Garden. Groves came away with $168 million, which means he may now be able to afford to take a seat along celebrity row.

But a few seasons back, Groves was the center of attention at the Garden, and by the celebrities along the famous front row, to attend to a moment anyone in attendance -- especially Allan Houston -- may have preferred to forget.

The video below explains it all. Groves is the man with the mop.

Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/alanhahn for the latest on the Knicks and the NBA throughout the season.

Knicks add Carter to camp roster

Friday September 11, 2009 12:59 PM By Alan Hahn

Warren Carter won the Summer League showcase and earned an invite to training camp after doing enough to catch the eyes of the coaching staff in Vegas. The 6-9 forward, who played at Illinois and spent his professional career overseas in Spain and Turkey, was signed to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract by the Knicks on Friday.

Carter averaged 5.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13.9 minutes for the Knicks in the five-game summer league in July.

Carter, Joe Crawford and Chris Hunter are three non-guaranteed players who will be in camp in Saratoga on Sept. 29. There was a belief that the team would also invite another member of the summer league squad, former first-round pick Morris Almond , to camp, but so far I haven't heard he will be there for sure.

Meanwhile, David Lee and Nate Robinson remain unsigned with almost two weeks to go.

If we can assume to include Lee and Robinson -- and assume the Knicks won't be signing any other available veterans (I checked out Juan Carlos Navarro's situation after the Grizzlies renounced his rights and was given indication by several people that JC wasn't coming back to the NBA, especially not for a one-year deal) -- the Knicks have 15 healthy players under contract.

Walsh was tempted to cut into 2010 plan

Thursday September 10, 2009 11:03 AM By Alan Hahn

Ramon Session' payday is finally coming. The Milwaukee Bucks have one more day to attempt to clear some payroll to fit a four-year, $16M offer sheet under the luxury tax threshold, but it appears the Minnesota Timberwolves will get the 23-year-old guard and add him to a backcourt with rookie Jonny Flynn and newly-acquired Antonio Daniels.

You look at the number Sessions signed for and think it's not that expensive. In fact, according to the WorldWideLeader's most plugged-in NBA fact hound, Marc Stein, the contract pays Sessions $3.6M this season and costs just $3.9M against the critical 2010-11 budget.

Yes, Donnie Walsh said those kind of numbers were very tempting. In fact, he told me the other day that he did come close to talking himself into doing something that would have impacted 2010.

"Probably for a night, yeah," he said. "But then I thought it out, looked at my numbers and thought, 'No, I don't think we should do this because I don't think this will help us as much as I'd like. It might this year, but in the long run it may not help us as much."

To borrow from Mars Blackmon, "Money, it's gotta be da cap space!"

Walsh was interested in Sessions and thinks highly of the player -- as does the coaching staff -- but the end didn't justify the means in this case. Not with the NBA warning of a potential nosedive in the cap next summer, which would eat up some of the space Walsh carved out with his moves last season.

Sessions' agent, Jim "Chubby" Wells, initially tried to push the full mid-level exception, but as we maintained here, there was never any real truth to the rumors that the Clippers hadthe MLE -- or anything close -- on the table. Wells was amenable to working with the Knicks on a decrease for 2010-11 to lessen the cap hit, but it wouldn't have made that much of a difference. So Walsh made it clear to Wells in August that he could only make an offer if he was able to move another salary off the payroll. Sessions' side kept hoping the Knicks would reconsider, especially because of the opportunity that playing in New York -- and in Mike D'Antoni's system. But it became something that only stayed alive in the media. Yours truly is as much to blame as anyone.

"I wasn't really in it," Walsh said. "I think they [Session's side] wanted me to be in it, but that was always a long-term deal and even if things could be adjusted, it was probably too much for us. It was close."

The Minnesota scenario came out of the blue, and after the Ricky Rubio scenario blew up on David Kahn, so credit Wells for staying patient deep into the offseason. Walsh said he will keep in touch with Kahn in the future about his plans with his young backcourt. It is hard to believe the Wolves keep Flynn, Rubio and Sessions for long-term.

"At some point I'll check with him," Walsh said. "My feeling is he won't trade right away. He'll probably wait a while."

There's no rush. Rubio won't be available to play in the NBA until 2011.

As for Flynn, he tweeted an ominous moment: "ok so i get to minnesota, and soon as im unloading my bags out the car, a bird drops a present on my shoulder...i hope this isn't a sign lol"

* * *

The team's restricted free agent situations (David Lee and Nate Robinson) remain unresolved and as we near the weekend, it may move into next week. The way I understand it, Nate has to wait on David.

In fact, from what I've been told by multiple sources, Nate would have signed a one-year deal weeks ago if the Knicks wanted him to sign. We've suggested here that the reason the team put Robinson on hold was because of their pursuit of Sessions or another guard. I'm told this isn't entirely accurate.

While it is true the team has spent the summer seeking upgrades in the backcourt, what has held Walsh up for most of the second half of the summer (after the Jason Kidd flirtation ended) is Lee. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, has scoured the league looking for workable sign-and-trade scenarios. They were not looking to accept a one-year deal until all possibilities were exhausted, which is about where we are right now.

Bartelstein has previously made it clear that Lee won't take the QO ($2.7M) so what remains is to negotiate the salary of a one-year deal. Is Walsh willing to go as high as $8M as has been reported?

If he was, wouldn't Lee have signed by now?

Lee, Robinson nearing deals

Tuesday September 8, 2009 7:30 PM By Alan Hahn

Stop us if you've heard this before, but there's clearly a market for reporting the inevitable: A source indicated that restricted free agent David Lee and the Knicks could have a one-year deal hammered out by the end of the week.

It is likely that the team's other restricted free agent, Nate Robinson, may soon follow.

Donnie Walsh would not confirm anything was imminent, but he did tell us here at the Fix that the situation with both restricteds is "at the point where we should start talking real numbers."

Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, also gave no indication of an impending deal, but did say, "We hope something gets done soon."

Both Walsh and Bartelstein have both already publicly acknowledged a mutual interest in negotiating a one-year deal if a sign-and-trade could not be completed.Bartelstein had some scenarios outlined but none were of interest to the Knicks, who wanted to keep Lee all along.

Robinson has been in limbo all summer and faces the sobering reality that, despite a career-year statistically, he actually was the fall-back option for the Knicks, who spent the offseason looking into every possible alternative to bringing the irrepressible KryptoNate back into the fold.

It's pretty much a given that Walsh would be willing to go well beyond the qualifying offers for either player, though, by rule of the collective bargaining agreement, he doesn't have to. The Knicks could have played hardball and held firm on the QOs for both players ($2.9M for Robinson, $2.7M for Lee) and saved some cash and luxury tax payments.

But the concern about signing either player has never been about the money this season as it was the cap hit against the 2010 payroll. So as a good faith exchange with two players who are the team's most visible and popular among the fan base and around the NBA, Walsh appears willing to give them a fair value one-year payday rather than force them to take their QOs before they expire on Oct. 1.

(For those curious: If the QOs weren't accepted by then, the players would have remained restricted free agents but could be re-signed for less than the QO. It would also mean the players would miss the start of training camp, which almost never happens in the NBA . . . and don't expect it to happen now.)

Even with these one-year deals, the Knicks will still feel the impact in 2010 because of the cap holds for both players, unless Walsh renounces the Bird Rights for either player. The cap holds would be a major factor if the NBA's cap falls to the doomsday prophecized $50M level.

However, RealGM's Christopher Reina had a good perspective on how Walsh can also avoid giving up the Bird Rights and the astronomical cap holds, even with a drop in the cap:

It is true that Lee’s cap hold will likely be too high to allow the Knicks to offer a maximum contract. However, a cap hold is converted to the actual contract amount once a player is signed. And under one of the NBA’s projections of the 2010 salary cap, the Knicks would have enough cap room to sign one max contract and still have $7.3 million of additional space. A starting salary of $7.3 million could well be enough to retain Lee, given the 10.5% yearly raises and six seasons the Knicks can offer as the owners of Lee’s Bird Rights.

Basically, the Knicks can attempt to sign him early in the free agency period to set their budget and know exactly how much they have to spend.

* * *

Programming reminder: We'll have a LIVE CHAT here Wednesday at 11 a.m. Take and early lunch, lock the door to your office and get your Fix.

And for those with Twitter, join Twixer Nation by following me: twitter.com/alanhahn. From now, through training camp and into the season get up-to-the-minute news, views and perhaps a few twitpics on everything Knicks and the NBA.

The Endless Bummer

Friday September 4, 2009 10:36 AM By Alan Hahn

Eventually one of these reports about Ramon Sessions being on the verge of something will actually mean he's on the verge of something. We're in September and he still doesn't have a contract, so, if anything, the kid's got to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

The rest of us in Fixer Nation should be on the verge of boredom at this point. As we explained a few blogs back, what once seemed like a hot pursuit of the 23-year-old guard faded in the darkness of that long tunnel to 2010.

Quoth the Fix (Aug. 25):

Sessions is still very much on the radar, but his representation believes that Walsh would prefer to move a player off the 2010 payroll (read: Jared Jeffries or Eddy Curry) before he makes a commitment beyond next summer. That would suggest that there is very little chance the Knicks will sign Sessions this summer, unless Walsh can find a taker for either player.

Now this report that Sessions could be getting an offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves (note the "could" and "may" in the report) is very interesting. The T-Wolves are feeling burned after the Ricky Rubio situation and do need a guard to support rookie Jonny Flynn. But, again, none of this is confirmed by anyone so who knows at this point? We've heard the Knicks were preparing an offer sheet and that never happened. We heard talks with the Clippers for a sign-and-trade were getting hot and yet nothing materialized.

UPDATE: 1 p.m.: The WorldWideLeader is reporting that Sessions and the Timberwolves have agreed to a four-year, $16M offer sheet. That's about what the Knicks were willing to spend per annum, if only they could have moved one of those contracts off the 2010 budget first.

So it goes.

There's no denying that Mike D'Antoni and his staff were in love with the idea of adding Sessions to the mix of young players. His athleticism fits into the up-tempo system and he's also a smart player who knows how to get to find the open man and the basket on the pick-and-roll. Not the best shooter, but even ESPN's stat guru John Hollinger says Sessions is the most underrated player in the league.

(But Holly didn't use any stats to support that claim, so feel free to disagree with him.)

But Donnie Walsh is clearly committed to the 2010 Plan and that's evidenced by the fact that the team's own restricted free agents, David Lee and Nate Robinson, are getting just one-year offers.

So if Sessions is to sign with Minnesota, this is now officially a lost summer of free agency, littered with failed pursuits of Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, Andre Miller and Ramon Sessions. But let's look at this analytically: the only two players that would have fit in the 2010 plan were Hill and Miller, who each were amenable to a one-year deal.

Kidd wanted three years and, in hindsight, it might be better that he didn't take the Knicks offer (and blown any chance of a max contract offer in '10). Sessions, as an RFA, must get at least two guaranteed years in an offer sheet and it's that second year that is the killer. I've heard Walsh did try to talk sign-and-trade with the Bucks, but there was no match that made any sense for either team.

And then there was the tease of the Ricky Rubio saga; the relentless inclusion of the Knicks as a destination point when -- aside from one conversation Walsh had with Kahn in July -- there was no legitimate deal to be made. In fact, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press went as far as reporting that Kahn has no interest in trading Rubio, even after spurning the the frosty Twin Cities for Barcelona (stunning, I know...even Marbury was shocked):

A little birdie said new Wolves President David Kahn has absolutely no interest in trading top draft pick Ricky Rubio, 18, who has committed to play in Spain two more seasons. And especially not to the New York Knicks, who have nothing reasonable to offer in exchange.

I'm just tinkling in everyones Cheerios this morning, ain't I? Apologies.

Training camp opens in a few weeks and there were only a few minor adjustments to a roster that produced 32 wins last season. With that said I won't even try to sell you optimism here, Fixers. Just level-headed reality.

And a countdown clock to July 1, 2010. Let's synchronize our watches:

Exactly 300 days to go . . .

Getting the most out of 1-year deals

Tuesday September 1, 2009 8:55 AM By Alan Hahn

Interesting point to relay this morning from Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld on how the CBA works for the Knicks in a one-year deal for David Lee:

Signing Lee to a one-year $7 million deal this year, he would be able to be signed and traded next year to a deal at or around $7 million without Base Year compensation issues. The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for a team to sign a player up to 120% of his previous season, allowing for an $8 million plus first year if the Knicks were to use Lee in a sign and trade next year. That's a nice trade chip to have for the Knicks next summer. A deal this year means the Knicks can only take back 50% of David's salary, giving them far less value for David.

Basically, even with Lee's approval, the Knicks wouldn't get full value if they traded Lee during the season. But come July they could . . . and that's only if they wanted to move him to, say, clear him off the cap without him having to lose his Bird Rights. The same, obviously, works for Nate Robinson.

Here is the BYC rule as explained on CBA guru Larry Coon's website:

Usually the salary used [in trades] for comparison is the player's actual salary. But under either of the following circumstances, a different salary is used when comparing salaries for trading purposes:

• The team is over the salary cap, used the Larry Bird or Early Bird exception to re-sign the player, and the player received a raise greater than 20% (unless it's the minimum salary).
• The team is over the salary cap, it extended the player's rookie scale contract, and the player received a raise greater than 20%.

If either of the above apply, then the player is considered a base year player. A player remains a base year player for six months, or until June 30, whichever comes later. When trading a base year player, the salary used for comparison is the player's previous salary, or 50% of the first-year salary in his new contract, whichever is greater.

Here is an example of a BYC calculation: A player earned $2 million in 2004-05, after which he became a free agent. He then signs a new contract (re-signing with his previous team, which is over the salary cap) starting at $9 million. This player qualifies for BYC, so his trade value is the greater of his previous salary ($2 million) or 50% of his new salary ($4.5 million), or $4.5 million. So this player, who actually earns $9 million, is worth $4.5 million for trading purposes.

As we said over the weekend, a one-year scenario is likely to happen before training camp opens on Sept. 29. That much has been agreed upon (though the details still need to be negotiated) between the sides. But Lee's camp still hopes a sign-and-trade may emerge in the time being and the Knicks can wait.

Oh, and as for the Ricky Rubio chatter, we put it to rest late last night in the previous blog.

Remember, follow me on twitter at twitter.com/alanhahn

Rubio rumors are "way off"

Tuesday September 1, 2009 12:31 AM By Alan Hahn

Even as Ricky Rubio had reportedly accepted a deal that would send him to Barcelona in a new agreement that locked him in Europe until 2011, the rumors continued to persist that the Knicks were still somehow in 11th hour talks to pry him from the Timberwolves.

Four very trustworthy sources, however, shot down the rumor, which involved unsigned restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson going to Minnesota along with a future first-rounder in a package for Rubio's rights.

Despite some obvious last-minute desperation by Rubio's camp to make something happen that would free Rubio to make the jump to the NBA this season, one source called the entire scenario "ridiculous" and another said the rumor was "way off" and indicated that Timberwolves GM David Kahn would be inclined to wait at least a season before he felt he had to make a decision on what to do with Rubio (this also gives him a year to watch Jonny Flynn and see what he has in him).

You can at least expect the Knicks will likely keep an eye on Rubio in Spain -- European scout Kevin Wilson knows the kid and the Rubio family quite well -- and things could heat up again down the road, especially if Flynn is performing well as a rookie.

The issue is the deal with Barcelona locks Rubio in for two seasons before he can exercise an opt-out to the NBA. That means no La Pistola until 2011-12. Sure, that fits well in the 2010 savings plan, but its a long time to wait for a franchise PG. And we all know the Knicks are in the market for a franchise PG who could run this system.

We know Donnie Walsh and Kahn have spoken at least once on this because Walsh said after the draft in June that he planned to reach out to Kahn about the situation. But that's the extent of what we know as fact at this point. Kahn made three visits to Spain this summer to try to work out a deal to bring Rubio to the NBA. Even owner Glen Taylor got personally involved (it is his money). Kahn, a rookie GM, took a major gamble when he gave up two starters in Randy Foye and Mike Miller to get that No. 5 pick. He needs to show something for it.

The push for New York by Rubio's camp is an understandable play. The belief is that in New York, Rubio can make up the endorsment money (Nike, Gillette, etc.) to pay off his exhorbitant buyout with DKV Joventut to gain his freedom for an immediate departure for the NBA. Rubio will have to fund most of it out of his own pocket, since NBA rules put a $500,000 cap on international buyouts.

In Minnesota, Rubio wouldn't get the kind of scratch he needs to cover the buyout. His rookie scale is $2.7M in the first season, $2.9M in the second and $3.1M in the third.  He'd pretty much be playing for free if he had to use his NBA salary to cover the buyout.

Yes, where there's smoke, there's fire. But sometimes it's just steam from hot air.

Remember, follow me on twitter at twitter.com/alanhahn.

Clarifying the Sessions situation

Tuesday August 25, 2009 8:54 PM By Alan Hahn

We told you in yesterday's blogpost that the Knicks are still very much interested in Ramon Sessions and that is accurate. But, following our golden rule Fallibilium est sexious (Fallibility is sexy) we were not accurate to give any suggestion that the Knicks have a standing offer on the table and are merely waiting for Sessions to take it.

In fact, what we've been since informed is that Sessions and his camp were told that Donnie Walsh is not prepared to make a multi-year commitment to the 23-year-old Sessions.

(I'm drawing a blank on a Tom Petty song to fit this moment....sigh).

As we said, Sessions is still very much on the radar, but his representation believes that Walsh would prefer to move a player off the 2010 payroll (read: Jared Jeffries or Eddy Curry) before he makes a commitment beyond next summer. That would suggest that there is very little chance the Knicks will sign Sessions this summer, unless Walsh can find a taker for either player.

A sign-and-trade with the Bucks doesn't really solve anything. Why? Sessions remains unsigned and the Bucks are about $1 million under the luxury tax threshold, which is his qualfying offer. All QO's expire on Oct. 1 and if the players do not pick it up by then, they remain restricted free agents. Only now their "home" team can sign them for anything, which means less than the QO.

So, considering they are $1M from the luxury tax threshold, what would motivate them to take on the equal contract for Sessions and then pay the tax on it?

This, of course, is good news for Nate Robinson, who tweeted that he was to meet with Walsh on Wednesday. But his agency, Goodwin Sports, on Tuesday blasted Starberman's report and denied any meeting had been scheduled.

Oh no he twi-dn't!

Regardless, with the Sessions option stalled, it means more than likely that Nate will return for at least one more season with the Knicks, likely at his very affordable qualifying offer. The Knicks can then waive his Bird Rights in June to avoid his cap hold next summer.

By the way, Nate also let us know via twitter that his license is no longer suspended.

One less question to ask on Media Day....

Knicks still in Sessions

Monday August 24, 2009 7:31 PM By Alan Hahn

In almost exactly a month the Knicks will open training camp and the roster is still unsettled. The situations with restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson remain in limbo and the pursuit of a backcourt upgrade has yet to produce anything more than blog fodder and twitter tantrums.

But the notion that is starting to float around cyberspace that suggests the Knicks are no longer in pursuit of Ramon Sessions is completely false. A person with intimate knowledge of the situation -- yes, intimite...you know, the kind of source that buys the situation a drink, cozies up nicely and even leaves a rose on the pillow -- says that Donnie Walsh still has the unsigned Sessions high on the priority list.

Tom Petty once said "the waiting is the hardest part." (He also once said "even the losers get lucky sometimes," which could also apply here. "Last dance with Mary Jane," would apply to others unrelated to this specific subject, but certainly not the NBA...ahem).

Back on point...

Things got very quiet in the Sessions situation over the past few weeks for several reasons, none more obvious than the fact that it was all talk with no action. It seems Walsh is the only real player in the game for Sessions -- again, if the Clips were that interested, they would have made an offer already -- and Dealer Donnie is well aware of this fact. In rewriting the Knicks front office code of conduct, Walsh stipulates that negotiating against one's self should never result in overpaying (see: Thomas, Isiah).

Sessions has a qualifying offer for $1M from the Bucks on the table that he can take at any time. It would allow him to enter next summer once again as a restricted, but when more than half of the league is expected to have cap space to spend.

It would also put him back with the Bucks, where rookie Brandon Jennings is sure to see a bulk of time, Michael Redd will get his usual minutes and Carlos Delfino will get some burn as well. One would hope Sessions would be ahead of Roko Ukic on the depth chart, but Scott Skiles does things his way. Bottom line is, taking the QO would be a major gamble for Sessions.

The Knick offer, believed to be around $4M at the start with an 8 percent decline in Year 2 to preserve cap space in 2010, is still the most lucrative bucket of guaranteed money on the table. Not to mention a 500 percent raise over his previous salary.

Sessions' people may still be holding out hope that the Clippers waived Mark Madsen to clear a roster spot for Sessions (but the backcourt there is still jammed up and Baron Davis is doing P90X, just like Ray Allen and yours truly). Perhaps they're hoping Walsh calls John Hammond for a sign-and-trade deal.

But the most likely scenario at this point is that Walsh and the Knicks will wait out Sessions with their offer firm and know that as the calendar flips to September, the 23-year-old will want to sign the best offer on the table.

And when/if he does, picture Mike D'Antoni getting the word on his celly while driving on the freeway, doing a giddy little Jerry Maguire impression: And I'm freeeeeee....free fallllin'

* * *

I tweeted this a few days ago, but worth repeating here for those Fixers who haven't yet converted to Twixerism (come the season, you're gonna want to):

I spoke with a friend in Europe who saw Danilo Gallinari recently and said he looks fantastic. Gallo apparently has spent a few weeks in Italy but also trained a little in England and his fitness levels are said to be extremely high. Gallo is telling people that he feels great and is virtually pain-free. There will be great expectations on the second-year forward from the first day of training camp and every move he makes will be scrutinized.

Why so much pressure? Because he has the talent to be a major factor in the Knicks improbable chances of being a playoff team in the East. I expect he will be a focal point of the offense from the get and we won't see the Tenth Avenue Freeze Outs we saw last season.

Yeah, I said it.

Iverson will not be a Knick

Thursday August 20, 2009 2:50 PM By Alan Hahn

I tossed in a mention of the Allen Iverson situation at the bottom of the previous blog because I didn't see it necessary to report something that wasn't going to happen. But the fact that Iverson mentioned New York and other news outlets insisted on including the Knicks as a destination despite our reporting here, let's make the point clear. I mean, crystal clear.

To reiterate our reporting, we've been told by several sources -- impeccable ones (as opposed to those misguided peccable types) --that Iverson has never been seriously considered by the Knicks and, despite his available status, will not be.

One source suggested we here at the Fix "take a very strong position that the Knicks are not a destination for Iverson."

Another put it succinctly that Iverson's future team is "definitely not" the Knicks.

From the intelligence I have gathered -- which includes these sources and also reading veteran NBA writers such as Rick Bonnell (Bobcats) and Ira Winderman(Heat)  -- it sounds as if Iverson's only real desintation would be Charlotte, where he would be reunited with Larry Brown. 

That would cause a logjam, tho, with unsigned restricted free agent Ray Felton and DJ Augustin in the backcourt already. But that's Mr. Bonnell's mess to deal with, thankfully.

The Knicks have their own issues, which involve getting a deal done with Ramon Sessions. However, I am led to believe that there are other factors involved here. Such as finding a home for unsigned restricted free agent Nate Robinson. As we've said here for a while now -- well before his brainless behavior during his traffic issue in the Bronx earlier this week -- his return would only be as a one-year last resort if no other guards can be signed.

But I do know that the team  want to hurt Robinson by just rescinding the qualifying offer by the July 23 deadline to make him an unrestricted free agent if the kid didn't have any other options.

 The Grizzlies did it with Hakim Warrick, but Warrick had interest elsewhere (Milwaukee). From what we know, it doesn't sound like Nate would get more than the vet's min if he was dumped into the open market.

But at this point Robinson is the Knicks' property, for better or for worse. Once they went beyond the July 23 date, both parties now have to agree to walk away from the QO. In Nate's case, that is not going to happen. Instead, it's almost assured he will at least walk into training camp with his qualifyer. And, as a result, the Knicks can't trade him this season unless Robinson agrees to the trade.

It would be different in David Lee's case. If the Knicks opt to offer him a one-year at a number higher than his QO, Lee would agree to walk away from his QO to take that number. And that would also allow the Knicks to trade Lee during the season if a deal came up.

Sessions, meanwhile, should be getting ready to accept whatever the Knicks are offering at this point (remember Bonzi Wells!). With it appearing as if the Knicks are negotiating against themselves -- the Bucks even seem to have moved on -- there's always the chance that Walsh pulls back the offer from the $4 million starting range to a lower number.

Just bloggin.

Nate busted with suspended license

Tuesday August 18, 2009 11:33 PM By Alan Hahn

The Knicks offseason continues to produce more head-shaking headlines. So today in the Bronx there was Nate Robinson driving thru to his basketball camp in Brewster with Seattle buddy (and Nets rookie) Terrence Williams.

And there goes Robinson, an unsigned restricted free agent, under arrest for driving with a suspended license, according to the New York Post.

Robinson actually posted some careless tweets as he was pulled over, but deleted the posts afterward. His more recent tweets were far more contrite:

To All My Tweeps: I was irresponsible earlier when I tweeted about being pulled over.

I thought it was for tinted windows but turns out I had an unpaid ticket and I wasn't aware the ticket had been mailed to my Seattle address...

This resulted to a suspended license.

I apologize to the Knicks, my family and fans.

I also want to thank the NYPD especially the arresting officer. He was fair and helped process me quickly.

I promise to get this all cleared up.

The NY Post suggests the incident could lessen his chances of being re-signed by the Knicks, which is a bit of a stretch. Nate was already on thin ice as it was as the fall-back option in case no other guards are signed. And I am led to believe that this won't deter the Knicks from re-signing him to a one-year deal if the pursuit of Ramon Sessions fails.

But for Robinson, it certainly doesn't help convince anyone around the NBA - including the Knicks - that the ebullient 5-9 guard has taken any steps towards desperately-needed maturity and responsibility.

As for Sessions . . . I continue to hear that the Knicks remain the 23 year old's last remaining legitimate option. The Clippers seem content with their roster and the Bucks just recently made additions (Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic) that suggest they are ready to move on, as well. The threat is still there for the Bucks to match a cheap offer sheet, but whenever Sessions (or his agent) is ready to accept the Knicks' offer in the $4M per range, they're ready to tender the offer sheet. How much longer do you wait if you're Sessions, who made about $700K last season and just saw his team (the Bucks) add two guards to the roster?

You really going to decline starting for the Knicks for the difference of $2M per in salary??

The Ricky Rubio chatter continues to be perplexing. It has resurfaced after this post by RealGM on Monday, which was based on a source saying: "The Knicks have closed off negotiations with all free agent point guards until next week. I think they're making a push for Rubio and if that fails, then they'll reopen talks with their other options."

All due respect to RealGM, but the source thinks this is the case.

And, in the meanwhile, no one I talk with that has any real knowledge of the situation sees the Timberwolves rushing to any decisions with Rubio. And, most especially, David Kahn is not trading this asset to the Knicks for an expiring contract and Jordan Hill. Kahn will try to get the most value out of Rubio IF he eventually decides to trade him. Remember, he gave up two veterans -- Randy Foye and Mike Miller -- just to get the pick to draft Rubio. I don't expect he then flips the kid for nothing.

The Knicks certainly don't.

Rubio's representation in Europe has been pushing the New York angle since May and they continue to keep the chatter going. The kid would love to be a Knick and, yes, the Knicks would be interested in having him. But right now, unless Kahn is suddenly willing to pull the plug on this deal and perhaps take Hill or Toney Douglas (or both) in return, it remains baseless rumor.

Cuttino Mobely's contract likely won't come into play here either because the Knicks are not taking on any extra salary (say, to lessen the burden on Minnesota) unless it is an expiring deal. Mobley actually has value to the Knicks because it can save them almost $18 million (counting the luxury tax hit) this season if they just waive him themselves.

And finally, Allen Iverson included the Knicks on a recent tweet among teams he was waiting to hear from. AI should rip open a Snickers....

Duhon says bring on the competition

Sunday August 16, 2009 8:58 AM By Alan Hahn

Kimberley A. Martin went to the Joseph Abboud-sponsored NBA Block Party at the JC Penny in Greeley Square, where a handful of Knicks people -- rookies Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas, former players Walt Frazier, John Starks and Allan Houston -- were there along with incumbent starting point guard Chris Duhon.

The Knicks have spent the summer looking to upgrade the starting point guard position, which Duhon took over when he signed last summer. How does he feel about the prospects of being replaced just a year later?

"If we get a guy like Sessions in, it's only going to make our team better," said Duhon, who got off to a strong start last season before appearing to wear down under heavy minutes. He wound up averaging 11.1 points and 7.2 assists.

He added, "That was my thought process throughout the whole time. If we get a guy like Jason Kidd, we're going to be better. If we get a guy like Grant Hill, we're going to be better. Andre Miller, we're going to be better.

"I've always been a team player. It's never been about me as a player; it's always been about the team. Whoever we bring here, that makes us better, gives us a chance to win, bring 'em in."

Read the entire story here.

* * *

The Ramon Sessions situation continues to smolder, despite random threats of imminent activity that have become akin to crying wolf at this stage. Eventually, something will be imminent, but you just don't know what to believe from Sessions' side (and those reporting it). The Clippers added Rasual Butler last week, which brings in a two-guard to add to the deep backcourt there. Eric Gordon and Butler will split time there, which leaves the backup spot behind Baron Davis (where Sebastian Telfair will compete) as the only slot left for Sessions to consider there.

The Clippers probably would still be interested in signing Sessions, but it doesn't sound to me like they would get into a bidding war for him.

The waiting is the hardest part if you're a Knicks fan this summer, with very little to show for in free agency other than lots of chatter and an early jump at Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. If there was great interest in Sessions from other NBA teams, he would have signed by now. It sounds like the Knicks are his best -- and possible only -- option, aside from a return to the Milwaukee Bucks at a discount (which is very unlikely). The Knicks are willing to give up less than the mid-level exception for him (about $4M per) and I believe the team should include an early opt-out to sweeten the deal so Sessions can cash-in beyond 2010 if he flourishes in this system.

We're still several weeks before training camp opens. But Sessions has to be itching at this point and may want to get something in ink soon so he can focus on where he will be this season.

To me, put the Kidd-Hill stuff aside. This will be Donnie's most important play this summer. Can he land Sessions and still protect the cap in 2010? Everyone's watching at this point . . .

As for the sudden quiet in this PG search, here's what we've heard along the way among the veterans who have been in for workouts:

Jason Williams - the Memphis Grizzlies have a greater interest in signing him than the Knicks do at this point.

Jamaal Tinsley - is getting closer to getting something done with the Miami Heat to provide some depth behind Mario Chalmers.

Jerry Stackhouse - will remain an option, but hard to imagine they'd bring him in while they also have another veteran SG, Larry Hughes, on the roster.

Meanwhile, Nate Robinson remains in limbo as he awaits the results of the Sessions courtship. Robinson's wish is to remain a Knick, but he is aware that the Knicks likely prefer to move on (he also recently tweeted that he wants to change his number to his college number, 2, from his current number, 4..the league makes it very difficult to do this, however, because of merchandising agreements. The NBA requires at least a year's notice, so unless Nate did this change last summer and only told us about it now, it seems your No. 4 Nate Robinson jersey is still current...for now).

Oh, and David Lee is still unsigned, too.

This summer has been like a Seinfeld episode. A show about nothing.

N8 will w8 it out

Thursday August 6, 2009 9:28 PM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson wants to remain a Knick, even though the team appears to be looking at several alternatives to having him return as the third guard in Mike D'Antoni's rotation. Robinson was present for a phone conversation with his agents and Donnie Walsh on Wednesday and understands that the Knicks are in hot pursuit of restricted free agent Ramon Sessions.

And if the Knicks land Sessions -- it seems inevitable -- than Robinson is aware he would likely be the odd man out in the equation.

One of Robinson's confidants told me that the popular 5-9 guard "made it clear to Donnie and the organization that he wants to be there" and that his stance right now is to "wait patiently while they sort through whatever they need to."

David Lee a few weeks ago wasn't as content with remaining an unsigned restricted free agent this deep into the offseason. Lee said he was "frustrated" with the lack of progress and acknowledged it was time for his agent to strongly consider alternatives, which would mean sign-and-trade scenarios.

Robinson doesn't sound ready to push that angle yet, though when the time comes he may have an easier time finding a S&T deal because his asking price is considerably lower than Lee's number.

He's showing some serious loyalty here and he's also showing a lot of humility. You would think after seeing the team court Jason Kidd and Andre Miller, invite Jamaal Tinsley in for a visit, put in a waiver bid for Jason Williams and bring him in for a workout and then target another restricted free agent in Sessions, that Robinson, who has yet to get an offer from the Knicks, would have good reason to feel jilted and prefer to go where he was wanted. But Robinson maintains his preference is to stay in New York, with the Knicks, in the system that helped him produce a career-best season.

Clearly, it seems to the Knicks that Robinson is insurance in case all else fails and there are no better options out there. We've explained why in a previous post.

To re-quote:

... his effervescent (and often grating) personality was also an annoyance. No one puts in more work than Robinson, who on practice days often went back to the gym at night to work on his shooting. But the concern is that as much as he loves to play and is passionate about the game, he also was seen and heard cracking jokes immediately after losses and had a class-clown persona that disrupted the focus of the team.

So if this poker table stare-down with Sessions and his agent backfires (there's reason to believe the Knicks want him enough to do what it takes) the Knicks can always fall-back, baby, with a one-year deal with Robinson and then come next summer renounce his Bird Rights so his cap hold comes off the 2010 ledger. It would be just as if they did a one-year rental with Tinsley or Williams.

* * *

Speaking of 2010, TNT's David Aldridge -- who is still very much an old school reporter and journalist even as he has become a TV personality for TNT -- published a conversation he had with LeBron James for NBA.com. In the story, which covered LeBron's widely-criticized decision not to shake hands after being eliminated by the Magic to the infamous stolen video of him being dunked on by Joe Crawford's little brother, James shows exactly why he gets it and exactly why the Knicks desperately need this type of a personality in New York.

It takes a special star athlete to deftly handle the media crush of New York (see: Jeter, Derek) and make it work for you. James puts this ability on display by acknowledging that, while he does not regret blowing off the post-game handshakes, he does admit to Aldridge that he was wrong to blow off the post-game media responsibilities:

"Looking back on it, without you guys, honestly ... there's really no, there's no LeBron, there's no Dwyane Wade, there's no Tiger Woods, there's no Peyton Manning and the rest of these guys that do the things and (are) seen every day."

This quote should be in every media training session around the NBA this fall.

Lee's search for S&T's continue

Thursday August 6, 2009 10:08 AM By Alan Hahn

As we creep into the heart of August, here is where the desperation sets in. Nate Robinson, in fact, tweeted last night that he will sit down today with his agents, Aaron and Eric Goodwin, to discuss his future with the Knicks.

And the Goodwins should also mention the likely future without the Knicks.

David Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, continues to scour the league for sign-and-trade offers to get his client the $10M to $12M per payday he strongly believes Lee is worth. There are options, but very few involve the kind of deals the Knicks would engage. Utah and Carlos Boozer is one, but so far there has been no movement on that front.

The Knicks were very concerned that the Trail Blazers were about to tender an offer sheet for Lee, but they chose to sign Andre Miller instead. From what I have heard, Kevin Pritchard even talked to Donnie Walsh about a sign-and-trade scenario, but Pritch ended the conversation when Walsh informed him to begin the discussion with Rudy Fernandez.

Would Pritchard, upon contemplation (and after adding a veteran guard in Miller while on the verge of extending Brandon Roy), re-visit this scenario? Time will tell. And Walsh seems to have plenty of time when it comes to dealing with Lee and Bartelstein.

We're still six weeks away from the start of training camp.

* * *

Toss Jerry Stackhouse on the pile of remaining unrestricted free agents the Knicks will give a look to. Stackhouse was jettisoned by the Mavs to Memphis in early July and then was waived by the Grizzlies immediately after. The Knicks weren't enamored with Stackhouse during the season, when the Mavs were trying to trade him, and from what I'm hearing, there isn't much serious interest in him now. "Due dilligence," is what one informed opinion within the organization suggested.

Another called it a "long shot" option, which puts him in the same category as Jason Williams (those exclusive negotiating rights expire today). But it made for a few minutes of twitter chatter, which keeps you insatiable, die-hard Twixers fed (and I dig that aboutchas, baby!).

Von Wafer's name has been floated all summer and Wafer, himself, even tweeted his affinity for New York. The Knicks had him on the summer league roster last summer and he didn't quite stand out in the system. But if they can get him for cheap (one-year, of course), he'd upgrade the bench.

* * *

Speaking of Twitter, Glen "Big Baby" Davis became yet another example of why this format isn't for everyone. He put forth a string of thoughts about his unsettled situation with the Celtics that had to have his agent -- and the Celtics -- cringing:

Why is this (expletive) taking so long!!! I really don’t understand!!!!

Anybody knows what’s going on with the Celtics? Cause I don’t!!!!!

Well I’m not worried about Sheldon [Williams]!!! Great. Guy and great player!!! But we are different players you know!!!!!

I wonder how the weather (is in) Boston cause I haven’t been there in so long!!!!

I like some of you guys ideas!!!! I going to tell danny (ainge) about some of you guys ideas!!!! I don’t know why then they sign [Williams] before me!!

Well I don’t know where I’m going to be!!! Where (you) guys think I’m going to be!!! Who needs a pf?”

I don't see the Knicks jumping in here. Davis wants a long-term deal, which means, yes, 2010 issues. Whatever the Knicks do long-term at this point will involve Ramon Sessions and only Ramon Sessions.

Unless, of course, the Cavs are willing to move LeBron James. (giggle)

Nate 'just waiting'

Tuesday August 4, 2009 10:03 AM By Alan Hahn

Longtime NBA writer Gary Washburn caught up with Nate Robinson at an all-star game in Seattle on Sunday and wrote about it for Fanhouse.com.

Robinson has remained mostly silent throughout the offseason, but did briefly discuss his unresolved restricted free agency situation with the Knicks, his future with New York and the offer from Greece with Washburn.

* - "I don't even know, I'm just waiting," he said Sunday when asked if he would sign with Olympiakos. "I'm just basically waiting, that's all I can do right now. I am just waiting, just taking my time and being patient."

* - When asked his preference, Greece or the NBA, Robinson said: "I just want to play basketball."

Despite some reports a week back that Robinson was on the verge of accepting a one-year deal from the Knicks, the 5-9 dynamo remains unsigned and, considering the investigation into just about every guard available -- Jamaal Tinsley, Jason Williams, Ramon Sessions (forget Allen Iverson) -- it doesn't appear re-signing him is a top priority. That doesn't mean the Knicks won't wind up inking him to a one-year deal, but if they do, clearly it is because the team had no other alternatives.

This has to be somewhat humbling to Robinson, who had a career year statistics-wise in Mike D'Antoni's system but his effervescent (and often grating) personality was also an annoyance. No one puts in more work than Robinson, who on practice days often went back to the gym at night to work on his shooting. But the concern is that as much as he loves to play and is passionate about the game, he also was seen and heard cracking jokes immediately after losses and had a class-clown persona that disrupted the focus of the team.

Williams is at the MSG Training Center today for a workout and a sit-down with Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni. Williams could be viewed as a bargain veteran backup at the veterans minimum of $1.2M (the Knicks have exclusive negotiating rights until Thursday) or, at the very most, the bi-annual exception of $1.99M.

Ramon Sessions still remains a target and talks will continue with his representation, which is pushing for the full MLE. That would be a five-year deal for $33M.The Knicks want to give a little less that the full MLE, but they have to be careful. As I reported today, I'm told the Bucks will likely match anything in the affordable range (between $2M to $3M per). The Bucks would view that as a good contract for a third guard (Brandon Jennings is their guy, I'm told) and Sessions would be very tradeable at that number.

(Note: caught a typo in the story...Sessions' second year would be $6.3M at the full MLE, not the $6.03M I wrote. I'm in summer vacation mode. Ugh)

So far, I haven't heard about any sign-and-trade talks the Knicks might have had with the Bucks for Sessions. But it seems the Knicks might want to move a player -- likely Nate -- to bring in a Sessions and a Williams or Tinsley.

Stay tuned. And follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for the latest updates.

One FYI: The NBA schedule will be released today at 1 p.m.

Sessions, etc. heating up

Monday August 3, 2009 8:38 AM By Alan Hahn

Back to work, at least for this week. Things in New York appear to be heating up more than the burn on my shoulders...

Ramon Session's agent, Jim Wells, has maintained an "any day now" response to inquiries about his client. For about two weeks he's been saying he expects something soon from the Knicks. But I think it's safe to assume, as the calendar flipped to August, that we're reaching the imminent stage. Wells told me last Thursday that he expected matters to get serious this week.

Meanwhile, as Frank Isola reported on Saturday, the comeback-attempting Jason Williams will work out for the Knicks this week. There is interest in seeing what J-Will can bring from a physical aspect, though I don't believe interest in the 33-year-old is that high. Williams is smart enough to understand Mike D'Antoni's system -- Note: Fixers, get it out of your heads that this is some And-1 Tour freewheeling streetball mentality...it's not. Which is why shoot-first guards (read: Allen Iverson) are awful fits -- but the age and year off are both enough concerns to keep him out of any legitimate conversations about a starting role. Williams, if he absolutely blows the Knicks away in the workout, would be brought in as a backup to replace Chris Duhon, if the Knicks could find a taker for Duhon's expiring. But, quite frankly, Duhon is still favored here among the coaching staff.

The Knicks took this waiver "victory" with a few chuckles. They'll take any win around here. See how it worked (for those who weren't paying attention) is teams put waiver bids in on the negotiating rights to Williams after the Clippers waived him. The team with the worst record gets first dibs. No one with less than 32 wins went for it, so the Knicks were awarded the "exclusive" rights to negotiate with Williams until Aug. 6.

Back to Sessions, the Clips are still interested, but Sessions really would prefer not to jump into that Gong Show with Baron Davis (in a feud with Mike Dunleavey) and Sebastian Telfair still in the backcourt. Here in New York, Sessions knows the starting role -- and the D'Antoni system, which favors his skill set far more than Dunleavy's iso-dominated schemes -- awaits him.

The Knicks can promote Sessions along with Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and the two first-round picks as their Young Guns. The foundation of the future.

Speaking of the future....David Lee and Nate Robinson continue to dangle. It is clear neither will be signed until the Knicks decide on what they plan to do with Sessions et al.

We'll keep you updated here all week and until these matters are settled.

Remember, you can also follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn)

Postcard from Vacation 3.0

Tuesday July 28, 2009 10:22 AM By Alan Hahn

This time I mean it. It’s time for me to take a few days and join my family on vacation or they’ll disown me. The Knicks don’t appear any closer to settling any of their myriad issues before August, when just about the entire league shuts it down for the summer.

Hold up on Nate

Sunday July 26, 2009 9:02 PM By Alan Hahn

I haven't been able to confirm the Yahoo! report from earlier today that said Nate Robinson plans to accept a one-year, $5M offer from the Knicks this week. In fact, from what I understand, neither Robinson, nor his representation, have discussed any numbers for a deal.

Stay tuned . . .

Yahoo! sez N8 back 1-yr, $5M

Sunday July 26, 2009 11:40 AM By Alan Hahn

The tireless crew at Yahoo! Sports reports today (according to a source) that Nate Robinson is prepared to accept a one-year contract from the Knicks for $5 million. The deal, according to the website, is expected to be done early this week.

I don't believe this is a precursor to a sign-and-trade, because generally the source behind a story like this comes from the players side. If this were to be a sign-and-trade, the player would know of it. Instead, the story suggests Robinson will remain a Knick and return to his third-guard role, which he flourished in last season.

A sign-and-trade would have to take place within 48 hours, but, again, the player would almost always be aware of it. As for the theory of signing Nate now for a later trade, once he signs he must stay with the Knicks for 90 days, which means he can't be moved until after training camp opens.

There still is a chance the Knicks may give Sessions an offer sheet, but it is doubtful the Knicks have an interest in offering anything more than about half of the mid-level exception (around $3M), mainly to protect the salary cap space for 2010. The Clippers are interested and would pay more of their MLE, but Sessions is somewhat hesitant to step into a situation where Baron Davis and Sebastian Telfair are already in place to compete for minutes.

Sessions would love to come to New York, where he would thrive in the Mike D'Antoni system, but with money an issue here it is a longshot. It is believed the Bucks, as much as they love first round pick Brandon Jennings, would match a cheap offer sheet. Perhaps the Knicks could engage in a sign-and-trade scenario with Milwaukee if they're that interested.

But with Nate back in the fold, at least there is some reasonable depth again and no impact on 2010. Chris Duhon and Toney Douglas can play the point. Nate is more of a combo, not really a point. Then you also have Larry Hughes for one more year and Wilson Chandler will get some minutes there, as well. Also in the mix could be Morris Almond, who didn't really blow anyone away at the Summer League but will likely get a training camp invite. And Donnie Walsh may keep Jamaal Tinsley in consideration.

The thing with Nate is he won't impact the 2010 cap if the Knicks renounce his Bird Rights at the end of the season. Otherwise, he'd have a cap hold of $10M (two times his previous salary), if I'm reading the CBA correctly.

Give Sessions half the MLE

Friday July 24, 2009 8:11 PM By Alan Hahn

Just bloggin!

Postcard from vacation 2.0

Tuesday July 21, 2009 10:56 AM By Alan Hahn

I'm out of it for a little while, and everybody gets delusions of grandeur -- Han Solo

You knew once I punched out the time clock all hell would break loose ...

According to Frankie Ice, the Knicks had Andre Miller in for a quiet visit to the MSG Training Center on Monday. There was no need for pretense here, both parties know what this mutual interest is all about. Call it symbiosis. The Knicks clearly want to upgrade their PG position without compromising their salary cap space in 2010 and Miller would gladly play in this PG-friendly system, pad the heck out of his stats and jump back into the free agency pool next summer, when more than half of the league will have cap space to spend.

The caveat remains, what else, but money. Miller has also visited with the Trail Blazers, who are apparently taking another long look at their PG spot after failing to upgrade the frontcourt with Hedo Turkoglu and Paul Millsap. Portland can come in much higher ($9M per?) than the Knicks mid-level, but what if the Sixers would take a sign-and-trade situation here?

I don't see why they would want Chris Duhon here when they have Miller's heir apparent, Lou Williams, and first-round pick Jrue Holiday. It might cost more than just Duhon to get this done.

On the other side of the city tabloid rivalry (doesn't anyone take vacation anymore?) is Starberman with his report that Ramon Sessions' agent is telling anyone who will listen that the Knicks are preparing an offer sheet at the full mid-level for his young, athletically-gifted client.

The Clippers were also believed to have heavy interest in Sessions (once the Allen Iverson idiocy subsided) and they had the cap-space ability to make a higher offer than the MLE. But they just flipped Q-Rich to Minnesota for three players, including Sebastian Telfair. With Baron Davis and Telfair, there really isn't a place for Sessions anymore.

The Knicks have coveted Sessions since last season and checked in on him early in the free agency process. At the time, the vibe was that the Bucks were planning on keeping him, even after they drafted Brandon Jennings at 10th overall. But things have changed.

In fact, if MIL is so enamored with Jennings after a pretty solid summer league (14.6 points per game, 8.2 assists), perhaps they go with the younger, cheaper version and pass on paying out for Sessions (12.4 points, 5.7 assists in 79 games this season).

Here's one angle to consider: Chris Duhon in a sign-and-trade. Why? Skiles and Duhon had a strong relationship when they were in Chicago and Duhon can provide the type of veteran presence at the PG position to allow Jennings to develop at his own pace. Plus, it is hard not to overlook that Duhon at his charity golf outing in Slidell, La. mentioned several coaches who have had an impact on his life but Mike D'Antoni -- the man who gave him a second chance to be a starting PG in the NBA -- was not among the list. Skiles, however, was. (head nod to "s0li" for the catch and twitter link).

If the Knicks go in this direction -- and it appears they will -- the obvious will be stated: they will go into the new season against an improved Eastern Conference as the Young Guns. Sessions is 23 and, along with Toney Douglas (23) is the oldest of the young core, which will include Wilson Chandler, 22, Jordan Hill, 21, and Danilo Gallinari, 20. What will it mean for graybeards David Lee (26) and Nate Robinson (25)? Lee appears to be still in the mix, but if Sessions is acquired that would pretty much signal the end of KryptoNate on Broadway.

As always, stay tuned . . .

A modest proposal to resolve the Lee/Knicks situation

Friday July 17, 2009 12:36 PM By Alan Hahn

Hill needs to join Eddy in the gym

Tuesday July 14, 2009 8:55 PM By Alan Hahn

Jordan Hill's summer league debut resulted in the admission from the Knicks lottery pick that he needs to get himself in better shape.

“I could definitely be in more shape, I could get on that this summer," he said. "Practice has been pretty tough. I should just eat right and do the things I need to do to get better.”

Hill said after the draft he went home for a little bit and worked out at school, but he's aware the NBA game --not to mention Mike D'Antoni's constant-motion system -- has high physical demands. Hill unquestionably goes after the ball and attacks the backboard (eight rebunds in 28:33), but his lack of explosiveness will hamper that ability greatly. And with the ball he showed tendencies to fade-away on jump hooks and turn-arounds.

His 6-for-14 performance from he floor is a clear indication that his legs weren't underneath him. None of this is a major concern because it is all correctable.

“He’s got to get stronger, he’ll do that; He has to get more comfortable, he’ll do that," D'Antoni said. "I thought he got better as the game went on. I think by the end of the week you’ll see he’ll get better.”

If anything, you can certainly say Hill showed greater promise than Hasheem Thabeet, who had an underwhelming six points, six rebounds and one block in 23:36.

* * *

* - Toney Douglas also struggled with his shot (2-for-13, 1-for-4 from downtown) but did dish 11 assists with zero turnovers and two steals in 28:52. He's definitely showing point-guard ability, but he needs to discover the floor general within and likely will as he gets command of the system.

* - Morris Almond really stuck it in my face, didn't he? (Of course you know he reads the Fix...doesn't everybody?). Almond looked like a natural in the system, with 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from downtown for 17 points. He's trying to earn an invite to training camp this fall and if he can show this kind of shooting consistently in the remaining four games, he'll have a ticket to Saratoga.

As we discussed this with D'Antoni, Anthony Roberson was warming up for the Bulls.

* - As we said in a previous blog (and as Starberman reported in today's Post), the Carlos Boozer situation will be monitored by the Knicks. Are they legit players? Not quite. Up to the Jazz to see what they'd want off the Knicks' roster (not named Chandler, Gallo, Hill or Douglas, of course). Would they consider Nate Robinson? Obviously to match Boozer's salary, it'll take another contract to go with it (Cuttino Mobley?).

The Knicks likely wouldn't agree to deal for Boozer with the idea to immediately sign him to an extension. He would be a one-year "rental." Not a bad rental.

* - By the way, I've heard the Olympiakos offer to Robinson is real. Whether he takes it seriously or not is another story.

* - Jumping on the red-eye tonight and heading home. We'll keep in touch with things in Vegas from afar. Gotta say I was here four days and the only gambling I did was at an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. Winner, winner, sashimi dinner.

By the way, did y'all hear Jessica Simpson is available again?

N8 the Greek?

Monday July 13, 2009 10:57 PM By Alan Hahn

Apparently Olympiakos is targeting Nate Robinson with a boatload of cash (use your Google translator to read it). As they did a season ago with Josh Childress, the Greek team is hoping to sign Robinson as another ticket-seller, who would easily be a bigger star there.

According to the story -- loosely translated -- Olympiakos may also consider a run at Ramon Sessions, who is a restricted free agent with the Bucks.

European teams can sign restricted free agents from the NBA with no compensation. But the NBA team does maintain the player's rights.

The Knicks might actually have no problem with Robinson taking the Greek offer, mainly because not have to pay him and still could use him as a trade asset. Coincidentally, Robinson has been in Europe making appearances at basketball camps. He is an immensely-popular NBA player who might be the type to strike it rich in Europe as a fan attraction. But he is also the type that would likely prefer to remain in the NBA.

Money, of course, does talk.

Donnie Walsh hasn't expressed too much concern about the talks with Robinson's agent, Aaron Goodwin, but he did seem somewhat agitated with the uncertainty involving David Lee's situation. Walsh said he has talked financial parameters with Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein, but clearly Bartelstein's target is a lot higher than what Walsh is willing to give.

Game time

Monday July 13, 2009 10:09 PM By Alan Hahn

It's like the Knicks have had a mini training camp for a five-game summer league. We've been here since Friday night, the Knicks had two-a-day practices over the weekend and one more today. Finally this roster of busts and bloomers will take the court tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3 p.m. local time (6 p.m. where it matters) against the Memphis Grizzlies.

You can expect a starting lineup that looks something like this:

PG Toney Douglas

SG Morris Almond

SF Alex Acker

PF Jordan Hill

C Saer Sene

Phil Weber used all kinds of lineups in the workouts so it's very possible they try to go smaller and put Hill at center.

Douglas has impressed people the most in the practices because he is showing an extra gear and a terrific ability to dart laterally both with the dribble and defensively as well. Not a great shooter, but he can get to the rim. His court vision is good. Definitely ready for a rotation spot.

Hill has been very active but is still somewhat raw. Plenty of time to work on offensive moves and to develop more explosiveness, which he should have. He does get after the ball, though. You can't teach that.

The other player to keep an eye on is Morris Almond, though he really hasn't stood out much in practice. Aside from the obvious -- dude can shoot -- he doesn't stay active enough to be a consistent threat. Not enough energy and intensity flowing out of him. You can see why he couldn't keep a seat on Jerry Sloan's bench.

I like the versatile Alex Acker (Pistons,Clippers), who is long and very athletic and, opposite of Almond, very active. Not a great shooter or offensiv threat, however. If he were more like 6-7 or 6-8, he might be more of a given as an NBA small forward. At 6-5, he's a bit undersized for the frontcourt, but perfect to defend shooting guards (like OJ Mayo).

Another player to watch is Blake Ahearn, a D-League standout, is very flashy and makes you notice. He is very confident with the ball, makes flashy passes -- one-handed variety, around his back, under the arm of a defender, etc. -- and can shoot it. Struggles defensively and doesn't always make the safe pass (a little too careless), but the real issue for him at the NBA level is his first step. Not much blow-by speed there to beat people off the dribble.

By the way, while you're watching the game (MSG, 6 p.m.), follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/alanhahn) for thoughts and observations from Cox Pavillion.

* * *

* - Sneak preview of my story in tomorrow's Newsday: Eddy Curry's trainer says 300-310 is the target playing weight for Curry. Why? Because while they have focused on burning the excess fat (he's lost 30 pounds already), the goal is also to have Eddy develop and build more muscle, which, as you know, weighs more than fat. So forget that fictional 285 pound listing in the media guide.

* - Rumor Mill got quiet for a day, so let's throw out some random, baseless speculation: The Utah Jazz have an interesting situation with Paul Millsap signing an offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers. They're trying to move Carlos Boozer now in order to clear enough space to match the offer sheet and keep Millsap. Just a thought, but would the Knicks ever consider offering Lee in a sign-and-trade for Boozer? Then Utah wouldn't have to match Millsap, could get something of value for Boozer and the Knicks would get an all-star caliber player who has an expiring contract.

Just bloggin.

Grant Finale

Wednesday July 8, 2009 11:23 AM By Alan Hahn

Don't expect the Knicks to have any more red-carpet recruiting visits this summer. After Grant GHill, expect the rest of the offseason will mainly involve trade talks and leftovers. Improving the roster was clearly the effort in talking to Hill and Jason Kidd, but cap limitations and the 2010 Plan will restrict the Knicks from doing anything dramatic.

Remember, Fixers, it's still slow and steady here.

And though we were told the Knicks did not make a formal offer to Grant Hill, but simply discussed parameters, Hill's camp seemed to make sure those "parameters" were publicized in Phoenix, so the Suns could see what they were up against. According to the Arizona Republic, the Knicks put two proposals on the table for Hill to consider: a one-year windfall for $5M (just under the $5.8M mid-level exception) or a three-year committment for a total of $10M (about $3.3M per).

The Republic says the Suns were also planning to use some of its mid-level to re-sign Hill and that the 36-year-old veteran was likely choosing between the two. Or perhaps, like with Kidd, Hill would prefer to stay in Phoenix but had the Knicks' interest in his back pocket to make sure the Suns ante'd up.

Considering the doomsday prophecies with the anticipated salary cap situation in 2010-11, perhaps it's best the Knicks not have to make a three-year committment to Hill, who would eat up $3.3M on the 2010 payroll. Then again, any signings that Walsh makes this summer will have to motivate him to move Eddy Curry and/or Jared Jeffries to clear their much larger numbers off the 2010 ledger.

* * *

* - Word out of Toronto is that the Raptors are offering Shawn Marion around the league in search of a sign-and-trade. The Mavericks appear to be interested and, of course, you'd have to wonder if Mike D'Antoni would want to be reunited with The Matrix in New York. So far, haven't heard anything concrete, but I did hear that Marion turned down a four-year, $36M offer from the Raps. Hey, $9M per is very reasonable for Marion, who has proven to be a "system guy" since he left D'Antoni's game in Phoenix.

The Knicks would have to dump Curry's contract to even consider adding Marion at that number.

The same goes for Rip Hamilton, who could be headed out of Detroit now that Ben Gordon is signed. But Hamilton just signed a hefty contract extension ($12M per) and to bring in a player like him would take getting rid of contracts to, yes, buffer the cap hit.

* - Another name that appears to keep popping up in my twitter @s and email inbox is Allen Iverson. After a few inquiries I was told there was little interest in bringing AI to New York.

* - Don't see much happening this summer regarding Tracy McGrady and the Knicks. As one NBA executive said to me recently about the Knicks: "There just isn't much interest in their players."

That includes Nate Robinson, who, despite wide popularity among fans and players and a dynamic, change-of-pace ability, has receieved minimal interest as a restricted free agent. Obviously all teams expect the Knicks to match any offers, which doesn't help either Robinson (or David Lee).

The Knicks could bring him back for the very inexpensive one-year qualifying offer of $2.9M. Most around the league believe the QO is right about in the market value range for the 5-9 combo guard. I believe the preference would be to move Robinson -- just not a good fit and they really want to make room for rookie Toney Douglas -- and if he takes the QO, the Knicks would have to wait 90 days if they still wanted to trade him and Robinson would have to approve of the trade.

* - Lee may be unwittingly pricing himself out of possible offers, as as Ho-Beck reported today, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, is apparently setting a high asking price ($12M per, sez Beck).

The Worldwide Leader recently offered up some past market comparables to Lee (players who entered free agency after a double-double average the previous season). The ESPN list included RFAs such as Emeka Okafor (6x72M with CHA); Carlos Boozer (6x68M with UTA); Elton Brand (6x82.2M with LAC) and UFAs such as Erick Dampier 7x73M with DAL; Tim Duncan (4x45.9M with SAS); Dikembe Mutombo (4x$65M with PHI); Chris Webber (7x122.7M with SAC) and Jermaine O'Neal (7x$126.6M with IND).

Now, let's review. These deals involve two elements in hindsight: players who already were all-star, elite-level players (Duncan, Webber, Mutombo and Brand) or contracts that proved to be awful deals (Okafor, O'Neal and Dampier). And everyone who owns a house knows that market value is never what it was three-to-five years ago. Consider this summer a correction.

What is hurting Lee -- and Robinson -- is that while their statistics were terrific last season, the one stat that teams are starting to focus on more and more is the Win-Loss factor. And over the course of their four seasons in New York, both Lee and Robinson have only experienced losing. Now, it's not fair to say they are solely to blame -- they entered a team already in major trouble -- but both emerged into key roles last season and neither proved they could make the difference between winning and losing on their own. By this theory, that would make them excellent role players, but not top shelf entities that command near the max.

But you can't blame Bartelstein for trying here, because if Lee wants to get paid he'll need an offer sheet to make it happen. The best case scenario for the Knicks is that no one steps forward with an offer sheet. Without one, as we've been saying here throughout the past season, the Knicks are basically negotiating against themselves. Perhaps if there was no 2010 awaiting, the Knicks would lock-up Lee for a long-term deal. But with cap space so critical next summer, the obvious best business decision for the Knicks is to force Lee into taking his QO ($2.7M) and holding his Bird Rights in unrestricted free agency next summer, where they can then sign him to a much larger deal.

Sign-and-trades? As we've been telling you here for months, the Knicks would need to be blown away. Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake ain't getting it done (and, according to sources I have talked to has never been offered).

They <3 NY, and the threat of 2010

Monday July 6, 2009 4:31 PM By Alan Hahn

Don't wanna play the field 'cause I get lovin' at home base

Don't gimme no long face just exit with a grace

You and I are the past; c'est la vie, much respect girl

But now you're my ex-girl 'cause I'm on with the next girl....

So Dwyane Wade comes out and boldly says he'll only re-sign with the Heat if they are championship contenders. Playoffs are not enough.

And there are the Knicks, waiting with fists of dollars, in case the Heat don't take him seriously.

It's right out of the LeBron playbook, no?

Perhaps this is cynnical. But there is a perspective to take here about some of these guys headed to free agency in 2010. Grab your franchise by the throat, demand they lavish you with riches as a great supporting cast and point to the Knicks as the hot chick in the corner batting her eyes at you.

Let's see how Miami reacts. Desperate signing of Allen Iverson (yeah, that'll work...A.I. needs the ball and D-Wade owns it. Coach Erik Spoelstra, it's Dr. Phil on Line 1).

We already saw how Dallas reacted when Jason Kidd went out on a date with New York. Mark Cuban jumped in a plane and begged for another chance. Kidd got the term and financial commitments he wanted and New York was left alone at the bar. No night cap.

Grant Hill is here now, too. Is he doing the same? Boston is already on bended knee, offering the chance for a ring. But they can't cough up more than the bi-annual. Perhaps Grant wants more than one year. Of course New York now can dip into their mid-level for him.

Ohh, New York. So good to these fellas.

And as we go on, D-Wade and LeBron will continue to flirt. Continue to let New York linger in their out-loud thinking. They talk of a possible three-way, even.

And there New York giggles and purrs as she waits patiently in that dark corner of the club.

(Yeah, I said it.)

* * *

On the David Lee front, he was out my way over the weekend enjoying life as a famous New Yorker. I'm sure Portland has cool places to hang out, too, but David was made to be a New York pro athlete.

Not many offer-sheet options left for David. The Blazers know the Knicks will match anything reasonable and they also know it's not reasonable to pay $9M to $10M for Lee when they already have an all-star caliber power forward in LaMarcus Aldridge. Now, they could move LA to the three-spot, but remember, the Knicks will have money in 2010 and revenge could be taken with Brandon Roy.

Portland's best scenario is a S&T. Let's begin the conversation with Rudy Fernandez . . .

Cleveland should be the best fit, though I don't believe they have inquired. Lee is an upgrade over Anderson Varejao IMHO and his ability to rebound and outlet would benefit that team greatly now that it has slowed down even more with the addition of Shaq. But the Cavs would have to sign-and-trade and the Knicks really aren't interested in anyone on that roster . . .

. . . aside from, of course . . .

We will maintain that Lee remains in New York. Where he belongs. At a fair price.

Easy for us to say, but the gameplan should be to take a one-year and go UFA next summer, when everyone will have cap space and the Knicks would have your Bird Rights.

The situations involving Lee and Nate Robinson will heat up once we get beyond the moratorium, which is lifted Wednesday.

Getty Images Photo

Kidd takes the money

Sunday July 5, 2009 10:45 PM By Alan Hahn

AP Photo

So the Knicks top free agent target decided to stay with his current team. It's a tough, but somewhat expected defeat for the Knicks.

But this'd hurt more if it were next summer.

The Knicks really aren't players in free agency this year, not with a skeleton roster and just the mid-level exception to offer. Jason Kidd said he wanted to take the weekend to decide between staying in Dallas for three years and $24M or coming to New York for $6M less. A source told me he spent Sunday in Dallas with Mark Cuban, which left little doubt which way Kidd was leaning, as if there really ever was any doubt to begin with.

In case anyone needed confirmation, you can read it here from the Worldwide Leader.

With this knowledge, on top of the fact that Grant Hill spent his Sunday with someone else as well (Celtics coach Doc Rivers was in Orlando wooing him to come to Boston), the options are dwindling fast. Hill is scheduled to come in Monday to meet with Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni, but at this point is it more than just a mere courtesy?

Lessee...step into a rebuilding situation at 36, or take the chance to play a role for a championship-caliber team?

So let's roll on down the line here at the next options:

* - Andre Miller? Seriously, not for the mid-level.

* - Ramon Sessions? Milwaukee made the moves they needed to make to ensure they could handle matching the Knicks' offer, if not going higher, for the dynamic young guard. And not sure the Knicks want to commit that long-term for a somewhat unproven guard.

* - Mike Bibby? Word is he prefers to remain in Atlanta. The Knicks haven't reached out yet...but likely will check it out. For Bibby, we're talking short-term offer. Unlike Kidd, he doesn't make you that much better on and, more importantly, off the court, where you can surrender cap space in 2010.

All eyes now fall back on Steve Nash, perhaps the last hope for 2009-10....But is Nash just keeping the Knicks in his conversations for the same reasons Kidd came for his visit? Make the home team sweat out a few more millions and make you feel wanted, nake sure they aren't dismantling the team, because if you're going to be part of a rebuild, it would be more fun to do it in New York.

As for other alternatives, Fixers, there is always Chris Duhon and the belief he can give you more of what you saw in the first half last season and not lose so much steam in the second half. You can't discount his first-half performance because of how quickly he faded in the second half after carrying such a heavy load of minutes. Is it enough to get you to the playoffs? Likely not. But, really, this team is still a long way from contending for anything in the East.

The mid-level just may not yield what you need, but it can be used -- at least a bit of it -- to fill some gaps in the meantime as you continue to build. Carlos Delfino may become an unrestricted free agent if the Raptors renouce his rights (as a result of the Turkoglu signing). Delfino can fill need at the 2-spot.

Also, once the signing moratorium ends on Wednesday, Nate Robinson may be used as a sign-and-trade chip. Probably doesn't yield you a starter, though, and, quite frankly, I'm sure it's hard right now to be excited about moving Jared Jeffries' $6.8M off the ledger in 2010.

It just may be that the Knicks' biggest signing of the offseason will be David Lee.

The rumors are fun. The speculation and armchair-GMing and variations can be exciting.

But this is reality, Fixers. At least for one more year.

Just bloggin.

No fireworks yet

Friday July 3, 2009 1:19 PM By Alan Hahn

Suddenly got quiet on the Knick front. The team doesn't expect to know of Jason Kidd's decision until after the holiday weekend. The deals are there to mull -- 3x$24M from DAL and 3x$18M from the Knicks -- and Kidd has to decide whether it's about the loot or the location.

It is unclear if the Dallas deal has the third year guaranteed. The Knicks, from what I'm told, most certainly is. The third year isn't the issue for Donnie Walsh, it's the second year (2010-11). But if Kidd accepts, then you can be sure the next step will be to find a way to move Jared Jeffries' $6.8M salary off the 2010-11 payroll.

A quick note here: the Knicks don't want to move Jeffries. In fact, the coaching staff is very high on him as a player and a person.

If Kidd doesn't take the New York challenge, don't immediately think Ramon Sessions is the next target. Sure, the Knicks would love to have him, but they haven't been in touch with his agent yet. Why? Because the Bucks have made it crystal clear with their moves that they plan to match any offer for Sessions. It is likely a futile exercise.

Andre Miller and Mike Bibby would get calls, but let's be honest, if the Kidd scenario falls through it might be better to stick with Chris Duhon for the season with Toney Douglas as the third guard and see what happens with Steve Nash next summer. Nash, who has a $13M team option the Suns will pick up in August ($8M of it is guaranteed, according to the Arizona Republic, so you know they're picking it up), won't sign an extension if he's not happy with the direction of the franchise.

Like Kidd, Nash may be just using the Knicks as leverage. But if you're the Knicks, you stay in the game just in case. Nash just keeps talking about the Knicks and basically said to the Globe & Mail that if it's time to move on from Phoenix, the Knicks are his first choice:

But the Victoria, B.C. native, who is heading into the final year of a contract that will pay him $13.1 million U.S. in 2009-10, acknowledged that if the sides can’t reach a consensus, “than a trade would always be a possibility.” And if that’s the case, the point guard said he would like to play in New York, where his family spends its summers.

“I would preface it by saying that I love Phoenix and that’s what I’m focusing on right now,” Nash said. “But I live in New York City, and I love it there, and [Knicks head coach] Mike D’Antoni was one of my favourite coaches. If it didn’t work out in Phoenix, obviously that would be a place I’d consider.”

* * *

As for the restricteds...still haven't heard that the Knicks have made any formal offers to either. Parameters have been discussed but right now the agents for both players are playing the market. Remember, any offer sheets can be matched by the Knicks.

The report from Toronto about the Raptors having an interest in acquiring David Lee is accurate, but moot. I checked in with Toronto and was told Chris Bosh would not be part of any trade conversations and the reply I got from the Knicks end was that there wasn't much interest in any other player on that roster to even begin discussing a deal for Lee.

I'll maintain belief that David remains a Knick. My guess? 5x$40M, with an opt-out after the third year. If the Knicks get him for less it's a bargain.

Now that the Lakers have Ron Artest -- the Lamar Odom thing still has to be addressed -- is it time for Mitch Kupchak to look into upgrading his backup guard position? Nate Robinson would be a good fit there for many reasons, starting with the fact that he would be a major upgrade over Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown. Now . . . the issue is the Lakers don't have many options that fit the Knicks. Sasha Vujacic would work, but his contract extends into 2010-11. Would the Knicks take Adam Morrison's expiring deal? Nah.

Then again, those numbers might be too high for Robinson. A package of Farmar and Brown (about $3M), who both have expiring contracts, may be the better play. But then you are really log-jamming the backcourt with players. Remember, you still have Chris Duhon and also rookie Toney Douglas, on top of Morris Almond, who is likely to get a training camp invite.

But there is a belief that the Knicks will re-visit the Sacramento Kings scenario from the trade deadline. The Kings acquired Sergio Rodriguez from Portland before the draft so there could be something there with Robinson and Jeffries going to Sacto for, say, Rodriguez (RFA next summer) and Kenny Thomas' expiring contract in return. Just speculatin.

Enjoy the 4th. Be safe.

AP Photo

Knicks meet with Jason Kidd

Wednesday July 1, 2009 12:52 PM By Mike Rose

Free agent Jason Kidd was at Madison Square Garden Wednesday morning for a two-hour meeting with Knicks president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The 36-year-old point guard, who reportedly met with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban here in New York right after the free-agency period officially began at midnight, kept his scheduled meeting with the Knicks, which began at 10 a.m.

Kidd was seen walking with his agent Jeff Schwartz, Walsh and D'Antoni through the Garden lobby. Kidd waved but declined to comment.

The Knicks might agree to give up some of the valuable LeBron James cap space for 2010 to guarantee a three-year deal, which would be the maximum length contract they can offer.

The Mavericks, who had Kidd's rights up until midnight, have the ability to give him a maximum deal. And with very few options at point guard without him, a desperate Cuban announced via his Twitter account that he was flying to New York "for free agent meeting at 12:01."

Kidd, according to a source, has already turned down one offer from the Mavericks that went well beyond the midlevel at $8 million per over three years, though it is not clear if the third year was guaranteed.

The Knicks, however are very aware that Kidd's heart is in the New York area, where he still keeps an offseason home to be close to his three children.

Meanwhile, Walsh also has reached out to the representatives for restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson and planned to begin negotiations with both later Wednesday. Lee is in Indonesia for an NBA event.

Kidd in Play?

Monday June 29, 2009 9:57 PM By Alan Hahn

Let's rewind the tape from January, when we were in Dallas and Jason Kidd was talking free agency, which begins Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. and if he would consider the Knicks among his options:

“Yeah, why not? I’m going to look and see. Coach [Mike D'Antoni] is great. I got to know him a little bit this summer [at the Olympics]. D’Antoni is great, he has a great philosophy and I think people enjoy watching that."

People would enjoy watching it more if the team had all-star talents like himself. Kidd will be 37 when the season starts and his game is already deteriorating (perimeter defense is a major issue). But Kidd is still one of the best floor generals in the game with uncanny court vision. In D'Antoni's spread offense (as long as he was surrounded with shooters) he could continue to put up great numbers.

As one NBA personnel director, who has watched Kidd closely, said to me, "He's still a major asset at his age. Still makes teammates better, but a liability on defense against younger, quicker guards. Still sharp and smart defensively, though."

The Knicks need some credibility and leadership and Kidd still can provide both to a team with a young core. Let's also not overlook the fact that LeBron James loves playing with Kidd. And while that may suggest having Kidd on the roster could be considered another lure for LeBron in 2010, if Kidd would consider a mid-level exception (around $5.5 million) to play for the 32-win Knicks, why wouldn't he take the MLE to have a shot at an NBA championship with LeBron (and Shaq) in Cleveland?

One possible reason? Kidd's children live in the New York area.

The Mavericks apparently offered Kidd a three year deal for about $8 million per, but he turned it down. Mark Cuban is never one to get outbid, and money talks.

As for other free agents:

Donnie Walsh has indicated that he would be reluctant to spend the MLE (unless, of course, he can remove a contract off the 2010 ledger..meaning Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries), but for gits and shiggles, let's review some potential targets:

* - Andre Miller: A few years younger than Kidd and a bona fide leader, but has the same issues regarding defending against quick guards. His basketball IQ is coveted, so he should be able to get more than the MLE.

* - Ramon Sessions: The Bucks let Charlie Villanueva go into unrestricted free agency (they did not give him the necessary qualifying offer to maintain his restricted rights) because they wanted to have some cap flexibility and have the ability to keep Sessions. He may take an offer sheet from the Knicks because of style preference, but, again, the Knicks aren't looking to make any long-term committments at this point.

* - Carlos Delfino: The Raptors still maintain his rights as a restricted free agent (he spent the past year in Russia), but Toronto might be open to a sign-and-trade scenario. He would fill a need at the shooting guard spot, but, again, may have to accept a short-term deal.

* - Grant Hill: The Knicks would love his leadership and presence, but, again, there are contenders who feel the same and he likely would prefer a chance for a ring before he retires.

* - Villanueva: Would be a good fit in the pick-and-roll system, but as an unrestricted free agent, he will command more than the Knicks are likely willing to spend.

Now for matters closer to home:

David Lee and Nate Robinson will hit the open market on Wednesday. Both will get their fair share of interest and I believe the Knicks will discuss offers with both players. But it sounds like Lee is a greater priority, though that could change if the numbers aren't right.

Meanwhile, Paul Millsap, Utah's RFA, sounds like he wants to see what Lee gets and use that as his comparable.

Obviously there will be more to discuss on this front in the coming days.

It's early, but still one of the Least in the East

Sunday June 28, 2009 11:09 AM By Alan Hahn

So Donnie, you see the Cavaliers add Shaq, the Magic acquire Vince Carter, the Wizards pick up two major rotation players in Randy Foye and Mike Miller and even the Milwaukee Bucks (a borderline playoff team even with injuries) make a bold move for cap space to keep their core intact . . .

“How do I feel about that?" he interrupted. "I hope none of them work."

Probably not the marketing slogan to go with when selling tickets for 2009-10.

The draft-day selections of Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas are nice pieces, but neither are the centerpiece-type players this franchise needed out of the draft to immediately upgrade the team. So now Walsh and his staff has the rest of the summer to retool this roster that fell seven games out of a playoff spot last season.

Of course Walsh made it crystal clear the focus remains 2010 and for Knicks fans, that valuable free agency period is only a few months after what could be another season without a playoff berth. It could be a very empty May and June next year, especially without a first-round pick (what the hell are we going to talk about here?!).

The Utah Jazz, who own the rights to that unprotected pick, are the happiest of all to hear that the Knicks likely won't be making any aggressive moves this summer to jump into the playoff conversation in the ever-improving East. Perhaps John Wall's representation should begin now putting out hints that they have no interest in playing in SLC.

Let's take a look at the playoff contenders at this point in the East: Cavs, Magic, Celtics, Bulls, Hawks, 76ers, Heat and Pistons. A few teams that came very close (and are expected to be there again) are the Bobcats and Bucks. A team you can not discount if they remain healthy is the Wizards. That's 11 teams so far.

You perhaps can put the Knicks there at 12. And now name me the four teams out of that group that will fall out so the Knicks can get in.

One argument you can make from a Knicks perspective is they were very much in the conversation late in the season, but they were only because there were so many mediocre teams battling for that 8th spot. The Pistons were fading. The Bucks were decimated by injuries.

But the Knicks didn't have Danilo Gallinari -- arguably their best player if healthy -- and Chris Duhon was exhausted playing so many minutes early in the season with a shallow backcourt. Eddy Curry was never in shape and David Lee, at 6-9, was asked to play center. The team also didn't have enough perimter shooters.

OK, so how does any of that change? Gallo's health and durability will be under the microscope all season. As will Curry's conditioning (and ability -- make that willingness -- to run). Toney Douglas is a good grab as a late first-rounder, but we've heard his kind of rhetoric before (just rewind the tape on Nate Robinson). Where are the shooters? Darko Milicic has proven to be a backup center and, at least, you can say he's an upgrade over Jerome James.

But while Walsh and Mike D'Antoni speak optimistically about improving a 32-win team, their goal to make the playoffs this coming season is, at this early point of the summer, is far-fetched.

A lot of pieces have to fall in place this summer to improve this roster enough to be in the playoff conversation and still maintain the necessary cap space for next summer to be in play. The Nets made the decision that 2010 was more important that being a playoff also-ran, which is why the VC deal went down. They did land a solid role player in Courtney Lee and saved $16M in cap space a year from now, when Jay-Z can try to convince LBJ to come to Bk'lyn.

But here's the situation to watch closely: If LeBron signs an extention with Cleveland this summer, I think you will see the Knicks drop the plan and get aggressive. That doesn't mean they will give up any cap room for next summer, but they might be more inclined to spend some of it in a trade or with the mid-level exception.

As for the MLE, which is the only manner in which the Knicks can sign any of the free agents available this summer, Walsh said it would take a certain circumstance to use it. And that would be? “The ability," he said, "to know I can lose money somewhere else.”

That would mean, at the very least, Jared Jeffries and his $6.8M salary would have to be off the books for 2010-11.

We've discussed this issue several times over the past year and it will likely remain a topic of great debate (at least as long as LeBron is still a possibility in 2010). Had Walsh done nothing this season the Knicks may have been a playoff team, likely a borderline one and definitely not one that could have challenged for the East.

So, really, what is more important? Being a capped-out playoff also-ran or taking a methodical approach to rebuilding with an eye on landing the type of player that can make you an instant contender?

I've got some ideas. We'll talk about this more this week.

In the meanwhile...

Some info left on the cutting room floor from my column in today's Newsday:

The Knicks can entertain sign-and-trade discussions involving both Lee and Robinson on July 9, after the seven-day moratorium. There is expected to be a strong market for Lee, who led the NBA with 62 double-doubles, and there are teams with cap space that have an interest. The Pistons could attempt to sign him to an offer sheet if they do not go after Carlos Boozer and the Trail Blazers are also said to be in hot pursuit, but more likely in a sign-and-trade scenario.

For the Knicks to keep him, Lee and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, would likely have to agree to a back-loaded deal to protect the cap space in 2010. Walsh would also have to first find a way to move either Eddy Curry ($11.2 million against the cap in 2010-11) or Jared Jeffries ($6.8 million) off the roster to offset Lee’s contract, which could command up to $8 million per year or more. Consider the range of these comparables: Troy Murphy ($11 million), Andris Biedrins ($9 million) and Udonis Haslem ($7.1 million).

Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent with the Jazz, is said to be waiting for Lee to set the market for himself.

Robinson won’t command nearly as much in salary, but his popularity as an electrifying 5-9 guard and two-time Slam Dunk champion could be valuable as an attraction in some small markets. According to one league source, the Lakers inquired about Robinson’s availability after his 33-point performance at the Staples Center on Dec. 16. Kobe Bryant has expressed adoration for Robinson and owner Jerry Buss was said to be smitten after that game. The Sacramento Kings also were close to a deal for Robinson and Jeffries before the trade deadline and there are indications that the deal could still take place this summer.

Robinson had a breakthrough season statistically – career-high 17.2 points per game – but his ball-dominating, one-on-one mentality does not fit well in Mike D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks drafted a rugged point guard, Toney Douglas, the 29th overall pick on Thursday and are also in the market for a starting point guard with the plan to move Chris Duhon to a backup role this season.

The same could be said about Lee’s future with the selection of Jordan Hill with the eighth overall pick. The 6-10 Hill is a solid rebounder who has a good mid-range game and, unlike Lee, is a bona fide shot blocker. But the best-case scenario would be to be able to play them together and have some depth in the frontcourt.

The Knicks can re-sign their own restricted free agents, but their only tools for signing other free agents are with the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions. Neither will attract a high-end player such as Hedo Turkoglu or Lamar Odom, but there is an outside chance that New York could be alluring enough for 36-year-old Jason Kidd to consider it. Kidd is most likely to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, but you can expect the Knicks to at least make the call.

New day, new batch of rumors

Wednesday June 24, 2009 8:48 AM By Alan Hahn

AP Photo

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh..

It's a sunny day and the sky is bright...

A little Leaders of the New School to kick-start the day. Some of you may need it coming off the defeat for the No. 5 pick last night. But let's keep the optimism up. Dealer Donnie and his staff still have a full day of work ahead.

Here's a collection of the latest involving the Knicks:

* - The Racine Journal Times (Milwaukee Bucks) had this in an item labeled "White-hot rumor":

The New York Knicks, who currently have the eighth overall pick, are trying to acquire the No. 3 pick from Oklahoma City. The Knicks are targeting [Stephen] Curry, whose dad, Dell, played for the Bucks during the 1998-99 season.

This isn't the only publication that has insisted the Knicks weren't packing it in after losing out on the five. Ric Bucher tweeted that he heard the Knicks were still involved in moving up, but guessed it was for Ricky Rubio:

Hearing a lot of crazy stuff - like maybe Rubio isn't a lock 4 Sac and that NY might still have a shot at him somehow. But nothing concrete.

Bucher's experience and connections are way beyond my status, but I maintain the belief, from my own reporting, that Curry is the main target and Evans would be No. 2. I just don't have anything that tells me Rubio as a person of interest here. Just bloggin.

* - Frank Isola suggested that if the Knicks hold at the No. 8, they may pass on a point guard and instead look to fill the gaping hole at the 2-spot with Duke's Gerald Henderson. I do know Henderson had an impressive workout for the Knicks and has had some people talking, though most of them were in the lower teens.

After the draft lottery, I had Henderson going to the Knicks at No. 8 in my first mock, but that has about as much credibility as a barbed-wire tat around bicep fat. Wouldn't be an awful result, because, as Ice says, Henderson is physically ready to step into the NBA. He comes from the Duke program, which isn't known for making great NBA players, but those kids do get coached and know how to play in a team concept.

* - Howard Beck reported that the Knicks made QOs to their restricted free agents, David Lee and Nate Robinson. It's normal operating procedure and was expected. The QO (qualifying offer) is done before June 30 to maintain the rights to the player as a restricted. It doesn't always happen, of course. For instance, the Bobcats won't make a QO to Sean May, so he will be an unrestricted free agent.

I'm sure there will be a lot more to discuss today. I'll be in Manhattan all day for the NBA prospects media availability so I'm officially tossing the keys to Fixer Nation and leaving it up to you to keep the news flowing. I'll check in when I can, but will be posting regular updates on Twitter at twitter.com/alanhahn.

Hit up, lit up the ----- and I'm straight

Quarter to eight and my day looks great

Walked to the school with about 40 feet

That means the squad is 20 deep

I zoned....

More from today's workout

Tuesday June 9, 2009 7:50 PM By Alan Hahn

Here's a nod to my man VOR: I came away very impressed by Jonny Flynn.

Unfortunately, it was only based on his personality. The media does not have access to the Knicks pre-draft workouts so I can't give you any first hand knowledge of anything that happened inside the gym.

Still, Flynn has an engaging ebullience about him that is kind of what Nate Robinson would probably be like if he dialed it down to about a 7. But, as I've said here many times, that's what makes Nate who he is. And that's what allows these smaller guys to compete in the land of the giants.

“That’s the edge you’ve got to have when you’re a smaller guy, no back-down from anybody," Flynn said. "Nate Robinson definitely has that.”

The star of the Big East tournament, Mr. Six OT, himself, hails from the Niagara Falls area and spent two seasons in Syracuse. He'd love to make the Garden -- and New York -- a permanent residence.

“It’s like a stage out there . . . it’s like a Broadway performance," Flynn said. "There’s nothing like playing in the mecca of basketball and in a great, historic venue like Madison Square Garden.”

This is a solidly-built 6-footer (in sneakers) with an explosiveness similar to Robinson. But that's where the comparisons end. Flynn is a true floor general, an old school point guard that can drive-and-dish, pull up and also run an offense. He understands how to feed the hot hand and, most importantly, knows that the hot hand doesn't have to be his own.

“I think if you’ve seen my two years in school at Syracuse University I think you saw me have big assist and I also had games where I had big points," he said. "I think I really balanced those two things well and I think I really can bring that to an NBA franchise.”

Why do I keep thinking Tim Hardaway?

It still depends how the rest of the workouts go -- and how things fall into place -- but Flynn could be a darkhorse pick, but I believe there are others ahead of him on the depth chart. One thing that seems to be a common theme with Mike D'Antoni teams is length. Flynn, like Robinson, doesn't have enough of it.

Then again, Steve Nash didn't, either.

Lawson is very, very similar to Flynn. Not as muscular, but still a solid build. Oh, and all Ty Lawson did is win. The Knicks could use some of that.

“He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen with the basketball and he’s so strong and finishes well with contact," Flynn said of Lawson. "You just look at his leadership ability, leading that North Carolina team, full of pros, and he was the clear-cut leader of that team. He really took them to a national championship so there’s no question he can come in and play at the NBA level.”

Lawson came away impressed with Flynn, as well.

“I didn’t know he was that athletic," he said. "He looked good shooting the ball and those things.”

I'll make a prediction. While I'm not sure either will wind up with the Knicks, both of them will be solid pros. Like I said, Flynn reminds me of Hardaway. Lawson is a more rugged T.J. Ford, with a championship pedigree.

Pretty good start to the workouts.

Tomorrow will be even more interesting....

* * *

* - A little more inquiring about the Knicks tire-kicking at Memphis' No. 2 pick reveals it may not be just Ricky Rubio the Knicks would target there, but 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet. Of course the move-up is an absolute longshot, as we discussed in the original blog, so all of this could be moot. But it is worth noting both blue chippers would be on the radar if they managed to pull off such a deal.

Kobe as a Knick? How about N8 as a Laker?

Friday June 5, 2009 9:43 AM By Alan Hahn

Yes, only in video games could the first come true. The second part, however?...read forth, Fixers.

At least the Knicks are getting some air time at the NBA Finals, courtesy of Spike Lee (the part-time Laker fan).

This commercial ran during last night's Game 1.

One other item worth pointing out regarding commercials during Game 1 was one of the local spots included a Knicks ad hawking tickets for 2009-10. They used several current players, including David Lee, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Larry Hughes and Nate Robinson, who might have made the most appearances in the 30 second spot.

I have to say, however, it does seem like his days are numbered as a Knick. If they go ahead and draft a guard -- as we expect -- on June 25, I think it's pretty much a given they will look to use Robinson, a restricted free agent, as an asset in a sign-and-trade situation to somehow move a contract (he almost went to Sacramento with Jared Jeffries before the trade deadline) and/or bring in a veteran who can help.

And there will be interest in Robinson, I believe. In fact, along with Sacramento's interest, I heard that the Lakers made an inquiry around the deadline as well. Kobe expressed a great deal of appreciation for Robinson, who, if you remember, had an explosive game (33 points) in LA in December. Apparently Laker people came away from that game impressed and believing N8 the Gr8 would be a huge upgrade over Jordan Farmar. They eventually got Shannon Brown from Charlotte and he emerged ahead of Farmar. But perhaps the Lakers come calling again this summer?

Tyrus Thomas, anyone?

Thursday May 21, 2009 9:52 PM By Alan Hahn

I've heard some chatter about Tyrus Thomas wanting out of Chicago and more and more we're now seeing reports that the Bulls are already putting out feelers to see what they can get for him.

Thomas has one year left at $4.7M before he becomes a restricted free agent. He has the athleticism and shot-blocking abilities the Knicks need and he showed this season (and in the playoffs) that he can hit the mid-range jumper.

The question about Thomas is his attitude. The Knicks would prefer to avoid sour-puss types with a misguided sense of entitlement. But they do like guys who can get up and down the floor, block shots and rebound and shoot.

The issue here is the Knicks would likely have to take on a contract to get the Bulls to want to make a deal. Kirk Hinrich, perhaps? With three years and $26.5M left on his contract, I think I'd have to pass on that one, but perhaps something else could be worked out. It's funny, but maybe the Knicks could also take Tim Thomas and his expiring contract back (again) to make the money work for an expiring contract such as Al Harrington or Quentin Richardson.

Just bloggin.

* * *

* - Wild scene in Greece today for the opener of the Greek League Finals between Panathinaikos and rival Olympiakos, which ended with a riot among the fans. It was enough to make Josh Childress reconsider his decision to play out the final two years of his contract that he signed last summer.

* - Saw that post by the relentless Tommy Dee regarding Nate Robinson. All due respect to TD, who is a hard-working blogger, but I don't know what the news is there. Nate is feeling the end may be near in NY and if he had his choice he'd love to play in the market closest to his beloved Seattle home, so he can be near his family. What's the shock there?

By the way, Nate was supposed to be part of a show called "12 Angry Mascots" Thursday night in Manhattan. It's a hilarious show that many New York pro athletes have been part of in the past. Nate had to cancel at the last minute for a family issue. His longtime girlfriend is due soon so we're hoping all is good.

* - For my Twitter Fixers -- let's call you Twixers -- you can follow my Tweets here.

Goodbye David and Nate?

Wednesday April 15, 2009 9:21 PM By Alan Hahn

They walked off the Garden floor waving to those loyal masochists who stayed to the very end of yet another fruitless season of Knicks basketball. T-shirts and mini basketballs were the reward. One guy sneaked away with three shoes -- a pair of Quentin Richardson's Jordans and one of Chris Wilcox's high tops, as well.

The usual we'll-do-better-next-year rhetoric wasn't as prevalent as it had been during the Isiah Thomas era. That's mainly because this group of players realizes most of them won't have a next year to break that promise for the umpteenth time. And mostly anyone who does come back knows they will be on borrowed time.

As the season officially ends, take note that 2010 is, as the Stones once sang, just a shot away.

Oh, a storm is threatning

My very life today

If I dont get some shelter

Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

David Lee headed through the tunnel and I caught his eye. Yeah, he was wondering it too. Would this be his last time stepping off that floor wearing a Knicks uniform?

"It's a realistic thought to have," he admitted before the meaningless blowout of the Harris-and-Carter-less Nets in Game 82.

Nate Robinson was having too much fun to get wrapped up in nostalgia. Win or lose, N8 the Gr8 is always giddy. Perhaps that's the biggest issue when it comes to the debate about whether to re-sign the 5-9 energizer or use his trade value to improve another area of the team.

They are both fan favorites, both players who grew up in the midst of the Isiah Thomas cesspool and developed into rare bright spots from a dark era in franchise history. But where do they go from here? Can they both be part of the renaissance?

More importantly, considering they played large roles this season for a losing team, what about the suggestion that neither of them could be contributing players on a winner? Are they merely stat-driven players who were tainted by the losing culture and, therefore, don't know how to win? (Consider: Many locker room observers regularly noted how Robinson would be joking and laughing minutes after frustrating losses and Lee did use the phrase "best 0-3 week I ever had," though he later regretted trying too hard to put a positive spin on losing.)

The opinion here at the Fix is that Lee isn't nearly as expendable as Robinson, but money talks and BS walks. If he fits financially, you keep David Lee. Period. He's a piece you build with. Robinson's value will never be higher than it is right now as he approaches 25 years of age. Get what you can for him and congratulate him for the payday he's about to recieve.

It will be interesting to see what teams with cap space (there aren't many: Detroit, Memphis and Portland) will make a serious run at either of them with offer sheets. Neither can be traded until after July 9, so sign-and-trade possibilities are sure to come up then.

In the meantime, they remain Knicks. But for how much longer?

It's just a shot away

It's just a shot away

It's just a shot away

It's just a shot away...

* * *

Sitting in the locker room before the game, AP writer Brian Mahoney came up with a challenge: Can you name the player who was in each locker stall at the start of the season? I stunned him by nailing each one, from Zach Randolph's corner locker, which is now occupied by Wilson Chander, to Jamal Crawford's spot in the opposite corner (where Chris Hunter stood today but also Tim Thomas had for a few weeks) to Mardy Collins' locker next to Crawford's old locker, where Al Harrington now calls home. There was Jerome James' spot right near the entrance, which Larry Hughes took over, and Malik Rose's locker between Nate and Jamal's spot, which is where Chris Wilcox took shelter. Oh and don't forget the stall next to Eddy Curry's, where Anthony Roberson started the season. Joe Crawford jumped in that one.

And, of course, there's the locker between Jared Jeffries and David Lee. The location of interest for so many seasons now suddenly an afterthought. A place Sene sat to get himself dressed while Lee gave his final interview of the season. The previous occupant was Cheikh Samb. But it goes way beyond him.

That was the stall of one Stephon Marbury, who is now a million miles away in the playoffs with the Boston Celtics.

* * *

Quick explanation for any of you Fixers who were wondering about the 10-day guys and why the Knicks would sign Hunter, who has a sprained ankle and couldn't even dress for his only game as a Knick: Hunter, like Crawford and Sene, are not just signed through the end of the season, but were also given partially-guaranteed deals for next season. The contracts, which are easily waivable, basically keep them in the organization through the offseason for the summer league team and also allow the team to include them in trades for, say, a second-round pick or to add a body in a multi-player deal.

Doesn't look like N8 will win the 6th Man

Saturday April 11, 2009 5:09 AM By Alan Hahn

About 20 other basketball writers and myself submitted our picks for various post-season awards -- officialy, the NBA asked me to vote on Sixth Man, Coach of the Year and All-NBA -- just to get a gauge as to how the different awards may finish up.

Let's point out the obvious: LeBron James will likely win the MVP and Derrick Rose will get the Rookie of the Year. Both were unanimous out of 21 votes.

I was curious to see where Nate Robinson, who is second in scoring in the NBA among reserve players, would finish for the Sixth Man award. As I wrote in today's story, Robinson was very much in the conversation, but not believed to be the favorite. He was given five second place votes and six third place votes with only one first-place vote. (Yes, if you do the math, not everyone included him in their top three choices).

Jason Terry and J.R. Smith appear to be the front-runners here. Both, of course, play for playoff teams.

But the bigger question that remains is what to do with KryptoNate this summer. It seems a given the team will look to move him, but it seems a given they will look to move just about everyone aside from Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.

It will be tough to lose Nate's energy off the bench and his ability to score in bunches (he's like the new version of "The Microwave," only someone left a spoon in the bowl), but while the first part is not easy to find, the Knicks can look to bring in another guard who can light it up and fit more fluidly in Mike D'Antoni's move-the-ball, catch-and-shoot offense.

Stephen Curry definitely has size issues at the NBA level. But he has an incredible shooting touch and ability to get off his shot. Could he fill Nate's role as a scorer off the bench? Depends on where the Knicks land in the draft lottery.

The win over Orlando was nice, but it certainly didn't help matters when it comes to lottery positioning. With two games to go, here's where the lottery teams rank. The best the Knicks can do now is finish 8th, which gives a 2.8% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick. The ninth spot, where the Knicks sit now, has just a 1.7% chance of winning.

1. KINGS (16-63)

2. WIZARDS (19-61)

3. CLIPPERS (19-60)

4. OK CITY (22-57)

5. MEMPHIS (23-56)

6. T-WOLVES (24-55)

7. WARRIORS (28-51)

8. RAPTORS (30-49)

9. KNICKS (31-49)

10. BUCKS (32-47)

The lottery drawing is May 19.

Nate's new doo (UPDATE)

Saturday April 4, 2009 9:34 AM By Alan Hahn

...for today's game against the Raptors.

It's a variation of the fro-hawk, but with two orange and white stripes outlining the mohawk down the middle. It almost resembles the Michigan football helment....

Just bloggin.

4:40 p.m. - (postgame): Nate says he did it for the Knicks City Kids. It's spray-on coloring the kids use as part of their costuming. They've been asking him to spray some in his hair for a while now and yesterday Nate decided to go with it.

Aside from his teammates calling him Dennis Rodman, he said Mike D'Antoni "was cool with it."

D'Antoni's take?

"The circus is in town," he said, "so I figured it was a tribute to that."

Actually, the circus WAS in town. And there was one of those "Only in New York" moments when I arrived at the Garden this morning. The roads around the Garden were closed around 11 a.m. so the elephants could be taken for a walk before going into their transporters. One by one they marched along 31st Street to 8th Avenue and up 33rd Street, trunk to tail.

What makes him an @$%*& is what makes him good

Friday March 27, 2009 9:05 PM By Alan Hahn

Mike Milbury once was talking about a small, speedy and annoying player on his Islanders team named Jason Blake and said, "What makes him an ----- is what makes him good."

Mike D'Antoni tonight basically said the same thing about Nate Robinson, who, as we noted in the previous blog, really wears thin the tolerance of even the most tolerant of coaches. Robinson is constantly going over the line with his ebullience and bravado, which can often be as detrimental as it is helpful to a team's cause.

"I think there's always going to be that line, that's why he's in the NBA," D'Antoni said. "That's why you guys didn't make it. I mean, it's because when you're short and a normal person, he has to have that something extra and sometimes he goes over the line. He knows that.

"We talk about it," D'Antoni continued. "He's got a good heart and he apologized and he feels bad about it. But it's hard to say tone it down and then you become a normal person . . . it something he has to be able to control and turn it on in positive stuff."

In tonight's win over the Hornets, Nate once again stepped a bit over the line. You love his competitiveness in going head-to-head with all-star Chris Paul. You love that he doesn't back down when the notoriously physical (and verbal) Paul begins jawing at him. What you don't love is when his team, desperate for a win, is holding a nine-point fourth quarter lead and he engages Paul, gets into a shoving match with him and almost gets himself thrown out of the game because he can not be restrained (referee Ken Mauer showed a great deal of leniency by ignoring the fact that Nate shoved him away when Mauer stepped in to diffuse the situation).

And at least Nate showed far more self-control tonight than he did two seasons ago against the Denver Nuggets, when he incited that ugly brawl by shoving J.R. Smith after that hard foul by Mardy Collins.

"Both teams played hard, I know that," Robinson matter-of-factly said after the win over New Orleans. "We got the win, that's the most important thing."

When pressed about Paul perhaps getting under his skin, Nate said, “Nah, we were just playing. Two competitive guys. I mean, Chris is a great player. He brings the best out of me and I bring the best out of him.”

Paul wasn't as complimentary and he made it clear that he is one of the few star players in the league that doesn't appreciate that irrepressible KryptoNate.

"I don't pay him no attention, to tell the truth," Paul said. "I'm out there trying to do one thing, and that's to win. He didn't get in my head or nothing like that."

The way Paul explained it, the issues between the two started when Nate pushed him in the back after Paul drove against Larry Hughes.

"I was like, 'All right now, Nate'," Paul said. "I thought it would be like, 'OK, my fault.' But he said something crazy.

"We went back down the other end and I tried to be aggressive," Paul continued, "and that's what happened."

The two kept going at each other in the ensuing possessions, with Robinson coming out on top. Nate scored on a pull-up and then hit Hughes for a three and then Jared Jeffries for a dunk. Paul was then fouled and went to the line with 6:10 to go and the Knicks ahead 90-78. D'Antoni thought it a good time to get Nate out of the game and send in Chris Duhon.

"He played 12 minutes straight and he was getting a little tired," D'Antoni said. "Trying to hound Chris Paul and getting into that, I could see he was laboring a little bit."

Nate didn't look happy about being subbed out and had some words toward the coaching staff as he walked down the bench. But, typical of Nate, he was laughing by the end of the game and trying to get the crowd to chant for Eddy Curry. Chris Paul was suddenly no longer an issue.

"They won the game," Paul said. "I guess that makes him a better player."

Nate the Grate wearing on D'Antoni

Friday March 27, 2009 3:30 PM By Alan Hahn

Mike D'Antoni refuted Nate Robinson's claim on Wednesday night that Clippers guard Mike Taylor was listed as a center by the coaching staff in the pregame scouting report.

“No. Come on . . . That’s not right," D'Antoni said before Friday's game against the Hornets.

Robinson has clearly worn D'Antoni out this season. He's experiencing the same Nate the Grate that drove Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas mad.

"It’s not like everything’s 100 percent sure when he talks, I don’t know if you’ve noticed that or not," D'Antoni said. "He’s probably playing around with you guys. Either that or he probably wasn’t listening, which, could be. I don’t know. But that’s not even close to being true.”

Shake an' Bake!

* * * *

* - No Tyson Chandler (ankle) for tonight.

* - We were talking about Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton lately, so let's point out the monthly award the Knicks give out in Sweetwater's name, the City Spirit Award, honored Jackson Heights' Jorge Munoz, who delivers free home-cooked meals to people in need of food, helping about 140 people each night and using more than half the salary he earns as a school bus driver. With the help of his mother and sister, Munoz has served more than 70,000 meals over the past four years, a service they provide daily throughout the year and twice a day each weekend.

* - While we're at it, remember Jasmina Anema? She's the six year old with that rare form of leukemia and in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. There is another drive this weekend - Sunday at the Harlem Children's Zone on East 125th Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be on the of the last drives held in New York. The first drive, in February, attracted a good turnout -- even Bobcats center Emeka Okafor stopped by to be tested to see if he'd be a match -- but no matches were found.

KryptoNate has been posterized

Monday March 16, 2009 2:42 PM By Alan Hahn

The Knicks' dyno-mite guard went colossal on Monday when Nike unveiled a new billboard on the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 34th Street, just outside Madison Square Garden.

Photo credit: Rebecca Taylor/MSG Photos

Nike put up the new billboard to promote Robinson's soon-to-be-released green Foamposite Lite sneakers, which were on his feet when he won the Sprite NBA Slam Dunk contest at All-Star Weekend in February.

The sneakers will go on sale Tuesday -- St. Patrick's Day...the green theme continues -- and Nate will be on hand at Foot Locker's House of Hoops in Harlem from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the official reveal.

Oh and, by the way . . .

Shake an' Bake!

LeBron's watching (and a note on Carmelo)

Sunday March 15, 2009 7:18 PM By Alan Hahn

There is a large magnet board hanging by the entrance into the Cavaliers swanky locker room at The Q. It contains the Eastern Conference standings, from position 1 through 15, with the Knicks in the thick of the hunt for the final berth which would, of course, meet the top-seeded Cavs in the first-round.

So does LeBron notice the race for 8th, which includes the Knicks?

“I can’t say I don’t," he said candidly before Sunday's game. "I look at the standings, we see the standings in our locker room. I’m a fan of the game so I’m watching basketball games every day and they have the standings . . . So you do follow it and see who could be the matchup. I think our main focus right now is to try to win out and get better every day and win as many games as possible to put us in the position to have home court throughout the playoffs.”

Wouldn't it be perfect for LeBron to kick off his NBA title run on his favorite stage, Madison Square Garden, for a first-round series under the hot lights of Broadway?

“It don’t matter who we play," he said. "Wherever we finish, we’re ready to play anybody.”

Yeah, no doubt it's just as memorable to play a playoff series in Milwaukee, Charlotte or Jersey.

* * * *

* - I see there is a debate raging in Fixer Nation about Carmelo Anthony. First of all, it's just speculation (a friend of mine who is a team executive in the West tells me any suggestion that the Nuggets may consider trading Melo is "pure fiction."

Second of all . . . Carmelo Anthony is a star-quality player in this league who should be considered among the best in the league (his conditioning and focus hurt him most). But according to the invaluable website 82games.com, Melo is right there with Kobe, LeBron and D-Wade when it comes to coming up strong in the clutch.

Oh and check out who ranks in the top six in the NBA!

[Stats are based on points per 48 minutes of clutch time. And "clutch time" is defined as in the fourth quarter or overtime, with less than 5 minutes left and neither team ahead by more than 5 points.]

1. Kobe (59.3)

2. LeBron (53.3)

3. Wade (52.7)

4. Melo (50.1)

5. CP3 (47.7)

6. KryptoNate (46.5)

Think Aaron Goodwin will use this stat when he heads to the negotiating table with Donnie Walsh this summer?

Duhon out for rest of road trip

Friday March 13, 2009 2:53 PM By Alan Hahn

Mike D'Antoni said he is shutting down Chris Duhon for the remainder of the road trip, which means the Knicks will be without their starting point guard for tonight's game here against the Timberwolves and Sunday against the Cavaliers.

Duhon, who has been limited physically because of pain and stiffness in his lower back and ankle, will be re-evaluated on Tuesday to see if he is ready to get back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

"I would expect in two or three days he'll be fine," D'Antoni said.

Nate Robinson, who is averaging 27.2 points and 19.1 field-goal attempts in the last 13 games and is making nearly half his shots (49.1 percent) in that span, gets the start at the point.

Gameday Live: Knicks at Pistons

Wednesday March 11, 2009 2:31 PM By Admin

Good evening Knicks fixers! I'm Chris Mascaro and I'll be bringing you all of tonight's live game action, as the Knicks (26-37) take on the Pistons (32-30) from The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.

The Knicks come into tonight's action 13th in the East but just 2 1/2 games behind the Bulls for the final playoff spot. Including tonight, they have 19 games remaining — 11 on the road, where they are just 8-22. (They've also lost 11 of their last 12 at The Palace.)

Last night in Milwaukee, New York got 39 points from newcomer Larry Hughes (one shy of his career high) in a 120-112 victory to snap a six-game road losing skid. Nate Robinson added 32 points, seven assists, four steals and one argument with Mike D'Antoni off the bench, while David Lee went for 19 points and 18 rebounds.

Said Hughes after the game: "We have good pieces on this team. We just have to find a way to put everything together and play the way a playoff team should play for 48 minutes, and that's hard and aggressive on both ends of the court."

This is the third game of a five-game trip for the Knicks (because of the Big East tourney at the Garden). They'll play Friday in Minnesota and Sunday at the LeBrons.

In the second game of back-to-backs this season, the Knicks are 4-7. They split their first two meetings with the Pistons, with each team winning at home.

Detroit, which is sixth in the East, has benefitted from Richard Hamilton's reentry into the starting lineup. The Pistons have won five of their last six with Hamilton averaging 24.7 points and 6.7 assists during the run. He had 29 points and a career-high 14 assists in a 98-94 victory over Orlando on Monday. (The Pistons were 4-12 in the 16 games Hamilton came off the bench.)

Tonight, the Pistons will be without Allen Iverson, who injured his back on Feb. 25 against New Orleans, and Rasheed Wallace, who suffered a calf strain in Monday's win over the Magic.

The Pistons are one of the best defensive teams in the league, as their 93.9 points per game allowed is fifth best in the NBA.

Defense is, of course, not the Knicks forte. But they've scored 100+ points in 24 straight games (they are 11-13 in that stretch) and are fourth in the league in scoring.

Finally, here are tonight's starting lineups:

Knicks

PG--Duhon

SF--Hughes

SF--Chandler

PF--Harrington

PF--Lee

Pistons

PG--Stuckey

SG--Hamilton

SF--Prince

PF--McDyess

PF--Jason Maxiell

Okay, that's all for now. I'll be back after each quarter with updates.

For now, let's get the conversation going in the chat box below. And be sure to vote on the poll questions.

We're about 10 minutes from basketball on MSG!

End of the 1st Quarter:

Knicks 28, Pistons 28

Leading scorers: Robinson, 7; Stuckey, 11

What's happening: The Pistons had back-to-back dunks by Stuckey and McDyess to take an early 6-5 lead. Under 7:00 in the quarter, Harrington tied the game at 8 with a three-pointer.

Later, Danilo Gallinari and Nate Robinson — aka instant offense off the bench — hit back-to-back threes, to put the Knicks up 19-14. Harrington's trey after a Stuckey basket put them up 22-16, but the Pistons pulled to one, 24-23, on a Kwame Brown dunk (yes, that Kwame Brown).

Richard Hamilton made it 28-26, but a nice pass from Jared Jeffries gave Robinson an easy layin to tie the game.

The Knicks had zero turnovers in the first quarter and are 4-of-8 from downtown. The Pistons are 12-of-23 from the field.

End of the 2nd Quarter:

Pistons 56, Knicks 48

Leading scorers: Robinson, 14; Hamilton, 17 (on 8-of-11 shooting) ... Stuckey (13) and Prince (12) are also in double figures.

What's happening: A three-pointer gave Robinson 12 points and the Knicks a 35-30 lead early in the quarter, but the Pistons tied it on a Will Bynum layin moments later.

Duhon fed Jeffries (who didn't play last night) for a dunk and a foul (he missed the free throw) to put the Knicks up 37-35. But those were the only points they'd get during an 11-2 run that gave the Pistons a 41-37 advantage with 7:13 in the half.

The Knicks missed 10 straight shots before David Lee jammed a putback to make it 42-39, but Amir Johnson pushed the lead back to five with a long jumper.

Later, Q-Richardson hit a three to make it 45-44 Pistons.

WIth under 2:00 to play, the Knicks were called for illegal defense for the second time tonight. Hamilton knocked down the free throw and then hit a jumper to make it 50-46. After a Lee basket, Hamilton hit again to make it 52-48.

A Prince runner pushed the lead to six and then Stuckey hit a jumper at the buzzer to make it 56-48 (the largest lead of the game for either team).

The Knicks cooled off that quarter and are 20-of-48 from the field.

What to watch for in the third quarter: Can the Knicks D up Rip Hamilton? They haven't been doing a good job on him thus far.

End of the 3rd Quarter:

Pistons 81, Knicks 71

Leading scorers: Lee, 16; Hamilton, 23

What's happening: Hamilton continued his hot shooting with a jumper to open the quarter and then Hughes hit a 3 to make it 58-51.

Lee's baby hook pulled the Knicks within five at 58-53 and gave him his 52nd double-double of the season (11 points and 11 boards to that point).

At the 6:15 mark, Stuckey slashed in for a layup to put the Pistons up by 11, 71-60. Two straight Harrington baskets made it 71-64, but Rip Hamilton stopped the brief run with his jumper (his 11th made shot on 14 attempts) — he's on fire.

A Hughes three-point play made it 73-67, but Prince hit a jumper to push it back to an eight-point advantage.

What to watch for in the fourth quarter: Will the Pistons get their sixth win in their last seven games?

End of Game, Knicks get arguably their grittiest win of the season, 116-111 in overtime, for their second straight road win after losing seven straight away from home.

It was their first road victory after being down heading into the fourth quarter (they were 0-17 in those situations).

Knicks: 27-37 (Note: The Bulls lost in Orlando, meaning the Knicks are just 1 1/2 games out of the eighth playoff spot.)

Pistons: 32-31

Scores by quarter for the Knicks: 28, 20, 23, 30, 15

Scores by quarter for the Pistons: 28, 28, 25, 20, 10

Here are your three stars for tonight's game:

1. Robinson: game-high 30 points (he hit all 10 of his free throws) with six assists

2. Hughes: 22 points, four assists, four rebounds

3. Lee: 16 points and 18 rebounds ... his league-leading 52nd double-double

*The Knicks had just three turnovers (a franchise record) and held the Pistons to just 30 points in the final 17 minutes (fourth quarter and O.T.).

What happened: Chandler had a strong dunk and a three to bring the Knicks within seven at 83-76 early in the quarter. Then Robinson fed Jeffries for a layup to make it 83-78, prompting a timeout from Michael Curry.

Robinson made a layup about a minute later to make it a three-point lead (the smallest of the second half thus far), but a McDyess put-back stopped the Knicks' run.

Gallinari's three-pointer on the ensuing possession cut the lead to two at 85-83, but again the Pistons came up with a put-back — this time from Stuckey.

Later, Robinson made it a one-point game (93-92) with two free throws, but McDyess hit a jumper with the shot clock winding down to make it 95-92 with under four minutes to play.

Robinson cut it to one again with 2:40 to go on a slash to the rim, but he couldn't connect on a three-ball which would have given the Knicks their first lead of the half. After a block on Q-Rich and two free throws for McDyess, the Pistons were up 97-94 with under a minute to play.

Robinson was fouled on a drive and hit both shots to make it 97-96. But McDyess hit an open jumper with 23 seconds to go.

Chandler tipped in a Nate miss, and then the Knicks fouled Stuckey with 12.7 seconds remaining — the second year man out of Eastern Washington hit both shots to make it 101-98 Pistons.

Then Hughes tossed up an airball from downtown, but was fouled by Hamilton. He calmly hit all three free throws to tie the game at 101 with 10 seconds on the clock and force overtime. (Detroit had the last possession, but McDyess couldn't handle a pass from Stuckey and turned the ball over.)

O.T. — Hughes hit a basket with 3:30 in overtime to give the Knicks a 105-103 lead, their first since the second quarter. Prince hit 1 of 2 FTs a minute later, but Hughes answered with 1 of 2 on the other end to make it 106-104.

After a Detroit made free throw, Q-Rich hit a jumper to make it 108-105 Knicks. Then a steal led to a Hughes layup to put the Knicks up 110-105 with 53.9 seconds left.

Hamilton made a jumper to pull the Pistons within three, but Q-Rich hit a fading three-pointer to make it a five-point game yet again.

Robinson had a silly foul and the Knicks lead was cut to three after two free throws. But Nate redeemed himself on the other end by hitting two free throws to seal the win.

Okay, that's all for tonight. As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring you all of tonight's live game action. Thanks for coming out.

Goodnight!

KryptoNate gets an SI profile

Tuesday March 10, 2009 11:42 AM By Alan Hahn

Sports Illustrated's L. Jon Wertheim wrote a three-page profile of Nate Robinson in the latest issue, which hits the newsstands Wednesday.

Wertheim says, ". . . already the 'Isiah cloud' has lifted and some joy has returned to Madison Square Garden—thanks in no small part to Spontaneous Nate, who is pitch-perfect in this winter of discontent. For a few hours anyway, New Yorkers can stop worrying about their dwindling portfolios and precarious employment and can indulge in a bit of escapism, cheering on an irrepressible 69-inch scamp."

Wertheim spins yarns that are so lyrical. (Honestly, it's a good read).

And Nate plays his part in the story right to the script:

"If you tell me I can’t do something, I ain't gonna listen," he tells Wertheim. "I don’t care who you are, I’m gonna bring it. Being small lets you rise to the competition. People talk about my height all the time, but honestly, I don’t really feel smaller than anyone else."

Wertheim also got Nate's pop, Jacque, to rip Larry Brown, who just the other day was so complimentary of his son, and throw props to the current coach, Mike D'Antoni.

"Larry Brown held Nate back and doesn’t like rookies or small guards,” Jacque Robinson said. "Isiah had Nate playing behind Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford. When we heard D’Antoni was coming to New York and bringing that system from Phoenix, we were celebrating. Nate knew this was going to be his year."

Nate provides the kicker with another defiant thought about his diminutivity:

"Being 5-9, I wouldn't have it no other way. Guys on the team are like, ‘How good would you be if you were 6-8?’ But then I wouldn’t be who I am. It’s like Charles Darwin’s theory: survival of the fittest. I survive. If I were on Lost, I’d be the last man standing. You know that, right?”

The Gallo Conspiracy

Sunday March 8, 2009 5:07 AM By Alan Hahn

Nate Robinson returns after missing Wednesday's game against Atlanta -- in which Danilo Gallinari scores a career-high 17 points and takes 11 shots -- and, despite playing on a sore left ankle, Robinson jacks up 15 shots (he made 5) in Saturday's loss to the Bobcats.

Meanwhile, Gallinari played 16:18 (least amount on the team) and had just four shots and very few touches.

And despite Gallinari's impressive performance on Wednesday, Quentin Richardson was the first forward subbed into the game. Q-Rich fired up 12 shots and made just 3 and was 1 for 4 from downtown. He airballed a three late in the third quarter that drew boos from the crowd (or were they really just saying, "Q!").

Let's see...a team that was struggling to make shots (5 for 20 in that awful third quarter) doesn't look to get the ball to the player who is their best outside shooter (46.4 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from downtown this season).

We're not trying to suggest that Gallo is ready to step in and carry the team offensively -- he's physically not there yet -- but it's incredibly curious that no one thinks to find this kid for more than just four shots.

Starberman and his "exclusive" armchair chiropractin' may have some merit, but this isn't about minutes, it's about touches and looks. Richardson got up 12 shots in 16:41, so there is reason to believe Gallinari could do the same if his playing time is being purposely limited.

The team has lost 11 of the last 14 games. Think it's time for a different direction?

Just bloggin.

'SIR DUKE' NO LONGER A CLASSIC?

Chris Duhon owned the first-half MVP for the Knicks this season. He quickly grasped

D'Antoni's system, thrived in the floor general roll and was one of the league's most efficient and effective point guards through the holiday season.

But his game has noticably, and quickly, deteriorated in the second half to the point where Mike D'Antoni didn't even use his starting point guard for most of the second half and none of the final 10 minutes of Saturday's game.

Duhon, who used to regularly log 40-to-48 minutes a game for D'Antoni earlier in the season, played just 25:44 and had five points and three assists with three turnovers. He now has 30 turnovers in his past seven games, which is a concerning average of 4.2 per game.

The former Dukie is also struggling with his shooting -- 22 for 56 (39.2 percent) from the floor over the past seven games -- which, along with the turnovers, points to fatigue. And that doesn't bode well for the Knicks, with seven back-to-backs (including this weekend's, which ends tonight against the Nets).

D'Antoni, who earlier in the season said Coach K told him Duhon never gets tired, pointed to Duhon's lack of "pop" and "pep" in his game on Saturday. So is it a result of Duhon, a former backup in Chicago, breaking down from the heavy workload in the first half of the season? Or is it the effects of opposing defenses focusing on stopping him and the pick-and-roll with David Lee, which had been so effective through the middle part of the season?

"You'll have to ask him about that, I don't know," D'Antoni said of his usually-reliable (and hand-picked) point guard.

Duhon spoke in general, though pointed, terms when he said, "We, for whatever reason, didn't have the energy . . . It was tough to win when you don't play with a lot of energy."

Duhon has played with a sore back for most of the entire season. You often see him trying to stretch it before games and it's impossible not to notice his lack of explosiveness on drives to the basket (as a result, he almost always will look to pass on the pick-and-roll play, which opponents have picked up on).

But this lack of durability has to be an issue to discuss during the offseason, when Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni talk about what to do with the roster going forward. If you're looking for desperately-needed leadership, Jason Kidd will be a free agent this summer and likely could be had for the mid-level and there's also a decision the capped-out 76ers need to make on free agent Andre Miller.

And, of course, the Phoenix Suns have a decision to make on Steve Nash, for whom the team has a $13M option for next season. Will they try to extend him or will they decide to part ways with the former two-time MVP?

As for an under-the-radar name to consider, keep an eye on Milwaukee's Ramon Sessions. He's done an outstanding job for Scott Skiles and the Bucks and his athleticism, defense, shooting and playmaking ability make him a potential target with the MLE.

[Please, Fixers, no one mention free agent Allen Iverson as an option. Not even a consideration.]

Nate obviously benefits from Duhon's struggles because he reaps the minutes, but is anyone else getting the sense that less is more with N8 the Gr8? As his popularity and role have increased simultaneously this season, so have his extra-curricular activities. The chest-thumping and the primal screams are one thing, but Robinson is starting to wear out veteran officials with his constant chatter. Joe Forte, one of the best referees the NBA has, T'd him up in the second quarter against Charlotte for making a hand gesture to show how he was fouled and continued to verbally make his case while running back on defense. Forte didn't like the visual and slapped him with his ninth technical of the season. It was also Nate's third in the past two weeks.

Coincidentally, before the game while Larry Brown was singing Nate's praises (said he should be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year), he also added this timely assessment (which echoes what we've said here on the Fix):

“It used to bother me when you’re 30 down and you’re pumping your chest," Brown said. "But that’s being young. The things that sometimes you scratch your head about endear you to him. So he’s playing phenomenal. I mean, you try as a coach, I was taught to act like you’ve done it before. But that’s what makes him what he is."

THE FIX MIX

* - Eddy Curry was activated and in uniform against the Bobcats, but he sure made himself as inconspicuous as a 6-11, 300-plus pound man can make himself. Curry, who practiced on Friday for the first time in two months, did not involve himself in any pregame workout routine and did not participate in warmups before the game and at halftime. D'Antoni said Curry is "not ready to play yet" but did not rule out finding him minutes this season if he can make himself ready. "As long as he keeps improving," he said, "maybe we'll get him in before the season ends."

* - The Bobcats have done a good job revamping that team basically in one season. They're a game out of the final playoff berth and as you watch them Saturday night -- it was their sixth straight win -- you kind of like how they match up against the Boston Celtics, if that happens to be a first-round series. Larry vs Steph....who do you root for, Fixers?

* - Spring Ahead today Fixers, but when it comes to the start time for tonight's game against the Nets, fall back, baby!....the game in Joisey tips at 6 p.m.

Just another day in the M.I.A.

Sunday March 1, 2009 12:13 PM By Roderick Boone

That picture shows the view of American Airlines Arena and the Miami skyline from my hotel room. And even though the Knicks elected to stay overnight Saturday in the city that brought you the likes of Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Uncle Luke because of the impending snow that was dusting New York in the wee hours early Sunday, I'm sure they wanted to get out of the MIA faster than you can blow a 15-point fourth-quarter lead.

There was something lost in the craziness of last night's brutal loss to Dwayne Wade and the Heat. No, it wasn't Larry Hughes making his first start as a Knick at shooting guard.

It had to do with Nate Robinson. He had the midas shooting touch going with 24 first-half points, swishing 4 of 6 treys in the process. But after each shot, he'd do something to bring attention to himself. Whether it was running back downcourt with his hands tucked at his side like a robot or jabbering with some fans sitting courtside, he couldn't help himself.

But his antics almost cost the Knicks and he nearly got the Heat fired up before Danilo Gallinari's elbow got Dwayne Wade going. With 5:40 left in the third quarter, a reach in foul was called on Mario Chalmers. The sellout crowd of 19,600 drowned out the whistle and Robinson kept driving to the basket. Jermaine O'Neal gave Robinson a little shot as Robinson was up in the air, and he and Robinson got into it. They were separated once before Robinson went back at O'Neal and that's when they were hit with double technical fouls.

"I didn't hear no whistles," Robinson said, "so I kept playing and he kind of like gave me a little 'bow and I was like, 'Dude, what are you doing?' And then they gave me a tech or whatever. It's all right. It goes to charity."

I can kind of understand where Robinson was coming from. Kind of. That was my first visit to American Airlines Arena and I can assure you that place gets ridiculously loud. And yes, the public address announcer is even more annoying in person than he appears to be on TV. His screams of the Miami's players' names after they score and his "Let's Go Heat! Let's Go Heat!" and his "Dos Minutos!" yells make you feel like you are watching anything but an NBA game.

(An aside, there was one point late in third quarter when coach Mike D'Antoni sent Wilson Chandler to the scorer's table to check in. Chandler proceeded to walk on the floor after a dead-ball whistle, but was waved back by a ref. Puzzled, D'Antoni questioned why Chandler was back at the table and wasn't allowed on. The PA announcer, who had the "The Voice" on the back of the Heat jersey he was wearing and has nothing to do with who decides when a substitute can check in, added his two cents and told D'Antoni he wasn't "in the box" in time. Let's just say D'Antoni didn't agree and argued with him for a quick second and used one choice word that we can't print because this is a family blog. Coincidentally, Chandler eventually checked in for Robinson after he was hit for a double tech for jawing with O'Neal.)

Now, I've said before that Nate's antics can be refreshing. I must admit after watching him closely more and more lately that he is getting to be a bit too much at times. It's like he still has that mentality of a rookie who's so happy to be in the league and show what he can do to prove the naysayers wrong. He seems as if he can't help himself and wants to be a sideshow.

There are times where it's fine to show off that type of emotion. But it doesn't have to happen on every play, although D'Antoni claims it doesn't bother him much.

"Not really," D'Antoni said. "Nate's going to play with a lot of emotion and he's going to learn to do what he has to do. But it didn't hurt us, his double-technical didn't hurt us. But it would be better if we do control our emotions."

Agreed.

Shake 'n Bake; it rhymes, they're both verbs...awesome

Tuesday February 24, 2009 4:03 AM By Alan Hahn

Thirty-two second half points by Nate Robinson. Does that blow your mind? That...just...happened.

Mighty Mouse might have spent a little too much time celebrating with his pal Will Ferrell during Monday's critical win over the Pacers, but you can't argue with the results. | GAME PHOTOS

Shake n Bake!

And when you see the two together -- Nate and Wilson Chandler caught Ferrell's Broadway show, "You're Welcome America" (it's a George Bush lampoon) -- you can only wonder how soon it will be before N8 the Gr8 winds up in the next Ferrell movie. Dude's a pretty funny character himself.

Not a bad basketball player either . . . but what does it all mean. We've documented here before how large Robinson's image has grown around the NBA. Fans in visiting arenas roar for him, but at times it seems Barnumesque.

Hur-ray, Hur-ray, Hur-ay . . . Step right up and see the freakishly small man fly over the giant!

[Right on cue, Dwight Howard and the Magic come in Wednesday to the Garden. Expect the KryptoNate buzz to reach nauseating levels].

N8 is gr8 for basketball because he is a terrific showman. He is great for fans and loves to entertain. His histrionics are a bit much -- for instance, celebrating a three-pointer up 30 like you just hit a game-winner or pose-downs after every basket -- and there's something to be said about acting like you've done it before . . . but then again, Nate hasn't experienced any real success with the Knicks in his first four years. So all he knows is to celebrate the little things.

A steal! A layup. Now . . . breakdance!

But while many of the stars in the league love Nate's boundless enthusiasm and engaging personality, there will come a time when the act gets tired. And someone pummels him on the way to the basket for thumping his chest one million too many times in a game.

Maybe that's just my hockey background seeping out.

The thing about Nate is that he has a tremendous respect for all players around the NBA. He struts with Napoleanic bravado during games, but afterward he has nothing but praise for the talents of most of the players he goes up against.

What saves Nate from being strictly a novelty act is the fact that he can score the ball and when his energy level is high (it wasn't on Sunday against Toronto) he is a game-changer.

But, really, what's so wrong with a Knick showing some pride? It's been a while since this franchise had a guy who left his emotions on the floor. John Starks used to do it, though he had big brothers Ewing and Oakley to keep him in check. Nate may also learn to tone it down with the right kind of superstar around him. He'd be a great fit for the Cavaliers -- LeBron loves him -- if only Cleveland didn't give that awful long contract to Boobie Gibson. What about the Lakers? Jordan Farmar has a cheap contract ($1.9M next season) and is decent, but Nate would be an upgrade behind Derek Fisher.

As decision time nears in July, the Knicks have to figure out what exactly Nate is and what he can be for them over the next four to five years. Can he continue to grow and consistently be a key element in Mike D'Antoni's offense?

I think the deal with the Kings right before the deadline was closer than Donnie Walsh wants to admit. The opportunity to move Jared Jeffries' contract off the 2010 payroll was there, which would have been a savings of another $6.8M. But in the end, you might think Walsh got cold feet because of Nate's importance to the team right now. Walsh knows he can always re-visit a trade this summer.

* * * *

* - Not sure what to expect today from the Marbury v Knicks arbitration hearing this morning in Manhattan. If the hearing goes through, it could take up to a month, or more, for a decision to be rendered. Or Walsh and Hal Biagas could come up with a buyout that includes waiving the $400,000 fine for allegedly refusing to play on Thanksgiving Eve. There are two schools of thought here: 1. The franchise really needs to officially move on from the Marbury Issue (keeping in mind that his history shows when he leaves a team, that team immediately makes the playoffs...hmmmm) and 2. Letting him go could result in him going to a team you may see in the first round (Boston) or a team that you are going to see twice more this season (Miami) while battling for a playoff spot. A longshot team I'd put on the list for Marbury is the Lakers. They have a roster spot open and could use someone behind Fisher (as I alluded to earlier when talking about Nate). Stay tuned . . .

Roster spots burning a hole in my pocket

Friday February 20, 2009 7:44 AM By Alan Hahn

As the dust settles following a busy trade deadline day, here are a few names to consider for those available roster spots the Knicks now have:

PF/C - Mikki Moore: He put on waivers by the Sacramento Kings and it seems his most likely destination (once he clears waivers) will be the Boston Celtics. The defending champs need some insurance with Kevin Garnett's knee injury last night in Utah. But if the Celtics don't go for him, the Knicks would certainly be a good fit for Moore, who is an athletic big who can block shots, work on the offensive boards and hit the mid-range shot.

G - Quincy Douby: Was let go by the Kings when they acquired Sam Cassell from the Celtics. The former first-round pick hasn't exactly reached first-round potential, but that might have been the fault of the team that picked him that high. Has the kind of offensive skills that should make him a good fit in the D'Antoni system and could provide some minutes off the bench behind Chris Duhon. Or, if anything, another body in practice.

G - Jason Williams: According to our friends at HoopsWorld, White Chocolate filed for reinstatement this week. His crafty game fits the D'Antoni system (though he can't defend a traffic cone) and he could be given a look as a backup PG.

G - Sam Cassell: Could be a solid veteran backup that . . . never mind. Forget it.

G - Will Conroy: Tearing up the D-League and might be ready to give the NBA another try. Conroy played with Nate Robinson at U-Dub and, if anything, could give the Knicks some bodies in practice while Chris Duhon is allowed to rest. But Conroy might flourish in this system. Worth a look.

G - Blake Ahearn: Lights-out shooter who was the D-League's Rookie of the Year last season. Too small to be a shooting guard (6-2) and yet not really a point guard, he had a few 10-days with the Miami Heat at the end of last season, was in training camp with the Minnesota Timerwolves and had a cup of coffee with the Spurs in November. Was co-MVP of D-League All-Star game with Courtney Sims last weekend.

F - Patrick Ewing Jr. : Has done well, especially lately, in the D-League and it wouldn't hurt to give him a spot on the team as a practice player and end-of-bench towel waver. His athleticism and enthusiasm are good to have around, as is the name on the back of his jersey.

* * *

* - In case you missed it last night, Nate Robinson was on Letterman last night:

* - Larry Hughes and Chris Wilcox will be available before tonight's game against the Toronto Raptors (how happy is Chris Bosh that most of the New York media will be distracted by these two and not as focused on asking him the requisite 2010 questions?). We'll get you that and Hot Rizzle will be here for the Live Blog as the Knicks continue their Quest for a Berth. With 29 games to go....every game counts.

Nate stays a Knick, will be on Letterman tonight

Thursday February 19, 2009 11:40 AM By Alan Hahn

It was close there for a few minutes, but in the end Donnie Walsh decided against trading Nate Robinson to Sacramento, who were willing to take Jared Jeffries' contract as a piggy-back in exchange for Kenny Thomas.

The deal would have saved the Knicks $6.8M in 2010-11, because Thomas' contract expires after next season. But for the short-term, it would have been a tough one to swallow because Thomas gives you nothing on the court.

The fact that Walsh would come that close to moving Robinson just to dump more salary speaks volumes about the possible future plans for N8 the Gr8, who is a restricted free agent this summer. Nate was asked after practice today if he hoped to remain a Knick after the deadline.

"Hopefully," he replied, "a Knick for life."

That still remains to be seen.

So enjoy him while you can, Fixers. And enjoy him tonight on the Late Show with David Letterman. He'll be in his full KryptoNate outfit and will perform a dunk. Nate is the second segment on the show, after the Top 10 List.

Maybe Nate will jump over Paul's huge forehead.

* * * *

Still up here at the MSG Training Center awaiting Donnie Walsh's post-deadline address. A very busy day for Dealer Don. And for yours truly.

Attention K-Mart Shoppers

Tuesday February 17, 2009 8:30 PM By Alan Hahn

It sounds like the Sacramento Kings are in serious dump mode before the trade deadline. The Maloofs, who apparently lost hundreds of millions in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme, need to cut costs and, as one Western Conference-based team executive said, "Everyone is available."

The Kings aren't the only NBA team looking to dump salaries by Thursday, but they may be the most desperate. The "everyone is available" is likely to include high-scoring two-guard Kevin Martin, who is averaging 24 points per game this season and has four years and $46.1M left after this season on a six-year contract he signed in Aug. 2007.

Donnie Walsh has said he doesn't want to take on contracts that go beyond 2010, however there are exceptions to every rule. The Martin contract extends to 2012-13 and climbs to a max of $12.9M. But it costs $11.1M in 2010-11, which is almost exactly the salary Eddy Curry will command that season. They'd still have a year to move Curry.

So far the Knicks have passed on oft-injured diva Tracy McGrady and weren't able to get into the Amar'e Stoudemire sweepstakes, which may now turn into the Shaquille O'Neal sweepstakes.

There are even fewer teams who can afford to get into that kind of a deal.

The Knicks could offer Stephon Marbury's expiring $20.8M contract as a possible chip if they really wanted to take on the luxury tax burden of Shaq's $20M in 2009-10, which would actually wind up costing the Garden $40M in salary and tax next season. In today's economic climate, it might not be a reasonable venture.

But Shaq's allure would give the Knicks a short-term boost, though it's arguable that it would be enough to make a playoff push. O'Neal would be open to New York and D'Antoni certainly loves the Diesel . . .

Warning...more absolute speculation ahead.

And maybe the Knicks could also consider offering the Kings a package of crowd-favorite Nate Robinson ($2M) and the expiring contract of Malik Rose ($7.6M) for Martin ($9.2M). For the Knicks, they get the scoring 2-guard they so desperately need and a player who fits perfectly into D'Antoni's system (though his passing and defense will need some work, for sure and dude's gonna have to show a little bit of durability after some injury issues over the past two seasons). The Kings get serious payroll relief and also an entertaining player who can score the ball and won't come close to what Martin is making even after you re-sign him this summer.

Those two moves would dramatically change the look of the Knicks.

But so far, when it comes to the Sacramento Kings, the Knicks have been reportedly linked to talking a deal involving center Brad Miller and perhaps John Salmons. Miller makes some sense because he is a center and has a contract that expires by 2010. Salmons, however, has a contract that goes into 2010-11 at a cost of $5.8M. Rose and Robinson have been named as pieces that could come the other way, along with Jerome James' contract (one year left at $6.8M).

One high-ranking Knicks official, however, responded to this report by saying there have been no conversations involving Miller. And including Salmons doesn't make sense because you're giving up contracts that expire before 2010 and adding one that extends beyond it.

Plus, trading Robinson right now would be a tough sell on the Garden faithful, which thoroughly enjoyed KryptoN8s 32-point, 10-rebound performance in 38:19 off the bench of the 112-107 win over the Spurs. Gregg Popovich came away impressed with the energy boost Nate provided off the bench and said Robinson "kind of does for them what Ginobili does for us."

Mike D'Antoni thoroughly enjoys Robinson's enthusiasm, but you can tell there are times he drives his coach mad. Which is what prompted this out of D'Antoni after the win:

"The best thing about Nate is he can get a shot any time he wants. The worst thing is he can get a shot any time he wants."

Clearly D'Antoni would prefer he be a little more balanced as a scorer and facilitator, but right now he'll take the offense where he can get it.

And right now that's three straight 30-point games from Robinson, who went into the game ranked third in the NBA in scoring off the bench and clearly a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year honors.

(By the way, Nate's 33 points, 15 assists, 9 rebound and 5 steals against the Clippers last week was the first time a player hit for as many as 30-15-9-5 in an NBA game since Magic Johnson had 33 points, 17 assists, 15 rebounds and six steals against the Denver Nuggets on March 29, 1981. Or at least so said the Elias Sports Bureau.)

I'd say stuff like that - far more than some Slam Dunk title - makes him a valuable trade commodity in the right kind of deal. There's little you can do straight up for a player who makes just $2M -- the Knicks can not take on a bigger salary -- so you have to package him with another contract, such as Rose's expiring deal -- to make something work.

Same goes for David Lee ($1.7M) if you planned on moving him.

Again, that's IF you plan on moving either.

The good news is, the internet is here to make sure no trade rumor goes unwritten.

The Curious Hops of Nathaniel Robinson

Sunday February 15, 2009 5:49 AM By Alan Hahn

KryptoNate scales Superman for his second Slam Dunk title.

He jumped over Spud Webb for his first one.

What's next? Maybe jumping over Yao Ming?

Before he left for All-Star Weekend I asked Nate if he planned to keep going back to the dunk contest. He said only if the NBA allowed him to participate in some of the other events on All-Star Saturday.

“Next year if they ask me to come back if I win, they’re going to have to let me do the Skills Challenge and the Three-point Contest, then I’d come back," he said. "All three, so I can get a chance to win all three.”

Be nice to play on Sunday, too.

Gameday Live: Knicks vs. Cavaliers

Wednesday February 4, 2009 1:21 PM By Admin

Good evening Fixers! I'm Chris Mascaro and I'm here at Madison Square Garden tonight to be a witn ... I mean to bring you all of tonight's live game action, as the Knicks (21-26), fourth place in the Atlantic Division, take on LeBron James and the Central Division-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (38-9).

This is the middle game of what King Fixer Hahn described as Dream Week with the Lakers (Monday), Cavs (today) and Celtics (Friday) all descending on the Garden.

The first game turned out to be a nightmare for the home team though, as Kobe Bryant dropped 61 points, breaking Bernard King's record for most points scored at the new Garden (60) set on Christmas Day 1984.

As Hahn's article mentioned, James has one of his five 50-point games at the Garden, as he hit the mark on the head in a 119-105 win on March 5, 2008. But James, the second-leading scorer in the NBA at 28.0 points per game, noted he's only here to win tonight and not to pad his stat totals.

Said James to reporters after a win over Toronto last night in which he became the youngest player to reach 12,000 career points (he's 24): "I'm not a video game where you can expect me to go out there and score 60 or 70. I play the game and I'm not about individual accolades. Kobe Bryant's performance was unbelievable, I watched every last second of it and he won the game. But it's not about individuals in this league; it's about the basketball game. I'm not trying to outdo Kobe or anybody on their team. I'm just trying to win the game."

Kobe mentioned on Monday that James may go for a quadruple-double tonight. Either way, it's better than more talk about 2010, right?

Let's talk a little about the teams before we get to tonight's starting lineups.

The Cavs come in winners of seven of their last eight. They are an astonishing 23-0 at home this season, but a mortal 15-9 on the road. The Cavs have won both meetings between these two teams this season — a 119-101 decision at the Garden on Nov. 25 and a 118-82 drubbing in Cleveland on Dec. 3.

The Knicks (14-10 at home) came into Dream Week playing their best basketball of the season, riding a 6-1 streak into Monday's game against L.A, including wins over Phoenix, Houston and Atlanta. David Lee was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week from Jan. 26-Feb. 1 and has a streak of 11 straight double-doubles.

With that said, let's get to the starting lineups:

Cavs

Mo Williams, PG

Wally Szczerbiak, SG (Cold Spring Harbor alum)

LeBron James, SF

Ben Wallace, PF

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C

Knicks

Chris Duhon, PG

Quentin Richardson, SG

Al Harrington, SF

Jared Jeffries, PF

David Lee, C

Okay, that's all for now. I'll be back after each quarter with updates.

Plenty more to talk about tonight, though, so let's get the conversation going in the chat box below! And be sure to vote on all the poll questions.

We're just minutes from basketball at MSG.

End of the 1st Quarter:

Cavs 36, Knicks 24

Leading scorers: James, 20; Lee 8

What's happening: The Cavs started the game on a 10-0 run, seven by James, including a jam, prompting a Knicks timeout just 2:46 into the game. David Lee finally put the Knicks on the board about 4:30 into the game, but James scored the next four points to make it 14-2.

Richardson hit a three-pointer to make it 18-11 Cavs before James hit a pair of free throws to make it 21-13. Then LeBron put a shake-and-bake on Lee (smiling in the process) before draining a 3 over his head, but Lee atoned with a dunk at the other end. However, at the 2:35 mark, it was LeBron 18-Knicks 17.

Back-to-back 3s by Boobie Gibson and Wally's World made it 32-17, and then a shocking development occurred ... James missed two free throws.

Later, Harrington converted an old-school three-point play and hit two free throws and Tim Thomas had a dunk, but James (who else?) hit a jumper at the buzzer to make it 36-24 Cavs.

What to watch for in the second quarter: Will LeBron hit 30 by halftime (like Kobe did on Monday)?

End of the 2nd Quarter:

Cavs 57, Knicks 52

Leading scorers: James 28; Harrington 19 (14 in the second quarter)

What's happening: LeBron didn't score in the second quarter until the 8:00 mark, when he had a nifty spin move and a layup.

The Knicks kept the lead between seven and nine in the beginning of the period, but closed it to one (43-42) with a 10-2 run (all the Knicks' points were scored by Harrington), prompting Cleveland to take a timeout. James put an end to that right out of the break, soaring for an alley-oop.

Later, Danilo "The Rooster" Gallinari hit a 3 to pull the Knicks within one again at 46-45, but the Cavs went back up by 3 on a layin by Gibson. Duhon made it 48-47 by tipping in his own miss, but James gave himself 26 and the Cavs 50 with a long jumper.

A Rooster runner made it 50-49, but Ilgauskas hit a corner 3 and James hit a long jumper to make it 55-49. Duhon hit a 3 with 3.7 seconds to go, but the Knicks allowed a cheap Ben Wallace layin to end the half.

What to watch for in the second half: Can the Knicks actually beat the team with the second-best record in the East?

End of the 3rd Quarter:

Cavs 82, Knicks 78

Leading scorers: James 39 (11 in the quarter); Harrington 31 (12 in the quarter)...Nate had 7 in the quarter after a scoreless first half.

What's happening: The Cleveland lead was between five and seven for the first 3:30 of the quarter, but then Harrington pulled the Knicks within one at 65-64. Back-to-back 3s by Mo Williams and Wally's World put the Cavs up 71-64, prompting a timeout from D'Antoni at the 7:19 mark.

Later, Nate Robinson hit a 3 to make it 73-69 near the 5:00 mark, but Big Z hit two free throws on the next possession to stretch it to 75-69. James hit a pair to put the Cavs up 77-69, but Robinson had a couple nifty moves for layups to make it 77-73 (he was called for an offensive foul on his third drive, though).

Harrington hit a jumper with 2:00 to go to pull the Knicks within two at 77-75, and then Tim Thomas hit a 3 to give the Knicks their first lead of the night.

But the Knicks' advantage was short-lived after James made 1 of 2 from the line and J.J. Hickson hit a layup.

What to watch for in the fourth quarter: The Knicks have to get Gallinari in act against slower defenders (Ben Wallace, Big Z).

End of Game, Cavs win, 107-102.

Cavs: 39-9

Knicks: 21-27

Scores by quarter for the Cavs: 36, 21, 25, 25

Scores by quarter for the Knicks: 24, 28, 26, 24

Here are your three stars for tonight's game:

1. James: 52 points (season high) on 17 of 33 shooting with 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his 21st career triple double (James went hard for a rebound at the buzzer). It was the most points in a triple double since the ABA-NBA merger in the 1976-77 season.

2. Harrington: 39 points (tying his season high) on 16 of 24 shooting with 13 rebounds.

3. Ilgauskas: 15 points, eight rebounds

Here's the complete box score.

What happened down the stretch: A Mo Williams 3 made it a seven-point game at 89-82 with 10:01 to go, but Wilson Chandler answered with one of his own out of the break to make it 89-85.

Chandler made a layup with under 9:00 to go to make it 89-87, but James had a gorgeous runner into the lane and then Boobie Gibson made a 3 to take the Cavs up by seven (94-87).

After nearly three minutes without a score, Tim Thomas hit 2 of 2 from the line. Then Harrington made 1 of 2. But James made a 94-90 lead a 96-90 advantage at the line with 5:35 remaining.

Harrington nailed a 3 to send the Garden crowd into a frenzy, then after a LeBron miss, Nate's jumper made it 96-95 Cavs with under a minute to go. James came down and drove for a layup before Harrington answered back with a short "J". But then James hit two more free throws to make it 100-97.

Lee was fouled fighting for a rebound and hit two FTs (the Cavs were over the limit) to pull the Knicks within one yet again (100-99), but again, James went to the rack to make it a three-point lead with about 1:30 on the clock.

Duhon was fouled and made 1 of 2, but LeBron found Big Z for an easy bucket with under 1:00 to play.

The Knicks swung around to Harrington for a 3 with about 40 seconds to go — he missed and that was that.

Okay, that's all for tonight. As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring everyone all of tonight's live game action. See you Friday vs. the Celtics as Dream Week concludes.

Goodnight everyone!

(Photo by Eric Gay/Associated Press)

But can they finally get someone involved on Sunday, too?

Wednesday January 28, 2009 9:31 AM By Alan Hahn

Wilson Chandler was named today among the players to participate in the 2009 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge on All-Star Saturday. He'll be on the Sophomores team with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Al Horford, Al Thornton, Thaddeus Young, Rodney Stucky, Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola.

You know, I kind of like the Rookie team this year, with Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Rudy Fernandez, Greg Oden, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez and Marc Gasol.

Along with Wilson, the Knicks will be well-represented on All-Star Saturday, with Nate Robinson back in the Slam Dunk contest.

Nate talks about his plans in this year's contest, shows off the chicken noodle dance and plays a violin (sorta) in this promo vid here. Don't you wish you could have this much fun at work?

The NBA also released its list for the most popular jersey list for 2008-09. N8 the Gr8 ranks 10th in the league with David Lee close behind at 14. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James are the top three.

Just wondering: would LeBron overtake Kobe if he played in New York?

The Knicks rank third among most popular jerseys, with the Lakers at No. 1 and Celtics at No. 2. The Cavs? Fourth.

Just bloggin.

Speaking of David Lee, we had a story in our print edition today about Lee's chances to make the all-star team as a reserve. The reserves will be announced Thursday night on TNT.

We broke down where Lee stands statistically in a previous blog, but I wanted to continue the thread here.

Thoughts, Fixers?

Say what you will about Nate ...

Sunday January 25, 2009 11:28 AM By Roderick Boone

But the guy is a big kid at heart.

Yes, we know Nate Robinson can be a knucklehead and get under people's skin. He can bounce off the bench and get slapped with a technical for chest-bumping Amar'e Stoudamire, as he did Wednesday. He can get a little too chatty with the refs and nearly get thrown out of the game because of his mouth, as he almost did Friday.

He makes some really hard fouls that might get others hit with a flagrant foul, and can jump into the arms of Shaq and get tossed back like a rag doll. He likes going for his and can play too out-of-control and force shots that he shouldn't. We all know this.

Sometimes, though, his antics are hilarious and makes for good theater in a sports world that can be taken way too seriously because of all the money being thrown around. I'm not saying that's what happened last night because, remember, the Knicks did lose by six to the 76ers. But when he's playing loose like he did last night -- when he had a game-high 26 points -- is when he's at his best.

During one point in the second half after almost coming up with a steal near the baseline where Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb was sitting, Robinson looked over at the man who Philly fans still have a love-hate relationship with although he led Philadelphia past the Giants in the NFC Divisional round. Robinson just had to chat it up with McNabb, who was booed when he was first introduced to the crowd before cheers started drowning out the negative reaction.

"I was just telling him I'm a fan. I've been a fan for years," Robinson said. "I just told him, 'I could be your DB. I could be on the other side of Asante Samuel if you need me.' I told him I'd give him my number and you can call me. I also saw DeSean Jackson out there, met him. He's pretty cool. It's good to see football guys coming out and showing support, man. It's awesome."

Then there's the nugget I included in my notebook that appeared in today's paper, showing Robinson's theme music should be the old school Toys 'R' Us song.

Not long after stepping up to the free throw line in the second quarter, Robinson saluted some of his mates that he plays in "Call of Duty, Word at War" on XBox 360 Live. It was his way of proving that it was indeed him playing online. Think of it? How many people would believe they are actually playing online against a pro athlete?

"Right back to that again for my guys, man, so they know it's me," Robinson said. "When I'm playing online, I'll be kicking that butt. They'll be like, 'You're not Nate Robinson.' I'm like, 'Watch my game tomorrow and my salute'. I salute to my dudes, man. It's all fun and games."

By the way, the Big Fixer returns to the scene tomorrow.

The N8 D'b8

Wednesday January 21, 2009 8:05 AM By Alan Hahn

If you believe the theory that the Knicks won't keep both of their restricted free agents -- remember the 2010 plan comes first -- then the choice between Nate Robinson and David Lee appears to be at a crossroads.

David Lee, who was initially viewed as more valuable as a potential trade chip, has easily been one of the Knicks' best players -- if not the best -- in January, with 17.6 points per game and 12.5 rebounds in 38.3 minutes and 58.5 percent from the field over the last 10 games. He's shown great ambidexterity (Clyde word) around the basket and his mid-range jumper has come a long way, which is likely the result of confidence.

Nate had a terrific start to the season as an energizer off the bench for Mike D'Antoni. But his game has progressively gone downhill since the holidays. You could point to the mid-December groin injury as a factor, but Robinson posted big numbers -- 27 points against the Suns, 33 against the Lakers and six consecutive games scoring over 20 points -- in the games after he returned from the injury.

Most recently there are indications that the coaching staff is starting to lose some faith in Robinson's game. His minutes have dropped dramatically (the last two games he recorded just 19 minutes and is averaging just 20.6 minutes per game in the last five) and his shooting percentage has plummeted.

Robinson is a much better shooter than he's shown in the 10 games so far this month, where he is shooting 32.7 percent from the floor and just 13.3 percent (6 for 45) from three-point range. He went from averaging 19.9 points per game in the month of December to just 10.1 points in January.

Fixer Lieutenant Hot Rod Boone did a story in today's Newsday about Robinson's struggles. He has put in extra time on his shooting, but a guy with as sweet a stroke as he has knows deep down it's not his mechanics. It's got to be something else.

Robinson's energy just isn't at the level it was earlier this season. The coaching staff seemed to love him in the role as first guard off the bench, where you could use him as a combo guard and give you shooting and speed. Nate also had a very firm grip on the system -- where guys were supposed to be, how to set up shooters -- but seemed to lose his way during that West Coast roadie in December when he and Al Harrington turned the offense into a shoot-em-up. They had some success with it, but the bad habits and poor shot selection caught up to them and, as Mike D'Antoni and his staff has tried to rein the players back into the philosophy of ball movement and finding the open man, Robinson has looked hesitant, which is the worst place any player can be on the court.

You'd like to think Robinson should be an asset on defense, where his quickness and strength would cause havoc in a full-court press. But even there Nate hasn't been Nate. Sure, there have been his usual moments of athletic brilliance (the block on Javaris Crittendon, for one), but overall you come away thinking you should be getting more out of him pressuring the ball and getting through screens.

Lee is likely going to cost the Knicks between $8-to-$10M annually, which is a huge chunk of change to dump on the 2010-11 payroll when you still have Eddy Curry's $11.2M salary sitting there. Robinson would be far less expensive -- likely in the $4-to-$5M range -- but there is something to be said about having a reliable back-up point guard to spell Chris Duhon. Robinson is not a true PG -- something he readily admits -- and the thinking could be that the money might be better spent on a backup.

There's still half a season to go obviously and Donnie Walsh will likely use the entire season to observe before he makes any final decisions. Of course there is the Feb. 19 trade deadline to consider . . .

Thoughts, Fixers?

* * *

After tonight's game will be the official mid-point of the season. We'll focus the post-game blog on progress report for the franchise from top to bottom.

Thunder and Blight-ning

Wednesday January 7, 2009 2:14 AM By Alan Hahn

So much for the afterglow of that scintillating win Sunday against the defending champs. As I said in the paper today, getting Thunderstruck in Oklahoma City last night makes that game seem more about where the Celtics are right now (by the way, they lost again last night, in OT, to the Bobcats) than where the Knicks may be headed.

The concern for Mike D'Antoni has go to be about the focus of a team that is now seven games under .500. If this team truly had playoff aspirations, as Al Harrington insisted after the game, how do you explain such a flatline effort against the league's worst team?

"Coming off a big game against Boston to have a let down like this?" Nate Robinson said as he dressed in a somber Knick locker room after the game.

The Knicks really felt the absnece of energy from Robinson, usually the Energizer Bunny off the bench. His shooting has been way off since Christmas and it is starting to have an impact on the other parts of his game.

“Everybody knows I work too hard on my jump shot to be missing like I am," N8 said after a 4 for 18 performance from the floor against OKC. "Things happen, you’ve got to bounce back.”

Bounce is the operative word. Robinson did pick it up late in the game when the Knicks mounted their furious, though fruitless rally, but he missed several open looks that he usually knocks down. And you know Nate, when he gets into a rhythm with his jumper the rest of his game goes into overdrive. The Knicks desperately needed that kind of night out of him.

He missed his first seven field goal attempts in the game. In six games since Christmas, Nate is shooting 29 percent (25 for 86) from the floor.

“It’s something I just have to get out of," he said. "When you miss shots, you don’t want to force them and keep forcing them. There’s other guys out there making good plays. But for the most part, I just have to be me, keep being myself and play basketball and not worry about misses and makes.”

The rest of the players are aware of Nate's struggles and try to stay in his ear about being aggressive and not letting the misses get him down. But it's not easy.

"They know I’m hard on myself right now," he said. "To me I feel I’m way better than to keep missing shots I’m missing. They’re easy shots, they’re just not falling. As a player, I’ll find a way.”

* * * *

On the road again. Headed to Dallas for today's practice. Will Rogers Airport here in OK City is flooded in a sea of red. OU sweatshirts and hats and signs everywhere.

Lakers 116, Knicks 114 (Final)

Tuesday December 16, 2008 10:17 PM By Alan Hahn

By Alan Hahn

LOS ANGELES - There were stars and there was Starbury. Both came out to see the Knicks and Lakers last night at Staples Center and all of them -- from Stefani to Stephon -- had one thing in common: a front row seat and no chance of playing in what was a 116-114 loss to the Lakers.

Marbury, who bought a ticket and was sitting courtside by himself, spent most of the time either talking on his cell phone or texting, while his former teammates put up another spirited battle against one of the NBA's elite.

"This is the closest I'm going to get to the game right now," Marbury said.

It was a scene that drew grins and chuckles from the Knicks players and head shakes from just about everyone else.

“I don’t really think much about it," said Quentin Richardson. "We were here playing the Lakers. I guess he was a face in the crowd. I didn’t get to see him and didn’t know he was there . . . Hey, I hope he enjoyed it, it was a good game.”

It certainly was. In the second game of a tough back-to-back, which included a hard-fought and, for Mike D'Antoni, emotional, loss to the Suns in Phoenix on Monday, the Knicks came out last night with the clip loaded. Wowing the Hollywood crowd, which included a host of A-listers such as Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham, Chris Rock, Andy Garcia, Spike Lee, David Arquette, High School Musical stars Vanessa Hudgens and Zach Efron and singer Gwen Stefani, the Knicks nailed 11 three-pointers in the first half to jump out to a surprising 65-50 lead at halftime.

The hot shooting cooled in the second half and the Lakers chipped away at the lead. After Kobe Bryant nailed a pull-up with 1:38 to go to give the Lakers a 111-109 lead, Nate Robinson answered with a corner three with 1:18 left to put the Knicks ahead, 112-111. On the ensuing possession, Al Harrington had a chance to tip away a pass to Lamar Odom, but Odom managed to get the ball and fed Trevor Ariza for an alley-oop with 1:03 left to put the Lakers back in front, 113-112. Harrington then missed on a drive and Ariza missed an open three-pointer that would have been a dagger with 27.9 seconds to go.

Robinson, drove the lane for what would have been another go-ahead basket, but his layup fell short with 11.9 seconds left. Derek Fisher hit two free throws with 6.4 seconds left to make it a three-point lead for the Lakers. Fisher then pulled a veteran move when he fouled Robinson before he could attempt a potential game-tying three. Robinson, who was 12- for-12 from the line in the game, hit both with 3.8 seconds left. Fisher hit just one of two from the line with 2.7 seconds left, which gave the Knicks one more shot at the win. But Chris Duhon's desperation try from halfcourt sailed wide at the buzzer.

Bryant, who finished with 28 points for the Lakers (21-3), praised Robinson, who is quickly earning some great respect from some of the league's best players.

"I told him he ran out of bullets," Bryant said of Robinson, who had 33 points a night after scoring 27 against the Suns. "He's a great young basketball player and works extremely hard and plays hard. I love the little fella, man, I do."

Bryant also loved the rare big game feel this matchup with the Knicks created at the Staples Center, which is expected to be in a frenzy when the Lakers host the Celtics on Christmas Day. Kobe happily waved good-bye to noted Knick fan Chris Rock.

"At the end I asked him if he got his money's worth, he said he did," Bryant said. "So I told him to take his --- home then."

The Knicks went home, as well, with a 1-2 record on this West Coast jaunt, which included a pair of hard-fought losses to a pair of championship-contenders in the Suns and Lakers.

"We said this would be a measuring stick and I think we had the chance to win both games," D'Antoni said. "Really the last four or five away games we’ve had a chance. At least we’re there.”

Robinson finished with 33 points and David Lee added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks (11-14). Bryant led the Lakers (21-3) with 28 points.

Marbury, who is in town to check on his Hollywood condo and check up on matters related to his Starbury brand, was greeted by Spike Lee and Chris Rock before the game. At halftime, Marbury talked as if he wasn't in any hurry to get back to the negotiating table to complete his buyout talks with the Knicks. He even said he called off Hal Biagas, the NBA players association associate counsel who was representing him in the talks with Knicks president Donnie Walsh.

"I basically told him don't even worry about it," Marbury said. "Let them do what they're going to do and make a decision when they're ready to make a decision."

Asked if he was prepared to sit out the entire season, Marbury replied, "I'm getting healthy. This is going to save two or three years of my career. This has been great for me . . . I didn't create this, so I don't regret a thing. This is all their doing."

Marbury, who has been given permission to seek interest from other teams, says he has been in touch with a few already and isn't concerned about how his extended exile -- and everything involving it -- appears to other teams around the NBA.

"Only thing I got to do is get free," he said. "The team that I'm going to go to, I think a lot of people will be shocked."

Notes & quotes: Jared Jeffries did not play because of soreness in his left leg. Jeffries, who did not play in the second half against the Suns, had an X-ray taken on his left leg -- he suffered a fractured tibia during training camp -- after the game. The results were negative . . . Lakers big man Pau Gasol sat out because of strep throat.

Witness: a reality check

Tuesday November 25, 2008 8:18 PM By Alan Hahn

LeBron seemed to enjoy being the object of affection tonight at the Garden. As much as he would discourage his own talk of 2010 and how it's two years away, he also made sure to encourage others to keep the fire burning in the meantime.

"If you guys want to sleep and not wake up until July 1, 2010, then go ahead," he said, "because it is going to be a big day."

It's going to be a long wait.

You can't entirely judge the Knicks awful performance against the Cavs. The trades made to get the cap-space to be in the game for LeBron in 2010 also stripped them of their leading scorers and they are now a team without bona fide go-to scorers. And, as we saw, they still can not defend.

Is it really pointless to break down too much from this game because the Knicks are essentially starting over.

What is more important is the injury to Nate Robinson (groin strain), which happened in the second quarter. Nate said he heard a pop which is never a good thing. For someone who relies on speed and explosiveness, a groin injury is a major concern. I would expect that Nate will be out for Wednesday's game in Detroit and even if he does play he won't be anywhere near full speed.

Of course that brings us to the issue that just keeps coming back: ol' No. 3.

Cuttino Mobley is still out. The Knicks, as we expected, waived the physical just to allow the trade to go through, but Mobley has another week to deal with some extra tests and consultations about an apparent heart issue that was discovered in his physical with the Knicks.

Right now, with Mobley and Robinson out, the Knicks are down to two guards - Chris Duhon and Anthony Roberson. And, of course, Stephon Marbury, who has already once before declined -- see I used "declined" instead of "refused" -- to play when the Knicks were shorthanded. Will Mike D'Antoni go to Steph a second time before the game against the Pistons and ask him to play? Will Marbury once again refu- I mean decline to play?

Will it even matter at this point, considering that Marbury is about as sharp as a marble after going almost a full month without playing in a game?

I was standing in the Garden before the game Tuesday night talking with Newsday columnist Johnette Howard as we discussed the collection of story angles that dominated the evening -- LeBron and Cuttino's physical. And then I turned to her and said, "So how does Stephon Marbury becomes a story by the end of the night? Because you know he will."

Sure enough....

* * * *

This is a brutal back-to-back situation. I wanted to update the blog on the Mobley situation but I was sitting in traffic on the LIE when the Knicks officially completed the deal. By the time I got to the Garden it was the usual pregame mixer of meet-n-greets. Had to check in with Wally Szczerbiak to see how his dad, Walt, was doing after a recent medical procedure. Wally said Dad was fine and as I tried to continue the conversation I realized I had wandered into the Cavs locker room before it was open to media. Oops.

There were agents and celebrities -- check out Spike Lee talking about the 2010 plan to our guy Hot Rod Boone in Wednesday's print edition -- and everyone else to check in with before LeBron's pregame press conference.

And now a late night at the Garden comes to an end (it's 2 a.m. and I'm still awake) and next is an early flight to Detroit for the annual Thanksgiving Eve game at Auburn Hills. Back on Thursday just in time for turkey.

I'll check in from Day-twah tomorrow. Gotta catch me a Z...

Coffee, Nirvana and basketball

Saturday November 15, 2008 8:56 AM By Alan Hahn

Seattle no longer has an NBA team (for now), but among the best things to come out of the Emerarld City still includes basketball players.

There is a growing contingent of NBA players from Seattle: Jason Terry, Brandon Roy, Spencer Hawes, Aaron Brooks, Rodney Stuckey, Luke Ridnour and the Knicks' own Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson. The list will continue to grow, for sure, especially with Louisville standout Terrence Williams on his way.

And one of the Next Ones is a kid named Isaiah Thomas and if his name sounds familiar his game looks even more familiar. See if you can guess who he looks up to: 5-foot-nothing, a-hundred-and-nothing freshman at Washington who can score the ball from anywhere and buzzes around the court like a hedgehog on a six-pack of Amp.

He'll be the kid wearing one of the most popular jerseys on the U-Dub campus in recent years: Nate Robinson's No. 2. Before he took the number, however, he checked with N8 the Gr8 to get his blessing.

“He asked. His number is really 11 but [6-9 sophomore Matthew Bryan-Amaning] is wearing 11, so he asked me," Nate said. "He said, ‘I don’t want to just wear your number.’ I said, ‘Man, I know you’re going to represent it right so, you don’t even have to ask.’”

They're already giddy about the Thomas kid, who has been mentored by Crawford and Roy and on Saturday was featured in a Seattle Times story.

Nate said he was hearing about this pint-sized prodigy back in high school, when the 5-8 Thomas was a middle school legend in Tacoma. Yes, middle school legend.

“He was doing it then," Robinson said. "And he lived in Tacoma, and Tacoma’s like 45 minutes away. So if buzz is getting from Tacoma to Seattle, you know. They said he was better than the high school guys.”

How does he rate to the original?

“He might be better," Nate admitted. "He’s got the head start and you know how evolution works, players get better and better each year.”

* * *

* -- Speaking of Seattle people, with 29 points against the Thunder, Crawford jumped over Stephon Marbury (5,232 points) and into the top 25 on the Knicks all-time franchise scoring list. He has 5,250 points in 297 career games as a Knick (four-plus seasons). That's a 17.6 points per game average, which ranks 10th all-time in franchise history among players who have scored at least 5,000 points as a Knick.

* -- Danilo Gallinari's response to one columnists suggestion that some team officials thought he was displaying a low threshold for pain by not playing through his back injury: “I think that is one of the things I appreciate the most from myself is you can play over the pain sometimes. That doesn’t stop me. But this pain is particular. I tried to practice over the pain, but at some point I could not do it anymore.”

I suggested to Gallo that he try yoga (did wonders for me) and he said he did yoga for a month while in Italy and he liked it. Of course he did, have you seen the women in those classes? He said since he's been in the States he hasn't done it much. He has a DVD and I asked him about the instructor on the video. "It's a guy," he said. Now we've come to the root of the problem. So, D-money, may we suggest starting here.

* -- It's always good to see Patrick Ewing, Jr. around the Garden (he was also at the MSG Training Center today during practice, Hot Rod reports). You have to hope for the kid's sake that he knows something and expects a roster spot to open up soon. Otherwise, he should be in the D-League working on his game. The Knicks could always sign him off any D-League roster once they do buy out Stephon create an opening. Adding him probably won't mean much for the current rotation of players, but his presence instead of someone else's will instantly improve the atmosphere of the locker room. At least when PJ gets tons of media attention despite not playing, his teammates will be happy for him.

* -- One of my favorite moments on this beat took place Friday night before the game. K-Berg and I were heading up to the press room when two young boys, brothers, you could tell, asked us with wide eyes if we could get Stephon Marbury's autograph for them. I explained that as a member of the media, I'm not allow to get autographs (it says so on my credential in large bold letters No Autographs, which some writers would like to believe means they aren't allowed to sign autographs). The boy frowned and K-Berg spoke up. "Just stand over there," he said, pointing to the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms. But there was a huge crowd of fans already packed against the railing.

The older boy said, "I don't have anything to sign with." And his younger brother chimed in, "I want him to sign my sneaker!"

So I tore a few pages from my notebook and K-Berg dug out an extra pen from his bag. And a Garden security guard, who was within earshot, waved the boys over to a primo spot where he wasn't permitting anyone else to go. The boys waited anxiously for Marbury to finish his pregame warmup. Donnie Walsh emerged and the boy, clearly paying attention, asked the Knicks president for an autograph. Donnie obliged.

Moments later, Stephon jogged by and stopped to sign a few items for the mosh pit along the railing. He stopped in front of the boys and scribbled his name on the paper and disappeared into the tunnel.

They turned to K-Berg and I and shouted, "He signed! He signed!"

I thanked the security guard, who nodded. The boys took off into the crowd. And I wondered to myself if they realized the value of that piece of paper in their hand. Both Marbury and Walsh signing on the same sheet of paper.

Donnie's been hoping to accomplish that for over a month now.

Point needs to be made

Thursday October 9, 2008 3:53 AM By Alan Hahn

The point guard position will likley be a topic of debate through the preseason -- and possibly into the regular season. And maybe all the way to the summer, when the Phoenix Suns have to decide whether or not to pick up Steve Nash's $13 million option.

Logical thinking says they will do that, but will they offer him a two-year extension, which he is seeking. Nash recently said he hopes to play until 2012. I was talking with a couple of basketball people at the Air Canada Centre last night and they both agreed that Nash's two favorite alternatives -- should things not work out with his top choice, Phoenix, of course -- would be Toronto or New York.

But he'll be 36 by then and even though Nash keeps himself in great shape, he'll be in the twilight, for sure. And the most any team could expect to get out of him would be two years, the second perhaps in more of a backup role. But his presence as a mentor in the system that made him a two-time NBA MVP (or was it the player that made the system so good?) would still be valuable.

You know what? Let's not even go there...at least not yet.

But as much as Mike D'Antoni has been countering questions about the point guard position by saying the system doesn't really rely on one guy running the offense -- sure looked that way in Phoenix -- the first sneak peek at the Knicks version of the Sun-n-Gun saw some issues at the point. Chris Duhon, who was brought in to fill the facilitator role, struggled with a lot of fundamental mistakes that led to 7 alarming turnovers.

It wasn't as if he was throwing the ball away, but more like CYO-level issues such as traveling and carrying the ball. And we're going to see him get a lot of open looks as he did against the Raptors last night. He shoots well in practice, but in the game he was 1-for-7 and 1-for-5 from three-point range.

Duhon, who did have some positive stats, such as 10 rebounds and 6 assists, admitted he had some jitters in his first game. "Just trying to do everything perfectly and trying to do everything right," he said. "Trying not to make mistakes and when you play like that, you make mistakes. It was a learning experience.”

Don't look now, but Nate Robinson was the guard with the cleanest game last night. He had 16 points off the bench in 27:20 along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. The best number of all was the big, fat zero in the turnover column.

He didn't shoot well, either (6 of 15 and 2 of 7 from downtown), but Nate did a lot of intangibles, such as hawking Jose Calderon up the floor to slow him down. He was getting killed on the high screen-and-roll, which Calderon has mastered.

Some of you might start taking up the cause for Stephon Marbury (join the Starberman revolt!), but while he had some very good moments -- he can still do what he do: head down, get to the rim -- Stephon struggles with off-the-ball defense (who doesn't on this team) and he has a lot of old habits to break, such as standing still and watching after making a pass. Steph didn't take many shots (2-for-4) in his 22:06, but he got to the line 7 times and hit 5. His assists to turnovers (3-5) wasn't pretty.

The notion that his pick-and-roll ability makes him a perfect fit for this system is misguided. Steph is better suited for a team that has an athletic big that he can work off of, similar to how Calderon plays off Bosh on that high screen they ran over and over again. But in D'Antoni's system, there are so many options that the same play can look different even if you run it 10 straight times. It's not just about running fast, it's about thinking fast. Right now, Nate is the one point guard on the team who is thinking as fast as the game is being played.

Twenty turnovers is always a concern. Twelve of them were made by Duhon and Marbury, which means for the most part, the rest of the team played clean. I think 29 assists is an encouraging number, especially when you look at see that Zach Randolph, Mr. Black Hole himself, dished out five and the starting back court had 13 (Crawford had 7).

The shots from three-point range will fall. After missing the first 12, the Knicks finally started knocking them down to finish 8 of 34. The fact that they got off 34 threes is a good sign.

And yes, the game was close, but don't lose sight of the fact that the Raps yanked their starters in the fourth quarter. The Knicks were going neck-and-neck with the likes of Jason Kapono, Will Solomon, Roko Ukic and Kris Humphries (big put-back dunk in the fourth). Bosh hit a lot of perimeter stuff and damn he looks good. (2010! 2010!) Jermaine O'Neal looks a little, um, swollen. And slow.

But for the Knicks, this is a work-in-progress, for sure. A little more than a week in, there's some progress. But, like David Lee said, there's still a long way to go.

Posterized!

Wednesday October 8, 2008 8:04 PM By Alan Hahn

Wasn't a W, but not a bad start for the new-look Knicks. Too many turnovers and the Knicks shot poorly from three-point range, while the Raptors were exactly what you would expect them to be: an excellent shooting team.

Lots of positives to take out of the game, but for now let's enjoy two memorable moments:

Wilson Chandler elevates over J.O....

...and Nate Robinson goes baseline like a possessed Chucky doll.

Going to get some sleep. I'll check in tomorrow for thoughts on the game.

They grow up so fast

Tuesday October 7, 2008 3:03 PM By Alan Hahn

If I had wings I could fly

let me contemplate

I glanced in the cut and I see my homey Nate...

[Bloghost note: Wrote this on the plane to Toronto. Just an observation after a week of watching practices and watching people grow:]

Nate Robinson is into movies. Recently his favorites include a dashing Canadian actor named Steve Nash, who, in real life, actually has a jones for making films more than starring in them.

But Robinson’s a big fan. He owns several of Nash’s classics, especially during his award-winning run in 2004-05 and 05-06. He spent yet another summer having his own Steve Nash Film Festival, when he watched and studied and also found himself thoroughly entertained. And enlightened.

I laughed, I cried, I learned how to be a point guard! -- raves Newsday.

“I watched how he moves and everything, where guys are supposed to be,” Nate said “Like, Steve Nash can literally make every pass with his eyes closed because he knows exactly where that guy is supposed to be. I’m trying to get to that point, but I’m a long way.”

Quite frankly, he’s currently closer than any of the other Knick players to mastering the system Mike D’Antoni is trying to install here in New York. Quentin Richardson, of course, gets it because he played a full season in Phoenix under D’Antoni. But when it comes to knowing the system, understanding it and being one with it – na-na-na-na-na-na… -- Robinson seems to have already found a comfort level.

“Coach always says think at 100 miles an hour and know where each player is supposed to be on the court,” he said confidently. “I know each spot.”

Watch this kid young man Wednesday night, Fixers. Our little Nate may finally be coming of age.

* *

Danilo Gallinari chatted with his Italian homeboy, Andrea Bargnani, earlier today and the Raptors big man says Gallo "is getting better, but he's not ready yet."

So what does Bargnani think of Gallinari's future once he does get healthy enough to play?

"He can do everything," Bargnani told Michael Grange of the Globe & Mail. "He can play two guard, he can shoot, he can play with his back to the basket. He is a typical Mike D'Antoni player."

The Q-Rich Chronicles

Thursday August 7, 2008 11:29 AM By Alan Hahn

Some MSG.com stuff from Vegas....