The Rest of the NBA

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

The Knicks win back to back games for the 1st time since January when they won 6 in a row. 

And with that... farg you all.

Good read on the Knicks:

Q: As a Knicks fan, I'm dying here. The best parallel I can make with Isiah Thomas' tenure as GM is with Michael Jackson's nose. The more they try to correct the previous mistake, the worse it keeps getting.
-- Kevin, Brick, N.J.

Q: Playing the "How much would you pay?" game, I think I would pay $1,000 to get Zeke out of the Knicks' front office. Please keep in mind that I am fresh out of grad school and have a job that pays less than $30,000 a year with overtime. I am also saving for a wedding as well, but I don't care. I would REALLY pay a thousand freaking dollars to not put up with this anymore!
-- Dan, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Q: Zeke, Larry Brown and Stevie standing around taking pictures was the most sickening thing I have ever seen in my life ... and I've been in prison.
-- J. Rich, Riverhead, N.Y.

Q: With the Francis trade, has Isiah stolen the "laughably oblivious to how humorous the rest of the country finds him" mantle from Kevin Federline? Despite Isiah's on-court success, both guys owe their current stature soley to the benevolence of a misguided benefactor, yet both seem to honestly believe they actually bring something to the table. I wonder if they get together with James Woods' character from "Casino" every now and then for cocktails.
-- Mike, Chicago

SG: As you can see, we had a four-way tie for the "Funniest Knicks-related e-mail" contest this month ... and those were the runner-ups. Here was the best one:

Q: I think I have finally come up with an analogy for the New York Knicks ... the WWE's Spanish announcer's table. Every week they find a new way to destroy that freaking thing. Just like Knick fans, the Spanish announcers know it is coming, but there is nothing they can do but wait, watch and carry on. But instead of Triple H giving Mick Foley a pedigree through the table, it is Isiah for Marbury, Curry or Francis.
-- Tony Cortina, Rochester, N.Y.

SG: And so it's done. They aren't the Knicks anymore ... they're the New York Spanish Announcer's Table. Done and done.

[hunt]

Marbury, whose numbers are down this season, claims he's tried to play coach Larry Brown's style, which has resulted in only 17 wins in 61 attempts, and now it is time that he go back to playing his natural style.

"So what do I do now, as far as the way I play?" Marbury said in the interview. "I go back to playing like Stephon Marbury, aka 'Starbury.' I haven't been 'Starbury' this year. I've been some other dude this year ... When you watch the games, that's not Stephon Marbury."

"If this was my contract year and I went to any organization, based on how I played this year, and asked for the max, tell me what they would tell me," .Marbury said in the interview. "They'd say, 'That ain't happening.' "

[SD_Eagle5]

"So what do I do now, as far as the way I play?" Marbury said in the interview. "I go back to playing like Stephon Marbury, aka 'Starbury.' I haven't been 'Starbury' this year.

What a fag.

[MDS]

Has he even won a round in the playoffs?

[MURP]

sounds like a new cereal.

[BigEd76]

Has he even won a round in the playoffs?

Nope.  He and McGrady share that honor...

[MDS]

He needs to go to prison and get ass-raped by Bubba and DeMarcus. That'll teach him to shut his mouth.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Bill Simmons' take on teams with a shot at the title - from worst to best

30. New York
Well, it's official: The escalating Marbury-Brown feud has Sprewell/Carlesimo potential. I'm giddy. And didn't you love it when Marbury pulled the "I've gotta go back to being Starbury" routine? It's one thing to refer to yourself in the third person, it's another thing to refer to yourself in the fourth person (as your nickname). Just a tour de force all the way around.

(By the way, you can't do a worse job coaching an NBA team than Larry Brown did with the Knicks this year. It's impossible. Condescending, inexplicable, unfriendly, haphazard, rambling, incoherent, unprepared, overcritical, self-defeating, depressing, unrealistic ... really, pick any negative word or phrase for a coach and it probably fits. This current Knicks team was poorly conceived, but it also wasn't a 20-win team. Brown botched the 2004 Olympics beyond belief, he screwed up the 2005 Pistons with all the Cleveland rumors, and he's destroyed the 2006 Knicks to the point it's turning into a "24" episode. These are the facts.

[phattymatty]

Joh Salmons leads the league in Most Palming/Double Dribble violations.

[BigEd76]

That Eddy Curry trade was brilliant too.  The Knicks are going to lose a top 3 pick, plus Chicago can swap spots next year... 

[ice grillin you]

As the NBA season winds down, and the playoffs begin to start, some of the jerseys in your collection may soon become throwbacks. Although the general consensus is that this summer's free agent class is weak — we agree, it's certainly no Class of 2007 — we at Dime have found 10 players with something to offer your team this summer.

1. Ben Wallace, C, 31, Unrestricted
When was the last time the summer's top free agent didn't average over eight points per game? Probably never, but then again, the last time Ben Wallace was a free agent was after he went undrafted back in '96. This summer though, Big Ben will hit the open market and we're sure he'll be getting phone calls from 30 different GMs. The thing is, we don't expect him to pick up the phone unless the Caller ID reads "Joe D." Wallace wants to stay in Detroit, and Detroit surely wants to keep him around — at least until he's 35. Expect Detroit to hook him up with a nice five-year deal.


2. Al Harrington, SF, 26, Unrestricted
Historically, guys in Atlanta have been able to put up big numbers for the Hawks and then land themselves hefty NBA contracts — in other cities. This summer, Al Harrington hopes to be that guy. After being traded to the Hawks two summers ago for Stephen Jackson, Harrington has put up career numbers the past two seasons, hopefully garnering him the big bucks as the top free agent this summer not named Ben Wallace. Although he has expressed interested in staying with the Hawks, Harrington has mentioned that Chicago is a team he'd be interested in playing for as well. At only 26, we'd expect Big Al to receive a nice offer to stay in Atlanta and rebuild along with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, but we think the Hawks would rather move and try to add a piece that fits better with their future plans.


3. Jason Terry, PG, 28, Unrestricted
After five years in Atlanta, Jason Terry was traded to the Dallas Mavericks to fill the void of Steve Nash two summers ago and we don't expect him to be going anywhere anytime soon. Terry has been entrusted as Avery Johnson's floor general and has done a great job, so far, in his first two years of service. Not knowing how Terry would pan out, the Mavs drafted Devin Harris fifth overall that summer in hopes of being the future PG of the franchise, but has since been relegated to backup duty. With solid point guards a rarity in the NBA right now, we wouldn't be surprised if Terry (formerly considered a good player on a bad team) was thrown some money this summer — although, from what we've heard, who would want to leave Dallas? If he gets too pricey though, perhaps that switch to Harris will come sooner than expected.


4. Peja Stojakovic, SF, 28, Player Option
Peja Stojakovic can opt out of his contract this summer to become a free agent, and recently said he probably will do just that. Making just over $8 million this season, Peja will be hard-pressed to find much more than that at this point in his career, but depending on how he performs in the playoffs, he could potentially play himself into more money. Chances are he's going to wind up staying with the Pacers, but teams like the Lakers have previously expressed interest in the former All-Star.


5. Chris Wilcox, PF, 24, Restricted
GM Rick Sund has said that the Sonics' No. 1 priority this off-season is to re-sign Chris Wilcox. At 6-10, 235, Wilcox began the season as Elton Brand's back-up and will end the season as one of the most coveted free agents this summer. After a 26-point, 24-rebound effort last week against the Houston Rockets, Wilcox has shown that all he needed was a little time to show us the potential we saw back when Maryland won the NCAA championship in 2002. With teams in both conferences yearning for an athletic big man, expect Wilcox to earn top dollar this summer — something in the realm of "Samuel Dalembert money" — a six-year, $60 million contract. And then whoever signs him will have their fingers crossed that he doesn't go out and have a Dalembert-type season.


6. Mike James, PG, 30, Player Option
Mike James, who will opt to become a free agent this summer, said recently that he would not necessarily demand a long-term deal when he begins to negotiate with teams at the end of the season because he might be able to get more money over fewer years. After going undrafted out of Duquesne in 2001, James has played on six different squads in his five-year NBA career so far and has been on a mission this season to prove that he belongs. James has said that a two-year deal, with a player option in the third year, may be the ideal contract for him, rather than a long-term deal, because it will give him the flexibility he needs as he continues to improve. With that in mind, and considering how the Raptors have been playing in the second half of the season, we'd be surprised if new GM Bryan Colangelo doesn't somehow rope one of the League's most improved players into staying for a couple more years.


7. Nene, FC, 23, Restricted
At just 23 years old, Nene will certainly be getting calls from all 30 teams this summer. After missing the 2005-06 season due to injury, the real question GMs will be asking is how well Nene can rebound (and we don't mean on the boards). With Francisco Elson and Reggie Evans also free agents this summer, Denver is going to have to make some tough decisions. All three definitely won't be back next season for the Nuggets, and if Nene seeks a star's payday, look for Denver to let him go get overpaid elsewhere.


8. Speedy Claxton, PG, 27, Unrestricted
After suiting up for four different teams in five years, Speedy Claxton may finally be looking at a big payday. This season, Claxton has been putting up great numbers coming off the bench to play alongside Chris Paul, being used more as a scorer than a point guard. The Hornets are reportedly negotiating a long-term deal with Claxton, but teams such as the Knicks and Raptors are also interested. If Claxton is down with playing second fiddle to CP3 in New Orleans next season, and it appears that he is, don't expect him to go anywhere.


9. Bonzi Wells, SG, 29, Unrestricted
Although Bonzi Wells missed some time due to injury, the former Blazer and Grizzly has had a great year, posting career highs in rebounds, steals and blocks this season. In his absence, Kevin Martin, a second-year shooting guard from Western Carolina, has stepped up and could replace Bonzi this summer. After shedding his previous bad-boy image, Wells, for the right price, would be a great addition for a team in need of a strong, scoring and rebounding SG this summer.


10. Sam Cassell, PG, 36, Unrestricted
At 36 years old, Sam Cassell is not only the oldest free agent on this list, but also the most experienced. Playing in a contract year, the 13-year veteran has been remarkable this season, averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, while also managing to lead the Clippers into the playoffs. Although Cassell will never get the money he thinks he deserves, if the Clippers decide to handover the reins to second-year point guard Shaun Livingston, expect Cassell, who helped the Houston Rockets win consecutive NBA championships early in his career, to sign with a contender.

The Next Ten: Drew Gooden, Vladimir Radmanovic, Nazr Mohammed, Bobby Jackson, Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, Flip Murray, Keith Van Horn, Joel Przybilla and Matt Harpring.

Other Guys Waiting By The Phone: Jay Williams, Latrell Sprewell, Shawn Kemp, God Shammgod, Kareem Reid, Felipe Lopez, Ndudi Ebi, Dennis Rodman, Jayson Williams, Olden Polynice, Kenny Anderson, Rod Strickland, Kendall Gill, Kerry Kittles, Ron Mercer, Robert Traylor, Wesley Person, Lucious Harris, Anthony Peeler, Lee Nailon, Elden Campbell, Lawrence Funderburke, Samaki Walker, Clarence Weatherspoon, Cherokee Parks, Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta, Tony Massenburg, Jahidi White, Ben Handlogten, Andrew DeClercq, Oliver Miller, Wang Zhizhi, Curtis Borchardt, Vladimir Stepania, Keith Closs, Sam Clancy, Laron Profit, Jerome Moiso, Yuta Tabuse, Robert Pack, Troy Bell, Darvin Ham, Tremaine Fowlkes, Chris Porter, Dajuan Wagner, Willie Green, Glenn Robinson, George Lynch, Rodney Rogers, Eddie Robinson, Penny Hardaway.

[BigEd76]

Not sure if you were throwing them here or in the college basketball thread or the Sixers one, but here's a list of who's declared for the draft so far (most of them haven't hired agents yet and can drop out):

Arron Afflalo (UCLA SG)
LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas PF)
Morris Almond (Rice SG)
Will Blalock (Iowa State PG)
Josh Boone (UConn PF)
Bobby Brown (CS Fullerton PG)
Guillermo Diaz (Miami PG)*
Quincy Douby (Rutgers PG)
Mike Efevberha (CS Northridge SG)
Nick Fazekas (Nevada PF)
Jordan Farmar (UCLA PG)
Thomas Gardner (Missouri SG)
Rudy Gay (UConn SF)
Brandon Heath (San Diego State SG)
Alexander Johnson (Florida State PF)
Trey Johnson (Jackson State SG)
Paul Millsap (Louisiana Tech PF)
Adam Morrison (Gonzaga SF)*
JR Pinnock (G.W. SG)
Leon Powe (California PF)
Richard Roby (Colorado SG)
Rajon Rondo (Kentucky PG)*
Mustafa Shakur (Arizona PG)
Cedric Simmons (NC State PF)*
Marcus Slaughter (San Diego State PF)
Curtis Stinson (Iowa State SG)
Tyrus Thomas (LSU PF)

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

5. Chris Wilcox, PF, 24, Restricted
GM Rick Sund has said that the Sonics' No. 1 priority this off-season is to re-sign Chris Wilcox. At 6-10, 235, Wilcox began the season as Elton Brand's back-up and will end the season as one of the most coveted free agents this summer. After a 26-point, 24-rebound effort last week against the Houston Rockets, Wilcox has shown that all he needed was a little time to show us the potential we saw back when Maryland won the NCAA championship in 2002. With teams in both conferences yearning for an athletic big man, expect Wilcox to earn top dollar this summer — something in the realm of "Samuel Dalembert money" — a six-year, $60 million contract. And then whoever signs him will have their fingers crossed that he doesn't go out and have a Dalembert-type season.

Ha!

[reese125]

funny thing is...wilcox is the real deal. Ive seen him play alot this season and the boy is a beast inside. Still, nobody deserves that kind of loot after 1 year of producing. Thats the problem with sports and the greedy athlete.

How about show me consistency and Ill show you the money.

[ice grillin you]

wilcox is the real deal
nobody deserves that kind of loot

so which is it?

is he the real deal or did he just have a good year?