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NBA Loud - by Rick Gillispie

New York Knicks - NBA Loud

Knicks mess up again! Bring back Isiah

August 7th 2010 13:53

from NBA.com

Even after losing all those games and an embarrassing sexual harassment lawsuit, Isiah Thomas has a place with the New York Knicks.

Thomas was rehired Friday by the team as a consultant, two years after he was fired as its coach and president.

"Isiah Thomas brings unique experience as a Hall of Fame player, coach, executive and owner, and we believe having him as part of our organization will be extremely beneficial to the team's success," Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan and team president Donnie Walsh announced jointly in a statement.

Thomas, a Hall of Famer with the Detroit Pistons, had a dismal run as team president from December 2003-April 2008, with the Knicks never winning a postseason game despite often having the NBA's highest payroll. He was also the coach the final two seasons, getting dismissed after a 23-59 season in 2007-08.

Despite all that, plus that lawsuit brought by former team employee Anucha Browne Sanders that cost MSG $11.6 million, Thomas has remained close to Dolan and Walsh, even while coaching Florida International University, a job he will keep.

In fact, even when he was fired, he didn't even fully leave. Walsh kept him on in an unspecified role until Thomas took the FIU job.

"I'm excited to once again be a part of the New York Knicks organization," Thomas said. "I was honored to have been asked to help during the recent free agent recruiting process, and believe that this new role takes full advantage of my skill set as an evaluator of basketball talent."

However, the hire could violate league rules that forbid college coaches from having jobs with NBA teams, which aren't allowed to have contact with players who aren't yet eligible for the draft.

"We are reviewing the agreement, in consultation with the Knicks, for compliance with league rules," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

The Knicks said Thomas would "assist the team's senior management in various capacities, including player recruitment."

He helped the team in that area during free agency, when the Knicks landed Amare Stoudemire. He also was sent to Ohio to talk to representatives from LeBron James, who eventually signed with the Miami Heat.

Walsh thanked Thomas during the news conference for Stoudemire, sparking reports that Thomas would return to the organization, perhaps even as general manager.

Before his failures in New York, largely a result on overspending for big names that didn't work out, Thomas was known as a good evaluator of talent. He drafted Tracy McGrady, Marcus Camby and eventual Rookie of the Year Damon Stoudamire in Toronto. Walsh has used him to scout in New York, sending him to Europe to see current Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari.

The Knicks will call on those skills in Thomas' current role.

"He will provide valuable insight and analysis of young prospects from around the world," the statement said.

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Posted By: Rick Gillispie - Category: Misc, New York Knicks

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Knicks Join Lebron James Sweepstakes and More!

November 24th 2008 06:37

There has been a lot of noise going on lately about the possibility that Lebron James will be a Knickerbocker in 2010. Teasers such as Lebron's presence in a New York Yankees game to a future Nike sneaker named "Lebron Yankees" are just some of the ongoing hints that James will be playing in the Big Apple two years from now.

But hints are hints. We will all never know until the fat lady sings on the matter as far as James is concerned.

The Detroit Pistons were the first ones to boldly make a trade for salary cap spacing towards getting James in the future by shipping their long-time championship point guard Chauncey Billups, veteran Antonio McDyess and Cheik Samb to the Denver Nuggets and receiving Allen Iverson who will soon be a free agent thus opening the necessary gap to compete in free agency for James.

Mike D'Antoni tells the Knicks to slow it down in this instance. But they are really in hot pursuit of the top prize: Lebron James

New York followed suit. New Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni is looking to take the Knicks to a new direction going forward to achieve, once again, the winning tradition that was long been lost lots of seasons ago. D'Antoni and boss Donnie Walsh decided to trade their top two scorers so far in the current season in order to create the cap space.

Forward Zach Randolph and guard Jamal Crawford were both traded in separate deals thus creating a $27.4 million salary cap room in 2010. Randolph, along with seldom-used Mardy Collins, went to the Los Angeles Clippers and Crawford was sent to the Golden State Warriors. Randolph is averaging 20.5ppg and 12.5rpg while Crawford is not far behind with a 19.6ppg average.

Objective one has been achieved. With that trade, the necessary cap space has been secured for the Knicks joining Detroit as one of the more vocal Lebron James pursuers.

But 2010 is still a long ways from now. Did they compromised their present competitiveness because of that move?

After the dust has settled in the rigodon, the Knicks got three new players. Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley are coming in from the Clippers and Al Harrington from the Warriors.

D'Antoni is definitely familiar with a player like Thomas who he coached when he was still with the Phoenix Suns. Thomas will surely be a perfect fit considering that he enjoyed a lot of success under D'Antoni's system especially in the Western Conference championship run playing in lieu of the then-injured Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks head coach is also perfectly aware of Mobley's ability to spread the floor with his adept outside shooting which is one of the keys in the D'Antoni system that produced such a dead shot like Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks.

Harrington is the disgruntled forward who angered Warriors coach Don Nelson by publicly demanding to be traded. His disenchantment in Golden State stemmed from his expectations of getting more minutes for greater productivity. Now that he's got his wish, let's all see what he can do in New York in replacing at least one of the teams leading scorers. Walsh drafted Harrington back in the days at Indiana and seeing that Al has multi-positional skills will definitely be a fit in the D'Antoni system that employs players to play in two different positions during a game for situational purposes.

Walsh and D'Antoni feels that they never compromised anything about this current season saying that all the players that they obtained in their recent dealings will fit just right. In fact, they're not just talking about being competitive this year. They are actuall talking about making the playoffs!

It is true that the fast-paced Mike D'Antoni style has yet to win a championship all its own but it can never be denied that it can create a playoff contender other than a continual barrage type of basketball team.

This season though will be much more difficult for New York. The balace of power in the league is now swinging to the East with nine of the teams there being over the .500 mark including the Knicks who are sporting a 7-6 record. It's still early though, the West is always capable of turning the tide if the other Western powers get down with winning and staying away from costly injuries.

The Knick in the Playoffs.... Never heard of that in a long while.

We doubt that New York will get to the playoffs with ease. However... they have to!

All that salary cap space that they had created will go for naught if they cannot establish a winning team in time for 2010. Even with New York as one of the biggest markets in the NBA, James will shy away from them if they don't come up with a solid core that James wants to be a part of.

Lebron James wants to be a "basketball immortal" in any way possible. The first thing that he said when it comes to choosing an organization was not about the money or the city. He wants to be part of a team that will be capable of winning "consecutive championships".

From this point on, good luck to the New York Knicks because...

They've got to prove themselves first and be a winning team if ever Lebron James will be a Knickerbocker in 2010.

Photo courtesy of Reuters.

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Posted By: Evenard M. Panes - Category: New York Knicks

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The 2008 NBA Draft

July 1st 2008 03:49

I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.

This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.

# 2

Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.

# 3

Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.

# 4

Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.

# 5

Care of NBADraft.net

Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.

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The Year of the Head Coach

May 3rd 2008 20:01

This season/postseason has seen some of the most prominent head coaching drama I have ever witnessed during my years as a basketball fan. We may have more head coaches changing teams than players this offseason. Regardless, it should turn out to be an interesting flow of events.

A few weeks back, Isiah Thomas was booted as the Knicks' head coach, and rather violently too if you ask me. It was expected, but the drama surrounding it wasn't. He was kept in the organization as a personal adviser (with no authority) and is banned from having ANY contact with the Knicks' players. Couldn't really get anymore embarrassing, could it? We've been hearing whispers about Marc Jackson taking over the vacant coaching job, but there hasn't been much to report on that front.

We've also got Don Nelson, who's taking his sweet time deciding whether or not he wants to remain as Golden State's head coach. This really shouldn't be a story... a coach should take a few days to decide this stuff, but Nelson wants a month or two to decide. Golden State doesn't want to lose him, so for now, they are abiding by Nellie's "rules". Dallas is also going after Nellie, but I guess he wants them to wait on him as well, which they probably won't do. Did I mention that Nellie's son is the GM and President of the Mavs? Small world, isn't it?

Why is Dallas interested in Don Nelson? Because they fired former Coach of the Year, Avery Johnson. He got them to the Finals a few years ago and that didn't go too well. He got them 67 regular season wins the next season and was dropped in the first round by Nellie's Warriors. This past season, they got the seventh seed in the playoffs and got handled by the Hornets. I agreed with this firing. I don't know how good Avery is as a coach because he's been blessed with a solid team his entire career. He may be a good coach, maybe even great, but one thing I do know is that he is being out coached in the playoffs. They shouldn't have lost to GS last season and they should have put up more of a fight this season. Maybe he can go to Chi-town or the Knicks... I hear they're hiring.

Former Indiana coach Rick Carlisle seems to be the top candidate for the Dallas job. He's already completed one interview and word on the street is that he's going in for a second. I guess we'll see if he can do something with this Dallas squad. Maybe they just need a change of scenery and someone new to call the shots. He has a decent resume, so I think he'll excel if given a solid roster to work with.

Cuban is also interested in Phoenix head coach Mike D'antoni. D'antoni is expected to be relieved of his duty as Phoenix's bench boss, but we've heard nothing confirming this. Phoenix has been a top team in the West for the past four seasons but have failed to make anything happen during that time. Management probably isn't too happy because their Hall of Fame PG and big man are getting old, which will leave Amare all alone in the upcoming years.

In addition to the major things, a few other teams have made coaching changes/decisions. Pat Riley of the Miami Heat resigned as head coach and gave the job to former assistant coach Erik Spoelstra. Chicago got rid of Scott Skiles and then he went running to the Bucks organization and is now their new head coach. Larry Brown took over the head job in Charlotte, which is a decision I did not agree with. Its been a big postseason thus far for many reasons; can't wait to see how the rest of the year unfolds.

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Posted By: Travis - Category: Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns

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The Knicks are the NBA Version of the USSR.

January 24th 2008 12:28

The former USSR and China have nothing on the New York Knicks according to former coach, Larry Brown. In scenes that are reminiscent of a Cold War spy drama, Brown has accused the Knicks organisation of making a concerted effort to monitor

Don't be surprised if Larry Brown ends up with the new NBA franchise in Siberia. (Image from NY Post)

his activities by engaging in a bit of espionage.

Brown has been silenced after he reached a settlement with the franchise that netted him an additional $18.5 million on top of his original contract when he was given the bums rush. Furthermore, NBA commissioner, David Stern instructed Brown that he could not talk about the Knicks after the settlement.

Well, Brown obviously has stopped heeding that advice.

Speaking to the Philadelphia Magazine, Brown said, “Imagine when you get to work, they don't talk to you. They had security people standing close to me in press conferences, and spies throughout the arena.” (Berman, New York Post, 2008)

After guiding the Knicks to a less than auspicious 23-59 record during his only season of coaching the moribund franchise in’05-’06, Larry Brown became a pariah in the organisation when he violated numerous codes dictating the conduct of its members. New York owner, James Dolan forbade his former coach to talk to the media without a public relations officer present, or criticising his team in the press. Something Brown did often. Just ask Stephon Marbury.

The behaviour of the Knicks franchise fits in with Newsday columnist, Ken Berger’s recent tale of heavy handed behaviour from New York security when journalists were trying to cover a legitimate story.

According to Berger he witnessed a fan being ejected from the stadium for shouting, “Get Jeffries off the court.” Being the responsible journalist that he was, Berger and two other media cohorts sniffed out a potential hot story but were prevented by Knicks security from covering the ejection.

Berger stated that New York staff was heavy handed and overzealous in preventing the journalists from doing their jobs, physically restraining one of them and verbally insulting the rest of them.

Well, it’s comforting to witness one of the most important franchises in the league operating in a manner that would have made Stalin proud.

Today’s video is of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in three minutes. Confused? Just watch the clip.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: New York Knicks

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Stephon Marbury, Isiah Thomas and the Knicks Come to Metaphoric and Literal Blows.

November 15th 2007 10:14

Dwayne Wade is back for the Miami Heat, Boston keep on winning, Kevin Durant and his Sonics win their first game, but you know what? We here are ashamed to admit this, but we aren’t going to cover any of these much, more, worthier stories. What we are going to do here at NBALOUD is going down the gutter with the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury.

It hasn’t been a great summer for the Knicks, coach Isiah Thomas, and Stephon Marbury, with all of the aforementioned entities having their reputations dragged through mud. Thomas and the Knicks with their sexual harassment suit, and the revelation that Starbury engaged in sexual intercourse with an intern on the back of a truck. Oh, Marbury is married too, and the

Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury shake hands.

Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury: two peas in a pod. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

person he was getting jiggy with wasn’t his wife.

So, what is the latest saga to befall the team from Gotham? Well, it seems that a couple days ago, Isiah Thomas decided to get tough with his point guard and bench him for one game due to his poor play. Stephon, apparently didn’t like this news and followed Olivia Newton-John’s advice and got physical with his coach. After the altercation, Marbury left the team without a valid reason.

Now, this is all speculation and hearsay because according to Marbury he was granted permission to leave the team. Thomas, whose reputation since retiring from playing has been, how can we say it, less than stellar, said otherwise. According to the Knicks coach, Steph just got up and bailed on the team.

Isiah Thomas must be having flashbacks to his time in court because it has turned out to be a battle of he, said, er, he said. Although, it must be said, both parties in this instance are about as low as you can get in terms of carrying any sort of substance with their ‘immaculate’ reputations.

It is both unexpected, and not so surprising that the Thomas/Marbury relationship has come to this. Isiah has enabled his point guard to behave in such an obscenely selfish manner for so long, Marbury, was going to go Starbury on him one day.

Not only did, Thomas exercise tough love, but more or less hung, Steph to dry at the most inappropriate moment. Well, it must be said that, Marbury didn’t cover himself in glory either by threatening to go the press with all of the dirty secrets that Isiah harbours.

Ah, well now that you all have been briefed on the going-ons in this sordid drama. The natural question is: What happened? Marbury returned to the fold and got significant playing time, whilst being $195, 000 lighter in the hip pocket.

Essentially, the Knicks once again proved in terms of wasting exceedingly precious energy on things that don’t matter, they are the best in the league. You can label New York, the ‘Bizarro Spurs’.

Oh, do you know what else my dear readers? The Knicks, Thomas and Marbury all deserve each other, and what is transpiring between them right now is because the karmic gods deem it to be so.

Today’s video displays Steph at his most strangest. He is either high or drunk in this interview. Car crash television at its best.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, New York Knicks

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Willis Reed: A Giant Amongst Giants.

September 26th 2007 23:19

(Image from nba.com)

When we’re talking about NBA greats that don’t get enough recognition from modern day fans, Willis Reed would be one of those on top of the list. Continuing with our New York Knicks theme of recent days, Reed is arguably the greatest Knick of all-time.

Patrick Ewing may have been more talented but Willis was the ultimate Knick.

Date of Birth: 25 June, 1942.
Height: 6’10”
College: Grambling State
Draft: Drafted by the New York Knicks, 1964. (10th overall)
Points per Game: 18.7
Rebounds per Game: 12.9
Honours: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1982); NBA champion (1970, '73); NBA MVP (1970); All-NBA First Team (1970); All-NBA Second Team (1967, '68, '69, '71); NBA All-Defensive Team (1970); Rookie of the Year (1965); One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Before Reed came onto the scene at Madison Square Garden, the New York franchise was woeful. Actually, the Knicks were an insult to the term ‘woeful’. They were something else that was unimaginable. New York only managed one winning season between 1955-56 to 1966-67, and for anyone counting that is 11 out of 12 seasons of ineptitude. And to really drive the point home of how, shall we say it? Turd-like the Knicks were, they finished last, nine times during the same 12 year period. Ugh.

In saying all of this, those Knicks teams probably would still lay a beat down on the current squad.

Gotham’s Batman would come to save the day via the 1964 Draft, where he would make an immediate impact from the very outset. Willis would score 46 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, the second highest point total in one game for a Knicks rookie. He would go on to finish as the seventh highest scorer in the league, fifth in rebounding, named to his first All-Star game, and become the first Knick named as rookie of the year. In a classic bit of understatement, not a bad season there.

Reed was not only big and strong, but he was a lefty that used his basketball skills to great effect. If you locked him down low, he’d take you outside with his sweet shooting touch. Or, he’d just bully you in the paint with his bulk and that would be all she wrote. Off the ball, he

(Image from nba.com)

would do the yeomen work – setting brutal picks freeing up his teammates, or taking pride in his rebounding efforts.

Although, the Knicks were infinitely better with Reed on board, they continued to struggle, whilst making the necessary personnel changes to develop a winning unit. From top-to-bottom the organisation began to flush out the dead weight and adding winners.

New York’s savvy personnel moves culminated in the dramatic 1970 Final against the storied Los Angeles Lakers. The series that would immortalise Reed in the annals of legendary Finals performers.

It was the seventh and final game of the championship, and Willis Reed had not played in Game 6 after tearing his thigh muscle in the prior game. This enabled Wilt Chamberlain to go on a rampage, scoring 45 points and grabbing 27 rebounds!!! The series was now tied 3-3.

The prospects of Reed playing in this game were dim – the injury was bad and when his teammates were warming up, he wasn’t even courtside.

“I wanted to play," Reed recalls. "That was for the championship, the one great moment you play for all your life. I didn't want to have to look at myself in the mirror 20 years later and say I wished I had tried to play.” (NBA.com)

Willis would take a painkilling injection and moments before tip-off would limp through the tunnel where a delirious New York crowd began cheering him on, realising what was happening – the big fella was playing. The captain and leader was back, and the Lakers were shook: “I saw the whole Laker team standing around staring at this man," said Knicks guard Walt Frazier. "When I saw that, when they stopped warming up, something told me we might have these guys!” (NBA.com)

On the opening tip, Reed lined up against Chamberlain and scored the first two baskets for his team. Those would be his only points for the game but the inspiration his teammates drew from his efforts resulted in a comprehensive win and a championship. Willis would win the Finals MVP, capping off an extraordinary season where he also took out the regular season MVP and All-Star game MVP as well.

Today’s video is of Reed’s legendary 1970 Finals performance.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, New York Knicks

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Walt Frazier: One Supafly Guy!

September 24th 2007 11:36

Let’s state an obvious fact – having the flu sucks! Not to mention being

(Image from NBA.com)

sick, whilst being on holidays and back home. So, lame.

Anyway, this space is all about basketball, rather than my whinging, so let’s get it on!

Anyone who has been visiting this space, or has a working knowledge of the current going-ons in the NBA universe, would be familiar with how badly the New York Knicks are faring right now. It would be fair to say, that they are at their lowest ebb right now, with numerous major figures in the organisation, and the franchise itself, under siege from negative publicity.

Believe it or not, the Knicks weren’t always associated with bad basketball and shady, overpaid players. New York is the spiritual home of basketball and in the 70s the Knicks were the most fly team in the league, led by the ever so cool, Walt “Clyde” Frazier. He brought the funk to basketball, and his dress sense was the talk of the town. Clyde, was a hip cat and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

From 1967 to 1977, Frazier ruled the Knicks, leaving such an impression on the franchise that when his time was up, he left the team with the most points, assists and games played for the organisation. Walt was the ultimate supafly guy.

Date of Birth: 29 March, 1945.
Height: 6’4”
College: Southern Illinois University
Draft: 1967. Fifth overall pick by the Knicks.
Average Points per Game: 18.9
Average Assists per Game: 6.1
Average Rebounds per Game: 5.9
Honours: Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1987); NBA champion (1970, '73); All-NBA First Team (1970, '72, '74, '75); All-NBA Second Team (1971, '73); Seven-time All-Defensive First Team (1969-75); Seven-time NBA All-Star (1970-76); All-Star MVP (1975); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996).

Nicknamed “Clyde” from Bonnie and Clyde fame, Frazier was as bad as they would come on the basketball court – bad, in the ‘good’ sense if you know what we mean.

Frazier, excelled in not only basketball, but baseball, and most notably football as well. Clyde was one of those kids in which sport came naturally to them. In fact, Frazier learnt the game of basketball on a crappy, dirt playground, which was the only venue where there was some semblance of a basketball court in an all-black school in the racially charged atmosphere of 1950s America.

As an excellent quarterback, Clyde was offered numerous scholarships for his football playing prowess, but had more of an eye towards the NBA because, well, let the man give

(Image from NBA.com)

the reasoning as to why he chose to follow the path to the hardwood: “I was looking hopefully to the day when I could play pro ball, and there were no black quarterbacks on the pro scene then.” (NBA.com)

Black quarterbacks still have a hard time, just ask, Donovan McNabb.

Starring in college, Frazier would fulfil his ambition of playing pro-basketball and would become the Knicks fifth pick in 1967. The rookie started off slowly, but when Red Holzman took over midway through the season, Clyde would flourish and was on his way towards becoming a Knicks icon. By the end of the season, Clyde would be named on the All-Rookie Team, along with his teammate – a certain player by the name of Phil Jackson.

Clyde had exceptional vision, speed and hands, becoming one of the first players in the NBA to really utilise the steal as an offensive weapon.

Unlike the Knicks of the modern era, the 70s version was a well balanced and smart team that was picked with an eye towards chemistry. This is a far cry from today, where there is no eye towards any semblance of building a team, but rather a hodge-podge of overpaid parts with little basketball IQ.

New York were such an exceptionally gifted defensive team that in the 1969-70 season, the legendary Willis Reed, who was the team’s top scorer, was only the 15th leading points man in the NBA.

The 1970 Final saw Los Angeles, with Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, match-up with Clyde’s Knicks and it was a battle to savour. This dream Finals reached a crescendo in the legendary Game 7 performance of Willis Reed who after injury would come back and lead his team to the title on one foot.

After helping the Knicks breakthrough with their first title, here is what Walt had to say about winning a championship: “I felt as pumped up as I ever have on a basketball court…I always tried to hit the open man when I played, but that night I was the open man. There's no doubt that '69-70 championship team was the highlight of my career. I think of that team every day.” (NBA.com)

Two seasons later, teamed up with Earl “the Pearl” Monroe, Frazier would reach the dizzying heights again of an NBA title, earning the esteem of the New York public, forever more.

Today’s video features, Clyde. Coolness.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, New York Knicks

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Call in Sexual Harassment Panda for Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks!

September 21st 2007 10:10

We here at NBALOUD are a wholesome bunch (cough, cough). We don’t engage in juvenile and puerile topics such as criminal behaviour in the league, or celebrating players that have smoked the wacky-tabaccy (cough, cough). We certainly don’t like to talk about sexual matters here (cough, cough). And finally, we don’t celebrate scandalous behaviour at all in this space (barf!).

So, it is with a heavy heart that we succumb to writing up a post in relation to the sordid sexual harassment case that is befalling Isiah Thomas, and the New York Knicks. Hey, we have no beef against the team from NYC – we always write positively about them!

The case is before the federal court right now and the salacious sound bites that are emanating from the various witnesses could be storylines straight out of a daytime soap opera.

No, matter what happens in the $10 million lawsuit bought by Anucha Browne Saunders, whatever good name the Knicks organisation and Isiah Thomas had, is rapidly sinking down the crap-hole.

Firstly, the every classy Stephon Marbury stated that he thought the lawsuit was ‘funny’ and that in evidence, Browne Sanders testified that both Thomas and Marbury had called her ‘bitch’ and that Steph actually called her ‘black bitch’. Starbury, clarified his position that he probably had referred to her as ‘bitch’ once, but not the ‘black’ part. Phew, what a relief he

Isiah Thomas has been a bad boy, but is he a naughty boy? (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

only referred to her as bitch.

In a further P.R. hit for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden boss, James Dolan when asked if it was appropriate to call a work colleague a ‘bitch’ had this to say: “No, it's not appropriate," Dolan said in a taped deposition. "It's also not appropriate to murder anyone. I don't know if that's happened either.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)

Wow, talk about your progressive organisation here.

The one person that seems to have kept his good name is Jeff Nix, the advanced scout for the Knicks who has been with the organisation for 15 years. You don’t stay that long in a pressure cooker situation for that period of time without being a valuable employee.

In his testimony for Browne Saunders, Nix told the court that he had seen Thomas berate her, and later making inappropriate advances towards her. Furthermore, Nix also testified that he saw Thomas try to hug Browne Saunders once, with her pushing him away.

Nix’s evidence is damning in the fact that he had nothing to gain, and everything to lose by testifying. In fact he did lose it all – well paying job and his plum position within the organisation, gone. Perhaps he can take solace that he can sleep well at night and look at himself in the mirror everyday without feeling sickly.

The final word should belong to a friend of Jeff Nix who said the following about the principled man: “the moment Jeff told what he knew in the depositions, he understood he was finished at the Garden. He knew they would get rid of him, and they did.
"But he also knew that he couldn't live with himself if he didn't tell the truth.” (Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports, 2007)

Today’s video is kind of related to the NBA in a very tenuous manner. How so? Well, this clip features two guys wearing Houston Rockets gear and miming to the Backstreet Boys song, ‘I want it that way’. Hilarious!

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: New York Knicks

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Everybody Loves Kevin!

July 2nd 2007 11:13

The Kevin Garnett sweepstakes just keeps getting more interesting with KG having more suitors than Jessica Alba on a navy ship that has been at sea for 10 years.

First, Boston was the initial team linked to the Big Ticket, next it was Phoenix, now it is Dallas and Golden State bringing the roses and the champagne to Minnesota.

G-State has become a big player in this year’s free agency market due to the $10 million exception from the Jason Richardson trade with Charlotte. The Warriors have admitted to the press that they have held talks with the Wolves and are busily trying to hammer out an agreement.

On offer from the Warriors in trying to entice Minnesota to take the trade bait are the newly acquired Brandan Wright, Monta Ellis and Patrick O’Bryant. Minnesota has asked for Andris Biedrins, but the Bay Area boys are offering Al Harrington instead.

Wow, the NBA resembles a bargain basement bazaar in a lot of ways – the only thing missing is some knock off Burberry and Louis Vuitton gear to make the market vibe complete.

Now onto the sordid world of the New York Knicks which is starting to resemble a bad

Maybe the Knicks need a visit from Sexual Harassment Panda. (Image from wikipedia)

daytime soap opera. Former executive Anucha Browne Sanders is suing coach Isiah Thomas and the Knicks organisation for sexual harassment.

Sanders alleges in court papers filed that Thomas asked a dance choreographer to flirt with officials before a game in 2004 and make “them happy”. (AP, 2007)

Anucha has accused the Knicks of sacking her due to the fact that she was attempting to stop the sexual harassment that was allegedly permeating through the franchise, while New York has countered that she was canned due to failure to fulfil her professional duties.

Interesting times in Gotham.

Finally, China’s top draft prospect Yi Jianlian had his first hit out after being picked up by the Milwaukee Bucks as the sixth pick. Yi in the under 19 world championships suited up against the US team and scored 15 points, while grabbing eight boards in China’s 91-75 loss.

Jianlian had just one practice session with his fellow teammates and struggled coming off the bench. Yi finally got his game on in the final quarter scoring 11 points but the game was already out of reach.

When asked if he had any contact with the Bucks organisation he replied: “I don’t want to talk about that.” (AP, 2007)

Today’s video is of number one draft pick Greg Oden working out with the Blazers.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, New York Knicks

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The New York Knicks Once Again Want to Fight it Out.

April 11th 2007 21:22

This would be the time of the season where playoff bound teams

Richard Jefferson was the star for New Jersey today. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

would try to bring a positive rhythm by playing good basketball and winning. Miami aren't doing any of the aforementioned things.

The defending champs are a wounded unit with injuries, personnel problems and worst of all, a less than a 100% Dwayne Wade. Miami's disappointing form continued when they were humbled by the Charlotte Bobcats, 92-82.

Gerald Wallace who is the big man on campus for the Cats inflicted most of the damage with a 24 point and 10 rebound performance.

Miami are also in danger of trying to win back-to-back titles without home court advantage as well. Its always been said that defending the championship is harder than winning it for the first time and the Heat are about to discover that truism first hand.

Speaking of teams that are bringing in horrible form at the worst time of the season - come on down Washington.

Now, it isn't the fault of the Wizards that their two All-Stars were hit with season ending injuries, but it is now up to the rest of the team to step up and try to fill the massive void left by Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards are unfortunately failing miserably, losing to the New Jersey Nets, 96-92.

Washington is on a five game slide which could mean curtains for the team if they continue

Miami had no answers for Gerald Wallace. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

with this terrible form in the first round of the playoffs.

The big three for the Nets also made life miserable for the Wizards with superb performances: Richard Jefferson finished with 35 points, Jason Kidd had 14 rebounds and 11 assists, while Vinsanity had 31.

In our focus of teams that are playoff bound that are bringing in bad form, we have neglected squads that will also see postseason action without the bad karma. Chicago is one such team, who are also one step closer to securing the second seeding in the Eastern Conference with a victory over New York, 98-69.

Judging from the final score this game wasn't much of a contest, but it is what happened after the match had ended which is noteworthy.

Nate Robinson, Jerome James and Steve Francis exchanged angry words with the Bulls Tyrus Thomas. James actually had to be restrained from taking a swing at Thomas.

If the Bulls managed to score 100 points in the game the fans would get free Big Macs. Chicago's players acknowledged that they were trying to achieve that milestone, but the New York team didn't see it that way, they believed they were getting dissed by the Bulls who were trying to run up the score.

Regular readers to this space and watchers of the NBA in general would be familiar with New York once again displaying agro behaviour at the perceived disrespect shown from the opposition because they were sucking. The Knicks made similar accusations against the Nuggets as well earlier this season.

We all know what happened there.

Luckily for the Bulls and Knicks cooler heads prevailed.

Today's clip is what could have happened today to Chicago against the Knicks. Watch New York thug it out and witness also Carmelo's reputation go down the toilet once again.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Games, New York Knicks

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Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis have Vintage Performances for the Knicks. LeBron James' Son Puts his Daddy Off his Game.

March 4th 2007 08:43

Can any team out there stop the Mavericks? Any franchise? If you

Stephon Marbury was in fine form with 38 points. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

can, please step forward now and prove otherwise because the Mavs are raging hot favourites to win the whole thing at this point in the season. After a shocking start that saw everyone scratch their head in wonder at what was wrong with the ‘D’ the boys switched it on and subsequently won 50 of their next 55 games. Impressive streak that no?

The latest victims of the Dallas juggernaut was the hapless Orlando Magic who had the misfortune of having the big three from the Mavs firing on all cylinders. Jason Terry had a game leading 29 points complimented with 15 assists. While his fellow compatriots Dirk Diggler had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven dimes with Josh Howard also making a cameo scoring 21 points. Dallas ultimately won the game 103-98 after a harder than expected struggle.

Meanwhile the other two Texan teams faced off against one another with San Antonio coming up trumps against Houston, 97-74. To say this was a spanking is an offence to S&M lovers the world over.

It was all Tim Duncan today who was an unstoppable force of nature scoring 26 points with 15 of them coming in the first quarter alone. Tracy McGrady for the Rockets was also on fire in the first half with 21 points but the solid San Antonio defence was the difference between the two squads.

LeBron James got his team and his season back on track with an outstanding performance running all over the Toronto Raptors, 120-97. Bron-Bron scored a delicious 36 points but it

Steve Francis also had a big game for the Knicks scoring 26. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

was his two year old son that rattled him the most in a game where none of the Raptors could stop King James.

While shooting a free throw LeBron James Junior was sitting in the front row, caught the attention of his dad then proceeded to poke out his tongue at his old man making James laugh and miss the free throw. Luckily for the Cavs that one point wasn’t very important to the overall result. Here’s James’ take on junior taking him out of his groove; “I'm already getting a hard time from everybody else, and now my son's sticking his tongue out at me and wanting me to miss," James said, laughing. "He can do that. He made me concentrate more. It's easy for him to take my concentration away. He's the only one that can do that.” (Withers, AP, 2007)

Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis had massive games and put up All-Star efforts? What year is this? The year 2000? Wrong. It’s 2007 and both Stephon Marbury aka Starbury and Stevie Francis were the big guns for the Knicks in their win over the Hawks, 104-100 in overtime.

Starbury scored 11 of his 38 points in the overtime period while The Player Formerly Known as the Franchise dropped a very nice 26. Francis and Marbury also scored all of the points for New York in the overtime period as well. Well, done chaps and take a bow to the Broadway crowd.

And thanks to Charles from Soccer.org.au and zcars.com.au which are two of the many sites he edits who pointed out that the other NBA slam dunk competition clip is no longer available. Well, here is another one.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Games, New York Knicks

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