Conference Finalists Are Dotted With Knicks’ Castoffs

Wold the Nets take Carmelo Anthony straight up for Deron Williams ? If so, the Knicks should JUMP at the deal. Watching Golden State and Cleveland play, the energy stands out. The have energy because the ball moves and the best shot on any possession is the one the players want taken. When players and the ball move in search of the holy grail--the best shot--the defense gives up, sooner or later because they stop running after someone who is only going to pass. But once they stop chasing, the passer becomes a shooter. With the Knicks, their own teammate--the chucker--sucks their energy away and energizes the defense, who know they do not have to defend everyone regularly, just box out and go when the chucker misses. If you could ever get Phil jackson under oath, he would tell you that his greatest challenge is looking at his own face every morning while lying to the public that a very competitive team can be fashioned with Anthony on it.

No kidding. I've been noticing the contributions of "castoff Knicks" for the last couple of years, keeping tabs on Dolan's sundry stupidities. Ain't it great that the Knicks have turned into farmhands for sending talent to elite teams? Dolan will forever be remembered as the worst basketball owner in HISTORY. Seriously, the man ought to lose his job. Oh, wait, he's the boss (thanks to Daddy.) My bad.

Sigh.

While other teams also have experienced the loss of role players who turned into stars with other teams, the Knicks own a special place in this type of scenario. Their wholesale dumping of a young, promising team to acquire an expensive, aging, knee troubled "star" to build around was just crazy. Their payroll is crazy. They fail to motivate players here, it's almost like there's something in the air at MSG. Good trainers and players with promise have passed through, then failed here, and made to fail by management and New York arrogance or just plain disillusion that infected quite a few of them sooner or later. I believe Jackson came here because he had nothing to lose with this team, nobody will blame him if nothing improves, and he gains many more millions for his final retirement. Derek Fisher was a big mistake. Woodson was much better, but forced out like so many before him. I don't see these Knicks going anywhere soon, Jackson or not, draft picks or not, Carmelo or not. It's frustrating to not feel that something is finally changing for real.

Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford - not still contributing this year - but c'mon, how do you get rid of both guys at the same time. And adding Eddy Curry for the pick that year which became LaMarcus Aldridge. Sickening. Now, Isaiah again?

Moving all those players cleared cap room, but for what? Each of those guys in the article were key pieces in another teams puzzle. The problem with the Knicks is that the pieces didn't fit here because they have no idea of what the entire puzzle looks like when its finally put together.

Are the Knicks going to be known as a tough nosed defensive team like Chicago? Or a fast fluid shooting team, like Golden State. Or a pound the paint team like the Grizzlies?

The Knicks don't know and I suspect that without true hall of famers like he had in Chicago and LA, Jackson may discover that building a winning franchise may take a lot longer than the four years left on his very lucrative contract.

As long as the "Dolan-brain bust" continues to work under the delusions that basketball talent always equals leadership, all players in Knick uniforms will appear to be "mis-fits".

let's face reality: there is no hope for a real Knick's revival until Carmelo and Dolan leave. Then, maybe, there's a chance.

I would be very, very interested in seeing a list of each team's former - though active - players.

Let's also remember the Knicks' clearing house to make room for LeBron. And the panicked manner in which Carmelo was secured (the first time).

Yes, this happens - players blossoming elsewhere, that is. But I suspect that the Knicks fare worse than most, in this area.

Indeed, I suspect the Knicks have fared worst than most in most areas, for quite some time. Look at their record.

I am very pleased old friend Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher are at the helm, now.

Corey Brewer as well.

While all of this is true and unfortunate (why no mention of Zach Randolph?), I'm sure that most teams have similar stories of players they gave up on blossoming elsewhere. It is the nature of sports. It would take a lot of digging into a lot of data to prove that one team, i.e. The Knicks, was more snake-bit by this than others. And sometimes it works out to the Knicks' benefit. Let's remember that J.R. Smith was given up on by the Nuggets and blossomed here into the league's top 6th man. I'm sure there are many others who came here and did great after being let go of by other teams. It is what it is.

The six players listed are basically role players. Every team moves role players for various purposes, whether it is heading up or heading down. If the Knicks had all these guys back, they wouldn't have a playoff team and they wouldn't have a top draft choice. And remember, all the following played particularly well with the Knicks: Jeremy Lin, Raymond Felton, Shumpert, and Tyson Chandler.

I realize that some trades work out badly, even after a thorough evaluation of those who are coming or going. But the Knicks have consistently sent players packing who later seem to improve their game in different surroundings. Is that not an indictment of the franchise itself rather than the players?

The article refers to players being "rescued" from the Knicks.

What a perfect term! Escape from Gilligan's Island or Botany Bay!

Being in New York must be toxic. Knick players leave and then become real pros. elsewear. Why, too much negative stories and a rush to instant stardom in the Apple. The ownership is impatient, the coaching is seems sup par, and the press is brutal. Carmelo was the problem with Jeremy Lin, so the Knicks kept Carmelo and let Lin go, why? The Knicks seem only to want publicity. Keep ownership out of basketball decision making and let the basketball guys take over.

The premise of this article is shaky, in that the nature of the NBA marketplace today makes the notion of a meaningful association between a particular player and a particular team the exception rather than the rule.

Yea, but we got Isiah back and all will be well.