Hooped Up

A lot of players will have much to prove next season but, these players have just that much more to prove.  

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After seeing the winner from the Ball Don’t Lie Photoshop Starbury Tattoo-Off, I nearly fell off my chair in laughing.  Last summer Marbury expressed a desire to play in Italy, after vacationing there with his wife to the media. This was before his his forgettable 07-08 season .

So with Marbury one level away from the final boss these day’s, it’s a wonder he didn’t get Italia and a Roberto Baggio #10 under it .  

The Knicks have agreed in principle on a two-year contract to sign free-agent guard Anthony Roberson, with the deal likely to expediate the departure of Stephon Marbury, The Post has learned. Knicks president Donnie Walsh appeared to be waiting to add another backcourt player before he made a move with Marbury. And now he feels he has it in Roberson, a 6-2 combo guard who is playing for the Knicks summer-league team here and excelled in his debut, scoring 22 points, including three 3-pointers. 

NY Post 

Now I am not going to say that Starbury is one stamp short of a free sub but, what is he thinking tattooing his dome with his bargain brand sneakers logo?  It’s now clear that playing point guard for both Larry Brown and Isaiah Thomas will definetly take it’s toll.  

The company that was selling the Starbury sneaker Steve & Barry’s, has recently filed for Chapter 11 and Marbury has struck a deal with Amazon to sell the shoes online.  So the company is practically on it’s death bed already. Making things even worse is that the company logo now inscribed on Marbury’s head,  is his familiar number 3 that also looks like a star.  

Marbury has been on the chopping block since last year and let’s just say if he gets moved to a team were the number 3 in unavailable.  He will look like a huge Dale Earnhart fan.

As first reported by SI, the Knicks turned down a chance to move Zach Randolph to the Clippers in a move to dump salary. Can the Knicks be serious about not trading Zach Randolph to dump salary?  I mean really??? When 2010 comes along and the Knicks are still over the cap, I don’t think Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh or LeBron James will except the mid-level exception.  Call me crazy.  

Oh what, maybe Jared Jeffries will blossom into a all-star or maybe Eddy Curry will learn to rebound or Jerome James will stop eating before 2010.  If we are going in the direction, maybe if my aunt grows chest hair she’ll be my uncle.  

The faster the Knicks tear down this mess the faster they can rebuild.  The Knicks have the opportunity to show fans they are serious about winning, and it starts with Randolph. 

“He makes the biggest contract and he’s one of the oldest players on the team,” Pierce said yesterday while signing collectibles at Steiner Sports offices in New Rochelle. “That doesn’t really fit into a rebuilding plan, just to be honest. “I’d try to trade him or buy him out at this point,” added Pierce, who still believes Marbury can be a starting point guard in the NBA. “I just think he needs a fresh start somewhere else. Marbury needs to be on a veteran team where he fits into what they’re trying to do a little bit more.” 

NY Daily News 

The Knicks are looking to part ways with is Jerome James, who earned more than $1million per minute last season.

The Knicks, according to a league source, are trying to convince James to retire based on his recent medical history, which includes left knee surgery last November. James appeared in just two games last season and sat out the final two months due to soreness in his right knee.

James, who will earn $12.8 million over the next two years, has every intention of playing next season and is even considering joining a group of veterans for voluntary workouts this weekend in Las Vegas

New York Daily News

Unless the Knicks are moving Robinson, this move is suspect! Who is the back up PG in New York?  Marbury has only averaged 7.8 dimes his career and if Nate Robinson could pass to himself all game long he would, averaging 2.2 his career.  D’Antoni’s system calls for a guard that can distribut the rock and if you are paying Marbury anyway, why not have him quarterback your team for the season.  Duhon could only learn from this.

If Nash can improve then surely Marbury could under D’Antoni’s system…what’s the worst that can happen?  Marbury plays well and you can finally move his contract mid-season. Duhon is a back up to Marbury and a Robinson is a not a point guard at all.  What are the Knicks doing? 

Chris Duhon has agreed to a two-year deal with the Knicks, paving the way for the franchise to cut ties with Stephon Marbury, their troublesome starting point guard.

 

Whether Marbury will be traded, bought out of his contract or simply waived is yet to be determined. But people with close ties to Donnie Walsh, the team president, and Coach Mike D’Antoni consider Marbury’s departure a near certainty.

New York Times

 

Ellis, 22, a restricted free agent, is starting to draw a great deal of attention in several sign-and-trade scenarios. A person with knowledge of the situation said nine teams have made inquiries about Ellis. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have shown the most interest. The Knicks, who are searching for point guard help, are not one of those teams, but a second source said the Knicks have been monitoring the situation. Warriors executive vice president Chris .Mullin has maintained he .intends to sign Ellis.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Mullin are close, so Walsh won’t act unless Mullin is ready to deal. The source said the potential of an Ellis- Jamal Crawford backcourt “would be dynamic” in the Mike D’Antoni system. Both players averaged 20 points per game this past .season. A person close to Ellis said the lightning-quick guard “would be very interested in the Knicks” and especially playing for D’Antoni.

Newsday

Bulls backup point guard Chris Duhon, during a visit to the Knicks’ Westchester campus on Day 1 of free agency yesterday, met with coach Mike D’Antoni and was offered a two-year contract believed to be more than $7 million, according to league sources.

Duhon was mulling the offer last night and could accept as soon as today.

The Knicks have proclaimed they do not want to go beyond two years on any signing so as not to compromise their chances of getting under the salary cap in 2010. That amount is a good chunk of the annual $5.5 million mid-level exception.

New York Post