Comments on: The Eddy-Zach Blues: The Knicks “First Quarter Report”

By: MODI

MODI — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:44:18 +0000

Dan, the Portland perspective is very much appreciated. Where were you in June!!!!!! Thanks for that 9-2 record info.

Ehus, i can forgive the headband and Indiana bonehead plays. Too many 3 on 1 drive I can’t! But you are right. We need trades. but as far as the Zach-Eddy pairing it will never work no matter what. I is a structural flaw regardless. The Knicks defense simply cannot survive. Period. if they play separately, then there is a chance.

By: Ehus

Ehus — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:17:12 +0000

Dan- I am sure Isiah was/is aware of Zach’s tendendies. If in fact we are unable to move him, it would not be the worst case scenerio.
I expect him to figure out what’s good by mid-season. Although his selfish play has hurt us collectively-it can be REVERSED.
HIS statistics are not being effected…So, Many experts will suggest his skill set is a piece that belongs to another puzzle. HE must understand that his team needs him to bring a professional package- to compliment his BLOATED salary.
NYK dont need anymore SOCIAL mis-fits, **what happen to just Basketball.. Zach!
The off the court behavior translates on the basketball floor.
Zach is well aware of HIS self worth…Therefore, there should be no problem moving HIS ARTIFICIAL 20/10!… In this “DO U” DAY IN AGE,many NBA Franchises have become a nestling ground for the GIFTED INEXPERIENCE. Zach has come along in an Era in which sacrifice is as essential as THOUGHTS,You think Isiah isn’t gonna wipe up all the crap he poops everywhere?..If he doesn’t- Stern will. Hey’ who’s got money to waste on appeals for suspensions anyway?

By: Dan Weber

Dan Weber — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:14:57 +0000

I have been a Portland fan for 30 years. In all of that time, no player has been over-hyped more then Z-Bo. When the trade went down, and Portland got killed by the media, I was in shock. Hadn’t anyone seen Randolf play? I suppose the answer was no. In this age where there is more video of players then ever before, it is pathetic that the Knicks couldn’t pick up on Z-Bo’s selfish play before the trade. Another thing would be to look at Portlands record without Z-Bo last year, 9 wins/2 losses. You are correct is assuming that he will stunt the growth of every other player brought in (case in point, the play this year of Travis Outlaw and Martel Webster).
The really bad thing is now that Z-Bo is in New York, he has been exposed for what he truly is. It will be difficult to impossible to move him now. I guess one benefit of being in a small market is that, every once in awhile, you can screw a team into taking a pile of crap off of your hands.

By: Ehus

Ehus — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 05:45:27 +0000

Modi,Trades are a must.Eddy and Zach blew up in Isiah’s face..It blew up in front of all our faces.. I am sure of the locker room chemistry factor though,Zach seems very illogical regarding small is issues..The guy got ejected and suspended and we haven’t even reached the mid-way point. Hey.. he lost me with that play vs. the Pacers. You are correct that play not only somed up the 1/4 of the season,but his career,those stats are padded like you know what..He is exspendable!!VERY!!Unless of course he has 8Blks in the next games.

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:30:16 +0000

SML, I think that I’m saying that the pairing is terrible first more than simply scapegoating Zach. I would LOOOOOVE if Lee stayed in the post. He would be unstoppable!!!

Temple, I don’t know what Zach’s perimeter shooting % is, but I suspect that it is low because his shooting .453 BUT that includes many low post baskets (unlike most guards). I suspect he is under 40% on the perimeter but am not sure. The there are two other factors. When he shoots the knicks do not have their best rebounder under the basket. Finally, the other issue that i have is that the ball stops when he touches it, it would be nice if he worked it around the perimeter to explore better options first… …having stated that, you are correct that “that the shooting efficiency and types of shots taken by Knick guards leave a great deal to be desired”. That brings up a separate set of problems!

Ehus, the only thing to look forward to is Isiah realizing at some point in time that Eddy-Zach together will not work and no longer play them together. With marbury back at the point I am looking forward to seeing that. …trades would also be nice! …no, I hadn’t read the Beck article, but just read it now. …his info cited at 82 games points toward Curry as the bigger issue… very interesting… where does that leave us? SPLIT THEM UP and figure the rest out later!!!

By: Ehus

Ehus — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:20:09 +0000

Modi,

With regards to Thomas’s unceremonious everything at this point…What if anything, can he draw from all of this inconsistant play. Usually when a team is playing as dismal as we have, there is a bright spot or shall we say something to look foward to. What the HELL can we take from what we have seen so far?

Zach has no playoff experience at all. And as far as that 20 game experiment w/ the two (E&Z) in and out …I vote to watch the games w/ Eddy in…Zach has taking away from everybodies production…individually and we may never get to say collectively!!

Nate McMillian…knew exactly what he was getting rid of.
O’..
have you read New York Times”Curry and Randolph May Be One Big Man Too Many ” by Howard Beck?

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:09:19 +0000

Is it worth asking the question of whether or not the Knicks have a perimeter shooting guard more deserving of shots than Mr. Randolph. It seems to me that the shooting efficiency and types of shots taken by Knick guards leave a great deal to be desired.

I have to say, though, that Eddie Curry’s energy level is dispiriting. He always seems to need a pillow. I don’t know the source of the problem (perhaps his heart diagnosis), but it has to be a concern.

By: stopmikelupica

stopmikelupica — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:34:45 +0000

Modi, excellent analysis. I hadn’t wanted to jump on the “It’s Zach’s fault” bandwagon, but it is hard to ignore the evidence. This is essentially the same Knicks team as last season, minus it’s biggest headache player (Francis), and plus a solid 20-10 player (Randolph is an even better rebounder than anticipated). So why do they struggle?

I think you hit it right on the nail when you point out that teammates don’t mind feeding Curry – he’s well liked, and a very efficient player. He’ll score, get fouled, or miss, but because he’ll have at least two defenders on him, the weakside rebound is going to be there (Lee’s speciality) for the grabbing.

With Randolph shooting jumpers from the perimeter, it might be a bit demoralizing to the guards.

I think the move would be to establish Curry as the primary offensive player again (since he is the most effective), reduce Randolph to a David Lee like rebounder and finisher only (no perimeter shots), and limit his minutes, not Curry’s.

By: MODI

MODI — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:34:10 +0000

I don’t think that he is tanking, it’s just that some of his moves are so inixplicable that it can’t be ruled out that he might want to be put out of his misery. I put the possibility at a 5% chance.

Because of his big contract, and the fact that the Pacers are going no where for years to come, I think that Jermaine is obtainable. The question is if Bird is willing to deal with Isiah after he unceremoniously dumped him as coach three years ago.

By: Ehus

Ehus — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:57:35 +0000

modi- You suspect Isiah maybe tanking games, why?

Is a deal for Chris Kaman, Andre KiriLenko, or Jermaine Oneal realistic…