Do it Isiah! It could have been a 5 year deal worth as much as 30mil.
I know Washington said they'd match any offer thrown at Jeffries this summer, but hopefully we can have this guy on our squad. He's 6'11", plays 4 positions and would fit well in the "Quick" offense Isiah is trying to implement this upcoming season. Back when Brown was still head coach, he also wanted Jeffries, so I'm all for this acquisition, who gives a rat's ass if we're already over the cap!
If we didn't resign Jackie Butler to leave some room to sign Jeffries, I'm all for it.
I know I shouldn't celebrate until the 7-day to match period is over, but still, 23 wins last year, I'm all for new coaches, new players and new hope.
Jeffries doesn't put up big numbers but can be a factor on both ends of the floor, he can even run point sometimes. If we're to run and gun, the more bigs we have that can handle the ball and get the ball up the court, the better off we are.
Friday, July 28, 2006
when it comes to hip hop call me old school
I know i'm not the only one
Slick Rick
Public Enemy
Eric B and Rakim
EPMD
De La Soul
Ice-T (perhaps the only west coast rapper I ever dug)
Black Moon
Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Gangstarr
Pharcyde
Krs-1 / bdp
Smif N Wesson
Camp Lo
Tribe
Naz' Illmatic album is still the best
Mobb Deep's The Infamous
this music spoke to me, I memorized it by rewinding the tape, writing it down, playing it back. It was either venting my frustration or elevating my consciousness. NYC was its cultural center. It still is if you like the new stuff that is coming out, but I don't. I can't.
my point of refrence for where it all went wrong is after wu-tang had split up to do their solo albums. Right after liquid swords, ol' dirty bastard's album, right after those albums there was NOTHING. Jay-z, eminem, 50 cent and the lot of new crap is sheer shite to me, there is nothing there, like trying to grab water or sand, there's nothing there to hang on to. Sean Paul? Ka-ka. Glamourous nonsense with bling ice rocking SUV shit-for-brains. It breeds contemptous sleepwalkers on cellphones, glamourous but ignorant, selfish and oblivious. Granted, these are all my opinions, someone else would probably call it profoundly moving music but not I. Perhaps the kids in the suburbs with the cornrolls can dig it (that is mostly who is buying it).
About as new school as i ever got was Black Star (Kwali and Mos Def) and that was bloody 7 years ago!
Their lack of a second effort makes me think they were a fluke, besides there were at least two covers on that album: slick rick, BDP. Kind of weak of them not to come out with anything after that. Were they tapped out? I was depending on them to save hip-hop. They knew it was a good album and I guess they didn't want to tarnish their rep. with something substandard.
pharoahe monch was good. Soundboming I and II were good too. But what happened? Here is what happened to Rawkus.
Slick Rick
Public Enemy
Eric B and Rakim
EPMD
De La Soul
Ice-T (perhaps the only west coast rapper I ever dug)
Black Moon
Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Gangstarr
Pharcyde
Krs-1 / bdp
Smif N Wesson
Camp Lo
Tribe
Naz' Illmatic album is still the best
Mobb Deep's The Infamous
this music spoke to me, I memorized it by rewinding the tape, writing it down, playing it back. It was either venting my frustration or elevating my consciousness. NYC was its cultural center. It still is if you like the new stuff that is coming out, but I don't. I can't.
my point of refrence for where it all went wrong is after wu-tang had split up to do their solo albums. Right after liquid swords, ol' dirty bastard's album, right after those albums there was NOTHING. Jay-z, eminem, 50 cent and the lot of new crap is sheer shite to me, there is nothing there, like trying to grab water or sand, there's nothing there to hang on to. Sean Paul? Ka-ka. Glamourous nonsense with bling ice rocking SUV shit-for-brains. It breeds contemptous sleepwalkers on cellphones, glamourous but ignorant, selfish and oblivious. Granted, these are all my opinions, someone else would probably call it profoundly moving music but not I. Perhaps the kids in the suburbs with the cornrolls can dig it (that is mostly who is buying it).
About as new school as i ever got was Black Star (Kwali and Mos Def) and that was bloody 7 years ago!
Their lack of a second effort makes me think they were a fluke, besides there were at least two covers on that album: slick rick, BDP. Kind of weak of them not to come out with anything after that. Were they tapped out? I was depending on them to save hip-hop. They knew it was a good album and I guess they didn't want to tarnish their rep. with something substandard.
pharoahe monch was good. Soundboming I and II were good too. But what happened? Here is what happened to Rawkus.
New Yo La Tengo Album
Okay, so they're not what the used to be, and they don't mean the same thing to me that they used to, but for a good period of the 90's, Yo La Tengo was my favorite indie rock band on the planet. I share Jersey roots with this band and they are die-hard knicks fans, like myself. We just don't give a fuck about the New Jersey Nets, never have. Their new album is entitled "I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass." To the uninitiated, this is what Kurt Thomas said to Stephon Marbury in the locker room once after another embarrasing Knicks loss a few seasons ago. The knicks traded Thomas at the end of that season (to the Suns in exchange for Quentin Richardson and the draft rights to Nate Robinson), making the title of the album even more interesting. Hopefully the title of the album is indicative of the style of indie rock played on it -that is, a departure from the excessive ballades YLT has resorted to during the past three albums. I have seen this band so many times over the years, they're much much better live when they rock out, I even once heard someone scream out before one of their sets, "No slow shit!" as they were taking stage (The Onion Show at North Six a few years ago). I thought it insulting at the time, yet true. They proceeded to rock hard with lots of covers that put a smile on my face throughout the evening.
They're playing two blocks from me in september right here in good ol' Jersey City. I have no idea what Jersey City will look like by then (gentrification is reaching my stop on the PATH these days) but last year Feist and Bright Eyes played here so it only makes sense that a band as big as YLT plays here this year. And I thought they were Hoboken snobs... How wrong I was.
Asbury Park and Boston both look interesting as well...
>>>
from the Matador Newsletter:
http://www.ticketweb.com: doesn't look so hot, does it? Au contraire, spartan
though Ticketweb's site may be, it is also the sole online outlet for the
biggest metropolitan area show of Yo La Tengo's career, taking place this
September 29 at Jersey City's Loews Theatre in historic Journal Square. Tickets
are on sale now, much as they are for the other confirmed autumn dates below:
9/25 - Asbury Park - Stone Pony
9/26 - DC - 9:30
9/28 - Boston - Avalon
9/29 - Jersey - Loews Theatre
10/4 - Ann Arbor - Michigan Theater
10/5 - Chicago - Vic Theater
10/14 - Vancouver - Richards on Richards
10/15 - Seattle - Showbox
10/16 - Portland - Crystal Ballroom
10/19 - SF - Fillmore
10/20 - SF - Fillmore
10/21 - SF - Fillmore
10/23 - LA - Henry Fonda Theater
They're playing two blocks from me in september right here in good ol' Jersey City. I have no idea what Jersey City will look like by then (gentrification is reaching my stop on the PATH these days) but last year Feist and Bright Eyes played here so it only makes sense that a band as big as YLT plays here this year. And I thought they were Hoboken snobs... How wrong I was.
Asbury Park and Boston both look interesting as well...
>>>
from the Matador Newsletter:
http://www.ticketweb.com: doesn't look so hot, does it? Au contraire, spartan
though Ticketweb's site may be, it is also the sole online outlet for the
biggest metropolitan area show of Yo La Tengo's career, taking place this
September 29 at Jersey City's Loews Theatre in historic Journal Square. Tickets
are on sale now, much as they are for the other confirmed autumn dates below:
9/25 - Asbury Park - Stone Pony
9/26 - DC - 9:30
9/28 - Boston - Avalon
9/29 - Jersey - Loews Theatre
10/4 - Ann Arbor - Michigan Theater
10/5 - Chicago - Vic Theater
10/14 - Vancouver - Richards on Richards
10/15 - Seattle - Showbox
10/16 - Portland - Crystal Ballroom
10/19 - SF - Fillmore
10/20 - SF - Fillmore
10/21 - SF - Fillmore
10/23 - LA - Henry Fonda Theater
Friday, July 21, 2006
HaHaHa
the brits have a way with words, don't they? I was about to do this myself tomorrow, put linux on a budget compaq...
think much has changed in 4 years? Probably not, but since I paid close to $2k (over that if you consider interest) for a "top of the line" dell that only lasted me 3.5 years before the hard drive died ($400 they asked to send me a replacement) I have a different outlook on laptops: they are dispensable. they are to be replaced every three years or less -in my case I already plan to have a different one down the road not long after the 1 year manufacturer's warranty expires...
think much has changed in 4 years? Probably not, but since I paid close to $2k (over that if you consider interest) for a "top of the line" dell that only lasted me 3.5 years before the hard drive died ($400 they asked to send me a replacement) I have a different outlook on laptops: they are dispensable. they are to be replaced every three years or less -in my case I already plan to have a different one down the road not long after the 1 year manufacturer's warranty expires...
Al Harrington traded
Realgm is reporting that he has been traded back to the pacers. How boring. I kind of wanted him to go to the Knicks, but after looking at his rebounding and shot blocking numbers, I'd rather take my chances with David Lee and Renaldo Balkmen for much less salary. They also don't require the ball to be effective, something Harrington can't do. But this is a good pickup for Indiana after loosing Peja for nothing, Harrington can put up 20 and 8 for them along side Jermaine O'Neal, but its kind of like Steve Nash, why do teams let a player go only to reaquire them years later? Makes little sense other than to say that "they're under new management."
So that's it for NY this offseason, huh? Perhaps we'll sign that center from the summer league team, I forget his name. He's white, a 6'10" jump shooter with limited , yet functional game. I thought we'd acquire Jared Jeffries but the pansies at the Washington Wizards insist they'll match any offers from other teams, so, oh well.
So that's it for NY this offseason, huh? Perhaps we'll sign that center from the summer league team, I forget his name. He's white, a 6'10" jump shooter with limited , yet functional game. I thought we'd acquire Jared Jeffries but the pansies at the Washington Wizards insist they'll match any offers from other teams, so, oh well.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
McCarren Park Pool, Brooklyn
They've got it going on this summer, rivaling Prospect Park's Bandshell and Central Park's Summerstage as the premier summer NYC outdoor venue. Okay, so I haven't gone to McCarren yet and I don't know how it sounds/feels there but you can bet on ol' chainbreaker going to one of the events listed here before its all said and done...
shows at McCarren
about McCarren
ps- I heard sunday shows are free.
shows at McCarren
about McCarren
ps- I heard sunday shows are free.
New York Knicks - Vegas Summer League and Beyond
I watched every knicks summer league game on MSG and here's what I've concluded:
We have two really great young small forwards in Renaldo Balkman and David Lee. Neither needs the ball much to be effective. Who is going to start? Hopefully one of these two, its a toss up but I'd hope Lee starts next season, but you've still got Jalen Rose and Quentin Richardson to consider. Lee was right there when NY won six in a row and Steph was playing his best ball of the season beating teams like the Suns and Washington. Despite their athleticism, neither Renaldo nor Lee can shoot, but both can handle the ball and drive to the basket if necessary. They are both horrible free throw shooters. Balkman is a slasher. He's got heart like John Starks and will be a fan favorite at the garden. Lee was trying to develop a mid range jumper on the baseline where he's already got a few moves like the jump hook off the spin.
Nate is developing as a point guard, a role he really needs to learn because he is too short to be guarding twos and having twos guard him. He actually was much less flashy this year than in last year's summer league, perhaps indication that either Brown had got through to him or that Isiah is getting through to him (Isiah ran the practices and Mark Agguire ran the games). Nate and Lee made the all Vegas 2nd team. Nate was first team last year.
6'10" Center Paul Miller looked a lot like Michel Doleac out there hitting long range jumpers, if Butler can't be resigned perhaps we should look at signing him. Doleac and Steph worked well together on the pick and roll for the Knicks, perhaps Miller can play two man with Steph or Francis.
Mardy Collins showed he has a jumper to work with if he can be a bit more consistent with it he would make Quentin Richardson extraneous to the Knicks. I think this is why Isiah drafted him at 29. Q Rich did nothing but struggle last season, particularly playing in the Garden. An interesting stat would be to see his numbers on away games versus playing at home. I'd bet there is a dramatic drop for the home games in his numbers all around. He just can't shoot in the worlds most famous arena, some people can't handle the pressure in the spotlight. In his defense he was a good defender and usually guarded the opposing teams top scorer, but lets face it: we acquired him to SHOOT the ball, and if he's only good for us on the defensive end, then perhaps Collins can replace him down the road. Who knows, since Isiah's new offense is supposed to be a full court run-and-gun style like Q's old team the Phoenix Suns, perhaps Q will play better next year. I've even heard Isiah is saying he wants to be the phoenix suns of the eastern conference.
Dave Hanners looked really uncomfortable sitting on that Knicks bench now that LB is gone. Hey, why isn't Herb Williams running the games? Seems Isiah dissed him yet again.
Jackie Butler has signed with the Spurs and the Knicks have yet to match the offer to their restricted free agent center from the CBA. I think Butler has limited upside but the guy was only 20 years old last year and it sucks that Isiah may not be able to keep the talent that he discovered should he get better in the years to come. Popovich is desperate for a center since Nazr and Nesterovich bolted, and he probably asked LB for the skinny on Butler before signing him to that 9mil contract. I think we should keep him, but if we can sign Jared Jeffries, forget Butler! We've got 14 guaranteed spots on the roster as it stands now, only Jeffries or Butler can be added at this point, not both.
Jared Jeffries. LB wanted him to come to the knicks last year. Not much when you look at his stats, but this guy has started in the NBA at almost every position besides point guard! he's 6'11" and 240, could play some 4 for NY if the knicks are lucky enough to unload Malik Rose and Mo Taylor's contracts somehow. He may flourish in the offense Isiah is looking to implement, since he could initiate the fast break after getting a rebound and looking to push up the ball either with pass or a dribble.
Speaking of Isiah's offense I've heard several times that it is a combination of Tex Winters' Triangle offense, the shuffle cut and the UCLA high post. "a full court offense that starts when the defense get the rebound." I'm not sure how it works but all I know is there were tons of Layup opportunities for the summer team, as they cruised to a 4-1 record. I'm guessing that since Isiah wants to run, he's going to be pressing in the backcourt on defense, can you picture Eddy Curry or Jerome James out there running around trying to trap guards? Neither can I. Someone needs to seriously watch those two this summer and make sure they don't eat their way to the bench again this year. Isiah said both Brad Miller and Jermaine O'Neal became all stars under his offense, so we'll see what becomes of Eddy Curry and Jerome James in this new system.
Francis and Marbury in the same backcourt? Isiah says it will work. So does Charlie Rosen of Fox Sports.
We have two really great young small forwards in Renaldo Balkman and David Lee. Neither needs the ball much to be effective. Who is going to start? Hopefully one of these two, its a toss up but I'd hope Lee starts next season, but you've still got Jalen Rose and Quentin Richardson to consider. Lee was right there when NY won six in a row and Steph was playing his best ball of the season beating teams like the Suns and Washington. Despite their athleticism, neither Renaldo nor Lee can shoot, but both can handle the ball and drive to the basket if necessary. They are both horrible free throw shooters. Balkman is a slasher. He's got heart like John Starks and will be a fan favorite at the garden. Lee was trying to develop a mid range jumper on the baseline where he's already got a few moves like the jump hook off the spin.
Nate is developing as a point guard, a role he really needs to learn because he is too short to be guarding twos and having twos guard him. He actually was much less flashy this year than in last year's summer league, perhaps indication that either Brown had got through to him or that Isiah is getting through to him (Isiah ran the practices and Mark Agguire ran the games). Nate and Lee made the all Vegas 2nd team. Nate was first team last year.
6'10" Center Paul Miller looked a lot like Michel Doleac out there hitting long range jumpers, if Butler can't be resigned perhaps we should look at signing him. Doleac and Steph worked well together on the pick and roll for the Knicks, perhaps Miller can play two man with Steph or Francis.
Mardy Collins showed he has a jumper to work with if he can be a bit more consistent with it he would make Quentin Richardson extraneous to the Knicks. I think this is why Isiah drafted him at 29. Q Rich did nothing but struggle last season, particularly playing in the Garden. An interesting stat would be to see his numbers on away games versus playing at home. I'd bet there is a dramatic drop for the home games in his numbers all around. He just can't shoot in the worlds most famous arena, some people can't handle the pressure in the spotlight. In his defense he was a good defender and usually guarded the opposing teams top scorer, but lets face it: we acquired him to SHOOT the ball, and if he's only good for us on the defensive end, then perhaps Collins can replace him down the road. Who knows, since Isiah's new offense is supposed to be a full court run-and-gun style like Q's old team the Phoenix Suns, perhaps Q will play better next year. I've even heard Isiah is saying he wants to be the phoenix suns of the eastern conference.
Dave Hanners looked really uncomfortable sitting on that Knicks bench now that LB is gone. Hey, why isn't Herb Williams running the games? Seems Isiah dissed him yet again.
Jackie Butler has signed with the Spurs and the Knicks have yet to match the offer to their restricted free agent center from the CBA. I think Butler has limited upside but the guy was only 20 years old last year and it sucks that Isiah may not be able to keep the talent that he discovered should he get better in the years to come. Popovich is desperate for a center since Nazr and Nesterovich bolted, and he probably asked LB for the skinny on Butler before signing him to that 9mil contract. I think we should keep him, but if we can sign Jared Jeffries, forget Butler! We've got 14 guaranteed spots on the roster as it stands now, only Jeffries or Butler can be added at this point, not both.
Jared Jeffries. LB wanted him to come to the knicks last year. Not much when you look at his stats, but this guy has started in the NBA at almost every position besides point guard! he's 6'11" and 240, could play some 4 for NY if the knicks are lucky enough to unload Malik Rose and Mo Taylor's contracts somehow. He may flourish in the offense Isiah is looking to implement, since he could initiate the fast break after getting a rebound and looking to push up the ball either with pass or a dribble.
Speaking of Isiah's offense I've heard several times that it is a combination of Tex Winters' Triangle offense, the shuffle cut and the UCLA high post. "a full court offense that starts when the defense get the rebound." I'm not sure how it works but all I know is there were tons of Layup opportunities for the summer team, as they cruised to a 4-1 record. I'm guessing that since Isiah wants to run, he's going to be pressing in the backcourt on defense, can you picture Eddy Curry or Jerome James out there running around trying to trap guards? Neither can I. Someone needs to seriously watch those two this summer and make sure they don't eat their way to the bench again this year. Isiah said both Brad Miller and Jermaine O'Neal became all stars under his offense, so we'll see what becomes of Eddy Curry and Jerome James in this new system.
Francis and Marbury in the same backcourt? Isiah says it will work. So does Charlie Rosen of Fox Sports.
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