Welcome to New York City

The New York Knickerbockers, laughingstock among pro sports franchises, have filled the coaching vacancy left by Isaiah ‘Zeke’ Thomas’ departure. I personally thought Mark Jackson was a shoo-in for the position. Dude is from BK – maybe he’ll take the helm for Jigga’s King James led New York Nets? –a former Knick and was around Donnie Walsh with the Indiana Pacers. I’da thought that a hometown boy would be able to turn this franchise around. And maybe inspire fellow Brooklyn-ite Stephon Marbury to mend his ways.
The Phoenix Suns made a bold move before the trade deadline to acquire the Diesel, Big Aristotle/Cactus, Shaquille O’Neal. Two years removed from the seven seconds or less, Steve Kerr was headed in a totally new direction. They were heading toward another West Conference Finals appearance, at best, with no real shot at anything beyond in the foreseeable future [when’d they ever get past TimmyD + the International all stars, the Lake-Show just added the Spanish Assassin, NO/Utah are on the way up]. So the Diesel seemed like a logical move for them, I guess. I can recall liking the move at the time – and I still do. But it was a case of too little, too late. How could the Suns gel in enough time to play against one of the best ‘teams’ I’ve ever seen in my lifetime (SAS)?
Head Coach Mike D’Antoni signed off on the Shaq trade, but was unable to make it work into the heart of May. So when it came time to assess things for the future, he no longer felt he could continue with the Suns as their personnel didn’t fit his coaching style. Ahh, but the Knicks [featuring Eddy Curry, Jerome James, ZBo, Q, Nate + Malik Rose] are a wet dream for his run n gun style? So now we get to see a team that has averaged 28 wins since 04 running up and down the floor at breakneck speed. What’s the record for most unconverted one and done trips in a season? How about turnovers?
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls remain with a roster of young talent that resembles a collegiate all-star team for the decade, but no coach to lead them. They have the legs to run D’Antoni’s system. They have the athletic talent to put the pumpkin in the cylinder at that breakneck speed. Yet Mike D chose to sign up for the least wanted job in organized sports. The only reason this makes sense is that he misses Brian Colangelo and this way he’ll get to see him 4 times/year. In that case, I salute you Mike D’Antoni for your courage in your situation to give up your job in beautiful Phoenix to move to New York to be closer to the man you love. [Ed’s Note: you forfeit your right to sue by reading this note.]