Knicks Make Splash at Deadline

Maybe a ripple instead of a splash, but they did go out and make a couple decent moves. First, they traded a bunch of players who really had no role on the team for a pair of guys who could be instrumental in getting the Knicks to a playoff spot. The Knicks sent the trio of Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson for Larry Hughes, then traded Malik Rose and cash for Chris Wilcox.

Now, neither of these players the Knicks obtained have done much of anything this year. However, now in a new system, they have the chance to thrive again. The Knicks have not had a player that can function well enough as a 2-guard since they traded Jamal Crawford to Golden State. Hughes can fill that role and create a strong backcourt with Chris Duhon. He's had success, averaging 12 points per game this season and the previous two. Chris Wilcox can help add another big man and has the potential to be another factor off a solid Knicks bench.

Overall, these aren't any jaw-dropping moves. However, Knicks fans are happy over this and they should be. The team got two improvements over the crop they gave up and did not trade Nate Robinson, David Lee, or Wilson Chandler to do so. I feel like the Knicks rely so much on how these three have been playing that giving up any of them would've been stupid. Take a look:

Robinson (off the bench): 17 points, 4 rebounds a game, 45% shooter
Lee: 17 points, 12 rebounds a game, 56% shooter, Tied for 1st in the league in double-doubles.
Chandler: 14 points, 5 rebounds a game, 43% shooter

Each of these players brings so much energy and talent to the team each night that losing them at this point would not be smart. Mike D'Antoni is a head coach who wants to win now. Even if they're not the best team in the league, they will be led to give their best effort every night. The Knicks kept this version of the "Big Three" and got two players who can give an added boost in their attempt to return to the playoffs.

Garden Greatness

I know, I'm focusing a lot on Madison Square Garden this week, but that's what happens when a Rangers great has his number retired and the Knicks play host to the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Celtics all in the same week. However, I will give my take on the tremendous performances we saw on the hardwood from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James on Monday and Wednesday nights.

19,763 fans packed the Garden on Monday night and proceeded to watch Bryant drop 61 points on their hometown team, breaking the record for most points scored at the current version of the World's Most Famous Arena. Two nights later, another sell-out crowd, another brilliant display of talent, as James put up 52 points of his own, finishing with a triple-double as well (10 rebounds, 11 assists). It was two of the best performances the building has ever seen.

What stood out to me was the love the fans showed for both of them. On Monday, fans chanted "M-V-P!" for Kobe when he was taken out of the game, and he saluted the crowd in appreciation. Wednesday's game was much closer, so the fans were still cheering the Knicks' effort, but you could tell there were several spectators who were applauding every shot made by LeBron. It was a site that you will rarely see anywhere else other than the mecca of basketball, MSG.

With the "Boston Three Party" coming to the Garden on Friday, can we expect another dominating performance by one player? If so, by who? KG? Ray? The Truth? Whatever the case, I don't think you'll see the types of games KB and LJ had. They make their teams, they are the focus, and they control the tempo. With Boston, it can be any of the three.

It's a shame the Knicks lack the type of talented player like these guys. David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Wilson Chandler are all talented, but neither of them come near these guys. For a team with history like the Knicks, you would think they'd have one. Well, 2010 isn't too far off is it? Pretty soon, LeBron will put on the orange and blue, and if not him, Chris Bosh or another big name basketball star will. It would be shocking and damaging if the franchise didn't nab one of them.

Red Hot Knicks

On a night when the Rangers collapsed again at the Igloo in Pittsburgh and Syracuse basketball could not win on the road at Providence, it seems only fitting to talk about the Knicks, who won their second straight game and fifth in the last six, 112-104 over the Hawks. Not only did the team improve to within five games of the .500 mark, but they leapfrogged into a virtual tie for 8th place in the East with the Bucks.

Even though the Bucks own the tiebreaker, it still puts the team in a position where even the most pessimistic Knicks fan has to believe this team has a true shot at making the playoffs. Let's take a glimpse at some of the teams the Knicks have beaten since the start of the new year:

-100-88 win vs. the Celtics, who are 2nd in the East, at MSG
-101-95 win vs. the Hornets, who are 3rd in the West, at NOR
-114-109 win vs. the Suns, who are 7th in the West, at MSG
-104-98 win vs. the Rockets, who are 6th in the West, at MSG
-112-104 win vs. the Hawks, who are 4th in the East, at MSG

If one thing stands out to me, it is that the Knicks are playing much better at home, feeding off a newly energized crowd and taking care of business, even against some of the best in the league. Now, while there are losses in that mix to teams like Washington and Oklahoma City, there is a clear step in the Knicks game right now. And to me, two players have been the key factors in this.

1) David Lee: The forward from Florida is the workhorse for this team, posting double-doubles night after night (9 straight now), no matter if the team wins or loses. He's competed with the best in the league down low, and it is clear how much his game has improved. I've already commented on this blog that he should be an all-star this year, and we'll find out soon whether or not he will be. He's been a catalyst and has done everything asked of him and more!

2) Chris Duhon: Coming into a new system and a new team after serving as a back-up with the Bulls, Duhon has put the team on his shoulders and helped control each game. He's averaging close to 13 points and 8 assists a game, helping share the ball (unlike Marbury) and hitting big shots, especially at the free throw line (where he's 86.9% on the season). He's arguably the most valuable player right now on Mike D'Antoni's team.

There's no question the impact guys like Nate Robinson, Wilson Chandler, and Al Harrington have had on the team. However, Lee and Duhon have risen their game in such a short amount of time to the level it needs to be if this team wants to succeed.

After a road game at Indiana, the Knicks will be tested to the max, facing the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Celtics in a five-day span. In case you didn't know, those are the three best teams in the league. Fortunately for the Knicks, they are all at home, where the team is 14-9 this year compared to a dismal 6-16 on the road. The team has to improve away from MSG, but winning at least two of these three games at home would be a huge statement as to how good this team really is.

Could Marbury Finally Be Gone?

Reports are saying it is possible the Knicks guard could be headed to Greece. The Greek club Olympiacos spoke with the Knicks earlier in the day about a possible move to get Marbury to play across the Atlantic. The team lost star Josh Childress to surgery for a sports hernia and are looking for a replacement.

The Knicks need to get this move done and get him out of town. He's not distracting the team because they've been playing well as of late, and he's been nowhere in sight. However, it is ridiculous that the team is paying him close to $21 million to not come anywhere near the team. A buy-out needs to happen and he needs to get as far away as possible. Therefore, his name and stories about him will not be the daily ritual.

Sticking with the Knicks, I'm impressed with their play as of late. With their 114-109 win over the Suns on Wednesday, they hit the half-way mark with a record of 17-24, just two games behind the Nets for the 8th spot in the East. While it's not amazing, you have to notice the improvement. They're just six wins shy of last season's final total with 41 games left to play. Is it safe to say they'll improve on last year's record?

My other question is: Does David Lee deserve to be an All-Star? If you ask me, I say yes. The guy is averaging over 15 points and 11 rebounds a game and has 30 double-doubles this season. Only Dwight Howard has more. Not to mention, he just outdueled Shaq at the Garden, with a 25-point, 16-rebound performance. Those are all-star numbers folks! He puts bodies in the seats at Madison Square Garden and ignites the team with his energy night-in and night-out. He has my vote!

Let me know what you think!