Yes! and the Foul

Finally on Team Carmelo

Posts Tagged Al Harrington

NEW Rumor: Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington.

Dec 4

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Rumors | 3 Comments

UPDATE: 4:20 pm – Good analysis of the potential trade on Yahoo.

Not straight up, of course since the salaries don’t match, but that’s the heart of the offer according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!.  Woj has been on the money a lot, and I trust if he’s seeing smoke.  Here is what he says:

As Thomas has rehabbed a broken forearm, the Bulls have had discussions with several teams, but perhaps none as serious as the ongoing dialogue general manager Gar Forman has had with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh…  Several sources believe the Bulls are agreeable to a package of Thomas and Jerome James for Knicks forward Al Harrington. Thus far, Walsh has resisted parting with Harrington, but discussions are still active and the teams have explored different combinations in recent days that would ultimately deliver Thomas to the Knicks… “Nothing is imminent, but both sides would like to figure out a way to do this,” one league executive briefed on the talks told Yahoo! Sports.

As far as I’m concerned a deal like this couldn’t happen soon enough.  The likelihood of a deal like this also seems high, considering they were a trade partner last year.  It doesn’t necessarily do anything for us in terms of 2010, but I think Thomas would excel for the Knicks.

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Do you believe in the Gallinari Freeze-Out Conspiracy Theory?

Nov 27

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter | No Comments

I do.  At least, I think I do.  Certainly, some players are at least freezing him out on a subconscious level.  How else can he be so open sometimes and get so few looks.

There has been a lot of talk about it recently as the playtime for the rookies, and in particular Danilo, has waned and ebbed.  Some people are going so far as to say that Gallo is being frozen out by some of the other players, especially the vets.  Alan Hahn wrote about it today.

My take on it is that guys like Nate and Harrington resent D’Antoni calling the unproven Danilo the best shooter on the team, if not best player.  Clearly, Nate and Harrington are me-first players, anyway.  Guys who only dish as a last resort.  But, sometimes the way they ignore Gallo seems to go beyond any reasonable explanation.  They simply don’t seem to have any confidence in him.  The only reason I can think of for this lack of confidence is that they simply think they are better players than Danilo.  All the more reason that I’d like to see Al and Nate gone.

Otherwise, I think lots of the problems stem from the fact that Duhon has started the season as the worst PG in the league.  He only seems to be able to run the pick and roll with Lee, and even that’s come at diminishing returns since defenses know Duhon won’t shoot, thus collapsing on Lee and defending against other kick outs.  Duhon just can’t find anyone besides Lee.

Defenses are also defending Gallo more aggressively.  Some blame lies with him – he needs free himself up and come get the ball.  But, really, SSOL isn’t about going to get the ball – it’s about the ball flowing and finding the open man.  It all depends on 5 guys all being able to shoot.  Right now, at best the Knicks have 2 guys on the floor at a time that can shoot.  It just doesn’t work.  Gallo tries so hard to play within this SSOL team concept.  He sees it as a good thing if he is keeping defenses preoccupied with a defender, as it opens the floor up for others.  He’s trying to be a good teammate.  Unfortunately, others just aren’t getting it.

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Knicks Weekend Review

Nov 23

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter | 1 Comment

Ah yes, 2 daytime games in 2 days.  Always tough for me to catch those afternoon games.  But, I did manage to watch most of the action.  Here’s what I took away from it.

  • Eddy Curry looks as good, if not better, than my most optimistic outlook was going into the season. I really thought it’d be painful to watch him, and that his being on the court would simply be a transparent attempt at showcasing.  But, thus far, he’s actually a nice dimension to bring off the bench.  With a few more games under him, I think he might be a difference maker.  Additionally, he’s really, really into it on the bench!  He’s jumping, towel waving, rooting on the guys – it’s great.  You need some spirit on the bench.  He’s a galvanizing presence – and it has nothing to do with his waistline.
  • The Knicks held it together against a desperate, desperate Nets team with Devin Harris back in the mix.  That could’ve been a disasterous loss, and almost was.  But, again, Al Harrington came up big in the 4th quarter, with a huge 3.  Man, I’d like him so much more without all the posturing and histrionics, and if he learned how to pass.
  • Al again, had some huge moments in the 4th quarter against the Celts on the offensive end of the action.  He really took it to the basket and gave the Celts fits.  But, yikes, 2 defensive breakdowns in OT really hurt — including the game-winning shot by Garnett.  The first Al related D breakdown was the Pierce drive when neither Nate or Al came into the paint to help.  Al just didn’t want to take the foul or have his man get the dish off and subsequent layup.  Breen and Clyde went bananas because of the lack of defensive help.  On the game winning shot, I just have no idea what Al is doing underneath the basket.  There is no time for a rebound – he isn’t guarding anyone.  Is he cheating, thinking Pierce is going to get to the hoop?? His man, Rasheed, is floating in the opposite corner of the play.  When the play starts, Pierce, being guarded by Chandler, uses the Garnett pick.  Garnett is being guarded by Lee.  Chandler gets over the pick, but a nervous Lee stays on Pierce (I can’t really blame him, Pierce is the man you’re most scared off on the play).  Garnett doesn’t roll, he stays high.  Someone, (Al H.) has to defensively rotate since Lee is caught doubling Pierce.  It doesn’t happen.  Maybe Al’s expecting Garnett to roll to the hoop – I don’t know.  Anyway, you know the rest of the story.  Garnett takes a last second 20 footer with no one within 10 feet of him.  Sigh.  Garnett pounds his chest, yells a couple of “MF’s”, acts all “I’m a warrior,” blah, blah, blah.  Eat it, Garnett.  You suck this season.
  • Gallo isn’t getting the crunch time minutes. This is pretty disappointing.  I guess with a more versatile Al taking the offense on his back in the 4th, and Wilson being a quicker defender, D’Antoni is being forced to leave Gallo on the bench.  Hopefully that changes, but honestly I can’t question that decision.

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Divide in the Knicks locker room?

Nov 19

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter, Rumors | No Comments

Clearly the Knicks have been lacking cohesion on the court – something that I’ve felt was turning into visible frustration between David Lee and Al Harrington.  And, since there is a clear leadership void, are there cliques in the locker room?  Here is the first bit I’ve read about it on the SNY Knicks blog

Reports have mentioned a locker room that is divided based on a leadership standpoint. Multiple sources have told me that the team is split and no leader has emerged and they feel disrespect about the organization’s 2010 focus. The thinking is that Iverson, a sure Hall of Famer, could take that leadership role that seems to be split in the locker room between Harrington and David Lee

No idea if there is any legitimacy to this, but I feel like I’ve noticed Lee and Harrington bickering on the court.  The two haven’t shown any chemistry, but then again the only player on the court Harrington has any chemistry with is himself.  Not exactly sure how Iverson would add any cohesion, unless they thought process is that winning, in and of itself, adds cohesion.

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Eddy Curry turns Knicks season around

Nov 18

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter | No Comments

Okay, maybe not.  But, he did play (see: True Hoop), managed to score an efficient 10 points, 4 rebounds, and had a +9 (even if +/- is a fairly hollow basketball stat).

Credit goes out to the vets.  In particular Larry Hughes, who is looking like the best player on the team at the moment, and also Al Harrington – who has been driving me insane this season with his tunnel vision and forcing the action, but managed to have another big 4th quarter tonight.  Al might not fit D’Antoni’s schemes very well, but I have to admire his determination and ability come through big in 4th quarters.

What happened to Danilo tonight, though?

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