Having the wind knocked out of their sails in a heartbreaking home loss proved to be the worst possible preparation for the Knicks’ West Coast swing against the Lakers, Kings and Nuggets.

Facing Boston at home after two successive wins (likely to be the longest such streak of the season), the Knicks fell to a Kevin Garnett buzzer beater in overtime that cost them a victory they probably deserved. It was a cruel ending for Mike D’Antoni’s men who, after falling behind in the first quarter, rode the hot hands of Al Harrington and Nate Robinson (in his best performance of the season to date) to lead by five going into the fourth quarter. The Garden crowd began to come alive.

With Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett out of sorts, the Celtics scoring load fell on the shoulders of Paul Pierce who, with 33 points, revived his team as the Knicks struggled to score down the stretch. The lack of a reliable fourth quarter threat probably had some wishing Donnie Walsh had signed up Allen Iverson just days before.

Eddy Curry made his first home apperance since early 2008 and struggled thanks to his colleagues’ collective inability to throw him good entry passes into the post. In his 15 minutes on the court, Curry battled down low with Garnett and Kendrick Perkins and his frustration boiled over late in the fourth quarter when, battling for a rebound, he launched a cheapshot push-cum-punch that sent Rajan Rondo sprawling. The resulting flagrant foul caused a three-point swing that fuelled the Celtics’ hope.

With time running out in OT and the score tied at 105, David Lee rotated from KG to double team Pierce, denying Boston’s clutch shooter the opportunity to finish the game. Pierce passed to Garnett who, limping down the court, had an open shot from the top of the key thanks to Harrington’s failure to rotate onto him. Garnett was 3 of 14 for the game but didn’t think twice about taking the shot. He sank the jumper as time expired to inflict a cruel loss on the Knicks, their seventh home defeat in 8 games.

Knowing how brittle this Knicks team can be, the body blow delivered by Garnett had fans immediately fearing the worse for the next game, a road clash with the defedning champion Lakers. To make matters worse, a traffic gridlock meant the team arrived at Staples just 55 minutes before tip-off. In spite of this disruption, the Knicks were competitive for the first half. Sadly, they disintegrated in the third quarter, surrendering 17 points without reply and trailing at one stage by 25 points, before fighting back to semi-respectability after Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant had left the game in the fourth, eventually losing 100-90.

Outrebounded 60 to 36, the Knicks had no answer to a superior Lakers team. Bryant scored 34 points in an efficient 14-for-20 performance from the field. Gasol added 11 points and 16 boards. All five Lakers starters scored in double figures. In contrast, the all-to-familiar shooting woes from Wilson Chandler (5 for 20) and Chris Duhon (2 for 9 including 0 for 5 from beyond the arc) contributed to the Knicks predictable downfall.

One night later, facing a Sacramento Kings team without their star scorer Kevin Martin, the Knicks – in theory, at least, had their best opportunity to earn a W. In typical Knicks fashion, they failed to take it. Playing their fourth game in five days, the Knicks produced a thoroughly listless performance in which they were lit up from downtown and at the rim by the unheralded Donte Greene.

Outscored 19-6 in the opening minutes, the Knicks were unable to make a serious run. They were ragged and, at times, downright lazy. Starting the second half with a 10 point deficit, Nate Robinson allowed Greene to go back door for two and then drain an uncontested three on the Kings’ next possession. Mike D’Antoni immediately called for time and chewed out Robinson like a father who’d just found out his son had disgraced his family name. The Knicks lost 111-97 with a whimper.

I’m willing to bet NBA neutrals allergic to defence really enjoyed the final game of the Knicks’ West Coast road trip in Denver. It was a high-scoring D-free affair and D’Antoni’s men showed great heart in hanging in the game as Carmelo Anthony let fly with a 50-point barrage (a career high) and Chauncey Billups added a further 32.

Buoyed by Al Harrington’s 41 points off the bench and a 23 and 10 effort from David Lee, the Knicks repeatedly dragged themselves back into the game  thanks, in part, to some dubious ticky-tack fouls called on Melo and Kenyon Martin. They led 111-110 with three and a half minutes to go and, even when they fell behind by eight points, fought back in the final seconds and gave themselves a chance to send the game to overtime.

With four seconds remaining, JR Smith missed one of two free throws. The score stood at 128-125. With no timeouts, there was nothing D’Antoni could do except to rely on his players. Characteristically, they struggled to inbound the ball, advanced it up the court in a panicked fashion and ultimately failed to get a shot off before the buzzer. Comparing this haphazard and futile play with Melo’s ice-cold execution down the stretch shows exactly what the Knicks are missing. Anthony may lack the flash of Lebron but he has matured into NBA’s purest hoops classicist, always making the right passes and shots. It was a pleasure to watch him at his best.

As for the Knicks, their performance against the Nuggets highlights their plight. Even when they play close to their best, they still lose. Whether they go with rookies or with experience, they still lose. In a week that yielded four defeats from four games in which they fell to a miserable 3 and 13, the fact that the team’s futility can’t lead to a high pick in the 2010 draft once again instilled depression into the team’s long-suffering fans.

This is one of my several Black Friday purchases today. It is a hobby pack of 2009 Sweet Sport Baseball which I got in my local hobby shop, Chameleon Comics and Cards, right after all the early morning shopping.

The pack:
Lance Berkman
Alex Rodriguez
Josh Hamilton
Clay Buchholz Jersey
Tiger Woods 20th Anniversary
Gerovany Soto
Ryan Howard
Adam Dunn

It is not the worst hit in the world but I admit I was kind of disappointed. Plus the jersey window seems small especially for an expensive product like Sweet Spot. Luckily I trade with a lot of Red Sox fans so maybe I can get something for it. I kind of like the design of the base cards but it looks like a regular Upper Deck base set design with the baseball thing of the bottom. But I know no one really buys Sweet Spot for the base cards, right?

O, I also got this David Lee jersey card (046/299) for free with my purchase. The guys at Chameleon are so awesome. It is from the new Donruss Elite product and I echo that the jersey placement is very poor. Donruss/ Panini needs to take out the Elite series words in the bottom and lower the jersey window.

By Jamie Drummond

On Thursday the 19th of November at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre, 10 talented Chefs went head-to-head to compete for bronze, silver and gold medals in the illustrious Toronto Gold Medal Plates competition. The winner of Toronto’s gold medal moves forward to compete against the other regional finalists in Vancouver.

Founded in 2003, the goal of Gold Medal Plates is to raise substantial funds for Canada’s high performance athletes, while celebrating Canadian excellence in cuisine, wine, entertainment and athletic achievement.

2009 Gold Medal Plates Toronto Judges

The judging panel for this year’s Toronto competition consisted of James Chatto, Sasha Chapman, Christine Cushing, Lucy Waverman, Anita Stewart, John Higgins, Patrick Lin, Geddy Lee and David Lawrason.

The bronze medal was awarded to Anne Yarymowich from Frank at the AGO who presented a wonderful dish of roasted and glazed Tamshire pork belly with sauerkraut of purple cabbage and red onion, a whole brandied blue plum and a Cookstown blue potato chip. This was paired superbly by Sommelier Courtney Henderson with Cave Spring’s 2007 Estate Riesling, a personal favourite of mine.

Anne Yarymowich from Frank, at the Art Gallery of Ontario

The silver medal was given to the talented Jonathan Gushue from Langdon Hall who put together a delightful plate consisting of a torchon of Rougié foie gras embedded with five-spice pigs cheek served with  lentils du Puy, purée of parsley root, and (just as a little surprise) a wee spoonful of what was referred to as “lobster pudding” (lobster with bacon, cream, shallots and just a splash of icewine). This complex dish was expertly matched with Daniel Lenko’s 2007 Gewurztraminer by Sommelier Katy Moore.

Jonathan Gushue of Langdon Hall

As the evening wound to a close it was announced that the gold medal winner of Toronto’s Gold Medal Plates was Nota Bene’s David Lee. Chef Lee had created one of the most unusual plates of the evening with his crisp chicken skin and chicken cartilage. The dish was lifted with just the right amount of plum hoisin sauce alongside a little sour apple compote flavoured with ginger and coriander. Sommelier Otta Zapotocky rose to the challenge of finding just the right match for this challenging dish, pulling it off with quite the aplomb by selecting 13th Street’s 2007 “June’s Vineyard” Riesling.

David Lee from Nota Bene

For more pictures of the evening (and the other Chef’s dishes) please click here.

15 Spiele haben die Fans der N.Y. Knicks hinter sich. Nur noch 67 Partien und die Horrorsaison ist zu Ende. Doch was dann? Zunächst einmal der Reihe nach. Bislang konnte man drei gute Spiele des Teams aus dem Big Apple beobachten, alle anderen Begegnungen zeigten uns unerbittlich alle negativen Aspekte auf, die das Team von Mike D’Antoni aufzubieten hat. Die back-to-back Siege gegen die Indiana Pacers und New Jersey Nets ließen ein gewisses Quäntchen Hoffnung aufkeimen und die Niederlage gegen die Boston Celtics vermochte die Aufbruchsstimmung nicht zu dämpfen. Denn trotz des Ärgers über eine unnötige Niederlage, konnte man Freude daran finden, wie sich die Knickerbockers präsentierten. Um ein Haar hätte man drei Siege in Folge einfahren können. Ein schlechter Switch von David Lee, zu zögerliches Herauslaufen von Al Harrington und der Jumpshot von Kevin Garnett zum Ablauf der Spielzeit in der Overtime ließ diesen Traum jedoch zu Sand werden, der viel zu schnell zwischen unseren Fingern entrinn und auf ewig verloren zu sein scheint. Was folgte war die Niederlage gegen die Los Angeles Lakers und jene knochenberstende Pleite gegen die Sacramento Kings, die sich in Form einer traurigen Komödie abspielte.

Gegen den amtierenden Meister zu verlieren ist keine Schande. Dazu noch hinter den feindlichen Linien, wobei angezweifelt werden kann, ob das Spiel im heimischen Madison Square Garden einen anderen Verlauf genommen hätte. Wahrscheinlich nicht. Gegen jene apathischen Knickerbockers war es für Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol und Andrew Bynum ein Leichtes das „W“ in den Spielplan einzutragen und den Knicks ein weiteres „L“ hinzuzufügen. Locker schenkte Kobe der Verteidigung 34 Punkte ein, wobei er keine Schwierigkeiten hatte 14 seiner 20 Korbversuche im Netz der Knicks unterzubringen. Am Ende war der 100-90 Sieg der Lakers keine Sensation, denn mal ehrlich, kein Anhänger New Yorks hat damit gerechnet, dass man einen Sieg aus dem STAPLES Center stehlen könnte. Abgehakt.
Das Trauerspiel entfaltete seine volle Wirkung erst gegen die Sacramento Kings und ich erhebe hiermit Anspruch darauf, dass mit die Organisation und jeder einzelne Spieler sowie der Trainerstab Entschädigung dafür zahlt, dass ich mir diese Partie ansehen musste.
Mit der Ausnahme von David Lee, wie so oft, gelang es allen Spielern des Kaders zukünftige Free Agents davon zu überzeugen, dass sie nicht einmal mit dem Gedanken spielen sollten in New York einen Vertrag zu unterzeichnen. Solange die Hoffnung der Franchise auch nur zu einem kleinen Prozentsatz auf den Schultern von Wilson Chandler liegt, starre ich unendlicher Dunkelheit entgegen, einem Meer von unbeschreiblicher Größe voller Dunkelheit. Chandler ist nicht die Erklärung für die Misere der Knicks, aber seine Leistung ist exemplarisch und dient als Indikator für das, was mit den Knicks nicht stimmt. Wahrscheinlich ist Wilson Chandler allergisch dagegen Defense zu spielen und sein Antihistaminikum ist es, so viele schlechte Schüsse auf des Gegners Korb abzufeuern, wie nur möglich. Das gilt übrigens auch für den Rest des Rosters. Bei seiner Schussauswahl kann man sich jedoch nicht darüber wundern, dass lediglich sechs seiner 26 Würfe über die letzte zwei Spiele gesehen, ihr Ziel fanden. Nehmt euch an dieser Stelle einen Taschenrechner und seht selbst welch magische Zahl die Trefferquote des Forwards repräsentiert. Gegen die Kings traf das Team kollektiv nur 38,5 % seiner Würfe und ließ 39 (!!) Würfe von jenseits der Dreipunktelinie los.
Die Leistung der Sacramento Kings soll nicht dadurch geschmälert werden, dass hier nur von der Unfähigkeit der Knicks die Rede ist, aber faktisch schlägt sich New York bisweilen selbst, der Gegner hilft bei der Demontage lediglich mit. Dennoch war die Leistung von Donte Greene beachtenswert, auch wenn es ihm seine Gegenspieler nicht allzu schwer machten. Greene erzielte 24 Punkte, verteilte fünf Vorlagen, holte sich vier Boards und blockte sechs Würfe. Auch Rookie Point Guard Tyreke Evans nutze die Gelegenheit, um sein Talent zu zeigen. Am Ende verzeichnete er 17 Punkte, elf Rebounds und sieben Assists. 50 Rebounds und eine Trefferquote von 48,3 % aus dem Feld stellten den ungefährdeten Sieg der Kings sicher, der mit 111-97 nicht zu Unrecht so hoch ausfiel.
Folgende Schlüsse lassen sich an dieser Stelle ziehen: die Spieler im Kader der Knicks sind schlecht, das dürfte geklärt sein. Auch wenn sie vermeintlich einiges an Talent besitzen, so können sie es momentan nicht zeigen. Jeder spielt für sich selbst, keiner für den anderen und die Aufgaben, die alle erfüllen sollten, auch wenn sie vielleicht kein Spaß machen, vernachlässigen die Knicks nur allzu gerne. Beim Rebound wird weder ausgeblockt, noch richtig hochgesprungen. Überhaupt stehen die Spieler die meiste Zeit bloß herum, um zuzusehen, wie sich die Gegner den orangenen Ball mit dem Spalding-Schriftzug krallen. Nach Ballverlusten und Defensivrebounds der gegnerischen Mannschaft zurückzulaufen, das schaffen die Knickerbockers auf solch lustlose und lethargische Weise, wie kein anderes Team der NBA. Man bewahre mich davor noch mehr über das Defensivverhalten zu schreiben. Doch erschreckend schlecht ist auch die Offense. Die Wurfauswahl ist so schlecht, dass ich auch darauf nicht weiter eingehen möchte, was unteranderem daran liegt, dass es sich die Mannschaft spart, den offenen Mann zu suchen und der Spieler, der das Spielgerät in der nächstbesten Position in die Hände bekommt drückt einfach ab. So simpel ist das Spielsystem von Mike D’Antoni.
Es sei mir verziehen, dass ich nach wie vor an der Qualität des Trainers zweifle. Sicher, die Spieler stehen auf dem Court und spielen Basketball, nicht der Coach. An ihm ist es jedoch aus einem Haufen Individuen ein T-E-A-M zu formen.
Mit dieser Saison kann man wohl oder über abschließen, der perfekte Zeitpunkt also, um nur noch jene Spieler plus David Lee einzusetzen, die nächste Saison auch noch einen Kontrakt besitzen. Unerklärlich ist mir deshalb, warum Toney Douglas, der zu den positiven Erscheinungen der aktuellen Spielzeit zu zählen ist, so wenig auf dem Feld steht. Gleiches gilt für Jordan Hill. Auch in diesem Punkt steht D’Antoni in der Kritik, denn er vergibt Einsatzzeit an die, die man über 2009-10 hinaus ohnehin nicht in New York sehen möchte.
Kehren wir nochmal zur Frage zurück, was nach den verbleibenden 67 Saisonspielen passieren wird oder überhaupt kann. Zum einen haben die New York Knicks keinen Draftpick, was bedeutet, dass man kein neues Talent nach New York holen wird. Die Utah Jazz können sich also über jede Niederlage der Knicks freuen, denn der Lottery Pick gehört so gut wie ihnen. Mit besonderem Dank richten wir uns an dieser Stelle an Isiah Thomas. Desweiteren kann man sich momentan nicht vorstellen, dass überhaupt irgendein hochkarätiger Free Agent es jemals in Erwägung ziehen könnte für die Knickerbockers zu spielen. Ich würde LeBron James, Chris Bosh und wie sie nicht alle heißen persönlich davon abraten in den Big Apple zu kommen, wenn ihnen etwas an ihrer Karriere liegt. Sollte es Donnie Walsh doch irgendwie gelingen, entgegen meiner Erwartung versteht sich, die Knicks so zu sanieren, dass man in absehbarer Zeit wieder eine Chance auf die Playoffs hat, kaufe ich mir einen Hut, um diesen im Anschluss an das vollbrachte Wunder zu ziehen.

Netizens won again.

David Lee (Lee Sun-min),  host of the EBS “Star English” program and Epik High Tablo’s brother, found himself in a brawl with netizens after posting a rant about Infinity Challenge’s New York Special episode.

After two postings backing his disappointment views on Cyworld, David Lee closed his mini-homepage and on November 24, 2009, he posted an official apology on the discussion board of the “Star English” program on the EBS homepage.

Title: Hello, it’s Lee Sun-min.

I was planning on posting a long apology, but by doing that, it could bring more misunderstanding, so I am posting something short.

I thought that I was just an ordinary commoner, so I posted on my personal mini-homepage, not knowing how big of an impact it would bring.  I didn’t intend on targeting anyone specific, but I seemed to have hurt many people, and I feel sorry.

Usually, I hardly watch TV, but on Saturday, Infinity Challenge is one program that I cannot miss, and the MCs on the program are people I like. What I wrote of these people, like a rant with no basis, I did it without thinking, and I take full responsibility. In a moment, even though I wrote without feeling, I used severe expressions. For that, I give my apology.

Picking out who should be publicly criticized or not, I absolutely had no intention of doing that. Despite that, points of misunderstanding came, and the hard-working Infinity Challenge cast and crew’s feelings were hurt because of me. I am very sorry.

Additionally, my younger brother [Tablo] is also famous, and I know he even has a close relationship with the Infinity Challenge cast and crew. Because of what I did, I seemed to have caused much disappointment. This scandalous situation has caused my younger brother and my family a lot of emotional pain, like an arrow into the heart.

For being inappropriate and using unsuitable language, to the hurt Infinity Challenge crew, once again, I sincerely apologize.

I am sorry.

How do you think netizens will take David Lee’s heartfelt apology? Do you think this kind of apology is called for?

Netizens are at it again, this time the target is Tablo’s brother, David Lee (Lee Sun-min).

[Phase 1: The posting]
You may remember MBC’s “Infinity Challenge” went to New York City. The members set out to spread love of Korean food to the people of New York, but they spent a little less time sharing food and more time goofing around. Frankly, David Lee was a little more than upset about how the episode played out.

On the day of the episode’s airing, November 21, 2009, David Lee posted the following message on his Cyworld mini-homepage in a photo album titled “Thoughts”:

I had my worries when I heard that Infinity Challenge members would go to New York.. While watching, I felt like dying from embarrassment.

People are being crazy on the Internet, saying how ‘Our Korean humor worked in New York too.

ARE YOU F–KING SERIOUS?

They were ignored like dogs on the streets by New Yorkers, for mumbling jibberish and not even being able to speak a word. They were treated like retards at the pizza place by being thrown a random slice to eat.

Also, street casting?? Internet radio?? For someone who call himself the ‘Nation’s MC’ to dance like a grasshopper inside a crappy warehouse with a green screen those 20-year-old white boys call a ’studio.’ Am I the only one who thinks this, or did those white boys make him into a complete fool? I wonder what those white boys were thinking. (Actually, nevermind. Even if they said it out loud, the Koreans wouldn’t have understood.) Perhaps they thought, ‘WHAT ARE THESE F–KING RETARDS DOING?’

I know you are being ‘real’ for entertainment, but keep the low-grade comedy in Korea. Please, okay? You make millions per year? Did you really have to go overseas, especially to the capital fo the world, New York City, just to be a bunch of jackasses? MBC sure knows how to put themselves on top.

To MBC, who produced of this piece of crap, and those crowd of reporters who publicized this shameful eent as if it were something to be proud of… Of course, this episode is perfect for Koreans who think this low-grade comedy is oh-so-funny.

Since when was it so humiliating to be a part of the Korean race?

Why don’t you get rid of the ‘food’ and just tell those New Yorkers with you gibberish that Dokdo is our land? You act like you can attack Japan any day when you are the ones who copy their mini cooper?”

This dude needs to take a chill pill.

[Phase 2: The Netizen Reaction]
Many netizens were, obviously, equally infuriated, but at David Lee, not at the broadcast. The distinction in how Koreans are viewed in America is usually a very touchy subject for Gyopos (Koreans living abroad), but not so much for Koreans who live in Korea.

Though the post is just ranting, David Lee is somewhat famous in Korea (Star English program, and being Tablo’s brother), so his ranting drew quite a bit of attention.

Korean netizens reacted coldly at first, “Why can’t Koreans speak Korean?” Even though Korea puts a lot of money into English education, there is an underlying distress that Koreans are losing culture by putting a large emphasis on learning a foreign language and culture. Next, the insults came, angered at his lack of Korean pride.

Soon, the media was all over the issue. Even though David Lee closed the album on his mini-homepage, screen captures of the posting were already spread in the Internet.

[Phase 3: David Lee's Answer]
The next day, instead of an apology, Tablo’s brother posted in his mini-homepage profile, a calmer explanation of his previous rant.

My writing on my annoyance watching Infinity Challenge New York episode, was it fun to read..?

Submit to those in power? A display of defeat? Because I absolutely cannot do these sort of things, all these calls to war are in vain, so if your planning on how to escalate matters, don’t waste your time.

For 16 years, while I lived in American society, I inherently experienced racism and prejudice. Yesterday, I was very uncomfortable watching the Americans’ attitude towards the Infinity Challenge MCs. In the press, it came out strongly, ‘Korea’s comedy is really funny!’ but it should’ve been something like ‘What are they doing?’ … something like that?

You saw the pizza guy throw a slice of pizza like he’s feeding a dog? I’m sorry I got offended, instead of breaking out into laughter, smiling.

If only by name, they are the best MCs. But in New York, they seem like they are just funny and awkward-looking Asians. In America, Asians get worse treatment than black or latino people, so why of all things was the concept the obvious, ‘Asian who can’t speak a word of English’…

If it was for the good cause of introducing Korean food, why not have one good English translator, for funnier and more interesting conversations? Wasn’t it possible to create the situation?

Because it was MBC, because it was Infinity Challenge, I am even more offended.

David Lee stuck by his words. A few netizens are in agreement with his views, but the louder majority are still angry at the rapper’s brother for being too outspoken, if not anti-Korean.

English-speaking, Kpop followers, what do you think of this situation?

The Infinity Challenge New York Special:
Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

Part 7:

Part 8:

Despite the pain of depriving myself of sleep in order to watch the Knicks slump to their worst ever start to an NBA season, week 4 gave me reason for hope. Why? Well, the Knicks only had two games on their schedule meaning, even if they lost both, their streak of losing three games every week would definitely come to an end.

As it turned out, the Knicks beat both the Indiana Pacers and the lowly New Jersey Nets on the road to creep towards the cusp of semi-respectability with a less-embarrassing-than-we-are-used-to three wins and nine losses.

The key to victory in Indiana was so clear even I, watching bleary-eyed in London at 2am, was able to spot it. Trailing by 19 points in the third quarter, the Knicks finally started to play consistent defence and make some shots.

In a picture-perfect reversal of their loss to the Pacers on November 4, the Knicks sparked a heartening rally, outscoring their hosts 27-7 in the final seven minutes 30 secnds of fourth quarter to record a much-needed 110-103 win. They forced the Pacers to shoot a miserable 25% in the game’s final stanza, stifling and frustrating Danny Granger to such a degree that the Pacers’ chief scorer fouled out.

On the offensive end, the Knicks bench outscored Indiana’s second unit 65-22 with Al Harrington firing a team-high 26 points, including three fourth quarter 3-pointers that instigated the game-winning comeback. Larry Hughes’ player of the game performance featured 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Indiana victory also marked the return of troubled center Eddy Curry who, having shed 50 pounds, literally looked like a shadow of himself. I’m not wholly convinced it was actually Curry on the court.

The slimmed-down big man claiming to Curry looked exactly like Eddy Curry except for the addition of a thin goatee on his chin. It reminded me of Bender’s nemesis Flexo in Futurama, a robot who looked identical to his rival save for a tiny piece of chin-hair. Either way Curry/Flexo Curry looked surprisingly good in a 12-minute cameo that yielded 10 points and four rebounds. The big man has a long way to go to get back to maximum match fitness but , after all his problems, it was good to see him back and looking able to provide an inside scoring punch.

The three-day gap between the Pacers and Nets games was filled with speculation surrounding the potential signing of free agent Allen Iverson. After an initial flirtation, Donnie Walsh surprised most observers by passing on the former MVP. It’s a good job he did this. After preaching patience and the need to development his core of young players, the addition of AI would not only have robbed the likes of Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas of minutes and shots but would have made Walsh look indecisive, panic-ridden and, at worst, a hypocrite.

Saying no to The Answer allowed Walsh to stick steadfastly to his long-term plan and show a degree of faith in his young stars. Iverson bringing his me-first ball-hog act to the Garden may have given the Knicks a handful of extra wins this year but the potential for locker room disruption – as witnessed in Memphis – would have been huge. To my mind, Walsh made the right choice.

When a team is on a historically bad losing streak, no-one wants to be their first victim. That fear placed pressure on the Knicks as they faced the 0-12 New Jersey Nets, who were boosted by the return of their best player Devin Harris. With a West Coast swing looming, playing the Knicks at home offered the Nets their best chance of recording a victory before they approach 0-17, the league’s worst ever start held, somewhat predictably, by the 1998 LA Clippers.

The usual deathly silence of the Izod Center was replaced by some relatively raucous travelling Knicks fans who witnessed a fairly comfortable win for their team.

The Knicks shot 45% to lead 52-43 at the half. The offence was balanced with Harrington, Danilo Gallinari and Larry Hughes mixing drives to the hoop with outside shooting. It wasn’t such a good night for Nate Robinson who raised the ire of Mike D’Antoni by jacking up a three point towards his own basket at the end of the first quarter. With only half a second left on the clock, Nate launched the shot just after the buzzer. The shot swished home and a beaming Nate returned to the bench. The smile was wiped off his face by a raging D’Antoni who, after berating Robinson, benched him for the rest of the game. Was it an overreaction from the coach or a way to instill the need to focus into all his players? Probably both.

The Knicks extended their lead to 15 points by the middle of the third and, save for a Chris Douglas-Roberts-inspired fourth quarter 16-2 rally that bought the Nets within two, held on fairly comfortably for a 98-91 win. A 3-point dagger from Harrington, who seems to save his best performances for games against the Nets, sealed the deal. David Lee, who combined with Chris Duhon for some crucial baskets down the stretch, finished with 16 points and 12 boards.

A record of three and nine certainly isn’t anything to boast about but, with a home match-up against Boston and road games in Los Angeles and Denver coming up, winning  both games this week provides D’Antoni’s men with a much needed boost. They’ll need all the confidence and luck they can muster over the next seven days.

A billboard in suburban Denver compares President Barack Obama to a terrorist. Wolf Interstate Leasing in Wheat Ridge, Colorado put up a billboard insinuating that President Obama is somehow tied to Jihadists and the Fort Hood shootings.

The billboard shows a cartoonish Obama wearing a turban and says, “PRESIDENT or JIHAD?” Underneath the president’s image is a big yellow square with the phrase, “BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PROVE IT!” The words “WAKE UP AMERICA! REMEMBER FT. HOOD” appear at the bottom. The sign was created by artist David Lee.

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I finally have a name to attach to The Voice.

I hear The Voice on Monday nights as I’m driving home from work.  He’s the announcer on Westwood One’s radio coverage of Monday Night Football.  Not the play-by-play guy or the analyst.  The announcer.  As in, “Monday Night Football on Westwood One, brought to you by…”

The Voice is Barry White times two.  The Voice won’t shatter glass, but it might cause foundations to crumble.  The Voice won’t scare babies, but it might cause grown men to tremble.

Listen.  To The Voice.

The Voice comes out of the mouth of a man named David Lee.

There is a 35 year old case of jealousy working here.   At my first full-time radio job at WAVZ-AM, New Haven (The Lucky 13!), an L.A.-based consultant had to approve my news shift change from overnights to mornings.  I knew my voice wouldn’t pass muster.  But disc jockey/techno-wizard Pete (Stone) Salant took one of my tapes, ran it through a magic machine (I never understood the technical stuff) which knocked the voice down a few octaves, and I was morning-drive bound.  Pete now does this for a living.

My own voice has sufficed since then.

But there is no voice like The Voice.

Die „Buhs“ füllten den Madison Square Garden früh aus und hallten unter dem Dach der berühmtesten Arena der Welt. Selbst nach einem guten Start in die Partie gegen die Hawks merkte man den Zuschauern an, dass Mike D’Antonis Team an der Schwelle angekommen war, an dem das unbarmherzige Gemüt des typischen Knicks-Fans zum Vorschein kommt. Zu Recht. Die Mannschaft bleibt nicht nur hinter den Erwartungen zurück, sondern ihren Anhängern auch einiges schuldig. Besänftigen konnten Al Harrington (23 P., 12 R.) & Co die Zuschauer unter anderem durch eine gute Trefferquote von 53% in der ersten Halbzeit. Auch die Sieben-Punkte-Führung zur Halbzeit trug dazu bei, dass man wieder Hoffnung schöpfen konnte, obgleich New York im Verlauf des zweiten Viertels bereits mit 14 Punkten vorne gelegen hatte.

Der Sprung in das dritte Viertel zeigte ein vertrauteres Bild. Schlechte Defense, Schüsse, die einfach nicht in den Korb fallen wollen und leichtsinnige Ballverluste. Das sind die Knicks die wir kennen und trotzdem lieben, auch wenn es manchmal schwer fällt. Resultat: die Hawks führten vor Beginn des letzten Spielabschnitts mit sieben Punkten. Das einzige, was mich in solchen Situationen noch daran hindert mein Laptop herunterzufahren ist der Kommentar von Clyde Frazier, der diese Saison bislang unterhaltsamer war, als die Knicks.

Nicht alles ist schlecht, so wie nicht jeder Tag im November grau ist. Wir haben wiedermal einen guten Rookie unerwartet aus dem Draft gezogen. Nicht Jordan Hill, was letztlich auch nicht unerwartet gewesen wäre, sondern Toney Douglas (23 P., 4 R.), der die Knicks im vierten Viertel vor dem vorzeitigen Untergang bewahrte. Douglas erhielt zudem den Vorzug in der ersten Fünf vor Larry Hughes (14 P., 8 A.), von dem ich dennoch weiterhin positiv überrascht bin.

Gegnerische Mannschaften haben am Ende immer ein Quäntchen mehr Glück, so scheint es, und sind auf den Punkt konzentriert, so dass die Knicks nach dem letzten Buzzer gegen die Atlanta Hawks abermals mit gesenkten Häuptern, begleitet von Buh-Rufen, gen Kabine trotten mussten. Die Hawks gewannen vor allem dank Al Horford (25 P., 9 R.), der sich im Lowpost wieder und wieder gegen den erschreckend schwach aufspielenden David Lee durchsetzen konnte.

はっきり言って今シーズンの（あるいは現時点での）ニックスの観戦記を書くことに何の意味も感じませんが、いちおうニューヨークファンですし、シーズンチケットホルダーで全試合のチケットを持っていますし、対戦相手のことなども書けば多少は意味もあるかもしれないですし（しかし、今のニックスは弱すぎるので、相手を観察してもあまり参考にならないというのもまた事実…）、何となく気がついたことを書いてみます。

Box Score

ジャマール・クロフォード:
あいかわらずの“悪球打ち”で、シュートセレクション最悪。あれでFGPが44.4％あるのは奇跡。自分はあれでもOKだろうが、周りのリズムがあれで狂う。「プレイオフに進出経験のない選手としては、現役選手中で、最多試合出場中」の記録保持者でもあるクロフォードだが、チーム事情も影響したとはいえ、不名誉な記録を保持しているには、それなりに理由があると思う。

ジョシュ・スミス:
ホリンジャーだったか、フォードだったかが（両方ともESPNのコラムニスト） 書いていたので注意してみていたのですが、クロフォードとは逆に、スミスのショットセレクションが良くなっている。今日も10-for-15で、良い意味でかなり目立ってました。

アル・ホーフォード:
今日の試合で最高のインサイド選手。ニックスのインサイドのディフェンス能力では、今日のホーフォードを止めることは無理。なにしろマッチアップがドアマンですから…。

トニー・ダグラス:
スターター昇格。ルーキーに多くを望むのは荷が重すぎるし、今は素直に得点能力を賞賛してあげるだけで良いと思う反面、「シュートだけでは…周りを見て、せめてフリーの選手にはパスを出そうね、PGなんだから…」と言ってしまいたくなる衝動に駆られたことも否定しません。

クリス・デューホン:
絶不調。良いところなし。

アル・ハリントン:
独り相撲。

デイヴィッド・リー:
ドアマン。またの名をマタドール（ディフェンス中、ゴールに向かってくる相手選手からひらりひらりと逃げてしまうから。もちろんディフェンスレスを揶揄されているだけ）。あるいはエイヴィー・リー（DAVID LEE）今日は猛牛ホーフォードからうまく逃げられず。ディフェンスレスだけでなく、オフェンス時にもTO量産。

実際に試合で動いているところを確認しないと確信は持てないが、「ポーク・カリー」が「ビーフ・カリー」に変身できれば、ニックスにとっては大きい。活躍したところでトレードできれば、来オフに大きくサラリーキャップを空けたいチーム事情にとっては大きな前進。

活躍しても契約面でトレードが難しければ、最近は私の意見が少数派ではなくなってきている“Mr. ドアマン”（インサイドに相手選手が入ってくると積極的に道を空けてゴールへの扉を開けてしまう、ディフェンスレスな選手という意味）なら確実に欲しいチームはある。どうせ来オフに10ミリオンは払えないのだから、今のところ持っていないオフの1巡目指名権と交換にドアマン放出は「あり」だろう。

いずれにしても、スタートからほとんど評価できるポイントがない状況なのだから、「カリーが痩せた」というだけでも、ニックスにとってはビッグニュースだ。

Knicks fans, fasten your metaphorical crash helmet because, on the evidence of the four games over the last seven days, this season is shaping up to be a true test of faith and loyalty. This season is going to hurt and, most of the time, it is going to be embarassing.

It is two hours after the Knicks walked off the court at the Bradley Center after a truly humiliating 102-87 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks. They conceded 40 first quarter points to a team averaging 87 a game. Their offense was putrid. They turned the ball over repeatedly. The defence was so poor it was inexcusable. In short, the Knicks didn’t even look good enough to be considered an NBA team. They played so badly in this game that Walt Frazier could be heard laughing in disbelief at their collective ineptitude.

The Milwaukee massacre provided a sad end to a week that had begun brightly. Monday night’s game against New Orleans finally gave the Knicks their first win of the season. They appeared to have learned the lessons handed down in their opening three defeats. Gone was the over-reliance on the three, the lack of ball movement and the absence of team defence replaced by Al Harrington slashing his way to the basket, Danilo Gallinari faking threes and creating easy baskets inside for David Lee and, (at times) a swarming defensive effort that forced Chris Paul and Co into bad shots and turnovers. Instead of the sluggish starts that hindered their progress in the season’s opening week, the Knicks came out sharp and slick with Larry Hughes hitting shots propelling the home team into a 12-point lead. When the Hornets made a third quarter run to briefly retake the lead, the Knicks, led by Lee (28 points) and Harrington (24 points), put the game away with a 40-point fourth quarter. They ran out convincing winners 117-111.

Mike D’Antoni described the Knicks’ first win of the season as “a massive step forward” but, as has happened many times, was made to eat his words by his team’s feeble efforts in their next match-up against the Indiana Pacers. A lethargic defensive display and thoroughly anti-clutch 0 for 10 shooting in the game’s final nine minutes resulted in a humbling 101-89 defeat to a severely depleted and previously winless Pacers team playing its second game in two nights. Even though Danny Grainger fouled out with four minutes remaining, the Knicks could not keep up with the Jonses, Dahntay and Solomon.

Fans will accept losing to the likes of the Celtics, the Lakers, the Magic and the Cavs. What will infuriate them is losing badly at home to teams in the bottom halves of their conferences. If the Knicks aspire to respectability, games in the Garden against the likes of the Pacers are games they simply must win.

Being blighted by inconsistency is no way to prepare for the Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The return of the King threatened to be a blow out on paper and so it proved. The game was over was as a contest after one quarter after 19 points from Lebron secured a 40-21 lead. Despite the Knicks playing decent defence in the game’s opening possessions,  the Cavs still started seven for seven. James drained three pointers, created two easy baskets with quality passing, made a buzzer beater and even found time to pat Larry Hughes on the arse after successfully launching a three in his face.

Aside from a couple of mini-runs, the Knicks fell listless for the remainder of the game. Unhappy with the lack of heart and passion shown by his experienced players, Mike D’Antoni gave second quarter minutes to rookie Jordan Hill who made an energetic five-minute cameo during which he made three of five field goals and turned the ball over twice.

As the game meandered to its inevitable conclusion, former Knicks-turned-TV-commentators Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy lamented the Knicks’ ongoing “talent issues” and agreed that their failure to establish a low post and/or pick and roll game was the primary cause of the long periods of offensive stagnation and their field goal and three point shooting percentages. The Knicks reduced the Cavs’ 20 point lead to single figures in the dying minutes of the game to make the final score a semi-respectable 100-91 but that masks how inferior they were to their opponents. James’ 33 point, nine assist, eight rebound performance showed the Knicks everything they are missing. The man is supremely skilled but he is also a fine team mate and leader, revelling in the atmosphere at MSG and enjoying his team mates’ successes. As Chris Rock suggested when he was interviewed courtside, “when Al Harrington is your go-to guy, you know you are in trouble”.

Twenty-four hours later, the Knicks were thoroughly dissected in Milwaukee. After hitting their first four shots, they totally and utterly capitulated to trail the Bucks 66-35 at the half. Don’t bother with the box score for this game. Instead, ask yourself this question. How on earth has D’Antoni avoided criticism for the sad state of his team? His over-hyped, one-dimensional offense only splutters sporadically into life. His team play no defence at all and are regularly out of games by half time. His players amble through increasingly heavier defeats making basic mistakes and looking like they couldn’t care less. There’s no team work, especially on the defensive end.

When is someone going to ask why this team have quit on the coach seven miserable games into a new season? If there’s truth to the rumour that the players are insulted by the New York media’s focus on Lebron and have decided to sleepwalk through the season, that’s as big an indictment on the coach as anything that happened in the Isiah era. And remember, thanks to Mr Thomas, even if the Knicks tank the entire season there’s no draft pick at the end of it. Donnie Walsh will argue that this current Knicks squad have little bearing on his long term vision for the team. Next year’s roster will bear little resemblance to the one currently embarrassing the Big Apple. It is too much to ask the MSG faithful to sit through performances this bad on the promise of a better tomorrow. While everyone expected the Knicks to be mediocre this year, nobody was prepared for them being this poor. If he cannot coax better effort from his team, Mike D’Antoni will need to grow a thick skin if he is to make it to Walsh’s promised land of free agent nirvana in the summer of 2010.

On this week’s evidence, the NBA’s most popular coach is looking more and more like a fraud. On this week’s evidence, the Knicks are still a total mess. On this week’s evidence, there’s no way Lebron James will be caught dead in a blue and orange uniform next season.

Letzte Nacht haben die Cleveland Cavaliers gegen die New York Knicks gespielt und gewonnen. Zunächst ist daran nichts ungewöhnlich. Die Cavs sind nicht das erste Team und werden gewiss nicht das letzte sein, das die Knicks schlägt. Doch in dieser Nacht hat das wohl kaum jemanden interessiert, auch nicht, auf welche Art und Weise den Knicks die Niederlage zugefügt wurde. Es ging einzig und allein um LeBron James. Die Kommentatoren, Fans, Cheerleader und weiß der Teufel wer noch, waren alle auf ihn fokussiert. Die Spieler der Knicks konnten einem fast leidtun, wäre der Ärger über ihr kollektives Versagen nicht noch um einiges größer gewesen.

In New York dominiert die Hoffnung, dass LeBron ab der kommenden Saison die Farben Blau, Orange und Weiß trägt. Bis dahin gilt es die Saison so gut wie möglich zu überstehen. Leider zeigen die Knickerbockers nicht, dass sie in nächster Zeit besser spielen werden, als in den letzten zwei Begegnungen, einem 89 zu 101 gegen die geschwächten Indiana Pacers und eben jene 91 zu 100 Schlappe gegen LeBrons Cavaliers, die auch hätte weitaus höher ausfallen können. Ein paar Eckdaten, die unterstreichen, wie schlecht die New York Knicks derzeit sind: letzte Nacht ließen sie eine Wurfquote von 53,5% zu, trafen aber selbst über weite Strecken der Partie unter 40% ihrer Würfe. Dass sie am Ende doch eine Quote von 44,4% zu erzielen vermochten, täuscht darüber hinweg, wie viele „open looks“ sie tatsächlich vergaben. Auch holten sie 15 Rebounds weniger als die Cavs.
Es dauerte bis zum dritten Viertel, bis N.Y. ein Quäntchen Leben zeigte und neun Punkte in Folge erzielen konnte. Am Ende desselben Spielabschnitts folgten dann jedoch die ersten Buhrufe aus dem Publikum. In der Folge ließen es LeBron & Co locker angehen, die Knicks, angeführt von David Lee (21 Punkte)und Larry Hughes (18 P.), der übrigens sehr gute Defense gegen King James (33 P., 8 R., 9 A.) spielte, kämpften sich am Ende nochmal ran. Die Aufholjagd begann zu spät, der Auswärtssieg der Mannschaft aus Cleveland  war nie wirklich gefährdet.
Wie erklärt ihr euch, dass eine Mannschaft, der es an individueller Klasse sicherlich nicht fehlt (Lee, Harrington, Gallinari), momentan solch miserablen Basketball spielt? Wird der Traditionsverein aus N.Y.C. letztlich von LeBron James gerettet?

Indulging in an expensive workday lunch is an extreme luxury for me. So when a co-worker and I decided to try out the highly lauded Nota Bene (180 Queen St. W.), it was a special day. Thanks to Executive Chef David Lee, this food destination was named Canada’s best new restaurant by both Toronto Life and enRoute magazines.

When we walked in, the sun-filled dining room played host to what looked like important business meetings and high-powered executives. We were way above our pay grade here, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the delectable dishes.

We started with Pommes Frites covered in shaved pecorino cheese with aioli ($8). These skinny fries were piled so high, eating them was like maneuvering through a game of potato Jenga. There were several casualties that ended up doting the crisp white tablecloth like fallen soldiers. Alas, this was too swank a spot to follow the three-second rule.

Our mains came next. Based on a recommendation, I went with the Big Eye Tuna Tartare with Potato Chips ($20). The circle of raw tuna is placed in citrus soy with ginger and topped with a layer avocado and a sprinkled of crispy shallots. It was a light dish that was thoroughly enjoyed right to the last bite. My companion Jason ordered the Nova Scotia Lobster Salad ($24). When the bowl was placed in front of him, he let out a sigh: “Bacon and lobster, together at last.” His satisfaction was complete once he tried the greens that were tossed with avocado, maple bacon, blue cheese and coated with a buttermilk dressing.

Nota Bene certainly isn’t the kind of place I can afford to go everyday for lunch. But until I’m a high-powered executive, it makes for a terrific exception.

Nota Bene / 180 Queen St. West, Toronto
416 977 6400 / Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 am-2:30 pm, Dinner: Mon-Sat 5-11 pm

Five days, three games, three overtime periods, two terrible starts, two stirring comebacks, one sorry blowout and, most importantly, three losses. That’s the tale of the first week of the New York Knicks’ opening week and it looks like being a saddening, maddening and occasionally gladdening microcosm of their 2009/10 NBA season.

Offensive speed and fluidity was the calling card of Mike D’Antoni’s Phoenix Suns teams but for long periods against Miami, Charlotte and Philadelphia his current Knicks attack looked stagnant and uninspired. An over-reliance on settling for three pointers combined with atrocious long-distant shooting from everyone bar Danilo Gallinari led to long scoring droughts in all three games. Combine this with their trademark failure to produce consistent defensive stops and you have the cause of the blowout in Miami and the 20-point first quarter deficits against Charlotte and Philly. The maddening aspects of the Knicks psyche were on full display against the Bobcats and 76ers. They drifted through the opening quarter of both games like a late season team in full ‘tanking’ mode only to mount stirring comebacks to force overtime.

In both games, establishing some form of inside scoring enabled the outside shooters to swing the momentum of the game when all looked lost. It’s obvious that players like Al Harrington and David Lee are trying to provide the leadership and inspiration the team sorely needs. But the Knicks have to take the court with this level of intensity, not discover it when they are 20 points down in the middle of the third quarter.

Another concern is the Knicks unerring ability to shoot themselves in the foot. In last night’s overtime period against Philadelphia, they had all the momentum in their favour leading 124-121. Harrington was on fire and had scored 42 points. More importantly, the 76ers had no one who could guard him. After not getting a foul call on a drive to the hoop, Harrington, playing with five fouls, raced down the court looking for retribution. He was called for his sixth foul and extinguished the Knicks’ hope of a first win. Without Al on the floor, the offence again stagnated and Philly took over, racing to a 141-127 win. If Harrington stays on the floor, the Knicks win this game.

In spite of three successive defeats, there have been undoubted plus points from the opening week of the season. The outside shooting of Gallinari stands out the most. The 19-year-old made seven threes against Miami and a franchise record-tying nine against the 76ers, going a little way to backing up D’Antoni’s confidence-boosting claim that the Italian was the greatest shooter he had ever seen. In admittedly small stretches, the offence has clicked, but only once the Knicks have shown a willingness to take the ball to the basket. David Lee’s pick and rolls and Wilson Chandler and Harrington’s willingness to draw contact inside remain key if the Knicks are to run a balanced and fluid offence.

The real surprise of the Knicks’ opening week was the re-emergence of Larry Hughes against Philly. The former Washington and Cleveland guard didn’t make it off the bench in the first two games, looking about as welcome as a fart in a crowded phone box. Last night in the Garden, he had an excellent game, taking sensible shots, making some good passes and playing relatively decent defence. The poor play of Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson offered Hughes this opportunity and he made the most of it. Only D’Antoni can know how much more of him we’ll get to see. If you thought the Knicks would go quietly into the 2010 Summer of Lebron, you thought wrong. Although wins look like being hard to come by this year, there is fight in this team, more than enough for fans to keep the faith despite three opening week defeats.

NBA 2009-2010 Preview

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Divison

1. Boston Celtics
The storyline for this past NBA offseason was that the rich got richer.  This applies most for the Boston Celtics.  Two years ago, they added forward Kevin Garnett and guard Ray Allen.  This year, they added forwards Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels.  It’s very likely that this team gets off to a red-hot start, but I’m curious to see how this aging group progresses over the duration of the season.  Most of  the basketball world is also engrossed in seeing how disgruntled point guard Rajon Rondo performs in the wake of a summer where he was the focal point in many trade rumors.

2. Toronto Raptors
Chris Bosh bulked up this offseason.  That was only four years overdue.  They signed Hedo Turkoglu to a major contract.  That was a pretty solid move if you want to spend all your money on someone who can do nothing but shoot from the outside.  The worst part about it is, he knows he can’t do anything other than shoot from the outside.  He doesn’t try to do anything other than shoot from the outside.  This team is a mess.  Chris Bosh is on his way out after this year.  The only thing keeping them in the playoff picture is the thought that maybe they can conjure up some chemistry courtesy of underrated, yet spectacular point guard Jose Calderon

3. New York Knicks
The Knicks could very well be much higher than I have listed them when playoff time rolls around.  They’ve put together a solid core of role players and, with the exception of the male version of Aretha Franklin, Eddy Curry, all have accepted their position in Mike D’Antoni’s offense.  Forward Al Harrington is capable of going off for thirty points a night.  Center David Lee is looking to prove his worth as a consistent double-double threat.  There’s no reason for this team to tank, seeing as they don’t have a first round pick next summer.  Oh.  And they want to give that LeBron guy a reason to sign with them.

4. Philadelphia 76ers
This team is flying under the radar for the 2009-10 season.  Clearly, I don’t expect much out of them.  Most other analysts don’t expect much out of them; however, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they somehow ended up in the playoff picture.  They lost point guard Andre Miller to free agency, but if this team can stay healthy (particularly the richest bed-ridden man in America, Elton Brand), the Sixers could turn some heads.

5. New Jersey Nets
Did anyone know that in order to relocate your team, you must dispose of all its talent?  I didn’t, but apparently that’s the Nets’ mentality.  Their move to Brooklyn has been impending for four years now, and each year since then, they’ve gotten progressively worse.  The only names that stand out on this team anymore are Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, and those two are hardly recognized outside of die-hard basketball fans.

Central Division

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The big news out of Cleveland this year came when the Cavs traded for “The Big Nomad,” Shaquille O’Neal.  In his initial press conference, he told the media his mission was to “Win a ring for the King,” however; LeBron James’ newfound help may come in the form of other acquisitions such as forwards JaMario Moon and Anthony Parker.  It was clear to see that this team underachieved last postseason.  This year, they’ll be on top of the Eastern Conference in the regular season, and may even possibly get the King his first ring.

2. Chicago Bulls
No one imagined the Bulls would be as good as they were last year.  Mid-season, they acquired guard John Salmons, who proved himself to be a bona fide scorer on a young, dynamic team.  This past summer, they didn’t do much to develop their team; in fact, they did nearly nothing at all other than refuse to resign guard Ben Gordon.  In not offering Gordon a contract, the Bulls assume they will improve their team chemistry as Gordon required at least twenty-five shots per game in order to be considered effective.

3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons made some of the most useless moves professional basketball has ever seen this past season.  They spent $94 million on two guys (Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva) who are both sixth and seventh men, at best.  They freed up all their salary cap space last season by dumping their undisputed leader, Chauncey Billups, last season, and in return, all they got were two selfish, shoot-first role players.  The Pistons, like their city of origin, are a mess.

4. Indiana Pacers
This Pacer team will be dynamic.  They’ll score 120 points per night.  They’ll contend for a title.  They just won’t do it this year.  Their front office, headed by Larry Bird, is finally putting all the pieces in place.  They have a solid core of young athletes, and eventually, will be a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.  Let’s just hope none of their players get too fed up with losing and become impatient too soon, because this team will, in time, be very fun to watch.

5. Milwaukee Bucks
Their uniforms are just as ugly as their team’s chances to win twenty games

Southeast Division

1. Orlando Magic
Last season, the Magic surprised many people.  They had effective three-point shooting, devastating defenders, and a tempo that was hard to match.  When they faced the Lakers in June, however, it was apparent that they were missing a piece or two.  Whatever they lacked last season, they picked up for this season, as they traded for all-star forward Vince Carter.  Carter is someone who has always possessed the ability to create his own shot.  It will be interesting to see how he fits in, seeing as he’s never played on a team of this caliber.

2. Washington Wizards
In simple terms, the Wizards were forgotten about last season.  They were plagued by misfortunes and look to regain the success they had two seasons ago when they lost to Cleveland in the conference semi-finals.  With a healthy Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, Washington could find itself deep into the playoffs once again.  The additions of pure point guard Randy Foye and sharp shooter Mike Miller from Minnesota don’t hurt either.

3. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have improved every year since they hired head coach Mike Woodson.  This year should be no different; however, since they’re playing in a much more competitive Southeast Division, it will be difficult for them to repeat their past successes.  Look for forward Josh Smith to be a frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award and his frontcourt mate Marvin Williams to contend for Most Improved.

4. Miami Heat
The Miami Wades were the most predictable team in the league last year.  Either their stellar shooting guard went for thirty points or they lost.  Look for them to continue that trend as they did nothing to change their team this summer.  If once impressive forward Jermaine O’Neal can get his act together, and sophomore Michael Beasley can successfully return from his recent stint in drug rehabilitation, this team may overachieve.  Either way, it’s not likely Dwyane Wade is in the black and red of Miami past this season.

5. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats missed their calling when they refused to sign Allen Iverson.  AI could have been the answer, no pun intended, to Charlotte’s problems.  Iverson has already had experience with head coach Larry Brown, and, in spite of their past problems, the former all-star is now more mature and willing to sacrifice in order to see his first championship.  Regardless, the Bobcats traded center Emeka Okafor, who simply did not fit into their offensive scheme, for the more versatile Tyson Chandler.  This team is very capable of a playoff push late into the season.

Western Conference

Northwest Division

1. Utah Jazz:
Utah is one of the most underrated teams in the NBA. Deron Williams led them to a respctable 48-34, but they’ve only grown since. Williams, along with Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur form a very powerful offense. Even if Carlos Boozer isn’t interested in playing, they an be successful without him. The big upside is, however, that Boozer is interested in signing somewhere, so when he plays he will do well.

2. Denver Nuggets
Last year, Carmelo Anthony put his name int a conversation that included LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Oh how quickly we forget. ‘Mello will definately be in the mix again this season, but we aren;t sure if the Nuggets got much better. Chauncey Billups and K-Mart add depth to that scoring. There are just too many teams growing where Denver isn’t… And that’s why they’ll lose their hold on the number one spot.

3. Portland Trailblazers
Even if last year was considered a dissappointment, it was a stepping stone. Their very young lineup learned what it’s like to win. The Trailblazers added Andre Miller to the LaMarcus Aldridge/Brandon Roy combination. That move alone could put the Blazers in contention. Add that to a healthy and more agressive Greg Odom, and Portland is starting to look like a team. Put Odom on your list for most improved player this season.

4. Oaklahoma City Thunder
Oaklahoma City has done well considering their situation. However, they are young and inexperienced. Kevin Durant puts on a good show for fans every night, and rookie James Harden has all the potential in the world. If they keep improving, they may even mae the playoffs in a year or two. Look for the Thunder to keep it exciting this year – they will be that “close but no cigar” team all season.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
If their offseason was any indication, Minnesota isn’t going far. Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington may pan out in the long run but it’s hard to see anything but big names with no chemistry. The Ricky Rubio disaster is just a distraction for fans. There is some hope – picking up Ramon Sessions was a definate upgrade.

Southwest Division

1. San Antonio Spurs:
San Antonio needed to add a missing piece. Antonio McDyess needed a place to land. Both got a big break. Getting McDyess to compliment Tony Parker was a great idea. DeJuan Blair was a bad pickup, and he won’t have enough playing time to even matter. Parker, Tim Duncan, and Richard Jefferson are going to prove that they have this team in their hands… Especially because they may only have a year or two to do it.

2. New Orleans Hornets:
Chris Paul is a one-ma recking crew, and he alone can make or break the Hornets.  CP3 is the best point guard in the league, but it’s just not enough to win a championship. Paul won’t benefit from losing his better half in Tyson Chandler, but someone in the front office must like Emeka Okafor. If Okafor is a bust, Paul still has David West to dish off to. Even with the miscues built in, New Orleans is still ahead of most in the Southwest division.

3. Dallas Mavericks:
With the baby momma problems behind him, Dirk Nowitzki is in the spot light. Ultimately, his successes will make the Mavericks great again. Jason Kidd is too old to be considered a factor, but that difference can be made up if Josh Howard steps up his game from last year. Drew Gooden and Shawn Marion make excellent additions, but the Mavs will still be perennial underachievers. Maybe this year someone will duct tape Mark Cuban’s mouth shut.

4. Houston Rockets:
Houston just doesn’t have what it takes. Adding Trevor Ariza was a good start, but he can only do so much for a team that needs so much more help. And don’t be mistaken, he is not a number one scoring machine. Yao Ming is still out, and Tracy McGrady begins this year injured, so as of right now there’s not one player who averaged over 15 points per game last season.

5. Memphis Grizzlies
Mephis sis the most to assure that they would be competitive this seasn, but they ended up with too big of a personality pool. The Allen Iverson experiment should be the least of their concerns. OJ Mayo is explosive, but not mature enough to run a team, and Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph are way to inconsistant to help out. Don’t be fooled into thinking Hasheem Thabeet is the answer… He isn’t designed for offense at all.

Pacific Division

1. L.A. Lakers:
You want to know how good the Lakers are? Just look at their starting five. Derek Fischer, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and new aquisition Ron Artest may be the best lineup in the league. They are so good, they have Lamar Odom on the bench! The 2009 champions aren’t relying on Kobe anymore; instead they are giving him many more options. In such a lame division, the Lakers take it easily.

2. Phoenix Suns:
The Suns showed some signs of life towards the end of last year, but they lost Shaq in the offseason. As much as he horses around, Shaq is an important part of play on both sides of the ball. Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire will continue to be a great duo, but outside of them the team looks bleak. Grant Hill is aging, and this year he may start showing it. They did muster the number one offense in the league, so they cant be that bad can they? Just good enough for second place.

3. Golden State Warriors:
Out of the three bottom feeding teams in this division, the Warriors have the most room to grow. Their lineup is young and now supplemented with Stephen Curry. The key is getting the kids to grow up together, instead of in their own seperate ways. They do have the potential to put up some poins, but defense will kill them in the end.

4. L.A. Clippers:
Blake Griffen won’t fix this team, but he sure can try. Behind Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, the Clippers offense seems recharged. Griffen should help them capitalize on those missed shots. This season will be a success if they hit 30 wins.

5. Sacremento Kings:
Yes, they drafted well. But the Kings needed more thank Tyreke Evans to make themselves a contender. Evans and Kevin Martin still won’t let the Kings be better than mediocre.

Pamela Geller has done an incredible job of covering the Rifqa Bary case. Here is a portion of the Florida Law Enforcement interview with Rifqa. Go to Pamela’s site for more commentary,links,etc.http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/10/rifqa-barys-interview-with-florida-law-enforcement.html It is obvious these agents are CLUELESS- they have no idea of what they are dealing with in regards to Islam.

From Pamela Geller:

Rifqa Bary’s Interview with Florida Law Enforcement

The Rifqa Bary interview conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was just released. Here’s the document.

In a stunning violation of Rifqa Bary’s individual rights, she was not allowed an attorney or Guardian ad litem present. Consider that when the parents were questioned, the interview was supervised by CAIR representatives. Got that?

The interview was conducted on August 24, 2009, a month after she ran away. Rifqa has remained in foster care. Listen to the audio interview here.

I think it is a terrible violation of this poor girl that they would release a minor’s testimony. Add this to the parents’ release of her private papers and flash drive to CAIR and the media. Psychological rape is what it is.

Conducting Rifqa’s interview were at least fthree  male special agents and perhaps one female, David Lee, Special Agent FDLE, Jesi Baron – FDLE, Bob O’ Connor – Special Agent Supervisor, FDLE, Robert Redding -  Child Protective Investigator.  How these neanderthals saw no danger after this interview is unconscionable. It went on for more than two hours.

All the men vs little Rifqa:

Rifqa Bary: Uh, I am sorry but aren’t I supposed to have like lawyers here or anything like that
Agent DL: You’re the victim (chuckle)
Rifa Bary: Oh, really? Okay.
Agent David Lee: You know the difference in a victim and a subject?
Rifqa Bary: Yeah, I do. I do.
Agent: Okay.
[....]
Rifqa Bary:…. I have people that want to testify …my friends.
[...]
Rifqa Bary: Here’s the thing you need to understand. I almost feel like I had two lives. I was straight A,  a lot of people knew me at school, the cheerleader, the good student, the goody two shoes kind of girl that did nothing wrong.
DL: Okay.
RB: But at home it was a very different lifestyle. I have two groups of friends. One at school and one that knew the truth about me.
And that was my faith and how I was hiding and those are church affiliated people.
DL: Okay, your friends at school the first group, why are they different from the ones ….
RB: Because they did not know my home life. They did not know what I faced. They didn’t know the truth about me and I was a believer and I couldn’t express it.

The agent David Lee then asked about her religious upbringing. To say that these guys are clueless is being too kind.  Much more at Pamela’s site – http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/10/rifqa-barys-interview-with-florida-law-enforcement.html