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Ghost of Van Gundy
Past
The holiday festivities
at Madison Square Garden are in full swing and the Boo
Bird Chorus has added the famous "Jeff-Van-Gun-dy"
chant to its repertoire. It's a fitting compliment to
the "Fire Isiah" refrain heard nightly following
an errant shot, turnover or blown defensive assignment.
Isiah Thomas, now in his 4th season with the team, has
lost his power of influence over everyone not named
James Dolan. Despite all the fan uproar
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and media attention
(including ESPN's recent Outside The Lines segment), Dolan
& Thomas have shown no interest in taking action to reverse
the team's fortune. With no hope of a franchise sale, head
coach firing or major trade in sights, fans can only voice
their opinion. Booing the home team only compounds matters,
but it's a direct result of watching lackluster play from
high-priced athletes, assembled by men who accept no responsibility
for mounting losses.
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Should Thomas truly believe
the "Sixth Man" is responsible for missed
layups, then he is delusional as well as inept at coaching.
Thomas is rarely seen standing on the sidelines calling
out plays. He's routinely slumped over in his chair
with a blank expression. For someone who played for
Bob Knight & Chuck Daly, it's shocking how cavalier
a coach he is. Jeff Van Gundy on the other hand is fondly
remembered for his passion & commitment to the orange
& blue. Van Gundy served as an assistant to 4 former
Knicks head coaches (Stu Jackson, John MacLeod, Pat
Riley & Don Nelson) from 1989-1996. When Don Nelson
decided he had little use for Patrick Ewing & John
Starks, Van Gundy stepped in to restore order at MSG
and led the team from 6 ½ seasons.
Isiah Thomas was recently
quoted as saying he would "win or die" as
Knicks coach. Surely laughter ensued following the statement.
Thomas - not known for being a historian - should find
his way to the tape room and watch
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video of Van Gundy running
up & down the coaching box screaming out plays.
Moreover, he could learn how
to inspire a team from the last Knicks head coach to post
a winning record. The images of Van Gundy' leg tackle of Alonzo
Mourning or stepping into a Marcus Camby fist meant for Danny
Ferry are forever etched in the minds of many.
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The likelihood of Jeff
Van Gundy returning to the Knicks sideline is remote,
but the JVG chant is one that should continue until
the team produces a quality & consistent effort
on both ends of the floor. Unlike Thomas, Van Gundy
demanded effort and got the most out of his players.
For the fans that continue
to purchase league-high tickets & overpriced concession
items, you have an inalienable right to express your
appreciation for a coach that was the embodiment of
NYK basketball regardless of how it makes the current
coach & owner feel. If MSG security officials give
you one of Jimmy Dolan's new "heckle cards"
at the next home game you attend, tell them you will
take a win in exchange for it. As for Thomas, if love
is what he wants, he can head back to the Motor City.
A Detroit Pistons legend should have never ended up
running the Knicks in the first place.
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AND 1
Eddy Curry's regression is
due in large part to his inability to perform well when he's
not the focal point of the offense. Zach Randolph routinely
beats Curry down the court which results in more touches and
shots for Randolph. Should Curry be benched and Malik Rose
deactivated, Randolph Morris could see action. Morris (an
AAU teammate of Dwight Howard) averaged 16.1ppg & 2 blocks
per contest in his final season at Kentucky. Morris showed
promise at the Las Vegas Summer League and if paired with
Curry in the second unit, could provide the team with a shot
blocking presence. Morris is also athletic enough to play
in screen & roll sets and is far from an offensive liability.
A second unit featuring Curry, Morris & Balkman would
allow Curry enough room to operate on the low block while
having two forwards on the floor to make up for his defensive
deficiencies.
-Greg Hutchins
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