Morris is making a strong impression
During a break in the Rookie Transition Program yesterday, I noticed Randolph Morris reaching for a snack. It sure looks as though he spent a portion of the summer consuming the right kind of calories. He showed up with trophy arms last season, but is clearly more defined in all of the right places.
The baby fat is gone. The extra bulk will help.
“I hope so, I hope so,” Morris said, while “I’ve been working out and taking care of my body.”
He’s going to need the muscle to lean on Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry in practice.Â
Wilson Chandler has been training and playing in Atlanta most of the summer, but will soon be settling into a temporary apartment in Westchester until a new condo is built. He’s been stopping in at the MSG Training Center every once in a while, too. Getting some court time with veteran teammates is always helpful.
“They’ve been easing me into things,” Chandler said. “They’ve been telling me kind of what I can expect from Zeke. They’ve been telling me, no matter what, keep playing hard and stay positive because he likes that.”
Chandler only needs to ask Renaldo Balkman for confirmation there.
Demetris Nichols remains in a holding pattern.
While he confirmed there have not been any contract negotiations, it appears the second-rounder with long-distance range will be in training camp with the Knicks.
“I’m definitely going to Charleston,” Nichols said.
And playing a year in Europe is no longer an option?
“Right,” Nichols said. “I’m not even talking about that.”
I’m not sure if the declining production is a result of a bad attitude or a bad knee, and the cost involved seems a bit ridiculous, but Andrei Kirilenko is asking the Utah Jazz for a trade. He did the deed via blog, citing a frayed relationship with coach Jerry Sloan. This guy fills a few of the most glaring needs on the Knicks’ roster. Any takers? Utah will undoubtedly start the discussion by asking for David Lee or Renaldo Balkman.
As for the open practice, the Knicks will be on the court at Hofstra for all to see, but I’m told a date is still being finalized. They appear to be looking at the last two weeks in October.
He’s not late by any means, but Zach Randolph still has not been seen working out with new teammates at the MSG Training Facility.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
AK47 would be a good fit at SF. His shotblocking, defense and shooting would fit right in. I don’t know about letting Lee or Balkman go cuz they’re 2 of my favorite players. Still you have to give to get.
Lee would be hard for me to let go. He’s just so good at what he does. Balkman is an energy guy and I think we could survive losing him and replacing him with AK47. I just don’t know about giving up on Balk so early. It’s possible that he could develop into a mini AK47. MAN it’s a tough decision.
September 20th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Mike, your last blog entry was dope and real informative. I love the behind the scenes look. You posted this one so quickly afterward though I think a lot of people might have missed it. Just wanted to be sure I shouted it out to the other KFFL so they would look for it.
On AK47, I’m not sold anymore. A couple years ago, hells yeah, he was sick. But now its too much money and too long of a contract to mess with. I’d much rather rent Artest for the year or stick with what we got.
I’m glad Morris is working hard. He’s gonna have to keep it up cause I don’t see too much playing time ccoming for him this year. At least not until the inevitable injuries.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
kIRILENKO WOULD BUCKLE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THEPLAYING IN NYC
HE CAN’T HANDLE PLAYING UTAH??? UNDER SLOAN??? AND YOU THINK HE COULD HANDLE PLAYING HERE? UNDER ISIAH THOMAS? WITH ZACH? STEPHON? THE MEDIA?
CAN YOU SAY INTIMIDATED?
September 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Kirilenko, Jefferies not much difference. Leave my team alone, except buy out James and cut Jones. I want to see what Dickua can do. It’s good to hear Morris is in condition, he’s going to be a nice back-up for Eddy.
September 21st, 2007 at 12:39 am
Isiah likes Jones, so Dicau will be the one cut.
I agree that Jerome James should be traded, cut, waived or sold to a glue factory. Jerome (Jessie) James held up the Knicks by trading his $30M salary for zero effort & no production. Unfortunately, the only way to motivate JJ is to tie a Big Mack to the ball in order to get him to grab a rebound. LOL :D
September 21st, 2007 at 1:35 am
Mark my words, Renaldo Balkman will be one of the greatest defenders in the L when its all said and done. Call me crazy but he reminds so much of a YOUNG Dennis Rodman (you know before he started wearing dresses and what-not.) He’ll be mentioned with the likes of Camby, Artest, Bowen, and Big Ben. Leave A.K where he is.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:40 am
the only way to go for AK47 is if we get him for jerome james and one of our rookies or maybe collins…. balk and lee are too young to loose for this worn out russian who will buckle under the MSG pressure
September 21st, 2007 at 9:47 am
I’m with Les and Tariq. Balkmann will be a All-defensive as SF when Bowen gone. The truew is, remeber Bowen in his first years. He was awful. He worked hard and the truth is he became a hell of a player. Let’s hope he is better this season. But, watching him shut down Duran was very good.
AK is a good player but he’s not a fit here. And he has a huge salarie. I’ll only get him for garbage (JJ + Portland guys).
September 21st, 2007 at 1:02 pm
AK does have three range and rarely shoots, which is a combo the knicks could use, along with strong defense, rebounding and hustle. The contract makes it an impossibility, though. I agree that we can’t give up talent for him, but if we don’t, when is he going to play and isn’t that the reason he’s sulking in Utah, anyway? If Ron Artest is available for Balkman I have to do it, but, ultimately I’m just as happy to see what Renaldo can do as a sophmore.
I think if the Knicks don’t win this year it’ll be time for a new coach, a new GM, a new point guard, a new center, etc. If the Knicks don’t win, lets get out from under some contracts and draft the next Lebron. We should trade for long term deals only if we’re a player away from being really good. Wew’ll know the answer to that by mid November.
September 21st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Kirilenko would be another expensive mistake. He has not played a full season (or nearly full) in several years. In addition, his points and assists per game have been in decline.
Just sounds like a mistake. Besides, Arby (“R-B”) is a keeper at SF and actually should start there if Q can’t make it. And let’s not bring up trading David Lee. It’s not going to happen.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:27 am
Does any one here want a shot at lebron or wade in 2 years? If we take on kirilenko’s 63 mill lebron or wade is pretty much out of the question. The chances were slim after the randolph trade.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Greetings to all true Knicks fans. Amazing, all the negative post, yet so many trade Ideas for the same players that were deemed useless. This will be a great year for the Knicks and the true fans. Come on board non-believers, for you are followers of these foolish blogs.We’ll help everyone.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I like Andrei Kirilenko as much as the next guy (I also think he could be the perfect fit/missing piece), but I wouldn’t give up David Lee or Renaldo Balkman for him. He’s a max salary player, he has like 4 years remaining on his contract, the article said his knees may have problems, and his other issues (not getting along with his coach, teammates complaining about his practice habits/work ethic, declined production, his supposed inability to handle pressure).
If Utah took Jared Jefferies, Fred Jones, Dan Dickau, NY’s and, 2008 1st round pick (protected). They already have NY’s 2010 1st round pick. The most I would add to that package is to include Nate Robinson, and that’s only because that would free up time for Demetris Nichols. I would also do Jared Jefferies/Jerome James/Malik Rose and a Jamal Crawford/Quentin Richardson package.
Anyway, I rather keep Balkman than trade for Kirilenko, even in a one-for-one trade. There are too many question marks with “AK47” to deal a similar young player, still on his rookie salary, for him. Who else thinks Utah would go crazy for John Stockton Jr in Dan Dickau as their backup PG?