Well, I was right that the Crawford/Harrington trade could set in motion more trades. No way did I think that those trades would start happening within hours.

Apparently Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins have been shipped (pun intended) to the Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. I assumed that Chicago would be the team to make a play for Randolph, but I was right that it would be in exchange for an over-paid shooting guard and a useless forward.

These two moves put New York in a much better financial position. And even in the short term, I'm not sure that New York won't be better. David Lee gets to play a larger role (which should have happened earlier), Wilson Chandler likely gets to play a little more and now Nate Robinson is the only blackhole on the team. So ball movement should be much much better. Plus, Knicks fans won't have to watch this:



or this

News is out that the Knicks have traded Jamal Crawford to Golden State for Al Harrington. I have to say, it’s strange to read about a Knicks trade that makes sense. In this case, it was a great trade for both teams. For now, because logical moves in New York have been so rare, we’re going to look at the Knicks side of this.

The Knicks desperately need cap relief. Their payroll is larger than some small countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal) ) And to state the obvious, they don’t have a lot to show for all that spending. Enter Al Harrington. He has two years left on his contract while Crawford still has three more years at an average of $9mil per. And what’s more, this trade makes the Knicks much more “Mike D’Antoni Friendly”.

So far, the lineup most used by D’Antoni is Chris Duhon, Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Wilson Chandler and Zach Randolph. This trade gives them more depth and size in the front court (either with Harrington backing up the 3 and the 4, or by having him start at the 4). It also gives them a forward who can shoot the ball. More than anything, it could set in motion a series of trades. Here’s how: Having another guy who can competently play PF frees them up to explore more trades involving Zach Randolph. Now that they have Harrington, Donnie Walsh doesn’t need to get back a big man in exchange for Randolph. A trade with desperate-for-interior scoring Chicago becomes much easier to pull off now (say, Larry Hughes and Cedric Simmons).

The Crawford/Harrington trade leaves the backcourt a little thin, so more of the front court can be jettisoned to help out there. With Richardson, Harrington, David Lee and Chandler still there to play the 3 and 4 spots, Danilo Gallinari is expendable. Utah could be a destination. If Boozer leaves in the offseason, Kirilenko can start at his natural power forward position. Gallinari may fit in well at the SF position. So, Ronnie Price and Jarron Collins for Gallinari. This would give NY more cap relief and a competent guard.

I’m guessing that it will be impossible to trade Curry this season (useless and two years left on his contract), but you never know. Either way, shedding Randolph’s contract and getting some help in the backcourt certainly makes New York’s future look a little brighter.

Your Highness,

Let me preface my comments by saying this: You're a great player. Nobody, absolutely nobody, has your combination of speed, strength, intelligence, and skill. You will be a legend of the game, which is why I'm writing you.

We both know you're great. You don't have to work the cameras like you do. Just look at yourself in these pictures.

After each dunk, each highlight, you face the crowd, the scrub trying to guard you, or your teammates. More often, you face the the cameras. You pose. You scream. You do everything, except run back down the court.

Why? So we take notice of your greatness? Sorry, but we already have.

Last Wednesday,you took to dancing midplay. You shook your leg, your body, and Drew Gooden. You freed up Delonte West for an open three. But what made the nightly highlights? This: "OmGZ! Luk at Leebrone!"

Again, I ask you to stop. Enough is enough.

Sincerely,

Mr. Crimson