THE BUTLER DID IT!!! But Congrats to the Pats

There is no such thing as a morale victory, but I must say, although Eli had an interception, he played the best game of his career thus far. That being said, I believe the game was won on the blown coverage by Butler.

You just cannot give their biggest playmaker that much of a cushion. Mind you, we were still winning the game at that point. If anything, you make sure he catches the ball in front of you, and you tackle him immediately!!! On that play, Brady broke the TD passing record, Randy broke the TD reception record, the Pats took the lead, and ultimately, we lost the game.

I seen Butler pointing to himself afterwards as to say it was his fault, but I hope that miscue leaves a bad taste in his mouth for the playoffs, and I hope he is able to redeem himself. The team (collectively) played too well against one of the best teams (All Time) for him to have let that happen. Especially since they went to the same "exact" play previously, and he was very fortunate Randy couldn't come up with it.

The Giants must go into the playoffs with a tremendous chip on their shoulder, and approach each game as they did today, beginning with the Bucs next week. Focus man!!!! And we will probably meet the Pats again...... when it really matters.

Just 1 GAME!!!

Curry virtually took himself out of the rotation by picking up two quick fouls last night. He continued to sit through the third quarter, and we played "competitive" basketball throughout.

We ran into a slight surge in the 4Th, but once he came off the bench, we suffered our first double digit deficit of the game.... Needless to say, we never recovered from that point on. I feel his presence, against that type of squad, messed up any type of continuity we garnered over the first three quarters.

Why is Zach coming off the bench? True his defense is sub par as well, but he gives you a double double consistently, even with limited playing time. I suggest we sit Curry for an entire game, at least, maybe two. Just to see what the team is able to do without him on the floor.

If it doesn't work, then we can resume trying to get his game on track, but we're too far behind the 8 ball right now, and I believe he is the weak link. He needs to be motivated but coddling him, so far, is no antidote for his atrocious floor presence.

Isiah, I'm trying to help you man, sit Curry down now!!!!!!!!

ALL WE NEED IS 4 ELI TO B EZ........

Eli Manning does not need to force the issue and try to emulate his brother. We have the 4th ranked rushing attack (previously 6th), and the 6th ranked total defense (previously 7th), why is the media putting the owness on Eli? Most successful Championship teams win with a running game and defense. Elway didn't win until he acquired Davis, and he was one of the most prolific passers in history.

Eli needs to focus on avoiding unforced turnovers, holding on to the pigskin, and being more accurate with his passes. But for goodness sake, if the pass is not there, move around the pocket and "throw it away", don't succumb to the pressure, let Feagles (one of the best) punt the ball away, and put your defense in a position to be successful.

Once we went to the running game, everything turned around for us this week. The only score in the second half, came off an Eli interception (ill advised pass). Some of the best passes are the ones you don't attempt. Throwing it out of bounds when there's nothing there, and utilizing your punter, gives your entire team great confidence in you as a leader, and that "confidence" permeates all aspects of the "TEAM".

Eli has great tools, but when your defense is beginning to click, and you have a rookie show you what he is capable of at this point in the season, that should bring him a tremendous sense of relief. You have all the support you need dude, use them, don't force $#@!. Don't listen to the critics, lead your team by example, and watch them respond to your leadership.

We're one of the sleepers this year, if we don't make costly errors, I believe we can win it all. You will get your chances to throw the ball to Plax, just be patient. With a running attack like that, they are going to have to load up in the box, eventually. Be easy Eli, and get in the gym this off season too. It can't hurt.

Beat New England Saturday!!!!!!!! Blaq Ops signing off.

The Player and the Blueprint are in L.A.

The player the N.Y. Knicks desperately needs is Kobe Bryant. His relentless passion for the game is unquestioned, and his effort on the floor night in and night out is among the best all time.

I know he caught a lot of flack after the Shaq fiasco, the rape trial, and his trade demand this summer, but he only wanted the organization to make a serious attempt to better the team. Although I do not agree with how he went about it, I believe his criticism of the team, Bynum in particular, was a catalyst in getting those guys to step up their game.

Who is reaping the benefits of stepping up their game, Bynum, Odom, and Ariza (starting now). And Kobe is now the consummate teammate. Deferring to the younger players and keeping them in the game. His shot attempts, and ppg are down this season. He only becomes selfish when he feels he has to carry the load, but he has no problem dishing, playing defense, and supporting the other players, as long as they are striving for excellence.

This is exactly what E City needs, tough love. Isiah was criticized when he critiqued his effort, but unlike Larry Brown, Isiah strategically criticizes his team, when it is apparent his team is not responding, and the criticism is still fair to say the least.

Curry felt slighted when Howard was selected for the All Star Team last season, that should have been his motivation to get in the gym, hire a work out guru, and work out 2-3 times a day if necessary, to elevate his game into the next level. Had he done that, he would have been the best Center in the league, bar none. Have you seen Bynum? That kid took the criticism well, and he is now playing above the rim in big games. This is another kid straight out of high school, but he obviously does not have a fragile psyche. And now his frame is the epitome of what an NBA center's body should resemble (ala Howard).

The guys are faster, and more athletic now. The plodding offense will not get it done if you do not have the ability to get back and defend the lane, especially after you turn over the ball. Teams are feasting on the E City offense. His calves look like one huge drumstick, no definition. He shows flashes of brilliance offensively, and with an occasional blocked shot, he shows you what he is capable of, but without conditioning his game will never be consistent.

I don't know if this has anything to do with his heart condition, but if he will not do the work, it's really time to explore getting rid of him. Benching him is a good start though, albeit a little late. Let's see how he responds. I know Curry is the key to any serious playoff contention/run we make. But only Curry can justify that thought process, with effort, passion, and execution, on a consistent basis, on both ends of the floor. Everything Thomas envisioned will come to fruition if Curry steps up to the plate.

SOS... TIME IS RUNNING OUT

Besides the financial side of it, I cannot understand why Isiah continues to show confidence in the players that are not fighting for him. Quentin Richardson's outburst was disturbing to say the least. I have always felt as though he was one of the players trying, and I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, but if I was coach, that would be grounds for dismissal.

Lee, Robinson, Jones, Crawford, and Randolph are obviously putting out maximum effort night in and night out. I wouldn't want to cause a mutiny, but to send a statement, if nothing else, those would be the players I start.

True the Bobcats were up by 29 points, so they probably relaxed a bit, but until that crew came in, just like they did against the Cavs, we were on the verge of "not competing", and that has to be unacceptable.

Well Kobe is coming to town next.... If something doesn't change soon, I would have to equate his mindset with career suicide. SAVE OUR SEASON ZEKE.... TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!

Scrap the E-City Offense

I hope last night's game was a glimpse of what's to come and not an aberration, because, as per my previous blog, Curry is holding this team back from developing into a contender.

True indeed, he made tremendous strides "last" season, but he did not do the off season work that would have took his game to the next level, therefore, we cannot continue to force feed him the ball in the post, and watch him commit unforced turnovers, then fail to get back on defense, which stagnates the entire flow of the game, and saps morale in the process.

I have maintained all season, that "individual" effort is evident, but in order to compete on this level you need "team chemistry". Last night was proof that a motion offense is best suited for this squad of young, athletic, and gritty players Isiah has assembled. DON'T HOLD THEM BACK ANY LONGER!!!!

Maybe Curry needs to come off the bench, and provide a change of pace when slowing the game down is needed. But night in and night out, the gritty motion offense is the key. Maybe coming off the bench will finally motivate him to realize that he needs to fine tune his game, and he cannot be content with his conditioning, rebounding, and defensive capabilities, or lack thereof.

I am by no means rushing to judgement, but this team must capitalize on it's potential, for the sake of Knick pride, Thomas' job, and their individual legacy's. As they say "the ball is in your court". Come out and play this way on a consistent basis, and prove all of the naysayers wrong. WINNING is the only way that goal can be achieved. I have always believed in you now it's time you make good on the faith few Knick fans still have left.

Past Time Hypocrites.........

Over 250 players have been caught and suspended in addition to the 80+ names revealed in the report. I guess they are going to have to put an asterisk on everyone's record, which validates the point I made long ago.....

How can you single out Barry when 1/3 of the pitchers he hit homers off of were probably taking some type of performance enhancing substance? Whether you used it to heal, provide an energy boost, or improve performance, it's the same thing.

All of this is hypocritical. They didn't make such a big deal about players being injected with pain killers in order to keep them on the field on game day. They didn't, and still don't care about the players whom the league (NFL) forgot about after the game was done with them. If they really want to do something good, they should implement the same drug testing requirements for all major sports "across the board".

I wonder what percentage of players in football, pro wrestling, and soccer would have been exposed. But since they have already vilified baseball, I'm sure people would be a lot more careful now.

Also, notice how devoid the "Mitchell Report" is of prominent Red Sox players. I suppose the Sox Nation is super clean, super smart and/or super talented, to not have any of their main players during the "steroid era" mentioned (at all) is truly an accomplishment. But I can't help to think Mitchell may have shown a "little" favoritism to the organization he worked for.

Since they want to convict Barry and the rest on assumption, why don't they take a look at Manny's before and after pictures. He blew up significantly, and he is injury prone as well. We could speculate forever!!!!!!, but without actual proof, it is what it is, speculation.

Implement strict drug testing across the board, and judge people accordingly, don't go back and retroactively condemn/suspend people based on circumstantial evidence. How many of us would like to be judged on our past transgressions, 5 years after it occurred, or based on the testimony of an unsavory character. I think a majority of us would be convicted by a jury of our peers, of something.............

PINK SLIP RALLY @ GARDEN 2DAY

Besides the sexual harassment case (although it was a he said she said scenario), I believe all of Isiah's moves were well intended.

Curry is his only mistake, as far as the players go, because he failed to do the necessary off season work that could have propelled him into becoming the most formidable force in the low post.

He was on the verge of becoming an All Star, but if anything he has regressed this year, his inability to rebound, and become a defensive presence in the paint is the "SOLE" reason we are under performing (as a team) this season.

I truly believe that if we could have signed Rasheed Wallace, or Kevin Garnett, everyone would be singing his praises right now. Instead he is struggling to get the current roster to play well together, consistently.

Making no excuses, we all know WINNING is everything, especially in NY. I believe this squad as is, would perform much better in any other market, but NY comes with the MONEY, and immense pressures as well. If you accept the contract you have to know that. You must also exhibit the intestinal fortitude to overcome adversity whether it be your opponents, the media, personal, or otherwise. But hell, if they could fire Torre everyone is expendable (Mangini, Coughlin, Randolph, Renney, etc, etc).

Ultimately, I will not sign the petition, but if the masses feel Isiah has to go so vehemently, then so be it. We cannot have the fans/media/etc constantly jumping down the teams throat whenever we go on a drought, miss a lay up, or a couple of free throws.
NY is the hardest place to play, and it only makes it more difficult when your own sixth man is praying for your demise, due to the (((visceral))) hatred of your coach.

It makes you wonder though, who are you going to replace him with? I guess they hate him so much, they don't care who we get, but whoever it is, after a couple of bad games LOOK OUT!!!!! Patrick Ewing? Mark Jackson? Van Gundy? (bailed once already).

Is Rick Carlisle available? I think he was doing an outstanding job in Detroit when he got canned. I still can't figure out why they fired him to this day.

And we will also need a GM.... Is Jerry West willing to take on this task, if not.... Be careful what you wish for Knick fans, very careful..........