The Waiting Is The Hardest Part
During the off-season the team attempted to improve the team by adding one of several free agents including Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. In typical Knick fashion they came up empty.
Of their current players, two fan favorites, David Lee and Nate Robinson became restricted free agents at the end of the year and conventional wisdom, and the dream of the 2010 free agent class, held that they would not be resigned.
The failure to land any other free agents appears to have changed that. No other team has offered Robinson a deal and the idea that he would play in Europe for more money than New York is laughable. But Nate's not my concern, David Lee is.Lee finished the season having played 81 games. He led the team in rebounds with 951. He finished with 174 Assists, 80 Steals, 23 Blocked Shots and 1,293 points. He just missed the All-Star team and at times he seems like the only player on the floor who's really trying.
Strong rumors had Lee heading to Portland, but with the Blazers' recent signing of Andre Miller (Another guy the Knicks missed out on btw), that could take Portland out of the Lee sweepstakes. This in turn, would appear to make Lee resigning with the Knicks, without the team incurring a huge cap hit, more likely.
Whereas I honestly believe Lee will resign with the Knicks, there is a nagging voice in the back of my head telling me to hold on. The problem I'm having here is that there is a t-shirt at the NBA store here in Manhattan with Lee's name and number on it. The NBA store carries shirts for a variety of players throughout the NBA, as well as a vast array of other NBA related merchandise. If you're a fan you really should check it out (it's located at 5th avenue at 52nd street).
Why so much concern over a simple t-shirt? The reason is simple. I am the kiss of death when it comes to player shirts. Over the years I have bought shirts and jerseys for many a player across several sports. During my Yankee shirt craze I bought shirts for Bernie Williams, Shane Spencer, Chad Curtis, Jeff Weaver, Nick Johnson and David Wells. With the exception of Bernie, all the players whose shirts I bought were immediately traded, flopped, or signed with a different team.
Giants football? Phil Simms retired right after I bought my Simms jersey. Jason Sehorn signed with the Rams after I received his jersey for Christmas.
My hockey record isn't much better. I have jerseys for Niklas Sundstrom, Eric Lindross and Jaromir Jagr that were all purchased right before they left the team. I went shopping for a Metro Stars soccer jersey just as they were changing their name to the Red Bulls. I never did find one.Getting back to the Knicks, my Derek Harper jersey hadn't even been worn yet when he left the team! Last year I received a David Lee jersey as a gift and immediately the rumors began about his leaving.
This time I'm determined to break the cycle! I've promised myself no Lee shirt until he's resigned. So even though I work across the street from the NBA store, I wait… and wait… and cross my fingers.
Posted by Bob Glasscock on July 30, 2009 in Basketball
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Bob - hate to disappoint you, but the Knicks #1 draft pick for 2010 is already owned by the Utah Jazz. In fact, the Jazz will not trade Boozer to the Knicks in hopes that the Knicks don't even win but a handful of games to get a high lottery pick. Things are only going to improve via free agency for New York.
Posted by: JD | July 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I couldn't agree with you more about the nicks draft prospects, JD. I was referring to the Free Agent class of 2010, not the Draft Class.
Lord knows Isaiha Thomas ruined any chance of the Knicks improving via the Draft for ears to come. Thanks Zeke!
Posted by: Bob Glasscock | July 30, 2009 at 05:26 PM
I feel your pain Bob, I bought a Burress jersey the year they won the Superbowl, and the mofo shot himself. Now it just hangs in my closet. I often think of putting it in a nice package and mailing it to him in jail...with my receipt!
Posted by: Blaze322 | October 23, 2009 at 06:30 PM