Syfo-Dyas
09-26-2008, 10:10 AM
BY ALAN HAHN
Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni will unveil the architectural model for
the Garden renovation project today. The plans to renovate the Knicks
still have a few issues to work out.
One major issue that will dominate today's conversation is Stephon
Marbury and what to do with him. The team would prefer to move on
without him, but Marbury won't agree to leave unless the Knicks agree
to pay his full $21.9-million salary. "Why would I settle," he told
WNBC's Bruce Beck on Wednesday, "when I already earned the money I'm
about to receive?"
The only alternative for D'Antoni would be to bury Marbury on the
depth chart. If he then became a disruptive force in the locker room -
something several of his teammates already expect - the Knicks could
decide to waive him and pay his salary. That could damage Marbury's
future in the NBA because at that point, especially during the season,
other teams would be less inclined to take a chance on picking him up.
In the WNBC interview, Marbury took the opportunity to look into the
camera and appeal to fans. "I just want another chance, that's it," he
said. "If I can get another chance, which I think I'm being given, I'm
going to take full advantage of it. And if not, I understand, it's a
business. I'll keep it moving and I'll go someplace else."
The team plans to bring 18 players to training camp Tuesday in
Saratoga Springs. One of the 18, Jerome James, could be deemed
medically incapable of playing and forced to retire.
And then there will be Allan Houston, the 37-year-old former all-star
who will make a second comeback attempt. Houston yesterday signed a
non-guaranteed contract with the Knicks along with free agent Danny
Grunfeld, the son of former Knicks forward (and current Wizards GM)
Ernie Grunfeld.
Houston, who originally retired because of chronic knee troubles in
October 2005, tried to come back last year but admittedly wasn't
physically or mentally ready for the NBA's rigors. But he continued to
work out and push himself to give it a second - and final, he says -
try.
The team can carry only 15, so three will have to go before the season
opener Oct. 29 against the Heat. There has been talk that Malik Rose
could be a buyout candidate and could be released during the
preseason.
Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni will unveil the architectural model for
the Garden renovation project today. The plans to renovate the Knicks
still have a few issues to work out.
One major issue that will dominate today's conversation is Stephon
Marbury and what to do with him. The team would prefer to move on
without him, but Marbury won't agree to leave unless the Knicks agree
to pay his full $21.9-million salary. "Why would I settle," he told
WNBC's Bruce Beck on Wednesday, "when I already earned the money I'm
about to receive?"
The only alternative for D'Antoni would be to bury Marbury on the
depth chart. If he then became a disruptive force in the locker room -
something several of his teammates already expect - the Knicks could
decide to waive him and pay his salary. That could damage Marbury's
future in the NBA because at that point, especially during the season,
other teams would be less inclined to take a chance on picking him up.
In the WNBC interview, Marbury took the opportunity to look into the
camera and appeal to fans. "I just want another chance, that's it," he
said. "If I can get another chance, which I think I'm being given, I'm
going to take full advantage of it. And if not, I understand, it's a
business. I'll keep it moving and I'll go someplace else."
The team plans to bring 18 players to training camp Tuesday in
Saratoga Springs. One of the 18, Jerome James, could be deemed
medically incapable of playing and forced to retire.
And then there will be Allan Houston, the 37-year-old former all-star
who will make a second comeback attempt. Houston yesterday signed a
non-guaranteed contract with the Knicks along with free agent Danny
Grunfeld, the son of former Knicks forward (and current Wizards GM)
Ernie Grunfeld.
Houston, who originally retired because of chronic knee troubles in
October 2005, tried to come back last year but admittedly wasn't
physically or mentally ready for the NBA's rigors. But he continued to
work out and push himself to give it a second - and final, he says -
try.
The team can carry only 15, so three will have to go before the season
opener Oct. 29 against the Heat. There has been talk that Malik Rose
could be a buyout candidate and could be released during the
preseason.