NBA Betting: Knicks exodus means pursuit of LeBron is on

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 23 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Nate Robinson has been traded to Boston

"For their next four games, the Knicks play Boston, Washington, Memphis and Cleveland. There's every chance they will lose all of them given their current state of mind."

It's been another poor year for the New York Knicks but at least their fans can look forward to their team's hot pursuit of the Cav's star man, says Nick Shiambouros.

The New York Knicks made some strategic trades last week in preparation for a busy summer at the negotiating table. Nate Robinson was sent to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Eddie House in a complex trade which included a future draft pick. The Knicks did manage to sign the injury prone Tracy McGrady from Houston in exchange for Jared Jeffries.

These trades mean that the Knicks will have around $32m in salary cap space to pursue LeBron James and possibly Dwyane Wade at the end of the season. It is quite apparent to me that the New York organisation has written off yet another year and has abandoned any play-off aspirations it once had. Once again the fans will have to pay through the nose to watch their team end another shocking year.

I've a real problem with teams like New York weakening a team for the chance of improvement down the road. Nate Robinson was a huge asset for the Knicks and his departure to the Celtics was a shock to me. Robinson is a quality point guard but he will not take the place of Rajon Rondo in Boston. This means he will be a bench player for the rest of the season.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni must take his share of the blame for the departure of Robinson. D'Antoni benched Robinson last year over his attitude and was quite happy to see him go. This is not the first time this coach has fallen out with a New York point guard. Last year D'Antoni benched Stephon Marbury and he also ended up being traded to Boston. These events have contributed to the soap opera that is New York basketball.
　
The addition of Tracy McGrady to the rotation is a positive one but this versatile guard has struggled with injuries in recent years. I saw plenty of McGrady when he was leading the Orlando Magic in scoring over ten years ago. At that point in time many considered McGrady to be the best player in the NBA including myself I may add. I think he will be a solid contributor to this current Knick rotation but his health remains a concern.

The Knicks are currently third from bottom in the Eastern Conference and are on a seven game losing streak. On Monday night they were humiliated 83-67 by the Milwaukee Bucks on their home floor. They have lost any chemistry they had and many of the current players will not be in New York next year. They are definitely worth laying in the short term and possibly over an extended period.

Looking ahead to the next four games, the Knicks play Boston, Washington, Memphis and Cleveland. There's every chance they will lose all of them given their current state of mind.
　
The New York Knicks are doing everything in their power to sign LeBron James at the end of the season. They have traded some quality talent to make sure they have enough room to pay LeBron's salary. The salary cap and the February trade deadlines were not introduced for the benefit of the New York Knicks.

My own solution to this situation would be to bring the trade deadline forward to at least the January 15. This would stop teams like New York manipulating the system. It would take a very brave GM indeed to dismantle a team that early in the season. In the meantime this is what a Knick fan has to put up with.

Recommended Bets:

Lay New York with the advertised handicap against Boston,Washington,Memphis and Cleveland.