“While the 2011 market may not have as many stars, it isn’t lacking in big names, either. Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Caron Butler, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, David West and Tayshaun Prince could all be changing zip codes two summers from now.”-ESPN

The Knicks put themselves in position to sign two max players and re-sign David Lee in the off-season. However, if they sign one player like a Lebron, Bosh, Wade, Amare or Joe Johnson they could sign another player in 2011. In a perfect world all Knicks fans would like to see James and Anthony on the Knicks. Donnie Walsh should not feel pressured to sign two players to max deals this summer  if he feels they would not be a good fit. Walsh also needs to spend money wisely on roster slots because they traded their 2012 first-round pick in the Tracy McGrady deal.

How can this work:

1)  Eddy Curry has an expiring contract next season ($11.2 million)

2) Knicks do not have a first round pick in 2012 (no salary against the …

The first-ever slam dunk competition was held this week during halftime of the ABA All-Star game at McNichols Arena in Denver. Julius Erving of the New York Nets wowed everybody with his running dunk from the foul line. Dr. J bested Denver’s David Thompson, Artis Gilmore of the Kentucky Colonels, and San Antonio’s George Gervin and Larry Kenon. As for the game itself (after some pregame entertainment by top-of-the-chart recording artists Glen Campbell and Charlie Rich), the league eschewed its former format of East vs. West, instead having the first place team at the break taking on a group of ABA All-Stars. The Denver Nuggets, coached by Larry Brown, scored 52 points in the fourth quarter to overtake the All-Star squad by a final score of 144-138. Thompson was named the game’s MVP, scoring 29 points, and Dr. J led the All-Stars with 23 points. In the NBA All-Star game, Dave Bing was named MVP (16 points, four assists) after leading the East to a 123-109 victory …

“Tracy McGrady and Sergio Rodriguez to NYK; Kevin Martin/Jared Jeffries/swap of 2011 first with Knicks and 2012 first from Knicks to Houston AND Kings get Carl Landry, Joey Dorsey and Larry Hughes‘ expiring contract . . . all just filed to ESPN.com.”

Sources say Houston gets Kevin Martin, Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill. Also the right to swap first-round picks with NYK in 2011 and New York’s first-rounder in 2012.”

It was reported that Donnie Walsh did not want to trade Jordan Hill but he was desperate to move Jared Jeffries and his $6.9 million dollar contract for next season. The Knicks have saved $9.4 million in cap savings and can go after two max players in the off-season.

Tracy McGrady has been working with trainer Tim Grover to get back into shape. Grover,  who trained Michael Jordan, says “put him in uniform and get him out there, T-Mac is ready.” McGrady, has an expiring contract and is only 30 years-old. He  should put fans into the seats and his jersey should be a quick seller.

Sergio Rodriguez was …

“The Kings will acquire Tracy McGrady along with with Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from Houston for Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas, Hilton Armstrong and Sergio Rodriguez.”

“Multiple sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets and Kings will spend Thursday trying to make this a three-way deal that lands McGrady with the Knicks, who have been McGrady’s preferred destination ever since he and the Rockets mutually agreed in late December to find the 30-year-old a new team via trade.”

The Knicks have been desperately trying to move the contract of Jared Jeffries who is owed $6.9  million next season.  Also, Sergio Rodriguez is another player who can end up with the Knicks.

The trade deadline is today at 3pm EST.

We all know about the great athletes in New York sports history – Babe Ruth, Tom Seaver, Lawrence Taylor, Joe Namath, Mark Messier, Walt Frazier – and even the busts – Ed Whitson, Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Stephon Marbury, Scott Gomez. But what about the slightly-to-highly-above-average athlete? The kind-of-great but not all-timer? They may not have been Hall-of-Famers, but they were All-Stars, fan favorites, cogs on a championship team or maybe even just pretty darn good. They’re the little brother that didn’t hog all the attention. But they’re certainly worth talking about and remembering. So when do they get their due? Well, now they will. Here is a series of the not-quite-legendary in New York sports history.

With the Knicks celebrating their 1970 World Champion team this coming Monday, let’s take a look at the forgotten man on that squad – Dick Barnett. Everybody knows about Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley, and even the additions to the early-’70s powerhouse team, Earl Monroe and Jerry Lucas, but not a lot of fans may …

Nate Robinson has been linked to the Boston Celtics for a few weeks now. Robinson signed a one-year contract this past summer with the Knicks. Boston has has three players who have expiring contracts: Eddie House ($2.8 million), Brian Scalabrine ($3.4 million) and Tony Allen ($2.5 million). House played under Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni with the Suns.

Robinson is a “base-year compensation” player which means the Celtics may have to send multiple players and a draft pick to complete the deal. The Knicks may have to deal a future first-round pick for Tracy McGrady so adding a pick would help. Robinson, recently won his third dunk contest over All-Star weekend.

Nate has had an inconsistent year with New York after averaging a career high 17.2 points last season. If he is dealt to Boston he would provide a spark off the bench. However, Robinson has the right to approve or disapprove any trade.

Week 17 (Feb. 15-21)
Teams playing four games: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix, Sacramento, Utah
Teams playing three games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington
Teams playing two games: L.A. Lakers

Anthony Morrow (Warriors)- Morrow has returned after missing 12 games due to a knee injury. He has scored 33 and 26 points over his past two games and has played 45 and 48 minutes. He is a great source for threes.

Daequan Cook (Heat)- Cook has 27 points over his last two games including 5 three-pointers. He played 24 and 21 minutes in that span. He is a great source for threes as well.

Chris Richard (Bulls)- Richard was signed to his second 10-day contract due to Joakim Noah being sidelined with an injury. Richard has played in at least 20 minutes in two of his past three games and is averaging one block on the season.

JaVale McGee (Wizards)- McGee could …

“The Knicks and Rockets are getting closer to a deal that would send Tracy McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook to New York in exchange for Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill, and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes.”-Yahoo Sports

Draft picks being swapped have also been rumored. The Knicks do not have a first round pick this year but could deal one in 2011 or 2012. New York needs to move Jeffries because he is owed $6.9 million dollars next season.

T-Mac would see minutes in the rotation because he is playing for another contract. Also the  rotation would get thinner due to the trade. He is turning 31 years-old in May and may have some skills left in the tank.

Super Bowl Sunday combines everything that’s great about our country: Drinking, eating 15 pounds of Buffalo wings, gambling and British classic rock. Why, oh why is this day not a national holiday? Here in New York, did we care who won? Well, if you had a wager on the game you did. Or did one of those squares things at work. So even if you don’t have a true rooting interest, it’s still hard to watch the game in a nice, relaxing manner when you’re yelling at the TV for the Colts to get a safety so they could end up with a score that ends in 5. The halftime show is always fun. The Who (or what’s left of them) rocked as only senior citizens can. Let’s give them credit, though, when I’m their age I’ll be lucky if can eat solid food and remember where I live. But the band is getting too rickety to smash their own equipment, so they have roadies do that …

David Lee becomes the first Knick to make the All-Star team since 2001.

Lee and Chris Bosh are the only two players in the East who are averaging 20 points and 11+ rebounds per game. He also is shooting 55% from the field, 79% from the line and 3.5 assists per game. Lee has seen his scoring increase due to scoring 20+ in seven of his past eight games.

Other options to replace Allen Iverson could have been Josh Smith and Andrew Bogut.

The Hawks have the second best record in the East and already have two players on the Eastern squad (Joe Johnson and Al Horford). Smith is 5th in the East in blocks (2.1).

Bogut is tied for 2nd in the East in blocks per game and is 7th in rebounds. Along with rookie PG Brandon Jennings, the Australian big man is one of the main reasons the Bucks are one game out of the 8th seed.

David Lee has better numbers than both these players but the …

Week 16 (Feb. 8-14)
Teams playing three games: Orlando
Teams playing two games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Golden State, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, Utah
Teams playing one game: Boston, Houston, Indiana, Memphis, New York, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Toronto, Washington

Will Bynum (Pistons)- Bynum has returned from an ankle injury and has 29 points and 14 assists over his past three games.

C.J Miles (Jazz)- Miles has at least 10 points in four straight games while receiving more minutes in the rotation.

Marquis Daniels (Celtics)- Daniels returned from a thumb injury and played 13 minutes vs. the Magic yesterday. He is a valuable bench player for the team but his role could increase if Ray Allen gets traded.

Brad Miller (Bulls)- Miller has started the past two games with Joakim Noah sidelined with a foot injury. Miller has 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 steals and a three-pointer in his two starts.

Honorable mention: Morris Peterson (Hornets)

We sports fans are a dramatic bunch when it comes to our teams – everything is life and death – but in real life we shrug sadness and tragedy off like it’s nothing. “My Uncle Maury died? What are ya gonna do? He had a good run. Can you pass the ketchup?” But if the team we root for goes into a slump or, God forbid, gets knocked out of the playoffs, we’re screaming, tears are falling like Niagara Falls and we’re pulling what’s left of our hair out. Think back to the 1994 Stanley Cup and tears of joy start falling. Think of the Wilpons or James Dolan owning your team, and tears of sadness reign down. And if you’re like me and Rip Torn, you’ll get so drunk you’ll mistakenly take a local bank for your house, break in and pass out as I did when the 2007 baseball season ended and the Mets pulled off the collapse hear round the world. I was in such bad shape that I was nearly fired …