Nate Robinson

Most headlines read "Knicks Accquire Tracy McGrady," but what they should read is "Knicks Clear an Additional $9.5 Million in Cap Space for 2010."

What a day. One of the most influential days in Knicks history might not be July 1st, 2010 anymore, it may now have turned to February 18th, 2010, the day the Knicks cleared enough cap room to sign two max players.

Yes LeBron got a new running mate in Jamison, but really, this will not sway his decision. No wonder Amare somewhat-publicly stated that he did not want to go to Cleveland. I mean, who in their right mind would not want to go play with LeBron James become the key piece to winning a championship- perhaps he had some information...

As Marc Berman put it: "Donnie Walsh is “all in” for this summer.

Walsh opened up another $9.3 million of salary-cap space — giving the Knicks a projected total of $32 million to play with — in acquiring former superstar Tracy McGrady and Kings backup point guard Sergio Rodriguez yesterday in a three-team blockbuster with the Rockets and Kings."

Mike Vaccaro writes:
"Though he never said as much, Walsh had a three-step plan to getting the Knicks where they needed to be in time for his third year on the job:

1. Blow up the foundation. This was done by jettisoning Isiah once and forever, by hiring D’Antoni, and by serving early notice that two full seasons would be set aside to sacrifice for what was necessary.

2. Clear out the decks. In other words, do precisely what he did yesterday. Make sure every nickel is available by the stroke of midnight July 1.

3. Sign two max-contract players. Which really means this: Get LeBron James’ name on a contract, and a sidekick to be named later.

And that, of course, is the part that, starting at 12:01:01 on July 1, will make what happened this week seem like a vacation. It is a very clear, crystal thing to be a Knicks fan now. Forget this year. Forget the draft, because there’s no first-round pick this year and there may be none in 2011 or 2012, too, after yesterday’s transactions.

Focus on one thing.

Focus on July 1, 2010. The day the Knicks are either reborn or given a blindfold, a cigarette, and a shove into the abyss."

Oh and a side note- he was able to move nuisance Nate Robinson to Boston, perhaps disrupting the chemistry in Boston for a second time (see Marbury 2009).

The countdown continues... 131 Days.

Donnie- LET HIM GO!

Ever since he was signed, the fans have loved Nate Robinson, and why not- a guy whose 5 foot nothing, entertaining as hell, can dunk, and is a freakish athlete.

That being said, that is all Nate is. The guys basketball IQ is below zero. You ever play with that guy that every time he shoots you cringe thinking- wow that's a just a terrible, low percentage shot- that's Nate. The players know it, the scouts know it, and Donnie sure knows it.

Why has Donnie not come outright and said that Nate will not be back (especially now when he can obviously get him cheap)? 3 Reasons- 1) Nate can actually help this mediocre at best team, he can score he can shoot and he can be a nice spark off the bench 2) Nate is an entertainer- and the fans love him 3) Nate could be cheap to retain for 1 year right now and then let go without being hounded about it in the 2010 hype.

In regard to this latest arrest: to all the fans out there saying "why the big deal, the guy got pulled over"- listen up, it has nothing to do with being pulled over, that wasn't a big deal at all. The problem is that it is just another step in a series of idiotic moves made by Nate, topped with a immature tweeting session while he was pulled over (oh and this wasn't a first time offense type thing, the guy has lost his license 5 times in the last 14 months).

Simply put- this was Nate being Nate.

Quick story that sums up Nate:
I was at a game last season, and chatting with a scout for the Pacers, and Nate made a typical stupid shot in traffic, I rolled my eyes and the scouts eyes lit up, "you're not a Nate fan?" he asked. "Nate? no, hes incredible, entertaining, impressive, but an idiot" was my response. He then told me no scout hes ever talked to wants Nate or likes Nate for their team and that they all have that exact opinion. He pointed out almost every other time down the floor something Nate did wrong that hurt the team. Nate would hit a three, then not get back on D, would make a steal and a layup, then would miss covering another guy, would take a three, with a guy wide open underneath, it was ridiculous. Oh- and this was probably his best game of the season where he scored over 40.

Donnie knows hes not in the 2010 Plans, D'Antoni won't let him be in the 2010 plans, so to all you Nate lovers out there if they re-sign him, enjoy the one year, because it will be the last for Nate in a Knicks jersey. Hes not a winner, that's that.

In Sunday's New York Post, Steve Serby asked Nate Robinson "Give LeBron (James) a recruiting pitch to come to the Knicks." Here's how he answered:

Well, he already knows the city would be his. He's already on billboards and everything in New York City. It'll be sellouts. . . . The crowds are gonna love him regardless. There's like no other place like playing here in the city. This is the best city . . . and (the Knicks) have the best colors - orange, white and blue. I'd tell him he can probably design any kind of jersey he wanted (laughs). We'll have a different jersey for every game - we'll let you do that if you come to the Knicks.

If I were Nate, I would have added, "and I'll be gone too, so the team will finally get away from interacting with crowd, saluting video game players, stop being a laughingstock and start focusing on winning basketball games." But thats just because I watch Nate every night and know he's not a winner, he probably thinks of himself differently...

For the full interview go to http://www.nypost.com/seven/03012009/sports/knicks/serbys_sunday_q__a_wi...