Knicks Take First Steps In LONG Road To Recovery

It's Official: The Knicks have acquired Elizabeth, New Jersey native Al Harrington from the Golden State Warriors Leading scorer Jamal Crawford heads to the West Coast. Shortly afterwards, the club traded Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.

While it's true that Donnie Walsh drafted Harrington in 1998 and loves his rebounding and versatility, these deals are all about the future-one that may not include ANY of the players the Knicks acquired today.

This move is about clearing salary cap space. The Knicks have been more hamstrung by the NBA's dreaded salary cap than George Bush by a Democratic Congress. Mike D'Antoni will tell you till he's blue in the face that he loves these players for his up tempo system. All the players received have contracts that will be off the books no later than 2010, just in time for the LeBron James Free Agent Sweepstakes. D'Antoni as much admitted in the last few days that there will be MOVES, plural. Murphy's Law. aka The Dolan Doctrine of the NBA, is that it takes a lot more effort to clean up the mess after making it.

It's a sham and a shame that the Knicks haven't won a title since Richard Nixon was in the White House. THe Knicks aren't a competitor this year. Instead of trying to figure out where the club picks up Crawford's scoring, try to see the big picture. Building a consistent contender means a plan and the willingness to executeit. Hope that Jim Dolan (I'm sure Knicks fans wouldn't mind HIS execution) lets Walsh and D'Antoni plan for the future, because the past is not fun to consider. Best wishes to a good guy in Crawford and "Zebo", who was consistently going for 20 points and 10 boards a night. NOW-if someone-ANYONE-could take Eddy Curry off the Knicks' hands, THAT would be a pleasure.