Memo to Larry Hughes: Don’t Spoil This Bunch!

Dear Larry –

We’ve nearly got this team the way we like it, with character guys taking the floor each night. We’re well aware of your reputation – six teams in 11 seasons – so get your act together by the time you step in that locker room!

The past couple years here have been brutal at times. Just look at some of the rotten apples that have infiltrated the Garden: Steve Francis, Isiah Thomas, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, etc.

It was impossible to root for that ghastly bunch, and we feared the harm they’d caused to this franchise’s reputation would follow us for years.

But this newest crop of Knicks, led by Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh, has made us proud to be fans again. No longer are we cheering for players who have more suspensions than All-Star appearances.

We love the youthful enthusiasm of David Lee, Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler. So we plead with you – please don’t let your negativity rub off on them. You became a permanent resident of the doghouse with the Bulls…let’s hope that junk stayed in Chicago.

You must realize that you’re the type of player the Knicks USED to stockpile. Now they’ve begun a pleasant pattern of adding only quality citizens. Here’s to hoping you get the message and fall in line with the new way of Knick thinking.

You’ve been put in a great situation. This is a team on the rise. If you manage to stick around ‘till 2010, you’ll really see where this team is headed. If you choose to keep up the same shenanigans, you can bet you’ll be shown the door.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle