Walsh to speed up talks..part 2

[Kefa461]

Starbaby next on Donny's plate.....

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he believes Stephon Marbury's situation could heat up with the trading deadline in the league's rearview mirror.

"As I've told you before, I've dealt with his agent, and I'm sure it'll get a lot more serious as we go forward because the trading deadline's over," Walsh said. "In Stephon's case, I think that most teams just figured why would we trade for him when they're going to cut him, 'cause that's been publicized for so long.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02202009/sp ... 156107.htm

[Celts17Pride]

We'll see.

"I'm hoping that we can come to a mutual conclusion, where it's good for him and good for us," Walsh said.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I still say the Knicks have totally botched this. From about a month ago onward it's been more about saving face and PR spin for them than actually doing anything or getting anything in return...not surprising, but frustrating to watch, and I'm not even that excited for Marbury to come here!

[Fencer reregistered]

At this point, the most face-saving thing is for Starbury to disappear.

And he'll give them a better price if he can still get on a playoff roster.

[Red2]

walsh knows if they keep marbury past March 1 that the knicks willhave to pay him the full amount becuase Marbury will have no incentive to take less. ie the only incentive for marbury to take less is to get on a team trying to win a title. the question is how much is that worth to marbury. so far I think he' sonly been willing to shave $1M or so off of a $20M contract.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Honestly given Marbury's history, I'd see him as rather sitting and collecting the $$ than taking a several $$ million $$ paycut to win a ring...when you have that much $$, a few million here or there means nothing, but that's the way he is...

[hiphop1]

I think he will be bought out this is all just posturing. They will look EXTREMLY bad to other players if they hold him beyong the March first deadline.

[MyInsatiableOne]

^When has looking **** ever stopped the Knicks? Honestly other than being in New York and getting all the help in the world from the league offices, I don't know what else the Knicks have going for them. **** ownership, **** front office, **** history ( 2 titles almost 40 years ago, ****!)...

[Avalanche]

well its still a good sign Walsh is interested in getting it resolved... no sure thing that they will of course, but its a small positive

[Hemingway]

It will get done. The Knicks would have been foolish to buy him out before the deadline. A deal might have came along. Now they might as well make a deal. Save some money, the question is how much. It is also interesting that Marbs AGENT is referred to. I thought he previously did not have one. If I am right in my assumption and the quote is also accurate it would look as if he recently got one to negotiate a buy out.

[hiphop1]

You just might be on to something Ernest.

[billfromBoston]

He'll be in green within 2 weeks - this is a done deal - NYC has no incentive not to save a million plus luxury savings - they hold beyond March 1st they save nothing...Marbury's people know they aren't getting paid next year if he doesn't show something this year...

Boston now needs Steph for the stretch run - team can bump Pierce to the 4 at times and get all the big hitters on the floor: Rondo/Marb/Ray/Pierce/Perk - a quality scoring lineup in lieu of KG's absence...

Now, if Joe Smith can get delivered in short-order, this team will be equiped to handle the 3 week KG absence well - then they'll be stacked for the playoffs...

...still need to see some more wing minutes from Pruitt and Walker though - 40 mpg for Ray and Paul isn't going to save their legs for the playoffs..no point in having KG ready for the playoffs if we burn out the other two stars in the process.

[exculpatory]

Bill

I completely agree with you. Steph is coming soon, and adding him gives us tremendous flexibility. He can play the 1 when Rondo is resting, with Ray Ray at the 2, and even more importantly with Eddie as the 2 when we are resting Ray. Although it makes us a little "short", he can certainly play the 2 also alongside Rondo - with Ray at the 3 and Paul at the 4. A line-up with KG, Paul, Ray and Steph is a frigging powerful O line-up. KG and Paul and Ray will keep him from acting out and being a jerk, and allow us to take advantage of his prodigious offensive skills. The guy is crazy, but he can still ball with the best of them. In addition, as you astutely noted, Steph is also motivated by the fact that he has to show that he still has game to get paid well next year. Finally, it also helps us big time until KG comes back and gets tuned up again.

Let me say to you that It is a pleasure to have someone with your insight posting on the board. You are alwayts right on the money.

What are the chances for Joe Smith? Do you believe Danny and his agent, are working on this feverishly behind the scenes? It goes without saying that we need a long 4 like him, who can play some D and shoot the mid-range J, to optimally compete with the Lebronites and the Fakers.

On another note, the Magic are still players. We need not underestimate them. Adding Rafer keeps them in the game. That was an awesome move by their management.

Ex

[Rich]

Bill

I completely agree with you. Steph is coming soon, and adding him gives us tremendous flexibility. He can play the 1 when Rondo is resting, with Ray Ray at the 2, and even more importantly with Eddie as the 2 when we are resting Ray. Although it makes us a little "short", he can certainly play the 2 also alongside Rondo - with Ray at the 3 and Paul at the 4. A line-up with KG, Paul, Ray and Steph is a frigging powerful O line-up. KG and Paul and Ray will keep him from acting out and being a jerk, and allow us to take advantage of his prodigious offensive skills. The guy is crazy, but he can still ball with the best of them. In addition, as you astutely noted, Steph is also motivated by the fact that he has to show that he still has game to get paid well next year. Finally, it also helps us big time until KG comes back and gets tuned up again.

Let me say to you that It is a pleasure to have someone with your insight posting on the board. You are alwayts right on the money.

What are the chances for Joe Smith? Do you believe Danny and his agent, are working on this feverishly behind the scenes? It goes without saying that we need a long 4 like him, who can play some D and shoot the mid-range J, to optimally compete with the Lebronites and the Fakers.

On another note, the Magic are still players. We need not underestimate them. Adding Rafer keeps them in the game. That was an awesome move by their management.

Ex

Agreed, thanks Bill. My question is the same as ex's, any chance this whole Joe Smith thing is just being done behind closed doors and we just aren't hearing about it? Kind of like the Starbury ordeal, all hush hush? Adding both right now would inject some serious life into this team.

[Kefa461]

With the arbitration hearing between Stephon Marbury and Knicks brass still set for tomorrow in New York to dispute his $400,000 fine, the Knicks' point guard and Donnie Walsh are planning to meet privately, man to man, before the legal battle.

According to a person familiar with the situation, the two will go face to face to see if they can work out a buyout settlement and avoid the legal hearing altogether.

Marbury has already offered to give back $1 million of his remaining salary and drop his appeal on the $400,000 fine he got for allegedly refusing to play in Detroit. The players' association spent the weekend preparing for the hearing, in which coach Mike D'Antoni will testify.

With the trading deadline over, Walsh has no reason to keep Marbury aboard. Marbury will take his $1 million giveback off the table March 1, when he'd no longer be eligible to be on a playoff roster. Marbury has told The Post the Celtics have given him a verbal commitment to sign him as a free agent.



ps..http://www.nypost.com/seven/02232009/sp ... 156545.htm



ps...Stephon Marbury must come to a buyout agreement with the Knicks and be placed on waivers by Sunday if he hopes to sign with another team in time to be eligible for a postseason roster. Once a buyout is reached, the Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - would put Marbury on waivers. He would have 48 hours to clear waivers before becoming a free agent. Newsday

[Jammer]

Bill

I completely agree with you. Steph is coming soon, and adding him gives us tremendous flexibility. He can play the 1 when Rondo is resting, with Ray Ray at the 2, and even more importantly with Eddie as the 2 when we are resting Ray. Although it makes us a little "short", he can certainly play the 2 also alongside Rondo - with Ray at the 3 and Paul at the 4. A line-up with KG, Paul, Ray and Steph is a frigging powerful O line-up. KG and Paul and Ray will keep him from acting out and being a jerk, and allow us to take advantage of his prodigious offensive skills. ... Finally, it also helps us big time until KG comes back and gets tuned up again.

Also, Paul Pierce will actually get to rest at times,
with Steph at the one, Eddie at the two, Ray at the three;
or Rondo at the one, Steph at the two, Ray at the three;

or Ray will get to rest at times;
with Rondo at the one, Steph at the two, PP at the three;
or Steph at the one, Eddie at the two; PP at the three.

[R33D33]

No one here mentioned this, if Marbury is still with the Knicks after March 1st he isn't eligible to play in the playoffs.

If Mabrury doesn't want to shed at least 3 million dollars for a buyout, he'll get cut after March 1st. You can have him next season in the playoffs.

[Kefa461]

No one here mentioned this, if Marbury is still with the Knicks after March 1st he isn't eligible to play in the playoffs.

If Mabrury doesn't want to shed at least 3 million dollars for a buyout, he'll get cut after March 1st. You can have him next season in the playoffs.

We know the deal.....but thanks.....

[Joebiscuit]

Well the Celtics make an offer to Moore (although I would rather have Smith) so all they really need now is a backup PG.

Mark Spears said it last night and I agree with him. He does not see the Knicks buying out Marbury because the Knicks simply do not care either way at this point.

[Kefa461]

Well the Celtics make an offer to Moore (although I would rather have Smith) so all they really need now is a backup PG.

Mark Spears said it last night and I agree with him. He does not see the Knicks buying out Marbury because the Knicks simply do not care either way at this point.

WEEI's update said they are meeting to try all day to avoid tomorrow.....to get it done....so we will see.