36-Hours after the Knicks defeated the Celtics 94-87 to avenge last week’s 40-point assault in Beantown, I have to say, I have very little in the way of criticism. I think it’s only fair we criticize the franchise in it’s current state. After seasons of being mired in mediocrity (and sometimes worse) and on the heels of this summer’s sexual assault case, I think any and all criticism is either deserved or at least humorous enough to be tolerated.

That being said, of all the positive’s I was able to extract from Monday night’s game, the biggest one came in the smallest size. 5′9 point guard Nate Robinson dropped in 20 points, grabbed 9 boards and dished out 4 assists in 28 minutes of high intensity basketball in a high intensity game with a highly intense garden crowd (who only briefly booed Isiah during introductions by the way). The diminutive Robinson was challenged by management over the summer when they not only sent him to the Las Vegas Summer League for an unheard of third year, but also by acquiring Dan Dickau, Fred Jones and by drafting Demetrius Nichols. On top of that, the way Mardy Collins finished last season, it was no sure thing Nate was even going to make this year’s team.

But with hard work and a mellowed-out kind of attitude (sort of…he did go at with Paul Pierce the other night) Nate has assured himself the role of first guard off the bench. Speaking of benches, have you noticed that the Knick bench is really good? When Renaldo Balkman returns, we will have an all-energy second team of David Lee, Renaldo Balkman and Nate Robinson. However, the Knicks are in a rare position as they happen to have five more guys competing for what should really only be one or two more spots: Mardy Collins, Jared Jeffries, Malik Rose, Fred Jones and Wilson Chandler (anyone who’s thinking Jerome James, please, just…please).

In my mind, the only two from this bunch who should be in this rotation are Malik Rose, for sure, and probably Fred Jones. In Rose’s case, I just don’t think there is a more savvy, hard-working guy in the league and to have a guy like that available and not use him would be imbecilic.

Fred Jones is a stronger defender, a guy who always leaves it on the floor and whose athleticism will certainly allow him to mesh well with the second unit. Jared Jeffries just doesn’t cut it right now. His jump-shot appears dramatically improved, he’s athletic, defends well and definitely plays his butt off, but nonetheless, he’s shown me nothing of any importance other than the fact that people say he possesses the qualities I just listed. Until he SHOWS them, I keep him on the bench until the Denver game so he can come out and guard JR Smith!

As for Wilson Chandler, he’ll get his shot. Let him sit there and learn, watch, and let’s see how his attitude changes when he’s watching the games sitting closer to Jimmy Dolan’s seat than he is to Isiah. Mardy Collins, while smart and a good-fit at point guard, has shown nothing this pre-season and quite simply just got beat out. He might hang around and become a solid role player for us or another squad down the road, but as of now he rides the bench. Honestly, I see him being out of the league in a few years…though I hope I’m wrong.

As the Knicks host the Sixers tonight, I look to see how Zack “Baby Fat” Randolph and Eddy “Fat Baby” Curry play together on the blocks. While “BF” put in a strong effort on Monday, “FB” looked like the Bulls’ version of himself: lazy, clumsy and in foul trouble.

However, things are (admittedly) looking up down low…but…you know what might really help this team? If they BRING BACK OAK!!!!!!!

Keep it up fellas’…