With only a single-game remaining on the Knicks pre-season schedule, one thing is for sure: diminutive reserve point guard Nate Robinson is no longer just a fan favorite, but a key piece to the success of the bench and the Knicks’ season.
Pouring in another 20 points last night, Robinson again showed discipline, maturity and the usual bevy of highlights. Further proving yesterday’s column in which I made a case for Fred Jones to be a key piece off the bench, Jones came in and lit up the Sixers with a variety of high-flying dunks and an impressive (however awkward-looking it may have been - I think Chris Dudley has better form) assault from the perimeter.
But, again, you know who/what stuck out? Eddy Curry and his lackluster play. “Fat Baby” looks bored, frankly. He also looks out of shape, lost and as if he’s frustrated but not motivated. When FB was on the bench, the ball flew around the perimeter with ease and far too quickly for the Sixers to catch up with, leading to one easy basket after another. On the other hand, when FB was is the game, he became a black hole. Unlike Patrick Ewing, however, Eddy Curry doesn’t score at will.
Here’s what I want to do: trade Fat Baby and Jamaal Crawford for Kobe. Yeah yeah, I know…we’re not going to get Kobe etc.. However, I actually disagree. While some may say it’s an uneven trade, who exactly do you see as “even” and available to the Lakers? And Dirk isn’t going anywhere so throw that one out the window.
If we send the Lakers a package of Jamaal Crawford, Eddy Curry and David Lee (I know, I don’t want to send him either but…), maybe throw in a Quentin Richardson or a Fred Jones, where else are the Lakers going to find 40 points a game and two guys in their early 20’s plus a rebounding machine in his early 20’s and have the $$$$ make sense, too?
Listen, I’m all for being patient with Eddy. Actually, no I’m not; he ca get off my team now. Has anyone noticed that outside of three big stretches last year he has had a career marked with laziness and inconsistency? Why are we not offering this trade? Kobe would love to be here. Can you imagine a starting lineup of Steph, Kobe, Q (or Jarred Jeffries/Fred Jones) Malik Rose and Zack Randolph?? And by the way, to those of you thinking “Malik Rose? That’s a downgrade.” Maybe on paper, but he’s the best character guy we’ve got, brilliant mind, outstanding defender and capable offensive player.
Now I don’t want to give D. Lee up either, but Kobe is Kobe. We would get to the Eastern Conference finals this year and with Steph, Kobe and Zack together with a developing young crop of players we would immediately be a constant in the discussion of best teams year in, year out.
I know it sounds far-fetched, but make no mistake: Kobe Bryant will not be a Laker after 2008. If the Lakers are ultimately going to move him before his contract expires, this is as good a deal as they’re going to get. The money is really close to working (we might have to take Lamaar Odom back but who cares, he’s a New Yorker and can probably roll a joint while Zack holds the wheel, and really, who doesn’t need that?), the talent is, again, as strong an offer as the Lakers will find and in all seriousness, this trade can work. It should work. Weigh-in folks, would love to get some feedback.

Or, we could always just BRING BACK OAK!!!!!!!!!!