Shawn Marion's numbers will be down this year if Amare makes a full comeback. I kind of doubt Stoudemire will ever be quite the same again, but if he is it will sure be interesting watching the Suns this year.

Jalen Rose was waived by the Knicks.

Good riddance.

Maybe now he can form his own team, along with Jeff McInnis and Darius Miles. Just need two more malcontents to fill out their roster.

Wouldn't that be like going back to the Knicks?

Yes, but even more fun. If that's possible. And let's throw in Latrell Sprewell just to clinch things.

As of today, the Knicks have waived Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor. But it doesn't do much for them in the way of salary cap relief for this season. It reportedly cost them about $15M to buy out Jalen Rose $16.9M contract, but I don't know how much they paid to get rid of Mo Taylor, but rest assured Mo got most of the $9.75M he was owed (that's how it works in this league); I'm guessing he got between $8.0M-$9.0M. Isiah didn't want Jalen from the start, but it was obvious that no team was going to trade for Jalen; he makes too much, and would bust the cap. So, the Knicks bit the bullet, waived him, and bought him out, saving themselves $1.9M in the process, plus the $1M or so they saved by getting rid of Mo Taylor. With the acquisition of Jeffries and Balkman, the Knicks don't need Jalen any more. But they are still weak at the 4/5 positions, so I suppose they could go after a big man "on the cheap", if they can find one on the waiver wire. Or, they can stand pat, and go with the fourteen players they have now. They certainly don't need any more guards. But who knows? Isiah and Marbury have been quoted as saying the Knicks would utilize a three guard offense this season.

By releasing Justin Rose and Mo Taylor, the Knicks free up about $ 27M off next year's payroll. So, maybe they are serious about reducing their luxury tax obligations and adopting a policy of fiscal restraint. That's a good thing. I think all these recent moves were probably prompted by David Stern, and executed by Grunwald. I think Stern wants that Knick origanization cleaned up....and now. That's why he forced Larry Brown and Dolan to "settle" their dispute, which was indeed "settled" today. But I don't know how much money Larry Brown ultimately got from Dolan, but I'm guessing LB got most of the $40M he wanted, because he did have four years remaining on his contract. But who knows; nobody's talking.

It's a shame the Knicks can't do something to get back all those 1st round draft picks they foolishly traded away for essentially nothing. I think Isiah should still do jail time for those deals, even though he appears to be righting the ship. The Knicks are also playing good ball this preseason, but I still wouldn't bet on them making the playoffs; not with the selfish duo of Marbury and Francis at the helm.

And guys, I think Jalen is over the hill as well, but no way is he in the same league with Darius Miles. Jalen is actually a very good guy, plus, he's well-spoken. He'll be a great basketball analyst, if he does retire. He's hated because he received a bundle of money from Isiah and Dolen, which was later proved to be excessive. But I never fault players for taking big bucks. I'd take it too. But word is, the Miami Heat has already expressed an interest in him (SF maybe?). And remember, Jalen can be signed for the league minimum for one year, since the Knicks already paid the bulk of his 2006 salary. Somebody will snap him up, just like the Kings snapped up Mo Taylor.

Yeah I think Rose could (note I said COULD) be a good role player for a contending team.

My objection to Rose as a person was his mouthing off about how he has to be starting for the Knicks this year, playing at least 30 minutes, blah blah blah. Same old crap -- doesn't recognize reality and not a team player.

But, Thomas, I sure you're right. Someone will pick him up cheap. And the Heat figure (probably correctly) that Shaq will be able to pound any malcontent's head into a locker until he toes the line.

I hope Jalen does end up in Miami. At least,, he'll end his career playing for a championship contender. But Jalen has always wanted to play for the Lakers, precisely because he loved the triangle offense. Well, maybe not loved it so much, but, he probably saw the same thing the rest of us did; that the Lakers needed a gunner on the perimeter. If Jalen filled that role, he wouldn't have to play much defense out there anyway (Jalen is a very poor defender, and couldn't do it even if Phil asked him to), not with Shaq in the middle, so Jalen probably saw himself as a long range gunner for the Lakers back then. BUt if that was true back then, it is even more true now, because the Lakers really don't have much in the way of 3 point shooting, unless Radmanovic fits the bill. But if he assumes that role, I would guess he'd be playing SF, leaving Brown, Bynum, and Luke to share time at the 4 and 5 positions? Don't see the sense in having a PF or Center haging out around the 3 point line; they're needed to rebound and defend the post. Since Radmanovic excels at neither, might as well make him a 3 pt specialist. If he's successful, opponents wouldn't be able to triple Kobe as much.

But, the Knicks have no luck at all. Isiah waived Jalen yesterday, presumably because he was no longer needed, but today it was announced that Jared Jeffries, the man Isiah wants to start at SF/PF instead of Jalen, will be out 4-8 weeks for wrist surgery. If it wasn't for bad luck, the Knicks would have no luck at all. But how was Isiah to know Jeffires would need wrist surgery so soon? Pity. Now, their rookie, Balkman, will definitely become a starter for the Knicks, since the general consesnus is that he's a better defender than Q Rich.

And guys, we are free to dislike athletes for whatever reasons we chose. Jalen was mouthing off, bragging even, and when a player does that, he'd better back it up on the court. Jalen did not do that, so he deserves to be criticized for his self-serving remarks. But I think Jalen will fit in well with the Heat, and not solely because Shaq and Dwade rule the spotlight, but also becasue Pat Riley likes him. Jalen is no saint, but he wasn't jerking his johnson while driving, sneaking firearms into airports, smoking blow, or popping his woman upside the head. He hasn't had to hide out in the lockerrrom all day (like Marbury) because a teammate (Mo Taylor) was looking to kick his ass. But, yeah, Jalen is definitely a pompous ass, and that doesn't go over well in New York, or anywhere else, for that matter.

The only problem with Jalen and the Heat is that Jalen says he wants to play at least 25 or 30 minutes. Right now the Heat have some injuries, but if everyone's healthy, no way he's going to play anywhere near that.

That Lakers, on the other hand, need all the help they can get. But as you say, Rose doesn't play defense, and I don't see Jackson wanting any part of that. Besides, the Lakers have to justify their off-season acquisition of Radmonovic, so they're stuck hoping that Rad's finger gets better and he rediscovers his 3 point stroke.

I think Rose will end up somewhere playing a much smaller role than he wants.

Wanna bet Jalen ends up in Miami? No, he can't play D, but he's a big guy that can handle the ball, and knock down the open jumper. Miami is loaded with defenders (although you wouldn't know that by watching their game with the Bulls), so Jalen could provide the instant offense. Riley will find a place for him.

But now you got me interested. If Jalen doesn't end up in Miami or LA, then where? Retirement? Not likely. Dude has too much game left.

Denver could sure use him. I've read rumors about half a dozen teams seeking him out, some of which don't make much sense (e.g., Minnesota -- like Mike James and Ricky Davis aren't going to take enough shots between them already that should be going to Garnett instead?). But I think Miami is the odds on favorite.

It's too late for me to research the salary cap situation for the Twolves tonight, but if I get the time, I'll check it out. Obviously Jalen can only go to a team whose cap situation can tolerate him. Teams don't worry so much about salary caps, but they run like hell from the luxury tax. So if the Twolves, or the Nuggetts, are sufficently below the luxury tax threshold to sign Jalen, they might take him on. Only, I don't know why they would want to do that. Jalen has no role on either team, unless they value his veteran leadership. I know the Lakers and Heat have multiple mechanisms in place that will allow them to sign Jalen, should they choose to do that. And, in my opinion at least, Jalen fills a need for both those organizations.

By the way, the Lakers are playing very well right now. Hope Koby doesn't screw it up when he returns.

Well, apparently Jalen has signed with the Suns. WHich makes more sense than the Heat, since he has an opportunity for more playing time with the Suns, and his lack of defense won't be conspicuous there.

Denver could have used Rose's outside shooting, but I don't think they (or the Lakers) were ever in the hunt.

The Lakers are playing well, but I wonder how long before they crash to earth. Although they do have a very soft schedule for a while (other than the Pistons)

Not to be picky, but it isn't the offseason any more.

We'll get there, Joe. Just wait and see. Deals are still getting done in the NBA, even now. Why are you trying to take away our fun?

Larry, Denver does need a SG in the worst way, so you'd think they'd be interested in Jalen, but they aren't. Ben Maller reported today that Denver is in negotiations with the Clippers for Corey Maggette. They are offering JR Smith (makes sense) and/or Joe Johnson (huh?) for Maggette.

And Jalen to the Suns I don't get. If it's minutes he's after, he'd get more playing time in Miami. If it's an NBA championship he's after, he'd have a better shot with Miami. The Heat might be slow, methodical, and old, but they can D it up with the best of them, something the Suns can only dream about. If its money he's after, Jalen would get $1.7M from Miami but only 1.5M from the Suns. So why did Jalen choose Phoenix? The general consensus seems to be he chose the Suns because of their high scoring, up-tempo style of play. In short, Jalen can pad his stats in Phoenix in preparation for a lucrative free agent contract in the next off-season. Those numbers would probably be much lower in Miami, despite increased minutes.

The Suns are so deep at the 1,2,3 positions, but D'Antonio said today that Jalen will swing between SG and SF. That's okay, but I thought that was Diaw's role. And what about James Jones? Somebody's going to be pissed over playing time at some point. And frankly, I don't see how Jalen, who has clearly lost, not one, but several steps recently, is going to stay on the floor in that fun-and-gun, out-of-breath, offense Phoenix likes to play. But I suppose he could be the trailer (what else?) and spot up in the corner for three pointers if the driving lanes get clogged up on the fast break. But I hope Jalen does well in Phoenix. In my opinion, Jalen was shamefully mistreated and misused in New York by the feuding Isiah Thomas and Larry Brown. Yes, Jalen is overpaid and over-exposed, but he is not over-rated. And here's the clincher: he won't need to play defense in Phoenix because the Suns don't do defense.

If I had to guess, I would have said that Jalen would get more minutes with the Suns than the Heat. It's hard to predict -- injuries are such a big part of it. But, anyway, THomas, you put your finger on it. Rose's style fits in much better with the Suns. And right now, the Suns could use all the help they can get. Other than Nash and Marion, none of them have found their game yet.

As for Maggette, the Nuggets have been after him forever. Dunleavy doesn't like his defense or his "basketball IQ," so Denver must think they can pry him loose for leftovers like the Smiths (J.R. and Joe, that is, not the former "rock" band, although they're of about equally dubious value). But Maggette is a strong and athletic offensive demon -- absolutely terrific at picking up fouls and a great rebounder for a small forward. The Clippers should hold out until they get a great offer for him.

I'm surprised there hasn't been as much commentary about the Bulls now that the season is underway.I wonder if certain posters still feel Ben Wallace wll be just what they needed.

I didn't and still don't but, Eddie, I think it's waaaaaay too early to tell. Check back with that poster in February. (By the way, we should probably move this discussion to the new NBA 2006-7 thread that someone started.)

About the Bulls: They acquire Ben Wallace, who is not a scorer, and then bench Nocioni, who is. How much sense does that make? Maybe this is why there are off to a bad start?

Well, Ben Gordon scored 37points last night. But the Bulls' problem is that all of their "scorers" are streaky. They don't have any one truly dependable offensive force.

Well you sorta have to be streaky when you have essentially a "defensive" team that's can't shoot (Big Ben, Thomas, Allen, Deng, and Sefolosha) and an "offensive" team that can't defend (Andriuskevicius, P.J. Brown, Nocioni, Gordon/Hinrich/Duhon). Although to be fair, PJ Brown is an excellent defender when healthy. Continuing with the fairness theme, Tyrus can shoot the 10 ft jumper, just not consistently, and, Andriuskevicius is a stiff on both offense and defense. The Bulls just don't seem to have the right mix of offense and defense worked out just yet. So when they have their best defensive players on the floor, they struggle to put points on the board.

Actually, I think Nocioni and Hinrich are pretty good (though undersized) defenders too.

I think the real problem is with the "offensive" team's offensive skills. P.J. Brown has pretty much lost it -- I think he's more reliable for defense now. And Hinrich and Duhon both have low shooting percentages. And Martynas A. will probably be playing in Europe for the rest of his career after his current contract runs out.

Hey, I like Nocioni and Hinrich too, but you have to admit that Noconi is not as good defensively as Thomas or Krypaka, and, Hinrich and Duhon are not as good defensively as Sefolosha. Don't you agree? So, when Skiles has his best defenders on the floor, they can't score, yet when his scorers are on the floor, the Bulls get burned by poor perimeter defense. I don't know what they will do to fix this problem. I really thought PJ Brown and Tyrus Thomas would be more of an offensive threat than what they've shown so far.

Why are the Mavs 0-4? Is Cuban hyperventilating yet? Is the injured Josh Howard that critical to their success?

P.S. Rasheed Wallace has 4 fouls in four games. At this rate, he'll be suspended before Thanksgiving, and the Pistons can't afford to lose him now that Big Ben is gone.