Vecsey Has A Strong Column And A Shot At Ainge

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Asked what he thought of Isiah's trade for Marbury, Larry Bird strongly endorsed it. The Knicks gave up a lot in terms of draft picks and youth, noted the Pacer president, but there are some cities you've got to win now versus later. "Like New York, L.A. and Boston." 
Take that, Danny Ain't. 

February 10, 2004 -- 
HOOP DU JOUR - EXCLUSIVE 
Peter Vecsey - NY Post
Dealing from weakness, Isiah Thomas was able to obtain Stephon Marbury when the Knicks were sinking out of the standings, because he was willing to relinquish draft picks, youth and desirable contracts. He also had to agree to assume the colossal commitment to Anfernee Hardaway who hasn't played this well since Tyra Banks busted up with Li'l Penny. 
Sometimes you make your own luck. Other times you get leveraged into it. 
A month and five days later later, Isiah is attempting to deal from strength. His Knicks have victimized five straight opponents (7-of-10 overall) and, for the first time in a couple seasons, the team actually flaunts expendable resources that make the non-refundable long-term salaries owned by Shandon Anderson, Keith Van Horn, Penny and, yes, Allan Houston fairly bearable. 
In comparison to Scott Layden's infertile landscape, I have the poetic license to say the Knicks' assets are bulging. At the very least, they're flexing them, notably Kurt Thomas and Mike Doleac. As a result of Marbury setting both of 'em up for countless uncontested springers - which they're knockin' down more times than not - their stock may never be higher. 
In other words, it's time to move 'em while they're in demand and upgrades can be arranged. You know more than you have to know about Isiah's relentless pursuit of Rashweed Wallace - now detoured through Atlanta following his trade last night to the Hawks (as reported here Jan. 18) along with Wesley Person for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Theo Ratliff and Dan Dickau. No doubt it'll continue through the Feb. 19 deadline into the free agent grab bag of prizes, but logic dictates the Knicks don't have what it takes to get him into uniform until July 15. 
	
Consequently, Isiah has turned his attention in several directions, sources reveal, concentrating on Nazr Mohammed. 
Isiah's been making moves on the Hawks' backup center for quite a while. He almost convinced the Chicago native to sign with the Pacers a couple years ago as a free agent and made a bid for him as soon as he took over in New York. It's still pending. Evidently, the Hawks are intent on radically reducing payroll, having already lopped off $50 million (including Terrell Brandon's $12 million) from next year's guaranteed wages. 
Erick Dampier: Why are the Warriors willing to give up a 7-footer churning out Nate Thurmond-like double-doubles? They have Adonal Foyle as reinforcement and hope to create enough cap space to extend both Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy. 
Dampier earns $7.5 million and owns an escape clause at season's end, as does Thomas, who banks $5.394M. Doleac ($1.54) would have to be included for salary cap purposes. 
And there are other possible deals. 
Rodney White: For about the 10th time in the last few weeks, say sources, there was contact yesterday between Isiah and Kiki Vandeweghe regarding the 6-8 official scorer. However, he's been on such a tear of late it's doubtful the Nuggets will trade the rising restricted free agent. Doleac or Othella Harrington ($2.9M/$3.1M) and a pair of second rounders may have tempted Kiki a month ago, but it's unlikely now. 
Unless, however, a three-way accord can be reached involving the Hawks, who also have designs on White - the Knicks would get Mohammed, Atlantic would get White and Doleac, and Denver would get Harrington. 
The Raptors, looking to get Harrington, are trying to get involved by bumping Denver out of the three-way and offering Michael Curry to the Hawks. Again, the Knicks would get Mohammed and Doleac would end up in Atlanta. 
Antoine Walker: This one's a complete long shot. I'm letting my imagination run amok, particularly since the Mavericks would have to bear the brunt of Anderson's deal ($6.7M/$7.3M/$7.9M/8.5M) in order to match up with Walker's $13.5M. But, hey, maybe that's why Isiah was on the team charter when it touched down in Dallas late yesterday afternoon. During his Pacer tour there was plenty of conversation about acquiring the multi-dimensional forward. Before the Knicks play the Mavs tonight, look for two of Indiana University's elite alumni (Isiah and Mark Cuban) to go one-on-one. 
Or maybe not. 
* 
Asked what he thought of Isiah's trade for Marbury, Larry Bird strongly endorsed it. The Knicks gave up a lot in terms of draft picks and youth, noted the Pacer president, but there are some cities you've got to win now versus later. "Like New York, L.A. and Boston." 
Take that, Danny Ain't.