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CLEVELAND – Tracy McGrady already began his recruiting pitch to LeBron James after he was traded to the Knicks Feb. 18. T-Mac and LeBron have been in communication. "He's a good friend,'' McGrady... Read on

CLEVELAND – Tracy McGrady already began his recruiting pitch to LeBron James after he was traded to the Knicks Feb. 18.
	 
T-Mac and LeBron have been in communication. "He's a good friend,'' McGrady said at the morning shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. "He wanted to see me back on the basketball court and congratulate me on being back. I sent him an email that said: "I'm in the Big Apple. I'll see you here next season.''
	 
LeBron's response was a "LOL.''
	 
Anything bad that happens to Cleveland is good for the Knicks, so the Cavs announcing this morning Shaquille O'Neal is out about eight weeks because of his thumb surgery isn't the worst thing for Donnie Walsh's July 1 bid. Shaq will miss the first round of the playoffs and if the Cavaliers are stunned early, the chances of LeBron's departure goes way up.
	 
McGrady can see a scenario of LeBron leaving if they win a title or if they got knocked out early this spring.
	 
"(He) could go either way,'' McGrady said. "On one hand, he could say I gave you all something you never had, what you wanted. On the other hand, I've been here seven years, I tried and it just didn't happen. I want to start fresh. It could go either way. Nobody knows what the guy is thinking. Let's just sit back and enjoy and wait till July 1st.''
	 
Despite his sore knee, McGrady expects some time on James tonight, with Wilson Chandler not making the trip because of personal reasons.
	 
"It's what you really get up for,'' McGrady said. "He's a great player. The things he does on basketball court is unbelievable. He's a rare talent. A guy whose 250, 6-8, faster than most of the guards in this league and very powerful. God was like, I'm going to make you the perfect basketball player, the perfect body. He ought to be on his knees every night thanking the Lord.''
	 
--
	 
C Eddy Curry was working out at the arena before the morning shootaround with a bevy of trainers. The trades have left the Knicks bare at center and D'Antoni admits "When he's back, he'll play.''
	 
Curry, who had knee surgery in January, is on the verge of returning to practice. He will get one last audition before the Knicks decide whether to try to buy him out and save another $1 million towards the cap. Last time the media saw Curry was nearly a month ago in Cleveland and he told The Post he could have delayed the surgery until after the season, but felt there was no reason to endure the discomfort since he was out of the playing picture.

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Cavs fans worried about Knicks' LeBron knowledge

March 01, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

CLEVELAND – Every Sunday in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, their fine beat writer, Brian Windhorst answers questions from Cavs' fans. I just came across this one flipping through the paper here in my Cleveland hotel that I had to share.
	 
Michael Spitale, Galena, Ohio: "The fact that Donnie Walsh has dumped almost all salary for next year and has put the Knicks fans through two horrible years makes me fear he already knows LeBron James is coming. If not, he will be made a huge fool if all he gets is a second-tier free agent. Am I being a pessimistic or could I be on to something.''
	 
Windhorst: "Walsh swallowed hard and sacrificed two seasons to clear the Knicks' salary cap and he does believe he's going to land a major free agent or two. But no, he's not counting on James for sure. In fact he's been preparing his fan base for not having a home-run free agency by recently talking about waiting until 2011 to add a second major free agent when the team will have more cap space.''
	 
Good analysis, Brian. In fact, Walsh got a little testy with the Knick writers last week, admonishing us for just writing about one guy when he has so many different options and scenarios now because of the added cap room.
	 
--
	 
Shaquille O'Neal's thumb surgery – announced tonight - will put him out indefinitely but at least the Cavaliers have Antawn Jamison to fill the void. Now they definitely need to re-sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas, cut by Washington.
	 
There's some who believe the Cavs could be better off without Shaq but not coach Mike Brown, who said at practice today in preparation for the Knicks, "I'd rather have him than not have him.''
	 
The Cavs are a faster, quicker team without Shaq and rely more on 3-pointers. Jamison's immersion will now happen quicker. Why do we care so much in this blog?
	 
Knick fans realize the fortunes of Cleveland during this playoff spring could well determine James' future.
	 
--
	 
With the Knicks facing James, sore-kneed Tracy McGrady may actually play the whole game to make a good impression on him. T-Mac repeated today his desire to team with LeBron in New York. Now that Jamison is here, the Cavs will have no cap space to pursue a major free agent. Maybe T-Mac is eyeing a mid-level with Cleveland.

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Duhon going out with dignity

February 27, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

I got to commend Chris Duhon. Most pro athletes are excuse-makers. When they fail, there's usually an excuse. When they get benched, it's always somebody's fault. Not Duhon. When the Duhon Era ended... Read on

I got to commend Chris Duhon. Most pro athletes are excuse-makers. When they fail, there's usually an excuse. When they get benched, it's always somebody's fault.
	 
Not Duhon. When the Duhon Era ended last week at the trade deadline, with the Spanish playmaker Sergio Rodriguez brought aboard, Duhon never put the blame anywhere but on himself. He's run the show here for more than a season-and-a-half and wasn't able to turn around the losing culture supposedly set by Stephon Marbury. (How wrong has that turned out to be?)
	 
Duhon, a DNP for three games now, is taking the demotion like a man. No snide comments or read-between-the-lines statements.
	 
Duhon told The Post at the morning shootaround Friday at Verizon Center, "I understand what's going on. I had my opportunity. Now it's time for other guys.'
	 
"I just couldn't get out of (the slump),'' Duhon added. "I had enough time. I just didn't get out of it. I had every opportunity. He's got to see what's going to help them win in the future.''
	 
Duhon is a class act. Even Marbury will agree to that. During that wild training camp in 2009, Duhon was nothing but supportive of Marbury – to his face and to the media.
	 
As I wrote in the paper today, Duhon now has more pull with President Obama than D'Antoni. He arranged a mini-tour of the White House yesterday for the team, but only Al Harrington, assistant Herb Williams and a handful of Knick staffers made the journey. Duhon is best friends with President Obama's top aide, Reggie Love and they met President Obama in the Oval Office.
	 
Next season Duhon won't be back here but his class will be remembered.

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D'Antoni: Gallinari showing signs of Darko

February 26, 2010 , ι MARC BERMAN

WASHINGTON - Mike D'Antoni took a shot at his prized prospect Danilo Gallinari this morning, saying he's become too detached and must "turn his motor up.''Gallinari's game has slipped noticeably in... Read on

WASHINGTON - Mike D'Antoni took a shot at his prized prospect Danilo Gallinari this morning, saying he's become too detached and must "turn his motor up.''
	 
Gallinari's game has slipped noticeably in recent weeks and especially since Tracy McGrady's arrival. Gallinari has been given less minutes and opportunity.
	 
The Italian Stallion whose supposed to be the lure for LeBron James and a companion looks less aggressive on both ends. He's finishing out his first full season after playing just 27 games last year because of disc trouble.
	 
In the three games with McGrady, Gallinari has scored 6, 5 and 7 points, respectively, and has taken no more than 8 shots.
	 
"The rookie wall?. Did he hit it?,'' D'Antoni said. "I don' know. I don't believe too much on that stuff. Obviously he's got to turn his motor up. You have to be emotionally invested in the team or otherwise your game suffers. This game is too hard.''
	 
D'Antoni's rap on Gallinari didn't sound all too different than his final evaluation of Darko Milicic, who was traded one week ago to Minnesota. The 7-1 Darko has averaged 18 minutes in three games for the Wolves, including an eight-point and eight-board outing in his debut.
	 
Ironically, the Knicks could use a 7-footer center now for rebounding and blocking shots as they play out the string auditioning players. At 19-37, the Knicks take an eight-game losing streak into tonight's game vs. Washington.
	 
D'Antoni pulled the plug on Darko in mid-November and feels Darko shut it down from there instead of fighting to get back in. D'Antoni said Milicic was the one who came to him in December and asked to be deactivated if he was not going to play.
	 
In December, Milicic told The Post he could "practice like bleeping Michael Jordan'' and it wouldn't have mattered.
	 
D'Antoni cracked this morning, "Yeah he was. What is Michael? About 59?.''
	 
D'Antoni added, "It's an easy concept. You play really well, you play. If you're saying you have a lot practices where you dominate and I don't play you, I find that hard to believe.''

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Why Bill Walker will see time with Knicks this year and possibly beyond

February 24, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Whenever asked about Bill Walker, Mike D'Antoni has his stock, sarcastic answer. He wants to look at Walker mostly because they both hail from West Virginia. In truth, the coaching staff wants to... Read on

Whenever asked about Bill Walker, Mike D'Antoni has his stock, sarcastic answer. He wants to look at Walker mostly because they both hail from West Virginia.
	 
In truth, the coaching staff wants to take a good look at Walker to see if he can be a minimum-wage part of next season's team. The Knicks will need a good handful of low-cost players to fit under the cap if the master plan works out.
	 
Walker made his season debut Tuesday night in Boston and showed the athleticism coveted for D'Antoni's offense. The 6-5 shooting guard had two monster dunks – one on the break, the other on an alley-oop - and scored 7 points in 12 minutes.
	 
With the rest of the season simply an audition for next season – one reason Chris Duhon is on the outs - Walker will get his minutes down the stretch.
	 
"I hope that's the case,'' Walker said. "I get in there and show my skills and what I can do. I might not make it onto this team but it's an audition for other teams in the league as well.''
	 
A second-round pick out of Kansas State where he teamed with Michael Beasley, Walker hardly got a chance with the powerhouse Celtics.
	 
"It's very tough,'' Walker said. "Mentally it's challenge. I feel I was getting better every day. I feel you can go out and compete with those guys. But you got guys who have experience over you. That's not a fault of mine. It's a situation I was in, but I was blessed to be with great vets and learn from them. I'm just trying to implement that into my own game and create my own legacy.''
	 
Outside shooting is not Walker's strongest point.
	 
"A lot of people say I can't shoot the ball,'' Walker said. "It's not that. I haven't had a chance to show I can shoot it. People will be surprised by that. The more playing time, I'll get better on the defensive end and defensive rebounding.''
	 
***
	 
Will Nate Robinson get the same video tribute at the Garden as Eddie House did last night on his return back to Boston? Nate's Celtics are in April 6th and the Garden suits may want to take a page from the Celtics.
	 
The video tribute and subsequent standing ovation for the role-playing House was enormous as he checked into the game. The Celtic fans again showed why they are the best in basketball, chanting "Ed-die'' and why this Celtic organization is top-notch.
	 
"That was a class move by the organization,'' said House, who could return to Boston next season as a free agent. "It was great. You don't expect anything like that, but that's what a class organization does.''

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N8's revenge

February 23, 2010 , ι MARC BERMAN

BOSTON – Nate Robinson, supposedly too flu-ridden to join the club out West, has saved his Celtics debut for tonight vs. the Knicks. Always a showman, it almost seems too convenient.
	 
With all the hype of the Tracy McGrady blockbuster, its cap ramififications and the arrival of a seven-time All-Star, the shipment of their most popular player, Nate Robinson, didn't get its full due. The misperception is D'Antoni ran him out of town. Nate wanted this trade just as much. D'Antoni was ready to cut into Robinson's minutes again and he wanted no part of it.
	 
NATE WANTS TO 'WIN, WIN, WIN'
	 
Robinson will likely be as electrified as the night D'Antoni unleashed him in Atlanta after a 14-game banishment. Forty one points later, Robinson staged one of the best individual Knick performances I've seen in years.
	 
Now Robinson is unleashed against D'Antoni, who warred with Robinson the past two seasons. Robinson never understood why D'Antoni always went nuts after one of his mistakes – with his eye rolls and waving of the hands. D'Antoni never reacted when Chris Duhon muffed it up.
	 
Nate will either go 1 for 12 or 12 for 12 against the only team he's ever played for. There'll be no in-between. It's always been that way with Robinson. It's going to be a fun night – whether T-Mac plays or not because of his sore left knee.
	 
--
	 
Thirty two minutes in his first night. Thirty minutes last night. D'Antoni has overplayed McGrady,
	 who limped off in the final minutes. McGrady began his Knick career without benefit of a practice. IN his overzealousness, has D'Antoni already ruined his knee after two games? It's time to take a step back and take it slow. McGrady had played just six games, averaging 7 minutes a game before Saturday night. Slow it down.

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Marv Albert denied invite to Knicks' championship ceremony

February 22, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

For many who followed the glory days of the Knicks’ 1970 and 1973 championship teams, Marv Albert was our eyes and ears.Back in the stone ages of the late 1960's, early 1970's, the home games were... Read on

For many who followed the glory days of the Knicks’ 1970 and 1973 championship teams, Marv Albert was our eyes and ears.
	 
Back in the stone ages of the late 1960's, early 1970's, the home games were not on regular television and cable was just in its infancy – available to a tiny, tiny fraction.
	 
You followed the Knicks through Marv's electrifying voice on the radio – when the "Yesss!'' call started. Nobody in the universe has ever done radio basketball play-by-play better than Albert, who worked that season alone, with no partner. (John Andariese joined Marv in 1972-73).
	 
Albert won't be there tonight at the Garden when the Knicks celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Knicks' first championship in 1969-70. Albert was not invited. Not only should he have been invited, he should have emceed the event, though Mike Breen is a good second choice.
	 
Albert declined to comment about the lack of invite but he knows the deal. The breakup a few years back was messy, though not messy enough for MSG Network to employ his son, Kenny Albert. Kenny, the truest professional, does 20-plus Knick games as a backup to Breen in addition to his Rangers' gig.
	 
I wonder if it was just an oversight – and a disconnection by the people who run the Garden at how important Albert was to Knick fans during that season, that era.
	 
Marv was as much a part of those two teams as anyone – when radio was the messenger and the sound of Albert's voice filled the apartments and houses of greater New York with the pulsating riches of his voice. (Albert made Frazier bringing the ball up exciting ("ACROSS the midcourt line'').
	 
And then there was the great P.A. announcer John Condon heard in the background of Albert's calls, saying in his understated way after a bucket, "That was Walt Frazier. Knicks lead, 42-31.''
	 
The wave of deadline deals with Tracy McGrady now in the house has taken away some buzz from tonight's 40th anniversary celebration. But I imagine the way the arena sounded Saturday night for T-Mac's debut, was how it sounded every night in 1969-70.

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Rodriguez could wind up as Knicks starting point guard

February 19, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Beyond the cap space and the Tracy McGrady audition, Sergio Rodriguez became the unexpected bonus in the Knicks deadline deal. Not coincidently, he's also an Arn Tellem client.Had the Knicks stuck... Read on

Beyond the cap space and the Tracy McGrady audition, Sergio Rodriguez became the unexpected bonus in the Knicks deadline deal.
	 
Not coincidently, he's also an Arn Tellem client.
	 
Had the Knicks stuck with the two-team trade with Houston, they would still have been stuck with the same-old point guard situation. Now Rodriguez will be given every opportunity to start and replace Chris Duhon.
	 
Rodriguez also is a restricted free agent with a low qualifying offer and cap hold, and could conceivably be retained. Remember, there is no other point guard in the Knicks organization.
	 
D'Antoni wants to run more now with the new blood – which is more Rodriguez's forte.
	 
"That would be the conventional way of thinking,'' D'Antoni said of starting Sergio. "We'll see a lot of him. I don't know yet if it's at the beginning, middle or end. But after 29 games, we'll have a good beat on Sergio.''
	 
As far as whose better running the speedball system, "Chris was pretty good at it when we had Zach (Randolph) and Jamal (crawford). Sergio can run. We'll see.''

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Knicks add Landry to Nate deal; brother dealt, too

February 18, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Two Landrys have been traded today.The Knicks will need to add Marcus Landry to the complicated Nate Robinson trade, The Post has learned. The Knicks will get back three players, Eddie House and... Read on

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Knicks acquire McGrady, free up cap space

February 18, 2010 , ι By MARC BERMAN

Tracy McGrady is headed to the Knicks in a three-way blockbuster deal with the Rockets and Kings, a move that will save the Knicks $9.4 million in salary-cap room with rookie lottery pick Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries being shipped out.
	 
Jeffries will save the Knicks $6.9 million in cap room and Hill an additional $2.5 million. That's enough to net two max-salary free agents this offseason, allowing the potential of LeBron James and a prime-time partner, maybe Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh.
	 
Knicks president Donnie Walsh's goal all season was to open up more cap space to make New York more attractive to King James.
	 
"I think that’s probably what everything up in the last two years has been about, getting cap room and setting ourselves up for summer and trying to create a better atmosphere and trying to win as many games as we can," coach Mike D'Antoni said today.
	 
"There’s a lot of things that we want to do. But a major component is creating as much cap space as we can. But I don't think it's everything.”
	 
McGrady addressed the trade this afternoon
	 on his Web page.
	 
"I can’t wait to get back on the court to continue doing what I love to do. I am excited to be headed to New York and look forward to wearing a Knick uniform," he wrote this afternoon. "I know that I can and will contribute to this organization.
	 
"It’s a dream to play in New York and there is nothing that compares to playing in the Garden. Knick fans are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in the league, and it will be an honor to play in front of them and to play for the great city of New York."
	 
McGrady has been working out in Chicago with renowned trainer Tim Grover.
	 
"Put him in a uniform and let him go Saturday,'' Grover told The Post. "He's very excited.''
	 
The Knicks will add McGrady and Kings backup guard Sergio Rodriguez, whom D'Antoni likes. The Knicks give up Jeffries, Hill, Larry Hughes, and two conditional first-round picks. The 2012 draft pick is protected only at the No. 1 slot. The 2011 pick -- if the Knicks finish with a worse record than Houston -- is protected through No. 5.
	 
Hill and Jeffries goes to Houston, which made the three-way deal to acquire coveted Kevin Martin from Sacramento. The Kings get Houston's Carl Landry, whom they coveted, Joey Dorsey and Hughes.
	 
The extra salary-cap room is obviously the key for the Knicks, but a chance to catch lightning in a bottle with McGrady lends intrigue to the final 29 games of this season. At 15 games under .500, the Knicks likely are too far gone to get back into the playoff race as they adjust to their new roster that is expected to include Eddie House, the Celtic who's headed to New York in the Nate Robinson trade.
	 
The top six free agents who are considered potential maximum players are James, Wade, Bosh, Joe Johnson (a D'Antoni favorite), Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer.
	 
As for McGrady, he's played six games with Houston, averaging seven minutes as he recovers from microfracture surgery. But he's a former superstar still with a great skill level, even if he won't have the explosiveness because of the surgery he had last season.
	 
Wade told The Post during All-Star Weekend he worked out with McGrady over the summer in Chicago and feels he never got a chance to find his rhythm with the Rockets.

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About the Author

MARC BERMAN Marc Berman has been covering the Knicks since 1998, after serving as Islanders beat writer for a year when he joined the Post. He’s also covered U.S. Open tennis, and authored "Living Without Ew: The Crash of the Post-Ewing Knicks." The APSE award winner and SUNY-Albany graduate covered Phil Jackson, Bill Musselman and George Karl as Albany Patroons beat writer.

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