First, the game: The Knicks lost another one (that's 5 of the last 6), this one to the Cavs.  They looked awful today, and had no offense at all beyond Curry.  Even Stephon looks done at this point, and Steve Francis is embarrassing.  All those that would rather see David Lee or Frye at the point instead of Francis raise your hand.  Motion passed.

But there was some good news to note: the Knicks signed Kentucky center Randolph Morris, a 6'11 junior, as a free agent due to weird rule; see this article for more info: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2809958
(we refuse to actually link to ESPN, FYI).

This looks like a good move, mainly because there isn't any downside - the Knicks just got a first round pick for free, essentially.  Even more exciting for Knicks fans is what he might be able to offer: a shot-blocking power forward (if the Knicks elect to play him there), which is their biggest need outside of true point guard.  The help on defense, if he cracks the rotation, will be much needed, given Curry's lack of defensive hustle and especially the Knicks guards inability to prevent penatration by opposing points.  Only Marbury is even a decent defender, and that's only when he tries (every other night).  Francis and Robinson are generally somewhere from below-par to couldn't guard their dicks if they had three condoms sewn on.  Collins we don't really know, because we've yet to see him as a point defending a point (he's often brought into the game while there is another guard out there, sometimes two, so even if he's the point on offense he often picks up the other team's two or three).

So the shot-blocking abilities of Morris are welcomes.  Bonus: his ability to play center also means that the Jerome James can continue to eat hot dogs and burgers during the game, unless it's the last two weeks of January, at which point Isiah will play James to showcase him for a possible trade.

Double bonus: It's another young tradeable commodity.  Despite what Brian has said in the comments about the Knicks not being able to alter their roster much over the next two seasons, the reality is they have alot of assets: they have their #1 in 08, young players who are tradeable because they are cheap and are either proven or potentially good - Lee, Frye, not Robinson (but maybe), Balkman probably (a lot of opposing coaches have seen what he is about), not Collins (not proven yet).  

They also have some value vets - Crawford was tradeable (though the foot injury may hurt his value), as is Curry (though the Knicks wouldn't trade him).  Marbury, Francis and Rose will all have tremendous value come February '09, at the trade deadline (expiring contracts that big are huge assets).  They may even have trade value after next season, since most teams would gamble on a one year investment (think that a PG needy team, like the Lakers wouldn't?  They were very interested in Kidd this season, and his contract doesn't expire until the end of '09, like Marbury.  Kidd's contract is also larger than Marbury's, and he is 6 years older).

Big up to DoctorK16 for the tip off in the comments.  We're gonna have to add you to the payroll.

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