Isiah’s Taylor-Made Trade Has Herb Smelling Like A Rose

by Guichard Cadet

A few weeks ago, it was not a smell but a stench coming out of the garden. Where there are dead bodies, they are reporters hovering like buzzards, devouring the carcasses by writing premature obituaries.

The season is far from saved, but the recent winning has brought smiles to the players’ faces, and a wait-and-see attitude from the media, who blasted the trade and, more specifically, the man who orchestrated the move to acquire Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor.

New York is a tough town because there are papers to be sold; and unless there’s sex involved, negativity in sports is a much easier sell.

Why is the team now winning? Two factors: key players are back healthy; and there is a balance of how the team plays, strategically and emotionally.

Early in the season, except for Jerome (Junk Yard Dog) Williams, Knick players showed little emotion. JYD is constantly moving when on the floor, and exhorting his teammates to show enthusiasm, if simply for being professional ball players.

Though Malik Rose is not as expressive, his serious demeanor speaks volumes. He also has credibility because of two hard-earned championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs. Rose is known as a stalwart defender, and has been commended for getting other Knick players to talk on defense.

Last night against the Washington Wizards, the team showed consistent defensive intensity, often with 3 players surrounding an offensive player.

From an offensive standpoint, the presence of Maurice Taylor brings competition to the court, specifically at the small-forward position. Tim Thomas may not openly admit it, but he loves being a Knick, primarily or partially for the benefit of playing close to his hometown – Patterson, NJ.

Thomas, Taylor and Michael Sweetney has allowed coach Herb Williams to go with an inside-out game, in which the guards send the ball to the low-post when the offense starts. Before this switch in philosophy, the team relied mainly on pick and rolls, and guard penetration. Though they still employ both tactics, inside scoring from the post has led to a greater balance and an overall boost in team morale.

Whether the winning continues and/or the Knicks make the playoffs will soon be told. For the time being, it’s good to see a team left for dead turn over a new leaf.