During the summer, in anticipation of a joyless regular season, the Knicks Fanatics decided to create a Dance-Spirit Team to help us keep our spirits up, especially during live blogging events,  But we didn't want just any collection of beauties to accompany us on the long trek to irrelevance and the 2010 LeMirage.   Consistent with our appreciation for great classics we accepted and voted on applications from some of the greatest beauties of all-time including Raquel Welch, Brigette Bardot, Lola Falana, Lena Horne Yme Sumac and Jane Kennedy.  There were 25 applicants in all but our squad only had room for the top 12.  The results are in and because of a three way tie for 12th (and in keeping with our efforts to reduce tension and create a positive environment as the season winds down), we have expanded our team to 14-Strong.  And without further delay or postponement, here they are, the Knicks Fanatics Classic Dance-Spirit Team (for the record the top three vote getters were Sophia Loren, Pam Grier and Raquel Welch).

Knicks 106, Celtics 110

"I landed in Boston, this is definitely a plus. I'm happy. There's a big smile on my face."-- Nate Robinson

"I'm still trying to get my timing and rhythm. Even when I took that shot, I wasn't that confident making it. I'm not confident on the basketball court as I'd like." -- Tracy McGrady

"I found out in these three games, my legs are just fatigued. The first half I'm fine. When I come out at halftime, I find out my legs are just gone. When the legs are fatigued, it creates a little soreness. I just got to fight through it. I didn't labor like I did [Monday] night."--  Tracy McGrady

GAME OBSERVATIONS

-- Time for Gallo to call it a season as a starter.  He's done.  Neither his game nor his body has been stretched this far before and he looks horrific.

-- Bill Walker?  Who dat?  Let's see more of this guy with the high flying act.  Seven points in 12 minutes?

-- Tracy McGrady?  Who dat.

-- Mike D'Antoni.  Much better defensive effort, but clock management still reeks.  Better rotation too.

More later, time to go to the Y and play ball.

Bucks 83, Knicks 67

"It does [sting more]. You got Willis Reed sitting right there in the front row and the performance that we gave out we definitely wanted to give a little bit more, but it happens." -- Tracy McGrady

"I came in here [to the locker room] and sat for 15, 20 minutes and then went out. Late towards the end, I banged knees again so I think coach saw me limping and he just pulled me out." -- Tracy McGrady

"I thought we didn't really have a lot of pop. Guys were hesitating. They just seemed lost." -- Mike D'Antoni

"I always like to play transition and pick and roll. I like quick passes and try to get everyone involved. It's easy here because we have so many shooters."-- Sergio Rodriguez

These survey results from Sports Illustrated which just hit the stands a couple of days ago.

WHO IS THE NBA'S MOST OVERRATED PLAYER?

Tracy McGrady, Rockets G/F 9%

Danny Granger, Pacers F 4%

LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers F 3%

Andre Iguodala, Sixers G/F 3%

LeBron James, Cavaliers F 3%

FAST FACTS

At week's end the oft-injured McGrady was rumored to be leaving Houston in a deal with the Knicks involving, among others, forward Al Harrington, who received one vote.... Three other players each had 3% of the votes: Cavs center Shaquille O'Neal, Hornets forward David West and suspended Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas.... Five 2010 All-Stars received more than one vote each: James, Celtics forwards Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace.

Based on a survey of 173 NBA players

Riles rule: Getting the Best of the Bench

The team on the court is the team of the moment.  When the first string snaps, motivate the players you have, rather than moaning about the players you don't have.  You'll never arouse The Winner Within by making people feel they're only a fill-in for sidelined greatness.

We lost five games in a row after Earvin's injury.  Gradually, though, the remaining players pulled together, adjusted, and won twenty-eight of their next forty.  That translates to winning 70 percent of the time, which is outstanding performance. Michael Cooper started alongside [Norm] Nixon, and they both had several big nights.  Inspired by showing what they could do without the guy who had, overnight, become the focus of fans, media, and management, the Lakers held on to a strong second place in the Pacific Division.

This great level of accomplishment actually worsened the Disease of Me because the players grew convinced that no one knew how well they were really doing.  So intense was Earvin's stardom that his absence seemed more newsworthy than their wins.  As his return grew closer, during the time-outs near the end of every home game, the public address announcer would always say, "And don't forget to mark your calendars - Friday February 27^th. Magic Johnson returns to the lineup of your World Champion Los Angeles Lakers!"  The players, hearing this, would look up from their huddle and shake their heads, as if to say "F________ that.  We're winning now!"

Stay tuned Fanatics, the spirit around the Knicks seems to be changing just a little bit.  For the first time in the while, Knicks fans have been treated to the talents of a bona fide multi-dimensional baller in Tracy McGrady.  Never-mind that he is really auditioning for the other teams that can afford him, unless we intend to get one max and two league average salary players (not mid-level folks because we are under the salary cap and don't have exemptions unless we are over the cap).  Never-mind that the trade was really for his contract which has virtually made Mother Knickerbocker barren by taking away her young potential -- the 2009 draft pick; the 2010 is with Utah; the high-end 2011draft pick probably; and 2012 first round draft pick.  (That was virtually a miscarriage and three abortions (unless the Rockets suck in 2010-11 too).  No, never-mind that we are screwed because right now getting screwed feels good with McGrady's every hard drive to the basket for an And 1.

So "soon" is as good a time as any to introduce the winners of the big vote we had earlier in the year for our very own cheerleaders a/k/a the Fanatics Classic Old School Dance-Spirit Team. Fanatics were to select 12 spirit-raisers from 25 candidates including Bridget Bardot, Ann Margaret, Josephine Baker, Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch, among others.  These beautiful and talented ladies of the past were chosen to help keep our spirits up during this trying season.  Well, now they are ready to help us remain positive to the end of the Cap Space Odyssey (which some fans who don't want to criticize Walsh are starting to extend the death-line into the summer of Chris Paul).

So stay tuned for the announcement post scheduled for later this week.

Also check out the exciting LBE for the Knicks v. Thunder game .  O&B, Peaceman, Modi & Post-Up Prince (cameo by Jak) were rocking the knowledge with enthusiasm.

Thunder 121, Knicks 118

Recap | Box Score

"I had the jitters. It felt foreign to me when I first stepped out there. It just didn't quite feel right. I haven't played in so long." -- Tracy McGrady

"I didn't think he'd be that good. I was nervous for him. But he was great." -- Wilson Chandler

"He's been an All-Star for a long time. I expect him to play at that level or get back to that level at some time." -- Mike D'Antoni

The recent trade deadline was one of the most exciting things to happen to and for the Knicks all season.  That is much more a statement about the condition of the Knicks organization than the quality of the trade.  The trade generating tons of other statements all over the blogoverse.  While reading the standard fare of mainstream blogs, one would get the opinion that Knicks fans mindlessly accept the trade as a wonderful and brilliant move.  But as a reader, if you move around the blogosphere, you'll find the opinions much more varied and nuanced, befitting what one should think of the high B-Ball IQ of many Knicks fans.  Below I have gathered 20 of the most representative comments for your reading pleasure.  Enjoy and tell me what you think.

1.

Chad Ford, Trade Spin: Ranking The Teams (ESPN)

Positive spin: Give this to Donnie Walsh: The guy has stones. The Knicks went all-in on Thursday on their bid for LeBron James, trading away draft picks and prospects to get far enough under the cap to sign two superstars this summer. The Knicks cleared $9.4 million off the 2010-11 payroll by sending Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill to the Rockets.

That means the Knicks are looking at between $31 million and $32 million in cap space this summer. That should be enough to get a max contract and another contract very close to the max. If the Knicks land LeBron because of this, Walsh is the executive of the decade.

2.

John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) in (FeartheSword):

Gotta love New York. They have completely mortgaged the future for LeBron.

3.

JStarks3 commenting at Posting and Toasting in Can't We All Get Along

Give Donnie Walsh his due. With his crafty maneuvering, he has at least assured that next year's ‘bockers will not suck. Plus, they needn't spend all their cash settling for the likes of Joe Johnson or Carlos Boozer. In the summer of 2011, there will be another batch of stars to chose from. If I were Mr. Walsh, I'd hold out for Chris Paul. Even if LeBron miraculously end up in NYC, this team has been lacking a world-class playmaker since....well, a looooong time.

4.

DMtShooter, Top Ten Takeaways form The NBA Trade Deadline (Five Tool Tool)

10) The Knicks' plan to land LeBron James in 2010 is to have him be the only player under contract, then let him find his own teammates off the street