It’s nearly time for my annual two-bridge trip to Secaucus to cover the Knicks at the lottery.
Actually, the assignment is covering the rights to the Knicks’ first-round pick at the lottery, which half the time they did not own and were not present at the NBA Entertainment Studios.
In one of the most amazing trends, the Knicks have not owned their lottery pick in three of the last six events. Of their six straight lottery finishes, they only have Danilo Gallinari to show for it.
Two lottery picks became Chicago’s from the Eddy Curry trade, Jordan Hill has already been traded and tonight Utah sits on the dais instead of the Knicks with a shot at John Wall.
In truth, the worst thing that could happen for the Knicks tonight is if the Nets win the Wall sweepstakes. That would definitely make the Nets become a factor in the LeBron James Lottery.
—
As we know, the Knicks are desperate for a free-agent center, a shotblocking, defender. I still can’t forgive Mike D’Antoni for giving up on Darko Milicic in November.
According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Wolves president David Kahn said he spoke last week with free-agent center’s s agent, Marc Cornstein, who told him Milicic is interested in returning to the Wolves. The 7-foot native of Serbia Montenegro started 18 of 24 games with the Wolves after he was traded Feb. 17 from the Knicks for a bag of basketballs.
“It’s my understanding that Darko would like to come back with us,” Kahn said of the seven-year veteran. “He sees pieces to build around here and knows further pieces are coming, and he would like to be a part of it.”
—
After hating New York with a vengeance, it was odd to hear Isiah Thomas recommend the Knicks to LeBron James. Thomas is still friendly with owner James Dolan and would be willing to stump for the Knicks owner. But I can’t believe Thomas wouldn’t think James is better off in his hometown Chicago.