My Favorite part of that ESPN article is Dr. Jack's take on the trade!:
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Dr. Jack on the Knicks-Suns trade
I'm surprised that the
Phoenix Suns would give up
Stephon Marbury. He's a great acquisition for the
New York Knicks.
This trade immediately benefits the Knicks. I have a high regard for Marbury -- he's a tremendous talent. I believe Marbury is the second-best point guard in the NBA (behind
Jason Kidd; remember, New Jersey traded Marbury for Kidd in 2001).
With this deal, it appears Phoenix is throwing in the towel on this season. Can the Suns do something profitable with the two first-round draft picks from the Knicks? Only time will tell.
But the Knicks (14-21) are much better prepared now for a potential playoff run. To earn a playoff spot in the East, I expect that a team will need at least a .500 record. The Knicks would need to go 27-20 in their remaining games to finish at .500 exactly.
Clearly, new president/GM Isiah Thomas is going to work in New York. Marbury and
Allan Houston should be a great backcourt combination. Marbury will give the Knicks a shot in the arm. He can create his own shots and create opportunities for teammates. Penny Hardaway also comes to the Knicks from the Suns. Earlier in his career, he merited a spot on the All-NBA First Team. Then a serious knee injury threatened his career (I didn't think he'd play again). Since his return, he hasn't been the same player, showing inconsistent glimpses of his earlier form.
Antonio McDyess, who goes to the Suns, is playing better after missing last season with a knee injury. And the Suns can get by with
Charlie Ward and
Howard Eisley (the other two Knicks in the deal) at point guard. But neither is Stephon Marbury, to be sure.
-- ESPN's Dr. Jack Ramsay