Five for Friday

Watching the Knicks Bucks game I was once again flabbergasted at how horrible the Knicks are defensively. They don’t close out on shooters, can’t stop penetration, and are still somehow mediocre on the boards. WTF! Misery on parade. I understand the point of view that the players have an individual responsibility for their crappy performance on D. But looking at the Knicks personel as whole – a roster chock full of offensive minded players – what reasonable person could be surprised by the result? There are so many reasons to fire Isiah.

Yi looks very good. I have seen him place twice now, and am very impressed by his foot work, agility, length and coordination. Plus he is thick.

Not many would have predicted that it would be Daequan Cook out of the gate early as the best of the Spiece Indy Heat products at the pro level. With both of his more famous former AAU and college teammates Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr sidelined with injuries, Cook has worked his way into Riles line-up down in Miami. Cook can shoot the ball, and he has a swagger that serves him well. That said, he better enjoy his time at the top, cause when Oden and Conley get healthy and 08 lottery pick and fellow Indy Heat alum Eric Gordon get going, Cook’s name could become the answer to a trivia question.

Who knew? Apparently Shaq gave Paul Pierce the nickname “The Truth.”

2007 Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy is very good, almost like a Dwyane Wade-lite. Though he will surely improve, he may not be able to carry the perimeter scoring load expected by the Blazer franchise and fan base. I am not knocking Roy. I love his game. I am just saying that even with Oden's return, Roy needs some real help in the back court for the Blazers to start making playoff noise.