> Jeff Van Gundy, back in the Garden tonight to broadcast the LeBron
> James Classic for ESPN, warned Knicks fans to brace for a rough season
> and not complain about it if they believe in Donnie Walsh's Master
> Plan.

> The ex-Knicks coach said the club has "average talent" and too many
> guys with expiring contracts who have not always shown the height of
> professionalism the past few seasons.

> The Knicks carry a 1-4 record into tonight's mega-event against King
> James and the Cavaliers.

> They made no upgrades this summer, protecting their salary-cap space
> for 2010 so they can be in position to sign the Cavaliers superstar as
> a free agent.

> "The question is, do you have the stomach for this plan?" Van Gundy
> told The Post, referring to Knicks fans.

> "Everyone said they're in on the plan. You only know if you're in when
> going through adversity. To expect them not to have ups and downs
> would be crazy.

> "They have a lot of guys whose futures are up in the air. They have
> average talent for the NBA. Sometimes when they don't do well, people
> say, 'What's wrong?' What's wrong is they have average talent."

> The Knicks' talent level is not what bothers Van Gundy. He's concerned
> the players may not take winning seriously enough -- a point Chris
> Duhon tried to make in an MSG Network interview last weekend.

> Last season, Van Gundy blasted David Lee on the air. VG chided Lee for
> indicating satisfaction after Dream Week when they lost to the Lakers,
> Cavaliers and Celtics.

> Lee called it "the best 0-3 week I've ever had."

> "It's interesting Duhon called into question some of the players'
> professionalism," Van Gundy said.

> "They all could take a strong look at what they can do to up their
> level of play through increased level of preparation and
> determination."

> "Al Harrington admitted last year there were dance-offs before games,"
> Van Gundy added.

> "That he thought it OK to admit that publicly was appalling, even if
> it may have happened. I'm not saying old school is better than new
> school. Knick fans, the GM and coach deserve their best efforts,
> deserve a group committed to being ready to play and take the result
> hard and not casually.

> "What I said about David Lee, that's what I felt. I don't think I was
> too hard. In some ways, I was too soft. I thought the statement was a
> very poor sentiment."

> Van Gundy, who's never broadcast a game from the Garden, won't knock
> Walsh.

> "I don't know how you can knock anything he's done," Van Gundy said.

> "They've rid themselves of long-term contracts, trying like heck to
> get out of the rut of mediocrity. You win championships by having star
> players. I don't know if it will work, but the strategy is sound."

<lexa...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On Nov 6, 9:57 am, Syfo-Dyas <Syfo-D...@nomail.com> wrote:
>> Jeff Van Gundy, back in the Garden tonight to broadcast the LeBron
>> James Classic for ESPN, warned Knicks fans to brace for a rough season
>> and not complain about it if they believe in Donnie Walsh's Master
>> Plan.

>> The ex-Knicks coach said the club has "average talent" and too many
>> guys with expiring contracts who have not always shown the height of
>> professionalism the past few seasons.

>> The Knicks carry a 1-4 record into tonight's mega-event against King
>> James and the Cavaliers.

>> They made no upgrades this summer, protecting their salary-cap space
>> for 2010 so they can be in position to sign the Cavaliers superstar as
>> a free agent.

>> "The question is, do you have the stomach for this plan?" Van Gundy
>> told The Post, referring to Knicks fans.

>> "Everyone said they're in on the plan. You only know if you're in when
>> going through adversity. To expect them not to have ups and downs
>> would be crazy.

>> "They have a lot of guys whose futures are up in the air. They have
>> average talent for the NBA. Sometimes when they don't do well, people
>> say, 'What's wrong?' What's wrong is they have average talent."

>> The Knicks' talent level is not what bothers Van Gundy. He's concerned
>> the players may not take winning seriously enough -- a point Chris
>> Duhon tried to make in an MSG Network interview last weekend.

>> Last season, Van Gundy blasted David Lee on the air. VG chided Lee for
>> indicating satisfaction after Dream Week when they lost to the Lakers,
>> Cavaliers and Celtics.

>> Lee called it "the best 0-3 week I've ever had."

>> "It's interesting Duhon called into question some of the players'
>> professionalism," Van Gundy said.

>> "They all could take a strong look at what they can do to up their
>> level of play through increased level of preparation and
>> determination."

>> "Al Harrington admitted last year there were dance-offs before games,"
>> Van Gundy added.

>> "That he thought it OK to admit that publicly was appalling, even if
>> it may have happened. I'm not saying old school is better than new
>> school. Knick fans, the GM and coach deserve their best efforts,
>> deserve a group committed to being ready to play and take the result
>> hard and not casually.

>> "What I said about David Lee, that's what I felt. I don't think I was
>> too hard. In some ways, I was too soft. I thought the statement was a
>> very poor sentiment."

>> Van Gundy, who's never broadcast a game from the Garden, won't knock
>> Walsh.

>> "I don't know how you can knock anything he's done," Van Gundy said.

>> "They've rid themselves of long-term contracts, trying like heck to
>> get out of the rut of mediocrity. You win championships by having star
>> players. I don't know if it will work, but the strategy is sound."

>I think the point most of have is that this team does not appear to be
>trying.