While T-Mac scored big in his Knick debut, Eddie House impressed as well.

Of the moves Donnie Walsh pulled off at Thursday’s deadline, the one we liked the most was moving headache Nate Robinson to Beantown for sharp shooter Eddie House in a five player deal that also included a conditional second round pick. Previously, we had it as a No.1. Our sincere apologies.

Reuniting with former Suns’ coach Mike D’Antoni, the 31 year-old vet didn’t miss a beat, pumping home a season high 24 points in his trademark role off the bench. While bigger pickup Tracy McGrady wowed the Garden with 19 of 26 in a splendid first half, all Fast Eddie did was go an efficient 8-of-14 from the floor bombing away from the outside. That included four from downtown with the well traveled Berkeley, California native using his quick release to hurt the Thunder. One instance saw him sink an off balance jumper inside the key.

Smooth stuff from a player on his ninth different team over 10 years. Something MSG hoop analyst Walt “Clyde” Frazier couldn’t figure out why. Neither can we. No matter what uniform he puts on, House provides a reliable perimeter threat who’s not afraid to take the big shot. In a league where accurate outside shooting ain’t what it used to be, the career 39.5 three-point bomber (41.3 overall) is a nice commodity. He drained some big shots during the Celtics’ run to the title two years ago.

Most admirable is he’s a pro who gets the job done. Fans shouldn’t expect him to see as much PT as last night’s 36-plus- also a season best. However, he certainly showed off the whole repertoire even making a perfect dish to a cutting T-Mac for an easy lay-in during crunch time. The man also was a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. Something not uncommon for a consistent shooter.

Knick fans will enjoy McGrady as evidenced by the “We Want T-Mac, We Want T-Mac, We Want T-Mac” chants when the 29 year-old All-Star didn’t go much down the stretch due to having no legs. An honest answer from a prideful player hoping to salvage his career. Hopefully, it has a happy ending. If it works out, great. Hopefully, T-Mac stays and lures a max player or two to the biggest stage.

Fast Eddie should come along for the ride.

-So it turns out Phils NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels called the Mets chokers in a Daily News piece Friday following their major bullpen overhaul in an attempt to challenge the defending champs.

I’m not really certain what to make of it. Of course, the always classy David Wright took the high road basically concluding that Hamels could say whatever he wants based on how last year concluded.

But at some point, don’t you think a Met needs to fire back? Maybe it’s time. It’s only second week of December and already I can’t wait to see what these games will be like next Spring.

-The Yanks are about to land A.J. Burnett who they targeted from the beginning along with prize Cash Cow Sabathia. It looks like they’ll be getting the former Jay starter for five years at 82 million. That averages out to some 16.5-per-year which makes him way overpaid for a guy who’s never really been consistent despite his awesome talent which includes a near 100 MPH heater and nasty curve.

Oh btw…he had the Yankees’ number in 2008 and also pitched well against Boston but didn’t fare as well versus everyone else. So, what does that mean?

And why would the Yanks commit so many years at that price to a guy who could become DL prone like former 2003 Florida WS teammate FA failure Carl “DL” Pavano?

You really have to shake your head and wonder what the heck the thought process was. Was there even one?

-Meanwhile, the same team who can overpay for a guy who’s never done much is holding firm on a take or leave it 10 million offer to Andy Pettite. Now it might be true that the former southpaw Yankee hero might not have much left in the tank but for them to be so stubborn over a few million seems senseless. Especially when they continue to act as if there’s zero bad economy and are trying to win at all co$ts.

Sometimes, I’ll never fully comprehend the Yankees. No wonder I’m so down on them.

-MIA. The Ranger defense took the night off in Newark last night in a 8-5 loss to the Devils. Apparently, they felt it would be better to let Henrik Lundqvist fend for himself. That’s been the case most of the season despite their record which is tainted thanks to the goalie’s shootout record.

Let’s see how long it takes for Dumb and Dumber tandem Glen Sather and Tom Renney to realize their follies by continuing to trot out Dmitri Kalinin, Michal Rozsival and overpaid stiff Wade Redden.

I never thought it’d come to this but does any other Ranger fan miss Marek Malik?

-It’s 12/13 and Stephon Marbury still hasn’t been officially bought out by the Team Dumb and Dumber. This could only happen under the idiotic leadership of Clown Mgt 101 Founder Jim Dolan.

Despite what’s being said by fools like Daily News columnist Mike Lupica, the Knicks are still easy to hate. That’s just how Team Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 makes it.

Let’s face it! Compared to the hockey team which thankfully is run solely by hockey people, the basketball team that resides at 2 Penn Plaza remains a circus of epic proportions no matter who coaches and who is GM.

Need more proof? All you had to do was take a look at the over the top performance from rapper Q-Tip during the team’s introduction. As if the Knicks were back. Even the reception from rap’s birthplace was subdued despite some fancy lyrics and encouragement for them to get up and chant, “New Yooooork!”

Aside from the sideshow, at least they played Young Jeezy’s “Put On” for lineups. As for why it’s fairly simple to still despise the Knicks. Because Jim Dolan is still calling the shots no matter what kinda spin they’re saying about Stephon Marbury’s deactivation. Only the Knicks could turn Coney Island’s Finest into a sympathetic figure. Especially when you consider how lousy his Knick career has been epitomizing that the former Lincoln High standout never got it on or off the court.

However, how this situation has been handled by Mike D’Antoni is an absolute sham much like the over the top propaganda about how this team is gonna be so much more “exciting” quoting the former Suns coach’s mantra.

As if that actually can be translated as a winning brand of basketball. The quintessential hoops fan
isn’t a fool and knows better about what wins in the NBA. Did I just mention NBA basketball? The Knicks don’t deserve to be included because they’re really not going to win many games no matter what the hype machine says.

So, they put up 120 on the lowly Heat in their home opener yet nearly blew a 26-point lead needing to hang on for dear life just to get a ‘W.’ D’Antoni’s up-tempo offensive system should have success against teams who are on their level. Problem is there are only so many you can cite. Won’t it be fun when former coach Larry Brown brings his equally dreadful Bobcats to the Mecca? Rumor has it those match-ups will be renamed the Toilet Bowl!

So what if D’Antoni benched Eddy Curry? I could’ve become coach and sat out Fat Albert. The way too big man who probably has spent way too many trips to Burger King and McDonalds just doesn’t care enough about basketball. Was anyone surprised by the reaction he got when introduced?

For the pro-D’Antoni/Knicks backers, that’s the argument they can make when it comes to the decision to not play Marbury in the team’s home opener. This while the worst and ugliest NBA guard we’ve ever seen, Mardy Collins is getting PT along with Italian pet project Danilo Gallinari who didn’t even see preseason action and looks like a string bean on the court. Bet if you breathed on him, he’d blow over. The 2008 first round pick might want to join Fat Albert for some Big Macs cause he needs them much worse.

So, how does one explain D’Antoni’s actions playing Marbury during exhibition and coming away impressed enough to hint that he’d be part of the Knicks second unit? We don’t care how many shots Jamal Crawford gets, it’s Starbury who’s still the most talented player on the roster and fits the coach’s new philosophy to a tee.

Just how bad was it? When a part of an MSG crowd who booed Marbury last season began chanting for him to come into the game, the coach reportedly did a double take having a few choice words for those closeby.

So, is D’Antoni a liar or was this just another typical Dolan induced episode? What do you think?!?!?!?!?!

It’s clear that Donnie Walsh was never going to buyout Marbury, who now shall earn all 22 million while in the fancy business attire. He doesn’t believe in doing that. So, will the team find a suitor and unload the contract? Highly unlikely especially when one considers he’s in the final year which will allow any interested teams to wait it out.

The question is can a motivated Marbury still help another NBA roster which is a lot closer to winning than the Knicks. I don’t believe there’s any doubt that he can still play but his reputation will continue to linger until proven otherwise. Wouldn’t it be in his best interest to continue saying all the right things about how if this is the situation, then so be it? Absolutely. If he’s indeed on best behavior, he knows he might get out of jail and have another chance elsewhere.

And what better way than to stick it where the sun don’t shine to a faulty mismanaged organization which would probably blame him for the stock market along with current economy and how embarrassing the Presidential Election campaigns have become. Well, at least that nonsense will be over in a couple of days.

This isn’t about Marbury being a good guy. He’s clearly not but the Knick actions have actually painted him as the winner in this situation because it’s still the same old song and dance at the Garden no matter what their brainwashed PR tell you.

Was it any surprise that the Orange and Blue got blitzed in Philadelphia losing by 29 the other night? Come on. You knew better. Don’t believe the hype. This team is a long way from being anything. Clearly, the Nets are better and might even possess better young talent though it’s close.

So, where will these “new look” Knicks wind up? Where last year’s Lord Isiah ones did. In the Atlantic cellar because the Celts, improved 76ers and Raptors are so much better and even the Nets should win more.

Again, what is there to get excited about? Here’s hoping Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson combine for 60 later tonight.

It’s been a while since I made an entry revolving around Team Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101. In fact, you have to go all the way back to the old Isiah Thomas Days when there was no hope.

Now, here we are all these months later a day before the “much anticipated” season home opener versus the lowly Heat. Already the preposterous Knick Propaganda has begun to become irksome with new coach Mike D’Antoni’s “We’re gonna be exciting,” mantra of basketball on deck under GM Donnie Walsh.

How many times do Knick fans get to be the Halloween version of a donkey? Why not ask Team Mgt leader James Dolan, who apparently is still making the final call on roster moves.

How else can you explain the unfathomable release of Patrick Ewing, Jr. while Anthony Roberson makes the roster as the Knicks 9,000th SG. Alright. Maybe that’s a tad overboard. But come on. It was bad enough Walsh gave away Renaldo Balkman to the Rockets in the offseason.

In Patrick Ewing’s son, they had an athletic versatile forward who could come off the bench and provide energy on both ends including the one word which never enters D’Antoni’s dictionary. That would be the one which wins in this league though if you informed Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101, they’d probably stare at you in disbelief.

So, I’ll say it nice and slow:

D———————-e———–fe—————–nsssssseeeeee!!!!!

So there you have it. More proof that the New York Knicks basketball universe is unlike any of the other 29 franchises. Well, let me take that back. You can’t count the Bobcats who are run by the world’s greatest player and now worst basketball mind. You know him as Air Jordan. Btw…wonder how Larry Brown feels about his roster after going 0 for the preseason. That’s right. They lost all eight exhibition games. Think the man who never saw a dollar he didn’t like wishes he’d stayed here? Did we just say that?!?!?!?!?!

Whoever says it can’t get any worse obviously never saw the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas City Royals.

As the Knicks do prepare for another waste of a season in which they’ll score more under D’Antoni but won’t win much, just remember that to make room for no Ewing, Jr.- a player who worked as hard as anyone to get a shot improving at Georgetown- Eddy “Fat Albert” Curry’s still on the roster eating his way into oblivion with God knows what diseases. There’s no telling what will happen next. He already broke a medicine ball just from sitting on it. So, what’s next to get victimized? A bicycle.

If it weren’t bad enough that Fat Albert has already lost D’Antoni’s trust and that’s awfully hard to accomplish considering how likable and positive the former Sun coach is, just remember this.

Jerome James still exists on the Knick roster.

That’s the No.1 reason Ewing, Jr. didn’t stay. Because Clown Mgt 101 Boss Dolan barked out the orders to keep the scrub so he could get paid out in full for the two minutes he gives every now and then before transferring into his normal street atire when his knees act up.

So, what is there to get excited for? This team is again headed nowhere with zero direction despite promo after promo emphasizing otherwise that they’re going to give back to New Yorkers everywhere who deserve better.

Game One hasn’t even tipped off yet and already Joe Benigno is rooting for the Lottery and the fat lady has begun warming up.

Let the countdown begin!

LeBron James lit up the Knicks. Well, is it really a stretch that the 23 year-old MVP candidate went for 50 in the Cavaliers’ 119-106 win at The Garden earlier tonight?

Come on. You know better. Especially when it comes to the Dumb and Dumber Clown Management 101 philosophy which excludes actual team defense along with any sort of logic.

Anyone who coughed up a few bucks to go was there for one reason only. To witness one of the NBA’s best superstars. Well, how about that? That Nike LeBron commercial looks prophetic:

“We are all witnesses.”

You knew James would lead his Cavs to victory. The two questions were by how many and how much would he get? He wound up with his second 50-point night of the season and fifth of already a brilliant career.

“I’ve dreamed about playing well in this building and it’s overtaken of how I could ever dream about,” the affable James expressed to the Associated Press after shooting 16-of-30 from the field including a deadly seven from downtown on 13 attempts.

“To get a standing ovation in the greatest basketball arena in the world, it was a dream come true for me. It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

Hey. Still some of the most knowledgable hoops fans (despite losing braincells from how dreadful these Knicks are) have to find something to appreciate in such a pathetic season which now has their team a cool 25 under (18-43). 

The one and only Walt “Clyde” Frazier likes to refer to their team as “heroes.” Try more like zeroes as there’s nothing heroic about this NBA laughingstock. All you ever get is that same idiotic stoic look on Lord Isiah’s ghostly face. Yeah. He’s going to hell alright and taking the ship with him. Welcome to Team Titanic. Jim Dolan has a nice seat up above as the New York Knickerbocker boat goes down probably with some cheap cigar and one of his band’s third rate blues songs.

Did we mention that the Knicks only trailed by two entering the final 12 minutes before predictably doing what they do best. Tanking in crunch time. They were outscored 35-23 by the Cavs with James cashing four of his three’s when it mattered most.

He did all this after injuring his right pinky on a dunk attempt back in the opening quarter. No matter as he notched 20 first half points on an efficient 7-of-12 which included a fadeaway trey at the buzzer.

Just how special is LeBron? He also made history by becoming the first player to score at least 50, hand out 10 assists and grab eight rebounds since legendary NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Jan.19, 1975.

“The 3-ball for him, that’s the shot that you would hope that he takes,” said Dumb and Dumber Team President Isiah Thomas of James’ lethal shooting from long range. “However, when he makes them like that, he’s virtually unguardable because he’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast and he’s unselfish, also. He’ll give the ball up.”

Thomas’ club trailed by only a point with less than four and a half left but predictably got outscored 11-1 with James nailing three trifectas keying the spurt to put the game out of reach at 110-99 with over two minutes remaining.

James was even congratulated in person by a diehard fan after he exited to loud cheers with 23 ticks left.

“It was a great feeling. You get a fan to come down there to express the way he feels about you … told me I was his favorite player, that never happens,” he noted.

“I respect him, I respect his pride and for him to come out there and tell me something like that face to face, it’s like the (most) unbelievable thing that ever happened to me.”

His proud coach Mike Brown summed up the special night quite well:

“You can’t take it for granted because he’s that good. He’s just a great player. I try not to because coaching a guy like that, working with a guy like that, it’s probably a once in a lifetime deal. You just try to take advantage of every second that you’re with him.”

Now imagine LeBron playing on the grandest stage. On second thought, don’t. It’s enough to make you sick. He’d probably somehow be ruined.

Just ask Stephon Marbury.

The circus is always in town at 33rd and Seventh in Manhattan. As long as the Knicks are around as an actual NBA franchise at least, there will be plenty of popcorn, cotton candy, refreshments and entertainment in NYC. If only that included a winning basketball team.

In case you didn’t catch last night’s Knick game, they fell in Atlanta 99-93 to a franchise that at least now has a pulse and wants to become competitive and maybe reach the playoffs. Though it’s still hard to get too excited about an NBA team eight under .500 who believe it or not are just a half game behind the 76ers for the final Eastern playoff berth.

Man. Doesn’t that make one realize just how pathetic these Knicks actually are. If they had a season like last year, they might have even been competing in the playoffs. Instead, the Dumb and Dumber Clown Management 101 tradition must be preserved as a once respectable NBA franchise sinks lower and lower under co-founder Lord Isiah while Team President Jim Dolan takes his second rate jazz band on the road to play more blues.

Maybe he should write a new song entitled, “Knickerbocker Blues.” It’s got a nice ring to it and could be an improvement over what JD and The Straight Shot are performing these days.

So, how would it go? I’ll just try a few lines cause this really isn’t the main topic of this entry which as per usual I haven’t gotten to.

“Knickerbocker Blues”

There’s a man sittin’ front and center

Who’s watching his losing team in complete misery

He have his head down watching Lord Isiah the mentor

And the losing basketball be makin’ him completely dizzy

Cause he’s got a bad case of dem Knickerbocker blues

And already lit like a Christmas tree needing even more booze

This CEO be so depressed and obsessed with not doing what’s right

Just to tick off the beat writers and booing fans catching so much spite

He got dem sad sack potato Knickerbocker blues

Alright, enough of that already! I’m good. If you sing it in a BB King blues voice, it doesn’t sound too bad.

So, while Isiah’s team was finding another way to lose to de-prove to 18-40 despite Zach “Happy Meal” Randolph’s 29, 17 and even five dimes, the misplaced Coach/GM (General Moron) made some news off the court yesterday. According to New York Post beat writer Marc Berman, Thomas has banned former starting PG Stephon Marbury from attending games at Madison Square Garden.

Since having what appeared to be season-ending ankle surgery on Jan.22, the former Lincoln Railsplitter star began rehab 12 days prior at the team’s practice facility up in Westchester. Coney Island’s Finest wanted to rejoin his teammates and support them from the bench but has basically been shut out by the coach.

Thomas apparently wouldn’t discuss Marbury’s future with the club leading to speculation that he’s going to buy out the remaining $21 million left on the contract. He blames the Coney Island native for why the team fell apart citing the episode in Phoenix last November for how things turned out.

Maybe if Thomas would just look in the mirror and notice how badly he mishandled it, he’d inflict a ban on himself. He’s such a freaking hypocrite. Who polled the rest of the team asking if Marbury should be allowed back only to turn their back on players voting against the embattled guard returning???

Nothing’s ever Thomas’ fault. He needs about a 100 foot mirror for his ego. It’s always the players. Well, who assembled the NBA’s fifth worst team which lacks cohesion and leadership and also coaches it?

Who brought in Randolph to replace Eddy Curry, who basically sits on the bench most of the night while earning a big salary to do zilch?

How does this joker keep his job? He was a great player and knew what it took to win leading the Bad Boy Pistons to consecutive NBA titles. However, he’s just awful as an executive. Just ask the extinct CBA.

Some former star players just aren’t cut out for running a franchise. See Willis Reed.

Nobody would dispute how disappointing Marbury’s Knick career has been. He made an ass out of himself on national TV last summer with bizarre commentary while appearing on NBC’s Miked Up with Bruce Beck.

However, what Thomas is doing to Marbury here is completely wrong. Once again, he’s blameless. Hasn’t Steph suffered enough in losing his Dad and an uncle this season?

It’s never ever Lord Isiah’s fault. Nope. Couldn’t be. What’s that coaching record again the past couple of years entering tonight’s game at Orlando?

There’s a reason this team is an embarrassing 38 games under .500 (51-89) in Thomas’ two seasons behind the bench. Hey Isiah! You are what your record says you are no matter how many of Dolan’s paychecks you cash.

Time to wake the f up!

“You would’ve expected them [Knicks] to come out with more energy off last night.”

The words of the always analytical and poetic all-time great New York Knick Walt “Clyde” Frazier, who was left in disbelief at just how uncompetitive Lord Isiah’s NBA team looked in getting pulverized by an average at best 76er team to the tune of 124-84 in the City of Brotherly Love.

Well, that sadly is what quintessential Knick basketball has become. Where the unthinkable becomes possible. Ah. But they only allowed 72 first half points to a team who entered with seven more victories. Just imagine if they’d gotten to 80 points in the first 24 minutes. Btw…that would mean only four fewer points than the Orange and Blue totaled. What a team!

Well, there was a Lunar Eclipse tonight. In keeping with that theme, our frequent contributor Rob “Kraze” Davis notes the following of these Knicks:

“Maybe they should’ve shot the Knicks into outer space with that missle they’re shooting to blow up the spy satelite that fell out of orbit and could crash to earth.“

Well, hey. Imagine if they tried. Maybe they’d have been down by only 22 instead of the eye dropping 46 in the third quarter. These were the 76ers. To quote WFAN’s Steve Somers, “Not to be confused with the Boston Celtics or Detroit Pistons.”

So, how uncompetitive was the second of a league mandated back-to-back? The Knicks already trailed by 20 (37-17) after one quarter.

Defense and passing apparently were optional for Isiah’s club. Much like it has been almost all season setting back basketball over a century.

How bad was it? The Knick starting five of Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Eddy “Fat Albert” Curry, Christmas team ornament Quentin Richardson and crucial Isiah 2007 Draft acquisition Zach “Happy Meal” Randolph combined for just 44 points while turning the ball over 16 times. They had 14 assists finishing minus-two in the assist to turnover ratio.

But even better were the plus/minuses of this fearsome five:

Crawford: team worst minus-36

Robinson: minus-15

Curry: minus-30 in 24:29

Richardson: minus-22 in 23 mins

Randolph: minus-24 in 19:28

Minus-127 for the starting five

How is it even possible to be that brutal on a basketball court? I’ve seen high school players with a much better grasp of what it takes to win at this sport. Heck. A grammar school could probably take them.

This just in. In keeping with team tradition, Isiah blamed the 40-point humiliation on Stephon Marbury.

So, what did everyone’s least fave NBA exec (unless you happen to root for one of the other 29 teams which he’s improved) have to say about the latest double digit loss which de-proved his team to 16-38?

“We’ve had our good moments and we’ve had our share of bad moments. We’ve got to keep working. All we can do is keep working.”

Yep. They’re working alright. On probably the worst season in franchise history.

Did he actually say that with a straight face?!?!?!?!?!

The 76ers got to the century mark thru three quarters and led by a cool 43.

Like taking candy from a baby. That’s the Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 philosophy.

Now with the deadline tomorrow at 3 ET, watch Isiah somehow work a deal and add even more absurd contracts.

Well, look at the bright side as head chairman Jim Dolan would point to. They’re still 1-1 post All-Star Break. That playoff push should be coming any day now.

Hey. Rookie Thaddeus Young was happy to see the Knicks. The former Georgia Tech star went for a rookie career high of 20 points (8-of-11 FG) while grabbing eight boards (four offensive)- two more than any Knick. He did it in 24+ off the bench too.

Also of note, the 76er bench outscored the Knicks starters 55-44 with three players reaching double figures. The Knick bench accounted for nearly half (40) their 84.

In case you wanted to appreciate what other NBA teams think like, Philly leading scorer Andre Iguodala had this to say following the big win which helped them keep pace with the triumphant post-Jason Kidd Nets:

“We want to compete hard every game and make the playoffs.” 

Well, there’s always tomorrow. Hey. It worked in Annie.

 

Who knew that Zach Randolph was such a great teammate? Well, of course Portland knew and if you had polled a vast majority of the NBA’s executives, they weren’t oblivious to The Big Zach Attack (not to be confused with Saved By The Bell’s Zach Morris).

Ah. But then what would life be like in this league without Lord Isiah to bring in Mr. Happy Meal to destroy even more credibility to a once prominent basketball franchise at 33rd and 7th. The latest form of team unity by the ex-jailed Blazer (no pun intended) was to toss water on Nate Robinson while on the bench late in the fourth quarter of what amounted to a stirring comeback win (113-100) over the Wizards in the nation’s capital last night.

Congress just ordered an full federal investigation of how Washington could get outscored 8-1 at the end of regulation and give up the first 11 in overtime translating to an absurd 19-1 Knicks’ run which gave them their 16th win against 37 defeats with 29 games left.

Afterwards, a jovial Isiah boasted about how his team improved to 1-0 post All-Star Break. He needed to pitch this as much as possible to change Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 ring-leader Jim Dolan’s mind about being unable to take on more contracts like a four-course meal at the NBA trade deadline.

“Brings out the dog out you,” Christmas team ornament Quentin Richardson said after contributing 19 points and six rebounds regarding the spat between Randolph and Robinson. “Play harder. I guess that’s what he’s saying. I guess we’ve got to do whatever it takes to keep pushing your teammates.”

“We haven’t been winning. We’ve been playing well. … It wasn’t frustration. It was just heat of the moment. We’re just playing. We don’t like to lose. It’s going to be the heat of the battle amongst each other, but we got to keep playing, kind of push it over the edge to make us play harder and harder.”

Randolph obviously wasn’t satisfied with his touches finishing 9-of-18 from the field for a team best 24 to go with 10 rebounds recording a double double which he confused with a double Whopper. Can you blame him? The man’s hungry. He’s got to eat.

Robinson, who admittedly struggled until draining a big trey late which started the run had 19 points, eight boards and five assists in a starting role, responded by tossing a towel in Happy Zach’s direction. Nothing like a little team unity.

“It’s just unacceptable, our approach to the game,” disgusted Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. “We just didn’t play hard enough. We didn’t play with a lot of purpose, and maybe we thought they were just going to give us the game, and it was just the opposite. … There was just no enthusiasm.”

Maybe his team which dropped to a dismal 1-7 this month picked up their opponents’ bad habits. Either that or they just can’t wait for leading scorer Gilbert Arenas to return so he can jack up nearly all the shots.

When he found out his team took the regular season series 2-1, Isiah immediately pointed toward the Randolph addition for this team-wide accomplishment. Too bad they’re 14-36 against everyone else.

Maybe they should secede from the NBA with Washington. The Wizards could change their team name to the Generals. Oh wait. That’s who the Harlem Globetrotters bitch slap.

Maybe they should just relocate to Siberia. They could then have a valid excuse to their remaining loyal fans including a frozen Spike Lee for why they rarely win. They were too cold. Paging the Polar Bears!

Knick basketball. Ya gotta love it.

It was a busy Sunday in the NBA. So let’s take a look at some of the exciting games which went down to the wire:

1.In the game of the day, the Magic got a buzzer beater from money perimeter shooter Hedo Turkoglu to beat the league’s best team the Celtics 96-93. If you caught some of this, it was a very high quality game between two of the East’s best. It looked like the Magic would run away with it when they led by as many as 16 in the second half thanks to a 22-4 run as Boston struggled without Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain).

Credit Celtic long distance threat James Posey for sparking a strong comeback in the final quarter. He dialed up four big shots from downtown to the tune of 16 points and six boards off the bench. Boston second-year starting PG Rajon Rondo played superb D notching a game-high six steals while finishing with an all around performance with 15, five rebounds and six assists.

Paul Pierce paced the Celts with 24 but his biggest play was when he drove down the lane and found a wide open Ray Allen for the tying trey from the left corner with 14 seconds remaining. Out of an Orlando timeout, a cutting Turkoglu came around and got the ball from Carlos Arroyo, took a couple of dribbles and then hoisted up the game-winning three near the key with Pierce defending. It hit nothing but net sending teammates out to congratulate the former King.

“It was a good shot,” Pierce acknowledged to the Associated Press. “I thought I played pretty good defense — cut off his initial drive, he turned around and shot a 3-pointer from two or three feet off the line and sunk the shot.”

“I didn’t really want to settle on a jumper,” Turkoglu later admitted. “I just tried to go to the hole and take a foul, but they had good defense and forced me to take a tough shot. I’m just glad it was right there today.”

Bottom line is the 28 year-old from Turkey drained a tough shot. Something he seems to have a penchant for doing. He’s one of the most overlooked players in the league. He can flat out score the ball beating you outside or off the dribble. What makes him so tough is his awkwardness.

Dwight Howard (double double- 18 and 16 with five blocks) might get all of the credit for the Magic’s turnaround but Turkoglu is one of the key reasons this team is where it is sitting atop the Southeast.

2.Another good game took place at the Staples Center between the Cavaliers and Lakers in the second of an ABC doubleheader. Oddly enough, due to the extremely odd January weather California is having where there’s been snow and torrential downpours, this game was delayed at one point in the first half due to a leak from the ceiling.

Once they finally fixed the issue, this back-and-forth game featuring a couple of the NBA’s best superstars in LeBron James and Kobe Bryant came down to crunchtime. It was the 23 year-old man child who won the duel with Kobe scoring 14 of his game-high 41 in the final 12 minutes as the Cavs prevailed 98-95 over the Lakers.

A big bucket by James gave his team a one-point lead with 76 seconds left. A Kobe aggressive drive resulted in an empty trip due to a charge giving the ball back to Cleveland. LeBron milked the clock and then perfectly drained a jumper from inside the three-point line to put his team up a field goal.

A Ronny Turiaf putback cut it to one with 13 ticks to go. A wild sequence nearly resulted in a Laker steal and go-ahead basket but Kobe’s try from in close didn’t go and the Lakers were called for a loose ball foul.

Following a pair of James’ free throws, the Lakers called time and setup their final play. Unfortunately, poor execution resulted in them not getting a desperation three off on time due to some indecisiveness from Luke Walton. I already heard about it from Hard Hits co-host Nate Sousa earlier. He was furious and dissed Walton, who former Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy praised for his “high basketball IQ.”

It definitely wasn’t on display on that awful play which de-proved the Lakers to 2-4 since big man Andrew Bynum went down.

“We ran our last-second play, I was hoping to get the shot off,” Walton lamented despite finishing with nine points, five rebounds, five dimes and four thefts. “I kind of fumbled the ball a little bit, wasn’t aware the clock was as low as it was, and as soon as I passed it back to Kobe, I realized that that was a mistake, and unfortunately it cost us big.”

“It was designed for me to come up from the top of the floor and get a good look at a 3,” explained a frustrated Bryant despite pacing his team with 33 (10-of-21 FG, 13-for-18 FT), 12 boards and six dimes. “We had to run a dribble weave in that situation and they both came with me, so I kicked it out. I don’t know if he had a clear look at the basket. I think they rotated to him pretty quickly. There’s always other options.”

Whatever the reason, suddenly the Lakers (27-15) who a week prior had the best record in the West are sitting sixth in a strong conference while the surging Cavs (24-19) have pushed into a tie with the Raptors for fourth in the weaker East.

The Cavs lost power forward Anderson “Sideshow Bob” Varejao in the third quarter due to a left ankle injury. It looked pretty bad when he was helped off clearly limping but the encouraging news was that X-rays were negative. The valuable energizer off the bench is expected to undergo an MRI later today.

3.Another interesting finish occurred in Minnesota where the league’s worst team used a game-closing 10-0 run to stun the fading Nets (18-26) 98-95. This was just a pathetic loss by a heartless bunch who clearly aren’t playing for coach Lawrence Frank. Will he ever get canned?!?!?!?!?! Somewhere in New Orleans with the West’s best record (no joke), Byron Scott must be smiling.

You really can’t make this stuff up for a team which features the East’s starting PG for the All-Star game in Jason Kidd plus star duo Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson. I listened to the final 90 seconds on the radio courtesy of WFAN as their team did an outstanding job describing the latest meltdown which ran their losing streak to an inexplicable nine.

With the game seemingly at hand thanks to a big game from RJ (team-high 35 pts, 11-of-22 FG, 11-for-16 FT) and 25 and five dimes from Carter, it looked like the Nets would finally snap their eight-game skid. Suddenly, consecutive treys from Rashard McCants and ex-Celtic Ryan Gomes cut the lead to one with 40 seconds left. That’s when Carter forced the issue missing a key shot giving the T-Wolves the ball with a chance to go ahead.

They did thanks to emerging star Al Jefferson, who was fouled and sank both free throws. Then Jefferson missed on a driving lay-up, forcing the Nets to foul Jefferson again. He killed the Nets all night going for a career best 40 and 19 rebounds (eight offensive). The recently turned 23 year-old who was the centerpiece in the Garnett blockbuster deal wasn’t going to let down teammates sinking two more from the charity stripe where he made a living finishing 14-for-17.

Trailing by three with still five seconds remaining, the Nets got the ball to Carter but his three was short leaving the Nets and their broadcasters speechless.

“This is how it goes when things are going bad,” a disappointed Frank pointed out. “You lose games that you are in control that you should win. But, you have to kind of break through the karma and just keep on fighting, keep your head up.”

“Look, we have to be hungry,” the embattled coach said. “We have to be a desperate team for a win. We’re in a position now where we have lost nine games in a row, and each one is going to be harder.”

As ex-Knick Micheal Ray Richardson once said:

“The ship be sinking.”

Final thought. Does anyone else think the Celtics could regret that trade if they don’t add another banner to the rafters? Just some food for thought as Jefferson continues to dominate games. Gomes (9 pts, 4 rebs, 3 assists) and former Lincoln star Sebastian Telfair (12 pts, four dimes) aren’t chopped liver either. Both are doing their part.

Minnesota (8-35) still has a long way to go. 

4.What would an around the league be without an entertaining Knicks-Warriors game in the Golden State? You betcha. Despite a solid effort on the first of their five-game Western trip, the Knicks (14-29) fell to the highscoring Don Nelson Warriors 106-104.

They just couldn’t make enough stops down the stretch against the balanced perimeter attack of Baron Davis (22 pts and nine dimes), Monta Ellis (24 pts, 9-of-15 FG, eight rebs, four assists, two thefts) and ex-Pacer Stephen Jackson (25 pts, four treys, 7-of-8 FT, four boards).

Despite Jackson heating up in the final quarter to the tune of 16 of his game-high 25, we’ll highlite Ellis and big man Andris Biedrins for why the Warriors prevailed.

Ellis made some difficult shots in the late going and Biedrins got every key rebound destroying New York for a season high 26- most in the NBA in 2007-08. He was a beast owning the glass for more than half his team’s 48 boards. Just ridiculous.

Though the Knicks got a solid game from sixth man Nate Robinson (22 pts, eight assists) along with 21, five and five from Jamal Crawford, it wasn’t enough against the Warriors, who outscored them 59-52 in the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and improve to a season high nine over (27-18).

For Isiah Thomas’ club, there were other positives such as solid defense from second-year guard Mardy Collins (2 pts, four rebs, 2 assists, +13) and excellent energy from Renaldo Balkman who came off the bench for 11, four rebounds, a game best three blocks and two swipes in 27-plus.

Problem was that Thomas opted not to play either bigs Zach Randolph (nine pts, seven rebs, six assists, minus-12) nor Eddy Curry (17 pts, minus-10) down the stretch due to how slow they were covering the speedy Warrior players.

The Knicks would be much better without either defensive liability. What are the odds of that happening though?

“We had our chances to win it,” a philosophical Thomas noted. “We had good looks and a couple of open shots that didn’t go down. … I thought we played some pretty good basketball.”

He’s right. They had their shot but just didn’t make enough plays on the defensive end which is why his team despite talent continues to struggle in an erratic bottom of the East.

Shame on MSG announcer Gus Johnson for making a preposterous excuse when Quentin Richardson and Crawford misfired on late three’s in the closing seconds. The King of the HaHaaa Club sadly indicated:

“It’s okay. They played hard.“

So, that’s it?!?!?!?!?! Playing hard when you’re 14 under but falling short is acceptable!!!!! Only in the Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 warped world of Jim Dolan. What? Did he bark out the instructions to the usually smooth announcer???

What a joke this franchise has become. A laughingstock. Always full of excuses. They LOST! Only you wouldn’t know it by the way Johnson talked. Man. Where’s Bob Page when you need him?

5.On a brighter note, the Portland Blazers edged the Atlanta Hawks 94-93 at home thanks to the play of their star point guard Brandon Roy who didn’t care that he had a fever. The 2006-07 NBA Rookie of The Year led his young team to the victory snapping a two-game skid by sinking the winning free throw with just 2.3 ticks left.

“I didn’t even ask the doctor,” the former University of Washington star indicated after helping his team overcome a 19-point deficit. “I just said, ‘It’s fine and I’m going to play.’ He said some guys have their best games when they’re under the weather so I said I would try and use that tonight, and I was able to have a good fourth quarter.”

In a conference loaded with star guards, the league has to find a way to get this kid into this year’s All-Star Game. He’s the biggest reason the Blazers (26-18) minus Greg Oden are one of the league’s biggest surprises.

The 23 year-old Seattle native who amazingly enough was swapped straight up in the 2006 Draft for former Villanova guard Randy Foye is a breath of fresh air. He logged over 40 minutes finishing an efficient 9-of-15 from the field while making six-of-seven from the line and handing out five assists. 

“I was so disappointed in the first half in how we were playing. These fans fill this building up to see us play hard,” Roy expressed. “I was disappointed in our effort and I think in the second half we did a better job of giving them a good show.”

He’s the catalyst as one of my fave commentators Walt “Clyde” Frazier likes to say.

Kudos to Roy for coming up big when his team needed it most.