NEW KNICKS!!!

The New York Knickerbockers, the one team in sports richer than the Yankees, made a huge splash today. They used their famous arena, juggernaut cable station and often inebriated owner to lure one of the biggest free agents on the market to the garden.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present the newest Old Knick. Jared Jeffries.

The Knicks STOLE Jared Jeffries away from the Wizards for 5 years and 30 million dollars.

Beyond his average to above-average defense, Jeffries brings his imposing 6.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG career numbers to a Knicks front court already loaded with talent.

Can you imagine the hype around Knicks camp in Charleston, SC when that first clash occurs?

Lebron vs. Melo.

Better.

Jordon vs. Magic.

Still better.

I’m talking Jared Jeffries vs. Renaldo Balkman.

You may remember Balkman, the 6’8 small forward with minimal offensive skills, instead known primarily as a defender and a hustler.

In spending a 1st round pick to secure this 4th round talent, the Knicks were telling Balkman, their fans and their team that they wanted this kid to be involved.

This is why the decision to sign a player who plays the exact same position and does the exact same thing makes so much sense.

We have to challenge this kid. We need to tell Balkman that there isn’t going to be one talentless-but-athletic small forward on our team, now we have two -- and this guy played in the Big Ten!

For the second straight year, the Knicks mastered the mid-level exception, a rule that allows a team to sign a free agent at a starting salary that begins at the league average, even if that team is over the salary cap.

After fattening up their middle with last year’s mid-level exception signee, the uber-talented and never appetite shy Jerome James, using this year’s mid level to sign a player of Jeffries’ caliber makes for some very exciting times in Gotham.

What’s even more exciting is how this move will effect the Knicks backcourt.

Strapped with the $40,000,000 duo of winners Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis, the Knicks already had a huge edge over teams looking to defend and pass the ball. They simply wouldn’t know how to handle our guards.

What has me more excited though is the future log jam at the 1-2 spots. With Jalen Rose - forced to shift to the 2-spot with these exciting recent acquisitions -- and the pass-first/3- point-chucking- second Quentin Richardson also looking for time at a wing spot -- the Knicks feature a $70,000,000 bunch of team-oriented college superstars.

I mean, who is going to step up and take a shot from that bunch?

And then we go to my main man, former dunk legend Nasty Nate Robinson. This guy has energy, fire, and most important is the 2.0 APG he brings to the table. That number should go down this year with the cluttering of selfless backcourt mates that will likely steal time from the young superstar in the making.

An unfortunate truth of playing for the endlessly talented New York Knicks.

As you can see guys, I am fired up. There is a ton to be excited about in regards to this upcoming season.

But it is the acquisition of Jeffries that really has me oozing for November.

Said Steve Francis, “Signing Jared Jeffries showed a real commitment to winning.” Indeed, Francis is right, as Jeffries has played an integral role as the 5th option on a Wizards team that has dominated the eastern conference over the last couple of years.

The Knicks recommitment to excellence is obvious.

Greg Kite, Brian Quinett, Eddie Lee Wilkens and of course my favorite player as a kid, Johnny Newman, are all smiling from their suite at MSG.

These truly are, the New Knicks.

It’s not just in baseball. At the Garden, next year is also now.

VCD,

SM