McGrady - even without his old explosion, McGrady is stil 6'8".  he can still handle the rock, he can still shoot, and he can still pass.  And I noticed him doing that rebounding thing too, which some Knicks are kind of allergic to.  Injured and rusty, he looks about as mobile as Gallo, who's healthy.   I can see from his demeanor when the game is not going well, or has been lost, why people get pissed at him.  He doesn't get dour and angry when the game doesn't end in victory.  This can rub some people the wrong way, but if they guy actually helps us win games, I don't really care how he handles losing.  Actually, I think his demeanor helps him perform in the clutch.  Of course, we haven't actually won any games yet, so we'll see.  I still think he's helping us and should stay with the team next year if we are unable to sign some other 6'8" guy. 


House - I like House because the guy has a thing he does - he's figured out his role in the NBA.  I  see House as a guy you can bring off the bench cold, throw him the ball and he will very likely hit a turnaround three or some other unlikely shot.  Nate, I don't think, has really found the role that will work for him, and I think he will, or it's possible he won't.  House knows how to make himself useful, as long as you don't rely on him too much.

Rodriguez: You might call him 'Spanish Fly' (a bit sleazy for me) or 'the Inquisition' (I like it).  I like to call him El Gravy because whatever he can provide at the point guard position, it's gravy to this trade.  I think this guy just needs the chance to play and be secure in his minutes.  He's fast, a bit mistake prone, but I like it because he's got balls.  I think with minutes those mistakes will fade and the shooting touch will firm up.  He may never be the best point guard in the league but he's waaaaaay better than Duhon.  I feel secure knowing he's in the game.  I feel like he'll get something going.  And I don't really see the poor defense they've been talking about.  He has lapses, but he makes up for it with speed and steals.

Walker: This is why I think the Knicks got the better of this trade.  I don't know if this guy will amount to anything, but he was a very highly regarded player who had an unfortunately timed ACL tear that pushed him from possible lottery pick to mid-second round, and then hurt it again, I think.  But the guy looks pretty well healed, and was stuck on a Celtics team with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and all these other guys.  So this may be another guy who will be good given a chance.   And unless he's traded, he's actually under contract for the next two years for barely any money.

***

D'antoni has fully handed the point guard reins to Rodriguez which is a good deal.  I think he is using House too much as the backup point guard.  I would rather see him as a backup shooting guard and let McGrady play the point when he's in --- or let Toney do what Toney do.  House will shoot practically every minute he's on the floor, and that's OK - I just think he should be out there a little less.  Time to work Toney in.  Also time to buy out Harrington, but it's tough because they really don't have anyone with his size... though he doesn't play big.  I had reservations about Tyrus Thomas but I kind of wish they had made that trade because they really need another rebounder out there.  But I'm not talking those non-knicks.  They're dorks, all of 'em.