Well, friends, the floor just fell out from under the 2008-2009 New York Knicks. They showed some promise, but "some promise" ain't Donnie Walsh's business. No, we've got bigger plans. Such plans call for patience, though, and patience begins tonight. The Knicks will face the Bucks with a sparse lineup that wouldn't even be helped that much by the incoming players. Writing a game thread now feels a little like Drew Carey introducing Whose Line Is It Anyway?-  "Welcome to the New York Knicks: The team where half the players are guests and the points don't count!" Going into night one of limbo, I've got some questions:

- Stephon Marbury has been activated, meaning the Knicks have 9 healthy bodies for tonight's game. Will Steph play? On a scale from "1" to "Glen Rice's entire New York tenure", how awkward might that be?

- Who starts? Lee will surely step in for Randolph, but who gets Crawford's spot? Does Quentin Richardson slide down? Does Marbury, of all people, start? I bet Robinson gets the go at 2, but look for Anthony Roberson to get actual minutes.

- Dammit, I wish Danilo Gallinari was healthy right now. Can someone set Il Gallo up with a back transplant? I'll give him mine, I swear.

Last time the Knicks played the Bucks, Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva beasted all over the undersized frontline. The frontcourt just got even more undersizeder, so get psyched for more beatdowns to come. The rest of this season's going to be an offensive lovefest with little defense to be seen. The Wait begins tonight.

Upon attempting to finish this post, I realized we may have to retire my signature game thread phrase. Zach Randolph was the inventor of "Get them W's", and it doesn't feel right to use it without him. Thoughts on a new line to punctuate my threads?

Tipoff's at 8:30. Check out Brew Hoop for all your Milwaukee coverage of tonight's matchup.

Hello friends. This may be the longest, most difficult month of basketball famine I've ever faced. It's only September 18th! The good news is that training camp is less than two weeks ago and takes place about 2 minutes by foot from where I sit right now, so we have that to look forward to. In the meantime, let's hit a couple links, shall we?

- Jamal Crawford is back on the web at Crawful to Crawesome, and this time he's discussing magazine covers featuring himself, as well as providing a scouting report of the '08-'09 roster. A taste: 

Wilson Chandler: Wilson has gotten a lot better from last year! His range has improved -- his ball handling and his athleticism was always there…I think he's just more confident then anything now and it's showing. I think he'll have a really good year for us!

Danilo Gallinari: "Gallo" is still banged up a little bit,..so he's just been shooting and riding the bike...but this kid is very VERY confident!! He listens, works hard and wants to get better. Some of you guys may have booed him when we drafted him, but he is going to be a big time player for us one day!

...

Eddy Curry: It will be a transition for him at first because he's used to posting up. But he'll be on the perimeter a lil bit more....he'll get better adapted to the system the more he does it...but we need him...

...

David Lee: We all know David's game by now - all out hustle, rebounds. The thing that will surprise you most is his jumper! He shooting it with so much confidence, I mean even three pointers! He shot one and I said to myself, "No way." And it went straight in.

Great to hear, especially regarding Chandler and Lee. Oh, and one more thing. Even the rather bubbly Jamal can hardly spare a compliment for Mardy Collins:

Mardy: Lost some weight, so he's moving better. Very smart, really good defender!

Poor, sad Mardy.

- Though his back is ailing, Howard Beck reports that Danilo Gallinari is expected to be good to go come September 30th.

- A potential destination for Marbury, should he be waived. Steph+Chalmers and Arthur= MADNESS! (Tip of the hat to Uncle Skeets.)

- Since he's a New York guy and some of this takes place in New York, and since his brother was dilligent enough to email me about the subject, check out Charlie Villanueva's pretty impressive contributions to the community. I like it when families of NBA players email me.

- An interview with Anthony Roberson.

That's all I got for now. Tomorrow, I think we're gonna take a look at potential starting lineups. See you then.