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On paper, the addition of Zach Randolph to the Knicks might look like a good idea. The problem is that it looks like a good idea in the same sense that adding Stephon Marbury, Jalen Rose, Steve Francis, and many other malcontents have looked like good ideas for the Knicks over the years. While the Knicks boast a roster full of talent and a payroll among the highest in the league, the team always seems to miss perhaps the most important aspect of the game: team chemistry.

Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry cannot operate well together in the post. Both players are overweight, lack athleticism, are turnover-prone, and play little to no defense. The two players are among the worst shot-blockers in the league at their positions, making for an even weaker interior defense for the Knicks. Essentially, the acquisition is redundant. Further, David Lee, who emerged as one of the team's most valuable players last season, will now likely see far less playing time as he and Randolph play the same position of power forward.

Two months into the 2007-08 season, the rewards of the trade have been subtle at best. After winning about 40 percent of their games in 2006-07, the Knicks have a lowly 8-24 record to date, including just one road win all season. Randolph and Curry are combining for about 32 points per game, but just 2.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and a combined 5.3 turnovers. The team is in turmoil and the only benefit that can be found in this trade is the virtual guarantee of being bad enough to earn a top five draft pick in the NBA draft.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that dealt ridded themselves of Randolph, has witnessed a huge upsurge in their organization. After winning just 32 games last season, the Blazers have been as close as three games away from the best record in the Western Conference At one point, after running off 13 straight wins, they were the leaders of their division. They could end up with more wins at the All-Star break than the Knicks will have all season.

While Knicks' General Manager Isiah Thomas was originally praised for being able to rid the team of the negative influence and huge contract of Steve Francis, Randolph possesses both of these problems. During his time in Portland, Randolph proved a nuisance to his team and his experience with the Knicks has shown no change, including a recent incident in which he threw his headband at a referee. With regard to ridding the team of the burden Francis's contract, Randolph's contract is an even larger burden. Francis has two years and roughly $33 million remaining on his contract while Randolph has four years and about $60 million left on his contract (1).

(1) http://www.hoopshype.com/salar ies/new_york.htm

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