The Knicks (who probably shouldn't be this bad) got a 27-10 out of Danilo Gallinari and dropped 126 points in all on the Suns (who probably shouldn't be this good). New York is still a mess. Donnie Walsh looks at Brandon Jennings and sighs, and D'Antoni turns his every press conference into an extended comic monologue on the wretchedness of his own team. But last night, at least, the Knicks finally did a serviceable impression of the Suns and in the process earned a standing ovation from a crowd that generally only rouses itself when a Yankee appears on the Jumbotron.

Honorable mentions: Boxing, which, as Barry noted earlier, might be getting that coveted title bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather after all. And Big Ten basketball, which is no longer playing slow and dull and which finds itself tied 3-3 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge with a passable chance of actually winning one of these things.

As you might imagine, the root of the problem lies with Stephon Marbury who (along with Isiah's other "prime" acquisition Eddy Curry) did not play in the home opener. And not because he didn't want to. D'Antoni wants to do what's "best for the future" and that maybe means benching his aging, overpriced, and disgruntled point guard. That didn't sit well with Starbury fans who began chanting his name with the Knicks ahead in the second half.

With some in the Garden crowd surprisingly chanting "We Want Steph" with 11:10 remaining in the fourth (others booed the chant), a stewing D'Antoni was caught on MSG Network cameras Wednesday in a tirade, mouthing:

"You've got to be (bleeping) kidding me. You've got to be (bleeping) kidding me. What a bunch of (bleep) holes."

Bleeping! That's bad, right? D'Antoni apologized, of course, and offered a reasonable explanation for the outburst—fans are dumb:

"Sometimes I don't think the fans quite get it," D'Antoni said. "It's like who you draft. They're going to boo. When you make a big decision, someone's going to like it, someone's not. You'll hear from the people who don't.

"Did I look exasperated?" D'Antoni added. "I was into the game. You get so much adrenaline at that point and you react. I'm into the game, into the moment. Sometimes I can be better than that. I'll make mistakes. I'll do better."

Well, that should make the notoriously patient and forgiving New York fans rest easy. He'll get better! They probably can't even imagine a situation in which it would get worse, right?

• Mike And Mike Need To Keep It Together [Deuce of Davenport]
• Lip Readers and Idle Star Put D’Antoni on Hot Seat [NY Times]

Danilo Gallinari is a 6-foot-9 "point forward" who Ford says, "knows how to think the game." Though we enjoy NBADraft.net's description the best.

For Europe, he is a match up nightmare reminiscent of a young Bodiroga or a Papaloukas. By NBA standards his athleticism is a liability, especially on the defensive end. He has made strides in improving his footspeed but he still relies too much on his hands to defend players.

"Reminiscent of a young Bodiroga or a Papaloukas?" Well, shoot, that's gonna fire up the Garden faithful. We can already imagine the backflips Spike Lee will do.

"With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks take 19-year-old Danilo Gallinari." Welcome back, Knicks!

Chad Ford Mock Draft [ESPN]
2008 Euro League Juniors Preview [NBADraft.net]
Like Mike [New York Magazine]

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• Flip Bondy picks a curious time to mount the high horse. [Sons of Nev]
  
• The race for Mike D'Antoni is afoot. [Indignant Sports]
  
• Dodge Challenger 500 preview [Ridebuyer]
  
• The many sides of C.C. Sabathia, all of them fat. [WaitingForNextYear]
  
• 289's new Marvin Harrison shirt. Armor-piercing bullets sold separately [TwoEightNine Design]