Zeke Nabs Zach: Randolph to the Knicks

You can say this about Isiah Thomas: He doesn't do things half-way. As has been the case with the majority of Zeke's moves as general manager of the Knicks, this could be one of the best deals of this NBA offseason or one of the absolute worst. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, more often than not Isiah's wheelings and dealings have blown up in his face. In this latest blockbuster, the Knicks are acquiring a monster in the paint with a spotty record off the court. Whether Zeke can get the 25-year old problem child to straighten out his life and focus on basketball is just one of the hurtles the Knicks will have to clear in the wake of Randolph's acquisition. The other, and perhaps more significant, is whether there's enough room in the paint for both Randolph and Eddy Curry to coexist. The team faced similar questions when Steve Francis was first acquired to play in the backcourt with Stephon Marbury, and the experiment turned out to be a disaster. While I'm not convinced the Knicks are facing similar ruin in this instance, Knicks fans should brace for some major growing pains as these two young big man adjust to one another. The odds are certainly against it, however there is potential here for a dynamic frontcourt unparalleled in the Eastern Conference, if not the league.