Jerome Jordan Not Yet Ready for NBA

According to ESPN New York's Chris Sheridan, Jerome Jordan, the 44th pick of last year's draft, won't be joining the Knicks just yet.

Even though the Knicks are lacking big man depth and the 7-footer could surely ease some of the pain, Sheridan notes the time just isn't right.

In a normal summer, the Knicks would bring him back to the United States, see how he fared in summer league action and then make a decision on whether he should be allotted a roster space for the 2011-12 season. But this is not looking like a normal summer with a possible work stoppage on the horizon, and the Knicks are unsure what they'll do with the 7-footer after he reports back to the team's training facility in mid-June to meet with the coaching staff and members of the front office.

"We'll see where he's at, and we'll see where is is after that," Walsh told ESPN.com."We'll see if he wants to come back, and we want to take a look. My understanding is he's gotten bigger and stronger and was taking the ball to the hole, whareas in Las Vegas last summer he was tending to take shots fading away. I've only watched film, but he looked a little more aggressive."

Jordan did show signs of talent and promise last summer, but it was clear he wasn't ready for the next level. When the Knicks did acquire the pick from the Bucks, they knew whomever the selection turned out to be would end up being a bit of a project.

If Jordan were able to bulk up as Walsh notes, his size could definitely fill a void for the Knicks. That being said, as of last summer, he still needed to polish and fine-tune his game. Sheridan compares Jordan and his route to the NBA to that of 13 year NBA veteran and former Knick Antonio Davis, whom Walsh drafted as a Pacer.

His per minute production overseas on paper seems pretty efficient, and while he would certainly need to make adjustments to the NBA game, Jordan may have an outside chance at donning orange and blue next season (should there not be a lockout) with only Ronny Turiaf currently penciled in at the center position for New York.

Suns Looking For Defensive Coordinator--Knicks Next?

via Arizona Republic

Suns coach Alvin Gentry is interviewing candidates to add an assistant with defensive expertise.

Gentry has talked with San Antonio assistant Don Newman, former Chicago assistant and current scout Pete Myers and Houston assistant Elston Turner, who was a finalist for the Suns' head-coaching job in 2008. Gentry also could talk to Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons and coaches who have been involved in the conference finals, such as Dallas' Dwane Casey, Oklahoma City's Maurice Cheeks and Miami's Bob McAdoo.

Gentry was obviously the heir to now Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's offensive firepower kingdom in Phoenix, but the Suns' defensive struggles are proving similar to those of the Knicks.

The Knicks' have pondered hiring a defensive assistant for years, but have failed to ultimately bite the bullet with D'Antoni in charge. Prior to D'Antoni becoming head coach, the team considered (2010-11 Coach of the Year) former Knicks assistant (and championship winning coach with the Celtics in 2008 ) Tom Thibodeau.

Says Gentry about the potential new hiring for his team, "I'm going to run it like a football team, and he'll be a defensive coordinator," Gentry said. "We'll spend a ton of time meeting the next two to three months to see how we can put changes to be better."

D'Antoni and the Knicks should look into a similar solution. Aside from looking at some of the candidates the Suns are also considering, New York could also finally give former Knick turned ESPN Analyst Mark Jackson, who has publicly lobbying for various head coaching vacancies despite not having any experience, an opportunity.

Giving Jackson a shot as "defensive coordinator" (should he be able to make improvements to the Knicks' defense) would perhaps silence the doubters and ultimately grant him massive credability when seeking a head coaching position in the future.

Perhaps some time under D'Antoni's wing, paired with the good rapport he has with Donnie Walsh and James Dolan, could give Jackson an edge at becoming New York's head coach of the future.

"The Dunk" Eighteen Years Later

As the Knicks and their fans continue to watch the 2011 NBA playoffs from their homes, they can nevertheless reminisce about some of the team's greatest moments in playoff history.

Eighteen years ago today, John Starks leaped over several Chicago Bulls in the final minute of Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals for a thunderous dunk (the most celebrated in Knicks history) to put the stamp on a 96-91 Knicks victory.

You can relive the moment, and its excitement, above.

The year's Bulls squad is also displaying some high-flying acrobatics of their own during the playoffs, with MVP Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson erupting for dunks that make the crowd explode. Take a look below.

Personally, I'm partial to Gibson's dunk, but Rose's may ultimately garner higher recognition because of his status in the league.

How do you think Starks' dunk matches up with those we've seen during the Bulls-Heat series this year? Let me know on Twitter @KnicksJournal!

Former Knick Mark Jackson Interviews For Warriors Head Coaching Vacancy

ESPN analyst and former Knicks point guard Mark Jackson recently interviewed with the Golden State Warriors, gunning for their head coaching vacancy.

Jackson has been vying for a head coaching position for years, despite not having any other prior coaching experience to date. That being said, the NBA's third all-time assist leader (also ranked in the top 25 all-time steals leaders) was a reliable floor general throughout his career.

Though he was an informal candidate for the Knicks' coaching vacancy prior to Mike D'Antoni getting hired, perhaps it was best for Jackson's credibility that he did not get hired at the time, given that the Knicks were in a major rebuilding phase.

However, without any prior experience, Jackson now has an opportunity to do something unique, notes ProBasketballTalk.

Maybe Jackson will go the Vinny Del Negro route and surprise everyone despite his lack of experience. After all, Del Negro made the playoffs his first two years with the Bulls and managed to get the Clippers to be at least watchable again.

Jackson was also rumored to be a leading candidate for the Timberwolves' coaching vacancy before the job eventually went to current coach Kurt Rambis.

NBA Draft 2011: What Would Selecting Charles Jenkins Mean for New York Knicks?

There is certainly something to be said about an NBA team drafting a homegrown kid. Having come up in the same area gives the prospect an immediate connection with the team, its city, as well as its fans.

The passionate city of New York filled with Knicks fans is no different scenario.

In the past, fans have been heartbroken when local heroes have evaded them in the draft. They were all devastated when the Knicks just missed out on Hofstra’s Speedy Claxton when he was selected by the 76ers with the 20^th overall selection, just two picks ahead of his hometown team during the 2000 Rookie Draft. While that occurrence was out of everyone’s hands, it had still stung that much more after the Knicks had passed up on St. John’s University’s own Ron Artest (the NBA Defensive Player of the Year-to be) just a year earlier during the 1999 draft.

Though Brooklyn native Carmelo Anthony’s arrival to the Knicks was perhaps a longtime coming, the team will get another opportunity to redeem themselves yet again through the draft next month in the form of Hofstra’s Charles Jenkins.

Jenkins, a bit of a combo-guard, departs Hofstra as the school’s all-time leading scorer, having broken Claxton’s record. Furthermore, he stood as the first Hofstra athlete to have his number retired by the school while he was indeed still wearing it.

Though he has certainly garnered multiple accolades, Jenkins’ small school background may hurt his draft possibilities. He may be a reach for the Knicks, who hold the 17^th overall pick in this year’s draft, as he is attracting interest from teams with picks ranging in the first round’s final fifteen selections.

That being said, the ways Jenkins could contribute to the Knicks are endless. Though he did average 4.8 assists during his senior year, the Knicks would likely look at Jenkins as a strong catch and shoot option. Players such as Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony can bring up the ball, so it’s important the Knicks have players on the court that can receive the ball with ease.

It’s also noteworthy Billups began to take Toney Douglas under his wing during his first season as a Knick, and has also spent time this offseason working with preparing prospects for the draft. If the Knicks were interested in molding Jenkins into more of a traditional point guard, Billups could certainly ease the transition.

However, Jenkins has actually drawn comparisons to the likes of Douglas and Marcus Thornton, and could definitely come off the bench to provide a similar spark as they do. However, he’s also a decent defender and his aggressiveness with the ball could also make him a better option than Landry Fields at the two come training camp.

Given the success of Fields, there’s no question Coach Mike D’Antoni, who often plays smaller lineups, would have no problem asserting Jenkins in the starting lineup if he were the right fit. In addition to looking for a catch and shoot guard, the Knicks also seem to favor more mature prospects who spent time in school, as evidenced with the selections of Fields and Andy Rautins.

While Jenkins may be one of the top guards in the draft, the big men and other prospects available make him a bit of a question mark at pick number seventeen. It is imperative that he up his stock while making solid impressions during pre-draft interviews and workouts.

Regardless of whether or not he’s perceived as a reach, there’s no doubt the selection of Jenkins by the Knicks would be celebrated by their fans regardless. It’s not often Knicks fans present at the draft are able to cheer with passion for a player they are abundantly familiar with. As it is, Jenkins is already gaining speed as the talk of the town, having thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a Mets game last week.

Jenkins has mentioned that he grew up a Knicks fan watching them on television with his father, and there’s no doubt current fans would relish the opportunity to watch a local favorite make a seamless transition from college to the pros by staying home to begin his professional career in orange and blue.

Rafer Alston Headed Back to High School...to Coach

via Zags Blog

Alston, 34, was just hired as the new head coach at Humble (Texas) Christian Life Center, replacing former coach Carlos Wilson, who’s headed to coach at Tyler Junior College.

“I’ve had a good career, long career, 11 years,” Alston said of a career that included stops in six NBA cities and a stint in China. “I had fun. I can’t complain about my NBA career. It’s been wonderful.”

Alston, the former New York City street-baller who attended Benjamin Cardozo High School, was courted by the Knicks during various points of his NBA career. Alston had interest in joining the Knicks as recently as last summer, when the team was remolding its identity and could have used a pass first point guard that would thrive in Coach Mike D'Antoni's system.

"Skip to my Lou" was a quick-paced floor general who prided himself on finding his teammates in the right places at the right times. He played four seasons (and raised his family) for the Rockets in Houston, which is fittingly where his coaching career will start. He finished his playing career close to home, taking the court for the Nets during the 2009-10 season.

Though it is a bit surprising that Alston is walking away from the court after just a year apart from the game, he mentioned that he understands his body is growing older and wanted to take advantage of the new opportunity.

Ronny Turiaf Set to Play for French National Team

via ESPN New York

Ronny Turiaf is expected to pick up the player option on his $4.36 million contract and then spend the summer playing for the French national team, which will attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics at the EuroBasket 2011 tournament in Lithuania.

Turiaf's return to the national team has been a long time coming. Although he had to sit out last summer due to an injury and preparation for his first season in New York, Turiaf has always had a passion for always proudly representing his culture.

Turiaf is very good friends with the likes of Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, and told "Knicks Journal" last summer, "it’s always been a pleasure for me to play on the national team. We have a lot of things going our way."

Knowing that Turiaf is likely to return should also be a positive for the Knicks, as when healthy, he provided the team with solid defense and a big time energy boost, igniting the home crowd almost every time he took the court. With Shelden Williams and Jared Jeffries both free agents, Turiaf would at the present time be the lone center of the roster.

Despite Memphis Grizzlies' Loss, Zach Randolph Proves He's a Legitimate NBA Star

The Grizzlies’ magical run in the playoffs finally came to an end Sunday afternoon as they fell to the Thunder in the first game seven of the 2011 playoffs, 105-90.

The surprise team of the playoffs, the Grizzlies knocked out the top-seeded Spurs in the first round, and pushed the Thunder all the way within one game of the Western Conference Finals.

Many would say that is a quite impressive feat for a team that has often been mentioned as part of NBA contraction talks.

Grizzlies fans can thank Zach Randolph above all else for the team’s climb to contention. Though Knicks fans may remember Randolph as the underachieving ball hog he was made out to be during his time in New York, he has been quite the opposite for Memphis.

In fact, the playoffs may have actually helped Randolph ascend into a level of super stardom. Never before considered a major star, Randolph led a team filled with perfect role players such as Tony Allen, Shane Battier, and O.J. Mayo to a major first round upset while averaging 21.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

To be an effective leader (or better yet, the best player on his team), one doesn’t have to necessarily win any scoring titles. Despite only averaging just above 20 points during the regular season, Randolph seemed to have found his niche playing with the group in Memphis and certainly displayed how effective he can be during the national platform that is the NBA Playoffs.

Randolph played well and took smart shots during the playoffs. While he’s been known in the past to throw up arrant shots, those same types of shots fell for Randolph. Those same conversions have come to make him an incredibly versatile player and an even tougher one to guard.

Randolph hurt the Spurs (and even the Thunder to an extent) by changing things up often, taking the ball inside and out to knock down impressive jumpers. He also played quite physically, pushing opponents around on both ends of the floor. On offense, he was able to post up and make his way to the basket with ease. On defense, on the other hand, Randolph used his big body to push defenders and keep them away from the basket instead. When he was in fact accurately defended, Randolph made the extra pass to find open teammates on the perimeter.

Is there any other such big man that plays with the same level of versatility and physicality as Randolph? The style of play of Kevin Garnett comes to mind, but as he grows older, perhaps this is Randolph’s cue to be the next elite player with that type of skill on the floor.

A tight second round playoff series that had the Grizzlies and Thunder tied at three games apiece saw Randolph average 23.8 points and 12.7 rebounds. Unfortunately for him, after six games, the Thunder seemed to have finally figured him out. Veteran forward Nick Collison played lockdown defense, not allowing Randolph to evade him in the post for easy buckets. Shooting 6 for 15, Randolph was limited to 17 points in the series-deciding loss.

Nevertheless, Randolph did tally 10 rebounds in the contest, proving once again that he is one of the league’s most consistent double-double machines. Randolph’s offense suffered from the fact that the Grizzlies were without a serious second option (Rudy Gay has been out since February), so the Thunder defense was able to concentrate its defensive energy solely on him.

When Randolph takes the court once again next season, it’ll be time for him to build upon his playoff explosion and lift off as a superstar. Randolph has not only averaged a double-double for five straight seasons (trailing only Dwight Howard’s seven consecutive seasons) , but was only four players this season to average 20 and 10, along with Howard, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin.

Howard was named this season’s “Defensive Player of the Year,” Love was the league’s “Most Improved Player of the Year,” and Griffin took home top rookie honors as well for his efforts. So what kind of accolade does Randolph have to show for his accomplishments? The ten-year NBA veteran was named to the All-NBA Third Team. For anybody what level of play one has to be at to earn such an honor, please note the NBA’s third leading scorer (Carmelo Anthony) was left off of all three “All-NBA” teams for this season.

Having just been rewarded by signing a multi-year extension with the Grizzlies, Randolph can no longer look to opt to taking advantage of his success by joining a team in a larger market like many stars have in recent years. Instead, it’s time for him to continue to prove he’s at the same level of the NBA’s top dogs. It is now his job to prove he can create his own legacy in Memphis to show the Grizzlies can no longer be considered a push over.

If he can do that in the years to come, Randolph is sure to garner countless star-worthy accolades and see many more winning records.

Congrats to Amar'e Stoudemire and Landry Fields!

Though the team's season is over, Knicks fans are still finding things to cheer about.

The NBA and its media and coaches recognized both Amar'e Stoudemire and Landry Fields for their stellar play this season.

The media voted Stoudemire to the All-NBA Second Team for the fourth time in his career. STAT, who finished ninth in the MVP voting as well, is credited with bringing the Knicks back to respectability as he carried the team on his shoulders until Carmelo Anthony arrived. Anthony, whose presence somewhat forced STAT to take a back seat at times, was not named to any of the three All-NBA teams.

Fields, who recently finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, was voted to the NBA's All-Rookie 1st Team as expected. Though he struggled following the Carmelo Anthony trade, Fields still played well enough to have a better overall season that most rookies. He also just so happened to be the surprise rookie of the season, playing phenomenally well after the Knicks drafted him in the second round despite him famously not being present on ESPN's Chad Ford's "Top 100" prospects chart.

What do you think, Knicks fans? Did Fields still deserve top honors? Was Carmelo Anthony snubbed? Let me know on Twitter @KnicksJournal.

What Does Doc's Return to Boston Mean for Knicks?

Celtics coach Doc Rivers has hinted and said at this present time (though noting his feeling could change as soon as tomorrow) he is leaning towards returning to coach the team next season.

There has been a lot of speculation as to who the Knicks coach will be after Mike D'Antoni's contract is up next season, and as a former Knick, defensive preacher and NBA champion, Rivers' name has came up in quite a few conversations as a potential D'Antoni-replacement.

Rivers has been mulling taking a year off from the game to spend more time with his family. Taking the upcoming season off would have made the 2012-13 season an opportune one for Rivers to step in as Knicks coach.

However, if he continues with the Celtics, Rivers may be more inclined to take the following season off instead and miss the opportunity to take charge of the Knicks. If Rivers is not available at the time of D'Antoni's contract expiration, the Knicks could opt to re-sign D'Antoni or be forced to give a more long-term commitment to a new coach instead.

Despite a somewhat disappointing second-round playoff exit, perhaps Rivers believes the Celtics' window to win another championship can still pick up some steam.

How Will the Knicks' Offseason Go Down?

Though the Knicks made progress this season, after reeling in two superstars like Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, perhaps more than a first-round sweep in the playoffs was to be expected.

Granted, the team was without Chauncey Billups, and STAT was undoubtedly not himself due to injuries. The team that competed (or failed to) in the playoffs was not the same team that got the Knicks there in the first place.

Nevertheless, while a full-season together would certainly help the current Knicks squad, improvements can be made to better ready themselves for the season.

A pass-first point guard has always been desired by the Knicks, especially under the reigns of Mike D'Antoni. Although Billups is in tow for another season at a hefty salary, he's more of a shooter than a playmaker (as is Toney Douglas) and an efficient passer wouldn't hurt. Reasonable free agent options who may be open to sharing time with Billups and Douglas (should the Knicks opt not to bring back Anthony Carter) include T.J. Ford, Sebastian Telfair, and to a lesser extent, Jannero Pargo.

Other members of the media have also cited the Mavericks' J.J. Barea as an ideal fit for the Knicks due to his passing and long-range shooting, but he may be pricing himself out of the Knicks' range with a string of strong playoff performances following a just as impressive regular season.

Looking at the center position, it's clear the Knicks have lacked a dominating defensive anchor down low for years. Though another Mavericks' player, Tyson Chandler, will likely be the best big man available this summer, it's also likely that Mark Cuban does not allow him to get away after what he's done for his team. A more reasonable option for the Knicks is Samuel Dalembert, whose defense, rebounding, and consistent health may make him the answer at the five for the orange and blue. After only starting 46 games for the Kings this past season, a full-time starting spot in New York is sure to be appealing for Dalembert, who played college ball at Seton Hall. He averaged 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Kings this season.

As good as Dalembert could be for the Knicks, Marcus Camby would be another nice addition. Camby, who will be playing out his expiring contract next season for the Blazers, could be had via trade and if not, I wouldn't mind seeing him return the Knicks the following season as a free agent at a discounted price.

Also holding an outside chance of returning to the big city is Wilson Chandler, who is a restricted free agent this summer. Donnie Walsh always expressed an interest in holding on to Chandler long term prior to the trade, and his game was definitely elevated by playing under D'Antoni. If the Knicks decide to build upon their strengths rather than improve their weaknesses, Chandler's versatility on both ends on the floor could again make him a perfect fit. If he had stayed with the Knicks, he may have priced himself out of the team's desired range. That being said, Chandler's price may have dropped after getting traded to Denver. Chandler may be able to be had for a Midlevel-exception type contract if the Knicks are interested.

The city and its fans would certainly welcome Chandler back, but that happening will depend on what exactly are Mr. Walsh's priorities moving forward. We'll keep an eye on things for sure.

Phife Dawg Talks Knicks and A Tribe Called Quest Documentary

A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most influential groups in all of hip hop. Their beats, lyrics, and style all framed what hip hop has become today. After pumping out five albums in the 1990's, the group went on a hiatus. Although they reunited since then, headlining the "Rock the Bells" tour in 2008, the group hasn't released an album since 1998.

Actor-turned-director Michael Rapaport has been a Tribe fan his entire life, and is currently on the promotion trail with his new documentary, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest. Though the entire group hasn't shown full support for the film throughout, member Phife Dawg has been Mike's right hand man.

Phife has been excited to celebrate the greatness Tribe created and the impact they had on music, as well as pop culture. Phife's love beyond music is sports, and after being born and raised in Queens, New York, it's no surprise he has a passion for the New York Knicks.

The opinionated sports fan took time out from the film's promotional campaign to chat about his favorite basketball team, the documentary, rap music today, and how he'd like to help the Knicks. Check out his interview below.

Q: First off, what did you think of the job Mike D'Antoni did with the Knicks this season?

A: They had a great season. I'm thankful for Amar'e Stoudemire and what he was able to do. I really liked Raymond Felton, Gallo, and all of them too, but unfortunately they went to Denver. I was elated to hear that Carmelo Anthony was coming to the Knicks. He's my second favorite NBA player, and to have him on my home town team is real cool. The way the Knicks ended the season though, left a sour taste in my mouth. I don't think Mike D'Antoni holds any one player accountable for their lack of defense. He never made it to the Finals with the Suns because the Spurs used to kill them. Steve Nash won two MVP awards, but his team lost in the playoffs because he couldn't stop Tony Parker on defense.

I'm used to the days where Charles Oakley and guys like that would bring the defensive intensity and contribute so many intangibles. You wouldn't see things like that on the stat sheet. He would dive for loose balls and keep possessions alive. He did his thing. They didn't win any championships, but they were able to rely on defense.

Q: Were you disappointed the Knicks failed to win a game in the playoffs?

A: These Knicks an needed an inside presence. The Celtics killed them on the boards - it was ridiculous. The sad thing is even beyond that, they still competed through the first two games. I didn't appreciate them coming home and getting blown out. You can't blame that on anything else but coaching.

When Felton and the gang left for Denver, the Knicks were like two games above .500. After Carmelo comes over, the team ended the season closer to .500. There's nothing else to blame but coaching because the Knicks are supposed to be better with the new players. I know Billups was hurt, so I give him some leeway on that, but D'Antoni has to go. He's got to go.

Q: So what do the Knicks need to do in order to improve next season?

A: In Phife's perfect world, if I were the general manager and coach of the New York Knicks, I would bring Chauncey Billups off the bench. I know he just signed for like $15 million, and that's ok, but he's older now. Can he keep up with guys like Rajon Rondo and Brandon Jennings? The true sports head knows that that just isn't the case. In my perfect world, I know bring Chauncey off the bench in favor of a faster and younger point guard. Getting a guy like Chris Paul at this point seems like "Mission Impossible" though. In terms of a big man, I know Dwight Howard is probably a pipedream too. Marc Gasol is probably a bit more realistic.

I would've really liked to keep Felton after that trade, too. I wouldn't mind getting him back at some point. The Knicks could have played him and Chancey together! They may need to alternate point guards every once and while when it comes to Chauncey. Everyone knows he's been around and he's all-star caliber, but Felton was right there ready to knock the door off the hinges.

Look at the Nuggets team now. I know they lost in the first round too, but they did well changing it up between Felton and Ty Lawson at the point. Lawson got the NCAA title with the Tar Heels in '09, and Felton got it with the Tar Heels in '05. They know how to win. Getting them to play well together was all about coaching. George Karl is a better coach than D'Antoni.

Q: It sounds like you don't think D'Antoni should continue to coach the team, but who are the Knicks other options?

A: I would love to get Doc Rivers at the helm, not only because he played with the Knicks, but because he preaches defense! Tom Thibodeau was an assistant with the Knicks all those years and even with Boston when they won big, so I would've love to see him come here before the Knicks decided on D'Antoni. Jeff Van Gundy coming back to New York would nice to see, but even Mark Jackson also. I love Byron Scott too, because every team he coaches ends up being competitive. I don't think we'll ever see Scott with the Knicks though because for some reason I doubt he returns to the tri-state area after his time with the Nets. There's a bunch of people out there that could help the Knicks, but you know what? They need to hire me, for real. Me and Mike will do it!

Q: It's ironic that you say the Knicks should "hire" you. Why haven't you done a "Go NY Go!" Remix or some other Knicks jingle yet? Swizz Beatz just remixed it for the playoffs, and your Tribe-mate Q-Tip did it in 2009. Would you be up for doing something like that?

A: I've done different things. I did something for the Minnesota Vikings.. I had something going with the Warriors too, but their season had already started so they didn't use it. I recently did something for the Mavericks that was used during one of their playoff runs. I would love to do something for my hometown Knicks though. I just figured it was farfetched for the simple fact that so many rappers are from New York. You know what? Now that I think about it, the Knicks don't get a lot of New York City point guards though. I can only remember Mark Jackson and Rod Strickland.

Q: I'm guessing you aren't a Stephon Marbury fan?

A: I love Stephon Marbury, but that was just a zoo. When he was here, it was a circus. Anyway, getting back to my point, I'd love to do something with the Knicks. Next season...pshh...what?! I'd love to do it!

Q Let's talk about the documentary a bit. I know your group mates haven't been as supportive of it, but you've been on the promotion trail with Mike consistently. I'm sure he appreciates that you've had his back--how important has being so involved been to you?:

A: It's important because I know how much time he put into his vision. I understand where my group comes from, but I just feel like we've missed out on so much already. I wasn't going to miss out on this no matter what. Whatever the group needed to do, or whatever we still need to do to get things right, we just need to get it done. I wanted to step up to the plate and say let me try and make things happen. I'm really enjoying the film and have been overwhelmed by the love it's gotten so far.

Q: This just seems like a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the type of things Tribe accomplished.

A: That's exactly my point. I wish the rest of my group would join in as we do that, but there are four types of personalities involved, so not everyone is going to agree. That's life though, man. You know---Beats, Rhymes, and Life! Ha ha. Hopefully we'll get it together though.

Q: Tribe produced some of the best rap music of all time. I know Mike calls your time in hip hop the "golden era" and so many people criticize what rap music has become since then. What do you think of the rap game today with artists like Lil Wayne and Drake now leading the charge?

A: I'm a Lil Wayne fan, I'm not going to lie to you. I saw a growth in him as an artist. He's not only a big time CEO now, but also the only cat really getting any type of radio play right now. You can't be mad at him for that though, because he put in the work. Drake and Wayne have skills, but Nicki Minaj is in a whole different stratosphere right now. She's just rhyming like there's no turning back. I have to respect that.

As far as most of the other rappers in the game right now, what I will say is that I don't think a lot of them are in it for the long haul. They are just in and out because they think they can make a quick dollar. My advice to them is that they better start up some stocks and bonds or something! The rap game is too fickle for them to put out any trash. You have to do your homework. Tribe has been blessed to be here for the long haul and have fans that want us to do something new, even after thirteen years. We've been blessed, but if you don't honor your craft, it will be taken from you.

Q: Finally, I know that Mike wants to introduce your music to new hip hop listeners that may not have been as interested when the group was around. Why should a more casual fan want to get familiar with Tribe?

A: It's hip hop. If you have any love for that type of music, you need to go see this film. Not to pat myself or the rest of the group on the back for we did, but whether you're a casual fan, an emphatic fan--whatever--you just need to see this film.