As we predicted after Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers, NY Daily News’ Frank Isola is already crafting his latest novel.  This drama involves a largely unproven offensive-minded coach and a seasoned basketball manager at odds with the sycophant son of a billionaire who happens to have gifted a basketball team to his idiot offspring.

Here’s an excerpt from Isola’s latest work:

Dolan, though, went all-in three days before the trading deadline and made a deal that, according to sources, neither Walsh nor D’Antoni endorsed…

The Knicks are 6-6 since acquiring Anthony, including two losses apiece to Cleveland and Indiana. According to NBA.com’s John Schuhmann, Stoudemire and Anthony have played 335 minutes together, and during that time, the Knicks are a plus-1 in points scored.

It’s a small sample, and under normal circumstances, there would be no reason to panic. Only this is not a normal situation. Dolan put his neck out to make the Anthony trade.

Dolan has always wanted to be like his idol, Dallas owner Mark Cuban, and getting Anthony has been his signature moment. That’s a tough spot for D’Antoni, who liked the pre-Melo Knicks with Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

Via NY Daily New’s Frank Isola on Twitter:

Jared Jeffries buyout with Houston is official, sources tell The News. Will be free agent on Tues. Knicks lead with Mia, NO & OKC involved

Jared loved living & playing in NY. D’Antoni loves him. Jared was originally an Isiah signing but Zeke not involved in this one, so relax

Yes, weekend doesn’t count toward 48 hour waiver wire. Only players, coaches, scouts, arena personnel & media are expected to work weekends

10:12 PM update via Denver Post:

The Nuggets traded Melo to the New York Knicks tonight, a league source said. Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors’ 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors’ 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash.

Anthony will go to New York, along with Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman. (more…)

Frank Isola offers the following on Twitter, suggesting this is all a game to Denver: 

Despite Knicks latest offer, Denver wants more, believed to be another pick. “I don’t know if either side is going to budge,” says a source

It is time to get serious. 

While ESPN is focusing on the Melodrama (contradicting themselves along the way due to reporting loose sources; can you say LeBron II?), Newsday’s Alan Hahn and NY Times’ Howard Beck offer you relief from the trade hype.  Hahn is talking Donnie Walsh.  He is reporting that despite a wheelchair, Donnie  is ready to go and focused on bringing the Knicks back to glory.  Beck examines the Knicks off-season and what the future may bring.  He cautions Knicks’ fans to be patient with this new, young team.  Surprisingly, the NY Post’s Marc Berman is not talking Melo, instead he’s talking to Gallo (with a sprinkling of Melo), and the NY Daily News’ Frank Isola is not talking (which is always nice).

Via Daily News:

According to a team source, Isiah Thomas has assured Garden chairman James Dolan that Anthony told him he intends to sign with the Knicks.

However, Knicks president Donnie Walsh could make a deal for Anthony between now and the February trading deadline if the Nuggets are worried about losing the former Syracuse star without compensation.

There are reports that the Knicks are offering a package featuring Danilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry and his expiring contract plus a future first-round pick. Walsh said Tuesday night that those reports are “just rumors” and would not comment further on any talks between the Knicks and Denver.

Isiah toying with Dolan, being toyed with or something else?  This part of the story is simply bizarre, and coming from Frank Isola, potentially fiction.

Via Twitter:

Via Frank Isola (via TKB):

Get to know Roger Mason (@MoneyMase on Twitter):

Via The NY Daily News:

“We were sitting around and thinking what can we do to try and get it back and Isiah had an in with someone in (LeBron’s) entourage,” D’Antoni said. “It was a Hail Mary pass and everybody knew it. Everybody was on board, and how it was reported wasn’t accurate. It was trying to be a good thing for the Knicks.”

“We were coming up with 40 different things to try and get it back on track and that was one of them. Everybody was in agreement. But when we read the reports it was unbelievable. It was like aliens are reporting it.”

“Don’t ever count out Isiah,” said one league executive who has known Thomas for 30 years. “I don’t see him leaving once the college basketball season starts so it will either have to happen soon or he’ll have to wait until next April. He’s definitely trying to get back.”

Only included quotes because the rest is simply Frank Isola fishing and continuing to push a story that seemingly has no legs.  If Dolan gave Isiah financial and roster management, it would turn so many diehard Knicks fans away from the organization forever.  How much can one fan endure?

This story deserves to disappear, but with so little to talk about, guys like Isola continue to push it on us.  We say, ignore ignore ignore.  What do you say?