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| History Of Big Three (pt. 3) |
| By Tim Kelly |
| 9/28/2002 |
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| The series covers the history of the “Big Three”, from the time of Patrick Ewing, to the era today of McDyess/Sprewell/Houston, and today will wrap up with where the Knicks need some help, if they are good enough to make the playoffs, and what moves (in terms of free agent signings and trades) will make this team better.
After the Antonio McDyess deal on the night of the NBA Draft, Knicks fans waited for another move. Well, we are still waiting. (Unless one considers the Michael Doleac the next big move). But, is another move really necessary? Are the Knicks, the way they are assembled right now, good enough to make it to the playoffs?
Let’s look at the Eastern Conference first. It’s obviously tough to tell who will make the playoffs right now. Darius Miles could have a breakout year for Cleveland, similar to Tracy McGrady when he was first on Orlando simply because he is now the number one offensive threat for the Cavs. Will he carry them into the playoffs? Not likely. Is it a possibility? Definitely. Nobody saw the Pistons, Celtics, or Nets last year doing any damage, but each team made an impact, so it will be hard to predict which teams will have success.
However, a little speculation can’t hurt, especially if it’s necessary to see if the Knicks need another trade. There are five teams that are better then the Knicks, no matter how you slice it. The Nets, Pacers, Pistons, Hornets, and the Celtics. Each team has more talent then the Knicks, and each was in the playoffs last year. The Magic could be better then the Knicks if Grant Hill comes back healthy, but that is a big “if”. Either way, the Magic will make the playoffs, so there is presumably six of the eight playoff teams. Eliminate the Wizards, Cavaliers, and Bulls from the playoff race because there isn’t enough talent on those teams right now, and the Knicks are left with the 76ers, Bucks, Hawks, Heat, and Raptors. Out of those six teams, two will make the playoffs.
The 76ers lost Matt Harpring and traded Dikembe Mutumbo, so their success ultimately hinges on how well Allen Iverson can get his new teammates involved. However, “the Answer” has historically been a ball hog.
The Bucks did addition by subtraction this offseason. Though they lost a great scorer in Glenn Robinson, so they now are hoping Tim Thomas will step up and have a breakout year.
The Hawks added yet another scorer in Glenn Robinson, but they do not have a point guard and until they find one, one cannot say they’re a shoe-in for the playoffs. Also, much of their success will depend on Theo Ratliff and if he can stay healthy.
The Heat got the steal of the draft in Caron Butler, and everybody knows it. But, will Alonzo Mourning still be fatigued by his kidney ailment, or will he return to dominance? Mourning, like Ratliff of the Hawks, will determine how far this team can go, whether it be the playoffs or a shot at LeBron James.
The Raptors lost Keon Clark and Chris Childs to free agency, Hakeem Olajuwon is a year older, and Vince Carter still plays selfishly and poorly on defense, so it’s tough to say that the Raptors will fare better then the Knicks.
“And then there was one,” as Agatha Christie once wrote. It leaves the Knicks. As it was just stated, every team the Knicks will be competing with for those final two playoff spots has holes. So do the Knicks. On the positive side, no team in the East can match the Knicks “Big Three”, consisting of Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and Antonio McDyess. Some teams have a few great players, but on a pretty good night, this trio can put up 70 points, 20 rebounds, and a few assists (combined) as well.
The Knicks have a great, though undersized, defensive center in Kurt Thomas. Even though is 6’9” and is playing out of position, Thomas can defend the block as well as almost anyone in the East, and since there is little talent to begin with down there, he shouldn’t have problems. However, the Knicks do lack a player who can defend the low post and block shots, and therefore scaring players out of driving the lane. Marcus Camby would’ve fit in great in this role, but he’s not around anymore.
So that’s the New York Knicks, 2002-2003 in a nutshell. Lots of holes, just like their competitors. Now, let’s look at moves that will make them a shoe-in for the playoffs.
This first trade has been rumored since the day the Knicks acquired Antonio McDyess. Knicks fans know it by heart, and every intense fan knows the pros and cons of a Nick Van Exel-for-Charlie Ward and Kurt Thomas trade. Van Exel is an upgrade over all floor generals they have, however, they’ll lose Kurt Thomas, the only man who can defend the low post.
When the Portland Trailblazers acquired Antonio Daniels, most figured Damon Stoudamire’s days as the Portland point man were numbered. When the team signed Jeff McInnis, all knew Damon would star the 2002-2003 year elsewhere. It was just a question of where? The Knicks and T’Wolves seem to be frontrunners in acquiring the “Mighty Mouse.” It will probably take a combination of expiring contracts (Charlie Ward, Travis Knight, and Othella Harrington), and Damon is an excellent point for an up-tempo, Don Chaney-style offense. However, this trade does nothing to help the Knicks size woes.
Just today, a Charlie Ward-Travis Knight for Danny Fortson-Chris Mills trade rumor has surfaced. This trade may favor the Knicks the most, as Fortson is one of the best rebounders in the game and Mills has just one year left on his contract.
The Knicks could go an opposite route and use the remaining free agent pool to patch up the team. Top un-signed talent includes former Knick greats Charles Oakley and Patrick Ewing, former cartoon character Popeye Jones, former cocaine addict Shawn Kemp, and current playground legend, guard Rafer Alston.
And there it is, the history of the “Big Three.” From day one to today, much of the past has been covered. Many of the current options to improve the team have been mentioned, and now it is up to Scott Layden to figure out the best maneuvers for this team so that MSG will be alive and well come playoff time. However, no matter what goes down between now and the end of the year, the fate of the Knicks will once again fall upon the shoulders of… the “Big Three.”
Tim Kelly is a staff writer for NYKBasketball.com. |
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