Friday, July 08, 2005
BY DAVID WALDSTEIN
Star-Ledger Staff
Isiah Thomas has narrowed his focus to two unrestricted free agents, believed to be big men Stromile Swift and Jerome James. Thomas has met with Swift and been in communication with James' agent and hopes to sign either one of them before turning his gaze elsewhere.

Speaking yesterday on MSG Network at halftime of the Knicks' summer-league game in Las Vegas, Thomas made it clear he wanted one of those two players to be a presence in the middle next year.

"I'd like to add another shot-blocker to the team," Thomas said. "I thought last year defensively, particularly inside, we didn't necessarily have the girth or the length. Right now, there are a couple of players out there, one of them gives us length (Swift) and the other one gives us girth (James). If I can add either one of those players, it would be a good addition in the off-season for us, because both of those guys can block shots."

James, who is 7-1, 275 pounds, last season was seventh in the NBA in blocked shots per 48 minutes with 4.01. Calls to his agent, Marc Fleisher, were not returned yesterday. Swift's agent, Andy Miller, said Wednesday that the Knicks are high on his client's list.

If Thomas can't sign James or the 6-9, 230-pound Swift, he will try to get either Samuel Dalembert from the Sixers or Kwame Brown from the Wizards in a sign-and-trade deal.

yeah Jerome James would fit right into that running style team Isiah is putting together. I'm sorry but sometimes it doesn't look like Isiah knows what he's doing as GM. He's very good at drafting talent though

Stromile - no question

I would say James, because he is a Center and that is our biggest issue. Enough with the PFs...

Posted by nyk4ever:

I hate how they don't know exactly who the "believed big men" are. I think Swift is one for certain but the media has been taking guesses at who the other one is the whole time. They just think its James? I know the Star Ledger printed an article the other day saying had his sights set on a agile big man (known to be Swift by Swifts comments) and the other was one that would provide girth, well Kwame Brown provides girth too, I dont think its a sure bet that it's Jerome James but if it is, I want nothing to do with him.

I was thinking the same that it might be the media bringing up James but then I remembered how hard Isiah was pursuing Erick Dampier last year so I don't think the media is making things up in this instance

would it be possible to get both Kwame and Swift?

sign & trade with Wash: Kwame for Crawford & Sweetney

and then

MLE to Swift

bench: Frye, nate, ariza, lee

I think what everybody needs to realize is that Jereome James has NO POTENTIAL! He is a veteran player who has been the league for a while, and he is really bad.

To me he is not worth any more then the LLE. If we are getting him for that amount, fine. But anymore would be just stupid.

Back from Bahamas. It is been a blast of a week there. Anyways, I think it is better we go with James instead of Stro. We have more than enough undersized PFs that it is nuts. Stro would be a nice fit but too bad we have Mo, Malik, JYD, Sweetney and Lee. Jerome James is a true 7 footer and would be a live body in the middle which the knicks desperately needs. He can be had cheap for the MLE, BIG MAN IS AT A PREMIUM. Don't you just want to cover your eyes if Sweetney ended up playing C against skilled 7 footers like Z and Shaq? If I was Isiah, I would just go for Jerome while still exploring sign n trades for the likes of Kwame Brown. There is simply no time to horse around with players that are not a C.

I would be covering my eyses just as much if our answer to the skilled 7 footers was a fat bum by the name of James.

Almost every player in the NBA is athletic to a certain extent buddy. If you want an athletic freak that doesn't provide much substance then Stro's your man. And if you want pure potential but not much reliability, then Kwame's your man. Me, personally, if our goal REALLY is to make the playoffs next season, I'm going after legit size, and Jerome James doesn't qualify. That's a nay on all 3 for me. No rhyme intended...

umm....are you Jimmy Dolan's cousin or something?


Isiah is running the show, not Dolan. Dolan gets a say in CERTAIN things, but not decisions like who to sign this summer. If he approved trading Patrick friggin Ewing, I also don't see trading Marbury an obstacle (if that's where Isiah is headed). For the last time, a big nay on Kwame and Stro if our goal is to make the playoffs with Marbury this year...