Posted by MS:
Rating Donnie Walsh
I think most would say Walsh is doing a good job and we are all happy with the job he is doing, but I wanted to take a closer look into his first season on the job.
Coach: Mike D’Antoni: Grade: A
Draft: Danillo does some nice things and has looked more aggressive, but passing on Lopez, Randolf and Gordon will prove to be a huge mistake down the road. Everyone of those kids is young and fill a need at a position we didn’t have.
Grade: D
Free Agents:
Chris Duhon: Duhon has been solid and a nice pg for us. Needs to be moved in the offseason or by the deadline.
Grade: B+
Anthony Roberson: This one is troubling, evaluating talent is a big job for the GM, this kid was flat out terrible, couldn’t shoot and couldn’t dribble. Very easy to tell Von Wafer was the better choice for the Knicks at the SG.
Grade: F
Trades:
Zach Randolf/Mardy Collins for Tim Thomas/Cuttino Mobley
Moving, Zach seemed impossible, and Walsh wanted to play his hand to see how much value he could return on a young 20/10 PF. Had Walsh just accepted the second round pick we wouldn’t have clogged up two roster spots, and the Clips selected a nice project Deandre Jordon
Grade: C
Jamal Crawford for Al Harrington: Harrington is the better player and more efficient and can be moved a next years deadline for a late pick to a team looking for scoring bunch
Grade: B+
Tim Thomas/Jerome James for Larry Huges: Hughes has looked effective, but adding veterans to a team that needs to play young talent
Grade: C+
Malik Rose for Wilcox: We needed a big body even if we aren’t going to play him
Grade: B
Marbury: We all get we were trying to change the culture and perhaps this move needed to be done, but with Marbury in shape and accepting coming off the bench and in a contract year why not try to maximize his value, chances are he could have been moved if he was productive.
Grade: F
Judgment: Both Lee and Nate could have been signed to more reasonable deals in the offseason, Nate is quickly becoming one of the tougher guards in the league and his salary has probably jumped from 4 to 7 million. If we lose one of them without compensation it really hurts
Grade C+
Overall Grade: B-
I think the Hughes trade deserves a B+ because we had no size at the 2-guard and Hughes can still play while his expiring will be very attractive next year. I've been impressed with Hughes the last few games. I actually thought he played Wade very well until he exploded (with the help of the refs).
The Harrington trade is a A in my mind. Al is a far better player than Jamal will ever be. His deal doesn't hurt us (in fact it expires next year) - he actually rebounds some nights and defends adequately. Crawford is a joke and is proving as much in GS. Al could be a force on a very solid team - coming off the bench and scoring in bunches.
I don't blame Donnie for the Marbury situation at all. It is clear that Donnie wanted Mike to play Steph in order to boost his value and help the team. It's hard to really argue with Mike not wanting Steph to mess with the locker room but Donnie clearly wanted Steph playing and improving his stock. He was smart NOT to force Mike to play him because that would have been a dissaster on all fronts.
In terms of Lee and Nate -- I give him a B+. The economy will play in our favor and both Lee and Nates stock are higher than ever before if we decide to go the trade route.
3/2/2009 10:43 AM