I think I'll list the things I've been thinking about here:

1) I think a referee lockout that allows the Knicks to have an extended training camp for an extra two weeks or so would be better for the Knicks than most teams. Since is a system guy, getting the young talent on board with the system and solidifying an 8 or 9 man rotation would be more useful to the Knicks, than any other team in the East. We have a lot more ?s than any other team and most of it depends on how the youth plays in training camp.

2) We have too many SFs. Especially if the intent is to lure another SF here next season. Given the depth at SF and darth at PG, I am curious whether will let Gallo run the PG on offense and run a defensive switch with Jeffries or Harrington guarding the point.

3) In contrast to the last question, Toney Douglas might be able to steal the PG position from Duhon. I am not big on Duhon and don't see him as a long term solution. If Douglas is serviceable at PG (which he looked like he was in summer league), why not do some on the job training. Regardless whether we make the playoffs or don't have a draft pick, our optimal outcome this year is to develop the younger players.

4) Nate-- can Nate be the Nate that scored 30 pts at PG every game while filling the stat sheet... he looked like a lil DWade for a while.

5) Why is everyone on DLee's jock... double-doubles aren't as good as wins.

Posted by crzymdups:

I'm looking forward to seeing Chandler/Gallo/Hill on the floor at the same time, hopefully playing well together.

Ooooohhhh... I wonder if Hill will have some legs beneath him...

I think the questions w/ respect to expiring contracts are the most thought provoking. Hughes, Harrington, Duhon, Lee, Robinson, Darko-- we have a lot of deals that are potentially 1 and done. So much depends on how able the youth is to step in and play.

Who is gonna start the "countdown to camp" thread?

I'm just hoping that we can put four guys on the floor on a consistent basis that can defend their positions.

I know that Gallo and Lee will have a tough time, and Al and Nate will have a tough time with a lot of matchups, and Curry... I'll be impressed if he gets on the floor and looks like an NBA player.

If this team can figure out, through rotations and schemes, a way to get this group to play average team defense, then they should be able to stay at least in the hunt this year.

People really forget how good of a player Curry was or is.
I think once people see him play this year it'll come back to them.
Nobody can guard this man on the low block. If he misses a shot...it's not because of the defender. It's because he......well just missed it.
Eddy will surprise this year but he'll only surprise the people with short term memory.
Before Zach got here...Curry was unstoppable.
Do we have to trade him? Yes, and I agree that he'll only be showing his trade value but you can't dismiss the talent this guy has. If he plays like he did before Zach arrived..we'll easily get a pick and players for him.
Common sense.....

Posted by crzymdups:

i'd be really excited if we had Sessions on board and could run a five of:

Sessions
Wilson
Gallo
Dlee
Hill

how sweet would that be?

[Edited by - crzymdups on 22-09-2009 12:26 PM]

Would Gallo be the only shooter in your 5? Sessions is so last month though. In any event, I can't really get excited about a lineup with Lee because he doesn't defend anything. Balkman was able to put up double-doubles when given minutes. Hill will put up double-doubles if given minutes (except he may get fouls since he seems to play D).

Most of my hope and excitement is really only based upon optimism that our new players will be better than they project (i.e. a healthy Gallo becomes a stud, Darko flourishes with MikeD, Curry is dominant, Hill is Amare-lite, Hughes is healthy and acts like this is Washington, etc...).

I want to see this lineup
Nate/Douglas/Chandler/Gallo/Lee
score 40 in a quarter
while only giving up
38

Posted by Marv:

Posted by fishmike:

I want to see this lineup
Nate/Douglas/Chandler/Gallo/Lee
score 40 in a quarter
while only giving up
38

jesus. now THAT is small ball.

Not really. We'd be undersized at one position and we can switch Gallo/Lee/Chandler up on defense to make the matchups work a little bit, if possible.

I just don't see where score 40 give up 38 comes from. Douglas can defend and Chandler can defend. We're not sure if Gallo can defend so it's a maybe. And we're hoping that Lee gets the message and starts trying. Same with Nate.

It's probably not a good defensive lineup, but I bet it's not allow 38 points either, which doesn't really say much.

I also don't think that lineup is capable of scoring 40 unless Nate is hot.