http://bleacherreport.com/articles/350810-knicks-need-to-add-size

Dwayne Jones: New York Knicks Need Size
Hot Stove New York by
Senior Writer Written on February 23, 2010
PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 21: Dwayne Jones #21 of the Saint Joseph's University Hawks shoots a free throw during the game against the Temple University Owls in Atlantic 10 basketball action on February 21, 2004 at The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Hawks won 76-53. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

“Knicks can’t play out the string without making one more move. Gotta give Dwayne Jones a call from the D-League and get some size in here.”- Alan Hahn

Dwayne Jones is the kind of player the Knicks need in the front court. The 6′11″ 250 pounder is averaging 16.8 points, 15.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Austion Toros in the NBDL (over 32 games). He was college teammates with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West at St. Josephs.

In his Junior season he was Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year leading the conference in rebounds (11.6) and blocks (3.0).

The Knicks are 25th in the league in rebounds per game (40.76) and blocks per game (4.20). Their differential of opponents rebounds is second worse in the league (4.78). They have also had a lot of trouble boxing the opposing team out, allowing 73 offensive rebounds the past five games.

Also, when opponents score 100+ points against New York, they are 5-29.

The Knicks need to defend the paint better and play with more toughness. Bucks center Andrew Bogut was abusing David Lee last night (24 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocked shots).

“On my calendar I didn’t want to prove to David Lee that I belonged on the All-Star team and he didn’t,” Bogut said. “That’s not the case.”

“Perhaps, but Bogut’s dominating night proves that the Knicks can’t win big with an undersized center and that Lee belongs at power forward.”- Daily News

sebstar wrote:We need more than that...

Yeah, but this is the only thing we can do now until the summer. This is a band-aid on gunshot wound but we need to at least try.

NYKBocker wrote:How about Jackie Butler? He is a FA right now.

How about BigZ when he gets waived? Pull a fast one on Cleveland and snatch him up before they get a chance to re-sign him.

Doubt Z would take shyte from us for the rest of this year and spurn the Cavs romp to a title.

Childs2Dudley wrote:

Size isn't everything? It is when the entire NBA knows there is a welcome mat in the Knicks' paint.

But despite their shortcomings along the undersized front line, where 6-9 David Lee starts alongside 6-8 Wilson Chandler, it doesn't sound like there is a lot of interest from Mike D'Antoni in filling the open roster spot with a big man from the D-League. But it's mainly because D'Antoni seems skeptical that a D-League prospect can play well enough to crack his rotation, which in Tuesday's loss to the Celtics was trimmed to seven players.

"That's just tough," D'Antoni said when asked about adding a some size from the NBA minor league pool. "For them to come in and make a difference, that's tough."

The Knicks were even smaller last night with the only 7-footer on the team, Jonathan Bender, left on the bench in favor of energetic guard/forward Bill Walker. The tallest Knick was 6-10 Danilo Gallinari, who spends most, if not all, of his time on the perimeter.

The Knicks had three blocked shots in the game and two of them came from guards Sergio Rodriguez and Tracy McGrady. David Lee had the other block, which was a rejection of a one-handed driving layup attempt by 5-9 Nate Robinson.

Though the interior defense was much better than in the first half against the Bucks, it is still quite obvious to anyone advance-scouting the Knicks that you can easily get to the rim at will. Ray Allen did it all night long. The Celtics scored 60 of their 110 points in the paint. The more telling statistic is that 30 of their 44 field goals made came from in the paint.

Mike D'Antoni says no.

Well, unless the big man can shoot jumpers.

Oh no... Here comes the well he got Shaq rebuttals.

CrushAlot wrote:Mikki Moore actually could be very valuable for D'Antoni. I forgot that he was available. Are the Knicks waiving Cardinal? Moore would be a good guy to bring in next year as well.

Moore can hit the midrange J & isn't a bad option as a backup filler... we can do worse... i have to believe Walsh is considering his options right now, otherwise we wouldn't have waived Brian Cardinal to open up a roster spot.

Papabear wrote:

TMS wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Mikki Moore actually could be very valuable for D'Antoni. I forgot that he was available. Are the Knicks waiving Cardinal? Moore would be a good guy to bring in next year as well.

Moore can hit the midrange J & isn't a bad option as a backup filler... we can do worse... i have to believe Walsh is considering his options right now, otherwise we wouldn't have waived Brian Cardinal to open up a roster spot.

Papabear Says

I enjoy good defense as well as good offense. Mike D has to go

so do i but MDA loves those guys who can hit the 3... i'm actually surprised we waived Brian Cardinal since he pretty much fits the professional good character veteran that can hit a 3 prototype that he seems to love.