I think our SL looks something like this:
PG Felton
SG Chandler
SF Gallo
PF Amare
C Turiaf
bench: Douglas, Randolph, Azubuke (fringe minutes)

If Azubuke is healthy he pushes Walker and the rookies out of the picture. I'm not even commenting on the Russian guy until we see him play.

Turiaf is a good player to start next to Amare and play 15-20 minutes a game. He will stretch out Amare's health and keep some of the early banging to a minimum. MDA played Amare 33-34 minutes a night in Pho. Expect the same here.

Chandler as a starting guard last year: 38 games, 37mpg, 17ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.3 assists and 50% FG%
I am quite comfortable with him starting there despite being a combo forward type.

I think the size, rebounding, defense combo to start games will allow Felton to motor north and south and establish our size early.

Which brings us to the main 2 bench guys in Douglas and AR. Two fast up and down scorers who both defend with great fervor.

This type of rotation is in the mold of when the KNicks went to the finals against the Spurs. They started with size. They had Ewing, Kurt and LJ up front. Then they brought Spree and Camby off the bench and went uptempo. MDA loves the 7 man rotation and Felton, Chandler, Gallo, Amare, Turiaf, Douglas and AR is DAMN GOOD starting 7 for an uptempo team. Tons of size and skill and defense.

Having the veteran PG (who comes from playing w/ Larry Brown) and the veteran 5 time all star in the frontcourt who has played w/ MDA before helps us get up to speed quickly.

Still... with so many young players and new players it may take a bit of time but I see a big, skilled and deep team. 45-48 wins. 5-6th seed behind the Magic, Bos, Hawks, Heat and Bulls. I think we are just as good as Mil, Char and better than all the other teams in the East.

CHAOS wrote:C. = CURRY
PF = AMARE
SF = DANILLO
SG = WILSON
PG = FELTON

I think Curry is going to play for a new contract and his trade value peak at the deadline and Walsh will have to decide is it fools gold and trade him or consider that he may have changed his ways and keep him.

Curry is going to sprain his vag during training camp. No point in him being in the SL.

CHAOS wrote:C. = CURRY
PF = AMARE
SF = DANILLO
SG = WILSON
PG = FELTON

I think Curry is going to play for a new contract and his trade value peak at the deadline and Walsh will have to decide is it fools gold and trade him or consider that he may have changed his ways and keep him.

Bench: Douglas, Walker, Turiaf, Azubuike, Timo, Fields and Routins and JJ.

36 wins

For me it all depends on Gallo, Chandler and AR: Chandler has to be more aggressive in creating shots for himself and for others. Gallo also has to increase his level of aggressiveness. AR simple cannot shoot a dismal 40% from the field no way in hell should a 6'11'' player ever shoot that poorly. If he can elevate his shot selection and get it to over 50% he will be an awesome player.

Vmart wrote:Felton pg
Chandler sg
Randolph c
Amare pf
Gallo sf

Bench: Douglas, Walker, Turiaf, Azubuike, Timo, Fields and Routins and JJ.

36 wins

For me it all depends on Gallo, Chandler and AR: Chandler has to be more aggressive in creating shots for himself and for others. Gallo also has to increase his level of aggressiveness. AR simple cannot shoot a dismal 40% from the field no way in hell should a 6'11'' player ever shoot that poorly. If he can elevate his shot selection and get it to over 50% he will be an awesome player.

Gallo was shooting close to 40% all season. FG % should go up with a PG who can break down the defense

Vmart wrote:Felton pg
Chandler sg
Randolph c
Amare pf
Gallo sf

Bench: Douglas, Walker, Turiaf, Azubuike, Timo, Fields and Routins and JJ.

36 wins

For me it all depends on Gallo, Chandler and AR: Chandler has to be more aggressive in creating shots for himself and for others. Gallo also has to increase his level of aggressiveness. AR simple cannot shoot a dismal 40% from the field no way in hell should a 6'11'' player ever shoot that poorly. If he can elevate his shot selection and get it to over 50% he will be an awesome player.

I dont get it. 36 wins puts you about 10th in the East. Who are the 9 teams better than the Knicks?

nyk4ever wrote:PG-Felton
SG-Chandler
SF-Gallo
PF-Randolph
C- Amare

bench: Turiaf, Douglas, azibuke, walker

Win Total: 45

45 wins? Wow. very optimistic in an eastern conference that got tougher at the top.

SL
pg Felton
sg Chandler
sf Gallo
pf Amare
c Turiaf

bench: Randolph (will play more mins than Turiaf off the bench), Azibuke, Douglas,Walker

39 wins

Uptown wrote:

nyk4ever wrote:PG-Felton
SG-Chandler
SF-Gallo
PF-Randolph
C- Amare

bench: Turiaf, Douglas, azibuke, walker

Win Total: 45

45 wins? Wow. very optimistic in an eastern conference that got tougher at the top.

SL
pg Felton
sg Chandler
sf Gallo
pf Amare
c Turiaf

bench: Randolph (will play more mins than Turiaf off the bench), Azibuke, Douglas,Walker

39 wins

i don't think it's that optimistic to be honest with you. with a pg who fits like a glove into miked's offense (which is obviously important in such a pg-reliant offense) a much much more athletic and offensive-minded frontcourt and gallo being a year older and wider, i think this team can definitely have a huge regular season. with that said, i don't think this team would be a threat to win a first round playoff series, unless they get an easy draw.. just don't think they're ready for it yet. the regular season is a different story though, i think this team can outrun anyone on any night.

pg Felton
sg Chandler
sf Gallo
pf Randolph
c Amare

bench: Azibuke, Douglas, Walker

Record? At best, 41/41. But I have a feeling that in spite of the improvements and upgrades, we'll be lucky to get into high 30's (37-39).

This is the first time MDA will actually have to coach - and his butt is on the line.

I'd be curious to hear what others think as far as what will take to get MDA fired? 10 games under in January?

Does he get the whole year? Will it be his short rotation and failure to try to find time for some of the newer, younger guys brought in?

BRIGGS wrote:

Vmart wrote:Felton pg
Chandler sg
Randolph c
Amare pf
Gallo sf

Bench: Douglas, Walker, Turiaf, Azubuike, Timo, Fields and Routins and JJ.

36 wins

For me it all depends on Gallo, Chandler and AR: Chandler has to be more aggressive in creating shots for himself and for others. Gallo also has to increase his level of aggressiveness. AR simple cannot shoot a dismal 40% from the field no way in hell should a 6'11'' player ever shoot that poorly. If he can elevate his shot selection and get it to over 50% he will be an awesome player.

Gallo was shooting close to 40% all season. FG % should go up with a PG who can break down the defense

This is assuming Felton will not do a Duhon and ignore Gallo every trip down.