fishmike wrote:I'm not expecting an instant contender, but when you add an all star bigman its going to change the level of your team.When Webber got to the Kings they also had some good young players coming up in Jason Williams and Peja. Maybe not stars but certainly very good players.... rotation players on a playoff team.
If Amare was broken down, 34 years old, coming off an injury, I could see the doubts. He's 27. He's coming off an 82 game season (+ playoffs). The only time he's missed in 4 years (82, 79, 53, 82 games last 4 seasons) is from the freakish eye injury, which obviously isnt a wear and tear thing.
Last 4 years (including the eyeball year)
He's average 73 games and 34 minutes
He's avergaed 56.5 FG%
He gets to the line for 7.7 FT attempts
Throw in 1.4 blocks a game
22 PPG
8.9 RPG
And for those who think he doesnt defend players guarded by Amare have one of the lowest EFG% in the league. Only KG and Dwight Howard kept their opponents to a lower EFG%
This is the kind of player that will make everything easier for the Knicks when he's on the floor.
Nobody is saying adding Amare = 50 wins. It doesnt. But like when the Kings got Webber the Knicks will have a guy who knows how to win in this league. Who can be a leader. Who can defend a post player. Who can make big plays and impose his will on a game and turn things around when the Knicks are struggling. He will make the young players on this roster and the Knicks will win games next year.
You have to put 2 asterisks next to Amare's stats - one for Nash and the second for playing in MDA's up tempo system.
Obviously, the second one translates since we got the same coach and system, but a lot of what made Amare effective was being set up, and we won't have that same level of play from Felton, even if he steps up in the new system.
Otherwise, I agree, adding Amare should help our team- I don't know if he is a leader, but clearly, he's won, and will expect guys to step up their play.