I have a tough time deciding if I would rather have Ray or KG. I think they are both looking for a ring with the team that can pay them the most.
In the area of 2-3 years I would say, I think most teams would offer a partial contract for the 3rd year though.
They both still got game and would be perfect players to add but I think the MLE would not cut it.
KG would be a player that can play PF/C that we need. He is capable of playing Center with Amare and PF with Chandler.
I love Jorts, but he doesn't have the quickness and athleticism to guard the young "Jermaine Oneal" type of bodies.
Maybe he will tone it down even more next year and take his game to another level. But this year I think we could us a player capable
of taking these minutes away from JJ.
Defensively, he might work with Chandler, but with 2 players that aren't shooters, and Melo on the court, and you can just imagine
Melo would have a harder time taking it in, thus taking mid range jumpers with no ball movement. I think those can be great momentum changers and initiates our opponents
fast breaks because they expect Melo to try to score, the disciplined teams all box out, and are ready to start the fast break. I am sure its noticed in all scouts and will be used against us, where Melo/Dantoni should look to counter this move. Melo made a couple of nice passes to Jorts and a few others for the shot. But in towards the middle of the 4th till the end, he really killed a lot of chemistry and gave Philly back a chance.
As for playing with Amare, he probably would be playing the PF and Amare will log back some minutes at Center. This might help Amare a bit as he can blow by centers but again, expect JJ's man to be cheating at guarding Amare and whoever for most of the time.
It also seems like KG and Ray Allen have that "hate" in the Garden that some people also have towards them.
People forget Melo sucker punched Mardy, Fishlips, or Nate Robinson not too long ago.
I liked Mardy, thought he had a chance to be something special too.
Anyhow, just saying, it seems to be forgotten as Melo did punk us b4....
We need to replenish our bench with talent and depth. 2 way players are much needed, with a combination of veterans and youth *players under 28*
There are a lot of players to choose from in the summer and it will depend on who will the best players that will come at a discount.
Our MLE is the best chance to add the most skilled player. We still have the 2 other exceptions to use as well.
I have a question about Fields, while I wouldn't use the MLE to keep him. Is it possible to give him the 2nd exemption to use with a 2-3 year deal, with an opt out or team option
after 1 year? We would then have his bird rights and could go over the cap and give him a better deal next year. I think his value is somewhere between 3-7m but again, he isn't worth using the MLE on. If not, we should probably look to package him for another player. I haven't watched Ariza play this year, but I noticed he has had some injuries.
If he can play back at the same level he did with the Lakers Championship, he can be a great player to have on our roster. He has another 2-3 year contract with his last year being a player option. He makes, 6.8m, 7.25, and 7.75m, with New Orleans being over the cap till next year, meaning we cant trade for him this year because we can't match up the salaries.
New Orleans has Aminu, Carl Laundry, and Bellini with a couple combo guards that play the same position. I would think they would be looking to save money and would be willing to trade Ariza. However, only Ariza, Jarret Jack, and Aminu have contracts beyond this year.
1/12/2012 10:11 AM
