I think Ron Baker is your defacto starter- and he ranks what in the league as far as starting PGs?

We don't know if KP and Willy work as a combination- I think both are too young and weak.

So if healthy, Noah probably starts with KP at the 4.

And Courtney Lee sucks.

And Melo is the wrong side of 30 and its dubious that he is going to buy in 100% to whatever Jeff is trying to do.

So, actually our starting 5 has more negatives going for it than anything.

Ron Baker- scrub.

Courtney Lee- wouldn't start on at least 2/3rds of the leagues teams.

Noah, broken down, possibly over the hill.

Melo- great star, but unwanted and may not buy in. Probably thinking ahead to opting out and landing another deal, which could be great for his stats, less so for the team.

KP- 21, great potential, but too weak to play the 5, possibly too slow to play the 4.

Bonn1997 wrote:

franco12 wrote:I don't see how you can pencil Frank in as the starter - he's 18 and played 0 minutes of basketball in the US.

I think Ron Baker is your defacto starter- and he ranks what in the league as far as starting PGs?

We don't know if KP and Willy work as a combination- I think both are too young and weak.

So if healthy, Noah probably starts with KP at the 4.

And Courtney Lee sucks.

And Melo is the wrong side of 30 and its dubious that he is going to buy in 100% to whatever Jeff is trying to do.

So, actually our starting 5 has more negatives going for it than anything.

Ron Baker- scrub.

Courtney Lee- wouldn't start on at least 2/3rds of the leagues teams.

Noah, broken down, possibly over the hill.

Melo- great star, but unwanted and may not buy in. Probably thinking ahead to opting out and landing another deal, which could be great for his stats, less so for the team.

KP- 21, great potential, but too weak to play the 5, possibly too slow to play the 4.

I would agree with most of this. The starting 5 looks good only if you assume the best case scenario (or near best) for all our players.

It's a strong reasonable assessment. I prayed wed trade for J Jackson during draft and I knew it was over after pick 4.

I like both Willy g and KP but I don't like their floor balance. Willy G is more of a sure thing in terms of not getting hurt and the position he plays-- mostly at the basket

We're lucky we have KP but Franco is dead on. He's a player stuck between positions defensively

Hopefully in the middle of the season, If Sg.2nd round pick Daymean Dotson improves and get increasing mintues, he can be the starting SG.. He needs to work on his handle though.. it's weak!

All this depends if knicks do a sign and trade for either Melo or if they can get at least something back in return for Noahs big contract.. The Knicks are even discussing a sign and trade involving DRose..

O'Quinn might be on the trading block in a package for other needed assets..

IF Melo is traded, maybe Kuzmingas takes on the small forward position for now. He's 6'9, can shoot but very passive.. Hopefully in his 2nd year in the league will change that.. A lot is going to depend on what the knicks do with Melo so they can move forward with the youth movement....

dacash wrote:melo needs to go and clee off the bench or go too.
i dont think having a player who is 30 plus running with players who are 18 to 22 is a good idea

I don't mind Lee as he can still get up and down the floor. But Melo gotta go strictly half court player.

He will be more like a better Galloway or Calderon were for us two years ago.

I like the blend of youth (KP, Willy, Nti average age around 21) and veterans (Melo/Lee) in the starting 5. They would be competitive, not like a complete tank project which is what it would be if you traded Melo for draft picks and built the team around Porzingis. Porzingis is a good player to give you 22 points a night. He can not carry the team, he is not ready for that, and he may never physically be that guy even if he has the talent for it.

With Ntilikina starting, we get full court pressure defense. Higher actvity rate. Then Baker comes in and plays physical active defense.

I really like Simmons. Phil Jackson wanted him as well. If we somehow can get him, that'd be a really good role player for us, who plays defense and can play the 2 guard spot if Dotson is incapable to handle NBA level competition right away.

If Melo is traded, then the pressure is big time on Ntilikina and Baker to create, and then further pressure is added to Kristaps. Is Kris physically able to be Anthony Davis for us? I don't know. And what does an Anthony Davis led team get you anyway? I think we should seriously consider keeping what we have as a core and developing young players around Melo/KP. By simply removing Rose from Melo, the chemistry will improve. By removing Phil from the equation, but running the same plans and strategy, Knicks improve the harmony of the francise and players.

Melo should be traded, but you can't take Ryan Anderson or other bad contracts. You have to be willing to get the right trade package and talent. In the meantime you know you can be competitive with having Melo/KP on the roster. They are good for 30 wins. Now you can develop some talent around them like Ntilikina, Gomez and Baker. Maybe Dotson too.

Look don't get me wrong. I'm totally fine with a rebuild season, a tank situation where a KP led team wins 25 games and we draft top 5 after a Melo trade. However I am also ok with keeping Melo/KP together for another year and see what they can do with some different role players, and young players like Willy/Nti/Doston getting playing time with them. Maybe we'd be in the playoff hunt and also up Melo's value and develop young players in the process. I see the positive in getting a top 5 pick next year in trading Melo, but on the flip it's not good for Kristaps to lead a team to 25 or less wins. That's not exactly a great thing for his future in NY or his development. You want your young players to be the best players on good or great teams. I am not a big fan of Melo, but I also see why KP wants him in NY. He helps get more open shots and spacing for KP to operate and for Ntilikina's development it allows him to be able to play as a starter in a Galloway type role.

I would throw Dotson in the deep end of the pool myself but I can understand if they don't.

I'm high on the KP-Willy Frontcourt than some. I think they work fine as long as you have a SF with more range out there instead of Melo. You need great range and lateral quickness at PG, SG and SF so that you aren't stretching KP and Willy too far.

nyknickzingis wrote:Depending on so many variables, we actually have one of the better more unpredictable starting 5 lineups

Hernangomez - 22 and improving. Nice post game. Great rebounder. Has touch. Good screens.
Porzingis - 21 and improving Great talent. Needs to pass and shoot. Take better shots.
Melo - Top 25 player in the league See KP.
CLee - Good shooter, can score off the dribble and defend a bit.
Ntilikina - Youngest player in the league right now and has much better PG instincts and defense than DRose

If we had a decent bench, and Melo/KP teamed up to be leaders and guys that passed the ball (instead of just chucking), this team would be a real playoff threat.

The real cost of keeping Melo/KP together is that you lose the top 5 lottery position. You are likely to draft between 10-18 next year depending on how well it goes.

Talent wise, our starting 5 as of today is better than most realize. It has potential to improve considerably with Willy, KP and Nti having an average age of 20.5 right now.

Its the off season and Im in agreement with this roster. Not as bad as we think. Not that good.
I'd pencil in Ntilikina until we come up with a role player. Jose Just signed with Lakers to teach Ball. Funny right?

This season has to be about the kids. Melo must go. We get to Lottery again.
If not its because KP's unicorn got hard and he learned to fly!
Willy is top wingman and Frank is good. not great, but good. Let the Tony Parker comparisons start.
Speaking of such, can we bring in Tony for frank? No starphuch or expectations, just teach the kid the ropes for a year or two.
Culture building.
Rinse, lather, rinse, repeat.