NBA is about matchups. Fortson doesnt give us an advantage in 75% of the games he would play in. He can get the numbers but he cant give us an advantage. If McDyess is to lead us, we need a Center that will make teams stay honest. So you dont have matchups like Zo vs. Dyess. Dyess can dominant almost any PF in the league, but teams can their center on Dyess if only Fortson is center. Dyess would get banged up and injured. i trust layden not to do this move. It doesnt matter because he probably rejected it already. Layden moves fast on deals. Layden knows bbal so he knows this isnt smart move for us. Our goal was to get bigger and a better PG. So it would be stupid to get a short sttarting C and not even get a decent PG.

Are you listening? Forston wont come off the bench. He wants a starting role or else. It wouldnt be an issue if he were willing to backup both C and PF, but he wants his time to shine. He wont settle no being a starter.

When ESPN reports like that--I have found them to be very accurate. when they are BSing they come out and say"well we think they should" no this was a straight trade with a cap match with 4 players named. I don't think ESPN would risk their integrity over that. ESPN is not hoopsworld.

that being said I love these fans who come on and say this is a dumb trde he cant help at center. What options are out there for a cenetr with good skills right now? Shawn kemp maybe but we have 13 guaranteed contracts already/

If we just pulled this trade we could take our time--we have 7-8 weeks and we could find the right deal for Thomas. thomas is a wanted player--lets get real the guy put up 19-11 the last 41 and averaged 14 and 10 for the year shooting 50% from the floor and 80% from the line.

Last night I suggested a Kurt Thomas+Othella harrington trade for Darrell Armstrong and Mike Miller. The Magic are desperate for help and we offer them two guys who could put up 15-10 10-12 and 6 respectively. I really dont think they can get that type of quality anywhere else but if we had fortson we could do something like this. they just picked up jacques Vaughn and Grant hill has played the point at times throughout his careeer + it will be much easier finding a back for a PG then a quality big man. the trade solves the Magics problems big time--it then solves the Knicks PG problem.
Just look at D Armstrongs number over the last three yeasr--just as good or BETTEr than NVE or damon because he gets a high number of rebounds+++++ he only has 4mm left on his contract compared to 45-50 mm for the other players. Mike Miller is going to be a star in this league and he is only 21-22. he can play 28-30 mts now cutting our core players time down. It would be nice to have a center but there are none of vale avaibale.


In that scenario

C-Fortson 6-7
PF-Mcdyess 6-9
SF Miller-6-8
Houston 6-6
Armstrong 6-1
6th man Sprewell
Mills
Doleac
Spoon
Williams/eisley

Its not big team but as you can see the dream team is small as well. this team has a great deal of talent balance rebounding bench play and a nice combination of youth and experience. I'm more inclined to start Miller because he gives us a better defensive match up to start the game and sprewell will destroy subs. he can still avaregae 33-35 mts and score 17-18 pts but shoot a higher%

Sprewell was a starter and he came off the bench his first year so its a moot point. The size issue is stupid to even argue because this trade makes us bigger. He have no size at the 2 or 3, and at 6'7 Chris Mills gives us a great bench player who can play both positions, and has good size. He also rebounds well, something we dont have at either posistion. Thats more size.

As for Fortson he average 28 minutes a game last year, NOT the 35 minutes you claim he will "demand" so for argument's sake try not to make stuff up. Fortson rebounds, period. Something the Knicks sorely lack. The Knicks have alot of improving to do before they win a championship, so lets improve first.

Fortson will backup both Thomas and Dice and still get his 25-28 minutes, if not more. Mills will backup both Houston and Spree and get 25-28 minutes. That gives us argueably the best bench in the East. Say this outloud a few times..."I cant part with Travis Knight, we need Travis Knight, Travis Knight is important to this roster, we are counting on Travis Knight"

How does that sound? Still think we shouldnt make this deal? Sure you know alot about basketball?

Fortson does not want to be traded. GS wants to trade Fortson. GS is forced to play him because he's one of the leagues leading rebounder, not because Fortson demanded it. GS wants to trade him because they want to move Jamison to PF, his more natural position, and play Dunleavy at SF. Dampier and Foyal are the centers. Fortson hasnt demanded anything. Of course Fortson would not be happy with coming off the bench in GS. What NBA player would?

"Sorry Danny, we know your one of the league's premier rebounders, but we are benching you so we can start the rookie."

What player would not want to be traded? These guys all have major egos, GS thinks its just better to trade him than disrupt chemistry on a team that lost 60 plus games. It makes sense for them to deal him.

i think if we do this trade then it opens it up for us the trade thomas and maybe eisley for van exel or damon the run the point. that woudl make our starting five top 3 in the east damon or van exel, houston, spree, mcdyess, doleac. and a very strong bench with williams, fortson, mills, and spoon. Mills quietly had a very strong year for GS and has good size for a small foward.

Chris Mills is better than Ward or Knight. You want Sura? Another 2 guard? So that would give us 5 shooting guards and no small forwards. I am starting to think you have no idea what your talking about.

Falcindor--no offense but stick to the day job or do some research. You scream about getting a center when there are none and the only example I have seen you given is erick Dampier. Chris Mills would be our BEST offennsive player off the bench and HIS CONTRACT for 5mmm ends next year. We can always trade Chris Mills if we are in the hunt at the break to ateam looking to cut payroll--we have the ability to bring in a 5mm dollar player. It just gives us many more options. Remember Travis and Charlie are still on the hook for 2 years not 1. No one can help if Layden traded and signed eisley andersen or weatherspoon but i think for this team to go forward they must get offer it. If we find a trade acceptable for Thomas and Harrington--we still can utilize spoon as a reasonable back up. there are many many possibilities with this trade--and even if we made it without making another move--there is no doubt in my mind Fortson should start at center and be given 40 mts. As good as Thomas is Fortson can probably be 15-15 in 37 and Thomas can go back to 25-28 mts and 10-6. i think harrington could also be a good choice to be moved with the cheap$$$$$$ the whole thing is this gives us the freedom for another move. If we stay the same and trade Thomas for a PG than we will win 28. If we just add fortson and utilize him right---I believe we move into the 7-8 slot position and thats coming from a guy who had them pinned as a 30-35 win team. fortsons rebounding is worth 5-6 games for the Knicks

Shandon has never had the solid years Mills has. Shandon is a 2 that has played some 3. Mills is a 3 that can play both. So your hoping Shandon is going to be some player he hasnt shown he can be yet? Dont hold your breath.

What are you basing your Anderson > Mills statement on? Good looks?