Posted by bitty41:
Of course the players are partially responsible well mostly responsible for the mess that has transpired. But if every terrible team in the NBA took the attitude that there is nothing to salvage from a bad record team then we wouldn't be seeing teams like NO, Philly, Boston, as they are today.
Bad teams usually get rid of the bad apples - not try to find ways to make them work.... Boston, NO, Philly all got rid of their crap - they didn't incorporate it or infuse it with new talent.
But lets be realistic the next GM is going to have to incorporate most of the players on the current roster into at least next season's plans. So what are you planning on doing as a fan turning off your television renouncing the Knicks, picking a new team? Regardless of what you choose to do as a fan the Knicks will go on.
The next GM doesn't have to realistically commit to the current player for a future plan. While they will play - they can be awaiting trade - not be played as if they are a part of our future.
As to watching the Knicks I will tune in to see how the new coach runs the team, see how the new rookie plays, and whatever new player(s) we may have via summer time trades.
If the same team returns and plays the same brand of basketball then I won't seek to make plans around tuning into games. I'll catch games when I have the time and when there are conflicting plans the Knicks will get the back seat.
I just question how meaningful or thought-provoking it is to say the team sucks with no hope a million and one times?
Probably the same level as it is when people say that Zach, Curry, Crawford are great talents that have a world of hope a million and one times?
No disagreement there but lets take it a step further and talk about solutions instead of stating the obvious.
Solutions? Easy.
Trade Zach for 2010 expirings. Don't look for talent, just get rid of him and the 2011 contract. He was a 23/10 player whose stats dipped because of trying to fit him in with Curry. There were as many as five other teams who Portland talked to - find out who they are - sell Zach's 23/10 and his New York problems on being a bad fit - something many people believe already anyway.
Then you go back to feeding Curry like we did two seasons ago. Get him back up to a 19/7 Center making 10M and I bet you find takers again looking to give you 2010 expirings for him. Forget what we gave up - the point is to move on from the player. Getting out from under the contract should be paramount.
Teams do like Crawford. You could likely also move him for 2010 expirings.
Now you've gotten rid of the real problems at hand - players I highly doubt you can succeed with or succeed at building a winner with.
Marbury and Malik expire 2009. Either let them play out the contracts - without any drama if possible - or buy them out if it seems to be the proper thing to do.
QRich expires 2010, Jeffries 2011. Both again are two players I don't think you build a winning team with. However, neither greatly influences the cap situation and neither is much of a bother if you limit their roles on the team.
Jones is gone and should stay gone.
Re-Sign Morris to another 1 year deal.
Commit to playing the kids.
Hire a coach to a 2 year contract, again, to line up with the Summer of 2010 theory of "We should be torn down by now, and, now we can begin to actually build a new team back up".
Don't hire a big name coach who will want long term security and big money. Hire an up-and-comming assistant or someone who wants to get their feet wet. Again, short term commitment so if it goes wrong you're not locked into them beyond that June 2010 date!
Draft wisely in 08 and 09. Probably Best Player Available would be deemed "wisely".
Now, if players like Lee, Balkman, Chandler, Nate, Morris, Collins are requested by teams who are willing to take Zach, Curry, Randolph - and even Jeffries if possible and help us with our desire (my desire) to have the team torn down by June 2010? Then, unfortunately, that's something you have to consider in order to get the job done.
Now, that's my plan. When June 2010 rolls around and I'm stuck with maybe Jared Jeffries as my lone 2011 contract - and of course the 08 and 09 draft pick rookie deals? I'll consider part 2: Building back up from the ashes.
Is that the most logical plan? The one that will work? The one that will have us a scrappy young "Doc Rivers Orlando Playoff Surprise Team" for the 2010-2011 season? A FA or two away from a very solid 2011-2012 team?
Maybe, Maybe not, but we've tried the tested and failed method of "rebuild on the fly" which always held the belief we had a talented core but just needed the right coach or a good trade or two to make it work.
You just can't keep doing that especially with THIS current core of misfits.
[Edited by - cosmic on 05-02-2008 12:44 PM]
5/2/2008 10:08 AM
