Posted by sebstar:

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by djsunyc:

blazers were as low as a franchise could get a few years ago. they go an hire a guy from the spurs. he then systematically changes the culture of the team and replaces the pieces. he couldn't wait to trade zach. got a nice little back up center/pf in frye but also had to take back francis. looking at what pritchard has done with that organization, and seeing how moving zach was high on his "to do" list, i will have to think that walsh would share the same philosphy as pritchard. that's why i don't see this clippers thing as a legitimate offer b/c i think walsh jumps at the chance to dump him.

Yeah, but see there are differences. First of all the Blazers have been able to stockpile talent via the draft for years. Their roster is much more attractive. They hit the lottery in '07 literally and figuratively in Greg Oden, so it gave them much more latitude. Plus they play in a small market where the expectations are tempered.

The Blazers had much more latitude to, in essence, dump Zach. Can Zach turn from an implied liability to an asset with us? I guess we will find out.

the knicks are coming off of 23 wins. you think the media/fans won't give them "latitude" by dumping zach? i think it would be one of the more lauded moves around these parts in the past few years. what expecatations do you think are on this team? i bet nobody picks them to win 35 games this year.

Not necessarily that the Knicks are expected to win 45 games next year. But if we, win 18 games with an unattractive hard-to-watch team, get the 3rd or 4th pick, and watch Zach flourish on another team, it could create another untenable situation. Like what are these guys doing and where are we going and how long is it going to take? Another 10 years?

Are the Knicks really sitting around and basically waiting for Lebron to save the day? What about plan B?

Seb-Agree with you on many points - I'm also for trading Curry, picking up a young defensive center, and keeping Zach. Lot's of reasons this works better:

1. If we "dump" Zach for cap relief; and dump other high salaries we are left with a very young, inexperienced team with no proven players. We won't even win 23 games. You know what that will do to the fans! They will be up in arms. This is NY. We can't do that for 2 full seasons with the hope of being under the cap and then getting a top FA. Only LeBron is worth that and I don't think we could get him under those circumstances.

2. Walsh brought D'Antoni in here to play to win and mold the young players. He wasn't brought in so we could tank for 2 years.

3. Gallinari has potential - but he is not ready to start and be a big contributor this season.

4. Zach is a great talent and an animal around the boards - both offensive and def. Give D'Antoni a chance to work with him and straighten out his offcourt problems. (Detroit took badboy problem Rasheed Wallace and he was great for a few years) Helped Detroit win a championship. I am hoping Zach can change- and he has morre talent than Rasheed.

5. Yes - last year we won only 23 games but who is mostly to blame for that??? I say Isiah!!! He didn't even coach these guys, didnt run plays. He lost control of the players and the team. This year the players have a chance to prove themselves and they have a great coach who will work with them and demand excellence.

6. If Marbury is bought out, the main divisive force is gone. The team will be much better. Keep Zach and get a defensive center who can run the court and we are doing well. Trade Curry.


[Edited by - markji on 07-16-2008 5:16 PM]