I want them to win,win,win. This season is much different than any other season, reason is we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Things are in motion for getting under the cap so we can sign a mega free agent, hell they are even working on being able to sign 2 in 2010. However part of signing the mega stars means we need to have something tangible to show them. Being a solid competitor or possibly even squeaking into the playoffs is a very important thing to show prospective talent.

This is the hardest poll ever. I dont really know what to choose.

If the NYK picks are going to be LeBron, Bosh, Amare or Wade whats the point of the draft. Knicks need to win now and develop Chandler and Gallo. The draft picks from lottery aren't going to be the main focal point if LeBron is gonna be a Knick.

Once you get a high profile FA you have to build around them and basically a win now mode is placed on the Knicks. Just need rotation players.

And we have to remember that Lebron and Bosh or whoever else is still a big "if" for this team so you have to keep building the team and be prepared to live with those stars or without them.

You want to establish a winning culture. The Knicks will get draft picks and good ones that will fill roles. They aren't going to be picking last or anything like that they may pick late teens early twenties. A team can still get a good pick there.

You have to establish a winning culture to get the most out of players like Chandler, Gallo, Nate and Lee. They got to be battle tested before LeBron gets here or any other high profile FA. If they start losing I won't complain to much knowing it may lead to high pick but I don't see the improtance of the high pick as I use to knowing that LeBron, Wade, Bosh or Amare may be in the plans. It to much of a crap shoot for the knicks they are very unsuccessful when it comes to the draft lottery. Its not like they have San Antonio, Houston or Orlando luck going into the draft lottery.

Posted by VDesai:

For free agent marketing purposes- I'd like to see some winning here. If FA's look at us winning games and making the playoffs with a crap roster, they are going to want to come here.

Similar situation to Orlando a few years back. Doc Rivers got them winning even with a lousy roster and they attracted McGrady and Grant Hill

I don't know if they attracted Hill or McGrady they were the only ones with a boat load of money to offer. T-Mac was from the area and Hill Detroit just didn't want to pay him. Hill had the most to lose from leaving Detroit because that was his team he was the man. McGrady left because he didn't want to be second fiddle to VC. If I'm not mistaken Hill was a trade.



[Edited by - Vmart on 11-24-2008 12:41 PM]

Tough question.

I can see both sides of the discussion as making some sense.

The big issue seems to be whether one thinks it is necessary to create a culture of winning in order to lure the big free agents after 2010.

I'm pretty much on the side of what Walsh and D'Antoni stated early on and appear to be doing, which is try to be competitive and win a little while developing players, and trying to increase their value to enhance roster flexibility.

Certainly, adding a nice prospect this year, given that we have no pick in 2010, seems to be sensible, but if we truly wanted to tank, it could hurt the value of guys we may need to move, or consider moving.

I just don't think it's realistic to see us tank. Plus, the team is not THAT bad, as constructed with D'Antoni's system, so I'd expect us to remain competitive, but also see the young guys get PT.

In other words, if we don't make the playoffs, I won't be mad at all, but I doubt we are a bottom feeding team a la the Oklahoma City Scabs...sorry Thunder, and could sneak in. That could be good for attracting guys, and the likelihood of landing a top player at the bottom of the lotto is not very good anyway, even though it can happen.

To add...

I think the choices being offered are too polarizing. (I am thus far abstaining)

How about, "As long as we develop the team, either way works. I am cool with losing because many guys here who could help us win or contribute to stinking are only signed until 2010. We've got a backup plan now, but if we win, it could help us attract those guys."

I want to see us DEVELOP the team, while continuing to position ourselves to improve the roster.

We have our pick this year, and I honestly just don't have a strong sense that this team will be THAT bad to get a top pick.

The Knicks are not going to tank, no matter what some fans may want. This is about as as close to rebuilding in NYC as it gets, I think.

I will admit it's still possible we don't perform well, so the spectrum for performance seems somewhere between 28-40 wins, since we haven't seen the new guys play, and even then I'd like to wait a bit to see how that affects the team's performance.

D'Antoni is a REAL coach, and after February 15 Steph will be gone (for those that don't know, Knickgerblogger reported that the Knicks can't send Steph home because of the CBA, not sure why Tim Thomas was able to before...perhaps it was because Tim may have been cool with it, where as Steph may not be).

My thing is, if we do stink, it's okay because we then see a lot of players gone anyway after 2010, and then get to use our pick to compensate.

If all this means we win more and either barely get in the playoffs or not, then so be it.

I'm cool with either scenario.



[Edited by - PresIke on 11-24-2008 1:03 PM]

Playoffs. What do you think would entice a primetime UFA more, a young player with upside or hearing the Garden rock in May?

I know I'll be screaming like someone cut my nuts off or I was set on fire. It's been a while. I'm sure everyone will be like that. The Knicks won't go very far, but then Mike and Donnie get to tell the UFAs, "imagine what it'll sound like when *you* bring a chip. Imagine what it'll sound like when the banner is raised."

Lottery is overrated and is worth only if Stern has some aces in the sleeve.
Does he?

Pounding out aggression Turns into obsession Cannot kill the Lottery

Lottery!