The criteria for the first nine is that each player plays a significant role in the 2010 rotation.

Besides, The Answer Man reserves the right to alter his projections. One more thing, Johnny Depp cast Ed Wood (the noted worst movie director of all time) in "Plan 9" was simply marvelous.

misterearl wrote:Even Lebron is tired of talking about 2010, so it is about time to settle in and determine the five or six who will be left on the NYK chorus line when the music stops.

This year is an open audition for next season. Whether any Knicks roster spot holder is staying or leaving. The only reason why veterans are given minutes is to satisfy their sense of entitlement and minimize their grumbling in the back of the team charter. So Lee, Harrington, Hughes and Jeffries MUST be given minutes to keep their value from completely falling off the scouting charts. No GM, amateur or otherwise, wants to sign or trade for a Pine Brother.

Nate has public relations insurance because he generates upbeat media attention.

The best devoted Knicks fans can hope for is that the shift line of Douglas, Gallo, The Mayor, Hill and Darko will see as much time on the floor together as possible.

Eddy Curry is on the cusp. He can go either stay or go, because you can never have too many guys who are 6'11 who can command a double, take a hit and make a layup in heavy traffic.

Six guys from the current roster will be here this time next year. Two free agents who can play a lick will be signed. Two new guys are found in Summer League. One dude will be brought over from Europe.

That makes eleven.

Curry and Jeffries: Because we're likely stuck with them, not because we want them.
Chandler and Hill: Because they are young, not because they're impressive, because they haven't been at all.
Douglas and Gallo: Because they've been spectacular.

2009 going to plan? Exactly. 1-9 wasn't expected but maybe 3-7 would have been.

Past: Isiah saddled us with terrible players on long term deals.
Plan: Shed the long term deals and build through free agency.

2009-2010: Still shedding terrible contracts. Result: Team will suck.
Summer 2010: Begin building new team's foundation. Result: Team will be better but not spectacular.
2010-2011: Team will come together: New FAs + Rookies that remained.
Summer 2011: Start rounding out the roster with that extra piece(s) through free agency and the 2011 Draft.
2011-2012: Team will compete every night and be a threat to reach the 2nd round of the playoffs at the least.
Summer 2012: Final pieces added (if all is going well).
2012-2013: Legit title contender.

More than half the fan base can't see this and want everyone fired today and want us to trade for other team's "talented players" like Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, sign Iverson and JWill, etc - and then they would wonder why the team sucks and is mired in cap hell through 2014.

...I give up....

Iverson left his the last two teams — Memphis and Detroit — because he was unhappy coming off the bench.

There will be no such problem with the Knicks. The entire team is a collection of bench players. Iverson, 34, would be the most charismatic player on the floor. He would also be back in the Atlantic Division where he spent the best years of his career with Philadelphia.

Knicks fans, who have endured several disappointing seasons, may be pleasantly surprised.

For the past season and a half, Walsh and D’Antoni have fed fans pie-in-the sky talk about how wonderful things will be in 2010. But when your team is 2-10 with no real prospects of being better, you have to give The People something they can feel.

A.I. is the Knicks’ short-term answer."

- William Rhoden