I tried to post this much earlier today, but it took a while for my account to be activate. I haven't had a chance to check all of the newer posts and am therefore likely repeating some POVs, so here goes...
First off, hello to all. I used to post on the NYTimes Knick forum back in the day. Life started curbing that activity and then it was gone. But I've always used this site to check up on the Knicks.
Anyway, I was afraid of this type of situation when the Knicks orchestrated the sign and trade to move Lee. I'm a Lee fan and I didn't want to see him go, but I understood that they were going to and why. But I felt that they should have let him walk and held onto the cap space a bit longer to see how the summer shaped up.
I know Donnie knows his business, but I would have kept the space and been calling the Nuggets regularly about Carmelo and the Hornets about Paul...mainly focusing on 'Melo. If Anthony wanted to force a sign and trade with the extension (not that the Nuggets would do or have done that) they could have traded straight up $$$ and a player or two to meet CBA rules (if needed). The same with Paul. Now the talk is getting Paul, which is good, but how can that done without using Curry which obviously kills next years cap space.
I think the Knicks did too much too quickly. Even recognizing that part of it was a favor to Lee, but I think this summer was misplayed to an extent. This doesn't apply to James though. He and his friends obviously knew what they were going to do this summer...maybe the Knicks could've worked harder to try and clear space for THREE elites, but that would have been difficult. I'd rather have Melo than James. LeBron may be the better player, but I just prefer Anthony.
Thanks for letting me rant.
