iSergio wrote:

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:i don't get it Serge. I thought your crystal ball said that Randolph is destined to be nothing more than a role player at best and most likely a bust.

It still is. I don't take what Donnie Walsh says too seriously. He also compared Danilo Gallinari to Larry Bird last year.

so why did you post this?

nixluva wrote:I'm just glad that i'm not alone in being optimistic about this team. It's not just kool-aid talk, as many have pointed out the many reasons why this team has a chance to surprise the league this year. We're looking at the components of the team and when you do, you really can make a case that this team is gonna be much better than a 37-41 win team. The naysayers try to pick an area of weakness and blow it up to be more important than it is. Not enough shooting, our past record, etc.

The potential argument is perhaps the one that has the most merit in that we are not sure how Gallo, AR etc will perform this year. The thing is that we aren't stuck if they only have moderate improvement. The bulk of the weight is being carried by Felton/Amar'e. That combo is the foundation of what we'll be and it's a solid core. Next you have Gallo on the wing and it is next to impossible to effectively shutdown Felton/Amar'e PnR and also keep a man locked on Gallo, Chan, AR etc. It's why that style of play has been so successful. It forces teams to react and this opens up all the other options Mike is training the team to take advantage of. The game comes easy and it's proven. We didn't have shooting last year and still scored on teams like crazy. Imagine now with more shooting and a real nasty PG/PF combo.

Teams actually had it easier against us cuz we didn't run like Mike usually wants to. This is the most athletic team in the league 1-14. Mike has some Gazelles and Greyhounds now and I think it's gonna make a HUGE difference on how teams play in the 4th Qtr. If Mike really does go 10 deep we'll be able to run weak teams into the ground.

+1

and to the naysayers.. can't we all just bask in the warm preseason potential this team is showing?

you can all come back in May and if we're doing crappy naysay away. I'm sure half of us kool aid drinkers will be down in the dumps then and ready to hop on the wow all of our yoots suck bandwagon.

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:

iSergio wrote:

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:i don't get it Serge. I thought your crystal ball said that Randolph is destined to be nothing more than a role player at best and most likely a bust.

It still is. I don't take what Donnie Walsh says too seriously. He also compared Danilo Gallinari to Larry Bird last year.

so why did you post this?

Conversation?

Here is a description of his injury:

An MRI exam revealed Randolph has two torn ligaments on the outside of the ankle and an avulsion fracture where an inside ligament pulled away from the bone. He'll be in a protective boot for three weeks before starting rehabilitation, which usually takes at least four weeks for similar injuries.

I also had an avulsion fracture and it was simple outpatient surgery and it healed much much stronger than before. I never sprained that ankle again. The recovery was very quick, I was in a cast for 1 month or a bit longer and then walking the same day the cast came off, albeit slowly. Well, Randolph also tore two ligaments on the other side. Not sure how bad those tears were and if they simply stitched them up again or had to remove anything.

nixluva wrote:I'm just glad that i'm not alone in being optimistic about this team. It's not just kool-aid talk, as many have pointed out the many reasons why this team has a chance to surprise the league this year. We're looking at the components of the team and when you do, you really can make a case that this team is gonna be much better than a 37-41 win team. The naysayers try to pick an area of weakness and blow it up to be more important than it is. Not enough shooting, our past record, etc.

The potential argument is perhaps the one that has the most merit in that we are not sure how Gallo, AR etc will perform this year. The thing is that we aren't stuck if they only have moderate improvement. The bulk of the weight is being carried by Felton/Amar'e. That combo is the foundation of what we'll be and it's a solid core. Next you have Gallo on the wing and it is next to impossible to effectively shutdown Felton/Amar'e PnR and also keep a man locked on Gallo, Chan, AR etc. It's why that style of play has been so successful. It forces teams to react and this opens up all the other options Mike is training the team to take advantage of. The game comes easy and it's proven. We didn't have shooting last year and still scored on teams like crazy. Imagine now with more shooting and a real nasty PG/PF combo.

Teams actually had it easier against us cuz we didn't run like Mike usually wants to. This is the most athletic team in the league 1-14. Mike has some Gazelles and Greyhounds now and I think it's gonna make a HUGE difference on how teams play in the 4th Qtr. If Mike really does go 10 deep we'll be able to run weak teams into the ground.

I'll admit, I've always been impressed at how you managed to remain optimistic despite all the happenings of the past few years, so it's nice to see so many people (including myself) on the boards regaining a positive outlook on this team. Really, it's not even a matter of wins for me- I just want to see a hard working, professional team made up of players who want to be here, want to improve and are good teammates to each other. So far it seems like we have that. Hopefully we've seen the last of the moaning to the press, and the infighting and all the off the court drama- hopefully we're back to basketball for a change!

I'm really pulling for this group to get off to a good start this year. That would set us up for a really good year.

bernard wrote:More talented than Rose, Mayo, Westbrook, Gordon? Donnie seems so sane and reasonable, hangin' in his wheelchair, but he's got a lot of hype in him.

agreed... anyone would've taken Rose first overall, and I'm fairly certain he would have taken Westbrook if he had the second pick

nixluva wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

bernard wrote:More talented than Rose, Mayo, Westbrook, Gordon? Donnie seems so sane and reasonable, hangin' in his wheelchair, but he's got a lot of hype in him.

agreed... anyone would've taken Rose first overall, and I'm fairly certain he would have taken Westbrook if he had the second pick

AR has higher potential than Rose IMO. That doesn't mean he'll realize all of that potential, but as Fishmike brought out, what if he gets to the point of 20ppg - 10rebs - 2 blks plus 4 assists - that would prove Donnie right. He has the potential to be a more impactful player. Guys like Rose and Gordon are great scorers, but that doesn't make them better talents.

I'm not arguing about AR's talent level--I'm excited to have him on the team. But come on, you're telling me you would have drafted AR over Rose if you had the first overall pick? Rose was guaranteed impact player, simple as that. Huge upside and minimal downside. Maybe AR will be a better player in the long run and I certainly hope that that's the case. But as Walsh said, Little Stick Boy might break. Put down the KoolAid and do yourself a favor and quit believing your propaganda

Nothing wrong with encouraging a young player to be like like a legend.

"The package you have is similar to a Larry Bird. In order to be that, you really have to have it all. But I would never put that burden on him to be Larry Bird."

Maybe he also tells him if he does not work hard he'll be Adam Morrison!