This is why the Knicks not targeting a capable offensive big when they had the chance was so puzzling --- Troy Murphy, Marcus Cousin or even an Earl Barron could've allowed us to rest Amar'e a little more down the stretch..All capable rebounder/scorers that could've survived on the court a lot longer than Jeffries for any given stretch w/o Amar'e...We lean on Amar'e so heavily and that's not gonna change with this Jeffries acquisition..We really needed a guy we could've played WITH Turiaf at the same time for stretches..Can't do that with Jeffries..No way.
I really have no idea why we never went after Troy Murphy a lot harder..Yeah we're not the Celtics or the Heat but this is NYC, Amar'e & Melo, a team finally going in the right direction and we could've offered him 30 mins and the starting C spot..He's not getting that in Boston, esp after they traded Perkins to get Krstic & Jeff Green (which came about a week before Murphy agreed to go to Boston 
)...I guess he just wants to win and Boston probably does have the best chance of winning in the EC, but man I tell ya, for a guy that's only 30 and trying to show the league that he's back and capable of still playing at a high level, I would've took either the Miami or NY gig instead, even if NY would've been a one and done year. You just never heard about us being involved at all---that's what I found so damn peculiar.
Marcus Cousin or Earl Barron we could've brought back for next year on a low salary..My only hope is that Cousin AND Jeff Adrien become available in the offseason..I'd jump all over each guy if I were the Knicks..As an admirer of each guy from afar, I'm glad to see each guy isn't really playing for either team they're on..Good..Makes me believe they're not in their plans..Looks like both guys were just brought up as placeholders and nothing more..Jeffries is gonzo at the end of the year -- if they bring him back, even on a vet minimum, and think they have their C for next year THEY'RE NUTS!!!! We need to do better..Jeffries and Turiaf CAN'T SCORE!! We'll always be playing 4 on 5 on offense---that's why STAT will continue to be leaned on so heavily..We need to bring in another big that can score the ball inside and it doesn't have to be a star or high-priced vet..A Cousin/Adrien combo on the cheap would be really nice additions in the offseason---the middle would be covered with Cousin's rebounding and scoring and Adrien would only further enhance the rebounding and hustle, plus he can score it a little inside himself. Both of these guys should've been in a Knicks uniform already but it's never too late. The price'll be right and it would go a long way as far as getting Amar'e some much need rest.
3/16/2011 1:53 PM