gunsnewing wrote:If I remember correctly Lopez's defensive numbers are very pedestrian. Much like his brother except he is not the same offensive player

Lopez is a quality rim protector.

During the 2013-14 season, Lopez faced an unbelievably high 10.3 field goal attempts at the rim per game. That’s behind Spencer Hawes, 10.4, and tied with DeAndre Jordan for the second-most in the entire league.

Hawes allowed opponents to shoot 52.3 percent in those situations. Jordan checked in at a solid 49.4 percent.

Lopez can be found all the way down at 42.5 percent. The first sign of an elite rim protector.

Not only is that a stunning percentage—and that adjective doesn’t do it justice—but that’s the second-best mark of any player in the entire league. The only one who has a better mark is Hibbert, who limits opponents to 41.4 percent shooting when he meets them at the rim.

When a player’s only competition is a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year, they’re nothing if not in position to make one of the All-Defense Teams. Or at least they should be.

crzymdups wrote:I think I prefer Lopez over Monroe at this point. Who were they gonna have play defense if they had Monroe and Melo and Kristaps? Lopez allows for a more balanced front court.

Much rather have Lopez over Monroe. Lopez gives D and rim protection and when the cap explodes $12 mil per is gonna be peanuts. Only gotta hope Rolo stays healthy and on the court. I like that he is entering his prime.

I'm actually very glad we did not get Monroe. Much rather have Lopez at C and Melo at PF most of the time. Monroe makes A helluva lot more sense on a already good team missing a piece or two than a bad rebuilding team who is doing it slowly like the Knivks. And by all accounts Phil is taking this slow with the Zinger pick and not overpaying guys like Monroe. No, you overpay Monroe types when u are close to competing.

y2zipper wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:13.5M per for Lopez. They better had offered Monroe the max at $16mil

The difference isn't the money, it's the opt-out. If you give Monroe the third year player option and he's productive, you end up paying twice as much when he's 26. With Lopez, you get a flat rate that's the going rate for what he does and he's in his physical peak.

If there are no player options, this is a pretty good deal. You know you have him for the 4 years, and can make plans knowing this fact. Monroe might have been better, perhaps, but he could have been gone after 2 years or used his value to the Knicks to demand more money from us.

This is a decent deal because he becomes inflation proof during a period when a lot of players are going to be looking for a lot of money after they're player opt outs.

For rebuilding purposes this is a fair deal, IMO, and as you say, he is in his physical prime during his time here.

If your long term plan is to play KP at center at some point, this is an excellent contract for that transitional period.

H1AND1 wrote:

crzymdups wrote:I think I prefer Lopez over Monroe at this point. Who were they gonna have play defense if they had Monroe and Melo and Kristaps? Lopez allows for a more balanced front court.

Much rather have Lopez over Monroe. Lopez gives D and rim protection and when the cap explodes $12 mil per is gonna be peanuts. Only gotta hope Rolo stays healthy and on the court. I like that he is entering his prime.

I'm actually very glad we did not get Monroe. Much rather have Lopez at C and Melo at PF most of the time. Monroe makes A helluva lot more sense on a already good team missing a piece or two than a bad rebuilding team who is doing it slowly like the Knivks. And by all accounts Phil is taking this slow with the Zinger pick and not overpaying guys like Monroe. No, you overpay Monroe types when u are close to competing.

I'm not sure Monroe brings you closer to competing in any sense. I feel a little relieved we didn't get him.

newyorknewyork wrote:Ehhh, to much downside at this price

What do you mean? What's the downside you see with this?

crzymdups wrote:

H1AND1 wrote:

crzymdups wrote:I think I prefer Lopez over Monroe at this point. Who were they gonna have play defense if they had Monroe and Melo and Kristaps? Lopez allows for a more balanced front court.

Much rather have Lopez over Monroe. Lopez gives D and rim protection and when the cap explodes $12 mil per is gonna be peanuts. Only gotta hope Rolo stays healthy and on the court. I like that he is entering his prime.

I'm actually very glad we did not get Monroe. Much rather have Lopez at C and Melo at PF most of the time. Monroe makes A helluva lot more sense on a already good team missing a piece or two than a bad rebuilding team who is doing it slowly like the Knivks. And by all accounts Phil is taking this slow with the Zinger pick and not overpaying guys like Monroe. No, you overpay Monroe types when u are close to competing.

I'm not sure Monroe brings you closer to competing in any sense. I feel a little relieved we didn't get him.

He doesn't do that for us. He may do it for a team that is on the cusp. Or he may not. My point was you can gamble on a guy like Monroe when you are in that situation. The Knicks ARE NOT in that situation so he would have hindered our development in that respect. It's pretty clear now that they resigned Melo for Dolan to put "butts in the Seats" while Phil would rebuild the team in a much slower and methodical manner. I'm on board with doing it slow like that. So what Melo is retiring when we start getting really good? That's his fault for taking the money and he should've read the tea leaves. Or he can demand a trade to a contender and waive his clause. Either way, I'm very relieved that the team is approaching free agent with caution and not overpaying and panicking.

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CrushAlot wrote:

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okay