This is not surprising.
Guy defends pretty well (better than Afflalo), passes the ball (Afflalo doesn't) and can drive to the basket off the dribble (not really Afflalo's strength)
The major problem is 3 point shooting but I guess if you need that you go with Afflalo.
A Turner/Afflalo rotation at 2 guard is much better. Certainly you won't spend all the capspace on Turner. I'm not sure what his market value is, but lets say 8 million a year? Still should leave the Knicks with money to go after another rotation/big minute player.
The biggest moves we can make in the 2016 offseason are as follows - and are all internal based.
Primary: Coaching. I'd like Phil to step in and coach for a year or two, since everyone is killing his system, his offense and he brings immediate recognition and respect to the table. Health wise he may not be able to do it, but he has to step up here. He can't sit back and let Rambis coach out another season, Rambis has proven he is not able to get wins. If not him, then Luke Walton, who would bring some sets from Golden State to NY, and also run some Triangle. Similar to what Fisher was doing this past season (some sets from OKC and Triangle) only Luke seems so far he will turn out to be a better coach than Fisher.
Secondary: Porzingis and Grant. These two have shown major signs this year. Obviously in different settings and roles. Porzingis has the talent and ability to fill in the all-star primary shot taker role (he easily gets off 15-20 shots off and that's as a rookie). Grant has the talent to be a good defensive guard who can drive and kick or drive and dish. Give us some important minutes at a huge weakness for us, point guard.
Third: Melo. What happens here is important. Either Melo needs to come back 100 percent dedicated, and this means getting lighter, so he puts less weight on old knees, doing all the things that are important to extend his career. Be excited to be part of a playoff run vs a championship run. Because there won't be a championship run next year. Or help us get him to a good team that can give him that and us some young talent that fits in with Porzingis.
The majority of our season's results next year will be dependent on internal factors. Don't expect a major free agent move. Don't expect Phil Jackson to give Mike Conley 100 million dollar contract. I can see us go hard after Durant and a few other top free agents but those guys will likely sign with teams that can win in the immediate term. Comes back to what we can do with our coaching, how good Porzingis/Grant/other young players can be next year and what happens with Melo. The free agent moves be it Turner or whatever, will not add more than 5 wins. They'll take us from a 30 win team to a 35 win team. What'll take us to a 45 win team or better, will be a much better Porzingis/Grant, a much better coach and Melo playing a season consistently (Or being traded for 2 good young players that fit in).
3/21/2016 7:53 PM
