crzymdups wrote:fishmike wrote:crzymdups wrote:Getting Nerlens Noel now would be like trading for a young Camby. It'd be a great, visionary move.
Noel brings some tantalizing possibilities. There are a lot of things that jump out at me as reasons this doesn't make sense.
Timing - We just signed a guy to center for 4 years and huge money.
Willy - I just looked up his measurements. In 2013 he measured 6'11 with a 7'2 wingspan so he certainly has the size to play the 5, is a lane clogging load and looks like a bigtime passer. Not Noel's defensive skill set but has other things he brings.
Contract - Noels expires at year end. What do you pay a guy when you have Noah, KP (who may end up at center anyway) and Willy?
I wont kill Noels for his bad offensive game as that has not been a great learning environment. That may or may not improve. I would rather pair KP with a young wing who defends... mostly based on the current roster makeup. I see your point and the young Camby compare might be a little too warm and fuzzy but it may be spot on. Hard to make it work right now IMO
Those are valid points. Knicks really need to score on a wing or a guard in this year's draft. I'm leery of giving away picks, but Noel is 22. Is he restricted this year? Usually you can keep restricted guys off the market. The front court would be set for years and it'd be about getting some guards either through the draft or free agency. Don't forget we're locked into CLee at a cheap price for several years. And Melo can opt out in 2018, leaving us with huge cap room at that point. In 2018, I think we'll be ready to fully build around KP. Having a 24yr old Noel and a 23yr old KP at that point, plus whatever the 2017 draft pick is would be a nice young core. But I'd also be fine having KP, 2017 pick and 2018 pick to build around at that point, too. Maybe Jennings sticks for a while, too. We shall see. But going after Noel wouldn't be a bad place to start. But I can see your point. I just don't wanna rely on Noah to play big minutes and I don't fully trust Willy to play enough D to be a starter.
fair enough, but those are the guys and you need to let it play out. Willy appears to be a good ball player and has a very blue collar game on offense. Most young big struggle defensively in the league so he gets to figure it out backing up Noah. All this also assume you want to avoid KP at center entirely. Its early but I see Melo getting time at PF and that is going to push KP to center at times. I just think Melo is a step slow for a SF on a team that wants to run and push. As a 4 he's a much better fit. Point is we aren't thin at center. In fact its more a glut. I see the rotation like this (give or take):
1) Noah 25 mins
2) Willy 15 mins - I think he beats KOQ for the backup center role
3) KP 8 mins - some stretches where Melo is at the 4, or Lance, or NDour, etc etc..
4) KOQ injury/foul trouble... I don't see him making the rotation
Interesting idea.. I just don't see a way to implement it that makes sense.
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
10/7/2016 2:07 PM