Posted by Nalod:

There is much Reezy needs to learn, but he has to tools to do it with.

It would be a pleasure to see him be our "derek Jeter" type player. maybe not the best, but for now him and sweets are "ours".

The rest are regurgitated players here by trade in one form or another.

Reezy and Sweets are the only true Knicks right now. Sure Marbs is "brooklyn" and all, but this team does not have an identity like it did under riles and JVG. Winning and winning in a certain fashion will take care of that. But for now, those young'ins are it and I want to keep them.

Posted by tkf:

when I watch ariza on the floor, I see a kid with a lot of athleticsm, but what impresses me most is his desire to play defense and crash the boards. On top of that, he seems to have a good grasp on moving the ball and trying to get good shots for his teamates, just watch his passes, nothing spectacular, no behind the back passes or anything like that, but he has a knack for finding the open man after he penetrates, and it is usually to a teamate who is open, but not just open, I mean open for a good clean shot. And on defense he is a terror in the passing lanes, makes you think twice when you pass. I am not saying this is the next comming of Magic Johoson, I just think ariza will be a special player, just being himself..

Posted by Nalod:

Posted by misterearl:

His basketball IQ is terribly low, he's all instincs and talant.

knicks1248 - your statement that separates instincts from basketball "IQ" (whatever that is) seems to bite itself in the tail. Is there a better contradiction? The two are the same!

Besides, Ariza's basketball "talant" appears in his positive contributions in ALL areas (scoring, reounding, steals and assists)

A player must understand the game, and possess the skill-set, to contribute in all categories. Ariza does that. And he's not even 20!

Imagine Ariza filling out to Tim Thomas' physique. Or two more years of experience.


"I mean everyone knows 50% of the game is mental 25% coaching, and 25% talant. "

Gimme a break with the "everyone KNOWS" routine.

It ain't that deep. Best five win.


[Edited by - MisterEarl on 05/07/2005 09:39:23]

Derek Jeter spent a year playing for the Greensboro NC single "A" minor league team and broke ever record for errors for a shortstop!

Think about this, they let him! Let him get enough at bats, enough plays to blow and he played thru it cuz he had all the tools to be great. Reezy has many fine ingrediants for greatness. Let him play.

great point nalod....

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by islesfan:

We stink and we have very limited trade assets but a guy whose ceiling is that of a high energy role player is untouchable? Unreal.

why do you say his *ceiling* is that or a high energy role player? I would say that's the *minimum* expectation for him.

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by islesfan:

We stink and we have very limited trade assets but a guy whose ceiling is that of a high energy role player is untouchable? Unreal.

why do you say his *ceiling* is that or a high energy role player? I would say that's the *minimum* expectation for him.

He has poor technique as a shooter. His halfcourt game, both offense and defensively, is rudimentary at best. I don't expect a 20 year old to be fully developed at that age but I sure don't expect him to all of a sudden figure it out and become a star player.

Now if he becomes more than a high energy role player whose stats come from more than hustle plays on defense then that's great but I don't know where you can say that his ceiling is higher than what I said it was.

So how do you figure that that is just the "minimum" that you can expect of him?

Posted by gunsnewing:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by islesfan:

We stink and we have very limited trade assets but a guy whose ceiling is that of a high energy role player is untouchable? Unreal.

why do you say his *ceiling* is that or a high energy role player? I would say that's the *minimum* expectation for him.

He has poor technique as a shooter. His halfcourt game, both offense and defensively, is rudimentary at best. I don't expect a 20 year old to be fully developed at that age but I sure don't expect him to all of a sudden figure it out and become a star player.

Now if he becomes more than a high energy role player whose stats come from more than hustle plays on defense then that's great but I don't know where you can say that his ceiling is higher than what I said it was.

So how do you figure that that is just the "minimum" that you can expect of him?

I agree his offense is very rudimentary and I've said all along he's a shorter Marcus Camby because of his awkward shot but also because of the intangibles he brings. His putback dunks and defensive energy.

If he even puts on weight he might be something offensively because he will actually be able to finish off penetration instead being forced to take awkward layups.

His shooting will get better but with that stroke he will never be a good shooter. Young guys who struggle with their shot early on still have good shooting form like Lebron for example.

Most importantly we need him to develop into our best perimeter defender from the SF position once TT is gone. If we can get roughly 10pts & 6rebs from him next year with solid man to man defense and overplay passing lanes the way he does and just give our starting lineup the energy it lacks I will be thrilled!

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by islesfan:

We stink and we have very limited trade assets but a guy whose ceiling is that of a high energy role player is untouchable? Unreal.

why do you say his *ceiling* is that or a high energy role player? I would say that's the *minimum* expectation for him.

He has poor technique as a shooter. His halfcourt game, both offense and defensively, is rudimentary at best. I don't expect a 20 year old to be fully developed at that age but I sure don't expect him to all of a sudden figure it out and become a star player.

Now if he becomes more than a high energy role player whose stats come from more than hustle plays on defense then that's great but I don't know where you can say that his ceiling is higher than what I said it was.

So how do you figure that that is just the "minimum" that you can expect of him?

Because he already is a good "high energy role player" at age 19. If he makes zero progress throughout the rest of his career, he will have already achieved what you said his ceiling was.

Oh really? Ariza is already a solid pro that can give you solid minutes on both ends of the court as a high energy role player? Oh really? Ariza is already a solid pro that can give you solid minutes on both ends of the court as a high energy role player? I must have missed seeing that since he spent most of the last half of the season on the bench. I must have missed seeing that since he spent most of the last half of the season on the bench. Doesn't a role player actually have to have a role in order to be considered a role player? Doesn't a role player actually have to have a role in order to be considered a role player?

I must have missed seeing that since he spent most of the last half of the season on the bench.