We just have two different paths we want to go down to get this team back to where it should be. I don't know anything with 100% certainty and I didn't mean to make it seem like that -- I'm basing my judgements by comparing his attitude and behavior to previous players and how they've turned out. This logic is slightly flawed and JR could be completely different but I think it's fair to make the comparisons in order to determine the direction we're going to go.
In my mind it basically comes down to 2 things:
1. What does this team need more? It seems that you would argue we need talent. I would argue that we need leadership and toughness. Give me guys like Starks, Mason, Oakley that are proud to wear orange and blue and leave everything on the court. It's a delicate balance, however, because back in the 90s when we had the leadership and work ethic in place, we needed the talent to put us over the top. This is why I think JR Smith would thrive on a team like the Pistons, Spurs, or even Bulls who have the defense and intelligent, vocal leaders.
2. Risk/Reward. I don't think anybody would argue that JR Smith has a higher ceiling than Kyle Lowry -- but it's also a little riskier. If I were building this team, I'd choose a guy that I believe is a much safer bet that gives us more of what we need. Just like any business, the most important asset to any organization are quality people, leaders. Also basing my opinion on past players, some of these more fundamental college players that know how to win slip through the cracks because they don't have the flair or phsyical attributes. However, they've been thriving in the league. I really think Lowry is going to end up as a starting pg for a solid team for many many years -- nothing special, stats that don't blow you away, but a heady floor general that leads the team and does all the little things that don't end up in the boxscore. At the very least, I see him as being the 9th man who works his butt off every day in practice and adds a lot to the team. Now, even that's not for sure -- I don't know him, I don't know his personality, I don't know his work ethic. He may not last in the NBA for a full season.
Look it comes down to what each of us would do if we were the GM. I would put everything I have into acquiring guys that play with balls and have leadership qualities. I would cut Marbury, Francis, James, Rose outright if I couldn't deal them. I would keep Larry Brown around and let him teach and let the guys play their hearts out every night.
Now, that's not the direction the team is going to go. So, from a realistic point of view, JR Smith is probably a solid option because he has tremendous upside. I just can't bring myself to submit to that type of thinking so I'm going to hold out hope that they revamp this team, culture, and organization from the very heart.
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Ray15:
I would argue that the NBA is a league of attitude and work ethic. If this was league of skill and physical talent, the Knicks would've won the Championship this season. Why bring in a guy that doesn't play defense, argues with his coach in his 2nd year in the league, and has never won anything.
We need to bring in winners, leaders, defenders. Give me Kyle Lowry any day of the week over JR Smith until we get a solid foundation. Picks 20 and 29 are very valuable -- Look at all the guys that stay in school, work hard, and thrive in this league. Imagine what we could do with the Josh Howards, Chris Duhons, Ty Prince's who just outwork everybody else on both ends of the floor. Look, with the right organization and the right coach, JR Smith could turn into an all star. You mention the spurs -- yeah they're a great organization and they know that the leadership they have would keep JR in check. They would nurture him, teach him, let him grow into the player he should be. That's aside from the fact that they have Manu and Bowen as perimeter defenders and Duncan inside to help in the paint. Give me defenders at every other position and I'd love JR Smith.
Insert him into our current roster and he ends up just another malcontent who never reaches his potential.
If he went to UNC for two years, he'd be a different player. He would be like Rashad McCants -- upset and never reaching his potential until he buys into the system.
That's just my opinion. Give me Lowry who could end up as a 9th man but gives us so much in terms of leadership and practice effort or somebody who could turn into a great general who changes the game on the defensive end rather than a guy that has character issues any day of the week.
Here's my prediction -- JR Smith ends up on a team like the Spurs or Pistons and becomes a border line allstar -- Briggs says I told you so and I'll still say that if he came here, he would've caused more turmoil, not played defense, and developed a leadership style simliar to Marburys -- All the talent in the world on losing teams year after year after year.
Posted by BRIGGS:
the NBA is a league of skill and physical talent. i look at pheonix where steve nash makes every guy who is playing much better. i have to think that if the Spurs were willing to trade for JR, then we are over-analyzing a 19-20 YO players basketball IQ at this stage. I tend to look more at the physical talent and where that talent can go if it is coached and utilyzed correctly. You cant teach 40 inch vertical lift you cant teach bodies that are 6-6 225 but you can hone the skills into a team concept. I thought that Q Woods looked very good at times when he got a chance --and lets face it--if there ws a player where IQ both on and off the court was questioned--than he mightve been in the bottom 5. JR has immense talent with terrific and special physical attributes and thats all you can ask out of pick 20. I feel strongly that IF JR stayed in school for 2 years at NC imho, we would be talking pick 1-2-3 this year.
Let me tell you why I think that's crazy. I'm listening to your point of view and it sounds like you KNOW for a fact that JR Smith is some kind of malcontent who won't play hard. You're making these assumptions on second-hand info--on a kid who is 20 years old. Would you take Kyle Lowry over Rudy Gay? Rudy gay plays lax D at times, doesn't always hustle and surely isnt a leader. But my bet is you WOULD take him if he slipped to 20[which wont happen in 20 million years] over anyone else that may be available. Work ethic---Obviously JR has been working hard if he has sculpted his body to 225 with minimal body fat. Hes playing SL--what else do you want to hear--is he in the car with Zach Randolph street racing with guns? Sounds like he is working hard. You say that if he goes to the Pistons or Spurs that he could be a borderline all star hes put up big games in the nBAS already, yet you would rather have a guy we have NO idea--really kyle Lowry is small @G who isnt the best shooter who could be overwhelmed in the NBA. You're saying that the atmosphere around the Knicks has no chance of changing--that were stuck in this dread an I think thats faulty thinking. Its OK for the Pistons and the Spurs to go after a guy like that--but not the Knicks who outsmart and outthink every other team in the league 
