Posted by nyk4ever:
[quote]Posted by King1:
Bitty I am not saying David is a better player than Z-Bo but please answer these questions.
1. Why did Portland trade Zach for virtually nothing and they are a better team?
2. Why did David get picked to practice with the Olympic team and Zach didnt?
3. The Knicks could trade Lee tomorrow to probably 20 teams and no one wants Zach.
Lee is a complimentary player and on a good team he would help them. Zach is all about me will never win and has character issues.
First of all - I think people need to stop hating on a guy who hasn't played for this team -yet- a full year. Second- we were lucky to get Z. Randolph is a way. The reason we got Zach was:
1. They had Aldridge and they didn't want to keep Zach's Salary. They felt that with Aldridge being the 'future' it would hamper his development to have to play both Zach and he.
2. We got Zach - because Francis still had a 40M dollar contract-which te Knicks felt they wanted to buy out -so they could play more Nate/Crawford. In essence- we traded a 40M dollar liability for a 60M dollar liability wh is 5 years younger, can rebound and may actually have upside since he has no history of chronic injuries (a la TMac, Francis).
Since coming here -even with limited minutes - he leads the teamm in rebounding, and will average a double double for his 5th year IN A ROW. He provides a lot of versatility :
1. Cury/Randolph- can give you a hybrid center that gets 25 pts/16 rebounds a night.
2. Randolph/Lee gives you a PF combo that gets you 20 pts/20 rebounds a night
This allows you to play Jeffries/Lee at the SF - which gives you a big frontline -where atleast one player can 'consistently' hit the 12-15 footer and space the floor for your center and other shooter.
Not one player in terms fo Crawford, Curry, Randolph is a bonafide superstar- but :
1. Curry is a genuine threat in the post - as he proved against Chicago and all last year
2. Randolph -not only rebounds - but he does help space the floow because he is a threat from 15 feet and in.
3. He allows both Balkman and Frye to play onthe floor at the same time - by making up in offense along with Crawford/Robinson what Balkman and Fryegive up on offense.
People 'say' no one wants Zach - but there are very few PFs that have averaged double/doubles in the NBA over 5/6 years they have been in the league. While his salary may be expensive - the best thing to do is keep him -defintiely this year. He is showing that he is trying to fit in - he my be a bit passionate about getting his minutes and 'numbers' - but if he wasn't - he wouldn't be where he was.
If we keep himt this year and he ends up with double/double number - turns into a 'team' player (as far as perception is considered). He would be invaluable + expiring contracts for someone like a Kobe/ Le Bron/ O neal- if there ever was a sign/trade forced by any of the three. Regardless- I think we can see that there is a benefit -if he learns to play as he did last nite. He never seemed to be a 'key' guy at any point of the game - yet had 24 points/11 rebounds and was a plus 25!! The Nets started sliding out to him - and bam - they fed Curry in the post - and it was over. They had no aswer for this- go outside -and Curry punishes you inside. Go to a zone and if Randolph is shotting well - he punnishes you from the intermediate area.
