"You start looking at well, what are our potential needs?" Donnie Walsh said. "I think that's where this went down to in the sense that it was felt that in the immediate future, potentially, that shooting could become a problem for this team. So that was the reason for Anthony Roberson because that's what he can do."
The Knicks looked for but could not complete a two-for-1 trade. Walsh said he hopes Ewing Jr. will play in the NBA Development League and the Knicks can bring him back.
"I think he's got a great upside," Walsh said. "As he develops, he's going to be a valuable player both offensively and defensively. It's always painful because you have to let somebody go that's worked hard. And he did. He worked very hard and he played well. But it's a simple case of 15 vs. 16 and you've got to do something."
Walsh responded to a question about the fans' overwhelming desire to release Jerome James instead: "Let's put it this way: I have no background with Jerome James, except he did not play last year," Walsh said. "So I understand the fans thinking that. He is under contract to us and we honor all our contracts. So basically, he's in the position that I've had other players in on this team, which is go out and prove yourself because you didn't play last year. So, we have to see what you are before we know what to do. And there could be a place for him on this team. But it'll be up to him to prove it in practice and if he gets a chance to play in the games, play in the games."
My response:
10/27/2008 4:05 PM
