bitty41 wrote:

can we use a little imagination? Donnie just traded JJ, Hill, 2011 swap and 2012 so that he would be in the 2 Max contract range for salary cap. Curry comes off in 2011 summer. Guys who are getting better really fast and who are at low contract #s: Gallo, Chandler, Douglas. Knicks have 1 piece of luggage on their team in Curry, CLE has like 5 pieces tied to them for 3 years min.

That's called flexibility. Which Cleveland has none of. For me, their team is just about maxed out in terms of "next moves" to make the team better.

I'm sorry but this reads like Knick fan bias. A team that is rebuilding is more attractive than a team that is a proven winner/contender? I'll never understand this logic a guy entering his prime years goes to a team that probably won't be done rebuilding until 2 years. I guess I do lack imagination.

You view cap flexibility as the goal when in actuality the goal is to get to the level of a Clev. Having the best record getting to NBA Finals/ Conference Finals. None of the elite teams in the NBA have cap flexibility but you know what they're still winning and to them winning is vast more important than Cap flexibility.

Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Bynum (when healthy). That team is good for another 3 years. LeBron brings Antoine Jamison, Mo Williams, Side Show Bob, Anthony Parker, and 2 guys that play like they are 40.

One team thinks it's a gun fight and the other brings knives (and has little room to upgrade). that's what I am talking about.

If you think LeBron wants to stay in Garnet (pre Boston)/Ewing territory, by all means, that's his decision.

martin wrote:

bitty41 wrote:

can we use a little imagination? Donnie just traded JJ, Hill, 2011 swap and 2012 so that he would be in the 2 Max contract range for salary cap. Curry comes off in 2011 summer. Guys who are getting better really fast and who are at low contract #s: Gallo, Chandler, Douglas. Knicks have 1 piece of luggage on their team in Curry, CLE has like 5 pieces tied to them for 3 years min.

That's called flexibility. Which Cleveland has none of. For me, their team is just about maxed out in terms of "next moves" to make the team better.

I'm sorry but this reads like Knick fan bias. A team that is rebuilding is more attractive than a team that is a proven winner/contender? I'll never understand this logic a guy entering his prime years goes to a team that probably won't be done rebuilding until 2 years. I guess I do lack imagination.

You view cap flexibility as the goal when in actuality the goal is to get to the level of a Clev. Having the best record getting to NBA Finals/ Conference Finals. None of the elite teams in the NBA have cap flexibility but you know what they're still winning and to them winning is vast more important than Cap flexibility.

Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Bynum (when healthy). That team is good for another 3 years. LeBron brings Antoine Jamison, Mo Williams, Side Show Bob, Anthony Parker, and 2 guys that play like they are 40.

One team thinks it's a gun fight and the other brings knives (and has little room to upgrade). that's what I am talking about.

If you think LeBron wants to stay in Garnet (pre Boston)/Ewing territory, by all means, that's his decision.

Funny you mention the Lakers when they traded for Gasol using expirings and signed Artest for the MLE while they were over the cap. This was just 2 years ago when people thought the Lakers were done and Kobe was begging for a trade.

martin wrote:

bitty41 wrote:

can we use a little imagination? Donnie just traded JJ, Hill, 2011 swap and 2012 so that he would be in the 2 Max contract range for salary cap. Curry comes off in 2011 summer. Guys who are getting better really fast and who are at low contract #s: Gallo, Chandler, Douglas. Knicks have 1 piece of luggage on their team in Curry, CLE has like 5 pieces tied to them for 3 years min.

That's called flexibility. Which Cleveland has none of. For me, their team is just about maxed out in terms of "next moves" to make the team better.

I'm sorry but this reads like Knick fan bias. A team that is rebuilding is more attractive than a team that is a proven winner/contender? I'll never understand this logic a guy entering his prime years goes to a team that probably won't be done rebuilding until 2 years. I guess I do lack imagination.

You view cap flexibility as the goal when in actuality the goal is to get to the level of a Clev. Having the best record getting to NBA Finals/ Conference Finals. None of the elite teams in the NBA have cap flexibility but you know what they're still winning and to them winning is vast more important than Cap flexibility.

Kobe, Artest, Gasol, Bynum (when healthy). That team is good for another 3 years. LeBron brings Antoine Jamison, Mo Williams, Side Show Bob, Anthony Parker, and 2 guys that play like they are 40.

One team thinks it's a gun fight and the other brings knives (and has little room to upgrade). that's what I am talking about.

If you think LeBron wants to stay in Garnet (pre Boston)/Ewing territory, by all means, that's his decision.

I think 3 years is generous but we'll see how things play out for the Lakers

I don't really understand the reference about bringing knives to a gunfight. Again I point to Clev success let's cut the bull**** if Lebron leaves Clev for NY it won't be because a Championship is at the forefront of his mind. Let's just stop the ridiculous notion that Lebron would leave Clev for a better basketball situation because that will be a bold-faced lie. The Knick have yet to show them serious about anything other than clearing cap space. Thus far they've made nothing but mediocre to downright ****ty moves and this does not point to a team looking to contend within 2, 3 years.

Terrible comparison Garnett in Minny wasn't even getting past the first round and didn't make the playoffs in some years yet you compare that to Lebron's Cavs that routinely win 55+ and have been to the Conference Finals 2x and NBA Finals.

bitty41 wrote:Clev holds on to Lebron and they manage to orchestrate a sign/trade deal with Phoenix for Stoudamire

Miami holds on to Wade and they manage to sign/trade for Bosh

NJ gets number 1 pick drafts John Wall and signs David Lee.

bitty41 wrote:

Hey, I made a blanket statement about Garnett and Ewing (but you understand the larger point I hope). But take it one step further: Do you really think that LeBron competes in as tough a conference as Garnett did during his full stay in Minny? I don't think so, and thus the disparity in how far each of them has gone in their playoffs. Different era, different supporting cast, different outcomes but same thing: short of rings.

That's a bad comparison I'm sorry Ewing had a very successful career in NY numerous wins in the playoffs great individual numbers and the Knicks were an elite team for a number of years. Compared to Garnett's Wolves which were at best a middle of the pack team so I'm sorry they are not comparable. I know some fans have this mindset that it's either you win a title or you don't no in between success. I happen to disagree with this mentality Ewing, Barkley, Malone, Stockton, or no less great individual players but they all were great players in their own right. Now putting up great numbers on a team that had mediocre or bad performances is a different thing entirely which imo is what Garnett did while in Minny.

Now as to Lebron you operate under two premises A. Clev cannot win a title and B. That Clev cannot improve their team. I think you are wrong on both fronts.

No worries. LeBron coming to NY this summer so your scenarios will never pan out anyway.