Amare at least won't be 30 until 2012 but this is a guy who underwent two knee surgeries and has been in the NBA since right out of high school. A lot of wear and tear and I don't think he can carry a team without a PG like Nash.

Our plan B if no LeBron/Wade should be to resign Lee to a reasonable contract and then sit on the rest of our cap space. Use that leverage to get young players that other teams want to move (ie. like OKC did to get Eric Maynor), and monitor Chris Paul's situation in NOH. He's an unrestricted FA in 2012, but there's also a chance that NOH could implode before then, especially if they miss the playoffs this year and start off badly next season as well. That team is bordering luxury tax territory, and they're struggling financially. With our cap space + next year's expiring contracts, we can possibly pull off a Marbury like trade, where we get Chris Paul by taking on Okafor, and giving up some future picks and expendable youth.

scoshin wrote: With our cap space + next year's expiring contracts, we can possibly pull off a Marbury like trade, where we get Chris Paul by taking on Okafor, and giving up some future picks and expendable youth.

Any prospective CP3 trade now officially jinxed.

I'd also look to get Sergio Rodriquez (or our man Ricky) to run the show.

As much as the talent is dumped on by NBA insiders I really see New York developing into the perfect situation for his talents. Lebron loves to have the ball in his hands, he likes to kick the ball out, be aggressive and find the cutter.

Cleveland has Mo Williams and Hickson. That’s the extent of their young talent. They have a great defensive big and two many players on the team to add salary. They will probably get Troy Murphy which my make them more attractive during the offseason.

Hill-Improving athlete with a dead eye jump shot
Lee-All-Star facilitator, rebounder, finisher, solid jump shooter
Gallo-Versatile, assassin that is going to be unstoppable in two years
Chandler-elite finisher with defensive skills to guard three positions
Douglas-efficient three point shooter with good defensive skills
Nate- Knock the kid all you want put he is extremely efficient and can score on anyone, if he can be resign with Lee and adding Lebron

Jefferies-serves his purpose as a garbage man off the bench to add some defense

Mind you every single player is going to get better with the exception of Jefferies. You have the market, the stage, the talent, and cap space to burn one year later and add a max talent mid way through the season or at the end of the season.

NBA FINALS?

Why is that so far out of the question? Cleveland is finished without Lebron, the Celtics are a year older, the Hawks have their hands full with the Knicks already, which basically leaves the Magic and the Heat if they get a max player to sign there. So I think Lebron is coming

MS wrote:I’m looking at Lebrons options right now and I think the two best teams for him are Miami and New York. There is no way he goes out West with the emerging Thunder, Grizzles, and Trailblazer when healthy. He would have to get by the Lakers and Spurs as well.

As much as the talent is dumped on by NBA insiders I really see New York developing into the perfect situation for his talents. Lebron loves to have the ball in his hands, he likes to kick the ball out, be aggressive and find the cutter.

Cleveland has Mo Williams and Hickson. That’s the extent of their young talent. They have a great defensive big and two many players on the team to add salary. They will probably get Troy Murphy which my make them more attractive during the offseason.

Hill-Improving athlete with a dead eye jump shot
Lee-All-Star facilitator, rebounder, finisher, solid jump shooter
Gallo-Versatile, assassin that is going to be unstoppable in two years
Chandler-elite finisher with defensive skills to guard three positions
Douglas-efficient three point shooter with good defensive skills
Nate- Knock the kid all you want put he is extremely efficient and can score on anyone, if he can be resign with Lee and adding Lebron

Jefferies-serves his purpose as a garbage man off the bench to add some defense

Mind you every single player is going to get better with the exception of Jefferies. You have the market, the stage, the talent, and cap space to burn one year later and add a max talent mid way through the season or at the end of the season.

NBA FINALS?

Why is that so far out of the question? Cleveland is finished without Lebron, the Celtics are a year older, the Hawks have their hands full with the Knicks already, which basically leaves the Magic and the Heat if they get a max player to sign there. So I think Lebron is coming

I think people keep forgetting Lebron is only 25 yrs old. He can resign with Cleveland and have the last 2 years as option like Eddy Curry did. He'd only be 29 if he opted out. The problem with our lineup is isnt built to win championships. We'd steam roll teams in the regular season then get exposed in the playoffs.

Gallo has proven nothing
Hill has proven nothing
Chandler has proven nothing
Douglas has proven nothing

Mo Williams has shown consistency even when in Milwaukee. Varejao is also consistent with what he brings to the table nightly. Big Z was consistent when healthy as well. Plus those guys have went through their growing pains and know their role. I dont think Lebron wants to be on a young team mentoring guys. He wants to be able to rock and roll from day 1. That Cleveland team is ready to rock and roll for the next 4 years. Varejao (C/PF), James (SF/PF), Mo Williams (PG). While that current core isn't world beaters they seem to be effective together.

I personally see him remaining in Cleveland for the time being.

As much as I like David Lee, I just don't want to hinge the Knick's future on his inability to play defense. You can re-build on the fly and keep him with Lebron, though I'd like to get a Bosh or Amare to run with Lebron.

I just think that if Lebron signs elsewhere, and you can get some young talent in a sign and trade that takes back 2011 expirings, that the 2011 free agency market looks better than the rest of the pack of 2010 free agents.

2012 looks like the best of the three... potentially with Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant...

EwingsGlass wrote:The topic considers a NY without Lebron. Not a recitation of the reasons why Lebron chooses NY (most of which I agree with).

As much as I like David Lee, I just don't want to hinge the Knick's future on his inability to play defense. You can re-build on the fly and keep him with Lebron, though I'd like to get a Bosh or Amare to run with Lebron.

I just think that if Lebron signs elsewhere, and you can get some young talent in a sign and trade that takes back 2011 expirings, that the 2011 free agency market looks better than the rest of the pack of 2010 free agents.

2012 looks like the best of the three... potentially with Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant...

i think u can take Durant & Kobe out of consideration... there's no way OKC & LA don't lock them up to max extensions before they hit free agency.

Knixkik wrote:I want to see the MIA/NYK rivalry days come back with the Knicks having a core of LeBron, Lee, Gallo vs. Wade, Bosh, Beasley. It will make the NBA great again. Top 3 vs. top 3 it's pretty even...

I think you are on crack. Lee doesn't play defense. Simply put, I think Wade/Bosh is much better than Lebron/Lee and we'd be lucky to call Gallo vs Beasley a wash. Regardless, both scenarios seem very likely, so that 2011 additional max FA must be worthwhile... I'll point out that Chandler is a RFA in 2011 so keeping him would inhibit any ability to get that second max FA.

EwingsGlass wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I want to see the MIA/NYK rivalry days come back with the Knicks having a core of LeBron, Lee, Gallo vs. Wade, Bosh, Beasley. It will make the NBA great again. Top 3 vs. top 3 it's pretty even...

I think you are on crack. Lee doesn't play defense. Simply put, I think Wade/Bosh is much better than Lebron/Lee and we'd be lucky to call Gallo vs Beasley a wash. Regardless, both scenarios seem very likely, so that 2011 additional max FA must be worthwhile... I'll point out that Chandler is a RFA in 2011 so keeping him would inhibit any ability to get that second max FA.

I would take Gallo over Beasley!!

umynot wrote:Get Lebron and wait one year for Melo!!

They Played way too good together in the Olympics.....

Melo is an East Coast boy and has rocked the Garden out since HS....... Killed it here in College!!

WOW that would def mean multiple titles!!

if we get Lebron i don't think Melo would be a great fit to be honest... i'd much rather have Bosh or Amare than Melo to play next to Lebron just for the balance... i don't think u can just stick 2 great players together & expect to win championships... BOS did it right when they got KG & Ray Allen to play with Pierce, all 3 of those guys complement one another perfectly & they played their roles on the team to perfection... Kobe & Shaq were the perfect 1-2 punch... if we miss out on Lebron this year, then definitely i'd go after Melo in 2011.