CrushAlot wrote:Nice write up from the Toronto Star on the young guys:

Despite all that, amidst the squalor, there are some positives. Former Raptor Andrea Bargnani, for instance, has been playing pretty good lately. He had a fine showing in the Knicks’ upset victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs last week, with 16 points and 10 rebounds (only his second double-double on the season). He has averaged more than 17 points per game since joining the starting lineup in February.

Point guard Alexey Shved has also put up some decent stats of late, averaging more than 16 points per game over the last 10 contests, while Langston Galloway, an undrafted rookie picked up by the Knicks in January, is just one of two active first-year players netting more than 10 points per game this season (the other is No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins).

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/03/21/knicks-bring-their-disastrous-season-to-toronto.html

At least there are some positives to look at in this lost season. A few players who can contribute going forward. There's still some upside on Shved and Galloway. Amundson has been a good role player. Cole has also been playing hard. If Cole could work on his post moves a bit more he's a pretty good big off the bench.

Tim Hardaway Jr has gotten more playing time but is still an inconsistent shooter playing nearly inexistant defense.

This why the Knicks have the opportunity to trade Jose Calderon and Tim Hardaway Jr to Charlotte for Lance Stephenson. The NY native would bring energy, athleticism and defence to the big apple and he’s got the personality to play in Gotham.

Then go hard to bring in BOTH Monroe and deandre Jordan at $11 mill each.

The back court is solid with shved and Galloway. Add Stephenson and bring up thanasis the two bugs and we contend.

Stephenson led the league in triple doubles last year and I think he's 23 years old.

Thanasis is solid.

I think Monroe is my fave due to defense. Do we have enough cap space to get both Monroe and deandre?

I mean. It's possible I think. I could see $26 mill getting both especially if recruited together after we got Stephenson.

babyKnicks wrote:I think we could pull it off. For some reason I think Stephenson is the go to move and even if you e only got one of those bigs we are back in it.

Stephenson led the league in triple doubles last year and I think he's 23 years old.

Thanasis is solid.

I think Monroe is my fave due to defense. Do we have enough cap space to get both Monroe and deandre?

I mean. It's possible I think. I could see $26 mill getting both especially if recruited together after we got Stephenson.

babyKnicks wrote:I admit to dreaming. But it would be bonkers him running with melo. Against Cleveland to boot. I keep reading love is not gonna resign. Love, Monroe or Jordan plus Stephenson and melo put us in the mix. What about whatshisname from Indiana. The center. Escapes me.

hibbert

CrushAlot wrote:Just saw this on twitter:

Chris Reichert ‏@Chris_Reichert · 3h3 hours ago
Thanasis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. He's one of the best wing shot blockers around

Lamb had 26 to lead the W-Knicks. Khem Birch had 11 pts., 16 boards and 2 blocks. He might be my on deck guy for that last roster spot if Ledo doesn't work out.

stop with that negativity BS ... of course Ricky Ledee will work out.

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Just saw this on twitter:

Chris Reichert ‏@Chris_Reichert · 3h3 hours ago
Thanasis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. He's one of the best wing shot blockers around

Lamb had 26 to lead the W-Knicks. Khem Birch had 11 pts., 16 boards and 2 blocks. He might be my on deck guy for that last roster spot if Ledo doesn't work out.

stop with that negativity BS ... of course Ricky Ledee will work out.

Another guy that should be considered if something opens up is Tim Frazier. He played well with the Sixers earlier this year.

Chris Reichert ‏@Chris_Reichert · 3h3 hours ago
Tim Frazier finished with 13 points and 16 assists in the Red Claws win. Vision is so good; sees things two steps ahead.

I would love if we played many more of these guys. We know what Jason Smith, Bargs, Larkin and Cole can do already.

TPercy wrote:Do you guys view Cole as a keeper?

yes ... he affects the game positively in many ways.

He needs to have much better shot selection and better conditioning.

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

TPercy wrote:Do you guys view Cole as a keeper?

yes ... he affects the game positively in many ways.

He needs to have much better shot selection and better conditioning.

Did you guys see the Minny game? He didn't tire like he usually does and he played with a lot more energy on both ends of the floor. I am hoping that is related to having Lou around as that guy has to go all out all the time to stay in the league but it might have just been one game.

I did and he did seems less zapped.

I like him a lot but he has things to fix.

He is a very good rebounder

A very good passer

And an intimidating defender

He is smart and I hope that he puts it together.

CrushAlot wrote:Just saw this on twitter:

Chris Reichert ‏@Chris_Reichert · 3h3 hours ago
Thanasis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. He's one of the best wing shot blockers around

Lamb had 26 to lead the W-Knicks. Khem Birch had 11 pts., 16 boards and 2 blocks. He might be my on deck guy for that last roster spot if Ledo doesn't work out.

There's only about 13 games to go or something I think. I'd like to see them sign Ledo for the rest of the year. I think Fish is waiting to get one full practice under his belt before rolling him out there. He did that with Shved...Khem Birch is a guy I'd like to see them bring in for Summer League. I like him too. Octavius Ellis from Cincinnati reminds me of Birch..

CrushAlot wrote:

mreinman wrote:

TPercy wrote:Do you guys view Cole as a keeper?

yes ... he affects the game positively in many ways.

He needs to have much better shot selection and better conditioning.

Did you guys see the Minny game? He didn't tire like he usually does and he played with a lot more energy on both ends of the floor. I am hoping that is related to having Lou around as that guy has to go all out all the time to stay in the league but it might have just been one game.

ALDRICH IS A KEEPER, but not because he of what he does on or off the court
Because he is the link to us having the FULL 6m MLE, as we own his early bird rights
In fact, we probably should NOT give him any chance to break out and keep his minutes down, so we can have the leverage to low ball him and be the only team willing to give him the most money, with the other years being unguaranteed or even partial guaranteed for first year only
I do not care if he isn't worth 3m - 5m, but by giving him such a contract, we can go over the cap space, and have the FULL 6m MLE to use on ONE PLAYER or DIVIDE it up and use on as many contracts as we want on 3-4year deals
So by keeping his options limited, we can choose to pay him a contract from 2m to 3m or a multiyear deal like 5m for 3years, just as long as it is enough to put us over the cap in order to use the MLE
It works only because we own his early bird rights and because his cap hold is for the vet min, it could work for someone like Acy as well but would rather have insurance with Aldrich, as Acy would be a RFA this summer

Aldrich could play, for the most part, when he gets CONSISTENT minutes, he produces
He can be a SPOT starter when needed due to injuries

While he is still young and has good size, hustles, and has improved all aspects of his game since his time here
Unlike Jeremy Tyler, who came in to camp out of shape, when he has been cut twice prior already, knowing Phil Jackson is looking for certain skill sets to fit in and execute in the Triangle
While Tyler has all the potential in the world, he must just doesn't seem to grasp that being in the NBA is a luxury, despite being cut twice already and being on a unguaranteed contract
I hope he gets another shot as the kid does have a nice combination of skills and physical talents and this time he must work 150% and continue to work hard and earn his minutes/opportunities