blkexec wrote:Rosey wrote:I wouldn't necessarily believe all these free agent rumors about who is targeting whom. Often, it's just agents trying to build up interests in their clients. We will know soon enough.
JR and Shumpert did help push the Cavs to the playoffs. They also revealed their level which proved to be inconsistent, streaky bench players.
They had value to Cleveland because of Lebron's strong leadership and a veteran locker room. It would not have worked here in NY. With their contract values, they had to go. Phil mentioned the need to change the Knicks culture. They need more guys with professional attitudes to establish that base (see Warriors with Livingston, Iggy, Lee, Barbosa - or Hawks with Elton Brand - or the entire Spurs team.) Then you add and develop real talent to that base. It does take time and good judgment. I heard that once Admundson and Lance Thomas came on board, team practices were a lot sharper and focused, even though those guys had no talent. JR and Shump were not long-term fits. Again, the issue is that Phil should have gotten more in return.
Try to get more and risk getting nothing!
It's a balancing act that GM's go through all the time.
Whats interesting is the injury to Kyrie and Love may have cost JR and Shump millions.
Because of their absence, it exposed JR/Shumps true value.
Good points by both...
I'm not a Yankee fan, but before they got Reggie Jackson I always considered him a good fielder, for some reason- perhaps because I never saw him play much and thought he had a good arm. When he was with the Yankess it was plain to see that he was a mediocre to average fielder at best, despite his flair for the dramatic.
We got to see Shump and JR playing on a regular basis and knew what their limitations were. We knew that Shump would have his moments but he could always revert to looking like a HS Senior on the court.
We saw what Smith could do with a guy like Kidd, and other vets, around to keep him focussed, but also saw him disappear after the incident in Boston, make many bad decisions as a player, even though he provided us with some excitemen
Shumpert and Smith have the kind of ability to be the kind of player Iggy was in the series but, as you guys said, they frequently become exposed when you give them too much responsibility.
EnySpree: Can we agree to agree not to mention Phil Jackson and triangle for the rest of our lives?
JR is like a race car that runs great until the last lap, every time. If JR were in the league for 2-3 years I might understand the willingness to defend him. Its going on 11 years in the league and JR is pushing 30. Ive seen enough.
6/18/2015 4:40 PM