The time has arrived for Jackie Butler to join the starting squad...We have Bruno on the bench, but he is not playing, why waiste a spot that can be wisely utilized???? This young kid has been around for almost a month now, he should be well aclimated by now...He is a mistery to all of us fans, and I am curious to see what he can bring...Have him backup Kurt Thomas for 10 minutes til the end of the season, and we will know for sure whether or not he is worthy...

Honestly, I do believe that Kurt is still to be blamed for our youths improper development...He is playing well, and as a result, the front office doesn't see the need for an upgrade at that department, which in my opinion is aberation...They really need to stop dreaming....get rid of the old and move on with the new...

Posted by gunsnewing:

Agreed. the Miami game was the final straw. Time to play all the young players and see if they are the future.

How many games left..just over 20?

but being as this teamd does everything backwards it wouldn't surprise me if it tskes up to the last 4 games of the season for us to see finally se Butler since they still believe they can make the playoffs with this atrocious squad!

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 03/17/2005 07:31:03]

I disagree with the notion about the Mo's deal...I for one think that it was a great deal, I just wanted it to be for Kurt instead...We will see Mo's true value next season once Kurt is off of our roster, that is if Isiah finds the heart to trade him...In all atuality, a decision will have to be made about Kurt or Sweetney...We will have to either trade Kurt to make room for our new Center and to free up the PF position...or trade Sweetney and keep Kurt as our starting PF...At least, if we trade Sweetney and keep Kurt, we will endup with the one two punch that we need at that position...Kurt doesn't have a postup game, but Mo does...One thing is for sure they will both produce if need be....Bottom line is between Kurt and Sweetney, one of them will have to go to help us improve our frontline...

my gutt feelings wants to trade Sweetney because he is younger and can bring in a better draft pick, but Kurt is more expensive and has already created a name for himself in this league...Since we will need to trim our payroll, I would say trade Kurt, also because he is a Layden type of player, he needs to go..

Posted by MS:

Its very hard to be optimistic about this kid, but he is a project he comes cheap and he is not going to hurt us, so we might as well just wait and see what we have.....

Isiah decision to trade for Mo is one of the dumbest in the NBA this year....

We can't use our mid-level, and its going to be hard to get any rookie any minutes.....But if Houston was healthy right now and starting with Crawford coming off the bench i don't think their is one team in the east we couldn't beat. If TT played like this all season we would have been in business

I don't know about the Magic since they have fired Davis...The eigth seed is not going to be easy to get...there will be at least five teams fighting for that position....The Knicks have a pretty good chance at getting in and eliminate whomever they play....It is now evident that we can play with the Heat. Who knows, maybe we will be the to surprise a lot of people..

What a question Fish? Bruno...

Posted by fishmike:

Start Butler?!?!?! Havent you noticed? Mike Sweetney doesnt even get starters minutes because we have Mo Taylor now and you want Butler to get real time? Who's going to go on IR? We are thin at guard...

JB to the rescue anyone???? Sundov should and will be place on IR no later than next week....

Posted by fishmike:

you dont get it. Why would a 19 year old frontcourt player get minutes when Sweetney can hardly break 20? We have MO TAYLOR now. Be greatfull, as someone said around here "the guy's a baller"

no fish, you don't "get it"

don't you realize we have to get a 29 year old soft non defensive player PF that likes to shot incorporated into the rotation of a 26 win team? i mean seriously, sweets makes 1/5 the salary so it's pretty much common knowledge that he should 1/5 the minutes. i mean seriously, what team have you been watching the past few years??!!?!?

Another player that Zeke should pick-up is James Lang.

Here is his profile from NBADraft.net

James Lang
Birthdate:
NBA Position: Center
College:
Class: HS Senior
Ht: 6-11
Wt: 305
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
High School: Central Park Christian
2002 Stats


Strengths: Has size and explosiveness. Lang is a wide-bodied post player who tips the scales at around 305 lbs. Will be able to bang in the league right away. Body could use some toning and trimming but it doesn't stop him from hurting those in his way. Plays with a tenacity that coaches beg for in their bigmen. Will be a force in the league in a few years. Surprisingly athletic and mobile for his size. Has no problem running the floor, as his stamina has greatly improved. Has great hands and utilizes his size effectively in the post. Has shown the ability to consistently score down low. Attacks the rim with a mean-streak that few players have. An excellent rebounder especially on the offensive end.

Weaknesses: At 305 lbs. Lang could still stand to lose some weight. Jump shot is nonexistent past 12 feet. Shooting touch must improve. Needs to play more consistently to be a major factor at the next level. His defense needs to be a little better as he will get in foul trouble because he plays too hard at times. Footwork can improve the most and take him to another level. College would benefit his long term potential, however, it's uncertain if he will decide to go that route.

Notes: One year ago Lang weighed around 350 lbs. With a strict diet and a lot of training, he showed his desire to improve by dropping down to 280 this summer before gaining some of it back. Was the third leading shot-blocker during the 2002 ABCD All-American camp

Gotta gove this kid a break. We still have 1 more spot left as practice fodder.

Did'nt people say Ariza was YEARS away from contributing if ever to?