[url=http://www.nysun.com/article/16570]In Free-Agent Feeding Frenzy, Knicks Are Shopping for Scraps[/url]

As for Brown, you might want to sit down before you read this. The Knicks supposedly want to give Sweetney to the Wizards so they can do a sign-and-trade for Brown. This is rumor, not fact, so we should give Isiah the benefit of the doubt. But if he does pull the trigger on such a ridiculous trade, James Dolan should find the pinkest slip in his possession and slide it under Isiah's door, taking care to cut the phone line before Thomas can execute any more deals.

Sweetney averaged 17.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per 40 minutes last year and led the Knicks with a 53.1% shooting mark. Brown, meanwhile, slumbered through the year with 12.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per-40 minutes, and was kicked off the team in the playoffs because of his lackadaisical attitude. Sound like a fair swap? And while some still gush over Brown's potential, keep in mind that Sweetney is actually seven months younger.

...

But Sweetney for Brown? Adding Antoine Walker? These aren't the kind of moves that a team serious about rebuilding should even be considering. One wonders if Isiah won't again short-circuit the process in a grab for immediate gratification, much as he did with the acquisitions of Marbury and Tim Thomas two years ago.

i agree 100% with this.

I agree in principal that Sweetney is better right now than Kwame. But I think Kwame's potential is higher than Sweetney's, especially on the defensive side. I think Kwame fits the vision Zeke has for this team better and I could see a winning team starting Kwame at PF. I really can't see a winning team starting Sweetney. He's fine off the bench, but I really can't see him starting. This team needs a starting PF. I think Kwame is the best, most realistic option for the starting PF slot.

I disagree with the arguments made. First off, production is as much a result of the team you are on than the talent level of the player. Just because Sweetney puts up better numbers doesn't make him the better player, it just says his team allows him to be more productive. Secondly, the article states that Sweetney possibly has more potential because he is actually younger, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Brown has a lot more potential without a doubt because of his physical tools. He is a big, athletic player with loads of potential. Sweetney has good skills, but is not real tall, not real athletic, and isn't nearly as good of a prospect. I don't care about Brown's attitude. If this deal is possible you have to make it, because you are getting the better prospect who fills a need as well.

That writeup is such a joke, to compare two different players and use one scale for one and use another scale for another is absolutely biased. The guy who wrote this has a certain agenda and he's making sure that everyone knows what it is. How can you compare one player using his stats as *per 48 minutes* and the other player with his season averages. The author stated that Sweetney 17.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per 48, now if the author had done things right he would have next wrote that Kwame averaged 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per 48 instead of giving Kwame's season averages.

The fact is, we don't know yet whether or not Sweetney will ever be able to play more then 30 minutes a game becuase of his weight issues and we don't know if Kwame is going to keep his head on straight, too me they are both big risks but I'll take the risk of Kwame over Sweetney becuase I think Kwame has a better chance to be something really special and while I like Sweetney alot, I just don't see him being the bigtime powerforward we're hoping, I think he'll be good but not all-star good... just an opinion though.

[Edited by - nyk4ever on 07/06/2005 12:06:22]

Posted by nyk4ever:

How can you compare one player using his stats as *per 48 minutes* and the other player with his season averages. The author stated that Sweetney 17.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per 48, now if the author had done things right he would have next wrote that Kwame averaged 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per 48 instead of giving Kwame's season averages.

[Edited by - nyk4ever on 07/06/2005 12:06:22]

Check your numbers again. Hollinger's numbers are per *40* minute averages, not per *48*.

Sweetney is 17.2/11.1
Kwame is 12.3/9.2

Check them yourself:

http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/p40_Wizards.htm
http://www.knickerblogger.net/stats/p40_Knicks.htm

Posted by KnickerBlogger:
You only have to look at our own Tim Thomas to see that physical ability doesn't necessarily translate into an NBA career.

That's exactly the way I see Kwame - TT Part 2.

I look at it this way, Isiah is GM, he should be given latitude on this last change of course. I dont agree with pick 8, but I agree with what he has been trying to do. I am going to give him the space to do what he wants for the next two years. The big red flags to me are any aqcuistion of A Walker OR Frye performing in a medicore fashion. If he wants to get rid of steph or pick up Kwame, he has my vote.

Isiah is a hell of a talent evaluator, he will pick the right guy for our squad. I can almost guaranty you that he will come out with someone other than Kwame....

Posted by BRIGGS:

I look at it this way, Isiah is GM, he should be given latitude on this last change of course. I dont agree with pick 8, but I agree with what he has been trying to do. I am going to give him the space to do what he wants for the next two years. The big red flags to me are any aqcuistion of A Walker OR Frye performing in a medicore fashion. If he wants to get rid of steph or pick up Kwame, he has my vote.

I agree... which is why Vin Baker and Mo Taylor had me scratching my head.

Reason why Sweetney was always in foul trouble is because he was trying to show the coaches that he was worthy to be on the court. He wasn't confident of his playing time, because everytime he does something wrong, he gets yanked by Lenny. The kid couldn't operate freely...However, once he knew that he was a permanent starter, his fouls improved...

Posted by eViL:

Posted by TMS:

these per 40 minute stats crack me up...players who can't stay on the floor & have to resort to using per 48 minute stats are those that aren't starting calibre to begin with.

Sure, it's not cool that Sweetney would consistently find himself in foul trouble, but foul trouble is a correctable problem. I remember KT had some serious problems with foul trouble when he first became a Knick. He managed to overcome that after a few seasons.