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diderotn
Posts: 25657
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 4/15/2004
Member: #650
USA
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New York Knicks
2004-2005 Division Finish: 4th
Projected 2005-2006 Opening Night Lineup
Centers
Starter: Jerome James (2010)
Reserves: Channing Frye (2010)
The Breakdown: James was paid because he played decent, not great, in one playoff series. All those who truly think this guy can play more than 20 minutes a night for 82 games and not embarrass himself, I’d love to know why. Frye has work to do before considering him a future starter, let alone a future star. Pacific 10 basketball fans will tell you that he was pushed around by Ike Diogu and David Paris. He needs to work on his inside positioning before people start anointing him the big man of the future.
Centers from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2007-2008 roster: 2
Centers from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2009-10 roster: 2
5 Year Power Forward Outlook: D
The Bottom Line: James is not going to live up to that deal. No chance. And it is going to hurt, bad, come 2007-2008 when Isiah realizes he overpaid for an old, immobile (On and off the court) stiff. Frye needs to show me something before this grade improves.
Power Forwards
Starter: Mike Sweetney (2008)
Reserves: Malik Rose (2009), Maurice Taylor (2007), David Lee (2010)
The Breakdown: I always wondered what would happen if Sweetney was ever given a real chance to stay in the starting lineup. The team always seems to play better when he is on the court, and the numbers back that up. Using him as trade bait for Curry would be a bad idea. Lee was underrated at Florida, I hope he gets a chance to develop. He could be a cheap option in the future, if that occurs.
Power Forwards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2007-2008 roster: 2 (Lee and Rose)
Power Forwards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2009-10 roster: 1 (Lee)
5 Year Power Forward Outlook: C
The Bottom Line: They won’t be paying much after Rose leaves, but I think Sweetney ends up getting dealt sooner rather than later. Lee needs a shot.
Small Forward
Starter: Quentin Richardson (2010)
Reserves: Tim Thomas (2006), Trevor Ariza (2006)
The Breakdown: What do you think about Richardson? If you like him, you think the Knicks are set. If you don’t, you’re laughing at the fact that this guy is due over $8 million per for 4 years starting next season. I’m in the middle, and I wonder what Larry Brown will do the second Q starts lobbing 3’s from 27 feet in the middle of the 3rd quarter and the Knicks down 8. Ariza is fun to watch, Thomas is an albatross who is movable at the deadline.
Small Forwards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2007-2008 roster: 2 (Q and Ariza)
Small Forwards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2009-10 roster: 2
5 Year Small Forward Outlook: B
The Bottom Line: I don’t mind Richardson right now, but he can easily turn this into an F if he doesn’t buy into Brown. Nothing like another trey chucking maniac to add to the two that man the backcourt. They need to keep Ariza after this year.
Shooting Guards
Starter: Jamal Crawford (2011)
Reserves: Allan Houston (2007), Penny Hardaway (2006)
The Breakdown: Crawford, on the other hand, I don’t need to ask about. I’ve seen enough of him to know that he is utterly useless, in relation to his salary. You are telling me, Knick fan, that you are comfortable with your team on the hook for $10 million plus in 2010-2011? For a guy who plays a style of the game that gets unspeakably worse with age? I’d love to know how. Houston, Penny, they should make for some damn fine trade bait for a team thinking they need the cap space in the next few seasons to make a run at Amare Stoudamire, Vlad Radmonivic, Eddy Curry, Chris Bosh or LeBron James. I can already see Isiah trading Houston to the Lakers for Kwame Brown next spring.
Shooting Guards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2007-2008 roster: 1 (Crawford)
Shooting Guards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2009-10 roster: 1
5 Year Shooting Guard Outlook: D
The Bottom Line: Crawford is an F, but the possible bounty Isiah could get from Houston or Penny saves this. I believe those two potential deals, along with a Mo Taylor trade, will define Isiah’s Knick legacy.
Point Guards
Starter: Stephon Marbury (2009)
Reserves: Nate Robinson (2010)
The Breakdown: As great as Marbury thinks he is, his contract still ties down the chances of Nate Robinson becoming the breakout star he looked like in the Summer League. Brown and Isiah might come to blows over Marbury’s playing time if Robinson shows something in limited minutes early in the season. Marbury gets a bad rap in many places, but I feel he is invaluable to the Knicks. Put an average replacement in his place, and this is probably the worst team in basketball.
Point Guards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2007-2008 roster: 2
Point Guards from 2005-06 roster that will be on the 2009-10 roster: 1 (Robinson)
5 Year Point Guard Outlook: B
The Bottom Line: Just hope the Robinson is the real deal and Marbury gets along with Brown.
Front Office
General Manager: Isiah Thomas
Head Coach: Larry Brown
The Breakdown: This is going to be fun, but I think Larry lasts two seasons before his head nearly explodes on the sidelines.
Will the Thomas/Brown duo exist to start the 2007-2008 season? No (Brown gone)
Will the Thomas/Brown duo exist to start the 2009-10 season? No (Both gone)
The Future
Projected Finish in 2005-2006 Atlantic Division: 3rd
Projected Finish in 2007-2008 Atlantic Division: 5th
Projected Finish in 2009-2010 Atlantic Division: 5th
Future Outlook Final Grade: D
The Bottom Line: I’m waiting, Knicks fans. Please, tell me how great Isiah is and what a difference Brown will make. The Knicks will sneak into the playoffs this year, get smashed by either Miami or Indiana and begin a precipitous fall.
http://www.realgm.com/src_twoplusthefoul/70/20050924/the_next_five_years_of_the_atlantic_division/
The true Knickabocker..........
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9/28/2005 8:33 AM
