They are adequate defenders especially Balkman and excellent rebounders. Put Frye in the post and build around those 3 players.

NO. Curry is a dominant force in the paint, Frye has yet to show that.

i really think with the right mentoring Frye can turn into an excellent low post scorer

edit: oops forgot to comment on Lee/Balks. yeah I definitely see Lee working on that jumper in the offseason. he was knocking about 1-2 of them down per game early in the season, and I remember the very first shot, or one of the first, he took in the first Summer league game was a pull up 15-footer and it was all net. then he stopped taking them in the regular season. but he already improved his FT% by what, 20%+ in the offseason, so I expect his jumper is next on the list, that just leaves his defense. Balkman needs to work on his Jumper too, plus maybe put some muscle on so he can A) work in the post and B)take contact and finish. they kind of complement each other already, both are rebounding machines, but Balk is a better defensive player and lee offensive at this point. both are fearless, non stop motion players. I'm telling you... brothers from another mother!

[Edited by - highfivesucka on 03-20-2007 11:18 PM]

Careful what you wish for. Right now one of Lee's greatest attributes is his offensive rebounding. Last thing I want is him floating and waiting for his turn.

Posted by BlueSeats:

Careful what you wish for. Right now one of Lee's greatest attributes is his offensive rebounding. Last thing I want is him floating and waiting for his turn.

Actually if Frye wass in the post I'd want D-Lee on the weakside rebounding baseline and Balkman near the elbow/stripe. Curry needs a 1-way ticket out of here.

i think the opposite would be true... if Lee & Balkman were to develop jumpers, that would make Curry all the more valuable to have in the low post to draw double teams & opening up scoring opportunities for them guys... as it is teams are ignoring Jefferies, Balkman, Malik, Lee & Mardy when they're on the floor w/Curry because none of them can knock down a jumpshot w/any consistency.

no curry isn't expendable, he becomes that much better.

a front line built around curry with lee and frye being consistent shooters from mid range and lee and balkman being energetic rebounders, i think that'd be steps in the right direction. there are at least pieces in place on the frontline, who are the young guns in the backcourt?

starbury is old
q, please, he's literally i'd say a back tweak from retiring.
francis is old
nate sucks

crawford is hurt but i like him so that leaves one guy who is insanely and maddeningly inconsistent

still, Lee and Frye being consistent from mid range, combined with Lee and Balkman on the boards and Balkman's energy on defense, and that is a MAJOR step in the right direction.

Posted by BigSm00th:

no curry isn't expendable, he becomes that much better.

a front line built around curry with lee and frye being consistent shooters from mid range and lee and balkman being energetic rebounders, i think that'd be steps in the right direction. there are at least pieces in place on the frontline, who are the young guns in the backcourt?

starbury is old
q, please, he's literally i'd say a back tweak from retiring.
francis is old
nate sucks

crawford is hurt but i like him so that leaves one guy who is insanely and maddeningly inconsistent
still, Lee and Frye being consistent from mid range, combined with Lee and Balkman on the boards and Balkman's energy on defense, and that is a MAJOR step in the right direction.

That's the billion dollar question surrounding this team. For all our strong young talent, we have zippo in the backcourt. The only thing you said that I disagree with is that you like Crawford (but at least admit he is ridiculously inconsistent). Crawford is not the kind of player you want on a winning team. Consistency is what separates the ordinary players from the greats. Crawford is one of the most inconsistent players I have ever seen. He's sort of like a pitcher who constantly has one great outing followed by a bunch of horrendous outings. Would you want him in your rotation if your goal was to get to the World Series? Of course not.

Simply put, Crawford hurts us more than he helps.

Isiah has to do whatever he can this summer to improve the backcourt. Q must be considered a nonfactor. I like the guy's game, but unfortunately, we can't count on him.

ernie cat --

fair enough re: crawford. if the play is to move the guy, then i'm all for it. i still think a structured offense with a legit PG and crawford coming off the bench (and actually embracing the role so his #'s dont fall off) would be ideal for everyone involved.

starks was pretty inconsistent, his offnight cost the knicks the finals against the rockets. it seems like crawford is just such an extreme, eithre he's 20 of 30 and joining the 50 point club or going 3 of 18 and costing the knicks.

intensity on the defensive side of the ball or any type of consistency and i'd venture crawford's one of the better swingmen in the league.

though i do admit, asking for that much, at this point in his career, might be a stretch.

where do the knicks go though? they must improve through the draft and smart trades. you simply can't get a legitimate point or 2 for the MLE or a bargain price.

they will probably have 2 picks in the top 40, in what people say is the deepest draft ever. can they package both of those and someone (crawford, frye, nate, a combo of the 3?) for either a lotto pick or a player (ron artest?) who could come in who is young enough to help this team while realizing it'll be 2-3 years before they're on a level where they can utter the word championship? thats the direction i'd look. i don't want another 5-year $30 million albatross of a jared jeffries coming in here and taking up a roster spot its just not smart management

Posted by Bonn1997:

Yes, but he's also expendable if they don't develop jumpers!

we need a franchise changer like Erick Dampier.

If they develop jumpers i think we can win a championship no fooling around, they are that good at doing the little things, Balkman is a great passer. How many teams have a top 5 rebounder at their respective position

Curry really is a lump of shot out there he never moves his feet ever, men constantly go into the paint, I would rather have the Mavs combo because at least they protect the rim......

If we can add a shooter and perhaps package crawford and frye to get jeff green i think we are building towards somehting, guys that do a little of everything are hard to find