SUMMER OF THE BIG MAN

Authored by Ryan G. Robinson - 7th June, 2007 - 2:50am



This summer is a big step for the New York Knickerbockers.

After a dissapointing year, which will be capped off with them handing over another lotter pick to the Chicago Bulls (9th overall), it's clear that they need to clean up the roster, and add some much-needed defense (last in the league in blocked shots) by next season.


The Knicks don’t lack any scoring or talent, but the absence of any real inside/outside defense and no consistent rotation has held them back the past two seasons.


The Knicks newest hope, Eddy Curry, has established himself as an elite inside presence, but a poor shotblocker and rebounder, albeit an improving one. It would seem then that the struggling Knicks would keep their eye on three defensive linchpins - Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal, and Marcus Camby, who by all reports are suddenly ripe for the taking.


The Nuggets have four max players under contract (Nene, K-Mart, AI, and 'Melo), and Denver management appears ready to cut ties with Camby so as to save money on luxury tax. Detroit, having come off an embarassing show in the Eastern Conference Finals, may be ready to rebuild. And O'Neal has been rumoured to be the apple of the Lakers' eye recently, though it's said he may prefer the Big Apple.


All three will certainly be a key component for any team looking for a playoff push next season, or any team needing stronger defense for that matter.


The biggest prize of the three, of course, is Jermaine O'Neal, who has been an All-Star the past six seasons, and who has ties to Isiah Thomas dating back to their Indiana days.


Last season, O'Neal led the league in blocked shots, while putting up a respectable 19 points and 10 rebounds a game. And while he will come at a steep price, as alluded to by Pacers' GM Larry Bird, who has otherwise kept mum on the topic of trading their All-Star big man, he would certainly be worth it.


Any offer, of course, would start with the Knicks' sophomore sensation and fan favorite David Lee, or possibly Channing Frye, who still has value despite underachieving since his rookie campaign. A talented, albeit distracting Steve Francis, could also be included for salary purposes.


Knick of yesteryear Marcus Camby will surely attract interest from his former team. According to sources, however, the Nuggets are looking exclusively for players with expiring contracts, which could hurt the Knicks' chances of acquiring him since all of their players are signed through 2009 or later. A third team would most likely have to be involved in order to broker a deal for the 33 year old Defensive Player of the Year.


The third big man of the bunch, much maligned Bad Boy Rasheed Wallace, might be up for grabs if Pistons President Joe Dumars has anything to say about it. If the series against the Cavaliers was any indication, Detroit might actually be better off without the former All-Star's antics on the court. In fact the Pistons as a group
might be slowing down as well, not to mention that it's widely believed that resigning 30 year old Chauncey Billups to a max deal is not a certainty yet. And while Dumars and Knicks GM Isiah Thomas may not be ideal trading partners, one has to wonder if their longtime friendship may induce the two teams to tango this summer.


Whatever happens, it should be interesting to where each big man finds himself come August. And should the Knicks happend to land one of these defensive stalwarts, we might even see shades of the early 90’s “No Layup Rule" come next fall...

The moment Camby is traded to the Knicks. He trips at the press conference and is out for 10 months. Thus is the fate of Camby in a Knicks uniform.

Goddamnit! Is Malik STILL NOT expiring?! What a stupid trade that was!

JO is still the player that would have the most impact for this team. He has enough range to actually work on the floor with Curry. His ability to also hit midrange jumpers makes him a more versatile guy to have out there with Curry. Having Curry out there would also take some of the pressure off of JO. He wouldn't have to get beat up as much. Curry is built for all that contact. The presence of Balkman and Jeffries would allow us to move a DLee and absorb that just fine. I love his game, but I would understand that we'd have to give up something good to get a deal done. IF this is the course that Isiah wants to take i'd rather we go for JO, than Camby or Sheed.

Posted by Michael6835:

Somehow I feel JO is damaged goods waiting for some sort of surgery in which he comes here and then suits up for the rest of the year on the IR list.

he's still a better risk than Camby who's had a history of health problems & Sheed, who's inability to control himself on the court will undoubtedly lead to very costly technicals in crucial games... i think i'd get sick of Sheed's act real quick if he became a Knick... i can hardly stand him as it is as a Piston.

Posted by Panos:

Goddamnit! Is Malik STILL NOT expiring?! What a stupid trade that was!

I know right? We didn't need David Lee or Mardy Collins!! We shoulda kept Mohammed.

of the three- the most realistic is probably rasheed-

Nixluva is on CRACK if he thinks JO & Curry can co-exist on this team-

Just like Francis and Marbury could co-exist. YEA, RIGHT!

Actual- Camby has a reasonable deal.

Posted by TMS:

Sheed's skillset is probably the best match for Curry's skillset, but his attitude & antics make him highly questionable... i'd rather take a risk on Camby than bring Sheed in here... JO & Curry will have a problem coexisting since both players need the ball downlow to be effective.

but hey- practice would be great- on one team, Francis and JO, and on the other, Marbury and Curry.