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Finestrg
Posts: 27296
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 1/1/2006
Member: #1069
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First, this should be the plan moving forward - see if we're all on the same page:
(1) Hire Mark Jackson or Avery Johnson over Mike D'Antoni - both much better fits. D'Antoni, while sucsessful, always had far superior players and overall depth than anything the Knicks have in place. Mark Jackson is still my guy. He'll bring the NY hard-nosed approach, the accountability and professionalism that we need without any rediculous expectations that our fans will demand right off the bat from a more experienced coach. I love the lower expectations that will come with hiring him. Let him grow with this team through a rebuilding process.
(2) Shed longterm salary and refuse to take back additional salary past next season (2008/2009).
(3) If we don't get lucky in the lottery (big possibility) and wind up with the 5th pick, consider trading up (Minnesota).
(4) Acquire an additional pick in this draft, preferably in the 6-12 range.
(5) Acquire a consistent LEAD guard and a two-way big man even if it means drafting potential - a player that might not have an impact right away.
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Please forgive me, I should really wait until after the lottery comes out to see our draft position but I'm bored so here goes:
Scenario #1:
Eddy Curry and Pick #5 to Minnesota for Antoine Walker and Pick #3
First off, I do this to get Jerryd Bayless who won't be there at #5. Personally, I think Bayless is, if not the best player in this draft, probably the most sure thing out of any of these high-end lottery picks. And remember, Walsh did say that we can't afford to make a mistake with the pick and I agree with him. A dynamite offensive player that's NBA-ready right now, he has plenty of potential on the defensive end and as playmaker. I've heard the Monta Ellis comparisons, but to me, I think he has much more potential than that. At the very least I think he'll be no worse than Tony Parker - picture a Tony Parker-type only a better FT shooter and with legit three-point range. I'll take that for the next 12 seasons or so. Meanwhile, I'm not sold on Derrick Rose or OJ Mayo. Both are bigger and slightly stronger that Bayless but not nearly as NBA-ready imho. Rose in particular definitely has the potential and overall physical ability to one day be dominant, however I think there will be much more pressure on him to succeed as he comes with a temendous amount of hype. That could be tough..... Back to the trade, I think it gives Minnesota a chance to get a big man in Curry who's still young and believe it or not still has potential to play alongside the very well-rounded Al Jefferson. The Wolves, who do need a big man, then wouldn't feel pressure to blow there pick on a Brook Lopez who's solid at the college level but might never be great (I've read the Brad Daugherty comparisons and I'm not sure he'll even be that good). Maybe now they use #5 and go after Mayo themselves. A Randy Foye/OJ Mayo backcourt with Eddy Curry in the mix up front ain't too bad. Or maybe they use #5 on Anthony Randolph (how awesome could Curry with Jefferson and Randolph be???). Or maybe they gamble on a Euro with this guy Gallinari who looks like a player. As for us, we unload Curry's contract for a shorter one in Antoine Walker who's shot but has a contract that only runs through next season with a 10 mil. team option in 2009/2010. Then we just don't pick up the option. Not the best trade scenario in the world with regard to dealing Eddy Curry as I'd like a hell of a lot more in return but it's certainly realistic.
Scenario #2:
David Lee & Renaldo Balkman to Sacramento for Shelden Williams and pick #12
We know that the Kings liked Lee enough to make him available for Artest, a deal that all indications say Isiah was the one who turned down. Lee's double-double hustle might be just what the Kings' aging frontcourt needs in order to really make a move next season. They get to play Artest with Lee together, something I bet Geoff Petrie never thought possible in his talks with Isiah. And they get Balkman who only adds more defense, hustle and athleticism to what they already have in place which is a good center combo. in Brad Miller and young Spencer Hawes and plenty of firepower in the backcourt and on the wing. Defense and hustle wins games - look at the Spurs with Bruce Bowen and what he did to Paja the other night. The thought of playing Artest, Lee and Balkman in the same rotation is very intriguing - a combination that could give the opposition fits on a nightly basis. As for the Knicks, I'm with BRIGGS on Lee - not sure I'm willing to pay a role player 50-60 mil. to stay here. Not when the name of the game is clearing salary cap to put ourselves in the position to have a shot at a bigtime free agent sometime soon. And we get pick #12 which I'd turn into JaVale McGee. 7 footer, over a 7'6" wingspan, who can run the court, offensive rebound, block some shots and protect the rim and shoot it with range. Are you kidding me? Rediculous amount of talent. I don't care how far away he is from being NBA-ready, he's definitely worth a gamble with a pick around #12. If we got him and didn't want to rush him, maybe now we can use the D-league to develop a player for a change. Haven't seen a player come along quite like him since Marcus Camby. We try and get him in early for a workout and if all goes well give him a guarantee at #12. Hopefully this will put an end to further workouts, turning other teams off in the process. Now this is when I'd eventually bring in a Patrick Ewing - to work with a kid like McGee - I wouldn't even waste Pat's time bringing him in here to talk diets and exercise with Eddy Curry. Plus Shelden Williams still has a chance to be a decent player in this league. A bit of a bust so far (although he hasn't really gotten a lot of PT in the league yet), he's still a big boy, bigger than David Lee, capable of rebounding the ball, playing some post defense and blocking a shot or two - something Lee didn't do even on his best day.
[Edited by - finestrg on 05-10-2008 5:03 PM]
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