Ben Gordon lobbying for New York?

The Westchester Journal published this piece today from a conversation with Mount Vernon native (and Bulls guard) Ben Gordon, when he was in town Monday for the Knicks win over the Bulls.

Gordon is a free agent this summer and says the pressure of playing for a new contract has been tough on him. But one mention of New York as a possible destination seemed to perk him up.

I tend to compare Gordon as very similar to Jamal Crawford. Both can be tough when they get hot. One-dimensional games, though, as my Fish Sticks buddy P-Botte always says, "It's a pretty damn good dimension to have."

The Knicks desperately need a shooter at the two spot, a guy who can set up as another perimeter target. But they also need someone who can defend in that spot. Gordon is somewhat undersized at he two, though Mike D'Antoni never seems concerned about size matchups, and, quite frankly, if playing for a contract has his game all messed up . . . what will playing in New York do to him?

Then again, if getting 20 a game and shooting 44.8 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from three-point range is rattled . . .

But would it be better to wait until 2010 and see what you can get out of the Dwyane Wade/Joe Johnson crop? Remember, Johnson played for D'Antoni in Phoenix in that 62-win season. The coaching staff loved him in their system. If the LeBron James dream isn't meant to be -- I wouldn't say longshot, but it's certainly no lock -- then a terrific consolation prize may be Johnson and Chris Bosh as a tandem. Put them with Duhon at the point, Gallinari at the three and David Lee at the four (Bosh would be the "five" in name, but obviously D'Antoni doesn't really designate his forwards as anything but forwards), with Wilson Chandler coming off the bench and a quality backup PG (if you don't keep Nate, that is) and that's not a bad seven.

Gordon's free agency comes a year too early for the Knicks, who would have to acquire him in a trade in order to sign him.

Posted by Nalod:


He is lobbying for contract this summer where there will be few offers at good money.

If he wants a one year audition that can be arranged.

We have our perimeter shooter and his name is Gallo.

Posted by EnySpree:

BTW.....I'd rather sign Flip Murray for waaaaaay cheap and probably get the same production and better defense and passing.

Posted by fishmike:

he's playing in QO. He has to approve a trade and if he does loses his bird rights.

His options will be very limited next season to resigning with the Bulls, a MLE contract or a sign and trade.

I think Ben would be Wade caliber player in MDAs offense

Posted by K22:

Posted by Cosmic:

Ben Gordon? LOL let's just trade back for Crawford while we're at it.

We did. Al Harrington.

Yep sure did. Year shorter. Better player. So I'll stomach chuckington in the grand scheme of things here.

Back in the day I would have traded Crawford for Gordon straight up for it'd be an upgrade. Now though? No thanks to Gordon the chucking midget.