Getting rid of Charlie would be pure folly for several reasons.

1. The knicks are obviously retooling for a playoff run. If Isaiah was more concerned about the cap or the future, he wouldn't have made the weatherspoon move, because Moochie's contract actually extends the teams financial burden. Charlie makes other teams salivate because of his delicious contract, and his playoff savvy. Why would we give him up to another playoff hungry team when we're supposed to be geering up for a playoff run ourselves?

2. It's bad for team Karma. This team is more emotionally fragile and vulnerable than a 15 year old girl in R. Kelly's hotel suite. But they happen to be playing well right now. Very well. Trading a ten year team vet and locker room leader or releasing him in equally unceremonious fashion wouldn't exactly inspire the team that is desperate for inpiration.

3. Charlie is the best point guard on the team. Frankie is nice. Nicer than Charlie, younger, quicker, and a better ball handler and penetrator... at least over the last four games. It's impossible to guess what Frank will give you over the next twenty games. In all likelyhood, we'll see more good play for him, and hopefully in a month there won't even be a debate. But trading Ward leaves a confirmed bum in Eisley and two question marks at point guard. Not exactly a conforting thought preparing for a playoff run.



[Edited by - TRU on 01/02/2004 09:44:22]

Agree that Ward has value for knicks and other teams. We shouldn't dump him. But if we can get a good backup 2 for him who doesn't have a lousy contract (or at least not lousy beyond '05) we should jump. We still have structural problems. Too many 1's, too many 4's. If we can get move 1's or 4's and get a good back-up 2, it's worth doing, even with risk to Karma, especially if we can get younger and more athletic in the process.

Ratliff is injury prone - you want that on your team? Who knows what Isiah will come up with but hopefully its something good. I wouldnt mind seeing Dyess and Ward shipped off for someone who is quality and young.

Posted by simrud:

Relax, Ward is more of a playoff jinx then anything. Not like we ever won a title with him. And he sure as hell cost us some playoff games with boneheaded fells and inability to make the open shot. He does have value though, so it is better to trade him. An interesting idea would be to package him with Eisly to a team that needs a PG badly, badly enough to take that bum (Eisly). Then just let Moochie play backup to FW, if FW fails so do we. So there is really no point in planning for him not working out. Because face it, Eisly is a bum, Ward and Moochie are backups, so if FW is not the starter we are done, back to the lottery.

Just for the record... Charlie won us a couple playoff games with his D and shot, too

Charlie is a knick. If we trade him. it will tear this team up. I like what I see from Frank. but come play-offs we need experience. Especially at the point. There is only one move that makes sense right now. And believe me its a championship move. Isiah says he doesn't know what a knick is supposed to look like? Well Take a peak over at phoenix's point guard. There is your knick. I know all of you think its impossible. But thats the move.

PAckage anderson othella and any other non essential bench player for matching salary. Give phoenix our next 5 #1 draft picks. We'll play for a ring for the next 3- 4 years then the cap would ease itself and we would then be ready for more runs. I'm tellin you Starbury now!! Is the way to go. If you want a ring. or if you want to be ready in eight years, like some of you want.

The knicks will never be a 15 win team so lottery picks could be tough. We need shrewd drafting. to steal a diamond. and we need players who want to come. Most are afraid to have they're game exposed on Broadway but there must be some who want it.

Happy New years, peace.