Lampe may be steal of deal
Tim Tyers and Bob Young / Arizona Republic

Chad Ford Rehash

Lampe the steal of the deal?
Now that Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni has had a chance to look at new center Maciej Lampe, he's wondering aloud why the Knicks ever agreed to give him up.

"I really like him. He has a lot of talent," D'Antoni told the Arizona Republic. "This kid is going to be really good. He just needs more age. As a coach, I know I can give him more years. We'll just have to wait awhile. But he has all the skills.

"He needs to get stronger (upper body) and get experience. He has some things that you can't teach, like a feel for the game and shooting ability. It's a lot easier to wait and let him mature than it is to reconstruct the game. He already has the game."

How does he compare with another former Suns "project," center Jake Tsakalidis?

"We're talking Mars and Venus," D'Antoni said. "We're talking about two different planets. This guy has unbelievable skills. I liked Jake, but Jake was more robotic. This guy is a basketball player. You can't teach the talent he has."

Given the Knicks' need, long term for a center, the inclusion of Lampe in the deal was curious. According to sources, Thomas essentially gave away Lampe after Suns GM Bryan Colangelo inquired.

"Isiah didn't like him. Period," one source told Insider. "He didn't really value him. He gave him away. The Suns would've made the deal without Lampe. I think he made a huge mistake. Down the road, Lampe could've been the answer for them in the middle."

On paper at least, the move is very curious. The Knicks have three centers on their roster -- Dikembe Mutombo, Michael Doleac and Cezary Trybanski. None of them figure into the long-term future of the franchise. Mutombo will likely retire when his contract ends after next season. Doleac hits the free-agent market in July if he isn't traded first and Trybanski, from all accounts, won't ever be a dominant center in the league. With the Knicks locked into so many long-term cap deals, Thomas won't have the room or the draft position to get a great center to patrol the middle anytime soon.

It's probably just a matter of time before Thomas marks the loss of Lampe as the first mistake of his tenure in New York.

Its been SO long since the Knicks developed ANY young players that for some reason everyone we have is the next superstar.

Lampe isnt passionate about basketball... he's a hockey fan. Since he came to NY he's had a poor workethic and hasnt taken his conditioning seriously.

Ive never seen a prospect MORE overrated than Lampe. Only 30 teams passed on him. Could he become a good player? Of course, but he was a 2nd round pick.

This deal makes this team and every player on it so much better its not even funny. You can draft and clear cap space for 5 years (see Chi.) and NEVER get a player as good as Marbury.

What makes this even better is the Knicks have a GM that understands teams and chemistry and finding players that compliment each other.

I'm sure this year there will be some great Euro trash we can pick up in the 2nd round that ONLY fell because of a "contract issue" if it makes ya happy.

You win in the NBA by devoloping talent too man. Look at Jermaine O'neal. Talent developed... Lampe. 7 feet tall, 270 pounds. Outside shot. Broad shoulders. Nice hook shot. Slow as bricks. 18 YEARS OLD. Keep the kid. Make him work out. Make him something. You can mold him. You cant teach 7 foot TRUE Center size.

I agree we need to develop talent as well, thats why I doubt Frank or Sweetney gets traded (unless there is a pick coming back).

Thomas loves the draft, and he drafted VERY well in Tor. I think he's a good judge of talent. Hey, anyone can make a mistake but I'm not going to dog him on getting Stephon because he included an 18 year old from Euro that was drafted in the 2nd round. He's NOT Dirk.... not even close.

What bothers me is the tidbit that Phoenix didn't need Lampe for the deal. Okay, so Isiah doesn't like him, but that doesn't mean he's worthless throughout the league. Even if he didnt want Lampe, he should've held on to him as a chip for another deal. Not doing so was idiotic.

Posted by VDesai:

What bothers me is the tidbit that Phoenix didn't need Lampe for the deal. Okay, so Isiah doesn't like him, but that doesn't mean he's worthless throughout the league. Even if he didnt want Lampe, he should've held on to him as a chip for another deal. Not doing so was idiotic.

You're assuming the assertion is true. It probably isn't. Isiah knows he needs chips for other deals. I doubt he would burn one needlessly. Even if there is a kernel of truth to it, we don't know what Isiah would have had to give up to replace Lampe in the deal.

Lampe was neccessary for the deal to go through. I remember Zeke saying on WFAN that he wishes he didn't have to deal Lampe even though he has talent. Mike asked him about Lampe's talent and Zeke said he is good but not as good as Stephon which is why he made the trade.

Don't believe the garbage that Zeke gave away Lampe cause he didn't want him!

All writers get bad information. This is just another example.

Posted by martin:

Here is one thing I will add to this thread:

The Knicks organization - Thomas included, albeit for a short time - had plenty of time to evaluate Lampe up close. They saw his talent, drive, heart, work-ethic, eating habit, strength, skill, footwork, personality, whatever up close. From August to December.

I would have to believe that if the Knicks had a potential Dirk, KG, or whatever in the making, they would not have traded him. Period.

Now, 4-5 months don't make a 100% solid eval period, but it's a good indication. The Suns have had Lampe for 1 week and they are saying he the next big thing? Please.

Ditto.

LMAO nah, Marty-Mar.. It's just the usual generic "I agree" ditto..

Posted by Nalod:



ITs possible, although nobody wants to accept it, that Lampe was moved to keep roster spots open. ANd that might prove to be a mistake, in 5 years. In knick years, thats a long time.

If Jerry West traded him away,then I would accept it at face value.

But Isiah Thomas does not get my trust just yet. He has to earn it.

Isiah is Dolans lapdog. A better lapdog than Laydog, but one day we may regret this. But Hopefully we have lots of wins and championship banners to show Marbury was the start of the new era! And if the price was Lampe and Milos, and The no. 1 pick, so be it.

ANd if we cannot make it past the quarter finals, then Isiah is fair game like laydog was.

I agree about one thing. We can't judge Isiah or the trade for some time.