Finestrg wrote:I just assume we go with Mozgov and Jerome Jordan as the 3rd and 4th at C --- I'm envisioning Amar'e starting in the middle backed up by Turiaf with Mozgov & JJ capable but further behind at this point. Both guys will be looking to impress in order to earn their PT..Between the two, maybe Mozgov sticks on the NBA roster (he's already gotten a fairly significant financial commitment from us for a relatively unknown Euro) and possibly JJ goes to Reno...I think that might be enough..If the evidence shows that it's not however and we do need more, Dwayne Jones would be my guy. Dude was just officially released by the Raptors sometime this past week -- he averaged something like 17+ pts, 16 rebs and 1.8 blocks a game last year in the D-League in 40 mins. per. Those are absolutely MONSTER numbers..Not many clips available of him on the net but from some archived Austin Toro footage that I've seen, it looks like he's not particularly quick but he's big (6'11", 250 lb.), bangs inside and excels at doing all the dirty work in a big way. If they insist on playing Amar'e at the 4 and some of these other guys need more seasoning, this guy could be a real nice option to play alongside Amar'e to help out guarding the opposition's centers and help out on the glass..I was calling for this guy last year before we brought up Barron..If we're gonna go get a D-League center go get me the best one available. I got the feeling Barron might have some unrealistic contract expectations now after playing well with his cup of coffee in NY last year..Jones never got anywhere near the same amount of time with his call up (the Raptors barely played him at all meanwhile Barron was getting 30 mins + with us). Not interested in getting into a contract debate with Earl Barron & his agent -- didn't Donnie already try to bring this guy back at one point and he refused a contract offer?? If that's the case, I'd turn my attention to Dwayne Jones.

they are but the d-league is really garbage.

Marv wrote:

Finestrg wrote:I just assume we go with Mozgov and Jerome Jordan as the 3rd and 4th at C --- I'm envisioning Amar'e starting in the middle backed up by Turiaf with Mozgov & JJ capable but further behind at this point. Both guys will be looking to impress in order to earn their PT..Between the two, maybe Mozgov sticks on the NBA roster (he's already gotten a fairly significant financial commitment from us for a relatively unknown Euro) and possibly JJ goes to Reno...I think that might be enough..If the evidence shows that it's not however and we do need more, Dwayne Jones would be my guy. Dude was just officially released by the Raptors sometime this past week -- he averaged something like 17+ pts, 16 rebs and 1.8 blocks a game last year in the D-League in 40 mins. per. Those are absolutely MONSTER numbers..Not many clips available of him on the net but from some archived Austin Toro footage that I've seen, it looks like he's not particularly quick but he's big (6'11", 250 lb.), bangs inside and excels at doing all the dirty work in a big way. If they insist on playing Amar'e at the 4 and some of these other guys need more seasoning, this guy could be a real nice option to play alongside Amar'e to help out guarding the opposition's centers and help out on the glass..I was calling for this guy last year before we brought up Barron..If we're gonna go get a D-League center go get me the best one available. I got the feeling Barron might have some unrealistic contract expectations now after playing well with his cup of coffee in NY last year..Jones never got anywhere near the same amount of time with his call up (the PHX Suns called him up & barely played him at all meanwhile Barron was getting 30 mins + with us). Not interested in getting into a contract debate with Earl Barron & his agent -- didn't Donnie already try to bring this guy back at one point and he refused a contract offer?? If that's the case, I'd turn my attention to Dwayne Jones.

they are but the d-league is really garbage.

That's where Barron came from--Jones put up significantly better numbers than Barron against the same competition...CJ Watson, Reggie Williams, Anthony Tolliver, Alexander Johnson, Rob Kurz, Sundiata Gaines, even our own Kelenna Azubuike -- all those guys came from the d-league and they can play. All managed to show something when they got called up to the show and got their chance...The D-league isn't complete garbage Marv.

BRIGGS wrote:

Finestrg wrote:I just assume we go with Mozgov and Jerome Jordan as the 3rd and 4th options at C --- I'm envisioning Amar'e starting in the middle backed up by Turiaf with Mozgov & JJ capable but further behind at this point. Both guys will be looking to impress in order to earn their PT..Between the two, maybe Mozgov sticks on the NBA roster (he's already gotten a fairly significant financial commitment from us for a relatively unknown Euro) and possibly JJ goes to Reno...I think that might be enough..If the evidence shows that it's not however and we do need more, Dwayne Jones would be my guy. Dude was just officially released by the Raptors sometime this past week -- he averaged something like 17+ pts, 16 rebs and 1.8 blocks a game last year in the D-League in 40 mins. per. Those are absolutely MONSTER numbers..Not many clips available of him on the net but from some archived Austin Toro footage that I've seen, it looks like he's not particularly quick but he's big (6'11", 250 lb.), bangs inside and excels at doing all the dirty work in a big way. If they insist on playing Amar'e at the 4 and some of these other guys need more seasoning, this guy could be a real nice option to play alongside Amar'e to help out guarding the opposition's centers and help out on the glass..I was calling for this guy last year before we brought up Barron..If we're gonna go get a D-League center go get me the best one available. I got the feeling Barron might have some unrealistic contract expectations now after playing well with his cup of coffee in NY last year..Jones never got anywhere near the same amount of time with his call up (the PHX Suns called him up then barely played him at all meanwhile Barron was getting 30 mins + with us). Not interested in getting into a contract debate with Earl Barron & his agent -- didn't Donnie already try to bring this guy back at one point and he refused a contract offer?? If that's the case, I'd turn my attention to Dwayne Jones.

Fine--Im concerned that we are counting on Mosgov when he has proven jack in the nBA--that is kind of scary. I don't even know if JJ will be on this team--and certainly he needs 1/2 a year in the D league. Barron was here and did well. This is a case of someone being under rated who's skills have burgeoned later on in his career--a killer piece to not have-- no--but could we use him--absolutely yes.

Hey I feel ya. I agree with what you're saying. Mozgov may not be ready, JJ neither. That's true. But we're already out there with the initial committment to both -- I'd like for us to see it through now..I don't know anything about the big Russian at all except for the fact that we're paying him a decent chuck of change--part of me wants to see if that was justifiable now..As far as Jordan goes, I know he's a decent talent -- I didn't love him at Tulsa - there were times I felt Jordan wasn't giving 100% and expected a little more but the bottom line is he's pretty skilled for a 7 footer (even at this early stage) and should only get better. I think there's a lot to work with here..It all depends on who plays where I guess (is Amar'e the starting 5 come opening night or the PF?? If Amar'e winds up playing the D Lee role at C then we already have enough in the middle (Amar'e then Ronny Turiaf along with 2 additional young 7 footers with potential)..I don't think our backup C needs to be a star necessarily, just a workhorse capable of doing the dirty work. Turiaf, Mozgov and Jordan can probably all fill that role..Barron could be that guy too, he did show some very good production last year once given the minutes (minutes Dwayne Jones hasn't gotten so far so it's difficult to compare the two at the NBA level), but if his contract demands continue to be unrealistic I'd pass and look to bring in Jones for immediate evaluation. Marv's right to a certain extent -- inflated D-League numbers can be deceiving somewhat (Courtney Sims comes to mind) but man I tell ya, if there's a guy that's available out there that put up 17 ppg on almost 60% from the field 16 rebs & 2 blocks last year in 40 mins. (which tells me he's no foul machine, he obviously knows how to stay on the floor for extended stretches which is a plus) and the coaching staff finds that there is a need for another C for whatever reason, D-League numbers or not, I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Jones to see what he can do..You don't put up hustle stats like that on accident..There's obvious effort involved on this young man's part to come up with a stat line like that..I think Jones could wind up being a lot of bang for the buck..

CrushAlot wrote:D'Antoni didn't play Jordan Hill on a less talented roster that wasn't going to compete for a playoff spot. I don't think he is going to give Jerome Jordan minutes to develop him and I think that will probably be the case with Timofey. If the Knicks can bring Baron back they should. D'Antoni has shown that he is comfortable playing him and Barron looked good.

fishmike wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:D'Antoni didn't play Jordan Hill on a less talented roster that wasn't going to compete for a playoff spot. I don't think he is going to give Jerome Jordan minutes to develop him and I think that will probably be the case with Timofey. If the Knicks can bring Baron back they should. D'Antoni has shown that he is comfortable playing him and Barron looked good.

Mosgov has been playing pro ball, is older, bigger, a real center (not a centerish PF) and more skilled than Jordan Hill.

EwingsGlass wrote:Yeah, the bidding war for Earl Barron's services is getting quite fierce.

I bet he's hoping for a guaranteed multi year deal. I'm pretty surprised Miami hasn't stepped up and offered something.

fishmike wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

fishmike wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:D'Antoni didn't play Jordan Hill on a less talented roster that wasn't going to compete for a playoff spot. I don't think he is going to give Jerome Jordan minutes to develop him and I think that will probably be the case with Timofey. If the Knicks can bring Baron back they should. D'Antoni has shown that he is comfortable playing him and Barron looked good.

Mosgov has been playing pro ball, is older, bigger, a real center (not a centerish PF) and more skilled than Jordan Hill.

No one drafted Mosgov. Hill was ranked as a top 5 pick in some mocks before the 09 draft. I don't see Timofey getting a lot of minutes for D'Antoni and I don't see his rotation being extended to develop Timofey, or Jordan.

and yet the most respected draft site had him listed as the #2 big man overseas behind Splitter. What does draft order have to do with anything? Teams have been burned by drafting Euros and they never come, or when they do they want big contracts.