Another guy that interests me is Kirilenko. But again, at not even close to what he makes now.

Donnie is.

kam77 wrote:slim pickings out there. we might sign a couple of these guys but not for big money.

so how does this team take the next step?

don't worry... we can always wait til 2015 when John Wall becomes a FA.

The proper timing is critical and it looks like we now have the luxury of doing things right. We have the time to discover whether AR or Gallo demonstrate that they have what it takes to become a second "star player" for the Knicks. If the do, we can go in the direction of finding more complimentary pieces. If they appear only good and not great, we can certainly make a move to add Melo to our team next year, without giving up on AR and Gallo as compensation.

I agree that Melo is a genuine superstar, but it seems to me that in D'Antoni's style of play, chemistry, and in particular an unselfish moving of the basketball are critical. Proof of that point is how several of the extremely valuable members of the former Phoenix Suns, didn't have anywhere near the same amount of value when they were transferred to another team. The key to making the Knicks better is not just about adding a "BONAFIDE STAR". Its about finding complementary players with the ability to pass the ball well and unselfishly and the ability to shoot accurately when they are open. Is Melo automatically a better contributor to the Knick's future success. than AR or Gallo? I don't think it is clear at this point. Which means giving up Gallo and AR for Melo wasn't automatically the right move imo.

knicks1248 wrote:I think there will be a S&T for a super star, but if we overachieve, Donnie is going to have a tough time breaking up the core of the team, especially if Felton, gallo, and AR become a stars.

I think you used the concept "overachieve," once before. The simple fact is that we don't know what level certain players are going to reach, so the idea of "overachieving" is meaningless at this point. The Knicks ending up with a better record that YOU think they will, or should, reach, is not necessarily overachieving.

None of us know how Gallo and AR will end up- will they become solid starters, minor stars, or even more. None of us know if Felton will come into his own under MDA. We don't know if Mosgov is the real deal, or if Fields will become a solid rotational player. Has Douglas improved? Will Azubuike get back to his pre-injury form, and how many steps can Chandler climb until he has reached his full potential...Or has he reached that level already?

Too many variables on this very young team to talk about overachieving, and what you consider overachieving might simply be the natural evolution of a youthful and talented team which still has a lot of room to grow.

TMS wrote:

kam77 wrote:slim pickings out there. we might sign a couple of these guys but not for big money.

so how does this team take the next step?

don't worry... we can always wait til 2015 when John Wall becomes a FA.

LOL Good post.

A lot of Knick fans are starting to notice something. Guys we are on a never-ending treadmill. Building a team through free agency is a bad idea. Virtually every championship team had to build through the draft and then supplement their team with free agents to win.

Next years free agent class is mediocre at best. The year after that we have to hope and pray again that a good free agent, or two will want to join the Knicks, but without a top flight player from the draft to attract them to this team their will never be enough to not only attract the best free agents but we wont have enough to become a championship dynasty. Building first with the draft allows us to keep our costs low while making our team attractive to fa's. Instead we will continue to add and go through free agents, merry-go-round style, which only leads us to getting knocked out in the mid to low level of the playoffs. Perennial playoff losers, just like the Pacers, just like the Suns.