Right now, it's not clear that Felton is our man just yet. Maybe Rautins can be that guy, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Mozgov seems more mobile than Gasol but he's not as burly a rebounder. What we need from what I can tell is better communication on our front court... I saw multiple times in our game vs Milan where we had 3 guys going for a block. This is a lot better than last year where no one would try to block, but we need at least one guy boxing out and preparing for the rebound every play. If he's on the court Turiaf should be that guy. With a front court of Amare and Mozgov, I'd like Amare to do the boxing out and let Mozgov go for the block... I'd like to prevent injury to Amare as much as possible.

SupremeCommander wrote:Melo clearly will be the best UFA on the market. I do think an interesting conversation though would be if the Knicks are better by adding either (1) Melo or (2) Gasol + a SG

Probably depends on what SG....if you are talking about someone on elite (OJ Mayo, Jason Richardson 3 years ago) level, it can be a consideration. My thing with Melo is he a Kobe type assassin in the clutch, IMO. He is one of those guys that can win you a game by imposing his will. I think a real steal could be that kid in Charlotte, Gerald Henderson. He is getting NO burn and maybe we can get him cheap for a package of like Walker and a future 2nd or something.

I remember when Marc was traded for his brother and everyone thought the trade was horrible. Marc was a second round pick who was much more raw and more physical then his brother. He is by no means a plodder in transition, and he is like Lee in that he can get his offense without having plays run for him.

A Marc Gasol type center is a perfect compliment for Amare. However, I am not sure-like someone said before-that the Moz can not be that type. Marc came in pretty thin and I don't even think he was a great rebounder in Europe. He broke out 2 seasons ago as a real force. Mozgov by most accounts does not shy away from contact at all he just doesn't board well. That can be just attributed to youth or the fact that in Europe training isn't as advanced as here and Europe's focus is more on a transition/finesse game, so that is what players focus on.

Give Moz a season with NBA level trainers and see what develops. Marc is an above average center. An All-Star level one by default because centers like him just aren't around anymore. In the day he isn't in the conversation with guys like Ewing, Olajuwon, Robinson, Mourning, Shaq, Robinson. He is a very good player but not a guy who will ever carry a team, imo. Nothing really "special" in that way. I don't see any reason-other then work ethic- that Mozgov can't reach Marc's level.

BRIGGS wrote:The guy is getting better and better and can just do more things for a team on both ends. Maybe the most under rated player in pro basketball.

If we had a tandem C of Gasol/ Mosgov with Amare 4 and Randolph Gallo at 4-3--we will be scary good. Need to remove Turriaf's 4+mm for 2011-2012 somehow--that should be a goal for the Knicks. I do not care about fA in 2012--this should be it.

Gasol is a solid center, but I would give Mosgov a chance to start and potentially save that money for an upgrade somewhere else.