What's the draw?

Personally, I'd like to get somebody next to STAT that's cleaning the glass and playing some tough D. Is Nene that guy?

iSergio wrote:Don't see the big deal about Nene.

I would rather go after Marc Gasol or Kendrick Perkins if we're getting big man.

That's what I'm thinking. Trying to feel out the Nene supporters though.

What's going on with Ben Wallace in Detroit? Would he be worth bringing in for 15 minutes a game for some tough Defense to relieve STAT from guarding the big guys? Salary is small ($2M), would Detroit give him up? I haven't seen him play this year. Anything in the tank, or is he washed up?

Bonn1997 wrote:He's a big body on defense and he averages 15 PPG on only 8 shot attempts!

Eddy Curry is a big body.
Can he actually defend?

he finishes well around the rim and he doesn't turn the ball over. he has a history of injuries like amar'e but like amar'e he seems to be over them.

in the end, he's a small upgrade considering we have turiaf who does what nene minus the offense. someone who can board, play defense and can hit a 15 ft jumpshot would turn us into contenders but those guys don't exactly grow on trees.

martin wrote:

Panos wrote:

iSergio wrote:Don't see the big deal about Nene.

I would rather go after Marc Gasol or Kendrick Perkins if we're getting big man.

That's what I'm thinking. Trying to feel out the Nene supporters though.

What's going on with Ben Wallace in Detroit? Would he be worth bringing in for 15 minutes a game for some tough Defense to relieve STAT from guarding the big guys? Salary is small ($2M), would Detroit give him up? I haven't seen him play this year. Anything in the tank, or is he washed up?

Ben gonna be like 50 next year and is offensively challenged, why would you bring him in even for 2 minutes?

Here are my thoughts: One of the weaknesses of the Knicks is at C (another being a finisher/closer type who can break down a defense off the dribble at will). STAT at C is nice but in the long run it'll wear him down and not ensure that he has the best mismatch at his natural position every night. I like what Wilson can do at the PF position while Amare plays C as it spreads the floor most nights, but the Knicks do get beat on the interior regularly. Also, by bringing in a big body, you can play that big body against the opposing center or PF on any given night and let Amare focus on the weaker offensive player and his own offense.

So, how do you protect Amare? Who is out there and at what cost? And can that player move his feet and not be a detriment to the offense (or the style that MDA would care for). Who is either battle tested or could grow into that position over the next year or so. Marc Gasol is a RFA. Nene has an opt-out just like Melo. Jordan from the Clippers is 22 but not proven. Tyson Chandler will probably be re-signed by Dallas and Cuban's money. No way POR gives up Camby with Oden down and Joel constantly hurt without getting something significant back, and Camby is old. Perhaps LAC would trade away Kaman to keep Jordan. Perkins is an UFA but more build for halfcourt. I just can't see the NBA giving away OK4 while trying to keep CP3. Who am I missing?

Nene to me is not anywhere NEAR the perfect player but is he good enough? He shoots a high FG%, so that either suggests that his PG or Melo is giving him money passes or he is smart at taking what is given to him. He is not the 10+ rebound type of guy nor will he block and help from the weak side as well as Camby. Is his rebounding average low for a C or does he share a front line with Melo, KMart, Anderson and it's just a product of being next to other good rebounders?

He is a physical defender and can get up and down the court. He is 28 and would fit in with the long term mold of the other players on the team. He can hit the 18 foot jump shot, so he would not be a detriment to SSOL and the PnR.

Certainly not perfect but what other options are there?

Thanks, M, nice objective analysis.
One thing I have to add to this is that I read that Marc Gasol is not an RFA next season because he was a second round pick and traded before they got his bird rights. Not sure that is fact, but if true, he could still be another option. Kaman is a skill player, and tough to boot, and I think in the MDA mold if he can stay healthy.

Anyway, for the first time in a long time, at least we have a competent GM that I have confidence will make a good move. The only thing that continues to worry me is if he and MDA can be on the same page about it, and not waste resources bringing in someone MDA won't play.

If Chandler continues to develop as he has, I would consider spending the money on Perkins AND Nene along with retaining Chandler and Galo.

A front court of Perkins, Amare, Nene, and Turiaf is def one of the best in the league. A bench with Gallo, TD, Williams, Nene and Turiaf is veryh impsressive as well.

The only weakness would be the absence of that dominant swing player, but I beleive with Chandler and Gallo here and Amare as the go to player and Felton showing that he can shoot from the outside and take and hit big shots, it should not be an issue.

chris kaman wants/needs the ball on offense. he takes loads of jumpers/fadeaways in the post than he needs to. he's injury prone and not quick/fast enough to play at the pace we need. in the end he hurts our offense and i don't even think he helps our defense.

i agree just having nene would improve our board numbers but together with his defense i'm not sure if it'll be enough of an upgrade to invest big dollars into him.

tyson chandler and marc gasol would be huge defensive upgrades and it's because of that i would go hard after them.

Bonn1997 wrote:He's a big body on defense and he averages 15 PPG on only 8 shot attempts!

Concur. Nene isn't an astounding go-to-player on offense, but he's solid, decent on D, which is all we need out of center.

Darko type. outside shot, can run and block.

Moz. Just execute the tools at the NBA level.

Nene has had good games against the knicks. Thats why he is on the short radar.

Pau Gasol is perfect for this team.

The Moz Miricle did not happen as we would have liked. The gods instead gave us Rainman and Lando.

Patience and imagination one can see the Moz as being our guy but we need certainties as we are the Mecca and Mecca fans deserve to not have patience or imagination.

Why wait when you can starphuch online!

Chandler is healthy this year. We want him. Nene is healthy this year. We want him. If he called him "Hilario" thats just too darn silly to take serious.

Spurs have Splitter as project. They incubate guys for the long run. Good idea.

Keep the Moz. Keep getting better and be cool. Good deals will find their way to donnie. If not, we grow from within.