Chicago is going to be severely hamstrung by Boozer's contract which goes for 4 more years. Whatever the new cap situation is, they have Boozer, Deng, Noah tied up long term for 41 million after next season. Add Rose, who'll be in that range or likely higher depending on the new CBA. Thats it for them. If Rose makes lets say 13 million which is a low number for a former MVP, They will be at 54 Million for 4 players, only one is a star and the others are role players of varying levels. They will have a problem adding talent except through the draft, and they will not have high draft picks. CBA will determine if they have LLE, MLE, or any other money to play with. BUt they have little room for improvement.

Miami after next season will have 71 million tied up with the big 3, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, & Joel Anthony. Mike Miller & Haslem are 31. They'll be locked in for another season bringing them to 76 million. Whatever the cap is, they are way way over it. The team will be severaly limited in its ability to get things done outside of the draft where they again will not pick high.

Knicks have space after next year with only AMare, Melo, Balkman & Toney Douglas committed for 41 million. Thats at least 13 million less than CHi and a full gazillion less than Miami. We have ample opportunity to improve. Next season isn't necessarily about winning a championship. We should be one of the top 3 teams in the east next season. It should be about developing our draft pick (Selby?Brooks?) and developing Jerome Jordan. It will also be about seeing what MDA and his defensive coordinator can do with our stars and replacing him if we don't get it done. Finishing with a high seed will mean we make it at least to the 2nd round with a chance to advance past that and a possibility of getting to the NBA Finals.

After that we have the FA summer of Paul & Howard. But we don't even need them necessarily. We just need to build solidly on this foundation that we have. Jerome Jordan was our iron in the oven. We need to buy a 2nd rounder and draft a big (Keith Benson, Greg SMith, etc) and put another iron in the oven. Next year should be a good year for us and truly the sky is the limit. The year after should be our year if we do it right.

And unfortunately for the Knicks, I still see Howard, Mighty Mouse as good enough at the heart of where Knicks are weakest: bigs and quick PGs (defensively speaking).

Killa4luv wrote:

martin wrote:agree with a lot of what you are saying, except 1 part: Knicks being top 3 next year. Miami, Chi definitely top teams, but I still think Boston has another good year or so in them, especially if they keep their bench depth and no injury to KG, Pierce, Allen.

And unfortunately for the Knicks, I still see Howard, Mighty Mouse as good enough at the heart of where Knicks are weakest: bigs and quick PGs (defensively speaking).

PG defense would be addressed by drafting Selby or Shumpert. There really is no defense for HOward but if our 7-1 JJ can play we'll see.

not sure. If Billups on team, he is going to play a good 30MPG, and it's asking a lot for a low pick first rounder (even if we do have #17) to be top defensive guards and expect them to also excel with minutes.

Not saying I am against drafting those guys, just that the matchup against ORL still tough for the Knicks.

Man, I think I would love to trade TD for a low first rounder or a couple of second rounders. Gets his salary off the books and allows Knicks more flexibility with draft.

Juice wrote:Well considering how fast Bulls and OKC rose to ascension after landing #1 picks I'd say we're going to have to worry about more than a couple teams and the East becoming more competitive in general. Walls and Irvings will be rapidly lurking. There is no time to waste. The league is clamoring for new stars to market and to appease the owners of those markets where they land.

All #1 picks are not created equal. Wall or Irving are not Rose & Durant. Those are really special franchise type talents.

martin wrote:

Killa4luv wrote:

martin wrote:agree with a lot of what you are saying, except 1 part: Knicks being top 3 next year. Miami, Chi definitely top teams, but I still think Boston has another good year or so in them, especially if they keep their bench depth and no injury to KG, Pierce, Allen.

And unfortunately for the Knicks, I still see Howard, Mighty Mouse as good enough at the heart of where Knicks are weakest: bigs and quick PGs (defensively speaking).

PG defense would be addressed by drafting Selby or Shumpert. There really is no defense for HOward but if our 7-1 JJ can play we'll see.

not sure. If Billups on team, he is going to play a good 30MPG, and it's asking a lot for a low pick first rounder (even if we do have #17) to be top defensive guards and expect them to also excel with minutes.

Not saying I am against drafting those guys, just that the matchup against ORL still tough for the Knicks.

Man, I think I would love to trade TD for a low first rounder or a couple of second rounders. Gets his salary off the books and allows Knicks more flexibility with draft.

It's a no-brainer (pun intended): move TD for the best pick we can muster. He may be good defensively, and show a rare flash for scoring, but he has one problem that can't be fixed: Stupidity. Move him while we still can and develop a young player with better upside and some cognitive ability.