Iman is the one guy with a chance to be an impact player for us. It would save the team from having to pay for someone to be another threat off the bench. If he can give us enough scoring in addition to his defense, then this really boosts the teams depth.

Brown is also a needed player. The team saves even more if they can get something out of this kid. He's clearly got physical talent and good size and length. If he can work his way into a more solid role here that could really help the defense and offense. We lost a 6-8, 230lb athletic forward in Chandler and Brown is the most likely replacement for some of what Chan gave us. It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

There isn't likely to be much of any help coming in FA for this team so they have to hope to grow from within, as much as possible. Especially if for some reason we don't end up getting CP3, we'll need to develop these young players and build up their value either to keep or trade.

AnubisADL wrote:D'Antoni's job is on the line this season. He is going to ride with the vets unless one of the rookies blow him away.

AnubisADL wrote:D'Antoni's job is on the line this season. He is going to ride with the vets unless one of the rookies blow him away.

please. 66 games in 120-or so days, and at least one stretch of 3 straight games. mikey is gonna have to play the fresh legs whether he wants to or not.

nixluva wrote:Brown is a young guy that didn't really have a proper set of circumstances to have a chance to shine. I really have to restate the fact that MDA STARTED Fields and Moz!!! MDA will in fact play young guys if they are truly capable of contributing. One thing that it seems many MDA detractors don't take into account is that MDA knows what good basketball looks like. He's have great players in the past and role players that executed on a high level. Guys like Raja, Barbosa and Diaw. He isn't going to just let guys run around out there if they don't understand how to play the game at a certain level. Brown was clearly a raw player. He's had a long off season to work on his game and it could be his chance to earn a spot in the rotation. For some reason there's this assumption that coaches just need to play kids regardless of whether they're ready or not. This is not a system where you can just have guys running around out there like a chicken with it's head cut off.

Jordan and Jorts should get the same chance that Moz got. Jorts is a different kind of player than we've had in a while. Jorts is a true banger. His wide and strong and likes to mix it up. We haven't had a guy like that in a while. I wouldn't bet against him making an impression. He's been a late bloomer, but we may be getting him at the right time. Jorts was with a winning program and he really helped his team in the NCAA Tourney. The kid doesn't get pushed around like Jordan seems to get pushed around in the paint. I think both guys can bring something different and useful to the team. I'd rather take a shot with these kids than some of the retreads that we're likely to find at the bottom of the barrell.

CrushAlot wrote:

nixluva wrote:Brown is a young guy that didn't really have a proper set of circumstances to have a chance to shine. I really have to restate the fact that MDA STARTED Fields and Moz!!! MDA will in fact play young guys if they are truly capable of contributing. One thing that it seems many MDA detractors don't take into account is that MDA knows what good basketball looks like. He's have great players in the past and role players that executed on a high level. Guys like Raja, Barbosa and Diaw. He isn't going to just let guys run around out there if they don't understand how to play the game at a certain level. Brown was clearly a raw player. He's had a long off season to work on his game and it could be his chance to earn a spot in the rotation. For some reason there's this assumption that coaches just need to play kids regardless of whether they're ready or not. This is not a system where you can just have guys running around out there like a chicken with it's head cut off.

Jordan and Jorts should get the same chance that Moz got. Jorts is a different kind of player than we've had in a while. Jorts is a true banger. His wide and strong and likes to mix it up. We haven't had a guy like that in a while. I wouldn't bet against him making an impression. He's been a late bloomer, but we may be getting him at the right time. Jorts was with a winning program and he really helped his team in the NCAA Tourney. The kid doesn't get pushed around like Jordan seems to get pushed around in the paint. I think both guys can bring something different and useful to the team. I'd rather take a shot with these kids than some of the retreads that we're likely to find at the bottom of the barrell.

D'Antoni consistently played Fields last year. Moz was didn't get off the bench for 2 1/2 months after the tenth game of the season. He only got back onto the court because of injuries and suspensions. He blew up and ended up back in the rotation but that doesn't mean D'Antoni plays young guys. He didn't play his two first round picks on a 26 win team. That being said, Jordan and Jorts may not even have the talent and ability to be NBA players. I really like both of them and I hope they make it but I think the Knicks are in really bad shape if they are counting on either of these guys to make an impact for them. Brown asked Walsh to release him last year because D'Antoni wasn't playing him. I think Brown has potential but I don't think it will be fulfilled playing for D'Antoni.

I just explained that MDA isn't just going to throw players out there no matter what you and some others may think of that coaching decision, it's not that uncommon for rookies not to get a lot of playing time in their 1st season. If a player isn't ready they aren't ready. Also as I said, MDA wants young players to earn a chance to play. If Hill and TD NEVER played then you'd have a point, but they did. Also does GALLO NOT COUNT? HOW ABOUT CHANDLER? Both were young and developing players! So where is this definitive proof that MDA won't play young players when in fact he STARTED young players and certainly had many young guys in his rotations.

Gallo started 74 games in his 1st full season
Chandler only played in 35 games and started 16 in his rookie year before MDA came in, the next year under MDA he played in 82 and started 70!
Fields started 81 games in his rookie season
TD isn't a starter, but did play in 56 games in year 1 and 81 in year 2
Moz played in 34 and started 14 under MDA but only played in 11 games no starts in Denver.

Now there are varied circumstances for every player and every season, but this idea that MDA just doesn't play kids is overstated. Most coaches will feel more comfortable with a vet that knows what to do instead of a kid that is floundering. I see nothing in his record that suggests MDA doesn't play kids. Hill, AR in particular aren't enough evidence that MDA is against kids. It should be noted that Brown was given a qualifying offer and if MDA didn't see anything in the kid I doubt they do that.

STATMELO wrote:I don't see "Jorts" playing much.

Some of you have doubts about Jorts and that's understandable but you should also know that he has a chance to be a sleeper. There's a reason why Walsh and MDA wanted this kid. It's about heart and toughness more than raw talent with Jorts. Some guys in the NBA make due with less talent but a bigger heart and hustle. Guys like Jeff Foster have made a career as a key reserve with little talent.

"I think Harrellson is probably the most underrated player in college basketball," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.

Harrellson had 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and one game-shaping stop of the wide-bodied Sullinger with a little over a minute to play and Kentucky holding a one-point lead. Sullinger got the ball in the low post, near his own bench, and Harrellson bodied him so forcefully to the baseline that the 6-foot-9 freshman hit the side of the backboard with a shot that landed in his opponent's hands.

"I gave up an offensive rebound right before that and gave up an easy layup," Harrellson said. "I didn't really contest it, so I was going to try to make it up for my teammates. I was trying to be big."

As it turned out, Harrellson was the biggest player in the house. The 6-10 senior brought a WWE intensity to the Sweet 16, lifting the first half over his head and body-slamming it to the court. Kentucky fans could understand his rage.

Even when Jared played the Knicks still had to play Shelden Williams. There's certainly enough room for Jordan and Jorts to earn minutes. It's not about whether MDA will not play the kids, just like Moz they have to earn it with hard work in practice and execution. It's really just that simple. If a player proves he can get it done, MDA will play him. It's not about age. With real options in camp I see no reason why MDA would feel compelled to play Shawne at C this year.

Turiaf is really about a 20 min player and that means there will be minutes for a C to fill. Moz had no experience and got the nod over Turiaf. You can't tell me MDA won't play a kid if he sees what he likes.

CrushAlot wrote:

nixluva wrote:There may be a shot for Jordan and Jorts to get in if the Knicks use their MLE on Caron Butler. Moz was also raw as heck and still he showed enough to start. He wasn't able to sustain, but that shows MDA will play a kid even when they aren't perfect. If Jordan and Jorts bring what they have to the table there's a chance they can stick and get in the rotation.

Some of you have doubts about Jorts and that's understandable but you should also know that he has a chance to be a sleeper. There's a reason why Walsh and MDA wanted this kid. It's about heart and toughness more than raw talent with Jorts. Some guys in the NBA make due with less talent but a bigger heart and hustle. Guys like Jeff Foster have made a career as a key reserve with little talent.

"I think Harrellson is probably the most underrated player in college basketball," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.

Harrellson had 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and one game-shaping stop of the wide-bodied Sullinger with a little over a minute to play and Kentucky holding a one-point lead. Sullinger got the ball in the low post, near his own bench, and Harrellson bodied him so forcefully to the baseline that the 6-foot-9 freshman hit the side of the backboard with a shot that landed in his opponent's hands.

"I gave up an offensive rebound right before that and gave up an easy layup," Harrellson said. "I didn't really contest it, so I was going to try to make it up for my teammates. I was trying to be big."

As it turned out, Harrellson was the biggest player in the house. The 6-10 senior brought a WWE intensity to the Sweet 16, lifting the first half over his head and body-slamming it to the court. Kentucky fans could understand his rage.

Even when Jared played the Knicks still had to play Shelden Williams. There's certainly enough room for Jordan and Jorts to earn minutes. It's not about whether MDA will not play the kids, just like Moz they have to earn it with hard work in practice and execution. It's really just that simple. If a player proves he can get it done, MDA will play him. It's not about age. With real options in camp I see no reason why MDA would feel compelled to play Shawne at C this year.

Turiaf is really about a 20 min player and that means there will be minutes for a C to fill. Moz had no experience and got the nod over Turiaf. You can't tell me MDA won't play a kid if he sees what he likes.

Moz started 14 games last year for the Knicks. Five of those were his last 5 in a Knick uniform. He might have continued to start if he stayed but he didn't. He also played under 20 minutes for the coach in a month and a half stretch in December and January. I think D'Antoni is reluctant to be flexible, adjust and develop young bigs any year. In a 66 game season I think his mantra will be we needed to bring Jared back because he knows the system.

Josh Boone
Prizbilla
Aaron Gray

all these guys all deserves looks as well. I would love to add 2 of these veterans.