The fact that none of the 3 young guns is a pure passer is what seems to be the real knock. Fields already showed a ton of promise as a mature and well rounded player. I think people are nuts to think we've seen the best that Fields has to offer. Some are acting as if Fields has zero upside and can't possibly get better just cuz he wasn't a high pick. Fields can surely play better and refine his skills to become the perfect glue guy that he showed for much of the season.

TD is really the biggest fear of all, cuz he's in a key spot. Last year I thought TD had turned the corner and posted that, only to see him fall back to some bad habits, but I wasn't blind and he did have a great little stretch where he played extremely well at the PG. If he can tap into that mentality and stay there TD could really improve to a great degree and be the man for the job. Who knows maybe he can prove people wrong and actually make the needed improvements.

Iman is a guy that i've been harping on since just before the draft. This kid has so much talent and it's not RAW as some seem to think. He's got things to learn but the kid can play. This is a perfect spot for him cuz he won't have to carry the team. He can just play his game, which starts on defense. All he needs is a few steals and fastbreak dunks to get the crowd behind him and get his confidence up. I think he could become our 6th man this year if given the chance to be aggressive offensively. It's what he did in college and he's got the physical talent to do it. Iman against 2nd unit defenders can't be a bad spot for him to do his thing. I can see him getting off and building confidence. All 3 guys have something to prove and need to grow into the roles they have, but this is a great chance for them to do it with no one in front of them.

That said, yes, ideally our young guys play a lot of minutes and play really well, but we need some insurance in the way of proven vets, even if these vets are not necessarily great. I think Bibby was a start. He got the minimum and we didn't give anyone up, so there was no risk at all. Let's see who else we can get.

if bibby really is washed up, we can sign baron in february when he's healthy.

I am beyond excited about Iman. I haven't been this excited about a rookie since the 90's.

(which to me, says good things about iman, but also bad things about the rest of our guards. we are thin there. here's hoping for baron.)

* Both draft picks, first-round combo guard Iman Shumpert and second-round center Josh Harrellson have been impressive. Shumpert looked electric in scrimmages, with a sweet 3-pointer and was active on both ends. “Shumpert’s playing well,’’ Stoudemire said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job in practice. He’s learning from us.‘’ The burly Harrellson has shown a decent jumper. “So far so good, really good,’’ head coach Mike D’Antoni said. ... The Knicks will hold open scrimmage Sunday at noon at the Garden.

http://Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/amar_likely_won_play_full_schedule_Q5RAJaqDxsvNaIaIZBE8FJ#ixzz1gaSZNplI

nixluva wrote:As has been the case since the draft another report on Iman and also Jorts, whom some said was only gonna be a scrub and might not even make the team.

* Both draft picks, first-round combo guard Iman Shumpert and second-round center Josh Harrellson have been impressive. Shumpert looked electric in scrimmages, with a sweet 3-pointer and was active on both ends. “Shumpert’s playing well,’’ Stoudemire said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job in practice. He’s learning from us.‘’ The burly Harrellson has shown a decent jumper. “So far so good, really good,’’ head coach Mike D’Antoni said. ... The Knicks will hold open scrimmage Sunday at noon at the Garden.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/amar_likely_won_play_full_schedule_Q5RAJaqDxsvNaIaIZBE8FJ

i read that... usually beat reporters don't offer their OWN praise, and this was indeed pretty complimentary of Berman.

Mray20 wrote:Baron Davis is pulling a Shaq during his last days in Miami when he got traded to Phoenix all of a sudden he was healthy. He wants to clear waivers which is why he and his agent are exaggerating the injury . I want him on this team he's only gonna sign a one year minimum contract so it's a low risk high reward deal and honestly I trust him more running the point than Bibby or Douglas even if he isn't the same player he used to be

I'm not so sure- CLE doctors clearly accepted there was a back injury, he then went and got a second opinion externally which indicates that he wasn't happy with what he was told, which suggests it was quite bad. I think the injury is legit, which is a problem as Baron 'Bad Back' Davis usually has poor conditioning anyways- how do you think he'll be after 2 months of rest? (on top of the lockout- it'll be almost a year since he played basketball by the time he gets back!). Still, I hope you're right- a healthy Davis would give us someone who can score a lot besides Melo and Stat.

Oh, by the way here's Berman's take:

If he is not bid on, Davis, 32, would be a free agent and likely will choose the Knicks, according to sources. Davis has a back injury of conflicting severity. Agent Todd Ramasar has told several media outlets, including The Post, he could be out up to eight-to-10 weeks with a possible herniated disk.

But some sources believe it’s not as severe and the dire prognostications is to scare off rebuilding, under-the-cap clubs from bidding.

Two people familiar with the situation told The Post that Davis just needs rest, is suffering from a bulging disk and could be back on the court as soon as two weeks.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/bringing_on_baron_sxoXMYBT5ny25tzEBvUvjO#ixzz1gdKEbJgA

Hope it's true!