C. Anthony<-------------->C. Anthony
A. Stoudemire<----------->A. Stoudemire
T. Chandler<------------->T. Chandler
T. Douglas<-------------->R. Felton
L. Fields<--------------->J. Smith
S. Novak<---------------->S. Novak
I. Shumpert<------------->I. Shumpert(IR)
M. Bibby<---------------->J. Kidd
J. Harrelson<------------>M. Camby
J. Jeffries<------------->K. Thomas
B. Walker<--------------->J. White
B. Davis(IR)<------------>P. Prigioni
R. Balkman<-------------->C. Copeland
J. Jordan

On paper, we are a little bit older, but I think we are starting the season with a better roster than we have had in a long time. It looks a bit more defensive minded than in years past as well. I think the upgrade at PG, backup PG and backup C make this team a bit tougher to beat. W

I'll save any criticism of Ray Felton until I see what kind of shape he shows up in. But, I always liked Ray, I thought he was a warrior on the court and loved how much he wanted to be here. He is a clear upgrade from Toney Douglas.

Looks like both Melo and Stat are coming back in better shape than in prior years. Another plus.

Chandler is coming of winning DPOY.

We are starting the season with JR Smith, who I sadly predict will break the alltime record for 3 pointers taken this year.

Novak is a year older and more confident, in his one trick pony kind of way.

Kidd is a year older, but still has some quality minutes to share.

Camby gives high quality minutes for the time he can be on the court.

I'd bet Harrelson is back in a Knicks uniform 30 days from now.

No more Jeffries. I appreciate that. Plus we got the "Stare" back in Kurt Thomas.

White vs. Walker is prob a wash, though I don't see White having the same injury concerns.

Notwithstanding the losses of Fields and Lin for no real consideration, we are starting the season better than last year. Not sure if we can pull any Aces from up our sleeves, but I'm not pessimistic about this season. I think this is the best looking opening day roster we have had since 1999 (which Camby and Kurt Thomas were on!).

We could use a little more size and a defensive SG (until Shump is back). Again, my bet is on Harrellson making a return appearance and the Knicks taking another flyer on Corey Brewer.

C. Anthony<-------------->C. Anthony
A. Stoudemire<----------->A. Stoudemire
T. Chandler<------------->T. Chandler
T. Douglas<-------------->R. Felton Improvement
L. Fields<--------------->J. Smith Improvement
S. Novak<---------------->S. Novak
I. Shumpert<------------->I. Shumpert(IR)
M. Bibby<---------------->J. Kidd Improvement
J. Harrelson<------------>M. Camby Massive Improvement
J. Jeffries<------------->K. Thomas Not sure here but I think its an improvement
B. Walker<--------------->J. White
B. Davis(IR)<------------>P. Prigioni
R. Balkman<-------------->C. Copeland

The only downgrade is the loss of Lin and that is debatable - yes I agree he was a huge part of the teams success and I am sad to see him go. However, if Felton can play like the pre-Melo trade we are solid. Our second squad should be able to come in and put points on the board while maintaining the defense when Chandler sits, we did not have that last year and it hurt the team.

Add in the possibility of Stat either coming back and beasting or moving to more of a 6th man role and I think we have a recipe for the 4-5 seed and possibly a first round series win.

EwingsGlass wrote:

OasisBU wrote:On paper this is a much better team. It still has weaknesses but it is much more solid.

C. Anthony<-------------->C. Anthony
A. Stoudemire<----------->A. Stoudemire
T. Chandler<------------->T. Chandler
T. Douglas<-------------->R. Felton Improvement
L. Fields<--------------->J. Smith Improvement
S. Novak<---------------->S. Novak
I. Shumpert<------------->I. Shumpert(IR)
M. Bibby<---------------->J. Kidd Improvement
J. Harrelson<------------>M. Camby Massive Improvement
J. Jeffries<------------->K. Thomas Not sure here but I think its an improvement
B. Walker<--------------->J. White
B. Davis(IR)<------------>P. Prigioni
R. Balkman<-------------->C. Copeland

The only downgrade is the loss of Lin and that is debatable - yes I agree he was a huge part of the teams success and I am sad to see him go. However, if Felton can play like the pre-Melo trade we are solid. Our second squad should be able to come in and put points on the board while maintaining the defense when Chandler sits, we did not have that last year and it hurt the team.

Add in the possibility of Stat either coming back and beasting or moving to more of a 6th man role and I think we have a recipe for the 4-5 seed and possibly a first round series win.

Oh man, if Amare ends up in the 6 man role we are going to have drama. I agree with your assessment, though I would suggest that this year's Melo is an improvement over last years (assuming we get the one that ended the season, not the one that played the first half). And it would be hard for Amare to play worse than he did last year. So, I am sippin the kool-aid and calling this Amare an improvement as well to the extent I am not hearing about his back.

I'm guessing that the only way Stat comes off the bench is if he's hurt and Woodson tells him to be a sub when he gets back to keep him fresh for the playoffs. I don't believe that production alone, or lack of it, will be enough for Woodson to sit him. Not often that starters making Stat's money get sent to the bench. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea if he was in a slump.

This roster is MUCH better than the roster last year to start the year. Especially if you want to play tough D for 48 mins.

GustavBahler wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

OasisBU wrote:On paper this is a much better team. It still has weaknesses but it is much more solid.

C. Anthony<-------------->C. Anthony
A. Stoudemire<----------->A. Stoudemire
T. Chandler<------------->T. Chandler
T. Douglas<-------------->R. Felton Improvement
L. Fields<--------------->J. Smith Improvement
S. Novak<---------------->S. Novak
I. Shumpert<------------->I. Shumpert(IR)
M. Bibby<---------------->J. Kidd Improvement
J. Harrelson<------------>M. Camby Massive Improvement
J. Jeffries<------------->K. Thomas Not sure here but I think its an improvement
B. Walker<--------------->J. White
B. Davis(IR)<------------>P. Prigioni
R. Balkman<-------------->C. Copeland

The only downgrade is the loss of Lin and that is debatable - yes I agree he was a huge part of the teams success and I am sad to see him go. However, if Felton can play like the pre-Melo trade we are solid. Our second squad should be able to come in and put points on the board while maintaining the defense when Chandler sits, we did not have that last year and it hurt the team.

Add in the possibility of Stat either coming back and beasting or moving to more of a 6th man role and I think we have a recipe for the 4-5 seed and possibly a first round series win.

Oh man, if Amare ends up in the 6 man role we are going to have drama. I agree with your assessment, though I would suggest that this year's Melo is an improvement over last years (assuming we get the one that ended the season, not the one that played the first half). And it would be hard for Amare to play worse than he did last year. So, I am sippin the kool-aid and calling this Amare an improvement as well to the extent I am not hearing about his back.

I'm guessing that the only way Stat comes off the bench is if he's hurt and Woodson tells him to be a sub when he gets back to keep him fresh for the playoffs. I don't believe that production alone, or lack of it, will be enough for Woodson to sit him. Not often that starters making Stat's money get sent to the bench. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea if he was in a slump.

I didn't mean 6th man in the traditional sense - I think he will be a starter. I should have said he will probably lead the second unit and Woodson can pull it off with smart/creative substitutions. Stat will definitely stay but I could see he and Melo not spending the entire time on the floor together. That way we always have a star/scorer on the court.

OasisBU wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:

OasisBU wrote:On paper this is a much better team. It still has weaknesses but it is much more solid.

C. Anthony<-------------->C. Anthony
A. Stoudemire<----------->A. Stoudemire
T. Chandler<------------->T. Chandler
T. Douglas<-------------->R. Felton Improvement
L. Fields<--------------->J. Smith Improvement
S. Novak<---------------->S. Novak
I. Shumpert<------------->I. Shumpert(IR)
M. Bibby<---------------->J. Kidd Improvement
J. Harrelson<------------>M. Camby Massive Improvement
J. Jeffries<------------->K. Thomas Not sure here but I think its an improvement
B. Walker<--------------->J. White
B. Davis(IR)<------------>P. Prigioni
R. Balkman<-------------->C. Copeland

The only downgrade is the loss of Lin and that is debatable - yes I agree he was a huge part of the teams success and I am sad to see him go. However, if Felton can play like the pre-Melo trade we are solid. Our second squad should be able to come in and put points on the board while maintaining the defense when Chandler sits, we did not have that last year and it hurt the team.

Add in the possibility of Stat either coming back and beasting or moving to more of a 6th man role and I think we have a recipe for the 4-5 seed and possibly a first round series win.

Oh man, if Amare ends up in the 6 man role we are going to have drama. I agree with your assessment, though I would suggest that this year's Melo is an improvement over last years (assuming we get the one that ended the season, not the one that played the first half). And it would be hard for Amare to play worse than he did last year. So, I am sippin the kool-aid and calling this Amare an improvement as well to the extent I am not hearing about his back.

I'm guessing that the only way Stat comes off the bench is if he's hurt and Woodson tells him to be a sub when he gets back to keep him fresh for the playoffs. I don't believe that production alone, or lack of it, will be enough for Woodson to sit him. Not often that starters making Stat's money get sent to the bench. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea if he was in a slump.

I didn't mean 6th man in the traditional sense - I think he will be a starter. I should have said he will probably lead the second unit and Woodson can pull it off with smart/creative substitutions. Stat will definitely stay but I could see he and Melo not spending the entire time on the floor together. That way we always have a star/scorer on the court.

We have enough talent on the roster to field a good second unit with Stat being the main offensive threat. I don't believe it was tried that much last year because the bench wasn't very deep (to put it nicely).

At least it would give them each time to be the focal point of the offense. They still have to learn to work together on the floor however. I'm hoping that Kidd will help them do just that and Felton will pick up on what Kidd does and do the same.

Felton said he is looking forward to learning from Kidd which is always refreshing to hear from a veteran. I like how Stat, Melo, and Felton, have spoken about improving their games. Hope its more than talk. Guess we will find out soon enough.

BasketballJones wrote:How is this gonna work? How can those old dudes score and play D while hanging on to their walkers?

By leaning on the Fat people for support