Amare can be the primary 5-4 back up(20 minutes a game) and were going to need 2 more 6-9 + guys who can help with depth. I also believe for this to have any chance--we need to trade Tyson Chandler and cut him up for pieces 2-3 guys who play other positions to diversify this roster some.

It WILL NOT work with BOTh Chandler and Bargs in unit 1---way way to slow and they will have spacing issues.

JamesKPolk wrote:Bargnani is not a center. If you watched one Raptors game you would know he is not a center. Raptors fans can tell you the same thing.

I'd just like to see us add another power/dirty work big or 2 to go along with Chandler. There's a ton of good possibilities out there we could get dirt cheap -- Marcus Cousin, Jordan Williams, Jerome Jordan -- also we need to keep a close eye on SL -- Jamelle Hagins, Trevor Mbakwe and Jackie Carlmichael are all good young undrafted PFs that will be appearing in SL for different teams. If one of these guys makes sense, swoop in and offer a contract.

As for backup 3, they probably feel Copeland's a goner -- that's why we're hearing Francisco Garcia rumors. They probably feel the need to replace Cope's shooting behind Melo if he walks. Sounds good -- maybe they bring CJ Leslie along more slowly instead of throwing him right in the fire (as of right now, Leslie doesn't have that sort of shooting range anyway). I think there are better options than Garcia however. For one, Shawne Williams is a better fit. Garcia's more of a guard (and if we want an extra 2G, I can think of better options over Garcia here as well); Extra E can shoot the 3 and he's also capable of guarding better, even guarding the post with his superior strength/length over Garcia. If they can get Shawne Williams for the vet minimum, keeping the mini-MLE intact for something else (possibly a PG - Darren Collison?), that's definitely one way to go. I still say 6'10" Craig Brackins would be a great option to bring in for some more frontcourt scoring. He's not a dead-eye 3-pt shooter, although he can shoot 3s -- what this guy is is a monster scoring threat from anywhere on the court -- post up (very good post up game btw), mid-range all the way out to the 3 pt line. Puts it on the floor very well too for a man that big. He has the size and skill to play either forward spot (probably more of a SF)...If the Knicks decide they're OK with sacrificing a little bit of pure 3-pt shooting they had with Cope for a much more potent/well-rounded offensive player in general, Brackins is the way to go. Brackins was a decent rebounder in college too -- 9.5 & 8.5 rpg his last 2 years at Iowa State. This guy would give us more rebounding, better defense and more offensive versatility over Chris Copeland. Brackins is the better player period, better than Shawne Williams too, just on the offensive potential alone. When Melo goes out for a rest, I could picture teams after awhile saying "oh man, I gotta deal with this guy now?" There would be no offensive let-up with Brackins. I think his offensive skills are that good.

Bonn1997 wrote:He seems closer to an SF than a C - like a taller version of KVH.
PF is the obvious position for him on this roster. It will work if he becomes more than just a chucker who's bad in the nonscoring elements of the game - regardless of what position he plays.

I would agree. I actually like his fit as a stretch 4 between Melo and Chandler.I dont see spacing issues at all with him on the court since he is perfectly comfortable playing on the perimeter. The issue I got while watching Bargs is exactly what your saying he takes a lot of bad shots. He gets smaller players on him on the perimeter with his height he will just pop 1 even if he is crowded. I dont think thats going to happen playing for the Knicks who are at least competitive basketball team. I think it would be very frustrating playing for a team u know has zero chance of winning a playoff series surrounded by very little talent. I would start firing shots up 2. His physical talent is actually very good. There arent many 7 footers that can put the ball on the floor like him.

I would like to see us keep Copeland to as a back up to Bargs at the 4 as he can do some of the same things.I originally suggested an AMare for Bargs Fields swap during the playoffs because I thought it would make the roster a more cohesive unit and all the deals expired at the same time. I also believed the 2 smaller contracts would be easier to move then 1 big contract in other trades. I figured both teams could dump there bad contracts on each other and get better fits for their rosters. I have a hard time seeing where Amare fits on this roster unless he is strictly a back up 5 thats it.

whatever the case, he must be involved in the offense if you are going to utilize him right.

he can play in the post but after 1 or 2 tries there, he goes back to his comfort zone of the perimeter unless a play is called for him there.

here he is tearing up the heat - bosh had no chance. this one was from 10/11 where he was heavier and played in the post.

but this one was the next year when he was more perimeter oriented:

the thing is that he needs to get the ball and make his move. if you park him at the 3 and make him a catch and shoot player, it won't work.

He is an improved version of Steve Novak! Not a poor man's Dirk!

He has to play the 4 and move Melo back to the 3. Functionally on offense, they play the opposite role traditionally expected- Bargs as the SF operating from the outside, and Melo on the 4 in the post.

Chandler needs to do 1 thing - play defense with a vengeance and grab rebounds as he will be the only one with size that has the capacity to board.

And Amar'e can cheer from the bench for 48 minutes a night!

knicks1248 wrote:For this to work we need guards that will get in the paint, perimeter players can't have success with out ball movement and penetration.. I wish Lin, MDA and JJ was still here..Lin penetrates, jj sets great screens, and MDA has the playbook to make Barg look really good offensively.

I always said that Bargs and Blatche were ideal centers for an MDA run team.