In todays NBA, the Spurs, Pacers, and Pistons are textbook examples of how to build a team. The Knicks should follow these blueprints throughout this offseason and the next few years.

Spurs - They built around a franchise big man in Tim Duncan. However, they drafted great players in Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli and they surrounded Duncan with great role players. Bruce Bowen may be the best defensive player in the league and Horry wins everywhere he goes.

Pacers - They have made unbelivable trades. The Dale Davis for J O'Neal trade is the most lopsided that I can remember and they also got Artest and Brad Miller in a lopsided deal. Artest anchors the defense but they also have the role player in Jeff Foster. He changes the game without scoring through defense and rebounding. Of course Donnie Walsh drafted well by getting Tinsley, Harrington, and Bender.

Pistons - Joe Dumars is the best GM in the game today in my opinion. The Rip for Stackhouse trade was brilliant as well as the Billups signing. The Sheed trade was a nobrainer but he was able to unload Atkins' bad contract and get back a defensive beast in Mike James. Their defense is built around Ben Wallace and Sheed but Prince has long arms and quickness to disturb the best perimeter players on opposing teams. Lindsey Hunter and James come off the bench and give opposing guards tons of trouble. The draft, however, is the most impressive aspect of Dumars. He nabbed Prince, Okur, Darko, and next year Delfino should be with them.

Now for the Knicks. We should look to deal Kurt Thomas in a similiar way the Pacers used Dale Davis. I love Tyson Chandler and as many other people on this board have mentioned, our big men coaches could have a huge effect on his game. Kwame Brown may also be available but he would be much more expensive. We need to have a solid MLE signing (ie Billups) and also concentrate on defense. Look at those three teams above and all are great defensively. More importantly, they all have guys that guard the best opposing perimeter players which is tremendously important especially in the east. Bowen, Artest, and Prince really limit the offensive options of other teams. Finally, I hope Isiah realizes that the draft is very useful in building a team. Manu, Parker, Tinsley, Prince, Delfino were all drafted in the late first round. Other teams have stolen guys like Josh Howard, Gilbert Areanas, Michael Redd, among many others late in the draft. With the influx of high schoolers and foreigners, many talented players slip in the draft. There is also great opportunity to grab foreigners late in the first round or early second who will stay overseas for a year or two but can really contribute when they do come over. Manu is a great example and the Pistons have Delfino coming over and the Nets have Nened Kristic. It seems like the rich get richer but it's smart drafting. I feel like there is no real difference now in the first round outside of the top 10.

If we stay in the playoffs, we can get great players through the draft late in the first round while gaining the valuable playoff experience...