@Al_Iannazzone: Melo believes the draft is strong but understands if Phil considers trading the pick

crzymdups wrote:

@StevePopper: Melo very interesting in 28 minute interview - said he has basically a GM board in his office, moving names around how he'd build the team.

@StevePopper: Was careful not to get Knicks a fine, but noted that a 19-year-old PG would have a learning curve that might not fit plan now.

Let me spell this out for you: R-O-N-D-O

You guys don't believe me - but Melo will have as much or more say than Phil in building this team this summer.

I'm not saying that's a good thing.

I think the Knicks are fools to let Melo build the team - though that was probably part of his $125M deal. I think they are doubly fools to pass on D'Angelo Russell if they have a chance at him. Did LaMarcus Aldridge tell the Blazers not to draft Damien Lillard?

Well I don't think Melo will have as much say as Phil but it's no secret at all that they are letting Melo give his opinions on who he feels would be best for him which I see absolutely no problem at all with. I'm sure people will put out plenty of rumors that Melo did this or Melo did that but that's all it will be is rumors cause nobody will know for sure just how much influence he'll have on who Phil actually signs. I really hope we don't sign Rondo though unless it's for a good amount under the max, like 8-10 mil per.

martin wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

@StevePopper: Melo very interesting in 28 minute interview - said he has basically a GM board in his office, moving names around how he'd build the team.

@StevePopper: Was careful not to get Knicks a fine, but noted that a 19-year-old PG would have a learning curve that might not fit plan now.

Let me spell this out for you: R-O-N-D-O

You guys don't believe me - but Melo will have as much or more say than Phil in building this team this summer.

I'm not saying that's a good thing.

I think the Knicks are fools to let Melo build the team - though that was probably part of his $125M deal. I think they are doubly fools to pass on D'Angelo Russell if they have a chance at him. Did LaMarcus Aldridge tell the Blazers not to draft Damien Lillard?

I don't believe you. It's good that he's putting his 2 cents worth in though.

I hope you're right. Every roster move that's been connected to Melo chiming in his two cents has sort of backfired.

crzymdups wrote:Melo the GM doubting Melo the GM?

@Al_Iannazzone: Melo said there were times when he second-guessed himself about whether he made the right decision re-signing with Knicks.

LOL

The gift that keeps on giving

Just because Melo is commenting doesn't mean he's calling the shots. He is simply giving hints about the likely approach this summer. It is true that it would be hard to win with a kid running the plays unless they're really talented and ready. IMO Russell might be ready. I can't fault the Knicks for wanting a more seasoned PG running the team. Still there are a lot of PG's that will be available and it's not a lock that Rondo would be their choice. I think there are younger and cheaper and better fits. The focus of Phil this summer will be on the top 6 rotation.

Shane Larkin	     PG	22	NYK	TBD	$1,606,080	UFA
Cory Joseph	     PG	23	SAS	TBD	$2,023,261	RFA
Brandon Knight	     PG	23	PHX	TBD	$3,553,917	RFA
Reggie Jackson	     PG	24	DET	TBD	$2,204,370	RFA
Matt Dellavedova     PG	24	CLE	TBD	$816,482	RFA
Darius Morris	     PG	24	BKN	TBD	$605,157	RFA
Alexey Shved	     PG	26	NYK	TBD	$3,282,056	RFA
Jeremy Lin	     PG	26	LAL	TBD	$8,374,646	UFA
Ishmael Smith	     PG	26	PHI	TBD	$861,405	UFA
Norris Cole	     PG	26	NOP	TBD	$2,038,206	RFA
Rodney Stuckey	     PG	28	IND	TBD	$915,243	UFA
Rajon Rondo	     PG	29	DAL	TBD	$12,909,090	UFA
Gary Neal	     PG	30	MIN	TBD	$3,250,000	UFA
C.J. Watson	     PG	30	IND	TBD	$2,077,000	UFA
Jimmer Fredette	     PG	30	NOP	TBD	$915,243	UFA
Aaron Brooks	     PG	30	CHI	TBD	$915,243	UFA
Jose Barea	     PG	30	DAL	TBD	$909,859	UFA
Ronnie Price	     PG	31	LAL	TBD	$915,243	UFA
John Lucas III	     PG	32	DET	TBD	$269,189	UFA
Will Bynum	     PG	32	WAS	TBD	$72,234	        UFA
Mo Williams	     PG	32	CHA	TBD	$3,965,074	UFA
Andre Miller	     PG	39	SAC	TBD	$4,625,000	UFA

crzymdups wrote:

@StevePopper: Melo very interesting in 28 minute interview - said he has basically a GM board in his office, moving names around how he'd build the team.

@StevePopper: Was careful not to get Knicks a fine, but noted that a 19-year-old PG would have a learning curve that might not fit plan now.

Let me spell this out for you: R-O-N-D-O

You guys don't believe me - but Melo will have as much or more say than Phil in building this team this summer.

I'm not saying that's a good thing.

I think the Knicks are fools to let Melo build the team - though that was probably part of his $125M deal. I think they are doubly fools to pass on D'Angelo Russell if they have a chance at him. Did LaMarcus Aldridge tell the Blazers not to draft Damien Lillard?

Rondo dominates the ball and can't shoot the three..Phil is running a triangle..Why does this make sense to u??

Anthony can serve as a sounding board and perhaps make suggestions, but also be a kind of de facto spokesperson for Phil.

Tough to read the tea leaves, here.

I've made comments about a time frame for action based on the respective "shelf lives" of Phil and Anthony, and the style of ball Phil wants us to play, and I've been shot down by a number of posters, but if there is any validity to Anthony's comment about a 19 year old PG not being part of the plan, that would make me think Phil might push aside the BPA philosophy and look for a pick who can have an immediate impact and play in the system he wants us to play.

I think it is a legitimate plan to go against a traditional BPA pick, and take the player who best serves the needs of the team, and if you believe that your teams "needs" involve the lifespan of your star, you might just have to take it into consideration.

I think Phil is looking at Towns if we have the #1 pick (assuming that all the visits to KU's practices showed us Towns is ready, and probably OK4 if we are at #2 (I'm less sure of this because of his poor D and some other issues), but I could see us taking a more NBA ready player if we don't pick 1/2.

Which players in the draft are physically and mentally ready to play? Kaminsky and Winslow moved up during the tournament. Don't think that Russell is ready day one, and he might not be a system player. Have not seen enough of Mudiay, but if Anthony's words mean anything, he is also a 19yr old PG, so he would not be a consideration. Not sure the two Euros are ready yet, and the guys outside of these players are worth a top 5 pick.

If we end up 3-5, I think we might take Kaminsky first, and then Winslow. Kaminsky will put on some muscle for the NBA, and has an intriguing skills set. He also played in a fairly disciplined offense. I thought he also showed some defensive ability in the final two games of the tournament. Winslow already has an NBA body, can play D, and has some offensive ability. He also had to control his game at Duke, so he knows about playing as a team.

We will see.