Manu Ginobili re-upped with the Spurs, so now Denver has been burnt by two FAs (Ginobili and QRich). Let's pray that they throw the max at KMart, and the Nets don't match it. That'd be great.

In my mind, Philly is the Knicks' main contender next year for the Atlantic Crown. Toronto and Boston are in shambles, so it comes down to the Knicks, Philly, and NJ.

NJ has an old core and no bench (they bought out Rodney Rodgers). They will hopefully lose KMart to free agency, and might deal Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams to Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, making their thin team even thinner. If such a deal went down, they'd have really no depth anywhere on the team.

Philadelphia is a team to watch out for. Not only do they have a great cast of young stars: Samuel Dalembert, Andre Igoudala, Kyle Korver, Willie Green, and John Salmons. Mix that with depth and veteran leadership, and new coaching, and I think Philly has a chance to win 50 games. Don't forget about Iverson, he had an awful season and still averaged 26 and 7. Don't sleep on the former MVP.

If the Knicks don't pull off the Crawford deal, I'd still expect them to have a shot. I'm expecting great things from Sweetney this year (15 and 9), and I think the Crawford deal just pushes the Knicks into the top tier of EC teams.

I felt that a healthy Houston already put us in the upper crust. But you're right. Crawford, Marbury and TT (or Penny or Houston) as a back three at the same time really spreads the floor.

I doubt the Knicks can get a quality Big man with the MLE and will end up resigning Doleac. If this is our current time +crawford, I can't wait for the season.

Posted by BigSm00th:

Manu Ginobili re-upped with the Spurs, so now Denver has been burnt by two FAs (Ginobili and QRich). Let's pray that they throw the max at KMart, and the Nets don't match it. That'd be great.

In my mind, Philly is the Knicks' main contender next year for the Atlantic Crown. Toronto and Boston are in shambles, so it comes down to the Knicks, Philly, and NJ.

NJ has an old core and no bench (they bought out Rodney Rodgers). They will hopefully lose KMart to free agency, and might deal Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams to Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, making their thin team even thinner. If such a deal went down, they'd have really no depth anywhere on the team.

Philadelphia is a team to watch out for. Not only do they have a great cast of young stars: Samuel Dalembert, Andre Igoudala, Kyle Korver, Willie Green, and John Salmons. Mix that with depth and veteran leadership, and new coaching, and I think Philly has a chance to win 50 games. Don't forget about Iverson, he had an awful season and still averaged 26 and 7. Don't sleep on the former MVP.

If the Knicks don't pull off the Crawford deal, I'd still expect them to have a shot. I'm expecting great things from Sweetney this year (15 and 9), and I think the Crawford deal just pushes the Knicks into the top tier of EC teams.

very interesting take on things...good points you bring up as well...i agree w/just about everything you had to say, except that i don't think you can count out Boston either...they still have Pierce, & a re-signed Mark Blount, along w/Doc Rivers, who i am sure will get that team playing better than they did last year...plus, i think Ricky Davis has a bounceback year next season as well.

Nené won't be a superstar player imho...i think he'll grow into a nice player, possibly an Allstar someday, but not someone who will dominate the game in any way.

Posted by Mac:

I felt that a healthy Houston already put us in the upper crust. But you're right. Crawford, Marbury and TT (or Penny or Houston) as a back three at the same time really spreads the floor.

I doubt the Knicks can get a quality Big man with the MLE and will end up resigning Doleac.

I want Etan Thomas!

Reggie Evans is similar to Etan Thomas, in that he rebounds and does only that (averaged 15 rebounds per 48 minutes in Seattle and had the 2nd highest rebound rate among all PFs a year ago) and he could come very cheap. I like Thomas too.

How will the Raps have a steady offense with Carter gone? Who will score? That's a disastrous offense WITH Carter, without him, who else is left? Mo Pete, Jalen Rose, and Alvin Williams would be their three best players (and Bosh has been AWFUL in summer league).

Boston shouldn't be very good, and the Nets without KMart or a bench are not a winning team.

Good points, my bad.