Posted by s3231:

The thing is, if we do get Dampier then Sweetney will most likely not be our starting PF since Kurt will not be needed to complete a sign and trade for Dampier. That would be very good because Kurt could then be used in another deal (like a Walker trade) or we could just keep him at starting PF which would still give us a good frontcourt.

that's what i was getting at...if Isiah ends up getting Dampier, then he could turn around & make another deal for Walker using KT...then you would have a Dampier/Walker frontcourt combo...

the other way is to get Z using KT, & then starting Sweetney at PF, which could also work.

If we are talking better do...I would rather have a combo of Z/Sweetney than Dampier/Walker. My ideal is Dampier/Sweetney. I think Sweetney will develop enough of a post game (he is quick enough, big enough, and strong enough) to do anything Elton Brand (the player he is compared to) can do. Plus with all the scoring wings that we have (be it Steph, Houston, Frankie or Steph, Houston, Crawford (along with TT) our centers and power forwards are going to have to get their points the dirty way...on putbacks and fouls. Z, as big as he is is more of a finesse center who needs plays run for him. Zeke it seems is loading up on alot of quicker streetball type players (he has targeted Walker, Crawford, Dampier. The only player not fitting that streotype is Z). Also, it seems he doesn't really want Steph to run the pick and roll. He seems to want a more open streetball type offense. Z would fit perfectly into a pick and roll offense, not so much a freestyle offense. Walker, I never liked him at all, and I like him less on a team with 2 other perimeter players possibly in the starting 5 (Houston, TT). My ideal lineup would be

Dampier/Swift/Clark/Chan
Sweetney/Baker
Carter/TT/Ariza
Houston/Penny/Hawkins
Marbury/Frankie/Barrett

"Zeke it seems is loading up on alot of quicker streetball type players (he has targeted Walker, Crawford, Dampier. The only player not fitting that streotype is Z). Also, it seems he doesn't really want Steph to run the pick and roll. He seems to want a more open streetball type offense."

Dampier and Walker aren't quick or streetball type. Walker shoots a lot of bad shots and a low percentage, and doesn't play D, that's why I don't really want the guy, not to mention Sweetney's ready to play 30mpg and with Walker here he won't.

Dampier, with rumors about him for Walker, him for Marion, etc., I just don't think you'll get him Mohammed. Not to mention, he'll be signed for 6 years and only be productive for 2-3 of them, if that many.

I totally disagree with Marbury being in a fast-paced, freestyling offense. He was in that in Phoenix with ideal players at every position and it didn't work out. Marbury's BEST play is the pick-and-roll, since he's such a good passer and can finish, which is why I think Ilgauskas makes a ton of more sense. Marbury rarely pushes the ball and, from what I've seen of him, he likes to play halfcourt basketball and not fast-paced, fast-break bball. Wilkens even said in a press conference he thinks the Knicks' "bread and butter play" is the pick and roll.

"Dampier/Swift/Clark/Chan
Sweetney/Baker
Carter/TT/Ariza
Houston/Penny/Hawkins
Marbury/Frankie/Barrett"

Dampier AND Carter? Swift for the MLE? Maybe they can get Shaq too...

As much as I like Sweetney, I think he will benefit from a year of getting an ample amount of minutes off the bench. I just think a Dampier/Walker combo is much better than a Ilgauskas/Sweetney combo. A healthy Ilgauskas is better than Dampier but Dampier fits this team's needs so well. Plus, Antoine Walker is an all-star PF in the East and he showed last year that he is a team player and will do anything that is asked of him. Antoine is one of the best all-around players in the game and if he doesn't work out he has that huge expiring contract so I definitely think you take a shot at him. Honestly, we could go to the Finals next year with a Dampier/Walker frontcourt. Add in a healthy Houston and a determined Tim Thomas and I honestly think we could make a title run with that lineup if everything goes well. Hopefully, Zeke can get us these two guys.

That's a horrible comparison. The East got a lot better last year, that Celtics team was horrible, one of the worst ECF teams of all time. It was Pierce and Walker and a bunch of guys shooting 3s, the Nets, Pacers, Pistons, Heat, Hornets, and possibly Bucks (w/ a healthy TJ Ford) are all better than that Celts team.

Regardless, you can't make a comparison like "Antoine's been to the ECF with Paul Pierce" so he'll make it with the Knicks. If the Knicks do that trade they'll be one of the worst defensive teams in the league, they'd fight over the ball, and if you think of all coaches LENNY WILKENS, the most passive guy on Earth, is going to get Walker to stop shooting 3s you're insane. Unless Isiah's gonna yell from the stands not to shoot he's still gonna launch him, it's Antoine being Antoine.

I'd rather get Ilgauskas for the same package, he at least gives you a fighting chance against Centers in the league. Walker's 6'8", Z is 7'3", stronger, and has just as good of a contract. Plus, he plays good defense and doesn't need the ball to be effective.

Who is playing C for the Knicks when they trdae KT and Mohammed for Walker? I think that's a great question. Ilgauskas scores 30 on the Knicks with ease, he'll drop 50 if they had that lineup. What will it be? Marbury, Houston, TThomas, Sweetney, Walker? When Houston goes down (he still can't TOUCH the rim b/c of knee soreness), you throw Penny in there, you think that's making the playoffs? Sweetney fouls out of SL games, in the NBA he'll be out 60% of the games b/c of fouls. Who comes in then, Vin Baker, who just had heart surgery?

Ilgauskas and/or Crawford makes a LOT more sense than Antoine Walker.

[Edited by - bigsm00th on 07/15/2004 01:15:18]