nyknickzingis wrote:I didn't want Afflalo back as a starter, but off the bench I think he has real value. If re-signing him was about giving him the starting spot, I wouldn't want that, but as a bench guy, I am very open to it. Most good teams have a 2nd unit player who can create his own shot and be aggressive in scoring. He's good for 10-12 points off the bench. There's only 2 things I appreciate in the coaching change from Rambis. One that he's pushed Porzingis to develop more than spotting up and settling for that. The other is his moving Afflalo to the 6th man/bench role. Much more appropriate for his talent level.Way I see it right now is that we need someone that fits in at 2 guard to replace Sasha. Sasha has shown what a shooter who defends can do for the team. He isn't even a good shooter or a good defender but his effort and willingness to step in and take those shots are always there as are his efforts on defense. If Grant improves, Wroten is taken on as a project, we've got athleticism and guards that can get into the paint there. I agree with you Martin that a free agent upgrade at one of the guard spots would go a big way, but who is that free agent? Hard for me to pinpoint that player.
In 16 games Sasha has started, I believe the Knicks are 8-8. Pretty crazy how a player who doesn't shoot, drive, or do anything all that well but fill in the role in the offense very well can make it seem as if there's no net loss with starting him. Makes one think what we would like with a player doing what Sasha is with actual skill level to make 3's, open shots and defend. Evan Turner isn't that player though. He's not a good 3 point shooter. If we sign Turner, I like him for the bench, as an upgrade to Galloway. Galloway has struggled as the season has progressed and I don't trust his ballhandling or decision making. Good spot up guy that can drive to the basket. Not a reliable ballhandler/decision maker.
Next year I'd like Jose/Grant to split minutes at point guard. Irrelevant who starts, just split the minutes. For that to happen Grant has to shoot the ball well, like he has in the post all-star break. And keep getting into the paint, look for those drives. IF, and that's a big IF we can trust Grant to bring that on a nightly game to game basis, we can probably go all in on spending on a starting 2 guard. Fournier? Although he is a restricted free agent. A name doesn't pop up to me who does the following things well - shoot the 3, defend, athletic, in his prime. Batum would really help on many levels. Don't see why Charlotte wouldn't keep him.
After that you're looking at getting guys on the Afflalo level of last year. There's Bayless (Grant would play 2 in this scenario). OJ Mayo. Courtney Lee. I think odds are higher we wind up with a player of this category in free agency than a Fournier or even Batum.
good stuff.
It's out of left field and realistically has no probability of happening, but DeMar DeRozan has been on my mind (objectively I know relatively little about his actual game). This is where Phil gotta step up to the plate and flash is bling Pat Riley style. Tell DeMar that he can be elevated to Kobe, Jordan level within the triangle. Convince DeRozan that he can also persuade Westbrook the next year.
Obviously a lot of nearly insurmountable obstacles but one can dream.
