knicks1248 wrote:However, Teague indicated the triangle offense isn’t well-suited for a penetrating point guard like himself and Knicks incumbent Derrick Rose.Teague, traded from the Hawks last summer to his hometown Pacers, said he’s not too familiar with the triangle except for the few times he’s been asked to defend it. Jackson has ordered a renewed emphasis on the triangle since the week before the All-Star break.
“I never played in the triangle,’’ Teague told The Post before facing the Knicks on Tuesday at the Garden. “I don’t know too much about it – just from guarding it years in the past. So I recognize it.’’
Is it difficult to guard? Teague laughed.
“Not really,’’ Teague said. “I’m not saying you can’t defend it. I think a player like Rose, it gives you a better chance of containing him.”
He's one of the better if not the best FA pg that will be available...At this point I would just let baker or chase be the starting pg, and pay rose to be our sg.
http://www.rotoworld.com/log/nba/1781/ish-smith
IMHO, the Knicks would be better off with a PG in the "Ish Smith" range. Smith is not an elite player. Not even sure I'd call him moderately good. He's functional, he understands his role and he's making 3 years/18 million, so 6 million a year.
The enduring question is if you can get 75 percent of the production of a "name brand" player for 20 percent the cost using a "non name brand" player. Obviously Smith would be more than 20 percent, but you get where I'm going with this. If Smith got consistent usage, would his production against someone like Rose be worth the difference in 14 million a year? 10 million a year? etc etc.
Also a non name brand player will not likely command a full four year deal to sign. Which is huge, in terms of future flexibility.
I think if the Pistons had been able to trade Reggie Jackson, Smith would show much more value than he has so far.
Again, he is not an elite talent, but he knows his role, which is super important in a team format. Lance Thomas has grit, but he doesn't always know his role and it shows. There are times Thomas shoots the ball and I have clue what the guy is doing. He's often pushing outside of his capabilities and not playing the way that got him that contract in the first place.
There will always be gems to be had, in the 4th and 5th tiers of FA, but I think the Knicks need a better and more committed executive than Phil Jackson to realize those kind of players.
