I think Mutombo was a nice asset for us--- the Knicks had a lot of injuries last year (Houston/TT/KT/KVH/FW to name a few...) so it's tough to say a Mutombo/No Mutombo breakdown is fair. He's gone, so I'm not even going to speculate how he'd help/hinder the team this coming season.

I think the Knicks as constituted are very heavy in average or below average defenders. The only players I'd consider above average on the Knicks are Kurt Thomas (who uses his body well in spite of his lack of size) and Shandon Anderson.

Marbury was touted as as having grade A defensive potential coming out of college, but maybe as a result of his various ankle ailments, he's one of the least likely players on the floor to take a charge. TT is a softie, as are Vin Baker and Allan Houston.

We don't have an established physical presence on offense-- much of the team's success lies in Sweetney's development.

In short, this is a very different team from the physically bruising/violent teams that included Oakley/Mason/Bonner/Starks/Anthony/Harper/Buck Williams/Xman/TC/Dudley. Intimidation isn't much of a factor with this bunch.

Players like Oakley are mostly extinct in the present NBA IMO. Off the back of my head I cant think of any player who comes close to his enforcer presence 'cept for Big Ben and Shaq (when he's denied his halftime burger :) ). Martin's a big fake that picks on softy and smaller swingman (T-Mac, TimT, Mason), he'll never hold a candle next to Oakley

I like this argument. Our best line up IMO is as follow:
Marb: Excellent PG, sees the floor and can score
Ariza: Long/athletic and brings something else that our SG can't bring (defense)
TT : Long, Athletic, and a scorer
Sweetney
Vinny: Possess an excelent post-up game unlike our other big men.

with that lineup, we would have scorrers, defenders, and strengths

Posted by NumberTwoPencil:

>in our best case scenario

And in the more probably case--

Minimal Houston
Minimal Baker
And the usual 1-10 week injures

--the Knicks are entertaining and not exactly boring.