misterearl wrote:No matter your opinion of Scott Perry, the myth of players not wanting to come to The Garden was just confirmed with the signing of FIVE veteran free agents, with two more on the back burner. ESPN Sources: The New York Knicks and free agent Reggie Bullock are re-working an original two-year, $21M deal, with both sides motivated to find an agreement with new terms. Agent David Bauman and the Knicks are re-evaluating Bullock’s fitness to play a full season in 2019-20.
The front office has loaded up with yutes, who will compete for the privilege of playing in Manhattan over White Plains. The shuttle bus driver will clock so many miles between Seventh and Central Avenues he will be able to retire early.
The basketball teenagers, listed last, will be playing without the label of “savior” or “franchise player” and that’s a good thing. Their cameo understudy minutes will be time to learn at their own pace, without the great expectations of carrying a franchise.
The veterans, listed first, are playing to extend their NYC contracts past two years. The good news is that should they learn to trust each other, things could get interesting by November.
A rough sketch that is always subject to change:
C: Bobby Portis, Mitchell Robinson, tbd
PF: Julius Randle, Maybe Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson, Kenny Wooten
SF: Reggie Bullock, Kevin Knox, Ignas Brazdeikis
SG: Wayne Ellington, Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, R.J. Barrett
PG: Elfrid Payton, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina
Expect the unexpected.
Wonderful post. This jives with the aplomb the front office received for their organizational processes since Perry arrived.
I was a bit surprised by Barrett’s bringing the ball up in Summer league and would love to see more of that. With LA penciling Lebron at PG, the PointForward model will get a bit more legitimacy. He reminds me a bit of Tracy McGrady. There has to be influence there.
Knox looked really collected and solid in Las Vegas. Feel like Zion woke him. Love that.
Robinson has me bouncing in my seat. He seems to effortlessly outwork folks. As the perimeter defense develops, I think his overall presence in the paint will be recognized on an All-NBA first team level, possibly DPOY. He’s got the tools and the brains. Love love love this kid.
Randle and Smith should schedule some workouts together. Just the two of them. The PG/PF dynamic is key to the success of an old school PF bruiser like Randle. Payton should help Randle get acclimated.
We don’t have to win it all this coming year. But I’d like to see this team really develop. Would love to see Robinson in an All Star game, Knox in the Sophomore squad and Barrett on the All-Rookie First Team.
20/10 from Randle would be amazing. Smith with 6+ assists on average would be great. Trier in the running for 6MoY would make me happy.
Portis getting 15+ techs for hard fouls protecting our yoots would be okay by me (If Mr. Dolan reconciled with Oakley and invited him to work with Portis, it would be a large step toward the institutional healing this organization needs. Bring the whole 1995 squad back for the 25th anniversary of that team. You can call it “Roll Off the Rim” night vs the Pacers. Own it.
This is the Randle.