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DefAndReb
Posts: 20459
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 10/9/2002
Member: #336
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It seems that a couple guys on this board don't understand the rationale for having a guy like Murray over a guy like DerMarr.
1) DerMarr is in his prime, and sucks
2) Murray, when in his prime, was a solid role-player (jump shot). Even at his age, off screens, a guy who can shoot doesn't need a young man's speed, just has to hit his mark and his shots
3) Murray is a seasoned veteran, and hypothetically would provide balance at the end of the bench, usually riddled with young players who don't know much about basketball (at least in this NBA)
4) You don't pick up end-of-bench players to mold into starters. You pick up guys who will excel at giving you the most effective 3-5 minutes of playing time you can get. A veteran should be better at this than any young player, especially one who has already reached his potential (like DerMarr)
So, all IT is doing is saying "hey, Trevor, if you can outplay Murray in 3-5 min blocks, you can get PT. If not, welcome to the IR."
Personally, I'm tired of the NBA being used as a developmental league on the fans' dime. Either a guy can play when asked, or he can ride the pine. Giving young players big minutes just for the sake of developing them is Russian Roulette. If you don't shoot yourself in the head, you just got lucky. Knicks cannot afford to experiment with W's and L's. Let the young players prove it in practice or in short spurts in games. I trust the coaching staff to decide for me, the fan, whether or not I need to see Ariza or Murray or Sundov on the floor.
DerMarr had a chance to prove himself in summer league, and he failed. Failed. Anyone watch The Apprentice? You better produce, because the slightest mistake at the wrong time will get you fired, and you don't get a second chance. That's life.
IT knows DerMarr sucks. He's hoping Ariza will break out, but it helps to have some fallback veteran experience. IT knows what Murray can do, which is shoot the ball and hopefully make the most of his 3-5 minutes.
Understand this is not about the first two 5-man rotations. IT is auditioning people for slots 11-12 and the IR, given that Houston, Baker, Penny, JYD are prime injury candidates at their ages. All these guys (Norris/Wright/Bateer/Sundov/Ariza/Barrett/Brewer/Murray) are competing for two active slots and three IR slots. Usually, the only guys unsure of their slot going into preseason are the scrubs we import from the UCLA Alumni Association (Toby Bailey, anyone?) This year, we may see some actual scrappy preseason play from these guys.
Not to mention, IT may be building a package to move KT or even (cross your fingers) H20. And for that, he's just stacking the deck for some insurance.
In any case, the original post mentions Murray, but it's just the sheer number of players signed that I find interesting. NYK may actually be building a good bench.
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10/4/2004 2:59 PM