upon further review, isiah has been vastly over-rated. he has been able to spend 300mm$ and we should have a better team for that money he spent. I was looking back, last year he spent more money than Layden had in almost 4 years not including houston.


I think we over paid for JC and Im having my doubts as JC being an integral part of this team, hes to erratic. He must hone his skills.

perhaps we need a secondary talent evaluator on the team

Maybe that docter chick can do it!

Isiah been quoted as saying he won't do anything rash. Hinted he might rebuild not.

THis is a massive Phuch up by him. NObody thought, even around here that this team would really contend. Make the playoffs, maybe second round by some miricle, but that is it.

After a feeble attempt to get legit, NOW he wants to rebuild. Would it have been much easier to do that last year? Or last summer?

Witht he money he has spend, he could have bought out Fatspoon, he did anderson, would have no anfernee, etc.

Nazr is ok, but TT has been a disaster! KVH is twice the man! That ain't saying much!

Bottom line is there were lots of things that could have been done without pulling in that much salary and sticking us again.

Maybe Marbury could have been a part of the picture also. Who knows, I just know that if we rebuild it will take much longer now.

His big saving grace might be Reezy. He has been our lone unexpected bright spot. Without him, there can be no rebuilding.

Posted by BRIGGS:

upon further review, isiah has been vastly over-rated. he has been able to spend 300mm$ and we should have a better team for that money he spent. I was looking back, last year he spent more money than Layden had in almost 4 years not including houston.


I think we over paid for JC and Im having my doubts as JC being an integral part of this team, hes to erratic. He must hone his skills.

perhaps we need a secondary talent evaluator on the team

Yes, he'd better not try to make himself look good by making a short-sighted move. I'd be happier with him not doing anything than trading our guys for "names" like Walker, Webber, Rose, etc. He's gotta lay the foundation for a team that will be competitive for the next 5-10 yrs, not 2 yrs. And that is done by making the team younger, and getting cap flexibility.

Actually, there's about a dozen teams that spent more money last offseason than the Knicks.

Briggs & Nalod

The Fatspoon for Norris saved money and got Sweetney more burn. If we have no Hardaway we have no Marbury. Hardaway was swapped for Eisley & Ward which had to be done or we would have had 5pgs. I don't mind the KVH & Doleac for Tim Thomas & Narz trade at all. I mean if you look at there career #s at the time Tim & Narz are more productive than KVH & Doleac. This is the worst season Tim Thomas has ever had NOBODY planned on him having a season like this. And Thomas & Narz have more trade value than KVH & Doleac.

When Layden spent 120mil on Houston he was about 29-30. He also spent what like 30-40 or more million on an average player in Anderson and another 30-40mil on an average player in Spoon. As well as traded Bogues ending contract for Howard Eisley's long term deal.

Zeke spent 162 total million in long term salary on Marbury(92mil) a 27 yr old superstar who was only the 2nd player to average 20pts 8assist on his career. Crawford(40mil)A 24yr old SG who averaged 17pts 3.5rebs 5.1ast and still yrs away from his prime. And Kurt Thomas(28mil) our most consistant player and best low post defender.

And about 27mil in short term salary with Penny, Baker, JYD who you could say were all add ons in landing Marbury & Crawford.

And again If Houston who got his contract from Layden not Zeke was scoring 20pts consistantly a game. And Crawford didn't get turf toe then we would be a way better team for the money he spent. But unfortunatly injuries are apart of the game.

Look Isiah is doin find.. Leave the dude alone and just keep watchin!!!

Obviously, if we want to finally see the Knicks win a championship under Isiah as GM, we must remain patient..

He's not only cleaning up a lot of the mess on this team, he's trying to get this team younger, quicker and most of all, get some sought of financial structure in terms of the team's salary cap..

I have not seen any previous G.M. of the Knicks that can bring a championship to this organization other than Isiah..

He has a plan and vision.. At least he's building for the future rather than go the quick-fix route we've witness from previous G.M.s

As long as Dolan agrees and buy into Isiah's plan, we'll be closer to bveing a championship team..

I'll agree with Briggs here. I think the free pass Isiah had has pretty much run out now with Lenny's resignation.

As bad as Houston's contract is, Marbury's contract runs for 2 years longer and he gets more than Houston does in his final year. As he ages he will become more and more untradeable. What happens if, god forbid, he too suffers a similar injury to Houston? We'd probably hold the record highest payroll IL forever! Obviously Marbury is by far the better player of the 2, but the point is you take on a massive risk when signing a player to such a contract or trading for a player with such a contract.

We've taken on that contract and Penny's, but so far it hasn't helped us become any better. On top of that, Crawford's contract runs till the next decade and he hasn't really stepped any closer to reaching his potential. TT has been an unmitigated disaster. He's always injured, and when he isn't injured, he's useless. His contract couldn't run out soon enough. Nazy for Doleac was a great deal. But KVH was a better fit for Marbury. And then there's Baker...

Right now the main biggest problem is the lack of certified starting calibre big man. They are hard to find, but every championship team needs one. Isiah needed to address it, and will continue to have to address it, until well, he addresses it! Guys like Dalembert, Curry, Chandler, Nene, Kwame are expensive. But unless and until we get one, we have no way of moving forward. And one is not enough. We need to continue to add quality depth through drafts, MLE, etc, and there can't be any untouchables at all on the roster. (including Marbury) Sweets is a big that isn't really big, so even he can't be considered an untouchable. I don't care what it takes. Just get one, and keep getting them.

Also, the constant spending needs to stop too unless we are getting a big. Guys like Rose are upgrades, but don't address the needs, while just adding to the payroll. It would be better to just let Penny or TT's deal run out. Trading for guys with expiring contracts and draft picks is also not a bad idea. It would add some flexibility and flexibility is everything in today's NBA. Isiah needs to get moving and pull the trigger on a deal that can get us a big man, and needs to do it immediately.

[Edited by - nykdunk on 01/22/2005 15:38:23]

Posted by gunsnewing:

marbury is tradeable, Houston isnt. Marbury + elite bigman wins you a championship. Houston + elite bigman(ewing) doesn't. Marbury + Ewing does

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 01/22/2005 15:37:06]

Marbury + Houston doesn't
Marbury + Crawford doesn't
Star PG + Star SG doesn't
Star bigman (ewing) alone doesn't
Star bigman + Star at 1,2, or 3 (Marbury, Kobe, or LeBron) does

Quantity of Star bigmen <<<<<< Quantity of Star 1,2,and 3s

Posted by gunsnewing:

there you go!

if you just add an elite big man to this core of steph, craw, sweets,and ariza with Larry or Phil coaching this will be unbelievable team!

Can an elite big man be had without giving up one of those players? I don't know if Penny's and TT's expiring contracts, as well as Nazy or KT, will be enough. If it isn't enough, Isiah needs to sacrifice one of those four players you mentioned, or we'll continue to ride a directionless ship.

Agreed completely. Great post. It is not only important to have 1 big, but multiple ones. Depth. Quality frontcourt depth is what wins in the NBA these days. We need to start there, upgrading at whatever cost. One for now would be nice, then we can get some more with the draft, and the MLE.