Lots of news today! Here's an interesting NBA note.
Draft Express is reporting that the Pacers are offering the #11 pick and Jermaine O'Neal to the Cavaliers. The Pacers would get expiring contracts such as Wally Szczerbiak and Eric Snow in return. The Pacers don't want to give O'Neal away, but with not much to play for currently, losing his $23 million contract from their cap figure is priority No. 1 [via Rotoworld.com]
Isn't this trade a no brainier for the Cavs? I know O'Neal has been hurt but he really has so little value that the Pacers would have to trade their first round pick just to rid themselves of O'Neal?
Furthermore, wouldn't it make sense for the Knicks to make a similar trade with Marbury? O'Neal only has two years left on his mammoth contract and it would expire before the LBJ year, plus they would pick up another lottery pick.
Showing posts with label New York Knicks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Knicks. Show all posts
5/20/08
Interesting NBA Note
If Cheeks stays put, look for him to pester Philly's president to acquire Zach Randolph, who has the goods to provide everything the ahead-of-schedule Sixers are offensively lacking in the low docks. Contrary to common belief, Cheeks and Randolph had great respect for each other in Portland -- New York Post
The Post doesn't' mention a source or that this rumor has any real substance to it but it is a trade that makes some sense.
The Sixers need a low post scorer and a compliment on the wing to A.I II to have a shot at a deep playoff run.
Randolph would be the prefect compliment to the defensive prowess of Sam Dalembert. When you add in A.I II, Andre Miller, Lou Williams, Thadeus Young, Willie Green and Reggie Evans the Sixers would have a very solid team.
The Sixers are in a unique situation where they find themselves some 20 million under the cap. They could afford to take on Randolphs salary without relinquishing anything in return (and at this point I think the Knicks would be happy with just rid themselves of Zach.)
The Knicks in such a trade would end up with a valuable trade exemption (equal to Randolphs salary, some 18 million dollars.) that could be used to help a team shed salary while picking up valuable draft picks in the process (look at what the Sonics did with Kurt Thomas last year)
I'm excited for Knick basketball to have meaning again. Even if it's a trade who's sole purpose is to free up cap space. It's nice to see that the Knicks have a long-term plan to turn things around.
5/19/08
Galapogos
I spend way too much time speaking about sports.
In particular dreaming up trade scenarios for almost every professional sport (except Hockey...that's why you have The Rivalry! [Shameless plug])
Anyway on the eve of the draft lottery here are some Knick thoughts:
-If N.Y. lands the number one pick, rejoice and go buy your Derrick Rose jersey now. One man alone could speed up our rebuilding process by two years.
-If N.Y. lands number two, cross your fingers that Minnesota, Memphis or a team with an already established point guard lands the number one pick.
Speaking of Memphis here's an interesting scenario that ran through my head today.
If Memphis lands the top spot in the draft it'd only seem logical they take Beasley right?
I mean they have Conley, Lowry and Crittenton at point and need a down low scorer.
In fact Conley, Gay, Miller and Beasley is a pretty solid core.
However, as we learned with the Gasol trade this is a team that cares more about the bottom line than winning.
Derrick Rose (local hero) puts more butts in the seats and viewers in front of the T.V. than Beasley does.
So if they take Rose they'd have to move Conley, this is where the Knicks come into play.
We could offer our number one pick (in the 3-5 range) and Malik Rose (expiring contract) for Conley and Brian Cardinal (who has 2 years left on his ugly contract but it expires before LeBron James enters free agency)
Why would Memphis do it:
They can take Rose at one and than whatever big man they choose (Lopez, Jordan, Love, Koufus.) They also save money by dumping Cardinal's contact.
Why would N.Y. do it:
Assuming Rose is off the board when we pick no one in this draft can really gives us a true All Star Caliber PG. Mayo and Bayless are more two-guards than point. Westbrook and Augustine have question marks about them and aren't as good as Conley. Taking back Cardinals contract isn't terrible for the Knicks as it expires just in time for the Free Agency Class of 2010.
Tuesday is the first step in what should be an active off-season for the Knicks
In particular dreaming up trade scenarios for almost every professional sport (except Hockey...that's why you have The Rivalry! [Shameless plug])
Anyway on the eve of the draft lottery here are some Knick thoughts:
-If N.Y. lands the number one pick, rejoice and go buy your Derrick Rose jersey now. One man alone could speed up our rebuilding process by two years.
-If N.Y. lands number two, cross your fingers that Minnesota, Memphis or a team with an already established point guard lands the number one pick.
Speaking of Memphis here's an interesting scenario that ran through my head today.
If Memphis lands the top spot in the draft it'd only seem logical they take Beasley right?
I mean they have Conley, Lowry and Crittenton at point and need a down low scorer.
In fact Conley, Gay, Miller and Beasley is a pretty solid core.
However, as we learned with the Gasol trade this is a team that cares more about the bottom line than winning.
Derrick Rose (local hero) puts more butts in the seats and viewers in front of the T.V. than Beasley does.
So if they take Rose they'd have to move Conley, this is where the Knicks come into play.
We could offer our number one pick (in the 3-5 range) and Malik Rose (expiring contract) for Conley and Brian Cardinal (who has 2 years left on his ugly contract but it expires before LeBron James enters free agency)
Why would Memphis do it:
They can take Rose at one and than whatever big man they choose (Lopez, Jordan, Love, Koufus.) They also save money by dumping Cardinal's contact.
Why would N.Y. do it:
Assuming Rose is off the board when we pick no one in this draft can really gives us a true All Star Caliber PG. Mayo and Bayless are more two-guards than point. Westbrook and Augustine have question marks about them and aren't as good as Conley. Taking back Cardinals contract isn't terrible for the Knicks as it expires just in time for the Free Agency Class of 2010.
Tuesday is the first step in what should be an active off-season for the Knicks
5/13/08
Well, That Didn't Take Long...
Rotoworld.com is report that new Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni is already trying to trade point guard/human cancer Stephon Marbury.
Well, That took about 8 seconds, but still who is going to take him on at this point? Somebody hire Isiah Thomas, and then we'll trade Marbury to him for 41 first rounders and Cash Considerations.
Well, That took about 8 seconds, but still who is going to take him on at this point? Somebody hire Isiah Thomas, and then we'll trade Marbury to him for 41 first rounders and Cash Considerations.
5/11/08
Knick Thoughts
I love, love, love the D'Antoni move.
As much as I respect Marc Jakson as an analyst as a coach he's a total unknown commodity. With D'Antoni were getting a coach with a great track record. He's a proven winning coach who players love playing for. As Chad Ford points out the combination of an offensive minded coach and the draw of playing in NY will really help the Knicks recruit players in free agency.
This team is still rebuilding, that hasn't changed, D'Antoni isn't a miracle worker. However at least this team will be entertaining in this transitional phase. If were going to lose games I'd rather lose 130-115 than 80-68.
Personally I'm excited for the 7 seconds or less era in NY, however we need players that fit the scheme. Here's some trades (that I think are realistic) and would help our team in the short and long term.
New York trades Jamal Crawford to the Raptors for T.J Ford.
Ford, who is overrated and injury prone, gives the Knicks a true point guard who can run the floor. His contract is similar to Crawfords so we don't have to add any salary in this move.
The Raptors have Calderon who clearly is much better than Ford. Calderon wants more playing time and is a restricted free agent, moving Ford gives him more PT and Crawford gives the Raptors another offensive weapon.
New York trades Zach Randolph to the Bucks for Bobby Simmons and Desmond Mason
A your junk for our junk kind of trade. Randolph needs a fresh start and while he seems to be a guy who ruins whatever team he goes to you can't deny his skill on the offensive end, he's a 20-10 guy. The Knicks take back a similarly bad contract in Simmons (thought it's one year less) and also pick up Mason's expiring contract.
The Bucks get to move Simmons who never lived up to his lofty contract and get to roll the dice on a very talented player without sacrificing much long term payroll flexibility.
New York trades Eddy Curry and Renaldo Balkman to the Jazz for Andrei Kirilenko and Jaron Collins
AK-47 will thrive in a fast paced offense. He also is lock down on the defensive end, acquiring AK-47 will give D'Antoni his Marion in this offense. Also much like Marion AK will be able to guard almost anyone on the floor.
Why would the Jazz do this trade? AK clearly doesn't fit into their scheme and he has been asking for a trade almost every off-season, and his large contract is going to make him difficult to move. In Curry the Jazz get to roll the dice on a talented big man while manging to save about 20 million. Balkman also gives them another role player who can replace AK's production defensively.
Besides these trades I would hope the Knicks also do two things:
One: Draft O.J. Mayo
Two: Waive Stephon Marbury. He symbolizes an era the Knicks are trying to move away from.
With these moves the Knicks can trot out this roster.
C: Lee
PF: AK-47
SF: Q-Rich
SG: O.J Mayo
PG: T.J Ford
Off the bench the Knicks would have plenty of options also in this scenario.
Simmons is a long defender who could shut down top stars in crunch time.
Mason is an athletic freak would be throwing down many alley oops in the run and gun offense.
Robinson is also a guy who should thrive in a running offense.
and don't sleep on Wilson Chandler who really came on late last year.
This team wouldn't be a playoff contender but they'd be fun to watch.
As much as I respect Marc Jakson as an analyst as a coach he's a total unknown commodity. With D'Antoni were getting a coach with a great track record. He's a proven winning coach who players love playing for. As Chad Ford points out the combination of an offensive minded coach and the draw of playing in NY will really help the Knicks recruit players in free agency.
This team is still rebuilding, that hasn't changed, D'Antoni isn't a miracle worker. However at least this team will be entertaining in this transitional phase. If were going to lose games I'd rather lose 130-115 than 80-68.
Personally I'm excited for the 7 seconds or less era in NY, however we need players that fit the scheme. Here's some trades (that I think are realistic) and would help our team in the short and long term.
New York trades Jamal Crawford to the Raptors for T.J Ford.
Ford, who is overrated and injury prone, gives the Knicks a true point guard who can run the floor. His contract is similar to Crawfords so we don't have to add any salary in this move.
The Raptors have Calderon who clearly is much better than Ford. Calderon wants more playing time and is a restricted free agent, moving Ford gives him more PT and Crawford gives the Raptors another offensive weapon.
New York trades Zach Randolph to the Bucks for Bobby Simmons and Desmond Mason
A your junk for our junk kind of trade. Randolph needs a fresh start and while he seems to be a guy who ruins whatever team he goes to you can't deny his skill on the offensive end, he's a 20-10 guy. The Knicks take back a similarly bad contract in Simmons (thought it's one year less) and also pick up Mason's expiring contract.
The Bucks get to move Simmons who never lived up to his lofty contract and get to roll the dice on a very talented player without sacrificing much long term payroll flexibility.
New York trades Eddy Curry and Renaldo Balkman to the Jazz for Andrei Kirilenko and Jaron Collins
AK-47 will thrive in a fast paced offense. He also is lock down on the defensive end, acquiring AK-47 will give D'Antoni his Marion in this offense. Also much like Marion AK will be able to guard almost anyone on the floor.
Why would the Jazz do this trade? AK clearly doesn't fit into their scheme and he has been asking for a trade almost every off-season, and his large contract is going to make him difficult to move. In Curry the Jazz get to roll the dice on a talented big man while manging to save about 20 million. Balkman also gives them another role player who can replace AK's production defensively.
Besides these trades I would hope the Knicks also do two things:
One: Draft O.J. Mayo
Two: Waive Stephon Marbury. He symbolizes an era the Knicks are trying to move away from.
With these moves the Knicks can trot out this roster.
C: Lee
PF: AK-47
SF: Q-Rich
SG: O.J Mayo
PG: T.J Ford
Off the bench the Knicks would have plenty of options also in this scenario.
Simmons is a long defender who could shut down top stars in crunch time.
Mason is an athletic freak would be throwing down many alley oops in the run and gun offense.
Robinson is also a guy who should thrive in a running offense.
and don't sleep on Wilson Chandler who really came on late last year.
This team wouldn't be a playoff contender but they'd be fun to watch.
3/28/08
And He Returns....
With the Knicks?
I really got into the NBA this season. Partially because of fantasy basketball but primarily because this league has become so talented and competitive it's hard not to take notice.
A 50 win team might not make the playoffs.
Look at the supreme talent in the league. Paul, James, Kobe, Amare, Dirk, Nash, Shaq, KG, Duncan, Howard, Melo, Iverson, CB4 ad so on.
The best part is how young all these mega stars are (and I didn't even factor in Oden, Durant, Beasely and Rose yet.)
So what's not to love about this league?
Well in a word...The Knicks.
And it's a damn shame. Imagine how huge basketball would be in NY if we had a star the caliber of Le Bron? Instead we only get to enjoy good basketball when talented teams come into the Garden.
However there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Hiring Donnie Walsh (and ultimating dumping Isiah Thomas in the Hudson River) is a positive start.
Walsh's hiring is a B- but it's what this team needed. A veteran GM familiar with the league, who knows his job is to primarily rebuild and won't be forced into bad win now type decisions. He isn't a young wiz kid like Sam Presti or Theo Epstein but he also isn't Marc Jackson, another former NBA player who might be a great on the court but is a giant question mark off it.
Some paint the Knicks situation as totally hopeless dooming them to 2010 and beyond. I agree in part, it will be a minor miracle if this team is competitive before 2010. However I don't think it's as daunting of a task to assemble young talent while acquiring cap space as some make it out to be.
This is a pivotal off season for the Knicks and it before you start to think about ways to dump Zach Randolph you need to begin to think about ping pong balls. The Knicks need to lose as much as possible to try to secure a high draft pick.
There is no Durant, Oden or James in this draft. However there is one man who can speed up the Knicks rebuilding process.
Surprise it isn't Michael Beasely.
What the Knicks lack is heart, unselfishness and tenacity. Rose brings all that to the table. He's a bigger Chris Paul, with worse court vision and jump shooting.
In order to get Rose the Knicks probably need to land one of the top two picks in the draft, which isn't a given. Landing a pick in the 3-10 region can be disastrous if mishandled...luckily I'm hear to play GM.
What If:
The Knicks get the #1/2 Pick: Simple, draft Rose.
The Knicks get the 3rd-10th Pick: A little more difficult of a predicament. The Knicks should move this pick one way or another.
Say Miami lands the second pick and decides Rose isn't worth it. A swap of Mark Blount and the #2 Pick for Eddy Curry and the #3 pick makes a lot of sense for both teams. Curry only has one more year on his contract than Blount so it's an acceptable roll of the dice for Miami. Miami builds around Curry, Marion, Wade and the number three pick, a playoff core in the East. For the Knicks they get Rose and get some valuable cap space the year Mr. James hits the market.
The problem of course is every team isn't going to want to deal down at the top of the draft, in fact few will. Seattle, Memphis and Minnesota probably wouldn't want to deal from the number one or two spot.
Assuming Rose is off the board trading down becomes essential. None of the prospects in the 3-10 range are good fits for the Knicks and and honestly don't have superstar upside.
The next best fits for the Knicks comes in the second tier of point guards guys like D.J Augistine, Ty Lawson who won't come of the board until the teens.
So who could move up to grab a guy like O.J Mayo?:
The Bobcats have shown that they will take on payroll for a talented player. Could we convince them to take on some dead weight (like Q-Rich) in return for a swap of picks? This would create also create a trade exemption for the Knicks.
The Bucks are looking to shake things up and expressed some interest in Zach Randolph at the deadline. Simmons and Mason for Randolph and a swap of picks would work. It would gives the Knicks future cap space and flexibility at the 2-3 position.
The Kings are flush with contracts that expire in the Summer of 2010 when LeBron becomes a free agent. The Knicks could target players like Brad Miller, Abdul-Rahim and Kenny Thomas.
The Bulls have Larry Hughes's contract that expires in the Summer of 2010. A Zach Randolph/Jefferies for Hughes/Gooden and a swap of first rounders would make sense.
It's hard to tell how realistic these scenarios are because NBA trades are completely unpredictable. However for the first time in a while I feel comfortable that the Knicks at least have a plan.
LeBron/Rose in '1010....Get the bumper stickers now!
I really got into the NBA this season. Partially because of fantasy basketball but primarily because this league has become so talented and competitive it's hard not to take notice.
A 50 win team might not make the playoffs.
Look at the supreme talent in the league. Paul, James, Kobe, Amare, Dirk, Nash, Shaq, KG, Duncan, Howard, Melo, Iverson, CB4 ad so on.
The best part is how young all these mega stars are (and I didn't even factor in Oden, Durant, Beasely and Rose yet.)
So what's not to love about this league?
Well in a word...The Knicks.
And it's a damn shame. Imagine how huge basketball would be in NY if we had a star the caliber of Le Bron? Instead we only get to enjoy good basketball when talented teams come into the Garden.
However there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Hiring Donnie Walsh (and ultimating dumping Isiah Thomas in the Hudson River) is a positive start.
Walsh's hiring is a B- but it's what this team needed. A veteran GM familiar with the league, who knows his job is to primarily rebuild and won't be forced into bad win now type decisions. He isn't a young wiz kid like Sam Presti or Theo Epstein but he also isn't Marc Jackson, another former NBA player who might be a great on the court but is a giant question mark off it.
Some paint the Knicks situation as totally hopeless dooming them to 2010 and beyond. I agree in part, it will be a minor miracle if this team is competitive before 2010. However I don't think it's as daunting of a task to assemble young talent while acquiring cap space as some make it out to be.
This is a pivotal off season for the Knicks and it before you start to think about ways to dump Zach Randolph you need to begin to think about ping pong balls. The Knicks need to lose as much as possible to try to secure a high draft pick.
There is no Durant, Oden or James in this draft. However there is one man who can speed up the Knicks rebuilding process.
Surprise it isn't Michael Beasely.
What the Knicks lack is heart, unselfishness and tenacity. Rose brings all that to the table. He's a bigger Chris Paul, with worse court vision and jump shooting.
In order to get Rose the Knicks probably need to land one of the top two picks in the draft, which isn't a given. Landing a pick in the 3-10 region can be disastrous if mishandled...luckily I'm hear to play GM.
What If:
The Knicks get the #1/2 Pick: Simple, draft Rose.
The Knicks get the 3rd-10th Pick: A little more difficult of a predicament. The Knicks should move this pick one way or another.
Say Miami lands the second pick and decides Rose isn't worth it. A swap of Mark Blount and the #2 Pick for Eddy Curry and the #3 pick makes a lot of sense for both teams. Curry only has one more year on his contract than Blount so it's an acceptable roll of the dice for Miami. Miami builds around Curry, Marion, Wade and the number three pick, a playoff core in the East. For the Knicks they get Rose and get some valuable cap space the year Mr. James hits the market.
The problem of course is every team isn't going to want to deal down at the top of the draft, in fact few will. Seattle, Memphis and Minnesota probably wouldn't want to deal from the number one or two spot.
Assuming Rose is off the board trading down becomes essential. None of the prospects in the 3-10 range are good fits for the Knicks and and honestly don't have superstar upside.
The next best fits for the Knicks comes in the second tier of point guards guys like D.J Augistine, Ty Lawson who won't come of the board until the teens.
So who could move up to grab a guy like O.J Mayo?:
The Bobcats have shown that they will take on payroll for a talented player. Could we convince them to take on some dead weight (like Q-Rich) in return for a swap of picks? This would create also create a trade exemption for the Knicks.
The Bucks are looking to shake things up and expressed some interest in Zach Randolph at the deadline. Simmons and Mason for Randolph and a swap of picks would work. It would gives the Knicks future cap space and flexibility at the 2-3 position.
The Kings are flush with contracts that expire in the Summer of 2010 when LeBron becomes a free agent. The Knicks could target players like Brad Miller, Abdul-Rahim and Kenny Thomas.
The Bulls have Larry Hughes's contract that expires in the Summer of 2010. A Zach Randolph/Jefferies for Hughes/Gooden and a swap of first rounders would make sense.
It's hard to tell how realistic these scenarios are because NBA trades are completely unpredictable. However for the first time in a while I feel comfortable that the Knicks at least have a plan.
LeBron/Rose in '1010....Get the bumper stickers now!
2/20/08
Here We Go Again
And it never ends...
According to Rotoworld.com, The Knicks are contemplating a trade that would net them Vince Carter. The Knicks would send Eddy Curry to the Heat, and the Nets would get the expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis.
How much better would this trade look if the Knicks received the expiring contracts of Davis and Williams? Carter is another overpaid, overhyped swingman who has never won.
Audible Sigh....
According to Rotoworld.com, The Knicks are contemplating a trade that would net them Vince Carter. The Knicks would send Eddy Curry to the Heat, and the Nets would get the expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis.
How much better would this trade look if the Knicks received the expiring contracts of Davis and Williams? Carter is another overpaid, overhyped swingman who has never won.
Audible Sigh....
2/9/08
Ahh...Better Kicker
We here at The 3SS don't write about basketball a lot. At first I thought it's just because I had no affinity to the sport in general. And than I realized something.....
The Knick's are awful that's why I don't care about basketball.
Every time LeBron Bron and the "Cleavland Cavilers of NY" are on T.V. I try to catch the game. I'm usually awed by James's physical ability and skill. Just the other week I remember him taking over a game in the 4th quarter when an opposing fan got on him. He drove to the hoop to score the game winner and made it look easy in the process.
I also try to catch Kobe, The Warriors, Suns, Hornets ect.
Young players like the aforementioned Kobe and Bron as well as Wade, Paul, Melo, Durant, Roy, Howard, and so on have made basketball fun to watch again. Watch the Warriors play small ball and tell me it's not invigorating.
That's why it's such a shame the Knick's are awful. Imagine getting to watch James or Kobe 3 or 4 times a week. I think I'd become as obsessed with basketball as I am football or baseball.
Unfortunately until this time fires Isiah it has no hope. His horrendous track record has been beaten to death so need to rehash it. The biggest problem right now is that the Knick's need to rebuild, they cannot win with this core. Isiah can't go into full rebuilding mode because it will seal his ticket out the door. Isiah was brought in to fix a team in need of rebuilding and to admit that this current team needs to be rebuilt would be career suicide.
What the Knick's need is a fresh outlook, a new GM/Coach, some youth and cap space. It may be hard to come by but the Knick's need to get on the rebuilding bandwagon A.S.A.P.
The West is in a proverbial "arms race." The Lakers added Gasol for spare parts and in return the Suns added Shaq.
The Lakers look like the team to beat but it's hard to count out the Suns, who are now the wild card. The veteran Spurs, the quick Warriors and the always solid Mavs.
The Spurs seem to be in the best position to add a solid impact player without sacrificing much. They are rich in expiring contracts: Barry, Elson, Finley, Horry, Vaughn.
This year the Spurs look a step slower and a year older. For them to compete they need one more talented player. This is why I suggest this trade
For the Knicks this would basically be admitting a mistake with Randolph. It would mean that you gave away Frye (who hasn't done much) to clear a bunch of money (nearly 60 million)
For the Spurs it would give them a double - double guy to pair with Duncan in the post. It also wouldn't cost much bench depth, allowing the Spurs to keep Finley and Stoudamire off the bench.
The Spurs could start:
Parker, Manny, Bowen, Randolph, Duncan
With a bench of:
Finley, Stoudamire, Oberto
For the Knicks it would allow Lee to play more minutes (not a bad thing), it would free up a lot of money and mark hopefully what is a three year rebuilding project, culminating with the Knicks acquiring Sir James in the Summer of 010...or is it the Summer of 10, or the Summer of 2010?
The Knick's are awful that's why I don't care about basketball.
Every time LeBron Bron and the "Cleavland Cavilers of NY" are on T.V. I try to catch the game. I'm usually awed by James's physical ability and skill. Just the other week I remember him taking over a game in the 4th quarter when an opposing fan got on him. He drove to the hoop to score the game winner and made it look easy in the process.
I also try to catch Kobe, The Warriors, Suns, Hornets ect.
Young players like the aforementioned Kobe and Bron as well as Wade, Paul, Melo, Durant, Roy, Howard, and so on have made basketball fun to watch again. Watch the Warriors play small ball and tell me it's not invigorating.
That's why it's such a shame the Knick's are awful. Imagine getting to watch James or Kobe 3 or 4 times a week. I think I'd become as obsessed with basketball as I am football or baseball.
Unfortunately until this time fires Isiah it has no hope. His horrendous track record has been beaten to death so need to rehash it. The biggest problem right now is that the Knick's need to rebuild, they cannot win with this core. Isiah can't go into full rebuilding mode because it will seal his ticket out the door. Isiah was brought in to fix a team in need of rebuilding and to admit that this current team needs to be rebuilt would be career suicide.
What the Knick's need is a fresh outlook, a new GM/Coach, some youth and cap space. It may be hard to come by but the Knick's need to get on the rebuilding bandwagon A.S.A.P.
The West is in a proverbial "arms race." The Lakers added Gasol for spare parts and in return the Suns added Shaq.
The Lakers look like the team to beat but it's hard to count out the Suns, who are now the wild card. The veteran Spurs, the quick Warriors and the always solid Mavs.
The Spurs seem to be in the best position to add a solid impact player without sacrificing much. They are rich in expiring contracts: Barry, Elson, Finley, Horry, Vaughn.
This year the Spurs look a step slower and a year older. For them to compete they need one more talented player. This is why I suggest this trade
For the Knicks this would basically be admitting a mistake with Randolph. It would mean that you gave away Frye (who hasn't done much) to clear a bunch of money (nearly 60 million)
For the Spurs it would give them a double - double guy to pair with Duncan in the post. It also wouldn't cost much bench depth, allowing the Spurs to keep Finley and Stoudamire off the bench.
The Spurs could start:
Parker, Manny, Bowen, Randolph, Duncan
With a bench of:
Finley, Stoudamire, Oberto
For the Knicks it would allow Lee to play more minutes (not a bad thing), it would free up a lot of money and mark hopefully what is a three year rebuilding project, culminating with the Knicks acquiring Sir James in the Summer of 010...or is it the Summer of 10, or the Summer of 2010?
6/29/07
Morning Roundup
"Welcome to NY Zach, Now Please Put Down The Weed"
(Anthony you need to make this into a banner immediately)
(Anthony you need to make this into a banner immediately)
-One final though on the Randolph trade
-Here's the thing. There's a 50-50 shot Randolph does something crazy but is it really a big deal if he does? Ultimate worst case we have to cut him and eat his contract...Were the Knicks going to be under the cap anytime soon anyway? Before this move the future both near and longterm was bleak. Now as fans we have reason to hope...and when Isiah Thomas is your GM hope is all you can have.
-I don't know if the Knicks have enough assets to acquire Rashard Lewis or not. If they somehow can our starting 5 is certainly pretty dangerous especially in the east.
-Couple funny things to pass along.
From A's fansite athleticsnation.com
Here's an article where a idiot sportswriter claims the A's cut/traded Bradley because he was black.
And not because he was crazy, injury prone and underproducing.
And because Billy Beane is the man. Here's his response
From Profootballtalk.com
Per the AP (hat tip to the dudes at Deadspin), a makeup artist who worked on the set of ESPN2's now-defunct Cold Pizza has sued ESPN, host Jay Crawford, and Woody Paige for sexual harassment.
The plaintiff, Rita Ragone, alleges that she was fired after complaining about crude comments from host Jay Crawford and pinching and fondling from Woody Paige.
Paige allegedly grabbed Ragone's backside so forcefully on one occasion that she was "propelled forward and into the air."
She also claims that Paige made vulgar comments about her appearance, and that Crawford repeatedly made sexual advances to her.
Paige told the AP by e-mail that the allegations are untrue, and ESPN issued the perfunctory "the suit is without merit" statement.
I've really Grown to hate Woody Paige lately. I think I always liked him cause most of the he was was paired with Skip Bayless....god I hate Skip Bayless. I think I would look like a Harvard educated journalist next to Bayless. However after reading some of Paige's column's and listening to him on Around The Horn I realized that he really has no relevant or accurate opinions. He writes about random crap trying to make stories out of nothing (If he gets fired he should come work for the NY Post, he'd fit in great) and gets by on T.V. because unlike everyone else on around the horn, he has a personality.
So here's to you Woddy. Hope she had a really great ass cause this probably just cost you your job.
-YouTube Links
Be Afriad Madden...Be Very Afraid
That's all for now...look for another Chick Flick Blog soon!
6/28/07
A Good Trade By The Knicks!! Is that allowed?
Wow I'm stunned. When I heard reports earlier of the Knicks acquiring Randolph I assumed they were bunk. How could we get a guy who averaged 25 and 10 last season for Stevey Franchise and Frye? Well it happened. I really assumed that if this trade went down (usually awful) GM Isiah Thomas would be suckered into taking a bad contract back also, like that of Darius Miles. However we are acquiring Randolph and got decent spare parts in Dickau and Fred Jones, both who have expiring contracts anyway.
Wow
I am thrilled. Randolph is probably legitimately crazy. In most cases I wouldn't be in favor of taking such a shitty character guy but we really didn't give up much of anything for him. Francis was useless and Frye only averaged 10pts a game. This trade gives Knicks fans some hope for the upcoming season and the future.
In theory we know have a potentially dominant low post tandem for the next 10 years. Curry and Randolph are going to be tough to stop down low. When you add in Lee it's downright filthy.
I'm pumped.
Now I know what it's like to have a competent GM for your basketball team.
Who cares who we draft now!!
In Zach and Eddy we trust!
Wow
I am thrilled. Randolph is probably legitimately crazy. In most cases I wouldn't be in favor of taking such a shitty character guy but we really didn't give up much of anything for him. Francis was useless and Frye only averaged 10pts a game. This trade gives Knicks fans some hope for the upcoming season and the future.
In theory we know have a potentially dominant low post tandem for the next 10 years. Curry and Randolph are going to be tough to stop down low. When you add in Lee it's downright filthy.
I'm pumped.
Now I know what it's like to have a competent GM for your basketball team.
Who cares who we draft now!!
In Zach and Eddy we trust!
5/8/07
139,381,526 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall
Here’s a fun game, go to hoopshype.com and look at the salary books for NBA teams. It’s amazing how poorly run franchises in the NBA are. $139,381,526 that’s the running price for a for a fledgling New York basketball franchise these days, on the other hand other the Bobcats only spent $41,333,581 for their equally crappy 33-49 team.
Did you that the Knicks are shedding $60 million in payroll this off-season. Isaiah Thomas must be a genius! Actually in fact it’s due to the fact that several players (who aren’t even in the league anymore, let alone the Knicks) contracts coming off the books. Here are some names and numbers for you: Allan Huston, $20,718,750, Jalen Rose $16,901,500, Maurice Taylor, $9,750,000, Shannon Anderson, $8,500,000, Jerome Williams $6,425,000 and finally Kelvin Cato, $1,071,225. Wow seriously I am speechless, Shannon effin
Allan Huston -Announced his retirement in October 2005. Became an NBA analyst for ESPN in 2006.
Jolene Rose- Traded to the
Maurice Taylor- Traded to the New York Knicks in February 2005. Waived in September.
Shannon Anderson- Traded to the New York Knicks in August 2002. Waived in November 2004.
Jerome Williams- Traded to the New York Knicks in August 2004. Waived in August 2005. Announced his retirement in August 2005. Named community representative by the Toronto Raptors in January 2006. (Good for him)
Seriously, how does Isaiah Thomas keep his job? How can you be so inept at building an NBA roster that three players you acquired (he gets a pass on Shannon Anderson cause he inherited that mess and Allan Huston, though his butchering of the Allan Huston rule can’t be ignored) can’t even hold down a roster spot. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, fool me three times and you get a job extension!
Seriously, I think the NBA owners have game going on like in the movie Rat Race (yes I just referenced Rat Race, what of it.) where billionaires are betting on what GM can be the most inept and not get fired. Did you know the Mavericks owe Shawn Bradley 5.2 million next year? As well as owing Michael Finley 19 million to play for rival San Antonio. Luckily for Danny Ainge, the noise from the bouncing ping pong balls are loud enough to drown out the fact that Vin Bakers contract is finally coming off the books and that “stiff” Brian Scalabrine is locked up for three more years. In Denver Kenyon Martin, and his whole two games played this season, are locked up at a nominal price of 11 million per through 2011 (Quick Isaiah trade for him!)
The Knicks salary cap is a lot like the “survivors” of Oceanic Flight 815, it’s in purgatory. Not hell, because as long as a soft cap exists the team is always going to take a risk on the flashy big name player with the loaded contract. This is why there’s no parity in the NBA, this is why the Suns, Spurs, Mavericks and Pistons are going to be constantly in the NBA title picture for the near future. This is why football has become America’s most beloved sport. It has a salary cap that works; it forces teams to cut/not resign big time players. It rewards teams that rely on the draft (Patriots) and punishes teams that just arbitrarily throw money around (Redskins, Mark Cuban would make for one shitty NFL owner, he’d be Dan Snyder part duex.) Most important there’s parity in the NFL, a playoff team can go to crap and a team in the top 5 of the draft can make the playoffs the next year.
Sure the Knicks can, and probably will improve. But unless Eddy Curry develops into a dominant NBA big man the Knicks are going to be stuck in middle of the pack in the east at best. While a playoff run would excite everyone in New York it’s not what we need, this team needs to be scrapped and rebuilt. Too bad that will never happen. I guess the old adage applies, you can’t rebuild in New York.