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Post by irish2u2 on Jun 25, 2009 23:22:27 GMT -5
We didn't get the guys I wanted (Rubio, Evans or Curry) but I am more than pleased Jordan Hill fell into our laps. He's a projected top 5 pick, he adds size and athleticism and he's cheap. I love David Lee and Jordan Hill won't take his place as a rebounder but Hill is more polished offensively, taller and a better athlete. Hill is not the passer Lee is but he's good and the biggest difference should be defense. Hill is a good defender. Now adding Darko Milicic means we got two legit centers. Milicic and Curry are a challenge for Mike D'Antoni but one worth the gamble. The trade for Milicic was certainly more than equitable for us. We got him for nothing and he has talent. In fact he has more talent than Curry because he does hit the boards, he can defend and block shots and he can score inside or outside. Plus he is in better shape.  Toney Douglas can be a solid NBA PG but IMHO he is a backup kinda guy. We need a backup PG so I am pleased. Sort of. I still like Chase Budinger but I leave it to the professionals who should know better. We still have some good chips to play to get even better. We have 4 expiring contracts we can trade between now and February in Harrington, Milicic, Duhon and Larry Hughes. Realistically we trade Harrington or Hughes and keep Duhon and Milicic. We have the even more valuable contract of Mobley. We also have David Lee and Nate Robinson to trade, if we wish. Obviously the rumors of a trade for Portland PG Sergio Rodriguez were wrong (he just got traded to Sacramento. That means we need a PG. Rubio? Not very likely. That may be key in dealing Lee. |
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Post by irish2u2 on Jun 25, 2009 23:31:25 GMT -5
More on Rubio....
His agent is pressuring for a trade. As I said in another thread Rubio has some leverage because he is under contract in Spain and all he has to do is go back there and play. Minnesota had to have known this when they drafted Rubio and the new GM Wolves Kahn seems adamant they will keep him but this bears watching. Nothing may be in the works now (according to Alan Hahn of Newsday) but that is to be expected. I bet the agent for Rubio is sitting in Kahn's office the next few days and he won't be smiling.
The sad part is what do the Knicks have that Minnesota needs? Even if David Lee were in play, and I don't believe he is, the Wolves have Jefferson and Love. Lee is nice but is he needed? I don't believe Wilson Chandler and the Mobley contract are enough for Rubio and likely Brian Cardinal and I wonder if throwing in Jordan Hill is overkill.
It should be interesting over the next few days.
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Post by kgooglog on Jun 26, 2009 8:11:19 GMT -5
Bill...
When "The Rifle" wasn't picked second and my girlfriend asked me why was I watching hockey--yeah, she did say that--I began having a shiver of hope for The Ruby to begin his tenure as Professor Point Guard at 34th and Eddy Avenue.
I don't know why I believe this, but I am going to say it. I think there is a deal in the works for NY to get Ricky because the Knicks passed on a few PGs that were being discussed here, and took J-Hill--Yes, he was probably the "best" player available, but if Walsh was smelling PG and Rubes was off the board, he could have went Henderson or Lawson or Holiday. He didn't, and that keeps me happily thinking about "Rifle" being picked by Minny. Now I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box, but here's my theory behind the Timberpup's pcks;
The Wolves know that Ruby doesn't want to play there and has the ball in his court. This explains exactly why they took Jonny Flynn with their next pick. Flynn will be on the Timberwolves, as Rubio is going to be traded, since he wants to be on the T'Wolves as much as Eddy Curry wants to eat lettuce. Call me crazy, but I am unsure if Jordan Hill will be a Knick much longer, as he will be part of the hypothetical Knicks deal for Ricky. Picking two PGs back to back makes no sense, unless one of whom doesn't want any part of your team. The Ruby will be a Knick, and I say it will cost Hill and Nate or Hill, cash, and maybe the Mobley contract.
Rick wants NY and NY wants the kid. We have more chips than Pringles and I do not know Minny's cap situation, but I do know they want players who will play for them, without threats of returning to their Euro team. Walsh got them by the short hairs, IMHO, and we shall soon be rejoicing...
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Post by garyd on Jun 26, 2009 8:46:05 GMT -5
...Buddinger has that laid back surfer look and a quiet demeanor. Some take that for lack of agression and it may have turned off draft selectors. How often have we seen guys slip into the second round when the groupthink aspect of NBA selectors occurs? For instance, "Carlos Boozer wasnt tall enough".
I have no idea who Toney is and I really do think the Knicks would have taken Collison as PG if he wasnt swooped up a few picks earlier (he is my sleeper pick in the draft). As to Rubio Im less enthused. I had seen him in 3 games in the Olympics, and he is young. His resemblance to Pistol Pete shows up in his court vision. But in shooting it ends there. He may look like Angelina Jolie on passes but he looks like Phyliss Diller in shooting. In sure Minny got him as a trade piece. His buyout is a lot more difficult than he makes it sound.
Hill and Chandler make good bookend forwards at PF and SF and have complimenatry skills. Toney might be a SG backup to replace Quentin Richardson, without the muscle. The Knicks can pick up a young PG in a trade who can spell Duhon or a vet like Earl Watson to hold a spot until the 2010 free agency pool IMO.
Gary
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Post by irish2u2 on Jun 26, 2009 10:50:42 GMT -5
Gary
Toney Douglas can play PG, in fact that is what he played for FSU this year. He averaged 21 points a game in the very, very tough ACC and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the conference. That is pretty impressive stuff. He's not the uber athlete Nate is but he is smart,steady, strong, can score, defend and he's 6'2. He's also the leader type. Apparently he had a workout for Walsh and Walsh targeted him and only him when he went shopping for another first round pick. If Douglas hadn't been available at #29 Walsh already had the pick sold for a 2010 first rounder.
I wanted Budinger but after reading Walsh's comments today I am more pleased with our pick.
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Post by kgooglog on Jun 26, 2009 17:57:21 GMT -5
Gary...
I like the words "bookend forwards". Toney Douglas sounds like a solid back-up and I am very happy with the Knicks picks and the Darko-Q trade. NY, IMHO, is a better team, and with increased minutes, I think the former second overall pick may be a steal. Mike D'Antoni is a player's coach and maybe Darko needs this type of coaching for once in his life. He is still young enough to use the skills that he has, but may have been stifled by his prior coaches. At the worst, he is simply a rent-a-player for 2009-10 and then he is gone. At best, he can turn it around, with the added incentive of this being his walk year. Darko may also be another chip NY may use in February, if he has a nice first half. His presence will also help the young Gallinari, IMO.
ESPN is now reporting that the Knicks best chance in acquiring Rubio, would be a sign and trade with the Wolves, involving either David Lee or Nate Robinson. Ricky is not happy with the current scenario of he and Flynn playing in the same backcourt, basically because they play the same position. Also, as I have speculated, along with others here, "Rifle" may go back to his Euro team, if his discontent grows...This speaks volumes to the acquisition of Jordan Hill, whose selection allows for management to shop David Lee more vigorously.
I am almost certain that Donnie Walsh will try to get the Ruby for Nate, and that would make for a great off-season. If not Nate, he may give up Lee. I wouldn't mind this type of deal since Ricky's rookie deal will be less than what NY would have to ante up for Lee or Robinson. Plus, we can build a very solid tealm around Wilson, Rubio, Gallo, Hill, and Darko plus we still have the chips of Harrington and Mobley's contract.
Unlike the morons who booed Walsh's selection, everything I've read about Hill is positive. This guy, who I've bever seen play, is a stud PF, according to those in the know. Hill also was projected to go anywhere from #3 to #6, and I think, for once, the Knicks did the right thing with the #8 pick. I was hoping that Walsh could have got a little higher pick and grabbed Ty Lawson, who I think was a steal, who will now be in Denver, if memory serves...
All the pundits I've heard say that there is no way Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio stay in Minny together, which is why I think Flynn was selected right after Rubio. By July 10th or thereabouts, our new PG will be here, and I am not talking Chris Duhon. Or Nate. Or Nash. Maybe Nash?
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Post by whensly on Jun 26, 2009 20:03:13 GMT -5
To quote D ant again from this am..
"we try trying to upgrade the talent on this team, we need to be more talented to win"
that said, everyone is open game in a trade,
we are not keeping Nate and Lee (sadly in both cases)
and I suspect that next stop is "point guard"
IMHO there is no way we go into camp with Duhon running the point again.
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Post by whensly on Jun 26, 2009 20:03:54 GMT -5
Viva Rubio !
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Post by ReneNYG1 on Jun 30, 2009 16:13:43 GMT -5
Perfect trade Curry,Mobley's contract and Jeffries for TMac,it works and they need fives.TMAc is an asset I would trade when he can get healthy.That way we sign Lee and Nate.
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Post by greatgates on Jun 30, 2009 19:42:25 GMT -5
Perfect trade Curry,Mobley's contract and Jeffries for TMac,it works and they need fives.TMAc is an asset I would trade when he can get healthy.That way we sign Lee and Nate. If nate will take a 1 year deal ( he might accept our 1 year offer) fine; otherwise he has to go; hopefully a sign and trade |
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Post by kgooglog on Jun 30, 2009 21:08:33 GMT -5
Perfect trade Curry,Mobley's contract and Jeffries for TMac,it works and they need fives.TMAc is an asset I would trade when he can get healthy.That way we sign Lee and Nate. If nate will take a 1 year deal ( he might accept our 1 year offer) fine; otherwise he has to go; hopefully a sign and trade Berman (NY Post) reported that Nate will accept the Knicks qualifying offer, but David Lee won't. IMO, Nate's pending acceptance of the QO is great news, for Walsh can than trade him without having to take back anything horrific or he can prove himself to be the explosive, more mature player that he hopefully can be, and have a great year. The Jeffries/Nate trade possibilities then result in an approximately a $9,000,000 savings in cap-space for summer 2010 if Donnie Walsh goes ahead with the proposed trade to the Kings, which is gathering steam. I would like a 2010 first round pick back from the Kings, though, for we are basically giving away Robinson. David Lee is obviously going to test the FA waters and see if the Knicks will match. I think Walsh is not going to overpay the General and with this economy, Lee may be unpleasantly surprised about what offers may come in. The Knicks want to ink him to a 6 year deal at $7,000,000 per annum, ans in a normal economic climate, Lee may have seen offers in the $9,000,000 per level. Nevertheless, we can re-up Lee or he can simply play out this year and then become an unrestricted FA... Kudos to you, Rene, for that T-Mac proposal. I would do this deal if we can dump Curry's fat ass and Jeffries contract. T-Mac, if memory serves, is an expiring deal, and a huge deal, to boot. My problem would be if Curry and Jeffries are "enough" for Houston. I am thinking that they are angling for Wilson Chandler as well. If we can dump both Jeffries and Curry plus Mobley's deal for T-Mac, that would be a coup de gras... |
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