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Post by irish2u2 on Apr 6, 2009 1:06:12 GMT -5
It was fun watching the Knicks win a game. Tonight the Knicks hit the 30 win mark which is what I predicted in the pre-season. We have 5 games left and I imagine they will win at least one so you can say the Knicks exceeded my modest expectations.  Oh Happy Day!!!  Of course they won today's game because they hit their jump shots so this time we live by the jump shot instead of die by it. Still some interesting items can be gleaned from the game. 1) We saw a better version of Chris Bosh than Saturday though he was pretty good then. He's passionate and he's an incredibly skilled player. I'd hate to give up David Lee but for Bosh it feels like a no-brainer. 2) Andrea Bargnani was labeled a bust last year. He doesn't seem like so much a bust this year. It should be noted that Danilo Gallinari is considered to be ultimately the best player Italy has produced and not Bargnani. 3) I'm all for jettisoning Curry but if we have to keep Jared Jefferies that is not such a bad thing. His play of late has been excellent and all the rebounds he doesn't get he does a pretty fair job of tipping the ball to a fellow Knick. He's not a great or even good player but he is past serviceable. He pulled a spin move to the basket tonight that was textbook and a thing of beauty. 4) I have already stated that any off season deal for Harrington should be to get a better player who doesn't impact the cap or helps us attract a good FA. I know he has this rep for bad defense and bad decisions but tonight he played an excellent all around game. He shot the ball well, he boarded exceptionally well and he had to contend with all 3 of the Raptor frontcourt guys and he did a decent job. 5) QRich had his monthly "good" game. 6) Wilson Chandler does some exceptional things that certainly make Harrington expendable but sometimes his decision-making is confounding to me. Then of course he will do something amazing and I forget his mistakes and relative youth. He played some great defense tonight even if his offense was streaky. 7) Chris Duhon played Jose Calderon to a standstill. That is pretty good work. 8) Nate broke some ankles tonight with that late 4th quarter move that got him to the basket past Bosh. He didn't make the shot but he put Wilcox in place for the tip. 9) Wilcox is listed at 6'10 but when standing next to Bosh, a legit 6'10, he looks smaller. Still he does positive things and like Ironman suggested I'd love to keep him if the price is right. 10) We stopped a hot Raptors team in Toronto that had won 7 in a row and beat Orlando and Cleveland along the way. Not bad. |
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Post by kgooglog on Apr 6, 2009 7:25:55 GMT -5
Bill...
For me, I am extremely pleased with Jared Jeffries' recent play. Out of all the Knicks, Jeffries has really stepped up his game, as has Chris Wilcox, the latter whose nemesis has been limited playing time. I have to say that Jared is not "inept" anymore, although he needs to be able to catch the ball once in a while on offense. He is serviceable, and as mentioned, I'd rather ship off the Blue Whale to Oklahoma City or the Raptors. Ironically, Al Harrington and Nate Robinson may be do-able trade for CB4 in the off-season...
I'm not sure if you saw the game on MSG, but Nate "stole" the microphone from my pretend girlfriend, Tina Cervasio (I wish!) as she was interviewing Al Harrington right after the game, and then dropped it! Nate then ran off the court and Cervasio called out to Robinson and said that he committed a turnover, LOL! It was a fun ending to a nice game.
Wilson Chandler must utilize better shot selection and DRIVE to the hoop more, IMHO, in order to become that player I see him as. I know we differ slightly in what the future may be for Will "The Thrill", yet, he still scored 17 points in what was deemed a quiet night for him. I see him as the starting two next year, if Walsh can deal off Larry Hughes' 2009-2010 expiring contract. Or let Hughes come off the bench. Chandler is a damned good defender and shot-blocker as well. I think he is a much better player now than LH can ever be.
Chris Duhon is way too predictable for me. He either dribbles around the basket, circles back to the arc, launches a three, or turns the ball over. He has been better of late, but his turnovers are still disturbing me to the point that I think the Knicks should give serious consideration to Ty Lawson, who is, IMHO, a very, very smart player. I like Tyreke Evans, yet is he a pure 1? Evans has great height for a PG, yet Chris Paul is no taller than 6'2 and is the best PG in the NBA, IMO. Perhaps Lawson? Duhon is a perfect back-up PG, particularly if LeBron comes here. Actually, Duhon is a perfect back-up PG for many NBA teams...
Chris Bosh plays one of the quietest 30 point games of any player I've seen in recent weeks. He is a heck of a player, though, but when we discuss heart and passion, CB4 is not the player who comes to my mind. Do I want Bosh? Yes. I would want Amare Stat more to be honest, if his eyes are okay. The one positive about Bosh is the fit in the D'Antoni system. You couldn't have a better runner of the floor in a Big Man than Chris on the Knicks.
Chris Wilcox is a keeper, IMO. This guy has always been one of my favorites and one of the few players in college I watched. Bosh is taller, more skilled, and is definitely not a reserve player. That said, I think Wilcox would resign with NY for an extremely reasonable amount of money, perhaps for a million a year. He is a player who I want next year, the year after, and the year after.
Why am I starting to think Q-Rich is a solid back-up swing man? Walsh needs to trade all of these players before I start liking them, especially Eddy Curry, who Mike D likes so much that he isn't even making him go to Vegas to get into NBA shape.
Ken
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Post by irish2u2 on Apr 6, 2009 11:19:13 GMT -5
Ken
Chris Bosh is quiet but he is intense too. His scoring is efficient and not particularly fancy till you see the boxscore. Last night he shot 60% +, grabbed 13 boards, had 4 assists and 2 blocks. He's also healthier than Amare (remember Amare's knees) and younger. Besides Amare is known for his "me first" attitude and I don't want that kind of player on my team.
Good points on Chandler though it seems ALL basketball players would profit from driving more to the basket. You mix up your game that way making it more unpredictable, you get easier shots and you go to the foul line. Wilson is close but not quite there yet...
I'm not in any hurry to deal Harrington, Q or Hughes unless it's a deal that makes us better in 2010 and beyond. All 3 are free agents in the summer of 2010 so if we keep them it's no big deal. Unless there is a "BIG" deal. ; ) I'm up in the air about Duhon. I figure we have next season to make the final determination about his future in NY. My feeling is he is adequate for the game D'Antoni plays and if you surround him with the right talent and enough of it his deficiencies are less of a concern.
Bill
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Post by dk7th on Apr 6, 2009 11:39:50 GMT -5
i predicted 32 wins. they will lose to the bulls, the pistons. the magic is a toss-up. if they show heart they should beat both the heat and the nets.
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Post by axios on Apr 6, 2009 12:36:42 GMT -5
I'd move anybody on this team right now for the right deal, (picks and someone anyone better than our best player, which is quite easy right now.) Man, do we need some interior presence. please stop with the Thabeet bandwagon, we had our chance last year with B.Lopez and blew it. Lopez is better than Bogut who went #1. Thabeet is stiff and too narrow, he looks like he's going to fall over in traffic and he's has zero offensive game.
Glad to see there is life after aol. Thank you Bill for helping me out.
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Post by kgooglog on Apr 7, 2009 13:17:17 GMT -5
Ax...
Believe it or not, I am starting to veer away from Hasheem Thabeet and am focusing more on Ty Lawson. This kid is a "smart" player, and if UConn had him, guess who would be the NCAA Champs?
I suppose I am losing faith that Duhon is a starting PG, which is not totally fair to Chris. He had a solid first half of the season, but when I think of his inconsistent decisions as a floor leader recently, I become nervous. Enough to start thinking if NY has a shot at Lawson.
About our free agents to be. I know that Jeffries and Fatso are the real problems insofar as cap issues are concerned. I think that Harrington may get us something this summer, but, again, as Bill says, it wouldn't kill the team to keep Q-Rich, Al, or even Larry Hughes, for that matter. All three are non-issues on the payroll. Jared, however, is making it very clear, even in these late games, that he wants to be a Knick past next year, and if the coaches are working with him on his shot, Jeffries may become a very important player for us. He is getting there, IMHO.
Wilson Chandler, at 21 years of age, is already a "player", albeit an inconsistent one. Believe me, I cannot understand how he can go from a 24 or 30 point game, to scoring 2 points in another contest. I expect him to be much better next year, and a more vital piece to this puzzle than he already is.
My opinion of Chris Bosh is skewed since I do not see the Raptors on a regular basis. I like his game in our current system, as CB4 runs the court like a jaguar and has a potent shot on the perimeter as well as underneath the goal. I'd be thrilled if we can get him, and if it costs David Lee plus a future or current pick, than so be it. My thoughts on Amare is that he may come cheaper, but, hey, if we are going to get better, than let's do it!
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Post by axios on Apr 7, 2009 13:45:02 GMT -5
I think I'd take Amare over Bosh. Bosh is a good player but he's just seems to be slightly better than a Lee for ex. I also think duhon ran out of gas. The guys been coming off the bench for years, then we use him as a starter and in Dantoni's system no less. Man, we need everything accept a SF.
PG
SG
PF
C
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Post by irish2u2 on Apr 7, 2009 16:16:04 GMT -5
I think I'd take Amare over Bosh. Bosh is a good player but he's just seems to be slightly better than a Lee for ex. I also think duhon ran out of gas. The guys been coming off the bench for years, then we use him as a starter and in Dantoni's system no less. Man, we need everything accept a SF. PG SG PF C Amare has a bad rep in the locker room. He's a terrific player but given his knees and his attitude I'd stay away. I think Chris Bosh is a LOT better than David Lee. I could be wrong though and in this case it would not bother me a bit. |
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Post by greatgates on Apr 8, 2009 15:45:28 GMT -5
needless to say (old sig) i think bosh is significantly better than amare. he sees the floor alot better and seems to be much more of a team player. STAT is more explosive but Bosh is very versatile.
As to lawson i much prefer curry. Curry is a better shooter and that counts planty in D'antoni's system. curry also already has some cute veteran methods to get off shots, and to get where he wants to go.
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Post by daglazer on Apr 9, 2009 12:27:15 GMT -5
GG, if you thought Gerald Henderson was a little small, wait until you see Curry try to guard a NBA 2. Curry is 6'2" and weighs next to nothing.
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Post by greatgates on Apr 9, 2009 13:38:04 GMT -5
DA. Curry will play PG in pros. I think he'll be excellent by the end of his second season.
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Post by irish2u2 on Apr 9, 2009 16:33:59 GMT -5
DA. Curry will play PG in pros. I think he'll be excellent by the end of his second season. GG The scouts certainly think he has the ability and skills to be a pro PG. His ballhandling and shot creating ability put him far ahead of guys like JJ Redick who also had a big college scoring rep. Curry is also incredibly smart, team driven, humble and he has the lineage through his Dad, Dell Curry, to understand what the pro game is about these days. The question is does he go pro? In his case money is not the issue. |
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Post by greatgates on Apr 9, 2009 18:45:00 GMT -5
I saw Dell and Stephen playing a horse game. they were hitting D E E P shots ( 35 - 40 footers. Outrageously impressive.
I loved your statement mentioning Curry's( both of them) humility. A great asset.
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Post by kgooglog on Apr 13, 2009 7:16:20 GMT -5
As long as we stay away from saying "Currys", as in Eddy playing with Dell and Stephen, I am at ease.
Chris Duhon, as reported in yesterday's NY Daily News, which is not owned by Time Warner Cable or Dolan, is rumored to be the Knicks new back-up PG for next season. Also, two NY rags point to the 36 year old Jason Kidd or Steve Nash wanting to come to NY. That is fine with me, as long as either one accepts the vet's minimum. I cannot see J-Kidd earning the MLE at his age for anything longer than a year. I am unsure of Nash's age, but he is up there, too.
My hope is that Walsh is truly waiting for summer 2010, for to blow the MLE on any NBA player over 36 years of age, would be a Zeke move, unless it were for a 1 or 2 year stint for Kidd or Nash. However, if Jason and TJ Kidd are the keys for LeBron, well, I suppose we can toss a 6 year MLE for TJ and Dad...
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Post by axios on Apr 13, 2009 7:29:41 GMT -5
i digging Kidd on our team next year. I think Nate is as good as gone as well. We need to keep Lee, the guy atleast shows up every night. We also need someone with some attitude on our team. Someone should have have put Wade on his ass last night, but it never happens. We need defensive big or someone like an Artest who will not back down from anyone. it's sad how laid back our players are. I think Mardy collins would have atleast pout Wade on his ass last night. TIC
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