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Walsh To The Rescue? By Ron Jumper The NBA is rocking and rolling, as we wind down the regular season. There is plenty going on and much to discuss. How about the Knicks hiring Donnie Walsh? Who should win MVP? Is Kevin Durant a lock for ROY? Oh yeah, and the Western Conference Playoffs shouldn’t be too bad either… However, while I meant to address all those things, I couldn’t help it that my mind got rolling on the Knicks. For some reason, they just fascinate me. I imagine the challenge of bringing them back to the promise land. So, bare with me, as here are some thoughts on the Knicks latest move. The Knicks have hired Donnie Walsh to take over basketball operations. Can someone explain to me how this is a good move? The Pacers are just basically a cheaper version of mediocrity than New York, so is that the long-term plan? Let’s hope not, but one can never tell with the Knicks. For starters, we should look back at what Walsh has done with the Pacers in recent memory. He traded Ron Artest so he could rent Peja for a few months, as he then bolted to New Orleans that summer. He traded Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, and Ike Diogu. If you take away the blessing from God when Granger fell to them at 17, as virtually every scout had him as a top-5 talent, the draft hasn’t been much to brag about either. Since 2000, they have drafted Shawne Williams, David Harrison, Fred Jones, and Primo Brezec in the first round. Certainly nothing to write home about, and it should also be noted that in 3 of those years they didn’t even have a first round pick. So to wrap up, they traded away Artest for nothing, gave away Jackson and Harrington for two way over-paid white guys, and all the while acquiring no young talent to build on for the future outside of Danny Granger. Did I miss anything? (I’d also like to note here that I’ve been telling you all along about how the Pacers were going downhill.) But is it even possible to fix the Knicks? Could it be done? I’ve always joked that Isiah Thomas was confused and thought he was playing NBA Live when making all those absurd trades. With that in mind, look at it this way: you’re gone for the weekend out of town and your little brother sneaks onto your PS3 and plays your dynasty on NBA Live. While playing, he screws it all up by overpaying free agents, making bad trades, and ruining team chemistry by playing the wrong players. Monday, when you get back, you have to fix your dynasty all over again but it isn’t going to be easy. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Knicks in 2008! Okay, but seriously… If I was really going to save the Knicks, I would build around David Lee, Nate Robinson, Renaldo Balkman, Wilson Chandler, and Randolph Morris. Everyone else is tradeable in my book. Even Marbury? Yup. Even Crawford? You bet. Zach Randolph? No doubt. I would look at players out there that could potentially be stars that I could get for 70 cents on the dollar or perhaps disgruntled stars that would relish a change of scenery. (All of the following trades were approved by the TradeChecker at RealGM.com.) Trade 1: Knicks Get: PF Yi Jianlian C Dan Gadzuric SF Desmond Mason Bucks Get: PF Zach Randolph The Bucks would thrive with Randolph inside and Redd on the outside, while the Knicks get a talented young player in Yi and two quality role players to make the numbers work. Gadzuric blocks shots and could play as a backup, while Mason would fit in the uptempo system I’m about to install. Besides, Yi’s people would cherish the chance to play in New York over Milwaukee. Trade 2: Knicks Get: PG Raymond Felton SF Jared Dudley SG Matt Carroll Bobcats Get: C Eddy Curry PG Mardy Collins The Knicks now have the point guard of the future in Raymond Felton, who will be an elite point guard in time. Jared Dudley provides defense and toughness, while Carroll is an excellent shooting guard. The Bobcats desperately need low post scoring so Curry provides a need and, playing alongside Okafor, he wouldn’t have to defend much. Trade 3: Knicks Get: SG Martell Webster C Raef Lafrentz Trail Blazers Get: SF Quentin Richardson PF Malik Rose The Blazers can’t keep all their young talent with Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Channing Frye, Jarrett Jack, and Webster all wanting bigger deals at some point, especially considering they have more money than they’d like tied up in Darius Miles, Joel Pryzbilla, Steve Blake, and James Jones. Getting Richardson gives them a veteran that can defend and shoot the 3, while Malik Rose has an expiring contract. For the Knicks, Webster is going to be a stud and Lafrentz contract is expiring. 2008 Draft: The Knicks are a lock for the top 5 in the draft, so I’ll just say I have the 5th pick. With the moves I’ve made, it is imperative to add a young center that can run the floor at a fast pace. I’m not sold on Brook Lopez, as he seems so soft. I’m taking Texas A&M’s DeAndre Jordan. Jordan is the next Dwight Howard, despite his coach benching him down the stretch just to basically hurt his NBA stock. I’ve seen enough of his athletic ability and skillset to be sold on him, regardless. Summary: Knicks New Roster: Guards: Raymond Felton Martell Webster Matt Carroll Nate Robinson Wilson Chandler Stephon Marbury **contract expires in ‘09 Forwards: Yi Jianlian Desmond Mason Jared Dudley David Lee Renaldo Balkman Jared Jeffries Centers: DeAndre Jordan Randolph Morris Dan Gadzuric I would have Felton, Webster, Jianlian, Lee, and Jordan as potential All-Stars down the road. On the bench, I could bring in Robinson, Mason, Balkman, Carroll, Jeffries, and Morris, depending on the matchups. This lineup would be exciting and able to play fast, much to my liking. Felton would lead the offense with the ball in his hands, much as Paul does in New Orleans. He would drive and kick to shooters like Webster and Carroll, while throwing lobs to Mason, Lee, and Jordan in dramatic fashion. Now, obviously, this isn’t a team ready to win today but the future would be bright, the fans would be excited, and all would seem right in the world again. For goodness sakes, the Knicks would be relevant again! April 9, 2008 |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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