I was among those that rolled my eyes at JVG going after seemingly every one of his former Knicks... Sprewell, Ward, Thomas, Grandmama, etc. I was uncomfortable with Ewing mentoring Yao, not because I didn't think he'd be a good influence, but because... he's a Knick! Seeing how MJackson and Spoon have affected this team and how they have adjusted to limited roles so quickly vs Pike, AG... I want more of that JVG veteran savvy!!! This offseason, regardless of what happens to our current players... I want a couple more JVG guys that can contribute to an 8 man championship-level rotation. I want Charlie Ward at back-up point. (MJackson is free to asst coach). I want Kurt Thomas (via trade) to get minutes at starting/back-up 4. Smarts. Savvy. Muscle. Positive decision making. Defense. Consistent shooting. What's not to like?
Of course, these are ancillary moves to the additions of T-Mac, Ray Allen, and Elton Brand we are sure to make.
i've always had this question: you want a four to spread the floor, yet brand is a post up player. will he and yao clash in the post? i don't think so because brand is pretty unselfish but it would limit his effectiveness as least.
Brand has the ability to hit the outside shot if im not mistaken. A pf who does the dirty work would be nice but at the cost of spacing and yao being doubled more. and the lane being even more cloged for mobley and francis. Not sure if you remember but one of the turnovers we had against dallas was when mobley tried to penetrate and ran into yao and lost the ball. A pf who has a more of an outside game who can defend and rebound would be more ideal in my opinion.
I'm feeling it today (Thanks Yao ) I say if the Rockets work it right, we get a great fit at the 4 from the Rasheed Wallace situation. (Either Sheed or Kurt Thomas) Scenario 1: Rasheed signs with the Rockets outright. Unlikely. But a slight possibility. Scenario 2: Sheed signs with the Knicks (widely reported as his #1 choice this offseason, Aldridge "done deal"). NY needs defense and rebounding at the 5 to go with Marbury/Houston/TimThomas/Sheed. Cato for Kurt Thomas sounds pretty damn good to me if I'm Isaiah. That NYK starting 5 is straight-up nasty. Scenario 3: Detroit (w/ Bird rights) becomes convinced Sheed loves NY. Jumps in bed with the Rockets to keep him from a competitor in the East. The sell: 6.9 mil(TE) salary vs MLE. Sheed is one of those players that JVG rides his jock whenever he's in town and Kurt Thomas... you know JVG still thinks Kurt is still on his team. That's why he looks all pissed when he turns to the bench and sees Mo. Can I get a what-what?
the knicks love kurt and wont trade him even if they get sheed. now if he decides he doesnt want to play there anymore we have a good shot at him. kurt is as goo a fit as we will find at 4. he is a great jump shooter from 18 ft, physical defender, great rebounder. he ony lacks 2 things that we would need. shot blocking, and quickness to guard those pau's and odom's.
brand has great range from about 17ft an in and is very consistent in hitting the mid range jumper. he has worked on that part of his game quite a bit since he first entered the league. the one thing i dont like about his jumper is that he kicks out on of his legs (his left i believe) every time he shoots the ball i dunno if he is trying to draw contact that way or a way to retain balance when in the air but its a damn good way of getting hurt if he is hit oddly while in the air with his leg out that way
yipeng, I think if Yao continues to assert his dominance a Brand would fit in seamlessly as a #2 guy. An uber Carlos Boozer, if you will. Smoothie, I agree they love Kurt, but will he want to play there if they sign Sheed, 30+ mpg at the 4? If I'm Isaiah, he seems expendable to me if he nets you a starting C that complements the roster. Marbury/Penny Houston Tim Thomas Sheed Cato/Muhammed 48 min of 7 ft defense/boards at the 5. Size up and down the roster with plenty of scoring. I think this team comes out of the East. It's at least in the Indiana, NJ class. IMO > Detroit.
