How much is that worth though? Generally, the point of having an impact big is to control the glass, defend the paint, get opposing bigs in foul trouble and provide an offensive presence in the low post. Stoudemire isn't a dominant rebounder, makes little impact defensively, and scores most of his points facing up, finishing on the PNR, and finishing in the paint. To his credit, he's quite good at getting to the FT line, but he's not a back-to-the-basket player who can create from the low-post. The Knicks already had a double-double machine who scored an efficient 20 a night. Stoudemire's a good player and a great scorer, but barring additional moves, simply adding him while subtracting Lee doesn't seem like a huge improvement. And he has injury questions. Bringing these points up doesn't make someone a hater.
You know, when I read that it struck me as an absurd statement. Then I actually thought about it. The only guys I can come up with who are better or arguably better are: Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, and Brook Lopez. Chris Bosh may or may not be in the East after all is said and done and, well, Brook Lopez isn't so much better as he is valuable because he's a very good legit center. Even if Carlos Boozer and David Lee end up in the East, they aren't quite on the level of Amar'e. And Kevin Garnett and Elton Brand are both well past their prime now. Wow. The Eastern Conference still sucks.
KG on one leg is still better than Amare. How is Amare better than Lee when Lee puts up better stats without playing with Nash? Also you're forgetting Andrew Bogut, who is a rich man's version of Brook Lopez.
If it comes from hoopsworld and it's not confirmed by the NBA, YSports,MSNBC, or other major outlets, you can bet it's false.
I'd rather have Lopez because he's younger and doesn't have some of the health concerns surround Bogut, but I think they're pretty much equal. Bogut's a better defensive player and rebounder. Lopez is a better scorer and gets to the FT line more often. Both pass well, Lopez is a little bit better at passing out of double teams, Bogut's more effective hitting cutters from the high post. Both are definitely upper-echelon centers in the Eastern Conference. It troubles me that the Nets were noticeably worse, on both offense and defense, with Lopez on the floor last year. Amare, if he performs at the same level without Steve Nash, is better than both, IMO (though not by leaps and bounds). If he's closer to the Amare of '03-'04, pre-Nash (20.6ppg/9.2rpg/0.475 FG%), they're probably a lot closer in value.
heres the deal: dwade and lebron in miami or chicago... or they stay put (boring) toronto either keeps bosh, or sends him off in a S&T so he can get the max dirk, gay, pierce and JJ have already agreed to terms with their original teams that leaves stat in ny surrounded by a bunch of scrubs, a coach who doesnt like him and most likely no Lee oh yea, and if ny thinks their gunna get melo and tony parker..... they can keep dreaming melo is denver.. plus they've already offered him the 3 yr extension which he would be stupid not to take. tony parker and tim duncan are one of the best combos the league has ever seen.. put that together with the likes of george hill, manu, and the great coaching skills of popovich.. u have an amazing team who, although on the older side, can make a good playoff run boozer... maybe, CP3... maybe next year stat + JJ Redick + raymond felton + matt barnes + scrub central is probably what ny's going to end up with. dont get me wrong, these are quality players who could help a team, but certainly cannot lead it. theyre going to end up being WAY overpaid which is nice for the player but not for the team IMO, we are going to witness another year of suck from the knicks which, in turn, is good for us because of the 2011 first rounder we got from them (thanks to the GM DM). Hey! maybe they'll keep tmac and he can let them down with stat! or he'll run away to an actual playoff contender so he can get his ring (most likely situation) I personally feel bad for Jay-Z.. hes backing 2 of the worst teams in the NBA.. someone really needs to get to new jersey fast.
