then put some glasses on. amare has been much better on offense than bosh, but just as bad on defense. however, amare is getting more love b/c he is putting up better offensive stats, and he is leading NY. but i dare you to find bosh's defensive statistics this year, esp. his post defense (it's top 3) in the entire league for big men. TOP 3.
I don't understand what you are arguing for/against. Either the Rockets will get some benefit from the swap right or they won't. I'll be glad with whatever benefit they do get. No one ever promised us the #2 overall pick. People's optimism has been turned against them, and now they are just downright indignant. On the draft pick question, in your hypothetical, the Knicks would pick BEFORE the Rockets based on record; and therefore, the Rockets would exercise their swap right and exchange picks with New York. Almost. The top 3 picks are drawn based on 1,000 different number combinations, with each of the 14 non-playoff teams being assigned a certain number of those number combinations based on record (the worst team getting 250 combinations; the best of the non-playoff teams getting 5 number combinations). Picks 4 through 14 are then based on record in inverse order (worst to best) of the non-playoff teams that do not win the lottery. Picks 15 through 30 are then also based on record in inverse order (not seeding) of the playoffs teams. The second round (picks 31 through 60) are based purely on record in inverse order, regardless of whether a team makes the playoffs or not.
Just pointing out that assuming the predictions in the link you posted pans out, the rockets would have to A. Reach the playoffs and B. finish with a better record than the Knicks... simply to achieve the benefit of swapping picks in the late teens or early twenties. So I wouldnt think Hollinger's prediction that the Knicks will be mediocre and finish a few games above 500 assuring they're in the playoffs all that optimistic for Rockets fans, many if not most of whom entering the season, thought the Knicks couldnt possibly make the playoffs. Add to that the Rockets less than great chances of making the playoffs in the West, the link you provided isnt so much consolation/encouragement as it is dire/unfortunate. Had the link been about the Knicks possibly falling below 500 and missing the playoffs due to a tougher schedule etc, that would have been something to hope for and be encouraged by. cool thanks! was always curious about that.
Haha, funny how fast the haters disappeared. Most of the haters predicted that the Knicks would go into a freefall once their schedule got tougher. Instead they have won four out of their last six with three of those wins being over Oklahoma City, Chicago, and now the best team in the league, the Spurs. So much for folding against the good teams.
I'll admit that I'm a Knicks hater, in the most literally sense. I hate the Knicks. But I also realize that this Knicks team is playing exceptionally well so far this season and are deserving of praise from those that don't, . . . um, . . . hate them. I think many people figured (and still do figure) that Amare's knee--which I believe is no longer even insurable--would not hold up for a full 82-game season. Felton is fairly durable, but if either Amare or Felton goes down for an extended stretch, the Knicks are likely to go on a losing streak. Again, I'm not hating in an irrational sense. I'm hating in the literal sense.
Frankly before the season started I thought the Knicks would make the playoffs relatively easily in the East, unfortunately I also thought the main reasons for that would be, Turiaf, Azubuike and Randolph. (asides from Amare & the 8th seed in the East barely needing 40 wins) So while I might end up correct, it wouldn't be due to any of my rationales being even remotely accurate. Of the three players, Turiaf is the only player who's even had any type of positive impact for the Knicks. And thats in limited minutes and games due, to injuries and foul problems. Azubuike has yet to even sniff the court as his rehab is still far from complete despite it surpassing the 1 year mark. Randolph whom i had high hopes and high expectations of, has been an unmitigated disaster and dissapointment, whom despite being healthy, has seen very limited playing time, due to lack of effectiveness, maturity, development and focus. Its amazing to me that the Knicks are doing this well without much from 3 players I thought would be big contributors. Amare IMO is pretty much the same player as he was last year, perhaps a bit more assertive and providing more leadership, but essentially the same. Felton on the hand, is someone I knew very little of, but his steady improvement as the season progressed has been jarring. His toughness and ability to penetrate, score, defend and distribute, despite the lack of great speed, quickness, size, court vision or shooting is almost uncanny. Likewise, Landry fields has been one of the better rookies not named Griffin or Wall, while Wilson Chandler has been playing like a boderline star this year.
BetterThanEver where are you? I'd like to continue our discussions from page 5 and 6. Come back, it's been a while!
Im kinda in the boat. Adding to this, ive wanted them to fail so our swap-a-pick with them retained some value. Admittedly, they have done better than I expected. They beat the Spurs last night. I finally had to admit that they may be good. But I also see how fragile they are and how their boat could sink in a hurry is any key people go down for long. I guess when you have one guy (Amare) that made you that much better, the opposite will be true if he is not on the court for some reason. How good would the 95' Rockets been without Hakeem?
Rockets draft implications aside, as a new yorker, i'm glad to have a team thats actually contending!
I'm with rockergordon. for me the NYK have always been tied to the legacy and history of the Rockets. when they played in the '99 Finals I was cheering for them to go all the way as the 8th seed. they are a lovable bunch of losers lately who have finally given the city something to be excited. now they just put the rest of the league on blast.
I don't know if this has been mentioned or answered before... But could the rockets trade the rights to swap picks with the Knicks to another team that will probably end up with a better record than the Knicks? So that the other team could have a better draft pick? Thanks... Maybe as a sweetner in a deal of some sort
They are utterly housing the Blazers in the 4th period tonight with fast break alley-oop after fast break alley-oop I forgot who, but some poster was telling me I was an idiot back in November for saying the Knicks would make the playoffs, and guaranteed they wouldn't finish January with a record over .500. I don't even think that's mathematically possible at this point. They're a true C and a backup PG away from being a real threat. That and that Felton and Amar'e may drop dead by April due to playing so many minutes.
It was probably one of those homers who thought we'd be the 2nd seed or the ones who thought we have the deepest bench in the NBA.
