After signing Mobley, Brian Grant is the most pressing need.

Anybody remember last year, after NY traded for Marcus Camby? Remember how the general concensus was that Marcus Camby was a bust in NY, and trading away Oakley killed the Knicks playoff chances? Well, if you fast forward to today, that deal doesn't look quite so bad.

My point is, that, as with the stock market, the rule of thumb is buy low and sell high. If a player is perfect, the players team will not trade him, or demand too much in return. The key is being able to project what's comming down the line.

Brian Grant has a history as a power forward who is perhaps more valuable for his toughness, defense, and attitude than he is for some of the more apparent things, like scoring. Recently he has been recovering from injury, which has caused him to play poorly. Given his work ethic & determination, I see him as a guy more likely to return to and surpass his former level of play than some other, less dedicated players. In short I see him as a guy whom we could potentialy 'buy low', and whose value would rise.

He appears to be a genuinely good guy, having won the league's good citizen award last year. Also, listening to one of his online chats @ http://www.nba.com/news/bgrant_transcript.html solidified my opinion of him as a guy who would be a great influence a young team, and yet still be young enough to play for awhile.

By the way, first time around I intended to say two LOTTERY PROTECTED first round picks.


[This message has been edited by Ottomaton (edited March 09, 2000).]

 

If grant were in h-town right now, im not sure if i start him ahead of kenny thomas. im a big fan of kenny's.

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"Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.

 

Although I love Grant's game, I can't help but be cautious about his injury. I don't question his desire since he doesn't seem like that kind of person to tank it, but this injury or whatever it is psychologically is making him look bad. I know Rudy and Carrol know what they are doing and if they want this guy, well then his injury might just let him come cheaper. But that remains to be soon. I cheaper alternative and maybe better in some ways is Theo Ratliff. He's a year younger than Grant and a year older than Mobley. Has a nice outside shot, can rebound and his blocks speak for themselves. He's not as good a straight up defender as Grant but not many premier power forwards arent'. I don't know when his contract ends or anything but I have liked this guy since he got drafted.

 

I think Ratliff would be harder to get than Grant, unless Ratliff is a FA soon. I would love to have him (I would take him over Grant), another Cato defensively who is younger, may be more durable, and has more offensive potential.

Ottomaton, your logic (buy low with big upside) is convincing to me-- depending on the price. If Rudy & Co would expect him (Grant) to rebound for years to come, he would be a terrific addition.



[This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited March 09, 2000).]

 

Theo Ratliff is not exactly what I would call durable.
Hasn't he been injured most of this season ?

 

DaroRocket, you could be right, I haven't followed him that much over his career as well. I still would like to have him though.