Desert Scar, so many seem locked into the idea of drafting a 3, that I'm glad/relieved to hear that someone else wants to keep an open mind on draft day. I just want to add quality front court depth any way we can. I can't wait until Sunday when things become clearer as to where we stand in the draft. For what its worth, I like Goodens versatility, quickness running the court, and his rebounding and shooting skills (74% free throw shooting is pretty sweet especially since he is quick enough to get to the line and slashing seems to be our game plan). He doesn't seem to have NBA 3 point range, but I'm curious about him as a 3/4. Mo Taylor had a good first season with us hitting that wide open mid range jumper. I wonder what happens if Gooden is underrated on draft day (somewhat like Eddie Griffin was last year as a tweener), and he slips down until say the 6th or 7th pick where we sit waiting if we don't get a good ping pong ball. I digress, and this really belongs in another thread.
IF we get Wilcox with the 5th pick,I would trade him and Kenny Thomas for Kurt Thomas who can be the front court "thug" that we need along with the 7th pick and then get Caron Butler. I think we might have to throw in Moochie Norris along with a filler to complete the trade, after that I would try to get either Stoudamire or "Nene" with the 15th pick as a future project. In the second round I hope we can get a solid reserve pont guard to replace Moochie. I hate to give up either Kenny or Moochie but I think if we are to get better we might have to trade them.
If Kurt Thomas were a "thug," he would have earned a starting spot on the Knicks long ago. Kurt is athletic but thin (230 lbs) and aging. I'd much rather have Stoudemire, Wilcox, Hilario or even Gooden. Any of those players have the same aggressive style of play; they're bigger; and they are younger. If we get rid of the Moochie, we'd better have plans to acquire Dan Dickau or Jeri Welsch because TBrown is too limited to play long stretches if Steve's migraines return. I love Caron Butler's play, but he is destined to be a SG, not a SF. Read all the scouting reports.
Saleem, Kenny is better than Kurt. Your trade wouldn't be bad if we also got next years #1 from NY. Unless NY is willing to consider that (another future #1 pick) or perhaps replace Kurt with Camby (if some combination of Rocket salaries could work) there is no reason to talk.
I totally disagree. Though Kenny is ceratinly a decent player. Kurt Thomas played huge for the knicks during the second half of the season. I bet he averaged 12 rpg during that period..
