Complete stupidity on the part of the Knicks. The Clippers were ready to let the Knicks drop the 10 ton anvil known as Zach Randolph right on top of them.
Okay, seriously now: Does every Knicks GM get hit over the head right before they start their job, or injected with some crazy stupidity serum? First people thought the idiocy would end after Scott Layden left. Now Isiah is gone... and still this crap is going on? Unbelievable. They're trying really hard to become a laughing stock for an entire century, and doing a damn fine job of it.
this trade makes so much sense for both teams that im not surprised at all that its not gonna get done. if i were NY i would jump at the chance to do this deal and all i would want would be a simple first rounder in return.
I would have questioned this if Isah Thomas was still GM and coach, but since D'antoni and Welsh are in charge I'll take the wait and see approach here. Think about it, Marbury's 20 million contract comes off the books next season. While Jerome James, Malik Rose, and Quinten Richardson's contract, combining for around 24 million will come off the books by 2010. By 2010/2011 the contracts of Eddy Curry, Crawford, Jefferies, and Randoph would be in the last season. Which means the Knicks will have a total of 45 million dollars worth of expiring contracts that could be used as trade bait for players. This trade proposed by the Clippers pretty much had the Knicks give Randolph for free. While this isn't really such a bad idea, keep in mind Isah tried to run a offense with slow bigman like Curry and ZRhandolph, with faster paced guards like Crawford. Besides the things I proposed at the beginning there are only 2 other reasons why I see the Knicks rejected this. either a) They believe that they could still make noise in the East with this Randolph with D'antoni. Which given how badly they have been for the past 5 or6 seasons they desperately need to please their fan base. or b) They believe they get better values for him, expirings, picks, ect. Rather then just give him away for free.
Davis and Zach together on the same team? Not sure if Dunleavy could handle that. Not sure who could.
Apparently, Zach Randolph is a very hard worker, a gym rat and has been working out every day at the team's facility with some of the teammates. But he's always been a gym rat... the issue is that I don't think his lack of defense (don't have the atheleticism for it... or the instincts) and bad shot selection is going to change all of a sudden... Also, his infamous "Hoops Family" friends aren't just gonna disappear, either. So I don't know what either of these teams are thinking.
Baron Davis, Cat Mobley, Zach RAndolph, Chris Kaman [Who plays SF for them now] I cannot say that is the worse lineup I can think of Rocket River
Wow. That is definitely a huge gamble. If D'Antoni can raise Randolph's value, they'll look like geniuses. If Randolph gets into anymore trouble this season, they'll look like morons. I really can't believe the Knicks passed up on this.
There's nothing wrong with Walsh thinking who tries to salvage as much value as he can from Zach. You cant give away players just to get cap space. Walsh is no Chris Wallace. Zach is a legitimate 20/10 guy. I still remember how unstopable Zach was at the post when he was at Portland. If Zach has a good next season, it will generate interest among teams. Walsh may get some draft picks and expiry contracts for Zach.
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And IT just stood there, any other coach would have called a timeout and benched him for the rest of the game.
Keeping Randolph to raise his value? If they said they're keeping him for continuity reasons, or getting rid of him makes the team that much worse than fine. But to raise his value means they're thinking of dealing him anways but want to mold him into an enticing player somehow...they think they're gonna turn into Amare Stoudamire or something? How does Randolph benefit more than others? Why not Quentin Richardson or anyone else on that roster get their value raised...this is the Knicks so why'm I even giving it this much thought...
The Knicks seem to have hopes of making the playoffs. If they give up Randolph for nothing, they can kiss those hopes goodbye. Considering its the East, I say its not out of this world that the Knicks make the playoffs.
