Have you seen Crawford play? This was his line tonight, he had 11 assists, the 10 FTs tell you he was slashing to the basket and the 0-7 from 3 pt indicate he is a streaky shooter. Hardly the one dimensional perimeter shooter that you describe, he could improve defensively but he can create his own shot, is athletic and has size all the things we are looking to draft for. He has been the Knicks best guard down the stretch so I think they keep him, they will looking to unload Francis whether or not LB stays and Marbury if LB stays. 44 7-18 0-7 9-10 0 3 11 1 0 1 1 23
Speaking of the Knicks moving players, what about Quentin Richardson? He's not necessarily on my 'Wish List', but he's young, affordable, and can play both ends. Also, NO TRADES FOR FUTURE #1s!!! The next few draft classes should be loaded, especially since all the HSers have to spend at least a year in school (A huge reason why this draft class is so.... ordinary). Move this year's #1 only!!!
I have seen him play a lot. I'm still a huge Francis fan and I foolishly bought NBA League Pass again so I have seen my fair share of Knicks games. Enough to tell you Crawford isn't what we need. Crawford is like the guard version of Antione Walker (aka Fatoine the Chucker). Athletically gifted and very talented basketball player with little brain or concept of efficiency. He's as streaky as they come and he's never been known as a high percentage shooter. He plays little defense and is pretty weak by a guard's standards. Which all makes you wonder if its a coincidence that every team he plays for never wins. Although, I will concede that if we are seriously ever going to add the much-needed third scorer it will most likely involve us taking a chance on a guy like Crawford. I just think we can do better, especially with a high lotto pick on the horizon. Let's see how the draft plays out before considering any risky investments.
I disagree with Q being affordable, they'd have to take Jho's contract and send us a future 1st round pick to do that deal.
Unfortunately, I live in NY and I've had the misfortune of watching the Knicks play a lot this season and I know Crawford is streaky, but I just dont see the lottery pick having the type of impact we need and I think Isiah would be willing to give up Jamal for the lottery pick....while it's true that Marbury and Francis and a few others on the Knicks are on the block, Crawford is signed for a much longer period of time than those other players (he has the longest contract out of any Knick), thus leading me to believe that he would be available as well....the reason I'm harping on this is because I think it's a realistic option and a definite upgrade at the 2
If I was CD I would jump at the opportunity to trade our pick for Crawford. The big guard we want probably won't be there when we pick and our choices will likely be Mardy Collins, Ronnie Brewer or JJ if we select a guard. The draft is always a risk and I would always rather get a proven player like Crawford who can produce day one than take a shot on one of these guys. Now the player that the Knicks would want is the question.
I wouldn't even think about trading the pick until draft day, when our turn comes up. Two years running they had shakeups at the top and highly rated players falling. Two years ago the suns gave away a #7 pick that turned out to be Luol Deng because they didn't think he'd be avaliable. And last year Green and Granger fell way out of the top 10. If there's even a microscopic chance that someone like Roy or Gay falls, we need to keep our pick until it's our turn.
i accidently replied in the FA thread, that both darius miles and zack randolph want out of Portland according the realgm. They would be great fits with zack randolph at PF and darius miles at SG.
No, Zach would be horrid here. All he does is jack up shots, doesn't play a lick of defense and does not play team ball. He's an overrated, spoiled black hole. Darius Miles is an enigma. If we could get him for very little I'd take a chance on him. Both of those guys obviously want out. But Darius does have defensive perimeter skills and does have a good mid-range game when he wants to play. I'd take a gamble on him, I wanted to see us go after him last offseason. But I can't see Van Gundy wanting him. He could play the 3 offensively for us and play the 2 defensively which is ideally what we would want. I think the mismatches with him and TMac on the floor together at the 2/3 spots would be tremendous. We could balance out his midrange game by then getting that 3 point shooting 4 man that Van Gundy wants on the floor. Then we go to mixing up roles again. Or we could decide to keep Stro (not going to happen) and put Yao on the floor with TMac, Stro, and Miles. How much more athletic can it get? Rafer should for sure get his 10 assists per game then.
If darius miles cant get along with Paul Silas, Maurice Cheeks who he called the N word and Nate Mcmillan I dont know how you can think he would get along with JVG.
I think the possibility is there because JVG got along with Spree. But I don't think JVG wants the hassle.
JVG is anti-knuckle head. And miles is as knuckled-headed as you get. So we need to get rid of JVG. No Miles for me, he'll think he's the man on our team without realising this team is owned by the 111.
Use the MLE on Bonzi Wells, Hes a rebounding machine, plays good defense and would be our third option. Imagine a Sura (Fingers Crossed), and Wells Backcourt we be one of the best rebounding teams in the leauge. Hell with that Backcourt we could even give Stro some minutes since he not a good rebounder anyway.
I would love for this to happen, but I doubt that we can get him for that. I'm sure another team will offer him more.
Since JVG feels we need a power forward who can shoot, I say we pursue Radmonivic(sp?). He can hit the 3 when he's open and would fit perfectly for the Rocket's offense. I also believe we should draft Randy Foye. Rafer is not and probably never will be the shooter we need at the 1 plus Foye is bigger and stronger with similar if not better handles. The fact that he is considered a combo guard doesn't matter. So was Sam Cassell and the guard we traded to Toronto.
Adding to the same post. We also should see about the possibility to trading up to get either Roby from Colorado or Ager from Mich. St. That will give us a lineup of : Yao Tmac Radmonivic Foye Ager/ Roby Size plus shooters. Yao, Radmonivic and Tmac will have to hit the boards a little harder.
I don't know about Jamal Crawford. The kid can score, but he still gives the impression of a stupid kid out there, and I don't see Van Grumpy tolerating Crawford and Stromile at the same time. Stranger things have happened, though.