Yes! and the Foul

Finally on Team Carmelo

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How Plan B became more exciting than Plan A

Jul 21

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter, NBA Talk, Recaps | 1 Comment

So much has been written about “The Decision,” but with some time to reflect, what still sticks out is the spectacular fall from grace that James underwent.  Never has an athlete’s image been tarnished more quickly without a major off-court drama occuring (think Tiger, Kobe, OJ, or Michael Vick) than James’s image.  Lebron didn’t commit any crimes except to disappoint all of us who thought he could be Michael Jordan 2.0.   If anything—and Jordan reflected on this recently—James joining his friends is what the NBA is all about these days: being buddies before competitors.  Thank god for dudes like Kobe and KG.  Wait, did I just write that?!

Strangely enough, during the season, as early as January, I actually thought Lebron would end up in Miami.  Tip of the hat to me!  But, I must admit by the end of the season I finally started to believe New York might be the place if it wasn’t Cleveland. I probably changed my mind daily on what would happen.

Personally, I struggled all season with the idea that Lebron on my Knicks was a good thing.  Yeah, he’s an once in a generation player.  But the fame-whoring, self-marketing, sideline dancing, the nail-biting…  I just don’t think I’d have an easy time rooting for him with my heart.

Instead James, Wade and Bosh have created a team that fans will love to hate.  Almost like the Dallas Cowboys.  It’ll give people a rooting interest, even if it’s just to root against something.  It will give us the most hated team in the NBA since the Riley-era Knicks.  How ironic.

Fortunately, and I sincerely mean it, Lebron isn’t on my Knicks.  With the signing of Amar’e and unforeseen Randolph acquisition, Donnie Walsh was masterful in recreating this team and giving us a season to look forward to.  I rate the summer an A- instead of an A+ only because there wasn’t a PG on the market who is truly perfect for Seven Seconds or Less.

To start, Amar’e was the cream of the free agent, big man crop.  The only true max contract big man out there.  No available player (Lebron and Wade aside) puts fear into the minds of opposing defenses the way Amare does.  I know there are health concerns, but I truly think they are overblown since none of the injuries are recurring.  And, I know Amar’e will miss Steve Nash, but it can be said that Nash will miss Amar’e, too.  In Amar’e, the Knicks finally have one of the top ten players in the league.

Additionally, Amar’e is one of the few players out there confident enough to crave the New York spotlight and the responsibility of being a team leader.  After being considered the second best player on the Suns, he has a big chip on his shoulder and wants to prove he’s in the same class as Lebron or Wade.  He actually wants the challenge of New York and as a fan you have to love it.  Amar’e promises to be the most popular and spectacular Knick since Latrell Sprewell.

Or, maybe he won’t because it doesn’t get more exciting than Anthony Randolph.  When it was finally becoming clear the Knicks probably weren’t getting Lebron, Walsh pulled of the best Knicks trade since Charles Oakley for Marcus Camby.  Instead of losing Lee for nothing in free agency, he pulled of a coup and managed a sign and trade to land Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azuibuke, and Ronny Turiaf (as well as two second round picks).

Physically, Randolph is like a longer version of Kevin Durant. He has the blocking ability of Marcus Camby and potentially the all around game of Scottie Pippen.  Or maybe Kevin Garnett with a handle.  He’s just freaky.  If he can manage to become a consistent outside threat and keep his head screwed on straight, he will be a perennial all-star.

Azuibuke and Turiaf are also welcome addtions.  Buke shoots an excellent percentage from three and plays excellent defense.  Turiaf bring a lot of spirit, defense, and blocking and is a legit center who can play alongside Amar’e.  All three ex-Warriors will give the Knicks much needed scrappiness and defense.

Then Walsh addressed the Knicks lack of point guard depth by signing Ray Felton.  I’m slightly dubious on this signing, worrying about the fit for this team as well as his ability to run D’Antoni’s offense, but I can’t deny that it was a necessary move and huge upgrade over Duhon.  Felton has a reputation for being a great team leader and used to push the ball at UNC.  Charlotte seemed to stifle his game, but he blossomed in his contract year, and was clearly the best free agent guard available.  He and Toney Douglas should be a more than capable point guard tandem, though I worry that neither will excel at the pick and roll with Amar’e.

To round out free agency, the Knicks signed Russian international Timofey Mozgov, a hulking 7 foot center.  Not much is known about him, but there was some considerable buzz about him from overseas scouts.  Most didn’t realize Mozgov wanted to come to the states, and the Knicks seemingly swept in to sign him before anyone else had a chance.  Kudos to Walsh for keeping an eye on the overseas players.  I’m not expecting much from Mozgov except for some put backs and fouls, but if he can do that for 12 minutes a night and play some tough defense, he’ll prove to be a worthy signing.

Finally, the Knicks draft can’t be ignored.  Andy Rautins and Landry Fields were universally panned as draft picks.  But, the Knicks sensibly got guys who fit this team, instead of reaching for fools gold.  The Fields pick in particular got killed, but Fields excelled in summer league and is already making Walsh look smart.  Rautins didn’t find his shot during summer league, but promises to be a three point threat once he gets in the flow of the NBA game and used to the three point line.  Additionally, Walsh picked up Jerome Jordan, a solid if underwhelming 7-footer who should give the Knicks additional presence in the paint moving forward.  It has to be said that Walsh picked up three guys in the second round who could be limited contributors this season.

Baring injuries, here’s how I see the Knicks depth chart this season (with average minutes in parenthesis):

PG: Felton (34) / Douglas (14) / Rautins (-)
SG: Azuibuke (24) / Chandler (14) / Douglas (10) / Walker (-)
SF: Gallo (32) / Chandler (10) / Randolph (6) / Fields (-)
PF: Amare (38) / Randolph (10)
C: Turiaf (24) / Randolph (16) / Mozgov (8) / Jordan (-) / Curry (-)

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Predictions on the eve of free agency

Jun 30

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Hypotheticals, NBA Talk | No Comments

Here is my best guess on the eve of free agency:

Knicks get Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh (sign/trade): My thought being the Knicks will make JJ feel like a priority going to him first, making him feel like a star, like the guy they want the most.  There will also be a comfort level with Coach D.  As for Bosh, they’ll also make him feel like he’s the man, telling him “You don’t need to be Lebron or DWade’s sidekick.  As the main attraction on the Knicks your marketability and star appeal in the league will rival that of Wade and Lebron.”

Raptors get David Lee.  Lee gets to control his own destiny a little bit in a sign and trade.  But, I worry that OKC swoops in to make Lee an offer to derail a sign and trade.  Additionally, does Lee want to be in Toronto?  Maybe some sort of super complex 3 team sign and trade happens.

Miami gets Wade and Amare.  Why would Wade leave Miami?  I mean really?  And Amare would add a great inside outside touch.  He’ll think, “if Wade won it with Shaq downlow he can win it with me down low, too.”  Besides the Miami lifestyle will hold a ton of appeal over Amare.

Cleveland gets Lebron. Lebron overplays his hand with all teams, stalls too much and the pieces start to fall before he can control them.  Additionally, he realizes that he and his peeps run the org.  Realizes he’s less of a bad guy if he stays in Cleveland.  Realizes he can’t live in the Jordan shadow and isn’t a good fit with the Chicago roster.  Realizes being in Newark for 2 years isn’t ideal.  Realizes he doesn’t want to share the credit and legacy with Wade.

Chicago gets Boozer. They add the low post scoring they actually really need and fits.

New Jersey gets no one (for now). No one is willing to wait around 2 to 3 years of a 5 year contract to play in Brooklyn.  They’ll have too much trouble getting the first chip to fall in place.  BUT, they’ll probably make it happen at some point either by trade, signing, or in a sign and trade for someone cool since they won’t be encumbered by the salary cap.

As for Lebron, I think the Knicks do have the best shot at landing him if it’s not Cleveland.  I just think the Knicks are going to move hard and fast on Joe Johnson and make him an offer immediately to get something no matter what.

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And so it begins

May 14

Posted by YesandtheFoul in NBA Talk, Recaps | 5 Comments

The LaBacle is complete.  The Celtics, the best defense in the league, pull it out in game 6 and defeat Lebron James, the best player in the NBA.  But the story will continue to be Game 5 of the Cleveland-Celtics series—perhaps the most curious performance in modern NBA history.  The media hysteria surrounding Lebron’s uncharacteristic performance has been unparalleled.  Perhaps the only other playoff controversy I can compare it to, at least in terms of volume, is when Jordan took off to Atlantic City against the Knicks in the 1993 playoffs.  Just like that scenario, the whole sports world questioned Jordan’s commitment to his team and, ridiculously in retrospect, winning.  Now everyone is questioning if Lebron is a winner.

Lebron has been expected to be a one man show.  And despite all the cliched calls from fans and media that “it’s all about team”, clearly that doesn’t apply to Lebron.  Everyone wanted Lebron to prove he could do it all by himself.  Jordan was long considered a one man show who had to learn how to play team ball.  But, in reality, Lebron has never had 2 teammates half as good as Pippen and Rodman.  Or a coach as good as the often ridiculed Phil Jackson.  Lebron’s teams have simply leaned on him too much and taken all their cues from him.

Fans expected Lebron to simply be able to will his team to a championship.  Just like Jordan did.  Just like Isiah.  Just like Magic or Larry.  But it’s ridiculous.  Basketball has proven time and again to be a team game.  You can say that Hakeem has probably won it all with the least.  But, even he had a team that rose to the occasion.  A team perfectly built to complement Hakeem with are barrage of 3 pointers and great defense.  And, just think how preposterously clutch and nasty Sam Cassell was.  That team had verve.

This Cavs team, Verajao aside, had nothing of the sort.  Shaq was simply old and slow, not to mention withdrawn and distant.  Jamison was destroyed by KG and never gelled with teammates.  Mo Williams had some offensive moments but was destroyed by Rondo.  What was Lebron supposed to do with this cast of characters?

Plain and simple: No one-man-show can do it against what has to be considered the best defensive team in the league for three years running.  Jordan, Kobe, Magic, Larry… none of these guys with this Cavs cast would’ve got by this Celtics team.  It reminds me of a young Jordan being unable to get by the Pistons.

And, it’s not just about this season.  For seven years Lebron hasn’t had a strong enough cast of characters around him.  Nor has he had a cast properly built around him.

So why should he NOT leave Cleveland?!

I’m finally coming around to the fact that Lebron to NY has a real chance of happening.  Forget the latest hot talk about Chicago being the new front runner to land Lebron.  The Jordan shadow is way too strong.  And, really, Chicago just isn’t as exciting as NY from a lifestyle, celebrity and potential money making perspective. And, about all of this Callipari talk, give me a break.

If the Knicks can get Bosh with Lebron, they’d be looking pretty nasty.  Here is your 2010 super-optimistic Knicks depth chart:

PG: LeBron James / Toney Douglas / Sergio Rodriguez (??)
SG: Wilson Chandler / Billy Walker
SF: Danilo Gallinari /
PF: Chris Bosh / Jarvis Varnado (with the 38th pick)
C: Eddy Curry (who magically gets healthy since he’s playing for a contract, the Knicks won’t suck and Lebron is here) / Earl Barron / Artsiom Parakhouski (with the 39th pick)

That’s 11 dudes, with my draft selections, and including Sergio Rodriguez who I’m not too high on keeping.  So here are some potential low cost free agents to round it out:

SF, PF, C:  Tim Thomas – I know that’s weird, but he’s versatile, smart, played well for D’antoni and can probably be had for the minimum.
C, PF: Louis Amundson – Phoenix is going to break the bank to keep Amare, and they have Robin Lopez who starts.  He’d be a nice Verajao-like piece and I have a hard time imagining him get anything more than mid-level money.
PG: Luke Ridnour – Can shoot, and push the pace.  Alongside LBJ his small size and lack of athleticism wouldn’t be exploited.
SG: Kyle Korver – For one obvious reason.  3pt % this year .536.

Here are the other prospective free agents: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-10-11

Pretty impressive.  It all starts to feel possible.

I think the scariest scenario is still the Nets winning the draft and getting John Wall.  With the new Russian billionaire owner (who’d love to open up the Russian market to Lebron and teach him the ways of a billionaire), actually being in the NY market, a ton of cap space, a studly young center, and a tradeable asset in Devin Harris, New Jersey is potentially more attractive than anywhere else.  But, here’s hoping the Nets don’t land the top pick.

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Now what?

May 6

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Hypotheticals, Knicks Banter | No Comments

It’s hard not to get carried away in speculating what the Knicks will be able to accomplish this summer.  As a Lebron-2010 pessimist, who also thinks the 2010 free agency class is wildly overrated, I think Donnie is going to have to be very creative to turn this team around.  He may even need more patience something most Knicks fans probably don’t want to hear.  I know I don’t want the Knicks to suck for yet another season.  So what do we actually know about the 2010 team and what can we expect?

Who can we expect to see back in a Knicks uniform?

Baring inclusion in a blockbuster trade, Gallinari, Chandler, Douglas, and Walker will be back, forming a solid young core.

Gallinari tantalized us with glimpses of how good he can be, but struggled with inconsistency, unselfishness and deferring to veterans who had no place being considered leaders on the team.  We did see, though, is that Danilo has a killer instinct, a willingness to defend the opponent’s best player (and ability to be successful at it), and a truly competitive desire to become a great player. Without all of that veteran dead weight, Danilo will be more willing to take on a leadership role.  Expect his numbers to improve next year, and for him to accept his role as one of the teams main offensive options.

I’m not expecting Wilson Chandler to become a go to guy next year, but he really was able to do it all this season and seemed to improve with every game.  He’s very coachable, has improved his mid-range and post game, shown great defensive ability and versatility, and his overall athleticism make him a keeper.

Douglas and Walker were both pleasant surprises at the guard posltions.  There are some shortcomings (Douglas isn’t exactly a PG), but both were competitive on both ends of the court and showed an ability to hit meaningful shots.  I see their roles expanding next year, too.

Did Earl Barron show enough at the center position to be offered a contract? I definitely think so.  I don’t think he’s the complete answer for the team at center, but he’s certainly an improvement.  It’s actually remarkable that he was able to make a difference and be comfortable in the offense with basically no practices and new teammates who you’d expect him to be out of sync with.  But Earl figured it out fast.  He showed the required effort, intelligence and shooting ability to play in D’Antoni’s offense.

Is Sergio brought back? I have a tough time seeing it.  He was a bit wild and didn’t really read the game that well.  He has ability, and would certainly show improvement if he had a full season with the team under him, but, I just don’t know if it was ‘love’ for coach.

As for the free agents?

I just don’t see Lebron leaving Cleveland.  Even if they lose out in the playoffs.  Cleveland can offer significantly more money.  And as Peyton Manning has shown, Lebron can be marketed plenty without being in NY or Chicago or LA.  Additionally, loyalty to home seems to mean something to him.   Unless Lebron is truly ready for a new chapter, is truly dazzled by the fame and glitz, and has a yearning to reinvent himself (which he has never had to do being in Ohio all his life), I just don’t see it.  But, then again, just typing this paragraph, has convinced me he is coming to NY.  No one knows.  I’ll say this, though.  If he leaves Cleveland, I’ll be stunned if it’s not for the Knicks. Likelihood 40%

Bosh. Ugh.  Not enthusiastic about this one, but Walsh certainly seems to be.  This is a somewhat likely scenario for the Knicks, as there have been some mutterings about a sign and trade for Lee.  Is Bosh really a max guy, though?  Toronto hasn’t been terribly successful with him.  Additionally, Lee sure seemed to have his number in a lot of the matchups this year.  But, Bosh’s D would be an improvement.  With Toronto’s failure to make the playoffs and Bosh seemingly wanting to come stateside, his landing on the Knicks could happen.  But, there are better places for him to go.  Perhaps Miami or Chicago.  Perhaps one of the Texas teams.   I think we can cross him off the list.  Likelihood 40%

Amare. Man, he’s been looking like a beast since the trade deadline past.  Even his woeful defense has improved.  I think he like the desert, likes playing with Nash, and Phoenix is realizing they need to keep him.  Additionally, in Seven Second or Less, Amare seemed to be a bit of a headache for D’Antoni.  I just don’t think he’s coming to the Knicks.  Likelihood 15%

David Lee: Man his offense is so good and keeps improving.  He was essentially the point power forward/center.  But, man, his defense is so painful, frustrating and dreadful!  I can’t help but think he’s ‘good numbers on a bad team’ guy.  Additionally, with Earl Barron, a real center, around his stats seemed to have dipped a bit.  I think the Knicks are looking to shake things up and change the team’s identity.  With a lot of other teams having cap space that they won’t be able to use, he’ll likely get offered more money elsewhere.  I’m thinking he gets scooped up by Oklahoma City, which I think would be awesome.  But, enough can’t be said about how much D’Antoni likes Lee and how much Lee likes New York.  So don’t cross Lee off the list yet.  Likelihood 50%

Carlos Boozer: Hmmm.  With his history, it’s hard not to think Boozer won’t go where the money is.  And, New York might be that place.  But, that place could also be Chicago or Miami.  I just don’t like his health issues.  I also don’t think he’s necessarily a D’Antoni fit.  I offering max money is between him and Bosh, I think the Knicks give Bosh the money.  Likelihood 30%

Joe Johnson. Really, really, really doesn’t seem to be a max money guy, and with Chandler and Gallinari on the roster we should steer clear.  He’s solid, but he’s not 5 years, max solid.  Besides, he seems to like where Atlanta is heading and how Atlanta is a chill place.  Likelihood 20%

Dirk. He’s just making noise.  He’ll stay in Dallas and Cuban will retool the Mavs yet again.  Likelihood 1%

Camby. Already resigned with Portland.  Oh well.  Likelihood 0%

Rudy Gay. Could look good in a Knicks uniform, IF we didn’t already have Chandler and Gallo.  Likelihood 5%.

Ty Thomas. We heard about the Knicks’ intrigue at the deadline and he does have an early termination option that he can exercise.  Not sure where that stands, but I have a hard time imagining him leaving any money on the table.  Likelihood 20%

That’s enough for now.  Next time we’ll talk draft and what the Knicks should try to do with the 38th and 39th picks.

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Is there a backup plan?

Feb 19

Posted by YesandtheFoul in Knicks Banter, Trade Thoughts | 3 Comments

Despite the impressive, necessary, risky and costly steps taken by Donnie to clear enough cap space this summer for 2 max guys, I’m still not one for thinking that Lebron is coming to New York.  Still don’t think Wade is coming.  Bosh, maybe.  Joe Johnson, maybe.

Are Bosh and Johnson max players?  I don’t think so.  Maybe they are 4/5th’s of a max contract, but not totally maxed out guys.  It’s taken a heck of a surrounding cast to get either Bosh or Johnson to really shine this season, and the Knicks being maxed out would make surrounding them with a solid cast next to impossible.

Will all 4 of these guys get max money?  Probably.  There are a lot of teams that cleared a lot of cap room, and after these 4 guys there aren’t too many good players to spend the money on.  This might be the last time for a team to splurge before the lockout happens.

Is it a disaster if the Knicks don’t sign one of these 4 dudes?  My initial feeling was yes, but the more I think about it, I’m inclined to say no because there is some incredible flexibility to be had with $32 mil to spend.  Next year we’ll have Gallinari, Chandler, Douglas as potential core players returning.   To be optimistic for once, lets say Spanish Chocolate fits in really well, and lets say McGrady shines.   We can pay Chocolate $3 mil, and McGrady $7 mil.   Clearly we need a center.  Looking over this list, maybe Jermaine O’Neal or Camby at $5 mil per is reasonable.  Also, while I’ve soured on Lee big time, we could bring him back at $9 mil per.  That’s $24 mil spent on 4 solid players that actually fit the roster.  Why not pick up Manu Ginobili for $6 mil, too?

Our roster could look like this next year: Gallo, Chandler, Lee, Douglas, McGrady, Sergio, JO, Gino.  Pretty solid.  But, maybe not what Walsh or Knicks fans have in mind.

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