The Knicks play in the biggest stage in the NBA at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. They pay the most money and attract the biggest stars.
Unfortunately, they have been more like a small name play at the Radio City music hall.
They have been a disgrace in the NBA.
Isiah Thomas was brought in and brought a group of talented players with no chemistry or will to win. Even a hall of fame coach, Larry Brown, could not do anything with them.
Now Donnie Walsh is supposed to play God and make a miracle happen.
Every team needs a coach. The Knicks got one of the most successful coaches in the NBA in Mike D'Antoni.
This was a good start.
Now come the players.
You look at it and just give up. No one can fix it right?
Well, here is what I think Donnie Walsh has to do.
Mike D'Antoni runs a fast paced team and just looking at the roster, not all fit in.
First D'Antoni needs a point guard. That is the base of his system. He had Nash in Phoenix and had a lot of success with him. Stephon Marbury is not the answer at point.
When D'Antoni came into Phoenix, he shipped Marbury off and he will do it again. Marbury's attitude is not what many teams need, especially on a rebuilding process.
There are rumors of Baron Davis, but they need a young talent. Derrick Rose would have been an ideal fit, but they sit alone at number six.
By looking at the free agent market, Monta Ellis would be a perfect fit. He is a point guard/shooting guard, but would fit in well at the point in New York. He even said himself he would fit into D'Antoni's system.
He is a restricted free agent and the Warriors will not let their future talent get away from them. The only way for this to work out would be to make trades and not sign big contracts with free agents.
Jamal Crawford had a successful season last year and Wilson Chandler showed some promise. They should be set at shooting guard.
Nate Robinson is a good back up at point and even as a shooting guard.
Quentin Richardson was D'Antoni's small forward in his 60 win season at Phoenix and will blossom again under his system. He is also a keeper with Jarred Jeffries and Ranaldo Balkman as back ups.
Jeffries and Balkman are two athletic and lengthy players who are like Shawn Marion.
Now comes the other big problem, what about the players that do not fit well in New York?
First is Stephon Marbury. He has a huge contract, but it is a large expiring contract. Some teams may be interested in that. One team is the Indiana Pacers, who are in a rebuilding mode. A trade possibility is to trade Marbury and David Lee, who even D'Antoni did not like when Lee was coming into the league because he has no set offensive game, to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal.
O'Neal is one of the best big men in the NBA when healthy. After sitting out most of last year and rehabbing in the off season, O'Neal should be back to his old self. He can be the Amare, but with defense. He would be a good fit in New York, especially since he will reunite with Walsh.
David Lee can help Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy in Indiana in their bright future.
Jermaine O'Neal coming in means Zach Randolph and Eddy "I refuse to rebound or play D" Curry need to leave.
8 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Rodge Correa about 1 year ago
We need a pass first point! Not a Monta Ellis.
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Paul Nuzzi about 1 year ago
Excellent stuff. Gives a knick fan some hope... Though I think Indiana waits for something better, and doesn't want to add a 4 to a team full of 4's. toronto is interesting.. Do you think they would give up 2 #1's... but I like where you are thinking. Orlando is also interesting.
I was thinking Ben Wallace and a cleveland #2(or #1 if you hold out on them) for Randolph. Wallace expires in 2 years which is key. He would back up Curry only as a 5.
I think they can be patient this year.. let everyone improve there value.. and then make a move at the trade deadline, or next offseason.
One thing they do need is another guard to help Crawford and Nate.. and I don't think Marty is the guy. So we will see if they net that.
Thanks for the write up!
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Monty Singh about 1 year ago
I think Toronto has to because they want to win now. People are still talking about them getting rid of Vince Carter. The sixth pick is worth a couple picks.
I think the Cavs would like to keep Ben Wallace for a year. First reason is if he can play like his old self and second reason is if LeBron does bolt off to New York or to the Nets in 2010, Ben Wallace has a big expiring contract to get a free agent star.
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Andrew Kaufman about 1 year ago
if you are going to trade lee you better have more than just a fringe playoff team. the fans will riot.
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Remington T about 1 year ago
Is it realistic to think of picking up Andre Kirilenko for Marbury? I think he would excel on a fast paced team. Utah needs to get out from his contract so they can lock up Deron Williams in 09-10. We might have to include our #6 but could maybe get one of thier young guys like Miles or Almond.
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Monty Singh about 1 year ago
Would make great sense for New York but Jazz do not need Marbury's attitude and problems. Sloan would retire before having to coach Marbury. If could get Kirileno would be huge, but they might even look at Morris Almond who really is nice.
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Diddle Thom about 1 year ago
From what I read the Jazz have the priority of signing Williams long term. They also need to worry about the young supporting cast (Millsap, Brewer, Miles) not to mention Carlos Boozer is due an extension soon. They are a small market and so i imagine they are unlikely to get into the luxary tax. They might take Marbury and buy him out if they can get long-term cap room and some cheap young talent from the draft.
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Monty Singh about 1 year ago
That is a real good point because they do need the $ to get Boozer to stay, but the Jazz are going to be a contender next season and do not need any distractions. Another play they may like is if could get a guy like Tony Battie from the Magic or Rasho Nasterovic of the Raptors who have big expiring contracts too
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