NBA Free Agency Rumors: Amar'e Wants Luke Ridnour as His Point Man
With reports looming that LeBron James is headed to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, Amar'e doesn't want to get caught with a point man who can't work the pick and roll.
His preference? Former first-round selection, Luke Ridnour. Luke Ridnour is regarded by many as the best or second-best free agent PG this offseason.
Luke Ridnour is 30, and is basically an unknown to the average NBA fan. But apparently, Amar'e is very much aware of the capabilities of the seven-year NBA vet.
Ridnour came from the 2003 NBA Draft that yielded players like LeBron, Wade, Anthony, and Bosh. He was the 17th pick by then Seattle-now Oklahoma City.
Coming out, he was regarded as the next coming of Steve Nash. He hasn't lived up to that billing. However, of the three point guards taken before him in the draft, only Kirk Hinrich has been better.
Ridnour's best season came in his third season when he averaged 11 points and seven assists in just 33 minutes per game.
He is also a career shooter of 35 percent from three.
However, numbers don't tell the whole story. He was very instrumental in the development of Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings and the Bucks making it to the playoffs this past season.
Luke is a very talented player who suffers from a lack of wanting to be great. He's one of those guys who wants to simply fit in with a team. He'll provide solid leadership and will be able to properly run the D'Antonio system.
He is a very underrated defender and floor general. He has a toughness about him that goes unnoticed by the casual fan.
I'm guessing Amar'e thinks that Ridnour's numbers can almost double in the system that is employed by the New York Knicks. If that is the logic, I would have to agree with him.
Getting Luke Ridnour and losing out on LeBron James would be an obvious let-down for New York fans, but this would be a good signing for the Knicks.
They better hurry though, as Miami is rumored to be on the prowl for another rub in the Knicks' face.
