...is Kenyon Martin. I feel we'll be able to find a scorer somewhere. Someone that can feed off the opportunities that will be plentiful playing off Carmelo. I believe it will be harder to find a player like Kenyon with his level of athleticism in the front court, with his size, motor and level of tenacity, and someone that can back up either the 4 or 5 and the Knicks not miss a beat.
I think he can be a critical piece as long as he stays healthy. And I think his scare last year with forced retirement may have injected a bit of hunger into him.
Capable, athletic big men don't grow on trees. We'll find another scorer at some position somewhere.
That's a good assessment. I really didn't care too much if any of our FAs came back to be honest -- for one thing, I flat out rebelled against adding all these older players (K-Mart being one of them) and I also became convinced after we got eliminated that we needed to clean house and bring in some new fresh, young blood...Then I read your comments on K-Mart and I kinda agree now. He just looked a little too old/slow/ineffective against Indy though, that's what gives me pause (to be fair, in a perfect world he shouldn't have been covering Hibbert as much as he was forced to, so that height mismatch helped contribute to things I guess). I still feel we definitely need an infusion of at least 3 young/skilled bigs to matchup with that Pacer team better (along with some of the other bigger teams out there). But you're right, there's a spot for K-Mart here provided we don't have to overpay.
It ain't gonna happen but the big men I wanna see most:
Either Mike Muscala or Jamelle Hagins in the draft (Tony Mitchell just feels like a reach to me at 24 but he wouldn't be a terrible pick I suppose)
Then go out and grab these 3 players on the cheap:
Marcus Cousin (over Jerome Jordan - this guy's better) - skilled backup C that's effective on both ends
Jordan Williams - additional size, fixes the rebounding problem all by himself if he's kept himself in shape
Craig Brackins - A very potent 6'10" scorer (picture a guy on a level with Al Harrington maybe, might even be better eventually) that just needs a chance, he can rebound too
Been saying it -- that's all extremely doable. Give me those specific frontcourt additions (along with the same type of backcourt infusion - you know the guys I've been preaching--all solid players) and then gimme Indiana again in a 7-game series. I FLAT OUT GUARANTEE the results will be different. Shump's talking about winning 60 game next year. Tell ya right now, we add all the players I've been discussing (all realistic draft choices and cheap FAs given our cap situation), 60 wins is realistic.
I have no problem keeping guys like Martin. My issue is these old guys durability for 82 games + the playoffs.
Wallace, Camby, Martin, and Kidd broke down.
I prefer some solid vets sprinkled in with youth.
Agreed. We would have been up shit creek without him coming off the bench. Certainly cannot rely on Camby to stay healthy.
I feel like a broken record, but I'd still like to see both Jordan and Harrellson back on the roster next season. Minimum contract guys that can have a role on this team. If nothing else, we certainly need the bodies.
