Knicks · Aldridge:Knicks had 10th best offseason (page 1)

10) NEW YORK KNICKS

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2013-14 RECORD: 37-45, did not make playoffs

ADDED: G Jose Calderon (acquired from Dallas); C Samuel Dalembert (acquired from Dallas); G Shane Larkin (acquired from Dallas); F Cleanthony Early (second round, 34th pick overall); F Thanasis Antetokounmpo (second round, 51st pick overall); C/F Jason Smith (one year, $915,000)

LOST: None

RETAINED: F Carmelo Anthony (five years, $124 million); C Cole Aldrich (one year, $915,000)

THE KEY MAN: Coach Derek Fisher. After the Knicks were left at the altar by Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson reached out to another triangle-friendly mind in Fisher, the latest former player to walk directly from the court to a head coaching job without any experience. Fisher has a lot of work to do with a roster that doesn't seem especially suited to run the triangle, though Calderon (career 41 percent 3-point shooter) would seem likely to fit in quickly. Fisher will have to be a disciplinarian as well as a teacher, and it's always difficult for guys who were peers a second ago to get used to the idea that their former teammate is now their boss. We'll see how Fisher does.

THE SKINNY: James was clearly the biggest prize in free agency, but Anthony was the guy that the teams with cap room came at hardest. In the end, Anthony eschewed a potential great fit in Chicago, playing with James Harden and Dwight Howard in Houston or re-shaping the Lakers franchise to stay home -- and get an extra $20 mil or so in the process. Without a first-round pick, Jackson did well to get two solid prospects in Early and Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Milwaukee's Giannis. But New York kept its word to Anthony -- it should have significant cap room a year from now to go after a second blue-chip free agent. And it kept a great, talented player that should be effective in this or any other offense.

>> OFFSEASON GRADES: THE MIDDLE 10 | OFFSEASON GRADES: THE BOTTOM 10

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/da...

Aldridge forgot about Ellington.

^how can he forget Ellington. That bumps them up to 5th best!

gunsnewing wrote:^how can he forget Ellington. That bumps them up to 5th best!

I think Phil called him a salary that fit. He might fit well in the triangle.

CrushAlot wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:^how can he forget Ellington. That bumps them up to 5th best!

I think Phil called him a salary that fit. He might fit well in the triangle.

I actually like this dude. He was solid in college and has had his moments in the NBA. Excellent shooter and fairly elusive off the dribble. Is he Michael Jordan? Of course not but the man can play. He's far from some scrub. JR Smith makes too much money to not play--they've committed to him. Unless we can find some taker (is the Milwaukee thing for Ilyasova really dead?), he'll play big mins., probably starting at 2G. The rest of the position is wide open -- I'm not ready to just hand the rest of the minutes over to Shump and THJ. Let Ellington compete for time with these guys---he might prove to be the best of those remaining 3. He's our best pure shooter at the position, maybe on the team (possibly even over Calderon). Gotta see how much defense he can provide, that'll be the key for him: can he play enough defense to stay on the floor. If he can, he could be a factor. He's actually a pretty good offensive player.

CrushAlot wrote:Aldridge forgot about Ellington.

He also erred when he said Thanasis was younger than Giannis. Pretty sure he's older.

CrushAlot wrote:

10) NEW YORK KNICKS

<p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p>

2013-14 RECORD: 37-45, did not make playoffs

ADDED: G Jose Calderon (acquired from Dallas); C Samuel Dalembert (acquired from Dallas); G Shane Larkin (acquired from Dallas); F Cleanthony Early (second round, 34th pick overall); F Thanasis Antetokounmpo (second round, 51st pick overall); C/F Jason Smith (one year, $915,000)

LOST: None

RETAINED: F Carmelo Anthony (five years, $124 million); C Cole Aldrich (one year, $915,000)

THE KEY MAN: Coach Derek Fisher. After the Knicks were left at the altar by Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson reached out to another triangle-friendly mind in Fisher, the latest former player to walk directly from the court to a head coaching job without any experience. Fisher has a lot of work to do with a roster that doesn't seem especially suited to run the triangle, though Calderon (career 41 percent 3-point shooter) would seem likely to fit in quickly. Fisher will have to be a disciplinarian as well as a teacher, and it's always difficult for guys who were peers a second ago to get used to the idea that their former teammate is now their boss. We'll see how Fisher does.

THE SKINNY: James was clearly the biggest prize in free agency, but Anthony was the guy that the teams with cap room came at hardest. In the end, Anthony eschewed a potential great fit in Chicago, playing with James Harden and Dwight Howard in Houston or re-shaping the Lakers franchise to stay home -- and get an extra $20 mil or so in the process. Without a first-round pick, Jackson did well to get two solid prospects in Early and Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Milwaukee's Giannis. But New York kept its word to Anthony -- it should have significant cap room a year from now to go after a second blue-chip free agent. And it kept a great, talented player that should be effective in this or any other offense.

>> OFFSEASON GRADES: THE MIDDLE 10 | OFFSEASON GRADES: THE BOTTOM 10

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/da...

"effective in this or any other offense." uhhhh..... what? and i'd like to see a list of these available blue chip free agents.

H1AND1 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Aldridge forgot about Ellington.

He also erred when he said Thanasis was younger than Giannis. Pretty sure he's older.

Yeah not like Aldridge. I have always thought he was very professional. He may have gotten Jason Smith's salary wrong also.

dk7th wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

10) NEW YORK KNICKS

<p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p>

2013-14 RECORD: 37-45, did not make playoffs

ADDED: G Jose Calderon (acquired from Dallas); C Samuel Dalembert (acquired from Dallas); G Shane Larkin (acquired from Dallas); F Cleanthony Early (second round, 34th pick overall); F Thanasis Antetokounmpo (second round, 51st pick overall); C/F Jason Smith (one year, $915,000)

LOST: None

RETAINED: F Carmelo Anthony (five years, $124 million); C Cole Aldrich (one year, $915,000)

THE KEY MAN: Coach Derek Fisher. After the Knicks were left at the altar by Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson reached out to another triangle-friendly mind in Fisher, the latest former player to walk directly from the court to a head coaching job without any experience. Fisher has a lot of work to do with a roster that doesn't seem especially suited to run the triangle, though Calderon (career 41 percent 3-point shooter) would seem likely to fit in quickly. Fisher will have to be a disciplinarian as well as a teacher, and it's always difficult for guys who were peers a second ago to get used to the idea that their former teammate is now their boss. We'll see how Fisher does.

THE SKINNY: James was clearly the biggest prize in free agency, but Anthony was the guy that the teams with cap room came at hardest. In the end, Anthony eschewed a potential great fit in Chicago, playing with James Harden and Dwight Howard in Houston or re-shaping the Lakers franchise to stay home -- and get an extra $20 mil or so in the process. Without a first-round pick, Jackson did well to get two solid prospects in Early and Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Milwaukee's Giannis. But New York kept its word to Anthony -- it should have significant cap room a year from now to go after a second blue-chip free agent. And it kept a great, talented player that should be effective in this or any other offense.

>> OFFSEASON GRADES: THE MIDDLE 10 | OFFSEASON GRADES: THE BOTTOM 10

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/da...

"effective in this or any other offense." uhhhh..... what? and i'd like to see a list of these available blue chip free agents.

If Ellington and Calderon can replace Novak and the other shooter we lost to Indy, then we might be a major sleeper in the east. The key will be at the PF matchup...and SF backup.

The problem I struggle with is Melo....He's not a PF and he's not a SF. He's either too small or too slow, depending on the matchups. And when the defensive matchups are not in his favor, he puts up even more bad shots. Hopefully the Triangle will change that.

Here's my list of sleepers on this team.....Starting with Ellington, Smith at center, and Early....

blkexec wrote:If Ellington and Calderon can replace Novak and the other shooter we lost to Indy, then we might be a major sleeper in the east. The key will be at the PF matchup...and SF backup.

The problem I struggle with is Melo....He's not a PF and he's not a SF. He's either too small or too slow, depending on the matchups. And when the defensive matchups are not in his favor, he puts up even more bad shots. Hopefully the Triangle will change that.

Here's my list of sleepers on this team.....Starting with Ellington, Smith at center, and Early....

There really aren't hard set positions in the Triangle. Melo will do well because he can score from anywhere on the floor and post up as well as dribble drive or catch and shoot. That's what the Triangle is all about. You want players who can score from anywhere because the Triangle motion will put you in different spots with an opening to score. That's why bigs that can move but also shoot are at a premium. Melo has a tight handle and so he can maneuver well in the Triangle if he has the ball and also if he doesn't he can catch and shoot. Really no reason to worry about Melo in this system. He's tailor made for it. It's up to Fish and Phil to point out all the ways Melo can score in it and they will do that.

I liked our offseason considering we didnt have much money/assets to use. Excited to see what Phil does next year when we have our 1st round pick and money coming of the books

LOST NONE?

Hey, I think Chandler is addition by subtraction by reason of his effort, but not skill. I mean, we did give up a former defensive stalwart.

I think if we can stay healthy, get guys, including & especially Melo, to buy in, then we're likely returning to the play offs.

Otherwise, injuries and if Melo simply can't adapt to a passing & IQ offense, then it will be a long and ugly season.

everyone thought this was just a sit and wait offseason. Furthest thing from the truth. Knicks got much better, more talented, younger and brought in pieces that fit the system. Aldridge sees it. Obviously this thread will be met with the usual hee-hawing of the same donkees singing their song "we are a 37 win team" or "Melo will make this fail" or "I miss Gallo" but Knicks are set up to have a very nice bounce back season and another great offseason. Let the anti-Melo anti-Knick crowd spin their wheels and get their licks in now.

15th is average and would basically mean a net change of 0 wins. If you're focused just on the immediate season, we probably added a couple of wins. So I could see why he'd put us a little above 15.

fishmike wrote:everyone thought this was just a sit and wait offseason. Furthest thing from the truth. Knicks got much better, more talented, younger and brought in pieces that fit the system. Aldridge sees it. Obviously this thread will be met with the usual hee-hawing of the same donkees singing their song "we are a 37 win team" or "Melo will make this fail" or "I miss Gallo" but Knicks are set up to have a very nice bounce back season and another great offseason. Let the anti-Melo anti-Knick crowd spin their wheels and get their licks in now.

Fish no need to take the usual shots at knick fans accusing them of "melo hate" or "gallo loving". Most fans have been happy with what Phil has done considering we didnt have much money or assets to work with. The tyson chandler/felton tade was a big win for us and we actually got some good draftpicks for a change which i love. Im a realist we proably arent gonna be a contender this year but at least im starting to see Phil's vision and i am excited for next fseason

My biggest concern is the rotation, we have 7 guards that need to play, priggs, calderon, larkin, JR, shump, THJ, ellington, no way you can have success playing even 5 of them.

I thought woodson's biggest failure was maganging the rotation, and to me thats the grass roots of a special team.

StarksEwing1 wrote:

fishmike wrote:everyone thought this was just a sit and wait offseason. Furthest thing from the truth. Knicks got much better, more talented, younger and brought in pieces that fit the system. Aldridge sees it. Obviously this thread will be met with the usual hee-hawing of the same donkees singing their song "we are a 37 win team" or "Melo will make this fail" or "I miss Gallo" but Knicks are set up to have a very nice bounce back season and another great offseason. Let the anti-Melo anti-Knick crowd spin their wheels and get their licks in now.

Fish no need to take the usual shots at knick fans accusing them of "melo hate" or "gallo loving". Most fans have been happy with what Phil has done considering we didnt have much money or assets to work with. The tyson chandler/felton tade was a big win for us and we actually got some good draftpicks for a change which i love. Im a realist we proably arent gonna be a contender this year but at least im starting to see Phil's vision and i am excited for next fseason

those arent accusations, they are the reality of this board, and it wasnt directed toward any Knick fans... only trolls. No.. quite sure we will not contend for a title this year either, but Im with you. Even if these moves dont work out it still shows the direction he's taking and that alone is a breath of fresh air. When Walsh was here he gave up good players just to get cap space and better manage roster. We have that coming next year without taking a step back. Despite F5's daily/////crying about Calderon's $7mm salary

knicks1248 wrote:My biggest concern is the rotation, we have 7 guards that need to play, priggs, calderon, larkin, JR, shump, THJ, ellington, no way you can have success playing even 5 of them.

I thought woodson's biggest failure was maganging the rotation, and to me thats the grass roots of a special team.

Prigs and Ellington have to earn minutes in my opion.

If it was me I would start Dalembert/Melo/Shump/JR/Calderon with Amare/Larkin/THjr off the bench and Cole is the extra big based on foul trouble, matchups, etc.

Those would be my 8 guys. I would like to pump and dump Shump and move him for a pick and hopefully Early plays his way into the rotation. But Im not assuming all these guys get playing time.

fishmike wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:My biggest concern is the rotation, we have 7 guards that need to play, priggs, calderon, larkin, JR, shump, THJ, ellington, no way you can have success playing even 5 of them.

I thought woodson's biggest failure was maganging the rotation, and to me thats the grass roots of a special team.

Prigs and Ellington have to earn minutes in my opion.

If it was me I would start Dalembert/Melo/Shump/JR/Calderon with Amare/Larkin/THjr off the bench and Cole is the extra big based on foul trouble, matchups, etc.

Those would be my 8 guys. I would like to pump and dump Shump and move him for a pick and hopefully Early plays his way into the rotation. But Im not assuming all these guys get playing time.

I would rather start Amare for half the 1st qtr, then bring him in at the start of the 2nd qtr when you sit melo.

You dont think running an 8 man rotation with a guy like Amare is a risk, I really don't want any of our players playing more then 35 minutes, im looking at 30min tops for everyone but melo, unless there scorching hot.

knicks1248 wrote:

fishmike wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:My biggest concern is the rotation, we have 7 guards that need to play, priggs, calderon, larkin, JR, shump, THJ, ellington, no way you can have success playing even 5 of them.

I thought woodson's biggest failure was maganging the rotation, and to me thats the grass roots of a special team.

Prigs and Ellington have to earn minutes in my opion.

If it was me I would start Dalembert/Melo/Shump/JR/Calderon with Amare/Larkin/THjr off the bench and Cole is the extra big based on foul trouble, matchups, etc.

Those would be my 8 guys. I would like to pump and dump Shump and move him for a pick and hopefully Early plays his way into the rotation. But Im not assuming all these guys get playing time.

I would rather start Amare for half the 1st qtr, then bring him in at the start of the 2nd qtr when you sit melo.

You dont think running an 8 man rotation with a guy like Amare is a risk, I really don't want any of our players playing more then 35 minutes, im looking at 30min tops for everyone but melo, unless there scorching hot.

Well the 8 guys I would like to play (9 if you include Cole) would play heavy rotation minutes, so the idea would be to avoid having to ride guys for 40 minutes a night.

If you play all 8 guys the same minutes its 30 minutes a night for each. Obviously thats not going to happen, but its not far from would I would like to see. I like Amare in a 2nd unit with Larkin and THjr, Larkin is a great pick and roll PG and I could see that unit (if Amare can play like he finished last year) as one of the better scoring 2nd units in the league.

I dont like playing 10-11 guys. I think its too hard on the coaches and players to get good continuity and rhythm. That being said I dont want anyone playing heavy minutes.

I have no idea how it plays out though... I just hope for a balanced rotation and guys to earn their minutes. Looking forward!