Ezeli just signed a two year deal with Portland for a total of 16 million dollars (8 million per). In this bloated market, that is beyond a bargain.
He is only 26 and healthy. He is an above average defender, rim protector and an elite athlete. He was a key component on a championship team last year. He is entering his prime and still has room for his offensive game to grow. The 2 year contract and the dollar amount would not have been a hit to absorb on the salary cap.
Noah is a tough, proven leader, former DOY, and a terrific passer. He also brings many intangibles that don't show up on the stat sheet. He is a much better fit for our team and what we're trying to do in the triangle. However, he has tons of mileage and has been injury prone the last two seasons and is coming off a subpar season, where he shot terribly from the field (mostly due to a shoulder injury). It can be argued his better years are behind him and he never will be the same player again. He is making 16 mill this year and is on the books for 4 years. How will his contract look by year 4?
I would still choose Noah, even knowing Ezeli's much cheaper contract now. But from an economic and security standpoint?...
SocraticBallin22 wrote:Ezeli just signed a two year deal with Portland for a total of 16 million dollars (8 million per). In this bloated market, that is beyond a bargain. He is only 26 and healthy. He is an above average defender, rim protector and an elite athlete. He was a key component on a championship team last year. He is entering his prime and still has room for his offensive game to grow. The 2 year contract and the dollar amount would not have been a hit to absorb on the salary cap.
Noah is a tough, proven leader, former DOY, and a terrific passer. He also brings many intangibles that don't show up on the stat sheet. He is a much better fit for our team and what we're trying to do in the triangle. However, he has tons of mileage and has been injury prone the last two seasons and is coming off a subpar season, where he shot terribly from the field (mostly due to a shoulder injury). It can be argued his better years are behind him and he never will be the same player again. He is making 16 mill this year and is on the books for 4 years. How will his contract look by year 4?
I would still choose Noah, even knowing Ezeli's much cheaper contract now. But from an economic and security standpoint?...
We already know what Noah can potentially do if healthy and able to return to form. He's was an all-star caliber player. Ezeli has never proven he can play at that level for an extended period of time, hence the salary he's getting paid. Maybe he proves he can do it in Portland. Good for him. I'm fine with rolling the dice on Noah.
Can't we all just agree to agree that whatever moves the team makes, there would have been another, different move, or different way to execute the transaction that would have been superior if only Jackson and Mills could have thought of it like we did?
Also, you would have had to anticipate Durant going to Golden State to get the big man the coach and prez said they wanted to protect the unicorn. I don't think they wanted to wait for what might happen in regards to the team and KP.
did you see Ezeli in the finals after Boguts injury? He had all the opportunity in the world to show what he can do and he did not look like an NBA player.
Clean wrote:did you see Ezeli in the finals after Boguts injury? He had all the opportunity in the world to show what he can do and he did not look like an NBA player.
Ezeli is the reason GSW lost the championship. He bungled 3 at the rim shots in the first quarter alone of game 7. Wow, I've never seen a player that bad.
People were saying the lakers were going to go after Festus due to the Luke Walton connection. Festus stunk up the joint so badly, Luke gave Mozgov 64 million over 4 years. Double what festus got annually, and for twice as many years...
Let's not forget that Noah was instrumental in getting Lee
Not a big fan of Ezeli. Good shot blocker who makes a number of mistakes defensively and is an offensive liability. A healthy Noah can be a point-center and make a good consistent defensive impact. It just depends which version of Noah were getting.
The first game you see Noah standing at the free throw line hitting a hard cutting KP with a pin point pass, and then letting out a primal scream, you'll forget about Fetus Fetu.
Also, Festus wouldn't be in a gym working out with Carmelo in the middle of July. Our superstar is not a vocal, kick em in the ass and keep them awake type of leader. He's going to be more important for the identity of this team than a lot of people think. And that's the one major thing we were missing, an identity. Opponents aren't gonna come into MSG and think it'll be a walk in Rucker Park. That's the difference.
Knickoftime wrote:Can't we all just agree to agree that whatever moves the team makes, there would have been another, different move, or different way to execute the transaction that would have been superior if only Jackson and Mills could have thought of it like we did?
don't forget also that every trade that takes place is another example of Knick futility for not being involved, getting free picks or other assets
...said no one...ever.
If they've actually watched him play.
fishmike wrote:Knickoftime wrote:Can't we all just agree to agree that whatever moves the team makes, there would have been another, different move, or different way to execute the transaction that would have been superior if only Jackson and Mills could have thought of it like we did?
don't forget also that every trade that takes place is another example of Knick futility for not being involved, getting free picks or other assets
and don't forget that it's all Melo's fault
Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?
Because Noah is.
crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?Because Noah is.
Its a hungry roster with a bunch of talented guys with something to prove. Its 2 months until training and Noah is shooting with Melo.
God remember all those idiotic posts attacking Melo's leadership for not attending summer league? I think we have a real basketball season again next year. (((hears angels)))
fishmike wrote:crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?Because Noah is.
Its a hungry roster with a bunch of talented guys with something to prove. Its 2 months until training and Noah is shooting with Melo.
God remember all those idiotic posts attacking Melo's leadership for not attending summer league? I think we have a real basketball season again next year. (((hears angels)))
Melo could cure cancer and some on this board would criticize him for taking so long.
Welpee wrote:fishmike wrote:crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?Because Noah is.
Its a hungry roster with a bunch of talented guys with something to prove. Its 2 months until training and Noah is shooting with Melo.
God remember all those idiotic posts attacking Melo's leadership for not attending summer league? I think we have a real basketball season again next year. (((hears angels)))
Melo could cure cancer and some on this board would criticize him for taking so long.
To be fair, he is taking his sweet time on that one.
I don't agree with that. both have injury history but noah is more of a leader
crzymdups wrote:Welpee wrote:fishmike wrote:crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?Because Noah is.
Its a hungry roster with a bunch of talented guys with something to prove. Its 2 months until training and Noah is shooting with Melo.
God remember all those idiotic posts attacking Melo's leadership for not attending summer league? I think we have a real basketball season again next year. (((hears angels)))
Melo could cure cancer and some on this board would criticize him for taking so long.
To be fair, he is taking his sweet time on that one.
he's probably too busy taking selfies of all his fancy hats.
crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli already be working out in a gym with Melo? Would Festus be hungry? Would he have a chip on his shoulder and be desperate to win?Because Noah is.
This is beautiful to see.
#pumped!
crzymdups wrote:Would Festus "for the rest of us" Ezeli
I don't know where to post this, but I thought it was hilarious...
