Knicks mull Brad Miller at center

LJ4ptplay

Starter
Knicks mull Brad Miller at center

By MARC BERMAN
Last Updated: 11:35 AM, April 20, 2010
Posted: 3:10 AM, April 20, 2010



If Marcus Camby is indeed off the free-agent market, the center-less Knicks may be desperate enough to investigate Bulls 7-foot backup center Brad Miller come July, according to a league source.

Though he just turned 34, Miller still has something left in the tank -- he is a serviceable, decent-shooting big-man that coach Mike D'Antoni could use for his offense. Team president Donnie Walsh craves a center to give the Knicks the sizeable defensive interior presence they lack.

Miller, facing LeBron James' Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, played all 82 games for the Bulls this season and averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23 minutes.

The shot-blocking Camby, who was interested in having a second stint with the Knicks, was the better fit. He has had talks about a two-year, $20 million contract extension with the Blazers, ESPN.com reported yesterday. That kind of money is way out of the ballpark as the Knicks try to add as many assets as they can with their cap room.

If they do not land two superstars for maximum contracts, the Knicks have the option of breaking up their $34 million in salary cap room into smaller pieces and signing three or four players, including a center. Shaquille O'Neal is a free agent, but he is 38 and did not have that much success under D'Antoni in Phoenix.

Walsh acquired Miller for the Pacers in 2001, and Miller made the All-Star Game in 2003 before he left as a free agent for Sacramento.

Blazers president Kevin Pritchard talked glowingly of Camby when the Knicks were in town last month, but Camby was skeptical he would fit in Portland next season with center Greg Oden expected to return from knee surgery.

Walsh prefers not to bring back 6-foot-9 free agent David Lee unless the Knicks can play him at power forward, not center. Walsh and D'Antoni both feel that Lee needs a true center to play alongside of him. The Knicks want to bring back late-season signee, 7-footer Earl Barron, as a backup center, but they need a starter. The Knicks know they can't count on Eddy Curry.

Camby would have been a great defensive fit and his family was excited about him returning to New York.

"I know how it feels like to play for the Knicks," Camby said three weeks ago. "I know what it feels like to wear that jersey and represent that city. Once free agency comes, I'll take a look at it."

I know this is just media speculation, and we're going to hear a lot of it between now and July 1st, but can we stop talking about aging, over-the-hill, past their prime players?

I want a young team that can stay together and we can build from into a contender. Not a one-and-done team like the Celtics.
 

Crazy⑧s

Evacuee
Speculation or no, I'll vomit if we get Miller. Old and slow gets us nowhere fast. Good passer, good shooter, has experience....who ****ing cares. He's a cop out if signed. We can do better, but in fairness to the idea------ he'd be cheap(ish).

Talk of re-signing Barron interests me..... He's no spring chicken at 28 either though. Not a long term option but has some room to grow and showed some rebounding prowess in a short showing here. Has roughly the same credentials as Miller bar the passing.

It's so pivotal (no pun there) to have a physical, preferably intimidating center. I don't care what anyone sais, a good, defensive center is essential to winning in the 2000s. Jordan's Bulls are the only team to have won it all without a decent defensive 5 or a really high level and defensively capable 4 since the 80s.

I'll say it again, give Brendan Haywood a look. He, combined with Barron, does an enormous poo on the combination of Miller and Barron that's for sure. And would he be that expensive to sign on? Sure the best of his days are waning...... But he personifies that big, physical, intimidating presence that we so sorely need.

A lot of people are saying that there'll be some good 5s available with our 2nd round picks. I'll believe that when I see it.

If we do S&T Lee for Bosh and don't have a center in the paint, we'll win less games than this year.
 

iSaYughh

Starter
Much rather invest in Donnie having the initiative and ability to male a play for Okefor, Randolph, DeAndre Jordan (?), etc.

If things go as planned we don't "need" a shooting big or even bigtime scoring big. Let alone one who is of the age where Viagra isn't a choice but a genetic
ncessity.

Gallo, Walker, Douglas...Lee/Bosh, and I pray to god Morrows is more than enuff firepower. Let alone if we sign the big kahuna too.

Young/in prime, defensive-minded, big and/or very athletic is what we need.
 

nk11

Benchwarmer
id rather have biedrins than okafor. both contracts suck. biendrins actually has upside.
 

nyk_nyk

All Star
Nowhere in this article does it say that the Knicks are interested in Miller. This is just what Berman thinks they may do.

All in all this is pointless.
 
Better yet why dont we resign Eddy Curry?


If Walsh was to go out and sign some aging center with horrible knees, he is deffinetly ether high or senile.
 

XH20X

Rookie
The Knicks should just tank the next two seasons and go after Dwight Howard in 2012.

What makes you think the Knicks can get him. The Knicks are in no position to bargain. If they do tank the next 2 seasons New York will have the 2 worst basketball teams in the NBA.
 

knicksin60

Starter
What makes you think the Knicks can get him. The Knicks are in no position to bargain. If they do tank the next 2 seasons New York will have the 2 worst basketball teams in the NBA.

Kenny "the Jet" Smith said recently that the Knicks cannot be a championship contender without a game changing superstar and that there are only 5 or 6 of those in the NBA right now.I agree with him, if the Knicks don't get James or Wade and miss out on Anthony next year, the only player that will probably be left for the Knicks to go after is Howard.
 

Alej_Correa

Benchwarmer
what? haha
i'd rather wait for 2011 and try to get a decent center like al horford, Gasol, Noah, Foster, ect. (even though they are restricted)
 
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knicksin60

Starter
what? haha
i'd rather wait for 2011 and try to get a decent center like al horford, joakim noah, jeff foster ect. (even though they are restricted)

I think Al Horford would be a good pick up, not that familiar with Jeff Foster, but the last thing the Knicks need is Joakim "Lil Fizz" Noah.There is something about cocky players with big egos that vexes me.The Knicks need a young,talented and humble core of players that care about winning, not players with big mouths and nasty attitudes like Kevin Garnett and Keyon Martin.Noah is probably the ugliest looking player in the NBA but he thinks he is Tom Cruise in a jersey and shorts.Also, every time I see Noah play I get terrible flashbacks of the Eddy Curry trade.
 

KNICKMATIC809

Benchwarmer
Brad miller huh i hope this is a freaking joke.... knicks just need a freaking big defensive guy from draft ..... barron is only good for backup he got butterfingers ..biendre just cant stay healhy ...OKAFOR is the only big i see that is good
 

Knicker23

Benchwarmer
Hahn's ranking of big men..

Meanwhile, that remains a serious problem for the Knicks. And with Camby now out of the picture, the focus to upgrade the interior defense will have to turn to other options available and potentially available via free agency and trades. Here are a few and keep in mind we're looking for the best fit with the style D'Antoni wants to play, so the list doesn't rank in order of best to worst, just best fit. And that's why Carlos Boozer and David Lee aren't included, because, while the Knicks certainly have them in mind at PF, neither offer much of the defensive presence to help fill that specific need. And let's assume Dirk Nowitzki and Yao Ming stay put.




1. Amar'e Stoudemire -- He's 7-feet and extremely athletic. No, not really great as a positional defender, but he can and does challenge shots (career-average 1.4 blocks per game). He's better as a power forward so you'd probably still need to find a center or perhaps a rugged power forward to really give you a solid frontline.


2. Chris Bosh -- Like Stoudemire, he gets shot blocks but while he is not nearly as physically tough or intimidating as Stoudemire, he is a little better positionally and smarter. But, again, even at 6-11 (listed), he's mostly a power forward, not a center and though D'Antoni likes to play small, it might be a turn-off for Bosh to be told he'd be playing center next to, say, a 6-8 player such as Wilson Chandler. That's why Camby might have been an attraction for Bosh.


3. Udonis Haslem -- Doubtful he'd leave Miami, even if it means he'd have to accept remaining in a reserve role behind a potential incoming PF such as Stoudemire, Bosh or Boozer. But Haslem is exactly what the Knicks need: tough, smart, experienced and disciplined, with a good mid-range game and a nose for defense. Put him next to Stoudemire or Bosh in New York and you're in good shape in the East.


4. Amir Johnson -- At 6-9, he's a very raw power forward with extremely long arms that, on defense, make him play 7-feet. If you put him next to a high-end big such as Bosh or Stoudemire, perhaps he can be the guy you double-off of only to worry about him catching offensive put-backs, alley-oops and getting out to fill the lane on the break. A lot of untapped potential, though not much of a fundamental foundation.


5. Tyrus Thomas -- Again, similar to Johnson in that he's really more of a power forward, but you could pair him with Bosh to offer a very long and athletic frontline. There's no question he can challenge shots with the best of them in the NBA and can also run the floor. He doesn't handle strict coaching well, so perhaps D'Antoni's approach would appeal to him. Then again, maybe it wouldn't be the best environment for a moody player like him. Offense is limited to put-backs alley-oops and cuts, but next to an all-star, that'd be all he'd get anyway.
[Note: The Knicks would likely bypass Johnson/Thomas scenarios if they opt to draft Mississippi State's Jarvis Varnado, a 6-9 shot-blocking specialist who is projected to be available in the second round. Varnado is a project, for sure, but would come much cheaper.]

6. Chris Kaman -- Would the Clippers new management consider trading the first-time all-star with Blake Griffin ready to make his debut? Kaman (two years, $23.5M remaining) has the tools to play in D'Antoni's system because he moves very well for a big man, has a soft touch with both hands and has the length to defend the rim. Isn't a bona-fide go-to guy, but you wouldn't trade for him to be that in this system, where he'd do more pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop stuff with what you hope is your main guy (i.e.: Joe Johnson).


7. Brendan Haywood -- He'll be 30 years old and likely looking to join an established team (perhaps even stay in Dallas). He's a solid vet and a big body. Not sure he plays as fast as what Mike D'Antoni is going to want, but, again with the right talent at PF he can be the bodyguard you need to protect your stars and do the dirty work. Plus, he's a native New Yorker with a pretty candid blog that would be quite popular here in the media capital.


8. Samuel Dalembert -- A terrific shot blocker (career 1.9 average) who can run the floor, but absolute head case in many other aspects, including discipline. One year left on his deal at $12.2M so it's not a major risk. You'd need serious leadership in the locker room to hold him accountable. Perhaps being in a contract year will make him more responsible.


9. Emeka Okafor -- His contract (4 years, $52M left) could be had from the cost-conscious Hornets if the Knicks can offer payroll relief, but the Knicks should also want to get more out of New Orleans than just Okafor, who is a good shot-blocker and rebounder but positionally bad as a defender and a very limited offensive player. They can't take on that kind of a contract on it's own. That's not why they got under the cap.


10. Tyson Chandler -- Has a $12.7M player option for next season which he's certain to pick up. Could the Knicks swap him for his pal, Eddy Curry? The main thing would be to get Chandler healthy and running hard like he did with Chris Paul in New Orleans. Him next to a Bosh or Stoudemire would make for a long front line.


11. Erick Dampier -- If Haywood stays in Dallas, they might not need to keep Dampier, who has one year left at $13M. On 35 year old knees, he's breaking down for sure, but he does provide toughness and size and, playing next to Dirk Nowitzki, he knows how to play that role if the Knicks also get a Stoudemire or Bosh.


12. Kurt Thomas -- Had success playing for D'Antoni in Phoenix and is a throwback to the days of tough Knick defense. He's always willing to battle and you can't have enough of those type of people in your locker room. Age (37) obviously an issue so to rely on him as a starter would be a mistake. But if you go small, young and athletic with your starting five, it wouldn't hurt to bring in Dirty Kurtie off the bench.


13. Brad Miller -- About five or six years ago, this would be a good move. Miller was a very good mid-range shooter, a smart passer and rugged defender in the paint who wasn't afraid to mix it up. But at 34 years old lumbering around the court, he looks like a player ready to retire. As a low-cost backup? Perhaps. As a starter? Pass.


14. Shaquille O'Neal -- He can hardly stay on the court against the athletic Joakim Noah and while his size and strength are great to have around just as a bouncer, it doesn't make a great deal of sense for the Knicks to go this route unless they have serious talent in other positions and just want to overload on star power. But he's more or less a guy who gets in the way and you have to play around him.


15. Jermaine O'Neal -- Not the direction the Knicks want to go in, either. J-O has put up decent numbers with the Heat but doesn't at all fit in the up-tempo, quick ball movement style D'Antoni wants to play and doesn't even look like he loves to play. He lived with being third-fiddle in Miami behind Wade and Michael Beasley and perhaps recognizing where he is in his career, he'd accept being a role player for a cheap price next to prime stars.
 

Knicker23

Benchwarmer
my isp is optimum online/cablevision.. guessing that has something to do with it :smokin:


Berman clearly has nothing new to write about in what will be a long few months before July 1st.. figured he'd try to conjure up something to go with the Camby news..

The idea of signing Brad Miller reminds me of Issiah Thomas... not Donnie.
 
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NYKing

Rookie
With Lebron or Wade ...

1? Try another "great" Bosh or Amare

2? Using the Curry for Okafor's contract + pick
OR
Curry + Chandler for Okafor + Collison + maybe pick

3? Try Amir Johnson, excellent for backup PF / C

4? If a motion for Okafor does not work, get the FA Haywood.
 
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