Hey, I'm not saying I approve of the DW plan, or that it'll work, but it's clear that DW wanted to do 3 things when he arrived (and I was against his hiring- I felt Colangelo would be a better fit):
1- Clear cap space and change the culture.
2- Draft wisely
3- Seek prime free agent horses in 2010, 2011
I think Zach's attitude (and contract) made him priority #1. Ship him out of town.
I think the Crawfird deal had more to do with opportunity than anything else. I mean, DW knows (and likes) Harrington. This had more to do with that fact than it had to do about Crawford. I think the 2010 contract made the deal sweater. BUT, to be honest, these 2 players are almost clones of one another- except for the fact that Al is taller. SO, this was a win-win all around.
NOW, let's look at the DW drafts. Sure, having Gordon or Lopez seems like a better bargain right now. I wanted Eric Gordon. I felt he was strong, and was the most reliable selection. IF WE REALLY were planning on 2010 free agency, I felt it best to take the SAFEST bet in that draft. Gordon was that guy. BUT, we saw last year how a guy like Turkoglu, Odom or Lewis is a rare gem in this modern NBA. A BIG body who can handle the rock, run the offense and shoot. SO, while Gordon and Lopez seem like solid players, Danillo does have a higher ceiling than those players.... Will it pan out? Maybe not.
With this draft we had little choice. We couldn't deal Wilson Chandler for Curry or Rubio. We were left with little choice. We might look back and say Henderson (or some other guy) appears to be the better pick; but right now our future is in the hands of Danillo, Hill & Douglas.
Toss in Chandler. I think Lee and Harrington will be retained.
There's our future. OUr only hope to recruit a Lebron James is for these core guys to show it this year. IF they can break out and prove they have potential, TRUST ME it will go a long way to sway a star to come aboard.
This is where a guy like Darko can have an impact to. He can play the role of defensive C, who can run the floor. BAM! Another role filled.
NOW, as for J-Jeffries. I think he does have value. It seems like he improved on his offensive game. We will see. If he hits open shot, and continues do everything else he does (guard the post and the perimeter) he will have value. A team like WAS already sort of likes him. WHO KNOWS what happens with injuries. If Jeffries plays well, he might draw interest from a potential playoff team with a need. Who knows.
As for Curry. He has little chance to be moved. I concur. I felt the only hope was for him to come back and return to his old form, when he scored in the paint. An aging team like DALLAS feels like an ideal fit. They have an owner who is williing to spend, they don't have much offense in the paint, and their time is NOW. They need a big body to bang in the Western Conf. Our only hope to rid ourselves of Curry is for him to return and score 18 ppg in the post, and then ship him to DAL.
BUT, for the most part, you are right. DW has put all his eggs in one basket. If we get spurned again next summer, we are in trouble. We will be doomed if DW failed to procur talent in the last 2 years. You cannot blow those opportunities and survive. If he cannot get Lebron, and then plan-B fails (to attract 2 all-star players like Bosh and Johnson), and if Danillo and Hill don't show much this year.... DW would have failed, and set the Knicks back another decade.
Let's go Yankees. Let CC dominate. Make Lebron happy, and have his good buddy show Lebron how special it is to win in NYC!