EXCELLENT post. You mention quite a few good names here, guys that would fit in well around our core. I agree with almost everything you said:
- I agree that we will eventually land CP3 in NY, as long as the new CBA doesn't drop the salary cap/revert to a hard cap/flex cap, which who the hell knows now, now that all collective bargaining has broken down. I still believe in my bones that this thing will eventually be resolved and we'll wind up having a partial season like in '99...The thing is CP3 angling his way to NY is the exact thing that the owners, specifically the small-market/hardline owners, are trying to prevent..So we'll see what happens..Maybe it won't be possible -- some of these owners might see to it.
- I like Ashton Gibbs too..I talked about him last year for us as a 2nd round pick before he decided to pull out of the draft and go back to school. He hasn't really shown much PG ability at Pitt but he can really shoot the ball, that's for sure. I actually could see him working in our backcourt next to Shumpert -- good call. I see what you're saying: on offense, let Shump handle it and direct which would allow Gibbs to play off the ball where he's comfortable and most dangerous looking for that jumpshot; and on defense, Shump takes on the other teams' best guard every night with Gibbs on the lesser offensive threat. No question that could work..When you think about it, Gibbs and Shumpert actually compliment each other very well. Interesting to see how Dixon uses Gibbs this year. Will he allow Gibbs to handle the ball and orchestrate more, esp. when little Travon Woodall isn't in the game, or just continue to use him off the ball? Allowing Gibbs to handle it more this year and show that he can at least play a little point might make all the difference where he gets drafted next summer or whether he even gets drafted at all. Gibbs actually had 7 assists the other night in Pitt's opener against Albany..I agree -- definitely a guy the Knicks should be keeping an eye on. I also agree that he could be a possible replacement for TD eventually, at better money..This is gonna be a big year for TD --- if TD doesn't show substantial progress, they might just let him walk and fill the void with a cheaper alternative..We'll see...Another guard I really like for us is ND's Ben Hansbrough. I can't believe we didn't take this guy with that NO pick we purchased. Much higher overall upside than Jorts Harrellson as an NBA player imo..I think he's just as skilled as Jimmer Fredette to be honest, only with better PG ability...It was Fredette's job to get up 20-25 shots a night for BYU minimum; Hansbrough's job was all-together different -- he was the PG and was expected to get guys involved more...He went undrafted and went to go play in Germany somewhere but you figure he's only a phone call away if we're ever interested..I know I would be...Here's another two names: Speaking of BYU, remember little Michael Loyd Jr.? Real nice player that transferred out of BYU when he decided he didn't like that type of lifestyle..About 6'1", cat quick, real PG skills and he can shoot 3s..Reminded me of Darren Collison. He's off the radar somewhere now in a junior college I believe but he could be an interesting name come draft time...And remember former Gator Nick Calathes?? What's the story with this guy? Do the Mavs still have his rights? I think he's playing in Greece..Maybe this is a deal we might be able to make -- how 'bout offering Cuban a future 2 and cash for this guy? Huge 6'6" legit PG who can handle, drive it, get guys involved and shoot the lights out..He's probably in the mix for Dallas with J-Kidd not getting any younger but you never know...Yet another couple of PGs that interest me for the Knicks -- Portland FA Patty Mills and last year's DL MVP (and Finals MVP/DL champion) Curtis Stinson. Mills is another smaller 6'-6-1" point similar to Collison and Stinson isn't flashy but he's really a rock-solid PG that has nothing left to prove in the DL and finally deserves a shot in the NBA. Stinson reminds me a lot of Gary Grant or a souped-up, better version of Anthony Carter..
- I like Kris Joseph too, another good call...I tell ya what, a guy I've been really thinking about for that Shawne Williams SF role off the bench behind Melo is former Arizona Wildcat Jamelle Horne..I think Horne was misused in college to be honest, or rather under-utilized to a fault. This guy has major talent and he just wasn't given enough responsibility. Plus athlete, and he's a lethal spot-up shooter, better than Shawne Williams in both areas imo. In fact, I like his whole game better than Williams actually..Horne should've been putting up many more shots a game the last couple of years than he was allowed to take under Sean Miller..I think Horne, in the right scenario, could be a much better player in the pros than he was in college. Don't get me wrong, I like Shawne Williams and would welcome him back with open arms, but the price has got to be right. So far I've heard all the right things from Williams about wanting to return to NY..That's great but we'll have to see what his agent will be looking for coming off the decent season last year. If it's too much, I'd turn my attention elsewhere quite frankly. I wouldn't overpay to keep Shawne Williams, not when there are guys like Jamelle Horne out there. ND senior Tim Abromaitis is another guy I like as a shooting forward off the bench. 6'8" with a pure stroke behind the arc...If this guy has a good year but goes undrafted, I immediately invite him to summer league next year if I'm Grunwald.
- I don't really know what to make of Jerome Jordan -- I'm not convinced he's our future 5. I know we have a few guys we can pencil in there at the moment with Turiaf, JJ and Harrellson, but I'd quitely keep looking around for additional alternatives..The guy a like a lot for us is Marcus Cousin. Currently on Houston's roster but I think they may cut him..This guy's solid with some real nice skills for a guy almost 7' 250+. Very effective in the D-League last year for the Austin Toros..I like him better than anything we have at the position at the moment..TREMENDOUS mid-range jumper for a big, can post a little (nice jump-hook over either shoulder), put it on the deck, rebounds real well and he can run the floor. Another guy that we might be able to add at good money provided Houston cuts him loose. Cousin would be a real nice complimentary piece in our frontcourt next to Amar'e & Melo.. Some other cheap alternatives we might want to look at are Dwayne Jones, Kyrylo Fesenko (good point about Utah's crowded frontcourt -- they probably don't bring this guy back), and believe it or not, Greg Oden, provided he's at least 80% or so and Portland gives up on him...I just don't know about throwing a ton of money at Ty Chandler or Nene..That may not be the right move, not if we can get similar production in the middle elsewhere for much cheaper..As far a centers in next summer's draft go, I like Gonzaga's Robert Sacre a lot. I think he's ready to assume a much bigger role this year for the Zags..Off to a nice start his first 2 games averaging near 20, 10 and 2 blks per. Really getting to the line so far and knocking his FTs down..This guy is a very skilled offensive player down low -- if he can show that he can hold his own on the glass and defensively this year with more minutes, I think he gets drafted.
- Tomic's an interesting name..I don't know much about him except for some clips I've seen. I like what I see though -- big, mobile, outside touch, real quick feet, very coordinated..I read on youtube someone calling him Pau Gasol lite..I definitely can see that. Looks like he needs to get a hell of a lot stronger and finish with more authority around the rim -- looks like he tends to execute some nice quick moves in the post only to finish soft, reminicent of Charles Smith. Looks like a nice talent though, no question. Interesting to see if he's really part of Utah's plans or if they make his rights available.