Crazy⑧s
Evacuee
http://www.hoopsworld.com/knicks-top-priority-find-a-center/
A long, informative read.
Here are some snippets.
Dalembert is not the right fit in NY.
One name which has generated considerable buzz in New York has been Samuel Dalembert.
At this stage of the game, you know what you are going to get with Sam. Last season in Sacramento, Dalembert averaged 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. For his career, he has averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 boards. Considering the dearth of quality centers in today’s NBA (and currently on the Knicks roster), those numbers are obviously nothing to sneeze at.
Still, Dalembert doesn’t quite fit New York’s needs. In the past, he’s been a guy that gripes if he doesn’t get enough shots. The Knicks obviously don’t need to add a scorer; they already have that end of the court covered. Ideally, they would add a bruiser that would board and protect the tin. A defensive-minded center willing to set screens and do the little things– this is a prescription for what ails New York down low. Dalembert just isn’t that player.
☆ Dalembert isn’t a guy looking to mix it up inside or intimidate in the paint. He’s far too comfortable floating around the perimeter, settling for long jumpers. Take a look at these stats: Per Hoopdata.com, last season Dalembert attempted just 2.9 shots “at the rim” per game. In contrast, he averaged 2.7 field-goal attempts from 10-23 feet away from the basket. Not exactly the shot selection you prefer from a seven-footer. Also, consider this: The Philadelphia 76ers won 27 games in 2009-2010 with Dalembert as their starting center. After trading him in the summer of 2010, Philly won 41 games without him in 2010-2011.
Robin Lopez
During Stoudemire’s last season in Phoenix, Lopez and Amar’e developed a solid chemistry and worked well together. Lopez is not a guy you will run plays for but he is a big body that is content doing the dirty work. He’s not a great athlete, but he will bang, board, and hustle. Lopez would be a great fit alongside Melo and Stoudemire on an NY front line. Better yet, it shouldn’t be too difficult to pry him from Phoenix.
With Suns’ owner Robert Sarver’s financial difficulties, it is not inconceivable to assume Phoenix may be looking to lighten future salary commitments – especially commitments to players that don’t regularly contribute.
Lopez was buried on Phoenix’s bench last season. In the 27 post-All-Star break games he played in, Lopez averaged just 4.6 points and 2.4 boards in 11 minutes of action.
Robin experienced his best success as pro when he was teamed up alongside Amar’e. Lopez started 31 games at center (with Stoudemire as his PF) in 2009-2010. In those 31 contests, Lopez averaged 11.3 points and 6.2 boards, while shooting 59.7% from the floor and over 74% from the free-throw line.
As far as what the Knicks could offer Phoenix, the key part to any deal might be the cash James Dolan could send to Sarver (assuming that is still allowed under the new CBA). How about Bill Walker (Phoenix will likely be losing starting SG Vince Carter) and cash to the Suns in exchange for Lopez? It might make sense for both teams.
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I would like to have Lopez on board.
My concern about a trade with Phoenix for Lopez is that they'll go tooth and nail after Shumpert.
They showed a lot of interest in him with their 13th pick last year - as you can see here http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/06/23/iman-shumpert-the-phoenix-suns-diamond-in-the-rough/ - and that would be a big blow to us, as we move toward becoming a more defensively inclined team.
So it would be preferable not to trade, unless it's a trade as nice as the proposed one for Lopez, but options are limited and unappealing.
I doubt that Jordan or Jorts will have any real impact. Jorts has been talking big and knows what's expected of him, but whether he has any genuine capability will be the big question.
A long, informative read.
Here are some snippets.
Dalembert is not the right fit in NY.
One name which has generated considerable buzz in New York has been Samuel Dalembert.
At this stage of the game, you know what you are going to get with Sam. Last season in Sacramento, Dalembert averaged 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. For his career, he has averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 boards. Considering the dearth of quality centers in today’s NBA (and currently on the Knicks roster), those numbers are obviously nothing to sneeze at.
Still, Dalembert doesn’t quite fit New York’s needs. In the past, he’s been a guy that gripes if he doesn’t get enough shots. The Knicks obviously don’t need to add a scorer; they already have that end of the court covered. Ideally, they would add a bruiser that would board and protect the tin. A defensive-minded center willing to set screens and do the little things– this is a prescription for what ails New York down low. Dalembert just isn’t that player.
☆ Dalembert isn’t a guy looking to mix it up inside or intimidate in the paint. He’s far too comfortable floating around the perimeter, settling for long jumpers. Take a look at these stats: Per Hoopdata.com, last season Dalembert attempted just 2.9 shots “at the rim” per game. In contrast, he averaged 2.7 field-goal attempts from 10-23 feet away from the basket. Not exactly the shot selection you prefer from a seven-footer. Also, consider this: The Philadelphia 76ers won 27 games in 2009-2010 with Dalembert as their starting center. After trading him in the summer of 2010, Philly won 41 games without him in 2010-2011.
Robin Lopez
During Stoudemire’s last season in Phoenix, Lopez and Amar’e developed a solid chemistry and worked well together. Lopez is not a guy you will run plays for but he is a big body that is content doing the dirty work. He’s not a great athlete, but he will bang, board, and hustle. Lopez would be a great fit alongside Melo and Stoudemire on an NY front line. Better yet, it shouldn’t be too difficult to pry him from Phoenix.
With Suns’ owner Robert Sarver’s financial difficulties, it is not inconceivable to assume Phoenix may be looking to lighten future salary commitments – especially commitments to players that don’t regularly contribute.
Lopez was buried on Phoenix’s bench last season. In the 27 post-All-Star break games he played in, Lopez averaged just 4.6 points and 2.4 boards in 11 minutes of action.
Robin experienced his best success as pro when he was teamed up alongside Amar’e. Lopez started 31 games at center (with Stoudemire as his PF) in 2009-2010. In those 31 contests, Lopez averaged 11.3 points and 6.2 boards, while shooting 59.7% from the floor and over 74% from the free-throw line.
As far as what the Knicks could offer Phoenix, the key part to any deal might be the cash James Dolan could send to Sarver (assuming that is still allowed under the new CBA). How about Bill Walker (Phoenix will likely be losing starting SG Vince Carter) and cash to the Suns in exchange for Lopez? It might make sense for both teams.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to have Lopez on board.
My concern about a trade with Phoenix for Lopez is that they'll go tooth and nail after Shumpert.
They showed a lot of interest in him with their 13th pick last year - as you can see here http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/06/23/iman-shumpert-the-phoenix-suns-diamond-in-the-rough/ - and that would be a big blow to us, as we move toward becoming a more defensively inclined team.
So it would be preferable not to trade, unless it's a trade as nice as the proposed one for Lopez, but options are limited and unappealing.
I doubt that Jordan or Jorts will have any real impact. Jorts has been talking big and knows what's expected of him, but whether he has any genuine capability will be the big question.
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