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Mike Bibby's agent, David Falk, confirmed that the former Miami Heat point guard and 13-year veteran will sign with the New York Knicks on a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.
"I've been trying for about six years to get him playing for (coach Mike) D'Antoni, but at the time this guy named (Steve) Nash was blocking us," Falk told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. "I've always felt Mike would flourish in his offense."
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On Friday, at the Knicks' first day of training camp, D'Antoni said he was comfortable with starting Toney Douglas at point guard in place of the waived Chauncey Billups. But because of Douglas' subpar play at that position during the season, especially when the Knicks got swept by the Celtics in the first round of the 2011 playoffs, speculation was raised that the team was still in the hunt for a point guard.
Baron Davis was reported to be a prime free-agent target, but the Cavaliers still haven't decided whether or not they're going to use their amnesty clause on him. J.J. Barea was also in the mix. But with Bibby, who will arrive in New York late Saturday night, the Knicks land a player who has years of experience directing a team deep into the postseason, which he did with the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Heat.
With Mike Bibby signed, the 2011-2012 Knicks point guard stable (as of Dec. 11th) looks like this...
Mike Bibby: had an off season last year while with MIA, veteran who MOA trusts, has comparable career numbers (minus the Finals MVP and ring) with sullen Chauncey Billups. Can hit the three, signed for vet minimum.
TD (mean muggin'): is coming off a shoulder surgery (very hard to repair) is a tweener use to coming off the bench. Not necessarily a facilitator nor finisher at the basket. Needs improvement, although his defense can surprise some. Home-grown, if that means anything.
Iman Shumpert (IMAX): is by far the Knick's most athletic PG. Large for his position, a rookie, can guard multiple positions. Has been tuning up all summer, and working on his outside shot which is belived to be his weakness.
Prospects...
On the radar is...
JJ Barea: championship pedigree, small and fast. Knows how to finish at the rim, but use to being a scorer rather than a facilitator. Offered a 2 year deal to ponder. Will the notion of "increased demand due to better players" hold true?
Jamal Crawford: good size and handle. Can hit the open jumper and take his man off the dribble. Is familiar with the MOA system and assistant coach Woodson. Should be hungry and more mature in the short period of time he spent with ATL.
According to a report, the Knicks reached out to representatives for Jamal Crawford on Friday to inquire about his interest in signing with the team.
HoopsWorld.com reported that the Knicks would attempt to put together a sign-and-trade to land Crawford.
The report mentions Toney Douglas, Renaldo Balkman and Bill Walker in the potential sign-and-trade.
Crawford, a free agent, would likely have to take a significant pay cut to sign with the Knicks, who lost their mid-level exception in the Tyson Chandler transaction.
B Diddy: is expected to be amnestied by CLE and like Crawford should be hungry toward this stage of his career. Has handle to break his man down but questions of speed and defense. Can also get hot.
other guards on the roster:
Landry Fields: masqueraded as a SG but is a natural SF that played solid to start, then tailed off during the Knicks run to last years playoffs.:kinky:
Bill Walker: showed up during the playoffs. Can heat up from three, fits in the MOA system, and can play defense.
If we can agree that we're right there... very near... to competing for a championship...
have enough pieces to lock down...
and will be lead and have the offense ran through Melo,
then in the MOA spread P & R system, a master facilitator, and a surrounding of quality dead eye shooters is needed.
I conclude that either MOA feels Mike Bibby is that or that a package consisting of both or either Fields or Douglas must be shopped to bring in...
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