My 2 cent...
I personally like the signing. It is better than the alternative of Jackson or some first time coach (never wanted Avery in here, think he sucks as a coach)
Tough to argue with Walsh on a coach who has proven to stamp his own identity and philosophy on the sport. Let's be real Steve Nash was nowhere near considered an MVP or HOF player before his system and he will have achieved both lofty statuses 5 years from his retirement. Largely based on playing in D'antoni's freak offensive scheme. Boris Diaw a proven bum, looked like an all star in that system when STAT was our that year. And we all know he is a bum. Can you guys imagine what Lee would be like in it? Even Zach if he is forced to stay another year or so? Neither one is STAT of course, but I'd take bother over Diaw right now.
You guys can chew out Marbury all you like, and may even have legit reason based on what he's been here, but if healthy and named the pg in D'antoni's system (coupled with a FA year) you will probably have the pre-season favorite for come back player of the year. Step is still as fast and creative as most of these pg's in the league and can still provide a very dangerous scoring threat which is what the pg in D's system is required to be. And bottom line is, there is no one on the team, or in the draft we can be sure will be a better fit (and surely not by trade or FA'cy). In fact, I'm actually very excited to get to see Steph used the proper way for the first time in years. He can still be elite if used correctly.
Curry, Crawford, 2 GAY GAY JJ'S, Qrich all have to go eventually. Crawford is what he is. Plus he is probably our most attractive trade piece besides a Lee or Chandler at this point. Plus, Mayo would be what Joe Johnson was in D'antoni's scheme off the top while Crawford would hold it up with his crossover but settle for the 40 ft fade away impossible shot to hear oooh's and ah's instead of driving to the hole to keep pressure of the defense. Mayo is probably a more consistent scorer and shooter night in and out and definitely a better defender. Even if they went away from Mayo (which would be very silly) I'd take a Lopez(If Curry is gone which he should be) or Augustine (if they decide not to keep Steph)
If Curry, Zach and Steph all stay, I would not mind a starting lineup of
Curry (unfortunately)
Zach(he could play very well in D's pick and roll high volume shots system)
Chandler(he will be very scary in D's system)
Mayo(see above)
Steph(see above)
If Steph goes (probably won't, money and being the only true pg on the team favors him staying)
Curry
Zach
Chandler
Crawford
Rose(pipe dream)Augustine, Bayless, Gordon that order
I can't really see a scenario where the Knicks would go big man unless Rose, Augustine, Bayless, Gordon, and Mayo are all off the board when they pick. But Lopez would be a pretty good pick to replace Curry. Be tough to see them just part with Curry being young still and a proven low post scorer without even seeing him in D'antoni's system (even though we all hate him)
Bottom line why this move works is this. None of us at the begining of last year was under the illusion that the Knicks would be a defensive Juggernaut. HOWEVER, none of us envisioned the Knicks not having a clue offensively and no established system by the coaching staff to make it work either. We at least thought we'd score with the best of them in basketball, and that did not happen. That was truly more the downfall of the team than lack of defense. NO STRUCTURE on either side.
D'antoni will AT LEAST establish a set structure on offense that will benefit the whole team offensively. There will be defined roles and they will adhere to our strengths. We all expected to see a very strong offensive team last year... none of us were under the illusion we'd play defense very well. We got neither, and that led to 23 wins.
Remember.. We play in the LEASTERN CONFERENCE. D'antoni had the Suns a win away from the finals and going to win. With a good move here and there in a season or so, he can have the Knicks certainly vying for that spot in the east.
