The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Ndour needs ro make the final roster. I don't care if they send him to the D-League every night. Give this guy a partially-guaranteed contract.

He brings everything we need on the frontline. Toughness, hustle, rebounding, athleticism and he can knock down a midrange shot.

Great pickup. Now do the right thing.

And the Thanis A. intrigue is done. Cut bait. Give him a chance to make some money overseas. But he's not ready for the NBA.

Very impressed with Porzingis. Once he begins to gain strength and trust his size, he's going to be a good one.

I was so wrong on him.

For what this league has turned into with big men, he fits the mold big time. And it looks like he'll eventually be able to play both inside and outside.

Just needs some serious strength and conditioning.

He looks like a double-double guy down the road.

[CMH]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I still don't see Porzingis as a future star. I think he will be a serviceable player. But, to be fair, I also don't see Mudiay (who I guess would have been the next logical choice?) as a true star, nor do I see my favorite choice, WCS, ever being a true star. So if Porzingis is just about the fourth best player in the draft, I won't be upset.

[ehh]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Trying to figure out his situation but from what I've gathered he's committed to play in Europe in '15-'16. Still like what I've seen from enough to sign him and have him on the roster the following year.

According to agent Eric Fleisher, Ndour will play with the New York Knicks' Summer League team in Las Vegas. Ndour will begin working out the Knicks immediately.

Fleisher cited Ndour's fit in the Triangle offense and the Knicks' willingness to let him play overseas next season as major reasons as why he signed with Knicks. Fleisher says that Ndour received offers from five other NBA teams for summer league, but the others teams wanted Ndour to play in the NBA's D-League as opposed to playing overseas.

According to Fleisher, Ndour is currently fielding multiple offers from teams in Europe and will spend next season abroad, but will maintain a relationship with the Knicks while overseas. Ndour currently lives in New Rochelle, New York - just a short drive from the Knicks' training facility.

It doesn't make much sense that he'd commit to playing overseas when he has a shot to make the Knicks roster this year but these situations are always odd and beyond me.

Also, he's listed at 200 lbs which is ridiculous. There is no way that dude only weighs two bills.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

NDour reminds me a little of Quincy Acy. I honestly don't think he'd make the roster but he'd get a spot on our DLeague team. I'm guessing he'd make more money in Europe.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Not sure he'd make more money overseas but more guaranteed money.

And I think the reason is his agent probably didn't expect him to put on such a good showing to have a chance to make a final roster. They shop for the best deals for the undrafted guys rather early.

And a big SMH to the Knicks for locking themselves into Amundson. You're talking about an end of bench journeyman and good practice player.

There are still quality FAs out there. Whether they'd crack the rotation is another story but I just scratch my head at the logic of our front office. Chasing Shved as well.

Depth is great but either bring in someone you want to develop or a veteran that will enhance the locker room at this point.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

My biggest fear right now for our roster is scoring. I'm not sure how we're going to get baskets when Melo is out of the game. We don't really have any offensive specialists or guys who are legit offensive threats.

The good thing will be that it'll give all the unproven guys (KP, Grant, Derrick Williams, Early) opportunities to shine, but I'm not sure how much you can count on those cats.

[CMH]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I'm happy with Amundson. I think it's something to reward the guys that busted their asses last season for a bad team.

I rather have him on the squad than someone else with the same skill level that hasn't proven he will work for the team.

This team isn't going to the playoffs unless there's a miracle seasonal performance in some players. Not sure why we should worry about the typical things that actual playoff teams need to worry over. All the Knicks have to concern themselves with is developing guys and making sure they are surrounded by other hard working players.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I'm happy with Amundson. I think it's something to reward the guys that busted their asses last season for a bad team.

I rather have him on the squad than someone else with the same skill level that hasn't proven he will work for the team.

This team isn't going to the playoffs unless there's a miracle seasonal performance in some players. Not sure why we should worry about the typical things that actual playoff teams need to worry over. All the Knicks have to concern themselves with is developing guys and making sure they are surrounded by other hard working players.

Amundson had an opportunity that no one else in the league was going to give him. Same goes with Galloway. Those guys got major minutes and started for a team that was clearly trying to tank.

I don't like the way Galloway's been playing in the SL. He's shoot first and he's just not that good yet. Do I think we should dump him? No.

But this is a business. If Grant is playing better than him, he needs to take a seat and soon.

Frankly, I don't care what they did last year seeing as it was "supposed to be" a stopgap year. But do we really see a future with any of them?

We've traded 2 of our previous first rounders away (THJr and Shump).

I don't have an answer for what we "should" be doing. But I also don't necessarily agree with bringing in guys who worked hard the prior year.

Ron Artest worked hard and was shown the door.

I understand we're up against the cap and whateve. But when I heard that Melo's discount on his max contract went partially to Amundson I just SMH as if saying what the hell are they trying to feed us.

Melo took a discount so we could pay Lou Freaking Amundson more than the vet minimum?

I'm slowly thinking some of these moves are to keep pushing Melo out the door so he can waive his NTC because some of these decisions don't make sense..to me.

Phil clearly has a vision of rebuilding. Melo does not fit into that.

Something has to give.

[CMH]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I see Amubdson as a guy who plays for the team and that's valuable to have around impressionable young players.

Here's a guy who won't get as many minutes by the time we get to the second half and any time he gets, he's out there working hard every game. You know Phil wants that on the roster.
It's not much money. No one else available was making this team a playoff team. There are roster spots remaining for young guys.

sent from my mobile device

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I see Amubdson as a guy who plays for the team and that's valuable to have around impressionable young players.

Here's a guy who won't get as many minutes by the time we get to the second half and any time he gets, he's out there working hard every game. You know Phil wants that on the roster.
It's not much money. No one else available was making this team a playoff team. There are roster spots remaining for young guys.

sent from my mobile device

I never said we'd be a playoff team. My issue is why can't we bring in more high caliber players if we have the money. Is Shved the best FA SG out there? No. But we chased him because he played hard last year?

To me that logic will keep us mired in mediocrity.

Edit-
We met with Corey Brewer. He signed for 3 years, $23M.
We signed Derrick Williams for 2 years, $10M. The $3M/yr difference has gone to Lou Freaking Amundson and Lance Thomas.

That's what has me vexed.

[CMH]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

But we don't even know if Brewer wanted to come here.

sent from my mobile device

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Don't forget we also got Brewer in the Melo trade and cut him like 2 weeks later (this infuriates me). I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to come to NY.

[NYJets]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Don't forget we also got Brewer in the Melo trade and cut him like 2 weeks later (this infuriates me). I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to come to NY.

That was ridiculous. We traded half the team for Melo and somehow D'antoni decided that there was no room for Brewer. So then we played D-Leaguers in the playoffs instead.

[Jeffx]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

I never said we'd be a playoff team. My issue is why can't we bring in more high caliber players if we have the money. Is Shved the best FA SG out there? No. But we chased him because he played hard last year?

To me that logic will keep us mired in mediocrity.

Edit-
We met with Corey Brewer. He signed for 3 years, $23M.
We signed Derrick Williams for 2 years, $10M. The $3M/yr difference has gone to Lou Freaking Amundson and Lance Thomas.

That's what has me vexed.

I don't think high-caliber players care about the allure of NYC, or playing at the so-called Mecca of basketball. Bottom line, they want to win, and the Knicks haven't been doing much of that the past 14 years.

[CMH]

Re: The 2015 New York Knicks: Year 1 of Life "After" Dolan

Edit-
We met with Corey Brewer. He signed for 3 years, $23M.
We signed Derrick Williams for 2 years, $10M. The $3M/yr difference has gone to Lou Freaking Amundson and Lance Thomas.

That's what has me vexed.

I get it because Brewer is better, but I think flexibility was one reason. At least that's what I think.

Trust me, I don't like the Derrick Williams signing either. And for two years? I really hope there's something Phil knows that we don't know, but while he's been very good at keeping the roster flexible and the cap space usable, I can't say for sure he's been great at identifying possible gems.

Galloway did better than anyone expected, but like you said, he's not a true point guard. He will play his way out of the lineup soon enough with Grant's emergence.

I like having guys like Thomas and Amundson. I just think it's important to have on this type of team. Actually, I think it's important on any team. Obviously their value is felt more on a team like the Spurs where having a guy come in for a few minutes, work hard and keep things close with the actual good players on the court is important, but what's to say these aren't those guys one day for the Knicks?