Knicks may have a decent shot at Lebron

[networks]

The Knicks have a new GM who has proven himself for over two decades and a proven coach. There's a lot that can change in the next two years.

The Nets on the other hand have traded their leading scorer and will be led by an aging Vince Carter and a bunch of young players. So, do you foresee sucking in the Nets' future too? Let's be honest, LeBron will be hesitant to sign to a struggling team regardless of where it is or who's in charge. Therefore, both franchises have to look promising by 2010.

Yeah we will both be struggling but our team still has more potential then the Knicks. Most of these guys will be gone. They have to be gone for the Knicks to get lebron anyway.

Knicks
PG- Duhan, Robinson
SG - Crawford, Richardson,
SF - Gallanari, Jefferys, Chandler
PF -Randolph, Lee
C - Curry, Jerome James

Nets
PG- Harris, Dooling
SG- VC, Hayes, CDR
SF - Simmons, Anderson
PF - Yi, S. Williams, Najera
C - Lopez, Boone,

 

[Netted]

Yeah we will both be struggling but our team still has more potential then the Knicks. Most of these guys will be gone. They have to be gone for the Knicks to get lebron anyway.

Knicks
PG- Duhan, Robinson
SG - Crawford, Richardson,
SF - Gallanari, Jefferys, Chandler
PF -Randolph, Lee
C - Curry, Jerome James

Nets
PG- Harris, Dooling
SG- VC, Hayes, CDR
SF - Simmons, Anderson
PF - Yi, S. Williams, Najera
C - Lopez, Boone,

Actually, looking at just current contracts that will still be in effect, its more like this:

Knicks
PG - Collins
SG - Crawford
SF - Gallinari, Jefferies, Chandler
PF - Randolph
C - Curry

Nets
PG - Harris, Dooling
SG - VC, CDR
SF - Anderson
PF - Yi, Williams, Najera
C - Lopez, Boone

Assumes the Nets will exercise options for Dooling, Najera, CDR and give QO to Boone. Also assumes Knicks will give QO to Mardy Collins and don't trade Randolph.

Still early to figure out what these rosters will look like in another 2 years.

 

[Mr. J]

Potential only means so much. The Knicks have had 'potential' for the past 4 years and 4 lottery trips is all they have to show for it.

At best, it's way too early to say who will be on the roster, especially since we have a new, competent GM.

 

[cpawfan]

Potential only means so much. The Knicks have had 'potential' for the past 4 years and 4 lottery trips is all they have to show for it.

At best, it's way too early to say who will be on the roster, especially since we have a new, competent GM.

The Knicks never had potential in that time to do anything other than suck. Zeke doomed the franchise with horrible move after horrible move.

Marbury, Curry and Randolph

 

[Mr. J]

The Knicks never had potential in that time to do anything other than suck. Zeke doomed the franchise with horrible move after horrible move.

Marbury, Curry and Randolph

And it looks like the Nets are in the same boat too.

 

[cpawfan]

And it looks like the Nets are in the same boat too.

How are the Nets going to suck with the highest payroll in the league?

How are the Nets going to suck by playing a bunch of egomaniacs that think they are the best in the NBA at their positions because they can put up pretty numbers?

How are the Nets going to suck with players that are better known for their off court troubles than their on court performances?

The Nets are likely going to be bad next season, but they are developing players for the future. The Knicks are sorting out which players Coach D won't kill.

 

[Shapecity]

LeBron to the Nets?



Eight members of our panel selected the Nets as the next destination for James. Besides his well-documented friendship with Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z) and the fact that the Nets are practically part of the New York City market, why would he want to suit up with Vince Carter & Co.?



The Nets are clearly rebuilding, and if James wants to play on a Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian-type roster, he may as well keep suiting up with Mo Williams and the boys in Cleveland (although playing next to Yi is another path to "global icon" status, especially in China).



LeBron is rich, and so is Jay-Z. Surely they can come up with creative ways to get together for laughs and to spend lots of money without James playing for the team that Jay-Z owns a small part of.



But Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports wonders if Cleveland has enough glitz and glamour to prevent James from bolting to the Nets: "LeBron doesn't want to just win titles. His stated wants include becoming sport's first billionaire athlete. Among his advisors, he counts Warren Buffett. Jay-Z has helped James focus his mind on chasing something bigger than basketball. The question will be this: For the kid out of Akron, will his hometown -- will even winning -- be enough to hold onto LeBron James?"



And the Nets' expected move to Brooklyn could be the clincher for LeBron, if we are to take seriously his proclaimed love for the Nets' borough-to-be, as reported by Chris Sheridan: "My favorite borough? Brooklyn. Brooklyn is definitely a great place here in New York City, and some of my best friends are from Brooklyn."




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






LeBron to the Knicks?



Does LeBron need New York? He is already an iconic figure with endorsements galore, and fans around the league idolize him. On the other hand, Madison Avenue and the brighter spotlights of Manhattan are beckoning.



If new president Donnie Walsh can clear the cap space and new coach Mike D'Antoni can create a LeBron-friendly style of play, the Knicks' plan might work, writes Chris Sheridan: "The New York Knicks are all about the summer of 2010, when James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all can become unrestricted free agents. Anything good that happens between now and then is gravy. But priority No. 1 is getting into position to go after those players, and there's an extremely viable backup plan of going after James in 2011 if he plays out the final season of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers."


Certainly, Knicks fans have to be encouraged when they see LeBron in a Yankees hat or check out his Yankee-inspired shoes. And the web site nycforlebron.com is already trying to lay the groundwork: "Show your support -- fill out our petition that will be forwarded to the NYK front office on July 1, 2010."



But the Knicks won only 23 games last season, are far from having the cap space available to sign James to a max contract, and have a murky future. So no matter how much LeBron might talk about the allure of Madison Square Garden, the LBJ-to-NYC movement might be based mostly on speculation and wishful thinking right now.

Source: ESPN

If it comes down to a sign & trade deal, which team could offer Cleveland more for LeBron?

 

[J.S]

Source: ESPN

If it comes down to a sign & trade deal, which team could offer Cleveland more for LeBron?

I'm pretty sure New Jersey has more picks to offer. could give them Carter in a trade, could give them expiring contracts, could give them decent role players.

 

[networks]

Potential only means so much. The Knicks have had 'potential' for the past 4 years and 4 lottery trips is all they have to show for it.

At best, it's way too early to say who will be on the roster, especially since we have a new, competent GM.

Yeah the Knicks have a lot of potential. Lee, cant shoot a jumpershot. Nat, let me dunk the ball whenever I can. Collins, what position does he play again, and Balkman, where is he again? Curry and Zack are done. The only hope, I did say hope, is this years pick but like people have said before. He plays the same position as Lebron. Oh I guess he can be part of the S&T.

I love Knick fans. The only thing the Knicks have going for them is MSG. People like to say D'Antoni helps the Knicks for 2010, but time will tell. IMO D'Antoni is going to lose all that "Very Good Coach" Status soon. He should have taken that Chicago gig. They are the team that would have been great with his style of play. This team is going to suck him dry.

And it looks like the Nets are in the same boat too.

Please. The Nets and Knicks arent even in the same ocean.

 

[Mr. J]

How are the Nets going to suck with the highest payroll in the league?

The Knicks have about $30M coming off the cap next season, and another $20M coming off the following season. They will definitely have decent cap space by 2010, especially if they find a way to move another contract or two.

How are the Nets going to suck by playing a bunch of egomaniacs that think they are the best in the NBA at their positions because they can put up pretty numbers?

Easy; they won 34 games last year and lost their best player in the offseason. They have a bunch of unproven talent. They don’t have to be egomaniacs to suck.

How are the Nets going to suck with players that are better known for their off court troubles than their on court performances?

Read above.

The Nets are likely going to be bad next season, but they are developing players for the future. The Knicks are sorting out which players Coach D won't kill.

You answered your own question here. As for the Knicks, they'll probably be bad too. Since both teams will be bad, it's fair to say they are in the same boat, no?

Yeah the Knicks have a lot of potential. Lee, cant shoot a jumpershot. Nat, let me dunk the ball whenever I can. Collins, what position does he play again, and Balkman, where is he again? Curry and Zack are done. The only hope, I did say hope, is this years pick but like people have said before. He plays the same position as Lebron. Oh I guess he can be part of the S&T.

Lee is making less than $2M and is already better than any player on the Nets roster not named Vince Carter. Your assessment on Gallinari is rather silly since he's extremely versatile and Knicks brass projects him playing PF down the road anyway. You also conveniently forgot to mention Wilson Chandler in our young core. And before you label him to be solely a SF, I’ll let you know he can easily shift over to the 2. We also will have around $50M or so getting shed off the cap between now and 2010, not to mention possible salary dumps during the next two years. I say that is decent potential.

I love Knick fans. The only thing the Knicks have going for them is MSG. People like to say D'Antoni helps the Knicks for 2010, but time will tell. IMO D'Antoni is going to lose all that "Very Good Coach" Status soon. He should have taken that Chicago gig. They are the team that would have been great with his style of play. This team is going to suck him dry.

Regardless of what you think, players will likely gravitate more toward D’Antoni than to Lawrence Frank.

Why aren’t the Knicks and Nets comparable? They will have decent cap space (the Nets will probably have more) and a solid group of young players by 2010. They will also probably suck next season too.

 

[cpawfan]

You answered your own question here. As for the Knicks, they'll probably be bad too. Since both teams will be bad, it's fair to say they are in the same boat, no?

Wow, you completely missed the point.

No, the Knicks and Nets aren't in the same boat. They could have similar records, but how they get there and have they have gotten to where they are is very different.

Also, the Nets didn't lose their best player in the off season. Harris is still a Net

 

[networks]

Lee is making less than $2M and is already better than any player on the Nets roster not named Vince Carter.

WoW! The guy cant shot a 10ft jump shot and he is better then 12 players. Let me add to your exaggeration. He is better then all 12 players on the Nets put together.

Your assessment on Gallinari is rather silly since he's extremely versatile and Knicks brass projects him playing PF down the road anyway.

Yeah. He could play PF, without a bad back.

You also conveniently forgot to mention Wilson Chandler in our young core. And before you label him to be solely a SF, I’ll let you know he can easily shift over to the 2.

You are right I forgot about him. 1.

We also will have around $50M or so getting shed off the cap between now and 2010, not to mention possible salary dumps during the next two years. I say that is decent potential.

Ok. Yeah you will have $50mil. Half of the goes to Lebron. Then Maybe you will be able to get another superstar. So who will you plugging in all the rest of the 10 or more open roster spots. You have the money we will have a nice core, Sorry I used your word.

Regardless of what you think, players will likely gravitate more toward D’Antoni than to Lawrence Frank.

Finally we agree. You just have to hope D'antoni doesnt pull a Larry Brown on your before 2010. Because with the Knicks you have now. He might tank like Brown and Thomas.

Why aren’t the Knicks and Nets comparable? They will have decent cap space (the Nets will probably have more) and a solid group of young players by 2010. They will also probably suck next season too.

This whole comment confuses me. Are you saying we are GOING TO BE DIFFERENT? because the bold statement is not comparable to the KNICKS at all.

Chandler
Italiano
Lee (maybe if he doesnt want too much $$$$)
?
?

Harris
Lopez
Yi
Anderson
CDR
Krstic (if knee holds out)
Boone (if he doesnt get traded)
S.Williams (if he doesnt get traded)

I dont see it.

 

[Mr. J]

Wow, you completely missed the point.

No, the Knicks and Nets aren't in the same boat. They could have similar records, but how they get there and have they have gotten to where they are is very different.

Also, the Nets didn't lose their best player in the off season. Harris is still a Net

How they got to where they are is irrelevant since it is in the past and also since Knicks management is entirely different. Also, why does it matter how they get to their similar records? At the end of the season their records will be similar.

I disagree, but regardless of who’s better, they will still suck.

WoW! The guy cant shot a 10ft jump shot and he is better then 12 players. Let me add to your exaggeration. He is better then all 12 players on the Nets put together.

Production-wise Lee is better than anyone on the Nets, except Carter. That’s a statistical fact. Maybe you can argue Harris has more of an impact, but other then those two, Lee is better than anyone else on the Nets roster.

Yeah. He could play PF, without a bad back.

Gallinari’s back will be ready in two weeks, but it won’t be ready in two years? Makes perfect sense.

For what it’s worth, just 10 minutes ago in a courtside interview at the Liberty game, Gallinari said his back will be fine.

You are right I forgot about him. 1.

That’s a big one you forgot. You also forgot or probably just dislike Nate Robinson.

Ok. Yeah you will have $50mil. Half of the goes to Lebron. Then Maybe you will be able to get another superstar. So who will you plugging in all the rest of the 10 or more open roster spots. You have the money we will have a nice core, Sorry I used your word.

I’m sure Walsh will find a way to take care of this terrible problem.

Finally we agree. You just have to hope D'antoni doesnt pull a Larry Brown on your before 2010. Because with the Knicks you have now. He might tank like Brown and Thomas.

Why would he tank with his money, pride, and reputation on the line?

This whole comment confuses me. Are you saying we are GOING TO BE DIFFERENT? because the bold statement is not comparable to the KNICKS at all.

Chandler
Italiano
Lee (maybe if he doesnt want too much $$$$)
?
?

Harris
Lopez
Yi
Anderson
CDR
Krstic (if knee holds out)
Boone (if he doesnt get traded)
S.Williams (if he doesnt get traded)

I dont see it.

The Knicks list looks more like this:

Robinson
Chandler
Lee
Gallinari
Curry


For one, Krstic is no longer a member of the Nets; and if history upholds itself, Douglas-Roberts will be out the league in two years like most second rounders. I’m not sold on most of the rest like Boone and Anderson, either. Technically the Nets have younger players, but I do believe Gallinari can be better than anyone of the above players, and Chandler’s ceiling is just as high as anyone too.

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

That’s a statistical fact.

Problem. I see one.

And yes, the Nets still hold Krstic's rights, as long as they offer him the QO.

To say that the Knick's young core is better than the Net's core is simply ludicrous. They could have identical records, but the Nets did it with unproven, young players, while the Knicks did it with many of their players already at their plateau.


[bbf]Until you start conforming to my views, I will simply consider you a troll on the Nets board. [/bbf]

 

[Mr. J]

Problem. I see one.

Disprove it then.

And yes, the Nets still hold Krstic's rights, as long as they offer him the QO.

There still isn't any guarantee he will come back and if he does we don't know how effective he will be either.

To say that the Knick's young core is better than the Net's core is simply ludicrous. They could have identical records, but the Nets did it with unproven, young players, while the Knicks did it with many of their players already at their plateau.

Your reply is ludicrous since I never said the Knicks had a better core than the Nets. I said the Knicks should have "a solid group of young players by 2010." I didn't say which one would be better. And like I said before, the way they get their records doesn't matter. What matter are the results.

[bbf]Until you start conforming to my views, I will simply consider you a troll on the Nets board. [/bbf]

This is a joke, right?