Knicks on top of Kobe Bryant's and Jermaine O'Neal's wish lists?

[LBJ2006MVP]

Zeke Eyes Big Score

ZEKE EYES BIG SCORE
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Knicks on top of Kobe Bryant's and Jermaine O'Neal's wish lists?</div> Link This certainlly a good news for our fans.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">By MARC BERMAN
GAME ON! Isiah Thomas (2nd from right) attends news conference yesterday to announce Knicks' Oct. 11 MSG exhibition vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv. Joining Thomas were (l to r) former Israeli ambassador Arye Mekel, Maccabi president Tal Brody, and Tony Fromer, VP of American Friends of Migdal Ohr, a charity for underprivileged kids in Israel.June 13, 2007 -- Despite odds stacked against him, Knicks president/coach Isiah Thomas has not given up on making a big move this offseason.

Though Thomas did not name them, he noted prominent players such as Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal have asked for trades - and promised he'd be active in attempting to acquire them.

"It's safe to say we're active on the phones, trying to improve our team, whatever ways we can," Thomas said yesterday after a Garden news conference to announce next season's preseason game vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"Our goal one day is to put together a team capable of competing and winning a championship.

"There are players who are still out there who publicly said they want to be traded. I'm hoping."

Thomas has not approached the Lakers yet with a firm offer, though he admitted at Orlando's pre-draft camp he concocted a series of tentative offers. Sources say the Knicks would be atop Bryant's and O'Neal's wish lists. Bryant has a no-trade clause and can nix any deal.

Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis is another top priority for the Knicks in a sign-and-trade July 1. Thomas has said he did not want to use his $5 million mid-level exception.

Thomas said he's open to trading his first-round pick - No. 23 - in a package.

"My intention is to keep it, but if I could find a way to make our team better, move the pick and get a better player, I'm not hesitant to do that," Thomas said. "I haven't seen anything [offered] to move it."

Thomas admitted he is leaning toward drafting "need" over best player available. The Knicks need a pure outside shooter and a big banging power forward to complement Eddy Curry.

Today, the Knicks and Nets will work out Ohio state freshman shooting guard Daequan Cook, considered one of the best shooters in the draft, and European sharpshooter Marco Belinelli.

"Cook is a guy who can score the basketball from a variety of different places," Thomas said.

Last week, Rice University sharpshooter Morris Almond worked out for the Knicks and Nets. But Thomas quashed the Allan Houston comparisons.

"There's no Allan Houston in this draft," Thomas said. "No offense. There's no shooters like him in the draft."

*

Proceeds for Oct. 11's first meeting of the Knicks and Maccabi Tel Aviv will go to American Friends of Migdal Ohr, a charity for underprivileged kids in Israel. ...

Thomas said he won't replace departing assistant Phil Ford.

</div>

 

[Dark Hero]

Ummmm really find it difficult for the Knicks to get both of Kobe and and O'neal but one will be okay.But i doubt Kobe will want to go to NY where the team didn't even make the playoffs if he leaves he will go to a team that has a chance to get to the playoffs.O'neal to the Knicks seems like it could happen but then the Lakers are closer to him.But whatever lets see what will happens.

 

[CLos]

WOW, The Knicks are getting on my nerves.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">WOW, The Knicks are getting on my nerves.</div>

LoL thats good!!! Because if we get Kobe Orlando will have hard time stopping them.

 

[CLos]

Are you kidding me?? The Knicks aren't going to get Kobe. I'm sorry it isn't going to happen. Why do the Knicks think that they could get everybody that's a FA? Let's get VC, Rashard Lewis, trade for KG, Jermaine O'Neal, Kobe, Rasheed Wallace, also sign Mo Williams. It's ridiculous.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Are you kidding me?? The Knicks aren't going to get Kobe. I'm sorry it isn't going to happen. Why do the Knicks think that they could get everybody that's a FA? Let's get VC, Rashard Lewis, trade for KG, Jermaine O'Neal, Kobe, Rasheed Wallace, also sign Mo Williams. It's ridiculous.</div>

LOL for 100 time we aren't the Bobcats or the Hawks we are the MECA of Baskteball, MSG, Big Market,Big Apple. Everyone wants to play for NYK even kobe.

 

[CLos]

The Bobcats?? They haven't really done anything stupid. You did get me there when you mentioned the Hawks but I mean still. Just because you are a big market team doesn't mean everyone wants to play there. People want to win championships. The Knicks didn't even make the playoffs.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Bobcats?? They haven't really done anything stupid. You did get me there when you mentioned the Hawks but I mean still. Just because you are a big market team doesn't mean everyone wants to play there. People want to win championships. The Knicks didn't even make the playoffs.</div>
The Knicks are a big market team as was said, so every rumor is going to be highlighted, especially since there are so many major newspapers and journalists who cover the Knicks. It's also the offseason so you can expect even more rumors similar to this one.

As for Kobe Bryant, multiple sources have confirmed that there is some validity in the rumor. Whether he actually ends up in New York is a different story, though. It, however, is not a "random" rumor.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

GL NY! let the Kobe wars begin. I wonder who the 3rd team is?

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">michiganave17 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">GL NY! let the Kobe wars begin. I wonder who the 3rd team is?</div>

Suns

 

[CLos]

Yeah the Suns have some good packages to offer the Lakers including Marion and Stoudamire in some of the deals. Yeah, that's what pisses me off that the newspapers make up some bogus trade rumor just to spark interest.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah the Suns have some good packages to offer the Lakers including Marion and Stoudamire in some of the deals. Yeah, that's what pisses me off that the newspapers make up some bogus trade rumor just to spark interest.</div>

LA LA will never send him Suns way eventhough they will offer him the best packeg!!!! Same Division !!! Kobe+Nash deadlly

 

[CLos]

Yeah I know I know. It would be nasty though to see a Nash-Kobe-Stoudamire or a Nash-Kobe-Marion combo. Besides, would he really want to be on the same team as freakin Raja Bell?

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah I know I know. It would be nasty though to see a Nash-Kobe-Stoudamire or a Nash-Kobe-Marion combo. Besides, would he really want to be on the same team as freakin Raja Bell?</div>

Agree, that leaves us with two teams D Knicks,Bulls----> Lakers want from Bulls Deng (Bulls won't trade him), Gordon, and the pick. ..... Bulls want to send undersized Gordon,old Wallace, and the pick for Kobe.... I don't think LA would take that. When we are offering them 6'5'' Craw ....Frey,Lee.

 

[CLos]

Wait....both Francis and Marbury?? I don't think so. I think they would want Frey and Lee definitely with Crawford. That's solid but the Bulls offer is Gordon and Wallace along with pick. That's not that bad either. Wallace is still a good defender and could help Kwame learn a thing or to. I know you're a Knicks fan so I'm not gonna talk smack it's just that they should be making the playoffs. Another reason is because of injuries also.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wait....both Francis and Marbury?? I don't think so. I think they would want Frey and Lee definitely with Crawford. That's solid but the Bulls offer is Gordon and Wallace along with pick. That's not that bad either. Wallace is still a good defender and could help Kwame learn a thing or to. I know you're a Knicks fan so I'm not gonna talk smack it's just that they should be making the playoffs. Another reason is because of injuries also.</div>

Lee, Frye, Crawford On The Table For Kobe I meant to say that sorry. Got a little carried away. I personally think that Wallace, Gordon, and pick trade would not work for Kobe. Lee, Frye, Crawford On The Table For Kobe this one just looks better.

 

[Ed!]

<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Agree, that leaves us with two teams D Knicks,Bulls----> Lakers want from Bulls Deng (Bulls won't trade him), Gordon, and the pick. ..... Bulls want to send undersized Gordon,old Wallace, and the pick for Kobe.... I don't think LA would take that. When we are offering them 6'5'' Craw ....Frey,Lee,Marbury,Francis.</div>

How do you plan on shipping out roughly 50 million in contracts? Do you recieve Kobe, Odom, and Kwame in this trade?

<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lee, Frye, Crawford On The Table For Kobe this one just looks better.</div>

Gordon, who is 7th all time in 3PFG%, and only getting better, is not more tempting than an extremely inefficient scorer in Crawford? Lee is nice, and I don't know much about Frye (seems people have cooled on him since he was drafted, I thought everyone was obsessed with him). While Wallace's contract isn't lovely, it's frontloaded, the worst is behind it, and it'd be much easier to build around Ben Gordon than Crawford.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How do you plan on shipping out roughly 50 million in contracts? Do you recieve Kobe, Odom, and Kwame in this trade?



Gordon, who is 7th all time in 3PFG%, and only getting better, is not more tempting than an extremely inefficient scorer in Crawford? Lee is nice, and I don't know much about Frye (seems people have cooled on him since he was drafted, I thought everyone was obsessed with him). While Wallace's contract isn't lovely, it's frontloaded, the worst is behind it, and it'd be much easier to build around Ben Gordon than Crawford.</div>


Okay...the first trade was my mistake... I meant to say Frey,Lee,Craw just for Kobe. You saying Gordon is nice ...lmao undersized SG compared to Jamal 6'5'' who is solid at that position. Yes, he does have some stuggling with the shot but thats just because he gets doubled on every attempt and every pass that comes to him always needs to be made! On the other hand Gordon jacks it up without even carrying any time he wants to. Lee is an amazing player for 2nd round pick who is already averiging double double, Frey on the other hand is 6'11'' with good touch around the basket. In my point of view he is already better than Wallace with his O game. He doesn't have the D pressents but Bynum does for that reason Frey and Bynum due would work in the LA LA LAND.

 

[Ed!]

<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Okay...the first trade was my mistake... I meant to say Frey,Lee,Craw just for Kobe. You saying Gordon is nice ...lmao undersized SG compared to Jamal 6'5'' who is solid at that position. Yes, he does have some stuggling with the shot but thats just because he gets doubled on every attempt and every pass that comes to him always needs to be made! On the other hand Gordon jacks it up without even carrying any time he wants to. Lee is an amazing player for 2nd round pick who is already averiging double double, Frey on the other hand is 6'11'' with good touch around the basket. In my point of view he is already better than Wallace with his O game. He doesn't have the D pressents but Bynum does for that reason Frey and Bynum due would work in the LA LA LAND.</div>
LOL.

Jamal Crawford demands double teams now?

Trust me, Ben Gordon has wayyy more value than Jamal ever has been, will be, could have been, etc.

Please, you're questioning BEN GORDON's shot selection while defending Jamal? Trust me, I know Jamal's game, if theres any big knocks on his game, it's his inconsistency and shot selection. Ben Gordon is already 7th all time in 3 pt. field goal percentage, if he's taking bad shots, I haven't seen them. He shot 45% this year, 5% better than Jamal. Crawford is an innefficient volume scorer who's total efficiency rating is much lower than Jamal's. He plays more minutes, scores less, and gets similar APG/REB.

Lee is a very good player. Ok, I agree with you there.

It's not like people don't know Wallace doesn't score. He never has, never will. He's a multiple time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year, and an extremely valuable interior presence. Granted, I don't think a rebuilding Lakers team would be thrilled to take them onto their roster, but to think that throwing some above average talents with Lee is going to stop the Lakers from getting one or two of Ben Gordon / Luol Deng / Andres Nocioni, then you are kidding yourself.

 

[LBJ2006MVP]

<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LOL.

Jamal Crawford demands double teams now?

Trust me, Ben Gordon has wayyy more value than Jamal ever has been, will be, could have been, etc.

Please, you're questioning BEN GORDON's shot selection while defending Jamal? Trust me, I know Jamal's game, if theres any big knocks on his game, it's his inconsistency and shot selection. Ben Gordon is already 7th all time in 3 pt. field goal percentage, if he's taking bad shots, I haven't seen them. He shot 45% this year, 5% better than Jamal. Crawford is an innefficient volume scorer who's total efficiency rating is much lower than Jamal's. He plays more minutes, scores less, and gets similar APG/REB.

Lee is a very good player. Ok, I agree with you there.

It's not like people don't know Wallace doesn't score. He never has, never will. He's a multiple time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year, and an extremely valuable interior presence. Granted, I don't think a rebuilding Lakers team would be thrilled to take them onto their roster, but to think that throwing some above average talents with Lee is going to stop the Lakers from getting one or two of Ben Gordon / Luol Deng / Andres Nocioni, then you are kidding yourself.</div>

Dude Jamal was injured most the season so relax.... not forgetting his 50+ point game! When did Gordon have that? If you're willing to part with Deng,Gordon and the pick for Kobe it will a good trade for the Lakers of course but that would leave Kobe with what Kirk and rookie thomas? which is almost the same thing as having Bynum and Kobe on the same team. here are some reasons why Kobe would want to come to NY.


Let's summarize a lot of reason why Kobe will want New York more than any team on the league:

Money: No team in the league has more, can offer more, have a bigger exposure than New York. New York is the media center, not Holywood. TV and print media advertising > movies.

Legacy: We have a very short list of top players. Willis Reed and Patrick Ewing are the top Knicks, with a very distant Walt Frazier at third. Kobe comes here, he's automatically right there at the top. He just need one ring and depending on how he gets it, he might top Reed for that spot.

Image: Kobe is the biggest villain in the NBA right now. Everyone wants to find fault with this guy. But if he moves here, he instantly gets the media on his side even if they take pot shots at him, they still want him to succed if he's here.

Coach: Let's start with the coach. Kobe will be calling the shots here. Isiah is a player's coach. He'll never be a drill sargent type and right now, it looks like he's the only coach in the NBA who's like this. If you're a superstar with a huge ego, there's no other player coach around.

Teammates: Eddie Curry will never be a Captain. He's character isn't one. Steph is willing to play second banana to Kobe in this point of his career. And since we're loaded in roleplayers at all the other position, no trade scenario can devastate us when trading for a superstar. Hell, even after this trade, we can still go after Ron Artest. That's how deep we are right now.

__________________

 

[umair]

Isiah Thomas is right now willing to trade anyone as ESPN said it. BUT Kobe's number #1 target is Chicago due to their extreme young talents. Isiah Thomas has a lot of interest in Kobe, also Marbury said he wants Kobe.

 

[Ed!]

<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Dude Jamal was injured most the season so relax.... not forgetting his 50+ point game! When did Gordon have that? If you're willing to part with Deng,Gordon and the pick for Kobe it will a good trade for the Lakers of course but that would leave Kobe with what Kirk and rookie thomas? which is almost the same thing as having Bynum and Kobe on the same team.</div>

What does his efficiency rating have to do with him being out for most of the year? I didn't count his total points scored, it's based on the games you played.

Wow, he scored 50 points once? Dude, I take back everything I said, I didn't realize a single game performance can make you so much better than another player.

If we were to part ways with Deng and Gordon, our team would look like this.

Kirk
Kobe
Nocioni
Thomas, Brown, or MLE
Ben Wallace

That right there can get us to the ECF at least. Comparing that situation to Bynum and Kobe is laughable.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Let's summarize a lot of reason why Kobe will want New York more than any team on the league:

Money: No team in the league has more, can offer more, have a bigger exposure than New York. New York is the media center, not Holywood. TV and print media advertising > movies.

Legacy: We have a very short list of top players. Willis Reed and Patrick Ewing are the top Knicks, with a very distant Walt Frazier at third. Kobe comes here, he's automatically right there at the top. He just need one ring and depending on how he gets it, he might top Reed for that spot.

Image: Kobe is the biggest villain in the NBA right now. Everyone wants to find fault with this guy. But if he moves here, he instantly gets the media on his side even if they take pot shots at him, they still want him to succed if he's here.

Coach: Let's start with the coach. Kobe will be calling the shots here. Isiah is a player's coach. He'll never be a drill sargent type and right now, it looks like he's the only coach in the NBA who's like this. If you're a superstar with a huge ego, there's no other player coach around.

Teammates: Eddie Curry will never be a Captain. He's character isn't one. Steph is willing to play second banana to Kobe in this point of his career. And since we're loaded in roleplayers at all the other position, no trade scenario can devastate us when trading for a superstar. Hell, even after this trade, we can still go after Ron Artest. That's how deep we are right now.

__________________</div>

Firstly, I was never arguing with you about where Kobe wants to play, rather which team the Lakers would trade with (and the fact you seem to think Jamal Crawford is a superior player to Ben Gordon), which is just not true. I'm sure Kobe would love to play in NY, it's the biggest stage, you guys do have some talent, and he'd pretty much be the boss. But, you're team isn't that good to begin with, so unless you totally rape the Lakers, how much better can you really get?

How the hell would demanding a trade to NY help his image from where it's at right now? He bitched his way from the opposite coast to play on the biggest stage in the world? That would make him less of a villain? If anything the media would jump on it and make him look like an asshole even moreso.

He's an extremely competitive guy, you don't need a player coach to keep him happy. He has been interviewed by the Bulls and loves Paxson and Skiles' philosophy, and Skiles isn't exactly a "player coach."

And it's not like anyone's stopping him from being the main dude in Chicago.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LOL.

Jamal Crawford demands double teams now?

Trust me, Ben Gordon has wayyy more value than Jamal ever has been, will be, could have been, etc.

Please, you're questioning BEN GORDON's shot selection while defending Jamal? Trust me, I know Jamal's game, if theres any big knocks on his game, it's his inconsistency and shot selection. Ben Gordon is already 7th all time in 3 pt. field goal percentage, if he's taking bad shots, I haven't seen them. He shot 45% this year, 5% better than Jamal. Crawford is an innefficient volume scorer who's total efficiency rating is much lower than Jamal's. He plays more minutes, scores less, and gets similar APG/REB.</div>
I agree with most of this. While Jamal is a good player and a great scorer when he’s feeling it, Ben Gordon has more trade value, especially since he’s the better scorer, is younger, and is still on his rookie contract. However, I think the 7th all-time statistic is a bit misleading. Gordon is definitely on pace to having a high 3P% but it isn’t fair to compare his three-year percentage to someone with 10+ years. But anyway, I don’t think the Knicks will offer Crawford though.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not like people don't know Wallace doesn't score. He never has, never will. He's a multiple time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year, and an extremely valuable interior presence. Granted, I don't think a rebuilding Lakers team would be thrilled to take them onto their roster, but to think that throwing some above average talents with Lee is going to stop the Lakers from getting one or two of Ben Gordon / Luol Deng / Andres Nocioni, then you are kidding yourself.</div>
Like you said, the Lakers don’t want Wallace; he’s 33-years-old and is due $44-million on his recently-signed contract. He’s the type of player you acquire if you are looking for a missing piece to a potential championship-contending roster, not if you are trying to rebuild. From what I hear, the Bulls don’t want to give up both Gordon AND Deng. Nocioni is almost 28, so I don’t see him being an ideal player the Lakers want to build around. If the Bulls are willing to give up Deng and Gordon, then it will be better than any package the Knicks can put together. But if they do something like Gordon/Wallace/Nocioni, then I definitely see the Frye/Lee/Robinson/Francis package being better since the Lakers get younger more talented and shed some salary in the near future.

 

[Ed!]

<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with most of this. While Jamal is a good player and a great scorer when he?s feeling it, Ben Gordon has more trade value, especially since he?s the better scorer, is younger, and is still on his rookie contract. However, I think the 7th all-time statistic is a bit misleading. Gordon is definitely on pace to having a high 3P% but it isn?t fair to compare his three-year percentage to someone with 10+ years. But anyway, I don?t think the Knicks will offer Crawford though.
</div>
Thing is, Gordon's already taken 1000+ threes, and is on pace to have taken more than Steve Kerr, who is #1 on the list, by his 5th year. Most of the other guys on the list are specialists, and not the #1 option on offense.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
Like you said, the Lakers don?t want Wallace; he?s 33-years-old and is due $44-million on his recently-signed contract. He?s the type of player you acquire if you are looking for a missing piece to a potential championship-contending roster, not if you are trying to rebuild. From what I hear, the Bulls don?t want to give up both Gordon AND Deng. Nocioni is almost 28, so I don?t see him being an ideal player the Lakers want to build around. If the Bulls are willing to give up Deng and Gordon, then it will be better than any package the Knicks can put together. But if they do something like Gordon/Wallace/Nocioni, then I definitely see the Frye/Lee/Robinson/Francis package being better since the Lakers get younger more talented and shed some salary in the near future.</div>
Yea, Wallace is somewhat of a drag to have on a rebuilding team, and I really doubt the Bulls are willing to part with him either. He won't be traded until maybe his 4th year, when he's a big expiring contract. I don't think we have the necessary contracts without destroying our team or resigning PJ Brown to something similar to what he had before, and have him agreeing to going to a rebuilding LA. Personally, I'd rather see a trade for a big than Kobe, it closes the window on us from having a competitive team for most of the next decade, while with Kobe after around 2010, he'll start declining.

I'd still welcome him with open arms of course, because it is Kobe after all.