<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Aug 13 2008, 05:03 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mr. J @ Aug 13 2008, 05:08 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I have no problems with people not liking this trade. However, many of you are misguided if you think Nate is “terrible”, or Sean Williams is the next Amare (which is rather laughable).
In addition to being instant offense and energy off the bench, Nate’s decision making has improved, making him more than serviceable for your team. The Nets’ PG position is also somewhat thin. After Keyon Dooling (whom Nate is better than), there is no other PG. While adding depth, the Nets subtract from their mini glut of big men: Brook Lopez, Josh Boone, Ryan Anderson, Stromile Swift (a carbon copy of Sean Williams), and Yi (who will probably play a lot of 4-5).
And saying that Nate is a player that only dunks and hits the occasional three is vastly underrating him. He’s actually prone to numerous scoring outbursts (ex: when he dropped 45 on Portland). Considering the Nets lost their leading scorer in Jefferson, Nate should contribute in that aspect. Another intangible Nate brings to the table is energy, which is often the catalyst for many Knick runs, as the crowd responds well to Nate.
And for those who think Nate is a distraction and immature, need to do some research on Sean Williams’ troubled past. </div>
I think Nets fans would know more about Sean Williams' "troubled past". Just because he was one of the few basketball players actually caught smoking, doesn't mean he's a disruption to the team. Like Nate.
You see, Nate plays absolutely no defense. And with the exception of Hayes and Yi, which fill the spots Frank's used to of the wing and one big who play pretty bad defense, everyone on this team is/can be a solid defender, at the least. I don't think management or Frank would want him on the team. Also, he's a malcontent and fights with teammates. Not the type of team management is trying to make.
The only thing I see from Nate is that he's fast, short, can dunk, and can knock down the occasional 3 (sometimes shooting too much).
And to say Nate is better than Keyon is laughable. Wow. Yeah, when was the last time Nate was on a winning team? When was the last time Nate actually played defense? Heh.
Btw, Sean is not a "carbon copy" of Stromile Swift (you had it backwards btw, Stro is older, therefore cannot be the "copy" of the younger player).
And the only people I've seen compare Sean to Amare are John Lucas, who worked with Sean extensively and watched him play more than you ever have, obviously...and Bruce Ratner.
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Nate isn’t a distraction to the team. Most players and coaches on the Knicks have been quoted saying Nate is a welcome addition, a good teammate, etc. If you think Nate is a distraction to the team then you have bought into the New York media hoopla. I think Nate throwing a towel at Zach during a game which they won is less of a distraction than Sean Williams possibly getting suspended for failing a drug test. Not to say Williams is the only NBA player who smokes; however, it adds negative light to the organization. Negative light is usually a distraction.
Your assessment on Nate’s defense is unfair. The whole Knicks team was terrible on defense. Rotations were always late, there was little communication, and Isiah’s defensive philosophy wasn’t too good.
How is it laughable to say Nate is better than Keyon Dooling when Nate produces more than him? This whole “on a winning team” thing is a fallacious argument. Nate is not the reason the Knicks have been losing. Prior to this year, Garnett and Gasol haven’t done too much winning; McGrady and Yao have yet to pass the first round; Elton Brand has one career playoff appearance. There are a plethora of solid NBA players who have had the misfortune of playing on bad teams with terrible management. You also have to take into consideration Nate has only played three seasons and Dooling has played eight and still hasn’t lived up to his expectations. I’m sure if Nate actually signed with a winning team like Dooling we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
The only thing I can see out of Sean Williams is that he is tall, athletic, and can dunk. Does that sound accurate?
Losing brings the worst out of players. By saying Nate has fought with teammates, you are basically summing up the careers of most NBA players. Kevin Garnet literally punched Wally Szczerbiak in the face a few years ago. And I’m sure you are aware of the well-publicized Kobe-Shaq feud. Teammates fight and have disputes all the time, especially when losing is involved – Nate isn’t any different.
By calling Williams a carbon copy I mean they share very similar games. I haven’t watched too much of the 08 version of Stromile Swift, but he does have very similar qualities to a young Stromile Swift. Both are good shotblockers with impressive athleticism and are very raw offensively with low basketball IQ’s. Lucas and Ratner’s opinions don’t mean anything, BTW. We’ve heard several of the “next” Jordan’s, Bird’s, Shaq’s, etc. The fact of the matter is he isn’t the next Amare regardless of who has extensively watched him.