UPDATED: Szczerbiak To Knicks?

[TnNeG]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">According to Marc Berman of the New York Post Knicks GM Isiah Thomas has been talking with Minnesota about a potential Wally Szczerbiak for Kurt Thomas deal.

The stumbling block, as always, appears to be the four year extension that Isiah gave Kurt last season.

"They're actively trying," one GM said. "Part of the problem is that extension." </div>

Full Story

 

[Henacy]

I really dont see what Zeke sees in Wally S. that he is willing to give up his most stable frontline player for....Wally great shooter, yes...great player, no. He probably as much or more one dimensional than Allan Houston.

I know everyone in the tri-state area is really high on Sweets but he isnt ready to be an everyday starter just yet. Fact of the matter is, yes Sweetny played extremely well in a short series vs the Nets last season. But before that he never really even got of the bench last season, so he didnt gain much on-court playing expereince last year. So Iam looking at this year simply as an extension on Sweetny's rookie year this season, which means he is going to struggle in alot of situation, simply due to lack of experience, alone. So it isnt smart to go into the season & throw him in right away as a starter because you traded your starting power forward, who is capable of getting a solid double -double most nights, for a overpaid spot up shooter.

I can see starting Sweenty out this year coming off the bench, playing about 20 minutes a game. And seeing how it works out for the 1st part of the season. And if Sweets shows that he is futher ahead & ready to take over starting duties around the febuary trade deadline. Then, I can see Zeke trying to move KT, & he could probably get a more solid off then Wally. But to even be thinking about trading KT, right now, without getting a quality big in return is not a smart move. And imo could be just the type of move that holds the Knicks back this season. And could throw off the development process of Sweets.

 

[Avery]

What is Isiah Thomas doing? If he acquires Wally Szczerbiak it will be a big mistake. His frontcourt is already in need of help and to trade one of his most reliable big men it would be a move that he will regret. And doing this would move Sweetny in the starting line-up which is big no-no. This offseason Thomas has made one move to many. This team has too many players that demands the ball i.e. Stephon Marbury, Tim Thomas, Allan Houston, Jamal Crawford etc. He should have gone after complementary players because by the looks of the roster there is bound to be some serious team chemistry problems.

Judging by the moves he?s done this offseason, it?s very similar to the Van Horn and Thomas trade. Isiah Thomas is looking at talent over chemistry, and look what happen. Well, if you don't remember the Knicks fell off when Van Horn departed. And despite the fact that (Tim)Thomas started off rocky with the Knicks and eventually blended in with them, lets face it Van Horn was a much better fit than Thomas. Van Horn was having his best season and I never seen him so productive, sometimes made me wish he was back in Philly. Nonetheless, w/o Szczerbiak if Wilkins can?t keep the guys on this team happy, this squad will be in trouble.

 

[Mr. J]

I don't know why everyone dislikes Wally hear but it will be a plus. Minnesota is the only team that is offering for Kurt Thomas. Isn't that the reason why we signed him in the first place for 4 years? Wally, Houston, Crawford, and Marbury will shoot the lights out everygame. Jamal is not even a shooter so there is no possible way he can take Houston's place if Allan goes down (altough he will be way better than Anderson). If we keep Kurt here what will he do on a break? On Monday he will be 32 he is not athletic enough and his game is not the direction the Knicks are going. He will hurt the Knicks at this point. I loved what Kurt's done but I think it's time that we have to move on. We have Sweetney, Baker, Mohammed, JYD, Bateer, and Sundov. Who knows if the deal happens we might get another big man.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Well mrj18 you have a point. But the thing is Kurt Thomas is still our best defender and is the most consistent player we have. By trading him were banking everything on JYD and Sweetney. Then there's the fact we'll have a logjam at small forward and Penny really deserves some playtime. Then there's the fact that TT is being paid alot of money. If it was Tim for Wally straight up I'd be behind this 100%. But for Kurt it's risky. I could be wrong but keeping Kurt is the better decision.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know why everyone dislikes Wally hear but it will be a plus. Minnesota is the only team that is offering for Kurt Thomas. Isn't that the reason why we signed him in the first place for 4 years? Wally, Houston, Crawford, and Marbury will shoot the lights out everygame. Jamal is not even a shooter so there is no possible way he can take Houston's place if Allan goes down (altough he will be way better than Anderson). If we keep Kurt here what will he do on a break? On Monday he will be 32 he is not athletic enough and his game is not the direction the Knicks are going. He will hurt the Knicks at this point. I loved what Kurt's done but I think it's time that we have to move on. We have Sweetney, Baker, Mohammed, JYD, Bateer, and Sundov. Who knows if the deal happens we might get another big man.</div>

1st off, Bateer & Sudov are not actually basketball players, you do know this they are human sit filler, meant to sit at the end of your bench most likey on IR, simply to take up a player roster spot,if they even last thru training camp.

Now, Iam not the biggest Wally fan but he is useful in certain envoriments & situations. But In no fashion do you give up your starting power forward for him, thats just not a start basketball move, especially when you do not have a reliable replacement. You wont get a bigman in the deal, simply because the Wolves dont have anything to give expet an eldery Ervin Johnson. And no way is Kevin Mchale coming off Kandiman & Wally in a deal for Thomas. Mchale isnt even coming off Kandiman in a deal for Reef, simply because the Wolves lack bigbodies.

So where are you going to get this other bigman from, there just isnt anything available this late in the offseason. All the good free Agents are gone except for Keon Clark, who seems to be going thru some mental problems. I guess him & Baker would make a perfect combo along the front line

. The Knicks simply cant make this type of trade at the moment.

 

[Mr. J]

One of the things I'm most worried about is Kurt's contract. His extension makes him "less attractive." How many teams are offering for Kurt? No one. Are we going to let Kurt rot here. Why don't we take the opportunity while we have the chance. Without Kurt Thomas our deffense will not be as bad as most of you think. If JYD were to start he could do a pretty good job. Not to mention the continuing development of Sweetney. Sweetney is a solid PF who imo performed pretty well in the playoffs considering is lack of experience. Anyone remeber that game 1 fast break putback dunk? Also these Knicks are going in a new direction. They are becoming a faster/more athletic team. Maybe a lineup of Marbury, Houston, Szczerbiak and Tim Thomas could even workout. Tim Thomas claims that he's worked hard on his game this summer. So maybe he could be a starting PF? He has all the tools for the position. I know losing Kurt has some negatives to it but, if we gain Wally I see more positives than negatives

 

[Premium]

kt has been great for the knicks. a bit of a baby crying about clock a couple of times, but his play on the floor is consistent and seems to be improving year by year. he's a solid big man. cant understand why you'd want to get rid of that...especially in the east

 

[Mr. J]

It's not that I want to it's I think it will be good for the team. I'm aware that he is solid I just feel Wally can do a good job here in New York. Also as I said before JYD and Sweetney are both decent PF so it will not be as bad as most of you think.

 

[Henacy]

Tim Thomas at the 4 is horrible if you ever watched the big three version of the Bucks a few years back. Thomas cant guard the 4 position, doesnt rebound well enuff to be affective at the 4. And hangs out way to much around the 3pt line to contribute the inside baskets the Knicks would need from him at the 4 spot. Tim Thomas at the 4 really isnt a option for the Knicks imo. And having Tim Thomas & Wally S together on the floor alot along the frontline is way too much of a defensive liablity. A lineup of Steph, Houston, Wally, Tim Thomas may score alot of points but they wont be able to guard anyone.

 

[Mr. J]

Remember Tim Thomas has been working this summer and I believe him. Tim is playing for Isaiah Thomas in New York. This is where he always wanted to play and is aware that Isaiah will trade him if he doesn't work up to his potential. Also Tim has also been averaging a career highs in many stats since coming to New York: FG% .452, 3p%.406, FT%. 813, 1.00spg, and 15.8ppg I think that is the begining of a new Tim Thomas. I think that he is very capable of playing the PF this season but, that's just him talking so I can't really say anything untill I see him on the court.

 

[lilhoopa]

why do you guys want wally so bad; the guy is so one-dimensional. he can only shoot and thas it, you have allan houston already. the knicks have enuff swingman on the court.... As for some of you guys that want to trade tim thomas for wally i think that would be bad for you guys.. thomas is overrated but he s a way better fit than wally in the new york system of offense...

 

[Jerry West]

This trade makes no sense whatsover.

The Knicks already have plenty of one-dimensional guys who whine if they don't get the ball, bringing in Wally World will simply exacerbate the problems and cause more disharmony.

Then again, it's the Knicks.

 

[Mr. J]

First of all Wally is an allstar and has a better future here than Kurt Thomas. Also many of the Knicks fans are questioning the status of Houston's health saying "Houston won't be ready for the playoffs, and he will only play 50 games." If this is the case why not get shooting insurance for a possible injury that might be more severe? And if Houston isn't injured there is no possible way that our D will be as bad as the Mavericks. The Knicks players aren't great defenders like Thomas but they are decent.

 

[lilhoopa]

wow..... wally was an all-star for one yr which was great, but the guy CAN ONLY SHOOT and thas it. Have you seen him try to take the ball to the hoop?? he made Allan Houston looked explosive off the dribble. knicks already have too many swingmans. they need to try to bring in a big man.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">wow..... wally was an all-star for one yr which was great, but the guy CAN ONLY SHOOT and thas it. Have you seen him try to take the ball to the hoop?? he made Allan Houston looked explosive off the dribble. knicks already have too many swingmans. they need to try to bring in a big man.</div>

I don't remember the last time Kurt was an allstar and Allan is the only one that can spread the floor. What happens when he's injured? Jamal is strictly slashing he can't spread the floor which Marbury even had problems with last season. And also statistically Szczerbiak shoots better than Allan Houston. Wally is also for the future while Allan's career is closing in a couple of years.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

UPDATE: WALLY WANTS TO BE A KNICK!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Wally Szczerbiak spends his summers back home in Cold Spring Harbor, cruising around the Long Island Sound on a boat, golfing with buddies at Bethpage Black and training at local gyms.
"I just enjoyed life on Long Island," he says.

His privileged lifestyle would be nearly perfect if Szczerbiak could arrange to live and work in the New York area year-round and play for the team he grew up supporting. That dream almost became a reality over the summer before trade talks between the Knicks and Timberwolves broke down. For Szczerbiak, the deal was like the big fish that got away.</div>
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketba...7p-210158c.html

(What else is new?)

 

[N4S]

I don't understand why Minn would do this if Sprewell doesn't want to be there.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Minn is tired of Wally's contract. I said it before and I'll say it again I'd trade Tim Thomas for Wally but not Kurt Thomas. Unless their willing to pack Kandiman in the deal. Then it's a good move. But Kurt for Wally straight up...simply ludicrous at this stage.