The Knicks Fix

D'Antoni Excitement (for me anyway):

Some other paper says that the knicks will start Chandler, Gallinari, and Balkman in the front court.

For Balkman enthusiasts, this is welcome. As a jack of all trades, master of none kind of player, Balkman should be used in all different way. He can rebound and has a guards handle to push the ball, has a huge wingspan to defend, the willingness to D up tight and the athleticism, speed and length to stop the first move, and recover to contest a shot a la Tayshawn Prince (CAN I said, he's only shown flashes, is not Tayshawn Prince, its only Summer League, etc...). Plus he is unselfish (you could say scared to shoot), and in my opinion, has a good basketball IQ, demonstrated by his ability to disrupt on the defensive end. Plus, he always attempt to finish at the rim. The D'Antoni helter skelter style can turn him loose to do what he is uniquely capable to do. We need to find time for these types of players. Remember Anthony Bonner? Cedric Ceballos? Dennis Rodman? Jared Jeffries (the one that was an important ASSET to the Wizards, not the man with no role in New York), cats that were like the turbo charger on teams that had a solid system in place. Players whose presence on the floor so overloaded the ability of opposing teams to match contingencies, that they were overwhelmed.

Give these guys a real system, a real role, wind em up and set them loose. Here's hoping the mad scientist, the contrarian, D'Antoni, will give these guys new life.

One more thing about Balkman - he can really rebound for a 3, which means that D'Antoni may see him in a Marion type role: natural 3 with the defensive abilities and a nose for the glass that lets him play the 4 in an uptempo system.

Willis - Chandler, Balkman and Gallinari? That's a heck of a small line-up. I guess the plan is to attack, attack, attack. Should be exciting, but the potential is there to get murdered on the boards or in the half-court against anyone who can slow it down. Who plays center? I am already excited about this season.

OMG Alan, Amare and Curry the same on D. C'mon man Amare can block shots and protects the paint. Curry runs away from the other teams smallest player routinely. I usually agree with your b-ball observations but I'm a big Amare fan and while not the best one-on-one defender he is a great weak side help defender. He is terrible on pick and rolls but Curry might be the worst big man defender in the whole league. Please take it back!!!

If Mikey D wants to play small could there be a use for ZBo as a C? Wouldn't you rather have him trailing the break than Curry ? He's slow but EC is lethargic. Anyone feel me on this ?

Balkman can't be your consistent starting or even backup 3 b/c he can't shoot. You can't space the floor with him out there.

Q - I feel you.

I think you could see exactly those kind of things. I remember D'Ant saying of Phoenix, he just took the 5 best players he had and then made a system for them. Look around the league, many of the large, skilled, post playing centers are gone. Teams are running all sorts of 4s and mini 5s, shooting pick and roll centers, etc... at the 5. Randolph has decent size, and the love of the scrum under the boards. I think he'll play anywhere, he's just a ball player. He may have some issues with how he plays the game, but never with how hard he plays the game. He just loves to play period.

With an active 4 - Balkman, Jeffries, who can help and recover if he's posted up, I think it can work for good stretches of the game.

Good convo Willis, Pete, Knicks4life, and JohnQ

There is alot of excitement, and I did catch in the NYP interview that D'antoni is a contrarian by nature. Hope it works out, I would love to see Balkman rehabilitated.

Alot of the players were either so terribly utilized or under underutilized. Last year the offense was either a muddled sumo match between wheather Z-Bo or Curry would initiate the offense from the post, and when teams bogged down, there was no motion to free up a shooter. Then by the time the 24 second clock ran down the team creatively replayed the Jamal Crawford and 1 mix tape tour.

This year sounds good so far, motion offense, every one getting touches, no muddled down offense, and a kid who recognizes the importance of getting his teamates touches.

I think in an era were many in the Atlantic division are copying the power tandem that the Celtics presented with Garnett and Perkins- Sixers, Toronto, even the Nets with their big Rookie and 4s already on the roster- the Knicks brass might be seeing the rising of the crest and might be adopting an approach that challenges that pace and tempo. Should make for exciting basketball, and remember when the powers of the east fade, the Knicks should be under the cap- assuming that to be true- to deezo up and clean house.

I can see a very innovative calculated gamble going on in the near distant horizon!

Go with what he's got and adapt a system to fit the players - what a concept.

Some good points here - Zach is another player who rebounds bigger than he is, and with his jumper could work as a small-ball center. Conditioning is a problem (he only works if he isn't puffing along 30 feet behind the play), but there could definitely be a role for him if he gets in shape and gives up the black hole mindset. If Gallinari pans out, and there are extended minutes for the likes of Chandler and Balkman, Lee's the odd man out. Unless he's added the long-awaited jumper. That's the most ignored aspect of Amare's game in Phoenix - the fact he added the ability to shoot from medium range.

Get a system/winning culture/whatever you call it in place and build from there - specific needs, team defense, etc can be built over time.

Knicks4Life - I have to agree - Curry is much worse on d than Amare.

Alan I gotta give it to you man GOOD STUFF!!!

Its almost like being around the Knicks myself ( Not Quite ,Do you need an assistant? ) . Great blog sorry I missed it!

You answered all the questions any Knick fan might have!

Excited bout the unveiling of The Roostaah @ 4 pm . I'm happy everyone is warming up to him and equally happy he has already quieted the not athletic crap I was reading!! Youtube rocks!!!

Glad you were alot less cut throat with Marbury too!

Becoming a big fan Alan keep it up and THANKS MAN!!

I agree with Knicks4Life on the Amare-Curry stuff. What were you thinking Alan? Did you have Amare confused with someone else?

"Amare didn't play a lick of D. He and Eddy are basically on par when it comes to shot blocking. Marion used his athleticism but often got in trouble because he had to help where Amare didn't."

Amare has averaged over a block a game every year of his career, and got his best last year with 2.1blk over 79 games. Eddy? He averaged 0.5 blocks last season, and had a career best back in Chicago when he averaged a staggering 1.1! Amare was 6th in the league last year in blocked shots, ahead of guys like Yao, Duncan, Okafur, all guys I am sure you WOULD consider shot-blockers, no?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/statistics?stat=nbablocks&league=nba&sort=blks&season=2008

True Amare is not a great defender, and Marion did help out a lot, but the dude flat-out can block shots.

Where did that comment come from? Please explain yourself.

Hey Alan, how bout this trade?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2986~1017~739~566~847~883&teams=12~12~8~18~8~18&te=&cash=

Knicks get Cuttino Mobley, Sheed
Clips get Zach, Balk, and (possibly Knicks 2011 2nd round draft pick, if not used to sweeten Detroit end of deal)
Detroit gets Rose, Tim Thomas and (possibly Knicks 2011 2nd round draft pick, if not used sweeten Clips end of deal)

This trade works for everyone involved, I think this is a great trade proposal and it meets CBA salary requirements. Best of all it allows everyone to either keep their future draft picks or if necessary throw one out there to sweeten the deal. Walsh needs to make this happen. Clips would be replacing Brand with another younger, 20-10 guy albeit with less defense, but they also pick up another wing who is known for his defense and is an up tempo kind of player who can come off the bench and who fits what the Clips are trying to do with their youth movement. Since Clips will probably want Lee instead of Balk, Walsh may have to sweeten the deal with a 2011 2nd round draft pick to keep Lee out the picture, I’m all for it as long as that draft pick is in 2011 which it most likely will have to be. (2009 first round pick belongs to Utah if Knicks don’t make the 2009 playoffs, and 2010 also belongs to Jazz unprotected). A team of Baron, Zach, Balk, Gordon, Thornton, Kaman and crew could be formidable out West and is probably the best case scenario for the Clips at this point if they are unable to land a restricted FA such as Smith or Okafor (I believe this is why Walsh nixed Clips first attempt, he's waiting for the Clips to screw up some more like they usually do to gain more leverage on his end. Should Clips fail to land their top choices, Zach by default becomes their top target giving Walsh better options). Though Balk doesn’t possess the same skill set as Maggette did, he’s a wing player that can provide depth and is arguably a better defender than Maggette was. Thornton should grow into a better player than Maggette long term anyway.

The Knicks have enough young players thanks in part to Zeke, they need to surround some of this youth with vets who have won chips and are outstanding defenders, Rasheed fits perfectly especially since he can also drain the 3. He also has an expiring contract which fits Walsh plans, he can help keep the team relevant at least for the upcoming year. Playing him alongside Curry would be the best fit in Curry’s career to date, better than Tyson Chandler cause of the experience and toughness you’re getting from Sheed. Then you’re rotating Lee (who can play center in Dantoni’s offense) Gallo, and Jefferies in the front court. They also end up adding a veteran shooter in Mobley who can provide a spark off the bench as a spot up shooter. This of course would mean finding a taker for Nate and/or Mardy, or keep one or both on the inactive list, the ladder being unlikley. If the 2011 pick isn’t enough for the Clips, throw in Nate to sweeten the deal even further for one of these trade partners, if not move him at the February trade deadline with Starbury’s contract.

Why would Dumars do this deal? Dumars needs to shake things up after exiting the playoffs without a chip the last few years despite making it to the conference finals consistently over the same years. Malik though undersized fits Dumars penchant for adding veteran front court players who can defend and shoot the 15 footer consistently. Though he doesn’t replace Sheed, he gives them another option in the front court to play alongside Maxiel, Prince, Amir Johnson, and company. He also gets back not one, but 2 expiring contracts making him a player in the FA market for both 2009 and 2010, clearly they need to rebuild with most of the players being old and overpaid.

Here is what the 2008/09 Knicks team would look like should this trade be completed:


Starters
Duhon
Marbury
Chandler
Sheed
Curry

Bench
Crawford
Gallo
Lee
JJ2
Mobley/Nut
QRich

Inactives
Mardy
Mobley/Nut
Player #14
Player#15

All of this is assuming Jerome is bought out. Of course Morris and Jones aren’t resigned so they’re already out the picture. Players 14 and 15 can either be from summer league/NBDL/unsigned players who can be developed (Demtrius Nichols would have been nice to fit in here).

This doesn’t make them a contender all of a sudden of course but I believe this team would remain relevant and competitive enough to be attractive to 2010 FA’s.

As for 2009/10, you know Steph and Sheed are gone, and we have no draft pick unless we make it to the playoffs. That’s a lot of salary off the books, we can make maybe one or 2 moves using the midlevel exception to add a piece to replace the defense and experience at the PF lost from Sheed leaving, and still be looking to get under the cap for 2010-11. Crawford then slides in the starting 2 spot again alongside Duhon, you’re hoping Collins has come along enough to at least be a decent backup to Duhon by 2010 cause noone is trading for him before then.

This would be my approach if all parties would agree.

NYC - not seeing Dumars settling for Mr. Fugazi, Rose and a #2 for Sheed - I'm sure he could do better then that.

You know the thing that is so frustrating about Curry too is that he gets plenty of opportunities to block shots b/c our guards can't keep anybody in front of them, but its like he just refuses to jump. Its embarrassing when your starting C gets a standing ovation from the home crowd because he actually jumps for a rebound or to block a shot. You can blame IT for allot, but the inability of these guys to get themselves in shape or inablity to improve their games over the summer was really apparant this year and is all on them. I'm talking about J. James, Curry, Q-Rich, Collins, Balkman, Marburry, Randolph, Jeffries, etc.. I'll give Lee a pass b/c he was obviously hurt.

My hope for this year is that Nate learns to pass, Lee develops a 15 foot jump shot, Marburry learns to be a leader, Curry is in shape and plays with some heart and aggression and some D, Q works on his shot, Balkman learns to play in a system, J. James goes on a diet, and Randolph learns how to recognize and pass out of a double team. Crawford is the most important, I really hope that he learns to play the PG role so he can share the duty with Duhon. I don't think he'll ever be a great lockdown defender but just learning how to keep guys i/f/o himself and not always reaching will do wonders for his D. Watch the guys hips, not the ball or the upper body young man!!

Is Gallo playing for Italy in the Olympics?

I'm sure this has already been answered somewhere, but I'm curious...

How's he looking? Can we get a report from someone watching the summer league game? I'm curious, but am gonna be stuck at work for a while..

Thee whole squad has been playing rather selfishly, Chandler is just KILLING guys.
Gallinari had a nice shot fake and assist, got caught on a carry, has looked to run the offense. His one attempt was off a pick and roll at the top of the arc. This is what made me sit up - effortless shot, quick release, and the ball never went below his chest off of the exchange. Clyde marked the rotation on the shot. He missed but the ball was soft on the rim, rolling around and out.

He will not be playing the 4 anytime soon, 19 and gangly.

My feeling so far is he's deferring a little, looking to run the offfense instead of jacking up shots.

2nd quarter, 7:31 - Gallinari comes in and forces a shot. Guess he's taken the measure of summer league - I better get my shots up.

JJ Hickson is the truth - better box that man out, he's looking to dunk every offensive board and he got one there for the Cavs.

Roberson can SHOOT, damn 4:44 2nd Q

Gallinari is getting too easily pushed off of rebounding position, doesn't really show the work needed to board.

Mardy has shed his tenativeness and is starting to assert himself at the point a little. 2:53 2nd Q

Gallinari on an iso at the top of the arc, shows some skill and crossovers to finish at the rim, turned away, but he made up some ground in a hurry. He has a handle.

I'm not sugar coating Shyt.
First impressions..... Chandler is wearing a "TCI" brace which means there was something to due with his ACL...but he's young and looks like a beast but shouldn't overdue it!

The Rooster is Playing Defense like Crawford and Rebounding like Curry!
Anyone say...Darko 2??? He can't get his shot off against scrubs????

FIRE WALSH!

Balkman with 2 nice rejections underneath 1:59

Knicks have settled down and are playing more as a unit. No Traylor, so Balk and Chandler are holding up underneath.

1:00 Chandler is just overpowering off the dribble

Collins passing defenders who come to close, just got an and 1 and hit a 3 earlier.

Gallinari is often open, but they're not seeing him.

Weber drawing up the last play of the half......

Missed free throw Chandler rebounds, dribble out and toss to Balk who misses layup

44 - 42 Knicks

too funny, man. too funny.

i heard derrick rose looked kinda so-so in the first quarter of the first summer league game of the season. the bulls should fire paxon too.

unbelievable.

i know that we've gotten pretty impatient cause of all the bs we've had to deal with the past 6 years or so, but seriously dude...

the kid's 19, playing in the first quarter of the first summer league game of the season.

@ Matt B....just kidding...
However....For all the Hype D'Antoni has spread about the Rooster,
when the Camera went to him sitting in the 3RD row watching his
#6 pick...he looked more like a worried Father waiting in the Labor and Deliver ward pending a high risk birth/delivery

Featuring Chandler in the post to begin, Gallo getting pinballed in the paint.

They are doubling Hickson now.

Roberson has nice mechanics coming off thee screen for two.

Gallo with a block on Hickson, Balk touches a second attempt, but the cavs clean up

8:00

Poor pass is intercepted, Gallo bothers the shot enough going the other way, to cause a miss.

Collins takes a stand up jumper when his defender sags off him, good confidence, bad result.

6:20

Von Wafer sends back a dunk attempt by Hickson (with foul) I believe - nice ups for the gunner.

Wilson Chandler with the dribble-post-turnaround - patented and pure that attempt. 5:00

Chandler then wastes one for a miss.

4:00 after commercial break 58 - 54 Cavs

Gallo with a steal, then throws one away, then fouls - clearly thinking too much, out of water right now.

Another steal by Gallo, lots of slop, then a few passes and Gallo drops in in over Traylor

Balkman with another block, Gallo miss, and another Balkman block.

Mardy using his size to good effect, driving the lane for a banker.

1:00

Gallo with a follow up dunk off a miss - he has been blitzing the offensive boards from outside this half, rather than trying to scrum under the boards. got his steal earlier in the same fashion.

Gallo gets a poor entry pass which he casually handles and then goes to work, gets the foul. Looked very comfortable there.

Mardy sees Gallo in teh corner at the close, drives, dishes, Gallo hits.

Clearly he needed to be featured, Chandler was too dominating. With him on the bench, Gallo was in his accustomed role - go to man on the perimeter.

End of Quarter

68 -67 knicks

Gallo good on the pullup

Gallo and Chandler getting a feel. Gallo brings the ball up off a steal and hits Chandler in the corner for the bucket.

8:00 Collins TO

Chandler again with the spin move, beautiful control, and 1.

Hickson with the up and under leaves Chandler behind for two, 6:42

Pick and roll with Chandler, Gallo on the keeper, between the legs step back is pure.

There is no question, he is a lights out shooter, with supreme confidence, needs very little room to get his s#it off.

12 points for him in the second half (Gallo)

Gallo pointing out the open man on the break (not his) nobody gets to him and sure enough, that's teh guy that scores.

Another crossover by Gallo eats up his man and gets fouled for 2 fts.

Gallo brings the ball up after a Cavs bucket, and hands off. He's not worrying anymore.

Gallo taking a little stretch on the sideline, he's getting hammered when he goes to the rim and is not rugged enough to take the hit.

3:30

Chandler forces turnover.

84 - 87, Cavs

Willis - I gotta give it to you man. I've always enjoyed your comments on here, but talk about stepping up to the plate...
Play by play for a freakin summer league game? Not to mention, all while doing it on the annoying server that always makes you resubmit your post...

Thanks, dude.

3:00 Gallo remains on bench

Chandler, Balkman, Roberson, Collins, Hunter

Roberson sniping again

AS Clyde points out, Knicks are making good effort defensively.

Force a bad shot, run offf of change in possesion, Collins draws a foul going to rim. FTs good.

Chandler with block, 89 - 89, Collins draws another foul off the crossover.
FTs good.

1:00, Tucker with hang time, eludes Collins

Collns penetrates and dishes to Chandler, good for 2.

TO, 93 - 91 Knicks, :47 remaining

Defense and 3 second violation on Cavs

Mardy Collins sees no one who can stand in his way and goes for a dunk. FTs good. 95 - 91

Tucker for Cavs again, for 3.

Knicks TO.

07.5

Chandler fouled, Gallo back in for the final play.

FTs good 97 - 94 Knicks

Give the foul they had, Gallo was swapped out. contested shot in the corner misses, 97 - 94 is the final

Dude, I need a job. Hell, I need a life.

Check the rewind fixers and let me know if I called it right.

My opinion is Gallo is the real deal.

Willis

Great job on the play by play, especially given the problems with this server.

Gallo was taking the game in in the first half and wasn't looking to force anything up at that junction.

Seemed to have gotten confident after the two handed throw down.

Good work on your side of the blogosphere!

Just get what you can for Zack if it is a 2nd pick then take it. Or stop all the trade talk and lets go with what we got.