Recent reports indicate that the Knicks second unit featuring Grant and Galloway are trouncing the starting unit. Furthermore, Derek Fisher has expressed a desire to sign a quick Point or Combo Guard to complement the roster.
With Derrick Williams displaying outstanding skills and Cleanthony Early also looking ready to contribute, we may see some early trade activity.
Carlos Boozer is available. That fact puts the retention of Thomas and Seraphin who is struggling in doubt.
Jackson and Fisher and Melo are serious about winning NOW. Keep in mind Seraphin was signed at the recommendation of team players - he's not a Jackson decision to begin with. Lance Thomas is there as a comfort zone, locker-room presence for Fisher. Both look to be expendable for the right talent.
It will come to no surprise to this writer if Jose Calderon were packaged with either or both players for a proven back-up quality PG, a future second-rounder, and/or a deep bench player who improves the team speed.
If Calderon is retained in the early going I will further wildly speculate that a mid-Dec trade of Calderon and Thomas for Rajon Rondo++ will be consumed. There are already reports out of Sacramento that Rondo and Karl are having differences. Rondo's last chance stop in the NBA may be with his friend Carmelo Anthony as a back-up to Jerian Grant.
A more immediate fix could involve trading Calderon for Brandon Jennings who could become player 15 while he recovers.
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The Glory-torium is now open in the basement of this blog, check your cynicism at the door. Knock three times and give the doorman the secret words, "In Phil Rose We Trust".
Ladies and Gentlemen: The Gloritorium
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Pre-Pre-2015-16 Season Analysis
After months of media and fan-fueled hysteria, Phil Jackson not only acquired a second first-round draft pick but managed to take a risk on Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is proving to rescue the Knicks from the blunder of winning a few end-of-season games that cost them prime lottery position. Jerian Grant the other first rounder also looks like a great investment and the by-product of the trade that brought Grant to the Knicks was the trading of Tim Hardaway.
Hardaway's lack of defense and chucking mentality will not be missed.
Nor did the Knicks resign Shane Larkin whose rookie guard play and diminutive size also cost the Knicks many games. Larkin cannot be solely blamed. He was thrust into a starting role he was ill-equipped to handle due to Calderon's injury.
Had Jackson signed no one the jettisoning of Hardaway and Larkin would add 10 wins to the Knicks total of last year - say, 27 wins - nothing to write home about but a significant difference.
However, not only did Jackson strike it rich in the draft but he also made some modest, smart free agent signings in Robin Lopez, Kevin Seraphin, Arron Aflallo, Sasha Vujacic, and Derrick Williams. Kyle O'Quinn was acquired from Orlando.
Returning veterans are Calderon, Thomas, Early, Amundson, Melo, and Galloway.
By the end of preseason play Williams, O'Quinn, Early, Porzingis, and Grant all played surprising better than expected. Galloway is playing excellent ball.
Porzingis, Lopez, and Aflallo were all dinged up a bit during the pre-season. Calderon looks healthy and ready to contribute.
The preseason play was mixed bag with the team needing time to gel but at least this year the talent and chemistry is there.
Taking the free agents into account I'm going to predict a window of ten to fifteen addition wins over the 27 the team would win just by losing two lackluster players. So 37-42 wins assuming nothing catastrophic occurs health-wise to key players.
The Knicks may be a player away from a playoff seed but that player may be negotiated in January or February.
Hardaway's lack of defense and chucking mentality will not be missed.
Nor did the Knicks resign Shane Larkin whose rookie guard play and diminutive size also cost the Knicks many games. Larkin cannot be solely blamed. He was thrust into a starting role he was ill-equipped to handle due to Calderon's injury.
Had Jackson signed no one the jettisoning of Hardaway and Larkin would add 10 wins to the Knicks total of last year - say, 27 wins - nothing to write home about but a significant difference.
However, not only did Jackson strike it rich in the draft but he also made some modest, smart free agent signings in Robin Lopez, Kevin Seraphin, Arron Aflallo, Sasha Vujacic, and Derrick Williams. Kyle O'Quinn was acquired from Orlando.
Returning veterans are Calderon, Thomas, Early, Amundson, Melo, and Galloway.
By the end of preseason play Williams, O'Quinn, Early, Porzingis, and Grant all played surprising better than expected. Galloway is playing excellent ball.
Porzingis, Lopez, and Aflallo were all dinged up a bit during the pre-season. Calderon looks healthy and ready to contribute.
The preseason play was mixed bag with the team needing time to gel but at least this year the talent and chemistry is there.
Taking the free agents into account I'm going to predict a window of ten to fifteen addition wins over the 27 the team would win just by losing two lackluster players. So 37-42 wins assuming nothing catastrophic occurs health-wise to key players.
The Knicks may be a player away from a playoff seed but that player may be negotiated in January or February.
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