Ruminations Close to the End of the Season

Just a few games left that we should not even think about winning unless Minny wins another before us.

I thought beating Philly was a silly waste of a win.  I would have much preferred this team to have saved it for a team contending for a playoff spot. Oh, well.

Of the away games I watched, Chicago and Nets announcers showed the Knicks respect and discussed this season's strategy with intelligence.  And I'm no Chicago fan.  Just saying that for all of the negative noise being generated, a number of pros get it.

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Until we know what our draft position is and who looks good in workouts, picking a favorite draft choice is like picking a favorite color.  That said, I think the Knicks will go for a big one way or another.  If they get shut out at the three or four on Towns or Okafor, I would expect them to draft for someone else who can deliver Kaminsky or Cauley Stein plus a premium - either a first-rounder in next year's draft or a rotation worthy player.

And I wouldn't rule out a weird pick swap at the top four spots between Philly should they drop to four and NY at a higher spot. Philly has A LOT of bodies that can't all possibly co-exist.  If the Knicks get their man via Philly along with a second player who they like, its a no-brainer.

It could get very interesting, very quickly.

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If the Knicks do go big, the next shoe to drop is what to do about Bargnani.  All of the discussion thus far has centered on Bargnani's recent showing within the Triangle - some call it a good fit. The other side of the coin is his history of disinterest in the game, conditioning, and of course, his appetite to get paid for lackadaisical play.

My suspicion is that the Knicks will keep any offer to a fixed low number.  If Bargnani gets a better offer (and I suspect he will), he's gone.

And, IMO, that is a good thing.  A young center will need to have a teaching, calming presence backing him up and some beefy bangers to keep the kid from getting hammered in the paint. I expect Aldrich, Thomas, and Amundson to stick  with a new face or two joining that group to back the pick and Melo.  Can't help but believe Smith and Acy will get flipped in summer trades.

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I also fully expect that whoever is picked will be joined by a college teammate who falls through the draft or who is acquired on draft night.  Creating a comfort zone for the new guy will be important.

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Shved and Galloway have made a compelling case for securing the PG position.

Expect the two spot to be the position free agency will need to address. Afflalo?

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As for the doom and gloom predictions for next year - rumors of the Knicks demise are greatly exaggerated.