Amnestying Billups
This is frighteningly aggressive. I felt safe having the amnesty available in case Amar’e’s knees break down. We really couldn’t find a suitor for Billups, a $14 million dollar expriing contract that can still play above league average. People trade assets for expiring contracts that don’t even play! How is this possible that he couldn’t be traded? I sure hope that Amar’e’s knees hold up.
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A New Form of Chandler
With news of Wilson’s unrelated Chandler coming to the Knicks, the hope of Chris Paul is dead (which isn’t a bad thing in my eyes). Before I get into it, I want to express how happy I am that Amar’e isn’t being traded for Chris Paul. Both have banged up knees and the possibility of significant knee problems going forward. Would I want a guy to facilitate an offense that only have 1 big scorer (Melo) or another big body/big scorer who single-handedly put New York City basketball back on the map last year. Even though he was only here for a year, Amar’e is my favorite Knick of all time (I’m only 24 and the Ewing/Starks years were a little before I became a diehard). Although a great PG is my favorite type of player, it would’ve been very bittersweet if this deal went down. I’m happy with the way it went.
Tyson Chandler is what I’ve wanted the Knicks to get for the past few years. What kind of numbers is he going to put up in D’Antoni’s system? If D. Lee was able to grab double digit rebounds, how many is Tyson going to get? 14? 15? The offensive rebounding opportunities are going to be aplenty, leaving the door open for Tyson to average double digit points again. He’s also surprisingly good at the line for a big man(62% for his career but 73% the past 2 years). Amar’e finally able to slip into the 4 spot for the entire season, and not have to focus on getting rebounds as much (even though he didn’t really focus on it last year). I think we’re looking at a solid 12 PPG, 14 RPG, 1.5 BPG for Tyson, something the Knicks haven’t seen in a while.
I am a little nervous about the PG situation. I wouldn’t mind getting Baron Davis as long as he hasn’t ballooned to Orsen Welles type levels. There is no way he wouldn’t be motivated to play in NYC with Amar’e and Melo. I can’t believe I just said that, and I also can’t believe that I would’ve wanted TJ Ford if he didn’t already go to San Antonio. I want to keep Toney as 6th man/2 guard 1 guard combo, so a true PG needs to be signed. Maybe Jose Calderon once he gets amnestied? That actually sounds perfect to me.
A starting 5 of Tyson, Amar’e, Melo, Grant Hill (wishful thinking) and Calderon with Toney, Shawne Williams, Turiaf, Iman, Jeffries off the bench. Sound like a good formula to me.
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Should the Knicks Get Chris Paul?
Let’s throw logic and sense out of the window and assume the Knicks and Hornets have a deal in place to swap Chris Paul for Chauncey Billups straight up. Chris Paul also agrees to an extension with the Knicks for the maximum. This will leave the Knicks with only the MLE going forward to sign other players for the next 5 years or so (I don’t feel like exploring to find the exact contractual details). Is this a good thing? I’m going to explore this in 2 different segments.
Segment 1:
Is Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and a group of misfits enough to win a championship? I guess it’s possible. The Knicks would need someone to protect the rim though. Paul plays enough defense, and with Landry Fields and Toney Douglas for the next couple of years, to secure the perimeter. Perimeter defense is fine and dandy, but that’s not what wins championships. As LeBron James and Tyson Chandler (I’m on a whole name basis kick today) can tell you, defending the paint does. That is what the Knicks need (no, Amar’e certianly does not do that). While it’s possible to get a great defensive center with either the MLE or through the draft (let’s assume the Knicks are going to be drafting anywhere from 18th on for the next few years), it’s very unlikely. When’s the last time a great defensive center came from either of those two options? Again, I don’t feel like exploring the internet, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. Ben Wallace possibly since he was undrafted. But he didn’t turn into the player he was on those Pistons teams until 5 years into his career. Big time centers are always drafted early (Michael Olowokandi!!!!). There’s slim hope to get one deep in the draft. And if you think you’re signing a very good defensive center with the MLE, you’re sorely mistaken. I’m not even sure Sam Dalembert will be signed for the MLE, and he’s on the bottom tier of defensive centers. I’m not even going to get into how to fill the other pieces of the Knicks roster. Would you rather have a great defensive center, Amar’e, Carmelo, Fields, good-very good PG (with the PG/C combined making what Billups made) or a poopy center, Amar’e, Carmelo, Fields, Paul?
Segment 2:
Are Knicks ready for a similar amount of vitriol that was spewed upon the Heat last season? Takeaway The Decision, and it’s pretty much the same scenario. Three superstars who vowed, years prior, to play with each other to win a championship because they couldn’t carry a team by themselves in the current NBA atmosphere. Non-Knick fans are going to go from indifference to hatred the same way non-Heat fans did. Are the Knicks and their fanbase ready for that?
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Knick Fantasy
Mike Breen: If you told me 5 years ago that we’d be staring at this situation, I’d of told you to put down the pipe and pick up a book. But here we are, June 24th, 2012, Game 5 of the 2011-2012 NBA Championship that everyone thought would never happen, and the New York Knicks are 2 minutes away from hoisting the trophy.
Jeff Van Gundy: I’ll tell ya Mike, I still can’t believe we’re here. After decades of ineptitude. After breaking the hopes and dreams of players, coaches and fans. The New York Knicks are going to win the NBA Finals 4-1. Coach D’Antoni has done what some of the greatest coaches of all time, Larry Brown, Lenny Wilkens, and naturally, myself, couldn’t do.
Mark Jackson: He had a little bit of help there Jeff. Don’t go pattin’ Mike’s back too much.
Van Gundy: Can’t argue with you there Mark. This seemed like it was going to be just another Knicks season. Carmelo and Amar’e were still working out the kinks, they were just 21-20 going into March. And then came Mr. Paul.
Breen: The Knicks 2nd ‘Deal of the Century’.
Jackson: I still have no idea how they pulled that off. CP3 has to get the most credit.
Van Gundy: And Shumperts incredible first half play.
Breen: That deal, sending Landry Fields, Iman Shumphert, Chauncey Billups and a future 1st rounder for Chris Paul and Morris Peterson, put this team on a whole nother level.
Van Gundy: You got that right Mike. Going 25-8 down the stretch, sweeping Boston in the first round, beating Miami in 6 games in the 2nd round, and demolishing Chicago in 5 games in the Conference Finals. It’s been one of the best stretches of basketball I’ve ever seen.
Jackson: The teams are coming out of their time outs now, going to get these last 2 minutes going.
Breen: Sefalosha is going to inbound it to Westbrook, 1:57 left to play in the 4th quarter, Game 5, Knicks lead the Thunder 98-85 and the Thunder have to move. Westbrook takes no time moving up the court, met immediately by Toney Douglas.
Jackson: What defense that kids played all year. A rock for this squad.
Van Gundy: Did everything this team needed coming off the bench, spelling either Paul or Redd. Has to be one of the most underrated perimeter defenders in the league.
Breen: As you can see right there! Douglas picked the ball right out of Westbrooks hands, toss down court to a streaking Melo. THROWS IT DOWN! What a slam by Carmelo. The Thunder seem to be throwing the towel in now.
Jackson: Woo, this team is too much Mike. I’m telling you, we’re witnessing something special here.
Breen: I know Mark!
Van Gundy: This team might win 8 Championships in a row. Down by 15, a little over a minute to go. The Knicks bench is on the verge of eruption.
Jackson: I’m very nervous that Ronny Turiaf is going to kill someone tonight Mike. Very nervous.
Breen: You’re telling me! He beat up my son for legitamately no reason at all just a few weeks ago! And if that isn’t strange enough, Turiaf was my sons Confirmation Sponsor!
Van Gundy: A Durant three goes and the Knicks can do a victory lap here. Paul takes the ball from Melo and slowly walks up the court. I continue to be impressed with this kid year after year. But what he did to gel this Knick team together was super-human.
Breen: Incredible year. Only scoring 15 PPG, but averaging a remarkable 16.3 APG setting up Carmelo and Amar’e drive after drive, game after game.
Jackson: Here we go guys. Get ready to witness history. Paul still has it and is just dribbling the night away.
All 3 in unison: 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…
Breen: And that’s it folks! The New York Knickerbockers are your 2011-2012 NBA Champions!
Jackson: Paul. Melo. STAT. Toney. These guys are going to be getting into some trouble tonight.
Van Gundy: Eh, NBA players never get in trouble.
Breen: Haha! Pure gold Jeff. I’m still in shock that D’Antoni got it done. Everyone said it couldn’t be done with his system. But you know what? This just proves that old adage that Italians can literally do everything.
Van Gundy: I tell ya, I wish I could be the coach of this team, with what they’re about to experience. The City of New York has been waiting day in and day out for this moment. This will trump the Giants 2007 Super Bowl, the Yankees 2009 World Series. The town might not be ready for what’s about to happen.
Jackson: Oh boy. Let’s quickly go to Doris Burke who has STAT for a second before going into the tunnels.
Doris Burke: Everyone thought this day would never come, but here you guys are, NBA Champions. How does this feel Amar’e?
Amar’e Stoudemire: I’m just glad this day wasn’t on the Shabbos. Fuck the Heat. Good night.
Doris Burke: I couldn’t of said it better. Back to you guys!
Breen: This truly is the greatest day that has every happened in the history of the universe.
Van Gundy: And there’s going to be another one every June for the rest of our lives.
Jackson: You said it Jeff.
Breen: And from a sold out venue of disappointing Thunder fans, a Good Night to you all as we conclude this unforgettable NBA season.
The Knicks traded 4 players over 6’10 this season…Well, 3 players and 1 7’0 person. It’s not fair to other NBA players to label Eddy Curry as an NBA player.
Interesting movie fact: Only 35% of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were actual dinosaurs. The other 65% were just guys/girls in dinosaur suits.
Duke University Facts*
- Duke University holds a ‘Slaughter Puppies Party’ when they win the National Championship.
- There was an actual Santa Claus until one Christmas morning he flew over the great state of North Carolina and Duke University got a hold of him. Now people have to pay for presents…Thanks a lot, Duke.
- For all you St. Patricks Day enthusiasts - Duke University contributes millions of dollars per year to make drinking on March 17th a felony.
- Duke University was the one driving that car that ran over your dog when you were a kid.
- Duke University hates your grandmother.
*Some facts may not be facts.
It’s getting difficult for me to watch Man V. Food without visualizing the devastating coronary ailment Adam Richman is going to experience in a few short years.
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