I sit and I watch the encore presentation of the Yankees game, thinking about The Knicks starting five last year, and try to project this years 5. Duhon will be in the last year of the contract, and the second year of D'Antoni's system. I think he's the starting 1. He's a Duke graduate, so i hope that he comes into the year ready to play major minutes, work on getting that gig to become a Derek Fisher type in the league. A solid point on a great team. Maybe even resign with the team, because, well do i really have to say it. Summer of 2010.
At 2, you put Larry Hughes. I hope that he can be a consistent player, challenging for recognition for resurgent play. Wilson Chandler at the 3. I think he can just continue to get better. He doubled his points per game, 7 to 14, and i think he'll try for 18-21 this year. I see him progress like Trevor Ariza would, with less defense, more explosivness, and w/out Kobe. Since Trevor went home, practice against Kobe, his skills have really shot up. (pun intended). He was the real Scottie Pippen out there, even though Derek Fisher hit the biggest shot. Al Harrington and Jared Jefferies cross matching to full fill the four and 5. Eddy Curry is there, but I cant trust that he will be in starting lineup shape, much less opening day starting 5 shape. I think they need Chris Wilcox's, and maybe Darko Milic is partly the answer to the lack of size. I think Chris Wilcox brings some of that football toughness a playoff team need. I want the Knicks to challenge Chicago for the 8th spot at least, it's not Confrence Finals, but a rivalry is a rivalry right?
Mouhamed Sene, is not enough for us to keep from giving points up like they did last year. They will be better equipped to score in the system, but how difficult can it be? Screen Roll, drag, keep your head up, and pass to the open Nate Robinson for the three. Nate can shoot the three. Not J.R. Smith like, but 17ppg and 4ast is not easy at his size. I like him more than Lee. Lee has done everything right. Work hard, get better, be a model citizen, but the inability to block shots is glaring, he seems a step slower on defense than offense. He doesn't help out well. He is a greater version of Tim THomas and he knows it, so it makes it a better fit for a real class organization. Not that the Knicks aren't one, but we are changing classes. They need bucket fillers, energy and that spark plug Nate Robinson has become. Maybe J.J Barea can perfect. JJ can also shoot.
Lets get a good pick in this draft. Henderson is the man that they may fall into, because nothing esle works. If he is, they have done great. Will he make the team better, yes. WIll he carry a team, No. But, he's the professional player that we will have replaced in the absence of Lee. I think they are going to let Robinson go and keep Lee, because rebounds are a commodity few have perfected. If i have to pay lee 10 mill, why not get Bozzer at 4 to 5 more per. Double the points, same amount of rebounds. I'm sure there is downside with Bozzer, but i think Lee has topped out. Not quite reaching Boozer. But there is a glimmer of hope this year. Strickly basketball and back to bussiness. Intense practice and guys competing, trying to get better for the fans and themselves. They do cheer louder when the team plays better. Less boos too. Lets figure out a way to get two at the least. Joe Crawford spot can be bought out. Mobley's can be traded. I'll be watching, what will you be doing??
