As the free agent market is all but dried up for the summer of 2009, Donnie Walsh continues to work the back channels of the team player personnel. They are even doing their due diligence, in taking a look, or speaking to former household names, such as Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Willams, and Jamal Tinsley. These players are passed their prime, but i guess put in the right situation, help a team contend for a championship. But, contend for the bottom seed in the playoffs? I don't think so. My opinion is that of, making sure the New York Knicks have an identity on the basketball court. Last year an identity was being established. They had the ability to put points on the board. Much like any team that is given the freedom to play, and not have to be robotic in running plays all the time. Their defense caused them to falter down the stretch. Their inability to have a stable head given them sound direction and passing. If The Knicks had the Chris Duhon of the first half of the season, during the second half of the season, they still don't make it to the playoffs. I thought that Duhon was only a good signing if he had Marbury there also. (I guess Duhon wished he really consider that Orlando offer, and Walsh offered him that money early in the free agency period if i remember correctly.)
Nash wouldn't have helped the team any either, because he would need a healthy Eddy Curry in the middle to spread the court some more for the rest of the team. But, as constituted right now, if they add Sessions, they can fight Chicago, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Toronto, for the bottom seeds. I figure Detroit will be bad this year, Washington takes their place. Boston will be good, along with Atlanta, Cleveland of course, Orlando, Chicago, and Miami too. ( I put them in 2010 order on a next post, East and West.) It took 39 wins to win an 8th seed in the East last season, and that number should go up. Last year, it was only because of Detroit's salary dump, and Larry Brown team figuring it out late, with the trade also, did the number dip. The Knicks, probably won't win 40 as constructed. But Eddy Curry is the key, and the reason for this blog.
The Knicks wont have the space to get to max superstars, but they have the superstar money on their payroll next year,-providing they don't move him before February's trade deadline-. I think that if we can get the Curry of two seasons ago, Lebron can be convinced to play play. Or convinced is not the right word, we aren't selling used cars here. But, he can see a potential team with him being a vital chip. Now, I know this is borderline crazy talk, but we all saw it, he looked like he figured it out, and everyone wanted to see more. We know about the defense, but that's where help and communication play a big role. This guy is smooth around the basket, he has good form at the free throw line. I know that he can prove he has some sense of pride and responsibility. Eddy Curry is the main piece in the Lebron sweepstakes, either he shows his flash, and Lebron takes a chance knowing Curry only has one year left, and more money to get in the next free agency market. Or, Eddy Curry steps up, and has a dramatic turnaround professionally. He certainly has the script to do it, with the off the field incidents, his mind and soul should be happy to get on the court again. I truly believe that with another point guard and a solid Eddy Curry, The Knicks can be a force in the bottom 3rd of the playoff race. As a long time watcher of Knicks basketball, it would serve the city well to see the team fighting for something meaningful.
And, I know they have done their best to change the culture of the team. I think that it would be critical for the organization to show the same grit it's fan has for the game, and that means fighting for a chance to play. Fight to make the playoffs, so that Utah doesn't get to draft in the lottery and make the playoffs, their personnel department doesn't need to be that lucky. I still have a lot of faith in Curry, and i don't know if it's bad or good. Maybe its the contract, but i want to be abe to write the happy ending. I want to believe that his pride and dedication, will translate into solid play. I don't need him to make the All-star team, or win comeback player of the Year. I just want him to rank higher statistically then Andre Blatche or Kendrick Perkins. I think his flashes are so good, that you as a fan, want to see progression and plain improvement. He has declined before he could peak, and some players do that.Kwame Brown was a cant miss, and like Curry he was taken straight out of high school. It's just about time he show us the 2005-06, Curry. We have waited long enough.
Comments
It's interesting that you mentioned Kwame Brown because that's who Curry reminds me of. As a Lakers fan I remember watching Kwame have some great games, scoring on people and blocking shots, running the court, kind of what you're saying you see in Curry. But if a guy shows only flashes, and can't get the job done consistently, it might be time to move on. We'll see what the Knicks decide to do with Eddy knowing that Lebron could be on the horizon.