Brown loves long athletic players, the salaries matchup and the Knicks need frontcout players moreso than backcourt players. Can't happen until August because of Base year issues with Miles. I like the idea. Well, I wouldn't say that Crawford is better than Miles... But I will agree that Jamal has better potential... I think that if New York gets Miles, you can almost guarentee that Tim Thomas will be on his way out. Yeah, Tim Thomas is 6'10 and can play PF and SF, but the Knicks using Tim at the 4, just won't work because they will have NO defense. Both Crawford and Miles are about the same age, 25'ish. If Miles plays better defense, the Knicks will be better off. I can see the Knicks playing Miles at the SG position. He will always cause a matchup problem being 6'9. Ariza's time on the court will obviously go down a little, mainly because Miles will demand time on the floor. You can count on Ariza and Robinson being on the floor at the same time to bring instant energy to the Garden.
That is an interesting scenario and definitely deserves consideration. Darius Miles definitely has a lot of potential, but again, that lazy tag follows him around. We already have Tim Thomas who is a waste of potential, and if Miles doesn?t work hard ? which he hasn?t been doing throughout his career, he could end up just like Thomas. I?m not sure how Miles is defensively, I just know he blocks some shots with his length and athleticism. He really does have a lot of potential defensively and Larry Brown can change him into a lock down defender, but the question is: will Miles be willing to do so? In Portland, he couldn?t handle the pressure and had some altercation with Maurice Cheeks. Now in a tougher environment with a more demanding coach, could Miles crack under pressure again and kill team chemistry? At the end of the day, I would probably keep Crawford, but Miles is a very intriguing player for this team.
I would probably keep Crawford too. His offense is a known entity, and his defense is, as of yet, unknown. There is speculation by some sources (SI) that Crawford is ready to become a defensive force for this team, as a result of LB's tutelage. I for one, hold trust that Larry can turn this man into a defender of some repute, even if it's negligable, it's better than having a long, lanky cancer on your bench. The man has chewed the ears off coaches wherever he's been, and Larry has had trouble with conflict with players in the past, why open the door? I agree that Miles could work out well in Larry's system, but it's a matter of will on Miles' part, and he's proven again and again that he doesn't have it. Not only that, but when you look at the champions around the league of late, you don't see guys with reputations and outlooks like Miles'. The guy just isn't the type of player expected on a championship team, if the Knicks are to get serious about a championship, they need higher caliber personalities than Darius Miles on board. But guys like Stephen Jackson and Devin Brown have proven that players of Jamal Crawford's stature have places on champs, though, so I say keep him around.
I would have to at least have to consider this deal. Miles was refered to as one of the top players in America in one point in his High School career. He is long, athletic, and has been waiting to just break out of his shell. In the end I would have to decline or wait until Portland can throw in a decent filler or a draft pick.
I think the Crawford for Miles proposal is interesting as well. I agree with most of the above points regarding this proposed trade. The deciding factor for me is team chemistry. I think that Miles is more apt to conflict with Brown then Crawford is. Crawford seems willing to take a secondary role (behind Starbury & Q-rich?). However, Brown and Isiah love length and athleticsm so Miles would fit nicely.
Honestly, I don?t see Miles as a Larry Brown player. Though his physical attributes may match the bill of a typical Larry Brown player his lets say mind frame does not. When he was in Portland he cursed out Cheeks one of the nicest coaches in the league. I hate to see what Larry Brown would do to Miles (even at his age) if Miles ever disrespected him like that. Also Brown is known as a no nonsense guy. If he does not like you or feels you are speaking, acting, or doing something to make yourself the center of attention he will not play you or trade you. I think that Brown wants to see what he can do with Crawford before he makes any choice on weather he wants him on the roster or not. Crawford still is a good player who can offer a lot more to the Knicks then that which Miles can. If the rumors that Brown intends on moving Marbury to the two guard slot are true, and the waive of Allan Houston goes through (which is all but a given) a backcourt of Crawford at the point, and Marbury at the two would be good. I also don?t think the Knicks wan to bump Ariza to far down the rotation unless they can some how work a trade that involves Tim Thomas leaving New York before the season starts they will have Miles, Thomas, and then Ariza at the small forward slot. Not to mention the occasional Penny spotting at that spot. Though Thomas can play power forward with the Knicks wanting to build up Sweetny be it to trade him or see if has a future with the organization I expect him to see a lot of minutes at power forward as well.
