Wow what a night for the eastern conference yesterday, three players with all star caliber numbers switched coasts, the bottom of the east got much stronger. I think next year will be the year that the East starts to even out with the Western Conference a little more. The Knicks are going to be a tough team to go against next year with the combo of Randolph and Curry inside. The Bobcats finally have a face for their franchise in Jason Richardson. Richardson is one of the most under appreciated players in the league, imho. He puts has been a 20 points per game guy for the better part of his career now, this year he saw a decline in his PPG, more so because of injury than anything else. I lineup of Felton, Richardson, Wallace (if resigned), Morrison, and Okafor is going to be a deadly team to go against. Meanwhile, the Celtics finally got Paul Pierce a partner to help him win some games down there. If Al Jefferson continues to develop like everyone believes he will Allen is going to have a career year, due to all the open shots he is going to get. The Hawks got much better too, they finally have a point guard, and Al Horford is going to be an absolute beast for them. All this movement really just got me excited for next season. I don't think any of those teams did enough to be better than the Bulls next year, but we are really going to have to come to play night in and night out in the Eastern Conference next year. What did everyone else think about the player movement in the Eastern Conference last night? Oh, I almost forgot about the Magic as well, they could potentially take the Southeast Division this year depending on what they do in free agency.
<div class="quote_poster">M Two One Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Why don't we just move this into the draft thread? It remains open until tonight.</div> I actually made a separate thread because I wanted to get a sense of what the Bulls fans think of our competition next year. I didn't want to put it in the draft thread because it would get lost amidst other conversation.
I don't see how, because the Draft thread has died down now and we can easily pick up where we left off. Anyway, I think Charlotte made a mistake in picking up that huge contract from Richardson, Jordan basically relieved the pressure from under that Warriors roster. He's a good player, but not a franchise player to lead your team. He'll be able to help put the 'Cats into a better position this season I think, but the Playoffs? Dreams turn into nightmares. The only good thing to come out of this is for Richardson being able to be in the spotlight once again, on a losing team. The Celtics may have finally been able to find what they need to help them enter the Playoffs or at least contend well enough for a Playoff spot. However, with a young and fierce Raptors club and a veteran skilled Nets organization, they'll have some trouble getting in. They may breeze into the seventh or eigth position at best unless they can bring in more talent. They have an incredibly weak bench IMO and that may very well do them. The Knicks are up in the air. As one analyst mentioned, Randolph will likely not be able to handle the NYC lifestyle. If he was so bad in Portland, imagine what he'll do in the Big Apple. If everything works in their favor and the Knicks can keep him from further humiliating their franchise, then I would expect them to contend for a Playoff spot. I don't even need to comment on the Magic that much because we all know that they need help and if the FA market isn't kind they'll likely simply replicate their previous season. I like that the East has brought more competition and I think the Hawks made a great choice to keep their current picks and use them to rebuild. They have alot of talent over there in Atlanta and though some of it will have to go to make room for better players, I think they're taking the right path to bringing themselves out of the grave they've dug. New jerseys; new colors; new players; young team; so what's not to like about the future? The Bulls are prepared to keep going strong. I'm just curious to know what they plan to do the rest of the Summer. I still believe someone is heading out aside from Chris Duhon.
I don't think the Knicks improved all that much. They unloaded one huge contract for one that's just as bad (or worse due to its length). I realize this gives them a great one-two punch inside with Curry and Randolph, but that doesn't help their lack of defense. They're still not a very good defensive team, and that will still likely be their downfall. Also, might as well throw this out there, but they still have four people that need the ball to be effective in Crawford/Marb/Curry/Randolph, so I don't know how that's going to work. I think there's going to be a ton of chemistry issues next year, which is, aside from defense, the other reason I think this team will fail. I do however, like what the Celtics did. They have two legit #1 scorers on their team now in Allen and Pierce, and they still have Jefferson to compliment them. I think the Celtics have the potential to be a top 6 team out East next year and by all means, barring injuries, should make the playoffs. As for the JRich thing, I'm not fond of that. I think MJ made a huge mistake there. I realize that team needed a legit scorer, which he gives them, but I think they'd have been better off keeping the Brandon Wright pick. They could have just resigned Gerald Wallace, whom might not be the offensive player JRich is (but he is getting a lot better), but he would have come cheaper and is a MUCH better defensive player.
Bobcats still might resign Gerald Wallace, they still have loads of cap space. They could go after Shard or Billups as well. They will be much more competitive this year and if they resign Gerald Wallace I think they are a playoff team. Gerald Wallace and J Rich is a damn good wing tandem. Celtics should have cemented themselves in the playoffs(Assuming everyone stays healthy). Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Al Jefferson is a damn good trio and they have some solid role players around them with Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Gerald Green, and Tony Allen(if he can come back). It's not that deep of a bench, but they can still sign someone with the MLE and get some guys for the minimum that will fill out their bench. Hawks are a potential playoff team this year. Horford and Acie Law are not projects, they are ready to play now. Law, JJ, Smith, Williams, Horford is a very solid looking lineup then you consider they got guys like Josh Childress, Zaza Pachilia and Shelden Williams coming off the bench and they look to be dangerous. Magic's season will be determined by FA, if they can get Shard and resign Darko then they should have improved themselves enough with SVG and not Brian Hill. Knicks are tough to call because of what Moo said, they don't have any low post defense now and not enough of a ball to go around. Should be interesting if they aren't done dealing yet. I bet they make at least 1 more move before it's all said and done.
The Magic just landed Rashard Lewis, making things that much tougher for us next year. However, I just had an idea pop into my head, it may sound crazy, but how about going after Darko? Nocioni is a restricted free agent so we can match any offer to him regardless, his starting price will likely be 6-8 million a year. Meanwhile, the Magic are reportable going to allow Darko to become an unrestricted free agent now that they have signed Rashard so why not offer him our MLE? Opinions? Darko has the potential to be a 10-15 points per game guy next year if given the playing time.
I heard a lot of teams are interested in him, I would want him to come to our team, but I doubt it happens.
I'm not scared of how much the East improved, just think about how it feels to be in the West with Oden and Durant...
I wouldn't mind going after Darko. He strengthens our defense even more and can also help our post scoring. I think if given the chance he can be a damn near double double consistently. Plus, could you imagine how good a frontcourt of Tyrus Thomas and Darko Milicic could be in the future? Both players have very, very high ceilings and neither (TT specifically) are even close to reaching their potential. Too bad I highly doubt this happens.
Darko's defense is pitiful. He can block shots and that is it. He's a loser I think. He hasn't got a winners attitude. I heard he only plays with the ball, not without it. I would only want him at the right price, that is around the MLE, nothing more. In addition hes not really a post player is he? Isn't he more of a jump shooter?
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think the Knicks improved all that much. They unloaded one huge contract for one that's just as bad (or worse due to its length). I realize this gives them a great one-two punch inside with Curry and Randolph, but that doesn't help their lack of defense. They're still not a very good defensive team, and that will still likely be their downfall. Also, might as well throw this out there, but they still have four people that need the ball to be effective in Crawford/Marb/Curry/Randolph, so I don't know how that's going to work. I think there's going to be a ton of chemistry issues next year, which is, aside from defense, the other reason I think this team will fail.</div> Defense won't be more of a problem than it was last season since Frye and Francis were both equally as bad as Randolph (maybe Frye was worse). Either way the Knicks just added a versatile, low-post scorer who was one of a few players to average 23/10. I don't buy into chemistry. Marbury and Crawford were very willing to sacrifice their shot attempts to give Curry the ball. And it's not like they won't get the ball at all; with Curry and Randolph, who both require double teams, they should get many shot attempts when the ball gets kicked out. I heard Isiah isn't done yet either. Rumor has it he's looking at Ron, and if we manage to get Ron Artest, then I think the Knicks will be a legitimate playoff threat in the East.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In a surprising and much-questioned move, the Magic renounced its rights to the power forward Tuesday after receiving an oral commitment from top free agent Rashard Lewis. Milicic is now an unrestricted free agent. Milicic intrigues the Bulls, who have contacted his agent to express their interest. Only the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and Grizzlies own significant salary-cap room to sign him, though, so Milicic might be forced to sign for the midlevel salary-cap exception of roughly $5.5 million, which the Bulls have.</div> Chicago Tribune
<div class="quote_poster">NaKz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Darko's defense is pitiful. He can block shots and that is it. He's a loser I think. He hasn't got a winners attitude. I heard he only plays with the ball, not without it. I would only want him at the right price, that is around the MLE, nothing more. In addition hes not really a post player is he? Isn't he more of a jump shooter?</div> Darko has really good defense. He learned from the Wallace's going up against them in practice. I wouldn't call him a loser, but he doesn't have the win at all costs attitude. He has gotten much better playing without the ball, but when he was in Serbia he always played with the ball, he's never really had to play without it. At the end of the year he started crashing the glass a lot more and was more aggressive on offense. Brian HIll forced him into the post last year and he has a pretty hook shot in the middle of the lane, but yeah he is best used as a jump shooter who can create for other players. He is effective though occasionally going to the post. He would be best suited playing alongside a dominant post player(such as Dwight). Argh. SP23. The media outlets have been screwing it up. The Magic released a statement saying that we renounced his qualifying offer(that he wouldn't have signed anyway), but still keep his bird rights. We just can't match any deal now, so he is an unrestricted FA, but we still have all rights to resign him again. It's not like he is absolutely free of the Magic(although after his agents comments who knows). We are working on a S&T for Shard that would give us enough cap back to still resign Darko that is above the MLE.
I'd try and get Orlando to re-sign Darko for the Sonics in the S&T deal for Shard, atleast they would get something useful in return.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Defense won't be more of a problem than it was last season since Frye and Francis were both equally as bad as Randolph (maybe Frye was worse). Either way the Knicks just added a versatile, low-post scorer who was one of a few players to average 23/10. I don't buy into chemistry. Marbury and Crawford were very willing to sacrifice their shot attempts to give Curry the ball. And it's not like they won't get the ball at all; with Curry and Randolph, who both require double teams, they should get many shot attempts when the ball gets kicked out. I heard Isiah isn't done yet either. Rumor has it he's looking at Ron, and if we manage to get Ron Artest, then I think the Knicks will be a legitimate playoff threat in the East.</div>I don't know if I buy the no chemistry issues argument. It's one thing to sacrifice shots for one player, but for two? I don't know how well that'll work. Both Curry and Randolph will want their shots, and that's a lot to sacrifice. I think there's going to be chemistry issues, at least early on. It's going to be tough to satisfy all the egos on the team. Also, Ron Artest, how would you get him? I'd be more than willing to bet the Kings ask for David Lee, and would you be willing to give him up? Plus, would you want Artest? He's a huge headcase, and isn't one headcase enough (Randolph) for a team? I definitely foresee issues there, especially with him being in New York. If he can't stay out of trouble on a couple of fairly low key teams like Indiana and Sac-town, how is he going to handle the mass amount of media in New York? And again, he'd add to chemistry issues as well, cause he's another guy that's used to being the man, or at least the second guy in line, and I don't think he'd respond well to playing third or fourth, or maybe even fifth fiddle on any team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know if I buy the no chemistry issues argument. It's one thing to sacrifice shots for one player, but for two? I don't know how well that'll work. Both Curry and Randolph will want their shots, and that's a lot to sacrifice. I think there's going to be chemistry issues, at least early on. It's going to be tough to satisfy all the egos on the team. Also, Ron Artest, how would you get him? I'd be more than willing to bet the Kings ask for David Lee, and would you be willing to give him up? Plus, would you want Artest? He's a huge headcase, and isn't one headcase enough (Randolph) for a team? I definitely foresee issues there, especially with him being in New York. If he can't stay out of trouble on a couple of fairly low key teams like Indiana and Sac-town, how is he going to handle the mass amount of media in New York? And again, he'd add to chemistry issues as well, cause he's another guy that's used to being the man, or at least the second guy in line, and I don't think he'd respond well to playing third or fourth, or maybe even fifth fiddle on any team.</div> Both Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph require double teaming, which means the perimeter will be virtually unguarded, leaving more shot attempts for the guards to knock down. Also, the Knicks—with David Lee playing only 56 games—were the second best offensive rebounding team in the league and second in outrebounding opponents. Adding a player who averages 10 boards a night will only give us more shot attempts, while limiting other teams’. But I think you’re putting too much stock into the shot attempts though. The fact of the matter is the Knicks will be a more effective team on offense. There’s no one on the Knicks team with an ego, either. I know some are considered egotistical, but if you watch and follow them, you'll realize that it isn’t true. All the players were more than willing to run the offense the way Isiah wanted. Marbury is the one who’s considered to have the biggest ego and be the most selfish, but he just averaged 12 shot attempts per game. The Artest thing was just an example, but for what it’s worth, I think Artest realizes this might be his final chance and anymore screw-ups and he’s done. But from strictly a basketball perspective he brings the much needed defense and an additional scoring punch. I think he will respond well to a reduced offensive role simply because he wants to win. But like I said, this is just speculation and what the Knicks currently have is good enough for a playoff seed, IMO.
