Well now that the Nets blew it and declined to go through with the trade for SAR. Does anybody know if the great GM Thomas can engineer a sign and trade for the big guy? The Knicks don't really need anymore offense, but an inside presence to replace Kurt Thomas would be nice and SAR is a solid player with decent defense and great offense. If the Knicks pull this off, they could burn the Nets and take the Atlantic division with the player that the Nets thought they had.
No SAr's defense is less than spectacular and he wouldn't fit well with the trio of ballhoggs that NY already has in Steph, Crawford, and Q. The best option for NY is to go after Gooden and get someone who will give them defense down low.
Bad move for the Knicks. If Shareef was a solid defense, shot-blocking power forward, I might reconsider, but since he isn't, it would be a bad move for the Knicks. We already have enough offense at that position with Sweetney, Lee, Taylor, Rose and Williams and we don't more. Also, with him failing his physical, health is a major concern. Whether he can stay healthy for a majority of the season is up in the air. Last year he only played 54 games and it looks like he could be even worse off now.
It depends on what the Knicks would have to give up to bring SAR aboard. If I were the Knicks I would consider SAR, despite the health concerns. I would work out a sign and trade for a two year deal, with a 3rd year Team Option. This way the Knicks have the option to bring him back if he's working out, or cut him loose. The Knicks are trying to get as far under the cap for the 2007 free agent market and this move won't compromise their goal. So why bring in SAR when the Knicks have a lot of PFs already? For starters, SAR is better than any of the Knick forwards. When he gets the minutes SAR is a 20/8 player, and he's also a solid defender. He can more than hold his own on defense, and has done it his entire career. SAR also shoots a high FG% and gets to the FT line and makes them. Landing him gives the Knicks a legit scorer inside the paint. SAR is not a shotblocking defender, but he uses his body well to seal off his opponent and force them into tough shots. Another important aspect of his game is his ability to pass out of the double team. This is one of the reasons the Nets wanted him before their deal fell apart. He uses both hands well, can run the floor, and does not force shots up against the double team. With him down low most teams will cheat to double team him and then you would have SAR passing out to Marbury, Crawford, or Q. Just take a look at his production from his Game Log last year. He put up 15 double-doubles in only 54 games, and most of the time he's coming off the bench to backup Zach Randolph. If he cannot stay healthy, well the Knicks have plenty of players to step in and play his minutes. I think he's worth the gamble if he agrees to a short term deal and doesn't cost the Knicks much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">For starters, SAR is better than any of the Knick forwards. When he gets the minutes SAR is a 20/8 player, and he's also a solid defender. He can more than hold his own on defense, and has done it his entire career. SAR also shoots a high FG% and gets to the FT line and makes them. Landing him gives the Knicks a legit scorer inside the paint. SAR is not a shotblocking defender, but he uses his body well to seal off his opponent and force them into tough shots.</div> He is better than any of the Knicks players and can put up those numbers as you said, but the thing is he won?t because the Knicks have too many power forwards on their team and three of them are pretty much immovable because of their contracts. I also don?t know about his defense. 82games ranked him amongst the worst PF?s in the game defensively: Link. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just take a look at his production from his Game Log last year. He put up 15 double-doubles in only 54 games, and most of the time he's coming off the bench to backup Zach Randolph.</div> He started 49 of 54 games this season. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think he's worth the gamble if he agrees to a short term deal and doesn't cost the Knicks much.</div> I would too if he came cheap for a short term deal, but I think the only way we can do this is with a Portland sign-and-trade and I wouldn?t be willing to unload picks for an aging, injury prone player. The Knicks would have to do something about the glut eventually, though. 6 of 12 players will be power forwards.
Bottomline MrJ he can produce consistently, which something you cannot say about any of the current Knick forwards. SAR is a more complete player than any Knick forward. 82games.com also ranked Raja Bell as one of the worst defenders at SG, so their calculations are far from accurate. David Lee was playing SF in the summer league games, and I think he will be converted into one in the NBA. Mo Taylor will be in Larry's dog house for the next two years, or until he's traded. Malik Rose & JYD should get some quality minutes next year, but neither of them have polished games in the post. They are energy guys and not much more. Channing Frye is not ready to start, and Mike Sweetney would be better coming off the bench. I could see him playing a similar role to Corliss Williamson, when Larry Brown was coaching the Pistons. With 48 MPG the Knicks could fit SAR right into the mix as the starter. I'd play him 32MPG, and have him play both forward positions. PG - ? SG - Marbury SF - QRich PF - SAR C - James Adding SAR gives the Knicks a balanced offensive attack and will make it much easier for Marbury and QRich to get their shots off.
I think SAR would be a great pickup. How could you not even consider it? He is certainly an upgrade over what we have at PF and he's versatile enough to play some SF. He's a proven scorer down-low and he's another big body. As long as the perimeter guys improve their first line of defense - which they should under Brown - SAR's defense doesn't have to be outstanding (just good, which it has always been). Also, think about how good SAR will be when we play NJ. I'd like the pick up even more if we could unload some of our PFs for SAR.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It depends on what the Knicks would have to give up to bring SAR aboard. If I were the Knicks I would consider SAR, despite the health concerns. I would work out a sign and trade for a two year deal, with a 3rd year Team Option. This way the Knicks have the option to bring him back if he's working out, or cut him loose. The Knicks are trying to get as far under the cap for the 2007 free agent market and this move won't compromise their goal. So why bring in SAR when the Knicks have a lot of PFs already? For starters, SAR is better than any of the Knick forwards. When he gets the minutes SAR is a 20/8 player, and he's also a solid defender. He can more than hold his own on defense, and has done it his entire career. SAR also shoots a high FG% and gets to the FT line and makes them. Landing him gives the Knicks a legit scorer inside the paint. SAR is not a shotblocking defender, but he uses his body well to seal off his opponent and force them into tough shots. Another important aspect of his game is his ability to pass out of the double team. This is one of the reasons the Nets wanted him before their deal fell apart. He uses both hands well, can run the floor, and does not force shots up against the double team. With him down low most teams will cheat to double team him and then you would have SAR passing out to Marbury, Crawford, or Q. Just take a look at his production from his Game Log last year. He put up 15 double-doubles in only 54 games, and most of the time he's coming off the bench to backup Zach Randolph. If he cannot stay healthy, well the Knicks have plenty of players to step in and play his minutes. I think he's worth the gamble if he agrees to a short term deal and doesn't cost the Knicks much.</div> Word has it that Rod Thorn asked him if he would adjust his contract from 6 years to 3 years with a team option on years 2 & 3(which equals a short term deal bascially). He said no, so why would he do short term with the Knicks when Sac, a better team, is willing to go 6 years from what I understand. And if he does do short term, he will do it with a contender, not a team at the level of the Knicks.
Henacy makes a good point. If I was SAR I wouldn't head to NY for a short term deal that I could have accepted in NJ. However, NY is NY and Larry Brown does change the landscape somewhat. Well, here's a few reasons why I think SAR might choose NY over Sac. 1. NY is NY 2. NY fans - the best 3. NY Market - $$$$$$ (endorsements, salary, etc.) 4. Plenty of things to buy in NY 5. Play for Larry Brown 6. Play at MSG If the Knicks are successful within the next 3 years who wouldn't want to play here - even for a short term deal? I'm betting not many players would turn that opportunity down.
I think that SAR would be a really nice addition to this team. It would make the team complete. PG- Jamal SG- Steph SF- Q PF- SAR C- James With the way the East is looking any team could make a big run and get a spot. I can only think of two teams that are locked. So, if they get a PF they would be straight.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting The Manchurian Candidate:</div><div class="quote_post"> PG- Jamal SG- Steph SF- Q PF- SAR C- James</div> Wow that would be a deadly offensive line-up. If they got Reef, they could deal Sweetney and an expiring contract to get another solid veteran for Larry Brown or find a good pointguard.
