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…finger point to PTPOP…
Chris Broussard just had a 5+ minute spot on ESPN where he ran down every team’s chances of landing LeBron, the “why he will” and “why he won’t” land in each of the destinations.
You know: the Bulls, the Heat, the Cavs and — who could forget — the Nets.
Not a single word during the entire segment about the Knicks.
Conspiracy or not, there’s something very disconcerting about the last few days of media coverage…
We know that New York City is a huge pull when it comes to luring FAs, but how much credit should be given to Madison Square Garden itself?
Via The Bergen Record:
Ask practically any NBA player about Madison Square Garden and if they don’t invoke the term “mecca,” they all but genuflect.
“A lot of great players have been through this building, laid down a lot of statistical things as individuals and as teams,” LeBron James said last season. “It’s a great building.”
“The Garden is one of the greatest, if not the best place to play, in the league,” Chris Bosh said last week on ESPN 1050. “We all have memories of Madison Square Garden.”
Memories, and more, the Knicks intend to use as part of their New York-centric recruiting pitch to LeBron, Bosh and the rest of the free agent class when they “officially” begin shopping just after midnight Thursday.
Memories the Knicks hope they can convince free agents to make in what Garden officials prefer to call a “transformed,” not “renovated,” version of the building, due for completion by the 2013-14 basketball and hockey seasons.
“We not only can offer people that come here part of the history that’s already occurred,” said Hank J. Ratner, vice chairman of Madison Square Garden, “but they can then be part of the history that’s yet occurred” in what he calls “a brand new state-of-the-art building.”
We all know the power of MSG, but I for one have given little thought to the power of a new and improved version of the historic building.
Is this really something that could tip the scaled in NY’s favor? I’m not sure; but it’s another wrinkle in the process that we have on our side…
This is what Jonathan Givony of Draft Express had to say about him last year:
“From an NBA perspective, Carroll’s lack of playmaking ability, below average size, skinny frame, and clear-cut defensive limitations certainly restrict the potential impact he could have against bigger and more athletic competition. However, his perimeter stroke, capacity for providing instant offense off the bench and impressive European resume could be attractive to any team looking for a Jannero Pargo or Daniel Gibson style shooting specialist. It’s extremely rare to see an American player producing in such impressive fashion right off the bat immediately upon arrival at this level of European competition, so there is certainly something to be said for that. Carroll’s physical profile may not project perfectly to the NBA, and at age 26 he isn’t as young as most second year pros, but at the rate he’s going, he’s destined to, at the very least, emerge as one of the more coveted American shooting guards in European basketball”
According to Ridiculous Upside’s roster lists, the Knicks will also invite Leo Lyons to their Summer League. Lyons averaged 15 and 6 two years ago in Missouri and spent his last year in Europe. Givony on Lyons:
“One of the more skilled and physically gifted players in attendance, Leo Lyons put his strengths and weaknesses on full display here in Portsmouth. Since we last wrote about him prior to the season, not much substantial has changed, though there are a few observations to be made. While Lyons measured in at a strong 6’9.75 in shoes, it’s tempered a bit by his 6’10.75 wingspan, which is just average for his size.
On the offensive end, Lyons is an incredibly versatile player, capable of scoring inside and out in a variety of ways. Taking the ball to the basket, Lyons can attack with either hand while mixing in occasionally advanced moves such as spins, crossovers, or behind-the-back dribbles. He’s not an incredibly quick or explosive athlete, but he’s very smooth and coordinated for his size, and possesses very long strides with a relatively controlled handle. The main problem with Lyons’ dribble-drive game is his at times questionable decision-making, as he’s prone to forcing the issue or playing outside his limitations.”
Listen Here
He had some nice things to say. He talks about how Dolan is extremely loyal. This is interesting because the Bulls don’t have Jordan or Pippen in the organization, and Dwyane Wade mentioned loyalty as a concern in Chicago.
Listen Here
Tune into TheKnicksBlog Radio tonight with Anthony “Rice Balls” Donahue at 9 PM. Free agency is less than 72 hours away, and we’re hearing several varying reports. Frank Isola of the Daily News will be on to chat with Rice Balls about what he’s hearing. Plus, your great phone calls.
Phone: (646) 478-5554
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A part of the Chris Sheridan article worth highlighting:
“* Can the Bulls improve themselves in the summer of 2011 as much as the Knicks can?
If the Bulls hang onto Deng and sign James and another max free agent, they will be over the cap in the summer of 2011 and will have only the mid-level exception to use (and there is a caveat there, too, since owners want to eliminate the MLE in the next collective bargaining agreement). If Deng is moved in a sign-and-trade, the Bulls will still be committed to at least $51 million in salaries for 2011-12, which would theoretically leave them some $5-6 million under the cap, thereby depriving them of the use of the mid-level exception (The MLE is not available to under-the-cap teams). The Knicks, on the other hand, will have Eddy Curry‘s $11.3 million salary coming off the books a year from now. If New York has two max players, plus Gallinari, Douglas, Wilson Chandler and Bill Walker on the books for the ’11-12 season, that adds up to roughly $45 million in salaries. And if the 2011-12 cap comes in at $56 million again, New York will have $11 million to spend on putting supplemental pieces around their core — an especially salient point given that the owners are seeking a hard salary cap in the new labor agreement.”
This is something huge that most of the media cleverly dismisses. I heard from somebody that if Lebron comes to New York it’s not about winning, but in fact, the Knicks can build the perfect team around Lebron by 2011, and that’s something you have to think Walsh, D’Antoni, Allan Houston, and now James Dolan are going to talk about extensively. And if the Knicks want to trade Eddy Curry, they’ll be able to get talent back in return, similar to if the Bulls trade Luol Deng.
Via ESPN Chicago (finger point to Qaspec)
“…After Bosh, and assuming Dwyane Wade stays put, Joe Johnson is reportedly frothing to come to the Bulls, so much so, according to the Tribune, that he would be willing to sign early. At off guard, Johnson would form a dream backcourt with Derrick Rose. Carlos Boozer would complete that picture nicely. The Bulls don’t appear especially interested in Amare Stoudemire. But the next-tier David Lee, a restricted free agent and a 20-12 guy, is out there. Ray Allen is too, even at nearly 35…”
Nick Freidell believes the MJ comparisons are laugh-a-Bull. But until we know what the rosters will be over the next few weeks, it’s impossible to look at the other rosters and say there’s too much uncertainty. Things like rosters can change, especially when you have flexibility. And, of course, there is no mention that James can’t win multiple rings here in NY, who after Curry, have the ability, and an owner who spends, to improve even more moving forward. It would appear Curry’s deal would be easier to move than Luol Deng‘s.
Interesting. Also, great point by Brandon Tierney about Johnson not being worth the max because of inability to get to the stripe. It’s how they earn their money…
@BrandonTierney: reason # 16 why Joe Johnson is NOT worth max-money: 62 players attempted more FT's than he did, including Kevin Love in only 60 games
Jun 28, 2010 @ 01:57 PM from webTommy Dee says: I wonder what the sign and trade to Toronto will be…
@CV31: You have a better chance seeing me with a Ben Wallace afro, than Lebron going back to Cleveland, http://tinyurl.com/nfj2nr
Jun 28, 2010 @ 01:31 AM from Twitterrific@CV31: Sorry to break Toronto heart, I love that city, but Chris Bosh is heading to Miami
Jun 28, 2010 @ 01:20 AM from Twitterrific@JonRothstein: Just got the phone with an #NBA GM who told me it's a formality @chrisbosh will sign with the #Heat....
Jun 27, 2010 @ 06:27 PM from webMaybe according to MSG College Hoops’ Jon Rothstein…but, and I say this with all due respect, how does he know that when nobody else is willing to put their name on such a report? It’s bizarre that nobody from, I don’t know, the Miami Herald is reporting this, but that Rothstein has the inside knowledge.
The rumors won’t stop buzzing until the ink on all these guys’ deals is dry…
According to Chris Broussard, Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni have quite the day planned for Thursday, July 1st. Broussard is reporting that Walsh and Coach D will meet with Joe Johnson once the clock strike 12 eastern time (9 PM Wednesday night in Los Angeles). After meeting with Johnson, the pair will fly to Phoenix to meet with Amare, and then they will fly to Ohio to meet with the King at his neutral location.
Thursday is going to be very interesting. If Broussard’s itinerary is accurate, then it sure sounds like a long day. Hopefully by the time the Ohio leg of the trip comes around, Donnie and D’Anni are on top of their game.
“Plugged-in sources saying Knicks high on Joe Johnson’s list of teams”
I think everybody agrees that Joe Johnson isn’t a superstar, but if Lebron goes to Chicago, I think he can be had with relative ease. He’s a great second option, and he can run the point in this system. Just no max contracts and no long term contracts.
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