2011 NBA Offseason: New York Knicks
Draft Grades, Offseason Needs, Free Agents
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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New York Knicks (Last Year: 42-40)
2011 NBA Draft Team Grade:
The Knicks reached for both players in my opinion. We heard them talk about Iman Shumpert's ability to defend and his athleticism, but he is somewhat of a mess offensively in terms of playing under control and understanding the game. There were better players available who would have fit their need (i.e. Chris Singleton). The Knicks need size and that is what Josh Harrellson has, but I am not sure he is an NBA player. When you have money like the Knicks though, you can afford to buy picks whenever you want, I guess. (Team Grade: Meh)
Live 2011 NBA Draft Grades:
17. Iman Shumpert, SG, Georgia Tech
We knew the Knicks were high on Shumpert who was a late riser in this draft. He is crazy athletic but not necessarily the best basketball player. He will bring athleticism to the wing and plays solid defense, but I think there were better options available. (Pick Grade: Meh)
45. Josh Harrellson, C, Kentucky
New York traded for the Hornets pick at No. 45 and selected the Kentucky big man. Harrellson is really nothing more than a big body and wasn't on many mock drafts. However, Landry Fields was a guy who wasn't expected to be drafted and he turned OK, so who knows? (Pick Grade: Don't get it)
*** 2011 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
2010-11 Season Summary:
Dating back to a couple of years ago, the New York Knicks put into motion a plan to clear as much cap space as possible and make a run at LeBron James in the summer of 2010. While that plan did not exactly go as hoped, the Knicks took the first step towards re-building their reputation when they signed Amare Stoudemire last offseason. The second domino then fell when, as many expected, New York was able to trade for Carmelo Anthony prior to the trade deadline and embark on their own Miami Heat-like journey.
Prior to Melo's arrival in the Big Apple, the Knicks were already on pace to finish with their best record in a decade. Surprising as it might seem, New York only ended up with a .500 record after the blockbuster acquisition, partially because the team was still trying to find a chemistry on the court and partially because the deal gutted the already thin depth across the roster. However, that was the price management knew it would have to pay to form its dynamic duo that averaged nearly 50 points per game in their time together.
The almost forgotten "throw-in" of the Anthony trade was veteran point guard Chauncey Billups who took the reins from the dealt Raymond Felton. Felton was having a breakout season in New York and Billups played well after the trade but also began to show his age a bit. With Billups entering the final year of his contract, expect it to be his last in New York. The Knicks could actually try to use him as trade bait during the season in hopes of acquiring a player like Chris Paul.
The biggest surprise of all for the Knicks was second-round pick Landry Fields who was considered a reach when New York took him with the 38th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Fields wound up starting 81 games and was exactly what the team needed from a financial standpoint - cheap but effective production.
The lack of depth caught up to New York late in the season when they were swept out of the playoffs by the Celtics as Billups was sidelined with injury and the team relied on guys like Jared Jefferies, Anthony Carter and Roger Mason to play significant roles. Still, the 2010-11 season is just the beginning of the re-birth of the Knicks franchise. Now the goal is to continue to make improvements so New York can once again be a legit factor in the Eastern Conference.
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Tyson Chandler/Josh Harrellson
PF: Amare Stoudemire/Jared Jefferies/Renaldo Balkman
SF: Carmelo Anthony/Bill Walker
SG: Landry Fields/Iman Shumpert
PG: Toney Douglas/Mike Bibby
NBA Free Agents:
Offseason Transactions:
Knicks acquire 45th pick (Josh Harrellson) from Hornets for cash considerations
Knicks use amnesty clause to cut PG Chauncey Billups
Knicks acquire C Tyson Chander from Mavs in three-way trade and sign Chandler to 4-year, $56 million contract
Knicks sign PG Mike Bibby and F Jared Jefferies to one-year deals worth league minimum
2011-12 Team Salary: Approximately $60.7 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Cheap Depth: With their own big three pretty much eating up the entire Knicks cap space, New York now enters Miami Heat zone in trying to find veterans who are willing to sign league minimum deals to fill out the depth of their roster. This is not an easy mission to accomplish although the attraction of playing in New York City should only help their cause.
2. Frontcourt Help: Depending on what happens with the salary cap after the pending lockout is resolved, the Knicks' biggest asset in free agency will be their mid-level exception. That should be spent on finding some frontcourt help, ideally a true center who can protect the rim on the defensive end.
3. Front Office Stability: Despite playing an integral part in resurrecting the franchise, team president Donnie Walsh stepped down (cough, was forced out, cough) of his job with the Knicks. With that decision comes uncertainty about Mike D'Antoni's future with the team as the head coach is entering the final year of his contract. Owner James Dolan must replace Walsh with someone who can continue the blueprint that Walsh laid out for this franchise while also figuring out if D'Antoni is the man for the job or if there is a better replacement available. Any franchise that has hopes of contending for a title needs stability at the top so the men wearing the expensive suits in the Knicks front office better figure things out.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 19
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
New York Knicks (Last Year: 42-40)
2011 NBA Draft Team Grade:
The Knicks reached for both players in my opinion. We heard them talk about Iman Shumpert's ability to defend and his athleticism, but he is somewhat of a mess offensively in terms of playing under control and understanding the game. There were better players available who would have fit their need (i.e. Chris Singleton). The Knicks need size and that is what Josh Harrellson has, but I am not sure he is an NBA player. When you have money like the Knicks though, you can afford to buy picks whenever you want, I guess. (Team Grade: Meh)
Live 2011 NBA Draft Grades:
17. Iman Shumpert, SG, Georgia Tech
We knew the Knicks were high on Shumpert who was a late riser in this draft. He is crazy athletic but not necessarily the best basketball player. He will bring athleticism to the wing and plays solid defense, but I think there were better options available. (Pick Grade: Meh)
45. Josh Harrellson, C, Kentucky
New York traded for the Hornets pick at No. 45 and selected the Kentucky big man. Harrellson is really nothing more than a big body and wasn't on many mock drafts. However, Landry Fields was a guy who wasn't expected to be drafted and he turned OK, so who knows? (Pick Grade: Don't get it)
*** 2011 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
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Pelicans fan
05-30-2013
09:43 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.242
(total posts: 1)
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If the Knicks want to unload Amare good here's a trade to execute:
J.Smith(or)A.Horford & K.Korver -for- A.Stoudemire & R.Felton Essentially it would probably be J Smoove who'd be traded.This would benefit both teams.Stoudmire would get out of his bad for him situation and J Smoove is a better fit for the Carmelo Knicks than Stoudemire is because he is a better defender than Stod(but Stod has a no doubt better J-Shot).also Felton can come off of this PG by committee bench of Atlanta and Korver improves 3 point shooting for a team that lives and dies by the 3.then again I'm a pelicans fan what do I know?
mike Ross
06-09-2012
12:18 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx8.63
(total posts: 1)
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Sign Lamar Odom to vet minimum
Trade Fields to GSW for pick#30 Pick #30 Doron Lamb or Marquis Teague Sign Goran Dragic Sign Mikael Pietrus Dragic & Pietrus share MLE
LouisOrr
06-07-2012
12:47 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.214
(total posts: 1)
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LouisOrr says no to Iverson.
Jay
06-06-2012
12:43 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.17
(total posts: 1)
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11
I keep Lin, Novak, & Jefferies. There are rumors about Lamar Odom wanting to play for the Knicks. If that's true I let Fields walk to sign Odom. I'm torn on Smith. He shoots too much but he provides a much needed spark off the bench.
brian h
05-02-2012
02:26 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.254
(total posts: 1)
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shumpert still meh?
Radio Rah
10-27-2011
11:18 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.28
(total posts: 1)
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Allen Iverson Is A Future Hall of Famer Hell Yeah Yes Sirr Like It Or Not Haters NBA A.I. Is Back 12--> Allen Iverson To New York Knicks In 2012 Will A Better Fit For A.I. I Love This To Happen In 2012 Real Rap, Run And Gun Team Up & Down The Basketball Count But New York Knicks We Still Need Another Big Man And More !!!!Defense!!!! Real Talk I'm A Big NYK Fan Me & Family New York Knicks And A.I. Make This Deal Happen Already O Let's Do It Yeaah Go NY Go NY Go Holla NYC BX2PA YBB G.H. KK SCP%220%
Marcell Ferdinand
06-28-2011
09:07 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.208
(total posts: 1)
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sign Allen Iverson!
bj
06-28-2011
10:28 am
xxx.xxx.xxx0.10
(total posts: 1)
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I actually think the Shumpert trade is a high risk/high reward type pick. The Knicks need more quality players to compete. Shumpert fits a number of needs. Something ppl forget is that even tho Shumpert does dominate the ball, melo and billups are good shooters. Billups is older and can't create as well as he used to but can still be an effective shooter. Iman could take pressure off of melo and amare to create everything. Plus, he doesn't have to immediately come in and start b/c he can play more of a lamar odom role as a sixth man ball dominator even tho his game resembles more of a younger wade/tyreke evans.
Josh Harrellson was a gamble (but all 2nd rounders are) but we all know the knicks need frontcourt depth. If he can prove to be a tough, rebounding, backup center then this turns out to be a nice pick.
nycsportzfan
06-25-2011
06:42 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.122
(total posts: 2)
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Didn't WALT have PHONEiX taking Shumpert at like 13th overall in his last mock draft? How did the knicks reach for Iman, exactly?
nycsportzfan
06-25-2011
06:37 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.122
(total posts: 2)
21
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mprofetta- don't worry man, WALT just goes on what everyone else thinks, regardless of every single season of every single yr, guys picked later being better then guys going before em, and guys in later rounds continuing to do what they did in college, making u wonder how they went so late to begin with..etc Shumpert can flat out ball,to say offnesively he is bad, is just stupid, he was ga techs offense, the guy finishes fantastically, he has a sweet looking jumper , despite having some off games, the shot its self looks great, he avg'd almost 3steals per game, and he can dish.. THis kids a basketball player all day long, and just so happens to play insane defense... His offense is ridiculously underrated because of his 3pt shooting pct...
mprofetta
06-24-2011
11:55 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.217
(total posts: 1)
27
25
The Knicks need athleticism and defense. Shumpert provides athleticism and defense. If that's "meh", I'll take "meh" all day. Landry Fields was "meh", too.
nycsportzfan
06-24-2011
06:07 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.54
(total posts: 2)
22
21
people say typical horrible knicks picks..lol Ya, Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari, and Landry Fields were so bad, shoot i'll even throw nate robinson in there, he wasen't bad either.. Its a hit and miss proscess, and they've hit as well as missed..
nycsportzfan
06-24-2011
06:05 am
xxx.xxx.xxx3.54
(total posts: 2)
26
21
u people always have to see the mocks as they've been the last couple months to make your decison, if u don't see Harrelson there, he must stink, ey? THe guys big, can give u 5fouls, can rebound, defend legit centers so Amare can roam against PF's, and he runs a pretty solid pick and roll.. Harrellson might not fit all teams, but i think as a physical backup center that gives u 15minutes a night , can step out some for little jays, and rebound and tire other centers, harrellson fits well with the knicks.. As for Shumpert, i would rather Jordan Hamilton, but Shumpert is darn good, put up a triple double on Va tech, 30pts on UNC, and can dish, rebound, defend with his crazy length, and slash and score, and he lit it up in team workouts, showing a 3pt shot that can hopefully become consistent.. I like the picks, all though with guys like hamilton dropping, i'd of rather him, but still, before the draft, and seeing guys drop, i had no prob with shumpert, so i'm good...
GM
06-23-2011
09:46 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx9.19
(total posts: 1)
26
40
Typical horrible Knicks pick. Need size & boards,but let's take a PG. Damn Isiah
Walter
06-21-2011
05:13 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 1)
21
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First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2010-11 Season Summary:
Dating back to a couple of years ago, the New York Knicks put into motion a plan to clear as much cap space as possible and make a run at LeBron James in the summer of 2010. While that plan did not exactly go as hoped, the Knicks took the first step towards re-building their reputation when they signed Amare Stoudemire last offseason. The second domino then fell when, as many expected, New York was able to trade for Carmelo Anthony prior to the trade deadline and embark on their own Miami Heat-like journey.
Prior to Melo's arrival in the Big Apple, the Knicks were already on pace to finish with their best record in a decade. Surprising as it might seem, New York only ended up with a .500 record after the blockbuster acquisition, partially because the team was still trying to find a chemistry on the court and partially because the deal gutted the already thin depth across the roster. However, that was the price management knew it would have to pay to form its dynamic duo that averaged nearly 50 points per game in their time together.
The almost forgotten "throw-in" of the Anthony trade was veteran point guard Chauncey Billups who took the reins from the dealt Raymond Felton. Felton was having a breakout season in New York and Billups played well after the trade but also began to show his age a bit. With Billups entering the final year of his contract, expect it to be his last in New York. The Knicks could actually try to use him as trade bait during the season in hopes of acquiring a player like Chris Paul.
The biggest surprise of all for the Knicks was second-round pick Landry Fields who was considered a reach when New York took him with the 38th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Fields wound up starting 81 games and was exactly what the team needed from a financial standpoint - cheap but effective production.
The lack of depth caught up to New York late in the season when they were swept out of the playoffs by the Celtics as Billups was sidelined with injury and the team relied on guys like Jared Jefferies, Anthony Carter and Roger Mason to play significant roles. Still, the 2010-11 season is just the beginning of the re-birth of the Knicks franchise. Now the goal is to continue to make improvements so New York can once again be a legit factor in the Eastern Conference.
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Tyson Chandler/Josh Harrellson
PF: Amare Stoudemire/Jared Jefferies/Renaldo Balkman
SF: Carmelo Anthony/Bill Walker
SG: Landry Fields/Iman Shumpert
PG: Toney Douglas/Mike Bibby
NBA Free Agents:
Offseason Transactions:
Knicks acquire 45th pick (Josh Harrellson) from Hornets for cash considerations
Knicks use amnesty clause to cut PG Chauncey Billups
Knicks acquire C Tyson Chander from Mavs in three-way trade and sign Chandler to 4-year, $56 million contract
Knicks sign PG Mike Bibby and F Jared Jefferies to one-year deals worth league minimum
2011-12 Team Salary: Approximately $60.7 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Cheap Depth: With their own big three pretty much eating up the entire Knicks cap space, New York now enters Miami Heat zone in trying to find veterans who are willing to sign league minimum deals to fill out the depth of their roster. This is not an easy mission to accomplish although the attraction of playing in New York City should only help their cause.
2. Frontcourt Help: Depending on what happens with the salary cap after the pending lockout is resolved, the Knicks' biggest asset in free agency will be their mid-level exception. That should be spent on finding some frontcourt help, ideally a true center who can protect the rim on the defensive end.
3. Front Office Stability: Despite playing an integral part in resurrecting the franchise, team president Donnie Walsh stepped down (cough, was forced out, cough) of his job with the Knicks. With that decision comes uncertainty about Mike D'Antoni's future with the team as the head coach is entering the final year of his contract. Owner James Dolan must replace Walsh with someone who can continue the blueprint that Walsh laid out for this franchise while also figuring out if D'Antoni is the man for the job or if there is a better replacement available. Any franchise that has hopes of contending for a title needs stability at the top so the men wearing the expensive suits in the Knicks front office better figure things out.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 19
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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