The Knicks Thread....

[benji]

Haven't checked it myself but the Knicks may not be able to afford Lin when he becomes a FA. So enjoy him while you can Knicks fans.

http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/m ... 3/34839685

But due to the so-called Gilbert Arenas rule -- instituted in the 2005 CBA to prevent teams from being outbid for their own restricted free agents with two or fewer years in the league -- the Knicks will be insulated from such potential poachers.

The maximum that another team could offer in the first year of a multi-year offer sheet will be the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $5 million. The second year of the offer sheet would be subject to the 4.5 percent raise for non-Bird free agents. After that, the offer sheets can be back-loaded up to the max -- 25 percent of the cap -- but the Knicks would be able to match under league salary rules. In any event, it likely will cost them their mid-level exception for next season.

The Knicks could use up to their full mid-level ($5 million) to match any rival offers. Under the new rules with different mid-level thresholds for tax-payers, non-tax payers and teams with room, the Knicks would not, under the new rules, be able to exceed the cap to sign another free agent and then use the full mid-level to retain Lin. In that case, they'd be relegated to the room exception ($2.5 million).

[Andrew]

Unfortunately for Knicks fans, there's no provision to protect against them throwing him into an ill-conceived deal. But the way he's playing I think that's unlikely, even with their recent track record.

[Jeffx]

What do you think the shot distribution should be when Anthony returns to the lineup???

Can't give you a set number - of course the stars will take the majority of shots. But it can't be Carmelo doing his thing while four guys stand watching. Let Lin control the tempo so these cats can get easier shots.

Carmelo said in his interview there'll be no problem between he & Lin. He was amused by all the media criticism.

Knicks are set to sign J.R. Smith and waive Renaldo Balkman.

[Leander]

Lin with 9 TOs. Has turned the ball over way too much over the last couple of games. Although I like his great performances people only look at his points and assits but forget about his TOs.

[Lamrock]

What a linsane way to end the winning streak, at home, with 9 TO's against the Hornets.

[NovU]

Pretty ugly loss against possibly the worst team in the league. On the bright side, the Knicks are 7-1 with Lin as a floor general. More time they play together, the team will only get better, especially with Melo and JR to be thrown in the mix. I had high hopes on the Knicks to provide some rivalry to the Heat even before the season began and perhaps this stretch is a start of something. I mean they were supposed to be the real deal with 3 huge names in prime. Would be a real treat for the basketball fans if they eventually start to click like the Heat. In the meantime, Lin stepped up to be an interim solution. Not sure how long he has to be though. The superstars will need to provide some noise consistentely for this team to contend in the end.

[Andrew]

Not a bad way to bounce back though, a solid win over the Mavericks with Lin getting 28 points, 14 assists and five steals. Seven turnovers admittedly, but still two assists for every turnover.

[shadowgrin]

Excluding that Sacramento game Lin has been averaging 40 minutes per game since his breakout from bench to starter.
My guess is those amount of minutes do affect him and it shows on the turnovers.
It's not like he's used to those minutes since he's no Wilt Chamberlain and even a freak like LeBron did bitch about being overused with the amount of minutes he was getting (39 mpg).

[Jeffx]

Once Baron gets back, Lin won't have to play so many minutes.

Pringles will have a nice problem on his hands finding minutes for all these cats. Knicks can go 9, 10 deep.

[Lamrock]

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7squ8oy

[benji]

Gotta force the team to take Amare's contract as well:


Or just go big:

plus:
http://i.imgur.com/CIxTk.png

[NovU]

Underwhelming come back and a debut game by Melo and Baron respectively. Looks like next half of the season is going to even more tricky for D'antoni.

[_Steve_]

Once Baron gets back, Lin won't have to play so many minutes.

Pringles will have a nice problem on his hands finding minutes for all these cats. Knicks can go 9, 10 deep.

... and once Baron and 'Melo are back the team will start loosing again.

[Jeffx]

Underwhelming come back and a debut game by Melo and Baron respectively. Looks like next half of the season is going to even more tricky for D'antoni.

...and now the schedule gets even tougher starting tonight against Atlanta. This is a must-win - don't want to go 0-2 heading into the All-Star break.

[[Q]]

well, they are blowing them out like i thught they would. theyre a bad team with no Joe and no Horford.... Smith just has a green light to take all of those bad long 2s that he loves so much

[CheddahCheese]

Why is Baron Davis rushing? He's clearly not in basketball shape & his conditioning is just not there yet. In 13 mins, Baron turned the ball over 5 times tonight; Lin had 4 TO's in 32 mins.

[Jeffx]

Miami wanted to send a message and they did, big time. They're clearly the best team in the NBA.

Knicks are now a target. Other teams are probably sick of Linsanity, and they'll want to send a message too(like Deron Williams). The league has gone to school on Lin, and he has to adjust. The schedule is brutal after All-Star weekend. We'll see if the Knicks are for real.

Knicks aren't going anywhere unless the two stars get their shit together. Forget about Jeremy Lin - Amar'e and Carmelo have to step it up and raise their game to match Lebron & Wade, otherwise forget it.

Knicks have to come out of AS break strong, and get up to the 6th spot or higher. Don't want to play Miami or Chicago in the first round.

[Doobie]

Watching the shooting stars competition I was reminded why I loved Allan Houston so much. He seriously has one of the sweetest jump shots I have ever seen.

[Jeffx]

Shitty first half, but they came on strong in the second for a must-win. Baron played well, and Novak continues to impress.

On to Boston!

[Andrew]

How optimistic are you feeling about the team's future these days, Jeffx?

[Leander]

How can Rondo who is 6' 1'' grab 17 boards? Looks like really bad D. And why doesn't Douglas play? He isn't that bad, is he?

[atlwarrior]

How can Rondo who is 6' 1'' grab 17 boards? Looks like really bad D. And why doesn't Douglas play? He isn't that bad, is he?

It isn't that bad. Rondo is one of the better rebounding pg's in league so it isn't out of the norm for him to grab more than 15 boards from time to time. As a matter of fact, he has done it against some of the better defenses.

And even though he is only 6'1", keep in mind, he has the wingspan of a PF and his hands are abnormally large for his size. I guess it's not always about talent. Sometimes genetics give you an unfair advantage.

phpBB [video]

Here's a game of him having a similar kind of performance against the 09-10 Cavaliers.

phpBB [video]

Edit: And the simple answer behind Douglas not getting playing time is...

[niharjhatn]

How can Rondo who is 6' 1'' grab 17 boards? Looks like really bad D. And why doesn't Douglas play? He isn't that bad, is he?

He busted Lin inside. Lin was standing around after a shot went up while Rondo was moving to the rack. Always said, Rondo is a top 8 player in the NBA when he tries.

C's didn't play that well though, weren't hitting some shots that should have fallen (apart from Truth that is ). NYK's D has improved significantly.

Hopefully this cools some of the random trade talk that Ainge keeps feeding to the press. And also ends some of the unfair comparisons Lin was getting.

[Doobie]

If the Knicks want ANY chance of advancing to the second round, they really need to get into that 3-6 range. They stand no chance against Chicago or Miami in the first round.

[_Steve_]

If the Knicks want ANY chance of advancing to the second round, they really need to get into that 3-6 range. They stand no chance against Chicago or Miami in the first round.

Which team in the East would have any kind of chance against those teams?