Amare a Knick

[jr_3421]

I would never pay a max contract to a player who cannot play at a high level at both ends of the court.

I agree.  People love to say offense wins games and defense wins championships, but they tend to ignore that when dishing out contracts.  And assuming a miracle doesn't happen and LeBron doesn't go to NY, what the heck is really the point of this for NY?  I suppose trying to sell tickets next year.  But if I'm a Knick fan, I have to be disappointed.  Amare couldn't win it all with a much better team in Phoenix.  Even with another star added to the Knicks, they're likely no more than a first or second round playoff team for the foreseeable future. 

Both the Celtics and Lakers brought in guys with max contracts that "didn't play defense" how'd that work out?

Yeah I see what you mean but I think the difference is that the Knicks are giving Amare this money to be the their best player while the Lakers and Celtics decided to take on max contracts for complementary players (I assume you are talking about Ray and Gasol). It's a small difference but I think it's what separates the good franchises from the bad ones.

[sdceltsfan]

You gotta wonder what Steve Nash is thinking right about now? I really hope he doesn't demand a trade somehow to another contender. Phoenix without Amare is LUCKY to even be the 8 seed....and I certainly wouldn't put money on that.

[ACF]

I just realized that since Amare is a Knick now we're going to see him a lot now.

And the West just got that much easier for the Lakers...  

Ehh, I watched that series. I don't think the Lakers would have problems with the Suns, even with Amare still there.

Agreed -- Phoenix was not a threat to LA

I would call a last-second game 5 home win (after being down by, what, 18?) a problem. But that's just me  

[Fafnir]

I just realized that since Amare is a Knick now we're going to see him a lot now.

And the West just got that much easier for the Lakers...  

Ehh, I watched that series. I don't think the Lakers would have problems with the Suns, even with Amare still there.

Agreed -- Phoenix was not a threat to LA

I would call a last-second game 5 home win (after being down by, what, 18?) a problem. But that's just me  

But they got stomped pretty good in game 6 didn't they?

[ACF]

I just realized that since Amare is a Knick now we're going to see him a lot now.

And the West just got that much easier for the Lakers...  

Ehh, I watched that series. I don't think the Lakers would have problems with the Suns, even with Amare still there.

Agreed -- Phoenix was not a threat to LA

I would call a last-second game 5 home win (after being down by, what, 18?) a problem. But that's just me  

But they got stomped pretty good in game 6 didn't they?

Well, yes. But if they take game 5, I'm pretty sure game 6 would've been tight either way. I think it broke their spirits to throw away an 18-point lead at the Staples. Even if they had won game 6, they'd still have to take game 7 in LA. Very tough. Oh, well. They didn't and here we are.

Sorry to the OP if I jacked the thread. I just hate LA 

[Fafnir]

I would never pay a max contract to a player who cannot play at a high level at both ends of the court.

I agree.  People love to say offense wins games and defense wins championships, but they tend to ignore that when dishing out contracts.  And assuming a miracle doesn't happen and LeBron doesn't go to NY, what the heck is really the point of this for NY?  I suppose trying to sell tickets next year.  But if I'm a Knick fan, I have to be disappointed.  Amare couldn't win it all with a much better team in Phoenix.  Even with another star added to the Knicks, they're likely no more than a first or second round playoff team for the foreseeable future. 

Both the Celtics and Lakers brought in guys with max contracts that "didn't play defense" how'd that work out?

Yeah I see what you mean but I think the difference is that the Knicks are giving Amare this money to be the their best player while the Lakers and Celtics decided to take on max contracts for complementary players (I assume you are talking about Ray and Gasol). It's a small difference but I think it's what separates the good franchises from the bad ones.

Gasol was never a bad defender, he just wasn't good against players that beat him up physically. His help defense has always been excellent, and he plays hard.

As for Ray Allen, his defensive effort improved but in the end your big men are much more important to your defense.

Amar'e standing like a state during every pick and roll as the Lakers shredded the Suns didn't help them in a series they had a puncher's chance in.

If Amar'e brings Wade or LeBron its a good move, if not they should have stuck with David Lee.

[GreenFaith1819]

Just me, but I don't see Amare making much difference by himself....it will be interesting to me see how he plays without Steve Nash.

This signing reminds me a little of when Kidd left NJ to go to Dallas..Kenyon Martin then left for Denver, I think. He was a Shell of himself without one of the greatest distributors of all time.

At least Amare has a little better faceup game than Kenyon, but he will still need a top PG to make this successful.

And as great as D'Antoni is - he's never struck me as a Defensive Coach. But he could change.

I think the Knicks are about to become PHX East.

[heyvik]

I just realized that since Amare is a Knick now we're going to see him a lot now.

And the West just got that much easier for the Lakers... 

This point can't be stated enough!!! Why can't any teams out West get better. As it stands now, only the East got tougher.

[Fafnir]

This signing reminds me a little of when Kidd left NJ to go to Dallas..Kenyon Martin then left for Denver, I think. He was a Shell of himself without one of the greatest distributors of all time.

At least Amare has a little better faceup game than Kenyon, but he will still need a top PG to make this successful.

Kenyon Martin was traded to Denver in 2004, Kidd didn't go to Dallas until 2007.

Kenyon also struggled without Kidd, but he also had microfacture surgery on two knees! So its hard to say which hurt his game more, though he obviously isn't the same player.

[Jon]

I would never pay a max contract to a player who cannot play at a high level at both ends of the court.

I agree.  People love to say offense wins games and defense wins championships, but they tend to ignore that when dishing out contracts.  And assuming a miracle doesn't happen and LeBron doesn't go to NY, what the heck is really the point of this for NY?  I suppose trying to sell tickets next year.  But if I'm a Knick fan, I have to be disappointed.  Amare couldn't win it all with a much better team in Phoenix.  Even with another star added to the Knicks, they're likely no more than a first or second round playoff team for the foreseeable future. 

Both the Celtics and Lakers brought in guys with max contracts that "didn't play defense" how'd that work out?

Yeah I see what you mean but I think the difference is that the Knicks are giving Amare this money to be the their best player while the Lakers and Celtics decided to take on max contracts for complementary players (I assume you are talking about Ray and Gasol). It's a small difference but I think it's what separates the good franchises from the bad ones.

Gasol was never a bad defender, he just wasn't good against players that beat him up physically. His help defense has always been excellent, and he plays hard.

As for Ray Allen, his defensive effort improved but in the end your big men are much more important to your defense.

Amar'e standing like a state during every pick and roll as the Lakers shredded the Suns didn't help them in a series they had a puncher's chance in.

If Amar'e brings Wade or LeBron its a good move, if not they should have stuck with David Lee.

Yeah.  And there's no Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant to push Amar'e to play defense (unless LeBron comes, but I don't see that happening).  Plus with KG, Pierce, and Ray they'd all gotten to the Conference Finals as the best player on their respective teams and lost.  With Amar'e he's been there too...as the second best player...and still lost.  I don't see him as a max contract building block. 

[GreenFaith1819]

This signing reminds me a little of when Kidd left NJ to go to Dallas..Kenyon Martin then left for Denver, I think. He was a Shell of himself without one of the greatest distributors of all time.

At least Amare has a little better faceup game than Kenyon, but he will still need a top PG to make this successful.

Kenyon Martin was traded to Denver in 2004, Kidd didn't go to Dallas until 2007.

Kenyon also struggled without Kidd, but he also had microfacture surgery on two knees! So its hard to say which hurt his game more, though he obviously isn't the same player.

Good Point, Fafnir..my memory slipped me somewhat. But Kenyon didn't have surgery right away, I don't think..and I just remember him not being the same player without J Kidd.