New York Knicks

[RyNye]

Here is a nice statistical break-down of how Carmelo and Amare are overrated (note: a lot of people criticize the WP metric for being too rebound-centric. I agreed with you. However, the statisticians at this website, in response to those complaints, reweighted the metric to downplay the relative importance of rebounds. So ... in YOUR FACE!):

Click the pretty green linky.

[dtrader]

Baron Davis isn't even playing for the first 8-10 weeks of the season! MIKE BIBBY is their starting point guard.

That was the claim before he cleared waivers.  Since he cleared, I have heard is more like 2 weeks.  It's amazing how going to the team that you want, and getting an extra million dollars can magically heal a back.

  Billups wishes he was smart enough to lie about the severity of an injury when he got amnestied. He could be starting pg on the Hear right now.

Billups looks prety comfortable where he's at right now.

I highly doubt Baron is out anywhere near 8 weeks.

[RyNye]

I highly doubt Baron is out anywhere near 8 weeks.

It depends on how well he recovers and how well the Knicks play. I can see them trying to rest him as long as possible considering his age/health, on the assumption that Melo/Amare/Chandler will carry them well in the regular season, than only bust out Davis in March or so. I don't see them rushing him back unless they are below .500

[ManUp]

If they're healthy I think they are a legit threat for the third spot. Their front court is one of the best in the league it just lacks depth. They could be really dangerous If they could pick up a guy like Kenyon Martin.

[Who]

If they're healthy I think they are a legit threat for the third spot. Their front court is one of the best in the league it just lacks depth. They could be really dangerous If they could pick up a guy like Kenyon Martin.

Their $2.5 million is probably the second best offer Kenyon Martin can receive from a Contender. Only topped by San Antonio's $3mil mini-MLE.

That might have a real shot at Kenyon Martin. Wow. That would be a big signing.

[dtrader]

I highly doubt Baron is out anywhere near 8 weeks.

It depends on how well he recovers and how well the Knicks play. I can see them trying to rest him as long as possible considering his age/health, on the assumption that Melo/Amare/Chandler will carry them well in the regular season, than only bust out Davis in March or so. I don't see them rushing him back unless they are below .500

What if it's not an issue of rushing him back?  What if he's already 85% better, and was just making up the injuries severity to clear waivers?  Thats what I expect to be the case.  I think he'll be out 3-4 weeks to avoid drama, and be back at or near full strength.

[jdz101]

Landry fields is a below average player. If he was a good defender he wouldn't have got completely schooled by a 35+ Ray Allen last year.

[dtrader]

Landry fields is a below average player. If he was a good defender he wouldn't have got completely schooled by a 35+ Ray Allen last year.

Getting outplayed by a veteran Hall of famer in 4 games your 1st year in the league, does not make you below average.  Below average players dont shoot 50% from the field and 40% from 3, while bringing down over 6 boards a game from the wing.  Fields is solid.

[jdz101]

Solid doesn't earn you a starting spot in the NBA. Career roleplayer at best.

[dtrader]

Solid doesn't earn you a starting spot in the NBA. Career roleplayer at best.

Tell that to Jermaine Oneil, Derek Fisher, Brendan Haywood, Keith Bogans, Luc Mbah a Moute, Thabo Sefalosha, Deshawn Stevenson, etc, ec, etc.

[Roy H.]

Solid doesn't earn you a starting spot in the NBA. Career roleplayer at best.

Tell that to Jermaine Oneil, Derek Fisher, Brendan Haywood, Keith Bogans, Luc Mbah a Moute, Thabo Sefalosha, Deshawn Stevenson, etc, ec, etc.

Probably not fair to put JO into that category.  He was a lot more than a role player, and is quite a bit better than the others on that particular list.  He's a six-time all-star and is three-time All-NBA.  He was substantially better than solid.

[Who]

Solid doesn't earn you a starting spot in the NBA. Career roleplayer at best.

Tell that to Jermaine Oneil, Derek Fisher, Brendan Haywood, Keith Bogans, Luc Mbah a Moute, Thabo Sefalosha, Deshawn Stevenson, etc, ec, etc.

Probably not fair to put JO into that category.  He was a lot more than a role player, and is quite a bit better than the others on that particular list.  He's a six-time all-star and is three-time All-NBA.  He was substantially better than solid.

3rd in MVP vote one year, wasn't he? Jermaine O'Neal.

Behind Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett when they were at their peak.

[Who]

I really like Landry Fields.

I think he has a Shane Battier-esque quality to his game as a big two guard.