2010-08-26 11:45:21 +0000 #1
Excerpts:
Quote:
The Knicks beat is a daunting task because of the veterans who have been around for a long time, such as Frank Isola, Marc Berman and Steve Adamek. It was very intimidating at first and it certainly took a while before I found a comfort zone.
-How much does having James Dolan as the owner of the company (Newsday) you write for affect what you write?
I always do my best to adhere to facts and base opinion off of that. It’s a no-win situation in some cases, of course, and I recognize that. If I praise the Knicks for anything, even when it’s deserved, I could be viewed as a homer just writing propaganda because that’s what Cablevision toldand people will say it was fed to me because we are owned by Cablevision. I try not to focus on that and just try to do my job the way I believe it should be done.
-Rate the offseason acquisitions of the Knicks on an A-F scale and, besides Amar’e, which new player do you think will the biggest impact?
Besides Amar’e, I think Raymond Felton must have the biggest impact if they’re going to be successful.
Amar’e – A
Randolph – B
Felton – B-
Azubuike – C+
Mason – C
Turiaf – C
Fields – C-
Rautins – D+
Mozgov – D+
Jordan – D
-Consider you were the GM before this offseason began, what – if anything - would you do differently than the Knicks?
Would have bought into the first round for a pick, but we won’t know for sure that this was a necessity until during the season. I’m just saying I would have done that. I actually would go back to the 2009 draft and take Brandon Jennings, not Jordan Hill. If you check the archives, you’ll see I was just never optimistic about him and never was buying his potential. I think the Amar’e signing was a no-brainer and a good move. Getting Felton to take a 2-year deal to maintain flexibility for 2012 is a great move. The David Lee sign-and-trade brought in assets. I really can’t say I would have done too many things differently aside from the draft. I think you could have come away with a little more talent there.
-If you were to make a trade at this moment for Carmelo Anthony, what would a reasonable package include?
I’d start with Danilo Gallinari and include Eddy Curry’s expiring (for the money match) along with their choice of Wilson Chandler or another player of their choice. But I would not let them try to include a big contract player because I still want flexibility in 2012 for Chris Paul or Deron Williams.
-How many wins total do you think the Knicks will win this season – regular and postseason combined?
Wow, postseason? You’re being optimistic! (ha). I’m saying this team right now could win 48 games on the high end or 41 on the low end. I think we’re looking at a one-and-done for the playoffs, however. But just getting in would be nice after a six year wait.
www.knicksvision.com/category/interview/
Interesting read. Funny how it has been said here at PSD before, that the drafting under Walsh has been disappointing and often hit (gallo, TD) or miss (Jennings, etc.). You know what 'they' say : "Can't win em all!"
Quote:
The Knicks beat is a daunting task because of the veterans who have been around for a long time, such as Frank Isola, Marc Berman and Steve Adamek. It was very intimidating at first and it certainly took a while before I found a comfort zone.
-How much does having James Dolan as the owner of the company (Newsday) you write for affect what you write?
I always do my best to adhere to facts and base opinion off of that. It’s a no-win situation in some cases, of course, and I recognize that. If I praise the Knicks for anything, even when it’s deserved, I could be viewed as a homer just writing propaganda because that’s what Cablevision toldand people will say it was fed to me because we are owned by Cablevision. I try not to focus on that and just try to do my job the way I believe it should be done.
-Rate the offseason acquisitions of the Knicks on an A-F scale and, besides Amar’e, which new player do you think will the biggest impact?
Besides Amar’e, I think Raymond Felton must have the biggest impact if they’re going to be successful.
Amar’e – A
Randolph – B
Felton – B-
Azubuike – C+
Mason – C
Turiaf – C
Fields – C-
Rautins – D+
Mozgov – D+
Jordan – D
-Consider you were the GM before this offseason began, what – if anything - would you do differently than the Knicks?
Would have bought into the first round for a pick, but we won’t know for sure that this was a necessity until during the season. I’m just saying I would have done that. I actually would go back to the 2009 draft and take Brandon Jennings, not Jordan Hill. If you check the archives, you’ll see I was just never optimistic about him and never was buying his potential. I think the Amar’e signing was a no-brainer and a good move. Getting Felton to take a 2-year deal to maintain flexibility for 2012 is a great move. The David Lee sign-and-trade brought in assets. I really can’t say I would have done too many things differently aside from the draft. I think you could have come away with a little more talent there.
-If you were to make a trade at this moment for Carmelo Anthony, what would a reasonable package include?
I’d start with Danilo Gallinari and include Eddy Curry’s expiring (for the money match) along with their choice of Wilson Chandler or another player of their choice. But I would not let them try to include a big contract player because I still want flexibility in 2012 for Chris Paul or Deron Williams.
-How many wins total do you think the Knicks will win this season – regular and postseason combined?
Wow, postseason? You’re being optimistic! (ha). I’m saying this team right now could win 48 games on the high end or 41 on the low end. I think we’re looking at a one-and-done for the playoffs, however. But just getting in would be nice after a six year wait.
www.knicksvision.com/category/interview/
Interesting read. Funny how it has been said here at PSD before, that the drafting under Walsh has been disappointing and often hit (gallo, TD) or miss (Jennings, etc.). You know what 'they' say : "Can't win em all!"
