Comments on: 2008 Game Thread: Knicks at Boston

By: Frank O.

Frank O. — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:34:20 +0000

Spider:
Generally I agree with the broad idea that players’ minutes don’t affect things.
But in Nate’s case, his play so radically improves when he plays consistently, it’s hard to ignore.
In summer league, when he played a lot of minutes every day, he really got a flow on and was a dominant player.
Now one might say, that was against a bunch of neophytes…but then when he started to get lots of minutes during this season, he became a dominant player. He made other players better, scored with a relatively high percentage, and was all over.
in fact, it was clear that when he got into foul trouble, games were lost because he wasn’t on the floor.
And the stats bear out what I was observing.
His shooting percentage was better, significantly better than this year’s average, and a bit better than his averages over the past two years.

In fact, with Nate, it appeared his stats were more in line with stats from the previous two years when he was getting consistent time.

A 40 percent shooter from 3 pt is pretty damn good. Better by far than anyone else on the team.
And his assists were up to a very good number for a two.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:27:10 +0000

Agreed on all points, Ben.

Balkman is too good to be the “sweetener” to make teams take Randolph.

Nate probably isn’t.

By: Ben R

Ben R — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:01:12 +0000

I would have to pause alot if we had to include Balkman. I personally put Balkman’s value as just under Lee’s. He is looks to be a game changing defender. I am a huge Lee fan but I would not be shocked if in two years Balkman was the better player. I want Lee and Balkman to be Knicks for a long time. I would not trade Balkman or Lee for anything lower than a top five pick and so I would not just throw them in on a trade.

As for Nate, I would hate to lose him but I would in that deal. I think Nate has the potential to be a fantastic combo guard off the bench. He is a great scorer and before his recent injury he was playing incredible ball in January.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:48:06 +0000

“lebron or curry and lee? you do the math.”

Sure, but you don’t have to panic this early… if not this trade deadline, there’s next year… and even the year after, when Zach will only be owed 1 1/2 more seasons. THere will be other opportunities to unload him, without giving up DL.

Of course if we’re having this conversation in February 2010, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:45:04 +0000

If this deal is real, and not a total fantasy, Balkman is the obvious candidate… he’s the only player besides Lee who makes it not a completely lopsided deal, he’s the perfect George Karl type and with 3 scorers who want the ball all day long… they need guys who never need a play run for them, ever.

It’s a close call… we’d be getting two pretty good young prospects, AND shedding Zach’s contract..

…but I have a feeling that in 2 years Balkman would be the best player involved in the deal… and meanwhile we’d be faced with owing at least medium-size extensions to Kleiza and Smith, neither of whom plays much D…

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:41:21 +0000

Kleiza looks like a good ball player. Good size ,toughness and shooting. I think he had a 43 point game earlier this season. If Nate goes im pretty sure that will come back to hurt us one day. Nate can play…he is a little wild at time but hes getting better. His shooting is seemingly better than years past. I think the other Knick will be Balkman. He would fit perfect in Denver. D-Lee for picks I would do as long as we send him out West. That way we will only see him twice a year. As far as getting Lebron goes, mark my words, Hes going to be playing for the Brooklyn Nets. Hes close friends with Jay-Z and I dont see him going anywhere else but there. He’d be the King of New York. I can see Miami winning a few more games as soon as Marion and WAde start clicking and this would let the Knicks move up in position and maybe get a big man or a PG. Mayo would be a great combo scoring guard for us. Hes been playing good D as of late but hes not dominating like “they” thought but his potential is crazy. Hope this deal just happens already.

By: Capt. Merlin

Capt. Merlin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:38:44 +0000

the nuggets would be taking randolph, not curry, for the record

By: oboogie

oboogie — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:28:59 +0000

lee is undoubtably my favorite knick. but im from the school of sell high a la billy beane and the oakland athletics. if we can use lee as leverage to have another team take a bad contract such as curry (assuming the denver trade goes thru), id love to be under the cap for 2010.

some of the free agents for 2010 include lebron, wade, chris paul, deron williams, carlos boozer, and chris bosh.

lebron or curry and lee? you do the math.

By: Ess-dog

Ess-dog — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 02:19:05 +0000

Not that the trade will happen, but Lee would never be the “other Knick” in the Denver trade because he would be our new starting PF with Zach gone. My guess is they want Balkman.

By: Capt. Merlin

Capt. Merlin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:09:05 +0000

oboogie, you are plainly and simply a heretic