I think a major component of our new system is floor spacing and consistent 3 point shooting. So unless Gallo is healthy and becomes one of our highest usage players, I see a problem with the addition of Sessions and subtraction of Duhon without adding a really good SG.

I’m in favor of getting Sessions because he’s young, has upside, and is a small upgrade. I am just also in favor of getting a real SG if we make him the the PG .

I’m sort of guessing the Knicks prefer Miller, if he’s willing to sign… Sessions takes up 2010 cap room, so unless they really love him that’s probably a backup plan.

Still waiting to see what Walsh has “up his sleeve,” as he floated a few weeks ago re: his cap space…

Andre Miller on the other hand would make us a lot better in the short term and possibly playoffs but we would probably have to move Duhon to get Douglas minutes.

what will Donnie do, ie. Sessions vs. Miller(assuming either are possibilities)?

Saying, “who cares how many games [the Knicks] win?” was an overstatement on my part. I mean, for one, I care. And you’re right that a winning season would be best for prospective free agents.
The point I was trying to make was that it’s unrealistic to expect the Knicks to have a winning record this season. It could happen, but I don’t think it’s likely. So, what might matter more than the difference between 31 and 33 and 35 and 37 wins is how they are perceived: as an up-and-coming squad with good young talent and a well-run org., or as the same old Knicks of the past decade… 37 wins would help a lot more with that perception than 31, but they can still build momentum while losing games. 21 wins would be a different story, but I don’t expect them to be that bad.
Another point I was trying to make is what were people expecting this offseason? We haven’t even seen the 2 draft picks play one minute in the NBA, but they’re both somehow disappointments to a lot of people… I wasn’t thrilled with the draft strategy, but it’s got my support until we see what Hill and Douglas can actually do (plus what the guys drafted behind them can do). A couple of posters are mad that the Knicks are “waiting for next offseason” and the chance at some of the best players in the game. I just don’t see what the Knicks could have done this offseason to dramatically improve their lot. A desperate trade involving Gallo for Vince Carter maybe? Walshtoni have been actively trying to eat 2010 cap space by signing a Jason Kidd or Ramon Sessions. The only thing I can (maybe) fault Walsh for this offseason is not getting the #5 pick (if it’s even true that he could have gotten it just by offering WC…)

I wasn’t singling you out on Harrington. Just seems like he’s always lumped in the “maybe they HAVE to play him category.” I’m not as worried about the glut at forward as some, since D’Antoni successfully used a forward heavy rotation in Phoenix. The Knicks’ talent level is not comparable, but it still comforts me.

Z, I think you hit the nail on the head with the Knicks in 2009-10: who cares how many games they win?”

Ted,
I think it matters somewhat because free agents are watching us as a potential team with which to sign. If we stink too badly again, it certainly doesn’t help, especially when there isn’t a draft pick as consolation.

I agree that Harrington is not a scrub, but I don’t expect him to be around past this year or to improve, which is why I lumped him in with Jeffries and Hughes.He competes directly with Chandler for minutes, and probably with Gallo as well. If everyone is healthy he may need to accept a supporting role. Wasn’t his refusal to do so the problem with him in GS?

Z, I think you hit the nail on the head with the Knicks in 2009-10: who cares how many games they win? I also agree with Caleb that it’s pretty hard to say who got better and who got worse. For example, if the Sixers let Miller walk this offseason I think that offsets most of the improvement from a healthy Brand.

I think Nash is worth $11 mill per. He’s one of two or so NBA players left on the roster Steve Kerr has massacred. I don’t think it’s just business: he’s the best player on their team.

TDM– Nash may not be worth $22 mil based on his productivity, but he is a name brand that help sells the Suns product and I am sure a cheap organization like Phoenix recognizes that he’s worth every penny from a business perspective. Plus, he’s been loyal and has earned every penny he’s made from them thus far, so I think its a totally fair deal, even if he’s not an elite player by the end of the deal.

1. Orlando – stacked
2. Cleveland – as long as Lebron’s healthy
3. Boston – reloaded
4. Atlanta – everyone’s back + older
5. Miami – young guys like Beasley developing, maybe Boozer
6. Chicago – Deng’s healthy
7. Detroit – should be competitive
8. Toronto – Hedo should add something

Then, you have a few teams that should be competitive for the 8th spot:

9. Washington – Arenas, Foye, Butler, Jamison, McGee (I said it)
10. Philadelphia – made it last year
11. Knicks?
12. Charlotte – each year a little bit better

Last, the teams that don’t have much hope, barring surprises:

13. Indiana – maybe the least interesting team in the league
14. Milwaukee – no RJ, rookie point if Jennings gets to play
15. New Jersey – dumping salary

Realistically, the Knicks will likely struggle to win more than 32 games or so, particularly as the Knicks management seems as interested in playing the young guys (which I agree with) than playing expiring vets like Harrington, Hughes, et al. We also may showcase Jeffries and Curry to try to trade them away, which might not pay off on the court.

In many ways, this might be the most frustrating year because we don’t even have the silver lining of a draft pick to make a poor record this year mean something. Free agency will be the equivalent of this year’s draft, when we’re daydreaming about who might sign as opposed to paying attention to Chad Ford’s draft stock updates after the Knicks are out of it.

Not that I’m pessimistic in the big picture – I’m one of those guys who thinks that Lebron’s coming to New York to become the richest athlete in the universe. I always look back to Shaq going to L.A., how L.A. went bananas doing all this stuff to pave the way, and then he went there! It’s like they knew it was going to happen all along, probably because they did. I feel like the same thing is going to happen for us.

But yes, this year’s going to be rough in all likelihood. Count me in for Sessions, and I bet Milwaukee doesn’t match. $$$

Did anyone notice how quickly Duhon has become just another vet with an expiring contract? The genius of Donnie Walsh. Sessions, on the other hand, better pay off if we give him the 5-year plan.