I think he deserved a cumulative trade grade of D+.

Increasingly, I’m coming to the opinion that IT is not as bright as he seemed (and I never thought he was that bright). His arrogance really masked the fact that he’s incompetent and’ off the court, a poor leader.

(does your link get us into ESPN Insider or are they letting everyone in today?)

Back to the game(s)…

His rehab is over and he will be activated for tonights game!!!

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/knicks/archives/2008/01/jerome_is_back.html

We can’t take on any more bad contracts, injured guys, or guys with character issues. And without a superstar, you can’t win it all in this league (maybe two or three are required). Randolph, Curry, and Marbury as our superstars? Laughable.

1) Get rid of Marbs
2) Trade Randolph or Curry for cap relief if possible
3) Let contracts expire
4) Keep your picks and use them to build.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Knicks-080118a&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dKnicks-080118a%26lpos%3dspotlight%26lid%3dtab3pos1

The core of these guys may be a middling play-off team, the key is no bad contracts added via trade that get in the way of signing, say, LeBron.

Zeke made Starbury and Curry his cornerstone purchases…both with egregious salaries. Neither is a winner, never were…We don’t need Artest, Bibby, Vince or other guys on the downside of their careers…we need an in-the-prime superstar, and have to be sure the dough is there to get him.

LeBron is the real deal…surround him with some of the current Knick role players, add a defending big man with some quicks (Oh Marcus Camby, we knew you when!)…now you’re cooking…I’ll put up with a couple more years of losses if it’s sans Starbury and Zeke (I’d like Curry out of here, but can live with him playing 20 minutes off the bench) with an eye to adding James — he scores, rebounds, and passes the ball…and the league should want him in NYC.

Any trade made should be done to reduce the cap.
If the Bricks tried to improve the team by moving these guys, they would likely have to give up future picks and absorb an even uglier contract in return.

I have a suspicion that Robinson, Lee and Balkman are no where near their ceiling.

I’m not so sure anymore that Robinson is merely a role player anymore.

Given 30 minutes per game, I suspect he would be putting of something like 18 ppg, 6-8 assists, 2 spg, and even pull down 4-6 boards. I think his pressure defense is impressive. His ability to penetrate and create his own shot or dish is damn good, and his 3 pt shooting is about 40 percent, which has got to place him fairly high in the league.

Balkman and Lee may be role players, but they play important roles. They do the things that teams absolutely need: boards, hustle, defense, passing, and in Balkman’s case good ball handling.
I think Lee has the ethic to improve his mid-range jumper, and his low post moves have improved. They both are very strong finishers around the hoop, and they’re unselfish.

Balkman still needs to mature and develop his skills rather than relying on his talents.
Otherwise, nice complementary players that most teams would love to have.

Maybe with fewer scorers in the lineup at any given time, Crawford won’t feel the need to heave up friggin’ prayers every time he gets a look, however bad a look it is.
It appears that his assists have been going up recently, even though his shots have increased also.
Subbing in Randolph or Curry as low post threats that require doubles will open things up. But the Bricks have to accept that there will be long periods when neither Curry or Randolph should be on the floor because of their glaring defensive weaknesses.
Lee and Jeffries play more aspects of the game well.
I know. Some disagree with the Jeffries commentary from me, but the guy is pretty light on his feet for being 6’11 and 240. He has a 7-foot wingspan. He can defend a SF and/or a center.
I think he played some sound basketball in Washington, and given the chance you could expect to see the same here.

Washington always gave him the toughest defensive assignments and he performed well. He was getting 5 boards, .6 bpg, and .8 spg in 25 minutes per. That’s not too bad when projecting to 40 minutes.