Comments on: Knicks Morning News (Wednesday, Aug 15 2012)

By: daJudge

daJudge — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:11:48 +0000

Z-Man. Thanks for inquiring. Everything is good, just really, really busy this summer. I'm over the Lin thing and looking forward to this year big time.

Z-man: Judge! Where you been?

By: EB

EB — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:40:10 +0000

I don’t disagree that the Net’s moves were in sum not that good, but specifically at the point where they need to decide whether or not to keep Lopez their best decision was to keep Lopez.

By: sidestep

sidestep — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:27:17 +0000

knicknyk: hopefully they throw out an all PF line up for kicks and giggles.

LOL

By: knicknyk

knicknyk — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:25:26 +0000

Thank you Juany and Brian. I have been arguing with people about this for so long now. The kid is amazing defensively and he is only 26. People were ripping the Asik signing and I was like you don’t even know what you are talking about the kid can play. The issue with him aside from offense is conditioning. He hustles so hard on every possession, and because he was a back up it was okay if he would get gassed. He needs to fix that. Also, foul trouble, but he was a back up then so it wasn’t a problem, now as a starter that will have to be fixed. According to Rose, he was the hardest working guy on the team, and that says something coming from a gym rat like Rose. But his defense, aww man I will never forget that block on wade he set him on his ass. As well as that block on Love, lmao that was even worse. And when he contested Westbrooks shot, no offense to Tyson but he would have stepped out to prevent the poster but Asik was like I don’t even give a fuck and contested it. On the defensive end I have a lot of respect for him. Now his offense is a work in progress. What he is good at though, is grabbing offensive rebounds, setting good screens and he can dunk the ball lol so Lin just needs to throw him lob passes. The rockets will be an interesting team to watch next year, hopefully they throw out an all PF line up for kicks and giggles.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:19:43 +0000

I agree that Lopez is not worth max money or even close, but your critique is a bit over the top. He is 23 years old, and has posted a WS48 of over .100 in each of his first 3 years; In 2010-11 posted a WS48 of .135 as a 21yo soph and a TS% of .570 at a usage% of 23; he shot 6.1fts per 36 at an 82% clip (career 81%) and 1.7 blocks (same for career). He averaged 8.4 rebounds per 36 that year and over 9 in his first 2 years. He regressed in year 3 and was hurt all of last year, but he is only 24 and has played mostly on horrendous teams. With a pretty good cast around him in Humphries, Wallace, Williams and Johnson, his deficiencies as a rebounder might not be as glaring and offensively he might be a very nice fit. Not my kind of player, but far from a stiff when healthy.

Darko Milicic has been putrid as an all-around player by every conceivable measure.

By: Juany8

Juany8 — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:07:29 +0000

EB: Isn’t the lopez situation kind of like Lin? They have nothing to lose by signing him except money. He’s still young and granted he’s been bad, but had a good rookie season and could be an asset. I guess there were other teams that were trying to offer him a max deal though huh?

The Nets basically broke the bank, and somehow ended up with Deron Williams as their only good player. Only Joe Johnson even made the playoffs last year, they might seriously be the worst "star" team ever assembled. I still don't get why they totally blew their chance at Dwight by going for Wallace and Johnson, then signing Lopez to a max contract. Seriously, how bad can you be and still have a job?

By: EB

EB — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:59:26 +0000

Isn’t the lopez situation kind of like Lin? They have nothing to lose by signing him except money. He’s still young and granted he’s been bad, but had a good rookie season and could be an asset.

I guess there were other teams that were trying to offer him a max deal though huh?

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:58:29 +0000

Yeah, Asik is an amazing defender. We’ll see if he can be any sort of offensive player this year. I have faith that he will be, but honestly, who can really tell until we see it?

By: Juany8

Juany8 — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:53:14 +0000

knicknyk: They added Omer though. And Omer was pretty impressive with the Bulls in the minutes he played. I still remember that block he had on Wade where he came out bloody. And also his effort to block Westbrook’s dunk in season. Obviously Russels dunk went in but he still tried to contest it, whereas most guys would step out of the way to prevent the poster. If they move Kevin Martin and start Carlos Delfino that could potentially help. There roster is so influx. They have a ton of forwards man.

After Chandler and Dwight, I honestly think Asik is the best defensive big in the league. Nobody is smarter, and I absolutely means that. The guy just doesn't make mistakes and is always in the right position. I honestly love just watching him play defense, especially off the ball where you can appreciate his remarkable quickness and anticipation. On offense, I'm hoping he can at least be solid, Houston's staff has at least shown a solid capacity for developing young players, and having McHale doesn't hurt. I doubt he'll become a serious low post threat, but as long as he can finish put backs and be some kind of threat on the pick and roll, I love that signing for the Rockets, regardless of the price.

By: The Honorable Cock Jowles

The Honorable Cock Jowles — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 01:16:19 +0000

Juany8: I know we don’t agree on much, but I laughed at the Nets the entire summer. How does Billy King have a job? I mean, I don’t think Brook Lopez is the worst center in the NBA, but I wouldn’t give him much more than what Darko got, much less a max contract.

I would give Darko $0 to play for my team. I'd rather pick up an undrafted rookie center than waste a roster spot on a player that I know will never be even qualified to be an NBA benchwarmer. Lopez's contract makes sense if it was Dwight Howard bait, but since that's not happening, he has become the new Rashard Lewis. Wait, except that Lewis was at least good at one point in his career. Lopez is among the worst rebounding 7-footers of all-time. Jason Collins bad.