Isiah and Ainge finally made some moves that help their teams. Hear me out before you start comment spamming me:
The Knicks moved Steve Francis and Channing Frye for Zach Randolph and a couple rejects. At first glance, it looks like Isiah may have mortgaged the future, for another head case; but if you look a bit closer, you will see he made the right decision. First off, Steve Francis had to be moved from this team. He toiled in obscurity most of the year, and had Crawford not got injured late in the season, he would have been bought out and released from the team. Channing Frye is a nice player, who was a big surprise in his rookie year, but saw a decrease in every statistical category (except assists where he increased from 0.8 to 0.9 per game) even though his minutes went up. What they got in return is a stud at the 4 spot to line up with Eddie Curry. Granted, Randolph is a head case, and could be a potential locker room cancer, but the Knicks always are embroiled in controversy and media scrutiny, why not at least get some production there. Dickau and Jones were clearly throw ins. Long term, their salary cap does not increase, but Randolph’s contract is a couple years longer than Francis’. They have the best front court in the Atlantic now (Curry, Randolph and Lee), and top 3 in the east. Don’t get me wrong, Randolph will be a handful, but people seem to like playing for Isiah, and he has done a pretty good job with Marbury, Randolph could be his next project. Prediction: 43+ wins
The Celtics are interesting. I think Ainge is a far worse GM than Isiah. He hasn’t made one move yet that I said “that’s a good move!” Until now - getting Ray Allen for the 5th pick, Wally and West. Ainge had his back to wall, and had to give Pierce something to look forward too. He also got rid of Szczerbiak’s contract. Having Allen, Pierce and Jefferson does not guarantee anything, but they were able to upgrade at the 2-3 spot, while holding on to Jefferson. What this affords them is a chance to get Jermaine O’neal or sweeten the situation for Garnett to come over. In order for this trade to work, they will need a premier big man. Jefferson is developing nicely, but Pierce and Allen are old men, and only have a couple years of high level game in them. Prediction: 43+ wins
Technorati Tags: New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Isiah Thomas, Danny Ainge, Zack Randolph, Steve Francis, Channing Frye, Dan Dickau, Fred Jones, Eddie Curry, David Lee, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Wally Szczerbiack, Delonte West, Al Jefferson, Jermain O’neal, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce
June 29th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
The Atlantic just got a hell of e lot more competitive. The Raptors should take notice, because next year will be completely different from last. Boston and New York are no longer going to be cakewalks. I like the Allen trade for both teams. The Sonics get their man Jeff Green (I like anybody who comes out of Georgetown…go Hoyas!) who is a nice nice player, but heres a question. Don’t Green and Durant play the same position? I guess you could move one of them to a four, but I doubt it. Anyways, the Sonics are not a playoff team for at least a couple of years. The Celtics however just gauranteed themselves 40 plus wins. The Celtics were always one of my favourtie frachises, simply because of Bird, but now they have two of my favourite players in the league playing the 2,3 spots. I can’t wait! Boston will make the playoffs and compete to win the Atlantic….I agree with Sams prediction of 43 plus wins. Zach Randolph- heres a guy who has been average 20 10 for a few years now, and nobody has paid any attention to him. He has a nice back to the basket game and hits bit shots. Remember his 2005 playoffs…he was nasty. Huge move by Isaiah. Portland was lucky to get so much value back in this trade because they were desperate to ship Randolph. New York will not be a good matchup for the Raptors. Bosh and and Bargnani better start eating some food and hitting the gym.
June 29th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
green and lewis play the same position, but so do lewis and durant. looks like the sonics are becoming the hawks of the east. i mean, lenny wilkens is a big part of that organization..says a lot.
going to be big struggles next season, the atlantic crown is up for grabs. for some reason, i like the celtics. but if the nets can swing a deal for a big man for jefferson, i think they might take it. looks like we will have 4 teams in the atlantic over .500. going to be interesting.
June 29th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I agree on the Celtics but no matter how many people tell me otherwise, I still believe the Knicks move is a lateral one at best.
Right now they have 8 forwards who all pretty much do the same thing.
Renaldo Balkman
Kelvin Cato
Eddy Curry
Jerome James
Jared Jeffries
David Lee
Malik Rose
Zach Randolph
I call this a logjam. Randolph and James are pretty much the exact same thing and I don’t see how Isaiah can coach a squad this weird to 43+ wins.
June 29th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
it is true. they have a serious log jam at forward, but it looks like the knicks arent done dealing. they still need another swingman, and a backup point guard. based on talent, they can win 43+ games if they have that perfect storm situation. whatever the case, they will give everyone in the east fits with their front line.