Italian PG who played at USC (Not much of a 3 point shooter so unsure of the fit... 25% this season at Milano)
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Daniel-Hackett-1384/
Begley
This isnt to say that Jacksons offseason has been a failure so far. By and large, he landed quality players (Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle OQuinn) on reasonable contracts who should help the team take a step forward from the 17-win disaster during the 2014-15 season.
But if anything can be gleaned after the first few days of free agency, its this: The lure of playing in New York -- or in any other big market -- is no longer enough to attract elite talent, so Jackson now needs to build a team that can.
Thats the one way he can hope to sell free agents in the summer of 2016 or 2017.
Other factors that used to give big markets like New York an advantage in free agency no longer exist.
Daniel Hackett will fly to USA today and he has a workout w/ @nyknicks scheduled for next days
"Listed at seven-foot-four and 293 pounds, 25 year-old Boban Marjanovic is one of the biggest players in the planet. But he is not your typical giant stiff. Marjanovic has good stamina for someone his size and didnt demonstrate the need to be subbed out as often as Sofoklis Schortsanitis or Nathan Jawai, for example. His 18 minutes per game on 68 total appearances for Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) Belgrade in the Euroleague, Eurocup and Adriatic league were mostly a reflection of how his coach opted to utilize him; starting halves and staying in for long stretches before getting a long rest and then returning for the end of them.
Marjanovic does not look particularly fluid running up and down the court but no one as massive as he is does. Sprinting doesnt seem like a massive struggle for him, though, which is rather impressive considering how much weight he carries on his frame. Players that tall who get as many minutes as Marjanovic does usually are leaner types, even skinny in most cases. Thats definitely not Marjanovics case, which is not to say that he is fat. His weight is very well distributed actually. You would assume players that big are automatically clumsy but Marjanovic was by no means a foul machine, averaging around three per 40 minutes last season (though that has been an issue in the past), and is a lot less uncomfortable defending in space than one would assume."
Link - ( New Window )
"Huertas has played six seasons for FC Barcelona of the Spanish ACB, leading Barca to three consecutive Euroleague Final Four appearances. Hes averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 assists for Barcelona this season. Huertas is a career 87 percent free-throw shooter.
Huertas has been Brazils point guard in numerous Olympic Games, World Championships and FIBA America tournaments. He averaged 11 points and five assists for Brazil in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The natural comparison to Huertas will be Houstons Pablo Prigioni, an Argentinian point guard who came to the NBA later in his European career at the age of 35.
Prigoni is the guy most likely to get compared to me, because our career trajectory had been similar in Europe, Huertas said. And like him, I can run a team without worrying about scoring."
PG: Calderon, Grant, Galloway(?)
SG: Afflalo, Shved(?), some one else?
SF: Melo, Early, Thanasis(?)
PF: Porzingis, O'Quinn, D. Williams
C: Lopez, Aldrich(?), J.Smith(?)
Last Year(game one)
PG: Calderon, Larkin, Prigs
SG: JR, Shump, THJ
SF: Melo, Early, Wear
PF: Amare, Bargs, Acy
C: Dalembert, Aldrich, Jason Smith
Did I miss anyone? Definitely a lot younger. Not sure if at least on paper, it's better. Knicks really need a big year from Melo to be decent, I think.
I dont know what people are expecting...
The offense could be tough, it's true. Atentokoumpo is a real question mark with me. He's not good offensively and had a worse shooting year in the D League than last year. I'm not sure he's ready to help in the league, aside from being a defensive force.
I hope Jason Smith is back and I like Aldrich too, as a backup.
What do you guys think of Ledo?
One thing I like is the flexibility at PF. Between Porzingis, O'Quinn and Derrick Williams playing a stretch, Fisher has some options with different matchups.
2. Get a young lead guard (I was thinking Reggie Jackson, but they got Jerian Grant, which is just fine).
3. Get solid, defensively responsible, professional guys in their 20s via FA. Check.
4. Take a small, high upside risks. Check (Derrick Williams).
5. Build a team that has all the components above to get 40 wins, but more importantly, gets rid of the poisonous atmosphere of years past. The new atmosphere will serve them better w Porzingis, Grant and future FAs.
The biggest "hole" is the lack of a 2nd scorer unless Porzingis is more NBA ready than we've been led to believe. Probably the best bet for offense outside of Melo, is if Grant can be a facilitator right away and get some easy hoops for guys off penetration.
Hopefully Williams doesn't take minutes away from Porz. The best chance for a turnaround centers on his development and he needs to be getting 20-25 min/game right off the bat.
Ball movement will be key for this group. That and hitting the open looks when you get them. If we dont do that we will get to watch Melo pound the ball into the ground for 12 seconds and then take a fade away 17 footer.
2. Get a young lead guard (I was thinking Reggie Jackson, but they got Jerian Grant, which is just fine).
3. Get solid, defensively responsible, professional guys in their 20s via FA. Check.
4. Take a small, high upside risks. Check (Derrick Williams).
5. Build a team that has all the components above to get 40 wins, but more importantly, gets rid of the poisonous atmosphere of years past. The new atmosphere will serve them better w Porzingis, Grant and future FAs.
Agree with most of this, though KOQ is the upside guy they are gambling on. DWill is a stop gap and there is little reward (aside from a couple extra wins this year) for the Knicks if "it" suddenly clicks for him as he'll just bolt after this season.
2) if we call a spade a spade the knicks did not get what they and people had hoped in FA... the goal was Monroe or another stud big or younger/better 3 and D guy... that did not happen.
3) the positive is they did not panic however- and they addressed several issues- 1) rim protection 2) 3 and D rental to be competitive without a pick 3) big man depth
4) all things considered I think the knicks and Phil did a good job with what was attainable... its clear a big splash was not. Next year FA crop is not great- but they again will have flexibility and likely more assets.
5) scoring and offensive creativity will be the teams biggest issues but I would be pleased if I were a fan.
Amundsen is 33 this upcoming season. I'd prefer someone with a bit more upside.
NBAtv will have some games i know they did last year..
Just think there is a younger option out there with SOME upside vs. 33 year old Amundsen. I'm scared a guy like Amundsen suddenly gets a lot of burn (especially over KP) because he does things "the right away".
Quote:
dumb question but do they usually air Eurobasket over here? I don't recall. I remember seeing the FIBA's before.
NBAtv will have some games i know they did last year..
Cool thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing Hernangomez.
Report: Raptors, Cory Joseph agree to four-year, $30 million deal
PG: Calderon, Grant, Galloway(?)
SG: Afflalo, Shved(?), some one else?
SF: Melo, Early, Thanasis(?)
PF: Porzingis, O'Quinn, D. Williams
C: Lopez, Aldrich(?), J.Smith(?)
Last Year(game one)
PG: Calderon, Larkin, Prigs
SG: JR, Shump, THJ
SF: Melo, Early, Wear
PF: Amare, Bargs, Acy
C: Dalembert, Aldrich, Jason Smith
Did I miss anyone? Definitely a lot younger. Not sure if at least on paper, it's better. Knicks really need a big year from Melo to be decent, I think.
Corrected for injury. It's a big deal. Im sick and tired of reading about 17 wins. 40 games out of Melo and his shoulder was never right all year. Quick question: Which guys played 1500 minutes for us last year? Answer: Larkin, Hardaway, and Smith. 1000+ add Galloway, Melo, Acy, Calderon (also hurt), Thomas. So just listing the roster on opening night isnt the full story (not saying that's what you were doing; this post is using your roster comp as a jump off).
I am 10x happier with this roster, shorn of bigs who cant stay healthy (Amare/Bargs), losers (JR), and shooting guards who cant stay healthy... or shoot (Shump). Look at the positions:
PG: Calderon cant be less valauble. Grant and Galloway have promise to be much better than Larkin and Prigs. New guys win.
SG: Old guys win on depth alone BUT AA is the best of the 3, and there is something to be said of being rid of very incomplete players in JR and Shump.
SF: Healthy Melo, healthy Early, Greek kid has D. New crew in a runaway.
PF: I'll take the new guys. KOQ was a steal, Porz was the #4 pick in the draft and has to be at least as good as Broken Bargs last year; by year 2016/17 Porz should be a shooting weapon. Williams > Acy. No disrespect to Amare.
C: Lopez is way, way better than Dalemert. Plus to the C group.
So there you have it. Downgrade at SG depth. PGs are untested but they sucked last year anyway. And maybe there could be an argument at PF. All in all this team looks a lot better than the 17 win group, and because a number of these guys are hard workers who play defense, the whole will be better than the sum of its parts. I expect this group to be 40-45 wins, with the potential to push 45-50 if Melo beast modes the season, the team play clicks, and a guy or two makes a leap (Porz, Grant, KOQ, Williams). And Melo-Lopez-Porz-Grant-Afflalo could draw a big time UFA next summer.
PG: Calderon, Grant
SG: Afflalo, Galloway, Thannis
SF: Anthony, Early
PF: Quinn, Williams, Porz
C: Lopez
Another big man is certainly needed. I think they'll add that + a wing shooter + another PG to call it an offseason. I can see Lance Thomas returning + one of Aldrich/Jason Smith. I think they're a lot of wing shooters with OK defense left in FA so I'm sure they'll snag one of those.
Offense will certainly be very brutal next year but I still think it's a solid offseason.
Knicks had zero players start 43 games. The only guys who played 46 or more games were Smith, Larkin, Hardaway, Acy, Aldrich, and Wear -- none of whom were counted on pre-season at top 8 (THJR and Larkin were hopefuls).
However, I think the East has actually improved a bit and making the playoffs will be tough.
The Cavs, Bulls, and Hawks will almost certainly be better than us. Bucks, Heat, Wizards, and Raptors have a strong chance to be better as well.
Then keep in mind teams such as the Pistons, Pacers, and Hornets who have made improvements as well. Obviously some of those teams will be worse than expected but I still think it'll be an uphill battle to make the playoffs even in a weak East.
Porzingis on missing summer with NT: "It was tough decision, but I believe that in the future it will benefit me and Latvia's basketball."
And then, of course, real progress over last year on defense and in rebounding. In my view, this can be a much better team than last year, with pretty decent quality depth at pg which just didn't exist last year, and hopefully a healthy Melo with his minutes kept to a decent level. And defense, rebounding and hustle. Yes, the team will struggle offensively whenever Melo isn't on the floor.
But if they accomplish these things, at least the team won't frighten off talented players in FA as they did this year. And that can all happen while the team still finishes just outside the playoffs, if the back end of the year is better.
Raps got Carroll but lost Amir Johnson. Don't think Caroll is that much more of an impact player than Johnson is at their respective positions. Not enough to make up for the terrible slide they had at the end of last year.
Pacers are retooling but I think they can easily be better than the Wizards or raptors, depending on how much PG is able to come back. Hibbert's offense took away from however much he helped out on defense and I don't think Mahinimi is any worse than Hibbert is. They also replaced west with Turner and added Ellis.
I think the Rapotrs, Wizards, nets, Celtics, pistons and Knicks will all be in the mix for the last 3 playoff spots. East isn't as terrible as last year, but I don't think anyone from the middle of the pack did anything to truly separate themselves from the rest aside from the bucks.
And then, of course, real progress over last year on defense and in rebounding. In my view, this can be a much better team than last year, with pretty decent quality depth at pg which just didn't exist last year, and hopefully a healthy Melo with his minutes kept to a decent level. And defense, rebounding and hustle. Yes, the team will struggle offensively whenever Melo isn't on the floor.
But if they accomplish these things, at least the team won't frighten off talented players in FA as they did this year. And that can all happen while the team still finishes just outside the playoffs, if the back end of the year is better.
Most think the playoffs are a "must" since the Knicks don't have a 1st round pick. But it's also a lot harder to sell FAs on them being a legit team if they miss the playoffs. Especially given how the East is generally thought of as the weaker conference.
you can make a glass half full argument for most others in varying degrees.
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This Year(so far)
PG: Calderon, Grant, Galloway(?)
SG: Afflalo, Shved(?), some one else?
SF: Melo, Early, Thanasis(?)
PF: Porzingis, O'Quinn, D. Williams
C: Lopez, Aldrich(?), J.Smith(?)
Last Year(game one)
PG: Calderon, Larkin, Prigs
SG: JR, Shump, THJ
SF: Melo, Early, Wear
PF: Amare, Bargs, Acy
C: Dalembert, Aldrich, Jason Smith
Did I miss anyone? Definitely a lot younger. Not sure if at least on paper, it's better. Knicks really need a big year from Melo to be decent, I think.
Corrected for injury. It's a big deal. Im sick and tired of reading about 17 wins. 40 games out of Melo and his shoulder was never right all year. Quick question: Which guys played 1500 minutes for us last year? Answer: Larkin, Hardaway, and Smith. 1000+ add Galloway, Melo, Acy, Calderon (also hurt), Thomas. So just listing the roster on opening night isnt the full story (not saying that's what you were doing; this post is using your roster comp as a jump off).
I am 10x happier with this roster, shorn of bigs who cant stay healthy (Amare/Bargs), losers (JR), and shooting guards who cant stay healthy... or shoot (Shump). Look at the positions:
PG: Calderon cant be less valauble. Grant and Galloway have promise to be much better than Larkin and Prigs. New guys win.
SG: Old guys win on depth alone BUT AA is the best of the 3, and there is something to be said of being rid of very incomplete players in JR and Shump.
SF: Healthy Melo, healthy Early, Greek kid has D. New crew in a runaway.
PF: I'll take the new guys. KOQ was a steal, Porz was the #4 pick in the draft and has to be at least as good as Broken Bargs last year; by year 2016/17 Porz should be a shooting weapon. Williams > Acy. No disrespect to Amare.
C: Lopez is way, way better than Dalemert. Plus to the C group.
So there you have it. Downgrade at SG depth. PGs are untested but they sucked last year anyway. And maybe there could be an argument at PF. All in all this team looks a lot better than the 17 win group, and because a number of these guys are hard workers who play defense, the whole will be better than the sum of its parts. I expect this group to be 40-45 wins, with the potential to push 45-50 if Melo beast modes the season, the team play clicks, and a guy or two makes a leap (Porz, Grant, KOQ, Williams). And Melo-Lopez-Porz-Grant-Afflalo could draw a big time UFA next summer.
Good post. This is exactly how I see it as well.
First on his schedule is a daily meeting with general manager Steve Mills, assistant GM Allan Houston and Clarence Gaines, an advisor who worked alongside Jackson for all six of his title runs with the Chicago Bulls, to "get a read on what they see happening with the team and around the league."
"Then I'll write up something that I'll email to all the coaches," Jackson says. "Maybe I think they should scrimmage more in practice, or I'll relay my feelings about how certain players are reacting in certain situations. But I'll never criticize or second-guess [Derek Fisher] or his assistants. If the team is on the road, next on my agenda is to watch a replay of our last game before getting back to my apartment at about 3.
"If the team is at home, I'll occasionally show up at the morning shootaround. I like to watch the half-court drills and instruction from the sideline at center court. I try not to be intrusive, but since I know the language, sometimes I can't help shouting out something when a player does something wrong. ... Like grabbing a rebound and then holding the ball near his waist so it can be easily slapped away. In that case, the coach in me is still active enough for me to shout out 'Chest the ball!' But this happens very seldom.
The Phil Files: Taking the long road - ( New Window )
By the back end, I want Zinger, O'Qinn and Grant all showing real improvement within a capable team defensive concept, and some evidence that a modified triangle system actually leads to more open shots. I really have hopes that O'Quinn ends up a bargain. Then, if Hernangomez is ready for next year as a quality backup center, there will be a lot fewer holes to fill.
If they do that, then using next year's cap increase to upgrade again gets a lot easier. There is a desperate need for a star shooter from next year's crop, plus an athletic 2/3, unless Early shows a lot more.