Will Joakim Noah, Carmelo Anthony, and Kristaps be able to defeat the monsters of the Eastern conference and reclaim glory for the Knicks?
Jay and Marc from the New York Knicks Podcast join Lux and Chris from the Almighty Ballin Podcast for a cross-over episode, as we quest for Phil Jackson’s missing rings!
Marc, Jay and Sean get ready for the season with some predictions, analyzing the roster, Marc setting a milestone by almost staying positive for the entire episode (almost), debating Phil Jacksons moves, and much more
Sources (Jay) report that Clippers and Warriors are in talks for blockbuster trade involving Steph Curry and Chris Paul. Paul would make sense for the Warriors because he likes passing while Curry would make sense for Clippers because he likes shooting. Both teams are in win now mode so they need to put themselves over the top. There are also alleged by sources rumors of locker room strife and/or sexual misconduct. Pokemon Go is being referenced in this article because it is a popular search team. A source was quoted as saying both Curry and Paul would be great additions to a team looking to contend. Other sources (myself) question why Golden State would break up its core and wonder if referencing locker room tension and Kevin Durant would be helpful for getting page clicks
Marc and Jay talk about the contest winner, United Games, the fantasy league, Derrick Rose, and more
It’s our newest giveaway. Mention @nyknickspodcast on twitter, get the most retweets and win this one of a kind USB Knicks legends Nintendo Controller!
Marc and Jay talk about their new giveaway, getting written up in the post, Phils newest comments about taking a 2nd round pick instead of Crowder, the media ripping on Derrick Rose, available guards, and more
Marc and Jay are joined by artist and author Jerry Craft and his son Aren. We talk about first Knick experiences, take a journey through the Knicks point guards, Phil Files, analyze the Knicks bench, what to expect this coming season, debate whether Lance Stephenson is a good idea, and much more
Marc, Jay and stats guy talk about the Knicks signings of Ron Baker, Chasson Randle, and J P Tokoto. We also talk about the Phil files, training camp, the olympics and more
Marc and Jay talk about the latest Knicks signing of N’Dour, who they should get for the last spot, Derrick Rose calling the Knicks a super team, rotations, possible surprises in the roster, and much more
Written by Kevin Meng
Yesterday we broke down the first half of the Knicks offseason. Now on to the rest of the moves the Knicks made so far this summer.
Signing Courtney Lee to a 4 year, $48 million dollar deal
Not quite sure why Lee chose to play here, but I ain’t mad. In a starting 5 with a scoring forward, a defensive-minded center, the best Latvian big man since Kaspars Kambala, and a penetrating guard with a shaky shot, the one thing this team was lacking was a consistent three ball shooter and wing defender.
Lee has been a positive on the defensive end his whole career, playing bigger than his 6’5, 200lb frame might suggest. He also averaged 39% from bomb territory on 3 attempts per game last season. He was the one of the best shooters on a team that hoisted up the 4th most attempts in the league. With all of the attention on Mr. Anthony, KP, and Rose, he should thrive.
Seeing the deals thrown around for similar players like Kent Bazemore, and the premium put on 3nD wings, signing him for 12 per on average is a great deal. One marker of a good contract is the backend of the deal. A player might be worth their salary in the first two years and grossly overpaid the final two(Luol Deng to the Lakers??), but looking at Lee’s deal, he might even be underpaid in year 3 considering the new cap.
Finding the perfect compliment to the surrounding talent, and doing so on a fair contract? Here’s a big fat A for you, Mr. Jackson.
Grade: A
Signing Joakim Noah to a 4 year, $72 million dollar deal
Not sure if PMFJ still thinks he’s on his hippy retreat in Montana or not, but we have a sinking suspicion that he was on some serious mind altering substances when he signed this deal. When healthy, Noah is a still a very effective defender, good finisher around the rim, and great passer. Add to that his chemistry to Rose and the fact that we didn’t have a center, and the reasons for signing him are obvious. But 4/72 for a guy who can’t stay healthy and is on the downside of his career with a skillset that doesn’t age well? Yeesh.
In this market, players are going to get overpaid. There weren’t many C’s left on the market to get, and even fewer that fit what we needed, but this deal seems more like Phil panicked, realized he needed a C that could pass and be mobile on the court, and blew away the first one he could find with an offer he couldn’t refuse. Noah is still a good player, but he seemed angry at how Chicago did him dirty. Expect a big bounce back from him, but don’t expect him to earn the deal he signed. At least he isn’t Eddy Curry.
Grade: C+
Re-signing Lance Thomas to a 4 year, $27.5 million dollar deal
The New York Knicks Podcast 