Knicks are Doing Things Right

I literally can't remember the last time the Knicks behaved sensibly.  I think you have to go all the way back to Red Holzman.  They never did put the right guys around Ewing, then traded him for pain.  Zeke kepts trading 1's for busts (though a few of his other guys are contributors on winning teams now).  Brown was a maniac. Walsh had one plan and that was to get LeBron. When that failed is floundered.  D'Antonio was totally compromised by what was sent to Denver in the Melo trade - which was an horrendous overpay.  Then we traded an unprotected one for Bargs.  As unreal and surreal as things could be for about 40 years.

Even Phil Jackson had a shaky start, getting pennies and no first rounders in the trades he used to create cap space.   What's more, he then "lost" the lottery and ended up with the 4th pick, instead of the second.   But he absolutely did not panic or react for the sake of reacting.

It would have been predictably Knicks-like to trade the #4 pick for an older name player and a lower pick. Instead, Phil swung for the fences and took 7 foot stretch 4, Kristaps Porzingis.  Retrospectively I think all four of the top four guys would have worked in the Triangle - but Zinger might be the best fit of all, witch his unlimited range and ability to finish in close with either hand.  Sure he needs to get stronger to bang, but his skill level is pretty unique and he absolutely sounds like a player who wants to be coached and wants to be great.

Then the Knicks struck again and took ND's PG Jerian Grant, by trading Tim Hardaway Jr.  I still can't believe that was possible.  I grew to appreciate what Mudiay could do the more I studied him,  but Jerian can do all of that AND shoot.  I've often talked about how seniors are underrated in drafts.  Grant is a really nice example of that.

Free agency has been even more stunning.   They went into it needing rim protection, a 2 guard, and mayb a wing and a 4 to buy KP some time to develop.    By yesterday, they had secured all 4 needs.  And they didn't commit a single overpay.

Robin Lopez is a max effort, rim protecting C.  He will be loved at the Garden, and cover for a bunch of the defensive lapses of the guys around him.

Arron Aflalo is a competent 2 who used to be a good defender and will hit threes.   Not sure the Knicks have their 2 of the future yet, but Galloway and others should get plenty of chances to audition and Grant can also play the 2.

Derrick Williams is a bit of a gamble on greatness as a 3/4.    Williams is 6'8" and strong like Carmelo but sort of not enough of either a 3 or 4.   He can finish up close, and has long arms and hops for the alley-oops.  He's also been adding 3's and some midrange stuff, too.  He could actually really flourish in the Triangle, because he's really good at setting picks and back-cutting.   We'll see how much more his shot chart develops, but it wouldn't surprise me if he has a breakout year.

Finally - for now - the Knicks executed a sign and trade with Orlando for F/C Kyle O'Quinn.  This may be my favorite move.  Kyle can come in and play the 4 or 5 and adds more rim protection.  What's more, he can finish and has some midrange ability.  And he's a good passer, and that's huge for bigs in the Triangle.

So today, I just wanted to appreciate what they are doing, as opposed to what they usually have done. We'll have to see what else they do, but I have always favored team building over name signing, and they've done that.

Knicks summer league starts next Saturday.  We'll probably have a roster in the next few days.