Eric Bledsoe and JJ Redicks

[frizzledizzle]

He can be what Paul George is now, if not MUCH better.

What is this based on?

Shump is a stud defensively but so is Paul George.

Paul George has 4 inches on him, is an athletic freak, a great rebounder(7.6rebs) and great passer(4.1asts).

George is just under 2 months older than Shump and has already shown far more. Why would you think he could be much better? Shump has yet to average 10 points in 2 seasons while George just got done averaging 17.4pts in his 3rd season. Also, Shump shot 40.1% last season and 39.9% this season. He has shown flashes and maybe he could be on par with Paul George this season but much better? I don't think Paul George is done improving so let's wait and see if Shump can match what George did this season before throwing out claims he can be much better lol

[Butch718]

Paul George didn't really burst onto the scene till this season. His "third" year. To suggest that Shump could be much better than George is a bit much. But is it really far fetched to say that he can have a similar impact with this team? Especially if he goes back to playing the two guard where he belongs?

I think his development is going to hinder on the way Woodson uses him. All the tools are there.

Athleticism. Check.
Defensive instincts. Check.
Outside shooting. Check.
Lateral quickness. Check.
Quick hands. Check.
One full year under his belt after serious knee surgery. Check.

What he really needs to work on his his ball handling skills, and his ability to finish around the basket. I have no doubt that he's going to improve in these two specific aspects of the game. The guy is a hard worker. He just needs a coach that's going to maximize his full potential. Much like Vogel did with George. Hopefully Woodson smartens up and stops playing him at the SF position.

[digitaldropoff]

Jesus there is some dumb **** on this board. Bledsoe will be a commodity that other teams will be able to give up more...and Redick will cost 7-8 per year, you can book that. The Knicks don't have enough assets to obtain either....as Shumpert is the only guy on the Knicks worth keeping given his age, output, and contract. Everyone else on your team is either overpaid, sucks, or simply can't do it on their own....the latter for Melo.

[moocow007]

JJ Reddick was terrible with the Bucks...especially the playoffs. No thanks.

With the Bucks? Its not about how he fitted with the Bucks. Its about how he would fit around the core of the Knicks. The Knicks need a guard who can stretch the defense consistently. Because there was no consistant backcourt shooter, the Knicks had to resort to forwards to stretch the defense in Novak and Copeland. The problem with that is one of the big three had to be taken off the court or played out of position. Shump and Felton do not stretch the defense and Smith is too inconsistent to be a starter.

The point of mentioning the Bucks is to point out that he can't handle pressure. Its great to put up nice stats on a team with no pressure and no expectations (Orlando), its another to do remotely the same when you actually have to win games and under the pressure of playing in the playoffs. Playoffs...you know...what THIS team is trying to go deep in?

[hatnlvr]

this team needs players who can score inside and create offense (the only player we have who can consistently penetrate is Raymond). We don't need anymore shooters, relying on jump shots is what just got us knocked out of the playoffs.

[spree2kawhi]

Bledsoe and Redick aren't answers. This team actually still doesn't need too much. PF is clearly THE need as David West demonstrated: he, Zach Randolph, Tim Duncan and dare I say it even Chris Bosh will annually make sure Carmelo Anthony won't win a title as a PF. Small Ball is a great alternative to have though.

A lineup of

Felton
Shumpert
Anthony
A two way PF (who really defends and rebounds without giving up size or strength)
Chandler

... would get this team just as close to a title as any other team in the league.

Problem is, there does not seem to be any way of finding this particular kind of player. Neither Redick nor Bledsoe would sort out the real shortcomings of this team OR provide significant functional upgrades over Felton or Shumpert at all.

Just a few more thoughts on my take of the PF problem:

- Martin worked so well because of his defense, strength and rebounding. But there was no scoring option down low. Amare would be great in that regard but he is a) done and b) doesn't defend or rebound. Both can't be used as trading chips.
- Chandler, as bad as he played, is a great piece because of his size, mobility, motor and individual as well as team defense. He is clearly a keeper. But fact is also: You need a scoring PF next to him - which this team does not have.
- Melo is a clearly a SF and a PF for only half a game at the most. Copeland is not a PF.

Before I go and get Redick for a position of no further need, I'd go get a creative two way player for JR's role that's reliable (maybe Mayo). But given that JR actually played an awesome season, I would not even waste anything to go that route.

EDIT: Given that without Anthony or Chandler this team doesn't go anywhere and Shumpert clearly is an untouchable for every person with a complex concept of basketball, it appears that - in the abscence of any other tradeable pieces or significant cap room - these New York Knicks appear to have peaked (until Amare is off the books). It was an incredibly fun ride though!

[moabu08]

We need a number 2. Not more 3rd and 4th options.

[F N 11]

Iman Shumpert ‏@I_Am_Iman 18 May
My apologies #knickstape we str8 up failed. That hurt.

This man is our future.

[NoLayupRule]

Shump should remain nearly untouchable

we saw that two players stepped up in the elimination game. Melo and Shump.
and actually Priginoi too

But melo and Shump were the ones who battled their hearts out

You cant buy that

[F N 11]

Shump should remain nearly untouchable

we saw that two players stepped up in the elimination game. Melo and Shump.
and actually Priginoi too

But melo and Shump were the ones who battled their hearts out

You cant buy that

You can't say enough about that. Shumpert is for real. Melo just needs a helping hand but you cant deny that look that shumpert had in his eyes.

[moocow007]

Shump should remain nearly untouchable

we saw that two players stepped up in the elimination game. Melo and Shump.
and actually Priginoi too

But melo and Shump were the ones who battled their hearts out

You cant buy that

Agreed

[alphad0gz]

I think Reddick would be a great guy to take Novak's spot. He plays decent defense, is normally a great spot up shooter with deep range, can put the ball on the floor a little, is great off screens, and doesn't require the ball. How many open three's did we misfire on? I would bet that JJ hits about 60% plus on open spot ups. He is exactly what Melo and Felton need. I don't feel the same way about Felton as some of the others. He's tough and unselfish. He had a bad game but without him we don't get as far as we got. That being said, Bledsoe would be a nice young player but I don't ever include Shumpert in any deal that doesn't bring back a far better young player.

[moocow007]

I think Reddick would be a great guy to take Novak's spot. He plays decent defense, is normally a great spot up shooter with deep range, can put the ball on the floor a little, is great off screens, and doesn't require the ball. How many open three's did we misfire on? I would bet that JJ hits about 60% plus on open spot ups. He is exactly what Melo and Felton need. I don't feel the same way about Felton as some of the others. He's tough and unselfish. He had a bad game but without him we don't get as far as we got. That being said, Bledsoe would be a nice young player but I don't ever include Shumpert in any deal that doesn't bring back a far better young player.

Unless he upped his defense as a Buck (seriously doubt it), Reddick was statistically one of the worst defenders in the NBA as a member of the Magic. So in that sense, yes, he's quite like Novak, if his shot isn't falling, he's useless.

[Knicks_Fan2]

I think Reddick would be a great guy to take Novak's spot. He plays decent defense, is normally a great spot up shooter with deep range, can put the ball on the floor a little, is great off screens, and doesn't require the ball. How many open three's did we misfire on? I would bet that JJ hits about 60% plus on open spot ups. He is exactly what Melo and Felton need. I don't feel the same way about Felton as some of the others. He's tough and unselfish. He had a bad game but without him we don't get as far as we got. That being said, Bledsoe would be a nice young player but I don't ever include Shumpert in any deal that doesn't bring back a far better young player.

Unless he upped his defense as a Buck (seriously doubt it), Reddick was statistically one of the worst defenders in the NBA as a member of the Magic. So in that sense, yes, he's quite like Novak, if his shot isn't falling, he's useless.

What statistics?

[moocow007]

I think Reddick would be a great guy to take Novak's spot. He plays decent defense, is normally a great spot up shooter with deep range, can put the ball on the floor a little, is great off screens, and doesn't require the ball. How many open three's did we misfire on? I would bet that JJ hits about 60% plus on open spot ups. He is exactly what Melo and Felton need. I don't feel the same way about Felton as some of the others. He's tough and unselfish. He had a bad game but without him we don't get as far as we got. That being said, Bledsoe would be a nice young player but I don't ever include Shumpert in any deal that doesn't bring back a far better young player.

Unless he upped his defense as a Buck (seriously doubt it), Reddick was statistically one of the worst defenders in the NBA as a member of the Magic. So in that sense, yes, he's quite like Novak, if his shot isn't falling, he's useless.

What statistics?

Defensive Rating.

[frizzledizzle]

Paul George didn't really burst onto the scene till this season. His "third" year. To suggest that Shump could be much better than George is a bit much. But is it really far fetched to say that he can have a similar impact with this team? Especially if he goes back to playing the two guard where he belongs?

I think his development is going to hinder on the way Woodson uses him. All the tools are there.

Athleticism. Check.
Defensive instincts. Check.
Outside shooting. Check.
Lateral quickness. Check.
Quick hands. Check.
One full year under his belt after serious knee surgery. Check.

What he really needs to work on his his ball handling skills, and his ability to finish around the basket. I have no doubt that he's going to improve in these two specific aspects of the game. The guy is a hard worker. He just needs a coach that's going to maximize his full potential. Much like Vogel did with George. Hopefully Woodson smartens up and stops playing him at the SF position.

Without a doubt Shumpert could find himself having a similar impact to Paul George. But Paul George is a few points away and a couple percentage points away from being a superstar. 17.4pts, 7.6rebs, 4.1asts, 1.8stls, .8blks on 41.9%fg, 36.2%3pt, 80.7%ft. He's also one of the elite defenders in the NBA and just turned 23 two weeks ago. George is already putting up big numbers in every category and scoring a little more would push him to superstar status. So I just found it far fetch for someone to claim he could be much better lol. Assuming Paul George makes the jump to 20 points a season at some point, you'd have to average like 28-10-6-3 to be much better.

If George averages 4.5pts more to get to 22points and 3% higher to get to 45% while maintaining the rest of his numbers, he'd be viewed as a superstar. Despite his field goal percentage, his 3 point percentage is actually pretty good given that he averaged 5.9 three's per game. And he only went to the line 3.5 times per game this year. If the NBA chooses to do so, which they have in the playoffs... they can put him to the line closer to 6 times and that would have put him at about the 20 point mark this season for points scored. Really, if he just raises his scoring and field goal percentage just a little, he'd be viewed as a superstar. He's teetering on making the jump.

[Johnny Hoops]

I LOVE Bledsoe

I have no idea what we could trade them unless hey were interested in something like

butler, Bledsoe and Jordan for Tyson

Pretty sure we'd have to add Shumpert.

Tyson/Shumpert for Bledsoe/Jordan works and I'd do it.

Shump has already had 2 major knee injuries and another scare in the playoffs -- he's a nice player but his offense is very erratic --- don't want to overreact to game 6 with Shump.

Making this trade allows us to pick up 5 or 6 years of youth between Chandler and Jordan --- Jordan also provides more rim protection than Tyson -- although Jordan comes with his own issues (free throw shooting to name one).

Key for me is taking a young PG over a young SG -- particularly when it's likely JR will be back -- Kidd is still signed, Felton often plays the shooting guard role and we could also add a veteran SF if needed.

Give me Bledsoe -- start him with Felton and I think we are better.

[GONYK]

Shumpert is a better PG than Bledsoe

[Knicks_Fan2]

Defensive Rating.

Yikes, 113.

[knicksRback]

I LOVE Bledsoe

I have no idea what we could trade them unless hey were interested in something like

butler, Bledsoe and Jordan for Tyson

Pretty sure we'd have to add Shumpert.

Tyson/Shumpert for Bledsoe/Jordan works and I'd do it.

Shump has already had 2 major knee injuries and another scare in the playoffs -- he's a nice player but his offense is very erratic --- don't want to overreact to game 6 with Shump.

Making this trade allows us to pick up 5 or 6 years of youth between Chandler and Jordan --- Jordan also provides more rim protection than Tyson -- although Jordan comes with his own issues (free throw shooting to name one).

Key for me is taking a young PG over a young SG -- particularly when it's likely JR will be back -- Kidd is still signed, Felton often plays the shooting guard role and we could also add a veteran SF if needed.

Give me Bledsoe -- start him with Felton and I think we are better.

no we most certainly do not trade Shumpert... Dude is very promising and he has a bright future... He is becoming a good 2 way player and right now he is like a mini Paul George. He just needs more NBA experience under his belt and this playoff run was great for him for the future.

We must somehow unload Amare this summer, that is #1 priority. We need to get rid of Novak, Camby somehow, Kidd, White, and maybe even Chandler. We need a hybrid center that can space the floor and shoot ala Chris Bosh or Marc gasol(not saying we will get these guys just a example) IF the trio of Amare, Melo and _______will ever work. Having two guys like Chandler and Amare on the floor is a pretty terrible combination