*Felton traded to the Knicks. Knicks not matching Lin?

[Clyde_Style]

There is a tool fest here claiming Lin is gone. Actually, odds are he is not, so don't listen to the BS. I wouldn't be suprised at this point if there aren't some agents of rumor spreading among the posters popping up now, because most of the stuff being said to explain why Lin is gone sounds like grade school counter-espionage, not sensible talk from actual Knicks fans. Felton is not a very good PG and if you believe the Knicks will take their investment in everyone else and put them on Raymond's shoulders, then you're believing a pretty far-fetched scenario. The Knicks would have to be stone cold idiots to not match contrary to some comments here.

Didn't we have an absurd pay role a couple years ago when are team was dreadful, why would we be concerned with pay role when we have a contender. I have very little doubts that we will match Lin's offer, especially when he can cover his cost- financially and on the court.

Simply put, yes, the value of our payroll now puts us in contention and the Knicks are still run by businessmen who know that you cannot jeapordize the money already invested by not going the last mile on expenditures to get results. The Knicks are close now and it is up to the players and coaching staff to deliver, but management has done their bit and there is no reason to expect them to sabotage such a big investment by skimping on PG salaries and going with old PG's and Felton. Not retaining Lin would be an even bigger insult to the players on the team than to the fans. They have to go into training camp with Lin or they will have failed everyone.

[Dr. Detfink]

You can dance around Lin's worth but his upside is MUCH MUCH HIGHER than Felton.

[PainKiller]

These multiple sources that say we won't match are just speculating, they love controversy that's what sells and gets people all worked up.. I won't believe it till it's signed on the dotted line.

[BayareaKnicks]

And i was getting so excited about next season gettg to watch Jeremy play the full season with everyone, transforming into a powerhouse.

I don't think JLIN is a 20 game wonder. He has what it takes to be a star in this league. Plus he steps up in the 4th quarter.

There are certain players who flourish in NYC and Lin is one of them.

Annoyed that it has gotten to this point. From reading th erockets forum, they are not even excited about getting him.

If Knicks let him go, it will be a big mistake..

[HEZI]

Knicks will match for Lin, people need to relax and calm down. With Shumpert out, the Knicks have available PT for all 3 guards to see the floor. Jason Kidd is 39 and we can't depend on him for insurance. Our problem last year was injuries. I believe managment is loading up the team in preparation for a long playoff run. Leaving room for NO excuses for the upcoming year.

[No35]

And i was getting so excited about next season gettg to watch Jeremy play the full season with everyone, transforming into a powerhouse.

I don't think JLIN is a 20 game wonder. He has what it takes to be a star in this league. Plus he steps up in the 4th quarter.

There are certain players who flourish in NYC and Lin is one of them.

Annoyed that it has gotten to this point. From reading th erockets forum, they are not even excited about getting him.

If Knicks let him go, it will be a big mistake..

If you read the real rockets board, Clutchfans, they are ecstatic. They say that they have Dolan's balls in their hands.

[j4remi]

I pray we match...I hate Felton's game. I didn't want him as a back up to Lin let alone splitting time with Kidd. I'm sweating!

[Knicks80_20]

Some gems from the Blazers board:

No news of him signing anywhere.
Based on how out of shape he was after the lock out on a contract year none the less, how badly he played and as much of a locker room cancer he was I hope he doesn't make a NBA roster.

The biggest loser is probably the only place he'd find where competitors have a worse work ethic than he does.

Felton screwed himself out of a potential huge payday. The Blazers handed him the best opportunity he will ever have. The sad thing is he showed he had the talent. He also showed he didn't have the work ethic and professionalism.

And this is the guy who's going to make our championship core work?

[DocZaius]

Some gems from the Blazers board:

No news of him signing anywhere.
Based on how out of shape he was after the lock out on a contract year none the less, how badly he played and as much of a locker room cancer he was I hope he doesn't make a NBA roster.

The biggest loser is probably the only place he'd find where competitors have a worse work ethic than he does.

Felton screwed himself out of a potential huge payday. The Blazers handed him the best opportunity he will ever have. The sad thing is he showed he had the talent. He also showed he didn't have the work ethic and professionalism.

And this is the guy who's going to make our championship core work?

[waya]

I was gone all day and just went through 130+ pages of this, yikes

A lot of you guys are being pretty unfair to Felton. He was a warrior with us, and while I doubt he'll replicate that play, I'd be elated to see some of that flair and defense again, especially under Woodson. Just looking at the trade itself, its pretty damn solid.

Obviously I'd love to see Lin matched, but some of you guys are overreacting. Neither Lin nor Felton will be putting up all-star numbers in the near future. Not because they aren't capable, but because we won't be running the offense through them every play like we did when either one had their success with us. Like it or not, the offense is Melo's and everyone else needs to fit in where they can. The question is, can one of these guys get Amare's bum ass going again?

Honestly, with the injuries we had at the point last season, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we still matched Lin.

[egelband]

I want a dead ass YES or NO from people, because I find it insane personally.

Does anyone realistically think LIN is worth 15 MILLION in one year after only playing not even half a season. Add the tax to that and the number is higher. Get rid of the lin love and think for a min

Id say NoNOOOOO

Still talking about one year? GEEZUS CHRIST! He gets paid 5 and 5 the first two years for an average of over 8M a year, pretty much what was expected. And if you haven't yet educated yourself about why the Knicks will have tons of expirings several seasons from now giving them many trade opportunities and why this can actually work for them with a larger backend contract, why don't you go study up instead of spouting this silly garbage about Lin being overpriced in the last year.

IDGAF. Point blank I dont like seeing players overpaid when they have proved NOTHING. If he turns out to be a total bust next season and so on, were stuck with that. A guy who made the MIN last year. You dont get rewarded for a half a season

my point is that this is the question the knicks scout/talent evaluators must answer. and, to be fair, this is what they're paid to do. if they feel lin is going to play and contribute, then, with all the other ancillary value he brings, the contract is manageable. if they think he was a flash-in-the-pan, then he becomes houston's problem contract.
btw, houston must really think he can play...for whatever that's worth.

[PainKiller]

Lin will be the starting PG in the all star game this up coming season. lol

[egelband]

Until Prigioni plays a game in the NBA, he still remains a mystery for now.

As we witnessed last season, we can never have too many guards.

totally. excellent points.

[BayareaKnicks]

And i was getting so excited about next season gettg to watch Jeremy play the full season with everyone, transforming into a powerhouse.

I don't think JLIN is a 20 game wonder. He has what it takes to be a star in this league. Plus he steps up in the 4th quarter.

There are certain players who flourish in NYC and Lin is one of them.

Annoyed that it has gotten to this point. From reading th erockets forum, they are not even excited about getting him.

If Knicks let him go, it will be a big mistake..

If you read the real rockets board, Clutchfans, they are ecstatic. They say that they have Dolan's balls in their hands.

Just went there. Still lukewarm reception. They have no idea what he brings to the team. The kid can flat out ball. Smart. D'antoni knows a special guard when he sees one. To discount his record breaking achievement in his first start is dumb. Hope Dolan makes the right call. He is worth taking a chance on from both sports and business reasons.

[21shumpst]

One thing I don't get is that we were all fine with paying the lux tax when Lin was going to get 10million in his 3rd year, but an extra 5 million and people are like the Knicks are gonna go bankrupt.

Also this fool on WFAN keeps spouting that not signing Lin is strictly a basketball move and has nothing to do with finances, but if finances have nothing to do with it, then the only basketball move would be to match, since not matching Lin doesn't allow you to bring in another player. They have nothing to lose if finances have nothing to do with it. If he sucks it up, just trade him.

[JBreezeNY]

Lin will be the starting PG in the all star game this up coming season. lol

Of course he is, China don't play.

[Knicks_Fan2]

Every year our guards are hurt and we are left with trash in the playoffs. We get more guard depth and crazy eyes and people are bugging. Presume we will match--because we will--and of course freak out when we actually don't match. Half an hour after some sources said maybe he wouldn't match almost every writer has backtracked.

[Knicks_Fan2]

And i was getting so excited about next season gettg to watch Jeremy play the full season with everyone, transforming into a powerhouse.

I don't think JLIN is a 20 game wonder. He has what it takes to be a star in this league. Plus he steps up in the 4th quarter.

There are certain players who flourish in NYC and Lin is one of them.

Annoyed that it has gotten to this point. From reading th erockets forum, they are not even excited about getting him.

If Knicks let him go, it will be a big mistake..

If you read the real rockets board, Clutchfans, they are ecstatic. They say that they have Dolan's balls in their hands.

Just went there. Still lukewarm reception. They have no idea what he brings to the team. The kid can flat out ball. Smart. D'antoni knows a special guard when he sees one. To discount his record breaking achievement in his first start is dumb. Hope Dolan makes the right call. He is worth taking a chance on from both sports and business reasons.

Agree with all except the dantoni line. That idiot wouldn't even put him in when people on this board were beggin to get Lin a chance.

[KnicksScholar24]

The only thing left for Dolan to do is to not match Jeremy Lin's offer sheet and then deal Iman Shumpert & 7 more second round picks for a S&T for Grant Hill. Get'er done, Grunnie!!

[N8isScofield]

We're still matching Lin. James Dolan is not letting his little meal ticket go. He just isn't. When a guy actually influences stock value and he can play you keep him. We're just throwing the kitchen sink at winning a title because we have a small window.