ophdog wrote:Mike Woodson did a terrible job of coaching last year. Remember the year before with the same players on each roster the Knicks won more games. I think the idea that Chicago talent far exceeds New York is way off
I would not blame Woodson for all of it. I get your gist but the guys that made you win are gone and will have to be replaced just to get to "0" of year before last. Which isn't much better than Bulls last year
The year before--you had a better roster
Younger Chandler--who was great that year
Novak-perfect fit for that team
Kidd--excellent defender despite shooting woes
Then you got
older Tyson, no Novak, no Kid and added a net negative player in Bargs.
Pablo Pringles was a little worse as he's older.
Right now you don't have anyone who moves the needle except Melo and Shump.
So you need to get an elite rim protector as good as 2013 Chandler
Lights out 3 pt shooter like 2013 Novak
Plus defender PG with smarts to run a team like 2013 Kidd
And I'll give you a hint--you didn't get any of that in the DAL trade. Some may pan out later but none will move the needle next year like any of those guys did. Calderon was a dump on DAL part--they cut bait when they saw his D and got better play out of a much cheaper Devin Harris.
And those 3 pieces will get you back to where you were then--a 53 win team WITH melo--not an easy task. You just shipped out Tyson and have no one even close to him (even at his broken down level). The team will be much worse next year.
I see at least 2 years and probably 3. So Melo will be counting on the Paul Pierce twilight of his career--not impossible and I do think his game will age well as did Pierce.
Vs today in Chicago having 48 win team WITHOUT Rose and without Deng even. With Melo alone it's likely close to 57+ win team--add in Rose and it's easily top seed in east next 3 years --while he's waiting for NY to get to 53 wins.
Next 3 years wins
NYK 35-45-55 we will give you benefit of doubt.
CHI -60-62-60
% chance at making finals (hollinger rating--based on MOV largely)
NYK 0-2-10
CHI-20-25-25
He's got to weight that vs. the dough. S&T would lessen that a bit and like Pierce /Garnett he's likely geting overpaid on his last deal--even if it isn't a max it's a 13M/year + range --so yes no matter what he's getting less money but that can be largely mititgated. Add in cost of living here--trump tower here is probably 1/2 NY costs--and it isn't a huge haircut as they are making out in the media.
But he's got family/kids and likes NY--trusts in Phil--so there is that. But in no way do you guys have an easy basketball path to even get back to that 53 win team. There are gaping holes a Pau Gasol signing won't even begin to touch.
