brooklynoxy wrote:Fischella wrote:NY has 0 interest in Monroe, the Knicks want to snatch two big names next summer, and there are better FAs in the 2015 class than Greg, there is 0% chance that Phil will waste the cap on a long term deal on Monroe.
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With all due respect, the Knicks definitely would have an interest in Greg Monroe. I am curious as to why you think Phil wouldn't have an interest in a 24 year old with a definite skill as a passer (we know how this works in the triangle), and a player who may just fit in "our" system. I was pleasantly surprised to read some of the Detroit posters' thoughts on the Knicks players that they would and would not be interested in. If any of you visit the Knicks board, you will see several threads on Greg Monroe.
As a Knicks fan, I am shocked that Greg did not accept SVG's offers on what I thought were extremely accurate reflections of this young guy's market value. The player we have no interest in would be Josh Smith. Most of us think Greg has much more potential than Josh Smith ever had, Greg is bigger, and we love Monroe';s mid-range shot, durability, passing ability, but most importantly, his youth.
Yes, I am aware of the defensive problems Greg has and this is a huge problem. My idea would be to "pair" Greg up as a 4 with Cole Aldrich orJason Smith as the 5. However, insofar as Monroe's defense is concerned, I have to ask what 24 year old 4/5 doesn't have defensive issues? This is something that will make Greg's ultimate salary much more affordable ten say the one free agent who has been linked with New York and that is Marc Gasol.
If given the choice, most Knicks fans would pick Gasol over any free agent next summer. I like Gasol,but I also think that he will be at least $5 million dollars more per year than Greg would be and the two guys have more in common than differences. Greg and Mark are superb passers. Monroe, however, is nearly 6 years younger than Gasol. Mark is a better defender than Greg at this point. Yet, New York has brought on a new coaching staff who would take this kid and work his butt of during practice and summoners. He would go to Big Man's camp to work on these deficiencies.
New York is building their team with a combination of young players and veteran players. Many of my fellow posters have pointed out that Monroe is a "plodding" sort of player, which made me think of Gasol's speed on the court being akin to molasses. Monroe's speed issues may also be attributable to age and his muscle development not having caught up with his size.
Greg must hit the weight room and improve not only his muscle development, but his ability to keep up with other PFs in the league. Knicks fans are not known for their patience, but Greg is one year older than Cleanthony Early, our small forward who we picked in this year's draft.
New York would not put Greg as the starting center. I see him as a "front-court" player, one whose mid-range shooting ability and excellent passing, would be a perfect fit in the triangle. On defense, the Knicks have two "Bigs" who are rough and tough, shot-locking and a rim protector in both Cole Aldrich and Jason Smith—obviously, we wouldn't play Smith and Cole at the same time, but Carmelo is moving back to the SF.
I have a question for poster Fischella, who mentioned that
"the Knicks want to snatch two big names next summer". I know that Marc Gasol must be one UFA, but who is the second? Gasol's salary will be somewhere around $16.8 million per year and there is a huge uncertainty regarding Mark's desire to leave Memphis.
I haven't heard of a second "Big Name" UFA that we are interested in or one that we can afford.
I wish to thank all of the Detroit posters who have been extremely respectful and open about discussing this topic with a Knicks poster.
