Isiah’s Q: Trading Ariza the High-Riser?
by Guichard Cadet
A week after the San Antonion Spurs won the NBA championship for the third time in 7 seasons, the NBA held its annual draft. Coming into this year’s NBA Draft, there was a draft in the Knicks lineup. With the center position and general length and athleticism of the front court in question, all signs pointed to Knicks President Isiah Thomas using his picks on big men.
By night’s end, the Knicks had 4 new players. Channing Frye (pick #8), David Lee (pick #30), and Quentin Richardson and Nate Robinson (pick #21). The latter two players were acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Kurt Thomas and pick #54 Dijon Thompson.
Kurt Thomas had to be moved, for various reasons, and Phoenix probably put forth the best offer. Had the #21 pick been one of the remaining big men left on the draft, the Knicks would have to be considered the clear beneficiaries of this trade.
For those not familiar with the concept of Q, let me explain. Q was the mythical character in the second Star Trek series, The Next Generation. In the science fiction series opener, Q put the captain of the ship, his crew and humanity as a whole on trial. If they failed, he would destroy the human race.
Individually all three draft picks were solid, as was the acquisition of Quentin (Q) Richardson. Yet, except for Frye who is expected to log in minutes at the center position, the new pick-ups were a replication of filled positions. Unless Thomas pulls the trigger on a trade involving Trevor Ariza, the Knicks have a log jam at four positions.
Ariza’s rookie season has raised the expectations of Knicks fans. He is a swing player whose upside could be equal to that of The Truth, better known as Paul Pierce. Or, he can become another high-riser without a consistent jumper or handle to dominate at either the Shooting Guard or Small Forward position.
As much as youth and athleticism has been bandied in Thomas’ recent admission that the team is in rebuild mode, the Knicks have only one healthy quality All-Star-level starter, Stephon Marbury. Though the Kurt Thomas trade was fair for both teams, Isiah still enters trades dealing from a weak hand, unless he is willing to incorporate either Michael Sweetney or Ariza in future trades. It is not enough to get younger; the team needs to acquire a bona fide low post threat to complement the backcourt.
Though he drafted 3 very good players, his choices after Frye were misdirected and left the Knicks still scrounging for a center and considering the likes of Radoslav (Rasho ) Nesterovic and Kwame Brown. Had he taken a project center, he could better leverage the soon-to-come trades.
Trading for big men barely worth the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) is not the answer. Signing and/or trading for centers Jamal Magloire or Zydrunas Ilgauskas is, and to get them the Knicks have to be willing to part with prized potential players.
The Current Roster
Guards
Stephon Marbury / Jamal Crawford / Nate Robinson / Quentin Richardson / Allan Houston/ Anferne Hardaway
Forwards
Trevor Ariza / Tim Thomas / Maurice Taylor / Jerome Williams / Malik Rose / Michael Sweetney / David Lee
A week after the San Antonion Spurs won the NBA championship for the third time in 7 seasons, the NBA held its annual draft. Coming into this year’s NBA Draft, there was a draft in the Knicks lineup. With the center position and general length and athleticism of the front court in question, all signs pointed to Knicks President Isiah Thomas using his picks on big men.
By night’s end, the Knicks had 4 new players. Channing Frye (pick #8), David Lee (pick #30), and Quentin Richardson and Nate Robinson (pick #21). The latter two players were acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Kurt Thomas and pick #54 Dijon Thompson.
Kurt Thomas had to be moved, for various reasons, and Phoenix probably put forth the best offer. Had the #21 pick been one of the remaining big men left on the draft, the Knicks would have to be considered the clear beneficiaries of this trade.
For those not familiar with the concept of Q, let me explain. Q was the mythical character in the second Star Trek series, The Next Generation. In the science fiction series opener, Q put the captain of the ship, his crew and humanity as a whole on trial. If they failed, he would destroy the human race.
Individually all three draft picks were solid, as was the acquisition of Quentin (Q) Richardson. Yet, except for Frye who is expected to log in minutes at the center position, the new pick-ups were a replication of filled positions. Unless Thomas pulls the trigger on a trade involving Trevor Ariza, the Knicks have a log jam at four positions.
Ariza’s rookie season has raised the expectations of Knicks fans. He is a swing player whose upside could be equal to that of The Truth, better known as Paul Pierce. Or, he can become another high-riser without a consistent jumper or handle to dominate at either the Shooting Guard or Small Forward position.
As much as youth and athleticism has been bandied in Thomas’ recent admission that the team is in rebuild mode, the Knicks have only one healthy quality All-Star-level starter, Stephon Marbury. Though the Kurt Thomas trade was fair for both teams, Isiah still enters trades dealing from a weak hand, unless he is willing to incorporate either Michael Sweetney or Ariza in future trades. It is not enough to get younger; the team needs to acquire a bona fide low post threat to complement the backcourt.
Though he drafted 3 very good players, his choices after Frye were misdirected and left the Knicks still scrounging for a center and considering the likes of Radoslav (Rasho ) Nesterovic and Kwame Brown. Had he taken a project center, he could better leverage the soon-to-come trades.
Trading for big men barely worth the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) is not the answer. Signing and/or trading for centers Jamal Magloire or Zydrunas Ilgauskas is, and to get them the Knicks have to be willing to part with prized potential players.
The Current Roster
Guards
Stephon Marbury / Jamal Crawford / Nate Robinson / Quentin Richardson / Allan Houston/ Anferne Hardaway
Forwards
Trevor Ariza / Tim Thomas / Maurice Taylor / Jerome Williams / Malik Rose / Michael Sweetney / David Lee
Center
Channing Frye / Jackie Butler
Channing Frye / Jackie Butler
posted by Guichard Cadet @ 10:17 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Calboogy...
...maybe in 3 years or 4 Green will reach his potential... then we can go after him as a free agent..
...so I think we did the right thing in taking Frye...
If Green turns out to be the real deal much sooner, look for Paul Pierce to be on the blocks...
truth is only thing Aziza and Pierce have in common is the state they're from california.
Fyre was solid and will be a better pro for the knicks than green would.
good article. something to ponder.
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