From the Orlando Sentinel, regarding Chris Duhon (I see david also posted this link in the comments area of the previous blog...good looking out, david).
Last night word got out that Duhon could be ready to make a decision as early as today and was deciding between the Knicks and Magic.
There was some thought that he was interested in the Knicks because of the opportunity to win a starting role. But after reading these quotes from Duhon's agent, Kevin Bradbury, it sounds like Duhon walked away from his meeting with the Knicks unimpressed with what they had to offer and not just because the Knicks put up just a two-year deal compared to three from the Magic.
"Chris wants to help a team win a championship, that's what Orlando is trying to do," Bradbury told the Sentinel. "That's different than a team looking to rebuild."
Another line from Bradbury that could be viewed as another vieled shot at the Knicks situation regarded the role Duhon would play as backup to Jameer Nelson. "Chris just wants a well-defined role," said Bradbury, who was nowhere near as talkative when members of the New York media contacted him over the past few days.
Perhaps an indication of Duhon's lack of interest in the Knicks and that the Knicks offered no clues to him about Stephon Marbury's future with the team.
So figuring Duhon is gone to Orlando, next up among guards of interest are Jannero Pargo, Roger Mason and Chris Quinn.
And before some of you in Fixer Nation start to boil about the self-imposed two-year restriction on offers, remind yourself that we're talking about Chris Duhon, Jannero Pargo, Roger Mason and Chris Quinn. These are nice players that could help, but no one that will make or break a franchise.
Stay tuned . . .
Comments (13)
Alan "beat" me to this post from another "beat" Blog this morning:
Duhon has become Donnie Walsh's lead candidate in his modest free-agent point-guard hunt, searching for a playmaker to compete with Stephon MarburyStephon Marbury for the starting slot. (Marbury is in no danger of being waived.)
and...
With the Knicks awaiting word, Walsh is keeping his options open. He spoke yesterday to agent Mark Bartlestein to inquire about former Sun Eddie House, Jennaro Pargo and Roger Mason, all combo guards. Walsh has not set up any meetings.
On Tuesday, the Knicks called agent Andy Miller to express interest in Sebastian Telfair and Tyronn Lue, whom D'Antoni's Suns tried to acquire after he got cut in midseason.
I am so afraid they are going to bring in Telfair. Imagine two cousins ruining their home town team together?? I think Steve Blake is underrated. I would love the Knicks to grab him.
Knicks Fan Blog
Bring in Andre Barrett for the minimum. Not as a starter, but as a guy who would show the rest of those spoiled brats the value of hard work. Bring in 1 or 2 D-Leaguers who are fighting for their basketball careers. You know they won't mail it on a cold December tuesday night at the Garden.
No Telfair, never, ever, no, no, no
Rebuilding or not, if I was the guy being asked to lead this team, the problem would be Marbury, not the state of the franchise. Not knowing if you will be dealing with that narcissistic sociopath as a teammate, and worse, a competitor for minutes, has to loom large. You are not coming in here to win right away, your coming in to build a team and the satisfaction that comes from that - camaraderie, shared purpose, greater responsibility, the ability to make a difference and be a significant contributor - ALL will be compromised and turn to poison while Starbury is here.
As I write this, it is becoming crystal clear to me that the firs order of business is buying out Starbury, now. For every positive that Walsh and D'Antoni's new regime promises, he will be there tearing down the foundations as they are built when things don't go his way. How can they realistically ask a player to sacrifice money and length of contract to come and put their shoulder to the wheel, when you have a character with the potential to do so much damage that has never sacrificed, never pitched in, never made his teammates better.
Frankly, any player so hard up that they would accept those conditions I would have serious questions about. The knicks have not "changed" until they have exorcised Marbury. I think once he is gone, FA's, especially point guard FA's, will have a much different attitude about taking on the rebuilding project in New York.
Willis, I totally agree with you. Marbury is a negative influence, not only on the current Knicks, but throughout the NBA. Until they cut him loose, any decent players will look at the Knicks negatively.
And I am not sure what they are wating for. Marbury has been a coach-killer, a terrible teammate, and the lead player on one of the worst franchises in the NBA over the past four years.
Walsh is beginning to lose me . . .
For the sake of W's this season, I would like to keep Steph and see what he can do. I still believe in his talent, and I think he can be good.
But, its just not worth it. I said BEFORE last season began that Steph had turned manic. I can't believe a proper diagnosis hasn't been made yet. He has almost every telltale symptom in the book. The fans are right, its time to cut him loose.
Buy out Steph, even if its 100% of his salary. Immediately declare Nate the starting PG, and then let these free agent PG's come in and compete with him. If Steph was out by now, I'm sure we'd have a replacement by opening day.
If not, we showcase some guy's in Coach D's system, and make moves before the trade deadline.
All this talk about buying out Marbury is a little short sighted in my opinion.
While I agree that he is awful and a deterrent to free agents we have to remember several points:
1. He is around at most, for one more year. If he sticks around for another year and we win 28 games instead of 33, is there really that much damage done? We might even get a better draft pick.
2. In a contract year, he will be on his best behavior, for whatever that is worth.
3. His expiring contract is an asset. There MIGHT (might not) be a team out there looking to get under the cap a year sooner, willing to trade us a draft pick and contracts with an extra year on them (several players on the Kings, Cavs, Bulls, Pistons, Warriors, Clippers, Heat, Wolves, and Suns have two years left, for example) for Marbury's contract, which they can then waive if they wish.
It would undoubtedly suck to have to deal with Marbury (unless your name is Marc Berman) for another year, but is anyone really expecting D'Antoni/Walsh to put up with his nonsense? If he acts up we can pull a Francis/Penny and just send him home, ban him from the team without giving up the asset that is his contract. Sure Dolan wouldn't save the few million dollars he would otherwise pocket by cutting Steph loose, but hey, its not our money.
Hey Alan, what do think about chris quinn from Miami to fill the PG role? The guy shot 40% from 3pt range last year 87% from the ft line and had a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio. He only made $687,000 last year so he should command way less than anybody else out there AND he's only 24! When D wade was out last year he put up great numbers...here are his last 5 games of 2007
16pt 6ast 3rb
14pt 8ast 7rb
9pt 6ast 3rb
14pt 6ast 1rb
11pt 6ast 1rb
I think this guy will come cheap, play hard and who knows...maybe he becomes a permanent fixture in the organization at the very least as a back-up point...plus what were we going to pay Duhon $6 million for 2 years....how about we pay "The mighty" Quinn 2 million for 2 years and save 4 million??????
Good post, Dan. Not sure if Marbury and D'Antoni can exist. Coach and Steph have said all the right things, but the mere fact were after all of the mid-level point guards is evidence he's a goner. Of course, nothing's 100 percent and I'd settle for 2nd round pick and a two-year contracted player mid-season if Walsh can pull it off. Maybe GS for Harrington... Warriors could buy him out and free up more room for Monta and Biedrins.
Carlos Arroyo please...
If not the Steve Blake..
Period..
Alan, are you hearing anything about Steve Blake? Surely he's not looking for a long-term deal...
Alan,
In my opinion, if Chris Duhon is not intrigued by the opportunity to start( with the Knicks), and is more comfortable taking a back-seat and coming in after Jameer Nelson, then I do not think he is the best option for the Knicks anyway. Granted the Orlando situation offers more security in the number of years proposed, but if he is confident enough...at only 25 yrs old... in his ability to run a team and prove himself as more than just a back-up, he would be comfortable taking a shorter deal. This team also needs people with thick-skin, willing to try and change the culture here. So I feel like the situation is win, win....as Duhon's decision will tell the Knicks all they need to know about his aspirations and mentality.
Alan,
In my opinion, if Chris Duhon is not intrigued by the opportunity to start( with the Knicks), and is more comfortable taking a back-seat and coming in after Jameer Nelson, then I do not think he is the best option for the Knicks anyway. Granted the Orlando situation offers more security in the number of years proposed, but if he is confident enough...at only 25 yrs old... in his ability to run a team and prove himself as more than just a back-up, he would be comfortable taking a shorter deal. This team also needs people with thick-skin, willing to try and change the culture here. So I feel like the situation is win, win....as Duhon's decision will tell the Knicks all they need to know about his aspirations and mentality.