KNICKS on the move

In an attempt to revamp their roster Donnie Walsh has made several subtle moves ... watch for the big ones to come in the net few days.

A recap:
Draft night the Knicks picked up athletic forward Jordan Hill and steady combo guard Tony Douglass. Both guys will be contributors as they reach the all-star break net season.
They also made a draft night trade to acquire 7-1 journeyman Darko Milicic- a 12pt/8 reb guy in D'Antoni's system. Hill, Darko, and Tony Douglass will be players 8-9-10 in the rotation.

Last Season:
The Knicks developed Duhon who will ultimately become the back up point guard (player number 7) and gave major minutes to Nate Robinson-- I don't think they want to hold onto him but he could become a bargain-- the market doesn't want the 5-9 guard either so his price will be driven down. Robinson becomes player #6 in the rotation and could provide a 24 minute a game spark plug off of the bench.

The Rotation:
Right now David Lee and Wilson Chandler have become staples in the rotation and have proven they can be built upon. Mid Season acquisition Al Harrington proved to be solid and Galinari is a wait and see prospect-- but appears to be penciled in at the forward spot.

The moves:
The Knicks still need a point guard and a center-- watch the Knicks make a move to land Jason Kidd (Kidds kids live in NY and he has a residence there) or Ramon Sessons from Milwaukee to fill their pg needs.

Watch Jared Jeffries get moved to make room for free agent center Marcin Gortat from Orlando--

Wrinkle--
if the Knicks sign and trade for Ricky Rubio using David Lee then Harrington moves into Lees spot in the rotation. Nate Robinson is coveted by Sacramento-- possible sign and trade with them ... prospect unknown.

Knicks Rotation:
1- Kidd
2- Chandler
3- Gallinari
4- Lee
5- Gortat
6- Duhon
7- Robinson/Douglass
8- Harrington
9-Hill
10-Milicic

DD .... tomorrow more Ricky Rubio!!

Foundation for Argentinian National Program

I had the good fortune of visiting Argentina and examining the foundation of their national program. This week I will go through what I believe makes Argentina a GREAT program. Here are some keys that you can take and apply to any program at any level:

1. Their staff (from age 8 to 22 and and up) is on the same page.
2. They develop players everyday- not just skills ... but the whole person.
3. They seek out the toughest players- they will steal players from soccer, rugby, etc
4. They promote the Basketball Federation nationally everyday ... by reaching out to athletes in all of the federations (soccer, tennis, etc), through community events, by employing former Argentinian basketball legends as part of the process, they run free clinics to develop coaches, and run camps, clinics, and combines to make basketball.

This is a simple blueprint for program success that can be employed by a youth hoop and major college basketball. Argentina has been very successful in regards to international competition and placing very good players into the NBA over the last eight years. If you get a chance to their national website and check out the names of the products that they have produced (i.e Ginobili) ... it was quite evident to me before my trip and even more evident after the trip that this nation knows what is doing from a business and a basketball standpoint.

Tomorrow ... more secrets on Argentina.

DD

Shaq to Cleveland !?

It was reported here that Cleveland should look to make some sort of move to help out LeBron... in fact I offered over a dozen scenarios ... INCLUDING SHAQ TO THE CAVS!!!

But there has to be more to the deal than Pavlovic and Wallace- it has to be deeper than that. Danny Ferry is looking for an attention getter--- well he got everyone's attention. However, this deal will not be consistent with LeBron's career. Let me explain.

The Cavs want Lebron to sign in 2010 for the next 10-12 years-- Shaq gives them 2 of those years ... then what? I know Ferry doesn't want to show his whole hand but I would at least flip the cards over for LeBron.

The Heat have the right idea-- go get Chris Bosh-- he will ride off into the sunset with Wade ... until the egos collide. However, this is the right formula --- give me a playmaking perimeter and a versatile "4 man" and you have yourself a building block for a championship unit.

IF YOU WANT lEbRON TO SIGN A 2 YEAR DEAL THEN SHAQ IS THE RIGHT SIGN--- IF YOU WANT HIM FOR ETERNITY THEN LOOK AT THE YOUNG FORWARDS-- BOSH, STOUDAMIRE, BOOZER.

i WILL BE HEADING TO THE U19 CHAMPIONSHIPS -- SO THE BLOG WILL BE A LITTLE SLOWER OVER THE NEXT 10 DAYS-- BUT i WILL BE READING REPSONSES AND IDEAS-- KEEP THEM COMING, IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

DD

Someone grab Alston

As the NBA draft approaches and all of the combines shake out the draft orders, the Orlando Magic to to shift their focus on some glaring needs for the future. Some of the growth will happen with the maturity of Hedo, Lewis, and Howard-- those guys are budding superstars who just need to play together for a few more years. As mentioned yesterday, they have a problem at the guard spot from a skill standpoint- even though Jameer Nelson may be the answer at the point and Pietrus may be the guy at the two they need another guy that can move between those spots as needed--
There is, however, a glaring weakness that permeates their entire team... THEY NEED A STONG PRESENCE IN THE LOCKER ROOM TO DIRECT TRAFFIC. THEY NEED SOMEONE TO GRAB ALSTON AND REDIRECT HIS THOUGHTS. HE HAS TOTAL CONTROL OVER HOW HE APPROACHES HIS PLAYING TIME... HERE'S THE ANSWER TO HIS STATEMENT:
"IF YOU CANNOT PRODUCE IN 20 MINUTES THEN I WILL FIND SOMEONE THAT WILL-- "
ALSTON ACTS LIKE IT'S A NEGOTIATION-- IT'S A CANCER. IF THE MAGIC HAD SOMEONE IN THE LOCKER ROOM THAT HAD THE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES TO NIP THAT IN A BUD, ALSTON HAS THE ABILITIES TO CONTRIBUTE.

HERE'S MY ADVICE TO ALSTON- IN BETWEEN WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU AND YOUR RESPONSE IS A SPACE-- IN THAT SPACE LIES YOUR ABILITIES TO CHOOSE HOW YOU DEAL WITH THINGS AND ULTIMATELY THAT SPACE DETERMINES YOUR DESTINY-- CHOOSE WISELY... YOUR ACTIONS AFFECT MORE THAN YOU.

GO GET GRANT HILL OFF OF THE FREE AGENT MARKET-- HE CAN PLAY THE 1-2-3 POSTIONS AND GIVE YOU THE PERSON IN THE LOCKER ROOM YOU NEED. ALSO, IF YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, HOWARD'S BACK UP NEEDS TO BE KEPT-- IF ALSTON CANNOT MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT TO COMING OFF OF THE BENCH TRADE HIM FOR A DRAFT PICK-- HE IS AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT IN 2010-- GET SOMETHING FOR HIM. THE PACERS NEED A LEAD GUARD THAT CAN SCORE. I WOULD ALSO MAKE A STRONG PLAY FOR RESTRICTED FREE AGENT MARVIN WILLIAMS OF ATLANTA-- THEY ARE IN A MAJOR SALARY DUMPING CAMPAIGN... GO AFTER IT!

DD

Lay off Dwight

With the Magic down 0-2 and Shaq's twitter on overdrive, Dwight Howard, at the age of 23, is taking alot of abuse for his performance in the playoffs thus far. In an earlier post, I came down on him for his demands on Stan Van Gundy and questioned whether or not he is a superstar. Right now, Howard is finding himself in a foreign land-- the Magic franchise is not a regular in the NBA finals. Forget Phil and Kobe's appearances, the Laker franchise has been in 29 of the NBA's 60 Finals.

Can the Magic take care of business at home ... of course. But they need better guard play. Kareem had Magic, Duncan had Ginobili/Parker/Avery Johnson, Shaq had Kobe, Olajuwan had Drexler/Kenny the Jet/Sam Cassel ... all great bigs who won championships had great guard play. Orlando had 20 turnovers last night in an overtime game ... that's 20 possessions where they did not get a shot and began defense at a disadvantage. I can't believe the game was that close!!

At this point, it is not clear how good Jameer Nelson is ... he was an All-Star but it is impossible to evaluate his performance under pressure in the finals-- he has been out for 4 months. Although Alston outplayed Williams (Cleveland) in the East Coast Finals, it is clear that he is not the long term answer.

Orlando is shooting 36% in the finals (as opposed to 47% during the year). They are working way too hard to get shots. Watch for two things in Orlando's game over the next 3 home games-- these will be telling facts...

1. Orlando needs to get more stops to start transition.
2. Olando is converting at a 35% clip in transition ... they need to be around 50%.
3. They need to make better feeds to shooters and post players-- watch their passes-- they are hitting guys when they are open instead of before they are open. They are also making receivers reach a little-- these two factors together take uncontested shots and make them contested.

Tomorrow I will give you a Treviso update... as reported earlier in my Blog-- No Brandon Jennings ... but there is a Patrick Mills sighting.

DD

The Hedo Pick and Roll

The Magic have been very simple with their offensive approach this post season... they alternate between dump in and spot up revolving around Dwight Howard and ball screen action with Hedo and whoever the worsthedge defender is on the opposing team (Ilgauskas). I received alot of questions as to whu that simple pick and roll has worked do many times.
To me it's alot like the old Vince Lombardi playbook -- Sweep Right or Sweep Left. In a basketball sense here's why to use it:

1. it's the hardest thing to guard
2. saves on turnovers- why throw all of those passes when you can get the same shot with a ball screen.
3. There are so many bad passers out there-- why let them mess up the rhythm of the offesne by allowing them to handle.

The Magic are so good at with Hedo running it because he understands separation. Hedo gets separation twice during the exchange--

1. He knows how to get the defense off of him before the pick happens.
2. He comes off of the pick to score.
3. He takes two dribbles beyond the ball screen before looking to make a move.
4. The post sets himself with his back to the basket-- forces the defense to really commit to going over the top or under in a straight line with the hoop.\

Check out the high ball screen action Stan VanGundy employs this series. A 6-10 Turkelu and the 7-0 Howard certainly forces other teams' bigs to come in uncomfortable territory.

DD

Watch the Raptors

I never thought I'd utter those words ...but watch the Raptors make a strong push next season. They are making moves with their coaching staff right trying to land former Memphis Head Coach Marc Iavaroni (he was a strong influence in the Pheonix Suns rise).

Chris Bosh becomes a free agent in 2010-- do not count on the Raptors sitting on their hands to wait for that time. Look for one of two things to happen.

1. Trade Bosh for Boozer. This would not be a move to make Boozer a franchise player, but a move to grab a pawn in a potential deal with Miami around the trade deadline. Boozer wants Miami and Miami wants Boozer. With Pat Riley easing closer to retirement and wanting one more ring, Toronto could move Boozer for Udonis Haslem and Mike Beasley.
2. Bosh to Detroit for Rip Hamilton and the expiring contract of Amir Johnson ... along with Detroits #15 pick -- They take Demarr Derozen (6-7 2g and SF from USC) with their pick and Gerald Henderson (6-5 shooting guard/ DUKE) with the #15 pick.

Either way, the Raptors need to make a play for another player in the paint-- troubled stars like Camby and Rasheed Wallace look to be their best bets.

Rotation: Deal 1

Jose Claderone

Anthony Parker

Shawn Marion

Mike Beasley

Rasheed Wallace/Marcus Camby

Andre Bargnani

Joey Graham

Jason Kopono

Demar Derozen

Udonis Haslem

Deal 2:

Jose Calderone

Rip Hamilton

Shawn Marion

Amir Johnson

Rasheed Wallace/Marcus Camby

Andres Bargnani

Gerald Henderson

Demar Derozen

Jason Kapono

DD

Rubio to the Knicks

Oklahoma City watched everyone of Steph Curry's games this year-- I would venture to say that they like him. However, Curry is not a top three pick. Watch this quick move by the Knicks front office.
The Knicks team President Donnie Walsh pulled off a deal (when he was with the Pacers) where he moved up to number two to take the Dunking Dutchman Rik Smits. Watch him move up to take Ricky Rubio, who is balking at the small markets in the top third of the lottery.
The Knicks end up with Rubio and OK City gets Curry ... plus possibly Eddy Curry (he needs a fresh start and they need a center).
Stay tuned.
DD

Chicago PreDraft

This past weekend kicked off the Chicago predraft camp where all relevant parties to the June NBA draft were present ... or were they. In an event that ressembles the early 90's version of speed dating, the top 7 anticipated selections either were no shows or didn't perform any relevant physical activity. The knock on the skill sessions are that 30 minutes of skills can debunk an entire body of work because the GM's/Pres etc ... lack self-reliance. Where the workouts help are when you can pit two closely disputed players against one another and see with your own eye.

Both sides truly have a point-- the players could lose millions with one bad half hour ... and the organizations could lose millions in a bad investment. The NBA needs to step in or this event will become (if it hasn't already) become a mockery.

Here's an idea: Give each team a monitored number of workouts they can have between the lottery selection and the draft (alot like college official visits). Give the players a certain number of visits as well. Upon arrival to Chicago each player is given a physical and if he is deemed healthy, he participates otherwise he does not get drafted. This way if a player performs shockingly well or poorly, the team and the agent can work something out after Chicago if they have not used all of there visits. The key to the whole procedure is to get the projected top picks to buy in to the importance of it. OTHERWISE DO NOT HAVE IT AT ALL!!!

Next stop Treviso, Italy.
DD