NBA: Ewing trade

[SUOrangeman]

First of all, I think Ewing's desire to be traded is his sign that he's given up on the title.

With that said, I am only posting because the Lakers were involved with the trade. They gave up Glenn Rice and a draft pick, but got Horace Grant and a few other folks. The Knicks almost got a new team.

Any other *intelligent* thoughts from folks who try to stay up with the NBA?

-SUO

 

[loogie]

Well, the lakers made out like bandits. They also gave up Travis Knight in the deal.

 

[Chef0083]

I don't see how the trade benifited the Knicks at all. They just got a bunch of guards.. And no Luke Longley doesn't count... I guess thats the way it goes though. I don't know that any one team will imrpove all that much from it. I guess Ho Grant going back to play with Phil is the best part..

D

 

[SUOrangeman]

Lakers in 2001


2002


2003


...

-SUO

 

[BigSmooth]

I don't think that this trade is as big of a blockbuster as some people are making it out to be. I mean, let's look at the principles:
Patrick Ewing, a once-great center who is clearly past his prime
Horace Grant, a good player for many years, also past his prime
Glen Rice, a good player who is just passing his prime
Chris Dudley, Luc Longley, and the rest: either too old, too young, or just crappy

The Sonics get a big body to help them bang with the Blazers, Lakers, and Spurs...? I don't think Ewing is sprightly enough to take on Shaq, Dave Robinson or Tim Duncan. He can probably guard Arvydas Sabonis pretty well (although he can bury the 3), but the Blazers have too many other big men (Wallace, Davis, Kemp). Ewing may help the Sonics, but they need more to be true contenders.

Why did the Knicks want Rice? They already have two swingmen/shooters that need the ball to play well in Houston and Sprewell. They didn't pick him up for his defense, that's for sure.

Horace Grant is still able to contribute as well, but if you saw the Rasheed Wallace vs. A.C. Green matchup last year, you know that the Lakers need a taller, more agile power forward than a Horace Grant to stop some of the premier power forwards in the league.

The Suns got a bunch of garbage, but they didn't give much up, either.

Bottom line: none of these players are truly "impact" players anymore. The Lakers lucked out by at least getting something for Rice, and the Sonics did need a big body. But I don't think any of these clubs made any huge improvements.

 

[Johnlee]

The Lakers undoubtedly benefit from this trade. We get rid of that stiff T. Knight, Glenn "I don't wanna be the 3rd option" Rice. (along with his witch wife) and pickup Grant who, at 35 may be aging, but averaged over 8 rebounds per, last year. (exactly what LA needs) + Greg "I better get on Shaq's good side quick" Foster. Another banger who can rebound.

Smooth-Just saying Ho Grant is past his prime, doesn't do the trade justice. He is a "fit" IMO. Grant is 6'10", how big do you think a power forward should be? And comparing him to A.C. who is slow as hell (and wears a frikkin green bear on his head) is criminal.

Besides Portland still lacks the superstar scorer IMO. Besides Steve Smith and an on-again, off-again b*tchy Pippen, the rest are just big players. (Wallace is a stud, but not a go-to guy IMO.) Not to mention the major tude problem that team faces. I do not envy Dumbleavy.

The Lakers have turned from a "small" team (aside from Shaq) to a "big" team. Are you kidding Kobe and Rider??? Huge freakin guards and a front court that can match-up with the larger power player, especially Wallace, Kemp, and Davis in Portland.

As a Laker fan, I am now happy.

Having said all that, I still think that the games vs. Portland will be wars, not to mention the ones against the improved Heat team. (glad they're in the East)

 

[Johnlee]

btw Smooth-great sig.

 

[trmiv2]

I'm pretty happy about it as a Laker fan. I think Ho Grant is a good fit at the PF spot. He's big, a good defender, can rebound, a good passer, knows the triangle, plus he can stick the 15 foot jumper. Much better than AC Green.

The Lakers also got Foster, although I really don't like the guy (throat slashing incident anyone?) he's better backup center than Travis Knight. The big plus of this trade is getting rid of Travis "Ganja" Knight and his massive contract. How the Lakers got the Knicks to take that stiff I have no idea.

 

[bcterps]

I think the Sonics made out the best for this trade. Who wouldnt give up Horace Grant for Ewing? Which is what they basically did. Its a little too early to pass judgement on how the Knicks did cause they aint done trading yet. I think Camby, and maybe Spree or Houston are gonna be traded in the coming weeks. The Lakers upgraded their team, and while Grant aint a premier player, they dont need him to be. They just need him to provide some D and grab some rebounds.

--Ben

 

[Johnlee]

<< he's better backup center than Travis Knight. >>



Amen to that brother.





<< The big plus of this trade is getting rid of Travis &quot;Ganja&quot; Knight and his massive contract. How the Lakers got the Knicks to take that stiff I have no idea. >>



Neither do I, but who really cares?

And I was thinking about this:



<< the Lakers need a taller, more agile power forward than a Horace Grant to stop some of the premier power forwards in the league >>



Correct me if I'm wrong, but they don't really need to stop them. Just contain them. hehe, sorry had to. On the reals tho, defense should be better at that position and with the rest of the team defense, I don't think &quot;stopping&quot; those guys is a necessity.

 

[BigSmooth]

Thanks for the compliment JohnLee...

I truly think Rasheed Wallace is one of the league's most talented players. I have yet to see someone consistently stop him from scoring when he wants to, and that includes Garnett. But you're right, 'Sheed has some growing up to do before he is a true &quot;go-to&quot; guy.

I'm not disputing that HoGrant is better than AC &quot;Big Virgin&quot; Green. And I guess when I said &quot;taller&quot; I meant &quot;longer&quot;, i.e. great leaping ability/long arms for better defense against a 6'11&quot; guy with springs like 'Sheed. 6'10&quot; is pretty much tall enough, I guess, although Grant doesn't seem that tall to me for some reason.

Portland can play a &quot;huge freakin'&quot; backcourt, too. And with Will Perdue on the squad, we are unstoppable! Too bad we didn't keep Joe Kleine for the &quot;Twin Towers&quot; of Perdue and Kleine...

I think both the Blazers and the Lakers will be very, very good just like last year and they will battle again in the playoffs. If we could just trade Stoudamire for Kidd or Payton, we'd be set.

 

[Johnlee]

<< than AC &quot;Big Virgin&quot; Green >>



LOL!

Payton or Kidd on Portland? Now that would be scary.

 

[prodigy]

According to ESPN, the Knicks were going to try to get Mutombo for either Camby/Houston, or Camby/Spreewell, but it looks like that ain't gonna happen. Scott Layden is an idiot. Oh well, we still got our Yanks!

 

[KingHam]

Ho Grant is a big upgrade for the Lakers at Power Forward. He's played the triangle before and he should give the Lakers a much more solid defense. Hopefully Madsen will also get some time which will allow Horry to play more time at small forward. I doubt that some of these guys will make it to camp though.

The key to the season is whether of not Rider comes to play or not. If he does then the Lakers will win the championship if not then they are in trouble.

KingHam

 

[BigSmooth]

Rider was late to his first NBA practice, ever. The dude is just messed up in the head.

 

[Total Refected Power]

EWING IS A CANCER. Had to unload him any way possible.

Got a few serviceable players in return.

Hopefully can trade some for another big man.

 

[fishy101]

Hey guys, Travis Knight is not that bad of a player! Remember his rookie when he came out of nowhere and made it into Lakers' rotation? That year, he was playing solid defense, and knocking down mid-range j's with some consistency and he was improving. But that was when he played along side shaq as a power forward, not backing shaq up as a center. Plus, Phil Jackson is known for being critical of young guys(unless it's Kobe you are talking about), so I think it's not all Knight's fault last year for playing so poorly. And if you remember, the Jackson and Knight go way back when the Bulls drafted Knight out of college, and waived him. So jackson probably doesn't have any nice feelings about Knight at all.

If Knight had developed into the player that he is capable of, which he show flashes of during his rookie year, I think the Lakers wouldn't even need new power forwards. Now having said that, I don't think Phil will be patient enough to bring Knight along, so the trade is probably a good idea for Knight and the Lakers.