I'ma go out on a limb (even though it's not really going out on a limb though, bytch nikkas)

and say if we get Pau, I like our chances this year.
Not of getting the chip
But at LEAST that we have the ability & talent to make the ECF, and possibly win it. Cavs will be working out their chemistry & in-game coaching decisions all year. If they don't win or go to the ECF, I feel like (just roster wise, with Melo staying we can. We aren't STARVED for bigs, when our strength is our shooting, so if we unload Stat & Bargs, or either or, it's kind of obvious the Knicks are contenders, ON PAPER. But this coaching change + Phil just amplifies the positive chances of EVERYTHING.
Guards: Calderon, Prigioni, Larkin, Smith, Shump, Hardaway Jr., Brown (youth & experience at both the 1 and 2; energetic, smarter, more frequent passing, shooting & big-playmaking ability, along with the backup, Brown, being familiar with the triangle & Fish & Phil, make late game stretches seem like they'll be a little easier on the nerves, and also lightening the load on Melo...Unlike any guard combination with Felton involved.)
Forwards: Melo, Early, Tyler, Odom (sometimes J.R. or THJR if we go back to the two-guard lineups of 2012)
Centers: Gasol, Aldrich, Delambert, (Possibly Bargs) Not the best

but DEFINITELY a step up, and good blend of youth & experience.
I'd prefer Stat over Bargs, but it's looking like a given that he's gone. But honestly, this roster, with Gasol looks like the closest thing to perfection the Knicks have seen in a long time. It has the feel of the 2012-2013 Knicks, with the old heads/veterans helping keep a fast paced, unready team grounded (J. Kidd, Wallace, Thomas), and helping to make the team distribute and space the floor more efficiently. Whereas last year, the Knicks would have stretches where shyt got out of hand & looked like a circus, the prior year, we had checks & balances like Sheed down low, or Kidd bringing the ball up, to keep that from getting outrageous. Now it's looking even better. All of those older heads/veterans were on their last limb pretty much, and this year we have the chance to have old heads who are slightly younger and more capable (Gasol, Odom, Delambert, Calderon, and to a degree Brown).
Imagine what our young guys like Shump, THJR, Early, Tyler & Aldrich could grow into, under the tutelage of these older guys, Phil & Fisher. That right there could very well be a future starting lineup in NY with the potential we have right now. And with Fisher, Brown, Odom, Pau & Phil, that's five players or former players with extensive knowledge of the triangle. Think about it, not only are our younger guys getting coached this, but they have in-house, former champions AT THEIR POSITION or formerly AT THEIR POSITION to watch, play with, and be coached by...

With this lineup, I think we've addressed all of our NEEDS.
And with Odom, Hardaway & Early, Fisher has some nice lineups he can run with Melo at either the 3 or 4, that won't see us going through cold streaks when J.R.'s the only other option at the 3 or 2. And our defense is BOUND to improve regardless.
KNICKSTAPE...Just a few months ago, I was...
I don't care what none of these fukk nikkas say, I like the way shyt's looking, with or without Melo's decision, and if he comes back, which I'm feeling like he certainly will, I love it. Pau would be the icing on the cake b/c Aldrich is still developing, but I like the kid. Kevin Love is almost a lock to hit Cleveland or some other spot, before free agency next year, but even without ANOTHER superstar, I like shyt the way it is right now. And this might be one of the first times I can say so. Melo'd be a fool to leave all this money, talent, potential, and the front office that is now the Phil Jackson Show, behind for ANYTHING else in this league. Son's got the dinner table already prepared before him and he ain't even sat down and said he ready to eat with us yet...
But he'll be back
The cloud's not gone, but it's not blocking the Sun anymore either, brehs
