Fair Is Fair

[4everwarriors]

We're all giving major props to Wes for snagging a Jazz roster spot, and well we should. Huge accomplishment to make a roster as an undrafted free agent.
Did anyone else notice Marcus Landry did the same thing with the Knicks? I've always liked his game and thought he would have been a tremendous addtion at MU.

[Skatastrophy]

Good for both of them and good for basketball in the state of Wisconsin. 

[mugrad99]

One could argue Marcus made the NBA in spite of Coach Ryan, not because of him. Underutilized in that offense.

Would love to have seen him play the 4 at MU, with Lazar at the 3. Wes at the 2, and Dominic at the 1. Jerel off the bench for instant offense

[chapman]

He matured a lot in four years.  And his wife played for MU.  They had an article on ESPN last year about Marcus playing D1 ball, going to school, and taking care of their three young children.  There were a couple of MU things displayed prominently in their apartment.  If there's any Badger we want to root for, it's him.

[Cooby Snacks]

Jerel off the bench for instant offense

No.

[ChicosBailBonds]

We're all giving major props to Wes for snagging a Jazz roster spot, and well we should. Huge accomplishment to make a roster as an undrafted free agent.
Did anyone else notice Marcus Landry did the same thing with the Knicks? I've always liked his game and thought he would have been a tremendous addtion at MU.

Are the Knicks still a certified NBA team?

[Nukem2]

Are the Knicks still a certified NBA team?

That thought crossed my mind as well.  But, congrats to Landry.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The good news is that he can always fall back on his wife's education

[muhoosier260]

The good news is that he can always fall back on his wife's education

hahah, nice. Be careful now, some people on this board are adamant about maintaining UW and MU as academically identical institutions

[wyoMUfan]

. Jerel off the bench for instant offense

are you serious....Jerel off the bench,
MU's all time leading scorer off the bench.
You are crazy.

[MUfan12]

One could argue Marcus made the NBA in spite of Coach Ryan, not because of him. Underutilized in that offense.

I'm never one to defend BoBo and the Rodents, but that's harsh if not untrue. Landry did not have much of an outside game when he got to UW, and I think playing within that system forced him to become more of an outside threat. At his size he's never going to be a 4 in the Association, so having a serviceable jumper had to have helped him make it.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

You're right.....give credit where credit is due.  BUT we're talking about the Knicks here.......THE KNICKS.  That franchise is in shambles and is likely the best opportunity for an undrafted free agent to play. 

[Goatherder]

You're right.....give credit where credit is due.  BUT we're talking about the Knicks here.......THE KNICKS.  That franchise is in shambles and is likely the best opportunity for an undrafted free agent to play. 

That makes him one of fewer than 500 athletes in the world who can play in the NBA at this time.  That is an impressive accomplishment.  And while the Knicks are dreadful, many were impressed when Steve Novak got traded to Clippers and proud of him when he re-signed.  The Clippers have been with a few brief exceptions one of the most woeful teams in professional sports. 

[GGGG]

I'm never one to defend BoBo and the Rodents, but that's harsh if not untrue. Landry did not have much of an outside game when he got to UW, and I think playing within that system forced him to become more of an outside threat. At his size he's never going to be a 4 in the Association, so having a serviceable jumper had to have helped him make it.

Exactly.  Ryan's system was very, very good for Marcus Landry.  My guess is that he'll be a nice "pick-n-pop" guy in the NBA...not sure how long a career he'll have.

[ecompt]

He may last awhile there because of his low contract. The Knicks are dumping all the high-priced "talent" on their roster because they're looking to bring in LeBron. Right now they're $21 million under the cap for 2010-11.

[Hards Alumni]

He may last awhile there because of his low contract. The Knicks are dumping all the high-priced "talent" on their roster because they're looking to bring in LeBron. Right now they're $21 million under the cap for 2010-11.

Why would Lebron want to play for the Knicks after this year?

The Knicks are TERRIBLE.

[lurch91]

Why would Lebron want to play for the Knicks after this year?

The Knicks are TERRIBLE.

Because the Knicks will give him a max contract and NYC is the number one media market in the US - if not the world.  The exposure and endorsements LeBron would get playing in NYC would bring him truely STUPID money.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Without James, the Cavaliers are worse than the Knicks. Put him on the NYK and they become an instant playoff team. That said, I think it's more likely that he'll re-sign with the Cavs or sign with the Nets.

[Hards Alumni]

Because the Knicks will give him a max contract and NYC is the number one media market in the US - if not the world.  The exposure and endorsements LeBron would get playing in NYC would bring him truely STUPID money.

I understand that.  I also understand that he is probably getting a max contract anywhere he goes, and gets plenty of exposure and endorsements no matter where he goes.

The difference is that Lebron wants to win championships.  He actually cares about winning and not just making money.

The Knicks aren't winning any titles anytime soon with their dismal roster.

and PRN its obvious you don't watch the NBA.

[mugrad99]

Exactly.  Ryan's system was very, very good for Marcus Landry.  My guess is that he'll be a nice "pick-n-pop" guy in the NBA...not sure how long a career he'll have.

So you're saying Marcus was perfect for the swing

If you look from his freshman year to his senior year. His points, rebounds and assists per minute went down. 3 point shooting percentage went down. Free throw percentage went down. He actually shot less per minute as a senior then he did as a freshman.  Underutilized, if you ask me.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

and PRN its obvious you don't watch the NBA.

Enlighten me, please!! The Cavs are no better than the third best team in the East and that's with the best player in the NBA (and one of the worst coaches). They are not even CLOSE to being a playoff team without LeBron James. If you disagree, you're watching something of which you have no understanding whatsoever.

Conversely, put James on the Knicks under D'Antoni's offense, they'd be in the playoffs and James' numbers would be off the charts. Better than Chicago, better than Detroit, better than Atlanta and better than Washington. Cleveland would sink to Milwaukee levels. I'm curious what about that you dispute.

[Strokin 3s]

Lebron also has the stated goal of wanting to make a billion dollars.  That ain't happening in a CAV uni.

[GGGG]

So you're saying Marcus was perfect for the swing

If you look from his freshman year to his senior year. His points, rebounds and assists per minute went down. 3 point shooting percentage went down. Free throw percentage went down. He actually shot less per minute as a senior then he did as a freshman.  Underutilized, if you ask me.

That's not my point - I wasn't addressing how he may have been utilized in college.  I was addressing how prepared he is for an NBA career.  As a 6'7" forward, he could have banged around at the 4 position and probably scored more in college.  However, Ryan's offense required him to move more on the perimeter and shoot more from the outside.  Without those skills, he isn't in the NBA.

[GGGG]

Enlighten me, please!! The Cavs are no better than the third best team in the East and that's with the best player in the NBA (and one of the worst coaches). They are not even CLOSE to being a playoff team without LeBron James. If you disagree, you're watching something of which you have no understanding whatsoever.

Furthermore, I think they made themselves worse in the offseason with the acquisition of Shaq.

[MU B2002]

Furthermore, I think they made themselves worse in the offseason with the acquisition of Shaq.

+1

While he was unstoppable in his prime, now he is just another guy that gets paid tons of money and doesn't understand his role.

[Hards Alumni]

Starting Knicks
PG - Chris Duhon
SG - Wilson Chandler
SF - Jared Jeffries
PF - Al Harrington
C - David Lee

Starting Cavs without Lebron
PG - Mo Williams
SG - Anthony Parker
SF - Jamario Moon
PF - Anderson Varejao
C - Shaquille O'Neal / Big Z

This also takes into account that Jamario Moon is the best the Cavs could do without Lebron, which isn't the case.

I'd take that Cavs team over the Knicks in a hearbeat.  I never argued that the Cav's are the best team in the East... because I know they aren't.  Like you said, they are the 3rd best team in the East.  Do they suck without Lebron?  Of course they do!

ALL I SAID WAS WITHOUT LEBRON JAMES THEY ARE NOT WORSE THAN THE KNICKS.

[GGGG]

+1

While he was unstoppable in his prime, now he is just another guy that gets paid tons of money and doesn't understand his role.

His +/- last night was -25.

Egads...

[ecompt]

Ten years ago, Shaq's talent was as big as his ego. Now all he has is his ego. And even in Shaq's prime Wilt Chamberlain would have eaten him alive.

[reinko]

Bron Bron to the Clips in 2010.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Starting Knicks
PG - Chris Duhon
SG - Wilson Chandler
SF - Jared Jeffries
PF - Al Harrington
C - David Lee

Starting Cavs without Lebron
PG - Mo Williams
SG - Anthony Parker
SF - Jamario Moon
PF - Anderson Varejao
C - Shaquille O'Neal / Big Z

This also takes into account that Jamario Moon is the best the Cavs could do without Lebron, which isn't the case.

I'd take that Cavs team over the Knicks in a hearbeat.  I never argued that the Cav's are the best team in the East... because I know they aren't.  Like you said, they are the 3rd best team in the East.  Do they suck without Lebron?  Of course they do!

ALL I SAID WAS WITHOUT LEBRON JAMES THEY ARE NOT WORSE THAN THE KNICKS.

Are you guys mentally challenged? I said "put LeBron on the Knicks" and they're a playoff team. I'm still waiting to hear how I'm wrong. Your fantastic and relevant team comparison leaves out one very large hypothetical presence on the Knicks.

[jmayer1]

Are you guys mentally challenged? I said "put LeBron on the Knicks" and they're a playoff team. I'm still waiting to hear how I'm wrong. Your fantastic and relevant team comparison leaves out one very large hypothetical presence on the Knicks.

Actually, they are referring to your statement in bold.  I don't think you were very clear there.  It comes off looking like you are saying that if you took James off the Cavs, they would be worse than the current Knics (w/o James).  If that was not your point then it should have been phrased different.

Without James, the Cavaliers are worse than the Knicks. Put him on the NYK and they become an instant playoff team. That said, I think it's more likely that he'll re-sign with the Cavs or sign with the Nets.

[Hards Alumni]

Actually, they are referring to your statement in bold.  I don't think you were very clear there.  It comes off looking like you are saying that if you took James off the Cavs, they would be worse than the current Knics (w/o James).  If that was not your point then it should have been phrased different.

Correctamundo.

do you think anyone would argue if you put Lebron on the Knicks that they wouldn't be better than the Cavs without him?

Where I'm from, you say what you mean, and you mean what you say.

[bartmiller#1]

The idea that LeBron would make more money or get more exposure by playing in NYC is outdated.  It's not 1962.  He doesn't need to play in NY for Madison Ave. to find him and throw him money. 

He's going to get the same amount of exposure anywhere he plays-- because the attention comes to him, he doesn't need to go to it.  He's obviously getting a max contract.  He's going to go where he thinks he can win and where he's comfortable. 

In the last 10 years the Cavs haven't just been a better team than the Knicks-- they've been a better run franchise.  Yes, LeBron has a lot to do with that.  But the point remains that the Knicks have been a nightmare-- and absolute cluster****.  They have Donnie Walsh now-- and D'Antoni-- and they will get better.  But the assumption that LBJ would want to play there "because it's the Knicks" is borderline absurd. 

What have the Knicks done in LeBron's lifetime?  Lost in the finals.  A couple times.  LeBron's done that in Cleveland. 

I hope he stays put, but who knows. 

[wadesworld]

The idea that LeBron would make more money or get more exposure by playing in NYC is outdated.  It's not 1962.  He doesn't need to play in NY for Madison Ave. to find him and throw him money. 

He's going to get the same amount of exposure anywhere he plays-- because the attention comes to him, he doesn't need to go to it.  He's obviously getting a max contract.  He's going to go where he thinks he can win and where he's comfortable. 

In the last 10 years the Cavs haven't just been a better team than the Knicks-- they've been a better run franchise.  Yes, LeBron has a lot to do with that.  But the point remains that the Knicks have been a nightmare-- and absolute cluster****.  They have Donnie Walsh now-- and D'Antoni-- and they will get better.  But the assumption that LBJ would want to play there "because it's the Knicks" is borderline absurd. 

What have the Knicks done in LeBron's lifetime?  Lost in the finals.  A couple times.  LeBron's done that in Cleveland. 

I hope he stays put, but who knows.

Your whole post seems pretty contradictory.  First you say that he doesn't need to go to New York to make more money or get more exposure, and then you say that he doesn't need to go to New York because the Knicks are a worse team and a worse run franchise than the Cavaliers are.  If he ends up going to New York, then whey is it that he went?

[bartmiller#1]

Nothing contradictory at all:

1.  Going to NY does nothing for his bottom line that he can't accomplish in Cleveland, Milwaukee, Orlando, or LA. 

2.  There's nothing about what NY has done on the court in the last 20 years that would lead LBJ to want to play there-- it's not like we're talking about the Lakers.  During LBJ's lifetime the Knicks have been nothing special. 

There's nothing mutually exclusive about those two points. 

I don't pretend to have any clue what he's thinking, and I can't really guess why he'd go there if he did.  My opinion is that such a move would be stupid.  But that's just an opinion.

[chcsportsfan]

The clippers do make more sense, big market, way better team (very young and talented, albeit raw), but the Nets do make a lot of sense with Jay-Z being a partial owner and them moving to the City...regardless a move to NYK could not be a worse situation for LBJ, ton of pressure and w/ a max contract no money available on other pieces which are necessary...