NY Post had an article on Orlando Sanchez. He is averaging 9 pts and 6.7 rebs and in the D League Showcase he lead with 27 and 12. Says Knicks have plans for him to be on roster next season however a western conf playoff team is interested in signing him. Yup, Karr and Sanchez, addition by subtraction.
Whitehead may be in the league soon as well, but SH would be better off if he never suited up. They were on fire when he was hurt and suck since he's been back. 4-4 in conference with an OT loss to Butler and a four point loss to Depaul (wins over SJU and Nova). They are 1-5 in conference since he's been back. He's a talent, but chemistry is more important that any one talent.
Jermaine Lawrence might be the most talented player in the MAAC, but Manhattan is only 13-12 with him after winning 25 games without him last season.
Lawrence is soft and one of the most overrated players to come out of NY in years. A non factor in the Maac
I'm just not into this new age face-up four crap. Not many guys can pull it off. Hakim Warrick comes to mind. More often than not it seems like those guys disregard what PFs have to do first before they can do the other "fun stuff"...like boxing out, setting screens, playing hard D, making it easier for the guards, etc. Ty Grant didn't have 1/10th of the natural ability of Sampson, but I'd take Ty over Sampson all day long.
Speaking of four's, when was the last time we saw a St. John's power forward sprint the wing and hit a three of the catch and sprint the floor and finish a dunk, in the same game. I know you have been on him since the get go marillac but damn I am thrilled with the play and potential that Amar has show. . I can't believe people think he's slow. I think he is an above average athlete and very big and long for a PF. Good skills and nice motor, just needs experience.
Just think, we'll get more out of Amar than cuse will from McCullough. Wonder what vegas had for those odds.
To be fair, I didn't like Amar when his signing was first announced. The only film I could find on him was Jordan blowing by him reaching on D during the Europe trip. You know how I hate bigs on the perimeter and Sanchez and Sampson did a number on me. Hearing about another big with "perimeter skills" was the last thing I wanted.
It wasn't until seeing him play in the exhibition game prior to the start of the season that I realized how enormous he was, how he didn't live on the perimeter, and that he loved to screen, box out, and played very physical with an edgy competitiveness. He has the makings of a very good pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll guy.
I don't think he is a poor athlete...the kid didn't have any time to prepare for high major US college ball and the American game. It's a big jump from American high schools to high D-1 ball...imagine the jump he made. He could really improve next season now that he understand just how fast the game is and where he has to get himself to be a big contributor.
It's crazy, but I'd take him over both Sampson and McCullough regardless of the talent disparity (knowing he's likely a four-year player).