Knicks decline to match Spurs' offer to Butler

[Spurologist]

While I don't think Elson is a great player, the one thing I wouldn't call him is a marshmallow. He plays very hard and physical.

I was exagerrating a bit. I remembering him playing well in the playoffs hitting shot after shot and playing very hard. He was even the best player on the court during that time, but I'd like Butler to start @ C.

We'll C

[mardigan]

You don't think Butler is starting material??

Elson is a 7 footer but I'd hate to have a marshmellow for an inside presence.

I know he kind of sucks, but at least he will be the kind of big, knock you on your ass kind of player kind of like Kevin Willis was.

[MoSpur]

I totally forgot about Bonner.

[Spurologist]

Butler is not going to start off the bat. Pop would never go with a 21-year-old center as his starter to begin the season. Perhaps Butler can win the job by the All-Star break but Pop will put some type of placeholder to start with.

Did you think the same thing when pop started a 19 year old point guard

[MoSpur]

For what it's worth, I'm convinced this is a major reason they went for Elson in the first place.

It could be. It was a shame that neither Rasho, Horry, and even Duncan didn't lay Dirk out for a few seconds.

[timvp]

I was exagerrating a bit. I remembering him playing well in the playoffs hitting shot after shot and playing very hard. He was even the best player on the court during that time, but I'd like Butler to start @ C.

We'll C

Elson sucked in the playoffs worse than any player in any sport in any year ever sucked last season. Three points per 48 minutes. Barely any rebounds. No blocks in a five game series. And +/- that would make any other player in the league consider suicide.

[ducks]

going against brand is not easy though

still he should have done better

[timvp]

this thread hits 10 pages

Looks like we have a modern day timvp on our hands.

[Quadzilla99]

Butler should be able to beat out Elson pretty soon if he works hard. I could not imagine Elson being the starter wire to wire under any cir stance in my mind.

[mardigan]

Elson sucked in the playoffs worse than any player in any sport in any year ever sucked last season. Three points per 48 minutes. Barely any rebounds. No blocks in a five game series. And +/- that would make any other player in the league consider suicide.

Damn man, I just looked up his playoff stats from last year, and yikes, you were totally right, and now I dont know about ol' Elson.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

dont bring up the playoffs when your talking about Elson. Who on the Nuggets played good during the playoffs? Noone

[wildbill2u]

Butler is not going to start off the bat. Pop would never go with a 21-year-old center as his starter to begin the season. Perhaps Butler can win the job by the All-Star break but Pop will put some type of placeholder to start with.

Yeah, Pop's not so foolish as to play a young guy in an important starting role--but I remember a certain young rookie who started at PG for the Spurs a few years ago--and PG is more important in making the team go than the center in our system.

Don't want to compare Tony and Butler, but Pop's not as hidebound about young players as Larry Brown.

[Spurologist]

Elson sucked in the playoffs worse than any player in any sport in any year ever sucked last season. Three points per 48 minutes. Barely any rebounds. No blocks in a five game series. And +/- that would make any other player in the league consider suicide.

It was one game and it was during only one stretch of that game.

And yes he consistently sucked in the playofffs.

For what it's worth, he has a decent outside shot.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

u guys can go by stats but ive seen Elson play and he is a great backup and even a worthy starter if need be. He does what you need him to, be a presence inside and be physical. The Nuggets already have a defending and rebounding machine but Camby was soft and Elson added a physical presence inside that was great.

Pop would be doing the right thing if he started Elson over Butler.

Although noone really has much idea yet about Elson getting matched.

[Buddy Holly]

Kori, does WOAI have the Butler quotes?

[mardigan]

dont bring up the playoffs when your talking about Elson. Who on the Nuggets played good during the playoffs? Noone

No way man, Najera was a beast, modern day Barkley

[Spurologist]

diff times diff positions.

care to elaborate? So you're saying pop is more willing to take a risk on a rookie 19 year old euro than on a center who has some nba experience?

[Kori Ellis]

Kori, does WOAI have the Butler quotes?

I think they will be the time the 5pm news comes on. We'll see.

[Quadzilla99]

I just hopes he works hard and buys into the teams defensive concepts. Pop doesn't put up with people not being where they are supposed to be on defense. He'll bench you in a heartbeat if you miss a rotation or fall asleep on defense. Other than that I agree with everybody who says he will definitely beat out Elson before the year is over.

[timvp]

I just hope he doesn't get even fatter and buys into the teams defensive concepts. Pop doesn't put up with people not being where they are supposed to be on defense. He'll bench you in a heartbeat if you miss a rotation or fall asleep on defense. Other than that I agree with everybody who says he will definitely beat out Elson before the year is over.

Just say it.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

No way man, Najera was a beast, modern day Barkley

interesting you say that coz i heard Najera is one of the most wanted players in terms of a trade with Denver.

He is great and was a steal but he is expendable now we have LK (Linas Kleiza), very similar players except that Linas has more offense

[Quadzilla99]

Just say it.

That's exaggerated I said he was a little overweight maybe I said it too much. I do like him I was very excited when the Knicks declined to match. Anyway I'll shut up about it.

[mardigan]

interesting you say that coz i heard Najera is one of the most wanted players in terms of a trade with Denver.

He is great and was a steal but he is expendable now we have LK (Linas Kleiza), very similar players except that Linas has more offense

Najera would be awesome on the Spurs, and he played high school ball here. And whats the deal with Smith, have yall gotten him yet or what?

[Drive Like Jehu]

Butler is not going to start off the bat. Pop would never go with a 21-year-old center as his starter to begin the season. Perhaps Butler can win the job by the All-Star break but Pop will put some type of placeholder to start with.

You are probably right about Butler not starting. However, I thought someting similar about Tony Parker starting at point guard when he first arrived. Of course it is equally valid to say Tony is a special player and an exception to the rule and it would be wrong to assume Butler is the same.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Najera would be awesome on the Spurs, and he played high school ball here. And whats the deal with Smith, have yall gotten him yet or what?

to be announced tomorrow