Knicks decline to match Spurs' offer to Butler

[Kori Ellis]

Agent: Songaila signs five-year, $23M deal with Wizards

espn.com

Why do you keep repeating this post? Everyone knows. It's been known for days.

[Mr. Body]

As good a news as this is, some questions still abound. Can this guy defend? Can he learn how to protect the rim? Can he provide solid rebounding? Can he develop into a true force in the paint on both ends?

Obviously these questions won't be answered for a while. Therefore, the Spurs still need another center who is a starting-caliber-type. (Wright, Mihm)

I think he can do all those things, or else Larry Brown wouldn't have been so high on him. Defense was a hard sell on the Knicks, so it was hard to see Butler do well in that cir stance. Lots of guards blowing by Marbury and Crawford, breaking defenses immediately.

Butler should be good for 'suppressive' rebounding, i.e. corralling some of the offensive rebounds that were killing us, especially versus Dallas. We still need a good rebounding back-up SF (praying).

I'd be fine with Wright. Mihm would probably take Barry, and at this point I'd rather use Barry off the bench or, better, trade him somehow for that SF.

[Spurologist]

I thought that meant we were woven.

that is the other definition, I guess

[phxspurfan]

1. trying to get my post count up to 40,000

2. answering some bloke's question

[benjirh]

Duncan and Bonner start at least for the first part of the season. Butler, Horry, and Oberto split the time off the bench. If Elson is signed then Butler and Oberto will lose minutes.

[Mr. Body]

Bonner starting reads disaster to me. Talk about no rebounding. You simply can't play him and Bowen at the same time, IMO.

[Kori Ellis]

1. trying to get my post count up to 40,000

2. answering some bloke's question

Well stop.

[velik_m]

1. trying to get my post count up to 40,000

there are plenty of threads much more suited for that task.

[mardigan]

Who gives a about Songaila anyway. And Bonner wont star, no way. Either we sign Elson and he starts, are we sign someone out of left field who starts. Either way Bonner wont start, and Butler wont either unless he shows huge strides early in the season

[ashbeeigh]

1. trying to get my post count up to 40,000

You should try the trolls. They'd enjoy it.

And on topic, and way late. Yah for having a center.

[Buddy Holly]

Knick fans are pissed.

http://insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5689

[benjirh]

I would rather start Bonner than Elson. I like Elson, but I see him as 15 mins off the bench. Who are we signing yet? I don't see it. I know everyone wants a big trade, but I think we rounded out our bench and we are planning on finley, barry, and williams covering the 2&3. We look for a small forward next year when we are looking for a guy who will need to fill in bigger minutes. Just my thoughts and I feel real good about it.

[Kori Ellis]

I wouldn't want to start Bonner because of lack of rebounding. I guess we'd start Elson (if he signs).

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Knick fans are pissed.

http://insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5689

Maybe the Spurs would have taken James of the Knicks hands?

[phxspurfan]

knicks still have anthony mason? hes huge

[timvp]

I'm already counting down the days until Elson loses his starting job. If Elson is still starting in the playoffs it's going to be ugly.

[Mr. Body]

I'm already counting down the days until Elson loses his starting job. If Elson is still starting in the playoffs it's going to be ugly.

How long did it take Antonio Daniels to lose his job?

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

I'm already counting down the days until Elson loses his starting job. If Elson is still starting in the playoffs it's going to be ugly.

Hey, If Elson scores 0 pts and grabs 0 rebounds, but knocks Nowitzki on his ass a few times, I will consider it an improvement over last year.

[Spurologist]

I wouldn't want to start Bonner because of lack of rebounding. I guess we'd start Elson (if he signs).

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.

[MoSpur]

Hey, If Elson scores 0 pts and grabs 0 rebounds, but knocks Nowitzki on his ass a few times, I will consider it an improvement over last year.

This is why I would like Elson on this team. He might not be that skilled or talented, but at least he makes his fouls count. I would have loved to have seen Dirk on his butt a few times during that series.

[tempest186]

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.

[timvp]

You don't think Butler is starting material??

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.

[Mr. Body]

This is why I would like Elson on this team. He might not be that skilled or talented, but at least he makes his fouls count. I would have loved to have seen Dirk on his butt a few times during that series.

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

[benjirh]

Part of going smaller is clearing out the other teams bigs on offense, thus giving timmy a stronger shot at a rb while at the same time hopefully having shooters cutting to the basket to get loose balls or long rebounds. On defense the plan doesn't work the same, but I really think that Bonner can hold his own compared to others. I am not sold on it, but I would be willing to try it for awhile.

[timvp]

You mean drive down his value so we won't re-sign him for less money.

Good one.