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Pau joins NY retirement community

With Kyrie sidelined for the entire extended week 13, the Knicks got a first look at their new lineup after the Jingles-Aminu trade. And for once not only the results were consistant, but the pecking order was finally crystal clear in every game. It was Harden and Howard, with the three remaining starters concentrating on playing defense and clearing the lane on offense.

Howard averaged a couple of fractions below 30/20 for the week. Harden just missed 35/10.

Moved to the second unit, Bobby Portis received the green light to continue where Howard left off,and with the increased touches he scored in double digits in all four games, averaging 15ppg in 23 minutes. Aminu didn't do anything special in his first week, but no one expected him too. He filled his role just as good as Ingles did previously and as did Mbah a Moute.

Results were so encouraging that the Knicks front-office even decided to start gauging interest in superstar Kyrie Irving. But interest was tepid with a few teams making half-hearted pitches and only one serious offer. So the idea was quickly put to rest again.

Instead the front-office pulled the trigger on a completely different deal. With the starting-five establishing a 1-2 punch, they wanted to do the same for the second unit by acquiring Spaniard Pau Gasol to back up Dwight Howard.Â

Gasol was putting up big numbers as a starter for Sacramento and the Nuggets this season, but with Denver's season in shambles, rootsey followed up on an offer the Knicks made weeks ago.Â

Pau seemed quite happy to come back east, despite having to pack his bags for a second time this season. 'It's good to be back on a contender. I don't mind coming off the bench. I've been playing too many minutes out of position lately. At my age chasing around those young fours is not too much fun any more. I'll settle in nicely behind Dwight and teach the young guy Portis some moves that Dwight doesn't have."

"Z-Bo and Lance deserve to do more than waiving towels on the bench," said GM dunadan. "They weren't getting any playing time lately, so we decided to set them free. We're quite happy with bringing in a champion like Pau. We needed more length, rebounding and defense for the second unit and with Pau we got some offense too to on top of it."

Don't look so excited, Pau.

Whether or not it works out remains to be seen, but having either Howard or Gasol and Harden or Irving on the court at all times sounds like a solid plan.

Week 14 will be a good indicator where this team stands, with games against Milwaukee, Cleveland, Brooklyn and Portland.

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