The Misconception That The 2009 Draft Class Is Weak...

[2010]

There is a misconception that the 2009 draft class is weak. I beg to differ. Now I agree that it is weak-ER at the top than the past two draft classes (2007 & 2008). However, overall I think this draft class is deeper than last year's class (2008). Particularly in the 8-15 range, I believe one can get more value for those picks at those spots than in previous years. Lets look at prospects who could potentially declare:

My Ratings Board:

1. Blake Griffin
2. Ricky Rubio
3. James Harden
4. Jordan Hill
5. Greg Monroe
6. Hasheem Thabeet
7. BJ Mullins

8. Brandon Jennings
9. Jeff Teague
10. Jrue Holiday
11. Stephen Curry
12. Demar Derozan
13. Earl Clark
14. Al-Farouq Aminu
15. Cole Aldrich

16. Gerald Henderson
17. DaJuan Summers
18. Damion James
19. Gani Lawal
20. Chase Budinger
21. Wayne Ellington
22. Eric Maynor
23. Ty Lawson
24. Darren Collison
25. Tyler Hansbrough

Considering where we'll likely be selecting #8–#15 it looks like we could come away with a very nice player.

[Knicksfan1]

We probably will trade nate for a first

[Pharmcat]

i totally agree.....there is good talent available....just another piece to add to our 2010 puzzle

[blueNorange]

2 guys who will be steals ... jarvis varnado and jermaine taylor.

[hobojoe2131]

I would love to see Jrue or Steph Curry in Orange and Blue

[NYKnick87]

It's a week draft class in the sense that there isn't a big talent drop-off from those at the top of the class and those in the middle of the pack. That's why I believe that making the playoffs this year would be much more beneficial to the future of the team than getting a high lotto pick.

[DocZaius]

2 guys who will be steals ... jarvis varnado and jermaine taylor.

you mean 2 gambles

[nykgeneralmanager]

The problem is that one person can make a case that a player should go #12 and somebody else can make a case that the same player should go 20th. It isn't necessarily a weak draft, just that a large majority of the players are the same talent level. For instance, some people feel that Thabeet is a top 5 pick and others like myself wouldn't waste a lottery pick on him.

[Knicksfan1]

I think we should stock up on picks whether buying/trading because we could then have a team which we can develop for a year which will still be here in 2010.

[richardhutnik]

It's a week draft class in the sense that there isn't a big talent drop-off from those at the top of the class and those in the middle of the pack. That's why I believe that making the playoffs this year would be much more beneficial to the future of the team than getting a high lotto pick.

It is WAY too early to know who is a top talent this draft. We need March madness and other things to pop up.

- Rich

[KOA]

I'm disappointed you didn't include the guy in my avatar in your list (Patrick Patterson). Either way I completely agree with you.

I am extremely surprised by the amount of people on this board that want to keep David Lee. I am happy he is playing well because he is increasing his trading value. The reality is that he is a good rebounder with a very minimal offensive game and he is well below average in the defense department.

Most all of his points come off assists (pick and roll plays). This is very similar to how Nazr Mohammed looked like a starting caliber center in the Knicks offense. Any athletic bigman who can rebound and his FTs at a decent clip would do just as well if not better than David Lee is doing now in this type of system.

[blueNorange]

2 guys who will be steals ... jarvis varnado and jermaine taylor.

you mean 2 gambles

varnado is 6'9" foward that's averaging 5 bpg and 9 rpg and taylor is a 6'4" shooting guard who's averaging 23.7 ppg on 50% shooting(41% from 3) and has 5 rpg ... he just doesn't get noticed because he goes to ucf.

[Pharmcat]

The problem is that one person can make a case that a player should go #12 and somebody else can make a case that the same player should go 20th. It isn't necessarily a weak draft, just that a large majority of the players are the same talent level. For instance, some people feel that Thabeet is a top 5 pick and others like myself wouldn't waste a lottery pick on him.

thabeet hater?

u cant teach 7'2"

[nylj2]

Most all of his points come off assists (pick and roll plays). This is very similar to how Nazr Mohammed looked like a starting caliber center in the Knicks offense. Any athletic bigman who can rebound and his FTs at a decent clip would do just as well if not better than David Lee is doing now in this type of system.

Most of all Karl Malone's points came off assists (pick and roll plays).

[j4remi]

There is a misconception that the 2009 draft class is weak. I beg to differ. Now I agree that it is weak-ER at the top than the past two draft classes (2007 & 2008). However, overall I think this draft class is deeper than last year's class (2008). Particularly in the 8-15 range, I believe one can get more value for those picks at those spots than in previous years. Lets look at prospects who could potentially declare:

My Ratings Board:

1. Blake Griffin
2. Ricky Rubio
3. James Harden
4. Jordan Hill
5. Greg Monroe
6. Hasheem Thabeet
7. BJ Mullins

8. Brandon Jennings
9. Jeff Teague
10. Jrue Holiday
11. Stephen Curry
12. Demar Derozan
13. Earl Clark
14. Al-Farouq Aminu
15. Cole Aldrich

16. Gerald Henderson
17. DaJuan Summers
18. Damion James
19. Gani Lawal
20. Chase Budinger
21. Wayne Ellington
22. Eric Maynor
23. Ty Lawson
24. Darren Collison
25. Tyler Hansbrough

Considering where we'll likely be selecting #8–#15 it looks like we could come away with a very nice player.

The reason the draft is considered weak is that even in your top 8 there are a number of question marks and high risk picks. Rubio has the old European staple, many don't trust his lack of athleticism (I think he'll be a beast though). After Rubio and Griffin, you have three guys in Harden, Monroe and Hill who will be contributors but aren't definitive impact guys. Thabeet and Mullens are both extremely raw and have serious flaws to be corrected, neither is a guarantee. That's your front eight, after those guys, you get another eight that are filled with question marks. This draft could see a collection of busts or a collection of very talented players. It's a weak draft because there are almost no guarantees. I wouldn't mind Thabeet, Rubio, Mullens, Harden, Jennings, Monroe, or Derozan (there's a star quality there I swear I see it).

[nykgeneralmanager]

The problem is that one person can make a case that a player should go #12 and somebody else can make a case that the same player should go 20th. It isn't necessarily a weak draft, just that a large majority of the players are the same talent level. For instance, some people feel that Thabeet is a top 5 pick and others like myself wouldn't waste a lottery pick on him.

thabeet hater?

u cant teach 7'2"

There are plenty of 7'2'' guys in the world, that isn't enough to be a top 5 pick or even a lottery pick. To me, you have to be something special or at least show signs of it in order to be a lottery pick in the NBA. Sure, Thabeet blocks some shots. However, he may be one of the most miserable looking offensive big men I have ever seen. He has stones for hands, less basketball IQ than my dog, and just doesn't know how to get position and hasn't shown any ability to put the ball in the basket outside of 5 feet from the basket. His only plus aside from his sheer size is that he is actually kind of athletic, so even though he looks like a doof on the court, he will be able to be a plus defensive big man in the pros. Its enough to make him an intriguing NBA prospect, but not enough to be a lottery pick IMO.

[richardhutnik]

There are plenty of 7'2'' guys in the world, that isn't enough to be a top 5 pick or even a lottery pick. To me, you have to be something special or at least show signs of it in order to be a lottery pick in the NBA. Sure, Thabeet blocks some shots. However, he may be one of the most miserable looking offensive big men I have ever seen. He has stones for hands, less basketball IQ than my dog, and just doesn't know how to get position and hasn't shown any ability to put the ball in the basket outside of 5 feet from the basket. His only plus aside from his sheer size is that he is actually kind of athletic, so even though he looks like a doof on the court, he will be able to be a plus defensive big man in the pros. Its enough to make him an intriguing NBA prospect, but not enough to be a lottery pick IMO.

GREAT! The Knicks can make the playoffs and still be able to take him then!'

= Rich

[Johnny Hoops]

If we end up with the 16th pick I won't be unhappy with guys like...

Collison -- smart, quick, defensive minded guard who can knock down the 3 in the mold of Duhon - also from a great program. He plays in a slow system that may not showcase his true NBA assets.

Budinger -- yes he has issues with D and apathy but the kid is blessed physically and is an outstanding shooter - he couldn't hurt. He seems unselfish and could play the 2-3 in our system.

Henderson -- another great program, 2-guard with size and defensive capability. Shooting is suspect but coming on.

[blueNorange]

btw, i really don't care anymore about lottery balls and all that caca ... i'll just let the season play out.

now i know you're shocked but i just looked at the standings ... the knicks will be in the middle and possibly in the late lottery.

boston, philly, cleveland, orlando, miami, san antonio, pheonix, utah, detroit, denver, atlanta, dallas, new orleans, houston, portland, and la are better than the knicks so they won't lose the pick and like that already have the 14th pick.

[Tommy Udo 6]

We probably will trade nate for a first

better do it NOW

after trade deadline he cannot be traded until mid-July, and that is after the draft.