Countdown to NBA Draft: Prospect Talk

Marty McFly · Post #1061 » by **Marty McFly** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:22 pm

I'm not getting attached to any of these guys. all i know is, the worst record in basketball secures us top 4 pick, meaning anyone of towns, okafor, mudiay or Russell could be a knick by the summer and anyone of those is good enough for me... '

although...

JBreezeNY · Post #1062 » by **JBreezeNY** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:49 pm

Marty McFly wrote:I'm not getting attached to any of these guys. all i know is, the worst record in basketball secures us top 4 pick, meaning anyone of towns, okafor, mudiay or Russell could be a knick by the summer and anyone of those is good enough for me... '

although...

I think there's 100% chance we don't take Russell or Mudiay.

Judging Phil's views on basketball and the players he's taken while he was with the Bulls & Lakers we're either going with a big man or trading for a big man.

god4gives · Post #1063 » by **god4gives** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:19 am

Knicks are most likely looking for a C/PF in the draft

I wouldn't mind if Knicks select OK4 or Towns but if we were to strike out on those two which is possible, Kaminsky should be the next option because out of all the bigs his game fits the triangle perfectly. If he's not better than OK4 & Towns, he's definitely better than Myles Turner, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Cliff Alexander.

Phil is going hard trying to get Reggie Jackson since we have a good chance of getting him. Knicks might have to wait till the summer when OKC will likely fail to match an offer. OKC having problems with R-Jax who's looking like the most expendable asset. Although he doesn't seem to fit the Triangle because of his shooting neither did Ron Harper. Rodman said the Triangle isn't hard to learn. R-Jax is young and talented enough to learn it and improve his shooting. He's athletic and can cut & penetrate with ease which Calderon, Priggy, Larkin, and Timmy lack. Phil might not be interested in a point guard as Emmanuel Mudiay or D'Angelo Russell since he's trying to get R-Jax. IMO I think Jerian Grant is just as good if not better than Mudiay & Russell. He's very underrated and his game is also a perfect fit for the triangle.

I like Tim Hardaway Jr and don't want to give up on him just yet. He has the chance to prove himself that he belongs towards the end of the season. If I was Phil and don't see an improvement; I would try to trade him, Larkin, Calderon, Priggy, waive Bargnani, waive Stat, and try to acquire a 1st Rnd pick in the (15-30) range. I would pick Jerian Grant as a 3rd string point guard

C - Robin Lopez/ ?Aldrich?/ ???
C/PF - OK4 or Towns or Kaminsky/ Acy/ Wear
SF - Melo/ Early/ Thanasis/
SG - Danny Green/???/???
PG - R-Jax/Galloway/Jerian Grant

knicksfan974 · Post #1064 » by **knicksfan974** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:25 am

DaGawd wrote:
donkki wrote:So do people think Okafor would be worth the #1 pick?

This aint even a question. He IS the number 1 pick. Passing on him is taking a huge gamble if you have the number 1 pick

After seeing the Louisville game I agree completely.

DickGrayson · Post #1065 » by **DickGrayson** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:10 pm

people are doing the same thing to Towns like they did to DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummonds. His flaws are obvious(toughness, not smooth, doesn't have the insane Grobert wing span, doesn't get much lift off the floor and is prone to foul and bite on pump fakes). I just don't understand people who see a kid play 2-3 games at most, and close the book on him. Towns graduated HS early and he's still getting a lot of experience especially since he plays against better competition than any big man in this draft. Been playing against NBA talent in the summer in 2014 and he plays against top big man prospects everyday in practice against Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson. Towns isn't the PERFECT prospect, but he's extremely intriguing and his skills will be a huge asset to a team. Any 7 footer who can run the floor, pass, defend and shoot the ball is a keeper. What's funny is that his main weakness are things he's already productive at (rebounding, shot blocking, low post scoring) KAT is averaging about 14 rpg per 40 and about 5bpg per 40, however his issue is that he doesn't get his body off the floor quickly and doesn't have much lift when doing so he loses opportunities for rebounds and blocked shots, he should be averaging a rate of 16-17 rpg per 40 and over 6 bpg per 40. Towns doesn't have the offensive forte of Okafor, I don't think 90% of the big men in the world have Okafor's offense, but Towns has moves that get him a rate of 16 ppg per 40, he's not completely unproductive on offense, he just isn't dominant. So this is a good problem to have for a prospect. It's easier for a big man to learn offense than it is to learn defense.

This doesn't mean Knicks should draft Towns over Okafor, however...if Knicks dont land the #1 pick, Towns shouldn't be erased off the draft board because that would be extremely foolish when Knicks have striked out on the draft and missing out on players that could of been great assets to our team.

Post #1066 » by **Deeeez Knicks** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:30 pm

1. Okafor
2. Towns
3. Russell
4. Muddiay (still not sure about this one)
5. :cry:

Not that we couldn't get a solid player, but there looks like a drop off.

JBreezeNY · Post #1067 » by **JBreezeNY** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 5:31 pm

DickGrayson wrote:people are doing the same thing to Towns like they did to DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummonds. His flaws are obvious(toughness, not smooth, doesn't have the insane Grobert wing span, doesn't get much lift off the floor and is prone to foul and bite on pump fakes). I just don't understand people who see a kid play 2-3 games at most, and close the book on him. Towns graduated HS early and he's still getting a lot of experience especially since he plays against better competition than any big man in this draft. Been playing against NBA talent in the summer in 2014 and he plays against top big man prospects everyday in practice against Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson. Towns isn't the PERFECT prospect, but he's extremely intriguing and his skills will be a huge asset to a team. Any 7 footer who can run the floor, pass, defend and shoot the ball is a keeper. What's funny is that his main weakness are things he's already productive at (rebounding, shot blocking, low post scoring) KAT is averaging about 14 rpg per 40 and about 5bpg per 40, however his issue is that he doesn't get his body off the floor quickly and doesn't have much lift when doing so he loses opportunities for rebounds and blocked shots, he should be averaging a rate of 16-17 rpg per 40 and over 6 bpg per 40. Towns doesn't have the offensive forte of Okafor, I don't think 90% of the big men in the world have Okafor's offense, but Towns has moves that get him a rate of 16 ppg per 40, he's not completely unproductive on offense, he just isn't dominant. So this is a good problem to have for a prospect. It's easier for a big man to learn offense than it is to learn defense.

This doesn't mean Knicks should draft Towns over Okafor, however...if Knicks dont land the #1 pick, Towns shouldn't be erased off the draft board because that would be extremely foolish when Knicks have striked out on the draft and missing out on players that could of been great assets to our team.

Very well said, you made great arguments for both sides of fence. I think it's well known Okafor is the sure thing like Amar'e and when he's the best player available you take him. However it would behoove us to not look over everybody else like you said just because he's the sure thing.

One of the things that isn't brought up often but will be exposed when he gets to the next level is his tendency to pout & play disinterested when he's not getting the ball. If people feel that's not a problem fine, just don't bitch & moan when it actually happens.

Reign23 · Post #1068 » by **Reign23** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:14 pm

the good thing about drafting towns is, that you can play him at PF and C and choose your big man free agents regardless of positions. I don't think okafor can play the 4, like many of you do. With a traditional center, okafor and melo at the 3, teams would run us off the court (kind of like the bulls, when they are playing noah + gasol)

JBreezeNY · Post #1069 » by **JBreezeNY** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:06 pm

knickst4pe wrote:the good thing about drafting towns is, that you can play him at PF and C and choose your big man free agents regardless of positions. I don't think okafor can play the 4, like many of you do. With a traditional center, okafor and melo at the 3, teams would run us off the court (kind of like the bulls, when they are playing noah + gasol)

Okafor HAS to be the 4 in the NBA though.

If he's the 5 then......um.....yea say goodbye to our defense.

EMG518 · Post #1070 » by **EMG518** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:21 pm

I think I would seriously consider swapping picks with Philly to pick up Miami's 1st. Philly will likely be sitting at 3 or 4. We could grab one of Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, or Towns there and another good player with Miami's pick. Miami's pick should be no worse than 17, could honestly get as high as 7 with an injury.

JBreezeNY · Post #1071 » by **JBreezeNY** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:27 pm

EMG518 wrote:I think I would seriously consider swapping picks with Philly to pick up Miami's 1st. Philly will likely be sitting at 3 or 4. We could grab one of Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, or Towns there and another good player with Miami's pick. Miami's pick should be no worse than 17, could honestly get as high as 7 with an injury.

It's making more & more sense to trade away the #1 if we get it.

Trade down and get a big name player + a pick
Trade down and get two picks.

We need more assets.

Marty McFly · Post #1072 » by **Marty McFly** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:49 pm

JBreezeNY wrote:
Marty McFly wrote:I'm not getting attached to any of these guys. all i know is, the worst record in basketball secures us top 4 pick, meaning anyone of towns, okafor, mudiay or Russell could be a knick by the summer and anyone of those is good enough for me... '

although...

I think there's 100% chance we don't take Russell or Mudiay.

Judging Phil's views on basketball and the players he's taken while he was with the Bulls & Lakers we're either going with a big man or trading for a big man.

if he passes on both with the 3rd or 4th pick, that's just bad drafting. i don't think guessing who he's going to draft based on who he's drafted is a good way to gauge who he'll draft either. he had kobe and shaq, jordan and pippen, all we have is melo. he might as well trade the pick. offer it to memphis in a sweetner to get the jump on marc.

JBreezeNY · Post #1073 » by **JBreezeNY** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:38 pm

Marty McFly wrote:
JBreezeNY wrote:
Marty McFly wrote:I'm not getting attached to any of these guys. all i know is, the worst record in basketball secures us top 4 pick, meaning anyone of towns, okafor, mudiay or Russell could be a knick by the summer and anyone of those is good enough for me... '

although...

I think there's 100% chance we don't take Russell or Mudiay.

Judging Phil's views on basketball and the players he's taken while he was with the Bulls & Lakers we're either going with a big man or trading for a big man.

if he passes on both with the 3rd or 4th pick, that's just bad drafting. i don't think guessing who he's going to draft based on who he's drafted is a good way to gauge who he'll draft either. he had kobe and shaq, jordan and pippen, all we have is melo. he might as well trade the pick. offer it to memphis in a sweetner to get the jump on marc.

Why do that when you can get a player in FA already better than a Russell or Mudiay?

This league has become a PG league to the point where they grow on trees.

Don't get me wrong though playa I understand what you saying my man, a player with his natural ability to score is hard to pass up but I think the view is draft big, buy small.

Reign23 · Post #1074 » by **Reign23** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:06 pm

JBreezeNY wrote:
knickst4pe wrote:the good thing about drafting towns is, that you can play him at PF and C and choose your big man free agents regardless of positions. I don't think okafor can play the 4, like many of you do. With a traditional center, okafor and melo at the 3, teams would run us off the court (kind of like the bulls, when they are playing noah + gasol)

Okafor HAS to be the 4 in the NBA though.

If he's the 5 then......um.....yea say goodbye to our defense.

nah.. not if you put him out there with a rim protecting 4 and a good perimeter defense ,which we both don't have.. :banghead:

but you can acquire good defenders in free agency who fit the needs (draymond green/mattews/danny green/ afflalo...)

Marty McFly · Post #1075 » by **Marty McFly** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:29 pm

JBreezeNY wrote:
Marty McFly wrote:
JBreezeNY wrote:I think there's 100% chance we don't take Russell or Mudiay.

Judging Phil's views on basketball and the players he's taken while he was with the Bulls & Lakers we're either going with a big man or trading for a big man.

if he passes on both with the 3rd or 4th pick, that's just bad drafting. i don't think guessing who he's going to draft based on who he's drafted is a good way to gauge who he'll draft either. he had kobe and shaq, jordan and pippen, all we have is melo. he might as well trade the pick. offer it to memphis in a sweetner to get the jump on marc.

Why do that when you can get a player in FA already better than a Russell or Mudiay?

This league has become a PG league to the point where they grow on trees.

Don't get me wrong though playa I understand what you saying my man, a player with his natural ability to score is hard to pass up but I think the view is draft big, buy small.

bro, that's putting the cart before the horse though. we don't know we can get a player better than either of those two can be, in free agency, at that position. aside from a couple of flashes in the pan, we always end up picking a mr.hankey from those "trees". i just want them to have all options open. the knicks need to be malleable.

E-Balla · Post #1076 » by **E-Balla** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:41 am

JBreezeNY wrote:
knickst4pe wrote:the good thing about drafting towns is, that you can play him at PF and C and choose your big man free agents regardless of positions. I don't think okafor can play the 4, like many of you do. With a traditional center, okafor and melo at the 3, teams would run us off the court (kind of like the bulls, when they are playing noah + gasol)

Okafor HAS to be the 4 in the NBA though.

If he's the 5 then......um.....yea say goodbye to our defense.

The only competent things Okafor does defensively is guard post up bigs and block shots. If he's a PF every good PF we play will kill us. Okafor is a bad defender at C so imagine how bad he is out of position. Charlotte had a top 5 defense with All Jefferson in the middle though.

Juggynaut · Post #1077 » by **Juggynaut** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:07 am

Okafor is a C man, he's going to get killed playing as PF. I rly don't think his defensive problems are as bad as u make him to be.

DickGrayson · Post #1078 » by **DickGrayson** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:43 am

if Okafor played PF he would probably be the biggest PF in the NBA. 6"11 and 270lbs and still growing. He should play center, but a guy like Kenneth Faried or Ibaka would be perfect PF's next to him. Okafor can fit on any team however just because of how much a presence he has on the floor.

ibraheim718 · Post #1079 » by **ibraheim718** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:45 am

Also don't overlook Stanley Johnson if we drop out of the first pick. In theory you can move Melo to the 4 and start Johnson at the 3 and pair him with another defensive stalwart at the 1 and 2 and have the makings of a very potent defensive perimeter.

Post #1080 » by **moocow007** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:44 am

DickGrayson wrote:if Okafor played PF he would probably be the biggest PF in the NBA. 6"11 and 270lbs and still growing. He should play center, but a guy like Kenneth Faried or Ibaka would be perfect PF's next to him. Okafor can fit on any team however just because of how much a presence he has on the floor.

Okafor's a center in the NBA. To play him in the paint and force him to have to range even more defensively is going to make his defense look even worse. You bring his big 6'11" 270lb body in. You work with him on holding his ground and working that immediate circle around the basket and he could be doable defensively. The chances of making him faster and learning the nuances of having to defend further away from the basket and roaming to help is a lot less likely than the chances of making him stronger so he can hold his ground and use his size/strength effectively defensively.