Draftexpress drops Mudiay down to pick #6 today

[R-DAWG]

I'm sticking to my guns that Okafor drops to #4 with the Lakers taking Russell and Philly taking Mudiay since they have Embiid/Noel.

It's freaking amazing that after the season we had we end up in the first slot where there isn't a sure thing.

Okafor won't make it to #4. When the dusts settles the order will still be:

Towns
Okafor
Russell
Mudiay

It all comes down to Mudiay though. I agree that Towns, Okafor are 1,2 for sure. If Mudiay has great workouts he could easily go 3. I hate draft night. We never get to pick the guy we want even if they are on the board.

Mudiay seems like he fits the Philly business model as they have picked the highest ceiling guys the past 2 drafts (Noel, Embiid, Saric) even though there were injury or contract issues.

If Russell drops to #4 it's a HUGE win for the Knicks. I'd prefer that to Okafor.

[moocow007]

Melo should have really have no impact whatsoever on who we draft. He is not heavy enough of an anchor to steer the ship.

They gave him a 5 year $122 million contract with a no trade clause...that's an anchor...whether you like him or not.

Under the new CBA, most teams will have a guy making that much money. Does that mean every team will stop drafting the BPA and just try to build around their max cat?

What team that has a player like Anthony isn't building around him? I know you hate him but actually try some common sense. The Knicks CLEARLY view him as their franchise player (that contract and conditions says so). Why would they do anything other than build around him??? Because you hate him? When you buy the Knicks, what you think can become rule.

[Dave4585]

If we draft Winslow I'm going to flip the f out

[Greenie]

If you want defense then just go after DeAndre. WCS does not impress me at all.

Jordan wants a max contract...

[Deeeez Knicks]

WCS is a space cadet. Folks that want him should be fully aware and be willing to accept that. He will likely do and say stupid things and I would imagine the potential for him to get himself into compromising positions in NYC will probably be significant.

If that's the case, then he probably won't work out here. We need 15 Shane Battier's on the roster.

Yeah really for folks that don't like clown type players, WCS is probably not the guy you'd want. He may work and I'm sure he can make an impact defensively. But a lot of folks seem to have problems with players like this. I just don't want to hear folks bitching about how he's like JR Smith, or go on rants if he pulls a silly stunt like Smith's shoe tying incident, or he dyes his hair orange, or he gets caught on camera smoking a spliff.

Here's a pretty good article on WCS

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287213-superstardom-awaits-willie-cauley-steinif-he-finally-decides-he-wants-it

He seems like a very likeable guy. But it does not sound like his heart and head is in it all the time. The spotlight in Kentucky bothered him. I am not sure how he would hold up in NY especially if (when) the fans turn on him. I know Kentucky basketball is intense, but NYC and the media/fans here is no joke either.

For WCS's sake, I hope he gets drafted somewhere else after reading that article. I am just not sure he is cut out for NY especially when we are lacking leaders.

Indeed, chat with Cauley-Stein long enough, and you'll likely hear about his desire to start his own clothing line.

The guy who wears bow ties and cutoff sweatpants likes to watch zombie movies and has been known to ride a skateboard to class. His former roommate, Alex Poythress, joked last year that Cauley-Stein is often in "La La Land."

During a recent conversation with Bleacher Report, the topics that made Cauley-Stein perk up the most were, one, his days as a football standout at Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School, and two, using his pedestal as a Kentucky athlete to touch and influence others.

"I want to change lives," he said.

As for basketball?

Cauley-Stein enjoys the game.

"But I don't know if he loves it," said Shields, the guardian. "He hasn't been bitten by the basketball bug yet."

"There's no question that Willie Cauley-Stein is currently the gold standard [for] athletic ability when it comes to centers in the college game," the report said.

The key is coaxing Cauley-Stein's talent out of him. Just as he did in Spearville and Olathe, he continues to need an extra nudge when, as Payne puts it, those "laid-back, small-town country ways" begin to resurface.

"Sometimes," Cauley-Stein said, "I don't feel like I deserve to be good because I don't work as hard as I should. I'm not going balls to the wall like I should be, so I think I don't deserve to have success.

"Some weeks I'll go super-hard at practice for two straight days, but then the third day, something happens away from basketball and I'll lose focus. I'll say, 'I just want to get through practice. I don't want to conquer it today.' But then I'll go home and realize I missed a chance to get better, and it'll bother me."

[GONYK]

If that's the case, then he probably won't work out here. We need 15 Shane Battier's on the roster.

Yeah really for folks that don't like clown type players, WCS is probably not the guy you'd want. He may work and I'm sure he can make an impact defensively. But a lot of folks seem to have problems with players like this. I just don't want to hear folks bitching about how he's like JR Smith, or go on rants if he pulls a silly stunt like Smith's shoe tying incident, or he dyes his hair orange, or he gets caught on camera smoking a spliff.

Here's a pretty good article on WCS

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287213-superstardom-awaits-willie-cauley-steinif-he-finally-decides-he-wants-it

He seems like a very likeable guy. But it does not sound like his heart and head is in it all the time. The spotlight in Kentucky bothered him. I am not sure how he would hold up in NY especially if (when) the fans turn on him. I know Kentucky basketball is intense, but NYC and the media/fans here is no joke either.

For WCS's sake, I hope he gets drafted somewhere else after reading that article. I am just not sure he is cut out for NY especially when we are lacking leaders.

Indeed, chat with Cauley-Stein long enough, and you'll likely hear about his desire to start his own clothing line.

The guy who wears bow ties and cutoff sweatpants likes to watch zombie movies and has been known to ride a skateboard to class. His former roommate, Alex Poythress, joked last year that Cauley-Stein is often in "La La Land."

During a recent conversation with Bleacher Report, the topics that made Cauley-Stein perk up the most were, one, his days as a football standout at Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School, and two, using his pedestal as a Kentucky athlete to touch and influence others.

"I want to change lives," he said.

As for basketball?

Cauley-Stein enjoys the game.

"But I don't know if he loves it," said Shields, the guardian. "He hasn't been bitten by the basketball bug yet."

"There's no question that Willie Cauley-Stein is currently the gold standard [for] athletic ability when it comes to centers in the college game," the report said.

The key is coaxing Cauley-Stein's talent out of him. Just as he did in Spearville and Olathe, he continues to need an extra nudge when, as Payne puts it, those "laid-back, small-town country ways" begin to resurface.

"Sometimes," Cauley-Stein said, "I don't feel like I deserve to be good because I don't work as hard as I should. I'm not going balls to the wall like I should be, so I think I don't deserve to have success.

"Some weeks I'll go super-hard at practice for two straight days, but then the third day, something happens away from basketball and I'll lose focus. I'll say, 'I just want to get through practice. I don't want to conquer it today.' But then I'll go home and realize I missed a chance to get better, and it'll bother me."

Very concerning things to hear coming from a player. Especially in NY.

[ORANGEandBLUE]

What team that has a player like Anthony isn't building around him? I know you hate him but actually try some common sense. The Knicks CLEARLY view him as their franchise player (that contract and conditions says so). Why would they do anything other than build around him??? Because you hate him? When you buy the Knicks, what you think can become rule.

My point was, if we're defining his stature in the franchise SOLELY by his contract, then he is not that special, as that contract will soon become the norm.

If you're point is that, contract aside, we should build around him because he is that good of a player, I just disagree. There are very very few guys who, at age 31, should be altering the trajectory of the next 15 years. I'd say the same thing for CP3, Dwight, or anybody else of comparable age/status.

[TrueWarrior]

Yeah really for folks that don't like clown type players, WCS is probably not the guy you'd want. He may work and I'm sure he can make an impact defensively. But a lot of folks seem to have problems with players like this. I just don't want to hear folks bitching about how he's like JR Smith, or go on rants if he pulls a silly stunt like Smith's shoe tying incident, or he dyes his hair orange, or he gets caught on camera smoking a spliff.

Here's a pretty good article on WCS

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287213-superstardom-awaits-willie-cauley-steinif-he-finally-decides-he-wants-it

He seems like a very likeable guy. But it does not sound like his heart and head is in it all the time. The spotlight in Kentucky bothered him. I am not sure how he would hold up in NY especially if (when) the fans turn on him. I know Kentucky basketball is intense, but NYC and the media/fans here is no joke either.

For WCS's sake, I hope he gets drafted somewhere else after reading that article. I am just not sure he is cut out for NY especially when we are lacking leaders.

Indeed, chat with Cauley-Stein long enough, and you'll likely hear about his desire to start his own clothing line.

The guy who wears bow ties and cutoff sweatpants likes to watch zombie movies and has been known to ride a skateboard to class. His former roommate, Alex Poythress, joked last year that Cauley-Stein is often in "La La Land."

During a recent conversation with Bleacher Report, the topics that made Cauley-Stein perk up the most were, one, his days as a football standout at Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School, and two, using his pedestal as a Kentucky athlete to touch and influence others.

"I want to change lives," he said.

As for basketball?

Cauley-Stein enjoys the game.

"But I don't know if he loves it," said Shields, the guardian. "He hasn't been bitten by the basketball bug yet."

"There's no question that Willie Cauley-Stein is currently the gold standard [for] athletic ability when it comes to centers in the college game," the report said.

The key is coaxing Cauley-Stein's talent out of him. Just as he did in Spearville and Olathe, he continues to need an extra nudge when, as Payne puts it, those "laid-back, small-town country ways" begin to resurface.

"Sometimes," Cauley-Stein said, "I don't feel like I deserve to be good because I don't work as hard as I should. I'm not going balls to the wall like I should be, so I think I don't deserve to have success.

"Some weeks I'll go super-hard at practice for two straight days, but then the third day, something happens away from basketball and I'll lose focus. I'll say, 'I just want to get through practice. I don't want to conquer it today.' But then I'll go home and realize I missed a chance to get better, and it'll bother me."

Very concerning things to hear coming from a player. Especially in NY.

Yea I can't see Phil taking this guy with the highest pick he'll ever have (god willing) and no pick next year. These type of character questions should be setting off red alerts. Naming yourself Trill doesn't help either. Stein is not as safe a pick as some think. Put him in NYC and he'll be JR 2.0.

It's going to be between Mudiay, Russell, and Winslow.

[moocow007]

If that's the case, then he probably won't work out here. We need 15 Shane Battier's on the roster.

Yeah really for folks that don't like clown type players, WCS is probably not the guy you'd want. He may work and I'm sure he can make an impact defensively. But a lot of folks seem to have problems with players like this. I just don't want to hear folks bitching about how he's like JR Smith, or go on rants if he pulls a silly stunt like Smith's shoe tying incident, or he dyes his hair orange, or he gets caught on camera smoking a spliff.

Here's a pretty good article on WCS

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287213-superstardom-awaits-willie-cauley-steinif-he-finally-decides-he-wants-it

He seems like a very likeable guy. But it does not sound like his heart and head is in it all the time. The spotlight in Kentucky bothered him. I am not sure how he would hold up in NY especially if (when) the fans turn on him. I know Kentucky basketball is intense, but NYC and the media/fans here is no joke either.

For WCS's sake, I hope he gets drafted somewhere else after reading that article. I am just not sure he is cut out for NY especially when we are lacking leaders.

Indeed, chat with Cauley-Stein long enough, and you'll likely hear about his desire to start his own clothing line.

The guy who wears bow ties and cutoff sweatpants likes to watch zombie movies and has been known to ride a skateboard to class. His former roommate, Alex Poythress, joked last year that Cauley-Stein is often in "La La Land."

During a recent conversation with Bleacher Report, the topics that made Cauley-Stein perk up the most were, one, his days as a football standout at Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School, and two, using his pedestal as a Kentucky athlete to touch and influence others.

"I want to change lives," he said.

As for basketball?

Cauley-Stein enjoys the game.

"But I don't know if he loves it," said Shields, the guardian. "He hasn't been bitten by the basketball bug yet."

"There's no question that Willie Cauley-Stein is currently the gold standard [for] athletic ability when it comes to centers in the college game," the report said.

The key is coaxing Cauley-Stein's talent out of him. Just as he did in Spearville and Olathe, he continues to need an extra nudge when, as Payne puts it, those "laid-back, small-town country ways" begin to resurface.

"Sometimes," Cauley-Stein said, "I don't feel like I deserve to be good because I don't work as hard as I should. I'm not going balls to the wall like I should be, so I think I don't deserve to have success.

"Some weeks I'll go super-hard at practice for two straight days, but then the third day, something happens away from basketball and I'll lose focus. I'll say, 'I just want to get through practice. I don't want to conquer it today.' But then I'll go home and realize I missed a chance to get better, and it'll bother me."

Yeah WCS is what, back in my day, call a "free spirit". It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just not a reliable thing. Free spirits go where the wind blows, do what they feel like at the instance in time, without real care for consequences. You can ask them to make sure that they are there at a specific time at a specific spot and they'll not show up. And it's not because they are malicious it's because they have a different view of priorities. Now there have been all sorts of free spirits that have gained notoriety (good and bad) in the NBA. Bill Walton was a notorious free spirit that if not for injury wold likely have been considered among the greatest centers to ever play the game. Dennis Rodman was an momma's boy type free spirit that did extremely well on the court cause he saw the game as his one conduit to not be judged but off the court he was about as out of control as it comes. JR Smith is a free spirit who doesn't really see the consequences of his actions in the same light as most everyone else. Javale McGee is the reigning space cadet of the NBA and just does whatever, whenever, however. Guys like that can work real well (see Walton and Rodman), they can work sometimes well (see JR) or usually not well at all (see McGee). You have to be able to manage them and cajole them and otherwise work with them. That's not for every system, not for every coach and not for every fanbase in every situation that a franchise finds themselves in. I think WCS would be better in a more established system where you have multiple veterans that can ride him and keep him focused. I don't think you want to put him into a critical role (at least not right off the bat and...let's be honest...4th overall pick for the Knicks right now the expectations are going to be nuts). I'm not sure that that's the Knicks, not now, not where they are at compared to where they want to go. The Knicks need someone that is comfortable in the spotlight, that wants the spotlight and that has the talent to back it up for the '4th overall pick' role that Knick fans will thrown on him (hint: Knicks fans are NOT going to be expecting a "solid role player" and be fine with it). Attached to this pick is so much hopes of so many Knick fans that have been so down and out for such a long time, whomever they pick better be prepared for it, the expectations are going to be through the roof.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Here's a pretty good article on WCS

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2287213-superstardom-awaits-willie-cauley-steinif-he-finally-decides-he-wants-it

He seems like a very likeable guy. But it does not sound like his heart and head is in it all the time. The spotlight in Kentucky bothered him. I am not sure how he would hold up in NY especially if (when) the fans turn on him. I know Kentucky basketball is intense, but NYC and the media/fans here is no joke either.

For WCS's sake, I hope he gets drafted somewhere else after reading that article. I am just not sure he is cut out for NY especially when we are lacking leaders.

Very concerning things to hear coming from a player. Especially in NY.

Yea I can't see Phil taking this guy with the highest pick he'll ever have (god willing) and no pick next year. These type of character questions should be setting off red alerts. Naming yourself Trill doesn't help either. Stein is not as safe a pick as some think. Put him in NYC and he'll be JR 2.0.

It's going to be between Mudiay, Russell, and Winslow.

Yeah, there’s some really scary quotes in that article. Physically he has it all, but he may just not have the mind set. With so many other guys on the board I don’t think there’s anyway we should draft him. Way too many red flags.

[Rasho Brezec]

WCS is a space cadet.

They're Phil's favourite. Now we really are drafting him.

[moocow007]

WCS is a space cadet.

They're Phil's favourite. Now we really are drafting him.

Just make sure there are no sharp objects or open windows on draft night.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Yeah WCS is what, back in my day, call a "free spirit". It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just not a reliable thing. Free spirits go where the wind blows, do what they feel like at the instance in time, without real care for consequences. You can ask them to make sure that they are there at a specific time at a specific spot and they'll not show up. And it's not because they are malicious it's because they have a different view of priorities. Now there have been all sorts of free spirits that have gained notoriety (good and bad) in the NBA. Bill Walton was a notorious free spirit that if not for injury wold likely have been considered among the greatest centers to ever play the game. Dennis Rodman was an momma's boy type free spirit that did extremely well on the court cause he saw the game as his one conduit to not be judged but off the court he was about as out of control as it comes. JR Smith is a free spirit who doesn't really see the consequences of his actions in the same light as most everyone else. Javale McGee is the reigning space cadet of the NBA and just does whatever, whenever, however. Guys like that can work real well (see Walton and Rodman), they can work sometimes well (see JR) or usually not well at all (see McGee). You have to be able to manage them and cajole them and otherwise work with them. That's not for every system, not for every coach and not for every fanbase in every situation that a franchise finds themselves in. I think WCS would be better in a more established system where you have multiple veterans that can ride him and keep him focused. I don't think you want to put him into a critical role (at least not right off the bat and...let's be honest...4th overall pick for the Knicks right now the expectations are going to be nuts). I'm not sure that that's the Knicks, not now, not where they are at compared to where they want to go. The Knicks need someone that is comfortable in the spotlight, that wants the spotlight and that has the talent to back it up for the '4th overall pick' role that Knick fans will thrown on him (hint: Knicks fans are NOT going to be expecting a "solid role player" and be fine with it). Attached to this pick is so much hopes of so many Knick fans that have been so down and out for such a long time, whomever they pick better be prepared for it.

Yeah, very well said and agreed. Just a bad situation for him here.

[TrueWarrior]

Yeah WCS is what, back in my day, call a "free spirit". It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just not a reliable thing. Free spirits go where the wind blows, do what they feel like at the instance in time, without real care for consequences. You can ask them to make sure that they are there at a specific time at a specific spot and they'll not show up. And it's not because they are malicious it's because they have a different view of priorities. Now there have been all sorts of free spirits that have gained notoriety (good and bad) in the NBA. Bill Walton was a notorious free spirit that if not for injury wold likely have been considered among the greatest centers to ever play the game. Dennis Rodman was an momma's boy type free spirit that did extremely well on the court cause he saw the game as his one conduit to not be judged but off the court he was about as out of control as it comes. JR Smith is a free spirit who doesn't really see the consequences of his actions in the same light as most everyone else. Javale McGee is the reigning space cadet of the NBA and just does whatever, whenever, however. Guys like that can work real well (see Walton and Rodman), they can work sometimes well (see JR) or usually not well at all (see McGee). You have to be able to manage them and cajole them and otherwise work with them. That's not for every system, not for every coach and not for every fanbase in every situation that a franchise finds themselves in. I think WCS would be better in a more established system where you have multiple veterans that can ride him and keep him focused. I don't think you want to put him into a critical role (at least not right off the bat and...let's be honest...4th overall pick for the Knicks right now the expectations are going to be nuts). I'm not sure that that's the Knicks, not now, not where they are at compared to where they want to go. The Knicks need someone that is comfortable in the spotlight, that wants the spotlight and that has the talent to back it up for the '4th overall pick' role that Knick fans will thrown on him (hint: Knicks fans are NOT going to be expecting a "solid role player" and be fine with it).

Dandy post. I don't care how these guys are off the court as long as they perform ON the court though. People had an issue with JR because he let his off court ish take him out of the game on the court. JR admitted this and like Stein, could be a little too candid at times. While Rodman always played balls out and there was no question about his heart or effort once the clock started. To me Stein falls more towards the JR side. I saw him disappear a lot, zone out, and not play tough. Reminds me of Beasley a lot too.

I would be very surprised if Phil staked his draft legacy on Willie Trill Cauley Stein, but Phil wasn't exactly straight edge either .

[blueNorange]

i love the fact that WCS can defend the perimeter, i love that he has very good lateral quickness for a big, i love that he can run the floor, i love that has a quick 2nd jump, i love WCS.

draft WCS(unless any of the top 3 drops)

[blueNorange]

those comments from WCS have disappointed me.

[Rasho Brezec]

I appreciate his honesty. Keep away from him.

[mpharris36]

if your drafting 7 through 10. Sure WCS can be in the discussion.

Not 4 though, absolutely not.

[GONYK]

I appreciate his honesty. Keep away from him.

[Red Vines]

Okay I don't want any player whose love for the game is questionable. Can't take WCS at 4, don't need a Larry Sanders situation. But if we do take him I'll support the kid.