The Official Ariel Hukporti Thread

[Clyde_Style]

BTW, the correct way to say Hukporti is to pronounce it like the Daktari theme

Watch on YouTube

[nykballa2k4]

The Celtics won’t be ready for this Hukparty

6 fouls in 3 minutes

Only Lance Thomas could do that....

What's Chris Copeland up to these days?

[HopelessKnick]

You never saw anyone on the team speak on Sims like this

Read on Twitter

Now after the deadline and everything I actually believe that the Knicks were trying to give the backup minutes to Sims in hopes he has some good games so his market value goes up so they may snatch some 2nd rounder or something for him.

Looking at Hukporti's (admittedly very limited minutes) he just always seemed much better in every aspect of the game so it was a bit puzzling to see him behind Sims in the pecking order. But I think in retroperspective it kinda makes sense.

I can honestly admit that I have never been someone to talk up any 3rd string big man or so but I really feel from the limited minutes that I saw, that Hukporti could truly develop into a solid backup big, like a very solid 8th man in the rotation. From the limited eye test he does not seem to have like any glaring shortcomings to his game. He can do a bit of everything that a big man is supposed to be able to do. Let's see....

[Clyde_Style]

You never saw anyone on the team speak on Sims like this

Read on Twitter

Now after the deadline and everything I actually believe that the Knicks were trying to give the backup minutes to Sims in hopes he has some good games so his market value goes up so they may snatch some 2nd rounder or something for him.

Looking at Hukporti's (admittedly very limited minutes) he just always seemed much better in every aspect of the game so it was a bit puzzling to see him behind Sims in the pecking order. But I think in retroperspective it kinda makes sense.

I can honestly admit that I have never been someone to talk up any 3rd string big man or so but I really feel from the limited minutes that I saw, that Hukporti could truly develop into a solid backup big, like a very solid 8th man in the rotation. From the limited eye test he does not seem to have like any glaring shortcomings to his game. He can do a bit of everything that a big man is supposed to be able to do. Let's see....

Looks like everyone was waiting for Sims to be moved so they could speak freely about Hukporti

Seems pretty clear now they see some kind of future for him

[RHODEY]

You never saw anyone on the team speak on Sims like this

Read on Twitter

Now after the deadline and everything I actually believe that the Knicks were trying to give the backup minutes to Sims in hopes he has some good games so his market value goes up so they may snatch some 2nd rounder or something for him.

Looking at Hukporti's (admittedly very limited minutes) he just always seemed much better in every aspect of the game so it was a bit puzzling to see him behind Sims in the pecking order. But I think in retroperspective it kinda makes sense.

I can honestly admit that I have never been someone to talk up any 3rd string big man or so but I really feel from the limited minutes that I saw, that Hukporti could truly develop into a solid backup big, like a very solid 8th man in the rotation. From the limited eye test he does not seem to have like any glaring shortcomings to his game. He can do a bit of everything that a big man is supposed to be able to do. Let's see....

Looks like everyone was waiting for Sims to be moved so they could speak freely about Hukporti

Seems pretty clear now they see some kind of future for him

What surprised me the most was his defense versus Barnes. I didn't think he had that kind of lateral agility. And Seeing him next to Towns was also great to see - the team finally felt "big".

[Clyde_Style]

Now after the deadline and everything I actually believe that the Knicks were trying to give the backup minutes to Sims in hopes he has some good games so his market value goes up so they may snatch some 2nd rounder or something for him.

Looking at Hukporti's (admittedly very limited minutes) he just always seemed much better in every aspect of the game so it was a bit puzzling to see him behind Sims in the pecking order. But I think in retroperspective it kinda makes sense.

I can honestly admit that I have never been someone to talk up any 3rd string big man or so but I really feel from the limited minutes that I saw, that Hukporti could truly develop into a solid backup big, like a very solid 8th man in the rotation. From the limited eye test he does not seem to have like any glaring shortcomings to his game. He can do a bit of everything that a big man is supposed to be able to do. Let's see....

Looks like everyone was waiting for Sims to be moved so they could speak freely about Hukporti

Seems pretty clear now they see some kind of future for him

What surprised me the most was his defense versus Barnes. I didn't think he had that kind of lateral agility. And Seeing him next to Towns was also great to see - the team finally felt "big".

I've been telling people he has fast feet. For the moment, they are happy feet, but once he calms down his footwork will have less of those yips

Main thing is Hukporti is extremely mobile and has the wingspan to disrupt shots. He was disrupting almost every shot within reach last time on the floor.

Plus, he is big and pretty strong, but with a good NBA physique. He's not as bulked up as Mitch is naturally or as top heavy in build. He looks to be around his ideal weight already and has natural athleticism.

He has natural instincts. Huk may turn into a good passer. He has a nose for the ball and when he gets it he seems to make quick decisions and moves it to the next open man.

He's more of natural than Mitch and will be able to do more on offense given the chance to expand his game.

[RHODEY]

Looks like everyone was waiting for Sims to be moved so they could speak freely about Hukporti

Seems pretty clear now they see some kind of future for him

What surprised me the most was his defense versus Barnes. I didn't think he had that kind of lateral agility. And Seeing him next to Towns was also great to see - the team finally felt "big".

I've been telling people he has fast feet. For the moment, they are happy feet, but once he calms down his footwork will have less of those yips

Main thing is Hukporti is extremely mobile and has the wingspan to disrupt shots. He was disrupting almost every shot within reach last time on the floor.

Plus, he is big and pretty strong, but with a good NBA physique. He's not as bulked up as Mitch is naturally or as top heavy in build. He looks to be around his ideal weight already and has natural athleticism.

He has natural instincts. Huk may turn into a good passer. He has a nose for the ball and when he gets it he seems to make quick decisions and moves it to the next open man.

He's more of natural than Mitch and will be able to do more on offense given the chance to expand his game.

I'll settle for Bam Adebayo 2.0

[ctorres]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

[Clyde_Style]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

you may be overthinking it. Sims will never have a natural feel for the game, whereas Huk does. Their respective experience does not factor into this

[aq_ua]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

you may be overthinking it. Sims will never have a natural feel for the game, whereas Huk does. Their respective experience does not factor into this

Huk’s feel for the game is an under appreciated part of his game. The touch pass he made to Bridges, the defensive reactions to switch back to Barnes after boxing out on the defensive boards, all those little plays hint at some interesting potential for Huk.

[Clyde_Style]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

you may be overthinking it. Sims will never have a natural feel for the game, whereas Huk does. Their respective experience does not factor into this

Huk’s feel for the game is an under appreciated part of his game. The touch pass he made to Bridges, the defensive reactions to switch back to Barnes after boxing out on the defensive boards, all those little plays hint at some interesting potential for Huk.

Agreed, I felt we had a really good draft this year considering how high our picks were. Huk immediately impressed me as a guy who could carve out a role for himself. Kolek is a baller and I'm dying for him to get regular time. I don't have a really strong opinion on Dadiet yet, but he can shoot and had some off ball instincts from what I saw. I think he is the rawest one with Huk being a little raw, but a lot closer to being up to speed than some may think. I believe Kolek will need very little regular playing time to lock in.

[matchman]

Welcome back Huk!

[Luv those Knicks]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

His draft profile is kind of interesting. He was drafted for his athleticism, not his NBA readiness.

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/jericho-sims/

Also, there's the question on how well the Knicks developed him. I think he showed some improvement once he got to Milwaukee and he might have just needed a change of scenery.

That doesn't take away from Huk, who seems like a better fit. But if Sims improves his play in Milwaukee, that says as much about NY's coaching as it says about him. . . . just my 2 cents. (A similar argument could be made for Obi who clearly upped his game after changing teams).

and RJ Barrett.

I'll stop now.

[ctorres]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

His draft profile is kind of interesting. He was drafted for his athleticism, not his NBA readiness.

Seems like this is the case with a lot of 2nd round picks. Get an incredibly athletic guy with ideal measurements and hope you can teach him how to play basketball at a professional level.

[Im Coming Home]

Huk playing one year in the NBL in Australia made him more NBA ready than Sims coming out of college.

It feels like Sims came in so woefully unprepared for the NBA, that he still isn't NBA ready even after 4 years in the league

His draft profile is kind of interesting. He was drafted for his athleticism, not his NBA readiness.

Seems like this is the case with a lot of 2nd round picks. Get an incredibly athletic guy with ideal measurements and hope you can teach him how to play basketball at a professional level.

Then you got Jokic who was like the opposite

[HarthorneWingo]

His draft profile is kind of interesting. He was drafted for his athleticism, not his NBA readiness.

Seems like this is the case with a lot of 2nd round picks. Get an incredibly athletic guy with ideal measurements and hope you can teach him how to play basketball at a professional level.

Then you got Jokic who was like the opposite

[RHODEY]

Watch on YouTube

[stuporman]

The first year I was looking for flashes from Huk and we got them, this season I'm looking for some more consistent rotation mins, not just garbage time runs.

Most of us knew right away Huk had more to offer than Sims but the Knicks had to go with the more experienced player and show him out to get something of value for him.

I was a little disappointed in his rebounding tenacity the first year and if he wants to get on the floor more consistently he's going to need to get after the glass on both ends.

Also, if he wants to stay on the floor longer, he'll have to not foul as much and it also hurts the team's defense if they are in the penalty quicker. Quality fouls are important from bigs.