2011 NBA Draft Discussion Thread (Lottery Tonight!)

[NBA Fan 1234]

With a bunch of great players returning to school, next year's college season is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Add in the great recruiting classes...might be the best college basketball we've seen in years.

Next year's draft is also going to be great.

[Mecca]

With a bunch of great players returning to school, next year's college season is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Add in the great recruiting classes...might be the best college basketball we've seen in years.

Next year's draft is also going to be great.

We need a pick...

[Manhattan Project]

UNC, your champs for Next Year!

[KnickScoop]

why no love for chris singleton...
former mcdonalds all american he can provide some SERIOUS defensive toughness off the bench for us spelling Melo while getting backup minutes at both the SF position and PF...
could be a real steal in making us a deeper team overall

[ManiaX]

chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Klay Thompson is our No. 2 ranked shooting guard on our Big Board. A mid to late first rounder.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Chad Ford
chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Washington State's Klay Thompson the latest to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/…

[TrueWarrior]

Klay Thompson is a very good scorer/shooter but not a good defender. If Dantoni is still around you better believe we will look at him. Considering our SGs arent giving us much production Thompson could be a nice guy off the bench, but at the same time we need defense just as much as offense. I want a two way guy with our pick.

How would you guys rank these players for us:

Klay Thompson
Jordan Hamilton
Jeff Taylor
Chris Singleton
Travis Leslie
Tyler Honeycutt

Some of these guys can play SG but most of them are SFs primarily. Not really a need for us but do you see a role for any of them on this team?

Taylor and Honeycutt seem like good all around athletic players. They intrigue me.
Singleton is a very good defender but not much offense and a tweener.
Leslie is an undersized SF who relies on his athleticism. Too raw IMO.
Thompson and Hamilton are good scorers and shooters but not much as defenders.

[KnickScoop]

As previously noted I defintely am a fan of singleton.. he would provide very good defense and decent rebounding off the bench at the sf/pf(in dantoni ball) for us... possibly in the mold of tony allen spelling rudy gay and paul pierce in the past singleton could provide nice minutes for us behind melo/amare

honeycutt and leslie i wouldnt mind if we were to buy a late first from somebody

klay and jordan would provide nice scoring for us either off the bench or in place of fields depending on how they fit in with everyone, but both nice prospects, not sure if hamilton lasts until our pick as he has elite athleticism to go with his game

in any case id rank them for OUR team like this:

hamilton
singleton
thompson
taylor
honeycutt/leslie toss up

I like honeycutts all around game and IQ out on the court so id prob give him the nod over leslie although he does have a pretty slight frame

[Knicksfan20]

How exactly has Kahn not put together a young team with potential?

Talent and potential are not always the same. Absolutely, the Wolves have a lot of talented young players. But do they really have potential as a team to develop into something special? Not so sure about that. As of right now they have no one on that team that I would say can really be a franchise level player for a top team. Beasley is talented and has always been talented but he's not the guy that's going to lead them to the promised land. Kevin Love is absolutely a machine but he's not a lead guy either (basically the Wolves version of David Lee...even if he is more skilled than Lee). The rest of the guys? Talented but not anyone that is really going to get most people warm and fuzzy. What they have is assets (young talent, capspace, etc) that other teams might covet and that, if Kahn does his job right, can get them that player who may be able to take them up the ladder. Can these guys? Possibly, but I wouldn't bet my house on it.

Michael Beasley: Played some pretty good ball this year being the only real scorer on the team. People here are calling him an inefficient scorer, yet he averaged good shooting % across the board. Former #2 overall pick and has good potential and was gotten for pennys on the dollar.

Talented but does anyone think that Beasley is going to evolve into anything for a serious team?

Kevin Love: One of the best young players in the league. Double Double machine.

Oh he's a machine on the boards and he can pass, but he doesn't defend nor can he carry the load scoring wise. He is a more talented David Lee but a superstar in the making? I don't think so. It's odd that when Lee was putting up all those numbers on bad Knick teams people were calling his numbers fake and saying it was padded...so why wouldn't at least some of that criticism carry over for Love? Does Love fall in love (pardon the pun) with the board so much so that he sacrifices defending his man to do it (like David Lee was accused of and often did)? Again, Love a greater talent than Lee skill wise but still...

Wayne Ellington: Sophmore player with upside. Good athletic defender who can shoot the 3 with ease.

Ellington is nothing special.

Johnny Flynn: So him getting injured and not living up to his hype is Kahn's fault? If i remember right, alot of fans here wanted Flynn pretty badly. Flynn has had injury woes, give him the offseason and some more time before labling him a bust please.

Wasn't the injury. Flynn's never been a real PG. Not even at Syracuse where his game was always more of a shoot first pass second style. What he is is a talented 6th man that can come in, up the tempo and score IF he's put into that role and accepts it. Super quick and have to love his fiery style of play but he was drafted too high especially considering who he already had drafted and signed. And yes, absolutely, I was saying that Flynn isn't a starting NBA PG (a Nate Robinson type 6th man with more self control is what I said he was) even before the draft when so many people on this board was clamoring for and hoping for him to be the Knicks starting PG for the next decade.

Wesley Johnson: Kid is going to be a beast, loved him @ syracuse. He is a rookie, give him a year or two as well. He has a lot of potential. Not so amazing rookie year...but HE IS A ROOKIE. And a no brainer pick @ the timberwolves position last season.

Sure he has potential and talent just like the rest of the Wolves roster but do they have the makings of a team that can get them beyond perpetual mediocrity? Not so sure about that.

p
Anthony Randolph: They got him for free pretty much. We all know his potential, and we seen what he can do in soem games this season. Is he going to be an allstar? Who knows, but the potential is still there.

And yet what is his position? Love isn't a C he's a PF. Beasley is a PF/SF combo forward. Wesley Johnson is a SF. Anthony Randolph is not likely to get any more room to become what he might become on that team. It's one thing to amass talent (Kahn's managed that) but he needs to do something with it in order for the Wolves to be taken seriously.

Nikola Pekovic: I dont know too much about him, but is a solid prospect. 7 footer from overseas.

He's a 6'10" stocky euro C that plays with toughness but that really isn't particularly quick nor skilled.

Anthony Toliver: Good young player, hasnt had much of an impact with the Wolves but he has played pretty well with Golden state. Good shooter, good rebounder. Another young prospect.

Toliver really isn't a prospect of any worth...at 27 years old he's a journeyman in the making.

Ricky Rubio: "The next nash" Although he hasnt played a single NBA game yet, he still has a ton of value based on his name/age alone. Going to be a solid player when its all said in done. Even if he doesnt come to Minny, he can be traded for value.

They (Kahn) needs to be realistic about Rubio. Whether Rubio does or doesn't want to play in Minny, who knows...but I'm assuming Kahn deep down knows. If the answer is "no, do not want" then what on earth is he holding onto him for? Deal him and move on ESPECIALLY if they land the 1st overall pick and take Irving. Rubio isn't a SG (as he's shown), drafting Irving to be a SG is stupid. So unless the plan is to have Rubio be the backup PG (you don't draft a backup PG with the 5th pick nor does it matter how "talented" your backup PG is...it's a waste is what it would be). If the answer is "yes, do want" then why on earth would you draft Irving if they had the 1st overall? BPA? Again if this was fantasy league or if you're just playing a game of collecting players then fine but the goal, last I checked, was to win. So if they do get 1, and plan on drafting Irving, Rubio needs to be on the next boat out of town so that whatever he can get back can actually make this team better (TEAM being the captive word).

There is a lot of youth on that team. They dont have a star yet, but they are young and have some potential players there. They have the best chance @ #1 and will draft Kyrie with that pick, or they will pick Kanter with the #2 pick. That team is in a better position then a lot of teams in the league. You cant expect them to be great in 1 or 2 years. Its a project over there. Its up to the Players to work hard and improve and as a team they will improve. They are one of the youngest teams in the league.

As far as players "working hard to improve". Beasley and Randolph (two of their more talented high upside guys) have never known to be "hard working". Love is a machine but may be flawed one dimensional machine. Drafting Irving is fine but Kahn needs to make some deals to kick start that franchise.

Not going to bother responding to all your responses if all your going to do is disagree with everything i said. We can just agree to disagree. Kahn may not be the best GM in the league, buts its not like the T wolves are a total disaster. He has talent/potential/youth on that roster, thats the only point i am trying to make. Will they compete for a chip in a 2-3 years? probably not...but at the same time they wont be bottom feeders either and they are in much better position then we were 3-4 years ago.

[moocow007]

chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Klay Thompson is our No. 2 ranked shooting guard on our Big Board. A mid to late first rounder.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Chad Ford
chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Washington State's Klay Thompson the latest to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/…

"Our" as in his own Big Board I hope.

As far as him for the KNicks? Pass. He's more like a smaller CDR clone. Not athletic enough. Not strong enough. Not good enough with his dribbling. But boy does he like to score and craft with his shot. Short arms, weak frame, not NBA athletic. That's a future flub right there.

[moocow007]

Klay Thompson is a very good scorer/shooter but not a good defender. If Dantoni is still around you better believe we will look at him. Considering our SGs arent giving us much production Thompson could be a nice guy off the bench, but at the same time we need defense just as much as offense. I want a two way guy with our pick.

How would you guys rank these players for us:

Klay Thompson
Jordan Hamilton
Jeff Taylor
Chris Singleton
Travis Leslie
Tyler Honeycutt

Some of these guys can play SG but most of them are SFs primarily. Not really a need for us but do you see a role for any of them on this team?

Taylor and Honeycutt seem like good all around athletic players. They intrigue me.
Singleton is a very good defender but not much offense and a tweener.
Leslie is an undersized SF who relies on his athleticism. Too raw IMO.
Thompson and Hamilton are good scorers and shooters but not much as defenders.

Thompson is a great college scorer but he's not a top notch NBA scorer. Too slow (for a top NBA 2), too weak and his outside shot isn't that good to even be a 3 point specialist. At which point, if you can't defend (and he can't) what good are you? He's not a 6th man type. He's definitely not an NBA starting 2. That leaves him as a maybe bench depth type of guy. The Knicks can't afford to draft one of those with what will be the only 1st rounder they have (and likely the highest they'll have) for years and years to come.

As far as ranking them?

The Knicks are going to be in trouble if the guy they draft is from this list. Jeff Taylor or Chris Singlteon would be my top 2 choices as physically they are both NBA enabled and have some upside to develop on both ends of the floor.

I'd put it at:

Chris Singleton
Jeff Taylor
Tyler Honeycutt
Travis Leslie
Klay Thompson
Jordan Hamilton

I'd take Justin Harper above any of these guys. Harper provides the outside shooting that can help expand the floor (and what they've missed with Gallinari gone) and he has the size/athleticism/mismatch/upside potential to turn out to be studly. His demeanor would be what holds him back, not his skills and physical tools. And even if nothing else pans out his shot is absolute NBA ready. Quick, high release, easy form and he can hit it from anywhere.

[TrueWarrior]

I agree on Thompson. I dont like him. Im just saying youd have to believe Dantoni would ha.

Justin Harper is looking more and more like a future Knick.

My realistic Knick draft board

1. Markieff Morris
2. Jeff Taylor
3. Justin Harper
4. Reggie Jackson (if Billups' option isnt picked up)
5. Chris Singleton
6. Kenneth Faried
7. Tyler Honeycut

That of we try and trade up using Fields or trade the pick all together for somebody who can help right away (which is an option I think we will heavily look into).

EDIT: Moo you dont think Leslie, Honeycutt, or Hamilton are athletic enough? Leslie is known as more of an athlete right now, and Honeycutt has great length and pretty athletic himself (hes just skinny). Hamilton isnt an elite athlete but hes better than like Klay Thompson. I think he could play some 2 in the league.

Im not sure who Id take out of Harper or one of the Morris brothers right now tho. I like Harper's skills but his motor is just so low, plays no defense, a classic tweener, and plays kind of soft. He still has some upside but Im not sure on him. At least I know Markieff will rebound and play defense, while still being able to hit a jumpshot and score in the paint. I just think the Morris twins are more well rounded.

[ManiaX]

chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Klay Thompson is our No. 2 ranked shooting guard on our Big Board. A mid to late first rounder.
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»
Chad Ford
chadfordinsider Chad Ford
Washington State's Klay Thompson the latest to declare for the 2011 NBA Draft sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/…

"Our" as in his own Big Board I hope.

As far as him for the KNicks? Pass. He's more like a smaller CDR clone. Not athletic enough. Not strong enough. Not good enough with his dribbling. But boy does he like to score and craft with his shot. Short arms, weak frame, not NBA athletic. That's a future flub right there.

Oh, no way am I suggesting that the Knicks should use our 1st round pick on him. In a less weak draft he is the type of player that slips into the 2nd round and ends up being a steal though. Unfortunately, it is a weak draft, so he will most likely get drafted a lot higher than he should.

I will disagree that he will only end up as an end of the bench NBA player though. He is also a much better shooter than CDR. He has good size for a SG and I think he is better shooter than you are giving him credit for. He is going to make his niche in the NBA as a catch n shoot player that moves well off the ball. Sort of like a poor man's Kevin Martin.

Since our system our system does require shooters, I would keep an eye on him as a late 1st round/early 2nd round acquisition. I don't see how he could be worse at SG than what we have (Rautins, Walker, Mason Jr).

[moocow007]

I agree on Thompson. I dont like him. Im just saying youd have to believe Dantoni would ha.

Justin Harper is looking more and more like a future Knick.

My realistic Knick draft board
1. Markieff Morris
2. Jeff Taylor
3. Justin Harper
4. Reggie Jackson (if Billups' option isnt picked up)
5. Chris Singleton
6. Kenneth Faried
7. Tyler Honeycut

That of we try and trade up using Fields or trade the pick all together for somebody who can help right away (which is an option I think we will heavily look into).

EDIT: Moo you dont think Leslie, Honeycutt, or Hamilton are athletic enough? Leslie is known as more of an athlete right now, and Honeycutt has great length and pretty athletic himself (hes just skinny). Hamilton isnt an elite athlete but hes better than like Klay Thompson. I think he could play some 2 in the league.

Im not sure who Id take out of Harper or one of the Morris brothers right now tho. I like Harper's skills but his motor is just so low, plays no defense, a classic tweener, and plays kind of soft. He still has some upside but Im not sure on him. At least I know Markieff will rebound and play defense, while still being able to hit a jumpshot and score in the paint. I just think the Morris twins are more well rounded.

I don't think Hamilton is physically skilled enough. Honeycutt is a bit thin/weak and I don't know that physically he can handle the NBA. Leslie I'm ok with but he's a bit on the short side. Chris Singleton and Jeff Taylor are better physically is really all I'm saying.

[TrueWarrior]

I don't think Hamilton is physically skilled enough. Honeycutt is a bit thin/weak and I don't know that physically he can handle the NBA. Leslie I'm ok with but he's a bit on the short side. Chris Singleton and Jeff Taylor are better physically is really all I'm saying.

I like Singleton's defense, strength, and athleticism, but he really is a tweener in every sense. Hes like the opposite of Harper. Not much offense and doesnt have the perimeter skills to be a 3 or the size to be a 4.

Taylor interests me much more. I think he can play some SG here alongside Melo and Amare. He has lockdown defense potential, a beast athleticially, good passer, and improved his 3 pt shooting a lot this season. Hed be a very solid choice for us IMO. A guy we can put on a teams best perimeter player while not being a liability on offense. After workouts I think teams will fall in love with him.

I just think we have to pick a two way player. Thompson/Harper would be all offense and Faried/Singleton would be all defense. Give me a more well rounded guy like a Morris twin, Taylor, or Jackson. I could still see us picking Harper though. I wouldnt mind the pick if he really shows hes worth it and has a pulse on D. His potential might be the highest of them all offensively at his size.

The question I keep asking with Harper is how much better, if at all, is he than Shawne Williams? Purp was also picked 17th fyi. They're both tweener SF/PF types. Id say Harper has a little more offensive potential and athleticism but Shawne is just as good a shooter, rebounder, a better defender, but most of all plays tougher. IDK Id rather just resign Shawne on the cheap if hes down and stay away from Harper.

[moocow007]

I don't think Hamilton is physically skilled enough. Honeycutt is a bit thin/weak and I don't know that physically he can handle the NBA. Leslie I'm ok with but he's a bit on the short side. Chris Singleton and Jeff Taylor are better physically is really all I'm saying.

I like Singleton's defense, strength, and athleticism, but he really is a tweener in every sense. Hes like the opposite of Harper. Not much offense and doesnt have the perimeter skills to be a 3 or the size to be a 4.

Taylor interests me much more. I think he can play some SG here alongside Melo and Amare. He has lockdown defense potential, a beast athleticially, good passer, and improved his 3 pt shooting a lot this season. Hed be a very solid choice for us IMO. A guy we can put on a teams best perimeter player while not being a liability on offense. After workouts I think teams will fall in love with him.

I just think we have to pick a two way player. Thompson/Harper would be all offense and Faried/Singleton would be all defense. Give me a more well rounded guy like a Morris twin, Taylor, or Jackson. I could still see us picking Harper though. I wouldnt mind the pick if he really shows hes worth it and has a pulse on D. His potential might be the highest of them all offensively at his size.

The question I keep asking with Harper is how much better, if at all, is he than Shawne Williams? Purp was also picked 17th fyi. They're both tweener SF/PF types. Id say Harper has a little more offensive potential and athleticism but Shawne is just as good a shooter, rebounder, a better defender, but most of all plays tougher. IDK Id rather just resign Shawne on the cheap if hes down and stay away from Harper.

Harper is a much better shooter. He's also 2 inches taller and stronger than Shawne Williams. Athletically he's better and his offensive game overall is better...all compared to Shawne Williams at the same time in their careers, Harper is also a better rebounder and IMHO has better upside than Williams had coming out of Memphis.

[RutgersBJJ]

I just really hope we don't draft Faried. I wasn't impressed with him at all in the Tourney game. He honestly just looked like a rich-man's Mikki Moore.

[ibraheim718]

I agree on Thompson. I dont like him. Im just saying youd have to believe Dantoni would ha.

Justin Harper is looking more and more like a future Knick.

My realistic Knick draft board
1. Markieff Morris
2. Jeff Taylor
3. Justin Harper
4. Reggie Jackson (if Billups' option isnt picked up)
5. Chris Singleton
6. Kenneth Faried
7. Tyler Honeycut

That of we try and trade up using Fields or trade the pick all together for somebody who can help right away (which is an option I think we will heavily look into).

EDIT: Moo you dont think Leslie, Honeycutt, or Hamilton are athletic enough? Leslie is known as more of an athlete right now, and Honeycutt has great length and pretty athletic himself (hes just skinny). Hamilton isnt an elite athlete but hes better than like Klay Thompson. I think he could play some 2 in the league.

Im not sure who Id take out of Harper or one of the Morris brothers right now tho. I like Harper's skills but his motor is just so low, plays no defense, a classic tweener, and plays kind of soft. He still has some upside but Im not sure on him. At least I know Markieff will rebound and play defense, while still being able to hit a jumpshot and score in the paint. I just think the Morris twins are more well rounded.

I don't think Hamilton is physically skilled enough. Honeycutt is a bit thin/weak and I don't know that physically he can handle the NBA. Leslie I'm ok with but he's a bit on the short side. Chris Singleton and Jeff Taylor are better physically is really all I'm saying.

This. Honestly I think Honeycutt isn't going to be that good of an NBA player... the kid is too frail and passive. Hamilton isn't the smartest of players. Both of the morris twins don't move my meter.

It's too hard to tell who the knicks are going to draft because we don't even know who the GM is going to be. If it remains to be Walsh then I could see Walsh under Wark's advice go out of the box and surprise us. When we get closer I know I'll have a better feel.

[TrueWarrior]

Harper is a much better shooter. He's also 2 inches taller and stronger than Shawne Williams. Athletically he's better and his offensive game overall is better...all compared to Shawne Williams at the same time in their careers, Harper is also a better rebounder and IMHO has better upside than Williams had coming out of Memphis.

But Im talking about RIGHT NOW. IDC what Shawne was like in his 1 year at Memphis. Harper was an unknown his first 3 years in college so you cant compare them like that. Shawne has obviously improved his shot since he was drafted, and most of all his attitude. Harper's biggest issues right now are lack of toughness, motor, defense, and his tweener status. Hes athletic but lacks the true lateral quickness/smarts to defend the 2 or 3 and lacks the strength/toughness to defend the 4 or 5. An average rebounder and ball handler. His J is easily the best thing about him.

IDK I watched about 10 Richmond games this year, mainly just to scout Harper, and I think you're overrating him a little bit now. Hes a good prospect and I can see hes skilled but even as a senior he still has so many question marks.

Like I said I wouldnt hate if we picked him though, because he still has potential even as a senior and a guy his size who can shoot and post up with his athleticism is rare. But again Id like to get a more well rounded guy. All of Harpers positives are on offense, mainly shooting. We obviously could use more offense off the bench, but we also could use hella defense and a little more grit/energy.

I might be reaching now, but I also want to try and pick a guy who can play alongside Melo and Amare a little. Harper cant play the 2 or 5 so the best thing we could hope for is to fill in for Melo or Amare off the bench. A guy like Taylor, Jackson, Markieff, or Hamilton would be able to fit nicely at guard or C when they come in. When I see Harper all I see are the countless small ball lineups Dantoni will use with him at C Shawne Williams style, and that scares the sh*t out of me .

DX pretty much has his game nailed down pat:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Justin-Harper-6341/

NBAdraft.net sums it up pretty well too:
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/justin-harper

NBA Comparison: Vladimir Radmanovic

Strengths: Combo forward with excellent length, agility and shooting ability … His ability to knock down shots is his bread and butter … Has a fluid stroke with range out to NBA 3 … A quality spot up shooter who gets his feet set and releases the ball in good speed for a 6-10 forward … Has been on an absolute tear shooting 49% from 3 on a high volume of shots as a senior … Likes to roam around the perimeter, gain possession of the ball and face the basket … Utilizes his excellent foot speed well to beat defenders … Proficient at getting defenders off balance with a pump fake/jab step and then blowing by them and getting to the rim using the dribble … His quickness and shooting ability makes him excellent in pick and pop situations … Quality free throw shooter at over 80% … Has an effective righty jump hook he uses when he spins right … Can create shots off the dribble and uses a spin move and polished fade away jumper … Handles the ball well for a 4 …

Weaknesses: Lacks a true position: Despite having excellent speed and agility, he’s a bit of a tweener lacking the bulk to defend post players and the lateral speed to defend quick 3s … Gets pushed off the block far too easily … Needs to bulk up and become a full time power forward … May not have the frame to put on considerable weight comfortably … Back to the basket skills are underutilized. Usually will post up but then face the basket and isolate and use the dribble to beat defenders instead of maintaining low post position, keeping the ball high, and scoring via post moves … Playing at Richmond doesn’t help to convince scouts that he can compete against top tier talent at the same high level consistently … Rebounding ability would benefit from more leg and upperbody strength …

Aran Smith 3/4/11

DX tweeted if Harper had Faried's motor he would be the #1 pick in the draft. Thats high praise of his skill level but also a kick in the nuts to his energy. When I look at Harper I cant help but think he will only become a Vladamir Radmonovic type spot up shooter and thats it, but has the potential to become Chandler/Gallo esque. It all depends on how strong he gets. Dude has alot of work to do still.

[TrueWarrior]

After thinking I might rather have Singleton than Harper honestly. They are pretty much polar opposites in the same tweener vein. Harper is 6'10, a very good shooter but not a good defender. Singleton is 6'9, a very good defender but not a good scorer.

Id put more money in Singleton improving his scoring to adequate status (he did shoot 37% from three this year on 3+ attempts) than Harper upping his defense. Singleton can play anywhere from SG-PF and has lockdown defense ability at multiple positions. Hes also very very strong and athletic. Im just not sure Dantoni would play him unless he starts stroking threes, which is why Harper seems like our guy .

I guess Im just thinking defense first with this pick, which is why Im kind of balking at Harper a little bit and moving towards guys like Morris, Taylor, Honeycutt, Leslie, Jackson, and Singleton. At the very least we need a guy who is capable on D. Harper right now seems like he will have a very hard time on that end unless he really bulks up, eats his wheaties, and starts getting mean.

[moocow007]

After thinking I might rather have Singleton than Harper honestly. They are pretty much polar opposites in the same tweener vein. Harper is 6'10, a very good shooter but not a good defender. Singleton is 6'9, a very good defender but not a good scorer.

Id put more money in Singleton improving his scoring to adequate status (he did shoot 37% from three this year on 3+ attempts) than Harper upping his defense. Singleton can play anywhere from SG-PF and has lockdown defense ability at multiple positions. Hes also very very strong and athletic. Im just not sure Dantoni would ply him unless he starts stroking threes, which is why Harper seems like our guy .

I guess Im just thinking defense first with this pick, which is why Im kind of balking at Harper a little bit and moving towards guys like Morris, Taylor, Honeycutt, Leslie, Jackson, and Singleton. At the very least we need a guy who is capable on D. Harper right now seems like he will have a very hard time on that end unless he really bulks up, eats his wheaties, and starts getting mean.

Hey you never know but from my POV its easier to get. an offensively talented player with the physical tools to defend adequately than it is to get a defensively geared player, regardless of his physical tools to be offensively enabled. Guys that have problems scoring at the collegiate level rarely ever find their way in the NBA. Easier to teach desire than raw talent.

As far as markieff Morris being a C? Sure in the Othela Harrington mode maybe but hes not a real upgrade over Shelden Williams or Ronny Turiaf (both of whom looked better in college in terms of NBA projectibility than Morris). So i dont see how he can help. Unless the Knicks trade up or trade for a C (by trading out of the drsft possibly) their answer at C isnt going to come from the draft. Kanter will be gone and unless Biyombo ends up being almost 30 the only 2 semi real NBA caliber Cs will be gone. Bebe is just not ready to do diddly in the NBA right now.

Same goes for a short term starting PG. The ones that csn will be gone and what the Knicks will have to choose from is a couple Toney Douglas like combo guards or guys that are most likely career backups at the point.

At which point taking care of their 2 biggest needs via the draft isnt likely realistic. At which point you may just go with the BPA. The guy that has talent, upside AND offers at least one NBA ready skill. Harper qualufies. And DX is correct about Harper being a top pick if he had more desire but Harper was showing much better intensity in the second half. Harper IMO has the makings of a combination of the 2 guys Knick fans had been arguing over for years...and thats a pretty good thing..no?