Ovidijus Galdikas 7'2" Lithuanian big man

[Anonimas]

As much as the YouTube video impressed me concerning this player's shot-blocking, foot-work and rebounding, how can we know how these skills would translate to the NBA game?

While it is true that we are talking about the Knicks 15th spot on their roster, I have to admit that I am biased towards Grunwald going after a guy like Ivan Johnson who may not be 7'2, but could seriously bolster our interior defense with his inherent toughness and a bit of an 'attitude', which I like ; )

For some reason, I have this obsession with Earl Barron, who does have a bit of an offensive game (which I am not looking for in a reserve 5), but can rebound. My issue with him is that he doesn't seem to be able to stick on an NBA team, and I am unsure as to why? New York signs him, waives him, signs him, etc. I believe he was with Miami last season, as well.

I also like Lou Amundson and while I think Murry is not the positional player we need right now, a young 6'5 PG who received a camp invite, is interesting. For the potential and all of that stuff.

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most. Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

[TheToothFairy]

As much as the YouTube video impressed me concerning this player's shot-blocking, foot-work and rebounding, how can we know how these skills would translate to the NBA game?

While it is true that we are talking about the Knicks 15th spot on their roster, I have to admit that I am biased towards Grunwald going after a guy like Ivan Johnson who may not be 7'2, but could seriously bolster our interior defense with his inherent toughness and a bit of an 'attitude', which I like ; )

For some reason, I have this obsession with Earl Barron, who does have a bit of an offensive game (which I am not looking for in a reserve 5), but can rebound. My issue with him is that he doesn't seem to be able to stick on an NBA team, and I am unsure as to why? New York signs him, waives him, signs him, etc. I believe he was with Miami last season, as well.

I also like Lou Amundson and while I think Murry is not the positional player we need right now, a young 6'5 PG who received a camp invite, is interesting. For the potential and all of that stuff.

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most. Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

We already signed Udri, Brown can't be an option

[Anonimas]

We already signed Udri, Brown can't be an option

Woops... Haven't noticed that.

[Pharmcat]

why sign this guy when you could get hadidi (sp?) who has nba experience

[moocow007]

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most.

Don't see that happening at all. The Knicks no doubt needed an influx of youth and athleticism from last season geriatric crew but realize they already have added 3 young guys who have played a combined 63 games in the NBA. They will also have Shumpert back fully healthy to provide youthful energy and athleticism. They are, at the end of the day, still a team trying to win now. Cannot see them going with yet another unproven player...not at all.

Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

Brown may have been an option had they not signed Beno Udrih. But with Udrih on board they really have no need for Brown...who will be 29 years old this season. Brown's ability to score against European defenders likely wouldn't translate against NBA defenses.

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

Hudson is an inefficient volume shooter that really doesn't anything else well enough to warrant any real minutes with any real team. Other than a week of hot play, he's otherwise been a fringe NBA player at best. DJ White has a solid post game and can rebound the ball ok but his defense is limited and he's not shown the greatest grasp of a lot of intricate team play.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

He's unsigned right now and no team is really knocking his door down. He's averaged 2.2ppg and 2.5rpg on 46% shooting from the field for his career in the NBA. That's a 3rd string C. 3rd string C's sign for the vet minimum.

[NoLayupRule]

Hadadadi doesnt excite me. For starters he'd have to have made some serious leaps and bounds improvements since his time in the nba for him to be worth looking at. His Asian numbers are impressive but I'll bet he could dominate my rec league too, that doesn't make him any good.

If Haddadi was vastly improved and worth a shot I doubt very much he'd be interested in a two year min deal with a team option on year two. Which is the only deal we should be offering to him. If we offer a one year deal he develops and walks next summer. No interest.



Bobby brown. One on one scoring point who is coming off a year he had great personal success in Europe playing one on one? Sounds like a guy who is gonna come in with a lot of entitlement and won't be what we want unless there are a ton of injuries.



Ivan Johnson. Yes. Again. Experience. Toughness. Defense. Actually has some offense too. Yes.
Almondson. Can't spell his name but I'd be fine with him. Defense, hustle and rebounding.
Murry. Yes. It's always smart to take a guy like this and develop him. Defensive stopper pgs don't come along much. I remember when rondo couldn't pass or shoot and was just a defender.

[aq_ua]

This seems like exactly the sort of guy you take on as a 15th man project that splits time between the Knicks and the D-League. We shouldn't be thinking about a 15th man as a potential rotation player - just doesn't make sense. A 15th man should be a player that might eventually crack a rotation in 2 - 3 years and just might be meaningful. We should keep in mind that a team always needs to think about both the now and the future. Look at the Spurs - they've re-invented themselves multiple times during Duncan's career by taking long-term views on developing players and drafting quality.

In terms of 3rd string centers, looks like it's between Haddidi, Barron and maybe Tyler. Johnson and Amundson are just not big enough to be even a part time center. Nothing sexy, but it is what it is.

Galdakis is a different animal - super raw but looks like a nice mobile and dextrous legitimate 7 footer. If he ever gets close to a Tiago Splitter level, it would be a huge steal.

[Pharmcat]

Hadadadi doesnt excite me. For starters he'd have to have made some serious leaps and bounds improvements since his time in the nba for him to be worth looking at. His Asian numbers are impressive but I'll bet he could dominate my rec league too, that doesn't make him any good.

If Haddadi was vastly improved and worth a shot I doubt very much he'd be interested in a two year min deal with a team option on year two. Which is the only deal we should be offering to him. If we offer a one year deal he develops and walks next summer. No interest.



Bobby brown. One on one scoring point who is coming off a year he had great personal success in Europe playing one on one? Sounds like a guy who is gonna come in with a lot of entitlement and won't be what we want unless there are a ton of injuries.



Ivan Johnson. Yes. Again. Experience. Toughness. Defense. Actually has some offense too. Yes.
Almondson. Can't spell his name but I'd be fine with him. Defense, hustle and rebounding.
Murry. Yes. It's always smart to take a guy like this and develop him. Defensive stopper pgs don't come along much. I remember when rondo couldn't pass or shoot and was just a defender.

ny just needs spot minutes against biger teams like IND and CHI, not needed against MIA....the first 2 teams dont run that much, so hadidi slowness not a factor....just need some1 to give a breather....he has nba experience too which counts, plus ny already has a young big to develop now in tyler, cant do 2 imo....ivan, petro, or hadidi should be the list

[Anonimas]

ny just needs spot minutes against biger teams like IND and CHI, not needed against MIA....the first 2 teams dont run that much, so hadidi slowness not a factor....just need some1 to give a breather....he has nba experience too which counts, plus ny already has a young big to develop now in tyler, cant do 2 imo....ivan, petro, or hadidi should be the list

As NoLayupRule mentioned, acquiring Haddadi with a minimum 1+1 deal is not very likely. Plus he would be only 15th man with ~2 points stats again, which doesn't sound exciting for him as he was a beast during FIBA Asia tournament and without doubt he will pursue long-term, decent salary contract. If none of NBA teams would offer him something similar, he could go to Europe. There's a lot of rich teams in Europe too and keeping in mind that in Europe club pays all the contract taxes (not player as in NBA), that might happen.

[TheToothFairy]

This seems like exactly the sort of guy you take on as a 15th man project that splits time between the Knicks and the D-League. We shouldn't be thinking about a 15th man as a potential rotation player - just doesn't make sense. A 15th man should be a player that might eventually crack a rotation in 2 - 3 years and just might be meaningful. We should keep in mind that a team always needs to think about both the now and the future. Look at the Spurs - they've re-invented themselves multiple times during Duncan's career by taking long-term views on developing players and drafting quality.

In terms of 3rd string centers, looks like it's between Haddidi, Barron and maybe Tyler. Johnson and Amundson are just not big enough to be even a part time center. Nothing sexy, but it is what it is.

Galdakis is a different animal - super raw but looks like a nice mobile and dextrous legitimate 7 footer. If he ever gets close to a Tiago Splitter level, it would be a huge steal.

This is my thinking as well

But I also dont think they will take Two project Centers(Assuming Tyler is viewed as a project)

[Thorn]

Hadadadi doesnt excite me. For starters he'd have to have made some serious leaps and bounds improvements since his time in the nba for him to be worth looking at. His Asian numbers are impressive but I'll bet he could dominate my rec league too, that doesn't make him any good.

If Haddadi was vastly improved and worth a shot I doubt very much he'd be interested in a two year min deal with a team option on year two. Which is the only deal we should be offering to him. If we offer a one year deal he develops and walks next summer. No interest.



Bobby brown. One on one scoring point who is coming off a year he had great personal success in Europe playing one on one? Sounds like a guy who is gonna come in with a lot of entitlement and won't be what we want unless there are a ton of injuries.



Ivan Johnson. Yes. Again. Experience. Toughness. Defense. Actually has some offense too. Yes.
Almondson. Can't spell his name but I'd be fine with him. Defense, hustle and rebounding.
Murry. Yes. It's always smart to take a guy like this and develop him. Defensive stopper pgs don't come along much. I remember when rondo couldn't pass or shoot and was just a defender.

I would take and of the three mentioned above at this point, not that Lou Amundson is an amazing player who will blossom into a superstar anytime soon... we are not able to sign those guys. We need heart, hustle, defense, and rebounding. All three of the guys listed above bring something to the table.

My first choice is Ivan Johnson, followed by Lou, followed by Murry.

[Anonimas]

According to Lithuania's media Galdikas stays in Šiauliai for the upcoming season (last year in his contract), however Knicks will continue to observe him all season long and he may join them next summer.