Countdown to NBA Draft: Prospect Talk

[Fat]

Forget mudiay we need a big man badly, okafor or towns you cant go wrong with either pick.

[DaGawd]

Im of the mindset pgs grow on trees nowadays.. You can always get yourself one these days either thru FA or draft.. You gotta take Towns or Okafor if they are still on the board. No question about it. Quality big men are almost extinct

[BRIGGS]

Id like to get aggressive in this draft to see if we can pick up a couple of more picks using 40% of our cap space next year(enough to leave for one maximum slot and other smaller signings and or to swap our 2018 into this draft for someone who wants out.

What I would like to do is grab two bigs out of this draft.(one from the top) Its nearly impossible to say who but I think there are atleast 10 players from 10-35 that are worthy to tandem up with the top player selected. This is a unique drafting year for bigs and Id love to go "all in" to help expedite our team's recovery.

Im also very big on a player from E Washington named Tyler Harvey as a PG. He kind of splits the PG duty with another player on that team but hes 6-4 with somewhat long arms and hes the best 3 pt shooter I have seen in quite some time. I love lefty's and he has the quickest release in CBB and the most accurate. You can see throughout this video that he has very similar qualities that Steph Curry has.He can pass hes a nice ball handler and hes a weapon from the perimeter--this guy is really under the radar.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJDFEv44gs[/youtube]

[Reign23]

It's so important to be in the top 3, because i can see a big drop off after towns, mudiay and okafor. And It would give us so much options... say utah, minnesota,lakers, pistons or phoenix would like to trade for one of these three players badly, you could receiververy nice offers. for example: 5th pick, gobert and a future first... or 6th pick plus bledsoe...or 4th pick plus dieng. not say you do any of those trades, but it gives you good options to pick up more pieces

[BeagleBoss]

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN college basketball analyst, says the 6-foot-11 Okafor may just be worth the hype.

“I think so,’’ Franschilla told The Post. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan. He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in-between.’’

“Scoring won’t be an issue,’’ Fraschilla added. ‘He knows he’s a post man and won’t be on the perimeter. But will he develop as a decent rim protector? I don’t know if he’ll protect the rim early in his career like an Anthony Davis.’’

Fraschilla said Okafor, who is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for No. 2 Duke, is “fundamentally sound” and “high character’’ and said there’s not even a question whether he’s the No. 1 pick. Fraschilla said Phil Jackson shouldn’t feel as lucky if the Knicks fall to No. 2 in the draft, noting that the second-best big man in the draft, Kentucky’s Karl Towns “is just a baby’’ despite his big upside.

Jackson is not trying to tank or get the No. 1 lottery pick. He wanted to be a playoff team. Jackson realizes a league-worst record won’t be a good sell for 2015 free agents. However, landing Okafor “would’’ be a big sell.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31l_nQc-QLc[/youtube]

[Bklyn&company]

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN college basketball analyst, says the 6-foot-11 Okafor may just be worth the hype.

“I think so,’’ Franschilla told The Post. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan. He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in-between.’’

“Scoring won’t be an issue,’’ Fraschilla added. ‘He knows he’s a post man and won’t be on the perimeter. But will he develop as a decent rim protector? I don’t know if he’ll protect the rim early in his career like an Anthony Davis.’’

Fraschilla said Okafor, who is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for No. 2 Duke, is “fundamentally sound” and “high character’’ and said there’s not even a question whether he’s the No. 1 pick. Fraschilla said Phil Jackson shouldn’t feel as lucky if the Knicks fall to No. 2 in the draft, noting that the second-best big man in the draft, Kentucky’s Karl Towns “is just a baby’’ despite his big upside.

Jackson is not trying to tank or get the No. 1 lottery pick. He wanted to be a playoff team. Jackson realizes a league-worst record won’t be a good sell for 2015 free agents. However, landing Okafor “would’’ be a big sell.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31l_nQc-QLc[/youtube]

Fran is right... right now imo his ceiling is Al Jefferson hopefully im wrong and he improves.... guys do surprise and go above and beyond what many thought of them....from draft to their rookie season.... Russell Westbrook definitely surprise me.. I didnt think he was going to be this good... at ucla he was athletic and quick but in the NBA his explosiveness, agressiveness and phyiscal strength went to a whole two levels. The same for Griffin, he was a dominating but a little stiff under the basket big at Oak... but in his first nba year the dude found pogo sticks and started jump all over the place.

Hopefully Okafor can find some type of explosiveness, get physically stronger and expand his game to include a few mid jumpers, hooks and aggressive imitating defense.

Though Towns is a baby... I see J.Noah written all over him. IMO..I think he is going to be a defensive force all over the court.. because he is aggressive and hungry

WCS.... I see T.Chandler but with a little more offense.

Kaminsky.. I like... smart, high IQ does a little of everything, plays inside and out... will be a tough match for anyone on the NBA level once he gets stronger. Drop 17pts and 9rebs on Okafor... ceiling is an Average Rik Smits..

J.Poeltl.. I like alot...

[EMG518]

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN college basketball analyst, says the 6-foot-11 Okafor may just be worth the hype.

“I think so,’’ Franschilla told The Post. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan. He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in-between.’’
.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31l_nQc-QLc[/youtube]

Fran is right... right now imo his ceiling is Al Jefferson hopefully im wrong and he improves.....

He said his floor is Al Jefferson, not his ceiling. I already see him becoming better than Al Jefferson, I think his floor is higher. He is bigger, longer, smarter, reads situations better, willing passer, will be more advanced and a more efficient scorer in the post.

[DaGawd]

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN college basketball analyst, says the 6-foot-11 Okafor may just be worth the hype.

“I think so,’’ Franschilla told The Post. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan. He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in-between.’’

“Scoring won’t be an issue,’’ Fraschilla added. ‘He knows he’s a post man and won’t be on the perimeter. But will he develop as a decent rim protector? I don’t know if he’ll protect the rim early in his career like an Anthony Davis.’’

Fraschilla said Okafor, who is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for No. 2 Duke, is “fundamentally sound” and “high character’’ and said there’s not even a question whether he’s the No. 1 pick. Fraschilla said Phil Jackson shouldn’t feel as lucky if the Knicks fall to No. 2 in the draft, noting that the second-best big man in the draft, Kentucky’s Karl Towns “is just a baby’’ despite his big upside.

Jackson is not trying to tank or get the No. 1 lottery pick. He wanted to be a playoff team. Jackson realizes a league-worst record won’t be a good sell for 2015 free agents. However, landing Okafor “would’’ be a big sell.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31l_nQc-QLc[/youtube]

Fran is right... right now imo his ceiling is Al Jefferson hopefully im wrong and he improves.... guys do surprise and go above and beyond what many thought of them....from draft to their rookie season.... Russell Westbrook definitely surprise me.. I didnt think he was going to be this good... at ucla he was athletic and quick but in the NBA his explosiveness, agressiveness and phyiscal strength went to a whole two levels. The same for Griffin, he was a dominating but a little stiff under the basket big at Oak... but in his first nba year the dude found pogo sticks and started jump all over the place.

Hopefully Okafor can find some type of explosiveness, get physically stronger and expand his game to include a few mid jumpers, hooks and aggressive imitating defense.

Though Towns is a baby... I see J.Noah written all over him. IMO..I think he is going to be a defensive force all over the court.. because he is aggressive and hungry

WCS.... I see T.Chandler but with a little more offense.

Kaminsky.. I like... smart, high IQ does a little of everything, plays inside and out... will be a tough match for anyone on the NBA level once he gets stronger. Drop 17pts and 9rebs on Okafor... ceiling is an Average Rik Smits..

J.Poeltl.. I like alot...

Fran actually says his ceiling is Tim Duncan..

[imborj]

really like J.Oak so far, esp the footwork.. his defense can be learned transitioning from college to nba, no? (3second violations etc..)
he has an awkward jumper and a really weak left hand.. as far as passing, i dont see towns' as significantly better than okafor. can we just ff to lottery already?

[TheBigBoss]

Once again, I posted this a few pages back and will put it here again for people that compare him to Al Jefferson:

For those that compare Okafor to Al Jefferson, i visited the Hornets board, and this is what Hornets fans think about that comparison:

One ugly, ugly ass game though. I don't really care about wins 9r losses this early (although you guys could use one )

If we get Okafor I'd be very very happy. He's a game changer imo. I think he's better than everyone in the 2014 draft. What a prize.

I don't get the Jefferson comps. He's extremely skilled, but he's not a slouch defensively. His IQ and passing is great.

Refreshing watching Okafor pass out of double and triple teams to open shooters. Al should watch him and learn

Really impressive as a passer and aggressive on the boards. He's gifted.

He plays with more intensity and edge. He's Demarcus Cousins.

Without the attitude

Like I said, franchise guy right there.

He plays with amazing intensity as well. He's smart with the ball and aware of his teammates. He doesn't get tunnel vision. For what he does as a big man, he's a great team player on top of it which is the rarest of combinations. He's a unique player. Calhoun was raving about him, saying how he's like a vacuum cleaner who's big and wide and quick. Said he has "the best hands I've ever seen". He's really fluent out there and plays within the flow of offense, takes what's given yet involves teammates. Superstar.

He will get hate though because he doesn't jump 45 feet in the air or run a 40 in 4.4 seconds.

Well I like his quickness for his size especially. He has great body control in the air which is what makes him an exceptional rebounder. I like how he went up for that board with two hands to steal it from (was it Purvis?)

That is what we need not slow Al!

[MasterIchiro]

It's all true.

[MasterIchiro]

Cousins is a more appropriate comp for Okafor, not Big Al.

[PMFJB]

Fran Fraschilla, an ESPN college basketball analyst, says the 6-foot-11 Okafor may just be worth the hype.

“I think so,’’ Franschilla told The Post. “At worst, you’re getting a young Al Jefferson — an 18 and 10 guy. At best, Tim Duncan. He’s got potential to be a franchise player. Odds are it’s somewhere in-between.’’

“Scoring won’t be an issue,’’ Fraschilla added. ‘He knows he’s a post man and won’t be on the perimeter. But will he develop as a decent rim protector? I don’t know if he’ll protect the rim early in his career like an Anthony Davis.’’

Fraschilla said Okafor, who is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds for No. 2 Duke, is “fundamentally sound” and “high character’’ and said there’s not even a question whether he’s the No. 1 pick. Fraschilla said Phil Jackson shouldn’t feel as lucky if the Knicks fall to No. 2 in the draft, noting that the second-best big man in the draft, Kentucky’s Karl Towns “is just a baby’’ despite his big upside.

Jackson is not trying to tank or get the No. 1 lottery pick. He wanted to be a playoff team. Jackson realizes a league-worst record won’t be a good sell for 2015 free agents. However, landing Okafor “would’’ be a big sell.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31l_nQc-QLc[/youtube]

Fran is right... right now imo his ceiling is Al Jefferson hopefully im wrong and he improves.... guys do surprise and go above and beyond what many thought of them....from draft to their rookie season.... Russell Westbrook definitely surprise me.. I didnt think he was going to be this good... at ucla he was athletic and quick but in the NBA his explosiveness, agressiveness and phyiscal strength went to a whole two levels. The same for Griffin, he was a dominating but a little stiff under the basket big at Oak... but in his first nba year the dude found pogo sticks and started jump all over the place.

Hopefully Okafor can find some type of explosiveness, get physically stronger and expand his game to include a few mid jumpers, hooks and aggressive imitating defense.

Though Towns is a baby... I see J.Noah written all over him. IMO..I think he is going to be a defensive force all over the court.. because he is aggressive and hungry

WCS.... I see T.Chandler but with a little more offense.

Kaminsky.. I like... smart, high IQ does a little of everything, plays inside and out... will be a tough match for anyone on the NBA level once he gets stronger. Drop 17pts and 9rebs on Okafor... ceiling is an Average Rik Smits..

J.Poeltl.. I like alot...

It is Okafor for me all the way. Really like his game. I hope we get the top pick. It would be terrible if we don't. But we are the Knicks so you know we won't.
How is Towns a defensive force like Noah? Noah can guard your best post player 1 on 1. That is not something Towns can do.

[Houston99]

man im having a hard time choosing between town and okafur

[camillepd]

Try this tanking game:

http://nbatanking.com/

[No-Man]

Okafor is the clear nº1 prospect ahead of anybody else, there is no conversation, no debate, nothing.
2nd is close, I'd say there are 4 guys at there for me at a similar level, Mudiay, Towns, Winslow and Porzingis.

Porzingis is too big of a risk in a way too hungry enviroment in NY, he needs time and development, no way I want him for NY.
I believe Towns is not ready to play right away and make an impact, at all, his body type concers me, his lack of feel from the post (he is a really good passer from the high post), his agility and lateral quickness is poor, and the guy doesnt have a good touch close to the basket, he drifts to often to the perimeter.
Still what worries me more is his legs, I wont take him for the Knicks either, although I understand the fit with his passing, length and blocking ability (but my belief is that if you want to win now, and the Knicks HAVE TO because of Anthony, your big men need to be rugged veteran guys).
Mudiay is a difficult one to gauge, first of all because he probably wont play again and even if he does is China, and second because he is a PG, and the type of PG with great instincts and passing, but that needs the ball to run the show, alla John Wall, the potential is huge, so it will be difficult to pass him for a lesser prospect with the 2nd pick.
If you pick 1st, is Okafor, no-brainer.
If you pick 2nd, I think I will go with Mudiay or trade.
If you pick 3rd, your man, for this Knicks roster is Justise Winslow, and is not even close, I dont care if Towns is available or not, the only one that will make me doubt is Manny like I explained.

Let Shumpert walk or trade him before February for whatever you grab, start Winslow at SG and you will see how the team changes, hopefully sign post players that will give you what you need, MGasol is a dream, but there are other reasonable options out there.

Winslow is the easiest one to fit, he is a difference maker on defense, he can cover 4 positions and he is a cerebral guy on offense, think Kawhi Leonard, he is much better than Leonard was at the same age, he hasnt the freakish length, still pretty good for a guy that can play the 2, but he is a much better athlete than Kawhi, a much better ballhandler or passer and a much better shooter at the same stage.
He is Leonard with Iguodala's physique, if the Knicks pick 3rd, and Okafor and Mudiay are gone, is a no-brainer.

[Marty McFly]

i think you can do alot worse than a guy who's floor is al jefferson. it's not the home run you'd want it to be, but ****, at least it ain't bargs if he is a bust.

[DaGawd]

Jahlil plays on Msg network today....Its fate brethren!

[dakomish23]

Jahlil plays on Msg network today....Its fate brethren!

Finally. Putting this channel on womt make you want throw your remote.

[dakomish23]

How did New Orleans trade 3 1st rd picks in a row?