Countdown to NBA Draft: Prospect Talk

[Bklyn&company]

He's a scrub for a top 5 pick. He's a weaker but better shooting Kelly Olynyk.

Now I really know you haven't watched his games.... Kaminsky is actually bigger and stronger than Olynyk.. Olynyk rarely plays inside..Kaminsky does.. again Knicks are not drafting him with a top five pick..most would say right now he is not a top five pick..but of course this can change as the year and tournament goes by... What if he was drafted six, does that make him not a scrub, then? LOL.... Logic Bro.

I'm comparing him to Olynyk in college who played inside way more than Kaminsky. And if he was drafted 6th we still drafted a guy who might be the 10th best player at 6 (which is currently a pick we couldn't even get since the lowest we'll go is 4th).

You need to watch actual games... bro, Olynyk has always been a jump shooter, in college and in the pros (I watched like eight full Olynyk games last year).. Kaminsky plays more inside... anyhow your opinion...

[E-Balla]

Now I really know you haven't watched his games.... Kaminsky is actually bigger and stronger than Olynyk.. Olynyk rarely plays inside..Kaminsky does.. again Knicks are not drafting him with a top five pick..most would say right now he is not a top five pick..but of course this can change as the year and tournament goes by... What if he was drafted six, does that make him not a scrub, then? LOL.... Logic Bro.

I'm comparing him to Olynyk in college who played inside way more than Kaminsky. And if he was drafted 6th we still drafted a guy who might be the 10th best player at 6 (which is currently a pick we couldn't even get since the lowest we'll go is 4th).

You need to watch actual games... bro, Olynyk has always been a jump shooter, in college and in the pros (I watched like eight full Olynyk games last year).. Kaminsky plays more inside... anyhow your opinion...

Not really. I watched both and in college Olynyk was great at the rim. Even now he plays at the rim more often than not. Offensively Kaminsky is more of a finesse guy.

[Bklyn&company]

I'm comparing him to Olynyk in college who played inside way more than Kaminsky. And if he was drafted 6th we still drafted a guy who might be the 10th best player at 6 (which is currently a pick we couldn't even get since the lowest we'll go is 4th).

You need to watch actual games... bro, Olynyk has always been a jump shooter, in college and in the pros (I watched like eight full Olynyk games last year).. Kaminsky plays more inside... anyhow your opinion...

Not really. I watched both and in college Olynyk was great at the rim. Even now he plays at the rim more often than not. Offensively Kaminsky is more of a finesse guy.

Ok...Your Opinion, not facts...

[DLTGWH]

Robin Lopez
Frank Kaminsky
Melo
Lance Stephenson
Reggie Jackson

so this is the team we're suffering through the worst season in knicks history for???

[TheBigBoss]

Anyone else worried about the Pelicans missing the playoffs? If Silver gifts them Okafor, I might be done with the NBA permanently. There is no way anyone is stopping Davis/Okafor. I would probably just stick to football, boxing, and baseball at that point.

[moocow007]

Anyone else worried about the Pelicans missing the playoffs? If Silver gifts them Okafor, I might be done with the NBA permanently. There is no way anyone is stopping Davis/Okafor. I would probably just stick to football, boxing, and baseball at that point.

The chances of a team just missing the playoffs and getting the top pick is astronomical.

[Johnny Hoops]

My latest mock draft

January 15th

1. Jahill Okafor PF
2. Karl Towns PF/C
3. Deangelo Russell PG
4. Emmanuel Mudiay PG
5 .Bobby Portis PF
6. Delon Wright PG
7. Stanley Johnson SF
8 Devin Booker SG
9 Myles Turner PF/C
10 Frank Kaminsky C/PF
11 Willie Stein C
12 Kevin Looney PF
13 Robert Upshaw C
14 Tyler Harvey PG
15 Justice Winslow SF
16.Montrezl Harrell PF
17 Justin Andersen SF
18 Troy Williams SF
19 Terry Rozier PG
20 Christian Wood PF
21 Kelly Oubre SG
22 Rakeem Christmas PF
23 Sam Decker SF
24 Kris Dunn PG
25 Trey Lyles PF
26 Dakari Johnson C
27 Zeek Woodley CG
28 Jameel Warney PF
29 Denzel Livingston CG
30 Michael Qualls S

Glad you've come around on Towns a bit Briggs -- you've got #1 and #2 correct.

I think your way off on Russell and Portis. Russell not because he's not a legit prospect but just too high IMO. I do not see an explosive NBA athlete and I just think he's being overrated but I'll have to watch more --- only seen a little.

Also think you are VERY HIGH on B-Portis --- I think you are projecting him as a legit PF or even C and I see him as a potential tweener between 3/4. Body / size remind me a bit of Cliff Robinson (former Blazer). I've read he's an average athlete who falls in love with a mediocre perimeter shot. Again only caught a little tape on him but I don't view him as a legit big.

Your also very low on WCS IMO.

I'd go....

Okafor
Towns
Mudiay
WCS
Johnson

...as my top 5.

Want to see Wright and Russell more though.

[Johnny Hoops]

Towns also doesn't have nearly the defensive potential that WCS has. He has slow feet whereas WCS runs around like a guard defending everyone like a free safety which is EXTREMELY unique. He can be a legitimate DPOY someday. I would still take Towns over him because he has a much higher offensive ceiling and is probably a better rebounder and shotblocker, but I wouldn't be mad at all if we end up with WCS.

towns is a better rebounder and blocks more shots in less minutes. So outside of WCS being quicker I really don't see how the two are even in the same stratosphere.

Also Towns is 2 years younger which at this age is huge in the development of 19 year old kid.

Different defenders really.

WCS is just an elite athlete -- can guard most any position and I view him as an elite help defender as well more from a positional stance rather than a shot-blocker. Also think WCS may struggle with strength in the post in the pro's but just an elite athlete.

Towns is a much more sound/fundamental defender -- he's also denying post entry passes, always has active hands and carries his hands up. WCS often has hands down. Towns anticipates much better than WCS, much better instincts. Towns thinks and loves to play D, Block shots, rebounds where WCS success is more talent/athleticism based.

Interesting debate --- my preference long term is Towns but if we drop out of top 3 would be glad to give WCS a shot.

[Johnny Hoops]

Towns also doesn't have nearly the defensive potential that WCS has. He has slow feet whereas WCS runs around like a guard defending everyone like a free safety which is EXTREMELY unique. He can be a legitimate DPOY someday. I would still take Towns over him because he has a much higher offensive ceiling and is probably a better rebounder and shotblocker, but I wouldn't be mad at all if we end up with WCS.

towns is a better rebounder and blocks more shots in less minutes. So outside of WCS being quicker I really don't see how the two are even in the same stratosphere.

Also Towns is 2 years younger which at this age is huge in the development of 19 year old kid.

WCS is quicker, more athletic, and has better defensive instincts and defensive versatility. Towns is a better shooter with a higher offensive ceiling, and is a better rebounder and shotblocker. Towns is an overall better prospect and worthy of a higher pick but WCS is still up there.

Disagree - WCS has poor instincts - he's just a GREAT athlete. Towns is a very intelligent player with great b-ball instincts for a 19 year old. WCS is 3 years older and looks like a deer in the headlights half the time.

[moocow007]

Jerian Grant should definitely be on folks 1st round mocks. It's amazing how little he's mentioned. He's got great size and athleticism for a combo. He's a very skilled defender, shooter, slasher, ball handler and passer. He's got unreal quick twitch reflexes that can get him to the basket in a blink when there's an opening.

[moocow007]

Stein may not be the brightest bulb in the closet and there's some concerns about his maturity level off the court. Towns graduated near the top of his class and has already had National team experience where he was commended by his much older teammates for being extremely mature. So, yeah, from an intelligence and carrying himself standpoint there is a big difference between the two. Now all that doesn't really override the ability to play the game, but I know a lot of folks consider character as being critical (or at least they pretend to consider it with respect to current/past Knicks) so that's something that should probably be considered if some folks want to be viewed as having consistent beliefs. Just saying and not directed at anyone in particular (so no one should be upset with this, just think about it). Me personally, I have no problem against taking him but then again I like potential wacka-doo players like Birdman and Rodman and Artest (some of my most favorite players)...but just saying.

[god4gives]

Just because so and so are top prospects doesn't mean Phil is interested in them no matter the hype. He said it himself that he looks for diamonds in the rough. Phil is smart and will look for prospects that fits his system.

Kaminsky >>> OK4, Towns, Turner, Cauley-Stein, & Cliff Alexander.

Kaminsky's game is a perfect fit for the Triangle. He's a better fit for the triangle than Towns. He's a traditional center and a stretch 4 that is very versatile. OK4's game is one dimensional. He's a below average defender and passer. He has wingspan and reach but a horrible rim protector. Kaminsky is a better defender than him.

Keep sleeping on the battle tested Frank Da Tank. He's gonna be battling for the final 4 spot again while OK4 bows out early

Jerian Grant, Delon Wright, D'Angelo Russell >>> Emmanuel Mudiay

Jerian Grant is a combo guard who's game is also a perfect fit for the Triangle

y'all need to watch Kaminsky & Jerian play and step analyzation game up.

Stop falling for the d!ckr!ding overrating hype (OK4, Mudiay). It blinds y'all from the true gems.

[NBA Fan 1234]

How is Kaminsky a better fit for the triangle (on both sides of the ball) over Towns...? Okafor also isn't a bad passer.

I like Kaminsky and Grant, but I think you're WAY too high on them.

[NBA Fan 1234]

Also, it would make sense that Delon Wright is better than Mudiay right now...and Grant. Those guys are a few years older than Mudiay and have more experience.

[god4gives]

Robin Lopez
Frank Kaminsky
Melo
Lance Stephenson
Reggie Jackson

very slow and no shooting...

shows what kind of mind you have which lacks defense. Defense creates offense.

RoLo - rim protection & defense.

Kaminsky - defender/rim protector/ buckets/stretch 4/ambidextrous/post moves/back to basket/former point guard/off the dribble/versatility

Melo - buckets.

Lance - triple double threat/defender/passer. needs to improve his shooting

Reggie - Athletic/underrated defender/penetrator/ passer/ buckets - he need to improve shooting as well but he still gets buckets

[god4gives]

How is Kaminsky a better fit for the triangle (on both sides of the ball) over Towns...? Okafor also isn't a bad passer.

I like Kaminsky and Grant, but I think you're WAY too high on them.

I shouldn't have to explain this if you actually watched Kaminsky play. It's very obvious he's a better fit for the triangle than Towns. OK4 isn't bad a passer but he isn't a passer neither. 3 straight games with 0 assists. He's does not fit the triangle because he can't shoot from the perimeter, is not an active passer, and a below average defender

[NBA Fan 1234]

I've seen Kaminsky play and have been a fan of his since last year. I just don't see how he's a better fit. Towns can score from post, mid range, pass from everywhere, face up, and plays great defense (especially for a FRESHMAN).

Okafor is a good passer. Watch the games and see how he reads when the double comes. It's not his fault he doesn't have any consistent outside shooters. His defense isn't great (it's bad in space), but his help defense isn't bad -- watch how he plays defense the way NBA bigs do (paint 2 seconds, touch someone or step out, back in, bump, etc). He does a nice job with that. He's just bad on the perimeter.

[Marty McFly]

isn't it illegal for student athletes to have agents without declaring for the nba draft? someone needs to report kaminsky.

[mpharris36]

isn't it illegal for student athletes to have agents without declaring for the nba draft? someone needs to report kaminsky.

[god4gives]

I've seen Kaminsky play and have been a fan of his since last year. I just don't see how he's a better fit. Towns can score from post, mid range, pass from everywhere, face up, and plays great defense (especially for a FRESHMAN).

Okafor is a good passer. Watch the games and see how he reads when the double comes. It's not his fault he doesn't have any consistent outside shooters. His defense isn't great (it's bad in space), but his help defense isn't bad -- watch how he plays defense the way NBA bigs do (paint 2 seconds, touch someone or step out, back in, bump, etc). He does a nice job with that. He's just bad on the perimeter.

I've just seen your message. I apologize for any insults to i said to anyone from my previous posts

anyway

There is nothing you said about Towns skills that Kaminsky don't already posses. If i was Phil i would rather select experience over someone that's still learning. Towns should stay a year or two more to develop his skills. His game is not ripe yet. OK4 does not play defense compared to NBA Centers. His defense is equivalent to Al Jefferson and Greg Monroe. He's not a true Center