Towns or Okafor or Mudiay or Russel?

[knicknack]

Towns is a sure thing. There is no weaknesses in his game. This is our guy.

How NBA ready is Towns? Would we need a vet to start the season at center if we drafted him or is he NBA ready enough that him and Cole Aldrich would be fine at center?

I'm not a huge college bball guy, so others might be able to answer better. However, from what i've seen, he can contribute day one. He has post moves, he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend the pnr, he rim protects, he also seems to have a high bball IQ.

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

[Greenie]

I came in here to to say...
Team Towns for me.
Phillip draft KAT for me please.

[Traveyknicks23]

I cant decide i have a feeling like if we pass on jahlil this guys gonna turn out to be a beast but id be content with either i just know our pick needs to be a big man and not a guard

[E-Balla]

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

This is complete BS. First off Jahlil hasn't not had a great offensive game yet. Maybe the game where he played 19 minutes because of foul trouble but they have the numbers and that #2 offense Duke has literally runs half of its halfcourt sets through a Jahlil Okafor touch.

Secondly if you knew basketball you'd know a zone is the exact opposite of what you'd want to do to hide your defensive Cs. Zones are to help slow perimeter defenders.

Lastly if you knew Duke you'd know this is the best defense Duke has had since 2011 and its because Jahlil is in the middle. Last year they were starting Jabari Parker at C for chrissakes.

[knicknack]

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

This is complete BS. First off Jahlil hasn't not had a great offensive game yet. Maybe the game where he played 19 minutes because of foul trouble but they have the numbers and that #2 offense Duke has literally runs half of its halfcourt sets through a Jahlil Okafor touch.

Secondly if you knew basketball you'd know a zone is the exact opposite of what you'd want to do to hide your defensive Cs. Zones are to help slow perimeter defenders.

Lastly if you knew Duke you'd know this is the best defense Duke has had since 2011 and its because Jahlil is in the middle. Last year they were starting Jabari Parker at C for chrissakes.

You're right, I was rushing this post and felt most people would know what I was actually saying was, "HIS PICK & ROLL" DEFENSE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

You attribute their defense to him and you're delusional!

[RHODEY]

Anybody know our chances for a Top 2 pick, provided we keep our tank lead?

[E-Balla]

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

This is complete BS. First off Jahlil hasn't not had a great offensive game yet. Maybe the game where he played 19 minutes because of foul trouble but they have the numbers and that #2 offense Duke has literally runs half of its halfcourt sets through a Jahlil Okafor touch.

Secondly if you knew basketball you'd know a zone is the exact opposite of what you'd want to do to hide your defensive Cs. Zones are to help slow perimeter defenders.

Lastly if you knew Duke you'd know this is the best defense Duke has had since 2011 and its because Jahlil is in the middle. Last year they were starting Jabari Parker at C for chrissakes.

You're right, I was rushing this post and felt most people would know what I was actually saying was, "HIS PICK & ROLL" DEFENSE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

You attribute their defense to him and you're delusional!

I attribute their defense to him yes. That's not exactly a good thing to attribute to him (they are still weak defensively overall) but saying Coach K is running a zone because he is bad (and not because Quinn and Tyus can't stay in front of anyone) is crazy.

And his pick and roll defense is bad but that's something that improves with time and coaching.

If you'd rather have Towns for his defense that's cool but don't act like Jahlil is a liability in college ball on that end just because he isn't making any All American teams.

[E-Balla]

Anybody know our chances for a Top 2 pick, provided we keep our tank lead?

47% chance at a top 2 pick.

[moocow007]

Anybody know our chances for a Top 2 pick, provided we keep our tank lead?

Assuming the Knicks end up with the worst record, their chances of getting either the 1st or 2nd pick is 46.5% I believe.

[RHODEY]

Anybody know our chances for a Top 2 pick, provided we keep our tank lead?

Assuming the Knicks end up with the worst record, their chances of getting either the 1st or 2nd pick is 46.5% I believe.

Thanks Moocow. So for those in the KAT camp, we basically have a 50% chance at KAT provided we win the tank race and the number 1 winner chooses Okafur...interesting.

PS I find it mildly annoying that the Lakers are strongly entrenched at the 4 spot.

[GYK]

I'm for Mudiay still or Russell(although I much rather have Mudiay and think Russell is a SG, which doesn't matter but I want a penetrator).
If we get the top pick I would trade down for 2nd or 3rd to get Mudiay if Okafor or Towns or Russell are the top three picks for teams surrounding us.

[moocow007]

How NBA ready is Towns? Would we need a vet to start the season at center if we drafted him or is he NBA ready enough that him and Cole Aldrich would be fine at center?

I'm not a huge college bball guy, so others might be able to answer better. However, from what i've seen, he can contribute day one. He has post moves, he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend the pnr, he rim protects, he also seems to have a high bball IQ.

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

To play the Ibraheim devil's advocate role here...it would be easier to "kill it" when you are on the best team in college basketball and surrounded by great teammates.

I"ll be quite honest, I don't think anyone has proven they are sure bet NBA studs or sure bet busts. I think all the top 4-5 guys can be excellent NBA players. They can be stars. They can not.

[ibraheim718]

I'm not a huge college bball guy, so others might be able to answer better. However, from what i've seen, he can contribute day one. He has post moves, he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend the pnr, he rim protects, he also seems to have a high bball IQ.

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

To play the Ibraheim devil's advocate role here...it would be easier to "kill it" when you are on the best team in college basketball and surrounded by great teammates.

Thanks for the shout out moo.. now go to bed.

[sportscrazy]

Let's suppose we end up with the second or third worst record and the draft lottery pushes us out of the top four and lands the Knicks at 5th Overall. Okafor, Towns, Russell, Mudiay go in picks 1-4, who do the Knicks select in this specific situation? I would go with Willie Cauley-Stein, but that's just me.

[knicknack]

I'm not a huge college bball guy, so others might be able to answer better. However, from what i've seen, he can contribute day one. He has post moves, he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend the pnr, he rim protects, he also seems to have a high bball IQ.

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

To play the Ibraheim devil's advocate role here...it would be easier to "kill it" when you are on the best team in college basketball and surrounded by great teammates.

I"ll be quite honest, I don't think anyone has proven they are sure bet NBA studs or sure bet busts. I think all the top 4-5 guys can be excellent NBA players. They can be stars. They can not.

I concur, and for that reason I am more inclined to go with the player who puts forth the effort on almost every play. Also, I've seen some defensive plays that I thought no way he could make due to him either being off balance or out of position but he somehow recovered and made the play even when WCS got beat by his man or was able to get their shot over him. Energy, effort and presence in the game means a lot to me. I just don't see all that in OK4R and it looks to me like he's just interested in putting in the effort in the post. Maybe he will be coached out of that mindset........maybe not, aka Bargs!

[kingquan316]

Let's suppose we end up with the second or third worst record and the draft lottery pushes us out of the top four and lands the Knicks at 5th Overall. Okafor, Towns, Russell, Mudiay go in picks 1-4, who do the Knicks select in this specific situation? I would go with Willie Cauley-Stein, but that's just me.

U trade the pick.

But if u gotta select someone, I'll choose Stanley Johnson.

[Worst_to_First]

The stars appear to be aligning for us: We get Phil Jackson... re-sign Melo... then suck in a season wherein we have our draft pick and the top 3 prospects (Towns, Okafor, Russell ) all have the tools to flourish in the triangle offense.

A wildcard here is that one of them grew up a Knicks fan and embodies all the traits we yearn for in a player wearing a Knick uniform. At his very best, he is one who can be a Noah type of defensive player with the offensive skills of LMA, coincidentally two guys who would have been ours if we didn't displease the basketball gods in trading draft picks for one named Eddy Curry.

Basketball gods... we have learned our lesson. Be merciful and be kind...

[Retired_Doc]

Let's suppose we end up with the second or third worst record and the draft lottery pushes us out of the top four and lands the Knicks at 5th Overall. Okafor, Towns, Russell, Mudiay go in picks 1-4, who do the Knicks select in this specific situation? I would go with Willie Cauley-Stein, but that's just me.

No, it's not just you. I would also strongly consider WCS OR Frank Kaminsky, who Coach Izzo from Mich. State calls the best college bball player around.

[Retired_Doc]

I concur, while some people say that Towns could be a NBA bust, I disagree. I've been on the Town's bandwagon since early this season, when he wasn't as impressive due to him not starting and Calipari's rotation style. This kid at 18 has superior instincts, BBIQ, humbleness and great background. To me nothing beats effort especially as a NY Knickerbocker Towns is light years ahead of OK4R in terms of overall effort, defensive prowess, rebounding, and BBIQ. OK4R kills all others when in the block buts that's it. If he isn't having a great offensive game then he is a liability everywhere else, even Coach K plays more Zone than ever before just to hide his defensive weaknesses, we won't even go into his free throw shooting where Coach K will sub him out at the end of the game to avoid "Hack A Shaq" situations. He may a bit longer to reach his full potential but to me he's worth......and he's a local kid who comes from a good family support system and will benefit even more by being close to home. No doubt OK4R will be a beast in the paint throughout his career, he will have to remain healthy and develop the rest of his game to be elite. As a coach you are limited in asking OK4R to do many things on the floor but not so much with Towns where he can impact the game on a number of levels.............he killed it during his final regular season game tonight. His presence was felt throughout the game and maybe they lose without him, and that may be a fact for several games this season! Go for Towns Phil and have someone like Hakeem work with him.

To play the Ibraheim devil's advocate role here...it would be easier to "kill it" when you are on the best team in college basketball and surrounded by great teammates.

I"ll be quite honest, I don't think anyone has proven they are sure bet NBA studs or sure bet busts. I think all the top 4-5 guys can be excellent NBA players. They can be stars. They can not.

I concur, and for that reason I am more inclined to go with the player who puts forth the effort on almost every play. Also, I've seen some defensive plays that I thought no way he could make due to him either being off balance or out of position but he somehow recovered and made the play even when WCS got beat by his man or was able to get their shot over him. Energy, effort and presence in the game means a lot to me. I just don't see all that in OK4R and it looks to me like he's just interested in putting in the effort in the post. Maybe he will be coached out of that mindset........maybe not, aka Bargs!

---

You are most correct. OK4 has decided to 1) Stay away from defending because foul trouble would put him on the bench and limit his ppg. 2) Spend most of his effort trying to score instead of bothering to defend.

Bottom line: He has concluded the best way to be the top pick in the draft is to score!

Frankly, I think he's wrong. Towns could easily be picked number one.

[Red Vines]

Definitely think we go with a big at 1 or 2. Elite post players are the ones that can turn a franchise around so I'm still with Okafor. You can always find a defensive big to pair. I think it's going to come down to their mental approach to the game and who truly has the fire and desire. The tournament usually reveals a lot about players. Trusting in Phil.