[2018] - DRAFT NIGHT THREAD! Currently #9, #36

[CharlesOakley]

Knox scares me. He does not look like a + defender or to have any passing skills at all. He also looks too slow to switch onto 2s and to too weak to guard 4s. I know he is young but nothing about this kid jumps out at me except his age and size. What does he currently do at an elite level?

[NBA Fan 1234]

Cant believe people dont see the upside in Knox. Smh. Dude is a demon in transition too. Not shy to put it on the floor.

49th percentile in transition with a 19% turnover rate is a real demon.

[KnickLeDime]

That doesn't mean he'll improve. My point was refuting the things you think he can do, not saying he won't develop it. Is there a chance, sure, but IMO there's an even bigger chance he doesn't come close to that and ends up a worse defending Wilson Chandler or Tim Thomas type.

After listening to the draft Express guys they seem pretty high on his ability to improve. They have been watching him since his early high school days so they seems to be projecting what he has added since then. They also see him more as a small ball 4 than a true 3 which I think makes sense. I'm not sold on him but I wouldn't be mad if he was picked, I just think he is raw as hell especially after watching/reading your stuff.

They definitely have had the inside look on the workouts so I'm not going to argue with that, but literally everyone can improve. People say Mikal is a finished product and is done improving because he's 21, but they're the same ones who are saying Knox will definitely improve just because he's younger? Can't have it both ways (not saying you are like this).

I don't think he's a small ball 4 either. He plays small. Best case, he gets stronger and is able to float between positions.

Agreed, while there is no guarantee I think (IMHO) that the not every player has the same room to improve. My feelings are the Mikal has far less room to further improve than an 18 year old Knox who's more athletically gifted and is much less experienced and put up really big games and numbers on at least several occasions.

[Mecca]

Wow, Devin Booker seriously averaged only 10 points a game at Kentucky.

[captvict]

Anyone know who’s covering it on tv?

Any live streams on the internet?

[KnickLeDime]

Knox scares me. He does not look like a + defender or to have any passing skills at all. He also looks too slow to switch onto 2s and to too weak to guard 4s. I know he is young but nothing about this kid jumps out at me except his age and size. What does he currently do at an elite level?

If you are worried about his lack of passing skills...what does it say about Mikal who was a focal point of the offense and has almost NO ability to move the ball. And this is a so-called cerebral 21 year old kid who's got a ton of experience.

[mpharris36]

My thing w Knox is that there were reports he looked much improved at the pre draft workouts so that’s what put me IN on him. Givony straight up said it. He was a different player in the workouts.

your not Leary to fall in love with workouts which don't resemble actual game action? I am always concerned about the "workout warrior". Sure they look good but does the tape match it?

I mean its possible he could have improved immensely from the time he was in kentucky but he also could have had a really good week of tryouts as well. I'm just not sure what he does really well.

See my post w K-DOT

i did. I get where your coming from but Mikal just the better prospect and player IMO. So is Knox a horrible selection...no. But I don't see how you could watch both guys and come away that Knox should be the pick...personally.

[DOT]

My thing w Knox is that there were reports he looked much improved at the pre draft workouts so that’s what put me IN on him. Givony straight up said it. He was a different player in the workouts.

That could mean a few things though

Either he has been working on his game and is improved, we didn't really get to see his whole repertoire at Kentucky cause of Cal, he performs better in drills and 3 on 3s, the guys he was going up against weren't really trying on defense, etc

I don't put a lot of weight into what comes out of workouts, but I am fine with us taking Knox. Just not over Mikal

I prefer Mikal as well, it’s just that after hearing the glowing praise from Givony of how much he dominated those workouts means that something is up with 2K. I think that Kentucky team was so poorly put together, it didn’t help him.

I wouldn't be mad at all if we took Knox, I do see what y'all are saying about upside

If he can get his head in the game on defense, no reason he can't be serviceable, and he has a good enough perimeter game, he just needs to add strength and be more aggressive, both things that can be worked on once he gets to the NBA

[SmoothLefty21]

I think that Kentucky team was so poorly put together, it didn’t help him.

That and Calipari has never been a great in-game coach. The workout stuff does concern me; getting hyped over a guy just because looked great in 5-on-zero stuff. You're really playing with fire there.

It's interesting that Perry said analytics will play a huge role in who they take but FOE (who has Synergy access) posted a few minutes ago that Knox's advanced stats/efficiency are pretty ugly.

[NBA Fan 1234]

Anyone know who’s covering it on tv?

Any live streams on the internet?

Frankie Vision and I are doing a live stream, if you're interested. I'm sure it'll be on ESPN and NBATv if you want to watch it live.

[stuporman]

My biggest concern about Knox is he's maybe a chuck and duck forward with weak rebounding/hustle/energy. The FO/coach mouthed all these words about a gritty defense oriented team but their decisions might not back that up if they ignore it with their player choices.

My biggest concern about Mikal is that he's maybe a complementary piece super glue role player, similar to what Frank may top out at, when the Knicks are still in need of 'star' pieces. Not saying he is lacking upside but he won't likely develop into a Kahwi type player.

[CoolKids]

Cant believe people dont see the upside in Knox. Smh. Dude is a demon in transition too. Not shy to put it on the floor.

49th percentile in transition with a 19% turnover rate is a real demon.

49th percentile meaning what? Serious question

[DOT]

I think that Kentucky team was so poorly put together, it didn’t help him.

That and Calipari has never been a great in-game coach. The workout stuff does concern me; getting hyped over a guy just because looked great in 5-on-zero stuff. You're really playing with fire there.

It's interesting that Perry said analytics will play a huge role in who they take but FOE (who has Synergy access) posted a few minutes ago that Knox's advanced stats/efficiency are pretty ugly.

I think Knox is a smokescreen, honestly

After all that talk about defense, I don't think we really have him as high on our board as they're making it seem

I could be wrong though

[WargamesX]

Wow, Devin Booker seriously averaged only 10 points a game at Kentucky.

Yep, if I remember it right Booker lit it up in workouts too.

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-bulls/nba-draft-kentuckys-devin-booker-could-be-hidden-gem

[SmoothLefty21]

Knox scares me. He does not look like a + defender or to have any passing skills at all. He also looks too slow to switch onto 2s and to too weak to guard 4s. I know he is young but nothing about this kid jumps out at me except his age and size. What does he currently do at an elite level?

He showed some flashes when switched on to smaller guards this year. The ability is there. It's more his team/help D and BBIQ that concern me. I cannot stand low IQ players.

[fatalogic]

I feel like if they take Knox they are putting a ton of faith in Fitz and their developmental staff which from an optics standpoint would make me happy. It remains to be seen if it will actually work out for them.

[NBA Fan 1234]

After listening to the draft Express guys they seem pretty high on his ability to improve. They have been watching him since his early high school days so they seems to be projecting what he has added since then. They also see him more as a small ball 4 than a true 3 which I think makes sense. I'm not sold on him but I wouldn't be mad if he was picked, I just think he is raw as hell especially after watching/reading your stuff.

They definitely have had the inside look on the workouts so I'm not going to argue with that, but literally everyone can improve. People say Mikal is a finished product and is done improving because he's 21, but they're the same ones who are saying Knox will definitely improve just because he's younger? Can't have it both ways (not saying you are like this).

I don't think he's a small ball 4 either. He plays small. Best case, he gets stronger and is able to float between positions.

Agreed, while there is no guarantee I think (IMHO) that the not every player has the same room to improve. My feelings are the Mikal has far less room to further improve than an 18 year old Knox who's more athletically gifted and is much less experienced and put up really big games and numbers on at least several occasions.

That's fair. I think Mikal's BBIQ is just far superior, and having been coached by the best coach in college basketball helps him in that department. Can Knox develop his individual skills? Yeah, for sure. Will he? No idea. I saw one hard take the entire season that I LOVED - against Konate (was fouled). That was far and away my favorite play from him on offense. Why? He basically said "**** you, I'm going through you." That was the only time I saw that, though...which is a red flag, IMO.

He's 18...and has the physical tools, but I'm not sure he has the IQ. We'll see. I hope I'm wrong if the Knicks draft him, 100%...and, in some areas, I actually think a coach like Fiz might be the guy do push the right buttons...however...his demeanor might also make Knox tune him out.

I really think he can boom or bust, but I don't think his boom is high enough to remove the scary thoughts I have about his bust.

[dakomish23]

And another team looking to use their pick to dump salary

The Milwaukee Bucks are exploring trade scenarios using the No. 17 pick to unload the contract of Matthew Dellavedova.

Dellavedova is owed $19.2 million over the final two seasons on his deal.

But the Bucks are looking to trade down and not use a deal as an outright salary dump.

The Bucks signed Dellavedova in the 2016 offseason.

to all those who didn’t want to keep cap space open to gain assets

your point has been made... many, many times over.

always good for a rebuilding team to have cap space. should be written on a blackboard many times over.

I would love a gif with Mills head on bart’s body writing that out

[SmoothLefty21]

Wow, Devin Booker seriously averaged only 10 points a game at Kentucky.

I posted this earlier but I remember being stunned that Booker was a projected (and eventual) lottery pick. I watched a lot of UK that year too.

[Oscirus]

I think that Kentucky team was so poorly put together, it didn’t help him.

That and Calipari has never been a great in-game coach. The workout stuff does concern me; getting hyped over a guy just because looked great in 5-on-zero stuff. You're really playing with fire there.

It's interesting that Perry said analytics will play a huge role in who they take but FOE (who has Synergy access) posted a few minutes ago that Knox's advanced stats/efficiency are pretty ugly.

I think Knox is a smokescreen, honestly

After all that talk about defense, I don't think we really have him as high on our board as they're making it seem

I could be wrong though

Why do we need to smokescreen anything? Is Mikal so high up on people's boards that we're worried about someone jumping us for him?