2019-2020 College/Draft thread (Part 4)

[Dantares]

Lamelo is the worst possible fit next to RJ. Lamelo needs the ball in his hands, he can't shoot and and he plays bad defense.

[newyorker4ever]

"The Post has learned unequivocally LaMelo Ball is currently the top-rated point guard on the Knicks’ board."
https://nypost.com/2020/05/23/knicks-mailbag-talking-nba-draft-plan-and-if-lamelo-ball-fits/

The Knicks are at a crossroads as a franchise. Leon Rose, Steve Stoute and the rest of the front office knows that this organization and fan base needs a rejuvenation. Don't be shocked if we don't win the lottery the Knicks move heaven and earth to assure they get LaMelo. Not only does he have arguably the highest upside in the draft, but he obviously is the biggest name that would bring excitement to the city. Leon Rose always goes big. Has been that way as an agent and I expect the same mindset as an executive

the knicks never lack media attention and excitement. They need to put a winning product on the court. Nothing else matters. Our brand speaks for itself.

If that is LaMelo great. If that isn't LaMelo there are plenty of other options that could make this team better as well.

Moving heaven and earth to get him would be silly IMO. If we get lucky enough to move up, wonderful I will welcome LaMelo with open arms. if we aren't and anyone wants to trade our 2021 pick for him...I might decide to permenetly ban you

Giving up multiple assets to move up in a draft that every player has question marks with their games and how their games can translate to the NBA game would scare the hell out of me. There are no super star level talents in this draft looking at it now but of course there are players that could become star level, just like any draft, because you just can't predict how any players game will translate in the NBA. Some of these kids just strive in the NBA game more then they do in the college game, but there's no way to pick those players out before we actually see it.

The 2021 draft looks like it could be so much better than this draft that i'd rather make our picks at wherever we're sitting in this draft with all of our picks and use our assets in next years draft to move up for a player that we do have more confidence in being a super star in the NBA game. I'd be fine with trading the Clippers and Charlotte picks to move up some spots in the 1st round but to give up those picks and future picks to move up in this draft isn't the best choice IMO.

[Mecca]

Lamelo is the worst possible fit next to RJ. Lamelo needs the ball in his hands, he can't shoot and and he plays bad defense.

RJ is a complimentary piece. Not a player you build around.

[newyorker4ever]

How good do people expect Lamelo to be? Is he reaching Doncic/Trae level?

No way on Doncic level

Maybe closer to trae without the shooting. But you can hide LaMelo on defense because of his size...you can't hide trae which will always be his achillies heel.

We shall see...it all depends if he can curtail the shot selection a bit (because he isn't trae young in terms of shooting). But the dude is an elite level playmaker. That alone is something we desperetely need.

To me he's what his brother was coming out of the draft without the defense. The guy can set the offense up and can make great passes and finish around the rim but even that he needs to get better at. He is absolutely a starting level PG in this league but he needs to get better at at least one of the two of defense or shooting. If he can get average on both to go with the rest of his game then i'd be happy. He's nowhere near Doncic level and won't be.

[newyorker4ever]

"The Post has learned unequivocally LaMelo Ball is currently the top-rated point guard on the Knicks’ board."
https://nypost.com/2020/05/23/knicks-mailbag-talking-nba-draft-plan-and-if-lamelo-ball-fits/

The Knicks are at a crossroads as a franchise. Leon Rose, Steve Stoute and the rest of the front office knows that this organization and fan base needs a rejuvenation. Don't be shocked if we don't win the lottery the Knicks move heaven and earth to assure they get LaMelo. Not only does he have arguably the highest upside in the draft, but he obviously is the biggest name that would bring excitement to the city. Leon Rose always goes big. Has been that way as an agent and I expect the same mindset as an executive

Knicks win the lottery? Doubt it, the curse will continue.

The way i see it is that winning in this lottery would be part of the Knicks curse. To finally have that 1985 lottery luck again but for it to happen in a draft that has no super star level talent in it is the Knicks getting Knicked again. I'd rather that 1985 lottery luck happen for us in like last years draft with Zion and Ja or wait for it to happen in 2021 or another draft that has super star talent at the top.

[newyorker4ever]

To be honest I think he’ll be better than both by a wide margin.

Especially Trae.

Sarcasm? He can’t shoot or defend. I just don’t see it with him. I obviously could be wrong but he may be the second coming of Michael Carter Williams. Lol

He’s this generation’s Jkidd. He’ll be better than Trae, maybe I’m overreacting a little bit when it comes to him being better than luka but I’m that high on LaMelo.

You didn't just simply say he'd be better than Trae or Luka, you said by a wide margin which is ridiculous to see especially when talking Luka.

[ny-n-md]

If Desmond Bane goes undrafted, I would try to sign him to replace Dotson if he goes. The kid can shoot. He just has T-Rex arms.

Watch on YouTube

[robillionaire]

Maybe Kidd/Jason Williams, minus Williams jumper

I truly believe Kidd is a lofty comparison. He was dynamic. A triple double threat at his peak. If we draft Ball I hope I’m wrong about him but I think he’s definitely a product of overhyped, sensationalized social media with a loud mouth dad who is overstating how good he is. To have such poor stats in Australia is concerning to me. His defense has always been lacking too. He’s been green lit his entire life to take deep bad shots too. He hasn’t earned that respect with his percentages.

Kidd was a top 5 defender in this league, can we please stop with this comparison. Also Kidd could take anyone, ANYONE off the dribble and had the strength to back his opponents down and was not afraid of contact.

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Watch on YouTube

Kidd was 21 as a rookie, Lamelo will be putting up these numbers in his sleep by the time he hits age 21 and will be better than Kidd was a rookie even at 19. not defensively but he is 6’7 so he has the tools and will be better than people think on that end after coaching. He will be better on defense than trae and luka

He is already better at 19 than Kidd was at 21, Kidd at 18 would not have been able to put up the stats lamelo did against the adults in the NBL

Kidd was my favorite player when I was young so I don’t even say that lightly, he’s one of my favorite players of all time

Kidd also “couldn’t shoot” until he could

Lamelo will be better

[HarthorneWingo]

If Desmond Bane goes undrafted, I would try to sign him to replace Dotson if he goes. The kid can shoot. He just has T-Rex arms.

Watch on YouTube

He'll get killed on defense. Too slow footed.

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[finestrg]

A couple of things for the off-season that I hope are high on Rose's list:

(1) Resign BOTH Damyean Dotson and Zo Trier and turn over the 2 spot to them to split time. Both are good young players that bring a lot to the table. They need to be retained imho. Keep building with them. Let them lock down the 2 spot. Forget Wayne Ellington, Reggie Bullock, Mo Harkless. Bullock, I actually like because he can play and he's cheap (which I believe makes him a good asset to include in a trade), but to me for the 2 spot, Dotson and Trier should be brought back to lock the SG spot down for the foreseeable future. No brainer.

(2) The guys I like in this draft for us (I wouldn't be looking for a homerun/savior pick at 6 -- i just don't see it. If we didn't miraculously jump up to 1-3 from 6 which is so unlikely, for someone like Wiseman or Toppin, I think the right thing to do would be to deal down using 6 and whatever other assets for a couple of picks in the teens; try to deal up slightly from 25 and then try to deal up slightly from 38 for a combination of the following:

- C Daniel Oturu: He could be a double-double rock inside for us for years to come. Plays both ends--his game screams double-double production on both ends. I see so much that can be further developed too (specifically his budding post game and his jumper). I see a better Al Horford. I agree he might be a reach at 6 (not the reach everyone seems to think he is there, but a slight reach there nonetheless), which is why I'd look to deal down from 6 for multiple picks in the 1st round.

- PF Jalen Smith: I really like this kid. I think he could be our very own Pascal Siakam. He's a very good athlete at 6'9"+/220 (very strong, quick and can really get up and down the floor), is a very good shot-blocker, is already a very good outside shooter and he's got enough in the post to be a threat (with a high enough ceiling to think he could develop further down there). Plays with a lot of aggression and intensity too. I like the developed left hand around the rim he shows too. I'd love to get this kid. With a little more refinement and experience, I could see the offensive threat Siakam has become for the Raptors.

- Devin Vassell or Saddiq Bey: take your pick here -- Bey's looks to have the slightly more developed offensive game; Vassell's probably the better defender, although Bey's no slouch defensively). 2 of the better outside shooters in this draft. I like both guys a lot. Either guy would be an upgrade over Knox (Knox would be one of the assets I'd be willing to package in a deal in order to max out this draft). To accomodate bringing back Dotson and Trier at SG, I'd move Barrett over to 3 and back him up with either Bey or Vassell.

- If we still have 38 (or enough leftover assets to deal up slightly from 38), I'd look to grab the best PG available -- a guy like Devon Dotson, Payton Pritchard or Cassius Winston. Winston's really intriguing for a guy projected to go that late -- he's a little older and the knock on him is that he's slow (I mean how slow though? He doesn't look THAT slow to me), but he's a very heady player with experience, a good/reliable shooter from deep, knocks down his FTs at a high clip, and looks to be a GREAT floor general and passer. i can't wait to see how these less-highly thought of PGs in this upcoming draft wind up stacking up against the top tier lottery PGs when it's all said and done. Wouldn't surprise me if some of these lower-end PGs wind up being just as good at the Cole Anthonys, the Lemelo Balls, the Ty Hailburtons (I actually like Hailburton, just not at 6) in the NBA. I think guys like Devon Dotson, Pritchard and Winston can absolutely play in the NBA, probably excel or at least run a decent show.

(3) I'm also really intrigued by this 6'4" Euro. combo. guard we acquired from Washington in the Marcus Morris deal, Issuf Sanon. I know Washington gave him a look in summer league last year I believe and/or the year before and he underwhelmed, but he's since been honing his skills overseas and maturing/getting better -- I want to see this kid and see what he can do. Seen a lot of video -- he reminds me of John Starks a little bit.

Takeaway -- fortify the SG spot by continuing to move forward with 2 promising/productive pieces that are already here in the mix -- Damyean Dotson and Trier. Look to revamp the frontcourt and fortify with 3 real nice building block bigs moving forward: Oturu, Jalen Smith and either Bey or Vassell on the wing at the 3. That's asking a lot maybe, but I think it could be done. And later in the draft, look to take a solid understudy-type of PG that might need to marinate in Westchester for a year or 2 --OR-- could wind up being a factor right away next year, esp. if neither Peyton, DSJ or Frank rises up and takes a step forward. Maybe Sanon can be a factor to help fortify the backcourt at each position.

There'd be more to do obviously, but i think that's a really good start as far a reshaping the roster and building a good young nucleus/foundation for years to come. My goal would be to build a team that's capable of winning 40 games. Once we get there, then we think about signing big-name free agents to augment and take the team to the next level. These top FAs will need to see how they could take the team to that next level.

[TheGreenArrow]

Watch on YouTube

This guy is doing some interesting dot connecting around agents and their ties to LaMelo, Rose and Perry.

Might be one of the reasons Perry is being retained.

Yeah perry’s supposedly super close with Raymond brothers who now represents LaMelo.

[Fat]

Why wouldn’t LaMelo and RJ fit?

14/5/2 next to Elfrid Payton a (20% LOL) 3 point shooter If season ended today. And within a roster that offered very little spacing

22/7/4 in college next to tre Jones who was a 26% 3 point shooter at the time

You really think he won’t fit with LaMelo? The difference is lamelo is a threat off the dribble and is also going to grant RJ as well as the rest of the team a lot more open efficient shots. You need a shot creator on the floor in the NBA especially if you don’t have a real star on the floor. The Knicks bail out button Marcus Morris is gone and even when we had him.. living and dying by Marcus Morris wasn’t successful basketball lol.

LaMelo is the closes in the draft outside of Edwards that has” Go to player” in his DNA. Whether that be creating a shot for himself or making the play for his teammates.

[F N 11]

Why wouldn’t LaMelo and RJ fit?

14/5/2 next to Elfrid Payton a (20% LOL) 3 point shooter If season ended today. And within a roster that offered very little spacing

22/7/4 in college next to tre Jones who was a 26% 3 point shooter at the time

You really think he won’t fit with LaMelo? The difference is lamelo is a threat off the dribble and is also going to grant RJ as well as the rest of the team a lot more open efficient shots. You need a shot creator on the floor in the NBA especially if you don’t have any real shooting threats. The Knicks bail out button Marcus Morris is gone and even when we had him.. living and dying by Marcus Morris wasn’t successful basketball lol.

LaMelo is the closes in the draft outside of Edwards that has” Go to player” in his DNA. Whether that be creating a shot for himself or making the play for his teammates.

Both of them like to run and make the right passes. They will be instant showtime. Two high IQ versatile guards, what a time. Please get the right coach for these kids. I could see Lamelo only taking calls from the Knicks. It’s lining up too easily.

[Fat]

Why wouldn’t LaMelo and RJ fit?

14/5/2 next to Elfrid Payton a (20% LOL) 3 point shooter If season ended today. And within a roster that offered very little spacing

22/7/4 in college next to tre Jones who was a 26% 3 point shooter at the time

You really think he won’t fit with LaMelo? The difference is lamelo is a threat off the dribble and is also going to grant RJ as well as the rest of the team a lot more open efficient shots. You need a shot creator on the floor in the NBA especially if you don’t have any real shooting threats. The Knicks bail out button Marcus Morris is gone and even when we had him.. living and dying by Marcus Morris wasn’t successful basketball lol.

LaMelo is the closes in the draft outside of Edwards that has” Go to player” in his DNA. Whether that be creating a shot for himself or making the play for his teammates.

Both of them like to run and make the right passes. They will be instant showtime. Two high IQ versatile guards, what a time. Please get the right coach for these kids. I could see Lamelo only taking calls from the Knicks. It’s lining up too easily.

Yeah the Knicks biggest issue is that abomination front court that can’t shoot the ball and takes up to much lane space. And we need a reliable wing shooter.

Wouldn’t mind Corey kispert in the 2nd round if he decides to stay in the draft. 45% 3 point shooter that stepped up for Gonzaga with tillie being injured

Watch on YouTube

[NY 567]

Lamelo can't shoot or score anywhere close to the NBA level. This is going to be a vintage NYK circus.

[F N 11]

Why wouldn’t LaMelo and RJ fit?

14/5/2 next to Elfrid Payton a (20% LOL) 3 point shooter If season ended today. And within a roster that offered very little spacing

22/7/4 in college next to tre Jones who was a 26% 3 point shooter at the time

You really think he won’t fit with LaMelo? The difference is lamelo is a threat off the dribble and is also going to grant RJ as well as the rest of the team a lot more open efficient shots. You need a shot creator on the floor in the NBA especially if you don’t have any real shooting threats. The Knicks bail out button Marcus Morris is gone and even when we had him.. living and dying by Marcus Morris wasn’t successful basketball lol.

LaMelo is the closes in the draft outside of Edwards that has” Go to player” in his DNA. Whether that be creating a shot for himself or making the play for his teammates.

Both of them like to run and make the right passes. They will be instant showtime. Two high IQ versatile guards, what a time. Please get the right coach for these kids. I could see Lamelo only taking calls from the Knicks. It’s lining up too easily.

Yeah the Knicks biggest issue is that abomination front court that can’t shoot the ball and takes up to much lane space. And we need a reliable wing shooter.

Wouldn’t mind Corey kispert in the 2nd round. 45% 3 point shooter that stepped up for Gonzaga with tillie being injured

Watch on YouTube

Hopefully with Perrin we land a few steals. Our very own knock down shooter at the 3/4 and a back up center who plays defense.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Watch on YouTube

This guy is doing some interesting dot connecting around agents and their ties to LaMelo, Rose and Perry.

Might be one of the reasons Perry is being retained.

Yeah perry’s supposedly super close with Raymond brothers who now represents LaMelo.

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lots of dot connecting, but word.

[F N 11]

Lamelo can't shoot or score anywhere close to the NBA level. This is going to be a vintage NYK circus.

They said that about Trae Young too regarding his height. The thing is when you have the skills and Iq you will be okay.

Lamelo can’t shoot supposedly but you have to respect it and he will blow by you. He’s super fast. I read somewhere his shot selection has a lot to do with his shooting percentage and is pretty good in the catch and shoot.

[NY 567]

Lamelo is the worst possible fit next to RJ. Lamelo needs the ball in his hands, he can't shoot and and he plays bad defense.

RJ is a complimentary piece. Not a player you build around.

Neither is LaMelo. He couldn't defend, shoot, or score at the NBL level.

[NY 567]

Lamelo can't shoot or score anywhere close to the NBA level. This is going to be a vintage NYK circus.

They said that about Trae Young too. The thing is when you have the skills and Iq you will be okay.

I mean.....Trae isn't anywhere near an NBA level defender. There are cats that ball recreationally that could score on him easily, he's probably the worst defender in the league. He's also an offensive dynamo who is damn near averaging 30/10 with a near 60 TS%, and even still his defense is so bad that his net impact isn't at a superstar level. And Trae was dropping buckets and dimes in college too, averaged 27/9 on good efficiency. This kid LaMelo isn't going to go from being awful in 3 major categories in the NBL to being passable in the NBA. He has bust written all over him. It would be so Knicks to finally get a top 3 pick and waste it on him. He's gonna be another Anthony Bennett or Kwame Brown. Pass.