2020-2021 College/Draft Thread 2

[thebuzzardman]

Hawks have more talent
Pelicans have more talent
Hornets have more talent
Grizzlies have more talent

Kings and TWolves probably have more talent too, just the wrong kind or bad fit. Or Towns is a big b*tch.

That's 6/8 = 75%.

OKC has a couple of nice young players and a zillion picks. I guess less talent but in a much better position for future success.

well "more talent" isn't the same as better. and it's even debatable if some of those teams have more talent. we have an all-star this year, the hornets, grizzlies, kings, and twolves don't. for all this talent the hawks allegedly have, we've already crapped on them a couple times. Seems to be Trae and a bunch of washed up injury prone dudes

Yeah I don't get this notion that we don't have talent. Randle and RJ are high lotto picks, producing on both side of the ball. Mitch is almost all-defense level at 22. Quickley is a rookie and is already one of the best 6th men in the NBA. Toppin shows flashes.

Just cause our talent is more defensive than offensive doesn't mean that we lack it. It's the biggest myth that every team in the NBA could be good on defense if they just try. Reason Pelicans and Hawks suck is for how good Trae, Collins, Zion and Ingram are on the offensive end, they give the same amount up on defense.

I didn't say "none" I said "less" and also less that we'll be keeping, since 1/2 the roster is expiring/rentals.

[BugginOut]

well "more talent" isn't the same as better. and it's even debatable if some of those teams have more talent. we have an all-star this year, the hornets, grizzlies, kings, and twolves don't. for all this talent the hawks allegedly have, we've already crapped on them a couple times. Seems to be Trae and a bunch of washed up injury prone dudes

Yeah I don't get this notion that we don't have talent. Randle and RJ are high lotto picks, producing on both side of the ball. Mitch is almost all-defense level at 22. Quickley is a rookie and is already one of the best 6th men in the NBA. Toppin shows flashes.

Just cause our talent is more defensive than offensive doesn't mean that we lack it. It's the biggest myth that every team in the NBA could be good on defense if they just try. Reason Pelicans and Hawks suck is for how good Trae, Collins, Zion and Ingram are on the offensive end, they give the same amount up on defense.

I didn't say "none" I said "less" and also less that we'll be keeping, since 1/2 the roster is expiring/rentals.

True, but I think it is kind of a blessing that half our team is rental. It is pretty clear that the most impactful players are also our younger players and we also have the capspace to bring in more high end vets in the offseason and bring back the players who we think are worth keeping.

[thebuzzardman]

Yeah I don't get this notion that we don't have talent. Randle and RJ are high lotto picks, producing on both side of the ball. Mitch is almost all-defense level at 22. Quickley is a rookie and is already one of the best 6th men in the NBA. Toppin shows flashes.

Just cause our talent is more defensive than offensive doesn't mean that we lack it. It's the biggest myth that every team in the NBA could be good on defense if they just try. Reason Pelicans and Hawks suck is for how good Trae, Collins, Zion and Ingram are on the offensive end, they give the same amount up on defense.

I didn't say "none" I said "less" and also less that we'll be keeping, since 1/2 the roster is expiring/rentals.

True, but I think it is kind of a blessing that half our team is rental. It is pretty clear that the most impactful players are also our younger players and we also have the capspace to bring in more high end vets in the offseason and bring back the players who we think are worth keeping.

I'm probably mostly venting that other teams are a little further ahead in the rebuild in terms of asset collection, but the Knicks MIGHT be behind them in the draft.

Of course, since in both conferences teams 5-12 are basically separated by 2 games, a LOT can happen.
And then there is the lotto movement.

Please lotto gods, just let this be the year the Knicks get into the top 5, somehow.

[TheGreenArrow]

Been trying to stay away from this thread but just saw this and....

Read on Twitter

Hopefully some way somehow we can get this dude!!!

[3toheadmelo]

Isaiah Todd is someone I think is being slept on. Reminds me of Michael Porter Jr so much with the way he just shoots over defenders. Dude has a mean hesi pull up jumper and can hit fadeaways with ease.

[DowNY]

James Bouknick

[WargamesX]

Been trying to stay away from this thread but just saw this and....

Read on Twitter

Hopefully some way somehow we can get this dude!!!

He might be in a range we could trade for. We have multiple picks

[aggo]

Am I the only one depressed we won’t have a top 5 pick ?

[finestrg]

A couple of days ago, dailyknicks.com put up an article about how Western Kentucky C/PF Charles Bassey would be a good get for us in the 2nd round next draft:

https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/25/nba-draft-knicks-charles-bassey-2nd/

Here's a good in-depth write-up bustingbrackets.com put out there about 3 weeks ago on Bassey:

https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/02/06/nba-draft-2021-evaluation-western-kentucky-center-charles-bassey/

Wasn't familiar with him but have since watched a lot of tape, more than enough to get a feel for what he is and what he can do. The man goes 6'11", 235, and while he doesn't look like the most polished big you'll ever see, the man is huge and long and really impacts so many areas: ELITE shot-blocking and rebounding prowess and potential at the next level--that's the first thing that pops out, along with the size and athleticism; then on offense, he's got the requisite jump hooks etc. around the basket with soft touch, he can take guys off the dribble and finish or get to the line where he makes his FTs at a good clip, and he's got an effective-looking jumper, mid-range out to 3. Dude looks like a no-nonsense hombre too--strong/tough, a real lunch pail worker, not doubt about it.

I think this is a good call by dailiyknicks.com -- this dude makes a lot of sense for us in the draft, esp. when you consider guys like Noel and Gibson may not be a part of this team next year.. I think he'd be an excellent 2nd round pick.

I know it's early and a lot of different things could change but here's who I'm liking given our current draft position as of right now:

15 - Ayo Dosunmu: big 6'5" lead guard who's really coming into his own this year. I know Suggs and Cunningham are getting all the headlines as far as the top lead guards in this draft (and rightly so), but this dude has made some real good strides at Illinois this year. He reminds me of Elfrid Payton, only better is just about every area.

17 - Corey Kispert: ELITE 3-pt shooting SF but I see the possibility for even more than that -- something closer to Wally Szczerbiak pre all Wally's injury problems maybe? I see a lot more than a pretty J -- I see toughness and a lot of intangibles (his overall competitiveness/fire stands out, he moves his feel well on D, he's solidly built at 220 lbs., experienced senior from a good program that'll be able to contribute right away starting day 1 in the NBA, smart/takes care of the ball/low TO guy)..He's a senior and guys like this tend to slip because they're a bit older but I tell ya what, if we could get a cross between Doug McDermott/Joe Harris/Wally Szczerbiak at 17 with a guy like this, ****, sign me up right now! How good would this guy's shooting alone help balance things out next Barrett in that starting lineup? Not to say Bullock's terrible, he's not, he's ok, but Kispert could be a huge upgrade at starting 3.

32 - Charles Bassey: C/PF that could step in and help out immediately. If we compare this guy to what we currently have in the middle, I think he's a more well-rounded big over both Mitch and Noel really. I get Noel has been good, esp. since Mitch went down, but I think Bassey is the more complete big when comparing the two).

44 - A couple of different things we could do with this pick. Do we package Toppin in a trade to acquire an asset(s) and then use this pick for a PF replacement behind Randle that might fit the roster and Thibs' system better, like a Luka Garza maybe? Or maybe we package this pick with one of our other picks and/or cash to move up to insure we get a guy we really want the most in this draft -- i.e., 15 + 44/cash to move up a couple of spots to make sure we get Dosunmu; 17 + 44/cash to move up a couple of spots to make sure we get Kispert; 32 + 44/cash to move up into the lower part of the 1st round to make sure we get Bassey..

If we could add these 3 to our Randle/Barrett duo (along with Quick and Toppin continuing to make strides), then continue to strengthen/solidify the bench --- maybe we bring Rose back as a vet PG stabilizer and/or think about signing Bryce Cotton as an offensive-minded spark plug PG for the 2nd unit, bring back Burks, sign Skal Labissiere for more front court depth (Mitch/Bassey/Labissiere would be 3 nice interior bigs at the 5), finally integrate Brazdekis at the 3 behind a guy like Kispert, and/or bring back a guy like Bullock if we could get him cheap again... I dunno man, just thinking out loud, but we could be a dangerous club next year if things broke right for us and we retool this the right way.

[stuporman]

I like Ayo but he's been mocked alot lower than middle of the 1st....although, if the Knicks came away with Ayo, Kispert and Bassey I think would have gotten 3 guys who can contribute day 1 with upside to grow into as well. I think Bassey is going to be a pretty good two way stretch 4-5 bench big with some starter potential.

I'm also high on some other guys like Butler, Wagner and a few others but I have barely starting doing any real research. Sure, I'm just a couch scout that picks apart the video publicly available but have had some success in identifying talented players that can perform at the next level and avoiding the busts.

[HerSports85]

Read on Twitter

[N Y K]

I haven't watched any college since we started borderline 500'ing it. Who should I check footage on?

[WargamesX]

I like Ayo but he's been mocked alot lower than middle of the 1st....although, if the Knicks came away with Ayo, Kispert and Bassey I think would have gotten 3 guys who can contribute day 1 with upside to grow into as well. I think Bassey is going to be a pretty good two way stretch 4-5 bench big with some starter potential.

I'm also high on some other guys like Butler, Wagner and a few others but I have barely starting doing any real research. Sure, I'm just a couch scout that picks apart the video publicly available but have had some success in identifying talented players that can perform at the next level and avoiding the busts.

Knicks should consolidate and try to move up. Thibs is running a “10 man rotation” so why add three rookies?

[robillionaire]

I like Ayo but he's been mocked alot lower than middle of the 1st....although, if the Knicks came away with Ayo, Kispert and Bassey I think would have gotten 3 guys who can contribute day 1 with upside to grow into as well. I think Bassey is going to be a pretty good two way stretch 4-5 bench big with some starter potential.

I'm also high on some other guys like Butler, Wagner and a few others but I have barely starting doing any real research. Sure, I'm just a couch scout that picks apart the video publicly available but have had some success in identifying talented players that can perform at the next level and avoiding the busts.

Knicks should consolidate and try to move up. Thibs is running a “10 man rotation” so why add three rookies?

Absolutely this. And that’s assuming we don’t trade the picks for a 2nd star before the draft. I’d try to package all 3 to move up if we can and then try to take someone NBA ready

[cgf]

I like Ayo but he's been mocked alot lower than middle of the 1st....although, if the Knicks came away with Ayo, Kispert and Bassey I think would have gotten 3 guys who can contribute day 1 with upside to grow into as well. I think Bassey is going to be a pretty good two way stretch 4-5 bench big with some starter potential.

I'm also high on some other guys like Butler, Wagner and a few others but I have barely starting doing any real research. Sure, I'm just a couch scout that picks apart the video publicly available but have had some success in identifying talented players that can perform at the next level and avoiding the busts.

Knicks should consolidate and try to move up. Thibs is running a “10 man rotation” so why add three rookies?

To develop them & expand our asset pool moving forward. Alternatively, to give our scouts more chances to find another Quickley.

[3toheadmelo]

I haven't watched any college since we started borderline 500'ing it. Who should I check footage on?

I like Ayo a lot.. seems like a guy that will be in our range with both picks

Watch on YouTube

[stuporman]

I like Ayo but he's been mocked alot lower than middle of the 1st....although, if the Knicks came away with Ayo, Kispert and Bassey I think would have gotten 3 guys who can contribute day 1 with upside to grow into as well. I think Bassey is going to be a pretty good two way stretch 4-5 bench big with some starter potential.

I'm also high on some other guys like Butler, Wagner and a few others but I have barely starting doing any real research. Sure, I'm just a couch scout that picks apart the video publicly available but have had some success in identifying talented players that can perform at the next level and avoiding the busts.

Knicks should consolidate and try to move up. Thibs is running a “10 man rotation” so why add three rookies?

To develop them & expand our asset pool moving forward. Alternatively, to give our scouts more chances to find another Quickley.

Exactly.... more opportunities to find the instant gem and also have other young guys to develop. If they had traded both picks to move up to take Obi we'd be full on raging right now watching him stall behind Randle, not be ready anyway while the young guards are flourishing elsewhere and we are stuck with Elf.

If one hits and though the others need some time then they are ahead of the curve. In this draft especially there will be productive prospects found all through the draft. The Knicks have multiple needs, too, in versatile players at guard, wing and big. This roster isn't anywhere close to being a contender.

The FO can't assume they can get the FAs or make the trades that elevate the team, they have to keep building through the draft. If those other opportunities present themselves yea, sure, do it but the draft is a foundation to getting the best talent affordably.

It seems the FO knows this even if short sighted fans don't.

[stuporman]

I haven't watched any college since we started borderline 500'ing it. Who should I check footage on?

I like Ayo a lot.. seems like a guy that will be in our range with both picks

Watch on YouTube

Potential Dipo type but with better shooting, more of a natural scorer though needs some coaching up on defense, he's not bad on that end just still kinda raw.

I want to see the Knicks assemble players that can shoot, pass, drive and defend at every spot to make the team's offense more versatile and difficult to defend against. He's got all the skills.

[TerrenceClarke]

It’s not being short shighted at all. More opportunities to pick players does not equal success. The odds of finding “gems” is lower than betting on high caliber talent especially in a draft like this .Finding Quickly is not some proven system. You don’t pass at the opportunity to draft Bouknight or the Moodys etc to draft 3 players post 15th because you think more picks is better than getting 5 star talent. Its harder to find a gem, than succeeding in being able to draft a Bouknight. In this draft you have a higher chance of picking a legit player the higher you are. The Knicks need high end wing play prospects and those type talents are higher in the draft than lower. Based on the teams goals they need to get the highest end talent they can get, If a deal comes along you have to jump on it 10 out of 10 if it gets to the likes of Moody Bouknight Etc from the current draft slots.

Now if you can’t get any deals cool you have 3 picks. But is not even close to being short sighted in turn 3 picks into a higher pick.


Why would want the Butlers in the draft vs the guards that will be mid lotto etc. Im good. I would rather go for a chance @ Johnson and the likes than having Butler and 2 other players.

[stuporman]

Picking higher doesn't guarantee the player is going to be good.

Every draft there are players taken outside of the top ten that are better than at least one if not a few drafted in the top ten....every single draft. Go research it if you don't believe me.

If Quickley and Obi isn't proof of that to you then I don't know what else to tell you.