“In [player X], [Team X] selected a dynamic point guard who possesses the rare combination of size, speed, athleticism and vision. But the 19-year-old looked somewhat shell-shocked by the magnitude of the moment early on Monday. His first pro shot was a woefully short airball and things didn’t get much better for him in a shaky first half. He did get better after the half, showing his tremendous burst as he got to the rim a couple of times for layups. But overall, Rose said he was already looking forward to today’s second summer league game.

His final line — 10 points, four assists, five turnovers — wasn’t horrible, but his five missed shots, four wayward free throws and general passiveness frustrated him.

“You don’t want to know what I think [about how I played],” [Player X] said dejectedly. “I think I played bad. We didn’t win and I think I played horrible. But tomorrow is a new day.”"

Player X = Derrick Rose

Example 2:

“The [Player Y] Factor, by contrast, is looking as solid as it can after a couple games at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus. The Italian, taken No. 18 overall by the [Team Y] in last month’s draft, announced himself with a stunning 37 points in Saturday’s debut and followed that up Monday with 23 points in [Team Y's] 94-87 victory over Philadelphia.

“I think he’s been sensational,” [Coach of Team Y] said.”

Player Y = Marco Belinelli

Example 3:

“You heard it here first…”the steal of the draft”. [Player Z] was the 59th player selected in the June draft. He had an excellent showing in Vegas averaging 15.6ppg and 6.4a playing out of position at PG. He pushed the tempo, penetrated and kicked out to open shooters in the half-court and finished at the rim with big time athleticism. But as good as he looked offensively, his defense was better. He’ll make [Team Z] a better defensive team, and should contribute right away. Very versatile, Can play and guard three positions on the floor. Will make the roster!”

Player Z = DJ Strawberry

Even the King was relatively disappointing in summer league. So I have trouble really getting too worked up over these things.

What I do like is that both Hill and Douglas seem to be taking this seriously at least. Both have great motors and really get after it. That can’t but help during practice to get the Eddy Currys of the world trying a bit harder.

Douglas had better improve his shooting percentage or that’s another 3 million down the drain.

Tim Thomas was the back up point guard for a few games this year. Even if he turns out to be Mardy Collins bad, he still wouldn’t hurt us in the W/L department playing 20 minutes a game.

“I think the entire hope of the Knicks improving this year falls on Gallo being healthy and good, Chandler improving a little, whoever gets Qrich’s minutes, and resigning Lee and Nate. Otherwise, this year has disaster written all over it.”

I really don’t see any way that this season could be a disaster. We’ve seen disasters. They happen when the Knicks acquire mediocre players attached to terrible contracts. This season will be a success if any of the above happens. Does anyone expect a trip to the conference semis this year??

I can see some similarities. Not as good a scorer in college as Bosh, though. Bosh’s best attribute is his efficient high volume scoring, so I don’t know how well that bodes for Hill. Bosh’s rebounding and shot blocking #s are pretty average, and his passing is solid but unspectacular.
As a freshman Bosh put up a 64.32% TS%, while Hill was at 59.97% on his career. His career rebound numbers are very close to Bosh’s. Bosh was a better shot blocker (2.1 blk/30 vs. 1.6 career and 1.4 last season).

“What else do you want?”

For him to be the kind of force that turns the Knicks around and into an instant contender… It’s unfair, but that’s what Knicks fans are looking for. Once he actually gets out on the court in the regular season I think expectations will slowly cool to more realistic levels.

Here is a comparison of Hill vs. some other college bigmen that he’s been compared to at some point:

Age..Height..Weight..Body Fat..Wingspan..Reach..Max Vert..Bench..Lane Agility
Jordan Hill….22..6’10.25″..232..6.0%..7’1.5″..9’0″..35..11..12.23
Chris Bosh….19..6’11.5″….225..8.0%..7’3.5″..9’1″..33..9….11.80
Chris Wilcox.20..6’9.5″…..218..NA…..7’1″…8’11.5″..34.5..20..11.43
Channing Frye.22..6’10.5″..244..NA…7’2.5″..9’2.5″..31..19..11.60
Ronny Turiaf..22..6’9.25″..238….NA…7’1.5″..8’10.5″.33..15..11.50
Joakim Noah..22..7’0″….223….4.8%.7’1.25″..8’10.5″..37.5..12..11.79

NCAA Career
…………….MPG..P/30..TS%..OR/30..R/30..B/30..S/30..TO/30..A/30
Jordan Hill….27.0..13.8..59.97%..3.1..8.7..1.6..0.6..2.2..0.9
Chris Bosh….31.0..15.2..64.32%..3.0..8.7..2.1..0.9..2.3..1.2
Chris Wilcox..16.6..14.3..52.87%..NA..8.5..1.8..0.9..1.9..1.8
Channing Frye.27.7..14.6..60.82%..3.0..7.2..2.1..0.7..1.6..1.4
Ronny Turiaf…25.5..16.0..60.33%..2.4..7.9..1.7..1.0..2.4..1.2
Joakim Noah..21.1..14.9..65.32%..2.8..9.0..2.4..1.3..2.5..2.4

Final NCAA Season
…………….MPG..P/30..TS%..OR/30..R/30..B/30..S/30..TO/30..A/30
Jordan Hill…..35.7..15.4..56.69%..3.5..9.3..1.4..0.7..2.4..1.2
Chris Bosh…..31.0..15.2..64.32%..3.0..8.7..2.1..0.9..2.3..1.2
Chris Wilcox…24.1..14.9..52.87%..3.4..8.9..1.8..1.0..1.8..1.8
Channing Frye..31.0..15.3..61.17%..2.7..7.4..2.2..0.9..1.7..1.9
Ronny Turiaf….31.2..15.3..58.28%..2.3..9.2 ..1.8..0.4..2.2..1.5
Joakim Noah…25.9..13.9..64.11%..3.0..9.8..2.1..1.3..2.9..2.6

I think he can definitely become a good NBA player if he works hard. His rebounding should be somewhere between solid and good. Turiaf might be an encouraging sign as far as developing as a shot blocker (I am completely ignoring pace with these stats, btw), but he’s the worst shot blocker of the group. Not that shot blocking directly correlates with defensive aptitude…. His junior season scoring efficiency was a real clunker, but he has the tools to become an efficient, medium-to-high volume scorer for D’Antoni. Low steal, TO, and assist numbers aren’t particularly encouraging, but might reflect a poor feel for the game due to picking it up late that can be somewhat corrected through work.

Skita!