Author: Mike Kurylo

[NYTimes] 2017 N.B.A. Mock Drafts: Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Then Who? (Wednesday, June 21, 2017 1:02:41 PM) The 76ers and Lakers are expected to take Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball with the top two picks. After that, it gets interesting. [NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: Lakers Have a Plan While the Knicks Hold Triangle Tryouts (Thursday, June 22, 2017 1:21:58 AM) While the pieces seem to be falling into place in Los Angeles, turmoil surrounds the directionless Knicks and their president, Phil Jackson. [NYTimes] Kristaps Porzingis Gone? Carmelo Anthony Staying? Phil Jackson on the State of the Knicks (Thursday, June 22, …continue reading

The player taken well before the Knicks’ #8 pick that will be a bust… KURYLO: I’m going to go with De’Aaron Fox. I like his defense, but he just strikes me as a bit inconsistent and his outside shooting is a red flag. Fox’s ability to drive and throw alley-oops hints at a game that is more style than substance, and I’m concerned what will happen against more athletic and more skilled opponents. Point guards that can’t run an offense usually transition to shooting guard, but what happens when that player can’t shoot either? I’ll throw a second one in …continue reading

[NYPost] French PG arrives and gives Knicks hope in Mavericks fight (Tuesday, June 20, 2017 3:30:33 PM) French point guard Frank Ntilikina, after arriving at Liberty International Airport in Newark on Tuesday for Thursday’s NBA draft, denied a report his preference is to be drafted by the Mavericks over the Knicks. Ntilikina, 18, reiterated the Knicks are a strong option for him because he fits well into triangle principles. The Mavericks have… [NYPost] Real problem with trading Porzingis is who’s pulling the strings (Tuesday, June 20, 2017 2:30:29 PM) Maybe none of this is an issue if Kristaps Porzingis had …continue reading

[NYDN] Frank Ntilikina drawing interest from Knicks, now Mavericks too (Monday, June 19, 2017 3:17:32 PM) Apparently Frank Ntilikina has another committed suitor for the NBA draft. [NYDN] La La Anthony praises Carmelo as a ‘great dad’ on Father’s Day (Monday, June 19, 2017 6:28:55 AM) Carmelo Anthony still scored a glowing Father’s Day wish from his estranged wife La La weeks after a separation filled with drama. [NYTimes] The 7-Foot Question at the Heart of the Knicks’ Future (Monday, June 19, 2017 6:35:40 PM) Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez are so close they’re like “a big family.” With Thursday’s …continue reading

[NYTimes] N.B.A. Teams Covet a New Breed of Big Man in the Draft (Sunday, June 18, 2017 4:02:35 PM) Ten years after Portland selected Greg Oden over Kevin Durant, teams are placing greater value on players with size who are nimble and versatile. Point guards will also attract attention in 2017. [NYTimes] Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, W.N.B.A. Stars, Keep Longtime Friendship (Monday, June 19, 2017 4:37:26 AM) With Taurasi breaking multiple career records this season and Bird closing in on her own, their relationship — between teammates and then rivals — has endured. [NYTimes] Diana Taurasi Breaks W.N.B.A. Scoring …continue reading

[NYPost] French pick with all the Knicks want, they just need to get him (Saturday, June 17, 2017 9:00:26 PM) During the French League semifinal between Strasbourg and Lyon-Villeurbonne earlier this month, Olivier Mazet, the French agent for Frank Ntilikina, arranged for a postgame dinner. He invited his client, Ntilikina, of Strasbourg; Charles Kahudi, who plays for Lyon; and Ntilikina’s mother, Jacqueline. Lyon led 2-0 in the best-of-five series, and Mazet was relieved. He soon… [NYPost] The 25 New York sports stories that will capture you this summer (Saturday, June 17, 2017 6:33:16 PM) Summer in the city. … You …continue reading