Comments on: Mocking the Knicks’ Draft Pick

By: BBopandbeyond

BBopandbeyond — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:39:21 +0000

With the sixth overall pick, nobody really stands out enough to make a direct impact. While there is talent out there, you never really know, after the “can’t miss” of numbers 1 thru 3.
Sooooooo….here’s the deal-io Knick Fans….draft Joe Alexander from West Virginia, good size-mental toughness-some physical toughness to be worked out….BUT….a true baller, smart, talented, well rounded. Best of all, can go inside-with good passing or finishing skillz, but more importantly….can stick the three ball consistently….CONSISTENTLY.
To futher modify the roster, Chicago is sure to take Derrick Rose with the first pick. Offer to send back to the Bulls, Eddie Curry and Jamal Crawford for Ben Gordon, who has contract issues with Chicago, that New York can satisfy and honor, once Curry and Crawford’s dollars are factored out of the payroll.
This, of course, leaves the Knicks, needing that one big man, to rely on in the post, where “down and dirty” is the catch phrase. The Knicks do not need that superstar center in this position, as long as they obtain Alexander and Gordon, who will undoubtedly make someone better inside, with their abilities to honestly and consistently fill it up with threes from beyond the arc. I say, go “European”, with the need to fill the center spot, with a solid, internationally sound, big man from overseas, who can spell REBOUND in at least two different languages (as long as ENGLISH is one of them) !
Failing these moves, just draft Eric Gordon from Indiana, and figure the rest out on the fly, something The Knicks have tormented the fans with, for the past 5-7 years.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:52:36 +0000

One thing Ted left out is that Rubio is just 17 years old.

Here’s one highlight reel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvnKmfAe-Bg&feature=related

And here’s another — you want learn much about Rubio’s game, but it’s well worth watching:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0KODEz58BU&feature=related

re: Miami, if they trade the pick, I could see them making a run at the conference title, assuming a healthy cast. They’d have a million options, but let’s say they trade Beasley to Portland for Aldridge, Webster, Jack and the #13 pick. Throw in a couple of salaries to match. Then Miami is running out a lineup of Jack, Wade, Marion, Aldridge and Center X… with Webster, Haslem and the #13 pick coming off the bench. Add the inevitable free agent signings – wouldn’t DeSagana Diop look good there? – and that is a formidable team.

By: Ted Nelson

Ted Nelson — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:31:33 +0000

Dallas,

“anyone know anything about ricky rubio.”

He’s very quick and a has great court vision at 6-3. He’s been playing on one of Spain’s best teams since he was 16 (same team as the Blazer’s Rudy Fernandez). Really quick hands kind of like Manu’s, but turns the ball over as often as he steals it at this point (plays on sort of the Suns of the ACB, and they turn it over quite a bit as a team). He was 3rd on his team in PPG (10.5, behind Rudy and American guard Desmond Mallet), but he’s not much of a shooter. He’s improved his 3-point shooting a bit hitting roughly the same % this season (29%) as last (28%) on almost twice the attempts (101 vs. 57). (The European 3-point line is closer in than the NBA’s.) His FT shooting improved dramatically from last season (66% to 81%). Also a decent rebounder for a PG. Kind of a rich man’s Sergio Rodriguez or Nash without the J… We’ll see if he steps it up once Rudy’s gone as Tiago Splitter did to some extent with Luis Scola playing on the Rockets.

“Marc’s not as athletic as Pau, but he’s bigger and more defense oriented”

Continuing with Spanish prospects, Marc’s not much of a defender… Not that it’s easy to be an interior defensive presence in the Spanish league. Less athletic and bigger than Pau? Definitely. Actually sort of reminds me of the way everyone’s talking about Brook Lopez (maybe even less athletic than Lopez): lumbering but a very skilled offensive center. He’s also a good rebounder and a very good passer for a bigman (finsihed second on his team in APG). He led the Spanish league in RPG last season and was 4th in PPG (Rudy Fernandez led the league in PPG). I think he’ll be a solid NBA center in the Divac/Sabonis mold.

Thomas,

“A 23 win turnaround is alot to expect when you dont add a Garnett and Allen.”

They’re adding Wade (51 games last season), Shawn Marion (16 games on the Heat), and a top 2 pick… They might not get to .500, but definitely could.

Italian Stallion,

“Yep, Rose is 4th.”

Bold prediction, we’ll have to see. Hard to watch Rose play and not see a very special prospect…

By: Mike K. (KnickerBlogger)

Mike K. (KnickerBlogger) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:24:10 +0000

Andrew nice articles.

By: jon abbey

jon abbey — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:20:11 +0000

yeah, one thing about Rose is that he came into an already loaded program, pretty easy for egos to get bruised in a situation like that. so I think he held back in ways for parts of the season, Memphis were so loaded and played such a mostly weak schedule that they didn’t need him to do too much for most of the year.

but the way that he stepped up when the level of play did in the NCAAs, he controlled the games from the point like few players can. he made Augustin look like a little kid, he dominated Collison. at least one draftnik has compared the top two players to Glenn Robinson and Jason Kidd, and that’s what it seems like to me. Beasley puts up numbers (albeit huge ones), Rose helps you win games.

it would be cool if Chicago passed on him, Wade/Rose/Marion would be a crazy trio to watch, but I’ll be pretty surprised if they do.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:09:06 +0000

Check out the Knicks options here:
http://www.themelobackpedal.com/2008/06/21/knicks-executive-decision/

and here:
http://www.themelobackpedal.com/tmbs-2008-mock-draft-coming-soon/

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:54:13 +0000

Rose’s rookie transition is going to be interesting to watch because he’s still very much trying to figure out the most effective way to play and how to run his team. It’ll be interesting to see how quick/slow his development is but the talent is definitely there. He’s a potential franchise altering point guard, very special player. His ability to the run the break means 10-15 easy points a game right off the bat (replacing some of those contested jump shots Chicago have been forced into).

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:58:05 +0000

I get that feeling about Rose two…there seems to be a bit too much hype around him. When the season starts he not going to have much of an impact from the start. Beasley on the other hand will contribute big numbers right away. He can score and rebound. Take you inside and outside. He needs to be selected first.

By: Owen

Owen — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:26:59 +0000

Also, everyone needs to have a look at this.

I loved Balkman, but this takes things to another level….

http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2008/6/20/555615/humpty-s-whip

By: Owen

Owen — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:08:18 +0000

“Owen,

Been meaning to ask you, what is it that you don’t like about Westbrook’s numbers?”

They are decidedly average from a Win Score perspective. I like what Erich posted.

Thomas B – What thread was the over/under on 38 wins? Did I take the over?