Jennings went 3 for 11 tonight, making him 21 for 65 in his last 4 games.

Seems like lately, Evans is getting better and Jennings is getting worse. Not to read too much into this, but I think it’s a bit early to be projecting that Jennings is, or will be better than Evans, not to mention a sure HOFer.

Our comments have come in context. I agree that every drafter is going to make some mistakes. I was just saying that Walsh might not be much worse a drafter than Isiah, if at all.

I absolutely do think you have to look at who was on the board when you evaluate someone’s drafting. If there’s no one on the board you can trade your pick, but if you use your pick you are choosing from among the available players and, therefore, should be judged based on who you choose from among that group. I would say it’s a little unreasonable to fault someone drafting in the top 5 for passing on someone like Manu or Ben Wallace who lasted into the 50s or went undrafted. If you take a bust but the next 20 picks were all busts too I find it more excusable than drafting Darko over Melo, Bosh, and Wade. Joe Dumars has made up for that blunder with other smart moves, but a lot of GMs establish a pattern of bad calls and missed opportunities.

In the Isiah case I think it’s fair to say he should have taken Bynum, Rondo, and Rudy. Isiah considered Bynum and took a lesser player (Frye is shooting the lights out and I’m happy for him, but he’s still a piss poor defender and so erratic from season to season…). Isiah was admittedly impatient–he came out and said he would have taken Bynum but wanted an immediate contributor–a strategic mistake which marked his tenure as Knicks’ GM/President/Coach/Pimp/etc.
The Knicks needed a PG when Rondo fell into their laps (they took one a few picks later…), they might have taken Marcus Williams but also could have taken Lowry or Farmar and ended up with a better player than Duhon or Balkman. They ended up drafting a defensive specialist, and Rondo is probably the best defensive PG in the NBA. The pick wouldn’t have been a stretch.
Chandler, like Balkman, was an arrogant, thumb my nose at the establishment, I am smarter than everyone else pick by Isiah. I doubt Isiah even scouted in Europe, yet he passed Rudy for Wilson… who, like Balkman, most likely would have been sitting there later in the draft.

First, I think Jennings looks better than Iverson, who was always an inefficient scorer as a young player.

Based on their performances to date I would say Jennings is clearly better than Evans (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=evansty01&y1=2010&p2=jennibr01&y2=2010). He’s been a more efficient scorer on a significantly higher volume and a better playmaker. Of course, they’ve both only played 400+ minutes in the NBA and are both 20. There’s no way to say who will be better at, say, 24. After one full season (or even a few) no one would have dared to say Steve Nash would have a better NBA career than Stephon Marbury, for example. These guys haven’t finished even one season, and they’re not terribly far apart so far.

Evans has a good physical package, but he’s a lousy PG and an inefficient scorer (picked it up a bit lately). Jennings has a much better outside shot, and they are nearly equivalent from “close” so far. They both get to the line well, Evans more though. Despite his size advantage over Jennings, Evans has barely been a better rebounder. I would call Jennings the better defender (opponent PER of 10.8 vs. 18.4… and he plays on a much better defensive team: 5th vs. 25th). I would not call Evans a “complete package.” He could become that, but he’s got work to do.

You’re the best Bobby! (It’s Dan from BR, btw). Please don’t start drinking again over this team, they’re not worth it.

“Although I spoke favorably about the potential Iverson signing at first, let’s not confuse volume scoring with efficient scoring.”

Dude, it’s unbelievable to me that I would be in favor of signing AI. However, I’ve literally never rooted for (or maybe even seen) a team this bad. They are getting pummeled by really bad teams. They literally have almost no chance every night. Anything that can make them better without salary implications for next year is OK by me, especially since they have NO FIRST ROUND PICK. Actually, I like this quote…

“I think it is time to start thinking about what the team needs to get better not what we as fans would like to see on the floor (Lebron, Wade, Bosh). The most glaring needs are a solid point guard, perimeter defense, and shot blocking.”

I mean, really, let’s look at players. Maybe we could get Von Wafer. I have a huge crush on him and it doesn’t look like he made the Rockets. Let’s get some upside in here and jettison Hughes and Harrington at least. Just cut them. They’re demoralized and in it for themselves. They’re playing like inveterate gamblers risking it all on a lucky shot. They figure this is their last chance at stardom (or maybe even to make a roster) and they’re just chucking. Get rid of them, all of them, JEFFRIES, DUHON, ROBINSON, CURRY! Anyone who has no future with the team and knows it. Maybe you can actually get something good for Gallo (I’m sorry but he got played by Omri Casspi). Guys from the D League will at least hustle and might suprise us. The only thing the vets on this team are doing is keeping us within 15 in the second quarter. I’d gladly hand that responsibility over to Douglas and Hill.

“In his last 3 games Jennings has shot 18-54. Jennings himself said that the league is adjusting to him by playing him more physically. I expect that he will adjust back, but it remains to be seen whether he can hold up physically.”

Well, Jordan Hill has that going for him, he will hold up physically playing only ten minutes every other game. No Joba rules necessary there.

re: “You know, we really don’t need a former scoring champ on the roster when we have this kind of potency at the two position.”

Although I spoke favorably about the potential Iverson signing at first, let’s not confuse volume scoring with efficient scoring. When a player plays 40 mpg and hoists up shots like he’s playing a pick-up game at the local park, it’s not hard to score many points per game. So let’s not get all crazy about scoring champs.

But, to continue the air of bonhomie, I’m thankful for Il Gallo and his increasingly coxcomb-esque hairdo (that’s gotta be an intentional styling-based pun, right?), the statistical probability that Duhon will improve in the days and weeks to come, Nate Robinson (because he’s the only guy in the league that I can literally see eye to eye with), my faith in Coach Mike, and all y’all at Knickerblogger who continue to educate your humble correspondent in advanced statistical analysis.