Knicks Morning News (2025.07.26)

“Z-Man, just to be obstreperous, given the measure you suggest — who had a higher ceiling before playing a minute — I think you have to give it to Obi, who even after playing for a while and clearly having a whole suite of weaknesses was still being talked about (by some) as a potential replacement down the line for Randle as a starting power forward.

Lunacy, and not taking anything away from Diawara, but there it is.”

Not at all, Raven, there’s no actual right answer here!

That said, I would argue that Obi’s ceiling had some very clear “structural” limitations. Beyond the fact that he was quite old when drafted, he was known for having “stiff hips.” You could see in the film that he was never going to be much of a defender for his size, and that his offensive post game would be somewhat limited by this non-correctible problem.

As you might remember, I was not among the posters who felt that Obi was a potential replacement for Randle as a starting PF, and saw him as topping out as an “energy guy off the bench.” I took a lot of heat for that position, more because of Randle having an outlier bad season than Obi showing anything all that special.

Anyway, I don’t see the same limitations with Diawara, meaning that there is nothing “structural” that separates him from having a very high ceiling. Imho he’s not “superstar” material, not even Siakam-level “star” in terms of potential (I watched a bunch Siakam’s 20yo film and aside from skill he just had a special motor/athleticism and impeccable timing, it was truly all about the shot.) But I do see something like an OG-level player in there if he can learn to shoot, meaning a “star” combo 3-and-D plus wing.

If I were to argue for someone on the list, it would probably be IQ. The main knocks on him were a) a complete inability to get to the rim, and b) lack of true PG skills, making his size more of an issue as a combo guard or pure 2, or small wing. But structurally, there was nothing separating him from becoming a “solid” (if not quite a star) starting PG, which is a pretty high ceiling, and I think he is approaching that level if not already there. You could probably make a similar argument for Deuce. In both cases, the court vision/passing that imo is more “you have it or you don’t” just isn’t high enough to get to “star” level at their size.

“If I were to argue for someone on the list, it would probably be IQ.”

I should amend this in light of what I had posted yesterday, which is that it might be Dadiet. He’s got the size and tools, and athleticism to have a very high ceiling. Of the young players, I think he has the best chance to have a significant impact this year. But as with Diawara, it all will depend on where the development tops out.

For those still agnostic about Dadiet’s potential, especially since he played so little last season and didn’t show much in the G-Leaguehere’s a highlight reel from his 18yo season at Ratiopharm Ulm. He really shows the entire package on offense…
-all varieties of 3’s (catch-and-shoot, off-the-dribble, above the break, corners)
-drives and finishes with both hands
-floaters
-Pull-ups in the lane over both shoulders
-advanced in and out dribble moves
-transition
-passes to cutters and dump-offs

The kid will turn 20 years old tomorrow, meaning he’s the same age as a bunch of this year’s lottery picks. If he played in the NCAA last year, my guess is that he would have gone top-10 in this year’s draft. He would have absolutely killed it vs. college players, especially with the shorter line.

But of course, one notable poster definitively stated that he was an “egregious waste of a good draft pick” so there’s little hope he amounts to anything.

Yeah Alan, agreed. He’s not really assistant coach material anymore, and has all the money he will ever need thanks to Leon, so I think his best path is sort of an 1-2 year interim gig with a developing team to instill a culture. It would be nice if the Wizards hired him, maybe our draft pick might convey!

Simmons to the Celts makes a lot of sense. Sort of an interim fill-in until they shake off the post-Tatum injury get under the apron cobwebs. Probably would get too much scrutiny here.

Yanks must really hate the Mets…