Really tried to lobby the Lakers to take Mudiay, who he loves as a player, of course.

Feels that Russell is more of a combo guard, who can also create.

Feels that the pick and roll has actually destroyed the development of the well-rounded big man in the NBA. They were talking about OK4 and the roll of the traditional big man and how teams are moving away from it, and he said that the reason so many Euro bigs are looked at is because they are given other roles on the floor, unlike U.S. bigs. Feels that if you have talented bigs who can play both ways, you are fine looking at them as centerpieces on your team.

Said that Ewing and he were talking about big men and he asked Brown how many two way big men are there now? Brown feels the overspecialization has hurt bigs in the NBA, unlike the Euros, who have a bit more versatile.

Mentioned that when Darko was drafted, the highest level of play he had been in was the 3rd division in Yugoslavia, implying that he was clearly a reach, and probably not ready. He also said that he did not love the sport.

Loves the Grant move.

Feels that Kristaps should be playing immediately, and believes he can contribute right away, and talked about the support that young players need in the locker room as well as on the court.

Porzingis is going to contribute with defense and shooting. We just have to use him wisely and not have him get hurt playing inside (e.g. too much driving) but he has to learn...

I think the problem with Mudiay is that he needs time to develop his shot. Do you really want that in the triangle? I would have supported the pick regardless as I like him, but I think we got our Mudiay, and more ready to contribute, in Grant - a lotto talent by many. I think we got the high upside guy early and another lesser one later, for a great price, gift from above.

Moonangie wrote:I'm satisfied. It was funny last night how despondent so many UKers were until the Grant trade. Then it was like the storm clouds cleared and the sunshine came pouring in.

All in all, last night was a huge success for Phil and the Knicks. And if we're lucky, we've got Dirk 2.0 on our hands. It will be fun to watch him develop.

He give you many of the things Mudiay can do, and has the athleticism you want.

I think he pushes himself into the starting lineup at some point this year, but we will see.

fishmike wrote:good post Walt... how Darko gets thrown out there is beyond me.

Their attitude towards the game are like night and day.

GustavBahler wrote:

fishmike wrote:good post Walt... how Darko gets thrown out there is beyond me.

Their attitude towards the game are like night and day.

This is where his brother and family come in, and Phil made a move that may become his most important when he traded a couple of future 2s for Guillermo Hernangomez, who not only has some potential to be a role player in the NBA, but is also a teammate of Porzingis.

Getting Hernangomez fits into Phil's concept of a support group for young players. Basically, he drafted a brother for Porzingis to have with him

Notes: He was Kristaps Porzingis' partner in crime this season for Sevilla ... The perfect complement to the young Latvian ... Hernangomez reminds a lot of a mix between Felipe Reyes and a shorter Marc Gasol in the way he moves and uses his body ... He was impressive during the 2013 Eurocamp, as he plays like a much older and experienced player and he is as polished as you will find at 21 years of age ...

Outlook: An intriguing draft and stash guy ... Destined to be a high level European player for many years, who may ultimately go to the NBA... He's the type of player every coach wants as he requires little coaching and you will never have to draw anything up for him to be effective ... Ultimately I look for Hernangomez to be an NBA guy but he still must improve his shooting and gain experience ... He should find a place because of his IQ, he is smart enough to figure out a way to succeed at the next level ... I think he can be a good role player for a winning team ... Then again his attributes and skills may be better utilized at a high level team in Europe ...

Rick Pietro 5/27/15

(Note to CrushAlot- now I know who you were talking about when I mentioned Rick Dipietro- pretty strange similarity)

Kiki didn't elaborate too much on why but said there was something there he just didn't like. Felt like Porzingis is a completely different situation but that there is obviously always some bust factor with any draft pick.

SupremeCommander wrote:

Nalod wrote:Arvydas Sabonis at 19 was skinny too!!!!
In his prime before he got to the NBA he amazing! His high post passing and ability to shoot the 3 at 7-3 was incredible and it opened things up. He was much better than in prime Pau.
Im not saying Kris can be this guy, but he has potential to be special.

if we got Sabonis I'm going to feel like a moron later. Zingy better hit that gym starting today

Yea Sabonis wasn't exactly good.

mreinman wrote:

JrZyHuStLa wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Nalod wrote:Arvydas Sabonis at 19 was skinny too!!!!
In his prime before he got to the NBA he amazing! His high post passing and ability to shoot the 3 at 7-3 was incredible and it opened things up. He was much better than in prime Pau.
Im not saying Kris can be this guy, but he has potential to be special.

if we got Sabonis I'm going to feel like a moron later. Zingy better hit that gym starting today

Yea Sabonis wasn't exactly good.

sabonis shot the three but he was not in the same galaxy as Porgy as a shooter.

Wish Sabonis had played here in his prime. Guy was a stud with a high BB IQ. We only got to see him when he was a shell of himself, and even then the talent came through.

One of my biggest regrets was not seeing him play over here when he might have been considered one of the best centers in the game.

WaltLongmire wrote:

mreinman wrote:

JrZyHuStLa wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

Nalod wrote:Arvydas Sabonis at 19 was skinny too!!!!
In his prime before he got to the NBA he amazing! His high post passing and ability to shoot the 3 at 7-3 was incredible and it opened things up. He was much better than in prime Pau.
Im not saying Kris can be this guy, but he has potential to be special.

if we got Sabonis I'm going to feel like a moron later. Zingy better hit that gym starting today

Yea Sabonis wasn't exactly good.

sabonis shot the three but he was not in the same galaxy as Porgy as a shooter.

Wish Sabonis had played here in his prime. Guy was a stud with a high BB IQ. We only got to see him when he was a shell of himself, and even then the talent came through.

One of my biggest regrets was not seeing him play over here when he might have been considered one of the best centers in the game.

agreed but you are talking about a kid who is 19 and will have many years to learn.

just hearing the way he speaks (english) makes me think that he is a really bright kid with a strong drive to do whatever it takes.

MS wrote:I think it's reasonable. How many quality European bigs have there been with similar skill sets. The knicks never seem to get it right, so there is cause for concern.

Denver reached on a kid like this and got burned. Bargs was a bust. Darko.

Same thing happen's when a white kid is drafted out of college, everyone compares, Morrison, Jimmer, Reddick, Doug McDermout, Frank the tank etc

KP has enough actual skills and game experience to where he should be able to contribute. He's been playing pro ball and should be able to make the transition. As for him being skinny he's not the only player to come in with his slender physique.