But I think people are high on him for what he represents. Fundamentals and defense, rather than raw talent. I think when Phil came in we all craved for patience and stability. Playing right and not just chasing talent. Frank kinda represents a guy who fits more into that mold. Dennis Smith Jr. might be a hell of an athlete, but we honestly need a culture change more than talent at this point. That is kinda the allure to Frank, but if he's a bust he sure as hell can't change anything.

Nitty will likely not be a dynamic scorer at PG but he will be versatile as a player that can be a SG and PG and defend 1-3. He's pretty much a Prototypical Triangle guard. Size, Length, passing, shooting and Defense. Not a lot of flash just production in a Team Game. He's not the Superstar type but should help the team play winning ball.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/sports/basketball/frank-ntilikina-sig-strasbourg-france.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0

My own feeling...some are short selling Ntilikina's level of physical talent and ability.

Time will tell...and remember that when his muscles mature and catch up to his length, you are going to see a much better athlete than many see him as now.

I think he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of.

Just saying...

Ira wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:I posted this before...not going to paste all the words this time.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/sports/basketball/frank-ntilikina-sig-strasbourg-france.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0

My own feeling...some are short selling Ntilikina's level of physical talent and ability.

Time will tell...and remember that when his muscles mature and catch up to his length, you are going to see a much better athlete than many see him as now.

I think he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of.

Just saying...

I agree. He is the youngest player favored to be drafted in the lottery.

If you feel that way, then why not draft Diallo? The upside is greater in my opinion

Ira wrote:I've never seen Diallo play.

right...has anyone seen him play against non high school competition?

NardDogNation wrote:Exactly. Why do we always insist on reaching on our draft selections? I don't give the Phil Jackson administration much credit but at least they broke that mold with the Porzingis pick and I hope it continues.

If Gaines feels Diallo is the BPA he'd make the case to Phil but I suspect he has others ahead of Diallo. It's going to be interesting if they work him out. Would they even say anything if he looked great? I doubt it.

Andrew wrote:

Ira wrote:I've never seen Diallo play.

right...has anyone seen him play against non high school competition?

Did you guys see Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron play against non High Schoolers? My bet is if Calipari recruited him he obviously see something in Diallo. That guy has a massive hit rate with talent.

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

Andrew wrote:

Ira wrote:I've never seen Diallo play.

right...has anyone seen him play against non high school competition?

Did you guys see Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron play against non High Schoolers? My bet is if Calipari recruited him he obviously see something in Diallo. That guy has a massive hit rate with talent.

Calipari gonna see a lot of him next year too

Is he returning to Kentucky?

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

Andrew wrote:

Ira wrote:I've never seen Diallo play.

right...has anyone seen him play against non high school competition?

Did you guys see Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron play against non High Schoolers? My bet is if Calipari recruited him he obviously see something in Diallo. That guy has a massive hit rate with talent.

Calipari gonna see a lot of him next year too

Is he returning to Kentucky?

That's the word

We will get him next year then if he has an awesome year. Probably top 10 pick next year.

BigDaddyG wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:
http://nypost.com/2017/05/24/french-stud-on-knicks-radar-showing-why-scouts-doubt-him/

French league point guard Frank Ntilikina, whom the Knicks have on their radar with the eighth pick in June’s NBA draft, could be down to his final game before he flies to the United States for workouts.

In Wednesday night’s playoff game in France, the 6-foot-5 Ntilikina came off the bench to play 22 minutes, scoring four points with four rebounds and three assists as his Strasbourg club evened the best-of-three first-round series with a 83-68 victory over Pau-Orthez.

The deciding Game 3 is Friday. Ntilikina, who turns 19 this summer, didn’t play well in the playoff opener, in which Strasbourg lost in overtime. In 18 minutes, he shot 0-for-4 with one point, zero assists and three fouls.

Like many teams, the Knicks love Ntilikina’s body frame for a point guard, and Phil Jackson rates that as important. He’s rated the No. 1 international prospect. One concern among scouts is his lack of consistency, and they wonder if he should be putting up larger numbers considering his immense talent. Some in the organization rate North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. higher than Ntilikina among point guards, but the Frenchman may make a better triangle fit.

BPA!

That might be Markkanen or Collins, if we through positional needs aside. Smith is a better scorer and athlete, but Frank is a more disruptive on defense, a better shooter and better passer from what I've seen of the two. Plus, Frank can play more positions. A player can only thrive if he's in a system that allows him to do so. Given our situation, that would make Frank best player available...if we get a PG.

Cant speak to Markkanen or Collins, but Smith looks like he is worth the risk at 8. Im all for bringing players from Europe. Willy didnt really show much on tape when he was over there, but he opened a lot of eyes with his post play and rebounding.

Still, I would want to see an 8 pick, who is penciled in to be the PG, show more. Especially if they're being brought to the NBA from overseas. Its different than bringing over a big IMO.

Feels like in this situation that Ntilikina is too cute a pick by half. Might be going to that well one time too many.