But again, he is not a bust for now and I believe he can become a useful rotating player.

Im guessing that Obi will figure things out. When that happens, once Obi starts working with a real floor general as well, the change will be very dramatic.

I hope that is the wrong assessment. We've seen flashes of why he went 8 and was hyped coming into the draft.

But we also so flashes from Frank, from DSjr, from others that have come and gone.

We should definitely not be afraid to bundle him up. Knox, Obi, Frank & a first rounder for Vučević? Or something similar?

I have to imagine that packaging up some of the young players that need a chance, change of scenery to a over the cap rebuilding team like Orlando or Washington should be worth their consideration, and that cap savings alone warrants consideration.

franco12 wrote:Kenny Walker 2.0.

I hope that is the wrong assessment. We've seen flashes of why he went 8 and was hyped coming into the draft.

But we also so flashes from Frank, from DSjr, from others that have come and gone.

We should definitely not be afraid to bundle him up. Knox, Obi, Frank & a first rounder for Vučević? Or something similar?

I have to imagine that packaging up some of the young players that need a chance, change of scenery to a over the cap rebuilding team like Orlando or Washington should be worth their consideration, and that cap savings alone warrants consideration.

Yeah, similar assessment, though Skywalker came home with the dunk contest crown and had pretty much the coolest "knickname"... though another odd parallel is Toppin goes by Obi 1. KENOBI!

The Knicks were clearly going for the best player available approach - the highest odds of becoming a superstar based on where we drafted. Plus we were probably planning ahead for Randle failing and moving on from the Knicks.

So the challenges (all obvious):
* Randle has become an all-NBA level monster this season and his best position happens to be Obi 1's. Without Randle's performance this year, we're not close to a playoff contender.
* Thib's system at the moment (perhaps the only system the Knicks have a chance of winning with our current personnel) doesn't play to Obi's strengths... in fact, a slow half-court game really amplifies his weaknesses and underdeveloped aspects of his game.

technomaster wrote:

franco12 wrote:Kenny Walker 2.0.

I hope that is the wrong assessment. We've seen flashes of why he went 8 and was hyped coming into the draft.

But we also so flashes from Frank, from DSjr, from others that have come and gone.

We should definitely not be afraid to bundle him up. Knox, Obi, Frank & a first rounder for Vučević? Or something similar?

I have to imagine that packaging up some of the young players that need a chance, change of scenery to a over the cap rebuilding team like Orlando or Washington should be worth their consideration, and that cap savings alone warrants consideration.

Yeah, similar assessment, though Skywalker came home with the dunk contest crown and had pretty much the coolest "knickname"... though another odd parallel is Toppin goes by Obi 1. KENOBI!

The Knicks were clearly going for the best player available approach - the highest odds of becoming a superstar based on where we drafted. Plus we were probably planning ahead for Randle failing and moving on from the Knicks.

So the challenges (all obvious):
* Randle has become an all-NBA level monster this season and his best position happens to be Obi 1's. Without Randle's performance this year, we're not close to a playoff contender.
* Thib's system at the moment (perhaps the only system the Knicks have a chance of winning with our current personnel) doesn't play to Obi's strengths... in fact, a slow half-court game really amplifies his weaknesses and underdeveloped aspects of his game.

This.

I'll go on record that I still like Obi as the pick. Tools are there. He has a 3 point shot (needs to lean on it less). Obviously has ups. Has some nice moves close to the bucket (needs to recognize when to adjust and not always go for the dunk). His man to man defense is better than I expected, although team d is still lagging. I don't expect him to ever be a stopper.

Randle is our all star, and to quote , we're riding him like Secretariat. Obi's going to be the first to suffer for that, but it's fine. He's a rookie. Watch and learn. When he is in, we're not typically running plays for him. I can think of one pick and roll with IQ and one with Rose.

Otherwise, he's out there doing the small stuff. Moving non stop, setting screens, diving for balls.

He's older, so we expected more of a finished product. I think after his rookie year and an off season with this coaching staff, we're going to see a much more polished version of him next season.

This is not an Ed O'Bannon situation....a player that dominated college but did not have the requisite positional skills to be successful in the NBA.....

With Obi and his family structure(namely his dad) I expect him to put in the work this off season....and next season we will see...

Jmpasq wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:He doesn’t have good fundamental basketball skills
He’s a great undersized athletic 4-5 in college basketball

So far his athletic ability has had little effect in the nba even though he’s 22-23. He doesn’t have shoot dribble pass skills. He has rim runner skills with a bad 3 point shot abs almost no handle or feel.
Not saying he can’t develop— would’ve been good with westchester picking up game skills — but he’s more of a niche player. I think he might’ve done ok if mike da to I was head coach and played him at 5. Don’t see that here

He was a bad pick for this team. We drafted an undersized Center with no lateral movement skills at 8. The Knicks drafted a guy to play a role he is not familar with and doesn't have the skills to play. There were better players available. I think he would've fallen to the late lottery. Don't understand why the front office was so obsessed with him. I think we should trade him to get a young PG or a SF's bird rights before his value dwindles to nothing

This is why I wanted to trade the pick for a couple of lower LOTTO BALL chances. However, can't blame the Knicks. When Toppin was available at 8 (Which he was not projected to be), I wanted him as well and thought you had to pick him. The shiny object got us again. Think it is a good lesson for the draft. Always best to have multiple chances instead of just one that relies on an overhyped 18-year-old. As you just never know how they will translate on to the NBA.

Btw. for those thinking the draft is the way going forward, they may want to look at teams that have consistently had lottery picks the last 10 years and see how they are doing. Then look at the NEts and Lakers and see how they are doing. While I agree that the draft is the way some teams need to rebuild, it is also important to note that the very good teams make free agent moves that keep them competing for chips. Even if they have to give up those prized fan hopefuls. Think we are are that stage. And yes, it is a scary stage.