Posted by GKFv2:
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by oohah:
[quote]Posted by BRIGGS:
I dont know if Thabeet is a star[i would not go there] but I do know that he is the type of player who will help teams win games. Think about our team. Put Thabeet next to Lee or put Rubio on the bench? Thabeet probably has played less basketball than Rubio---Thabeet is still growing into his game. The problem is too many people have seen the growing pain negatives instead of the positives. Why cant Thabeet get 15 points 12 rebounds and 4 blocks?
Also you're betting that we get a top 3 pick which is a bad % bet. Realism starts at 8 and we'll see if we get real lucky in a few days.
[Edited by - BRIGGS on 05-15-2009 3:09 PM]
BRIGGS I am not "Betting" anything. I am "hoping" the Knicks land #2 and have the intelligence to pick a center with a world of potential. Of course I understand it is a long shot.
I agree with you on Thabeet's possibilities. He defintiely has played less basketball than Rubio. Rubio grew up playing basketball and has been professional for multiple years already. The fact is Thabeet has only played basketball for around 5 years and was defensively dominant in arguably the best conference in the country. When he showed up a Uconn he played less basketablly than the average American 11 year old. He can run and jump incredibly well for his size. With some offensive development he can anchor the middle for years to come.
oohah
Watch Thabeet when he is in good position offensively. He was learning this throughout the year but still needs more understanding. Not only can Thabeet now hit a 12 footer but when he does get that seal off position with a good PG --he's going to score a lot more than people think. People keep saying Dalembart but he is easily 4+ inches taller with a 7-8 wingspan and better upside. He's going to help a team win now 2009-2010--he's a helper--hes going to do what Perkins does for the Celtics. Maybe its not flashy but its part of winning basketball.
ANYONE who has picked players for the Knicks over the last 10 years have been people who have not won games. You know we have a good player in Lee--we need a C to go next to him.
Lee is not worth building around so why would we draft a guy just to complement him? We draft for BPA and I don't and never thought Thabeet was BPA at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
Lee is a good basketball player. Thabeet is an intangible player who would help protect the basket
and add great defensive presence this team has not had in a decade. He's also a better offensive player than what people think and the 13-14 points he is able to produce in college--he will able to produce in the NBA. It might be more attractive to a superstar to have an enormous athletic C and a very solid PF in place.
What the Knicks are trying to do is put a player who shoots 30 times a game in every position. I don't think you will build a team capable of sustaining winning basketball that way. You need to score but you also need to be able to stop. Thabeet is BY far the best defensive player in this draft--that might not be attractive to some people--I understand that--but it's an important ingredient in winning games in every single sport. I dont agree that he is going to be a star or anything like that--but can he be an imporatant piece--absolutely yes.
Honestly Thabeet is somewhat more of a known commodity than many players in this draft. I really feel he is going to give you the 13-14 points grab 11-12 rebounds block 4 shots and alter 7-8 more and have a presence in the lane defensively. I know there will be people screaming bust till their red in the face but that wont happen.
5/15/2009 5:01 PM