WaltLongmire wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:If he can shoot like in the video (and we all know he is a world class defender), then you have to look at him. Other teams in workouts are going to see the same thing so he will move up.
My question though, is can he score around the basket without dunking it. Can he shoot in that short zone, cause he will be there a lot and not be able to dunk.

He showed a decent hook shot in some post ups in game action for Kentucky this season - at least until Towns overtook him as KU's number one post option.

I think WCS was probably held back or held into a smaller role at KU because Cal was sort of beholden to feature Noel, Randle and Towns. He gets those top top top recruits because he promises to develop and showcase them. So a guy like Stein, who wasn't the biggest blue chip prospect gets put into a role. Like Lyles did, like the Harrison boys, etc. All those guys scored about 10ppg at Kentucky - if they went to smaller programs they maybe could've put up 20ppg with more touches

So what you are saying is that Calipari does not care if his teams lose, as long as he develops the guys he is beholden to, even though he has a guy -Stein- on his team, who some of you Steinies are almost making out to be a Ewing in the rough. Why not show loyalty to a guy whose been on your team for 3 years??

Why has his name never come up as being a potential top 3 pick over the last months? With the way he is being described by people here, he should be a top 2 pick, for goodness sake.

Towns, OK4, Russell, Mudiay, Winslow, and Porzingis have all been thrown out as potential top 3 picks, but WCS is never mentioned. Hey, he's an elite defender who some of you are now saying will make 3s and other shots in the NBA...even though he never made a 3 in his entire college career.

This is the most frustrating thread to write on, because it is hard to argue against taking a player who is being guaranteed by some to be able to do things he never did in games over a 3 year college career.

Still amazed that Wisconsin had the guts to even show up vs KU. Might have been the reason Stein was so underwhelming that game- perhaps he was expecting Wisconsin to forfeit and wasn't ready for actual competition.

Once again- show me the bigs drafted 1-10 with his kind of limited offense who have morphed into solid and dependable players on offense...please.

Can Stein be the exception? Maybe...but that is not what history tells us, and unlike many of the kids being drafted, Stein is a physically mature 3 year college player who has played with, and against, the best competition college has to offer, without his game showing any appreciable alteration from his freshman year.

How are you getting that from what I'm saying?

I'm saying that instead of developing Stein in game situations, Cal actually cared more about winning and looking good and thus relegated the Steins, Harrisons, Deckers, Lyles of the team to role players. He has his #1 guys he has to show case and take care of so he gets the next big prospect. Taking time to develop guys will result in fewer wins, not more. Cal isn't in this for the long haul - he knows half his team is pretty much one and done. Stein didn't get a larger role in the offense after Noel left because Randle came in, then because Towns came in. Not to mention Lyles and the Harrison brothers. He has to spread around the wealth and the touches and so gives guys roles.

You can rail all you want that Stein won't be able to translate his game to the next level and Kaminsky will, but it doesn't make you right. Unless you are secretly Chad Ford, in which case you are definitely wrong.

Guys are just giving their opinion here, it doesn't hold more weight than yours, but it doesn't hold less either.

I'm sorry you're so frustrated.

newyorker4ever wrote:

nixluva wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:

codeunknown wrote:The isolated plus/minus stats that were displayed earlier in the thread depend heavily on the methodology. For example, a 4-man constant lineup normalization followed by a weighted utility (by minutes or position or otherwise) can actually skew the data further, accentuating style, coaching, sample size (as mentioned before) and mathematic modeling artifacts. Acquiring the above data for all team players in tandem to create "a plus-minus space" with iterative player assessment modulation is another way to do it. The lineups used are usually starter/bench stratified though and the value of going to these lengths is tough to say; it may not add too much. Regardless, its pretty dumb to get overly excited about these things without knowing the degree of uncertainty in the measurement, far be it the predictive value.

The "eye" test plus the stats on Stein leave me not very impressed at all as a #4 pick. Lower down 9-14ish, he would a decent pick-up from a probability standpoint, whether bust or stud.

Dude you can come up with all the counter arguments you like but in the end WCS comes up as a big time Prospect. A legit 7'er with ELITE length, quickness and athletic ability is no small thing. What he does for your defense is exactly what teams need now. He's a big who can defend PnR and still get back to the rim. He's so quick and big that he's never really too far from the basket and he's a willing help defender. The man just understands how to play TEAM DEFENSE at a high level.

You can't underestimate the impact that has on a team. We need to be looking to build a championship level defense. The best way to do that is to bring in a defensive anchor and build out from there. Let's remember that we still have a team to build and if you draft WCS then all your other decisions are easier to make. He's like bringing in Joakim Noah. You know you'll have a solid D and every additional quality defender you add will only make your defense stronger from there.

I'm talking about how you build a title contender. You do that with a core of great defense. You can always add scorers. Finding elite defenders who can lead to a championship level defense is much more difficult. I find it sad that I have to be the one trying to make the case for that on a Knicks forum of all places. Knicks fans that understand the importance of defense. Draft WCS and the search is over. you can add a few quality free agents to provide scoring and defense on the perimeter. Another big to rebound and score inside. It's a much simpler process if you draft WCS.

nixluva you keep saying hes an elite level player

Can you tell me about his passing ability? His ballhandling ability? Why he seems to be very indecisive with the ball in his hands? Why his in game jumpshot form changes on nearly every attempt? In his 3 year career he has 127 turnovers and 90 assists--for a negative ratio--for a guy who does not score or even touch the ball that much.

Lets get one thing straight, the reason you draft WCS is to build your team based on defense. If you want a great offensive player then you aren't going to be looking at WCS. I don't think the Knicks biggest need is another offensive weapon. Phil should build this team with a great defensive player at the core. Offense will come, but you must build a team based on defense.

Very few players if any would come to the Knicks knowing all the fundamentals needed to execute in the Triangle. Teams at the lower levels don't teach these things anymore. This is understood going into the draft. You seem to have a problem realizing that all of these flaws are things you can fix with coaching and a system where his role is more clearly defined. We won't be in any rush and WCS will be allowed time to master the fundamentals.

The Triangle is all about teaching your players the fundamentals of spacing, footwork and passing. WCS would learn how to make the proper pass and where to look for his teammates who are cutting and moving into his sight lines. It's the very core of the offense. WCS has never been that involved in an offensive game plan. It may take time for him to master these things but he will learn and grow as a player. They didn't run an offense like the Triangle at UK.

Briggs seems to be under the notion that what these kids are now as basketball players is what they'll be for their entire careers. So these 19/20 year old kids will never get better at what they're not good at now. WCS will never have a offense, Mudiay will never be able to shoot, OK4/Kaminsky will never have defense and so on, so what you get now is what you'll have in 2/3/4 years from now. Every single kid coming out of this draft can grow and get better in areas they aren't good at now. The trick is drafting the kids that will put the work in to get better and want to get better and if they put that work in then they'll be as good as they wanna be.

I don't think kamnsiksy is a bad defender and i think Okafor has potential to be a very solid team defender. Neither will be elite but Im looking for balance there.. If I can get a 9-10 out of offense and than they give determined play on defense where they follow what the team wants to do--then its a workable balance.
Weere not getting Ok4 or Towns--thats not happening.

But if you look at the other players I really like---do you see Kaminsky or Fuzaro playing for the Spurs? Or Stein and Mudiay? I like Mickey more than I like Stein--hes not a 5 but hes MUCH more diverse both ways--and he might be a better shot blocker to boot.

nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:
Briggs seems to be under the notion that what these kids are now as basketball players is what they'll be for their entire careers. So these 19/20 year old kids will never get better at what they're not good at now. WCS will never have a offense, Mudiay will never be able to shoot, OK4/Kaminsky will never have defense and so on, so what you get now is what you'll have in 2/3/4 years from now. Every single kid coming out of this draft can grow and get better in areas they aren't good at now. The trick is drafting the kids that will put the work in to get better and want to get better and if they put that work in then they'll be as good as they wanna be.

Have to back Briggs on this- don't think he believes this. He, like anyone though, does look at certain things as being more important than others in evaluating players.

This is not brain science, and you've heard it before...you look at physical specs and athletic measurements, past performances in organized ball, especially if it is against significant competition, growth as a player if you have that kind of history to look at, specific stats that are revealing about the basic skills, and some of the specialized stats I get all fuzzy thinking about.

You are always trying to project based on what you are seeing and "measuring,"

I've been asking guys to look back in the draft and show me the bigs who had "red flag" offensive abilities (or lack of ability) and transformed their games to the point where they were not liabilities.

I'm also trying to work on something I am calling the "Popovich Challenge." Simply put, is this a player Pops would want on his team? Still have to work on it, but it is something to think about.

You might also have a Golden State Challenge at some point...but we will see how they do over the next few years.

WCS has shown an ability to score but was inconsistent and needed more refinement of his skills. He's not really a big that can't score or has no moves. He just wasn't as confident or developed offensively. There's a huge difference between a player who can but needs more work and a player who simply can't because he lacks the touch, body and eye to hand coordination. WCS has flashed offensive capability in college games.

So is WCS your number one selection? You seem keen on drafting him. I see him very much like Tyson in every way-good and bad. Good defense, not great offense and the maddening ability to completely vanish when you need him. Like I said, I'd be okay with taking him, he offers good value and takes care of a need, but I wouldn't be excited (if that makes sense).

nixluva wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:
Briggs seems to be under the notion that what these kids are now as basketball players is what they'll be for their entire careers. So these 19/20 year old kids will never get better at what they're not good at now. WCS will never have a offense, Mudiay will never be able to shoot, OK4/Kaminsky will never have defense and so on, so what you get now is what you'll have in 2/3/4 years from now. Every single kid coming out of this draft can grow and get better in areas they aren't good at now. The trick is drafting the kids that will put the work in to get better and want to get better and if they put that work in then they'll be as good as they wanna be.

Have to back Briggs on this- don't think he believes this. He, like anyone though, does look at certain things as being more important than others in evaluating players.

This is not brain science, and you've heard it before...you look at physical specs and athletic measurements, past performances in organized ball, especially if it is against significant competition, growth as a player if you have that kind of history to look at, specific stats that are revealing about the basic skills, and some of the specialized stats I get all fuzzy thinking about.

You are always trying to project based on what you are seeing and "measuring,"

I've been asking guys to look back in the draft and show me the bigs who had "red flag" offensive abilities (or lack of ability) and transformed their games to the point where they were not liabilities.

I'm also trying to work on something I am calling the "Popovich Challenge." Simply put, is this a player Pops would want on his team? Still have to work on it, but it is something to think about.

You might also have a Golden State Challenge at some point...but we will see how they do over the next few years.

WCS has shown an ability to score but was inconsistent and needed more refinement of his skills. He's not really a big that can't score or has no moves. He just wasn't as confident or developed offensively. There's a huge difference between a player who can but needs more work and a player who simply can't because he lacks the touch, body and eye to hand coordination. WCS has flashed offensive capability in college games.

So is WCS your number one selection? You seem keen on drafting him. I see him very much like Tyson in every way-good and bad. Good defense, not great offense and the maddening ability to completely vanish when you need him. Like I said, I'd be okay with taking him, he offers good value and takes care of a need, but I wouldn't be excited (if that makes sense).

My goal has been to give this team the best chance to build a great defense. I laid this out in a thread I created back in March.

http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topic.asp?t=50682

My original wish was for Towns. I think he has the total package right now. After the Lottery I feel WCS is the right pick. He's not the offensive player Towns is right now, but he has some raw offensive talent that can be further developed and he is just as good on D if not better. I think he'll provide just enough offense to make him a great fit for what this team needs in order to build an elite defense, capable of defending the way teams play now. I think he can be an All Star if he applies himself to learning the Triangle. He'd have a very clear role and I think his talent would fit that role well enough.

Willie Stein has trouble focusing from game to game and you have him defending all 5 players full court at the same time. You really kn ow little about Stein as you have not watched him much(if at all) and have not even studied his scouting report. I think Willie can be a decent player. I think he'll have trouble with some interior defense in certain match ups where his weak base will be exposed--he wont be able to guard the entire floor like you believe he can(he had trouble staying with Kaminsky in the first half go watch the tape) and at the same time he needs to fit into a system of offense that requires him to be a passer and amid range jumpshooter--two skills he has proven not to have yet. I dont think hes a bust but hes a hot and cold player with a raw offensive game. I give him credit for trying toe expand his range. Hes a really good athlete but his feel for the game of basketball is porous--and that hurts him.

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

newyorker4ever wrote:
Briggs seems to be under the notion that what these kids are now as basketball players is what they'll be for their entire careers. So these 19/20 year old kids will never get better at what they're not good at now. WCS will never have a offense, Mudiay will never be able to shoot, OK4/Kaminsky will never have defense and so on, so what you get now is what you'll have in 2/3/4 years from now. Every single kid coming out of this draft can grow and get better in areas they aren't good at now. The trick is drafting the kids that will put the work in to get better and want to get better and if they put that work in then they'll be as good as they wanna be.

Have to back Briggs on this- don't think he believes this. He, like anyone though, does look at certain things as being more important than others in evaluating players.

This is not brain science, and you've heard it before...you look at physical specs and athletic measurements, past performances in organized ball, especially if it is against significant competition, growth as a player if you have that kind of history to look at, specific stats that are revealing about the basic skills, and some of the specialized stats I get all fuzzy thinking about.

You are always trying to project based on what you are seeing and "measuring,"

I've been asking guys to look back in the draft and show me the bigs who had "red flag" offensive abilities (or lack of ability) and transformed their games to the point where they were not liabilities.

I'm also trying to work on something I am calling the "Popovich Challenge." Simply put, is this a player Pops would want on his team? Still have to work on it, but it is something to think about.

You might also have a Golden State Challenge at some point...but we will see how they do over the next few years.

WCS has shown an ability to score but was inconsistent and needed more refinement of his skills. He's not really a big that can't score or has no moves. He just wasn't as confident or developed offensively. There's a huge difference between a player who can but needs more work and a player who simply can't because he lacks the touch, body and eye to hand coordination. WCS has flashed offensive capability in college games.

So is WCS your number one selection? You seem keen on drafting him. I see him very much like Tyson in every way-good and bad. Good defense, not great offense and the maddening ability to completely vanish when you need him. Like I said, I'd be okay with taking him, he offers good value and takes care of a need, but I wouldn't be excited (if that makes sense).

My goal has been to give this team the best chance to build a great defense. I laid this out in a thread I created back in March.

http://www.ultimateknicks.com/forum/topic.asp?t=50682

My original wish was for Towns. I think he has the total package right now. After the Lottery I feel WCS is the right pick. He's not the offensive player Towns is right now, but he has some raw offensive talent that can be further developed and he is just as good on D if not better. I think he'll provide just enough offense to make him a great fit for what this team needs in order to build an elite defense, capable of defending the way teams play now. I think he can be an All Star if he applies himself to learning the Triangle. He'd have a very clear role and I think his talent would fit that role well enough.

Willie Stein has trouble focusing from game to game and you have him defending all 5 players full court at the same time. You really kn ow little about Stein as you have not watched him much(if at all) and have not even studied his scouting report. I think Willie can be a decent player. I think he'll have trouble with some interior defense in certain match ups where his weak base will be exposed--he wont be able to guard the entire floor like you believe he can(he had trouble staying with Kaminsky in the first half go watch the tape) and at the same time he needs to fit into a system of offense that requires him to be a passer and amid range jumpshooter--two skills he has proven not to have yet. I dont think hes a bust but hes a hot and cold player with a raw offensive game. I give him credit for trying toe expand his range. Hes a really good athlete but his feel for the game of basketball is porous--and that hurts him.

No need to exaggerate to try and make your point. WCS has great range defensively but no one is saying he is going to defend full court all the time. Let's not get silly. How do you know if i've watched WCS play or not? Isn't that also kind of silly on your part since you don't know me and what I do?

Your thinking WCS will have trouble with "interior defense in certain match ups" due to his "weak base" seems a bit of a reach. Who are all these low post C's that are going to put WCS in a bad situation? There aren't that many legit low post C's in the league. Many teams are playing more 4 out style ball and small ball bigs. What WCS does best will be a great benefit to our defense. Besides he's already working on improving his strength. I'm sure he'll continue to mature and get stronger like most young players do.

As for WCS having trouble with Kaminsky. I actually think WCS will be OK. He'll eventually get more familiar with what Kaminsky does as he will with other players he'll have a chance to study film of and he'll be instructed on how to best defend against them. WCS has enough physical talent to defend against top offensive players but he still has to learn the best ways to defend different players. He's not done learning how to be an even better defender.

As for WCS's offense. He's got a lot to learn but he's also got the talent to learn it. He's shown flashes of that talent but lacked consistency. He's got more talent than the bigs we had last year and many of them were able to learn how to make the right passes in the offense. WCS will have to learn the footwork and everything else in the system. It may take some time, but he should be able to get the hang of the basics. We'll have the same kind of teaching to do with all of our young players. That's part of the process.

Willie Cauley-Stein flashes potential in Nuggets pre-draft workout
by Christopher Dempsey

Among the tattoos on the right side of Willie Cauley-Stein's neck is one famous phrase.

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

It's a large part of how he views the pre-draft process.

"I see myself as the No. 1 player in the draft, but it is what it is," said the 7-foot, 240-pound former Kentucky standout. "You can just take it day-by-day, put in the work and the draft is going to be the outcome of whatever the draft is."

Is he mad at not being mentioned in the same breath with former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke star Jalil Okafor, the first two players expected to be chosen.

"You can't get mad about it," he said. "You just gotta work for it."

Hakuna Matata.

It's not clear whether Cauley-Stein will be on the board when the Nuggets seventh overall pick comes up, or even if the team would select him if he was available. He worked out for the Nuggets on Monday.

Cauley-Stein's biggest asset is his defensive ability. He's arguably the best and most versatile defensive player in the draft, and if you're looking for a comparison think of a taller Kenyon Martin, the former Nuggets forward.

Cauley-Stein is a shot blocker who can steal the ball as well. He's long and athletic and quick. He's perfect in situations where the defense is switching on screens because he can guard pretty much any player on the court. He's got good hands, as evidenced by his background as a top-flight wide receiver in high school, where he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,140 receiving yards as a senior.

He played three years at Kentucky, and this past season he showed up on pretty much everyone's all-defensive team, and he was named AP first team all-America. He's the first player in Kentucky's tradition-rich history to block 200 or more shots and have 100 or more steals.

He's going to help a team immediately at the defensive end.

Offensively, Cauley-Stein remains a work in progress, and that's the only thing keeping him from being considered a top-tier prospect in this draft. He was able to show an improved jump shot in the Nuggets workout Monday, both from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, even though he'll likely not take that shot in the pros.

"I showed today that I've got good mechanics on the shot," he said. "Showing that I'm confident in my shot and I can consistently make it."

He said he has "kind of" seen teams put him through a battery of offensive challenges in order to get a grasp on just how far he's come on that end.

"I feel like they do the same thing for everybody, though," Cauley-Stein said. "They put you through the same drills, it's just to see if you can do the same move over and over and over, and make or miss you're doing it with confidence."

blkexec wrote:

nixluva wrote:WCS with another workout where he showed he could hit Mid Range and 3pt Jumpers consistently.

Willie Cauley-Stein flashes potential in Nuggets pre-draft workout
by Christopher Dempsey

Among the tattoos on the right side of Willie Cauley-Stein's neck is one famous phrase.

Hakuna Matata.

No worries.

It's a large part of how he views the pre-draft process.

"I see myself as the No. 1 player in the draft, but it is what it is," said the 7-foot, 240-pound former Kentucky standout. "You can just take it day-by-day, put in the work and the draft is going to be the outcome of whatever the draft is."

Is he mad at not being mentioned in the same breath with former Wildcats teammate Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke star Jalil Okafor, the first two players expected to be chosen.

"You can't get mad about it," he said. "You just gotta work for it."

Hakuna Matata.

It's not clear whether Cauley-Stein will be on the board when the Nuggets seventh overall pick comes up, or even if the team would select him if he was available. He worked out for the Nuggets on Monday.

Cauley-Stein's biggest asset is his defensive ability. He's arguably the best and most versatile defensive player in the draft, and if you're looking for a comparison think of a taller Kenyon Martin, the former Nuggets forward.

Cauley-Stein is a shot blocker who can steal the ball as well. He's long and athletic and quick. He's perfect in situations where the defense is switching on screens because he can guard pretty much any player on the court. He's got good hands, as evidenced by his background as a top-flight wide receiver in high school, where he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,140 receiving yards as a senior.

He played three years at Kentucky, and this past season he showed up on pretty much everyone's all-defensive team, and he was named AP first team all-America. He's the first player in Kentucky's tradition-rich history to block 200 or more shots and have 100 or more steals.

He's going to help a team immediately at the defensive end.

Offensively, Cauley-Stein remains a work in progress, and that's the only thing keeping him from being considered a top-tier prospect in this draft. He was able to show an improved jump shot in the Nuggets workout Monday, both from mid-range and out to the 3-point line, even though he'll likely not take that shot in the pros.

"I showed today that I've got good mechanics on the shot," he said. "Showing that I'm confident in my shot and I can consistently make it."

He said he has "kind of" seen teams put him through a battery of offensive challenges in order to get a grasp on just how far he's come on that end.

"I feel like they do the same thing for everybody, though," Cauley-Stein said. "They put you through the same drills, it's just to see if you can do the same move over and over and over, and make or miss you're doing it with confidence."

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28275827/cauley-stein-flashes-potential-workout-nuggets

Its encouraging to see his consistency with his jumper. Reminds me of KG when he came into the league....very thin....run the floor....block shots....mid range jumper. Stein sounds like somebody that will always have a chip on his shoulder. Sounds like a player worth the #4 pick....Kenyon Martin was the key for our team.....If Stein is a younger 7 foot version of Martin.....then at 4 hes a steal.

I think people aren't really looking at what it would mean to this franchise to have a young legit defensive Center who can anchor this teams D. If WCS is at least competent offensively it would mean so much. All we would need is for him to be able to hit a little mid range jumper or post up and hit a Jump Hook. He doesn't have to be Hakeem Olajuwon offensively. This kid is at least showing in these workouts that he can consistently hit his open shots and make basic post moves. He can mix that in with his normal Alleyoop, fast break and put back dunks. All together that would be a very effective package.

http://zagsblog.com/articles/jahlil-okafor-to-work-out-for-lakers-amid-rumblings-he-could-fall-to-no-4/

“I think there is a little truth to it,” one NBA scout told SNY.tv of the possibility of Okafor falling to No. 4. “With the way the NBA is playing now, a low-post player who can’t defend pick-and-rolls is not effective. The NBA looks more like college basketball 15-20 years ago, which is not a bad thing. [Timofey] Mosgov and [Andrew] Bogut hardly played in the fourth quarter and OT [of Game 2 of the NBA Finals].”

blkexec wrote:The reason why Ok4 could slide to 4th is the reason why we have so many Stein-boys. WCS is more valuable today than he would've been 20 years ago, due to the lack of PnR defense at the center position.

http://zagsblog.com/articles/jahlil-okafor-to-work-out-for-lakers-amid-rumblings-he-could-fall-to-no-4/

“I think there is a little truth to it,” one NBA scout told SNY.tv of the possibility of Okafor falling to No. 4. “With the way the NBA is playing now, a low-post player who can’t defend pick-and-rolls is not effective. The NBA looks more like college basketball 15-20 years ago, which is not a bad thing. [Timofey] Mosgov and [Andrew] Bogut hardly played in the fourth quarter and OT [of Game 2 of the NBA Finals].”

Most teams play small ball, and put a 6'7 guy at center, to help guard the pick and roll. What if you didn't have to go small ball, and was able to keep a 7 foot rim protector on the floor, and still guard PnR's......Stein is the new kind of center that most teams will add to their roster. Having a 7 foot weapon to guard the PnR is better than playing small ball, with no rim protection.

Stein would've helped the Cavs win in regulation (protecting the rim against Curry's layup), because you don't need to take him out to guard Draymond Green, who played center with their small ball lineup. Moz is great against slow half court teams.....But you have to have flexibility against multiple styles. Monroe has more beef to guard half court centers.....Stein is better at guarding small ball lineups. Either direction you go, we will always have a 7 foot rim protector.

Flexiblity in the starting lineup is the key to our championship run. The game is changing....Small ball is now the norm.....Everybody is going away from the twin tower lineup. But with Stein and Monroe, you have the option of both!

blkexec wrote:OK4 will be a great center and the best low post player in this draft.

But if we played GS in the playoffs, OK4 would only play 3 quarters. And would never play in crunch time with his low free throw percentage. These are just facts.

He's still the best low post player, but until he improves, thats just the truth.

He gives you 25 and 10.....gives up 25 and 10.

You still can't pass on him, but you have to wonder if he's that good, how could he drop to #4? I think if he did drop to 4, then that might be the incentive he needs to become a great 2 way player. Just to prove others wrong.

I feel like Okafor may wind up similar to Cousins - pretty unstoppable on offense, but not really there on defense and thus doesn't impact the game all that much. I like him and I think it'd be possible to build a team around him - though you'd need to add a lot of rangy defenders.

I feel like we'd see a lot of boxscores like this for the next few years though -
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400579022

“Bigs are a priority for us in the draft in that I believe that defense has to be a priority for us in having an intimidating force in the lane,” Jackson said.

- Phil said he "knows" whom he wants to draft. "We want a player that has multiple skills." He also mentioned "We have zero big men" under contract next year. Asked if he'd prefer a big man who can pass and score or one who can defend, he didn't even wait a millisecond: "Defender." This led to an elaboration on why he traded Tyson Chandler, namely Tyson's injuries last year and the fact that he's in his thirties. But he did cite Chandler as the type of big man he wants to add, citing that with "so many screen/rolls, so many threes" in the game now, you need a big man who can contend with all that.