Based on what I have been reading and seeing, I would be happy with Holiday, Curry, or DeRozan as our pick at 8. It appears likely that at least one of them will be available unless Evans falls, and I would not be opposed to getting him if he were available at 8. It looks like we should be able to address our pg or sg positions fairly well in this draft. Walsh don't screw it up.

Posted by fishmike:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Paladin55:

[quote]Posted by BigSm00th:

Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obviously intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.

I pretty much agree with you. Of the guys we are probably going to be looking at when we pick, I like Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday at this point. Flynn is an interesting player to consider, despite his size, which just hits the 6'+ mark with shoes on.

I think I read that Curry, Holiday, Lawson, and Flynn (??), are going to be working out for us together in early June. I'd probably pay to see that workout.

I would consider Mullens if we work him out and he impresses, even though I have given Briggs hell on the guy. One of the things talked about on the televised coverage was how Motta wanted Mullens with his back to the basket, and Mullens felt he could be better used facing up. Perhaps Mullens was right, and maybe this is why he spoke about (more than once, I might add) his varied talents in the interview of him I saw, but do we really want a center who prefers staying outside and is adverse to mixing it up in the paint? If we already had a PG for the future, we might be looking more seriously at Mullens, but the strength of this draft is its PGs, and we need a PG, so... .

I also think that Evans has to be looked at, although I really think he should have done the combine workouts. I wonder if he got a promise from a team already. I would only want him if we were sure that he could play PG.

Should be an interesting draft, and there is still talk of us moving up to get Rubio.

We should end up coming out of this thing with a pretty decent player for the future, no doubt about it.

Paladin--where do you see Mullens playing like a SF in this Ohio State montage? He looks like an explosive athletic 5 with a good touch and soem post moves who can run and power the ball in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDqoqWCcf4

My God cant someone see what this player can be? We really need a skinny 6-2 player? Insane. Look where this guy can catch on the oop. Just throw the ball up with just a little space and its a dunk. And think he is stronger faster and more explosive and will continue to get stronger with that explosion. ADD in that he can hit that mid range jump shot and you are looking at one helluva weapon.



Draft Mullens 8 and go get another pick for Teague and this team will be MUCH better NEXT year. Teague is better than some of these guys slotted to be picked 2-4-6 etc.. and we can have him maybe 14-21 if we can find another pick.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 05-30-2009 10:08 PM]

Mullens can be a star. He's got great physical gifts. But riddle me this, arent you the least bit concerned that a guy with those tools couldnt get minutes on a pretty average OS team? I mean "ball hogging" guards aside you dont have any red flags about a guy that loafed through one year of college only to show up at the draft combine in great shape and polished?

Sounds a lot like someone already on our roster.

Then you look at Blair and he plays like he loves the game, like he wants to destroy his opponents, like he wants to win every game. Does Mullens do that for you?


Again if B J Mullens played at St Johns and was given 35 minutes a game this wouldnt be a discussion. Wrong place wrong time.

He's got pretty darn good-looking pro talent and the skills we lack inside. Post moves blocked shots above the rim play deft touch and footwork
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vef5G3zTPns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBuUZIkuS9s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=453Y-U5aCYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAgHVx73J8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXyrdb-lhVc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKaSWyvmuuw

From DraftExpress- comments on a large workout hosted by Minnesota:

42 players converged on Minneapolis for three days of group workouts in front of a good chunk of the NBA. The fact that the sessions in Minnesota were being held at the same time as the 24-player group workout in Golden State meant that teams had to choose which one they would like to attend.

Many of the top players on our initial invite list appear to have pulled out, with the four top remaining prospects being Austin Daye, Jeff Teague, B.J. Mullens and Gani Lawal. Still, many of the teams present were happy to watch the players work out in a competitive three on three setting, after having to settle strictly for drills at the Combine in Chicago.

Daye, Lawal and Mullens competed in the first day of workouts, alongside players such as Omri Casspi, Danny Green, Darren Collison, A.J. Price, Eric Devendorf, Dante Cunnighman, Daniel Hackett, Luke Nevill and others.

The early buzz from the first day was that Omri Casspi may have helped himself more than any other prospect, as he showed a great combination of athleticism, competitiveness, and skill-level. Austin Daye had a sub-par day apparently, being able to create his own shot almost whenever he pleased, but being incapable of finishing plays due to his poor physical strength.

Gani Lawal showed potential, but also looked far from being a finished product, while B.J. Mullens really struggled at times against Utah’s Luke Nevill, looking disinterested in what was going on on the court, and appearing to be at least a few years away from being able to play significant minutes in the NBA.

We’ll have more info as we continue to gather it from both Minnesota and Golden State over the next few days.

I highlighted Daye, because his sub-par performance in this workout underlies how deceptive the drills at the Chicago combine were. I really wonder how much weight he will be able to put on his frame legally. If he had any strength you would probably be talking about a top 10 lottery pick. The funny thing is that one of the ESPN commentators indicated that Casspi would not shine as much in the Chicago combine workouts as he would in a competitive play workout, and seemingly, they were correct.

The comment on Mullens is mind blowing, actually. How the hell do you look "disinterested" when you are trying to play well enough to move up in the draft??!!




[Edited by - Paladin55 on 06-02-2009 10:04 AM]

[Edited by - Paladin55 on 06-02-2009 10:12 AM]

Posted by fishmike:

Briggs.. everyone looks great in youtube highlights. You never answered the question. You dont have any concerns that this guy looked totally lost at OS, then shows up polished and motivated for draft combines? Easily the biggest knock on him was he took plays off and looked disinterested at times. His dedication has been questioned by several.

What kind of pro will he be if he doesnt love the game? Dampier? Jerome James?

Spare us the youtube highlights.. tell me if you think any of this matters. Tell me how much you would invest in a guy that only tried hard when it was time to earn a contract.

That is my only concern fishmike but it's a big one. Desire for the game is important. Remember there were those same questions with Bynum and he showed up in great shape as well and seemed to turn the desire thing around, or did he? I think the complaint on him is that he isn't always intense out there (on defense more so). But in his defense he has had to semi-bad injuries.

Briggs can spot talent, but the questions we have are more psychological with Mullens. I'm sold on his physical talent. HE has a ways to go on offense, but if we get a good player at #8, I think it will be worth it to take him in the teens, unless they go with Gibson...

Do you project him to be better than Thabeet? Better than Bynum?

Posted by purple012870:

Do you project him to be better than Thabeet? Better than Bynum?

Well obviously I love Bynum when he is 100% healthy. How many 20 year old C are putting up 43 points and 17 rebounds in an NBA game lately? The Lakers know what they have WHEN he is healthy--that is why they paid him. He's playing on 3/4 of one leg and 1/2 of the other right now.

I think a good comparison with Mullens if he hits on all cylinders is a better version of Chris Kaman or something like a Pau Gasol. I think he has the potential to average 20 points in the NBA. I don't think he is on the level of guys who rebound and block shots like all stars. I can see Mullens averaging 18-20 points grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking 2 shots in his prime. To me thats a really good player and a steal at 8.

We have to remember that big men take longer to develop and I think it's reasonable to hear about ups and downs right now. I rather focus on the talent and if I was a team that drafted him--making sure that his time was structured with continued nutritional guidance/weight training and a big mans coach that can bring him along. He doesnt have parents so a guy[big mans coach] he can look up to would go a long way for him. If he is injury free and brought along the right way--he has a great chance to succeed. I still think at 8-13 it's almost a no brainer for a team with no C who can play in up tempo.

I'm with Briggs and like Mullens. But with the current Knick situation I don't think they are in position to take a guy who's work ethic appears to be a question mark. Unless he shows more in workouts I don't think the Knicks will select him. That being said these workouts are nonsense. Some players are given under the table promises and are told not to workout hard for other teams. Not saying that's the case with Mullens, but you never know. Still a little early. I hopeful that my GM is not going to make his drafting decision based on these early workouts. It has to be the full body of work. Physically he's a no brainer top 10. Mentally.........Can the knicks afford to make that pick?

Hey, I'm not saying we should draft Nevill. I'm just pointing out that he might be better than the average no-name guy in the draft. He might be a good second round choice and turn out to be a good back-up.