CrushAlot wrote:Some guys are just leaders and that seems to be the case for Turiaf. Two years ago he averaged 2 blocks a game in 20 minutes. I think Felton and Amare will also be team leaders also but Turiaf just seems to be that guy naturally. Also, at least one report, Timofey's agent, has Turiaf as the starting center and he is playing for D'Antoni.

I like Turiaf, the man overcame a potentially serious heart condition to play pro ball and he
plays hard. Guys like that set a great example and it will be great having him in practice to keep people honest, no easy buckets. I don't know if he will play a role in leading the team but his kind of passion for the game is something that has been missing from the Knicks for some time. Glad he is a Knick.

VDesai wrote:I think he's got that Oakley/Mason kind of attitude. Play hard every night and don't be afraid to knock someone on their ass. I think he brings something this team has lacked. I think Ewing Jr. is also a guy that brings a Jerome Williams type intensity to the team. I don't know if you call these kinds of guys leaders but spirited, physical play and high energy can be contagious.

I like that comparison. Perhaps he is a bit more athletic Oakley, more shotblocking and less rebounds. Let's hope his injury bug stays away and that he can develop a consistent 15 foot jumpshot.

JrZyHuStLa wrote:

Finestrg wrote:I think he's a more than serviceable role player. Adonal Foyle with even more talent..Could have the impact Kendrick Perkins has for the Celtics if given the minutes & responsibility.

His career numbers are 5.5 PPG and 3.9 RBG.

I'm curious to know what information you gathered which made you come to your asessment regarding Turiaf being MORE than a serviceable role player.

I usually rely on nothing more than what my own eyes tell me about players. This particular guy I've seen play countless times going back to his junior year at Gonzaga. I think I've got a pretty good feel for what he can do by now. Always liked him...Like I mentioned on another thread, right or wrong and I obviously would've been wrong picking him ahead of David Lee, this is the guy I wanted with the 30th pick in the 2005 draft. I thought Turiaf was the player for us at the time (remember Lee at Florida wasn't anything close to what he's become now). Don't know about you but the Ronny Turiaf I remember at Gonzaga was a beast.

If you really want to talk numbers though, OK, let's talk some numbers. Senior year in college - if I remember right, he averaged something like 16/10/2 blocks in like 32 mins (PT he hasn't come close to getting in the pros btw). 2005 Conference Player Of The Year in the WCC. In fact he was All WCC-1st team in 2003, 2004 & 2005, a stretch where he put up very consistent numbers for 3 straight years..In 2008-2009, his first year with the GS Warriors, he averaged 2.1 blocks/game (168 total) in only 21.5 minutes. That 21.5 mins. per in 08/09 represents the most minutes he's gotten in any one season since going pro btw... 2.1 blocks a game dude -- in only 20 mins! You don't think that type of production could help us?? When's the last time we had a reserve big man that provided that type of defense around the basket?

This is a nice reserve big to bring off the bench or even start depending on how it all shakes out by the end of training camp. The fact that he made it all the way back from open heart surgery where his contract was voided (imagine that -- this poor guy's contract was voided but Eddy Curry keeps cashing his checks ) only to return to the NBA with a vengence to earn another contract speaks volumes to me. This guy's a really nice story...Plays hard all the time and from all accounts, he's a great locker room guy. Looks like a tremendous glue guy to me. If you wanna go out of your way to short-change the guy, be my guest. I know better..Look at the clip CrushAlot provided -- you don't think we could use a guy like that?? He's a nice component to have all around, bottom line. I for one am glad he's here..