LivingLegend wrote:
I've looked at a lot of tape on Hardaway post draft -- both good and bad.

Combine measurements show him with prototype SG size - length. His atleticism tested well also and you can see that athleticism when he attacks the basket and gets out on the break.

Hardaway does a few things very well on offense that I think will help him in the NBA spread game. 1 He can catch and shoot - has a quick release and beautiful form on his jumper. 2 He can catch take one quick dribble to separate and rise for that nice looking jump shot. 3 he can catch the ball and attack the basket.

In all 3 of these instances he seems to be decisive in his decisions. The college game isn't as spread out as the NBA - lots of bodies in the paint. I think Hardaway will find more open space in the pro game and has the necessary athleticism, skill and work ethic to keep getting better.

I think we got a solid SG.

BRIGGS wrote:Let me show you the difference here too. Look how many plays CJ makes with his dribble--how he can rebound and initiate the break by himself. How he can absolutely fly in full court action and finish in traffic. I think CJ was a huge steal for the KNicks. I think THJR is a guy who really needs to have the J falling for him--if he can do that--well thats a tremendous skill to have. So I keep an open mind but nothing from college lets me say more than role player. Also watch how many defensive plays he makes. His long arms are disruptive in the passing lanes.

Like I said earlier - I absolutely love CJ on tape -- he looks stunning in the open court. I think it comes down to Knicks taking what they believe is a sure thing rotation player in Tim Jr and being afraid to miss on an athletic freak (with questionable motor) in CJ.

I liked the Hardaway pick - but loved the draft once I saw how talented CJ is.

Like prior poster said - Knicks had all the SGs in and they liked Hardaway the best. It was close beteen he, Bullock and Rice Jr.
I just see Hardaway as better all-around player than Bullock and potentially a safer pick than Rice Jr (who I also wanted).

I do see your points Briggs -- I hope both kids turn out great for Knicks.

BigDaddyG wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:people need to remember that Leslie shut down the process after two visits. that has a lot to do with why he was not drafted.

True, but scouts look at hours of college game tape. They already have a sense of guys game before they watch him up close, especially a guy who came in as highly touted as Leslie. Still, no one gambled? I think it says a lot about the mental approach he took during his college career.

this was a weird draft by any account. I think there will be some really good 2nd round and undrafted players in this draft... by the way the Knicks had Leslie rated 15th on their board I believe.

nixluva wrote:CJ is a guy that is hard to project since he's not a PF and he doesn't shoot like a SF. So he doesn't fit into a pure role. THJ is a pure SG and ticks all the boxes in that regard. He does exactly what you want a SG to do. I also think it's not fair for some to suggest that THJ doesn't have the handle get the ball up the court and make good decisions with the ball, cuz he does have that ability.

His own father says he needs to work on his ballhandling. Nixluva if the Knicks signed Pearl WAshington you'd say he's going to be the best back up pG in the East and we should demand respect---when in fact we have more losses per $ spent over the last 13 years than any team in any of the major league sports.

BRIGGS wrote:Let me show you the difference here too. Look how many plays CJ makes with his dribble--how he can rebound and initiate the break by himself. How he can absolutely fly in full court action and finish in traffic. I think CJ was a huge steal for the KNicks. I think THJR is a guy who really needs to have the J falling for him--if he can do that--well thats a tremendous skill to have. So I keep an open mind but nothing from college lets me say more than role player. Also watch how many defensive plays he makes. His long arms are disruptive in the passing lanes.

When I was going through full games of CJ the thing that really bothered about him is lack of effort. I got the feeling he can be much better then he is especially on defense. He can be very disruptive but his effort raises and falls depending on the possession.Maybe he just didnt want to play College basketball but motivation was not there for all his minutes on the court.Whats puzzling is his athletic profile and production should of had him drafted. Im speculating but I have a feeling coaches didnt like his attitude and effort. U can see it in his body language during games. He does have talent/upside and Woodson seems to be able to get through to guys like this so he may turn out to be a steal

You're much better at scouting than I am, BRIGGs, so I respect your opinion, but I do think sometimes a player can be better than they should be thanks to work ethic and the right attitude. At least that's what I'm hoping! Still, there's always the threat of him being another Channing Frye...

Markji wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:This is just me--I don't think this guy is a first round pick. He does not look like he has much ballhandling to his game. He looked somewhat smallish and bothered by size on the court+ at the rim He does not exactly look speedy in the up and down. He wasnt a great finisher---he looked perimeter orientated but only looks like a decent shooter. We could not find a guy like this in the D league?

Briggs u see the Videos I cut up of him. They are longer and show highs and lows.I was working more of them but nobody is watching or commenting on them so I gave up.Have a ton of Michigan saved from the season on my HD, was going to do Indiana and Ohio State next. Also Started CJ Leslie vs Duke.Thought about cutting the Summer league

His lack of length is apparent in the Iowa game. Poor closing out on shooters and overall just bad defense

vs Iowa

Jm - Excellent highlights of the games. I know it is a lot of work. Some of us really appreciate it.

I enjoyed watching Hardaway - the good and some of the mistakes also. Gives a good feel for him. CJ Leslie would also be a good watch. I saw some highlights of NC State. Especially against Duke, when Leslie had an excellent game.

Summer League highlights would be most appreciated.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

Glad they were enjoyed. I will try get some summer leagues games up.