callmened wrote:to put in context...webber was talking about cauley stein in comparison to DJordan (since someone else did). so he basically said hes no where near jordan...he barely played well vs notre dame

If I remember right--the radio guy started talking about Towns and quickly went over to Stein--asked Webber about Stein and Webber went on a rant. He said Jordan was much bigger physically and was a more explosive athlete and could score in the post in the NBA. He said Stein would have trouble that he was to skinny (I think he called him 200 pounder) Im sure its on the website.

I hope its not Stein but it must be-how could Jackson say so confidently? There is ONLY a 25% chance at pic #1. We couldve got Willie Stein in the 20's last year. Chris Webber does have a point--when he goes up against these 260-280 pounders--hes 230 or so. Drummond is 280. He said something like he "hopes" Willie Stein can have an NBA career(as in back up)

BRIGGS wrote:Boy I wonder if Willie Stein becomes a player there? Willie Stein has attributes on defense that no other player near the top has including Towns. Id be very surprised if he took Stein over Towns but from reading those tea leaves and his confidence that he would get said player--my guess is that Willie Stein is going to be a Knick.

Trade the pick (Okafor) to Philly or Boston for Russell and stein

s3231 wrote:Will post more when I get home (recorded most of it on audio) but wanted to provide some high level takeaways:

- Phil was specifically asked what he looks for in a big man and whether he prefers a big man that has a strong offensive game or is ahead of the curve defensively. Phil was adamant that he prefers bigs that play D first (most of the ticketholders, including me, took this to mean that he would take Towns over Okafor). At a separate point in the town hall, Phil again emphasized that he prefers defense to offense and said in team sports, defense is what ultimately helps win championships

- From what we heard tonight, we were given a strong impression that they are not looking to trade the pick. Steve specifically mentioned that two teams have already contacted him about the pick and brought up specific scenarios of trades that could happen depending on where we pick. What was refreshing to hear though was Steve acknowledged how historically, the Knicks always trade first round picks and because of that, other GMs seem to think we will do it again this year. He made it clear that there is a different emphasis this year about doing what is right for the organization even if it means sacrificing short-term success.

- More on the 2nd point, Phil specifically mentioned Andrew Bynum in LA and how as his coach, he originally thought winning a championship with someone that young as a starter wasn't possible (even though they did in fact, end up winning one with Bynum still really young). He used it as an example to emphasize that the organization needs to do what is right foe the franchise and can't just continue on making moves for the short term.

- Phil: Free agent signings will complement the draft pick and vice versa. They already know who they like in free agency and will only go after guys they think fit the system and exhibit the qualities they are looking for. Steve mentioned that they are already speaking to agents and are trying to prioritize guys that they know they have a good shot at (he dressed urgency of finding out quickly whether players want to come or not in July so that they can move to other options)

More to come when I get home and can get on a computer. Lot of great insights that media still hasn't shared yet.

Refreshing to hear the talk of defense, and not looking for a short term fix...Thanks for sharing this....

Uptown wrote:

s3231 wrote:Will post more when I get home (recorded most of it on audio) but wanted to provide some high level takeaways:

- Phil was specifically asked what he looks for in a big man and whether he prefers a big man that has a strong offensive game or is ahead of the curve defensively. Phil was adamant that he prefers bigs that play D first (most of the ticketholders, including me, took this to mean that he would take Towns over Okafor). At a separate point in the town hall, Phil again emphasized that he prefers defense to offense and said in team sports, defense is what ultimately helps win championships

- From what we heard tonight, we were given a strong impression that they are not looking to trade the pick. Steve specifically mentioned that two teams have already contacted him about the pick and brought up specific scenarios of trades that could happen depending on where we pick. What was refreshing to hear though was Steve acknowledged how historically, the Knicks always trade first round picks and because of that, other GMs seem to think we will do it again this year. He made it clear that there is a different emphasis this year about doing what is right for the organization even if it means sacrificing short-term success.

- More on the 2nd point, Phil specifically mentioned Andrew Bynum in LA and how as his coach, he originally thought winning a championship with someone that young as a starter wasn't possible (even though they did in fact, end up winning one with Bynum still really young). He used it as an example to emphasize that the organization needs to do what is right foe the franchise and can't just continue on making moves for the short term.

- Phil: Free agent signings will complement the draft pick and vice versa. They already know who they like in free agency and will only go after guys they think fit the system and exhibit the qualities they are looking for. Steve mentioned that they are already speaking to agents and are trying to prioritize guys that they know they have a good shot at (he dressed urgency of finding out quickly whether players want to come or not in July so that they can move to other options)

More to come when I get home and can get on a computer. Lot of great insights that media still hasn't shared yet.

Refreshing to hear the talk of defense, and not looking for a short term fix...Thanks for sharing this....

Let me say this--I do not believe Phil Jackson relates to modern day basketball. Defense does not win its the offense that wins. You want to be able to play a good brand of D as a team--but like I just watched the heat with a good athletic young C--if you dont have octane--you will lose a lot of games. This is a league DOMINATED by guards and scoring. The best team in the league used its high level assets to obtain guards and intangibles to fill out the post. If you use a high level asset--it better be for a high scoring 2 way guard OR a post who can put in 20 points and can play 2 ways. Anything else is bonkers(i.e Stein). We just traded Ty Chandler who has played almost every game for the worst defensive PG in the NBA. Ouch this is going to be brutal.
They have time to rethink this

nixluva wrote:

s3231 wrote:Will post more when I get home (recorded most of it on audio) but wanted to provide some high level takeaways:

- Phil was specifically asked what he looks for in a big man and whether he prefers a big man that has a strong offensive game or is ahead of the curve defensively. Phil was adamant that he prefers bigs that play D first (most of the ticketholders, including me, took this to mean that he would take Towns over Okafor). At a separate point in the town hall, Phil again emphasized that he prefers defense to offense and said in team sports, defense is what ultimately helps win championships

- From what we heard tonight, we were given a strong impression that they are not looking to trade the pick. Steve specifically mentioned that two teams have already contacted him about the pick and brought up specific scenarios of trades that could happen depending on where we pick. What was refreshing to hear though was Steve acknowledged how historically, the Knicks always trade first round picks and because of that, other GMs seem to think we will do it again this year. He made it clear that there is a different emphasis this year about doing what is right for the organization even if it means sacrificing short-term success.

- More on the 2nd point, Phil specifically mentioned Andrew Bynum in LA and how as his coach, he originally thought winning a championship with someone that young as a starter wasn't possible (even though they did in fact, end up winning one with Bynum still really young). He used it as an example to emphasize that the organization needs to do what is right foe the franchise and can't just continue on making moves for the short term.

- Phil: Free agent signings will complement the draft pick and vice versa. They already know who they like in free agency and will only go after guys they think fit the system and exhibit the qualities they are looking for. Steve mentioned that they are already speaking to agents and are trying to prioritize guys that they know they have a good shot at (he dressed urgency of finding out quickly whether players want to come or not in July so that they can move to other options)

More to come when I get home and can get on a computer. Lot of great insights that media still hasn't shared yet.

Thanks s3231! That is some great stuff. I like what i'm hearing so far. Perhaps some Phil doubters can slow their roll a bit and realize he's not a fool. No matter what happened this year this is a man that understands why teams win. I look forward to your next posts.

If we get pick #1 or 2 or 3 and we take Stein--you wont have to worry about a few doubters--you will have an army of doubters strting with all the NBA announcers the draft show--the analysts--the media then the fans--if our first draft pick in 20 years can score a bucket against a 6-5 guy---who couldve been had last year at pick 20--ouch. I suggest Phil bring Andrew bYnum up to NY and stand these kids next to each other because Stein is no Bynum.

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:

s3231 wrote:Will post more when I get home (recorded most of it on audio) but wanted to provide some high level takeaways:

- Phil was specifically asked what he looks for in a big man and whether he prefers a big man that has a strong offensive game or is ahead of the curve defensively. Phil was adamant that he prefers bigs that play D first (most of the ticketholders, including me, took this to mean that he would take Towns over Okafor). At a separate point in the town hall, Phil again emphasized that he prefers defense to offense and said in team sports, defense is what ultimately helps win championships

- From what we heard tonight, we were given a strong impression that they are not looking to trade the pick. Steve specifically mentioned that two teams have already contacted him about the pick and brought up specific scenarios of trades that could happen depending on where we pick. What was refreshing to hear though was Steve acknowledged how historically, the Knicks always trade first round picks and because of that, other GMs seem to think we will do it again this year. He made it clear that there is a different emphasis this year about doing what is right for the organization even if it means sacrificing short-term success.

- More on the 2nd point, Phil specifically mentioned Andrew Bynum in LA and how as his coach, he originally thought winning a championship with someone that young as a starter wasn't possible (even though they did in fact, end up winning one with Bynum still really young). He used it as an example to emphasize that the organization needs to do what is right foe the franchise and can't just continue on making moves for the short term.

- Phil: Free agent signings will complement the draft pick and vice versa. They already know who they like in free agency and will only go after guys they think fit the system and exhibit the qualities they are looking for. Steve mentioned that they are already speaking to agents and are trying to prioritize guys that they know they have a good shot at (he dressed urgency of finding out quickly whether players want to come or not in July so that they can move to other options)

More to come when I get home and can get on a computer. Lot of great insights that media still hasn't shared yet.

Thanks s3231! That is some great stuff. I like what i'm hearing so far. Perhaps some Phil doubters can slow their roll a bit and realize he's not a fool. No matter what happened this year this is a man that understands why teams win. I look forward to your next posts.

If we get pick #1 or 2 or 3 and we take Stein--you wont have to worry about a few doubters--you will have an army of doubters strting with all the NBA announcers the draft show--the analysts--the media then the fans--if our first draft pick in 20 years can score a bucket against a 6-5 guy---who couldve been had last year at pick 20--ouch. I suggest Phil bring Andrew bYnum up to NY and stand these kids next to each other because Stein is no Bynum.

- Going back to defense, Phil acknowledged the irony in him stressing defense after we traded Tyson Chandler this year. Made it clear that we traded him because of the fact that he was in his expiring year and getting up there in age (thought he was a risk in terms of re-signing him at multi-year deal so figured it made sense to part ways now). He thinks defense is paramount in today's NBA and thinks you need big men that can step out and also guard the perimeter (due to all of the screen and rolls).

- Phil talked about how even though no one wanted this season to happen (he emphasized that in the weak East, we should have been in playoff contention), it might end up being a Godsend since we will likely end up with a top pick. He mentioned how organizations are able to move forward a lot more easily when they are not always picking in the teens and can draft a franchise talent near the top.

- One of the most telling things Phil said was towards the end. He said in the nicest way possible out of respect to Amare that we messed up by signing him in 2010 (again, he literally corrected himself as he said this as he was trying to be nice). Said that in 2010, the organization targeted one guy specifically and when we missed, we tried to make up for it by signing Amare but that contributed to us being in the situation we are in now (in terms of not having much flexibility). He emphasized that the guys we target this upcoming free agency will be guys that we have identified as fits for this team and these will be guys that we hopefully already have a pretty good understand of whether or not they are interesting in coming to NY.

- Al Trautwig asked Phil that since we know we'll likely have a top 4 pick, does Phil know who he would pick at any of those picks? Phil was pretty confident that he does already know who he would pick in different scenarios (note: I know media is saying Phil knows who he would pick #1, but note the distinction here as Phil implied he knows who he would take with any of the top 4 picks). Phil noted that John Gabriel, former executive with Orlando, has a ton of experience in the draft with how different scenarios can unfold and that he has been keeping Phil very informed as to what may happen with the draft (in terms of, where they could pick and which teams could look to move ahead/behind).

- Steve Mills just came back from Europe where he has been watching a lot of players that the Knocks scouting staff has recommended...... also mentioned that he checked in on our 2nd round pick from last year. He thinks there are a few guys over there in their mid 20s that could be welcome additions to the NBA and they are exploring options here to see if any of these players could be a fit for what we're trying to do here.

- Al asked Phil another good question and asked him if he has regretted any moves so far. Phil said he has re-considered or at least thought over a few things. The only player he mentioned here was Iman Shumpert. Said he liked Iman's game but that every time he began to show progress, he would get injured.... with Iman's contract situation (Phil mentioned how if we wanted him back, he would have eaten into our cap), basically said that we had to make a decision before the end of the year as to what we wanted to do so he felt that this was a good time to move him to a good situation in Cleveland.

Steve said during the conversation that we will target guys that fit the system first and foremost but he elaborated that this could include star players as well (and might not). He said him and Phil don't look for guys that fit the triangle first, they look for guys that play intelligent basketball. Phil elaborated on this too: "Do they make the right passes? Do they know how to move without the basketball? With the basketball?"

While they said signing a few 2nd tier guys is an option, they made it clear that they already have players in mind and have been back-channeling a bit through their agents ("planting the seeds" as Steve mentioned). These guys they have in mind could be stars and they could also be 2nd tier players. Steve was just saying that they don't look at it in terms of "we want as many stars as possible."

The thing they made clear though is that they only want to target players that they think realistically have a good chance of signing with NY. Phil elaborated on this for a hit and stressed the importance of the draft complementing what we do in free agency. He specifically mentioned the lack of big men on this team and noted that Melo is essentially the only frontcourt player that is under contract for next season.