smackeddog wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Have you seen/read anything recent on Hezonja that led you to move him up to 4?

Have the Knicks ever even mentioned him?

Cannot see Phil passing on OK4 if he is there, and Orlando would have defensive problems beyond belief if they matched OK4 and Vucevich together.

Its not where I think someone will go its who I think is the best 1-30.

Then I don't get why you've been pushing for us to draft Kaminsky, when you think he's only the 8th best player in the draft- it makes no sense?

I can defend that position the same way I suggest we draft Winslow but I do not put Winslow in my top 5. I give a 5 year horizon for players to figure themselves out -- same as the rookie scale contract. If I knew that Mudiay would be playing like Jason Kidd in less than 5 years and a max player by the end, I would most likely draft him over Winslow. That said, it seems like Mudiay is 3-5 years away from being Kidd-like (if ever) by virtue of his present inability to shoot. Do I think he will learn? Yes, I genuinely do. But I do not think NY will permit that kind of development to occur on a natural timeline. So, I think a guy like Winslow who is a little smaller Jimmy Butler clone is a more sensible option for the Knicks. Butler is more likely to contribute on day 1. I see Winslow as a max player some day, even if his ceiling is not as high as some other players in the draft. Looking back 20 years from now, some may say Mudiay is the better player. Over the next 5, I think it will be Butler by a landslide. Neither are once in a generation talents.

Same logic goes for Hezonja. I think he will be the best SG out of this draft. But, I do not believe he will acclimate to the NBA before we need to make a max contract decision. His first team will need to beat the crap out of him so he drops the attitude and I don't want that team to be the Knicks.

Anyone ever see him play, by the way?

blkexec wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:I really put emphasis on what I saw in the finals. When I went over the draft I raised the stock on what I believe are high caliber perimeter players and I gave Justin Andersen the highest grade out of the top 5 given his ability to be able to guard 5-4-3-2 his incredible physical features and athleticism--his 3 point shot and what I have seen as much improved driving skills in his pre draft workouts. I believe he is a better NBA prospect than Mudiay Winslow even Kaminsky valuating on what I have seen in the finals and how I think basketball is going and I had a difference of opinion on that just weeks ago. these finals should open eyes and change thought process. Versatility on both defense and offense is critical and if you can find a guy who can control the game from 30 feet and in other than the first two picks who are in a league of the own---they got the highest marks. I rated Stanley Johnson lower because of his lack of outside shooting which is critical. I dropped Winslow to later lottery. I dont think hes a great shooter nor do I think hes James Harden but hes still really good.

Justin Anderson can not guard Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Aldridge, Towns......He even had problems guarding Winslow in college. He's a great player and I hope we can add him, but guarding 2-4 is really his range.

I see you have Kaminsky 1 slot ahead of Stein.....I'm not surprised.

I think Hezonga is a sleeper and people would see him as a steal in a few years.

What surprised me the most is your boy ok4 at pick #5?

You created more threads about him being the best prospect in college basketball than any other player. I remember seeing pages and pages of OK4 vs Towns....and you claimed he was the best pick. As a Towns fan, I remember those thread battles. How did he fall from your #1 to #5 is beyond me, but we all know he will never drop passed 4...

If Kaminsky improves his lateral quickness and defensive IQ, he will be a beast in the NBA. He already has all the offensive tools you want in a PF. Not sure about his passing skills. Anderson is a good comparison, but I think Anderson right now has better defense, which isn't saying much.

You can say the same thing about Stein, as far as his offense. But Kaminsky is mature so he will say all the right things when the cameras are rolling. We will see once he plays in the NBA for a few months. It's not easy to just increase lateral quickness and defensive IQ that quick. It's usually takes some time. Stein showing that he already has a nice form on his jumper, and a soft touch around the basket, is already showing some progress. This is why I can see Stein improving on offense faster than Kaminsky improving his defensive IQ, especially in PnR.

BRIGGS wrote:Checking in. Moved Hezonga to number 1 pick overall

Just watched the DExpress vid from yesterday's game?

tj23 wrote:This isn't a mock unless you are delusional and actually think Minny is grabbing Hezonja

EwingsGlass wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Have you seen/read anything recent on Hezonja that led you to move him up to 4?

Have the Knicks ever even mentioned him?

Cannot see Phil passing on OK4 if he is there, and Orlando would have defensive problems beyond belief if they matched OK4 and Vucevich together.

Its not where I think someone will go its who I think is the best 1-30.

Briggs and I finally agree on something. Hezonja for the win.

Wonder what Jackson even things of him.

Not a "system before self" player though, is he...

crzymdups wrote:Hezonja #1 overall?? We so need this draft to happen already.

BRIGGS wrote:

crzymdups wrote:Hezonja #1 overall?? We so need this draft to happen already.

I moved him to #2 after thinking about it but no less. I know we are taking Stein so this is all irrelevant but just what I think. Moved up Turner to 6

Despite Phil saying in that interview, when we never got the top 2 pick, he had to change his plans (having assumed we'd draft a big), which meant your prediction that he was talking about WCS weeks ago was wrong.

smackeddog wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

crzymdups wrote:Hezonja #1 overall?? We so need this draft to happen already.

I moved him to #2 after thinking about it but no less. I know we are taking Stein so this is all irrelevant but just what I think. Moved up Turner to 6

Despite Phil saying in that interview, when we never got the top 2 pick, he had to change his plans (having assumed we'd draft a big), which meant your prediction that he was talking about WCS weeks ago was wrong.

Phil liked Stein from beginning You think what he said last week is true? Right now Phil is B-sing nearly every time be says anything.