Knickoftime wrote:

technomaster wrote:KP has some catching up to do to reach even Ewing levels.

He has catching up to do to reach Ewing's age.

Ewing was a 23 year old rookie.

Exactly, so next season would be equivalent to Ewing's rookie season for those interested in comparing them.

KP is like nobody we have ever seen before. Really, I have no idea where this kid is in three years. If healthy, he might be top big man in the league and on a HOF trajectory.
If. Have never seen a 7'3 guy this mobile and fluid. Ralph sampson comes to mind but his knees gave out. Ewing was an athletic freak until his knees wore as his frame got bigger.
Yet KP moves different than those guys. His fundamentals are very precise for his age. Hakeem was athletic, far more than KP, but never had this kids fundamentals.
Young Sabonis was this good, and an even better passer, but he did not have the handle.
Odds are usually never strong for "the sure thing" so its not about being right or wrong, its about sitting back and just enjoying the ride.
Same for Ntilkina. Why freak out over any of this, the kid is a bonafide prospect and very young. Surround him by career jouneyman because they know what it takes to produce.
The star player is not always a good communicator or able to intellectualize their talent. Melo can demonstrate work ethic but his game does not make others better. Also, we don't know if he is the type to take a kid under his wing and work with him. Many top players are SOBs. Face it, sometimes thats what it takes to win and get to the top.
Jordan was an awful person. Awful team mate. But he was a winner!!!!
Melo is a good team mate, good guy, but is he a good teacher? I don't know.
Guys like Sessions and Jack have reputations already and are bought in with an understanding of their role.
KP has beef with Jeff, he has to work on it on his end too. KP might be a diva, thats ok, the best players usually are.
KP is still a work in progress. If you can't live with that then your missing some of the joy of the game.

GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Too high at this point. Although, I will say, if he reaches his potential, it could be higher.

His potential is top 5. Not gonna reach that in the next few years.

But 22 this year is certainly possible. Needs to be stronger down low, up his 3pt % slightly, keep the defensive intensity, and develop a serious low post game (both scoring and assists).

nyknickzingis wrote:A bit high but it's based on an incline.
I don't think he was a top 22 player based on last year.
They are expecting him to get better.
The way he looked at Eurobasket, it's a decent bet he can step up this year and be a top 22 player and make the all-star team.

Not a given though. Lets see. Love the kid, but he needs to prove it and warrant the hype he gets.

nyknickzingis wrote:A bit high but it's based on an incline.
I don't think he was a top 22 player based on last year.
They are expecting him to get better.
The way he looked at Eurobasket, it's a decent bet he can step up this year and be a top 22 player and make the all-star team.

Not a given though. Lets see. Love the kid, but he needs to prove it and warrant the hype he gets.

The hype is valid given his unique stats in first two years and his age.
The hype is there for sure and I agree he needs to live up to it.

To a far less degree is the Greek Freak. I know the kid can play but he is a max player with still a world of upside with that height.
To date he has lived up to his draft position but not his hype.
He had a bit of a knee problem and not sure if he has been able to work on his game this summer. He needs it, he has amazing physical ability but he still has much fundamental work to do.

NO doubt KP's 22nd ranking is based on potential. Lonzo Ball has yet to step on the court and he is were Melo is.
At the same time it would be expected Melo is in the decline? That based on him being a knick in a secondary role, a Rocket as a Role player, or based on aging expectation.

The reaction to Melo's ranking is kind of funny. Melo seems very hurt by this and players are sympathetic.
Yet, Melo places a high importance on his money.

Nobody talks about winning though.

nixluva wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:No one on the team last year was in the top 100?! Jeez

This just underscores why it's kind of silly to bash Mills for adding THJ and Beasley. They already represent our highest efficiency scorers. I hope that KP can get more scoring near the basket so that he can be more efficient. His improvement on being the Roll man isn't a small thing IMO. He definitely got more comfortable in PnR over the summer.