Jmpasq wrote:

ESOMKnicks wrote:Obi was not my preferred pick (I wanted shooters like Vassel, Nesmith or Hali), but I was content that he slipped to us and did not take a trade to move up in the draft. Seemed like a logical choice: the guy was a great offensive talent and athlete, capable of playing above the rim, but also of stepping back to hit a jumper, while the incumbent PF was more of a Spindle than Randle. The biggest knock on Obi was his poor defense. With focus and playing time, I think he would have developed a lot faster, what has prevented this is the emergence of Randle as a superstar in his position and Thib's focus on getting to the playoffs, limiting rookie minutes and leaving zero tolerance for rookie mistakes.
Both Obi's development and tanking for Cade have been sacrificed on the altar of "respectability" this season. A foolish and premature strategy which will bite us in the *** down the line, if you asked me.

Yep the smart strategy was to tank this year. That was never happening with Thibs.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

Welpee wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

HoustonSprewell84 wrote:I wouldn’t call him a bust yet, I was never expecting a 8th pick to become a superstar.
I would be happy if he becomes a solid rotation player.

He has a nice shooting form, I just don’t understand why he’s so bad in the post. I thought that was his strong point in college.

You mean in the A10 where he was older and bigger than everybody. I would fire the scouts that wanted to pick him.

Point of clarification, the A-10 is not a one and done league so the narrative you're trying to portray making it seem like he was a 22 year old playing against mostly 17-18 year olds is not accurate.

Also interesting that when Obi faced Kansas with a 6'10" and 7 footer in their starting front court he posted 18 pts, 9 rebs. It's also interesting that when he faced Georgia (SEC), Virginia Tech (ACC) and Kansas (Big 12) in consecutive games and averaged 22 ppg, 7 rebs, 1.3 blocks, shot 70% fg and 55% 3 pts.

Feel free to return to your hyperbole.

I hated this pick and I'm not surprised at all by how bad he has looked. The quicker we trade him the better for his career and the Knicks. We need to recoup some value for him this off-season before we drain it to nothing. He makes zero sense for this roster.

He has no value. NBA teams have scouts. They see what's happening. Thibs needs to figure out a better way to play Obi to his strengths.

Again, NEXT season is when we can really assess what Obi really projects to be. If next year he looks like he's looking now, we'll have a problem.

Welpee wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

Welpee wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

HoustonSprewell84 wrote:I wouldn’t call him a bust yet, I was never expecting a 8th pick to become a superstar.
I would be happy if he becomes a solid rotation player.

He has a nice shooting form, I just don’t understand why he’s so bad in the post. I thought that was his strong point in college.

You mean in the A10 where he was older and bigger than everybody. I would fire the scouts that wanted to pick him.

Point of clarification, the A-10 is not a one and done league so the narrative you're trying to portray making it seem like he was a 22 year old playing against mostly 17-18 year olds is not accurate.

Also interesting that when Obi faced Kansas with a 6'10" and 7 footer in their starting front court he posted 18 pts, 9 rebs. It's also interesting that when he faced Georgia (SEC), Virginia Tech (ACC) and Kansas (Big 12) in consecutive games and averaged 22 ppg, 7 rebs, 1.3 blocks, shot 70% fg and 55% 3 pts.

Feel free to return to your hyperbole.

I hated this pick and I'm not surprised at all by how bad he has looked. The quicker we trade him the better for his career and the Knicks. We need to recoup some value for him this off-season before we drain it to nothing. He makes zero sense for this roster.

He has no value. NBA teams have scouts. They see what's happening. Thibs needs to figure out a better way to play Obi to his strengths.

Thibs isn't here to make sure Obi look good. Thibs is here to win games, that's his priority. Obi needs to figure out how to contribute to that within the system he's playing in. It sucks that Obi doesn't have a quality PG, but that's the case for everybody on this team.

Again, NEXT season is when we can really assess what Obi really projects to be. If next year he looks like he's looking now, we'll have a problem.

The knicks struggle when it comes to drafting, I don't know why they even bother.

IN the last 2 dratfs I would have giving up 3 picks (1 current and 2 future) for Lamelo or Morant.

Not only because they were the best guards coming out, but we have desperately needed a franchise type PG for the last 15 yrs.

Last couple of games Obi took the initiative. Trying to create off the dribble.

I said this about Frank when he was a rook, and it applies to Obi as well. The only way he's going to get past the indecision, is to do what he has the last couple of games. Keep taking it to the rim (within the flow of the offense) not worrying about how ugly the takes are. Most players dont immediately look like veteran players. There are growing pains. Cant get past them, if you dont go through them. Cant do that playing passive.

Obi being more assertive is the first step in becoming a legit NBA player. Its anybody's guess how far he will go. If he can keep building on the minor progress he's made lately, Toppin might turn out to be a good pick. Too early to say either way. Many good NBA players looked like bad picks their rookie season.

GustavBahler wrote:Obi was used to feasting on smaller, slower, players, in college. Now, he has to deal with players who just as big, and just as fast, if not faster. All rooks go through this, might be worse for Obi because he cant just turn on the jets, and get by defenders (with his stride) like he did in college. Gave him a massive case of indecision. Watching Toppin play is watching someone who didnt know how to deal with the speed of the NBA game.

Last couple of games Obi took the initiative. Trying to create off the dribble.

I said this about Frank when he was a rook, and it applies to Obi as well. The only way he's going to get past the indecision, is to do what he has the last couple of games. Keep taking it to the rim (within the flow of the offense) not worrying about how ugly the takes are. Most players dont immediately look like veteran players. There are growing pains. Cant get past them, if you dont go through them. Cant do that playing passive.

Obi being more assertive is the first step in becoming a legit NBA player. Its anybody's guess how far he will go. If he can keep building on the minor progress he's made lately, Toppin might turn out to be a good pick. Too early to say either way. Many good NBA players looked like bad picks their rookie season.

And another thing that gets under my skin is this, other than Haliburton who was available at #8 that's remotely lighting it up right now? In fact, other than the top three picks, is there anybody really lighting it up who we're going to be kicking ourselves for not drafting over Toppin? It's also amusing that so many people are claiming they would've drafted Haliburton now. I don't recall him having THAT much support on this board prior to the draft.

Dupe wrote:Normally with Randle we have no fast break game. There are times with Knox and Obi in that I gasp and say wow as they fly down the court. The difference is so dramatic. I’m a little disappointed that we don’t utilize this more.

Knicks just don't have the personal to push the ball; Elf, RJ, Bullock, IQ, Burks, Randle just can't. Rose can.

Also think the pace of the game is dictated on gang rebounding and zero (or very limited) leaking out when a shot goes up. It's why Knox isn't getting playing time and has been yanked from lineup when on court, he forgot this.

GustavBahler wrote:For the first time this season. Im seeing Obi play more agressive with each game. Taking more chances. Give him time.

Welpee wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:IN the last 2 dratfs I would have giving up 3 picks (1 current and 2 future) for Lamelo or Morant.

Forum GMs have a perfect record when it comes to retroactive trade proposal.

I would not do that today either. Not even for Cade and Suggs. You need these guys WITH RJ, not INSTEAD of him.