Posted by fishmike:

BJ is a sick athlete.. I never questioned that. But he's totally unskilled and has no instincts for 5 on 5 ball (yet).

Most super athletic underskilled bigmen are busts in the NBA. The ones that do make it take several years to develop. Briggs are you patient enough to let this guy sit for 2-3 years while he learns how to play basketball?

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by fishmike:

BJ is a sick athlete.. I never questioned that. But he's totally unskilled and has no instincts for 5 on 5 ball (yet).

Most super athletic underskilled bigmen are busts in the NBA. The ones that do make it take several years to develop. Briggs are you patient enough to let this guy sit for 2-3 years while he learns how to play basketball?

I think he can play right away off the bench. He's not under-skilled. He knows how to play. If he didnt know how to play he wouldnt be shooting 70% in the big ten as a freshmen.

Posted by fishmike:

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by Pharzeone:

I think it will come down to DeRozan and the guy they liked last year but pulled out Budinger. I would be very surprise if this regime takes on a big man prospect via the draft.

I will be surprised too. I think when we can all remember when we knew we were getting Channing Frye and most people were disgusted by it--it still happened and look at the result. I think the same thing may just occur with Gallinari. To me it's pretty simple--there are few athletic 7-1 275 pound 18 year olds on the planet. This is a unique athlete. You can find 8 Chase Budingers in Europe. You can find 6-6 athletes who cant shoot all over the place-- but the 7-1 guy--he is a rare bird. I always consider what is in the best long term interests of the NY Knicks. The people who run the Knicks don't think that way--they never have--thats why we havent drafted well with a few late round exceptions in the last 25 years. If we go back to last year and Bynum and Gallinari were both coming out--the Knicks would take Gallinari--and they will continue to not learn from their mistakes. they don't understand the unique athlete and what he can do in the nBA[sans nate which I give props to IT] I hear a lot of people say they believe Anthony Randolph will be a great NBA player--I don't hear a peep about Gallinari--but we have to accept it---we now have two of the all time worst GM's in terms of the draft Gabriel and Grunwald and we know Dantoni is not a talent guy--i.e Marcus Banks I think Donnie Walsh is more of the don at this point--as in the guys under him suggest a guy and he does what they say. It's a very ego centric business--they don't want to admit mistakes.
what do I think will happen--they will lose a player they didnt think they would lose--maybe more than 1 from the current team and draft poorly again. Thats my guess and it's been pretty systematic that it will happen again.

that the same thought process that got Bowie drafted over MJ.

Thats a fear thought process. Every GM gets a pass if you draft size that doesnt pan out. But how how how can you pass on the 7 footer for a skinny SF????

for every Amare or Bynum (who still hasnt made it through one season without breaking) there are 4 Kwame Browns and Eddy Curry's.

why he’s only played 17 minutes per game through his first nine contests. Often the first one down the floor on offense, he’s typically the last one to get back on defense. The concept of a zone defense looks completely foreign to him, and it’s very typical to see him completely out of place (sometimes wildly chasing a steal), which causes his team’s entire defense to collapse. He looks very lost at times trying to do anything more than use his pure instincts, which is a bit of a concern when you consider how tactical the NBA is on both ends of the floor. The one assist he’s dished out through nine games, compared with 11 turnovers, tells the story quite well regarding his basketball IQ and understanding of the game at the moment.

maybe the guy is awesome.

Look around the league at how many good 7 footers there are. Maybe he's the next Dalembert.

He's playing with a supreme athletic advantage right now. He wont be in the NBA

Fish we are going back to the same argument about Bowie over MJ concerning Gallinari. I know many people here want to use that thought process but its not even in the same ballpark. MJ's potential was more than obvious to all including the Blazers. The fact of the matter is that they had what they perceive to be a special SG already in Clyde with the same potential. I can't recall any draft pundits saying the same about Gallinari. If I remember correctly he was considered to be the best of a rather weak international prospect list for the 2008 draft. Also, as predicted the skinny SF is stronger than the 7 footer. You got to take more than a Knicks scout opinion on these issues and look at what the vast medium is saying. Saying I drafted Reggie Miller and Chuck Persons can only get you so far.

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by TMS:

MY final list for this years draft given that we are not top 3 and anywhere from 7-13 or so

good job of providing urself with plenty of outs just in case 1 of the prospects u didn't mention in this thread turns out to be a stud... that way u can fall back on the 20 other "get me this guy" threads you've posted & say you wanted him all along.

Don't worry I've been keeping a Briggs list. It's actually pretty funny to look at.

Posted by Ira:

Looking at various draft lists, the two players I think are most underrated are Cole Aldrich and Ty Lawson. I gave my feelings about Aldrich several times before, so I'll limit my comments to saying that while Mullens is bigger and faster than Aldrich, Aldrich scores, passes, rebounds and plays better d than Mullens. It's true that you can't teach size and speed, but it's also true that you can't teach brains, heart and instinct.

I guess Lawson is ranked so far back because of his size. It's true that being 5'11 is a disadvantage in the nba. But it's also true that Lawson will be the best passing pg in this draft unless Rubio comes out. He also scores well both from three point range and driving to the hoop. Although he is small, he manages to play good d.

I think both of these players are going to be quality starters in the nba. Both should be available when we pick. Neither has star quality, but what can you expect picking about 8-10 in a weak draft.