CrushAlot wrote:Muscala seems to be getting more press. From SI:

Best Second-Round Sleeper: Mike Muscala, Bucknell

What Muscala lacks in strength and athleticism he makes up for with a high skill level. Muscala swept the Patriot League awards last season, becoming the first player to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, and led the league in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Muscala can knock down the perimeter jumper and score inside with both hands while shooting better than 80 percent from the free throw line. There is some serious talent in an admittedly skinny frame.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130605/nba-draft-2013-superlatives-michael-carter-williams-nerlens-noel/#ixzz2VMDaASZk

I took note of him because myself (and islesfan) are American quasi-graduates... honestly I just assumed he won a lot of the awards because - let's face it - it's the Patriot League. He was the best player in a boxscore I saw against AU. If Mr. Resident Big Man Scout thinks Muscala is a baller, I'm in.

AU games were fun because it was always cool to see if JVG would attend to support former AU coach Jeff Jones, his buddy. Muscala didn't play when he was at DC I don't think. I can't remember. So maybe that's a bad sign? He did have a huge game against AU - saw that box score. Didn't see it.

I'll buy that PF argument though. Give him Shawne Williams old role and let him be that "stretch four" we hear people talk about wanting/needing here. Melo seems to relish this point forward idea so let him initiate the offense. Find open teammates in the first three quarters and then do his thing in the 4th.

If your power forward can run down the court and hit 15 out - why not. The Knicks kind of have to play a certain way because Chandler plays a certain way. So does Amar'e for that matter. Let Tyson run the high PnR and Felton, JR, and Shump attack the basket. Let Muscala and Novak and COPELAND shoot threes. Could Muscala be a homeless man's healthy Amar'e? I am intrigued

So let Melo steal Pringles playbook and tell Woody to shut the eff up. Melo runs the offense and Woody runs the Defense. But only if he kicks butt on the Defensive end. Steal that tactic from that mutant lookin Heat coach. I always thought that was brilliant.

NardDogNation wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Muscala seems to be getting more press. From SI:

Best Second-Round Sleeper: Mike Muscala, Bucknell

What Muscala lacks in strength and athleticism he makes up for with a high skill level. Muscala swept the Patriot League awards last season, becoming the first player to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, and led the league in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Muscala can knock down the perimeter jumper and score inside with both hands while shooting better than 80 percent from the free throw line. There is some serious talent in an admittedly skinny frame.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130605/nba-draft-2013-superlatives-michael-carter-williams-nerlens-noel/#ixzz2VMDaASZk

Of his awards, the Scholar-Athlete of the Year is most impressive to me. Basketball always has and will always be an intelligent man's game, which Muscala should fair well in because of his smarts. If you think of the "superstars" in the NBA, each of them have a cerebral nature about them. I'm not saying Muscala will be that good (without the physical tools) obviously but he definitely has half the battle won as far as success is concerned.

The physical tools..... he's almost 7 feet tall--that is a physical skill!! Look how agile he is at 7 feet. He dribbles the ball on the move with either hand. Hes got body control hes well above average with every skill on both ends. Dirk Nowitski was 220 pounds when he came into the league--hes 245 now. This guy can be a player like that. He has the size skills mobility/agility/toughness and intelligence. He's got the perception that he's a small center that hes a 2nbd round sleeper--hes a skinny center who will be bodied etc... how about hes a really tall mobile 4 with an in/out game handles with either hand has a deadly shot advanced post moves is a good passer rebounder defender. This guy was not used right--Bucknell--they used a halfcourt set a slow paced game--this guy is much better than even his gaudy stats--people are missing the boat--it took me time to realize how skilled this guy is the fact that he IS NOT a 5--although all of these mocks from SI the pros etc..keep logging him in as one. Hes going to be 2-3 inches taller than most guys he plays at the 4 and he can go in and out depending who it is and hes shown he can go high into the assists which is a really great skill as well.

Knixkik wrote:

nixluva wrote:When the going get's tough having great NBA level skills will trump just being an impressive athlete. At the NBA level you have to be able to actually play more than just being an athletic freak. The Freaks often look great at combines but get lost when they hit NBA competition. I wouldn't mind a Muscala pick for that size and skill. Zach Randolph isn't fast or athletic, but he's been getting it done for years with skill.

When you look at the big men in San Antonio, Memphis, and Indiana you are absolutely right. And Muscala definitely fits the mold of someone who would be successful in these places. San Antonio seems like a great landing place for him if we don't select him.

IMO it's always a good thing to do things the The Spurs handle their business. They know the hell they're doing out there. They find a way to load up on SOLID NBA skilled players with good character. The entire team is full of those kinds of guys. That's what we need to do here in NY. Add more Skilled players who understand the game and know their roles.

If we added two offensive minded skill players one in the frontcourt one in the back who can both help now--this team will be much improved.

BRIGGS wrote:All I want is two really good skill players--one for the frontcourt one for the backcourt. I really think Muscala would be a great smart choice for us. Looking at the PGs if we cant get Wolters or Green Isiahh cannan would be fine for us. Hes put together one of the best shooters in the draft fast and athletic. Has some Tim Hardaway sr resemblance

If we added two offensive minded skill players one in the frontcourt one in the back who can both help now--this team will be much improved.

It isnt easy to get very early 2nd rounders. The guys you are targeting will be picked up in the very early 2nd round.

BRIGGS wrote:With a guy like this--you look at him and say--I can put 15 hard pounds on him. Look at his arms and shoulders--his lower body has solid base. Its his upper body thats needs work. For anyone who understands anything about weight training--you look at a guy with this frame and ytou can see just how easy it would be to make him a hard 245. Once hes 245 hes going to be an animal hard to contain inside and out. Remember Dirk many years ago playing against USA select he put up 34 and they won by 6 the USA team had Al Harrington Rashard Lewis etc.. Dirk weighed about 210. He now weighs 248.. Same thing with Muscala--he has all of the skills--he needs the 15 pounds and to be put ito proper position at 4. If a team is smart and can figure it out--they have a real steal on their hands a guy who is going to be capable of many 20+ points NBA scoring nights with good rebounding team play this guy can pass block shots. This guy played in a slow halfcourt college system and took ONLY 13 '''3's all year. When a guy can shoot like that--he should shoot 2-3 3's a game balanced with 8-12 mid range and low post shots--in and out. They didnt figure this out at Bucknell. Mark this post many teams will view Muscala as a skinny 5 who cant play NBA defense and three years from now will be shaking their heads why he wasnt their pick.

Knicks are working out Muscala Monday. If he performs well Im sure the Knicks might draft him. Knicks have alot of holes going forward.

I want BPA. If that is Muscala then so be it.

franco12 wrote:Briggs- I don't disagree that this kid might be the best pick for us to make, I just worry it won't be easy for him to simply put the weight/muscle needed to be able to contribute in the short term - next year or two.

When you're 21--putting on 15 pounds of muscle is cake.

Who'll be the biggest surprise out of the second round? A versatile big man out of the Patriot League is one expert's pick.

Obviously, this is a very subjective question. Only time will determine which player will in fact be the biggest second-round steal. And as of today, we don't even know which players will slip out of round one.

That being said, CNNSI.com's Chris Mannix wrote last week that Bucknell's Mike Muscala would be his pick. "What Muscala lacks in strength and athleticism he makes up for with a high skill level. Muscala swept the Patriot League awards last season, becoming the first player to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, and led the league in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Muscala can knock down the perimeter jumper and score inside with both hands while shooting better than 80 percent from the free throw line. There is some serious talent in an admittedly skinny frame."

The 6-foot-11, 239-pounder put on a shoot exhibition during a workout in New York recently, and is coming off a huge senior season where he led the Patriot League in scoring (18.7), rebounding (11.1) and blocks (2.4). The big question at this point is whether Muscala will get the guaranteed contract that comes with being a first-rounder. He's currently No. 32 on Chad Ford's Big Board.

Source: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nba/rumors/