Bonn1997 wrote:

nixluva wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:I don't have the super high expectations others do but I'd still love to get this guy. I wish we would trade Melo and do some serious rebuilding but I might change my mind about one thing: even if we're keeping Melo I still want to keep the pick. We'd just have to make it through those 4 remaining years of his contract and then there would be better possibilities.

Yup it really isn't that bad unless we give Melo another 5yr max contract which would not surprise me

IMO it just takes the pressure off Okafor in his early years. He won't be all alone on the team and trying to carry a team. Not to mention but Phil should be able to get even more front line help with the cap space he has. Imagine If he could add another pick as well and you basically are doing a rebuild but just with a good player already on board. We could be looking at a lot of younger players next year. It depends on who Phil targets.

Free Agents - Reggie Jackson, Brandon Knight, Tobias Harris, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Khris Middleton, Thomas Robinson?
Draft pick - Okafor, Towns, Mudiay?
Shumpert?
Hardaway
Early
Thanasis
Larkin
Wear
Acy
Galloway
Aldrich

If we're a .150 team right now, that leaves a lot of weight for the draft pick and FAs to carry.

Who knows maybe Melo will not want to be part of such a young group and be willing to accept a trade. I can only good things resulting from this bad season. The hands are being forced to a nearly full rebuild.

BRIGGS wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:If this kid is smart he'll stay in school.

So you would stay in school even though you are clearly by far the best player and sure shot to be a number 1 pick?

YES

dk7th wrote:he is a good college player but looks a bit short. and he isn't being defended-- it looks like he's just sort of practicing moves out there. i like the use of the glass but footwork could be an issue.

and as others have asked: where are the defensive highlights? we need two-way players who are at least average on both ends of the court-- right now there are none on the knicks. incredible but the record speaks for itself.

I think it's easy to just look at this kid and assume you are looking at a guy who is undersized and won't be able to do the same things in the NBA, but you have to look at the facts in relation to other bigs in the NBA that no one says are too small or whatever.

                        Height 	     Height 	
                        w/o Shoes    w/shoes    Weight	Wingspan     Reach
JaVale McGee - 2008	6' 11"	     7' 0"	241	7' 6"	     9' 6.5"	
DeAndre Jordan - 2008	6' 9.75"	     6' 11"	250	7' 6"	     9' 5.5"		   
Anthony Davis - 2012	6' 9.25"     6' 10.5"	222	7' 5.5"	     9' 0"		
Jahlil Okafor - 2013	NA	     6' 10.75"	273	7' 6"	     9' 3"	
DeMarcus Cousins - 2010	6' 9.5"	     6' 10.75"	292	7' 5.75"     9' 5"	
Larry Sanders - 2010	6' 9.25"	     6' 10.5"	222	7' 5.75"     9' 4"	
Brook Lopez - 2008	6' 11.25"    7' 0.5"	256	7' 5.5"	     9' 5"

This kid is a big PF and he's right in the same ball park as any other bigs we would expect him to go against. He's got powerful legs and a low center of gravity which allows him to move so well for a guy his size.

gunsnewing wrote:

dk7th wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:If this kid is smart he'll stay in school.

So you would stay in school even though you are clearly by far the best player and sure shot to be a number 1 pick?

YES

Too much of a risk with the way young players are going down with serious injuries. There are former number one picks who should've stayed in school. Im ok with OK4 coming out. He's very polished offensively for a 19yr. He is not going to learn defense in college. College coaching and defense is not what it used to be. When you had ewing, hakeem etc. Let him learn nba defense, Just not from Melo

Bonn1997 wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:

dk7th wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:If this kid is smart he'll stay in school.

So you would stay in school even though you are clearly by far the best player and sure shot to be a number 1 pick?

YES

Too much of a risk with the way young players are going down with serious injuries. There are former number one picks who should've stayed in school. Im ok with OK4 coming out. He's very polished offensively for a 19yr. He is not going to learn defense in college. College coaching and defense is not what it used to be. When you had ewing, hakeem etc. Let him learn nba defense, Just not from Melo

Agreed. That's a crazy risk. You can play in the NBA in a year from now and make enough money to secure your and your family's future. You don't risk that just because some idealistic fans think you'll gain maturity and polish your game better by staying in school.

This.