Another thing I like -- say what you want about Woody and he has me scratching my head too a lot: if guys like Hardaway jr and Leslie get lost on defense/play aloof on the defensive end -- he'll let them know it right away and they'll sit. Defensive intensity looks to be the one main concern with both players -- like a lot of young players (and certain vets too) they get lost and don't give 110% on the defensive end of the floor. Woody, for all his problems, won't put up with poor defensive effort, esp. from rookies. That's a given with him and I look at it as a major positive with these 2. Woody will keep the pressure on and get these guys to the point where they'll be giving optimum effort on the defensive end...If these kids wanna play for a guy like Woodson, they're gonna have to bring it defensively right off the bat. If each guy tightens that area up to the point where, unlike college, the defensive effort's there all the time now -- look out!

Has anyone picked up Seth Curry? For my money, I think he's a slightly better bet than either Leslie or Hardaway Jr. Yes, his upside is limited and he's never going to be a star but even playing injured and not practicing this year, he looked to me smart enough and skilled enough to contribute significantly to the right team. Like Leslie and Haraway, he's a longshot but I'm not going to be surprised when he surfaces as a contributor on a winning team in a few years. I will be pleasantly surprised if Leslie or Hardaway playing for more than a couple years.

NumberTwoPencil wrote:CJ Leslie is a worthwhile low risk pickup, IMO. He might not have the head/game for the Knicks but I suspect he's going to at least kick around the league for a few years and he might figure it out. NC State's teams and style of play over the last couple of years were iffy and even on a good night, it was hard to figure out what Leslie might look like playing with better/stronger players. Maybe, maybe not, but worth trying.

Has anyone picked up Seth Curry? For my money, I think he's a slightly better bet than either Leslie or Hardaway Jr. Yes, his upside is limited and he's never going to be a star but even playing injured and not practicing this year, he looked to me smart enough and skilled enough to contribute significantly to the right team. Like Leslie and Haraway, he's a longshot but I'm not going to be surprised when he surfaces as a contributor on a winning team in a few years. I will be pleasantly surprised if Leslie or Hardaway playing for more than a couple years.

playa2 wrote:Why would the knicks pick up Leslie when nobody else wanted him in the entire draft ?

CrushAlot wrote:

playa2 wrote:Why would the knicks pick up Leslie when nobody else wanted him in the entire draft ?

Leslie was a great signing. Knicks wanted him possibly at 24. If you look back at the draft thread he was the guy some were discussing as a puzzling non pick. He is very good.

So why wasn't he picked in the 2nd rd? Does he have any off the court issues ? Knicks brass said they were going to take Reggie Bullock at 24 if Hardaway was gone.

Markji wrote:Knicks were trying to get a 2nd round pick and most believe it was to draft Leslie. His weakness is consistant play and focus. Also, most believe he is a tweener - a PF in a SF body and so were unsure about his transition to the NBA. However, he can score, handle the ball well, and has great athleticism.

playa2 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

playa2 wrote:Why would the knicks pick up Leslie when nobody else wanted him in the entire draft ?

Leslie was a great signing. Knicks wanted him possibly at 24. If you look back at the draft thread he was the guy some were discussing as a puzzling non pick. He is very good.

So why wasn't he picked in the 2nd rd? Does he have any off the court issues ? Knicks brass said they were going to take Reggie Bullock at 24 if Hardaway was gone.

Ira wrote:Leslie's an undrafted free agent. A guy with that length and athleticism doesn't escape two rounds of the draft unless there are holes in his game and some questions about him personally. I'm glad we went with someone with significant upside rather than someone who doesn't have the talent to make it no matter how hard he works. The odds are against him, but if he does see the light and develop a good work ethic and some kind of jump shot, this kid could be very good.

Weaknesses: Most of his problems stem from a lack of focus and motivation on the court … Questionable motor on both ends of the floor … Scouts have major reservations about his basketball IQ / attitude / negative body language ... Doesn't have a true position. Lacks strength at the 4 and skills to play the 3 ... Lacks great decision making, passing skills to play on the perimeter (1:2 A/TO ratio) ... Has been known to disappear in games, although he was a bit more consistent in his final college season … Needs to be more assertive, particularly when matched up against smaller or slower defenders … Offensively his touches come in a variety of ways, but nothing is overly effective ... Lacks any sort of consistent perimeter shot, which allows bigger defenders to play off of him … More effective in transition than in the half court game. NC State attempted to use him on the block, but his post game never evolved ... Gets lazy on defense and fails to do the little things, such as closing out on shooters and fighting through screens … Too skinny for his size and must put on weight or he will be unable to defend the 4 (his natural position) in the NBA … Turnover-prone (3 per game last season) … No consistent post moves will force him to be a face-up forward … Inability to ad strength via weight training during college career points to a lack of work ethic ... Hasn’t come close to his full potential at age 21, which suggests that he never will … Will turn 22 just before draft night, meaning he's the age of a senior ... Should be a much more efficient defender considering his athleticism and length ... Really struggles defending in the post

loweyecue wrote:This dude will never see any PT with Woodson, given his weaknesses. Nor should he.