TripleThreat wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:How can anyone watching this not believe that okafor is the best player in the nation for his age?

How can anyone reading this thread not fully believe you won't change your mind in about three days. The only thing consistent about you is you desire the latest and greatest thing in your mind. I used to wonder, "Who buys a Chevy truck/Pepsi/Doritos/pet food/time shares/Shake Weights/Chia Pets just because of the commercial?" After a season full of Briggs, now I know.

It's literally like watching a high school girl try to pick out a prom dress.

"No, this one! Uh..no, that one! Or .... that one!"

***

"Listen Billie Jean, you aren't just at the prom, a one time in your life event, you are with the Briggs-ster, which is really being with a one time in your life event on top of said one time in your life event. You get me? You get me right? Now, let's talk turkey. Your virginity in the back seat of my Ford Pacer here, it's really like an expiring contract. So I think since I let you order the prime rib, when I could have just said, take the chicken, baby, I mean, to me, that's a fair trade considering I made a sacrifice earlier. And I won't take one thing less since I'm basically like a first round pick. I mean I know what you are thinking. He's just a high schooler. He can't be epic. Not like the guy in Twilight. But I assure you, I will produce here at a historic rate. Take all high schoolers, all high school seniors, and I will literally hump you like a Hall Of Famer. No learning curve or anything. What? I can't hear you? ( Girl mumbles and tries to scream through the duct tape binding her mouth and the flex cuffs restraining her arms behind her back) Don't worry baby, it's a fair trade. An extremely fair trade. "

Sure i never spoke the praises of Okafor and I wasnt the first person to say give Enes Kanter a max contract. Ok If i remember right you think Robin Lopez will change our franchise---blah blah blah blah another really ignorant triple threat bash

Vmart wrote:If the Knicks walk away with Ok4 that would be perfect. Towns would be a good pick but will time to develop a NBA game. Mudiay would fit well with that SG/PG that just works in the triangle. Russell I wouldn't take that high up on the draft board 6-10 pick at best. Your looking at a Dragic type player. Good player just not that high up lacks the athleticism and speed.

Towns would impact right away (on defense)....same with OK4 (on offense).

Also, an injured Melo is still better than OK4 right now. You guys are drinking too much March madness koolaid. Melo is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and even the haters like Barkley agrees with that.

OK4 needs to be fed in the paint, in a slow half court set, to be impactful at the next level..... OK4 will not play in crunch time, shooting 50% from the free throw line, so his impact his first year will be limited. OK4 can't guard the pick and roll. He will get switched up, crossed up and fouled out quick. He's the next zack randolph / al Jefferson type which isn't bad at all.

Melo will be a knick for a very long time. His game is suited to play into his 40's, unlike Lebron, Westbrook and other athletic freeks. As Melo gets older, he will get closer to the rim, and but heads with OK4, similar to how Melo and Amari didn't have enough room on offense....and gave up layup lines on defense (haven't we learned from this already). With the current team we have, it's very clear Towns is the best pick for us....or Russell.

Do you guys understand that Towns can guard almost every damn position on the court. Towns has good lateral movement for a 7 footers. OK4 can't even guard his own man, due to todays stretch 4 / 5 small ball they play in the NBA. Towns has shown a left and right hand hook shot in the paint, with his back to the basket. Towns has a mid range jumper. Towns shoots free throws better than Mudiay and other athletic guards. Towns 7'0 tall, and projected to grow even taller. Towns is the prototypical center that can guard small ball or big ball.

Trust me, I'm happy if we add any talent. But if I'm the GM, theres no way I pass on a once in a lifetime prospect like Towns. There are plenty of bigs in the NBA that can score in the post. We can buy one of them with all the cap room this year and next year. You can't buy a prospect like Towns, unless we plan on getting Anthony Davis any time soon.

blkexec wrote:This is the one time I'm glad I didn't watch the game.....Because I would be drinking the OK4 Koolaid like everybody else. So the first thing I looked at was San Diego's roster.....Pathetic. Looks like Shepard had most of the bigs playing time....I think. He's 6"8 with shoes on.....205 lbs. They have all forwards 6'8 or less....NO CENTERS.
Sorry, but the #1 pick is still up in the air. I want to see OK4 against NBA caliber bigs.

0 Skylar Spencer F 6-10 235 JR Inglewood, CA
2 Kevin Zabo G 6-2 185 FR Gatineau, PQ
3 Angelo Chol F 6-9 225 JR San Diego, CA
4 Dakarai Allen G 6-5 195 SO Elk Grove, CA
5 Dwayne Polee II F 6-7 195 SR Los Angeles, CA
10 Aqeel Quinn G 6-3 200 SR Los Angeles, CA
11 D'Erryl Williams G 6-2 200 SO Sacramento, CA
12 Trey Kell G 6-4 190 FR San Diego, CA
13 Winston Shepard F 6-8 205 JR Houston, TX
14 Zylan Cheatham F 6-7 205 FR Phoenix, AZ
20 J.J. O'Brien F 6-7 220 SR Rancho Cucamonga, CA
21 Malik Pope F 6-8 205 FR Elk Grove, CA
22 Parker U'u G 6-4 210 SO Sacramento, CA
23 Kibret Woldemichael G 5-7 150 SO San Marcos, CA
24 Ryan Staten G 6-2 190 SR San Pablo, CA
24 Ryan Staten G 6-2 190 SR San Pablo, CA
33 Niksha Federico F 6-6 185 SO San Diego, CA
40 Matt Shrigley F 6-6 195 SO San Diego, CA

Vmart wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Vmart wrote:If the Knicks walk away with Ok4 that would be perfect. Towns would be a good pick but will time to develop a NBA game. Mudiay would fit well with that SG/PG that just works in the triangle. Russell I wouldn't take that high up on the draft board 6-10 pick at best. Your looking at a Dragic type player. Good player just not that high up lacks the athleticism and speed.

Towns would impact right away (on defense)....same with OK4 (on offense).

Also, an injured Melo is still better than OK4 right now. You guys are drinking too much March madness koolaid. Melo is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and even the haters like Barkley agrees with that.

OK4 needs to be fed in the paint, in a slow half court set, to be impactful at the next level..... OK4 will not play in crunch time, shooting 50% from the free throw line, so his impact his first year will be limited. OK4 can't guard the pick and roll. He will get switched up, crossed up and fouled out quick. He's the next zack randolph / al Jefferson type which isn't bad at all.

Melo will be a knick for a very long time. His game is suited to play into his 40's, unlike Lebron, Westbrook and other athletic freeks. As Melo gets older, he will get closer to the rim, and but heads with OK4, similar to how Melo and Amari didn't have enough room on offense....and gave up layup lines on defense (haven't we learned from this already). With the current team we have, it's very clear Towns is the best pick for us....or Russell.

Do you guys understand that Towns can guard almost every damn position on the court. Towns has good lateral movement for a 7 footers. OK4 can't even guard his own man, due to todays stretch 4 / 5 small ball they play in the NBA. Towns has shown a left and right hand hook shot in the paint, with his back to the basket. Towns has a mid range jumper. Towns shoots free throws better than Mudiay and other athletic guards. Towns 7'0 tall, and projected to grow even taller. Towns is the prototypical center that can guard small ball or big ball.

Trust me, I'm happy if we add any talent. But if I'm the GM, theres no way I pass on a once in a lifetime prospect like Towns. There are plenty of bigs in the NBA that can score in the post. We can buy one of them with all the cap room this year and next year. You can't buy a prospect like Towns, unless we plan on getting Anthony Davis any time soon.

I don't think you understand how well protected Towns is on Kentucky. His flaws are being hidden. Every game OK4 plays he is the main focal point of other teams. You talk about lateral quickness OK4 has it and some. You see Towns flying around on defense I see it but OK4 doesn't have the luxury to fly around as he is needed on the floor for his team to do well. Where as Towns can take the risks knowing that the have a plethora of big men on their team.

If given a choice hands down its OK4. Now I'm not say Towns isn't going to be a great player he has all the tools to be great but I think he will need time to develop his skills. Now OK4 has to improve also his post game is polished but other facets are raw too. Put it this way what the Knicks have is a nice problem to have.

blkexec wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Vmart wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Vmart wrote:If the Knicks walk away with Ok4 that would be perfect. Towns would be a good pick but will time to develop a NBA game. Mudiay would fit well with that SG/PG that just works in the triangle. Russell I wouldn't take that high up on the draft board 6-10 pick at best. Your looking at a Dragic type player. Good player just not that high up lacks the athleticism and speed.

Towns would impact right away (on defense)....same with OK4 (on offense).

Also, an injured Melo is still better than OK4 right now. You guys are drinking too much March madness koolaid. Melo is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and even the haters like Barkley agrees with that.

OK4 needs to be fed in the paint, in a slow half court set, to be impactful at the next level..... OK4 will not play in crunch time, shooting 50% from the free throw line, so his impact his first year will be limited. OK4 can't guard the pick and roll. He will get switched up, crossed up and fouled out quick. He's the next zack randolph / al Jefferson type which isn't bad at all.

Melo will be a knick for a very long time. His game is suited to play into his 40's, unlike Lebron, Westbrook and other athletic freeks. As Melo gets older, he will get closer to the rim, and but heads with OK4, similar to how Melo and Amari didn't have enough room on offense....and gave up layup lines on defense (haven't we learned from this already). With the current team we have, it's very clear Towns is the best pick for us....or Russell.

Do you guys understand that Towns can guard almost every damn position on the court. Towns has good lateral movement for a 7 footers. OK4 can't even guard his own man, due to todays stretch 4 / 5 small ball they play in the NBA. Towns has shown a left and right hand hook shot in the paint, with his back to the basket. Towns has a mid range jumper. Towns shoots free throws better than Mudiay and other athletic guards. Towns 7'0 tall, and projected to grow even taller. Towns is the prototypical center that can guard small ball or big ball.

Trust me, I'm happy if we add any talent. But if I'm the GM, theres no way I pass on a once in a lifetime prospect like Towns. There are plenty of bigs in the NBA that can score in the post. We can buy one of them with all the cap room this year and next year. You can't buy a prospect like Towns, unless we plan on getting Anthony Davis any time soon.

I don't think you understand how well protected Towns is on Kentucky. His flaws are being hidden. Every game OK4 plays he is the main focal point of other teams. You talk about lateral quickness OK4 has it and some. You see Towns flying around on defense I see it but OK4 doesn't have the luxury to fly around as he is needed on the floor for his team to do well. Where as Towns can take the risks knowing that the have a plethora of big men on their team.

If given a choice hands down its OK4. Now I'm not say Towns isn't going to be a great player he has all the tools to be great but I think he will need time to develop his skills. Now OK4 has to improve also his post game is polished but other facets are raw too. Put it this way what the Knicks have is a nice problem to have.

Vmart--okafor has to be concerned about a slight bump. The guys on Kentucky have an advantage to fly around unimpeded. I like Towns a LOT but he is behind Okafor by a fair margin. Hes pick 2 no doubt but oak is 1.

All great points....But my question remains.....If Phil has the number 1 pick, is he picking to build around Melo or eventually replacing Melo? We should get this answer on draft day, assuming we get the #1 pick. If it's anything else, this is a mute point since Phil will pick the best available.

It's all about do we pick for current impact on offense (eventhough Phil said he will use FA's to build this team)....Or do you want to pick a potential 2-way stud. Something the knicks haven't seen since Patrick Ewing, at the center position. Young two way bigs are a luxury to have.

My biggest fear is OK4 will be another Amari, where they had to alternate who plays and who sits. You don't pick a top draft pick, and plan to bring him off the bench. But that will be the case, if they cannot build offensive chemistry. Also, look at Lance Thomas minutes last game. Fisher likes two way players.....Towns will get more playing time because of that.

OK4 needs offensive plays to show his value.

Towns doesn't need his number called on offense to add value.

This helps when you have a star player whos a ball hog that will consistently take all of the offensive shots, especially in crutch time. Then with OK4, you are forcing Melo to play even harder on defense, due to the lack of shot blockers behind him. Towns will solve those potential chemistry issues with Melo on both ends, while covering up Melo's defensive weaknesses with rim protection and blind side defense.

I don't think the Knicks should be worried about Melo when making the draft pick. This is about picking a player that will take the team over as the face of the franchise. I believe OK4 is the better choice as he demands the ball, makes life easier for all the players with an inside outside game that is what this new NBA is all about. Phil knows what a scoring big man can do just look at his accomplishments with Shaquille. He also knows how to win without big men who aren't that great at scoring see Bulls championship basically a center by committee. One thing he does know very well is you have to have multiple great players to build around.

blkexec wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Vmart wrote:

blkexec wrote:

Vmart wrote:If the Knicks walk away with Ok4 that would be perfect. Towns would be a good pick but will time to develop a NBA game. Mudiay would fit well with that SG/PG that just works in the triangle. Russell I wouldn't take that high up on the draft board 6-10 pick at best. Your looking at a Dragic type player. Good player just not that high up lacks the athleticism and speed.

Towns would impact right away (on defense)....same with OK4 (on offense).

Also, an injured Melo is still better than OK4 right now. You guys are drinking too much March madness koolaid. Melo is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and even the haters like Barkley agrees with that.

OK4 needs to be fed in the paint, in a slow half court set, to be impactful at the next level..... OK4 will not play in crunch time, shooting 50% from the free throw line, so his impact his first year will be limited. OK4 can't guard the pick and roll. He will get switched up, crossed up and fouled out quick. He's the next zack randolph / al Jefferson type which isn't bad at all.

Melo will be a knick for a very long time. His game is suited to play into his 40's, unlike Lebron, Westbrook and other athletic freeks. As Melo gets older, he will get closer to the rim, and but heads with OK4, similar to how Melo and Amari didn't have enough room on offense....and gave up layup lines on defense (haven't we learned from this already). With the current team we have, it's very clear Towns is the best pick for us....or Russell.

Do you guys understand that Towns can guard almost every damn position on the court. Towns has good lateral movement for a 7 footers. OK4 can't even guard his own man, due to todays stretch 4 / 5 small ball they play in the NBA. Towns has shown a left and right hand hook shot in the paint, with his back to the basket. Towns has a mid range jumper. Towns shoots free throws better than Mudiay and other athletic guards. Towns 7'0 tall, and projected to grow even taller. Towns is the prototypical center that can guard small ball or big ball.

Trust me, I'm happy if we add any talent. But if I'm the GM, theres no way I pass on a once in a lifetime prospect like Towns. There are plenty of bigs in the NBA that can score in the post. We can buy one of them with all the cap room this year and next year. You can't buy a prospect like Towns, unless we plan on getting Anthony Davis any time soon.

I don't think you understand how well protected Towns is on Kentucky. His flaws are being hidden. Every game OK4 plays he is the main focal point of other teams. You talk about lateral quickness OK4 has it and some. You see Towns flying around on defense I see it but OK4 doesn't have the luxury to fly around as he is needed on the floor for his team to do well. Where as Towns can take the risks knowing that the have a plethora of big men on their team.

If given a choice hands down its OK4. Now I'm not say Towns isn't going to be a great player he has all the tools to be great but I think he will need time to develop his skills. Now OK4 has to improve also his post game is polished but other facets are raw too. Put it this way what the Knicks have is a nice problem to have.

Vmart--okafor has to be concerned about a slight bump. The guys on Kentucky have an advantage to fly around unimpeded. I like Towns a LOT but he is behind Okafor by a fair margin. Hes pick 2 no doubt but oak is 1.

All great points....But my question remains.....If Phil has the number 1 pick, is he picking to build around Melo or eventually replacing Melo? We should get this answer on draft day, assuming we get the #1 pick. If it's anything else, this is a mute point since Phil will pick the best available.

It's all about do we pick for current impact on offense (eventhough Phil said he will use FA's to build this team)....Or do you want to pick a potential 2-way stud. Something the knicks haven't seen since Patrick Ewing, at the center position. Young two way bigs are a luxury to have.

My biggest fear is OK4 will be another Amari, where they had to alternate who plays and who sits. You don't pick a top draft pick, and plan to bring him off the bench. But that will be the case, if they cannot build offensive chemistry. Also, look at Lance Thomas minutes last game. Fisher likes two way players.....Towns will get more playing time because of that.

OK4 needs offensive plays to show his value.

Towns doesn't need his number called on offense to add value.

This helps when you have a star player whos a ball hog that will consistently take all of the offensive shots, especially in crutch time. Then with OK4, you are forcing Melo to play even harder on defense, due to the lack of shot blockers behind him. Towns will solve those potential chemistry issues with Melo on both ends, while covering up Melo's defensive weaknesses with rim protection and blind side defense.

->OK4 needs offensive plays to show his value. Why wouldnt you want the ball in Jahi's hands when he will make 60% of his shots and pass the ball when hes covered. CA doesnt do either of these things.

WaltLongmire wrote:Saw the game. OK4 is great on offense, and even when he misses he looks like he knows what he is doing, for the most part, but I saw nothing to make me think he will help us as a defender.

Within the first minute he turned/backed away from away from a guy who got to the basket along the baseline, instead of setting a tone by trying to block the shot.

He did have 3 blocks against a terrible offensive team, but only 1 personal foul in 33 minutes.

In general, he seems indifferent as a defender.

Don't get me wrong, I would have no issue if Jackson/Fisher etc. work him out and feel he is the guy we want, but I don't think things are as black and white as some folks would have us think.

Towns is protected by Stein and the KU shuttle system, Russell is spectacular, but inconsistent, Mudiay is hidden by the Great Wall, and the other top prospects all have this or that weakness. There is no perfect pick at #1, IMO, and therefore we debate.

What we really need is a Duke/Kentucky matchup. I know a single game cannot tell the whole story, but it would be nice to see OK4 up against Stein and Towns. You would not only learn a bit about his offensive skills, but also see how he defends.

Agreed. I really really hope it happens

FistOfOakley wrote:for all the ppl goin crazy over okafor's game against sdsu... half the team including the coach were sick...

I hope Ok4 and the rest of Duke are not sick now

WaltLongmire wrote:Saw the game. OK4 is great on offense, and even when he misses he looks like he knows what he is doing, for the most part, but I saw nothing to make me think he will help us as a defender.

Within the first minute he turned/backed away from away from a guy who got to the basket along the baseline, instead of setting a tone by trying to block the shot.

He did have 3 blocks against a terrible offensive team, but only 1 personal foul in 33 minutes.

In general, he seems indifferent as a defender.

Don't get me wrong, I would have no issue if Jackson/Fisher etc. work him out and feel he is the guy we want, but I don't think things are as black and white as some folks would have us think.

Towns is protected by Stein and the KU shuttle system, Russell is spectacular, but inconsistent, Mudiay is hidden by the Great Wall, and the other top prospects all have this or that weakness. There is no perfect pick at #1, IMO, and therefore we debate.

What we really need is a Duke/Kentucky matchup. I know a single game cannot tell the whole story, but it would be nice to see OK4 up against Stein and Towns. You would not only learn a bit about his offensive skills, but also see how he defends.

You're really asking so much from a 19 year old. David Robinson was 6-7 at the same age as Jahi. If we play "2 big" Jahi should be absolutely fine. When I look at his offensive skills/size package--I wonder who could honestly stop him from the 4 spot. Not 1 defender anywhere in the world can stop Jahi at the 4. Anyone who plays Kentucky is at a disadvantage because they play 3 guys who are 6-10+ at all times. I haven't seen an offensively skilled big man at 19 this good in my lifetime