nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:The only issue about Hezonja's game is that taking him seems to go against Phil's ideas about the 3pt shot, and I know there have been questions about his decision making and midrange shooting, too...

but this guy is dripping with talent and charisma, and he's one of those guys who simply does not know fear. He's more mature than Porzingis, and you can see him playing immediately- and he did not play a ton of minutes this year, so he's fresh.

I might have even started a "Case for Hezonja" but I never thought Jackson would even consider him. I agreed with Briggs' first reaction- that this is a trade down pick, but Givony does not hint at this in his comment.

Could start as a large 2 and easily fill out to be a SF at some point.

This is what Givony says, but have we EVER been linked to him?

While Winslow is viewed as the safe pick, Hezonja's ability to space the floor, make plays for others and play a significant role from day one have reportedly made him a real option at this spot.

Better offensive talent than Winslow, by far, IMO, and he is athletic enough to be a defender in the NBA. He can also pass the ball. He also has the kind of talent that would allow him to play in any offensive scheme, if we ever change things up.

I would be stunned if we took him without trading him, but the guy is talented and he has star power, in my opinion- I'd sign up for drafting him in a second.

Phil is not anti 3. He just wants the team to be more balanced and not mainly looking for 3's. The 3 is always there if it's open but there should be an attempt to get to the hole and force the defense to defend the entire floor, which will make things much more efficient for the offense. You want to get to the FT line too. Attacking the basket is the best way to get fouls. It would be very interesting if this was the pick. Wonder how savvy those Knick fans at the Draft are about Mario?

Who cares--I think most people here know hes a good pick. Hes taylor made for how the NBA is going. Id be ecstatic if we just stayed at 4 and took him, really I think it would be great. All Knick fans will love the guy with a few weeks. It would be nice just one time if the Knicks made a savvy move.

BRIGGS wrote:

fishmike wrote:

ButchMcrae wrote:Not sure who caught "Knicks Now" last night on MSG at 10pm. They had an interview with Phil and I could have read into it that he is looking hard at Hezonja. He was asked about the foreign players and seeing them and said they have overseas scouts for Mudiay, Prozing, Hezonja, etc. He then went into it further referencing specifically there was a player who was still playing in the playoffs and they had a scout there and they skyped with him for an interview and as Phil said to make sure they were going down the right path.
I know it's reading really far in but it definitely caught my attention and then seeing the Draft Express update this morning it makes me think. It's all speculation and double talk now but again it just jumped out at me. I know it has been mentioned before questioning if the Knicks ever met with Hezonja at all.
Even if it is the deal with Denver, getting Nuric, who I think is a great addition if healthy and then Hezonja at 7.
Gives the Knicks a nice front line, C - Nuric, PF - Melo, SF - Hezonja and then maybe bring in a Beverly at point or KJ McDaniels. It removes the need for Monroe and opens up a lot of money.
If Russell is off the board my vote would be to make the deal with Denver if the doc's are good with Nuric and add two talented pieces that fit the triangle.
I know someone will ask for a link to the show or specific quote sorry.

A ****y 6'8 shooting guard with a killer shot, sick athleticism and a two way player... yea, not a clue why Phil would like a guy like that. Those types never thrive on Phil Jackson teams

I think most of the trade stuff is 95% noise. At 4 he can just take the BPA and Mario can 100% be that guy. We are working with such limited data. The 10% of the picture we have is only 65% accurate. Just have to chill and let it play out

Heres the deal. If we move from 4 to 7--ONE of the players who was supposed to go 4 will be there at 7--lets do the math--it will simply come true.

That means one of Kristpas Hezonga Mudiay Winslow Kaminsky Stein will be at 7 -so wed get a good player AND I would ask for the young players Nurkic Erick Greene their 57 pick and a 2016 top 7 restricted pick.(this is a hedge against Nurkic's injury. A draft pick in 2016 and late 2015 2 and 2 young players.

We could still get Mudiay in this case which at 7 becomes value Nurkic Greene and two additional picks. We need the picks as a hedge for Nurkic--thats a bAD injury he has--and if they want to move up they have to pay for it.

I tend to agree that none of the 4-7 picks are good enough to be a lock. If we could get that sort of haul from Denver, we'd have to seriously consider it. As BRIGGS says, the value represented may be too good to pass up, AND we might still get our intended #4 (e.g., Mudiay, etc.)

Can't wait for tonight.

WAKEUPKNICKS2015 wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

WAKEUPKNICKS2015 wrote:LOL he's at it again! I thought we were taking Stein bro?

I didnt know Stein was really this injured. Your e not talking to me--youre talking to the guy who runs the number 1 draft site and has access to every single team and agent. He moved Hezonja to 4 for a reason just a few minutes ago. Even though it WOULD be an incredible pick we wont do that for our own team. This is what Denver wants.

Lol okay. So you're taking a change on a mock draft website, thinking the site has some sort of inner knowledge as to who the Knicks are taking/trading? C'mon bro. They're guessing, just like you are.

lol...exactly

BRIGGS wrote:

BigRedDog wrote:

nixluva wrote:Anyone know Mario's contract situation?

I think its around 2 million dollars which he is responsible for. Draft express said it shouldn't be a problem. He would take out a loan and pay it off

That kid will have 20-30mm in endorsements faster than we can say sugar if he comes here.

lol

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:

ButchMcrae wrote:Not sure who caught "Knicks Now" last night on MSG at 10pm. They had an interview with Phil and I could have read into it that he is looking hard at Hezonja. He was asked about the foreign players and seeing them and said they have overseas scouts for Mudiay, Prozing, Hezonja, etc. He then went into it further referencing specifically there was a player who was still playing in the playoffs and they had a scout there and they skyped with him for an interview and as Phil said to make sure they were going down the right path.
I know it's reading really far in but it definitely caught my attention and then seeing the Draft Express update this morning it makes me think. It's all speculation and double talk now but again it just jumped out at me. I know it has been mentioned before questioning if the Knicks ever met with Hezonja at all.
Even if it is the deal with Denver, getting Nuric, who I think is a great addition if healthy and then Hezonja at 7.
Gives the Knicks a nice front line, C - Nuric, PF - Melo, SF - Hezonja and then maybe bring in a Beverly at point or KJ McDaniels. It removes the need for Monroe and opens up a lot of money.
If Russell is off the board my vote would be to make the deal with Denver if the doc's are good with Nuric and add two talented pieces that fit the triangle.
I know someone will ask for a link to the show or specific quote sorry.

A ****y 6'8 shooting guard with a killer shot, sick athleticism and a two way player... yea, not a clue why Phil would like a guy like that. Those types never thrive on Phil Jackson teams

I think most of the trade stuff is 95% noise. At 4 he can just take the BPA and Mario can 100% be that guy. We are working with such limited data. The 10% of the picture we have is only 65% accurate. Just have to chill and let it play out

Hezonja sounds exactly like a Phil Jackson SG I have no problem with this kid if our scouts say he's the real deal. This is a good draft and I think the top of this draft has a lot of talent. Trying to figure out who the best players will be is hard for us when it comes to the Euro guys. From what i've seen of Hezonja he has the look of a stud. I think it's entirely possible that Phil could take the kid. It's wide open at this point.

exactly.. this is a guy who wants the ball in clutch situations. We talk about these guys like we know their value. The only ones that know that are the ones who vetted them out, looked at every tape and sat in their workouts. We just dont know. Mario might be the best player in the draft. There is zero reason he cant be. We just dont know. Im more curious than anything

Well I was a strong proponent of WCS but after all the health scares I can see Phil moving on to a less risky prospect. Mario has really helped himself with his playoff performances. He has the most impressive videos but since we don't get to watch his games it's really about the scouts who have seen him and really know him best. If they think he's the real deal them i'm fine with that. We need a great player out of this draft and i'm hoping that if we draft him he turns out to be a great player. We deserve a break like that.

Mario has had the least negative posts against him on this forum. It just underscores how little we really know about him other than he can be a big of a hotdog. He just looks real impressive when you watch him. He could be the scoring threat we've needed next to Melo. Also he seems like he plays D as well. It's up the scouts tho cuz who knows for sure? He's more exciting to me than Winslow who I actually don't think will be a legit scoring threat next to Melo. Winslow has that tweener thing but not so sure he's gonna be the scorer we need at that spot. I feel much more convinced that Hezonja could be that big time scoring threat this team lacks.

nixluva wrote:

BigRedDog wrote:

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:

ButchMcrae wrote:Not sure who caught "Knicks Now" last night on MSG at 10pm. They had an interview with Phil and I could have read into it that he is looking hard at Hezonja. He was asked about the foreign players and seeing them and said they have overseas scouts for Mudiay, Prozing, Hezonja, etc. He then went into it further referencing specifically there was a player who was still playing in the playoffs and they had a scout there and they skyped with him for an interview and as Phil said to make sure they were going down the right path.
I know it's reading really far in but it definitely caught my attention and then seeing the Draft Express update this morning it makes me think. It's all speculation and double talk now but again it just jumped out at me. I know it has been mentioned before questioning if the Knicks ever met with Hezonja at all.
Even if it is the deal with Denver, getting Nuric, who I think is a great addition if healthy and then Hezonja at 7.
Gives the Knicks a nice front line, C - Nuric, PF - Melo, SF - Hezonja and then maybe bring in a Beverly at point or KJ McDaniels. It removes the need for Monroe and opens up a lot of money.
If Russell is off the board my vote would be to make the deal with Denver if the doc's are good with Nuric and add two talented pieces that fit the triangle.
I know someone will ask for a link to the show or specific quote sorry.

A ****y 6'8 shooting guard with a killer shot, sick athleticism and a two way player... yea, not a clue why Phil would like a guy like that. Those types never thrive on Phil Jackson teams

I think most of the trade stuff is 95% noise. At 4 he can just take the BPA and Mario can 100% be that guy. We are working with such limited data. The 10% of the picture we have is only 65% accurate. Just have to chill and let it play out

Hezonja sounds exactly like a Phil Jackson SG I have no problem with this kid if our scouts say he's the real deal. This is a good draft and I think the top of this draft has a lot of talent. Trying to figure out who the best players will be is hard for us when it comes to the Euro guys. From what i've seen of Hezonja he has the look of a stud. I think it's entirely possible that Phil could take the kid. It's wide open at this point.

exactly.. this is a guy who wants the ball in clutch situations. We talk about these guys like we know their value. The only ones that know that are the ones who vetted them out, looked at every tape and sat in their workouts. We just dont know. Mario might be the best player in the draft. There is zero reason he cant be. We just dont know. Im more curious than anything

Well I was a strong proponent of WCS but after all the health scares I can see Phil moving on to a less risky prospect. Mario has really helped himself with his playoff performances. He has the most impressive videos but since we don't get to watch his games it's really about the scouts who have seen him and really know him best. If they think he's the real deal them i'm fine with that. We need a great player out of this draft and i'm hoping that if we draft him he turns out to be a great player. We deserve a break like that.

Mario has had the least negative posts against him on this forum. It just underscores how little we really know about him other than he can be a big of a hotdog. He just looks real impressive when you watch him. He could be the scoring threat we've needed next to Melo. Also he seems like he plays D as well. It's up the scouts tho cuz who knows for sure? He's more exciting to me than Winslow who I actually don't think will be a legit scoring threat next to Melo. Winslow has that tweener thing but not so sure he's gonna be the scorer we need at that spot. I feel much more convinced that Hezonja could be that big time scoring threat this team lacks.

I agree with you Nix. I said it before, I hate drafting a guy from college and then switching his position in the pros. I also hate having a SG without a great outside shot. Winslow looks like he has a very mechanical shot. Also not impressed with him finishing around the hoop. He looks like he slings up his shot. Anothe great athlete without a real position.

Yeah i'm just not convinced that Winslow will excel as a SG. We don't need a SF. With Mario at least he is a well defined scorer. You don't really have any doubts about his ability to score the ball in various ways. He's also playing in a great league with serious Basketball skills and IQ. You have to know how to play in those leagues. If the Knicks take Mario i'd be happy with that knowing his role would be clear.

newyorker4ever wrote:

fishmike wrote:

s3231 wrote:Love Hezonja...would totally be happy with him at #4 if we go that route.

Im a big OK4 fan, but my two fav players in this draft are Russell and Mario. A few weeks ago I said Mario reminded me of a mix of Klay Thompson and TMac and will probably be somewhere in between. Sign me up!

He could be the next Peja Stoakavic (spell check)

BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:The only issue about Hezonja's game is that taking him seems to go against Phil's ideas about the 3pt shot, and I know there have been questions about his decision making and midrange shooting, too...

but this guy is dripping with talent and charisma, and he's one of those guys who simply does not know fear. He's more mature than Porzingis, and you can see him playing immediately- and he did not play a ton of minutes this year, so he's fresh.

I might have even started a "Case for Hezonja" but I never thought Jackson would even consider him. I agreed with Briggs' first reaction- that this is a trade down pick, but Givony does not hint at this in his comment.

Could start as a large 2 and easily fill out to be a SF at some point.

This is what Givony says, but have we EVER been linked to him?

While Winslow is viewed as the safe pick, Hezonja's ability to space the floor, make plays for others and play a significant role from day one have reportedly made him a real option at this spot.

Better offensive talent than Winslow, by far, IMO, and he is athletic enough to be a defender in the NBA. He can also pass the ball. He also has the kind of talent that would allow him to play in any offensive scheme, if we ever change things up.

I would be stunned if we took him without trading him, but the guy is talented and he has star power, in my opinion- I'd sign up for drafting him in a second.

Walt taking Hezonja at 4 is simply taking BPA which is always a very good decision--we dont need to get fancy--NY will LOVE Hezonja absolutely love him. Hes a good-looking kid the marketing of this kid would be very high for MSG. As for the team we havent had a player like Hezonga EVER. We never had a multi skilled athletic 6-8 guy.

newyorker4ever wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:The only issue about Hezonja's game is that taking him seems to go against Phil's ideas about the 3pt shot, and I know there have been questions about his decision making and midrange shooting, too...

but this guy is dripping with talent and charisma, and he's one of those guys who simply does not know fear. He's more mature than Porzingis, and you can see him playing immediately- and he did not play a ton of minutes this year, so he's fresh.

I might have even started a "Case for Hezonja" but I never thought Jackson would even consider him. I agreed with Briggs' first reaction- that this is a trade down pick, but Givony does not hint at this in his comment.

Could start as a large 2 and easily fill out to be a SF at some point.

This is what Givony says, but have we EVER been linked to him?

While Winslow is viewed as the safe pick, Hezonja's ability to space the floor, make plays for others and play a significant role from day one have reportedly made him a real option at this spot.

Better offensive talent than Winslow, by far, IMO, and he is athletic enough to be a defender in the NBA. He can also pass the ball. He also has the kind of talent that would allow him to play in any offensive scheme, if we ever change things up.

I would be stunned if we took him without trading him, but the guy is talented and he has star power, in my opinion- I'd sign up for drafting him in a second.

Walt taking Hezonja at 4 is simply taking BPA which is always a very good decision--we dont need to get fancy--NY will LOVE Hezonja absolutely love him. Hes a good-looking kid the marketing of this kid would be very high for MSG. As for the team we havent had a player like Hezonga EVER. We never had a multi skilled athletic 6-8 guy.

We have had multi skilled 6-8 guys we just traded them all away.

Im sorry Im a 40+ year fan--who have we had as an elite athletic 6-8 multi akilled player in that time ? Carmelo is not an athlete like this kid. Kenny walker was not a skill player--so can you enlighten me?