nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:Nix I'm still a bit skeptical he could protect the rim against NBA big at center.just because you can do it in college does not mean you can do it in the nba. Nevertheless,the staff will see what he can do in training camp.

We're mostly talking about HELP defense here. As a man defender against a good 7' post man of course Atkins might have some issues. He'd have to use his leverage to push his man out but I don't think he'd be able to consistently get a hand into the shot of a taller player, but also let's remember he's not going to be a starter and also a LOT of teams are playing small ball and he'd be more than adequate in such a situation. So IMO if a guy like Atkins was going against some bench guys or a small ball big I think he could be fine in off the bench minutes.

Bleacher Report's Center Rankings. I bolded the East guys:

1. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
4. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
6. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
7. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
8. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
9. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
10. Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets
11. Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
12. Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
13. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
14. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers
15. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
16. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
17. Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers
18. Omer Asik, New Orleans Pelicans
19. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
20. Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
21. Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
22. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
23. Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics
24. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
25. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
26. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
27. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
28. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors
29. Jordan Hill, Los Angeles Lakers
30. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves
31. Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers
32. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
33. Kosta Koufos, Memphis Grizzlies
34. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
35. Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
36. Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets
37. Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
38. Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics

Nix those guys are 6 feet ten and above. He will still have quite a lot of problems imo if he were to go.against them. How many teams use small ball again other than gsw?

TPercy wrote:

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:Nix I'm still a bit skeptical he could protect the rim against NBA big at center.just because you can do it in college does not mean you can do it in the nba. Nevertheless,the staff will see what he can do in training camp.

We're mostly talking about HELP defense here. As a man defender against a good 7' post man of course Atkins might have some issues. He'd have to use his leverage to push his man out but I don't think he'd be able to consistently get a hand into the shot of a taller player, but also let's remember he's not going to be a starter and also a LOT of teams are playing small ball and he'd be more than adequate in such a situation. So IMO if a guy like Atkins was going against some bench guys or a small ball big I think he could be fine in off the bench minutes.

Bleacher Report's Center Rankings. I bolded the East guys:

1. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
4. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
6. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
7. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
8. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
9. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
10. Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets
11. Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
12. Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
13. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
14. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers
15. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
16. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
17. Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers
18. Omer Asik, New Orleans Pelicans
19. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
20. Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
21. Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
22. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
23. Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics
24. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
25. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
26. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
27. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
28. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors
29. Jordan Hill, Los Angeles Lakers
30. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves
31. Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers
32. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
33. Kosta Koufos, Memphis Grizzlies
34. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
35. Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
36. Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets
37. Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
38. Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics

Nix those guys are 6 feet ten and above. He will still have quite a lot of problems imo if he were to go.against them. How many teams use small ball again other than gsw?

how many teams have 7'ers on their bench that you're actually scared of seeing play?

fishmike wrote:this stuff gets silly... I know about as much about Darion Atkins as most Knick fans on this board do.. almost nothing.

Let the FO do their job and fill out these spots. It seems like they have brought in some guys they hope to catch on the upside, but they have brought in some lunch pale support type guys as well. I like the balance. In the past we would never have seen projects like Ledo or Thanasis get any burn because we had to have solid vets that could help us win now (as in win 36 games).

Folks are getting pretty heated about the 14th and 15th guys on the bench and roster invitees. There is a lot of young talent on the team. Im looking forward to see how it all shakes out.

Ive read on this forum guys talking about losing NDour as the beginning of the end! That the Knicks have been outbit on key guys like NDour and Monroe and this just shows Phil's ineptness and why he will fail as a GM.

Unbelievable. So what you are saying is that we should not say anything and just move along with it.who here is saying that Phil has failed as a GM? Me? Common. What makes the most sense is that Darion Atkins will likely get a D League spot and work on his offensive skills so that come training camp next year he cann show that he will make this team and take Lou amundson or Lance Thomas's spot. I just think it does not make any sense to give a 6 foot 8 guy as a third stringer who will likely end up playing back up minutes due to robin lopez injury history. It is a forum. Nobody is whining.

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:Nix I'm still a bit skeptical he could protect the rim against NBA big at center.just because you can do it in college does not mean you can do it in the nba. Nevertheless,the staff will see what he can do in training camp.

We're mostly talking about HELP defense here. As a man defender against a good 7' post man of course Atkins might have some issues. He'd have to use his leverage to push his man out but I don't think he'd be able to consistently get a hand into the shot of a taller player, but also let's remember he's not going to be a starter and also a LOT of teams are playing small ball and he'd be more than adequate in such a situation. So IMO if a guy like Atkins was going against some bench guys or a small ball big I think he could be fine in off the bench minutes.

Bleacher Report's Center Rankings. I bolded the East guys:

1. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
4. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
6. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
7. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
8. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
9. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
10. Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets
11. Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
12. Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
13. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
14. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers
15. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
16. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
17. Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers
18. Omer Asik, New Orleans Pelicans
19. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
20. Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
21. Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
22. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
23. Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics
24. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
25. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
26. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
27. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
28. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors
29. Jordan Hill, Los Angeles Lakers
30. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves
31. Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers
32. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
33. Kosta Koufos, Memphis Grizzlies
34. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
35. Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
36. Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets
37. Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
38. Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics

Nix those guys are 6 feet ten and above. He will still have quite a lot of problems imo if he were to go.against them. How many teams use small ball again other than gsw?

I think you missed the point of my post. Those guys are the TOP guys at the C spot in the league and i've highlighted the guys in the East. A guy off the bench isn't going to always be facing one of the top C's in the league. Just because a team may have a 7'er coming off he bench doesn't mean they're good or that a kid like Atkins would necessarily have problems with them. Even the Knicks experimented with a small ball line up this Summer League. Teams do in fact go to that style on a nightly basis.

You don't have to be good, you just have to know that you are 2-4 inches on your man and know how to use your height advantage. Not to mention, correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think darion Atkins has ever had to protect the rim at the center position for his team.

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:

nixluva wrote:

TPercy wrote:Nix I'm still a bit skeptical he could protect the rim against NBA big at center.just because you can do it in college does not mean you can do it in the nba. Nevertheless,the staff will see what he can do in training camp.

We're mostly talking about HELP defense here. As a man defender against a good 7' post man of course Atkins might have some issues. He'd have to use his leverage to push his man out but I don't think he'd be able to consistently get a hand into the shot of a taller player, but also let's remember he's not going to be a starter and also a LOT of teams are playing small ball and he'd be more than adequate in such a situation. So IMO if a guy like Atkins was going against some bench guys or a small ball big I think he could be fine in off the bench minutes.

Bleacher Report's Center Rankings. I bolded the East guys:

1. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
2. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
4. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
5. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
6. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
7. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
8. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
9. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
10. Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets
11. Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
12. Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
13. Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
14. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers
15. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat
16. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
17. Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers
18. Omer Asik, New Orleans Pelicans
19. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
20. Gorgui Dieng, Minnesota Timberwolves
21. Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
22. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
23. Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics
24. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
25. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks
26. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns
27. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
28. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors
29. Jordan Hill, Los Angeles Lakers
30. Nikola Pekovic, Minnesota Timberwolves
31. Chris Kaman, Portland Trail Blazers
32. Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
33. Kosta Koufos, Memphis Grizzlies
34. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
35. Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
36. Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets
37. Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
38. Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics

Nix those guys are 6 feet ten and above. He will still have quite a lot of problems imo if he were to go.against them. How many teams use small ball again other than gsw?

I think you missed the point of my post. Those guys are the TOP guys at the C spot in the league and i've highlighted the guys in the East. A guy off the bench isn't going to always be facing one of the top C's in the league. Just because a team may have a 7'er coming off he bench doesn't mean they're good or that a kid like Atkins would necessarily have problems with them. Even the Knicks experimented with a small ball line up this Summer League. Teams do in fact go to that style on a nightly basis.

You don't have to be good, you just have to know that you are 2-4 inches on your man and know how to use your height advantage. Not to mention, correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think darion Atkins has ever had to protect the rim at the center position for his team.

TPercy wrote:

fishmike wrote:this stuff gets silly... I know about as much about Darion Atkins as most Knick fans on this board do.. almost nothing.

Let the FO do their job and fill out these spots. It seems like they have brought in some guys they hope to catch on the upside, but they have brought in some lunch pale support type guys as well. I like the balance. In the past we would never have seen projects like Ledo or Thanasis get any burn because we had to have solid vets that could help us win now (as in win 36 games).

Folks are getting pretty heated about the 14th and 15th guys on the bench and roster invitees. There is a lot of young talent on the team. Im looking forward to see how it all shakes out.

Ive read on this forum guys talking about losing NDour as the beginning of the end! That the Knicks have been outbit on key guys like NDour and Monroe and this just shows Phil's ineptness and why he will fail as a GM.

Unbelievable. So what you are saying is that we should not say anything and just move along with it.who here is saying that Phil has failed as a GM? Me? Common. What makes the most sense is that Darion Atkins will likely get a D League spot and work on his offensive skills so that come training camp next year he cann show that he will make this team and take Lou amundson or Lance Thomas's spot. I just think it does not make any sense to give a 6 foot 8 guy as a third stringer who will likely end up playing back up minutes due to robin lopez injury history. It is a forum. Nobody is whining.

How much do you know about Darion Atkins? His work ethic? Athleticism? What kind of program does he comes from? What kind of game does he have? Do you? I dont at all.

All these guys are unknowns, so I do find it amusing to see people throw their emotion behind their opinions on such players.

For me its simple. Does this part of the team building yield anything? So far it has yielded Langston Galloway, who looks like a nice NBA role player. Thats a good job. This is a new year. Hopefully we get another. I think if you can find a guy worthy of rotation minutes every year from this pool you are doing great as an organization with this pretty limited talent pool. Chris Copeland was a nice find, although he's struggled post Knicks some.

I dont think your wining. However there is some perspective there. We are talking about the 14th, 15th type guys on the roster. When has a franchise's success been hung on the impact of the last guy at the end of the bench?

I think your 100% in your right to disagree or prefer a different type of pick here. Its also fair for folks to say that being so passionate about the 14th and 15th roster spots is wining when you dont get your guy. I mean do you like your steak or are you going to be bitch and moan about the quality of the parsley garnish?

Yes.. you can like the overall job a GM is doing and not agree with every move along the way. However no GM gets every move right. Every GM makes bad trades and picks, EVERY GM. What you look at is body of work and over all results. Phil doesnt have much of a body of work here.

Atkins is interesting. He doesn't look or move like his defensive numbers suggest. He sort of sneaks up on you in a way.
For sure they will see how he defends centers. I am still a bit down on letting NDour go. But let's see what Atkins can do on offense....

Defensive Player of the Year... Think of how many are playing in college and 1 guy wins it. (Albeit in limited minutes.) He might surprise us.

fishmike wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:TPercy
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?

Atkins is interesting. He doesn't look or move like his defensive numbers suggest. He sort of sneaks up on you in a way.
For sure they will see how he defends centers. I am still a bit down on letting NDour go. But let's see what Atkins can do on offense....

Defensive Player of the Year... Think of how many are playing in college and 1 guy wins it. (Albeit in limited minutes.) He might surprise us.

didnt know that... although its the ACC and didnt Toney Douglas win it there?

Either way my point wasnt TPercy is WRONG, just rather wait and see. How big is the talent gap between NDour and Atkins? Lets just see how he fits

Atkins posted modest stats during his four-year career at Virginia before exploding onto the scene at the NBA’s Portsmouth Invitational in the spring. In three games, he averaged 20.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks and made the All-Tournament Team.

“He came in and just played solid,” said NBA Senior Director of Scouting Ryan Blake. “He played like a veteran. Defensively and offensively — he opened up a lot of eyes for NBA teams.

“He showed touch, instincts, composure — everything. His field goal percentage was great. He showed a lot.”

Added Jonathan Givony of NBA Draft Express: “He was really impressive. He was one of the best big guys there, without a doubt.”

Atkins will be looking to join former Virginia teammate Justin Anderson in the NBA. Anderson was a first-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks last month.

“It won’t be a dream come true until I’m on a team,” Atkins told The Daily Progress just after the draft.

He’s getting closer.

nixluva wrote:

fishmike wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:TPercy
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?

Atkins is interesting. He doesn't look or move like his defensive numbers suggest. He sort of sneaks up on you in a way.
For sure they will see how he defends centers. I am still a bit down on letting NDour go. But let's see what Atkins can do on offense....

Defensive Player of the Year... Think of how many are playing in college and 1 guy wins it. (Albeit in limited minutes.) He might surprise us.

didnt know that... although its the ACC and didnt Toney Douglas win it there?

Either way my point wasnt TPercy is WRONG, just rather wait and see. How big is the talent gap between NDour and Atkins? Lets just see how he fits

I think the big difference is that Atkins actually has the build to bang a bit more than Ndour. They listed Ndor at 200 lbs and Atkins is 240.

Atkins posted modest stats during his four-year career at Virginia before exploding onto the scene at the NBA’s Portsmouth Invitational in the spring. In three games, he averaged 20.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks and made the All-Tournament Team.

“He came in and just played solid,” said NBA Senior Director of Scouting Ryan Blake. “He played like a veteran. Defensively and offensively — he opened up a lot of eyes for NBA teams.

“He showed touch, instincts, composure — everything. His field goal percentage was great. He showed a lot.”

Added Jonathan Givony of NBA Draft Express: “He was really impressive. He was one of the best big guys there, without a doubt.”

Atkins will be looking to join former Virginia teammate Justin Anderson in the NBA. Anderson was a first-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks last month.

“It won’t be a dream come true until I’m on a team,” Atkins told The Daily Progress just after the draft.

He’s getting closer.

Wow, didn't realize the difference in weight there. Still a bit sad about Ndour due to his offensive potential. But perhaps Atkins shows us something, like in the PIT tournament was it? Didn't he win MVP or the like?

Ndour did not stand out like Atkins at the PIT, yet we invited him to play with us in SL.

Wonder if Phil even talked to Atkins about SL, but he chose to go to SA, instead.

He's 6'7" without shoes...can't see him at center except during garbage time.

I watched part of one of the PIT games online... can't say that Atkins jumped off the screen, but he did hit a few short jumpers, and I think he was looking to show off his offense- something he rarely did with Virginia.

DL project at this point. Maybe the guy will be a late bloomer.