ESOMKnicks wrote:nixluva wrote:ESOMKnicks wrote:It all makes sense if Phil had always viewed KP as a future franchise player for the Knicks, a la Ewing, with whom we'd become contenders once he matures in 3 years. I have my doubts, but hope i'm wrong.Returning to the original topic of this thread, to me drafting KP is Phil's version of Isiah's bet on Eddy Curry.
I do think LMA would have been a game changer, his scoring average and rebounding alone merit that view.
How can you even write KP and Eddy Curry in the same sentence and not stop yourself before pressing Post New Reply??? I mean come on man. It makes me question your ability to evaluate players if you can't see that KP is not only talented but has a love for and dedication to the game that Eddy Never had. KP may never reach the potential that it looks like he has but it won't be because he didn't give it everything he has.
I am comparing Phil today to Isiah at that time, when we did not have the collective 20 20 hindsight on how Curry was going to turn out. Isiah took a chance with Curry's irregular heartbeat, otherwise the acquisition was hailed as plugging the gaping hole we had had since trading Ewing with a solid low post threat and imposing presence. All the stuff around Curry's heart in the figurative sense and his stomach in the literal sense came later.
Let's see how KP's love for the game shows up in real action, before singing hosannas to him. So far he is saying the right things, but how many promising Euros have you seen come to the league saying: "I dont care for the game, i have nothing to learn, and basically im just a bum to came here to sign a big contract and have a good time." Even Milicic tried in earnest for a couple of years first.
IMO there have been a lot of successful Euro players in the NBA. The problem is when people expect the next Dirk from a lot of these guys. KP has a LONG way to go, but so far he's really putting in the work and his personality is unlike any other Euro we've seen. How many are as up on our culture here and this outgoing? KP is a different cat. Can't really compare him with the other guys at this stage. KP wants to be great with a passion and you can't really say that for all the guys he gets compared to that failed.
We've already seen a lot from this kid in terms of his heart and determination. It's so early that it's really not that important but it is notable to a certain degree. The kid could've stayed home but wanted to be in NY and work on his body and game. He's been living at the gym this summer and that's completely opposite guys like Bargs who ran back overseas. He at least deserves some mention for his approach so far.
