foosballnick wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Hmm I think that Phil should NOT have answered that question about the pick. He shouldve said we have our thoughts on players that have evolved over a long period of time and we feel great that we will improve the team in a major way at the draft.

Instead he straight says yes I know who I would pick and goes on to describe Willie Stein as close to the line that you can without being fined. The clincher to me was how confidant he was --how can you be confidant without the pick? We only have a 25% chance of landing this pick so why would an intelligent man say anything without the lottery process going on unless its ordain that we are taking willie stein and he knows for the most part that at position 1-4 hes going to get him.

I think at April 1 2015 60 days before the draft--there is NO way we should be done with the process. That guys like Mudiay Hozenga Winslow Russell Okafor need to be put through personal workouts and interviews et al. Does Phil J even know that for some reason last year Willie Stein choose to become a blonde for 6 weeks and then colored his hair purple? At the time he seemed to have some personal issues there that would absolutely have to be looked ta if he is to come here to play in NY? This is a process we need to take our time and really think about it.

Again, I'm sorry but you are making opinion statements as if they are factual that you know exactly what Phil is thinking and that Stein is a done deal. Further, you're making Phil out to be completely incompetant with the game passed him by. Please connect the dots better based on his statements yesterday - because I just don't see his snippets yesterday the way you do.

On knowing who he would take in the draft......"I do" - not sure how they means anything other than the fact that he has a draft board

On his desire for next year and beyond.........."Players have to have skills: ball-handling, passing, & helping each other out.”.....this reads more as a choice of Towns over a guy like Stein

Phil was specifically asked what he looks for in a big man and whether he prefers a big man that has a strong offensive game or is ahead of the curve defensively. Phil was adamant that he prefers bigs that play D first - this is a generic Defensive statement and most of the ticketholders, took this to mean that he would take Towns over Okafor). For some reason you have made this statement about Stein and have failed to elaborate on how this describes Stein "as close to the line without being fined".

Further - Phil specifically mentions Bynum who had a more offensive minded repetoire unlike a guy like Tyson Chandler - which would lead one to believe he favors a guy like Towns with a multi skill set.

""

Says he wants another younger guy like Chandler. Also someone who can step out and guards guards.
4:34 PM - 2 Apr 2015

That sounds an awful lot like Willie Stein. Karl Towns and Chandler have nothing in common and Towns has not been the guy at all to step out on opposing guards--but Stein has. So which players on Kentucky do you see as closest in playing style to Tyson Chandler who has the ability to step out on guards? This is as close to saying Willie Stein without saying it.

VCoug wrote:OMG, a 21 year old dyed his hair. Clearly a warning that we shouldn't draft him. You guys are nuts.

So if you are making a multi million dollar decision on a ballplayer--you would not ask--hey Willie what was with the blonde hair which turned purple least year? The only other African American I saw go "blonde" this year was Derrick Gordon. Dennis Rodman used to do it as well. So in the vetting process I sure as sht would want to know what was that?

holfresh wrote:

s3231 wrote:

holfresh wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

holfresh wrote:

s3231 wrote:Also:

- Phil was clear that we will not be aggressive in trading this pick. Said we will sit back and let teams make offers and if there is anything out there that is interesting, we'll listen. As I said earlier though, the sense we all got tonight after listening to both Phil and Steve is that they realize the value in drafting this high and are looking to keep the pick as opposed to what we are accustomed to seeing with this franchise.

- This was reported already but Steve mentioned how there has been pressure in the past to make moves that would play well in the media or would be short-term wins. Says under Phil, it is different in that they are just trying to build a great basketball team and want to do what is right for the organization (personal note: I thought it was sad that this was even admitted...)

- Phil thinks fans should watch the Final Four (this was after a question about whether or not Knocks fans should be interested in the games left and knowing that Phil couldn't comment on specific players)

- Phil mentioned how remarkable it was that fans still not only come to the games, but still make the Garden loud and make their presence felt (he mentioned last night's game specifically). Said that he wanted to do this town hall personally because he knows how passionate the fans are and he wanted to give the season ticketholders a better sense of where he thought the team was going (said this was something he was used to doing in LA and Chicago). On a personal note, I will say this was the 1st time the Knocks have done this in my 6 years as a ticketholders....... was refreshing

- Lance Thomas, Galloway, and Amundson mentioned as players that seem to grasp the system pretty easily (in reference to a question about who the learners are and which players already get it). Was interesting because these names were mentioned a few times throughout the conversation and starting to think that they like these 3 enough to consider bringing them back next season. Steve in particular, mentioned that guys like Lance and Amundson are leaders in how professional they are and how they approach the team.

- On leadership: Phil mentioned how difficult it is to get a sense of which young players will develop into great leaders (in reference to our pick). Said that this is something that needs to be nurtured. Mentioned how Melo has made strides in this area this year and how he is at the training center even through his rehab. Steve spoke for a bit about how involved Melo is and mentioned that he oven goes into Steve's office to discuss the roster/players/options/etch

- In regards to the triangle and offense in general, Phil made it clear that he wants us to be aggressive and wants the team to get easy baskets whenever is possible. Feels like the media has made the triangle into a big deal and actually said at one point to "forget about the triangle." Emphasized that the triangle is only an option when we're not able to run down the court and get transition baskets. Says we will never be a team that scores 130 points a night but that he still wants the team to get great shots early in the shot clock if there are opportunities to do so.

I don't understand "forget the triangle" talk, it only an option..Phil hired a coach with no experience with assistants specifically to run the triangle..He is trading players for nothing in return that so called don't fit the triangle...Now it's only an option??..Well can we get a real coach in here then and tell him the triangle is an option??

I think it was explained pretty well. Be opportunistic and get baskets in transition when possible. I think his saying that the media has made a big deal about the triangle is accurate. The coaching staff is made up of Phil guys but it is also made up of guys that have been involved in winning a lot of championships.

No the coaching staff is made of guys who will promote the triangle, implemented the triangle...Trades were made after Phil statements were made in December about players not picking up on the system...Phil only interviewed/wanted coaches(his guys) who would run the triangle..Phil is saying going forward, he isn't going after the big names but guys that fit the style of play he is looking for...So now it's not important, it's overblown-ed??...Phil is doing double speak...

I disagree. I think Phil has been very consistent in saying for 4-5 months now that the media has overhyped the triangle and even in Spike's documentary, I'm pretty confident he tried to level-set expectations and explained that this was a basic offense that allowed us to have a set system to employ if the fastbreak isn't there and if no attractive opportunities present themselves. That's why when he said "forget the triangle" last night, I wasn't really surprised at all and didn't think it was controversial in the way that he said it.

Another thing from the town hall last night that came up that kind of ties to this....Phil explained that when he came on board, he expected this team to compete at a similar level to last year's team. But even last year, he knew that this roster was a long way from being a contender and he knew that the roster had to essentially be turned over to get to that level. Obviously, he admitted that he didn't think we would have to turn the roster over this quickly but it had to happen regardless.

His point last night was you have to get the players first and "then you worry about the triangle." Everybody is making this huge deal about the triangle and how it might be outdated but does anyone expect this system to work with the current roster? Hell, we all knew going into this season that at our very best, this team could maybe get into the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs if every single thing went right. Then the injuries happened and we obviously saw the very worst of this team instead...

Thanks for the update on the Town Hall by the way, I thought it was excellent, through and insightful..Appreciate the effort..

I get the offense doesn't have to be implemented at evey possible moment..The point Im making is that his hiring a rookie coach, only interviewing guys who would run the triangle and assistants who would tow the line is all about the system he wants to run..Whether the team run the system every time down court doesn't matter..I know Chicago abondoaned it in the 4th and gave the ball to Jordan..Point is every team decision he makes is with the triangle in mind..coaches and players..So how are people not going to emphasis it?

You're very welcome, really appreciate it.

Yeah, I totally understand where you are coming from....think Phil obviously thinks the triangle is important and to your point, that is why he mostly hired guys that are well versed in it (think the assistant from OKC was only exception?). Personally, I really think he is just trying to make it clear that you can't judge the system this early on and I feel like that is why he is trying to make a point that the offense is getting over-hyped.

Phil loves what the triangle emphasizes and he has lived it for decades now so I don't think in any way he is trying to do an about-face and tell us to "forget it." Think he is just trying to say that we need to get the talent first to fit the system and then you "can be concerned about the triangle" (this last part was an identical version of what he said last night).

Think he is just frustrated that everyone is picking on the system when it is obvious we don't have the talent to win right now and that was the sense I got last night when he made these statement.

s3231 wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Hmm I think that Phil should NOT have answered that question about the pick. He shouldve said we have our thoughts on players that have evolved over a long period of time and we feel great that we will improve the team in a major way at the draft.

Instead he straight says yes I know who I would pick and goes on to describe Willie Stein as close to the line that you can without being fined. The clincher to me was how confidant he was --how can you be confidant without the pick? We only have a 25% chance of landing this pick so why would an intelligent man say anything without the lottery process going on unless its ordain that we are taking willie stein and he knows for the most part that at position 1-4 hes going to get him.

I think at April 1 2015 60 days before the draft--there is NO way we should be done with the process. That guys like Mudiay Hozenga Winslow Russell Okafor need to be put through personal workouts and interviews et al. Does Phil J even know that for some reason last year Willie Stein choose to become a blonde for 6 weeks and then colored his hair purple? At the time he seemed to have some personal issues there that would absolutely have to be looked ta if he is to come here to play in NY? This is a process we need to take our time and really think about it.

BRIGGS, I agree with you but think Phil was just trying to portray confidence in that there is a plan and that they have a very good idea of what they want in those top spots. As a ticket-holder, that is what I want to hear and I don't want him to say "hey, we're kind of winging in and we'll see what pops up come June."

Given that this was a town hall to season ticketholders, think they obviously wanted to show everyone that they have a well thought out plan and that this is rock bottom for the franchise right now (to get people to renew tickets as we literally have 30 days to decide).

I really don't think he is naive enough to think that the draft preparation is done and that wasn't the sense that I got last night even though he said what he said. Think he was just trying to let the season subscribers know that if the draft started today, they are prepared for the different scenarios that can unfold and know who they like at picks 1 through 4.

Remember, he also said that from now and leading up to the draft, they will sit and listen to offers as they come in for the pick.....so I don't think he is trying to give the sentiment that all of the work is done and that we're locked in.

Hope you're right:)

Finestrg wrote:Nothing personal against Willie Stein--I think the kid's an NBA player and a good role player in the right setting--but you gotta question -- will Willie Cauley-Stein be worth the losing we all had to put up with this year, on a pick in the 1-4 range? I understand what we do in FA has a lot to do with it, that'd he'd only be one cog in the machinery, but seriously man....And then on the economics side of it -- even with the 4th pick, that pick is set to make what, between $4-5mm over the first 3-4 years of a contract? The top pick: between $5.5mm - 7.5mm. That's a substantial amount of money to tie up in a guy over 4 years -- will WCS be worth such a contract/commitment? I honestly gotta question if we very well could get similar production/intangibles Willie Stein may provide out of guys like Jordan Bachynski, Khem Birch, Hasheem Thabeet, an Octavius Ellis if he comes out, Rakeem Christmas in the 2nd round, maybe a Jeff Withey in FA, etc. (either individually or a combination of say 2 of these guys) for far less money..

That said Towns isn't terrible either. I've watched all the games and when he's on the perimeter he's actually pretty rangy himself. Not on Stein's level, which is inhuman, but he's capable of deterring and cutting off penetration just enough and then using his excellent timing on shot blocks. So IMO I think Phil was referring to Towns. It's the only thing that would make sense given that he's a 2 way player and top defensive big.

BRIGGS wrote:

nixluva wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Nothing personal against Willie Stein--I think the kid's an NBA player and a good role player in the right setting--but you gotta question -- will Willie Cauley-Stein be worth the losing we all had to put up with this year, on a pick in the 1-4 range? I understand what we do in FA has a lot to do with it, that'd he'd only be one cog in the machinery, but seriously man....And then on the economics side of it -- even with the 4th pick, that pick is set to make what, between $4-5mm over the first 3-4 years of a contract? The top pick: between $5.5mm - 7.5mm. That's a substantial amount of money to tie up in a guy over 4 years -- will WCS be worth such a contract/commitment? I honestly gotta question if we very well could get similar production/intangibles Willie Stein may provide out of guys like Jordan Bachynski, Khem Birch, Hasheem Thabeet, an Octavius Ellis if he comes out, Rakeem Christmas in the 2nd round, maybe a Jeff Withey in FA, etc. (either individually or a combination of say 2 of these guys) for far less money..

I don't believe Phil was referring to Stein, but let's say he was. The one thing about him is that he's got incredible lateral quickness. No 7'er you mentioned above is the equal of Stein in terms of being able to guard perimeter players. He's a freak of nature in that regard.

That said Towns isn't terrible either. I've watched all the games and when he's on the perimeter he's actually pretty rangy himself. Not on Stein's level, which is inhuman, but he's capable of deterring and cutting off penetration just enough and then using his excellent timing on shot blocks. So IMO I think Phil was referring to Towns. It's the only thing that would make sense given that he's a 2 way player and top defensive big.

I don't think he shouldve talked about any player in specific terms. Unless you have pick #1 and Shaq is waiting to be drafted--I would think you play it tight to the vest.

Finestrg wrote:I tell ya this -- if we're lucky enough to get Karl-Anthony Towns, our first order of business should be to bring in the best big man coach we could find. I'd want a former NBA star 2-way big man, a standout on the offensive end especially (that's the part of this Towns' game I see great potential in and that I'd want developed to the fullest). Someone (and it could be a combination of 2 coaches) whose whole purpose would be to get KAT developed and playing at a high level asap. Any ideas who that could be? Hakeem's got his own big man camp that he runs. Does he have any official ties to the Rockets? Could he be convinced to close down and come work for the Knicks full-time? A combination of Patrick Ewing/Larry Johnson -- could that work? How long does Pat's contract run with Charlotte? I love Ewing and you gotta believe he should be welcomed back here with open arms (long time coming) but to keep it real--is Pat really a good enough teacher/communicator? Is that what's holding him back becoming a head coach? While with Orlando, did he do a good enough job helping Dwight Howard? After Olajuwon and Ewing, who? Tim Duncan -- does he retire after this season? Is he a small town guy -- could he be convinced to come aboard and teach a guy like KAT? Shaq? He wasn't really a skill guy; he was all brute force. Plus, he's kind of a clown -- I want someone who will take the job super serious. Someone who will take it personal if KAT didn't become the best he could be. Getting way ahead of myself, I know, just think what if..

Finestrg wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Hmm I think that Phil should NOT have answered that question about the pick. He shouldve said we have our thoughts on players that have evolved over a long period of time and we feel great that we will improve the team in a major way at the draft.

Instead he straight says yes I know who I would pick and goes on to describe Willie Stein as close to the line that you can without being fined. The clincher to me was how confidant he was --how can you be confidant without the pick? We only have a 25% chance of landing this pick so why would an intelligent man say anything without the lottery process going on unless its ordain that we are taking willie stein and he knows for the most part that at position 1-4 hes going to get him.

I think at April 1 2015 60 days before the draft--there is NO way we should be done with the process. That guys like Mudiay Hozenga Winslow Russell Okafor need to be put through personal workouts and interviews et al. Does Phil J even know that for some reason last year Willie Stein choose to become a blonde for 6 weeks and then colored his hair purple? At the time he seemed to have some personal issues there that would absolutely have to be looked ta if he is to come here to play in NY? This is a process we need to take our time and really think about it.

More good points -- yeah seriously, how can you be that confident that you're basically done with the process already and have your guy in the bag? That's crazy talk...This is a process now that's only just beginning. Has Phil worked out any of these kids? Even sat down and talked to any of these players? No--he's not allowed to yet. He got in trouble even talking about one of them by name not too long ago.

Don't remember that stuff about Stein. Purple hair? Wow--yeah, we would definitely need to screen that kid thoroughly if we consider him a possibility...Bottom line on Stein for me -- big, good defensive role player with limited offensive potential. But to be clear -- no way you take this guy 1-3 in the draft. That'd be insane in the membrane...I gotta believe Phil understands that. He'd get destroyed with a decision like that and rightly so. Plus, with all the persecution/ridicule Stein would endure, he'd never be able to handle that. He'd never work out here and it'd be a wasted pick...At 4 Stein's more of a possibility I guess but even there, I wouldn't take him. Turner would probably be my guy there if I was dead set on drafting a big. I'm tellin' ya, man -- if we wanted some role-playing defensive bigs, how 'bout guys like Jordan Bachynski/Khem Birch/Hasheem Thabeet for peanuts outta the DL, guys like Octavius Ellis if he comes out or Rakeem Christmas in the 2nd round/undrafted (SL invite/FA signing?) or maybe a Jeff Withey if we can get him cheap in FA, and call it a day. At 1-4 in the NBA draft, I want a bonafide impact player (even a player that might have the potential to be one), not a role player.

Ha, again with the purple hair- you need to get out more! What next- tattoos and piercings!

holfresh wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

VCoug wrote:OMG, a 21 year old dyed his hair. Clearly a warning that we shouldn't draft him. You guys are nuts.

So if you are making a multi million dollar decision on a ballplayer--you would not ask--hey Willie what was with the blonde hair which turned purple least year? The only other African American I saw go "blonde" this year was Derrick Gordon. Dennis Rodman used to do it as well. So in the vetting process I sure as sht would want to know what was that?