Though I agree with you and the Knicks not wanting to deal with that, Dolan could pay out $14,000 (which is how much Hilario got paid last year) in cash. The guy's richer then God. But still, if it's a contract dispute vs. a guy who doesn't have one, I'd say they pick Wilcox.

Well the Knicks need athleticism, that is addressed by either player. They need size, Hilario addresses that a little better but he is also foreign and more of a risk. Personally from what I have read/seen in the players coming out in the draft I think Hilario and Wilcox are 2 of the best options. Gooden is talented but he is really skinny. A PF should have some size to him for added durability (hopefully) - we found that out with Camby. Either choice would be great for the Knicks.

Does anyone know about Hilarios presence in the post? We need a post up game and I think Wilcox brings that to the table. Without it, Houston and Spree will continue to get killed by the defense. No matter what - Camby at center is not going to get it done this year. So even if we get a solid PF a trade has to happen to get us a REAL big man. Camby wont last if he has to start at center. I have heard some interesting thuoghts about getting another pick in this draft ebcause there are some decent big men, that is a great idea - but it doesnt seem like it could happen.

For some reason it doesn't sound like the Knicks care to much about contract situations. The Knicks are willing to deal with a communist government but not the Vasco Da gamo team that Hilario plays with. I think the Knicks will easily buy out the contract. From what I hear the Brazilian team has been having trouble financially so any positive amount of money will probably be welcomed.

The Knicks wouldn't hesitate in working out buyout deals, but they're still no guarentee he's able to come over right away. Why go through all the trouble if you're getting a player just as good or better with no problems to work out. They draft Wilcox and thats the end of the story. They draft Hilario, and things still aren't settled.

http://www.insidehoops.com/nba061802.shtml

-- One NBA scout told me that junior college sensation Qyntel Woods "has no idea how to play basketball." The scout said that Woods has been compared to Orlando's Tracy McGrady, "and Woods does have that type of athleticism."

But?

"But he is lost when it comes to the very basics of the game," the scout said. Then he added this: "The sad part it, the NBA is filled with guys like Woods, great athletes with no concept how to play or win. (Sacramento's) Gerald Wallace comes to mind."

-- The scout also had this to say about Maryland forward Chris Wilcox: "Somebody is gonna use a lottery pick on him, and that somebody is really gonna regret it. Wilcox just won't be a very good NBA player."

Now I'll have to admit I'm alot more interested in Nene, Wagner and Nikoloz but to call Wilcox a potential bust is beyond me. I'm am heavily hoping against odds that the 7th pick will be Nene though.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_1214753,00.html

Hilario's hands swallow the basketball, and he has the body of a prototypical power forward. His speed and athleticism rival those of many smaller, and supposedly, more agile men.

"He's awesome," said Stanford University center Curtis Borchardt, who also worked out for the Nuggets on Monday. "Quick. Strong. A little bit raw. The guy works hard and has a good attitude. He's going to be a good player."

"He's a beast," California center Jamal Sampson said. "They will know about him real soon. He would have been a top-five pick if he played college basketball."

I rest my case, Nene could be all that and then some.

We gotta go with NENE.... I just don't see Wilcox as being the MAN here, and Nene is a MVP candidate in 3 to 5 years.

Posted by BigSm00th:

I agree with Nene. I think Wilcox will develop into a Derrick Coleman/Kurt Thomas type of player who averages like 15 points and 9 or 10 boards, where I see Nene as being a guy who could average 2o to 22 points once he gets himself adjusted, come in the top 5 in rebounding with 14 or 15 a game, and then have 2 or 3 blocks. That is if he plays power forward. Those numbers will be slightly lower if he is forced to defend and go up against centers.

nene - better pick.
i can see wilcox becoming a thomas or theo ratliff clone.

My prediction is Knicks take Wilcox, if anything they will do it just because he is guranteed to play next season (unless he is injured). Nene is a risk, unproven, sounds like a great addition though. I still see them taking Wilcox if he is there. However I do think they should trade to secure another pick and take Nene..but that is just a dream at this point.

Twenty minutes versus zero minutes is a stupid comparison. It was 20 minutes. It takes me twenty minutes to go the bathroom after school, it's nothing. Wilcox played against the best the NCAA could offer in front of a national audience. Both are unproven, there is no way in telling who is going to be the better pro, who will get hurt, etc. There's just no way you can do that.

Posted by Vmart:

Posted by BigSm00th:

Twenty minutes versus zero minutes is a stupid comparison. It was 20 minutes. It takes me twenty minutes to go the bathroom after school, it's nothing. Wilcox played against the best the NCAA could offer in front of a national audience. Both are unproven, there is no way in telling who is going to be the better pro, who will get hurt, etc. There's just no way you can do that.

The NCAA doesn't carry the same weight it did in the 80's have you forgotten that. NCAA is waterdown at best all the talent leaves or the don't even go, they aren't that good to be thinking them as high basketball competition. Sure you get a few that become stars in the league but the fact is NCAA can't compete against most PRO league of other countries. The Pro leagues have passed them by. Thats why they don't send NCAA players to the Olympics anymore.

As far as 20 minutes to 0 minutes let me make it 1 game to 0 games.

exactly, that's why so many internationals are in the draft (not being sarcastic).


[Edited by - caseloads on 06/20/2002 16:45:14]

Posted by Knixkik:

In Hilario's workouts he seemed to have put on some very nice shows, however, in Wilcox's three workout he was completely spectacular and breath-taking in each one. Both players are easily comparable, but i don't think people are even using them in the same sentence anymore. I like Nene a lot, but Wilcox just seems that much better.

It was a structured workout that was made to show case Wilcox in the best way. They were having non contact drills. His competition in the work out Collins (High Schooler) and Ely who is low first rounder a possible second rounder at best.

The Knicks made a mistake they should have called all three top PF Gooden, Wilcox and Hilario and put them up against each other that way they would have come out with the right decision and that I know would be Hilario he would have simply overpowered the two. Their unwillingness to show case their talent head on only makes Nene the obvious choice.

Posted by Andrew:

Agents of the top picks would never allow this. There is no way they would put their player in the position where he could dramatically hurt his stock. This is why that Christofferson (sp) dude is getting to work out for teams so much....he is a stiff that other players will look good against.

Posted by Vmart:

The Knicks made a mistake they should have called all three top PF Gooden, Wilcox and Hilario and put them up against each other that way they would have come out with the right decision and that I know would be Hilario he would have simply overpowered the two. Their unwillingness to show case their talent head on only makes Nene the obvious choice.

Good point Andrew. I definitely think Hilario would be too good for Wilcox. As someone else stated, Wilcox's workouts hae been impressive because they were made to stand him out.