Thabeet. He is the highest ceiling player in this draft after 2--the last two games he has played has cemented what he is and took away a few fears I had about him. He is better than Lopez imho and his defense and rebounding are 10 notches above any other C coming into the draft imho. I'm sticking with this pick and Im noit coming off it no matter what happens--players like Thabeet dont come around often at 7-3 270--in fact I dont remember 1 who has the same athletic ability touch strength speed and stamina for such a huge man. I think what he would represent to NY is an avenue back to what we were in the 90s and how we stayed on a championship competitive level for 15 years--emphasising defense first. I will also say I believe that while he reminds me of Mutumbo --he has HIGHER offensive potnetial which in my mind puts the seal on it. Mark it down right here and come back and see me in three years.

Just the things he did tongight--using the left hand on two nifty shots inside with touch--a foul line jumpshot a driving hook two monster slams on athletic drives[one disallowed] he's a monster that is building very fast and we should NOT lose this opportnuty the way we lost out on Bynum. What you have to watch when evaluating the athlete is improvement and this kid keeps improving and the way he's improving is on a high level. What he showed tongiht was impressive--I don't want Isiah to be locked into one F guy like he has in the last 4 years since he ahs been here--have an open mind and dont worry about what the rookie can do on day 1 rather what he can be. Thabeet can be a franchise talent --I have seen that tonight and I have seen him play 60 times over the last two years. He has come a LONg way in a short time.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 03-09-2008 8:18 PM]

no offense to you, but can't u just post all this stuff in a single thread? we get a new "This guy is the top talent available" thread every week.

keep em coming briggs.

you think thabeet is better than lopez or jordan? i agree, i think he's better than hibbert, and i've watched lopez the last few days and think he is a good player. thabeet, as the best big in the draft, would be a great pickup if rose/beasley were both gone.

Posted by GKFv2:

Ugh. This never ends, does it? Thabeet this, Thabeet that. Enough already.

I remmber I said Amare this Amare that Bynum this Bynum that several hundred times as well.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by TMS:

no offense to you, but can't u just post all this stuff in a single thread? we get a new "This guy is the top talent available" thread every week.

Because now I feel 100% confident that I'm right on about this. I siad mark it down IF we PASS on Thabeet we will REGRET it.

i don't got any problems w/ur predictions... i enjoy reading them cuz ur much more knowledgeable about college talent than i am... just don't see why u can't post em all on a single thread & reduce the clutter... but whatever man, it ain't my board

You won't get a argument from me Briggs. I think Thabeet is going to be one hell of a player and I would certainly take him 3.

I also look out for for what BRIGGS in the upcoming draft. The man has some serious intel on the college game. I see what TMS is coming from though. It would be an easier read for us if you have it in one thread so we can compare easily what you say on each prospect.

The board does not have a search engine. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Posted by tkf:

Posted by GKFv2:

Yeah, the great BRIGGS has now bestowed upon us his newest crush: Hasheem Thabeet.

Who will will be next? Ruben Boumtje Boumtje? Mamadou D'Diaye? DeSagna Diop? Tune in next time for another edition of "BRIGGS: The master of college talent."

Well why don't you tell us what great talent is out there. Briggs was 100% correct with bynum when most of us laughed at him, He was all over nate robinson when most of us didn't even know who nate was. He knew about tyrus thomas before he became famous in the NCAA tourney.. Briggs has been pretty much on the money with some of his college talent evaluations...

Yup. I also don't recall BRIGGS ever singing the praises of Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, Mamadou D'Diaye, or DeSagna Diop.

So you are saying that Thabeet has a higher ceiling than Anthony Randolph? They do play diffrent positions, and I would agree that Thabeet has probably the highest ceiling of all the centers in this draft. But as an overall player, Randolph has more potential than Thabeet and if he's at our spot, assuming we're not top 2, he should be the pick (at least where I see things today).

Also I don't post here often but I check the sight regularly and BRIGGS' reports are usualy quite good. No problem posting multiple threads as in the draft process things often change week to week.

Anyone else starting to think we should try and trade the pick if not 1 or 2?

I'm assuming Thabeet will be teetering around spot 10. I'd be up for our pick + whatever garbage for pick 10 (hopefully Thabeet) + role player.

I'm not taking a player in the top 3 who possess 0 offensive skills and whose only real skill is shot blocking. That type of "talent" can be had anywhere from late lottery to late 1st round. Depending on how he does in workouts near the draft, it will decide his draft position. But no way on God's green Earth is Hasheem Thabeet going in the top 5 nor should he be taken in the top 5.

As for who I like, I like a lot of kids but I don't want Mayo on this team. If there is no PG available at that position or no dynamic player, you can trade down and get rid of a contract while also getting Hasheem "everyone has a hard-on for me" Thabeet. I'm still holding out hope for a top 3 finish. I will hope and pray until the day of the lottery and depending on where we end up we should trade it for a pick in the late lottery and grab Thabeet. Wasting a top 3 or top 5 on Thabeet is just silly in my opinion.

I do like DJ Augustin and Jerryd Bayless though.