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WESTBROOK LOOKS GOOD TO KNICKS (article)
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fishmike
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6/5/2008  9:39 AM
WESTBROOK LOOKS GOOD TO KNICKS
By LENN ROBBINS


June 5, 2008 --
With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, the Knicks select, well . . . if yesterday is any indication, who knows?

The Knicks worked out six prospects yesterday, two point guards - UCLA's Russell Westbrook and Georgia's Sundiata Gaines of Queens, two small forwards - West Virginia's Joe Alexander and Chase Budinger of Arizona, and two centers - JaVale McGee of Nevada and Steve Hill of Arkansas.

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Though longtime assistant coach Herb Williams ran the workout, new head coach Mike D'Antoni watched this Pick Six group play and do drills at the team's Westchester practice facility.

According to most mock drafts, none of the six is projected to be drafted as high as sixth. But with so many needs and the possibility of trading that sixth pick, new GM Donnie Walsh and D'Antoni need to be ready to consider any move that will help this fractured franchise.

Westbrook and Alexander are the two most intriguing players. Prior to the start of the last season, few would have thought either player would enter the 2008 draft.

Westbrook, a sophomore, wasn't even the most-hyped guard at UCLA. It was Darren Collison's team. But the athletic 6-3 Westbrook, whom Davidson star Stephen Curry said was the toughest defender he faced, capped his season with a 22-point game in the NCAA Tournament against Memphis' Derrick Rose.

"I don't feel that I'm less than anyone," declared Westbrook, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Michael Beasley is considered the best forward in the draft but the 6-8 Alexander, who said he would love to play in D'Antoni's system, runs the court and said he can hit the corner 3.

"I don't think anyone in the draft stands above me," declared Alexander.

"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
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Ira
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6/5/2008  11:07 AM
Alexander is a great athlete but not an extremely productive player. His production wouldn't be worth the sixth pick. Westbrook is better and is good value at six. I don't know if he'd be my first choice, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we picked him. He won't be a big scorer in the nba, but his athleticism, his ability to play both guard spots, his defense and his energy will make him a valuable player to the team that picks him.
franco12
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6/5/2008  12:48 PM
If they are looking at Alexander- either the knick brain trust is looking to add a mid round pick or trade down.
nyk4ever
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6/5/2008  12:48 PM
I'd be happy with Westbrook at 6. I still prefer Randolph, but I feel like Westbrook is gaining on him very fast in my book atleast.
"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
islesfan
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6/5/2008  12:54 PM
I'd be very happy if they took Westbrook. It would show me that they care about defense.
If it didn’t work in Phoenix with Nash and Stoutamire... it’s just not a winning formula. It’s an entertaining formula, but not a winning one. - Derek Harper talking about D'Antoni's System
fishmike
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6/5/2008  12:55 PM
then I hope for the love of god we take Westbrook just to reduce the # of Isles's "nobody cares..." posts
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
fishmike
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6/5/2008  12:58 PM
if we stick at 6 this is still my favorite.

1) two-way player
2) shown to be clutch
3) up tempo
4) ****y and hard working
5) locked down Bayless and Mayo 1-1 in big games
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
islesfan
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6/5/2008  12:59 PM
Posted by fishmike:

then I hope for the love of god we take Westbrook just to reduce the # of Isles's "nobody cares..." posts

Come on, you know you love those posts.
If it didn’t work in Phoenix with Nash and Stoutamire... it’s just not a winning formula. It’s an entertaining formula, but not a winning one. - Derek Harper talking about D'Antoni's System
fishmike
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6/5/2008  1:01 PM
ok I do love them. And there is always this upside: If we draft Westbrook and he is not a good defender at the NBA level then you can get a lot of mileage out of the reason being "because Mike doesnt care about D"
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
djsunyc
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6/5/2008  1:02 PM
i would look into moving the #6 pick for bargnani...i mean if they are really serious about getting me back as a fan, that would be my #1 priority...
islesfan
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6/5/2008  1:05 PM
Posted by fishmike:

ok I do love them. And there is always this upside: If we draft Westbrook and he is not a good defender at the NBA level then you can get a lot of mileage out of the reason being "because Mike doesnt care about D"

You're goddamn right I will. And I'll be killing them for not taking Gordon.
If it didn’t work in Phoenix with Nash and Stoutamire... it’s just not a winning formula. It’s an entertaining formula, but not a winning one. - Derek Harper talking about D'Antoni's System
islesfan
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6/5/2008  1:06 PM
Posted by djsunyc:

i would look into moving the #6 pick for bargnani...i mean if they are really serious about getting me back as a fan, that would be my #1 priority...

Only if you take Randolph and give us Ford.
If it didn’t work in Phoenix with Nash and Stoutamire... it’s just not a winning formula. It’s an entertaining formula, but not a winning one. - Derek Harper talking about D'Antoni's System
fishmike
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6/5/2008  1:07 PM
Posted by djsunyc:

i would look into moving the #6 pick for bargnani...i mean if they are really serious about getting me back as a fan, that would be my #1 priority...
barfaloni blows.. cmon man
"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
nyballer
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6/5/2008  2:31 PM
i would prefer budinger over alexander if we added another pick...budingers a better shooter and pretty much as athletic, alexander is stronger but we really need shooters or this team won't win anything
"easy like sunday morning..." - walt clyde
nyk4ever
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6/5/2008  2:44 PM
Posted by nyballer:

i would prefer budinger over alexander if we added another pick...budingers a better shooter and pretty much as athletic, alexander is stronger but we really need shooters or this team won't win anything

Ewww. Chase Budinger is your typical Pac10 and Arizona player - soft and overated.
"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
MaTT4281
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6/5/2008  3:09 PM
Posted by djsunyc:

i would look into moving the #6 pick for bargnani...i mean if they are really serious about getting me back as a fan, that would be my #1 priority...

The Raptors winning you back as a fan is not our concern.

I'm really jumping on the Westbrook bandwagon. Fills a need at PG and brings some hard-nosed perimeter defense to the table. He's still my #1 choice (barring OJ falling to 6) ahead of Randolph.
BRIGGS
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6/5/2008  3:41 PM
The league wants that. You can’t guard anybody anymore,” Brown said. “If Michael (Jordan) played today he’d average 60 a game, as much as they call fouls on the perimeter. You’ve got to have people that can keep guards in front of them without fouling. It’s unbelievably important now. And now you need guys that can penetrate and play pick-and-roll and get people involved

this is larry brown talking and the reason why i think Westbrook is so valuable
RIP Crushalot😞
earthmansurfer
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6/5/2008  5:14 PM
Posted by BRIGGS:

The league wants that. You can’t guard anybody anymore,” Brown said. “If Michael (Jordan) played today he’d average 60 a game, as much as they call fouls on the perimeter. You’ve got to have people that can keep guards in front of them without fouling. It’s unbelievably important now. And now you need guys that can penetrate and play pick-and-roll and get people involved

this is larry brown talking and the reason why i think Westbrook is so valuable

It's a great point. He might really be the best PG for us, because of his D and ability to run (Great body and incredibly athletic). I will be curious to find out after the draft if we end up drafting him, what our in house "experts" like Donnie and D'Antoni say, as we all respect their opinion no doubt. Good feeling about this kid as far as PG's go.
Getting in front of the opposing PG really stops great point guards from driving and dishing and just turns them into an (outside) distributor, making them way below their normal value...

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. Albert Einstein
BRIGGS
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6/5/2008  5:25 PM
Posted by earthmansurfer:
Posted by BRIGGS:

The league wants that. You can’t guard anybody anymore,” Brown said. “If Michael (Jordan) played today he’d average 60 a game, as much as they call fouls on the perimeter. You’ve got to have people that can keep guards in front of them without fouling. It’s unbelievably important now. And now you need guys that can penetrate and play pick-and-roll and get people involved

this is larry brown talking and the reason why i think Westbrook is so valuable

It's a great point. He might really be the best PG for us, because of his D and ability to run (Great body and incredibly athletic). I will be curious to find out after the draft if we end up drafting him, what our in house "experts" like Donnie and D'Antoni say, as we all respect their opinion no doubt. Good feeling about this kid as far as PG's go.
Getting in front of the opposing PG really stops great point guards from driving and dishing and just turns them into an (outside) distributor, making them way below their normal value...

I really want Westbrook as well. If you are talking about the uptempo system and his ability to flourish in that both ways---6 is a huge leverage spot.
RIP Crushalot😞
SupremeCommander
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6/5/2008  5:31 PM
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by earthmansurfer:
Posted by BRIGGS:

The league wants that. You can’t guard anybody anymore,” Brown said. “If Michael (Jordan) played today he’d average 60 a game, as much as they call fouls on the perimeter. You’ve got to have people that can keep guards in front of them without fouling. It’s unbelievably important now. And now you need guys that can penetrate and play pick-and-roll and get people involved

this is larry brown talking and the reason why i think Westbrook is so valuable

It's a great point. He might really be the best PG for us, because of his D and ability to run (Great body and incredibly athletic). I will be curious to find out after the draft if we end up drafting him, what our in house "experts" like Donnie and D'Antoni say, as we all respect their opinion no doubt. Good feeling about this kid as far as PG's go.
Getting in front of the opposing PG really stops great point guards from driving and dishing and just turns them into an (outside) distributor, making them way below their normal value...

I really want Westbrook as well. If you are talking about the uptempo system and his ability to flourish in that both ways---6 is a huge leverage spot.

If Mayo isn't there, consider me on the Westbrook bandwagon as well. While I think he's a reach at 6, I'd also be happy if the Knicks took Joe Alexander who grows on me more and more every day. Has more to do with his attitude than his college production or combine results.
DLeethal wrote: Lol Rick needs a safe space
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