[ IMAGES: Images ON turn off | ACCOUNT: User Status is LOCKED why? ]

Chad Ford's Combine Recap
Forum Index  ›  NY Knicks Forum
Page 1 of 2  1  2 Next ›
« Reply To Topic
Author Thread
BigSm00th
Posts: 24504
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 12/9/2001
Member: #178
USA
5/30/2009  1:25 PM
Hadn't seen this posted.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=PreDraftTour-090529

CHICAGO -- The NBA draft combine officially got under way on Thursday at ATTACK Athletics, and the first day was, to put it politely, sort of a dud.

As expected, Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, UConn's Hasheem Thabeet, Arizona's Jordan Hill and Arizona State's James Harden skipped the first day of draft workouts. They were joined by Memphis guard Tyreke Evans.
 (everybody should have to do compete here)

The drills weren't particularly telling. However, there were a few highlights from the first day of workouts. We'll break it down by the four groups that participated, starting with the point guards.

Point guards
• Nine point guards ranked in our Top 30 participated in the first workout of the day: Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, Jeff Teague, Ty Lawson, Eric Maynor, Darren Collison, Patrick Mills and Toney Douglas. The workout was, by far, the highlight of the camp so far.

"I think it was really important to see all of the top point guard prospects on the floor at the same time," one NBA GM told me. "You could measure up guys, compare speed, jump shots and athleticism. It's a small piece of the puzzle, but it helped our staff get a little separation on these guys. That's going to make our job easier."

Four players really seemed to catch the attention of the GMs I spoke with after the event, with UCLA's Jrue Holiday garnering the most attention. He was the biggest point guard of the top group and seemed to tower over several of the smaller guys on the floor.

During one 3-on-2 full-court drill, Holiday looked like a power forward running on the wing. And while his size was impressive, so was his game. He was hitting his jump shot, finishing with both hands and showing versatility and an excellent handle.

"I was skeptical when I read the report out of IMG about Holiday," one NBA executive said. "Now I get it. That's the kid we fell in love with in high school. He was really impressive."

• Curry put on a shooting show -- no surprise there -- but many GMs commented that he really looked like he belonged when he participated in a number of ballhandling and full-court drills. If Curry can prove to teams that he can play point guard, he'll go somewhere between No. 5 and 13. If he can't, he could slip out of the lottery. The results of the first day of camp had to be encouraging.

• Flynn continues to generate buzz with his combination of speed and power -- even if he was the shortest guy on the floor. Every GM I spoke with now sees him as a lottery pick, with many projecting him in the Top 10.

• Maynor also generated some significant buzz with his decision-making and shooting.

"He looked like he was totally in control out there. There's a smoothness to his game that I really like," an NBA head coach said.

• Australia's Patrick Mills also turned some heads with his speed. It will be interesting to see who wins the three-quarter sprint drill on Friday. Mills, Collison and Lawson are the likeliest contenders for the fastest player in the draft -- all three guys are a blur.

• Not everyone impressed, however. Lawson continues to take a little bit of a beating. His small stature and so-so performance in the combine didn't help dispel a growing chorus of scouts who seem to feel that his game won't translate to the pros.

Shooting guards
• The talent dropped off tremendously when the 2-guards stepped onto the floor. With Harden and Evans sitting it out, the best prospect on the floor was USC's DeMar DeRozan, who didn't disappoint.

DeRozan showed off his terrific athleticism. But more impressive was the solid shooting display he put on. While he still isn't a sharpshooter, he showed range out to the NBA 3-point line. For a guy who shot 18 percent from the college arc as a freshman, that has to come as a big relief.

"As far as upside goes, he's second only to Blake Griffin in this draft," one NBA GM noted. "He has all the physical tools to be a superstar. The question is -- is he Vince Carter or Gerald Green?"

There is evidence that points in both directions, but DeRozan's late-season flourish for USC combined with his improved stroke shows he is willing to work hard to get better at his game. The NBA teams I spoke with all had his range from No. 5 to 9. Looks like I'll be adjusting my next mock draft next week.

• There wasn't much else to report in this group. A number of teams noted that Terrence Williams looked smaller than they thought.

Several GMs made comparisons between Miami Hurricanes guard Jack McClinton and Boston Celtics guard Eddie House.

Everyone continued to talk about UNC's Danny Green as an underrated player, but no GM I spoke to seemed to be considering him as a first-round pick.

Duke's Gerald Henderson played well in the combine, but teams are sharply divided about his NBA future. A handful see him as a lottery pick. Many more feel like he could really slip on draft night.

Small forwards
• This was the second-most talented collection of prospects here. A number of players in this group are ranked in our Top 30, including James Johnson, Earl Clark, Austin Daye, Chase Budinger, Sam Young and DaJuan Summers.

Of the group, Gonzaga's Austin Daye helped himself the most. He was flawless in the drills, launching and hitting shots from everywhere on the floor and showing a very high basketball IQ.

"You see him in an environment like this and you want to fall in love," one NBA GM said. "This is the perfect scenario for him. Show off your skills and don't worry about having to face contact or play physical defense. It's when those tough defenders come that you start to see the other side of Daye."

That may have been true this season at Gonzaga, but one NBA team said it wasn't true in their workout. "He was amazing," one GM said. "We threw everything at him and he handled it all. I think he's tougher than people think."

How good was Daye's workout? Several lottery teams told me that they were ready to give him a second look.

• Louisville's Earl Clark also got some love. "He so fluid," one GM said. "He plays an effortless game."

And Georgetown's DaJuan Summers also impressed people with his play.

• A couple of players didn't fare as well. Israel's Omri Casspi had a shaky shooting day, throwing up a few air balls and bricks during the shooting drills. No worries, however -- he's much better in a real game with real defenders.

Wake Forest's James Johnson also took some flak for a number of reasons. Some teams didn't like his body language. Some teams thought he had bulked up too much. Others felt that he would've been better off working with the power forwards.

There definitely seems to be a concerted downgrading of Johnson. The question is: Are teams doing it deliberately to push his stock down to a place where they can draft him?

Bigs
• The last group was the bigs. As everyone knows, this isn't a great strength of this draft. With Griffin, Hill and Thabeet sitting it out, the best player on the floor was Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair.

Blair wowed a lot of people with his new, more toned and chiseled physique. There seems to be a controversy about how much weight Blair has actually lost, but there there's no question that his body looks much better.

The most intriguing name out there was Ohio State's B.J. Mullens. Many NBA scouts had Mullens as a top-five pick at the start of the season, but downgraded his stock after he failed to get significant minutes as a freshman.

Thursday was a bit of a coming-out party for Mullens. He passed the smell test for big men with flying colors.

"You watch him in a workout setting like that and there's a lot to love," one GM said. "He keeps working out like that for teams, and he's moving up the draft."

• North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough was there, but he didn't seem to draw a high level of buzz one way or the other. "He looked like the same guy we saw for four years at North Carolina," one NBA GM said. "I wanted to see him try to score over longer, more athletic players. If he showed that, I'd be impressed."

• The big mystery was the no-show of Washington's Jon Brockman. The NBA just shrugged its shoulders when asked where Brockman was. His absence fueled a number of (unsubstantiated) rumors. I heard everything from a promise by a European team to a first-round promise from an NBA team to an injury. We're digging to find out the truth.

Play resumes on Friday with a slightly different skills workout format, plus athletic and agility testing. ESPNU will be televising the event live starting at 10 a.m. ET.




Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obvioulsy intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.
#Knickstaps
AUTOADVERT
Uptown
Posts: 31369
Alba Posts: 3
Joined: 4/1/2008
Member: #1883
5/30/2009  1:53 PM
Thanks for posting this......Few things:

Holiday may be this years Westbrook. I think he will shoot up the draft and may be the second PG taken behind Rubio but before 8. I've seen Holiday 3 times this year. He can be a facilitator, but he's no pure PG. Can be pretty godd defensively but will struggle shooting the rock. And of course he will look like a big guard compared to Flynn and Lawson.

Mullens is a big kid, so whenever you see a big with some skill, its always bonna be intriguing. However, these combines are taylor made for the skilled player because there is no contact on real game similations. Mullens can be good down the road, but I cant see him making much of an impact right away. Because of that, rightly or wrongly, I can't see MDA and walsh taking him.

I still see Curry as the pick for Walsh and MDA with long consideration for Evans if he is there.
sebstar
Posts: 25698
Alba Posts: 4
Joined: 6/2/2002
Member: #249
USA
5/30/2009  2:32 PM
damn, that read like a press release, they loved everybody.
My saliva and spit can split thread into fiber and bits/ So trust me I'm as live as it gets. --Royce Da 5'9 + DJ Premier = Hip Hop Utopia
Paladin55
Posts: 24321
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/6/2008
Member: #2098
5/30/2009  3:21 PM
Posted by BigSm00th:

Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obviously intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.

I pretty much agree with you. Of the guys we are probably going to be looking at when we pick, I like Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday at this point. Flynn is an interesting player to consider, despite his size, which just hits the 6'+ mark with shoes on.

I think I read that Curry, Holiday, Lawson, and Flynn (??), are going to be working out for us together in early June. I'd probably pay to see that workout.

I would consider Mullens if we work him out and he impresses, even though I have given Briggs hell on the guy. One of the things talked about on the televised coverage was how Motta wanted Mullens with his back to the basket, and Mullens felt he could be better used facing up. Perhaps Mullens was right, and maybe this is why he spoke about (more than once, I might add) his varied talents in the interview of him I saw, but do we really want a center who prefers staying outside and is adverse to mixing it up in the paint? If we already had a PG for the future, we might be looking more seriously at Mullens, but the strength of this draft is its PGs, and we need a PG, so... .

I also think that Evans has to be looked at, although I really think he should have done the combine workouts. I wonder if he got a promise from a team already. I would only want him if we were sure that he could play PG.

Should be an interesting draft, and there is still talk of us moving up to get Rubio.

We should end up coming out of this thing with a pretty decent player for the future, no doubt about it.
No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
nixluva
Posts: 56258
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 10/5/2004
Member: #758
USA
5/30/2009  6:52 PM
I think MDA would favor a face up C cuz it makes passing easy and double teams harder. If we did pick Mullens I can see how MDA would love to use him in a more free flowing style. Late game post ups are still a huge part of winning BB so I would expect to see him used in the post more as the game reaches crunchtime.
BRIGGS
Posts: 53275
Alba Posts: 7
Joined: 7/30/2002
Member: #303
5/30/2009  8:51 PM
Posted by nixluva:

I think MDA would favor a face up C cuz it makes passing easy and double teams harder. If we did pick Mullens I can see how MDA would love to use him in a more free flowing style. Late game post ups are still a huge part of winning BB so I would expect to see him used in the post more as the game reaches crunchtime.

I think if you look back at all of the rings that Phil Jackson has--besides having the great player--he has multiple 7 footers and really the PG position is last in the importance line.

Then you look at other teams that have won it multiple times-San Antonio has multiple 6-11/7 footers in fact most of the teams have multiple 7 footers who contribute. You need the star but you also need the bigs--this is what wins in the NBA

The NY Knicks are much much too small to win--they can make things exciting by running up the score but they dont have the size to really compete in this league. Until we realize this we will be mediocre

Funny how people say the league is changing but when the Lakers win --just like Boston last year--it will be the biggest team in the league. Even Orlando has a frontline that goes 6-11 6-10 6-10 and has a 7 footer that comes off the bench

Cleveland has 7-3 6-10
6-10 6-9 and they look smallish in this series.
RIP Crushalot😞
TMS
Posts: 60684
Alba Posts: 617
Joined: 5/11/2004
Member: #674
USA
5/30/2009  9:48 PM
DeRozan showed off his terrific athleticism. But more impressive was the solid shooting display he put on. While he still isn't a sharpshooter, he showed range out to the NBA 3-point line. For a guy who shot 18 percent from the college arc as a freshman, that has to come as a big relief.

"As far as upside goes, he's second only to Blake Griffin in this draft," one NBA GM noted. "He has all the physical tools to be a superstar. The question is -- is he Vince Carter or Gerald Green?"

There is evidence that points in both directions, but DeRozan's late-season flourish for USC combined with his improved stroke shows he is willing to work hard to get better at his game. The NBA teams I spoke with all had his range from No. 5 to 9. Looks like I'll be adjusting my next mock draft next week.

that's what i'm talkin' about.
After 7 years & 40K+ posts, banned by martin for calling Nalod a 'moron'. Awesome.
BRIGGS
Posts: 53275
Alba Posts: 7
Joined: 7/30/2002
Member: #303
5/30/2009  9:54 PM
Posted by Paladin55:
Posted by BigSm00th:

Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obviously intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.

I pretty much agree with you. Of the guys we are probably going to be looking at when we pick, I like Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday at this point. Flynn is an interesting player to consider, despite his size, which just hits the 6'+ mark with shoes on.

I think I read that Curry, Holiday, Lawson, and Flynn (??), are going to be working out for us together in early June. I'd probably pay to see that workout.

I would consider Mullens if we work him out and he impresses, even though I have given Briggs hell on the guy. One of the things talked about on the televised coverage was how Motta wanted Mullens with his back to the basket, and Mullens felt he could be better used facing up. Perhaps Mullens was right, and maybe this is why he spoke about (more than once, I might add) his varied talents in the interview of him I saw, but do we really want a center who prefers staying outside and is adverse to mixing it up in the paint? If we already had a PG for the future, we might be looking more seriously at Mullens, but the strength of this draft is its PGs, and we need a PG, so... .

I also think that Evans has to be looked at, although I really think he should have done the combine workouts. I wonder if he got a promise from a team already. I would only want him if we were sure that he could play PG.

Should be an interesting draft, and there is still talk of us moving up to get Rubio.

We should end up coming out of this thing with a pretty decent player for the future, no doubt about it.

Paladin--where do you see Mullens playing like a SF in this Ohio State montage? He looks like an explosive athletic 5 with a good touch and soem post moves who can run and power the ball in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDqoqWCcf4

My God cant someone see what this player can be? We really need a skinny 6-2 player? Insane. Look where this guy can catch on the oop. Just throw the ball up with just a little space and its a dunk. And think he is stronger faster and more explosive and will continue to get stronger with that explosion. ADD in that he can hit that mid range jump shot and you are looking at one helluva weapon.



Draft Mullens 8 and go get another pick for Teague and this team will be MUCH better NEXT year. Teague is better than some of these guys slotted to be picked 2-4-6 etc.. and we can have him maybe 14-21 if we can find another pick.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 05-30-2009 10:08 PM]
RIP Crushalot😞
JohnWallace44
Posts: 25119
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 6/14/2005
Member: #910
USA
5/31/2009  3:08 AM
i don't know about Mullens at the 8 slot though

I'd rather take the best player available of Evans, Holiday, Derozan and then do our best to get back into the draft for Mullens or Lawal.

Holiday is a big point. I watched the combine and he is massive compared to these guys.
Alan Hahn: Nate Robinson has been on a ridonkulous scoring tear lately (remember when he couldn't hit Jerome James with a Big Mac in early January?)
Paladin55
Posts: 24321
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/6/2008
Member: #2098
5/31/2009  8:59 AM
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Paladin55:
Posted by BigSm00th:

Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obviously intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.

I pretty much agree with you. Of the guys we are probably going to be looking at when we pick, I like Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday at this point. Flynn is an interesting player to consider, despite his size, which just hits the 6'+ mark with shoes on.

I think I read that Curry, Holiday, Lawson, and Flynn (??), are going to be working out for us together in early June. I'd probably pay to see that workout.

I would consider Mullens if we work him out and he impresses, even though I have given Briggs hell on the guy. One of the things talked about on the televised coverage was how Motta wanted Mullens with his back to the basket, and Mullens felt he could be better used facing up. Perhaps Mullens was right, and maybe this is why he spoke about (more than once, I might add) his varied talents in the interview of him I saw, but do we really want a center who prefers staying outside and is adverse to mixing it up in the paint? If we already had a PG for the future, we might be looking more seriously at Mullens, but the strength of this draft is its PGs, and we need a PG, so... .

I also think that Evans has to be looked at, although I really think he should have done the combine workouts. I wonder if he got a promise from a team already. I would only want him if we were sure that he could play PG.

Should be an interesting draft, and there is still talk of us moving up to get Rubio.

We should end up coming out of this thing with a pretty decent player for the future, no doubt about it.

Paladin--where do you see Mullens playing like a SF in this Ohio State montage? He looks like an explosive athletic 5 with a good touch and soem post moves who can run and power the ball in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDqoqWCcf4

My God cant someone see what this player can be? We really need a skinny 6-2 player? Insane. Look where this guy can catch on the oop. Just throw the ball up with just a little space and its a dunk. And think he is stronger faster and more explosive and will continue to get stronger with that explosion. ADD in that he can hit that mid range jump shot and you are looking at one helluva weapon.



Draft Mullens 8 and go get another pick for Teague and this team will be MUCH better NEXT year. Teague is better than some of these guys slotted to be picked 2-4-6 etc.. and we can have him maybe 14-21 if we can find another pick.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 05-30-2009 10:08 PM]

I listened to the kid talk about his own game and heard the ESPN discussion about what happened at OSU and I made a hypothesis about how he wants to play. Hell, I could be wrong, but I get the feeling that he would rather hang on the outside that do the dirty work.

Guys keep talking about the Knicks being soft in the middle- I am not sure that Mullens would change that.

I see the playing time given to Mullens at OSU as a significant piece of evidence to look at when evaluating him. I saw him play a few times and saw the kinds of things he can do at times, but I have my doubts about him ever becoming a real center in the NBA.

[Edited by - Paladin55 on 05-31-2009 1:22 PM]
No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
Ira
Posts: 24692
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 8/14/2001
Member: #91
5/31/2009  11:34 AM
Palladin, I agree. I think he's a bigger, stronger Frye - looks like Tarzan, plays the game like Jane.
Vmart
Posts: 31800
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 5/23/2002
Member: #247
USA
5/31/2009  1:18 PM
Mullen isn't necessary, right now you have Eddy Curry still on the roster and we all know that Eddy is very capable of scoring if healthy and he will be healthy next year and most likely he gets a lot of minutes. The Knicks should stick to the plan and select Stephen Curry he is the best talent in the draft after Blake Griffin. The Knicks should still explore buying a another pick and maybe the Memphis deal does happen this way you add Darko and then draft a shot blocker like Gibson.

Thsi way you add a player similar to what Mullens will be in the NBA Darko. You get that shot blocker to compliment Eddy and you add a guard who is lights out shooter which would open up the interior for the bigs to operate.
Paladin55
Posts: 24321
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 7/6/2008
Member: #2098
5/31/2009  1:30 PM
Posted by Vmart:

Mullen isn't necessary, right now you have Eddy Curry still on the roster and we all know that Eddy is very capable of scoring if healthy and he will be healthy next year and most likely he gets a lot of minutes. The Knicks should stick to the plan and select Stephen Curry he is the best talent in the draft after Blake Griffin. The Knicks should still explore buying a another pick and maybe the Memphis deal does happen this way you add Darko and then draft a shot blocker like Gibson.

Thsi way you add a player similar to what Mullens will be in the NBA Darko. You get that shot blocker to compliment Eddy and you add a guard who is lights out shooter which would open up the interior for the bigs to operate.

I would love to pick up a guy like Gibson late in the 1st if we could somehow buy a pick. 6'10" with shoes and a good wingspan. He would be a great energy guy off the bench- maybe become a little bit like Balkman, but with more offensive capability.

I also don't mind the Darko deal. One year left on his contract- if he somehow finds a home with MDA, we find a way to keep him next year, if not, he probably goes back to E.Europe. A good deal for us.

If we did pick up players like Darko and Gibson we would have enough frontcourt players with size to mix, match, and put a presentable defensive team on the floor at times when we really need it.
No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
BRIGGS
Posts: 53275
Alba Posts: 7
Joined: 7/30/2002
Member: #303
5/31/2009  1:33 PM
Posted by Ira:

Palladin, I agree. I think he's a bigger, stronger Frye - looks like Tarzan, plays the game like Jane.

Ira--you said that Brook Lopez was Channing Frye and was going to be awful and Randolph was to skinny to do anything among several other whoppers--look back at some of your own calls my man.

I think that Mullens will be devalued because of what happened with college but all that means is there will be a bunch of teams looking back and regretting the decision.

There is a reason why the Knicks have won 29 games on average over 9 years--they aren't very smart.
RIP Crushalot😞
Ira
Posts: 24692
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 8/14/2001
Member: #91
5/31/2009  1:52 PM
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Ira:

Palladin, I agree. I think he's a bigger, stronger Frye - looks like Tarzan, plays the game like Jane.

Ira--you said that Brook Lopez was Channing Frye and was going to be awful and Randolph was to skinny to do anything among several other whoppers--look back at some of your own calls my man.

I think that Mullens will be devalued because of what happened with college but all that means is there will be a bunch of teams looking back and regretting the decision.

There is a reason why the Knicks have won 29 games on average over 9 years--they aren't very smart.

Marcus Williams
BRIGGS
Posts: 53275
Alba Posts: 7
Joined: 7/30/2002
Member: #303
5/31/2009  5:40 PM
Posted by Ira:
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Ira:

Palladin, I agree. I think he's a bigger, stronger Frye - looks like Tarzan, plays the game like Jane.

Ira--you said that Brook Lopez was Channing Frye and was going to be awful and Randolph was to skinny to do anything among several other whoppers--look back at some of your own calls my man.

I think that Mullens will be devalued because of what happened with college but all that means is there will be a bunch of teams looking back and regretting the decision.

There is a reason why the Knicks have won 29 games on average over 9 years--they aren't very smart.

Marcus Williams

Yeah the same player Bryan Colangelo was trying to buy/trade pick in the teens for. He's not done in anyway --he's 23 and still a 6-3 215 pound PG--that wouldve been a better pick at 23 than Balkman

Williams signed with the Quebradillas Pirates of the Puerto Rican Basketball League (BSN in late March of 2009. During the first half of the season, Williams averaged 15.0 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists. He has registered one triple-double and is the league-leader in the assists department. [7] He was also selected to play in the league's All-star game
RIP Crushalot😞
Ira
Posts: 24692
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 8/14/2001
Member: #91
5/31/2009  7:54 PM
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Ira:
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Ira:

Palladin, I agree. I think he's a bigger, stronger Frye - looks like Tarzan, plays the game like Jane.

Ira--you said that Brook Lopez was Channing Frye and was going to be awful and Randolph was to skinny to do anything among several other whoppers--look back at some of your own calls my man.

I think that Mullens will be devalued because of what happened with college but all that means is there will be a bunch of teams looking back and regretting the decision.

There is a reason why the Knicks have won 29 games on average over 9 years--they aren't very smart.

Marcus Williams

Yeah the same player Bryan Colangelo was trying to buy/trade pick in the teens for. He's not done in anyway --he's 23 and still a 6-3 215 pound PG--that wouldve been a better pick at 23 than Balkman

Williams signed with the Quebradillas Pirates of the Puerto Rican Basketball League (BSN in late March of 2009. During the first half of the season, Williams averaged 15.0 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists. He has registered one triple-double and is the league-leader in the assists department. [7] He was also selected to play in the league's All-star game

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4150
nixluva
Posts: 56258
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 10/5/2004
Member: #758
USA
5/31/2009  8:14 PM
ANYWAY! The draft is harder to figure when you have so many poorly run teams trying to figure out what to do at this point to make their teams better. How can anyone predict what a team like the Grizz, Sac, Wash or Minny will do? They can mess up the entire draft order.

I'd feel great about either Curry, Holliday, DeRozan or Mullens. I don't think with as much help as we need that we'd be bad off with any one of these players. I just think that we'd obviously be best served with a player that can make an impact on the style we play. IMO Curry, Holliday and Mullens could potentially have an impact on how the team plays. The reason is that they play pivotal positions that an offense revolves around.

preference in order:

1. Curry - I think he'd give us the closest thing to a Nash presence that we'd get.
2. Mullens - We've had need for a big with real skills and he could play the way an MDA big needs to play.
3. Holliday - I love big guards and he's got the defensive ability we really need too.
4. DeRozan - Not a big need, but how can you pass up that kind of upside?
fishmike
Posts: 53902
Alba Posts: 1
Joined: 7/19/2002
Member: #298
USA
6/1/2009  7:50 AM
Posted by BRIGGS:
Posted by Paladin55:
Posted by BigSm00th:

Holliday sounds like he really impressed. I didn't watch him that much at UCLA, don't know much about him. I still feel good about Curry at 8, and now am intrigued by Flynn and Holliday (if Curry goes earlier), and DeRozan as well (if he continues to perform well and has good interviews and what not). Mullens is obviously intriguing b/c of all the BRIGGS hype and Ford saying he's legit. Never hurts to draft size.

I pretty much agree with you. Of the guys we are probably going to be looking at when we pick, I like Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday at this point. Flynn is an interesting player to consider, despite his size, which just hits the 6'+ mark with shoes on.

I think I read that Curry, Holiday, Lawson, and Flynn (??), are going to be working out for us together in early June. I'd probably pay to see that workout.

I would consider Mullens if we work him out and he impresses, even though I have given Briggs hell on the guy. One of the things talked about on the televised coverage was how Motta wanted Mullens with his back to the basket, and Mullens felt he could be better used facing up. Perhaps Mullens was right, and maybe this is why he spoke about (more than once, I might add) his varied talents in the interview of him I saw, but do we really want a center who prefers staying outside and is adverse to mixing it up in the paint? If we already had a PG for the future, we might be looking more seriously at Mullens, but the strength of this draft is its PGs, and we need a PG, so... .

I also think that Evans has to be looked at, although I really think he should have done the combine workouts. I wonder if he got a promise from a team already. I would only want him if we were sure that he could play PG.

Should be an interesting draft, and there is still talk of us moving up to get Rubio.

We should end up coming out of this thing with a pretty decent player for the future, no doubt about it.

Paladin--where do you see Mullens playing like a SF in this Ohio State montage? He looks like an explosive athletic 5 with a good touch and soem post moves who can run and power the ball in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phDqoqWCcf4

My God cant someone see what this player can be? We really need a skinny 6-2 player? Insane. Look where this guy can catch on the oop. Just throw the ball up with just a little space and its a dunk. And think he is stronger faster and more explosive and will continue to get stronger with that explosion. ADD in that he can hit that mid range jump shot and you are looking at one helluva weapon.



Draft Mullens 8 and go get another pick for Teague and this team will be MUCH better NEXT year. Teague is better than some of these guys slotted to be picked 2-4-6 etc.. and we can have him maybe 14-21 if we can find another pick.

[Edited by - BRIGGS on 05-30-2009 10:08 PM]
Mullens can be a star. He's got great physical gifts. But riddle me this, arent you the least bit concerned that a guy with those tools couldnt get minutes on a pretty average OS team? I mean "ball hogging" guards aside you dont have any red flags about a guy that loafed through one year of college only to show up at the draft combine in great shape and polished?

Sounds a lot like someone already on our roster.

Then you look at Blair and he plays like he loves the game, like he wants to destroy his opponents, like he wants to win every game. Does Mullens do that for you?

"winning is more fun... then fun is fun" -Thibs
nyk4ever
Posts: 41010
Alba Posts: 12
Joined: 1/12/2005
Member: #848
USA
6/1/2009  8:55 AM
Posted by fishmike:

Mullens can be a star. He's got great physical gifts. But riddle me this, arent you the least bit concerned that a guy with those tools couldnt get minutes on a pretty average OS team? I mean "ball hogging" guards aside you dont have any red flags about a guy that loafed through one year of college only to show up at the draft combine in great shape and polished?

Sounds a lot like someone already on our roster.

Then you look at Blair and he plays like he loves the game, like he wants to destroy his opponents, like he wants to win every game. Does Mullens do that for you?

Fish, that is something that concerns me as well and back when Briggs first started bringing up Mullens was one of the main things I asked. I mean we'll never know for sure, but I just hope this guys awesome workouts don't just end there...

"OMG - did we just go on a two-trade-wining-streak?" -SupremeCommander
Page 1 of 2  1  2 Next ›
« Reply To Topic
Chad Ford's Combine Recap
Forum Index  ›  NY Knicks Forum

©2001-2025 ultimateknicks.comm All rights reserved. About Us.
This site is not affiliated with the NY Knicks or the National Basketball Association in any way.
You may visit the official NY Knicks web site by clicking here.

All times (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy