After Varnado, yeah I don't know man. Good question Elite. Jerome Jordan is probably the best shot-blocker available where we're slated to pick (JJ may even go a little higher -- we may miss him at 38/39). 2.3 blocks per this year, 2.5 the year before and two years ago he averaged a whopping 3.7 rejections in only 26 mins. I never came away overly impressed with Jordan the few times I caught him live but I tend to shortchange guys if they don't show well and I shouldn't..He's actually got quite a few positives to work with besides the shot-blocking ability: legit height & weight for a pro 5, can score a few different ways, can rebound, looks to be a decent enough athlete with decent coordination for someone that big, etc.. Development-wise he's got some work to do, but he's not someone I'd label as "raw." This guy might wind up being a decent pick for us, all things considered.

After that, maybe we look to the undrafted pool for help in this area -- U-Conn's Gavin Edwards is a guy that may go undrafted that's a decent shot-blocker that gives good effort in this facet of the game..AJ Ogilvy from Vandy is actually a pretty skilled big at 6'11" (esp. offensively) that I like a lot but admittedly, he not much of a shot-blocker (though he is big and always shows nice effort and a willingness to compete)..Or maybe we look to some D-League talent for help -- 6'11" C Greg Stiemsma from the Sioux Falls Skyforce led the D-League in blocks, 6'11" Dwayne Jones (more of a rebounder deluxe/scorer than a big-time shot-blocker, though he can contribute in this area), then there's a dude by the name of Mickell Gladness who's very intriguing -- very similar to Varnado: a little taller at 6'11" but rail-thin. Very raw overall game but he's definitely an adept shot-blocker -- for Alabama A&M his last 3 years: 05-06 season: 3.0 blocks per in 19.8 mins., 06-07: 6.3 in 29.2 mins., 07-08: 4.5 in 30.6 mins...Didn't play a lot at all this year in the D-League for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but still managed an impressive 1.3 blocks in only 12.7 minutes per contest..Instead of burning a pick on Varnado, maybe we should look at this kid for that shot-blocking presence...

What this really doesn't show is that he is also one of the best passers in the league....though you may remember him winning the College Slam Dunk competition.

Projected to be a bubble 2nd rounder...the Knicks could do a lot worse than checking Marcus out...

BRIGGS wrote:

TMS wrote:Jarvis Varnado would solve our shotblocking needs, but he's too unskilled in offense for MDA's liking.

I think he might end up being too small.

i think as a help defender who blocks shots off weakside help a-la Josh Smith or Marcus Camby, he could be very effective... but in terms of a physical banger who can guard the paint in the low post, the size issue might work against him.

karpik wrote:We have to go for Dexter Pittman.

We need a big man, right? So, who's bigger than Dex? ;]
Dude is taller than was expected - he's 6'11.5'' with shoes and has tremendous 7'6 wingspan.
He is great rebounder on the offensive glass, has a good hands and above all he's VERY STRONG. Potentially he'd be good defender on Dwight Howard.

The only issue is his stamina but you can't expect that you'll draft perfect player in the 2nd round. I think he can give the Knicks 10-15 productive minutes from the bench as rookie.

Just found out Pittman's not participating in day 2 of the Combine because his brother was just shot and killed. Man what a terrible tragedy...

BRIGGS wrote:

Redcru wrote:

What this really doesn't show is that he is also one of the best passers in the league....though you may remember him winning the College Slam Dunk competition.

Projected to be a bubble 2nd rounder...the Knicks could do a lot worse than checking Marcus out...

That's my pick for 39

Redcru--how about this. Elite level defender and transition player who possesses top-level NBA athletic ability and solid basketball IQ. Great size speed and strength with very long arms. Opportunistic scorer excellent rebounder and passer from the wing slot. Needs to develop jumpshot range pass 14 feet. Thrived against top level competition and was one of the main cog's on the championship Portsmouth team where he lead the mini league in rebounding per minute played.

I'm liking what I read on this guy. would want to see him in workouts. After the measurements and the combine you should come away with at least some ideas to consider and he is one

MDA needs to man up

sometimes you need to fill a need with a player whom is good at 1 or 2 things.
Offense of some game he can develop

All in all NY needs shotblocking desperately and need to establish an identity
with few players whom do 1-2 things really good. It makes a difference.