I like Towns as much as anyone but feel like a lot of people are sleeping on Jahlil. If he stays healthy, is there any way Okafor does NOT become an all-star in the NBA? I think he is as close to a sure fire thing as you can get in this draft.

I would trade Galloway, Hardaway, and a 2nd round pick in a heartbeat to move up to get him if he doesn't fall to #4 (Lakers of course, wouldn't do that anyway). I would obviously ship Melo to LA for #2 in two seconds if he agreed to be dealt and if LA was game (unfortunately not happening either).

Honestly, my one hope for this draft is whether it's Okafor/Russsll/Towns/Mudiay/Kaminsky/etc., I just want to see our front office actually be successful for once in actively doing whatever is possible (and within reason) to get the guy they want. Hell, even if this is all one big smokescreen and they actually really like Mudiay, then stay at #4 and draft him if he's there.

Barring any trade offers that are clearly in our advantage, trading down to me almost seems like a cop out....unless it's clearly a good deal for us, the #1 goal of this draft needs to be coming out of it with a young stud that can be an all-star caliber player for the next decade. No more hearing about how Curry went one spot before us or how the same thing may happen with Russell. For all of the stupid trades we have ever done, it's rare that we actually do so to acquire a young talent...hopefully Phil and company have a guy they are in love with and they are doing whatever is necessary to find a way to get him.

That's all I can ask for as a Knicks fan...

s3231 wrote:Brand wasn't over 65% (though over 60% is still impressive).

Boozer was though and good call on that. Has anyone ever done it at over 6'10 and as a freshman? Think that would be the next logical question. Brand and Boozer have both been very good pros and it just shows how impressive Jahlil was in college to do it as a freshman.

those guys had far from stellar careers and the fact that they did it at duke being far shorter than Ok4 says something.

Shelden williams also did quite good there.

Ok4 not having any range is a big problem for me though of course I would be thrilled if he fell to us.

s3231 wrote:When is the last time a big man averaged over 17ppg at a FG % of over 65% in college (against elite competition)? This is an honest question as I really don't remember a big guy ever doing that at such a high level of competition in college (I remember Oden being over 60% but that is the only guy I can recall being close).

I like Towns as much as anyone but feel like a lot of people are sleeping on Jahlil. If he stays healthy, is there any way Okafor does NOT become an all-star in the NBA? I think he is as close to a sure fire thing as you can get in this draft.

I would trade Galloway, Hardaway, and a 2nd round pick in a heartbeat to move up to get him if he doesn't fall to #4 (Lakers of course, wouldn't do that anyway). I would obviously ship Melo to LA for #2 in two seconds if he agreed to be dealt and if LA was game (unfortunately not happening either).

Honestly, my one hope for this draft is whether it's Okafor/Russsll/Towns/Mudiay/Kaminsky/etc., I just want to see our front office actually be successful for once in actively doing whatever is possible (and within reason) to get the guy they want. Hell, even if this is all one big smokescreen and they actually really like Mudiay, then stay at #4 and draft him if he's there.

Barring any trade offers that are clearly in our advantage, trading down to me almost seems like a cop out....unless it's clearly a good deal for us, the #1 goal of this draft needs to be coming out of it with a young stud that can be an all-star caliber player for the next decade. No more hearing about how Curry went one spot before us or how the same thing may happen with Russell. For all of the stupid trades we have ever done, it's rare that we actually do so to acquire a young talent...hopefully Phil and company have a guy they are in love with and they are doing whatever is necessary to find a way to get him.

That's all I can ask for as a Knicks fan...

Agree 100%. The NY Giants did so with Eli Manning, which at the time seemed a VERY risky and expensive thing to do. But it turned out great for us (i.e., two Chips, and counting).

The Knicks just haven't had success in GMs and executives, mainly due to Dolan's meddling. Hopefully, those days are now past.