IT
Kaminsky has "it". A grounded kid with a ton of heart. No ego but no backing down either. He's a not afraid to speak his mind . Not afraid to admit when he's wrong or when he needs to do better. He makes players around him better by holding himself and them accountable. Doesn't settle. That's why teammates like him and opponents respect him. Coaches too. Fans adore him and we certainly could use someone on the knicks who finally gets the fans back involved…not just because he may bring wins, or because he's the most talented, but because he continually improves and gives you everything he's got.
While "it" is not a skill, it is a proven ability, having gone from a borderline D1 college player to national player of the year beating out 100 mcdonald's all americans in the process. He was not the coach's son, didn't have the perpetual green-light nor was he wisconsin's only option either. He fit in to the system and still managed to shine as an individual. Because his team-mates also bought in, they went to 2 straight final fours beating teams ( often by 20 to 30 points) with much more athletic talent than they did. Kentucky was at several points being tossed around in the "best college team" ever discussion. Frank and the badgers ground that notion into dust. Had they saved a bit more for duke, we're talking about a legendary team, not just a really good one.
SKILLS
On the court, the man can already shoot at at NBA level. Pair that with a very crafty ability to drive and finish or pass and opposing defenses have a problem. While he cannot post up dwight howard and deandre jordan on a nightly basis, he will do just fine against the other 90% of the league with his variety of moves and counter moves to be effective. He's a guy that is going to add to his game every year. Think of a young kevin mchale who can actually put it on the floor.
He is getting knocked for his defense because bigger guys can outmuscle him and smaller ones can get by him. True. He will probably catch a facial or two in this first month. Most of the guys in the nba have the same problem and if they don't, they either can't shoot or they are some sort of head case. Pick your poison. Kaminsky is going to have to improve in some key defensive areas but he knows at least how to play D. He is not someone who requires a lot of teaching in that department, unlike bargnani or even amare . He can get you boards and a block too, and people shouldn't be surprised when he does.
Phil: Forget monroe. Go get a defensive center and some quicker guys in the back court to cut down on penetration. Frank will do his part just fine.
FIT
Carmelo has every right to be skeptical about a pick like kaminsky. He's seen and heard it all before and frank is not going to pass the eye test like some others in this draft. But kaminsky will be able to draw big people away from the basket much more effectively than anybody melo's played with. He's going to make life very easy for melo on the block and when the double comes, frank 's going to knock it down.
More imprortanly, for restive fans who label melo a ball -stopper, take comfort that frank is not going to fall in and defer just because he's a rookie. Okafor would. Towns would. Winslow and WCS would. Mudiay would. Russell?
Frank's a rebel and he really believes in himself. Very dangerous combination. NY 's going to love him. He doesn't need a million tattoos or bleached hair to express himself either. He 's motivated by beating the system, by destroying conventions, by being himself. When he looks at Melo , he probably will see a product of that same entitled system,and another guy he has to either convince or beat.
But this guy just wants to win. At everything. Don't let the goofiness fool you. Forget the highlight videos. Go check the press conference that he and WCS, Quinn cook and Travis Trice did at the final four this year. Relaxed. Determined. Couldn't wait to kick WCS ( and the rest of the 6 nba bound wildcats) ass the next day and yet he still was able to crack jokes. Assassin.
It's right there in front of people, but they're too focused on wingspans, upside and "value" for the pick.
He's not laettner, olynck, or dirk.
He's frank.
6/1/2015 4:16 PM