Knicks1969 wrote:I like that kid; he plays with a lot of passion. I watched a lot of him during the SL; at times he was the best player on the court. However, he is a triangle type of back court player; he dominates the ball too much.

Hes got a lot of physical athletic talent. Hes a defender first brings rebounding passing and penetration skills. He can also shoot and create pace. I see whats left and I dont see anywhere near him physically. Kuzmic and James call it a day.

That's some slick handle. Questionable shot selection (it is SL though--I guess he's out there trying to WOW people and make a name for himself but even in the above Euro clip his shot selection looks iffy at times) but if he could be reeled in a tad and clean that up, this looks like quite a player. Or do you just let this guy do his thing out there?? Maybe...Not sure about the 2 players we signed for TC -- I like Atkins better than Saunders (I question whether Saunders is fast enough and athletic enough for the NBA) but this guy James would be real exciting. We still need MUCH better guard depth (this guy Saunders isn't the answer). A guy like this, with his talent plus we have the need--why not? Take a shot here..

BRIGGS wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Reminds me of White Chocolate Jason Williams a little bit. Looks like he could be a little more consistent scorer than J-Will. Here's the game where he dropped 32 in SL:

That's some slick handle. Questionable shot selection (it is SL though--I guess he's out there trying to WOW people and make a name for himself but even in the above Euro clip his shot selection looks iffy at times) but if he could be reeled in a tad and clean that up, this looks like quite a player. Or do you just let this guy do his thing out there?? Maybe...Not sure about the 2 players we signed for TC -- I like Atkins better than Saunders (I question whether Saunders is fast enough and athletic enough for the NBA) but this guy James would be real exciting. We still need MUCH better guard depth (this guy Saunders isn't the answer). A guy like this, with his talent plus we have the need--why not? Take a shot here..

Shot selection is easily corrected. What Im looking at is physical defense and ability to penetrate--he moves the ball very well up court rebounds from the 1 and finishes at the rim in traffic. The pick of the litter sans a trade is not exactly deep. This guy is an athlete plays athletic defense and he gives you what you want out of a 3rd guard energy defense and playmaking abilities. Hes obviously 2-3 inches taller than Larkin and Larkin gave us good minutes towards the end of the season.

The kid clearly has all kinds of talent but I don't see Phil being interested in him. I could be wrong but I think Phil would see all that highlight reel stuff and not be impressed. Phil tends to want players who are great without the ball too. I suppose this kid could be seen as a change of pace guard tho. I like his talent but doubt Phil would be interested.

nixluva wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

Finestrg wrote:Reminds me of White Chocolate Jason Williams a little bit. Looks like he could be a little more consistent scorer than J-Will. Here's the game where he dropped 32 in SL:

That's some slick handle. Questionable shot selection (it is SL though--I guess he's out there trying to WOW people and make a name for himself but even in the above Euro clip his shot selection looks iffy at times) but if he could be reeled in a tad and clean that up, this looks like quite a player. Or do you just let this guy do his thing out there?? Maybe...Not sure about the 2 players we signed for TC -- I like Atkins better than Saunders (I question whether Saunders is fast enough and athletic enough for the NBA) but this guy James would be real exciting. We still need MUCH better guard depth (this guy Saunders isn't the answer). A guy like this, with his talent plus we have the need--why not? Take a shot here..

Shot selection is easily corrected. What Im looking at is physical defense and ability to penetrate--he moves the ball very well up court rebounds from the 1 and finishes at the rim in traffic. The pick of the litter sans a trade is not exactly deep. This guy is an athlete plays athletic defense and he gives you what you want out of a 3rd guard energy defense and playmaking abilities. Hes obviously 2-3 inches taller than Larkin and Larkin gave us good minutes towards the end of the season.

The kid clearly has all kinds of talent but I don't see Phil being interested in him. I could be wrong but I think Phil would see all that highlight reel stuff and not be impressed. Phil tends to want players who are great without the ball too. I suppose this kid could be seen as a change of pace guard tho. I like his talent but doubt Phil would be interested.

Exactly what I fear. I fear some narrow-mindedness on Phil's part. I wish he wouldn't close the door on guys like this and consider all possibilities. I don't want a backcourt consisting of too many Steve Blake/John Paxson/Steve Kerr-type guards in prominent roles. We already have Calderon, who's not going anywhere soon and may wind up starting, and Langston Galloway -- there's our Steve Kerr/Paxson-types right there. You can get away with those guys in prominent roles when you have premier do-it-all players in the league headlining your attack like Michael and Kobe. We don't have a player like that. I'd like to see Phil adjust his thinking a little now. Understand he's brought in Jerian Grant and Afflalo--two good moves but I think we need more. Not comfortable with the backcourt depth and overall talent level as is...Phil can't replicate EXACTLY what he's had in the past. Impossible. He was lucky enough to have it twice -- two guys who were the best in the sport at the time, ironically very similar do-everything players (along with arguably the two best sidekicks in the league at the time to go with those two mega stars). Of course if you fill out the rest with solid enough role players that can just concentrate on doing what they do well (shoot the ball, rebound, play physical defense on a Pat Ewing, whatever...that's a solid, complete team that will have success. We can't possibly approach things the same way. We're gonna need more variety than those teams, esp. when you stand back and take a good look at what we have in place right now.