Knixkik wrote:Disagree about the top 4. I think there's 7 or 8 game-changers in this draft. And at the same time, i don't think the top 3 or 4 guys are franchise players like some may think. I'm sure 1 or 2 of them will end up being that way, but there's no Towns in this draft. Probably no one with Porzingis upside either. But a top 8 pick can get a really talented player.

Players like Ball and Josh Jackson are the kinds of players that have a net positive impact on how the entire team plays. It's not just about their individual production. While you do need a player that has amazing individual scoring talent it's more important to have several players that have TEAM BALL IMPACT. The best example being how Jason Kidd impacted the Knicks despite his age and diminished ability. You would want a younger more dynamic version of Kidd IMO. Let's call it the KIDD EFFECT.

I get a feeling that Fox will also be able to have a Kidd Effect to a lesser degree but I see he has some ability to lift his team. He will move the ball and push the pace but he can also sense when to raise his individual level and take over a game. He's got a lot more development ahead but I can kind of see the beginnings of a player that can have a Kidd Effect on his team.

fishmike wrote:Do we get a new "we SUCK" thread after every loss?

It helps keep the basketball gods on our side.

Finestrg wrote:So no one's really felling Dennis Smith Jr., huh? Man, that's my guy.. Rose is as good as gone. Even if he would want to come back, not sure you can justify giving him the amount of money he wants. So then what? What's the plan at PG? Throw a boatload of money at Jrue Holiday? That's wouldn't be terrible I guess but I look at this kid Smith Jr. and I see a real polished PG, esp. for a freshman. I think this kid's ready to jump right in a start performing. My PG plan for next yr: draft Smith Jr. and find a way to add Cat Barber. His overall numbers are solid in the DL, nothing earthshattering, but just watching tape on some of his individual performances this season in the DL and remembering what I saw of him last yr. in college, he's the real deal. Smith Jr. backed up by Barber (who's a better player than Chasson Randle--a better PG prospect to move forward with imho.. and I like Randle mind you, but he's no Cat Barber) would be a lot of firepower at the point next year. We'd have that position covered for a long time with two very talented/pro-ready PGs.

I think Smith is Steve Francis 2

Finestrg wrote:So no one's really feeling Dennis Smith Jr., huh? Man, that's my guy.. Rose is as good as gone. Even if he would want to come back, not sure you can justify giving him the amount of money he wants. So then what? What's the plan at PG? Throw a boatload of money at Jrue Holiday? That's wouldn't be terrible I guess but I look at this kid Smith Jr. and I see a real polished PG, esp. for a freshman. I think this kid's ready to jump right in a start performing. My PG plan for next yr: draft Smith Jr. and find a way to add Cat Barber. His overall numbers are solid in the DL, nothing earthshattering, but just watching tape on some of his individual performances this season in the DL and remembering what I saw of him last yr. in college, he's the real deal. Smith Jr. backed up by Barber (who's a better player than Chasson Randle--a better PG prospect to move forward with imho.. and I like Randle mind you, but he's no Cat Barber) would be a lot of firepower at the point next year. We'd have that position covered for a long time with two very talented/pro-ready PGs.

I just don't think Phil would ever draft him DS Jr, which is why I never mention him.

BRIGGS wrote:these last 9 games. Losing these 9 ENSURE position 4 in this draft--which MATHEMATICALLY will get us 1 of the players that can change the franchise in the other direction.

On the other hand WINNING could bring us all the way out to 8(that is the worst we can pick barring a lottery miracle) but at 8 its a DIFFERENT ball game. The draft really drops at 8. Were close to locking up atleast 7 but still that's the bottom of the barrel--it could be far enough down that we get shut out from a core draftee.

So its imperative we LOSE them all. Winning even a single game could be 2 spots
Notice other than the Nets ALL 7 other last caliber teams are on multi losing streaks and cutting down rotations

Fortunately we have mystery injuries for Melo, Rose and Thomas. That should help us as the yoots are not good enough to beat NBA-level competition on their own.