Cartman718 wrote:Morant has some hops

I watched some of that game last night. there were several things to like.

Lots of respect for the true pro scouts who can find the wheat from the chafe. there are so many college guys I could be duped into thinking will be stars or duds. (same is true but more so for baseball scouts IMO)

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

Doncic was available at 3 and this year's draft isn't last year's. Last year's draft went about 7 deep with high end prospects, this one goes 1 deep and everyone else has major question marks.

You're right. My point still stands that Doncic should be remembered as the best player in the draft, Still didnt stop ATL from passing on him for Young. Trae was my pick, figured Doncic would be gone. After Zion another team might pass on a game changer, if we're at 3, for need.

We need help everywhere. A top 3 pick who pans out, in addition to our recent draft picks, would give us a very strong youth movement. A couple of elite players (in their prime) to fill out the roster. Thats a team that can start on the road to contention. If we dont land Zion.

Thats not a bad consolation prize after decades of futility. Not worth putting all our hopes in hitting the lotto. Other good things happening with this franchise.

Dont believe this draft will only produce one success story.

smackeddog wrote:

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

Doncic was available at 3 and this year's draft isn't last year's. Last year's draft went about 7 deep with high end prospects, this one goes 1 deep and everyone else has major question marks.

History indicates that the basketball gods formula is:

Knicks draft position= number of high end prospects + 1

so, I expect us to land the 2nd pick this year

GustavBahler wrote:

VCoug wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

Doncic was available at 3 and this year's draft isn't last year's. Last year's draft went about 7 deep with high end prospects, this one goes 1 deep and everyone else has major question marks.

History indicates that the basketball gods formula is:

Knicks draft position= number of high end prospects + 1

so, I expect us to land the 2nd pick this year

Smith jr
Barrett
Knox
Vonleh
Mitch

Not saying this would be the lineup going forward. Smith jr still has to make his case to be the starting PG. To be able to put that lineup on the court, and still have the space to sign a couple of elite players, is not something from this century. Usually we have to rob Peter to pay Paul.

The two drawbacks to the Zion sweepstakes IMO are losing out on a generational (if not multi-generational) talent, and some Knicks fans letting that get in the way of enjoying a much better run franchise.

Perry/Mills are pulling out all the stops in the Zion sweepstakes, but they're not neglecting other areas, other ways to build.

Whatever happens in the draft, its a crap shoot. The only way Perry/Mills could F this up is to pass on Zion with the number one pick.

The problem is, other than Mitch, I don't like any of those players that much. DSJr is ok as a prospect but I'm not sure what his ceiling is, Knox is terrible, and Vonleh's play has basically nosedived since the new year and he isn't signed past this year.

Barrett I have major concerns with as a prospect. People keep on talking about Zion's shot as a liability, and it is, but Barrett's shot isn't any better. FT% is very predictive for shooting ability in the NBA and Barrett's only sitting around 68%. I'm not impressed by his passing and playmaking abilities and his assist and shot numbers suggest he's a chucker and a ballhog. And I'm unimpressed by his defense.

smackeddog wrote:What’s the opinion on Cam Reddish and Rui Hachimura?

I can't get quite a feel for Cam. I wish he'd stay another year so we could get a better feel of his shot creation abilities, but that ain't happening lol Rui looks real solid as a combo forward at the next level. I like his pull-up ability and he seems to be increasing his range over time. He also looks like a hard worker. His athleticism looks solid, but that's harder to guage at the college level. You could sell me on him in the mid to late lottery.

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

VCoug wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

Doncic was available at 3 and this year's draft isn't last year's. Last year's draft went about 7 deep with high end prospects, this one goes 1 deep and everyone else has major question marks.

History indicates that the basketball gods formula is:

Knicks draft position= number of high end prospects + 1

so, I expect us to land the 2nd pick this year

Smith jr
Barrett
Knox
Vonleh
Mitch

Not saying this would be the lineup going forward. Smith jr still has to make his case to be the starting PG. To be able to put that lineup on the court, and still have the space to sign a couple of elite players, is not something from this century. Usually we have to rob Peter to pay Paul.

The two drawbacks to the Zion sweepstakes IMO are losing out on a generational (if not multi-generational) talent, and some Knicks fans letting that get in the way of enjoying a much better run franchise.

Perry/Mills are pulling out all the stops in the Zion sweepstakes, but they're not neglecting other areas, other ways to build.

Whatever happens in the draft, its a crap shoot. The only way Perry/Mills could F this up is to pass on Zion with the number one pick.

The problem is, other than Mitch, I don't like any of those players that much. DSJr is ok as a prospect but I'm not sure what his ceiling is, Knox is terrible, and Vonleh's play has basically nosedived since the new year and he isn't signed past this year.

Barrett I have major concerns with as a prospect. People keep on talking about Zion's shot as a liability, and it is, but Barrett's shot isn't any better. FT% is very predictive for shooting ability in the NBA and Barrett's only sitting around 68%. I'm not impressed by his passing and playmaking abilities and his assist and shot numbers suggest he's a chucker and a ballhog. And I'm unimpressed by his defense.

Seen enough from Knox in half a season to say its way too early to be calling him terrible. Has accomplished enough to be given the benefit of the doubt. Knox has a real facility around the rim, as far as attacking from tough angles. That takes practice more than anything. Its not a circus shot if you practice it. Knox is getting better at attacking the rim, when he becomes a more reliable shooter, look out. Also one of the youngest players in the draft, and still growing. Not easy to take vets off the dribble consistently, under those circumstances. Needs time.

I would hold off until after the tournament to say there are no other quality picks out there other than Zion. Someone who might turn into more than a role player.

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

VCoug wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

VCoug wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Panos wrote:How badly will it suck when Chicago drafts ZW?

If we're top 3, I can live with that. Perry is making the call, Knicks can still draft a game changing player with a high pick. Someone might move up a few spots after the tournament. Zion is the first choice (of most anyway) Doncic was at available 4 though, and most knew how good he was.

He was even involved in a deal that put him in Dallas. A high pick (other than #1) will still give us great options. Confident Perry will make the most of them.

Doncic was available at 3 and this year's draft isn't last year's. Last year's draft went about 7 deep with high end prospects, this one goes 1 deep and everyone else has major question marks.

History indicates that the basketball gods formula is:

Knicks draft position= number of high end prospects + 1

so, I expect us to land the 2nd pick this year

Smith jr
Barrett
Knox
Vonleh
Mitch

Not saying this would be the lineup going forward. Smith jr still has to make his case to be the starting PG. To be able to put that lineup on the court, and still have the space to sign a couple of elite players, is not something from this century. Usually we have to rob Peter to pay Paul.

The two drawbacks to the Zion sweepstakes IMO are losing out on a generational (if not multi-generational) talent, and some Knicks fans letting that get in the way of enjoying a much better run franchise.

Perry/Mills are pulling out all the stops in the Zion sweepstakes, but they're not neglecting other areas, other ways to build.

Whatever happens in the draft, its a crap shoot. The only way Perry/Mills could F this up is to pass on Zion with the number one pick.

The problem is, other than Mitch, I don't like any of those players that much. DSJr is ok as a prospect but I'm not sure what his ceiling is, Knox is terrible, and Vonleh's play has basically nosedived since the new year and he isn't signed past this year.

Barrett I have major concerns with as a prospect. People keep on talking about Zion's shot as a liability, and it is, but Barrett's shot isn't any better. FT% is very predictive for shooting ability in the NBA and Barrett's only sitting around 68%. I'm not impressed by his passing and playmaking abilities and his assist and shot numbers suggest he's a chucker and a ballhog. And I'm unimpressed by his defense.

You are evaluating rookies and young players like they are finished products. Easy to praise Mitch with his few nice games, but he is still inconsistent. Still a good prospect. Knox has had his many struggles, but has had his share of good games even with more pressure as the lotto pick. Vonleh might or might not be back but there is still potential there. Smith Jr. is definitely a wild card but the talent is also there. What about Trier? Frank? This is what rebuilding is all about! Lots of young players with a world of potential and lots of upcoming struggles to overcome to reach their potential.

VCoug wrote:I understand that these guys are young players and are not finished products. That doesn't mean we can't evaluate their play and judge what they're doing on the court. Being young doesn't mean that they aren't currently terrible and need to make major leaps just to be average. Knox has been terrible, one of the worst players in the NBA. He's not shooting well from any area of the floor and is terrible on drives to the basket only shooting 38.6% on layups: https://stats.nba.com/player/1628995/shooting/. And, until he gets that FT% up from a mediocre 71% his outside shot should be considered very suspect.

Even more concerning is that shooting/scoring is his best skill by far. He does absolutely nothing else on the court. His defense is basically non-existent, his rebounding is terrible for a guy his size, and his passing/playmaking is atrocious averaging 0.9 assists to 1.5 TOs per game.

Knox is trying high difficulty takes to the rim. He has the green light, thats how you get good at it. Repetition. During a season made for players like Knox to work on being a threat.

Knox is trying to beat smaller,faster,defenders off the dribble. Was good enough to win Rookie of the month. Has apparently been on the top 5 rookie ladder 5 times this half season.

Is showing enough to make a case that Knox isnt one of the worst players in the NBA. He's a tall kid (growing) who is trying to play like a smaller player. Knox is learning. Maybe not as fast as you'd like.