Phil era: everyone had expectations for players and team identity because of Phil himself. Long players who are smart even if not elite athletes, etc. Great plan to some, horrible execution

Mills error: all over the map. First smart two way players, then FA chase, then stopgap. All along the way hubris that we would somehow be smart enough to turn around careers off track. horrible plans and execution

Rose era: i'm clueless. both he and TT have been tight lipped. I haven't heard either give some smoochy-face interview complimenting one of our players (and frankly probably none deserve it; didn't see anyone even comment on RJ's rookie team snub) Many are predicting TT to repeat himself but i'm less sure. pretty much the only comments i've heard him say is how he visited other teams to learn after the Wolves exit. Will he still play the same games/schemes or will we see new wrinkles???

my predictions for what they're worth:

1) players: super competitive, smart guys. No plays off. all minutes are earned. Not necessarily well rounded, See Noah. Guy needs to contribute something, have some impact on same facet of the game
2) PG: i'm far from convinced TT sees Frank as an asset even though TT is thought of as prioritizing defense . Hahn comments. Kris Dunn is a pg who could defend and TT shipped him. Have a tough time seeing him starting a rookie PG and a tough time seeing them pick pg at 8. i expect a vet signing or trade
3) trades: with the possible exception of RJ, i think TT and Rose view everyone else as more than expendable, including Mitch, all turning to price. First, this is probably correct assessment. Second, they're not their picks so no emotional attachment. Third, sending a message of sorts
4) draft. At one point i thought they would pick a guy to help establish an identity. Now i'm less sure because so many of the players are young i don't see that happening easily. Okoro may be an exception but i think he's too small. And i think RJ may fit that role anyway despite his youth: poised but super-competitive.

I'm not sure if they value their young players that have no real NBA value. They have a lot of decisions to make without much time to do it. You essentially have 2 to 3 weeks to draft/trade/signed/renounce the players you want, and 7 to 8 guys that they need to replace.

A weak draft, and weak FA class, and desirable players that we had interest in already on the move. With the way the market is around the NBA for decent talent, it's kind of hard to predict what their thinking really is.

The good thing is you wont have to wait long to find out...Tic Toc your on the the clock.

I really wanted Bogdan

Allanfan20 wrote:I hate to say it but my crystal ball shows Obi Toppin. I hope not but that would be such a Knick move.

Obi's defense or lack thereof will prevent teams from drafting him in the top 3, but @ 8, he is great value. He will be the best offensive player on this team the moment he is drafted. Every single player that will be drafted 1-60 comes with major question marks and red flags...Not many can step right in and drop 20 pts on December 23rd.

Allanfan20 wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:I hate to say it but my crystal ball shows Obi Toppin. I hope not but that would be such a Knick move.

Obi's defense or lack thereof will prevent teams from drafting him in the top 3, but @ 8, he is great value. He will be the best offensive player on this team the moment he is drafted. Every single player that will be drafted 1-60 comes with major question marks and red flags...Not many can step right in and drop 20 pts on December 23rd.

Hey, if he develops any defensive game then he could be a superstar. I feel like a lot of players in this draft have that one missing piece preventing them from entering stardom.

At the very least, Toppin looks like Amar’e on both offense and defense!

Unfortunately you just can't learn the footwork and defensive IQ that the Amare/Obi types don't already have

i'd be more than fine with Obi under the circumstances -- though still want a shooter. If TT thinks Okoro is a form of Butler 2.0 fine with that too but his size and shot scare me more than Obi's lack of D

Chandler wrote:
still perplexed how so many are down on Obi but fine with Okoro. two different sides of the same coin.

i'd be more than fine with Obi under the circumstances -- though still want a shooter. If TT thinks Okoro is a form of Butler 2.0 fine with that too but his size and shot scare me more than Obi's lack of D

I agree. I've been in the Okoro camp at 8 for a while, but if Obi is there, you take him without a second thought. You have to be able to score points in todays game and Obi is one of the best all around offensive bigs in this draft. In fact, he would be the Knicks best all around scorer the moment puts on a uniform.

Knicks are far from a finished product so we can add players to the team that can compliment or cover his weaknesses.

Uptown wrote:

Chandler wrote:
still perplexed how so many are down on Obi but fine with Okoro. two different sides of the same coin.

i'd be more than fine with Obi under the circumstances -- though still want a shooter. If TT thinks Okoro is a form of Butler 2.0 fine with that too but his size and shot scare me more than Obi's lack of D

I agree. I've been in the Okoro camp at 8 for a while, but if Obi is there, you take him without a second thought. You have to be able to score points in todays game and Obi is one of the best all around offensive bigs in this draft. In fact, he would be the Knicks best all around scorer the moment puts on a uniform.

Knicks are far from a finished product so we can add players to the team that can compliment or cover his weaknesses.

Also I view Bullock as one of the veterans worth keeping around. He plays really does and has great intangibles like fighting over screens and setting picks/screens. Okoro reminds me too much of Justice Winslow

fishmike wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Chandler wrote:
still perplexed how so many are down on Obi but fine with Okoro. two different sides of the same coin.

i'd be more than fine with Obi under the circumstances -- though still want a shooter. If TT thinks Okoro is a form of Butler 2.0 fine with that too but his size and shot scare me more than Obi's lack of D

I agree. I've been in the Okoro camp at 8 for a while, but if Obi is there, you take him without a second thought. You have to be able to score points in todays game and Obi is one of the best all around offensive bigs in this draft. In fact, he would be the Knicks best all around scorer the moment puts on a uniform.

Knicks are far from a finished product so we can add players to the team that can compliment or cover his weaknesses.

I want no part of Okoro at 8. Would rather reach a bit for Kira Lewis add a burner who can score.

Also I view Bullock as one of the veterans worth keeping around. He plays really does and has great intangibles like fighting over screens and setting picks/screens. Okoro reminds me too much of Justice Winslow

Okoro also comps well with guys like Butler and Artest. Truth is, Okoro is an athletic outlier and your not going to find a complete comp.