According to the NY Daily News, the Knicks have Yao Ming in their plans for the future. He's a gamble, but can be had with a high lottery pick and is a 7-6 shooter with exeptional skills down low as well. He's definetly worth the risk in my opinion. Thoughts?
Link: http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-02-07/Metro_Sports/Basketball/a-140595.asp

Also, from BskBALL.com

Besides being heavily active on the trade front, Knicks GM Scott Layden and staff have to be active scouting college and high school prospects with the reality looming that the Knicks will be a lottery participant this year. Their sights? China big man Yao Ming, the 7-6 mammoth center. Ming could be the number one pick in this year's NBA draft if he decides to come west. Ming is highly touted around the league. "He's tall and talented and that's a good combination to being successful in the NBA," said Mavericks assistant coach Donn Nelson. "He reminds me a lot of Rik Smits." "There are a few exceptions but with most international players there is an adjustment period," Nelson said. "Dirk needed two years but we always thought he would develop." "Appraising talent is like appraising art," Nelson said. "Everyone looks at things differently. Some guys are better at it than others. A lot of times what system a guy plays in has a lot to do with it." Ming is averaging 29.9 points, 17.9 rebounds, 4.75 blocks, 2.42 assists and 1.88 steals. "I think people are crazy to believe that he's going to come in here and be another Shaq," said Pacers president Donnie Walsh. "But he has the chance to be a solid NBA player."...

totally agree, although I like Drew Gooden and Amare Stoudemire more then Ming "the merciless".

And uhm, there are alot of studs probably coming out in the 03-04 draft or haven't you guys heard about

LeBron James (HS)
Kendrick Perkins (HS)
Mike Dunleavy
Lenny Cooke(HS)

..or maybe even Maybyner Hilario(Brazil), Pape Sow or whoever ..

I like Ming the most out of all the big men and more then everyone in the draft, but Williams. Stoudemire will be a good one, but it will take him a long time to develop. Gooden will be a good NBA player too once he gets some size, but as of right now he's a tweener. Chris Marcus could be good, but he could also be another stiff that just takes up space and we don't want one of those. We also have to look at Dejuan Wagner because he may come out this year.

Posted by martin:

Posted by Caseloads:

I'd say we should go for Jason Williams, Ming, Amare or Chris Marcus, in that order. Even if they don't help right away, we'd be in line to get James or so Next year.

Really? Williams over Ming-the-Merciless? Tall men with skills are a rarity in the NBA these days.

will the skills translate to the NBA game? When Shaq pounds this guy, or any other guy with upper/ lower body strength, ming will start playing like an oversized 3. Camby all over again.

Posted by scylla:

Really? Williams over Ming-the-Merciless? Tall men with skills are a rarity in the NBA these days.

I don't know, man...very tall foreign players with 'a nice shooting touch' sounds a little too similar to the scouting report on Freddy Weis. Also, I think 7'6" is simply too tall. Think Shawn Bradley, Georghe Muresan, Manute Bol...that's just too much body to control with speed and efficiency, leading to bunches and bunches of fouls and real problems getting back on defense. I would much rather go with a known quantity like Jason Williams, or even Dajuan Wagner.

Do these comparisons to Rik Smits actually excite anyone?

I hear you. Maybe the #1 may be risky to use on this guy, but let us not forget the likes of Dirk Nowitzki or Pau Gasol. Both tall, foreign players who are pretty nimble. I was watching Pau for the first time a week ago and the guy impresses - a legit 7 footer who has total body control.

Actually... Ming might or might not pan out.... He's playing in China for Christ's sake. I would rather take a gambloe on that high schooler Stoudemare or that center from Stanford.At least they don't have to run around the shower to get wet and need Isay the words Frederick Weis?