Phil Jackson was on the road scouting Ohio St. PG D'Angelo Russell this week. I would not mind it one bit if he were the Knicks first rounder. He's clearly the best guard in the draft -- and his three's and shooting make him perfect for the Triangle. What's more, he's a very good passer and rebounder. In what he can produce he's somewhere on the Oscar Robertson/Walt Frazier axis, and thus would be a great get. I'm not sure if they'd pick him over Okefor (who has an incredible array of moves and can pass, for a big man) or Karl Anthong Towns, who's an improving two way C. In any event the Knicks should finally get a great player in the draft -- for the first time in decades.
UPDATE: The NBA is apparently going to fine Phil Jackson for commenting on a draft ineligible player. All the NBA fricking does is draft freshmen. I wish I could create some hypocritical and arbitrary revenue streams.
UPDATE: Phil is now spending 2 days scouting but probably not talking about the Kentucky team.
11 Comments:
I like him a lot but I feel like he still needs to learn to play better without the ball. He is a great passer and kind of reminds me of Harden a little bit.
I think you omitted a great prospect in Mudiay -- kid was #1 HS player in the class and was going to play under Larry Brown until the NCAA said he'd be ineligible for like the first 20 games due to some stupid infraction. So instead of sitting out for some stupid NCAA bullshit, he went to China and was playing great until he had a slight ankle sprain.
I've seen some tape of him and this kid is going to be a stud -- 6'5 with ridiculous athleticism and great handles/vision. I think teams are going to fall in love with him once they get him in for workouts.
I like Okafor too but I'm scared he won't be able to impact both sides of the ball. He is getting crushed on PnR at the college level right now and shows little enthusiasm for defense, but maybe it's due to carrying the load on offense. I'm not sure but either way, this pick will play a key role in determining how quickly this franchise can rebound.
Mudiay can't shoot and thus would be a poor fit for the triangle. My #4 might be Sabonis, but I don't know if he's entering the draft.
Okafor is 19. It's ridiculous to limit his ceiling at this point.
That's why all players should go to college for four years, but the courts decided otherwise.
Despite his two not so great trades and the early indications that the decision to re-sign Melo was ill-conceived, unlike other GMs in this town, he still deserves the benefit of the doubt.
I'm really hoping the Knicks have good teaching coaches. Can't prove it by how they've taught the Triangle.
While his shooting is not a strength, his ability to get to the basket is something we completely lack. As a team, we've had the lowest amount of drives to the basket and free throw attempts by a large margin.
He has Westbrook potential with even better passing. Shooting can be taught (J kidd says hi) and the Triangle needs a spot up shooter most of all.
I still like Russell much better than Mudiay. Btw, I think if Mudiay ever develops a shot, he's a 2 in the triangle.
I am not trying to limit Okafor's ceiling, I'm just pointing out that he lacks the foot speed on defense, which may potentially prohibit him from being a good defender. It's clearly nitpicking but this pick will dictate our franchises future for the next 5-10 years.
He's a good passer, great scorer and his size will help him "7'6 Wingspan" but he's definitely not your prototypical big man in todays NBA as he plays with his back to the basket.
Hopefully we don't get screwed by the lotto.
Russel could be great but he definitely needs to show he can excel without the ball in his hands. That's my biggest knock on him. He reminds me a lot of Evan Turner and not just because they are from the same school.
I think the best thing about Mudiay is he'll be able to guard the 1 or 2 in the triangle which gives you flexibility in the lineups you trot out there. Anyway, I am keeping my hopes low right now because I know the lottery is going to screw us over.
Defense is an effort thing, more than a physical thing. All Freshman have a lot to learn about D, and that's why the Knicks need good teaching coaches.
OT, but RIP Leonard Nimoy
Someone suggested the Knicks should hire Thibs if and when Chicago fires him.
Post a Comment
<< Home