NFT: Knicks v. Celtics

but now we're on our way to another blowout loss. Only 26 games left after this one. We're gonna make it after all.

I can't turn it off because watching Bargnani play is so funny.

In comment 12153260 MookGiants said:

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I can't turn it off because watching Bargnani play is so funny.

Bargnani has to be the worst 7-foot player ever.

Hahaha

Karl-Anthony-Towns is now bumped up to #2 on DraftExpress' mock draft.

DraxtExpress' Givony was quoted saying a couple of things about KAT

Quote:

"If I were an NBA team and I got No. 1 and needed a big guy, it's not cut and dry at this point," Givony said. "There is going to be a case made for either guy. It just depends on what you already have and what style of play you're looking to implement. I think over the next 4-6 weeks depending on how they finish out, how far they go, there's definitely a discussion. I'd be happy to have either one, honestly."

Quote:

"There's something to be said for what Towns brings to the table. He's the much better defender, much more of a rim protector and more mobile stepping out on the pick and roll. Okafor struggles with that. He plays below the rim and that's not ideal."

As someone who has not watched KAT at all I find it very interesting that Givony genuinely believes the #1 spot is not etched in stone. That is great news for us obviously. This seems to be a legitimate 3 player draft with Mudiay being a wildcard.

link to article - ( New Window )

a good deal of the kentucky game tonight and towns was outstanding again when he was on the floor.

In one sequence, he made a great defensive play, blocked a shot, grabbed the rebound, passed it.

Kentucky guard brings it down the floor, Towns gets back down the floor, takes the ball at about the 3 point line, two dribbles, leaves the floor and dunks it

He has 14 points in the first half. It'll be fun watching these guys when the stakes get higher.

but once again another team is just attacking him and he can't do a thing to stop it on the defensive end of the floor. Virginia Tech is atrocious and shot 70% in the first half

must be getting paid by Duke and Okafor to not mention Okafor's defense

if Okafor is their man. As I've said before, I hope we get the #2 pick and take Towns or Russell.

Because he's so freaking smooth on the offensive end.

If he's out there's zero chance we win another game. I love how the Knicks are out-tanking Philly. I wonder if their GM will order the coach to play four on five the rest of the way.

LOL, I was on delay again tonight. I just finished watching the game I was about a half hour or so behind live time.

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KAT seems more suited for what the Knicks need. He plays less minutes than Oak thus stats are pushed down a bit but his defense is a 8-10. He can post up and shows confidence in his mid range game. Oaks stats and frame are hide to deny. If you go strictly by #s and stats Oak is the guy by far.

If Knicks are @ #1 I don't know if it's that cut and dry. They miss Chandlers defense or the defense Chandler was supposed to bring.

you are supposed to take a big over anyone in the NBA draft but I really like Russell and think he would be a great fit in the triangle. Whomever they end up taking I just pray to the basketball gods that he becomes at least a good player

took Okafor off the floor when they needed a stop.

Very telling.

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I'd prefer both Towns and Russell to him.

Duke having to take him off the floor in a late game situation against an awful Virginia Tech team on defense is all I need to know. And spare me the hurt excuse. His ankle didn't stop him from destroying virginia tech on offense. He's an atrocious defensive player, if we get the 3rd pick I'd take him but not before then

Hope the Knicks have the balls to do it if they have their pick of the litter.

and Lakers both won tonight.

Lakers now have 15 wins.

TWolves 13

Sixers 12

Sixers are probably the only ones who can catch the knicks for worst record.

and all their free agents. Nice to dream about all the different combinations we can add.

our draft pick will either be Okafor, Towns, Russell or Mudiay which means we will be getting a very good, young player.

Chances he leaves Portland to go elsewhere?

Any of you old enough to remember Nate "Tiny" Archibald. Does Thomas the newest Celtic remind you of Nate in body stature, movements and even his shooting technique.

It was my first impression.

so i see very little chance he leaves. Especially since POR can offer him the most money/years. Perhaps if POR gets bounced early i can see him considering leaving or if it looks like they will lose a couple of their FAs (Mathews, Lopez).

Now that MINN has got Rubio back and a vet like Garnett (he isnt very good, but i can see him helping a young team) i think its going to be a two team race for the worst record. Especially since MINN already has 3 more wins then us. This knicks team is so. You have maybe 3-4 guys who would be playing on a descent team (not even a good team).

i was actually a bit surprised how often the worst team got the 4th pick. I thought it had only happened like once. Here is the breakdown:

1st pick - Once (Magic - 2004)
2nd pick - 6 times including the last 4 years
3rd pick - Once (Nets - 2010)
4th Pick - 3 Times (2009, 2007, 2006)

I really want to be top 3, but that is mostly based on the fact that i havent seen Mudiay at all so its hard to get excited about him. The other 3 ive seen a lot and at this point i really like all 3 of them.

In comment 12153505 joeinpa said:

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Any of you old enough to remember Nate "Tiny" Archibald. Does Thomas the newest Celtic remind you of Nate in body stature, movements and even his shooting technique. It was my first impression.

good comparison, but I think Thomas is much shorter than Tiny. Thomas is like 5' 9" and Tiny was over 6 feet.

I like what I've seen from Thomas a lot. I read a stat he's been to the line in 4 games 3 times as much as Rondo had been in 20.

who can def score. I also think he is a good fit for BOS since he can play with two strong defenders in Bradley and Smart. Thomas is a pretty bad defender if i remember correctly.

what Ainge does with the picks and the current players. Not much to trade anymore.

I feel like he gets a little too much credit for the last title because McHale "bailed him out" with the Garnett trade, but I like the way he thinks most of the time.

I thought the franchise was dead after Antoine Walker, and he (with help) brought them back to life, let's see if he can do it again.

and came away supremely un-impressed with Okafor. Honestly he looked like a young Eddy Curry out there. Didn't play a lick of defense and his offensive game basically resembled a bull in a china shop. He bricked 4 big ft's late. I've seen him look more agile at other times but I really look at him as the 3rd best option for us in the draft. For me it #1 Russell, #2 Towns. Towns gives you a rim protector/rebounder and frankly I think he has a ton of upside offensively when you look at his ft touch. The Duke hype machine got started on Okafor early, but he's one of those guys that the more you see of him the less you come away impressed, while Towns and Russell are the exact polar opposite.

In comment 12153559 Stu11 said:

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and came away supremely un-impressed with Okafor. Honestly he looked like a young Eddy Curry out there. Didn't play a lick of defense and his offensive game basically resembled a bull in a china shop. He bricked 4 big ft's late. I've seen him look more agile at other times but I really look at him as the 3rd best option for us in the draft. For me it #1 Russell, #2 Towns. Towns gives you a rim protector/rebounder and frankly I think he has a ton of upside offensively when you look at his ft touch. The Duke hype machine got started on Okafor early, but he's one of those guys that the more you see of him the less you come away impressed, while Towns and Russell are the exact polar opposite.

Yesterday Okafor was playing on a bad ankle but i agree his defense needs a lot of work...

I think whether you want Okafor, Russel, Towns or Mudiay I think everyone can agree Knicks are coming away with a very good player...

I love Okafor's offensive game and i think it fits well in the triangle but the defense is starting to scare me...like Mook said seeing him taken out when the team needs a stop is disheartening....

Russel would fit the Triangle like a glove and could play Point or SG...cna shoot the 3, has great vision, can get into the paint and is god defender...wouldnt be surprised if he is considered for number 1 overall when all is said and done...

Towns has gotten better and better as the season has gone on which is very encouraging for a player who is 18 years old and many consider still very raw...he can shoot the ball from the mid range and i think eventually from 3, reminds me a lot of Rasheed Wallace without the crazy and if your getting a Rasheed Wallace your gettin a very good player...

Mudiay no one knows what he is all you can go by is reports from China...

light years ahead of Curry's. He didnt have his best game last night, but lets not get carried away. Problem is with his D. Whichever team takes him they have have to feel that with his size and IQ they can turn him into an average defender. He will never be a great defender but if he is average then your happy.

I complained for most of the year that my issue with Towns was that he wasnt really jumping off the TV whenever i watched him. He would show quick flashes but that was it. The last couple weeks though he has played awesome and has def been jumping off the TV. Ive been firmly in the Okafor camp, but Towns had def narrowed the gap A TON lately.

and I mean that as a high compliment. He can do so much on both ends of the floor. Let someone else win the lottery and take Okafor - I'd be happier with Russell or Towns.

I see things the same way.

In comment 12153622 bceagle05 said:

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I see things the same way.

I have heard that cmparison before and at first i was like no way..now he is starting to show it...

in the last 20 years probably is in the top 10 in terms of pure talent coming into the draft. I don't see Towns having that type of talent but he can do a lot of things like Rasheed did.

If Rasheed wasn't so crazy he could have been an all time great

his freshmen numbers were pretty comparable to Towns. Im not saying they are the same, but i think its hard when we compare college guys these days since very few of the elite players stay more then a year.

In comment 12153716 Italianju said:

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his freshmen numbers were pretty comparable to Towns. Im not saying they are the same, but i think its hard when we compare college guys these days since very few of the elite players stay more then a year.

Well now guys are much more prepared to play immediately than they used to be because of the AAU ball and travel schedules. They get to play against the top competition for years and aren't stuck just playing their high school schedule and really never getting challenged. It's different in many ways.

I know AAU ball existed when Rasheed was in college but not to the level it does today or even close.