NFT: NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday, May 19, 2015 7:30pm

In comment 12292700 Italianju said:

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but to be fair leonard is in his 4th season and nobody coming out thought he would be anywhere near this good. So its not like you can compare current Winslow to current Leonard. Again im not saying i think winslow will be leonard (or better).

When the guy is saying that he thinks Winslow is a better Leonard now then you can kill him...

In comment 12292697 Anakim said:

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In comment 12292689 Deej said: Quote: but none of the particular prospects really gets my juices flowing. I guess Im rooting for Towns or Okafor. Okafor is the most exciting -- he could dominate. But he could also suck, and has massive red flags (defense, shooting, soft body). Regarding the last part, he really is getting into shape. Look at the video Vin posted on the Knicks thread. He lost a lot of that baby fat. He looks really good.

Has it made him quicker laterally? Because that's all I care about.

In comment 12292694 EricNY33 said:

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In comment 12292677 Jon in NYC said: Quote: In comment 12292670 Stu11 said: Quote: In comment 12292536 Jon in NYC said: Quote: is such a cocky prick. Jon if you watched "The Journey" episode on the B1G network that featured Russell you'd be impressed. He had anything but a smooth ride at the private school he went to in highschool to play ball. The coach admitted readily that he rode him harder than just about any player he ever had, day and night. He said that just about any other player he ever had that he did that to would have quit or lashed out. Russell took it quietly and just focused on listening and getting better. seemed like a really well rounded good kid. Being a Terp guy I have no reason to blow smoke up his ass... That's fair. It's always harsh to make broad judgements about someone based on one or two quotes. That being said, I'm about to contradict myself. The one other quote that really rubbed me the wrong way is when he was asked "who was the best defender you've faced this season." and he responded "nobody." I think that's just a level of disrespect that's completely unnecessary. I just really despite cockiness. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson... and everyone saw it. LOL

I know, it was so great. It was literally the next game as soon as he made that quote.

Talk about being humbled.

In comment 12292705 bceagle05 said:

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In comment 12292696 bxgiants4 said: Quote: Somehow. Kick right in the balls Okafor is the best player in the draft I hope we get one fleeting moment of hope this evening. Let us spend the next month dreaming about Okafor/Towns with Melo and a bundle of money to spend on FAs.

I will be happy with top 3...

In comment 12292702 nygiants16 said:

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Every player has their flaws...

I know that. But these are just particularly unexciting potential #1 overall prospects. Look at #1 overall in the last 20 drafts. Little/big issues aside, none of the 2015 guys goes over at least 13 of them (Iverson, Duncan, Brand, Ming, James, Howard (E. Okafor top NCAA), Oden, Rose, Griffin, Wall, Davis, Wiggins). And who are Towns and Okafor definitely going over? Bennett, Khandi, Bargs, Joe Smith, and Kwame? Though MJ loves him some Kwame. They seem to slot into a group with KMart and Bogut to me.

Maybe Im wrong. Not super exciting.

to 7, 10, or 12 that turns out to be way better than his slot.

that looked at Marc Gasol's draft profile and saw similarities to Okafor.

Some choice parts

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Gasol must improve upon his conditioning to improve his lateral quickness and pick-and-roll defense to avoid becoming a defensive liability moving forward.

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As we previously wrote, he often allows smaller defenders to shoot over him and lacks lateral quickness - both of which usually equate to subpar defense. Gasol also tends to play lackadaisically off the ball, rarely knocking down cutters and looking to aggressively box out on when shots goo up. If he improves on his work ethic and hustle, we should see him develop into a respectable NBA defender - particularly if he increases his tenacity against more athletic players.

This isn't to say that Okafor will become the defensive player that Marc Gasol has become, but rather that Gasol's pre-draft concerns are similar to that of OKafor's and he was able to improve that area of his game.
http://www.reddit.com/r/NYKnicks/comments/35f8rs/reading_marc_gasols_scouting_report_from_the_2007/ - ( New Window )

Mudiay would be my pick there. His shooting worries people but he has Pippen like physical ability. He could be a shutdown defender from the 1 through 3 slots. The limited video suggests he has elite upside as a transition attacker. There is risk with him but frankly there is risk with all these guys. Towns is a safe bet to be a good pro but imo has limited upside. Okafor hasn't defended well and is a brick at the line. Russell can shoot the lights out but does he have the AA to truly thrive in the NBA.

If we land a top 2 pick I understand we need to go with one of the bigs. I have Towns ahead of Okafor. But if the hunch pans out it could be a blessing in disguise because imo Mudiay has the highest ceiling in this draft.

In comment 12292771 Torrag said:

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Mudiay would be my pick there. His shooting worries people but he has Pippen like physical ability. He could be a shutdown defender from the 1 through 3 slots. The limited video suggests he has elite upside as a transition attacker. There is risk with him but frankly there is risk with all these guys. Towns is a safe bet to be a good pro but imo has limited upside. Okafor hasn't defended well and is a brick at the line. Russell can shoot the lights out but does he have the AA to truly thrive in the NBA. If we land a top 2 pick I understand we need to go with one of the bigs. I have Towns ahead of Okafor. But if the hunch pans out it could be a blessing in disguise because imo Mudiay has the highest ceiling in this draft.

I agree with everything except the limited upside for Towns, i think that is his best quality is his potential and upside...Do not look what he did at Kentucky, he was used in a specific role and that is it....

I agree about Mudiay i think he ends up being the best player out of this draft...

how can anyone on here formulate a real opinion on Mudiay at this point?

I've said that all along - I don't know what anyone on here is basing their opinion of Mudiay on.

all you can really go on are the reports from China and his measureables and athletic skills. There is nothing else to base any opinion of him on. It's similar to evaluating any European/Asian player, except he played his HS ball here.

his shooting is poor. The one thing that triangle guys should have is a good shot.

me about him is people continually spelling his last name wrong. It's MUDIAY! :-D

is drafting AA and upside over "knows how to play and produces."

In comment 12292809 Phil in LA said:

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is drafting AA and upside over "knows how to play and produces."

Tell that to OKC and Russell Westbrook.

In comment 12292782 MookGiants said:

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how can anyone on here formulate a real opinion on Mudiay at this point?

You know why i love Mudiay?

Think about it this way this draft pick is going to be asked to come in and start and play right away in a big City with loads of pressure on them to play well right away...

Mudiay instead of going to college went overseas to China because he wanted to take care of his family and played well before he got hurt and we heard no crying about being over there wishing he came back home...Then he is asked to come back after not playing for 3 months and save them being down 0-2 and leads them to a game 3 win after not playing for 3 months...

You know what this tells me? Kid doesnt let pressure get to him, he could of went over there collected a check and sat out the rest of teh season so he didnt get hurt more and said ehh screew it, instead kid comes back from injury and leads the team to a victory...

Tells me this kid is mature for his age, doesnt worry about the pressure to lead and i dont think the NEw York media is going to get to this kid...

Plus from you do see of him the kid can play, i think his biggest weakness his jumper and he really did not shoot terribly when he played...

Is a lot of it reading scouting reports and not a ton of film? absolutely..

In comment 12292806 EricNY33 said:

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me about him is people continually spelling his last name wrong. It's MUDIAY! :-D

Ah, spelling. How's his shooting?

In comment 12292809 Phil in LA said:

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is drafting AA and upside over "knows how to play and produces."

So the player that produces in college is usually the best player in the NBA?

In comment 12292822 yatqb said:

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In comment 12292806 EricNY33 said: Quote: me about him is people continually spelling his last name wrong. It's MUDIAY! :-D Ah, spelling. How's his shooting?

15 attempts a game

47% from 2

3 3's attempted per game

35%

Averaged 18 6 6 and 2 with 3 turnovers a game..

In comment 12292782 MookGiants said:

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how can anyone on here formulate a real opinion on Mudiay at this point?

youtube, chad ford, draftexpress, and many other sources of 2nd hand feedback. so the answer is... nobody here has a remotely original opinion on Mudiay- the college guys yes- as we have all seen them play quite a bit

over the past 30 years... 3, maybe? The Knicks aren't taking Mudiay over Towns or Okafor. Considering all the reports about their adherence to the triangle, I doubt they take Mudiay over Russell either.

In comment 12292809 Phil in LA said:

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is drafting AA and upside over "knows how to play and produces."

That's not true. There's a certain threshold of athleticism a player needs to meet in order for it not to be a weakness. It goes vice versa as well. See Otto Porter for the first, Stromile Swift for the second.

That said, there seems to be 4 premium talents in this draft. Let's hope the Knicks get a top 4 pick. As long as pick 5 goes and it's not the Knicks, I'm happy.

In comment 12292832 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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over the past 30 years... 3, maybe? The Knicks aren't taking Mudiay over Towns or Okafor. Considering all the reports about their adherence to the triangle, I doubt they take Mudiay over Russell either.

I dont think anyone said they would take Mudiay over towns or okafor...

So that is good.

I have an odd concern about him. In his pros and cons video at Draft Express, he reacts VERY slowly on defense. And since he's got a post up offensive game, its entirely possible that the game is way, way too fast for him. Also, during the tournament I just couldnt stand watching him on defense because he defaulted to this really weird body position -- almost straight legged with like a 30 degree bend at the waist. It was unnatural.

My tournament take on Russell is that he jumps too slow (i.e. long and labored takeoff time) and too low. Did he do the athletic drills at the combine?

In comment 12292837 nygiants16 said:

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In comment 12292832 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: over the past 30 years... 3, maybe? The Knicks aren't taking Mudiay over Towns or Okafor. Considering all the reports about their adherence to the triangle, I doubt they take Mudiay over Russell either. I dont think anyone said they would take Mudiay over towns or okafor...

Several people said they think Mudiay turns out to be the best player in the draft.

Can't wait to hear the media and non-Knick fans claim shenanigans by the NBA

Just like they did in the Ewing draft:)

In comment 12292713 EricNY33 said:

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In comment 12292697 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 12292689 Deej said: Quote: but none of the particular prospects really gets my juices flowing. I guess Im rooting for Towns or Okafor. Okafor is the most exciting -- he could dominate. But he could also suck, and has massive red flags (defense, shooting, soft body). Regarding the last part, he really is getting into shape. Look at the video Vin posted on the Knicks thread. He lost a lot of that baby fat. He looks really good. Has it made him quicker laterally? Because that's all I care about.

I guess Phil and Co. will find out when they work him out

He'd be exposed badly. Post up, he isn't bad, but he's no body knocker.

In comment 12292844 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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In comment 12292837 nygiants16 said: Quote: In comment 12292832 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: over the past 30 years... 3, maybe? The Knicks aren't taking Mudiay over Towns or Okafor. Considering all the reports about their adherence to the triangle, I doubt they take Mudiay over Russell either. I dont think anyone said they would take Mudiay over towns or okafor... Several people said they think Mudiay turns out to be the best player in the draft.

Doesn't mean they take him over towns or Okafor

I said I think Mudiay ends up being the best player in this draft yet I also said if your 1 or 2 your going big 3 or 4 your going one of the guards

Just because I think he is going to end up the best player doesn't mean you take him over one of the bigs....

All I'm saying is I think Mudiay surprises a lot of people when all is said and done

If not, that's how you end up taking a center over Kevin Durant.

In comment 12292844 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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In comment 12292837 nygiants16 said: Quote: In comment 12292832 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: over the past 30 years... 3, maybe? The Knicks aren't taking Mudiay over Towns or Okafor. Considering all the reports about their adherence to the triangle, I doubt they take Mudiay over Russell either. I dont think anyone said they would take Mudiay over towns or okafor... Several people said they think Mudiay turns out to be the best player in the draft.

People have said the same thing about Porzingis, Herzonja and Towns. Funny enough, I haven't heard anyone say that about Okafor, despite the label of being the most polished offensive big man to come out in a long time and drawing so many comparisons to Tim Duncan (which I never understood).

In comment 12292859 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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If not, that's how you end up taking a center over Kevin Durant.

First off no one was taking durant over oden...

No one is taking Mudiay over towns or okafor to much risk just as much as people think he could end up being the best player there is just as much a chance if him being a complete bust

The 2 bigs in this draft are safer picks that's why they ho ahead of mudiay

In comment 12292864 nygiants16 said:

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In comment 12292859 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: If not, that's how you end up taking a center over Kevin Durant. First off no one was taking durant over oden... No one is taking Mudiay over towns or okafor to much risk just as much as people think he could end up being the best player there is just as much a chance if him being a complete bust The 2 bigs in this draft are safer picks that's why they ho ahead of mudiay

Not true. Ask Dan. I wanted Durant over Oden.

“I’ve always been a Knicks fan,” Towns, 19, told Yahoo Sports in a phone interview.


While being selected by the Knicks would be a childhood dream for Towns, he says he is open-minded about any team drafting him.

“It would be an honor and a privilege to play for the Knicks organization,” Towns said. “But wherever the chips fall, the chips fall. I just can’t wait to play basketball at the next level.”

Link - ( New Window )

In comment 12292875 EricNY33 said:

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In comment 12292864 nygiants16 said: Quote: In comment 12292859 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: If not, that's how you end up taking a center over Kevin Durant. First off no one was taking durant over oden... No one is taking Mudiay over towns or okafor to much risk just as much as people think he could end up being the best player there is just as much a chance if him being a complete bust The 2 bigs in this draft are safer picks that's why they ho ahead of mudiay Not true. Ask Dan. I wanted Durant over Oden.

Well i didnt mean the smart people on BBi Eric, i meant NBA people...

In comment 12292877 Mike in St. Louis said:

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“I’ve always been a Knicks fan,” Towns, 19, told Yahoo Sports in a phone interview. While being selected by the Knicks would be a childhood dream for Towns, he says he is open-minded about any team drafting him. “It would be an honor and a privilege to play for the Knicks organization,” Towns said. “But wherever the chips fall, the chips fall. I just can’t wait to play basketball at the next level.” Link - ( New Window )

Which means it's DEFINITELY not happening now.

In comment 12292877 Mike in St. Louis said:

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“I’ve always been a Knicks fan,” Towns, 19, told Yahoo Sports in a phone interview. While being selected by the Knicks would be a childhood dream for Towns, he says he is open-minded about any team drafting him. “It would be an honor and a privilege to play for the Knicks organization,” Towns said. “But wherever the chips fall, the chips fall. I just can’t wait to play basketball at the next level.” Link - ( New Window )

Steph Curry redux

predict the Knicks will select 3rd and take Russell.

My prediction is pretty boring. #2 pick and they draft Okafor.

but I have a bad feeling it's going to be them.

Towns is a great prospect. He's so complete. But there's just an intangible star quality that he seems to lack. I don't know if he has the ability to eventually carry a franchise like #1 picks should have. I think WCS really made Towns look a lot better than he is on Defense. Although Towns is more complete than Okafor, I can definitely see that superstar potential in Okafor if things go right.

WCS is the most intriguing player in this draft by a mile for me. Really wonder how his career turns out.

and we will select Karl-Anthony Towns

and if the answer is the right one, he would be right back up with Towns in terms of upside:

1) How much does his better conditioning/lower wight enhance his defensive skills; and

2) How much of his emphasis on offense was under orders from his coach to do everything he could to dominate there?

The other question, of course, is wtf didn't he get in better shape while playing in college? Maybe that relates in part to being such a young big--baby fat.

the Knicks will get the #1 overall pick and right before the draft Dolan will fire Phil and name Isiah as GM, thus infuriating the fan base so that it won't matter who they pick #1 overall.

That doesn't thrill me the way it would've a few months ago, but Russell has size, passing ability and shooting ability that make him a perfect triangle fit. He may be a better player for us than he would be elsewhere. His flair and cockiness would be added bonuses - the Knicks could use a little of both.

.

In comment 12292931 BrettNYG10 said:

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.

Can you give us the actual scenario how the Knicks got the 5th pick and i bet you, you cant

I predict 2nd pick and still get Towns, how? Philly gets 1 and selects Russell...

In comment 12292925 EricNY33 said:

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the Knicks will get the #1 overall pick and right before the draft Dolan will fire Phil and name Isiah as GM, thus infuriating the fan base so that it won't matter who they pick #1 overall.

Thanks for your thoughts Mr. Isola.

In comment 12292942 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

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In comment 12292925 EricNY33 said: Quote: the Knicks will get the #1 overall pick and right before the draft Dolan will fire Phil and name Isiah as GM, thus infuriating the fan base so that it won't matter who they pick #1 overall. Thanks for your thoughts Mr. Isola.

LOL

I'm just havin some fun.

Seriously... I predict they will get the #2 pick. Not sure who they take.

In comment 12292948 EricNY33 said:

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In comment 12292942 shockeyisthebest8056 said: Quote: In comment 12292925 EricNY33 said: Quote: the Knicks will get the #1 overall pick and right before the draft Dolan will fire Phil and name Isiah as GM, thus infuriating the fan base so that it won't matter who they pick #1 overall. Thanks for your thoughts Mr. Isola. LOL I'm just havin some fun. Seriously... I predict they will get the #2 pick. Not sure who they take.

Don't be surprised when Isola uses you as his source for an article tomorrow.

I wish I could be more positive, but I think the Knicks are going to get screwed. However, I think the 4th/5th best players in this draft are really good players. I have the feeling that the Lakers are going to get the first pick.