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NFT: Knicks chat: Atkins a Knick

DanMetroMan : 7/25/2015 10:33 am
Former Virginia standout Darion Atkins is set to sign a partially-guaranteed contract with the New York Knicks, a source confirmed to The Daily Progress. via Daily Progress
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DanMetroMan : 7/25/2015 10:36 am : link
Atkins is a great defender, and was a key cog on one of the nations top defenses last season. His efforts on that end of the floor were recognized, winning numerous honors, including the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year. Hes a solid rim protector, finishing eighth in UVA history with 102 career blocks despite dealing with injuries and receiving irregular playing time until his senior season. His long arms (7-2 wingspan) allow him to contest and block shots against bigger players. His best asset might be his ability to hedge screens, which would help tremendously in defending the increasingly popular pick-and-roll play in the NBA. Atkins is tough in the post, but has enough quickness to guard face up power forwards. Hes a solid rebounder, especially for his height, averaging 11 boards per 40 minutes, pace adjusted.


Weaknesses

He has a very limited offensive game. Although his offense improved significantly this season, it is still very much a work in progress. His post-up gameis still rudimentary and doesnt have much outside of a right handed jump hook. His mid-range game has improved, but not consistent enough to become a true weapon, and doesnt have range beyond 15 feet. His free-throw shooting is a liability, only having shot 52% from the stripe last season. While he was a good athlete in college, his athleticism will only be average at the next level, and not enough to overcome his unimpressive size (6-8, 240). He doesnt always have the best demeanor on the court, appearing to mope around at times when things arent going well for him. Also had a couple outbursts, including calling out his teammates after 2015 NCAA tournament loss to Michigan State in the 2nd round.

Player Comparison

Akil Mitchell. Like his former teammate, Atkins bread and butter is his defense and rebounding. They are both slightly undersized, but are both tough enough to make up for it. Both have limited offensive games, having only some semblance of a post and face-up game, and were only the fourth or fifth option on offense in college.

Draft Range

2nd round-UDFA; potential landing spots include the Hornets (39), the Jazz (54), and the Nuggets (57)

Outlook

It will be an uphill battle for Darion Atkins to have a successful NBA career. Like Akil Mitchell, who spent all of last year in the D-League, he will have to work on his mid-range and three-point jump shot in order to crack an NBA rotation. A career in Europe seems more likely, however.
I like what I read about him  
robbieballs2003 : 7/25/2015 10:39 am : link
I wouldn't be opposed for Jackson to load up on centers like he had in Chicago. Just get guys that can rebound, play D and put back some shots when needed.
It looks like we are going to play much better defense  
Ira : 7/25/2015 10:41 am : link
this year than last. Phil may be remembering his history playing for Red Holzman.
I know 15 is the final roster but  
Del Shofner : 7/25/2015 10:44 am : link
how many players can we take into training camp?
Shams Charania ‏@ShamsCharania 14h14 hours ago  
Ira : 7/25/2015 10:45 am : link
Undrafted Harvard guard Wesley Saunders has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the New York Knicks, league sources tell RealGM.
He  
DanMetroMan : 7/25/2015 10:45 am : link
averaged 2 points, 2 boards and 1 block in 13 minutes with the Spurs during Vegas summer league
His summer league stats  
Sgrcts : 7/25/2015 10:46 am : link
were pretty underwhelming but cant really get too upset about our 14th and 15th guys no matter who they are. The 8-9 guys who figure to get real time:

Calderon
Afflalo
Grant
Melo
Porzingis
Lopez
Quinn
Williams
Galloway

With Early as prob the 10th man who gets more time depending on injuries. We can only pray to the basketball lords that unlike last year we never have to see our 14th and 15th guy.
Extended  
DanMetroMan : 7/25/2015 10:47 am : link
piece on Saunders (with video)
Link - ( New Window )
Draft express  
DanMetroMan : 7/25/2015 10:48 am : link
Measured at 6'4.5 without shoes with a solid 6'8.5 wingspan at the 2015 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, Saunders has the size to compete on the wing in the NBA. He also has a solid 218 pound frame as well to help him be physical on the perimeter with opposing guards. All-around, he has solid athleticism although none of his individual physical traits stand out from the pack. While he was one of the most athletic players in the Ivy, he did not stand out physically against the elite-level competition of Virginia and North Carolina.

Saunders is a skilled shooting guard who proved to be very capable of handling the ball and being a primary facilitator in the Crimson offense. He was a capable pick and roll player and was able to use the ball screens effectively to get his offense. He was able to get into the lane and is able to pull up off the dribble, where he shot 37% according to Synergy Sports Technology, despite sporting lackluster mechanics on his shot. At times, he struggled to get all the way to the rim, especially against the athletic defenders he would face in the NBA, forcing him into a contested long two point attempt.

Saunders is not the most creative ball-handler around, relying heavily on his strength to overpower defenders in the lane, which can lead to some awkward shots just outside the paint or from the mid-range area when he can't get a step on his man.

However, Saunders has shown the ability to distribute and create offense for his teammates as well as just scoring, as he posted 5.1 assists per 40 minutes pace adjusted fourth among shooting guards in our top 100 prospects. He doesn't make flashy passes but he keeps his teammates involved and the ball moving within the Harvard offense.

When Saunders is able to get to the rim, he isn't a great finisher as he averaged just 49.5% on shots at the rim in the half-court according to Synergy Sports Technology. He is uncomfortable finishing with his left and almost always finds a way to get back to his right hand. His lack of explosiveness hurts his ability to finish around longer big men, so he counters this with an effective runner once he gets to the paint, which he uses well to convert at close range.

One area Saunders improved upon in his senior season was his perimeter shooting. Converting just 27.3% of his 33 three-point field goal attempts his junior season, Saunders shot 43.1% on 72 threes his senior season. The very limited sample size of just 2.6 attempts per game leaves a lot to be desired, though, and Saunders' highly inconsistent mechanics will likely be a hindrance in converting to the NBA 3-point line unless he is able to revamp his shot and find a more repetitive stroke. Saunders is a flat-footed jump-shooter, even in off the dribble situations, and sports a slow and deliberate release on his shot (sometimes with an ugly hitch) that will make it difficult to get off against better defenders. This is likely one of the reasons he attempts so few jumpers, despite his strong percentages as a senior. Showing that he can be a consistent outside shooter will be a major key to his draft stock and he'll have to do his best during pre-draft workouts to impress scouts.

Defensively, Saunders is a bit of a mixed bag and could turn into either an asset or a source of frustration at the next level. In on-ball situations, he can move his feet well laterally and use his strong frame to contain penetration, and his long arms to contest shots.

Off the ball, he anticipates passes and using his length to force turnovers, as he averaged 2.2 steals per 40 minutes pace adjusted, ninth among all prospects in our top 100. He's also an active rebounder, as his 7.3 total rebounds per 40 minutes pace adjusted ranked third among shooting guards in our top 100.

The problem is he doesn't always get in a stance, which can see him get beat off the dribble or caught in screens, taking him out of the play. When he is focused defensively, he can cut off dribble penetration, and get over the top of screens, but his energy level isn't always where it needs to be to get the job done consistently. Saunders generally seems to have a very laid back approach to the game, but when he's fully engaged and playing with aggressiveness, he can be quite a handful, on both ends of the floor.

Heading into the pre-draft process, Saunders will need to show he can be a consistent outside shooter to complement the offensive versatility he showed in his four years at Harvard. After laying a foundation for future success for the Crimson, he'll hope to become the first player from the Ivy League drafted since Penn's Jerome Allen in 1995. Even if Saunders doesn't get drafted, he should find numerous professional opportunities and may play his way into the NBA at some point during his career.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/#ixzz3gumQSgUo
http://www.draftexpress.com
Saunders shot well against weak competition.  
Ira : 7/25/2015 10:51 am : link
He has the size and passing ability to play either guard position. His defense is fair and could be better with more focus.
Pretty good breakdown of Zingis D  
Sgrcts : 7/25/2015 10:51 am : link
Not sure if this has been posted before- from an australian site?
Zingis D - ( New Window )
Del, you're allowed 20 in camp.  
yatqb : 7/25/2015 11:21 am : link
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RE: I know 15 is the final roster but  
Del Shofner : 7/25/2015 11:24 am : link
In comment 12385161 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
how many players can we take into training camp?


Just browsing the internet on this question ... can't we have up to 20 players on the roster in training camp? Assuming so, more meaningful signings than these two guys may be yet to come.
RE: Del, you're allowed 20 in camp.  
Del Shofner : 7/25/2015 11:25 am : link
In comment 12385185 yatqb said:
Quote:
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ah, thanks yat - you answered the question while I was out looking for it ...
That's a fair scouting report  
Greg from LI : 7/25/2015 12:38 pm : link
DA is what he is, a great defender who isn't going to add much offense.The bit about his demeanor is outdated. Darion was upset about his PT during his junior year and did sometimes show frustration on the court at that time, but he was a real leader all season long this past year. His cents after losing to Michigan State were made in anger - that was the end of his college career and it was a game we should have won. Not a big deal.
The Knicks are mainly...  
manh george : 7/25/2015 1:10 pm : link
filling up the 16-20 slots on their training camp roster.
Assuming they keep Ledo, there are 13 slots out of the 15 filled. They still need a big center and a shooter, with one of those two being a decent talent who gets the $2.8 million room exception, and the other a minimum.

I doubt that they have the recent signings in mind for either of those slots.
RE: The Knicks are mainly...  
Del Shofner : 7/25/2015 1:24 pm : link
In comment 12385251 manh george said:
Quote:
filling up the 16-20 slots on their training camp roster.
Assuming they keep Ledo, there are 13 slots out of the 15 filled. They still need a big center and a shooter, with one of those two being a decent talent who gets the $2.8 million room exception, and the other a minimum.

I doubt that they have the recent signings in mind for either of those slots.


That's what I was trying to get at. I think these two guys are more like 19-20 than 14-15. There are other shoes yet to drop.
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