It wouldn’t be fair to expect too much from a 22-year-old new to the country and new to the style of play in the NBA. It would only be natural for Hernangomez to be timid, unsure of himself, in need of time to adjust to his new surroundings.
Except, that wasn’t the case at all.
“It wasn’t like that from day one,” Hornacek recalled Sunday after the Knicks’ open practice at the Garden. “He jumped right in there. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t fearful of the moment. He wasn’t in awe of playing with Joakim [Noah], Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony. He just plays.”
The 6-foot-11 Spaniard, confident and sure of himself but certainly not cocky, has been a major bright spot thus far in the preseason, emerging as the likely backup center to Noah. The speed of the game is different, far faster, Hernangomez said, but he seems to be adjusting to it, at least so far.
How impressed have the Knicks been? Both Carmelo Anthony and Hornacek have compared Hernangomez, who is coming off a 12-point, 12-rebound performance in 24 minutes against the Celtics on Saturday, to the All-Star Gasol brothers, Pau and Marc, because of his passing ability, soft touch and understanding of the game.
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Austin Green (who is like the "go to" when it goes to scouting reports for Euroleague players) believes Hernangomez will absolutely struggle defensively to begin his career (said he's especially bad getting around picks/screens) BUT that he's very intelligent and that a guy like Noah was exactly what he could use as a mentor defensively (and this was before we signed Noah). He basically said he's never going to be a great run and jump athlete so he'll need to use smarts (he did note that Noah's feet in his prime were pretty remarkable for a big man).
Didn't think his D would be good and it isn't. But Gasol wasn't an all NBA defender when he arrived - he developed into one. If Willy can just become solid defensively he will be a real asset to the team.
I think Hornacek has his name written on the roster in pen. When asked about Sasha running the point, he mentioned Randle being out as a reason he had to do that. I think he's the 3rd string PG and I'm pretty happy with that. Hopefully his broken face heals quickly.
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like Chasson Randle has made the roster barring a shocker.
I think Hornacek has his name written on the roster in pen. When asked about Sasha running the point, he mentioned Randle being out as a reason he had to do that. I think he's the 3rd string PG and I'm pretty happy with that. Hopefully his broken face heals quickly.
I mean he all but said he's made the roster. I just meant something crazy could always happen. Said he's going to wear a mask. Sure sounds like he's made the team though.
Willy can get there. He may never be a rim protector, but the dirty secret is that a lot of NBA bigs arent good defensively when they come into the league (and many even after). Learn to get in the way, box out for rebounds, and he'll be fine.
A lot fewer minutes per game for Willy.
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willing to wager there is very little chance he's a legit rim protector. Even Marc Gasol showed signed of this in Europe (1.7 blocks per game as a 22 year old his final year in Europe) Hernangomez 0.4 career. It's not the end of the world but I suspect most shot blocker/rim protectors are showing some signs of this by this point of development. It can be instincts or sheer athleticism or a little bit of both but size doesn't guarantee you can guard the rim.
A lot fewer minutes per game for Willy.
Still, even in euro highlights he doesn't even seem all that interesting in guarding the rim. KP looked like a rim protector from day 1. Last year Hernangomez was on a loaded team so didn't play a ton but 2015 20 minutes per game 0.4 blocks per game, KP 21 minutes per game 1.0 blocks, year prior 0.9 blocks in only 14 minutes per and KP obviously plays away from the basket more.
The article seems to imply he's the frontrunner to be the backup 5 over KOQ. Obviously there is still time for that to change but as long as he gets minutes/ a role I'll b e happy.
I dont want to compare Gasol and Willy because they're different guys, but the rates undermine your points. Final season in ACB for Gasol he averaged 2.0 blocks/36 mins. Last year Willy averaged 1.6 blocks/36 in ACB games (and 1.8 in Euroleague play).
Willy isnt built to be a classic rim protector. Good comp for him is Jokic I think. Jocik had worse blocks rates in the middling Adriatic league (1.5 and 1.1 per 40 mins in his two seasons). Jokic's defense was mostly fine; like Willy, he could always struggle against quicker bigs who can put the ball on the floor. Though they said that about Marc too.
KP, Noah, Hernangomez (clearly NBA ready enough to give us some minutes), KOQ, Plumlee (he sucks but it looks like he's making the team), NDour (questionable how good he is but at least some level of upside there)
14.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 blocks, 0.9 steals, 49.8% from 2, 76.7% FT.
Here is Pau Gasol: 18.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, 0.7 steals, 47.8%/79.2%.
So basically Pau was 4 points and 1 assist better; meaningful sure but not night and day. Pau was an all star, deservedly. Lets see what year 2 of KOQ is.
KP, Noah, Hernangomez (clearly NBA ready enough to give us some minutes), KOQ, Plumlee (he sucks but it looks like he's making the team), NDour (questionable how good he is but at least some level of upside there)
If there is an argument, it's got to be lockerroom and the veteran ability to come in after sitting for weeks.
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willing to wager there is very little chance he's a legit rim protector. Even Marc Gasol showed signed of this in Europe (1.7 blocks per game as a 22 year old his final year in Europe) Hernangomez 0.4 career. It's not the end of the world but I suspect most shot blocker/rim protectors are showing some signs of this by this point of development. It can be instincts or sheer athleticism or a little bit of both but size doesn't guarantee you can guard the rim.
I dont want to compare Gasol and Willy because they're different guys, but the rates undermine your points. Final season in ACB for Gasol he averaged 2.0 blocks/36 mins. Last year Willy averaged 1.6 blocks/36 in ACB games (and 1.8 in Euroleague play).
Willy isnt built to be a classic rim protector. Good comp for him is Jokic I think. Jocik had worse blocks rates in the middling Adriatic league (1.5 and 1.1 per 40 mins in his two seasons). Jokic's defense was mostly fine; like Willy, he could always struggle against quicker bigs who can put the ball on the floor. Though they said that about Marc too.
Marc Gasol is an unusual player that had a major body transformation that changes his entire path. I'd say for every Marc Gasol (stinky defender into a game changer) there are 100 bigs who had bad defensive reps that improve but never become "plus" rim defenders. I'd be pretty stunned if we are ever raving about Hernangomez's rim protection. I'd love to be wrong but I don't see it.
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not sure the point of carrying Amundsen at this point.
KP, Noah, Hernangomez (clearly NBA ready enough to give us some minutes), KOQ, Plumlee (he sucks but it looks like he's making the team), NDour (questionable how good he is but at least some level of upside there)
If there is an argument, it's got to be lockerroom and the veteran ability to come in after sitting for weeks.
If KOQ is now the 3rd center I don't see any reason why he can't be the "good locker room big". Someone is going to go. Breer noted for Randle to make the team a guaranteed contract has to go, if it's not Amundsen who is that going to be?
Look familiar? Gasol 7'0" 250, Billy 6'11" 250--and that is after Gasol filled out.
As far as Plumlee is concerned, he is way more advanced than I expected. Not ready for the rotation, but ready to sit at the end of the bench or in Westchester and build his game. He reminds me a lot of Cole Aldrich--who is now on a $22 million 3-year contract in Minnesota.
Kuz--he needs to get stronger, and learn D, but he won't need to play much while he does, and he has great skills.
Then, of course, there is Randle. The Knicks deperately needed another quick playmaker who can run the floor, and fill in when one of the two primary pgs are hurt. And, of course when they play Jennings and Rose together, which they will when they go small, they need a backup. I really don't see anything that Galloway could do that Randle can't do nearly as well already. And, again, Randle is a bargain by comparison. Galloway got about $11 million for 2 years with an opt-out.
Nice job by Jackson working around lack of draft picks. I was shocked that he didn't trade into the second round, but clearly it appears to be working. How many second rounders except near the top are better than Kuz, Randle, or even Plumlee--or even Baker in comparison with the back of the second round, for that matter?
Humble Moses is always impressive!
I've read there's a chance he could be the starting PG. Kidd apparently loves him. His shot hasn't been falling but his defense, as always, has been excellent and he's been playing smart, team ball on offense.
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apparently has been pretty impressive in Bucks camp speaking of 2nd rounders.
Humble Moses is always impressive!
I've read there's a chance he could be the starting PG. Kidd apparently loves him. His shot hasn't been falling but his defense, as always, has been excellent and he's been playing smart, team ball on offense.
Greek Freak is going to run the primary point point (his numbers after being moved to PG were ridiculous) but they said Stockton (who has been in camp with the Bucks) is mentoring him and dellavedova (talk about a dirty combo) and likes them both quite a bit. They felt comfortable enough at the backup 1 in moving MCW.
McCaw. I was praying the Knicks acquire a 2nd round pick when he kept dropping. Saw him the other day and I'm still a little piss.
And I am also not saying that Billy is at Pau's level, both as a 22-year old. Of course he isn't, and likely never will be. But Gasol was a #3 pick, and Billy is doing a pretty good imitation as a back-up with upside.
14.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 blocks, 0.9 steals, 49.8% from 2, 76.7% FT.
Here is Pau Gasol: 18.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, 0.7 steals, 47.8%/79.2%.
So basically Pau was 4 points and 1 assist better; meaningful sure but not night and day. Pau was an all star, deservedly. Lets see what year 2 of KOQ is.
I agree with you as far as KOQ being an intriguing option - I think it's why Phil acquired him last year. However, the issue is that the stuff that holds him back is stuff that doesn't show up in the stat sheets.
His biggest problem is that he isn't decisive enough. He has the ball in his hands in the post or somewhere else, and it just sits there as he looks for an option. Contrast that to Billy, who knows where he's going with a pass before the ball even hits him in the hand. Especially with a newer, faster offense, KOQ needs to be able to make the quick decisions and keep the ball moving.
Secondly, he makes quite a few boneheaded decisions. The Celtics game he launched a few threes, which isn't his game. Other times he looked great. He's very inconsistent - almost like he's going through his options in his head as he has the ball in his hands, rather than naturally knowing the best choice. Perhaps he's slow to grasp the offense?
I don't know. I like the guy, and really want him to be a rotation piece, if only because of his Queens accent and the fact that he's got the Kurt Thomas crazy eyes.
That's fair. Plumlee is not really good at anything aside from effort and being annoying. I could just see him playing a role off the bench at some point because of his work rate and willingness to run up and down the court.
This just goes to one of my big Knicks pet peeves -- trading guys at the low end of their value because we're hot to make magic cap space. Part and parcel of the go for it now philosophy that pisses me off -- I still think that the Rose move was poor asset management, and we upgraded from Lopez to a much riskier Noah contract (where the key risk is in the seasons that are most important to the team -- the start of KP's title window).
Stylistically, reminds me of a bigger Scola. We'll be pretty fortunate if he is as productive in the NBA as Scola has been.
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Might even be fourth. Supposedly Canaan and Dinwiddie are having strong camps with the Bulls. Grant? Not so much.
Have to imagine he'd be very cheap given his 0% chance of carving out much of a role in Chicago barring multiple injuries but I doubt it would happen.