What do you do at 6?
May 21, 2008 – 4:39 pm
Sixth isn’t too bad. Obviously first or second would have been instant gratification for our Knicks, but the odds were best that we would get the sixth, and that’s what we ended up getting.
A lot can happen leading up to the sixth draft pick a month from now. We could trade up or down, players’ stock may rise or fall during the Orlando Pre-draft workouts, so we’ll see what Mr. Walsh and Mr. D’Antoni come up with when the time comes.
28 Responses to “What do you do at 6?”
6th pick. So much for frozen lottery balls. I’m all for keeping the pick if we can get a quality point or packaging it as a way to rid us of a big contract. I see that alot of the media are mentioning that as well but they all point to Zach as the one to be packaged. There are already teams showing interest in him (Denver, Milwaukee, Philly) without him being part of a package. What about using the pick to rid us of the heartless ever-over weight Curry ?
By johnQ on May 21, 2008
And another question for you Defenders. Walsh says he is going to get us under the cap by 2010. I ask what will we have left that is attractive enough for LeBron to leave his hometown team ???? I don’t see many appealing pieces left on the roster to make this team attractive for FA’s. Am I wrong ???
By johnQ on May 21, 2008
Get Curry in shape, give Steph electroshock treatment, don’t ask Jamal to do more than he can, etc.The Knicks have some nice pieces, they just don’t match each other.They are a Rubic’s cube.Put Bron-Bron on NY and kick the right asses and you’re no worse than Cleveland.True we are defensively challenged, but Mike says he don’t care.Let’s see what he and Walsh can do.That’s why they get the big bucks!There’s plenty of time to be negative.Right now the glass is half full.LGK
By Tman on May 21, 2008
No negativity intended, just curiousity that needs quenching. Besides getting rid of Curry or Zach, who obviously don’t fit D’Antoni’s system IS a positive.
By JohnQ on May 21, 2008
Hopefully Bayless falls in our laps…If not, Love or Westbrook will be available. Word on the street is Love lost about 30 lbs. and is rock hard. There’s a lot to be said for high b-ball IQ, no matter what the system. As for game changers, in the right situation (ours), Westbrook will flourish. He’s a ready and willing defender with long arms, and he’s better offensively than he’s given credit for. I’d start Westbrook and make Crawford my sixth man RIGHT NOW!!!
By Bronxboy in Md on May 21, 2008
Merry Men!
Let the speculation about who and why there picked where there pciked begin.
see the links below to endless rambling about the Draft order.
http://www.nbadraft.net/draftbuzz076.asp
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2008/
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/new/2008-nba-draft-prospects-top-ten-position-42332
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/03/07/weekly.countdown/index.html
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24540127/site/21683474/
http://themelobackpedal.com/2007/06/13/top-25-nba-prospects-for-2008/
Enjoy!
By Orange and Blue on May 21, 2008
KnicksD
I posted a link to a list of websites discussing the NBA Draft, and rank the order.
Can you please post that comment.
I hope it’s useful. If not, then at least entertaining.
Bronxboy
I’m with you on Bayless or Westbrook.
We didn’t get the ping pong ball to drop our way hopefully a player we could really use in the upcoming regime falls into the Knicks’s lap.
By Orange and Blue on May 21, 2008
Repost for thought: Thanks so far Mr. Walsh and Mr. D’Antoni.It’s great to see somebody with a plan.Apparently, there are 15 or more quality prospects.This is where GMs lose their jobs because they have to make good choices and live, or die, with them.Accountability is a good thing!I like the slow thoughtful pace our new GM is taking.Rookies rarely help you right away.We can trade down a la Berman and probably get the guy we want anyway and some cap relief, or trade for someone who can help right away.So far,so good.It’s important to keep an eye on the big picture, being under the cap in 2010.Oscar left the Royals to play in Milwaukee with Kareem,they got a championship.Kareem forced a trade to get to LA so he could win another championship(s).This has happened before.If Lebron is unhappy in Cleveland and we look good…If you build it,HE will come.If I were the GM I would be looking to get guys who can play the right way and improve the team over the next two years.If the choices are right we will slowly but surely get better next year and after.A flashy rookie is attractive,but is he a team player? What is his skill set?who will he be in two to three years?does he want to win or just post numbers?In other words, mentally and emotionally how close to Tim Duncan, or Jordan is he?Then look at his game,his team’s record and his potential.Slow and steady wins the race.Eddie Curry is still the key,that’s whether he stays or goes.Personally I’m rooting for him, but if he isn’t working out right now in anticipation of D’antoni’s offense, I’d trade him in a heartbeat.Trade down, trade Zebo or Curry(If you don’t believe any more),see what’s up with Steph and don’t panic!Panic and wishful thinking buried Larry and Ike.
We’ll get better and then….LGK
By Tman on May 22, 2008
Tman, I hear that about Curry. How do you motivate this guy? I thought last season was going to be his year because they snubbed him for the all stars the year prior, but instead of taking it out on the competition, he took it out on the pine sitting courtside. somebody, preferrably a man named patrick ewing, but anyone really, somebody light a candle underneath this guy to go out there and play hard every night like he was on rookie contract on the verge of expiration.
and to add to Orange and Blue’s list above, here is another mock draft, this time by realgm.
http://realgm.com/src_feature/1241/20080521/2008_nba_mock_draft_version_80_(post_lottery_edition)/
they think we should look at trading down, like so many defenders have already said. maybe that’s what the knicks will do…
anybody think Mike D’Antoni already knows who he’ll tell walsh he wants for his squad? He probably gave walsh his top three choices on the ride home from secaucus the night of the lottery.
By knicksdefense on May 22, 2008
http://www.nysun.com/sports/who-the-knicks-nets-can-target-in-draft/76887/
By knicksdefense on May 22, 2008
barbosa: “it’s not a rumor”
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=954&line=98473&spln=1
barbosa famously wept when stephon marbury was traded away to new york.
By knicksdefense on May 22, 2008
oj mayo and his agent part ways. doesn’t sound very good to me at all.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mayo23-2008may23,0,2998400.story?track=rss
By knicksdefense on May 23, 2008
Some highlights of NBA draft prospect for this years draft can be found at Youtube at the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NBA+Draft+2008+Prospect&search_type=
Hope the dude putting them out makes more.
KnicksD
I read the OJ Mayo article differently. Seems that he is working to remove questionable influences from his inner circle.
That’s not such a bad thing.
By Orange and Blue on May 23, 2008
Alan is over at Newsday saying that Baron Davis is shopping himself around the league and that the Knicks may have interest. I say leave him in CA. We already have Baron in Marbury.
By JohnQ on May 23, 2008
Hey has anyone heard the word that…
The Heat may be interested in landing OJ Mayo at their draft slot over Beasely?
This is interesting News.
Also seems that Texas A&M Center DeAndre Jordan might be on the Knicks Radar Scale.
I think trading Marbury for Baron Davis plus one of their short terms contracts might work. The Warriors will get a PG to replace Davis, Marbury will be motivated to play hard for the Warriors. The Knicks get Davis, and we can draft DeAndre Jordan or the Italian player. We’ll be that much closer to competing next year.
Just Blogging.
See the Links below about the news stories referenced.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatch-080523&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dDraftWatch-080523
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2ffeatures%2frumors
By Orange and Blue on May 23, 2008
O & B,
Thats trading one me 1st PG for another. How does that help us compete ? Now throw in Monte Ellis and you may have a deal.
By JohnQ on May 23, 2008
i like baron davis’ game and would rather have him than starbury.
he’s a great playoff performer, one of the best in the biz when he makes it and isn’t hurt.
but i don’t see him leaving golden state.
its funny to see all these great teams like a phoenix or a denver or a golden state, on the verge of rebuilding not because they aren’t exciting teams that don’t win plenty of games, but because nobody can get past san antonio when its time for the playoffs.
we don’t have that problem in the eastern conference. a team like phili is respectable in the east, although out west they’d cut through them like a hot knife through butter.
By knicksdefense on May 23, 2008
KD,
Thats how pathetic we have become. We are actually starting to think that GS, Phx, or Daenver are “elite” teams. Just getting to the playoffs doesn’t make you elite, just better than others. The real goal is to get a ring, not a playoff berth, but its been so long since we even sniffed the playoffs that it is now the goal instead of just a stepping stone to the real goal.
By JohnQ on May 23, 2008
step by step johnq.
we have a good coach and a new president, soon we’ll have a lottery pick, the summer league team to evaluate, turning it all around isn’t going to happen over night, but it doesnt take too much to make the playoffs in the eastern conference.
http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/24897-Who-ll-Drink-the-Juice-
By knicksdefense on May 23, 2008
I am not sure if the Knicks would select Jordan but from his video clips he could be a decent compliment to Curry
b/c he would not need the ball and he could attack the weak side for rebounds and be a shot changer od D
I know he may not be really ready to be a starter but he could eventually replace Curry on a running squad
By saipanknickster on May 24, 2008
Saipanknickster:
I wholeheartedly agree with your assesment of why DeAndre Jordan might land with the Knicks.
In addition to that assessment, I think a combination of the incoming regime needing a low post threat like curry plus the need for a legitimate shot blocker, rebounder who can play w/o the ball will make the Knick brain trust think long and hard about drafting DeAndre Jordan. His speed and athleticsm fits D’antoni’s system but the snafu (sticking point) might be that he lacks an outside shot.
Also note that if the Knicks can work a back door deal to land Baron Davis that trade would resolve the point gaurd issue (Perhaps again Davis, and one of their smaller expiring contracts for Marbury, who will be motivated to play well this year b/c it’s his contract year).
By Orange and Blue on May 24, 2008
Another article about Baron Davis sending out feelers to gauge the interest of Ball Clubs including the NY Knicks.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ny-spknix235699209may23,0,6037503.story
By Orange and Blue on May 24, 2008
Chad Ford’s Weblog on OJ Mayo.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftWatchMayo-080523&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2008%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dford_chad%26page%3dDraftWatchMayo-080523%26univLogin02%3dstateChanged
By Orange and Blue on May 24, 2008
@ O & B,
Great article on Mayo. If he really works as hard as Chad Ford writes, he already out works anyone our current roster.
I must admit I drunk the media cool-aid on the kid, even though every time I saw the him he seemed like a quiet, unassuming, well-mannered dude who was poised beyond his years.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who drew conclusions based on the negative media hype he recieved.
Shoot, I’d say grab him if he’s around at six. If he’s not available, we need to take a SERIOUS look at Joe Alexander from West Virginia….that kid is special.
By Bronxboy in Md on May 24, 2008
O&B
great links well worth the read..I also think that if one of the better guards are not available when the knicks select that Mike D may want Donnie to go for Galinari. on his clips he looks to be a well rounded Offensive player, but I did notice that he uses his not shooting hand to create space between himself and shotblockers
By saipanknickster on May 24, 2008
I’m hoping for rose to go #1 and we work out a deal with miami to take beasley!!!!!
By banpeaceman on May 24, 2008
Concur on Joe Alexander, anyone who sleeps in a gym and works on his game can’t be a mistake!Crazy maybe, but a mistake , NO!Also, Wes Unseld with a J, love Mr. Love, UCLA.You have to rebound the ball first to outlet it.Anyone who ever witnessed the Unseld outlet saw a thing of beauty.Who rebounds the ball down low for us?Who scores down low?Who throws the outlet?We need people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty.People who can make a pass, make a play, think the game!NY loves to love, Mr. Love baby!
By Tman on May 24, 2008
Tman, D Lee is not bad with the rebound to outlet pass, except of course he has no jump shot and his defense is suspect. Would be nice to have a player down low that does all of the above.
To that end I would welcome Mr. Love in NYC playing for our knicks. I saw only one game of his last season, but he was pretty dominant, and some of the others here have raved about him, so maybe we trade down to shed some salary and pick him up.
…So who is working the phones to discuss these possibilities? I wonder why MSG seems to be sleeping on getting a GM? Does Grunwald already have the job? Or someone else we know?
By knicksdefense on May 24, 2008