Keeping an Eye On…

by Tommy Dee on November 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Obviously, it’s way too early to be thinking about the draft, but yours truly puts his scouting knack to use from day one of the college basketball season. So after the first week-to-10 days here are some thoughts about who Donnie Walsh could be keeping an eye on already.

Before we get into the “who” let’s give an accurate guess-essment today as to where the Knicks will be drafting since we have no idea. It’s a foregone conclusion that they won’t be relinquishing their 1st round pick in the Marbury deal as it’s “Top 8 protected” meaning they’d have to finish with the a top 8 best-record in the NBA in order to have to give it away to the Jazz.

So as it stands right now the team is in 16th place and if you know the draft, players vault themselves back and forth as the year goes on. But here are the guys I think fit D’Antoni’s system and would be great additions to the Knicks. We know about Jennings and Rubio, but they may not be there when the Knicks draft. We’ll do plenty of these throughout the course of the year so that when you see a game on TV you can check out their skills and conclude if you like them as future Knicks. One of them probably will be.

Stephen Curry 6-1 180 G (Davidson)

No secret here. The kid burst on the scene last March and has simply gotten better. His 40-plus performance at Oklahoma last week proved that he’s got the range and he’s beefed up enough to be an NBA player. Imaging this kid with space in D’Antoni’s offense? Yes, he’s a tweener, I’ve got him as Juan Dixon with range, but I imagine that he’d be Anthony Roberson 2.0 because he’s better now and create off the dribble. When he’s hot the kid just doesn’t miss. The interesting thing will be where does he go? Is he a lottery pick or do teams shy away because of his size?

Raymar Morgan, 6’8 225 F (Michigan State)

A bruising forward is not exactly what the Knicks need but this kid is someone to keep an eye on. He’s strong, explosive and can score with limited touches, yet we’d like to see him a little more before we call him a good shooter. Can’t wait for Big 10 season.

Gani Lawal, 6-9 233 PF (Georgia Tech)

This kid has the chance to be an animal on the boards and in blocking shots, but he is a horrid free throw shooter (less than 50%). He has a 7’1 wingspan and is very raw and his lack of fundamentals kept him out of last year’s draft.

Should he shine in the ACC this year and improve his shooting mechanics and basic footwork fundamentals, he could go anywhere from the late lottery to mid-first round.


Ty Lawson, 6-0 195 PG (North Carolina)

The thing that bothers me about Lawson is that everyone has concluded he is Ray Felton. He isn’t. Granted he needs to shoot it better, but I’ve never seen anyone faster with the ball…ever.

Imagine him in D’Antoni’s offense? Plus he is a ball-hawking defender, and by year’s end he’ll establish himself as a top point guard prospect, should he stay healthy.
  • ArbeeEye

    Is Rubio eligible to be drafted this year? About half of the mock drafts I’ve looked at have him being drafted in 2010, while the other half have him being drafted this year.

  • http://theknicksblog.com Andrew Smith

    As far as I can tell, Rubio meets all of the criteria to be considered draft-eligible. He will be turning 19 in October of 2009, which satisfies the minimum age limit requirement and he is under a professional contract.

    The only issue is his current contract with Joventut in the Spanish League, I believe he will have to be released from his contract because there is no clause that allows for him to willingly leave, and his contract will run through the next two seasons.

  • Starkstastic

    I know this is an extreme longshot, and would probably require the Knicks to trade up in the draft, but I would love them to get Hasheem Thabeet. He may not fit perfectly into D’Antoni’s system but a shot blocker is exactly what we’re missing. Plus, if we offer two max contracts in 2010 we’re gonna need other guys who thrive without the ball. LBJ, Bosh and Thabeet? Now that’s some frontcourt!

  • ArbeeEye

    Thanks for the clarification. Maybe the situation with his Spanish contract will allow him to fall to us.