Jrue in for Round 2

by Tommy Dee on June 18th, 2009 at 7:50 am

According to Marc Berman-

“…Still analyzing point-guard talent, the Knicks are trying to bring in UCLA freshman point guard Jrue Holiday for a second workout, The Post has learned.

Holiday worked out on June 9 for the Knicks, who fear Stephen Curry will be off the board when they pick at No. 8 in next Thursday’s NBA Draft.

It’s Pac-10 time for the Knicks. After working out Arizona’s C Jordan Hill Tuesday, the Knicks will bring in USC freshman shooting guard DeMar DeRozan today for a solo job.

The Knicks said that was their last workout scheduled, but clearly they have more work to do before the draft.

Curry is the favorite at 8 unless Hill drops to them. But neither may be there. DeRozan has opened up eyes as a potential sleeper pick.

During the Chicago draft camp, the explosive guard who prides himself on defense said, “A lot of people think I can jump higher than Vince Carter at the end of the day. Now I get a chance to step in and see if people will still compare me to Vince or not.”

Added DeRozan, “I don’t try to pattern my game after anybody. I want to be my own man where guys say, ‘DeMar DeRozan, that’s how he plays…”

Notes:

  • So I’ve been (as I’m sure you guys have been too) hearing more ridiculous prospect comparisons lately and just have to throw my two cents in here. Jordan Hill is NOT Mikki Moore, nor will he be. The comparisons cease after the dreadlocks. Moore wasn’t drafted then worked his way into a contract because of just that: hard work. Timing and solid play had a lot to do with his contract in Sacramento.  Sure, Hill could have done more at Arizona but you’d have to believe had Lute Olsen stayed around things would have been much different. Despite the talent, there were just too many distractions surrounding the  for there to be success. Look, there’s nothing wrong with comparing possible outlooks, but in most cases it’s pretty useless as is the case with Hill and Moore.You have to dig a bit deeper than just physical attributes. Take Jrue Holiday for example. I’ve mentioned him along the lines of Chauncey Billups or Derek Harper in terms of physical strength, which is NOT to say that I think he will have their careers. Why? Comparing players physical attributes is fine because that is NBA tangible, but to say a prospect is going to be ineffective NBA player X and that a team should avoid him is simply off target from an analysis standpoint in my opinion.

I mean, I believe Eric Maynor looks a bit like Stephon Marbury, but I’m not about to say their games are similar.

  • Word out of Nets camp is that the team is still looking at taking a power forward, and they are still thinking hard about James Johnson of Wake, who is still near the top of their board. However, Tyler Hansbrough has flown onto the radar as well, but you’d have to think Nets fans would be none-to-happy if they took the UNC product that high. But we’ve also heard that they are very high on DeJuan Blair.
  • Sergio

    Why a second workout for this scrub? Jrue Holiday stinks. If he was 6’2″, he would be a 20s pick. He’s not that skilled for a guard. He’s not more skilled then Ty Lawson or Darren Collison. Holiday can’t shoot, he hasn’t proven he can run an offense as a PG (he wasn’t even the PG at his HS), he’s not that athletic and he’s not super quick or powerful driving to the hoop. All he has going for him is his size. It’s like drafting a player who is 7 feet just because he’s 7 feet. Donnie Walsh better not waste a draft pick on this scrub.

  • Magik_Trick

    If they wanna see him again they must like him…or wanna see another aspect of his game that he didnt show in the first workout

    My concern with him is he barely played PG in HS, and didnt play it in College, but he wants to play it in the NBA? doesnt make sense to me..

    If he said he wanted to play SG in the pros, he would 2nd round to undrafted..

    But hey, who knows, maybe hes legit and becomes a superstar PG.

    But for now, the only thing that makes him worthy of a look is his defense

  • http://www.knicksfan.net/?p=1946 Jrue Coming In For A Second Look? | The Knicks FanBlog

    [...] seems the Knicks are trying to schedule a second look at Jrue Holiday before next week’s draft. This decision suggests one of two [...]

  • BiggieSmalls

    I disagree that he has no talent or basketball skills but players with great size for the Point guard position have been picked higher than originally thought(Westbrook) and are the current rage in the league (Rondo)

    Scrub is a little harsh.

  • efunk

    I’m a big UCLA fan and I saw nothing from Holiday that impressed me. The comparisons to Russell Westbrook apply only on a very superficial level. Yes, they both played at UCLA and played the 2 aside Darren Collison, have good size, athleticism and questions about their ability to play the point, but the similarities end there. Westbrook demonstrated explosive offensive ability at times and defended extremely well in college, particularly if you watched him in a couple of outstanding matchups with OJ Mayo where Westbrook more than held his own. I didn’t see evidence of Holiday’s ability to create scoring for himself or others nor did I see him as a particularly solid defender and certainly not a lock down defender. I also didn’t see an intensity or that competitive will to win. I’ll trust the Knicks scouts who have seen a lot more of Holiday but I have not seen anything from Jrue to suggest that he is worthy of the #8 pick.

    I would certainly be happy with:

    Rubio (who has succeeded against the highest competition in the world)

    Curry (who has led an inferior team to great NCAA success as well as an ability to shoot the lights out)

    Evans (who dominated and looked like a man amongst boys against Missou and single-handledly kept them in that tournament game as well as led Memphis to something like a 28 game winning streak when he took over the point)

    Hill (who would give the Knicks a post presence, rebounding, some shot-blocking, and the athleticism to run the floor in D’antoni’s system a la Amare Stoudamire)

    and even Johnny Flynn (who has the speed and quickness to run the floor and lead his team, score, and the killer instinct to win.)

  • Nupe1911

    He never played PG in hs?? huh???? Where are you getting your information from? I’ve watched DeRozan and Holiday in H.S…and although they listed him on these websites as a combo guard (which I know most of you are reading and getting this false information) Holiday played with the ball in his hands and made plays. They played him at both positions because of his size. But always had the ball. UCLA was the first time he didnt play with the ball in his hands. I have no problem if they scout him enough and bring him here because from what I’ve seen he will be a good NBA player. He doesnt have to jump out the gym like Jennings, you will see when he gets to the NBA that he will translate just fine. Not athletic. Lol…..how much of Jrue Holiday have you seen? and please dont tell me youtube.

  • http://theknicksblog.com Andrew Smith

    I still can’t get over the Jordan Hill-Mikki Moore comparison… I wonder how much that kid’s dad paid to get him a job at ESPN

  • Mucha

    I think the Knicks will end up with either Ricky Rubio or Jrue Holiday.

    Holiday is the biggest question mark in this draft, I mean he could be an Antonio Daniels or a Gary Payton type of player. And let’s not forget, he had a better freshman season than Russell Westbrook who will be a top 5 / top 10 point guard in this league – what I mean is, because he did struggle in his first year doesn’t automatically mean that he’ll be a bust in the NBA. But he could be a bust, he’s definitely a risky pick.

  • knicks55

    i think if theres one team who would choose holliday be4 the knicks take a look if hes still there will be the warriors bc they need some help at point and they are such a mess that they have time to let this guy mature with the team

    this guy has raw potentional but i see total bust written on his forehead…. i hope the knicks get there man curry, or if hes gone, jordan hill/derozan

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