**I will give my thoughts on the draft winners and losers at some point soon.  Initial reaction to the Knicks… unsure.  I am not sure Doulas was the best guy at that spot, even though Walsh loved him at the workout and others love the pick.  I am just not sold that he is better pro prospect than a guy like Sam Young.  If Doulas can play the point (and not like Nate Robinson or Eddie House playing the point), then this pick makes more sense to me.  But if he is simply an under-sized SG that will be used in the Nate Robinson role, then I do not like the pick.  I am starting to get tired of watching an under-sized Knick team.  Young could have provided starter potential, length, offensive power, defense, and size at the shooting guard spot.  So what he is 24 years old.  What difference does that make?  As for Hill, he was the best player there at 8.  Barring a trade for Rubio or Curry, the Knicks did the best they could at that pick.  I believe that Hill can ultimately play both the 4 and the 5, but time will tell on him.  I feel bad that he got booed, but with Curry going just before to Golden State, I was not surprised. Oh well…….**

I was at the draft last night in the Garden, and I was able to catch up with a bunch of loyal TKB readers and die-hard Knicks fans. This is what they had to say:

Nathan Cohen:  First off, let me say this.  Nathan helped me get down into the front area of the draft for the latter half of the first round.  Thanks again bud. I caught up with him while waiting to get into the theater, and Nathan said he wanted either Rubio or Curry, but that “I trust Donnie Walsh to make the best move.”  Nathan, did he do that in your opinion?

Andrea:  This guy and his friends were hysterical.  They started “Chris Alvino…..Chris Alvino….. Chris Alvino…..” chants in section 305 that echoed thorughout the Garden (I hope).  Thanks for that guys.  Andrea had the following to say before the draft started:  “If we don’t get Curry, we don’t want anybody.”  Well, Walsh made a pick at 8 anyways. 

Andrea also said that I need to get a new picture on TKB.  He said that I look too old in my current picture.  Andrea, I’ll look into that.  Also, I want to make a special shout out to Staten Island for Andrea and his friends.

Sivon: Sivon wanted Evans, but ended up with Hill.  He said that the “draft is a very happy time for Knicks fans.”  With all the boos for Jordan Hill, were the Knicks fans happy?  Sivon also said that, Walsh will build this team “step by step” and that he will “bring the Garden back to the 90’s” in terms of excitement.  I hope so Sivon, I really, really do.

Once Stern congratulated the NBA champion LA Lakers, every Knick fan echoed, “Lakers Suck… Lakers Suck”.  Good job everyone.

Alex Gonzalez: I waited on line with this guy for tickets all morning yesterday.  He is from the Bronx, but he is a die-hard Wolves fan.  It was like Christmas morning when the Kings took Evans, leaving Rubio to slip to 5.  For Alex’s sake, I hope Rubio goes to Minny.  

After the Knicks took Hill….

Sam Bobley: “This is the 2nd straight year they pick exactly who I didn’t want.”  Ouch.

Brian Shea: “Another Channing Frye… and that sucks.” I certainly hope not. In all fairness, I think they are different players, aside from the fact that they both played at Arizona and they both play the same position and they both got picked by the Knicks at the same spot.

Brian Leigh, a Thunder fan: ”I am very excited about James Harden.  The Next Manu Ginobli”

Tyler Pager: ”They needed Stephen Curry.”

Al Trautwig, Knicks announcer: When I asked him about the Hill pick, he responded, ”I don’t know.  I didn’t see him play enough.”

Cliff: “It’s great, but Rubio or Curry would have been better.  Minnesota screwed us.”

Sean O’Connor: “This is a seven person draft and once again the Knicks were stuck picking 8th.  Although I am convinced they are getting Rubio”

Johnny Hoops, Knicks announcer and basketball legend: When asked about Hill, he said: “Hill is a major plus for the Knicks.  He is a real forward with versatility.  He can do it all”.

My friend Danny spotted Mr. Hoops from a distance and I tracked him down.  Lucky for me, he was slowed down by others asking him to sign autographs.  And he signed a lot of them, including one guy’s Jordan sneaker.  Hoops is an extremely nice guy and he was willing to give the time of day to anyone that asked.  Good for him (and for us too).

Catherine Alvino: “Chris, stop bothering me.” Oh wait, wrong quote.  Cahterine is sad to see basketball end for a few months, but is ready for it in the fall.

Melissa Lombardi: Melissa is sad to see Ricky Rubio go to Minnesota.  She says that he has “quick hands and pizazz”.

Danny Kilduff: Thought the Garden was ready to rock last night.  He cannot wait for the Knicks to be competitive because he knows how passionate Knicks fans will be when it happens.

Greg Packer, “the draft guy“:  First off, I have been to 4 or 5 drafts, and this guy has been at every single one of them.  I have also seen him on TV during the NFL draft.  He is the draft guy and he is pictured to the right next to me during the 2006 draft.  He has the stache.

He said about Hill:  “He is not Curry, not Rubio, but he was the best available.” 

Tom Gaudio” On the Knicks’ draft, “Definitely dissapointing, but with people saying that he could be like Amare, that is intriguing.  He better improve his jumper.  Also, Toney Douglas, though undersized, brings versatility.  The biggest key to the draft is that they took two versatile players that can play defense and that have an offensive game. Just I would like to see improvement in Hill’s jumper.”

I have known Sean, Tom, Danny, and Melissa for a long time, and they all have great basketball minds.  Danny is also a die-hard St. John’s fan.  Basketball has been pretty tough on him lately.

All in all, I had a great time at the draft last night.  Last night was an example of how much New Yorkers want to love basketball and their Knicks again.  When the ship gets righted, this city will be poppin’ again.  Thanks again for all the contributors to this post.  I am pretty sure that I got everyone, but if I missed you, then I apologize.