Walsh: We Would Have Taken Curry

by Tommy Dee on October 6th, 2009 at 9:19 am

Kudos to Pete Vecsey for flat-out asking Donnie Walsh his preference between Ricky Rubio and Stephen Curry in terms of who he would have drafted had the opportunity presented itself. It was something Alan Hahn has been telling us for some time.

“…”Curry,” Walsh answered when asked whether he would have taken Stephen Curry or Ricky Rubio. “Not only is he a great shooter but he can get his shot on anyone. Opponents look at his baby face and figure they can manhandle him. Meanwhile he tore up every top-rated guard he went up against at our workout, including Tyreke Evans, who might be the best player in the draft next to Blake Griffin…”

Interesting that Curry would be the pick over Rubio in my opinion based on the fact that Rubio seems to fit D’Antoni’s style a little better. Granted, I liked Curry as a facilitator and shot maker given space, but I thought Walsh for sure was targeting Rubio and heard several things of the like.

That being said, Walsh didn’t aggressively move in on Curry or move up one spot to take him at #7, which makes me wonder just how much in love they were with him. And judging from what’s coming out of Golden State, Curry isn’t a great fit with teammate Monta Ellis.
  • HaS

    I didn’t have the luxury of seeing him play in workouts, but I think I would have tabbed Stephen Curry as well. Ricky Rubio didn’t even bother to workout against anyone anywhere, at least this kid (Curry) didn’t shy away from the competition. Not to mention as weak and slight of build Curry is Rubio looked to be a lot softer, imho. I think Curry can learn to play the 1 he’s got a great basketball IQ and he has the best adviser on the NBA game in his dad who played FIFTEEN years in the league.

  • Assistant DA

    Vecsey asked the question of Walsh regarding the draft that most Knick fans have wanted to know. It is even more interesting given published reports by T-Wolves GM, the Wrath of Kahn, that the two teams were near a draft day deal to flip the 5th and 8th picks in the draft (the T-Wolves wanted the Knicks to include Chandler in the deal) with the stipulation that Walsh would not draft Rubio. According to Khan, he would not do a deal with the Knicks without Walsh giving him his word.

  • HaS

    I that’s true then it was probably because Kahn planned to draft Rubio at 6 if he fell that far. That would have given me pause too though, to give up Chandler whom I like a lot. They would have to sweeten that deal beyond just the 5th pick.

  • SilentJay

    I really enjoy Curry’s game, but I knew he was out of reach, just as well as DW wasn’t ready to give up Chandler for a higher pick.
    He lacks some strength, but that’s definitely something that be worked on.
    With all that’s going on with Ellis and the Don in Golden State, we can always pray the Curry can’t handle the locker room problems (add Jackson’s consistent complains to the above) for something to happen around the deadline. Maybe we’ll get lucky. I don’t think so, but there’s no problem in asking for it.
    Think about it, with Curry here, plus all other young players on the roster, we’ll have an incredible core of young players.

  • DinnerDog

    This makes me sad to think about, please stop bringing it up. Man, would have been really nice to have Curry and Gallinari, seemingly the best two shooters to come out of the draft in a while, on a Mike D team.

    I just wish Kahn would have switched the 6th pick (and maybe Cardinal) for the 8th pick since (and maybe Mobley), since all reports made it sound like the Warriors weren’t interested in Flynn.

    This really broke my heart more than Sessions, or not getting one of the top picks in last year’s draft, because this seemed so close. I really really hate the Warriors and the Wolves now. I want everything to go bad for those teams.

  • BobbyFromBK

    Monta Ellis made those comments before actually playing with Curry. Before training camp. Now that he’s playing with him, he’s saying that Curry is a whole lot better than he thought and they should have no problem playing together. And on Rubio, just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you hear, Tommy.

  • Mal

    Now I wish they would have sent Big Ed to Groves to get in shape, look at letting it happen unsupervised. Uggg

  • Cheech

    I know its a not worth talking about, and that im crying about spilt milk. but my heart sank when they announced G.S. took Curry. I was on the phone guarenteeing a friend we had curry in the bag, bc GS would take Hill. I litterally fell off my chair when we didnt get him.

    I have never been super attached to a draft prospect. But i really felt Curry would have become a special player with this team. And in this fans mind, Hill will never get to that point. Curry has intangibles and demeaner and basketball IQ that (in my mind) Hill will never come close too.

    I dont not like hill, hes just not Curry…and curry will never blossom into the star that he could have become with us. in my opinion.