Center Prospects: Knicks can’t Afford Learning Curve?

I Was Just Talking About Whiteside can get up and down the court, has a jumpshot, protects the rim, rebounds, athletic, and he is falling!
What else could we ask for he certainly fits Mike’s criteria.

Ideally…. if the Knicks could snag a combo of Alabi or Sanders with Craig Brackins with a late first and the 38th pick and then a sg or pg with the 39th pick and another sg or pg with a purchased second rounder (think Vasquez, Mikhail Torrance, Armon Johnson, Landesberg, Crawford, even Sheyer as much as I cant stand him being a Terp alum)… also Tommy Ryan Richards for the international big men… 7 more days cant wait

Whiteside oe alabi would be great for the knicks, both can board and block shots which is something we really need, plus a pg would be nice, i am excited 1 week for the draft and then its free agency, i cant wait to see who we get and for the season to start

There are actually a lot more promising big men in this year’s draft than last years. I think Jordan Hill would be down in the late first round this year. Conversely, there aren’t too many great point guard prospects after Wall – Toney Douglas might have ranked quite a bit higher in this draft.

I think that occasionally, if you pick on athleticism and size, you can end up with a superstar… but all too often teams do this with later picks and end up with a big, good looking player who does nothing. I do think the Knicks have to pick a guy that does something well, consistently for his college team.

That’s why I like Varnado, because we know he can defend and block shots. Yes, he’s at least 25 pounds too light to be a center, but the guy can do something. I like Parakhouski too – he doesn’t have great wingspan or athleticism, but he has great rebounding numbers. I like Zoubek too, for the same reason. I’m wary about Jerome Jordan. I’m wary about Alabi too. I think Orton has some promise, Sanders too. Paulo Prestes, Tiny Gallon? May be worth a shot. As for the other guys, I don’t see them falling to the Knicks, even if they can buy into the late first round.

And really, after last year, with the Knicks getting a guy showing promise on both ends of the floor with that bought pick (If the Lakers lose tomorrow, I’ll wonder if Toney could have helped them more than Farmar did) – I’m skeptical that the Knicks could buy a pick that way again.

Bottom line – pick a guy that plays good, even if undersized or not as athletic as you would like – over a guy that looks the part but hasn’t put it together on the floor.

This is a big man draft, no question about it.

Walsh has gone on record saying that he might target two big men. As it stands now, there is no true PF on this team and the only C to speak of is Eddy Curry.

For PFs, I think Brackins has the most potential to be an offensive force. He has good size at 6’10.

At center, there are a few names I like. As much as I want an atheltic shot-blocker, I would prefer a guy that can also bang in the post, ala a Kendrick Perkins type. While I do not know much about the international talent pool, there are a couple of bangers in Dexter Pittman and potentially Tiny Gallon who I would not mind seeing. Gallon has a ton of talent.

But the odds are that Walsh will look at the more athletic, long types. As I am not sure if Whiteside will slip out of the first round, we all noticed DeAndre Jordan slip out of the lottery and into the Clippers’ lap in the second round two years ago.

As for Ryan Richards, I have watched some of his game tape on Youtube (not a highlight reel), and this kid looks like he can play. I have read all the reports about him playing against lesser competition an not being able to get off the pine on his better team, but the physical skills are all there for this kid. He looks to be a legit 6’10 or 6’11. He has the agility and the shooting stroke of a 3 and the rebounding ability of a long 4 / 5. He doesn’t ooze with athleticism, but he is quick and crafty. He also has a good inside / outside game and the ability to pass out of the post.

i’ll be honest the only big i want is Alabi, I think he would be the best fit and our biggest need….he’s 7ft, can run the floor, can run the pick and roll, can block shots and can shoot…80% from the free throw line last season….and he was teammates with Toney Douglas in college, so it should help with his transition to the NBA…..

if we’re looking at pf’s, brackins and vernado as a shot blocking specialist like a tyrus thomas…

I’m hoping Alabi and Bledsoe fall to us….that’s who I’d like to come away with, and if we acquire a 3rd pick, Anderson, Jones, Brackins or Vernado…..

No rookie, unless they’re a top 3 guy, will be able to step in and be a heavy contributor right away.

We have to sign a defensive-minded FA (or two), go with a Center by Committee approach. I’d get Johan Petro, re-sign Earl Barron and look for the rook to get spot minutes.

Petro showed some good defensive intensity in the series with the Jazz and could do around 20 mpg for us. He’s a good athlete and can definitely get down the floor, probably would cost around $1.5M/yr

I’d go for either Seraphin, Zoubek, N’Diaye, Parakhouski or Jordan in the draft, a legit C with size, with our #39 pick. We should also buy an additional second rounder and grab either Dwayne Collins or Trevor Booker as defenders that slot to the PF spot.

I think my ideal draft would net Willie Warren and Craig Brackins, along with a bought pick for a defensive center.

I think Brackins will go in the first round though.

Also, do not sleep on Trevor Booker, not necessarily for the Knicks though. I like is style alot and if he was an inch or two taller, he’d be a mid first rounder.

That is not necessarily true.

The key is to find the right guys in the second round. Both DeJuan Blair and Chase Budinger were immediate contributors.

Both Thornton and Collison were later picks for the Hornets, and when Paul went down, they were the starting backcourt for the Hornets.

If we want Brackins, then we will need to get a draft pick in the lower 1st round; he’ll be gone by #38 and 39, has impressed in workouts.

I agree. I like Alabi the most. But I wouldn’t be opposed to just picking up a big body at the end of the draft or even signing an undrafted player like N’Diaye or even Zoubek. We just need a big body honestly.

Blair only averaged 18 mpg, Budinger 20 mpg. I think MDA either plays you long minutes or not at all. Only occasional 15-20 mpg players in his rotation. Granted, the last 2 years we’ve been low on talent, but that has been his MO so far with us.

If Jordan Hill and Darko couldn’t play for the 2009-10 Knicks, there is little chance a second round pick will actually work their way into the rotation. We will have a short rotation and only play 7-8 men. No rookie will be there.

After being traded to Houston, Jordan Hill, played 16 minutes, shot 53%, scored 6.4 points and had 5.0 rebounds. Now before anyone trashes those stats, let’s look at Glen Davis, the Celtic Shrek. He played 17 minutes, shot 44%, scored 6.3 points, and got 3.8 rebounds.

Darko went to Minnesota and played 25 minutes, shot 49%, scored 8.3 points, and had 5.5 rebounds. Rasheed Wallace played 23 minutes for Boston, shot 41%, scored 9.0 points, and had 4.1 rebounds.

The odds of a second round player being a member of a rotation or even making the team are low. We have a coach that like veteran players. Let’s get real here.

“He couldn’t manage to impress the coaching staff enough to get minutes. ”
“he COULD have played 25 plus minutes from jump at the expense of a veteran, but the team would have suffered some.”

hahaha……to easy……….

but I will say if we manage to get a true big(or any player for that matter), if there not ready to contribute right away then dont allow them to sit there and rot on the bench the whole season …swallow your pride and send them to the D league like Memphis did so they can get some game action…………

The kid from Miss St!! The all-time leading shot blocker… That’s what we need to focus on and hopefully will be there in the second round.

Varnado isn’t a center barely a big man prospect..I Know Point Guards that weigh more than him.

Our best bet and most realistic one is Hassan Whiteside! Pray to god he falls into the 20′s and buy a Pick there.

Would be happy with these two scenerios

First scenerio:
Whiteside (first round) and Vasquez or Alexy Shved or Torrance or terrico White(with one second round selection) and with the second possibly Varnado or Lance Stephenson if they are still around but only in the second round.

Second Scenerio:

Bledsoe or Vasquez in the first round. And Hamady N’Diaye and either Stephenson or Varnado in the second.

I believe Vasquez is moving up the draft boards fast as he works out for teams so I really do think if we buy a first round pick the selection would have to be between Whiteside, Vasquez, and Bledsoe that assuming they are still on board at in the mid 20′s eitherway I would be happy with either of these three players in the first round. However in the second I believe we should go either a combination of two big men like Varnado and N’Diaye or a combination of Point guard and big man if we selected Whiteside in the first. Either way we need to leave this draft with at least two big men.

Hey TOmmy I know the knicks have worked out N’Diaye and Solomon do you know how they did and how they compare? If the knicks selected Hamady in the second would he be that less in talent than Solomon or Whiteside? They are all very long shotblocking centers. I think the knicks should bring all three in and see how they fair against one another.

this.

Looking at draft express I cant figure out why Solomon is going in the first round and Hamady N’Diaye is going in the second. THey basicall have the same raw skill set. Solomon is an inch taller but N’Diaye has longer wingspan. The scouting report says N’Diaye is not a great rebounder and he averaged 7.1 a game but Solomon averaged 6.2. In terms of Shot blocking N’Diaye is averaged 4.5!! and Solomon averaged 2.3. N’Diaye’s FG% was 57.9% while Solomon’s was 53.4%. The only clear advantage Solomon has it outside shooting. Solomon’s FT% was 79.4% while N”Diaye’s was only 61%. They scored basically the same amount of points per game Solomon being only 2 points more but taking one more attempt per game. The Scouting Report has N’Daiye being more athletic although he needs to work on stamina while Solomon has a developing mid range shot. Either way one of these guys is either overrated or underrated in my book. But if the knicks need a center and Whiteside is gone in the first round and Solomon is still available I would rather grab a point guard like Eric Bledsoe or Vasquez in the first and wait till the second and take Hamady because there is very little difference between Solomon and Hamady besides Hype.

yeah i said the same thing a couple posts ago but I would take a look at Varnado but only as our last selection and not as or solution to our center problems. I would take him after we had already selected whiteside in the first.

yep, 3 reps on the bench at the NBA Combine means he’ll get tossed like a rag doll against NBA frontlines; even smaller guys like 6’6″ Chuck Hayes will maul him.

All in all I think if you cant get Whiteside in the first round you take point guard either Vasquez or Bledsoe (bledsoe prefered). And you take Hamady in the second.

Well we disagree on a lot but we agree on Whiteside. Im not a fan of Vasquez but I wouldn’t be mad at a Bledsoe pick.
But Whiteside is this years Brandon Jennings (Boom or Bust), Im with you we should get Two Big Men And A Guard out of this Draft.
Preferably Whiteside, An Offensive four like Ryan Richards and Jordan Crawford.

And as far as Hamady goes he is a hustle player if we dont get Hassan we better have him.

The draft will be controlled by 6 teams;

T’Wolves (4,16,23,45,56)
Thunder (21,26,32,51)
Grizzlies (12,25,28)
Heat (18,41,42,48)
Nets (3,27,31)
Wizards (1,30,35)

That’s 22 picks with 12 first rounders. If this is a deep draft with lots of quality bigs, it could shake up the NBA. I would think that with guys like Sanders, Alabi, Orton, Whiteside, and Brackins in that 21-27 range, there will be multiple teams looking to get a stab at these bigs.

I’m looking forward to the draft, big time.

I like Vernado also.I mean if a guy can block shots…….he can block shots.Draft him ..put him in for 20 mins a night and watch him swat.

How much more would the knicks have suffered? They won 29 games.

Hey ! I know some point guards who weigh more than Marcus Camby,but shit ,Id like to have his shot blocking

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Thats A Big Point Guard!

I could give you a helping hand about knowing a bit more Paulo Prestes.

He has played this season in Murcia with another brasilian promise as Vitor Faverani,although both are under contract with Unicaja Málaga.

Paulao has played a good season,showing his rebound ability,he has demonstrated that he is capable of scoring easily presenting good percentages on shooting,also from free-throw line with a 69%.
His stats are quite good for a beginner pivot 9,2 pp 7,3rp.

He suffered a quite important injury in last season final game as you can see here.
http://www.marca.com/2010/04/04/baloncesto/acb/1270384060.html?a=6c79f56ad2bb875b7944b104cf124253&t=1270386950

However,he got less injured than images let you see.

Definitely he is not yet prepared to arrive nba and I bet that he will stay at least a couple of years more in Spain.

He has declared that Splitter is a model of player for him and he has been nominated as revelation palyer of the year with other players as Ante Tomic or Richard Hendrix.

If you want to know more about another prospect you can ask.
European Knicks supporters exist.

brackins and warren are my two favorites in the 20-40 range i’m really pulling for them