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Portsmouth in Review

by Tommy Dee on April 9th, 2011 at 10:48 pm

There are so many workouts and draft camps still to come that it’s hard to go crazy about two days, but if I were the Knicks and consideing I’d have Marquette’s Jimmy Butler and USC’s Alex Stepheson high on my list at this point for potential needs moving forward.

Both should be late first or early second round picks so there may have to be some maneuvering, but, to me, they were two of the most impressive players at this week’s Portsmouth Invitational.

Which direction the Knicks go remain to be seen, they have a first round pick, but they will need to be crafty if they want to plug holes quickly and a late first round pick/second round steal could be a sound way to add young depth. Butler, to me, is a role player on a very good team moving forward and is about NBA ready. There is nothing not to like about him, who won tournament MVP and led his team to the PIT championship Saturday night. To me, he was the best player here. He does everything very well. He guards, he can post up and he can hit the perimeter jump shot and quiet honestly was one of 3 players to actually hit a corner 3 pointer in the two days and the 5 games I witnessed. He averaged an efficient 19 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists and got to the free throw line, in a leniently officiated format, 6 times per game. He completely filled up the stat sheet across the board.

West Virginia’s Casey Mitchell filled up the basket  scoring 60 points in 3 games including a 30-point performance in the consolation game tonight. He helped himself into the second round conversation.

So, too, did Villanova’s Corey Stokes. He played strong and displayed a very nice high release catch and shoot jumper with range. After struggling in the first game, Stokes shot 9-20 from down town.

As far as the big, a need for the Knicks, Stepheson, the North Carolina transfer, stood out to me. He’s a physical specimen who has some solid post moves. He’s a space eater who can rebound on both ends and defend. My only issues are the fact that he doesn’t face up well in the post, or shoot free throws well, and his foot work and motor leave something to be desired. Forget about passing too. That’s why he’s not a lock for the first round in my opinion. Florida’s Alex Tyus was impressive as well, but you have to wonder why he was so inconsistent in college over his 4 years.

Syracuse’s Rick Jackson and ODU’s Frank Hassel aren’t the best athletes in the world, but they are lefty and crafty around the basket almost in an Othella Harrington mold. That’s not a comparison, just an example to give you a visual. Crafty, post playing lefties who play below the rim. Neither have range outside about 5 feet it seems.

Dwight Hardy also had a quietly efficient few days at the point guard position. He seemed to be able to score with ease and get his teammates involved. I think he’ll need to stand out in other camps and in workouts in order to be a guaranteed draft selection. Right now he may be on the outside looking in at this stage.  Chris Warren of Mississippi was outstanding hitting open jumpers leading his team, along with Butler to the championship.

The Knicks could very well draft the best big available with their first pick. You’ve heard names like Trey Thompkins and Kenneth Faried. Neither were here this week. But they should look to add cost-effective depth in the late first and/or the second round. It appears there will be sound talent there if they do in fact choose to add picks later in the draft.

  • Anonymous

    this dude stephen look OD brolic in that pic lol

  • Anonymous

    This is gonna come off as hate, but nobody named in this article can help the Knicks win in the near future IMO. With that being said, you’ve seen these guys live, so you might have a better feel for them.

    We have holes, but this isn’t football, I say at most we need 3 players to be top 3 in the EAST. Like you hinted, we do have to be crafty, if that involves buying a pick, then packaging said pick with a Fields or a TD for maybe a Sessions or a Mayo, we could be in business. Or we could keep it simple & just purchase a pick & draft a guy like Benson..

    As far as I’m concerned we have a back-up 2 (Walker) as well as a back up PG(TD)… Or we could pull off a sign & trade to land a player. What we need is a starting 2 & C, as well as a back-up PF.

    Billups/TD
    D.Stevenson/Walker
    Melo/Shawne or Brown
    Amare/Markief Morris
    D.Jordan/J.Jordan/Barron

    #draft Morris(would be a GREAT pick up IMO)
    #Sign & trade involving D.Jordan/Fields/Turiaf/cash
    #use part of MLE on Stevenson

    Is this likely ? mmmaybe? But it’s just something I came up with in 5 mins, so I’m sure a crafty GM with endless resources could come up with something.

  • http://twitter.com/hungastryke Kwansah Madani

    What about Jeremy Tyler? He was a top 5 HS player 2 years ago. Now he’s a 7 footer projected to go in the 2nd round…

    http://bit.ly/fnbDGL

  • Anonymous

    Tyler is a player I like a lot, hes young, tall and tough. He has pro experience now as well and seeing as how Brandon Jennings did fine doing things the same way Tyler has Id be ok selecting him. Now the question is where and how. 16 which is around where we are slated to pick, is probably too high and hes not the player Im hoping is there (that would be Jonas Valanciunas who is a pretty good offensive player and an aggressive defender. Not your typical Euro.

    If we could buy our way in or trade our way in to the late 1st Tyler or Rick Jackson would be solid picks. Jackson has improved every year, is tougher then nails and a good rebounder. Hes all effort. Having watched Syracuse basketball all my life Ive seen him become more then just a tough guy, hes a legitimately skilled back to the basket player who just continues to get better.

  • Anonymous

    The kid might not be quite ready for primetime, especially for D’Antoni.
    Listen, if Billups and Melo are still acclimating, then this kid would see the bench longer then Randolph. LOL
    No time for steep learning curves under this coach.

    Jeremy Tyler, eventually left HS for Tokyo. Not sure where he is now.

    Check out this debate before he quit school with Jalen Rose on ESPN.

    http://youtu.be/dZC1z8JtBAs?hd=1

  • http://twitter.com/AzazNYK Azaz

    hey tommy, tried getting this to u via Twitter I put up a couple of new posts @ http://theknickswall.com/ One post in particular the 46% theory will be of interest to you, imo.

  • Anonymous

    I’m really hoping Dwight Hardy goes undrafted and the Knocks can sign him. I can see him developing as a good backup PG in the NBA.

  • Anonymous

    Please give it up already with Earl Barron.

  • Anonymous

    I’m sure Tyler will get a look over from all the scouts. The question is do you want to pay him a 1st round rookie contract and have him on the cap or draft him in the second with less risk. He does have that uncoachable skill, height.

  • OLD KNICK

    Lawson hits 10 3s

    http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/04/09/sports/basketball/AP-BKN-Timberwolves-Nuggets.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

    “The Nuggets improved to 17-6 since trading away All-Star Carmelo Anthony, although two of those losses came in a four-day span against the Thunder, including a 104-89 loss Friday night at Oklahoma City, Denver’s possible first-round playoff opponent.

    Denver coach George Karl said before the game his deck was even lighter than usual with forward Wilson Chandler (left ankle) joining forward Arron Afflalo (left hamstring) and centers Timofey Mozgov (left knee and ankle) and Chris “Birdman” Andersen (right ankle) on the sideline.

    It didn’t take long for guard Danilo Gallinari to join them.

    He sprained his right ankle with 1:06 left in the first quarter and didn’t return. X-rays were negative and the Nuggets said Gallinari was day-to-day.

    Eight Nuggets and seven T-Wolves scored in double figures. Raymond Felton had 11 points and 14 assists for Denver.”

  • OLD KNICK
  • Anonymous

    The kid should have called Jalen Rose for advice before throwing away his high school diploma (1 year away from graduating?) to sign for $140k with Israel. He may have lost millions in the long run.

  • Anonymous

    The Miami vs. Boston game today could determine our first round opponent. Miami has the home court advantage.

  • Anonymous

    trey thompkins looked fantastic the few times i saw him play and seems like the perfect backup 4 for a dantoni team since he’s big, rebounds well, and can stretch the floor.

    Justin Harper would also be a great pick but hes more of a tweener, but hes so fluid scoring the ball at 6-10 i really like watching that kid play.

    There are a bunch of 4′s that should available mid to late 1st round it shouldn’t be hard for knicks to find one they like to develop to backup amare and then look to sign/trade for a center to start along with developing Jerome Jordan (who would be a mid to late first rounder in this draft).

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SRI47O3JZLDIAK53VOPVCOQCCM Randy Watson

    I am having trouble understanding the love for Stevenson. The guy is a certified knucklehead and could be one of those guys that causes chemistry problems. He is currently buried on the bench behind Peja in Dallas.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3RGKXYRB3RFODDMZLHZFE7JGFE NAC

    HaS’s disciples take orders well

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3RGKXYRB3RFODDMZLHZFE7JGFE NAC

    Jeremy Tyler is:

    1. An idiot
    2. A guy who washed out overseas until he went to a terrible league in Japan.

    We want no part of that

  • Anonymous

    Just a name really, I’ve thrown A.Parker, Mayo and several others in the mix. I do feel he’s a better 2 than Fields.

    btw.. Jeffries was buried on the Bench in Houston, he’s a star here.. Lol

  • Anonymous

    HaS was the first person I saw mention Stevenson. I think it’s s good idea. Is it a crime to agree with people ? Smh

  • http://twitter.com/AzazNYK Azaz

    New @ http://t.co/XVVP1HU : “Carmelo Anthony Through The Eyes Of A Nuggets Fan” . I think this piece is really good.

  • Anonymous

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6319517

    Gallo hurt again.. Gallo AkA mr Softee.. (pause)

  • Anonymous

    PSSSSTTTTT… we dont wana see boston in the playoffs you see how hard they are to beat when they are focus…. I Know i def dont. I prefer Miami!!!

  • http://twitter.com/real_soEZ The Don Kap

    “Now With Melo”-Knicks Playoff Anthem [Official Music Video]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVXN542PtY

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SRI47O3JZLDIAK53VOPVCOQCCM Randy Watson

    I’ll take Parker out of that group. We need complimentary players who will fit in, not guys who are going to cause trouble.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SRI47O3JZLDIAK53VOPVCOQCCM Randy Watson

    Agreed.