Post by garyd on Jun 3, 2009 12:58:49 GMT -5
As the Draft approaches here is a run down of the players I have seen that could be available for the Knicks. Most of them I have seen for a long period of time.
Jordan Hill-PF- 6-10 232. He has an NBA ready body (ala Dwight Howard) and overall good game. Descent shooting, rebounding and defense. He is fairly athletic but has had injuries in the past. The NBAdraft.net compares him to Chris Bosh but he is stronger than Chris , Playing PF he may not fit with the Knicks (even if available to them) as Gallinari seems to have that position in the future and is a better 3 point shooter than Jordan.
James Harden-SG 6-5 222. He is NBA ready as well and built solidly. He has the all around game of Brandon Roy but sometimes isn’t as aggressive as Roy. He can play PG but is best as a shooter at SG. He wasn’t as impressive in his soph year as in his freshman year but was instrumental in making his team better. The Knicks could use him at SG and backup PG. He is better than what they have at those positions but is likely gone by pick #8.
Demar DeRozan- This guy is a real athlete that can jump out of the gym. He has been compared to a young Vince Carter but IMO he has better hops and is stronger. He started as the #4 shot choice on a veteran team and ended up #1-2 shot choice at the end being highly instrumental in the Trojans winning 6 of their last 7 including post season tournaments. He is a good study and improved in every facet of his game but still has a ways to go. To me he has the star material if a team is looking for a home run and not a solid single.
Brandon Jennings- I saw him in high school All-Star games and not overseas. He has spectacular talent and as big a head. He was wild in high school and dominating as well. Some compare him to Kenny Anderson but he is probably a better assist man than Kenny and not as good a shooter. He does serve the PG need but is another if bigger with similar skills and weaknesses so far.
Chase Budinger-SF/SG- Chase is a towhead that doesn’t look like a player (surf dude maybe) but hew is a great athlete that can jump through a roof. He played world class volleyball. His game has improved and he literally can manufacture a shot from anywhere on the court. Not a bad rebounder, assist man or defender. NBADraft.net compares him to Brent Barry which is ridiculous. He can run rings around Brent who was basically a catch and shoot guy. He could fit the wing position and give the Knicks an upgrade at either SF or SG.
Jrue Holliday-PG/SG-6-4 199. This kid’s numbers won’t impress you because Darren Collision surprised him and the UCLA coach by coming back. Jrue would have played PG, his best position but was forced to play SG. If he had played PG he might well be the top PG coming out this year. He’s athletic and BBall sharp. At 6-4 he presents matchup problems but he is only a true freshman and may take some tine to mature. It’s not what was present every game but the flashes of what could be present that tempts one. He would fit the backup PG to start and IMO would win the starting role by halfway through the season. He could be a star.
Others that are late first or second rounders…
Taj Gibson- PF 6-10 214 -incredibly quick feet and great help blocker. He is mature (23 years old) and talented as a low post scorer and rebounder. If he is available in the second round the Knicks would be wise to trade up for him as an off-the-bench defender,
Darren Collison-PG 6-1 166. Very quick and smart player but his coming back for his senior year hurt him a lot. He is a good PG that has great 3 point shooting and defense. Unfortunately he was on a team that didn’t stress offense and had a lot of players to keep happy. A Comparison to Darrell Armstrong seems about right but Darren’s a better ball handler. Another second round pick as a backup PG if the Knicks had a second round pick.
Jeff Pendergraph-PF 6-10 240- A grinder underneath with a good mid range shot. Has a chance to be a decent bench player. Compared to Udonis Haslem but may not be as strong.
Gary
Jordan Hill-PF- 6-10 232. He has an NBA ready body (ala Dwight Howard) and overall good game. Descent shooting, rebounding and defense. He is fairly athletic but has had injuries in the past. The NBAdraft.net compares him to Chris Bosh but he is stronger than Chris , Playing PF he may not fit with the Knicks (even if available to them) as Gallinari seems to have that position in the future and is a better 3 point shooter than Jordan.
James Harden-SG 6-5 222. He is NBA ready as well and built solidly. He has the all around game of Brandon Roy but sometimes isn’t as aggressive as Roy. He can play PG but is best as a shooter at SG. He wasn’t as impressive in his soph year as in his freshman year but was instrumental in making his team better. The Knicks could use him at SG and backup PG. He is better than what they have at those positions but is likely gone by pick #8.
Demar DeRozan- This guy is a real athlete that can jump out of the gym. He has been compared to a young Vince Carter but IMO he has better hops and is stronger. He started as the #4 shot choice on a veteran team and ended up #1-2 shot choice at the end being highly instrumental in the Trojans winning 6 of their last 7 including post season tournaments. He is a good study and improved in every facet of his game but still has a ways to go. To me he has the star material if a team is looking for a home run and not a solid single.
Brandon Jennings- I saw him in high school All-Star games and not overseas. He has spectacular talent and as big a head. He was wild in high school and dominating as well. Some compare him to Kenny Anderson but he is probably a better assist man than Kenny and not as good a shooter. He does serve the PG need but is another if bigger with similar skills and weaknesses so far.
Chase Budinger-SF/SG- Chase is a towhead that doesn’t look like a player (surf dude maybe) but hew is a great athlete that can jump through a roof. He played world class volleyball. His game has improved and he literally can manufacture a shot from anywhere on the court. Not a bad rebounder, assist man or defender. NBADraft.net compares him to Brent Barry which is ridiculous. He can run rings around Brent who was basically a catch and shoot guy. He could fit the wing position and give the Knicks an upgrade at either SF or SG.
Jrue Holliday-PG/SG-6-4 199. This kid’s numbers won’t impress you because Darren Collision surprised him and the UCLA coach by coming back. Jrue would have played PG, his best position but was forced to play SG. If he had played PG he might well be the top PG coming out this year. He’s athletic and BBall sharp. At 6-4 he presents matchup problems but he is only a true freshman and may take some tine to mature. It’s not what was present every game but the flashes of what could be present that tempts one. He would fit the backup PG to start and IMO would win the starting role by halfway through the season. He could be a star.
Others that are late first or second rounders…
Taj Gibson- PF 6-10 214 -incredibly quick feet and great help blocker. He is mature (23 years old) and talented as a low post scorer and rebounder. If he is available in the second round the Knicks would be wise to trade up for him as an off-the-bench defender,
Darren Collison-PG 6-1 166. Very quick and smart player but his coming back for his senior year hurt him a lot. He is a good PG that has great 3 point shooting and defense. Unfortunately he was on a team that didn’t stress offense and had a lot of players to keep happy. A Comparison to Darrell Armstrong seems about right but Darren’s a better ball handler. Another second round pick as a backup PG if the Knicks had a second round pick.
Jeff Pendergraph-PF 6-10 240- A grinder underneath with a good mid range shot. Has a chance to be a decent bench player. Compared to Udonis Haslem but may not be as strong.
Gary