<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Mike D'Antoni has stated he wants an "engine" to propel his run-and-gun offensive attack, but for seven years the Knicks have also needed a guard who can defend the perimeter. Defending the perimeter has been one of the Knicks' biggest weaknesses during their tragic fall and perhaps they can address both at Thursday night's Draft. The Knicks are feeling UCLA 6-foot-3 sophomore point guard Russell Westbrook could be both an engine and stopper. The athletic, rugged guard has seen his stock explode since pre-draft workouts began earlier this month. With Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless starting to fall off the Knicks' radar, the Knicks are hoping O.J. Mayo falls to six. But that is unlikely. As such, Westbrook has emerged as a strong candidate for the Knicks, if he's even still there. There are rumblings Seattle, which was linked to Bayless, may opt for Westbrook instead. Indeed, one personnel director told The Post Bayless may sink the most Thursday night. "He may be the best individual defender in the draft, on the perimeter anyway," ESPN Draft analyst Jay Bilas said yesterday of Westbrook. "He's got a lot to offer. He's a real hungry kid. He's worthy of a lottery selection, just a question of how high. " Eric Gordon, more a shooting guard, is also a consideration, especially if Westbrook isn't there, and his handlers are trying to steer him to New York. Forward Danilo Gallinari, the 19-year-old Italian Stallion, is still being linked to the Knicks in some circles but may be too much of a reach and project at six. Westbrook, his agent, and UCLA coach Ben Howland arrived in New York yesterday for the draft. Westbrook, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, was part of the first crop of Knick workouts June 4 - and actually went mano-a-mano against other players, unlike Bayless' and Gordon's solo workouts. Westbrook (12.7 ppg) is not a very good shooter but a great penetrator. The personnel director said Westbrook, who turns 21 in November, may not have as high a ceiling as others, but will make a larger impact next season than almost anyone in the draft with his body being NBA-ready.</div> New York Post
Crossing my fingers that the Knicks pick Jordan or Randolph. It's a shame they have Walsh there, now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Jun 24 2008, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You crazy, who has been more hated on than Lopez? Only person I can thick of is Jordan.</div> I'll take Kevin Love over Lopez any day.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bynumite @ Jun 25 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ Jun 24 2008, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You crazy, who has been more hated on than Lopez? Only person I can thick of is Jordan.</div> I'll take Kevin Love over Lopez any day. </div> Smart man. I concur.
