<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">The coach wants to protect his younger players, after losing Pietrus not too long ago. From the sites I read, Petro's wprk ethic is underrated and is more than what he is given credit for. Splitter is projected to be taken pretty high from the Mocks I've read, in one of them, he's #4! If Splitter is gone, who would you take? Bogut is almost certainly out of the question. And I don't know about Martynas. I did more research on him and found out it will take a while for him to really contribute. He really is more of a ?project? and can?t contribute right away. He has little post moves and adding that to him being a tooth pick = a lot of work. A majority of his points are due to shooting over smaller centers. He gets the least amount of burn between almost every European prospect. No thanks. I don?t know Spanish, but if anyone here does, here?s a link on the Knicks expressing some interest on Igor Rakocevic from Serbia. Link</div> I dont want to use a lottery pick on a player who has questionable work ethic. That just isnt smart. He doesnt have any post moves and I dont know if Agguire can turn him into a low post threat. Sweetney had a small arsenal of post moves so Agguire had something to work with. It's unlikely that Petro will become a reliable low post threat. I know Splitter is projected to go high but I have a feeling he's not going to be drafted that high. Other guys are getting more attention like Taft and Warrick. I'll be very surprised if Splitter is drafted in the top five although he probably should. But if I cant have Splitter...Martynas would be my next choice followed by Nemenja(if he's in it), Marvin Williams(if he enters), Taft, Jack Jarett, Deron Williams, Villanueva. I dont like Villanueva's or Taft's work ethic but I'll be willing to take a chance on them if I cant have those other guys. Patience is a virtue. Martynas is definetely a project but I'm definetely willing to wait for him. I'd draft him and let him stay in Europe for a few years until he's ready to come over. He's a true seven foot center dripping with potential. He's athletic and versatile. He can shoot the jumpshot, is a great passer, has the potential to be a good on ball defender and shotblocker and will develop some great moves in the low post. He'll be a mix of Big Z and Sabonis with a sprinkle of athleticism. He's playing under Sabonis right now and I have faith that Sabonis will turn this kid into something special. Years from now I believe Martynas will be one of the dominant centers in the league. By the time he's fully developed and comes to the NBA, Sweetney and Ariza will also be good players and we'll have an extremely solid team. Especially if we draft well and hang onto our young players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont want to use a lottery pick on a player who has questionable work ethic. That just isnt smart. He doesnt have any post moves and I dont know if Agguire can turn him into a low post threat. Sweetney had a small arsenal of post moves so Agguire had something to work with. It's unlikely that Petro will become a reliable low post threat.</div> Well, from what I heard he is very motivated and his work ethic is underrated. If I remember correctly, Nazr had no post game what so ever and at age 27, Aguirre transformed him and he had a legit post game. Now imagine someone with more size, more athleticism and more potential. He can develop a little post game at the very least. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Patience is a virtue. Martynas is definetely a project but I'm definetely willing to wait for him. I'd draft him and let him stay in Europe for a few years until he's ready to come over. He's a true seven foot center dripping with potential. He's athletic and versatile. He can shoot the jumpshot, is a great passer, has the potential to be a good on ball defender and shotblocker and will develop some great moves in the low post. He'll be a mix of Big Z and Sabonis with a sprinkle of athleticism. He's playing under Sabonis right now and I have faith that Sabonis will turn this kid into something special. Years from now I believe Martynas will be one of the dominant centers in the league. By the time he's fully developed and comes to the NBA, Sweetney and Ariza will also be good players and we'll have an extremely solid team. Especially if we draft well and hang onto our young players.</div> Patience and faith, and luck is also what we need. If someone like Petro isn't getting any burn, imagine him. I He has career highs of five points and three boards in two seperate games. Yeah, he might be playing under Sabonis, but this guy definitely has his hands full. Sure, he is 7'3 guy with potential but if that's the case, why is he any different from someone like Pavel Podkolzin? Or how about Nikoloz Tsktisvhili and Zarko Cabarkapa? A lot of people are dripping with potential, but what about him makes him any different than someone else. Tim Thomas is dripping with potential and so was that guy we drafted in the second round 2 years ago who was 7?5. Yeah, it can do him good if he spent a year or to in Europe, but he has to really dominate to get my vote. He needs to actually stop riding on the bench and get some minutes. I?d take Tiago Splitter, he seems legit, but I don?t know about this Martynas guy anymore. I?d much rather take Petro over him.
response <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tim Thomas is dripping with potential and so was that guy we drafted in the second round 2 years ago who was 7?5</div> are you reffering to fredrick weis?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, from what I heard he is very motivated and his work ethic is underrated. If I remember correctly, Nazr had no post game what so ever and at age 27, Aguirre transformed him and he had a legit post game. Now imagine someone with more size, more athleticism and more potential. He can develop a little post game at the very least. Patience and faith, and luck is also what we need. If someone like Petro isn't getting any burn, imagine him. I He has career highs of five points and three boards in two seperate games. Yeah, he might be playing under Sabonis, but this guy definitely has his hands full. Sure, he is 7'3 guy with potential but if that's the case, why is he any different from someone like Pavel Podkolzin? Or how about Nikoloz Tsktisvhili and Zarko Cabarkapa? A lot of people are dripping with potential, but what about him makes him any different than someone else. Tim Thomas is dripping with potential and so was that guy we drafted in the second round 2 years ago who was 7?5. Yeah, it can do him good if he spent a year or to in Europe, but he has to really dominate to get my vote. He needs to actually stop riding on the bench and get some minutes. I?d take Tiago Splitter, he seems legit, but I don?t know about this Martynas guy anymore. I?d much rather take Petro over him.</div> Some people say Petro isnt motivated some people say he is. I dont want to take the chance that he has a poor work ethic. Nazr did indeed develop a postup game but he was hardly dominant in the low post. I like Perto's defense but that's all he has to offer it looks like and that's simply not enough to be a lottery pick. Martynas is a project so of course Petro is getting more minutes. He's raw but he has tons more potential. All those other guys you named didnt live up to their potential because they came to the NBA, got no minutes, had no chance to develop and ended up rotting on the bench. Much like Darko is right now for the Pistons. If we draft him and let him play and develop in Europe under Sabonis(for 4-6 years) then Martynas will live up to his potential. TT is lazy and satisfied with his game which is why he'll never realize his full potential. Martynas on the other hand is a hard worker. There is no reason to think that he wont turn into the player that he can turn into. And having a seven foot center who can pass, shoot, postup, rebound, defend, block shots and run the floor will do wonders for any team's frontline.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Some people say Petro isnt motivated some people say he is. I dont want to take the chance that he has a poor work ethic. Nazr did indeed develop a postup game but he was hardly dominant in the low post. I like Perto's defense but that's all he has to offer it looks like and that's simply not enough to be a lottery pick.</div> Yeah, he was hardly dominant however, it was quite a huge step from where he came from. Before he scored off of garbage baskets and easy dunks Marbury gave him. No post game whatsoever got transformed into a legit one. If he can become a Camby like player, that would be great for us. Camby's defense was great but he had no offense. He turned out to be a great center for us. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Martynas is a project so of course Petro is getting more minutes. He's raw but he has tons more potential. All those other guys you named didnt live up to their potential because they came to the NBA, got no minutes, had no chance to develop and ended up rotting on the bench. Much like Darko is right now for the Pistons. If we draft him and let him play and develop in Europe under Sabonis(for 4-6 years) then Martynas will live up to his potential. TT is lazy and satisfied with his game which is why he'll never realize his full potential. Martynas on the other hand is a hard worker. There is no reason to think that he wont turn into the player that he can turn into. And having a seven foot center who can pass, shoot, postup, rebound, defend, block shots and run the floor will do wonders for any team's frontline.</div> But 4-6 years? That's really a lot of time. I mean, what can we do during that time. Who will play center for us. Kurt Thomas not again. He'll be gone for next year probably. By that time, we'll probably have another young center and Martynas will probably not be needed. I'd much rather take Splitter over him and take a risk on Petro than wait another 4-6 years. By that time, I think he'll be able to average a double double and if he really sucks, we'll probably go into the lottery again so we can draft someone else. There are tons of 7+ guys in europe who can pass, post, shoot and obviously block shots. How is he more special than anyone else. I'll take Splitter in the draft. I'll do some more research, but so far he seems like the best.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">But 4-6 years? That's really a lot of time. I mean, what can we do during that time. Who will play center for us. Kurt Thomas not again. He'll be gone for next year probably. By that time, we'll probably have another young center and Martynas will probably not be needed. I'd much rather take Splitter over him and take a risk on Petro than wait another 4-6 years. By that time, I think he'll be able to average a double double and if he really sucks, we'll probably go into the lottery again so we can draft someone else. There are tons of 7+ guys in europe who can pass, post, shoot and obviously block shots. How is he more special than anyone else. I'll take Splitter in the draft. I'll do some more research, but so far he seems like the best.</div> Like I said, patience is a virtue. We try to win while he's playing in Europe of course. If he's developing well in Europe we keep that starting center slot open so when he does come we'll be able to throw him in. If we suck while we're waiting for him all that means are lottery picks we can use to add to our youth core. You know other 7+ centers in Europe who has the potential to pass like Sabonis, shoot like Yao, postup like Big Z, run the floor like David Robinson, rebound like...an athletic 7'2" center, defend like...a smart athletic 7'2" center who learned under Sabonis, block shots like an athletic 7'2" center? What are their names?? I'd rather have Tiago Splitter as well but if I cant have him or Bogut, Martynas is the kid I want. He has too much potential to be ignored. Imagine the damage him and Sweetney could do together. They'll completely dominate the paint. Imagine Ariza streaking towards the basket and Martynas hitting him with the pass allowing Ariza to finish the play with a dunk. I see Martynas becoming a dominant center in the league. By the time he comes around Big Z and Shaq will probably be gone or not as good so the only other dominant center will be Yao. Martynas is a more than solid investment for the future for any team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Like I said, patience is a virtue. We try to win while he's playing in Europe of course. If he's developing well in Europe we keep that starting center slot open so when he does come we'll be able to throw him in. If we suck while we're waiting for him all that means are lottery picks we can use to add to our youth core. You know other 7+ centers in Europe who has the potential to pass like Sabonis, shoot like Yao, postup like Big Z, run the floor like David Robinson, rebound like...an athletic 7'2" center, defend like...a smart athletic 7'2" center who learned under Sabonis, block shots like an athletic 7'2" center? What are their names?? I'd rather have Tiago Splitter as well but if I cant have him or Bogut, Martynas is the kid I want. He has too much potential to be ignored. Imagine the damage him and Sweetney could do together. They'll completely dominate the paint. Imagine Ariza streaking towards the basket and Martynas hitting him with the pass allowing Ariza to finish the play with a dunk. I see Martynas becoming a dominant center in the league. By the time he comes around Big Z and Shaq will probably be gone or not as good so the only other dominant center will be Yao. Martynas is a more than solid investment for the future for any team.</div> 4-6 years I'd be 20-22! That's a while!! I can't imagine being that old. I probably be in the NBA by that time ! I know that would be a huge plus if we could get an athletic guy that can block shots, run the floor, shoot, and post up. That would be a huge plus for us. If that's the case, he could average about 17 points//8.5 rebounds//4 assists//2 blocks. Could he develop a 3 point shot? He would also become more of a monster with Aguirre around too. Those kinds of numbers are great numbers and I would take that any day, but do you think it's worth it? I mean let's say this guy comes out dissapointing. Do you think that it's worth it to sacrifice potential help 4-6 years and someone who can develop into a very good player like Martynas? If we don't draft anyone this year, we will basically be repeating this season again. I think drafting Splitter is something we need to do. We'll get help immediately and he will continue to develop. Martynas is somewhat risky. He does have a huge upside with patience and time. I don't know. I think we might be able to get splitter though. With Paul, Bogut, Marvin and overrated players like Taft around, we might be able to get him. Keep your fingers crossed!
Chris Taft Chris Taft Height: 6-10 Weight: 260 (I'm not sure, some places list him at 230 however, Pittsburgh's official website lists him as 260 so I am going with that) Position: PF/C From: Pittsburgh Age: 20 Strengths: Extremely athletic especially for a big man. He has long arms and a good wingspan. Very strong if this cat is really 260 and has those hops with those muscles, he will be very good for years to come. His strength makes him a very solid post defender. His wingspan allows him to block shots and not bite on easy fakes. He runs the floor like a deer and is someone you can definitely swing it to on the fast break. Weaknesses: A grade A underacheiver. Some say it's because Pittsburgh isn't utilizing him the right way (maybe like Gary Payton and the triangle offense) but with all of that talent, he could put up moster numbers. To put it plainly: He is a potential Tim Thomas, but TT had 3 point range in addition to his post moves. Most of his baskets are off put backs and easy baskets in the paint. He hasn't shown much range and doesn't have a good post game. He simply has a jump hook to his arsenal in the post. Again, a real underacheiver and hasn't improved much when he was a freshman. Positive Outlook: Chris Wilcox at his full potential or an Antonio McDyess Negative Outlook: A PF version of TT without the 3 point ability This guy if motivated could really be a force in the NBA. He could possibly average 20 and 10 plus two blocks in the NBA. He is really talented and has potential, but should we really risk our pick on him if we go in the draft?? I don't think so. I don't want him on my team.
Interesting Stat Interesting Stat: In last year with Spain... Pau Gasol: 23.8mpg 11.0ppg 5.1rpg 0.7apg. FG%: .580 Tiago Splitter: 14.4mpg 8.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 0.6apg 51.5 FG% So in 9 less minutes Splitter is giving those numbers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">4-6 years I'd be 20-22! That's a while!! I can't imagine being that old. I probably be in the NBA by that time ! I know that would be a huge plus if we could get an athletic guy that can block shots, run the floor, shoot, and post up. That would be a huge plus for us. If that's the case, he could average about 17 points//8.5 rebounds//4 assists//2 blocks. Could he develop a 3 point shot? He would also become more of a monster with Aguirre around too. Those kinds of numbers are great numbers and I would take that any day, but do you think it's worth it? I mean let's say this guy comes out dissapointing. Do you think that it's worth it to sacrifice potential help 4-6 years and someone who can develop into a very good player like Martynas? If we don't draft anyone this year, we will basically be repeating this season again. I think drafting Splitter is something we need to do. We'll get help immediately and he will continue to develop. Martynas is somewhat risky. He does have a huge upside with patience and time. I don't know. I think we might be able to get splitter though. With Paul, Bogut, Marvin and overrated players like Taft around, we might be able to get him. Keep your fingers crossed!</div> Dont worry you'll be 20 before you know it and wishing you drafted Martynas this year. You're thinking small with Martynas. 17ppg?!?! When I said dominant center I meant it. Dominant like Duncan or Garnett or Dirk, MVP material. But he wont be a three point shooter. You cant have everything you know. I would rather have Splitter because he is simply a sure thing. Worst case scenario for him is Chris Mihm and he's the starting center for the Lakers. Bogut is also almost guaranteed to be a solid contributor. Martynas is all potential and usually I wouldnt want someone based purely on potential. They just might not work out. But there really isnt any other big man I like in the draft so considering the lack of true big men, yes I think he's worth the wait and risk. I dont trust Taft so please keep him away from my team. I think any team that drafts him will be very sorry. And I dont like his name either. Tiago Splitter sounds better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Dont worry you'll be 20 before you know it and wishing you drafted Martynas this year. You're thinking small with Martynas. 17ppg?!?! When I said dominant center I meant it. Dominant like Duncan or Garnett or Dirk, MVP material. But he wont be a three point shooter. You cant have everything you know. I would rather have Splitter because he is simply a sure thing. Worst case scenario for him is Chris Mihm and he's the starting center for the Lakers. Bogut is also almost guaranteed to be a solid contributor. Martynas is all potential and usually I wouldnt want someone based purely on potential. They just might not work out. But there really isnt any other big man I like in the draft so considering the lack of true big men, yes I think he's worth the wait and risk.</div> Well if he's MVP material we should check him out, but what is his worse case scenario? Those really are KG like tools as well. Dominant I'm thinking 24ppg/11rpg/5apg/2.5bpg Those are some great numbers and I'd wait around for those numbers. If his worse case scenario is severe, I might reconsider though. Chris Mihm right now is averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.52 blocks. Through out his career: 7.5ppg/5.4rpg/0.4apg/1.0bpg And that is probably Splitter's absolute worse case scenario. That's what I like about this guy. 7 footer (may not even be done growing, smart, has potentialand at the very least, he brings more diversity to the team as well. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont trust Taft so please keep him away from my team. I think any team that drafts him will be very sorry. And I dont like his name either. Tiago Splitter sounds better. </div> I don't either but I'm getting scary thoughts Isiah will draft him because of his athleticism and "potential."
whats the point whats the point in debating who we should pick ...whatever happens happens....we dont even know what pick we will have right now...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JWohl:</div><div class="quote_post">whats the point in debating who we should pick ...whatever happens happens....we dont even know what pick we will have right now...</div> Well, the thread is exploring all of our options and getting an idea of who we can/will draft. The picks are based off of mostly assuptions, but we have a general idea of what pick we'll get.
The Knicks will probably get the 5th to 10th pick in the lottery. Drafting a center is most likely their top priority, but outside of Andrew Bogut, there are no sure things in this year's draft at center. Could the Knicks possibly trade their pick and maybe expiring contracts to be in position to draft Bogut?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks will probably get the 5th to 10th pick in the lottery. Drafting a center is most likely their top priority, but outside of Andrew Bogut, there are no sure things in this year's draft at center. Could the Knicks possibly trade their pick and maybe expiring contracts to be in position to draft Bogut?</div> Trip, I've been saying that for awhile now. Glad you realize
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Trip, I've been saying that for awhile now. Glad you realize </div> You didn't expect me to read the whole 8 pages did you? I just popped my head in, said hi, gave my opinion and left a question. Well, thanks for somewhat answering anyways. Thing is, looking at the number one pick, it's most likely to go to New Orleans, Charlotte or Atlanta. Would they need expiring contracts for the next summer when they already have plenty of space this summer to make a splash in the free agent market? I don't see a very big possibility in the chances of them trading their pick for New York's and contracts that expire a year after.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">You didn't expect me to read the whole 8 pages did you? I just popped my head in, said hi, gave my opinion and left a question. Well, thanks for somewhat answering anyways. Thing is, looking at the number one pick, it's most likely to go to New Orleans, Charlotte or Atlanta. Would they need expiring contracts for the next summer when they already have plenty of space this summer to make a splash in the free agent market? I don't see a very big possibility in the chances of them trading their pick for New York's and contracts that expire a year after.</div> Not only here, in the Isiah acquires Malik Rose and Mo Taylor thread. Some posters foolishly said the picks aren't valuable because they're so high. I said they can become perfect trade bait for something like this.
Hmmm... There is a guy I posted earlier in the first page...Fran Vazquez. He seems more legit. Lat year in one of the top competition levels known as the ABC, he in 16mpg he got on a 51% shooting 6.8ppg and 5.5rpg. Also in the playoffs he got some serious burn against an elite team. This is the same team Pau Gasol came from. He averaged 30.25 and gave his team 19.7ppg 5.5rpg and 2.2bpg on 56% shooting. He has the shot blocking and shooting ability as well. He is just a undersized. What do you guys think? Should we take another look at him? One mock draft has him going 4th in the draft!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">There is a guy I posted earlier in the first page...Fran Vazquez. He seems more legit. Lat year in one of the top competition levels known as the ABC, he in 16mpg he got on a 51% shooting 6.8ppg and 5.5rpg. Also in the playoffs he got some serious burn against an elite team. This is the same team Pau Gasol came from. He averaged 30.25 and gave his team 19.7ppg 5.5rpg and 2.2bpg on 56% shooting. He has the shot blocking and shooting ability as well. He is just a undersized. What do you guys think? Should we take another look at him? One mock draft has him going 4th in the draft!</div> ACB isnt a competition level it's a league. The Spanish league to be exact, the same league that my boy Splitter plays in. Other than a good jumpshot and hookshot his offense is severely limited, his post moves are poor, shows bad positioning on defense and rebounding, bites on too many pumpfakes, cant take his man mano y mano on the offensive end, and weighs less than 230lbs. Granted he has alot of potential and can improve I'd rather have Splitter. If I'm going to draft someone based on potential it'll be Martynas not someone who's best case scenario is "Poor Man's Marcus Camby". So let's just get TIAGO SPLITTER!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">ACB isnt a competition level it's a league. The Spanish league to be exact, the same league that my boy Splitter plays in. Other than a good jumpshot and hookshot his offense is severely limited, his post moves are poor, shows bad positioning on defense and rebounding, bites on too many pumpfakes, cant take his man mano y mano on the offensive end, and weighs less than 230lbs. Granted he has alot of potential and can improve I'd rather have Splitter. If I'm going to draft someone based on potential it'll be Martynas not someone who's best case scenario is "Poor Man's Marcus Camby". So let's just get TIAGO SPLITTER!!!!</div> I just thought it was interesting that some had him drafed higher than Splitter. Perhps we might have misread him. Anyway, I think it will be great having a great frontcourt of Sweetney, Splitter and Ariza. I was just doing some research on some people and I was wondering, why is Bogut drafted so high again? I mean there have been plenty of busts who put up better stats than him and have better competition. Why is he so different?
