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May 28, 2008
Knicks headed for Gallinari?
ORLANDO -- As you try to line up who will be gone before the Charlotte Bobcats' ninth overall pick in the NBA draft (June 26, 2008, ESPN, 7 p.m.-midnight), check out who was missing from the first night of the pre-draft camp:
New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh isn't expected at the camp before Thursday, when about half the games are over. The Knicks pick at No. 6.
That's adding to speculation the Knicks are leaning toward Italian pro Danilo Gallinari, who won't even be here for the measures and physical testing other lottery picks undergo.
It's not much of a reach to see the Knicks grabbing Gallinari, considering their new coach, Mike D'Antoni, first made his reputation in Europe. D'Antoni will be given plenty of time to remake the Knicks in his fluid, up-tempo, Euro-ball style.
Bad move by Hickson
Why would N.C. State's J.J. Hickson think he's too good to play at the pre-draft camp?
Hickson turned down the chance to play in camp games, and the league didn't let him go through the measurements and testing reserved for projected lottery picks.
Hickson is a borderline first-round pick, and even turning pro this early might be a dubious decision. But it sure seems like he'd have as much to gain as lose by competing here.
Choosing not to play, after proving little with the Wolfpack, just raises more questions for the teams with picks in the bottom third of the first round.
Posted by Observer Sports on May 28, 2008 at 09:39 AM | Permalink
Comments
You need to read the tidbits from ESPN....Suns insiders are saying that they showed D'Antoni was shown tape this season of him, and he was less than impressed. He thought he shouldn't be a 1st rounder therefore D'Antoni probably won't be the reason the kid is selected to the Knicks. That said, Donnie Walsh is the GM so he may do so anyways.
Posted by: Fred | May 28, 2008 10:18:13 AM
There are mixed reports about the Knicks and Gallinari - http://www.insidehoops.com/nba_rumors.shtml
Posted by: basketball | May 28, 2008 11:54:51 AM
re: Hickson, the Orlando camp is generally guard oriented and big men aren't showcased as well so many skip that camp. Hickson should definitely come back to school though, it's not exactly like Cedric Simmons is tearing up the L.
Posted by: BroD | May 28, 2008 12:48:27 PM
The Knicks are like VH1 reality shows, they need an overall make over. New starting PG, Steph just have to except the role Cassell has. A consistent SG or SF depending on where you put Crawford and have some confidence in him. He will be the Barbosa of D'antoni's system.
I like for them to draft CDR or Deonte Green, because they dont have spot up shooters. Crawford is a creative penetrate and shoot up kind of player. With one of these guys he can kick it out to them for the spot up three and it will go with the youth movement going on in the NBA. Then make Zach and Eddy get along for your veteran big boys and you got the start of a turn around. What do you think?
OH YEAH! Aint this a Bobcats blog? What the hell is this! Rick let me post your blogs. I got news for the people!
Holla!!!
Posted by: T-Dub | May 28, 2008 1:48:55 PM
Indeed Rick, do just a little more research. Found on http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm yesterday it mentioned Mike D isn't a fan of Gallinari and it sounds as if Donnie Walsh will have to co-sign if not outright signoff on any player picked in the draft.
As for Hickson, go back to school. Perhaps the bigs can get along better this year and NC State can play better. As BroD mentioned, it aint like Ced or "Jewels (Julius Hodge) of Harlem" are burning up the league.
Posted by: DT | May 28, 2008 4:14:11 PM
Give Rick a break. . .
He's just feeding us stuff to chew on for the off-season.
With the No. 9 pick in the draft, we should consider picking the guy that drives this car:
http://www.bobcatsbaseline.com/blog/?p=50
Posted by: Dick Harter | May 28, 2008 5:57:01 PM
Gives us stuff to chew on? It's not bcats related and it's pure speculation born on zero research.
I wish I could do this at my job, just produce 300 words of drivel with zero effort at research.
Who do you think the bcats should select in the draft or do you think they should trade the pick like last year?
What are the weaknesses of the team and how will LB, based on research you do, change things?
All we've gotten is, hey they may be thinking about picking augustin because LB is hard on PG's. Do you think that would be a good idea, Bonnell? Do you have any evidence to support that he actually is, like a quote or two from a former PG? Who do you consider LB type players on current roster and why?
Come on, Bonnell, atleast pretend you are a reporter!
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | May 29, 2008 10:33:36 AM
Jesus, Bonnell, at least spring for an ESPN Insider membership and regurgitate their stuff.
Posted by: Chad Fprd | May 29, 2008 12:46:47 PM
If we're talking about personality matches with Brown, Kevin Love could well become a Bobcat. He'll value Love's basketball IQ, fundamentally sound game, and ability to contribute quickly over the very raw "upside" potential of a guy like Randolph or D. Jordan.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 29, 2008 3:07:37 PM
Despite my name here, I do appreciate this insight over Bonnell's...
I agree and, while not sold on Love, if he gets serious burn as a rookie over the potential bust of randolph then I'm for it. While not as good a prospect as Randolph, we do have hollins and davidson that haven't panned out yet.
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | May 29, 2008 3:24:00 PM
I like Randolph's potential from what I have read, but have not seen enough to form a true opinion of him. His strength and ability to hold his own physically as well as his actual shooting abilities are my questions. As for Love, I do like the potential of what he can bring to the team as it fills the most blatant hole that this team has. As mentioned we have project 4/5s in Hollins (who I could think could be terrific DEFENSIVELY with his lateral quickness, length, and spring while developing offensively) and Davidson who is a solid jump shooter but very early in his development.
Love is a guy who can immediately fill the pick and pop, high post need that the team has while being a good conduit on offense with his passing ability. I think he could fill the void that May's injuries have left on the roster for the past 3 years. And until I see a greater level of development of our young players, I don't think this franchise is in the position to take more projects even if they could have great long term impact (although I am NOT in favor of trading the pick again and becoming the Washington Redskins of the NBA).
And to be clear, I am not always a pick the immediate impact guy, as I liked Howard as the #1 pick of that draft despite LOVING watching Okafor at UCONN and having a more clear picture of what he would be. But then again, I think Howard came in with more tools than DeAndre Jordan is coming in with and I don't see pairing him with Okafor as a natural fit as both have games more suited for the 5 spot. All in all, I agree with Procton on this, but who knows what will happen come draft day.
Posted by: jperry | May 30, 2008 12:47:54 AM
JPerry, what if the 9th pick got us a combo of players from the bulls? gooden or gordon or hinrich plus nocioni? I think I'd take any two from that list over picking 9th.
The only thing I shy away from is Love's D. Not sure he and okafor are a great D combo. Having Hollins come in with an improved D would be nice because he could keep up with the Bosh's and Rashad Lewis' of the world.
So if JPerry and Procton agree on Love at 9, does this mean a consensus among most fans?
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | May 30, 2008 9:42:59 AM
Bonnell=Procton, I hear what you're saying. And for that reason, Randolph is the most intriguing figure to me. I really just have not seen enough of the kid and I will not make claims without it.
From what I have seen, however, which again is limited, he has some Bosh/Odom potential. He handles in the open floor more similarly to Odom, while having the body more like Bosh. He is not as polished as Bosh, but he looks to have more spring, speed, and overall athleticism. I honest to goodness wish I could see more of the kid, b/c he COULD be just what the Cats need if utilized properly.
A lot will come down to the mental game first of all and how strong/thick he really is. While he like Bosh will always be on the long and lean side, the question is how tough will he be on the boards and how physical can he be in the paint. I do like his shotblocking ability.
Furthermore, if the Bobcats get him, will they push the ball more? They seem to build well for transition but not really exploit it. THAT was a big part of what led to my Love intrigue as I think he will be a terrific halfcourt player while his outlet passes (I know it gets tiring hearing about them) could help lead the Felton/Richardson/Wallace trio into fast breaks.
As for the Bull situation, that would be interesting. I would think Gooden as a PF would have to be a component, unless they were going to put Nocionni there (and he's probably too small). Oddly, I would prefer Heinrich over Gordon due to his versatility to play pg and sg, while I am not sure that Ben has that (although I thought he would before he got in the league).
I would need to see the money of it as well. I would think that it would be important for the Bobcats to not be like the Redskins of the NBA and continually trade their picks setting themselves up down the road.
Posted by: jperry | May 30, 2008 9:56:34 AM
Agreed about the Redskins, but don't see that happening.
I too wish to see more of Randolph because I wasn't blown away by Bosh at GT and never would have tabbed him to be a perennial all star. Then again, Tyrus Thomas and Big Baby haven't represented the LSU big men well in the NBA. (Different players, but still worth mentioning)
I do think it comes down to style. Will the bcats finally commit to a faster offense or will it be mostly halfcourt? I have to think with LB's history, halfcourt is the more likely option.
Posted by: Bonnell = Procton | May 30, 2008 11:33:03 AM
No to Gooden & Deng & Gordon ,,,Rather have Carmelo Anthony
Posted by: Bobcats3 | May 30, 2008 1:10:55 PM
No, I don't want Love...just saying that would be the guy if we're talking about meshing with Brown's personality.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 30, 2008 1:29:47 PM
Hickson is not playing because he has a guarantee he will not go later than #20. Come on, Rick, you can do better than this.
Posted by: James Reed | May 30, 2008 3:07:04 PM
You're right, James...maybe he should cite anonymous rumors like that "guarantee" you talk about. That'd be quality journalism.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 30, 2008 4:07:57 PM
Proctologist, there is nothing anonymous about it. All it takes is a few seconds of research and there you have it. Rick is too busy working on his tennis game to bother with those silly little facts.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8181344/Insiders'-takes-on-first-mock-draft-of-the-season?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=99
Posted by: James Reed | Jun 2, 2008 5:13:31 PM
Damn, James..."A couple of scouts believe that North Carolina sophomore point guard Tywon Lawson isn't likely to last past Denver, which picks at No. 20."
The belief of a couple of scouts, huh? That sure sounds like a "guarantee" to me.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 3, 2008 4:15:13 PM
James, what the f**K? A couple of scouts believe? Wow, that really sounds like a "guarantee". Right.
Posted by: Harold Gogonards | Jun 4, 2008 9:05:54 PM
Proctologist and Harold,
The scouts are saying it because they have been told Hickson will not last past 20. It is also being widely reported at Pack Pride dot com on the premium basketball site. If you think about it there is really no other explanation as to why he would not play at the camp. I suppose we will find out for sure very soon.
Posted by: James Reed | Jun 4, 2008 10:57:28 PM
I mean, he did go to state. The kid can't be ALL that smart.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 5, 2008 10:30:31 AM
Proctologist, your witticisms are quite lame. When you run out of arguments you resort to personal attacks on people you do not know. That is the sign of an inferior intellect.
Posted by: James Reed | Jun 5, 2008 10:00:25 PM
The Knicks are in a tough position. I was frustrated being a Bobcat fan since the expansion draft, but imagine being a Knick fan. I want to like them, but the organization sucks, the GM sucks, the players suck. They basically are stuck with their team, with the exception of one possible scenario. I think they need to pick Gallinari almost as a symbolic move: the youth movement and a commitment to stop handing out 5yr./35 mil. deals. The one way they could improve would be by going after the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich (as it seems inked they're going after Rose). I don't think he's that good, but would be an improvement and might mesh well with D'Antoni. They'd have to give up something the Bulls would be interested in, maybe dish out a long, wasteful contract or two in Jeffries or Jerome James and they'd probably have to package in a youngster like Nate Robinson or Derrek Lee to make them go for it. Then, offer up Starbury to the Mavs for Josh Howard. Howard is at an all time low trade value and Cuban would likely be up for it to change the roster and probably buy out Marburys' last year of his deal. Possibly send a contract like Q. Richardson or either Jeffries/James (whichever one wouldn't go to the Bulls. Then swap Howard over to SG (his natural frame) and either have an explosive Jamal Crawford off the bench or trade him to the Bobcats for a big man with an expiring deal in Sean May. Overall, the Bulls and Mavs would come out achieving something and the Knicks would be fielding: PG Hinrich, SG Howard, SF Gallinari, PF Randolph/Lee, C Curry. Not bad considering what they've got now.
Posted by: Nick | Jun 5, 2008 11:23:47 PM
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