How poetic would it be if Donnie Walsh chooses the next Reggie Miller with his final draft pick of his Knicks presidential career.
The next Reggie could be Washington State's 6-foot-7 shooting guard Klay Thompson, who for weeks the Knicks felt wouldn't be around at 17, but now feel there's a chance.
Walsh had told confidants for weeks Thompson reminded him of Miller as they are both 6-7, lithe, silky smooth from the perimeter and grew up in Southern Califorina, both playing in the Pac-10. Sure enough Thompson said Wednesday the Knicks president told him the same thing.
"Donnie Walsh told me that after I worked out for the New York Knicks," Thompson told the Racine Journal Times after working out for the Bucks Wednesday. "I shot the ball pretty well in their workout and, because we have similar builds and similar size, Donnie told me how I really, strongly reminded him of Reggie Miller."
Thompson's workout with the Knicks on June 2 flew under the radar because he was in the same group as BYU's superstar Jimmer Fredette. But Thompson outshot Fredette that day during the 3-point drill, bagging a sensational 21 of 25 3-pointers. Thompson, a native of Orange County, averaged 21.4 points for Washington State.
The Knicks believe Thompson can start as a rookie at shooting guard, which would enable them to move Landry Fields into a sixth-man role. There was an Indy report the Knicks were trying to move up to 15, swapping with Indiana, and giving up Toney Douglas, but a club source said the Knicks feel confident they'll get a good player at 17 even if Thompson doesn't drop.
The Knicks, who have no second-round picks due to the Carmelo Anthony trade, are more likely to add at least one more pick. They have explored adding one late first-rounder and a second-rounder, with James Dolan's cash the major pawn.
In 2009, the Knicks gave the Lakers $3 million for the rights to Douglas. Last year, Walsh paid $1 million to the Bucks for the rights to second-round center Jerome Jordan.
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I don't know what suddenly gives him the indication that Thompson may be available at 17, but i really hope he's right. He is the perfect pick for us, and would probably start at SG right away. I would trade up to get him using Douglas if we could buy a late first/early second round pick for someone like Iman Shumpert.
i like klay thompson but i wonder if this whole 'donnie calling him the next reggie miller' thing is a smoke-screen? why would donnie do this knowing the knicks are picking 17 and he's a fringe lotto player. seems to me this would increase value even more, making him unreachable for the knicks.
no way he's there at 17. No way
You know that one of those "no way he's available at 17" WILL be available on draft night, right? Its how the draft works, especially when it is so unpredictable.
I just hope we come out of this draft with 2 first rounders and 1 2nd or viceversa and we pick up a SG, a PG and a C.
nyk4ever wrote:i like klay thompson but i wonder if this whole 'donnie calling him the next reggie miller' thing is a smoke-screen? why would donnie do this knowing the knicks are picking 17 and he's a fringe lotto player. seems to me this would increase value even more, making him unreachable for the knicks.
There have been so many players that have been connected to the Knix the year, that it's been mind boggling. We have so many needs that I'm sure we'll be second guessing this draft, just like every draft since Gallo.
Knicksfan wrote:You know that one of those "no way he's available at 17" WILL be available on draft night, right? Its how the draft works, especially when it is so unpredictable.I just hope we come out of this draft with 2 first rounders and 1 2nd or viceversa and we pick up a SG, a PG and a C.
like who? I disagree... there isnt always someone who drops that far. Jameer Nelson (he' short) and Danny Granger (knee injuries) are a couple I can think of but its a exception not the norm.
Freddete, Klay Thompson and Chris Singlton will be gone. Vucevic seems possible. Most likley we will take a guard like Burks or the Hofstra kid
A *realistic* plan would be to draft a young player who might have limited upside but can put up #s right away, because you want to offer value when you firesell Billups expiring contract.
Anyone else see Baron Davis coming here?
a "motivated" baron davis is unstoppable. Last year when we played the cavs, he let us have it. If he can play the same with a knicks jersey on, im all for it
NYY1NYK2 wrote:a "motivated" baron davis is unstoppable. Last year when we played the cavs, he let us have it. If he can play the same with a knicks jersey on, im all for it
at what price? there are alot of guys i would take for cheap who become exponentially less attractive when we have to pay alot. B Diddy definitely fits that bill.
ESPN has draft talk audio on the front page. The mention how Klay starts the season off hot but ends up falling off as the season progresses. 82 games isnt easy on the body.
AnubisADL wrote:ESPN has draft talk audio on the front page. The mention how Klay starts the season off hot but ends up falling off as the season progresses. 82 games isnt easy on the body.
Strength is going to be a major issue for him, wherever he goes, especially if he wants to play any kind of D in the NBA.
I would hope that his dad is drilling it into his head that he has to gets stronger and work on his endurance. At one time I thought that Tim Duncan was going to have problems in the NBA because of a lack of strength, but he did a good job in the off-season building up his body prior to his first season with the Spurs and never really got pushed around like I thought he would. Don't see why Thompson can't do the same.
does he play like Reggie Miller or kevin martin?
Im scared that he would be exposed on D.... but if he is great shooter then lets see.... i still hope we grab minnesota's 20th pick and choose someone from 1. Nikola Vucevic, Chris singelton,biyombo, kenneth faried or jeremy tyler
then buy a second round pick to pick shumpert! then ill be happy
I've seen some highlights and he looks like the real deal. Im sure Walsh will know who to pickto improve this knicks team for the future.
