Knicks · Knicks interested in Hassan Whiteside (page 1)

Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA 10h
The Knicks, Bucks and Heat are among the teams that have expressed interest in free agent Hassan Whiteside, according to a source.

Anyone know much about him?

I think i recall briggs or ronron mentioning him

There was a demand for him to be drafted in this forum. Knicks have been holding spin classes all summer so why not invite this guy

I actually took a chance and picked him in the lottery in the UK mock draft a few years ago. LOL. Hasn't panned out at all thus far mainly due to a questionable work ethic. I remember reading a story where he showed up to either the Draft Combine or an individual workout in flip-flops and looked completely disinterested...Having said that, the man's 7' tall, has a big-time knack for blocking a shot and I still think there's untapped offensive prowess and overall potential here. Also remember seeing a Youtube vid, kind of a 'day in the life of Hassan Whiteside' vid, while he was with the Kings where he didn't appear to be problematic at all, seemed humble/soft-spoken and looked like he was taking his craft seriously enough. Strange that when he was down in the DL multiple times, he never got big playing time really. He would get 10 mins a night here & there instead of a steady 30-35 mins a game. Surprised that the Kings didn't insist on him getting more time down there..I mean wasn't that the point of sending him down? That's what he needed to develop. The handful of times he did get extended PT, he generally produced however. Haven't really followed him in over a year. No idea what he's been up to. Showed good potential at Marshall, esp. as a rebounder/shot-blocker. If his game hasn't progressed any since a few years ago, I can't picture Mike Woodson liking this guy however. Might still have too steep a learning curve. Woody's not gonna want to deal with anyone like that...Still, his size and potential gets you thinking...You figure he could at least help protect the rim in a big way here, worst case. I'm not a big Jeremy Tyler guy at all -- when you compare Whiteside to Tyler, he starts to make more sense. Similar low-level fringe big men...Upside might be greater with Whiteside.

I read somewhere that he has a bad work ethic and bad attitude but has a lot of talent

Looks like he's been dominant in Lebanon and China the past couple of seasons..

http://basketball.asia-basket.com/player...

In China last year: 27 games, over 42 mins a night, 25.7 ppg, almost 58% from the field, 16.6 rebounds per, 5.1 blocks and 1.4 steals. WOW! I know it's China but those are some MONSTER numbers, I don't care where you're playing. He might be worth a shot..

If the Knicks are interested in youth and pure upside/building a little bit for the future with the last couple of spots -- I might do this:

Cut Jeremy Tyler and Leslie loose and add Hassan Whiteside, DeQuan Jones and Toure Murry. Give all 3 of these guys 2 year deals. The beauty of these 3 is they're all very young, they can step in a play NBA ball right now if need be, they all have excellent potential and they're all good building blocks for a couple of years from now if we have to break it all down and start over. Makes some sense to have a few young guys like this around at the end of the bench considering the dearth of draft picks we're confronted with coming up. Gotta replenish the youth somehow eventually, right? When you don't have draft picks to look forward to, even low 1st rounders and 2nd rounders, this is one way of building up youth.

Hassan Whiteside was a monster at Marshall. Wanted the Knicks to draft him. I'm down fab Melo or Whiteside.

Whiteside still has an upside so let's sign him.

I wouldnt mind whiteaide at all. Im a big fan of tyler...always have been. In regards to other young free agents (toure), i can go either way. Theyre not ready to contribute

Finestrg wrote:Looks like he's been dominant in Lebanon and China the past couple of seasons..

hahaha

Isn't Jeremy Tyler the big man project already? Knicks need a rugged rebounder in the Haddadi and Ivan Johnson mold but its too late for that

I wouldn't mind taking a look at Hassan. He's a 7'er with a 7'7" wingspan!!! He has natural shot blocking ability and he moves pretty good for a big. He's young and unproven, but that's not a big issue if we are talking about a 15th man here.

Finestrg wrote:If the Knicks are interested in youth and pure upside/building a little bit for the future with the last couple of spots -- I might do this:

Cut Jeremy Tyler and Leslie loose and add Hassan Whiteside, DeQuan Jones and Toure Murry. Give all 3 of these guys 2 year deals. The beauty of these 3 is they're all very young, they can step in a play NBA ball right now if need be, they all have excellent potential and they're all good building blocks for a couple of years from now if we have to break it all down and start over. Makes some sense to have a few young guys like this around at the end of the bench considering the dearth of draft picks we're confronted with coming up. Gotta replenish the youth somehow eventually, right? When you don't have draft picks to look forward to, even low 1st rounders and 2nd rounders, this is one way of building up youth.

Would not cut Tyler to add Hassan. Tyler is younger and is already there physically. As for Leslie, whatever. Cut him for Balkman for all I care. It's going to take more than two years for Leslie to be NBA ready. At least Hassan can block shots.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Finestrg wrote:If the Knicks are interested in youth and pure upside/building a little bit for the future with the last couple of spots -- I might do this:

Cut Jeremy Tyler and Leslie loose and add Hassan Whiteside, DeQuan Jones and Toure Murry. Give all 3 of these guys 2 year deals. The beauty of these 3 is they're all very young, they can step in a play NBA ball right now if need be, they all have excellent potential and they're all good building blocks for a couple of years from now if we have to break it all down and start over. Makes some sense to have a few young guys like this around at the end of the bench considering the dearth of draft picks we're confronted with coming up. Gotta replenish the youth somehow eventually, right? When you don't have draft picks to look forward to, even low 1st rounders and 2nd rounders, this is one way of building up youth.

Would not cut Tyler to add Hassan. Tyler is younger and is already there physically. As for Leslie, whatever. Cut him for Balkman for all I care. It's going to take more than two years for Leslie to be NBA ready. At least Hassan can block shots.

Really? I would.. Whiteside over Tyler all day for me. Bigger, longer with true discernible skills whereas Tyler doesn't have any to speak of really (namely shot-blocking & rebounding, plus I think Hassan has a lot of potential as a face up/pick & pop jumpshooter). Plus, I don't think he has far to go to catch up to Tyler in the strength category. Supposedly I read he's up to 250 lbs., up about 15-20 lbs from where he was at in college. And I like that he's kept at it and excelled in Lebanon & China (actually won a championship in China I read today--judging by the monster numbers he put up, obviously he was a huge part of it. Also won a championship his last yr in the D-League as well). He could've just cashed his checks over in China giving mediocre effort but he obviously went over there to dominate the hell out of it and he did just that! That says something to me, as in 'I'm good enough and I WANT BACK IN!!'

I personally think 6'8" 220 SG/SF DeQuan Jones has a world of ability we're just beginning to see. I'm surprised Orlando gave up on him. Shocked actually. I thought he was very good for them last year and showed very good progress. Better all-around game and I actually think he's an even better athlete than CJ Leslie if you can believe that. Whiteside, DeQuan Jones and Toure Murry (glad to see he picked us over Miami---love to have him--he can play both guard spots and shows pretty advanced ability on both sides of the ball) are the 3 players I'd finalize this roster with. 3 youngsters that all fit, all play 2 positions, they can play right away if thrust into it and all have extremely bright futures.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Finestrg wrote:If the Knicks are interested in youth and pure upside/building a little bit for the future with the last couple of spots -- I might do this:

Cut Jeremy Tyler and Leslie loose and add Hassan Whiteside, DeQuan Jones and Toure Murry. Give all 3 of these guys 2 year deals. The beauty of these 3 is they're all very young, they can step in a play NBA ball right now if need be, they all have excellent potential and they're all good building blocks for a couple of years from now if we have to break it all down and start over. Makes some sense to have a few young guys like this around at the end of the bench considering the dearth of draft picks we're confronted with coming up. Gotta replenish the youth somehow eventually, right? When you don't have draft picks to look forward to, even low 1st rounders and 2nd rounders, this is one way of building up youth.

Would not cut Tyler to add Hassan. Tyler is younger and is already there physically. As for Leslie, whatever. Cut him for Balkman for all I care. It's going to take more than two years for Leslie to be NBA ready. At least Hassan can block shots.

Posting and Toasting reporting that Tyler had surgery on his foot and will be out 8-10 weeks.

Just reading Tyler to have foot surgery and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/9...

Sorry to hear that. Wish JT a speedy recovery but we need to move forward. Definite need for another big man now. Whiteside's a better prospect anyway. Get it done. HW's shot-blocking and rebounding really complement Andrea Bargnani's game PERFECTLY. Get it done.