Knicks · Some of the guys who really helped themselves at this combine (page 1)

I would say Nick Johnson PG from AZ and Zach Lavine tested out well. Johnson is a legit 6.2"5 200 pounds but also has a 42 inch vertical. The sickest measurement is from Merkel Brown 44 inch vertical at 6.35. If you start saying what separates in terms of the physical those 3 guys have done well. These guys have playing talent as well--not just athletes

BRIGGS wrote:I would say Nick Johnson PG from AZ and Zach Lavine tested out well. Johnson is a legit 6.2"5 200 pounds but also has a 42 inch vertical. The sickest measurement is from Merkel Brown 44 inch vertical at 6.35. If you start saying what separates in terms of the physical those 3 guys have done well. These guys have playing talent as well--not just athletes

I don't know about the other guys, but Nick Johnson is somebody I followed for a while, since I used to live in Tucson, AZ. He's going to be a solid lock down defender. Think of Tony Allen with a jumper! Same size, hops and strength. But on offense, he's a tweener.

Defensively, he can guard any PG and most SG's.....I was surprise how good of a shooter he was. And just doing a quick search on Markel Brown, most of his highlights were jump shots, which is pretty good, since he's also a high flyer. But I like Nick Johnson....If he stayed in college, he might've been a higher pick. Right now, he's a mid to late 1st round pick (in our range if we buy into the first round), unless his stock is rising! Tweeners usually don't get drafted very high and the influx of international players will push his down even further, which is good for teams that have a late pick.

Dante Exum is extemely impressive at the combine

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/statuses/467363312477696000

Click here to view the Tweet

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/statuses/467359356263350272

Click here to view the Tweet

Nick Staukas, Doug McDermott, Cleanthony Early and the Greek Freak's brother helped themselves with athletic drills. I think Glenn Robinson III helped himself in the shooting drills.

BigDaddyG wrote:Nick Staukas, Doug McDermott, Cleanthony Early and the Greek Freak's brother helped themselves with athletic drills. I think Glenn Robinson III helped himself in the shooting drills.

Big Dog JR did very very well--he may be a case where systems held him down. 6-6 42 inch vertical and was one of the best shooters there. Bachyinski 33 inch vertical at 7-2 I think the 2nd round and late first round has some real gems in it this year. You're right Early looks the part of a physical nba athlete who can do a lot--the only thing I dont like about him is his dribble.

• Phil Jackson was in Chicago and actively involved in the New York Knicks’ interviews with players. One prospect told Basketball Insiders that after he told Jackson his wingspan, Phil didn’t believe him so he stood up and measured his wingspan against the prospect’s arms. Jackson’s wingspan was a little bit longer. Jackson was also asking players questions and providing feedback. Jackson didn’t go to the gym to watch the drills and testing (likely to avoid a media horde trying to interview him), but he was very involved in the Knicks’ pre-draft process, according to the prospects who sat down with him.
Read more at http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-draft-combine-notebook/#vfYAYl5G61V1SdtU.99

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sa...

CrushAlot wrote:

• Phil Jackson was in Chicago and actively involved in the New York Knicks’ interviews with players. One prospect told Basketball Insiders that after he told Jackson his wingspan, Phil didn’t believe him so he stood up and measured his wingspan against the prospect’s arms. Jackson’s wingspan was a little bit longer. Jackson was also asking players questions and providing feedback. Jackson didn’t go to the gym to watch the drills and testing (likely to avoid a media horde trying to interview him), but he was very involved in the Knicks’ pre-draft process, according to the prospects who sat down with him.
Read more at http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-draft-combine-notebook/#vfYAYl5G61V1SdtU.99

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sa...

Crush, you like this site? Good articles? Haven't followed it much.

martin wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

• Phil Jackson was in Chicago and actively involved in the New York Knicks’ interviews with players. One prospect told Basketball Insiders that after he told Jackson his wingspan, Phil didn’t believe him so he stood up and measured his wingspan against the prospect’s arms. Jackson’s wingspan was a little bit longer. Jackson was also asking players questions and providing feedback. Jackson didn’t go to the gym to watch the drills and testing (likely to avoid a media horde trying to interview him), but he was very involved in the Knicks’ pre-draft process, according to the prospects who sat down with him.
Read more at http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-draft-combine-notebook/#vfYAYl5G61V1SdtU.99

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sa...

Crush, you like this site? Good articles? Haven't followed it much.

I do like the site. I usually link to it from twitter.

blkexec wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:I would say Nick Johnson PG from AZ and Zach Lavine tested out well. Johnson is a legit 6.2"5 200 pounds but also has a 42 inch vertical. The sickest measurement is from Merkel Brown 44 inch vertical at 6.35. If you start saying what separates in terms of the physical those 3 guys have done well. These guys have playing talent as well--not just athletes

I don't know about the other guys, but Nick Johnson is somebody I followed for a while, since I used to live in Tucson, AZ. He's going to be a solid lock down defender. Think of Tony Allen with a jumper! Same size, hops and strength. But on offense, he's a tweener.

Defensively, he can guard any PG and most SG's.....I was surprise how good of a shooter he was. And just doing a quick search on Markel Brown, most of his highlights were jump shots, which is pretty good, since he's also a high flyer. But I like Nick Johnson....If he stayed in college, he might've been a higher pick. Right now, he's a mid to late 1st round pick (in our range if we buy into the first round), unless his stock is rising! Tweeners usually don't get drafted very high and the influx of international players will push his down even further, which is good for teams that have a late pick.

If the nba view Johnson as a pg he'll go round 1.ive become highly enamored w t j warren. He might not have the vertical some of these guys have but he's one heckuva prospect mid round and back

I really like Aaron Craft. He posted one of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted one of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

BRIGGS wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted oneas of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

Do you think Markel Brown can play the point? He is all over the place in the mocks I follow.

CrushAlot wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted oneas of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

Do you think Markel Brown can play the point? He is all over the place in the mocks I follow.

Hey Crush, the way PJ uses the PG we could definitely draft Markel Brown with the thought process to transition him to lead guard. He can handle like a PG can the Knicks make him play like a PG? Also he does have a strange shooting release so you'd have to weigh it. At the high end you would have a 6-3++ player with long arms who is fast with the ball with top caliber NBA althetiscm who should be able to cause problems on both sides of the ball. On the other end--we would have to be teaching a guy who really was a 2 guard with less than stellar jumpshot to play the 1 guard at the hardest level. If I had to take my guess--its a guy we could be looking at him with a second round pick

BRIGGS wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted oneas of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

Do you think Markel Brown can play the point? He is all over the place in the mocks I follow.

Hey Crush, the way PJ uses the PG we could definitely draft Markel Brown with the thought process to transition him to lead guard. He can handle like a PG can the Knicks make him play like a PG? Also he does have a strange shooting release so you'd have to weigh it. At the high end you would have a 6-3++ player with long arms who is fast with the ball with top caliber NBA althetiscm who should be able to cause problems on both sides of the ball. On the other end--we would have to be teaching a guy who really was a 2 guard with less than stellar jumpshot to play the 1 guard at the hardest level. If I had to take my guess--its a guy we could be looking at.

Thanks. Hope the Knicks get a pick or two. I wonder if the Sixers look to use some of their second rounders to move up, acquire picks in future drafts, or sell them.

CrushAlot wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted oneas of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

Do you think Markel Brown can play the point? He is all over the place in the mocks I follow.

Hey Crush, the way PJ uses the PG we could definitely draft Markel Brown with the thought process to transition him to lead guard. He can handle like a PG can the Knicks make him play like a PG? Also he does have a strange shooting release so you'd have to weigh it. At the high end you would have a 6-3++ player with long arms who is fast with the ball with top caliber NBA althetiscm who should be able to cause problems on both sides of the ball. On the other end--we would have to be teaching a guy who really was a 2 guard with less than stellar jumpshot to play the 1 guard at the hardest level. If I had to take my guess--its a guy we could be looking at.

Thanks. Hope the Knicks get a pick or two. I wonder if the Sixers look to use some of their second rounders to move up, acquire picks in future drafts, or sell them.

The main guy I like in round 1 past 14 is T J Warren--after that I'm not sure. I would also like to take a 2nd round flyer in Bachynski-- Warren is a guy who could legitmately score 20++ in the NBA and replace CA.

Jahii Carson is another guy who might slip out of the draft due to the number of lead guard prospects that are eligible this year. He might be a steal and thrive the same way Pierre Jackson thrived in the NBDL this year.

BRIGGS wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:I really like Aaron Craft. He posted oneas of the best lane agility times, which confirmed what I already knew. The dude is a best on D. He really reminds me Eric Snow. We need to sign him in the summer. On the flip side, Russ Smith was a bit underwhelming a the combines. I think he's one of those guys whose athleticism translates better on the court. He might slip out of the draft. We need to bring him in.

I'm looking for guys who can use the dribble have proven innate skills grit character will and at least have a reasonable degree of athletic ability

Do you think Markel Brown can play the point? He is all over the place in the mocks I follow.

Hey Crush, the way PJ uses the PG we could definitely draft Markel Brown with the thought process to transition him to lead guard. He can handle like a PG can the Knicks make him play like a PG? Also he does have a strange shooting release so you'd have to weigh it. At the high end you would have a 6-3++ player with long arms who is fast with the ball with top caliber NBA althetiscm who should be able to cause problems on both sides of the ball. On the other end--we would have to be teaching a guy who really was a 2 guard with less than stellar jumpshot to play the 1 guard at the hardest level. If I had to take my guess--its a guy we could be looking at him with a second round pick

Isn't that what Shumpert is? A shooting guard that can't shoot and can't play point?

many good PG prospects in this draft and talents that will go to the 2nd round
Even many prospects that WILL go undrafted

for PG's I would love DeAndre Kane, especially in the Triangle for his size and being a TRUE PG that could defend SG's like ROY in Lilliard can, also like Burton as an early 2nd rounder and AaronCraft for a mid/late to undrafted prospect

For complete late round steals/possiblity undrafted Agree with Briggs about Bachynski, also like Alec Brown, The Greek Freak's older brother, in addition to some of the players mentioned by other posters here

For their draft positions, I love both Adrien Payne and KC McDaniels, I like Aaron Gordon to but question his size (220pds) as a TOP 10 pick

If we can trade CA, Tyson Chandler for draft picks, I would love many of the players mentioned, possibly trade down if needed for more 2nd rounders, in addition to purchasing a pick with the 3m and 3.2m that we can use again after the draft for a players rights
So we can technically buy/trade 2x 3m+ to entice trades or buy picks

As for Iman Shumpert, JR Smith, and Tim Hardaway JR, I think we should look to trade them for maximum value
At this point, maybe only Tim Hardaway can net us the best value, but I believe Iman and JR'S VALUE could increase this season
Especially if JR gets back his groove, confidence, and physical abilities on top of the skills/mindset maturity, when Kidd was here, that he showed prior to the Terry incident and surgery, once again in a CONTRACT season
As for Iman, I think he suffered under Woodson's system, and was utlized incorrectly as a SF, rather developing him at SG/PG

So would anyone trade THJ if we could get our hands on Zach Levine.

Levine to me looks like another potential Westbrook. Maybe not exactly the same SUPER-ATHLETICISM and tenacity but he looks like a very tall/long/super athletic PG in about 3 years.

LivingLegend wrote:So would anyone trade THJ if we could get our hands on Zach Levine.

Levine to me looks like another potential Westbrook. Maybe not exactly the same SUPER-ATHLETICISM and tenacity but he looks like a very tall/long/super athletic PG in about 3 years.

I don't think THJ alone gets it done. He had a good combine and will probably move into lottery.