Knicks · Knicks worked out Elliot Williams yesterday (page 1)

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Was just gonna post this. So what do we think? I like it--the kid's talented. He can score and he's a real good passer as well. I guess they're real adamant about grabbing a versatile guard for minimum money and don't see Shved as an option beyond his vet minimum. Daniel Hackett I don't know anything about really but I like Elliot Williams a lot. Always have. Main thing is I think he's healthy now -- a couple of call ups that didn't amount to much but he played very well last year in the DL with extended PT. We definitely need an extra guard--I actually like how they're looking for someone like Shved, someone who has legit versatility to play both spots. I wouldn't be too upset if that guy turned out to be EW.

CrushAlot wrote:

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I find this look much more interesting and viable than Hackett. Williams as a explosive athelete going to hole before suffering two significant injuries, dislocated patella and achilles tear. He was considered a very good defender with great feet and nice size. Dont know if he can play pt or have the outside shot for 2 but sounds like he is combo prospect . Worth the look as it takes time regaining your game. His NBDL performances might indicate he is close to returning to the athelete he once was.

Get the feeling Shved's as good as gone. Good scenario to finish off the roster -- Elliot Williams and O. Galdikas for the last 2 spots -- then we keep tabs on N'Dour and Thanasis as they go overseas and consider them for spots on next year's team. Is it true that we retain Thanasis' rights if/when he decides to go play abroad somewhere for next season?

Don't know too much about him but obviously Phil is focused on getting another guard. I still think we need another legit 7 footer to play the 5 spot and I was really hoping for Shved to come back but don't think Phil plans on offering him the 2.8 million room exception and with him bringing in other guards like Hackett and now E.Williams i'm not sure he's planning on bringing Shved back at all.

Finestrg wrote:Get the feeling Shved's as good as gone. Good scenario to finish off the roster -- Elliot Williams and O. Galdikas for the last 2 spots -- then we keep tabs on N'Dour and Thanasis as they go overseas and consider them for spots on next year's team. Is it true that we retain Thanasis' rights if/when he decides to go play abroad somewhere for next season?

I believe as long as he isn't signed by the Knicks they retain his rights. Trading him to the Bucks or another team might be the right thing to do. Seems like the Knicks need to find away to do right by him but not give him a roster spot this year. Not sure what that is.

He was the best player on the D league team that won the championship. hes been in the NBA in and out so he knows how to play. had some injury problems kind of derail his career. He would fit the bill in terms of a more athletic tempo player.

The guy that writes the Knicksblog is also the lead writer for a d league blog, Ridiculous Upside. Here is his write up on Williams after he won mvp of the d league finals.

Looking back at his time in the D-League, Williams made it sound as though the opportunity to strut his stuff in the minors was time well spent.

"Oh, I've definitely improved a lot of things. Especially being 6'5, taking care of things at the point guard position is something [that improved]," he continued to add. "That's my bottom line; being a good point guard, but also being able to score a lot. I was injured often earlier in my career, so this has given me a good opportunity to redefine my game. It's been good for me."

"I'm a natural two. I'm a natural scorer. This was more about being able to embrace serving as more of a combo-guard," Williams explained. "I'm able to defend smaller guards because of my quickness. I can guard point guards, so that's how I can be a combo."

While he looked to improve upon other facets of his overall game, there's no denying that the Warriors enjoyed employing him for his services, and often utilized his biggest strengths. After all, he was recognized as a central figure in the team's offense night in and night out.

"The coaching staff has had faith in me, but this is a great team. It feels good. We have great leaders, great young guys, and a great bench," the 25 year old said modestly. "When everything is running well, it's easy to just go out and play your game. It's been good for me."

Nevertheless, even for an individual like Williams, who received multiple NBA call-ups just this past season alone, winning at the D-League level still matters.

"It means a lot. It's good for the fans and the city, because they're the ones that always come out and support us. But I don't care what level it is. You want to win," he asserted. "Anytime you have a chance to win a championship, you go for it. This season has been a grind, but [it's nice to win] a championship."

http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2015/4/2...

I think this kid is better then thanasis and Ledo. I wanted to keep Shved around,but Phil is looking for two-way players and that is encouraging to see

Another article on E. Williams.

Elliot Williams worked out for the Knicks in Las Vegas on Sunday (Marc J. Spears, July 12).

Keith Schlosser, Lead Writer

On the surface, Williams is a 26-year-old who has bounced around since the Blazers drafted him in the first round in 2010.
He hasn’t been able to stick thus far, but Williams is arguably coming off his most productive season as a professional basketball player. On one hand, he was signed to three different 10-day contracts, playing parts of last season with both the Pelicans and Jazz.

All the while attempting to catch on with a team for the long haul, not only did Williams rise up as an NBA D-League champion, but he went even further by leading the way for the Santa Cruz Warriors. He was named Most Valuable Player of The Finals.

A combo-guard of sorts, he averaged 21.3 points and 7.4 assists last season. He’s aggressive around the basket and certainly isn’t afraid to absorb contact. His natural instincts suggest he employs a scorer’s-first mentality, but the double-teams he draws when driving into the lane allow him to space the floor a bit and dish the ball out to teammates around the perimeter. He plays at a very high-paced tempo.
“I’ve definitely improved a lot of things. Especially being 6-foot-5, taking care of things at the point guard position is something [that improved],” Williams told SB Nation’s RidiculousUpside.com during The Finals back in April .“That’s my bottom line; being a good point guard, but also being able to score a lot.”

The Knicks have, ironically enough, often craved defensive intensity in their lineup when looking to put the finishing touches on the roster from year to year. But after signing the likes of Robin Lopez and Kyle O’Quinn, it would appear as though they have the tools for a potentially formidable front-line. Instead, the more pressing need surrounds who may emerge to support Carmelo Anthony and Arron Afflalo on offense.

Williams has the ability to provide a similarly needed offensive spark off the bench.

“I’m a natural two. I’m a natural scorer. This was more about being able to embrace serving as more of a combo-guard,” Williams said. “I’m able to defend smaller guards because of my quickness. I can guard point guards, so that’s how I can be a combo.”

http://theknicksblog.com/knicks/elliot-w...

This is how you find the next DeMarre Carroll without having to pay him $15M per year.

If they like him, bring him in.

I think I'd prefer Shved, but who knows what's going on there.

Finestrg wrote:Was just gonna post this. So what do we think? I like it--the kid's talented. He can score and he's a real good passer as well. I guess they're real adamant about grabbing a versatile guard for minimum money and don't see Shved as an option beyond his vet minimum. Daniel Hackett I don't know anything about really but I like Elliot Williams a lot. Always have. Main thing is I think he's healthy now -- a couple of call ups that didn't amount to much but he played very well last year in the DL with extended PT. We definitely need an extra guard--I actually like how they're looking for someone like Shved, someone who has legit versatility to play both spots. I wouldn't be too upset if that guy turned out to be EW.

Shved is the only one who has shown a inate abilty to get into lane and create. Dont think his return eliminates another

Some video

That kid is a scorer.....can he defend??? And how high of a basketball IQ does he possess?

trengths: Versatile southpaw guard with very good athleticism ... At 6'4 with long arms, has the size and length to play either guard position ... Displays a powerful burst to the basket with his natural lefty dribble ... Has a quick first step and long, easy strides ... Thrives in the open court where he can utilize his speed and attack in space ... Finishes extremely well in traffic, able to contort his body and get shots off at odd angles ... Being a lefty adds an element of surprise to his game. Shows a little floater in the lane ... Tremendous leaping ability. Good form on his jump shot, with decent lift ... On ball defense is top notch ... Light on his feet with great lateral quickness. Stays low in his stance. Uses his long wingspan to disrupt opponents and eliminate passing angles ... Reads passing lanes very well (.6 stl per game as a freshman) Great defensive awareness and anticipation ... Not afraid to get his hands dirty and do work on the glass (2.3 rpg) ... Smart kid with good character - shows desire to learn and improve.

Weaknesses: Despite a good looking jumper, is not comfortable with his shot yet ... Shot 25% from three and 50% from the stripe as a frosh ... Not a catch-and-shoot guy, preferring to walk into his shot with a few habit dribbles ... Shoots a layup or three pointer with very little in between - has not put his midrange game to much use ... His offensive game is lefty dominant. Drives are almost all to his left, and if he starts out right will usually spin back to his left ... Shoots too many lefty layups from the right side of the floor ... Ball handling and passing must improve, especially if he plans to play the 1 ... Looks like a young colt at times, full of energy but needs to learn to play within himself ... Can definitely stand to add some bulk to his frame.

nixluva wrote:Some video

Much more interesting prospect to me than a stiff Hackett. Has the extra step and length lacking in most of our guards. Hope Jax takes a long look at him. Is this kid on a SL team? Why in the world do we have Baron it?

crzymdups wrote:This is how you find the next DeMarre Carroll without having to pay him $15M per year.

If they like him, bring him in.

I think I'd prefer Shved, but who knows what's going on there.

Yeah I agree. The more I read about Williams the more I want him to get his next chance with us. I also have been wanting Shved back but this kid sounds like a good one if we don't get Shved.

I'm afraid Shved, the guy many of us wanted here for many reasons, isn't going to get an offer he wants and so head overseas. That is too bad. He needs to take the minimum (now that he see's his chance slipping away in the NBA) and sign with us as we fit his skill set (great triangle guard.) If I had a chance to play in the NBA I would take the pay cut, he isn't getting any younger.

I'll be happy with Williams though, he sounds like a nice scorer and he dish the ball. His defense is most certainly better than Shveds as well, but I really liked Shved - smart cat.

Dont see them being exclusive, Shved can take room excep , Williams if liked could get min. Some will say that would create a logjam of guards but Ledo can shift to SF or play in NBDL and it might expedite Calderon move. Im not sold on Galloway being anything more than a glorified bench player. Grant will play but he will have his ups and downs as most rook do regardless of his age

meloanyk wrote:Dont see them being exclusive, Shved can take room excep , Williams if liked could get min. Some will say that would create a logjam of guards but Ledo can shift to SF or play in NBDL and it might expedite Calderon move. Im not sold on Galloway being anything more than a glorified bench player. Grant will play but he will have his ups and downs as most rook do regardless of his age

I think one spot is going to a big.

How many spots do we have left? That Ledo dude, is he better the Shved or Williams? The more I watch him play, the more I don't like his style