Knicks · Jonathan Isaac - Potential NBA Steal according to ESPN (page 1)

I remember starting the "don't sleep on KP thread" before the draft. And how dropping to number 4 was a blessing in disguise. Well guess what, Jonathan Isaac could be the best player in this draft.....or second best, similar to KP. And with Isaac, who's also 6'11....gives the knicks another tall rim protector, who can also score.

I think the reason they are looking for PGs in their early workouts, is because they might pick a sleeper in Isaac and get a PG in the 2nd round. A poor mans Kevin Durant.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19403...

1. Jonathan Isaac, SF, 6-foot-11, 205, Florida State (age on draft day: 20)
Chad Ford Big Board rank: 6
ESPN Analytics draft model rank: 1
Isaac has the top projected statistical plus-minus (SPM) for his first five years in the NBA, according to our model, which gives him a 64 percent chance to play at the level of a bona fide NBA starter or better. Isaac has the third-best adjusted defensive rebounding percentage in this draft class and a 55 percent adjusted effective field goal percentage, which is as good as any other small forward in this draft class. His college stats are most similar to those of Otto Porter, who was selected No. 3 by the Washington Wizards in 2013 and was a key piece for a team that finished a win away from the Eastern Conference finals this season.

It is unlikely that Isaac will work his way into the top three, but at No. 4, the Phoenix Suns could get a top-quality player if Isaac is available.

2. Malik Monk, SG, 6-3, 185, Kentucky (age on draft day: 19)
Chad Ford Big Board rank: 7
ESPN Analytics draft model rank: 3
Our data has shown guards to be more difficult to project than big men at the next level, as some guards are able to transfer their shooting to the NBA while others possess shooting flaws that aren't exposed until they play against bigger and faster defenses in the NBA. That said, the model gives Monk just a 25 percent chance of being a bust, which is the second-smallest figure in this draft for a guard after Lonzo Ball. Compared to the other top-60 players on Ford's Big Board, Monk is unique because he lacks any glaring weaknesses statistically, but the only statistic in which he really stands out is his having a low turnover percentage.

Ford has the Philadelphia 76ers taking Monk at No. 3 in his latest mock draft, and our model agrees that he is one of the three best players in the draft.

3. Lauri Markkanen, PF, 7-0, 230, Arizona (age on draft day: 19)
Chad Ford Big Board rank: 10
ESPN Analytics draft model rank: 4
Markkanen is a 7-footer who has the highest adjusted percentage on 3-point and free throw attempts of any forward in this draft class. He doesn't have the best rebounding percentages compared to other big men in the class, but he has the outside game that is sought from bigs in the modern NBA. Markkanen may not have the upside of other talent but is the second-least likely to be a bust, according to our model -- his college stats compare favorably to those of 11-time all-star Chris Bosh.

Markkanen may not be a splashy pick at No. 5, but he could be a good fit there for a Sacramento Kings team that is trying to fill the void left by DeMarcus Cousins.

We talked about Isaac here already. I started a thread on him too if im not mistaken. These mock drafts are not reality. Teams could seriously pick guys that aren't in everyone's Mock.... I could see Isaac and Lauri jumping ahead of the pack. Diallo as well. Fuck ESPN.

I like Isaac a great deal too...

My early wants were Isaac, Frank, or Fox.

When you see the clips of him, especially on D, you are really surprised at his footwork and lateral movement, which is why I see him as a 3 right now, and not a 4. He can cover a lot of ground and will be great at clogging up passing lanes with his length and quickness.

Would be very happy with him. Needs to put on muscle, but at SF he can get by with his quickness and length.

Would be quite happy if we took him...that final end of the season victory might have screwed up our chance for him, though.

I think Phil is gonna see if a kid like Isaac falls and take him at #8 then get another 1st to grab a PG. Just get that feeling this is on his mind.

nixluva wrote:I think Phil is gonna see if a kid like Isaac falls and take him at #8 then get another 1st to grab a PG. Just get that feeling this is on his mind.

Same here... Isaac to me is the prize of the draft. He has a sweet turn around jumper. He's 6'11". Moves like he's 6'8"... is going to block shots and rebound. He can hit the 3. He can get to the basket and create facing up. Full packedge. With all the hype surrounding the pgs and the other small fwds he could be right there at #8. He's also what Minnesota is missing so that's a huge problem for us

I like Isaac a lot- attitude and skill set. He's from NY too. Only issues I have is (assuming we don't trade him), does he fit well next to KP? Can he play SF or is he a PF? (I'm actually asking those questions- does anyone know?). The way I look on this draft is that we will still need to add at least another 2 top ten picks in the next 2 years, so there is no desperation to pick a PG if there is a better talent available elsewhere, but if we're keeping KP, there is no point in picking a player that can't play next to him.

He certainly fits into the mould of players Phil described he is looking for- smart, two way players who are unselfish and not obsessed with scoring. One of the scouting reports said he's more fluid than an explosive athlete, which hopefully reduces his risk of injury.
Here's a vid for his attitude & character:

Highlights:

and breakdowns (draft express haven't updated their yet):

smackeddog wrote:I like Isaac a lot- attitude and skill set. He's from NY too. Only issues I have is (assuming we don't trade him), does he fit well next to KP? Can he play SF or is he a PF? (I'm actually asking those questions- does anyone know?). The way I look on this draft is that we will still need to add at least another 2 top ten picks in the next 2 years, so there is no desperation to pick a PG if there is a better talent available elsewhere, but if we're keeping KP, there is no point in picking a player that can't play next to him.

He certainly fits into the mould of players Phil described he is looking for- smart, two way players who are unselfish and not obsessed with scoring. One of the scouting reports said he's more fluid than an explosive athlete, which hopefully reduces his risk of injury.
Here's a vid for his attitude & character:

Highlights:

and breakdowns (draft express haven't updated their yet):

the thing on him is his weight, right now he is a sf but projects to be a modern day pf/c once he fills out; looks to be quite a good player

Sign me up. But I doubt he's on the board at 8.
Would be interesting as a replacement for Melo and then we find a PG in Melo trade or free agency.

Willy
KP
Isaac
Lee
Holiday (?)

Panos wrote:Sign me up. But I doubt he's on the board at 8.
Would be interesting as a replacement for Melo and then we find a PG in Melo trade or free agency.

Willy
KP
Isaac
Lee
Holiday (?)

That's a lot of length!
(That's what she said)
(sorry, couldn't help myself)

I like him fine, but our best player is a 4, and so is Isaac. We need someone to get the ball to KP and Willy, thus a guard. Or, if the guards are gone, we should take a 3.

Man if the Knicks could add Issac and get another first rounder add Diallo or Ferguson The rebuild would be moving faster than I would have believed possible.

Isaac would be a great guy to match up against Giannis going forward. As he adds more muscle mass and strength to his lower body I think we will see him become more explosive.

If we miss out on him because of Ndour's jumper I'm going to be highly upset.

Vmart wrote:Man if the Knicks could add Issac and get another first rounder add Diallo or Ferguson The rebuild would be moving faster than I would have believed possible.

I would be delighted with that- think we definitely need to add another first, if we can

PhilinLA wrote:I like him fine, but our best player is a 4, and so is Isaac. We need someone to get the ball to KP and Willy, thus a guard. Or, if the guards are gone, we should take a 3.

KP is headed towards 5 but Isaac is a 3/4. He's a solid 3 right now tho. They can meld well IMO due to versatility.

When you are down 10 4 th q -- we could've played combinations just to help it along. So I'm not sorry if we don't get a player we might've wanted or perhaps left a deal to trade down open. We've been a terrible franchise 20 years running and we are NOT close to changing that-- we need every bit of help we can get

smackeddog wrote:I like Isaac a lot- attitude and skill set. He's from NY too. Only issues I have is (assuming we don't trade him), does he fit well next to KP?

"When you are short on talent period on your roster, just get the best player you can, figure out the rest later." - Zack Lowe, rephrasing a common trade/draft/value truism held by Don Nelson.

Issac's combination of skills is just downright bizarre ( in a good way) . Even in the NBA, where you have anomalies in terms of size and speed, Issac just shouldn't be able to move like he does at his size and length.

I don't think he will be an offensive force. I think what he's done so far, a lot will be neutralized at the next level, but his all around game can really help a team. His length on the perimeter can be pretty lethal.

Massive boom potential. Massive bust potential.

At #8, if he's there, to me, it's worth the dice roll. He won't likely be there at #8 though.

I think just based on his defensive potential he would be a great pick. Putting him next to KP in the front court would be awesome. Minimally he should make some all defensive teams. I don't think e will be there when the Knicks pick but he would be a great guy to get.

CrushAlot wrote:I think just based on his defensive potential he would be a great pick. Putting him next to KP in the front court would be awesome. Minimally he should make some all defensive teams. I don't think e will be there when the Knicks pick but he would be a great guy to get.

I love his combination of physical talent and skills. He's very active on the defensive end which this team desperately needs. Quickness and Agility at his size is elite. Just depends on how things shake out.

nixluva wrote:

PhilinLA wrote:I like him fine, but our best player is a 4, and so is Isaac. We need someone to get the ball to KP and Willy, thus a guard. Or, if the guards are gone, we should take a 3.

KP is headed towards 5 but Isaac is a 3/4. He's a solid 3 right now tho. They can meld well IMO due to versatility.

Right now he's a 3, a 4 in certain circumstances...latest height measurement 6'10.5 with shoes makes him about 6'9" w/o shoes. He's quick on his feet- I think he can guard at the 3.

Doubt that he can ever be a center, but who knows in today's NBA.

Wonder if he's tried to add some weight.

nixluva wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:I think just based on his defensive potential he would be a great pick. Putting him next to KP in the front court would be awesome. Minimally he should make some all defensive teams. I don't think e will be there when the Knicks pick but he would be a great guy to get.

I love his combination of physical talent and skills. He's very active on the defensive end which this team desperately needs. Quickness and Agility at his size is elite. Just depends on how things shake out.

I think someone's stock will rise and hopefully a really good player drops to the Knicks. I really like Isaac. The Knicks front court would be set for the next 10 years if they were able to grab him.

yellowboy90 wrote:Isaac would be a great guy to match up against Giannis going forward. As he adds more muscle mass and strength to his lower body I think we will see him become more explosive.

If we miss out on him because of Ndour's jumper I'm going to be highly upset.

Isaac will be there.....The question is will Phil pick him? If Isaac isn't there, then Malik Monk or somebody good would slide down. It's a win...win