Knicks · Frank back in NY (page 7)
Frank is still three years away from this:
When Scottie arrived at Central Arkansas he had grown 2 inches. He now was 6'3. He did not arrive with the goal of becoming an NBA player, he wasn't even sure he wanted to play varsity basketball. His work study program did not guarantee him a place on the team so if he wanted to play he would have to work hard for it. Coach Don Dyer told him if he worked out with weights and built his upper body strength he might be able to make the team in a year or two. His chance came sooner than expected when several members of the team quit. He played his freshmen year as a reserve and averaged only 4.3 points a game, but he impressed his coach with his desire and hustle.When sophomore year started in the fall of 1985, Scottie had grown to 6'5. He had now become a player of rare talent. Because of the position he played in high school he had the mentality and ball handling skills of a point guard but now he also had the height of a forward. His unique talents allowed him to play all 5 positions. He quickly became the best player and led his team in scoring and rebounding in his sophomore year.
When the season was over, Scottie began working out and got even bigger and stronger. He now had a sense of what he wanted to do with his life. He began to think seriously about a career in professional basketball. In his junior year Scottie was the teams leading scorer and rebounder and was named to the NAIA All American Team.
In Scottie's senior year he had grown to 6'7 and became the dominant player of his team. He averaged 23.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He was again named to the NAIA All American Team. He looked good enough to make the NBA but his only problem was that he got no exposure playing for Central Arkansas. The director of NBA scouting came to see him play and advised all NBA teams to take a look at him. The general manager of the Chicago Bulls was the only one who took this advice. He was impressed and was interested in Scottie. The NBA director was not aware of his interest so he decided to invite Scottie to play in an all star game to show off his talents for other recruits. His performance attracted a lot more scouts but the general manager of the Chicago Bulls still wanted him. He had to work out a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics in order to get Scottie. The Bulls signed Scottie to a 6 year contract worth more than $5 million dollars.
By all accounts Frank has just started to lift weights. Smart to let him grow and perhaps he is nearing his expected height. Let the kid naturally find his body.
Its not easy to project what this kid will look like in three years. That's when Pippen went to the NBA if you equate the same age.
Could Pippen in his freshman year of college do half the things Frank did last season? Doubt it.
Im not saying Frank is projecting to be a HOF player but its not a stretch to think he'll be more than he was last year.
I'd even say those that are expecting "big things from him next season" might be a bit over reaching. Not to say he can't be good, improved and what not, but give these young dudes time to grow, room to breath. They are projects. Even if you said a player hits maturity at age 26, them my goodness this is still SIX YEARS FROM NOW!!!
Pippen is a perfect example to bring up. The pick used to draft him was a Knick pick.....
We waived him a year after we made that trade. If watching Jordan destroy us was bad enough. Pippen would cause me to throw up in my mouth for years.
In the relatively complicated transaction for Henderson last season, the Knicks gave up a 1990 second-round draft choice and the better of their two first-round picks, unless they wound up with any of the first three choices in the draft. They drew the fifth selection, and gave it to Seattle, which used it to obtain Scottie Pippin. The Sonics later traded the heralded rookie to the Bulls for Olden Polynice and other considerations.After helping lead the Celtics to the 1983-84 championship, Henderson was traded to the Sonics for an 1986 first-round draft choice. Last season for the Knicks, Henderson averaged 10.9 points and 6.4 assists a game. In six games this season, two of which he started, Henderson played a total of 69 minutes and had 14 points and 13 assists.
So This is why Nalod is not so cavalier about throwing around picks like Briggs is. We got history.
Gerald Henderson for Pippen. That's some hindsight bad shyt to digest!