Knicks · Yes it’s early but here’s the 2020 NBA draft thread. (page 40)

Vessell or Nesmith for me as well.

for you college gurus who is the guy who is hyper-competitive all about winning, gym rat? My guess is Thibs wants a guy like that to set a culture tone (ala Jimmy Butler, Noah etc) especially since there's no player squarely jumping out otherwise. He's going to push for a guy who can contribute and who will help set a tone

Chandler wrote:
for you college gurus who is the guy who is hyper-competitive all about winning, gym rat? My guess is Thibs wants a guy like that to set a culture tone (ala Jimmy Butler, Noah etc) especially since there's no player squarely jumping out otherwise. He's going to push for a guy who can contribute and who will help set a tone

from what I've read: Okoro

martin wrote:

Chandler wrote:
for you college gurus who is the guy who is hyper-competitive all about winning, gym rat? My guess is Thibs wants a guy like that to set a culture tone (ala Jimmy Butler, Noah etc) especially since there's no player squarely jumping out otherwise. He's going to push for a guy who can contribute and who will help set a tone

from what I've read: Okoro

Vassell seems to fit that mold as well.

Chandler wrote:
for you college gurus who is the guy who is hyper-competitive all about winning, gym rat? My guess is Thibs wants a guy like that to set a culture tone (ala Jimmy Butler, Noah etc) especially since there's no player squarely jumping out otherwise. He's going to push for a guy who can contribute and who will help set a tone

Of the payers who will be available when we pick, Vassell and Okoro for sure. I've known about these guys since HS as both are for the ATL area. Another guy to look out for is Maxey. I wouldn't be surprised if we traded back and grabbed Maxey at the end of the lottery.

Uptown wrote:

Chandler wrote:
for you college gurus who is the guy who is hyper-competitive all about winning, gym rat? My guess is Thibs wants a guy like that to set a culture tone (ala Jimmy Butler, Noah etc) especially since there's no player squarely jumping out otherwise. He's going to push for a guy who can contribute and who will help set a tone

Of the payers who will be available when we pick, Vassell and Okoro for sure. I've known about these guys since HS as both are for the ATL area. Another guy to look out for is Maxey. I wouldn't be surprised if we traded back and grabbed Maxey at the end of the lottery.

Me neither, not sure how it would be received by the draft day booing fans (they'd be calling for Cole Anthony), but we have the inside scoop and track on Maxey- if he's legit we'll know about it.

Poku is about two years away from being two years away. Do you guys have the stomaches to leave him the G-League for one year if we draft him in the first-round?

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BigDaddyG wrote:Poku is about two years away from being two years away. Do you guys have the stomaches to leave him the G-League for one year if we draft him in the first-round?

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It depends on his work ethic, without a great one and a whole lot of mental toughness and determination, you just end up like Darko. What separated KP from other 7ft euro projects as well as his skill set was his work ethic (at least when he first came here) and steady, confident mindset. I just don't see that Poku has that. Still, maybe teams will be able to better assess that in interviews and intel.

It's not just Poku though, for me, I have no interest in drafting any player in this draft who doesn't have very strong work ethic. Those who haven't been working out like mad during this stoppage are really going to struggle after so many months off.

There are obvious red flags with this kid. He's a little out of control and selfish on the court. It's been said that's one of the reasons his minutes were controlled. Also, he needs to develop his body and tweak his shooting form. And his defense needs work. That said, he's someone to target in the second round. He has the physical tools to be a success in this league.

BigDaddyG wrote:There are obvious red flags with this kid. He's a little out of control and selfish on the court. It's been said that's one of the reasons his minutes were controlled. Also, he needs to develop his body and tweak his shooting form. And his defense needs work. That said, he's someone to target in the second round. He has the physical tools to be a success in this league.

Are we talking about ISO-Zo levels of selfishness here?

smackeddog wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:There are obvious red flags with this kid. He's a little out of control and selfish on the court. It's been said that's one of the reasons his minutes were controlled. Also, he needs to develop his body and tweak his shooting form. And his defense needs work. That said, he's someone to target in the second round. He has the physical tools to be a success in this league.

Are we talking about ISO-Zo levels of selfishness here?

Could be worse. This guy is 6'10" and doesn't have to work nearly as hard as Zo to get a shot off.

If available at 8 - Vassell looks perfect for us. Hustles on defense, has length, athletic enough, can shoot decently from outside. While he will have to get stronger - I see a floor of Mikal Bridges and a ceiling of a Pippen/Kawhi-type player (if he's a hard worker). I see most likely case - Trevor Ariza. RJ and Vassell could be a good wing tandem that complement each other relatively well. What's not to like?

jskinny35 wrote:If available at 8 - Vassell looks perfect for us. Hustles on defense, has length, athletic enough, can shoot decently from outside. While he will have to get stronger - I see a floor of Mikal Bridges and a ceiling of a Pippen/Kawhi-type player (if he's a hard worker). I see most likely case - Trevor Ariza. RJ and Vassell could be a good wing tandem that complement each other relatively well. What's not to like?

For whatever reason I have never seen the Pippen/Kawhi comparisons, don't think Vessell has the body type to get that strong.

I see a more fluid Reggie Miller, no idea if Vassell can become the same type of shooter but long, wiry body types are same. Vassell the better defender.

Vassell is my top pick for Knicks at 8.

My nightmare is if Detroit and GS swap picks and he goes to GS at 7.

martin wrote:

jskinny35 wrote:If available at 8 - Vassell looks perfect for us. Hustles on defense, has length, athletic enough, can shoot decently from outside. While he will have to get stronger - I see a floor of Mikal Bridges and a ceiling of a Pippen/Kawhi-type player (if he's a hard worker). I see most likely case - Trevor Ariza. RJ and Vassell could be a good wing tandem that complement each other relatively well. What's not to like?

For whatever reason I have never seen the Pippen/Kawhi comparisons, don't think Vessell has the body type to get that strong.

I see a more fluid Reggie Miller, no idea if Vassell can become the same type of shooter but long, wiry body types are same. Vassell the better defender.

Vassell is my top pick for Knicks at 8.

My nightmare is if Detroit and GS swap picks and he goes to GS at 7.

Tayshaun Prince? Prince was a better passer at the same point, maybe a slightly better ball-handler. Guys like Reggie and JJ were maniacs running off ball and I don't see that in Vassel.

martin wrote:

jskinny35 wrote:If available at 8 - Vassell looks perfect for us. Hustles on defense, has length, athletic enough, can shoot decently from outside. While he will have to get stronger - I see a floor of Mikal Bridges and a ceiling of a Pippen/Kawhi-type player (if he's a hard worker). I see most likely case - Trevor Ariza. RJ and Vassell could be a good wing tandem that complement each other relatively well. What's not to like?

For whatever reason I have never seen the Pippen/Kawhi comparisons, don't think Vessell has the body type to get that strong.

I see a more fluid Reggie Miller, no idea if Vassell can become the same type of shooter but long, wiry body types are same. Vassell the better defender.

Vassell is my top pick for Knicks at 8.

My nightmare is if Detroit and GS swap picks and he goes to GS at 7.

That would crush me if that happened. We lose again in the lottery and move back 2 spots to lose again another potential diamond from GS... Agree he's very wiry and may never develop the strength like a Kawhi or Pippen. I see Kawhi-light when he moves with the ball, penetrates and steps back outside the lane. Pippen more so in that he would be a defensive 2nd option (hopefully to RJ) and that is a jack of all trades (good at everything - not great at anything). Watching more he also plays the passing lanes like a young Sprewell but lacks some of Spree's burst... I don't see enough ISO outside shooting like Reggie Miller had, but he's young and still developing. I see a very safe floor with this kid - let's hope we get a crack at him!

jskinny35 wrote:

martin wrote:

jskinny35 wrote:If available at 8 - Vassell looks perfect for us. Hustles on defense, has length, athletic enough, can shoot decently from outside. While he will have to get stronger - I see a floor of Mikal Bridges and a ceiling of a Pippen/Kawhi-type player (if he's a hard worker). I see most likely case - Trevor Ariza. RJ and Vassell could be a good wing tandem that complement each other relatively well. What's not to like?

For whatever reason I have never seen the Pippen/Kawhi comparisons, don't think Vessell has the body type to get that strong.

I see a more fluid Reggie Miller, no idea if Vassell can become the same type of shooter but long, wiry body types are same. Vassell the better defender.

Vassell is my top pick for Knicks at 8.

My nightmare is if Detroit and GS swap picks and he goes to GS at 7.

That would crush me if that happened. We lose again in the lottery and move back 2 spots to lose again another potential diamond from GS... Agree he's very wiry and may never develop the strength like a Kawhi or Pippen. I see Kawhi-light when he moves with the ball, penetrates and steps back outside the lane. Pippen more so in that he would be a defensive 2nd option (hopefully to RJ) and that is a jack of all trades (good at everything - not great at anything). Watching more he also plays the passing lanes like a young Sprewell but lacks some of Spree's burst... I don't see enough ISO outside shooting like Reggie Miller had, but he's young and still developing. I see a very safe floor with this kid - let's hope we get a crack at him!

I'm hoping for Plan B. What will we do if the unthinkable happens, and someone steals the apple of our eye? Will we fall apart, and pick the next Jordan Hill. This is why these guys are here.

Devin Vassell PLEASE

Nesmith would have ranked higher if he played more games. I like that he played for stackhouse. I see a lot of Allan Houston in his game.

Shooters normally go at late loterry the past few drafts(herro and booker), nesmith can be the same. Him or vessel and in okay.

Kira, Hayes, or Haliburton.....

We need a potentially GOOD pg on the roster

unstopaball12 wrote:Nesmith would have ranked higher if he played more games. I like that he played for stackhouse. I see a lot of Allan Houston in his game.

Shooters normally go at late loterry the past few drafts(herro and booker), nesmith can be the same. Him or vessel and in okay.

Stack ran some great sets for him, baseline, double and flare screens similar to what Indy used to do for Reggie.

BigDaddyG wrote:There are obvious red flags with this kid. He's a little out of control and selfish on the court. It's been said that's one of the reasons his minutes were controlled. Also, he needs to develop his body and tweak his shooting form. And his defense needs work. That said, he's someone to target in the second round. He has the physical tools to be a success in this league.

He's very intriguing. 6'10 wing that can handle like a guard and create for himself. Like you said he has all the tools but needs tons of seasoning, coaching and developing. I doubt he will be there at 27, but if he is, the Knicks might need to swing for the fences and bet that this coaching staff and unlock his untapped potential. He has the tools to be a top 5 player in this draft!