Not very familiar with his game, but a quick review of spanish basketball sites call him "the best PG in europe". He was named MVP of the spanish league final last season and scored the winning basket against Barcelona.
If things go smoothly expect a HUGE spike in ratings in Latin America.
OMG!!! This is the best news I’ve had all day!! Didn’t think this was genuine. I can only think that you do not know who Vildoza is?!!?
I’m very familiar with this guy, I watch a lot of euro league games, been a long term admirer of his game. Best pg in Spanish league / Europe by a massive margin. Did hear that he had plans to declare for the 22 draft?
This is a major coupe for us. Kudos to our scouts. Unbelievable.
In summary similar playmaking ability to Campazzo ( Argentine international playing for DEN. ) Far superior offensively. Decent size and length, crafty defender, combination of aggression and intelligence when attacking the basket. Shoots decent percentages ( FT meh? ). Only concerns being speed and athleticism possibly below nba level.
Please give this guy minutes.
👍👍👍
Thanks for the breakdown!
xblvdels3@ 4/28/2021 6:17 PM
Wouldn’t it be a dream if he works out on a high level. We could save a ton in cap space to extend our guys and have money to get a big ticket star in 2023
If he works out it opens up so many possibilities!
GustavBahler@ 4/28/2021 6:21 PM
Very nice! Even nicer that we didnt have to wait until Luca was 50 years old to sign him.
GustavBahler@ 4/28/2021 6:23 PM
NYKBocker wrote:Maybe we cutting Payton!
"Dont cry out loud...."
xblvdels3@ 4/28/2021 6:27 PM
Uptown wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:He looks like a wizard with the the ball. Doubt this is a 10 day contract.
The kid has skills!! Based on the highlights, I see some Rondo in his game; the vision and the intelligent ball fakes in the paint. Seems to have a nice release on the jumper and looks like he plays with a high motor. Good pick-up.
The overly optimistic view, maybe a combo of Rose, Luca and Quick can hold down the PG slot next year which will allow us save a max slot for the loaded FA class of the summer of 2022.
Yup 👍 !!!!
Jimbo5@ 4/28/2021 6:48 PM
Luca will have a 10 game Knick audition for next season. He could be the answer at point. Knick getting kobe players, Julius first now Luca. Ideal senario is him getting all Payton's minutes and payton relegated to the role of Frank. Unfortunately, i cant see a 25 yr old euro league player start for the knicks late in this crucial stage of the season. Hopefully he can be an extra push the knicks need to finish the season strong.
TheGame@ 4/28/2021 7:01 PM
I guess they decided they are not going to resign Frank. There is no way they are paying him $7 mil a year again, so probably are preparing to move on. Frank will be picked up somewhere.
GustavBahler@ 4/28/2021 7:04 PM
TheGame wrote:I guess they decided they are not going to resign Frank. There is no way they are paying him $7 mil a year again, so probably are preparing to move on. Frank will be picked up somewhere.
Could be Payton and/or Frank.
Might be best for Frank to play in Europe for a couple of years. Work on his offense.
KnickDanger@ 4/28/2021 8:21 PM
Not going to project too far or use it as another excuse to hate on our starting point guard, but you have to like this kind of signing.
EwingsGlass@ 4/28/2021 8:37 PM
KnickDanger wrote:Not going to project too far or use it as another excuse to hate on our starting point guard, but you have to like this kind of signing.
Seems like a use of excess cap space to acquire an asset. He looks like an NBA talent. Would love to see the terms of the deal, but doesn’t seem like this was about removing any current so much as acquiring an asset. Assume the Knicks will have some time with him this season and in the offseason to get him in line with the Knicks sets.
Panos@ 4/28/2021 11:34 PM
Amazing touch with the ball.
BigDaddyG@ 4/28/2021 11:51 PM
Not saying Luca is as good, but his highlights gave me White Chocolate vibes. I'm not sure Thibs' ticker can take it.
Jimbo5@ 4/29/2021 1:01 AM
How will the timing of this signing be? Does luca have to spent a 2 week quarantine for him to start playing? Not really following the Nets, what happened to Mike James? Was he able to play right away once he was signed?
Sambakick@ 4/29/2021 3:40 AM
Is it official yet?
dodger78@ 4/29/2021 3:53 AM
There is a couple of things I really like about this signing! a) it shows FO is willing to be creative and open to innovative ways of enhancing the Team b) Vildoza is a super competitive "mean" Player that will attack the opponent relentlessly and has the "guts" to trust his own game! In that Approach he is close to IQ and the total opposite to Frank. Since he does bring more playmaking ability than IQ he brings a different skillset to the table than what we currently have at the guard positions. c) the competition he has been playing in is really good. The Spanish ACB league is a very good league and the EuroLeague is truely the second best bball competition behind the NBA. It is a very different brand of bball but I can see him Fitting into what Thibs and the Knicks are doing quite well actually. Help Defense, Hustle, Corner 3s... all that is a part of his game in Europe already
Is there any word out yet who is gonna get cut?
Knickfury11@ 4/29/2021 5:05 AM
dodger78 wrote:There is a couple of things I really like about this signing! a) it shows FO is willing to be creative and open to innovative ways of enhancing the Team b) Vildoza is a super competitive "mean" Player that will attack the opponent relentlessly and has the "guts" to trust his own game! In that Approach he is close to IQ and the total opposite to Frank. Since he does bring more playmaking ability than IQ he brings a different skillset to the table than what we currently have at the guard positions. c) the competition he has been playing in is really good. The Spanish ACB league is a very good league and the EuroLeague is truely the second best bball competition behind the NBA. It is a very different brand of bball but I can see him Fitting into what Thibs and the Knicks are doing quite well actually. Help Defense, Hustle, Corner 3s... all that is a part of his game in Europe already
Is there any word out yet who is gonna get cut?
Agreed. I am ecstatic with this move. It really reflects a new level of innovation both in our scouting and approach / attitude.
It seems his season statistics do not really give a fair reflection of his game / ability. I have seen this guy dominate ( on both sides of the floor ) the second best level of the game.
People, please forget Mike James. Vildoza is on another level and I think he has the ability to really contribute in areas where we fall short.
I just hope that he is given adequate time / opportunities to be part of the future ( game sets, plays etc ).
If cambozza can get minutes in DEN, Vildoza should be fine. But who knows with Thibs?
Personally hoping Payton is cut.
xavier@ 4/29/2021 5:35 AM
Knickfury11 wrote:Agreed. I am ecstatic with this move. It really reflects a new level of innovation both in our scouting and approach / attitude.
It seems his season statistics do not really give a fair reflection of his game / ability. I have seen this guy dominate ( on both sides of the floor ) the second best level of the game.
People, please forget Mike James. Vildoza is on another level and I think he has the ability to really contribute in areas where we fall short.
I just hope that he is given adequate time / opportunities to be part of the future ( game sets, plays etc ).
If cambozza can get minutes in DEN, Vildoza should be fine. But who knows with Thibs?
Personally hoping Payton is cut.
You can’t look at his numbers from the NBA statistics perspective. Different basketball is played in Europe, game takes 8 minutes less for a start, and the numbers are much lower.
Top scorer of the Spanish ACB League has 18 points per game, top rebounder 8.5 rebounds and top assist player 6.5 assists. And basketball itself is fundamentally different so you don’t even need to look at his game through numbers.
Some players from Europe are doing well in the NBA, some are not (the best European PG Teodosic didn't do very well in the Clippers), I hope that Vedoza will be among those who managed to do well. In any case, we got a player who brings a different skillset than the one we have had in that position so far.
