Knicks · Way too early draft look for the Knicks: Usman Garuba (page 1)
martin@ 6/14/2021 1:29 PM
19 years old, 6'8", wingspan 7'2", 230lbs; lists as a PF/small ball C; very raw but fast feet, strong, not so great a shooter.
Wondering if he could keep up with SF's in an eventual starting role between say RJ and Randle for a power, brute force team. He can be switchable all over the court. Small ball Center. Ball mover. Has very good defensive upside and enough offensive upside that the shooting wouldn't scare me off. Bigger bodied Draymond Green?
I love guys that have super high motors and Usman has it.
Potential to go as high as 11 or fall to 19 or below. I'd take him at 19 with Knicks first pick or trade up some to take him if scouts like him enough (very good potential to go to Charlotte or Spurs at 11, 12 depending how things shake out).
TPercy@ 6/14/2021 5:53 PM
He’s very interesting but yeah he’s definitely seems a bit offensively raw. I love the fact that he’s a good passer and finisher and that his shot may develop but I can’t help but see a much more defensive version of Obi.
BigDaddyG@ 6/14/2021 6:29 PM
TPercy wrote:He’s very interesting but yeah he’s definitely seems a bit offensively raw. I love the fact that he’s a good passer and finisher and that his shot may develop but I can’t help but see a much more defensive version of Obi.
I see why scouts like him, but does he fit on the roster? Most draft experts have him in tier three, while I've seen a couple have him up in their tier 2. The key to him unlocking his upside depends on his ability to shoot. In a perfect world, I would draft and stash this kid and have him develop more in Spain. I doubt he falls to us anyway.
Philc1@ 6/14/2021 6:34 PM
I have zero issue drafting a project at SF at 19.We are probably bringing back both Burks and Bullock on one year deals anyway
His defensive potential is off the charts.
BigDaddyG@ 6/14/2021 6:36 PM
Philc1 wrote:I have zero issue drafting a project at SF at 19.We are probably bringing back both Burks and Bullock on one year deals anyway
Most reports I've seen have him as a PF/C.
Philc1@ 6/14/2021 6:43 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
Philc1 wrote:I have zero issue drafting a project at SF at 19.We are probably bringing back both Burks and Bullock on one year deals anyway
Most reports I've seen have him as a PF/C.
He’s fast enough to play the 3. At least on defense. He has to develop an outside shot that’s the key
EwingsGlass@ 6/14/2021 10:43 PM
Definitely the right physical attributes. I haven’t spent much time on him because I’ve assume d he would be off the board by 19. That said, dream scenario would be for him to stay in Spain another year or two and focus on fundamentals while coming to the US for Summer league.
Not sure that is his intention. Only issue with him is the idea of training him for his next contract. I’d still take him at 19 if he drops, just need to get a sense of his position pretty early.
KnickDanger@ 6/14/2021 11:09 PM
Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish, well before our current picks. Of course we could move up but I don’t see us doing that for a power forward, especially if the word project is attached. I do trust this FO to make good decisions so who knows.
BigDaddyG@ 6/14/2021 11:12 PM
KnickDanger wrote:Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish.
Same here, but who knows. Mocks had Haliburton going early to mid lottery and Maxey going late lottery last year. I have a feeling this draft will be even crazier.
KnickDanger@ 6/14/2021 11:55 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
KnickDanger wrote:Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish.
Same here, but who knows. Mocks had Haliburton going early to mid lottery and Maxey going late lottery last year. I have a feeling this draft will be even crazier.
Oh yeah things will change a lot - they always do.
martin@ 6/15/2021 2:20 PM
Also, almost goes without saying: Perfect Thibs player
martin@ 6/15/2021 4:05 PM
blkexec@ 6/15/2021 9:15 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
KnickDanger wrote:Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish.
Same here, but who knows. Mocks had Haliburton going early to mid lottery and Maxey going late lottery last year. I have a feeling this draft will be even crazier.
Last year's draft was impacted by covid with the lack of footage and in house workouts they couldn't do. But I hope we get teams to start reaching early in the drsft.
HofstraBBall@ 6/15/2021 9:48 PM
martin wrote:
Not a bad pick. Very athletic and only 19.
I still like Trey Murphy though. Has 3 and D potential, shot 43% from three(Grant it on lower volume), and is 6'9"
BigDaddyG@ 6/15/2021 9:59 PM
blkexec wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
KnickDanger wrote:Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish.
Same here, but who knows. Mocks had Haliburton going early to mid lottery and Maxey going late lottery last year. I have a feeling this draft will be even crazier.
Last year's draft was impacted by covid with the lack of footage and in house workouts they couldn't do. But I hope we get teams to start reaching early in the drsft.
Up close workouts are important and probably helped us nab IQ. But nternational scouting is still an issue and restrictions aren't uniform. I also think the fact that people have numerous prospects in the same tier. The top four is locked in, but every other spot is up for grabs. Is Jalen Johnson late lottery, mid first or second round? He's been mocked every where. Would it surprise you if Scottie Barnes leap frogged Johnathan Kuminga? Don't think it's likely, but it's definitely a possibility. We'll see...
Philc1@ 6/16/2021 5:26 AM
EwingsGlass wrote:Definitely the right physical attributes. I haven’t spent much time on him because I’ve assume d he would be off the board by 19. That said, dream scenario would be for him to stay in Spain another year or two and focus on fundamentals while coming to the US for Summer league.
Not sure that is his intention. Only issue with him is the idea of training him for his next contract. I’d still take him at 19 if he drops, just need to get a sense of his position pretty early.
We can trade up or, if we trade for Kemba we can demand the C’s first round pick which is 17th overall
Philc1@ 6/16/2021 5:27 AM
BigDaddyG wrote:
blkexec wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
KnickDanger wrote:Mocks I’ve seen have him going late lotteryish.
Same here, but who knows. Mocks had Haliburton going early to mid lottery and Maxey going late lottery last year. I have a feeling this draft will be even crazier.
Last year's draft was impacted by covid with the lack of footage and in house workouts they couldn't do. But I hope we get teams to start reaching early in the drsft.
Up close workouts are important and probably helped us nab IQ. But nternational scouting is still an issue and restrictions aren't uniform. I also think the fact that people have numerous prospects in the same tier. The top four is locked in, but every other spot is up for grabs. Is Jalen Johnson late lottery, mid first or second round? He's been mocked every where. Would it surprise you if Scottie Barnes leap frogged Johnathan Kuminga? Don't think it's likely, but it's definitely a possibility. We'll see...
IQ fell because Calipari used him primarily as a 2 at Kentucky. If he had played PG he probably is a top 15 pick last year
Chandler@ 6/16/2021 7:02 AM
A lot of nice attributes but we need shooting badly
Plus I like Mitch a lot and have Julius and obi at 4
Knixkik@ 6/16/2021 8:53 AM
Looks like a nice big man prospect. He's the best defensive upside player in the draft so has to be in consideration. And i think the Knicks have an overseas scout located in that area so they are probably all over him.
martin@ 6/16/2021 11:01 AM
What do you like about his D potential?
I don't see a guy with fast enough feet, lack of strength everywhere and his steal rate is so low that it points to his general lack of anticipation. For his 6'9" height, his rebounding rate seems low too.
I don't really watch him so it's only highlight stuff for me.
HofstraBBall wrote:I still like Trey Murphy though. Has 3 and D potential, shot 43% from three(Grant it on lower volume), and is 6'9"
HofstraBBall@ 6/17/2021 9:35 PM
martin wrote:What do you like about his D potential?
I don't see a guy with fast enough feet, lack of strength everywhere and his steal rate is so low that it points to his general lack of anticipation. For his 6'9" height, his rebounding rate seems low too.
I don't really watch him so it's only highlight stuff for me.
HofstraBBall wrote:I still like Trey Murphy though. Has 3 and D potential, shot 43% from three(Grant it on lower volume), and is 6'9"
His biggest attribute on defense is his versatility. Virginia is known for its defense. So he is coming from a program that pushes that side of the ball. He is someone known to guard the 3 and 4 and possibly more if he gets stronger. He is extremely athletic. Reminds me of DeAndre Hunter.
