There is some good commentary on this kid. Sounds like he could have used some time in college under a good coach. There’s a world where people are choosing between Ace Bailey and this kid. Basically left high school to play for the Ignite. After a season they cancelled the Ignite and he ended up on the Mexican G-League team. At 6’6 with a 6’10 wing span, he has great handles. Thing is, somehow between dropping out of high school to sign with the Ignite and two seasons there, he has lost any semblance of a shot. Guy needs a personal coach and reps. All the tools are there - 5 star recruit, just seems like the system plucked him off the tree too soon. Seems like a good kid. No off court drama. Just bought the juice the NBA was slinging to skip school and join the minor leagues. This seems like the kind of project that you could start on either a two way or if you are hanging with a roster spot and a diminishing amount of cap space, a UDFA contract to fill. He could use the structure and education of the NBA to put him on track.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2521...
BTW - if you want to shut this down, I didn’t realize it was covered already in the Summer League roster thread.
The Dinkster! This kid deserves his own thread.
He has future all star potential due to his athleticism.
But if he doesn’t improve all the other areas in f basketball, he will remain in the G league.
Reminds me of that dude who’s known for his free throw dunks. James White?
I watched his highlights because I never heard of him. From what I see he has potential. At 19 he has room to grow. But if you don’t have the passion to be great, he will be a poor man’s OB Toppin.
blkexec wrote:I watched his highlights because I never heard of him. From what I see he has potential. At 19 he has room to grow. But if you don’t have the passion to be great, he will be a poor man’s OB Toppin.
Obi without a 3pt shot.
Panos wrote:blkexec wrote:I watched his highlights because I never heard of him. From what I see he has potential. At 19 he has room to grow. But if you don’t have the passion to be great, he will be a poor man’s OB Toppin.
Obi without a 3pt shot.
I was thinking of the non shooting just got drafted obi.
But I like how Leon is adding 2way defenders who can play defense at the nba level right now. The offense will come in time for both these new players.
blkexec wrote:Panos wrote:blkexec wrote:I watched his highlights because I never heard of him. From what I see he has potential. At 19 he has room to grow. But if you don’t have the passion to be great, he will be a poor man’s OB Toppin.
Obi without a 3pt shot.
I was thinking of the non shooting just got drafted obi.
But I like how Leon is adding 2way defenders who can play defense at the nba level right now. The offense will come in time for both these new players.
That’s too pessimistic. Obi has the hips of a 90 year old grandma. This guy allegedly doesn’t have Obi’s hops at a 32” vertical, but that doesn’t pass the eye test for me.
Also of note - Guy has a Reebok deal before he has an NBA contract. I’m gonna stop wondering and start watching, but it feels like he is better than his UDFA suggests.
EwingsGlass wrote:blkexec wrote:Panos wrote:blkexec wrote:I watched his highlights because I never heard of him. From what I see he has potential. At 19 he has room to grow. But if you don’t have the passion to be great, he will be a poor man’s OB Toppin.
Obi without a 3pt shot.
I was thinking of the non shooting just got drafted obi.
But I like how Leon is adding 2way defenders who can play defense at the nba level right now. The offense will come in time for both these new players.
That’s too pessimistic. Obi has the hips of a 90 year old grandma. This guy allegedly doesn’t have Obi’s hops at a 32” vertical, but that doesn’t pass the eye test for me.
Also of note - Guy has a Reebok deal before he has an NBA contract. I’m gonna stop wondering and start watching, but it feels like he is better than his UDFA suggests.
Ron Kneuppel has a significantly higher vert. Doesn't match the eye test, but nothing really does these days.
Post Summer League I kind of want this kid training with the big team even if he spends some time getting more run in G-League. His vertical feels higher than 32.5”. His 3 pt shot looks kind of herky jerky. Reminds me of Bridges’ shot.
I think I would try and lock this kid up with a contract like Kolek’s. Heck, find someone to take Kolek and give him Kolek’s contract.
I think either the fix was in or the Knicks really got lucky. This kid has huge upside.
Video or it didn't happen
ramtour420 wrote:Video or it didn't happen
https://www.nba.com/knicks/videos/highli...
Looks like the kind of player that could make both himself and Bridges better at the same time. The kind that makes you think if he had top coaches helping him. A nutritionist. Seems like he got some bad advice to skip college from the NBA themselves and has rolled with the punches.
EwingsGlass wrote:Post Summer League I kind of want this kid training with the big team even if he spends some time getting more run in G-League. His vertical feels higher than 32.5”. His 3 pt shot looks kind of herky jerky. Reminds me of Bridges’ shot. I think I would try and lock this kid up with a contract like Kolek’s. Heck, find someone to take Kolek and give him Kolek’s contract.
I think either the fix was in or the Knicks really got lucky. This kid has huge upside.
Some college programs teach their guys how to prepare and game these combined tests. I think it would've been higher with more technique refinement.
I love the idea of Dadiet, Pate, Uwidara battling in practice with Beauchamp, Hart, OG,and Bridges as well.
EwingsGlass wrote:ramtour420 wrote:Video or it didn't happen
https://www.nba.com/knicks/videos/highli...
Looks like the kind of player that could make both himself and Bridges better at the same time. The kind that makes you think if he had top coaches helping him. A nutritionist. Seems like he got some bad advice to skip college from the NBA themselves and has rolled with the punches.
He looks good. I wonder how our player development will look like under Brown
When I hear a kid hear that much talent, nothing he's been involved with has worked out, and has no shot, well, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that this kid always takes the shortcut. Maybe he develops into something great… but I don't know I think we have a lot to risk by letting a bad apple into our barrel (not saying that is what it is, just saying I 'd rather not find out)
SupremeCommander wrote:When I hear a kid hear that much talent, nothing he's been involved with has worked out, and has no shot, well, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that this kid always takes the shortcut. Maybe he develops into something great… but I don't know I think we have a lot to risk by letting a bad apple into our barrel (not saying that is what it is, just saying I 'd rather not find out)
That bad apple stigma is actually what I am trying to point out is just pre-judgment.
You see a kid accept a spot on NBA GLeague Ignite instead of going to college. Shortcut or did the NBA push a kid to go pro too soon?
NBA folds the Ignite team. He scrambles and takes a roster slot on a the Mexican G league team.
I’ve been looking. Maybe he hangs with the wrong crowd? Nope. Can’t find any evidence of that. Ariza level intelligence? Nope - seems quite coherent.
Seems like a kid that was sold a story and rolled with the punches. I’d be open to hearing negative feedback if you can find it, but the story doesn’t match the kid. Just seems like a really young guy trying to make it on the big stage.
Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!
Dink won't be 20 until march. Sasha "Dink" Pate was the youngest pro player in the Gleague (via Wikipedia) or for that matter to turn pro.
A 5 star recruit. I suppose if he that good why he fall to us? I don't know. Bad advice, falls thru the cracks? Then has a rough go at it?
Might be a hell of a pick up or a good nickname to remember. Up there with "Ticky" Burden?
Spenad a lot on scouting and FO you find gems is one way to keep a roster. We not the only ones but be great if this kid can pan out.
Gives us something to talk into existance and argue about. j
VDesai wrote:Dink is a G-League 2-way flier. He has almost no shot of contributing int he NBA this season, but there's good raw materials there and we will have time to work out whatever mental issues other coaching limitations he encountered that have stunted his development. Guy should have just gone to college!
Dude, you might want to slow your roll with the 'mental issues' 'stunted development' thing. You act like you grew up next door to the kid and shared Sunday dinners. The kid 100% earned a camp invite. I wonder how mature you were as an 18 y.o. I know I was a total knucklehead.