Aside from the bigs that have intriguing possibilities -- Big Baby Davis and Josh McRoberts both would be solid picks if they were there at No. 23 -- my go-with-your-gut pick is Taurean Green, who works out for the Knicks and Nets on Tuesday at the MSG Training Center.
The kid ranks middle-of-the-pack among the draft hopefuls and some mocks have him labeled as a secondrounder. I saw a little of him at the predraft camp in Orlando and enough of him during Florida's run to a second straight title. Green may be young and, at 6-foot even (according to his NBA combine stats), slightly undersized. He's a confident player and a pretty good shooter who has NBA range, but he's got the same problem as Nate Robinson: though he has quickness, it does not translate into defensive quickness.
Green is an average defender. He can run an offense, but isn't a dynamic passer. And when his shot isn't falling, his effectiveness plummets.
But the kid's a winner and you can't teach that. He also has pedigree, with his father, former Knick Sidney Green, having NBA blood. Plus, he was coached by a hardworking classic point-guard personality in Billy Donovan (only we know once he's drafted Taurean can't change his mind and go back to Florida).
Some scouts feel his stock is slowly rising. His performance in Orlando overall was a success. He's already worked out with the Washington Wizards, who pick 16th overall. It's doubtful they'd use that pick to take him then, however, when there likely will be other more talented players available.
As you all know by now, Isiah Thomas feels he can take a chance with his No. 23 pick because he feels he already made one first-round selection by signing Randolph Morris right out of Kentucky. Go further with that thinking and you figure with Morris, who is 6-9 and projected to be a power forward, Thomas got his big. You might think he'd go with a guard, then, with the next choice.
Selecting Green would be the kind of move that would fit in the Knicks' plans. He's not someone who would have to play right away. In fact, he might not get much burn at all for two full seasons. But consider that Stephon Marbury's contract expires in two years, as does the contract of Steve Francis (if it remins on the books). Mardy Collins is a nice player but you all know how I feel about Nate Robinson's actual potential to be a true PG, so the Knicks will need a young guard to emerge by then.
Green could be ready to step into a bigger role in two years when Marbury's contract ends, assuming the Knicks don't plan to extend Marbury.
Again, I'm all for drafting big bodies, such as Big Baby or McRoberts. You can always use size. Sean Williams, from all I've heard, is something the Knicks would be better off avoiding. This franchise doesn't need distractions and head cases, especially not if they seriously plan on making a run at acquiring Rasheed Wallace.
Most of the other players they've looked at so far are either projects or hustle players in the mold of Renaldo Balkman.
Here's something to consider, however. If Morris Almond, the sweet-shooting Allan Houston clone, is taken, then you know Isiah has plans to move Jamal Crawford or Nate Robinson. You don't take the best pure shooter in the draft and then sit him on the bench all year.
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The other players the Knicks and Nets will work out on Tuesday are Dominic James (sophomore G, 5-11, 175, Marquette), Trey Johnson (senior G, 6-5, 218, Jackson State) and Ron Lewis (senior G, 6-4, 200, Ohio State).
Last Saturday's workout included Blake Schilb (senior G, 6-7, 220, Loyola (IL)), Jason Smith (junior F/C, 7-0, 240, Colorado State), Alando Tucker (senior F, 6-6, 205, Wisconsin) and Kyle Visser (senior C, 6-11, 250, Wake Forest).
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The Knicks will announce today that they will open the preseason against the Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv team on Oct. 11 at Madison Square Garden. The game will benefit the children of Migdal Ohr.
The game will be the highlight of a "Hoops and Dreams Week" in New York City, hosted by the American Friends of Migdal Ohr.
Tickets for the game go on sale Wednesday (June 13). For more information, visit http://www.migdalohrusa.org/promotions/bb/moreinfo.php
Comments (9)
I take Almond. Shooting is at a higher premium than even big men. There are too many athlete types and not enough skills players. Nothing better than a lights out shooter with a post presence like Curry and a slashing pg like Marbury. I like Crawford but he needs to continue to be the sixth man playing the 1 & 2. Not to mention his defense is horrid. It wont be right away, you let him develop. You definitely got to send Frye, Rose and or Nate over to Det for Wallace. Then we are ready. Hey if you wanted to reach a little you get Artest & guarantee a 2nd round birth at a low price.
We have enough so-so backup PGs. No need for another one.
I never understand the reasoning for taking a mediocre player to groom as a replacement for a star.
Really, do we not think that there will be better players in the draft at PG than Green in 2-3 years?
Alan, I agree with you. Green is one of those intangible type players, who just win. The Knicks need more of those types. If you review their roster, you'll see that almost none of their players have really won at either the NCAA or NBA level. Also, Green is one of those picks that are worthwhile gambles late in the first round. Draft history proves that good big men go early, and even those who are risks, go early. Its rare to find a talented big man who dropped below 20 or so in the draft. And "shooters" also don't tend to be available that late unless there are other problems with their games.
The only way the Knicks take Green is if they're packaging either Marburry, Francis, Nate, Collins or Crawford in a deal.
Unless they're getting rid of one or two of the above to get an outside shooting small forward. They're is no need for another point guard.
And wasn't it the other guard (sorry I can't remember his name) that was deadly from the outside on that Florida team. If he doesn't get drafted (or is even in the draft) invite him to the summer league team. And if does well hopefully we don't let him wind up on the Bob Cats like that other kid (sorry I can't remember his name either) that was on Knicks summer league team the Bob Cats scooped up.
Look towards Europe or South America man. Every playoff team has one or more on they're team. Why can we have one?
Are u guys kidding? A pure shooter in this league is a rarity. I think Morris Almond may go beforethe 23rd pick. If he does not we must take him. whether we plan to trade Jamal or not we have to take Almond.
The harsh truth is that if Almond is truly a "pure shooter," then he's gone by 23. How many Ray Allen's are there? Also, Isiah has said he's taking a "project," and so I think you can look for more of a reach draft pick.
YES!!!! all we need now is anova midget///!!save the green, spend the paper !!!
Get me a damn P O W E R ,F O W A R D !!!!{spelled} it out 4 the KNICKS......
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