The 'If they trade down' workouts
I'm expecting Donnie Walsh will keep us guessing until draft night.
What do you make of the six he brought in to work out on Wednesday? You're talking about two very tantalizing projects in Joe Alexander and JaVale McGee and a sort of potential Rajon Rondo-type in Russell Westbrook. Chase Budinger is a late first-rounder at best. Sundiata Gaines and Steven Hill? Euroleague bound, for sure.
None are the type you take at sixth overall, so you have to figure there are a few players here to consider if he swaps the six for a pair of picks later in the first. Or if he somehow picks up another first. Or second.
Next week we'll likely see more of the legit high-lottery types, such as Danilo Gallinari, OJ Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, et al. But then again, maybe we won't. I heard Donnie did not want to make the workouts open to the media (they're not really open, we are just given access to the players after the workout is finished). There are a lot of times when teams work out players they are really targeting and don't make it public, so who's to say Walsh doesn't pull one of those in the next few weeks. It's all about the poker face, baby.
Donnie loves to tell the story of how he had Reggie Miller in mind the whole time in the 1987 draft, while everyone else predicted he would take Hoosier homeboy Steve Alford. Walsh said he knew he was taking Miller well before the draft, but kept it to himself until the Pacers were up to make the 11th overall pick.
As for Wednesday's group, which was run by Herb Williams and observed by Walsh and Mike D'Antoni, I came away from the interview process most impressed with Alexander, the freakishly athletic kid from West Virginia. He's quite a confident dude -- "I don’t think there’s anybody in this draft that stands above me," he said -- and yet it isn't all brash arrogance or cockiness. He's very matter-of-fact, low-key and cerebral in a Mike Mussina kind of way.
“In these workouts you only have a short time to show your skills, so you have to mentally focus," he said. "And if the guys say this isn’t enough time to showcase their skills, well, in a game, how many shots are you going to take? You only get a small window to show what you can do.”
So I asked him if he did things in the workout to showcase some of his skills that are specific to the Mike D'Antoni system.
“Yeah, that’s part of thinking the game that I learned under Coach [Bob] Huggins in that I don’t just go out there and try to run as fast as I can or jump as high as I can," he said. "I think about what’s going on. For example, I know D’Antoni likes guys that run on the fast break, so I was doing my best to sprint as fast as I could on the breaks.”
Here are his stats: Alexander is a legit 6' 8.25" in sneakers, is a solid 220 pounds and has a 6' 11.5" wingspan. He has a 38.5-inch vertical leap and can rise up to 32.5 inches without a step. his 2.99 second three-quarter court sprint was the second-best (Arkansas' Sonny Weems did a 2.96) at the NBA predraft combine.
Student of the game? Alexander did his homework on the D'Antoni style and came prepared. He said his main strength is that he can run, get out on the break and finish. He can rebound and play multiple positions.
“I’m definitely strong enough to guard a four-man and at the same time quick enough to take him off the dribble," he said. "I can set the big-on-big screens that Coach D’Antoni is famous for.”
Ah, but do you have NBA three-point range?
“Yes, sir," he replied. "And I can hit that shot from the corner. I shot really well today.”
If only his game was as polished as he was in dealing with the interview process. I won't pretend to know everything about all of these prospects, but from the information you can gather from scouting reports and college basketball experts, Alexander has tremendous tools but is not quite an NBA-level offensive player. This is a kid you take and mold. He keeps himself in incredible condition and is a tireless worker. I just love his candor, too.
He was asked if he follows the mock drafts. "You have to," he said. "I mean, you think about the draft all day.”
You could tell he didn't put much stock in them, though. I grinned and said, "You mock the mock drafts, don't you."
He smiled back, “I mock them, yes.”
Check out this highlight video of him from the past season. It starts out with him dominating practice scrimmages, but have patience because real game action fills the rest of the video.
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Comments (24)
I didn't see much 3 pointers from Alexander in this video. If he did not shoot much in college, he probably does not have much range. Otherwise, he seems to have a nice game, particularly his shot blocking. But I was thinking he was a 3. Is he a 3 or a 4? He would be undersized for a 4.
man, when this guy gets around the rim, he tries to tear it off! i like this dude, but not sure he's what the knicks need right now. NYK needs to do whatever they need to do -- No. 6, David Lee, Jamal Crawford, whatever -- to get a star. That means getting into the top 3 and getting Beasley or Mayo. I know lots of folks don't like Mayo, but the guy seems focused. And no one doubts his skill set.
(ok, i've been jealous of KnowLedge's awesome tag line -- "Stay tuned for more KnowLedge" for a long time now. So, I'm trying to come up my own. How's this: "That's some sweet music from flybanjo." Or maybe, "Dig that melody from flybanjo." OK, OK I'll keep working on it.)
no offense, but the name "Chase Budinger" sounds like a local newscaster along the lines or ron burgundy.
i watched this kid alot in the big east.
joe alexander has a nice game.
good mid range game.
can make the 3 point shot(he got better as the season went on)
and he can defend.
crazy athleticism
he is the main reason W.virginia made it as far they did.
if walsh is thinking about drafting that italian kid then he should think hard about drafting alexander.
his upside i think is higher.
I got to see Alexander play a number of times this season and was quite impressed. This video highlights him taking it aggressively to the hoop, but I thought his mid- to long range jumper, both off the dribble and catch-and-shoot, was the best I saw in college ball last year and one of the best I had seen in a number of years. He has a terrific post up, turnaround jumper as well and he is definitely athletic. Gets great rise on his jumper and gets very squared up when shooting. He even played pretty decent defense. I think he has to be one of the surest things in the draft, and he can definitely play D'Antoni's style.
@ flybanjo - Keep on strummin'...don't think your there yet w/ the tagline.
I like Alexander, as a I saw him a bunch playing my Huskies in the Big East. I just think even at his size he will be pushed around a lot esp. at the 4 spot.
Keepin' it Old School...
(see that, flybanjo made me start it now too!)
DKA - I only saw him in the tournament but that was the thing that struck me about him as well - the precision of his technique, the height on his turnaround, the body control to get square in the air and create a stable platform for his shot. Way beyond the other kids. I think the undeveloped part of his resume refers to his ballhandling at this point in time. From seeing how scrupulous he is with his shooting technique and how gifted he is athletically, I don't think learning the NBA carry and 4 step layup will be a problem for him. Though these tapes of dunks don't do much for me, the thing you see here is he's atttacking the rim from all angles off whatever footing he gets at the moment - he has the body control and confidence to basically just launch himself towards the rim and let the gods take care of the rest. That kind of approach belongs only to elite athletes.
Zach to Philly rumored over at Draft Express:
"One trade that is making the rounds would involve the Knicks sending Zach Randolph and the rights to the #6 pick to Philadelphia for a smaller contract, such as Reggie Evans, and the rights to the #16 pick—after July 1st (when Philadelphia’s cap space kicks in). New York would move into position to have significant cap space in the summer of 2010 (possibly to make a run at LeBron James) by unloading the 17.3 million dollars owed to Randolph in 2010/11, and would still be able to keep David Lee around.
Philadelphia would fill a big void at power forward with a 20 point per game scorer in Zach Randolph, and possibly pick up one of Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo or Eric Gordon in the process, while only sacrificing the 8-9 million dollars they are expected to have in cap space, which likely wouldn’t get them very far anyway."
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Word-on-the-Street-Workouts,-Trade-Rumors-Heat-Up-2915/
I'm an Evans fan from way back. The "Nutcracker" has the motor and the nasty you need in a PF.
If we are looking at late picks wheen the smoke clears, the description of this french kid intrigues:
-"Rodrigue Beaubois and his agent Bill McCandless are conducting an open workout on Sunday the 8th in Atlanta that is expected to draw multiple NBA teams (Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis, New Jersey, LA Lakers, possibly others)."
Rodrigue Beaubois
Not only has the buzz around Beaubois refused to die down from last season, it’s actually more alive than ever. Still, it’s not because he has blown away anybody this season with his playing level. Nevertheless, his playoff outing was rather intriguing, managing to combine for 18 points in the 32 minutes he spent on the floor during the two games that Le Mans needed to send Beaubois’ Cholet home.
People just love his potential, his athleticism, wingspan, defense, ball-handling or even his pretty decent shooting touch. I still question his stature as a playmaker, his ability to create, to run a team. He has made strides during the season, but he’s likely not ready to take the NBA step.
Beaubois is in the States right now, working out for as many teams as possible until the June 16th deadline. He will not be participating in the Treviso Eurocamp this week. If he does not receive a promise in the first round, he will pull his name out, and hope to translate his strong momentum into a very good season in France next year.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Rodrigue-Beaubois-1298/
Wingspan, Defense - why not a draft and stash a la (note the use of the French) Spurs? Bring him in after Steph is gone to understudy at the point.
And hey, D'Antoni, why not apply your big basketball brain to a defensive system, "Seven Seconds or Less" of shot clock for the other team to execute their half court offense? Make speed on the perimeter the hallmark on defense as well. Use Balkman, Jeffries, Collins, Lee, Chandler, Robinson, from 3/4 court back to trap and push the guards sideways. Pick up all over the court. Get a Westbrook or this french kid to pressure pg's, get Nate to play the right way on defense. You've got plenty of length with little skill in Balkman, Jeffries, Collins, and Chandler has good size too. Now that would blow some gaskets amongst the NBA intelligencia!
That highlight tape really doesnt show what JA can do. His jumpshot is freakishly smooth. I remember him playing GTown in the tourney, breaking down (if I remember right) Sommers, and draining the J. You cant guard him with a small because he posts up, and his turnaround is money. You cant do it with a big because he drives right by them. I'd love to trade down and pick him up. He reminds me of Balkman with a silky J. If RB EVER got a J like this....
I should say, if we trade down, I'd love to get JA.
If the Knicks trade down far enough, I'd prefer they take D.J. Augustin because he's the most polished point guard after Derrick Rose.
Al, any truth to this Zach Randolph and the 6th to Philly for Reggie Evans and the 16th?
Interesting...
Retired guard Allan Houston was not part of the draft workout, but he might be part of the Suns' plans. Houston has been a recent regular for workouts at US Airways Center.
Houston, who retired in 2005 because of knee problems, visited Suns forward and former teammate Grant Hill in April to see what the Suns' acclaimed athletic trainers did for him and others with tough health histories.
Keepin' it Old School.
>Al, any truth to this Zach Randolph and the 6th to Philly for Reggie Evans and the 16th?
I hope not.
WE have pleny of time to unload the Randolph contract. The more time that passes, the easier it gets. I would HATE to give up the #6 just to move Zach a little quicker.
Alexander is a good pick if we trade down for another first round pick in this years draft. He looks like a good shooting guard or small forward. Kinda like a Ginobili or Bowen. We need more tough players that lay it all out on the court every night. We have enough role players we need guys who can lead. We have a good band with no lead singer.
I would wonder if any Pistons will be on the market after Flip got flipped out of Detroit. Rasheed for Randolph - didn't they play together?
W.C - Interesting point. Next year, Zach will presumable have higher trade value (shorter contract, can't more negatively impact the team than he did last year), and it might make sense to hang onto him for another year to make the move.
But, if you have a taker, wouldn't you want to trade him, even if it's to shake things up? He fits terribly with this team, especially if Curry's still around. And he doesn't seem like he'd work well in D'Antoni's system.
This is a top-heavy, deep draft, where the talent level of number 6 could look a lot like that of number 16. I'd take a lower pick (preferably more than one of them) if we could move Z-bo.
I'd love to move Zach. I'm just not in such a hurry that I want to give away anything that will make us better 2-3 years from now when I consider next year nothing more than a transition year anyway.
I like what I've heard about Vanilla Sky, as Joe Alexander has been knicknamed.
W.C.
"I'd love to move Zach. I'm just not in such a hurry that I want to give away anything that will make us better 2-3 years from now when I consider next year nothing more than a transition year anyway."
I'm with you on that point. Alot of the players after the first 1-3 picks might take more time to develop as most are noted as having "question marks." But being that next season will mostly be transitional in nature, the player we get at the 6th slot will have time to develop under an atmosphere of relatively less scrutiny than other Knick regimes.
I get the feeling Knick fans keep saying that they have the patience to rebuild but, there reticence to let a player with a high ceiling get drafted, and of course hopefully develop, belie that so called patience.
If Rose Beasely Mayo are off the books here are the players the Knicks should consider taking.
@ around the 6th slot
Randolph, Bayless, Gordon, Westbrook, Love.
If we trade down, ... around the middle 1st round ...just not to far down though!
Joe Alexander, Robin Lopez, Javale McGee
Have to say I'm a big supporter of moving Zach and moving him now. I don't see his value rising, but possibly dropping. Zach will not, in my opinion, fit in with anything Dantoni will want to do. Also, the knicks won't be able to move Curry this summer unless they took back some terrible, TERRIBLE, contracts. So I would think the goal is to move Zach now, get Curry to resemble what he did the year before and then trade him for something of value next summer. We have to clear out some of these guys and rebuild. I, for one, can have the patience to wait out this process over a 2-3 year period if we have a plan and stick with it.
Hey guys,
Anyone have any insight on what role Isiah is going to play in this year's draft? If any?
Looking at this highlight reel of JA, I'd betempted to include David Lee in a deal. JA has more offensive game than D. Lee and including Lee in a package can get you something better in return. So maybe we keep #6 and add a late first round pick for a package that includes Lee. Keep Zach,and maybe let Curry go and with late first round pick take shot-blocking rebounding center as everyone is assuming we'll be running more and relying on the perimeter skilled players. Still have Zach for inside along with JA and maybe more playing time will improve Randolph Morris' confidence and game. Jerome James is still there too so maybe late first round pick can be used on a Russell Westbrook.
My Mock Draft
Chi. 1 M. Beasley
Mia. 2 O.j. Mayo
*Min. 3 D.Rose
Sea. 4 J. Bayless
Mem. 5 K. Love
*Nyk. 6 Anthony Randolph
Lac. 7 Eric Gordon
Mil. 8 R.Westbrook
Cha. 9 B.Lopez
Njn.10 D.Jordan
Ind.11 D. Augustine
Sac. 12 M.Chalmers
Por.13 D.Greene
GsW. 14 M. Speights
* Trade... Knicks Trade A. Randolph, Nate Rob, David Lee... To Min... 4... D.Rose, Expiring Contract...