It?s time to focus on the draft full time now because this team shows no signs of making a playoff push. Tonight, alone is a college basketball fans dream, and most Knick fans have found themselves being college fans over the last 6 years (scouting for us usually begins in February, a little later this year.) This draft is unusually thin, and that?s including players who might come back. Stephen Curry is only a junior, and after his team missed the tourney and busted in the NIT, he might want to come and back and solidify his legacy. After all, he?ll average 30 a game in that conference. Jeff Teague and Al-Farouq Aminu could very well come back after their Wake Forest Demon Deacons got upset by Cleveland State in the first round. Jonny Flynn could return to Syracuse, and if Willie Warren wants to run the show at Oklahoma next season without Blake Griffin he too could come back and compete for a title under Jeff Capel. All in all, this draft sucks, but there are some hidden gems in this draft and some players who I think are grossly overrated.
Overrated
Hasheem Thabeet (UCONN)- I don?t see Hasheem Thabeet having any impact on the next level. Dude has absolutely no offensive game, and his teammates only got him 2 shots in Uconn?s last win over Texas A&M. Sure, he blocks shots and rebounds, but so did Mike Sweetney. That doesn?t automatically equate to success in the pros. Thabeet is a poor man?s Emeka Okafor, and in some people?s eyes (me) he?s a bust in some ways. Considering he was the 2nd overall pick and he?s yet to develop an offensive game (his career high is 15.1,) he clearly hasn?t had a major impact in the NBA. Emeka averaged 4 more points in his final year at Connecticut. Considering that Thabeet struggled mightily against Greg Monroe and Dejuan Blair, it leads me to believe that he will struggle to score on offensive big man. And shot blocking and rebounding don?t merit a top 5 pick.
Stephen Curry (Davidson) - I actually like Curry, and I think he?ll be a Knick, but there are some problems I see with him. First, I think he has a game similar to Kevin Martin. But as Chris said, Martin is 6-7 and therefore has the ability to get some tough shots off. Martin?s a shooting guard, but will Curry be able to play the 2 in the NBA? Secondly, Curry plays against terrible competition, and I can see him being a sub 40% shooter in the NBA. He?s 6′3 and 185. When he?s played top schools, he hasn?t had much of an impact at all. Against WVU, he shots 9-27. Against Oklahoma he shot 12-29. Against Butler he shot 6-23. He could be an impact scorer, or he could be just like Adam Morrison or JJ Redick. Great college players who?s games don?t transfer to the big leagues.
James Harden (Arizona State) - Harden doesn?t have the strength or athleticism to have an impact in the NBA. He looked terrible in the NCAA tournament, shooting a combined 3-18 with 19 points in two games. It looks like he?ll be a top 4 pick, but he?s hurt his stock over the past few weeks.
Underrated
Terrence Williams(Louisville) - I love T-Will. 6-6, 220 pounds of muscle; He?s a man. His jump shot has really improved this year, and he?s a great finisher. He does practically everything for Louisville. 13 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 38% from downtown. He defends (2.4 spg) and his offensive game is improving. I think he can be a lot like Gerald Wallace.
Cole Aldrich (Kansas) - Aldrich is the guy the Knicks should be heavily scouting. A 20 year old 6′11 center averaging 15 points on 60% shooting, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He registered the 6th triple double in NCAA tournament history, with 14 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks against Dayton. In my opinion, he?s a better prospect than Thabeet. He?s a great prospect with a potentially lethal offensive game, and he?ll be there when the Knicks pick.
Honorable Mentions: Sherron Collins, Craig Brackins
