I think it boiled down to them feeling both players had a chance to be special, but Ntikilina presented the lesser risk to be a bust.
Like you said, there were 5 guards most felt were in the same class, after the top 3 were gone...
DSJ, Ntikilina, Monk, Kennard, and Mitchell.
DSJ went 9th and the other 2 went 11-13. SAC was in a great position b/c they just took Fox, they have Buddy, so they didn't need another G. They knew they could trade from 10 to 15&20 bc they knew F/C would still be there bc the run on last top Gs were taking place.
Would I prefer Justin Jax and Harry Giles to Ntikilina? Tough call, but probably yeah....
But, for NY, they needed a PG. they could've risked it and lived with the results but odds were that all the PGs would be gone by 15.
I would prefer a stud PG over 2 decent, rotation type forwards. We all agree DSJ is worth rolling the dice, and would prefer that type of talent over the 2 decent prospects.
NYK believe Ntikilina is also that level of player. Otherwise, they trade down.... NY felt Frank is the better 2- way talent over the other options.
This is going to be another Mudiay vs KP situation.
I think if Ntikilina was playing at Mich St last year we would appreciate more what he is, and understand the pick.
I would've gone DSJ but I have to believe we went with Frank b/c they feel he'll be the better player in 5 years... regardless of system.
I think they debated and even leaned toward DSJ.... but his lack of effort on defense, defiance to coaching at times and poor body language on court, along with his medicals and bad record at NC St might've had more to do with tilting the scales, as opposed to Frank being a triangle fit.
I think the saw his size advantage and grittiness to want to play defense and this was more attractive than DSJ's explosive scoring ability.
Gonna be fun to see how this plays out next 5 years.