poor mans chris bosh
i really didnt get this draft. the glaring weakness coming in was center and 2 guard and we ended up with a backup combo guard not really starting material and created yet another log jam at forward
were potentially losing a 4 and 1 so we draft to replace the 4 and 1 spots. but fail to adress the missing pieces at the 2 and 5 positions
were just telling everyone sit back and wait for 2010 yet were going to potentially yield a worse team then this season without the reward of a pick. then were gonna expect a superstar to want to come and play here with what we have
we better have enough bread to sign 2 stars for sure cause if not no one is gonna be eager to come. and even if they 1 star wont make with what is left into a legit team
To be fair, I think we have to wait and see what happens during free agency (and with trades) before we see what product DW throws out there for the 2009 campaign, and what that means for 2010.
Jordan Hill was the 2nd rated big man in this draft. He can play PF & C in D'ant's system. Yes, we replace Lee with Hill.... BUT, we'll also get something for D-Lee as we send him somewhere.... BUT, it's more than that.
The Knicks hope Hill is somewhere between Boris Diaw & Amare Stoudmire. Lee was never a guy who fit this system, and he was really bad on defense, and had zero offfensive game when it mattered most.
Lee has a better jump shot, is more athletic, is cheaper, taller (?) and is a guy who has improved every uear, and like Lee is a workhorse who is willing to put in the ffort to improve.
NOW, we could have grabbed Henderson instead. He could have been our Bell... Our SG. BUT, to be honest, as a Duke fan, Henderson suffers with fatigue (asthma) and is not really a can't-miss type guy... So, when in doubt go BIG. Why not?
Like you.... I was ticked when they called Hill's name. After Harden got selected 3rd, I thought it was a LOCK we were getting either Evans, Rubio, Curry or Flynn. It didn't work out.... NO sense reaching at 8.... NEVER A BAD THING to pick the 2nd best big man in any draft.
As for Toney Douglas... The kid is good. ACC leading scorer, defensive player of the year, beat UNC, played great against the tough competition.... He's a more all-around player than Nate, and cheaper....
SO, it doesn't hurt replacing Nate & Lee with Douglas & Hill. Nate & Lee were 2 of our best players, so they needed to be replaced. You might even say, the two new chaps are better fits for our system, and both play better defense.
LOOK AT IT THIS WAY: Being we drafted at 8 & 29.... We should be PSYCHED we got these two guys.... their talent is better than where they were drafted. You cannot complain.
PLUS, we did address the C position: we got Darko. We'll probably sign Gortat, and that gives us three Cs (if you count Curry).
We still need a PG & a SG... but, what was really available to us? AND, we have to wait and see what comes next month.
SO, Henderson might turn out to be a solid player, & Hill a bust. Those are the risks.... BUT, Henderson would have been a reach at 8.... Hill was not.