04-07-2008, 03:01 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Sexy Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 11,462
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Walsh - We Can't Make A Mistake With Our Lottery Pick
Quote:
-- KnicksNew York Knicks  president Donnie Walsh admitted at his introductory press conference he will not have a "magic wand" this summer to make this mismatched roster disappear.
Walsh cautioned he may not shake it up right away because the franchise is committed to not taking on long-term contracts, with the goal of getting under the salary cap after the 2010 season - when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be free agents.
Walsh probably will not wield the $5 million mid-level exception that Thomas spent so unwisely on for Jerome JamesJerome James and Jared Jeffries. Trading Stephon Marbury's and Malik Rose's expiring contracts for a solid player with a long-term deal will not happen either.
"I think we can do it," Walsh said. "But not through free agency where it would impact two, three years from now and not trades that are going to impact two, three years from now. Of course there's a draft choice involved."
The Knicks' lottery pick is vital, especially after two straight years of watching the Bulls take their spot in Secaucus. Tied for the fourth seed with Memphis, the Knicks (20-56) still can fall to No. 2.
"We can't make a mistake with that kind of pick," Walsh said. "Case closed."
Even if the Knicks don't select 1 or 2 and miss out on Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley and Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, there still are building blocks from 3-to-7 and a handful of point guards who could help.
USC's O.J. Mayo, Arizona's Jerryd Bayless, a great 3-point shooter, and Indiana's Eric Gordon are all projected as potential point guards. Mayo may be the most polished at age 20, but doesn't have the giant upside of the others. Some scouts believe Gordon may turn into an undersized shooting guard because he doesn't have a strong handle.
Potential top 6 picks also include two small forwards - one of the Knicks' weakest spots - LSU's Anthony Randolph, an aggressive scorer, and shotmaker Dante Green of Syracuse.
One college scouting director said he wouldn't be surprised if Walsh, if stuck at 5, takes a small gamble on Texas A&M's shot-blocking center DeAndre Jordan, whom he compares with a young Theo Ratlif. The Knicks have been dead last in shot-blocking two straight seasons. Stanford 7-footer Brook Lopez is another big-man candidate.
"Donnie's not afraid," the scouting director said, noting Walsh plucked Al Harrington out of high school and chose European project Rik Smits at 2.
If the Knicks get lucky at the May 20 lottery, Walsh will not have to think too hard. Beasley is a consensus No. 1, with Rose solidly behind him.
"Everyting comes easy for [Beasley]," the director said. "It's almost like he's not even trying."
And Rose? "He's like a Chris Paul type, an unbelievable combination of strength and quickness," the director said. "The knock is he's an average shooter."
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http://www.nypost.com/seven/04062008...ick_105245.htm
I want Beasley, but the damn Heat will probably end up getting him! Ugh!
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Walsh - We Can't Make A Mistake With Our Lottery Pick
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