Let Us Get On The Memory Train.
And Go Back 10 Seasons To Kiid's Favorite Knicks Draft Pick.
And Kam's Least Fave GM, Dim Donnie Walsh.
Minny went for Rubio at #5 [Nice] and Johnny Flynn at #6 [Not So Nice], and just when it appeared as though Steph Curry would land in D'Antoni's lap at #8, Golden State took him at #7.
And just because we were in desperate need of a PG, Walsh at #8 did the indefensible (save to his stalwart defender Kiid), by taking PF Jordan Hill, who went on to average 10.5 minutes a game over 24 contests before he was unceremoniously shipped off out of town along with Jared Jeffries in a deal which brought back to NYC the earthly remains of Tracy McGrady.
This is one of the most PG rich drafts in NBA history, as well as some other significant players still in the league.
#8 Jordan Hill
#9 DeMar DeRozan
#10 Brandon Jennings
#17 Jrue Holiday
#18 Ty Lawson
#19 Jeff Teague
#21 Darren Collison
#26 Taj Gibson
#27 DeMarre Carroll
#28 Wayne Ellington
#29 Toney Douglas
#42 Patrick Beverley
#46 Danny Green
#55 Patty Mills
Both of the Knicks picks...gone.
No second rounders, of course, because we all know how useless those are, save for, oh, Beverley, Green and Mills, all still in the league, and with career 3-pt percentages hovering between .375 and .400 (not unlike Collison).
Meanwhile, the Knicks end up with Gibson and Ellington in the twilight of their careers. Jennings had a cameo with the Knicks.
Jennings and Lawson both out of the league.
But Holiday (still only 29) and Teague are still productive players. Jennings had a nice productive stretch for the Bucks, Lawson had a nice productive stretch for the Nuggets, and Collison was a dependable distributor and shooter for numerous teams through last season (not sure why he is not presently on an NBA roster).
So when I read arguments which hold how we should ship Dennis Smith out of town for marginal role players, well, I get kind of, blue.
PS: As for dumping other members of our current roster, such as Morris, for late first rounders, much as I love draft picks, the 2020 Draft is shaping up as one of the weakest in memory, so our chances of getting something tasty are just as promising with the #2 pick we gleaned from the Hornets in the Hernan Gomez trade, as what we might get from the Clippers' draft pick. "But then we might be letting Morris walk for nothing next summer." MAYBE. If so, his contribution to Kevin Knox's development has been manifest.
PPS: Read a very interesting analysis of Coach Miller, which credited him with big improvements in the Knicks by virtue of simplifying our defensive scheme, which you may observe in that Robinson is not picking up cheap fouls when complex switching schemes find him out on the perimeter getting juked by smaller quicker players, while the rim goes undefended. Likewise Frank. All of that switching flummoxed the Knicks, let to confusion, blown assignments, and a flurry of open threes.
PPPS: In simplifying the defense, and making players thus accountable for understandable responsibilities, Miller has thus been able to make the offense way less predictable, less of Fizz's iso-heavy hero ball, with players such as Randle dribbling repeatedly into one-on-three coverage while motherfuckers stood around holding their dicks on the perimeter; more motion without the ball; more decisive cutting and screens; better spacing and ball-sharing. WE SHALL SEE.
PPPPS: While everyone is zoning on Mills and Perry, and Mills' potential power move in bringing David Blatt into the fold, it is worth noting that everyone seems to be zoning on Dolan's ace in the hole, as opposed to Mills' ass in the hold. That is to say...ALLAN HOUSTON, people. Houston has long had a positive relationship with Dolan, and has steadily moved up the ranks. One should NOT DISCOUNT Houston's positive work with our G-League franchise, and, now class, who was Houston's coach in Westchester, and the man he lobbied to be promoted to Fizz's staff, and thereafter, to THE HEAD COACHING CHAIR. Don't think this has escaped Dolan's notice, and if Mills & Perry are to be cashiered, and if Dolan resists his much discredited predilection for big names as his Head Of Basketball Operations (Isiah Thomas Donnie Walsh, Phil Jackson) and does not aimlessly pursue the GMs of Toronto, OKC and San Antonio, Allan Houston could very well provide a touch of continuity with a change of emphasis in the front office moving forward. YOUR THOUGHTS?