Will the New York Knicks go for a defender or a scoring option in the upcoming draft? NBA Draft Special
The New York Knicks, who were routed in the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals 4-0 by the Boston Celtics, are now looking to strengthen their roster through their 17th pick in the upcoming 2011 National Basketball Association
Draft.
The NBA Draft is on 23 June and the teams with the worst record in the regular-season or the teams, who have bought the draft rights from worst record holding sides, will look to make the best of the opportunity on Thursday.
Although the Knicks fortified their offense first by acquiring Amar’e Stoudemire and then All Star Carmelo Anthony in a much hyped mid season trade, but after the playoffs meltdown this season, the franchise has realised that they
need to form a good array of shooters and defenders around Stoudemire and Anthony. This will not only lift the extra burden on the two super stars, but also help them in the longer run.
Donnie Walsh the ex-President of the Knicks, said, “We have the stars” who certainly ought to be respected. “They will do what they do, and we’re lucky to have them”. Having said that Walsh also admitted that, “You need more than
that” to claim the title.
Walsh explained his statement through the examples of the supporting players, who performed extremely well during the playoffs and helped their sides win crucial games. The 2011 NBA Draft is relatively weak as compared with the
previous years’ drafts, but the Knicks doesn’t require another aggressor or a starter in their line-up, all they need is a facilitator regardless of what spot he plays at.
For this very reason the Knicks brought in several senior and junior players in their workouts. Some of them were inspiring and they would be on their radar on Thursday. The list includes former No. 1 pick Mychal Thompson’s son
Klay Thompson, who reminded Walsh of Reggie Miller. Walsh was the one, who picked Miller from the 1987 draft.
However, it is believed that Thompson might get picked up by someone else before the Knicks get a hold of him. Then there is Jimmer Fredette, who is the leading scorer of the nation and tallied 28.9 points in each game during the
college basketball season. Fredette will be a good addition to the squad.
For the Knicks it would be better if they go for a scorer rather than for a shooter. Marshon Brooks and Tobias Harris falls in the scorer category, Brooks thumped 52 points to set new Big East record in the previous season, while
Harris is rated as the next Anthony because of his super set of skills.
If the Knicks will opt for a defender then Iman Shumpert of Georgia Tech is the player to look for. The young gun is offensively weak, but when comes to all round talents Shumpert can provide a good support to the two stars in
the Knicks.
The list includes quite a handful of talents in the upcoming draft, but only time will tell what decision the Knicks will take on Thursday.
Tags: