ESPN updated mock draft has Knicks drafting Lamelo Ball #4, Jahmi'us Ramsey #26 and Kaleb Wesson #35
insider.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/28717...
insider.espn.comPosted Feb 17, 2020, 6:24 PM UTC
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insider.espn.comOur pick will obviously be determined by our spot in the draft, so no point guessing slots
But I'll say this about Lamelo, he's got an elite passing kit and great BBIQ for a point guard.
His 3pt scoring is the issue but it's largely because of bad shot selection. He will chuck shots at points and plummet his percentage. His defense can also be lazy at times.
But despite all that his passing is so good that he's on top of boards.
I'm kinda split overall on him but if we have a high pick I can see us getting him
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I've been mostly anti-Lamelo but have been coming around on him recently. He's the only guy in the lottery conversation I've watched that is truly elite at something and that's his passing ability.
If you buy RJ's ability to improve as a shooter and Lamelo's shot selection improving I don't think it's a huge problem.
Another guy with an elite skill is actually Aaron Nesmith and his ability to shoot the 3 which just so happens to fit right in. Hoping he's still there by the time that Clippers pick comes around.
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Yea that's pretty much it. He still has a bunch of question marks especially on defensive end (where he can be flat out lazy) but the passing ability stands out.
Their is a lot to like with him because he does so many of the little things right.
I also really like Haliburton. I think he's just straight up the real deal and his 3 pt shot will help any team. At worst I see his floor as a 3 and D guard, so for us that's just win-win. If you're not convinced by Ball's ability to improve his shot then for me that's your alternative.
5
Yeah I have zero interest in Lamelo. For years we've been dying for shooting and the last thing we need is another horrible shooter. His shooting splits are worse than Frank and he chucks like a mad man. No defense and there are questions about his motor which is exactly what everyone is bitching out Knox for.
His passing may be great, but I think we have the makings of decent team playmaking. We just don't have the spacing to make use of it. Flashy passes are nice, but teams will be begging this guy to take shots and just stay home on everyone.
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100% agreed. He seems like fool's gold, and it's incredible to see people, who shit on Frank for not being consistent offensively, tout Lamelo as our lord and savior.
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it's incredible to see people, who shit on Frank for not being consistent offensively, tout Lamelo as our lord and savior.
People only watch youtube highlights of this kid. He basically makes a ton of highlights on very low efficiency. It looks great when only the highlights are shown.
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Yeah, exactly. I'm not gonna pretend like I know jack shit when it comes to evaluating prospects, but it's sad how many people just take highlight reels on faith.
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here’s a scouting report, he’s legit
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I mean you should read the actual scouting reports on him. Elite passing and handle, soft touch around the rim with both hands, size to be an average defender at guard. Streak shooter due to combination of shot selection (partially from his team asking him to bail them out late in the shot clock) and form errors.
If you’re high on him, you buy that his shot improves, making him an elite player. If you’re low you don’t, but he still has solid enough skills to be a starter in the nba a la prime Rondo, his passing and vision are just that good.
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Yes i've read his scouting reports. His passing seems like the only guaranteed to carry over at the NBA level. I'm not high on him as well.
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Agree with both of you. I’m not confident in guys learning to shoot better when they’re NBA. I don’t think we need a flashy passer now, we need guys who can get to the rim and shoot.
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I don't really know anything about him but maybe he's Ricky Rubio? Elite, creative playmaker, bad shooter
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Definitely elite creative playmaker, but without the defense and possibly worst shooting. Motor concerns too.
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Don't like Ball, but Ramsey is fine with he is a good 3 and D guard prospect. Wesson is a really interesting piece for us, but I don't like him. Rather get Tille or Carton
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Surprisingly, they got Tillie at #60 lmao
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Don't know why he's better then Wesson in every way but age.
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Yeah, maybe also because he's 50 lbs heavier.
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Yeah, his pretty decent body is part of it. If Wesson was good he would be a stud lol. He just struggles with a variety of things.
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i love Killian but he’s made of Glass
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True, if it was up to me I would pick another 3 and D player tbh
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Just looked up Wesson. Big guy, looks like a decent shooter. Bring him in
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He's been kind of ass though for Ohio State. Not great shot percentage, not good handles and defense is alright. I think Tille is better in every way. I like the idea though
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Yeah I’m not paying any attention to these guys so imma take your word on it if your watching
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I live for the draft lol. It helps I watch a lot of college ball
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As a diehard Buckeye who has seen every one of Wesson's games at OSU let me say he's not an NBA player.
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he's not an NBA player.
Sounds like a Knicks draftee to me.
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Same here lol not really surprised he's up here though since he's a big man that shoots threes but he's as tall as Bron and Ben
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We really just gonna keep drafting players who can’t shoot huh
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How many games before Lavar Ball is banned from the Garden?
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He’s probably going to request a trade for Melo to the pelicans for Zion after that!
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Now that's a good reason to draft Lamelo
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It’s a win win. We get a RJ and Zion duo, and the pelicans get two of the three ball brothers.
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Pls knicks don't do it!!!! 😭😭😭
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Mock Drafts are honesty the dumbest thing ever . They hold no weight and the dummy fans eat it up like pancakes
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Especially with the new system where the top 3 worst teams get a 14% chance at the first pick. As you know a team like the grizzlies or the pelicans can shoot up into the top 3.
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Hawks and Chicago got fleeced so bad last year . Memphis was not suppose to get Ja lol
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Give me LaMelo #4, Neismith #26 and Neemias Queta #35
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They have Nesmith going at #16
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Wow that’s very high imo. Could happen but I’d be surprised.
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I would trade up for Nesmith. We need a lethal shooter badly and the FA options are going to be older and very expensive if we can even get one. Clippers pick + CHA pick (we don't need 3 more rookies) and either Dot or DSJR can hopefully move us up. if not I might be willing to add Knox. Drafting Nesmith and a legit PG could really help build our core.
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Being an “elite passer” is nice but it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t score. I was a big fan of Lonzo coming out of college and he’s been disappointing exactly because in spite of his passing and BBIQ he can’t put enough pressure on the defense in the half court to create offense for his team. I view Lamelo as most likely a similar player but with even more question marks due to his unorthodox path to the NBA.
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Markus Howard and Miles Powell are both projected to be undrafted? Damn.
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ESPN really trying to speak Ball to NY into existence
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Just say no to Melo.
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Rather select Dani tbh
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Don’t feel comfortable drafting member of the Ball family.
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Lamelo is going to be a bust. We should trade down for some assets and draft Obi Toppin instead.
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Don't worry about the last name. Lamelo is a great prospect. Is he a guarantee? Of course not but is extremely talented and is a potential all-star .
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Zeke Nnaji going at 27 is a steal. He's somebody we should grab.
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ESPN is going to mock whoever is a bigger name to NY tale as old as time
They were mocking Sexton to us in 18 and he wasn't a bigger name
cant believe hes lightyears ahead of knox...
I could give a 3 year old a basketball and he would be lightyears ahead of Knox
I chuckled reading this, thank you
I will say, and i’ve said this on here before - as someone who watches more CBB than anyone i know, Ja Ramsey is going to be a STUD in the NBA.
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