Monday, June 29, 2009

New York Knicks - 2009 NBA Draft

Round 1, Pick 8: Jordan Hill, F, Arizona
Hill is described as very athletic and able to bring many different things to the table. He is described as a good shooter with 3 point ability, a good rebounder and shot blocker. This is a good sign for the Knicks who have lacked such a player since possibly Parick Ewing.

The Knicks need guys who are tough and always around the ball the way Oakley and Mason were in the 90s. If the Knicks can rebound the ball better, there will be more opportunities for scorers such as Chris Duhon, Al Harrington, Nate Robinson and Larry Hughes.

The Knicks need for Hill to play that role. If he can do his part, it will be a big help to turn the Knicks recent fortunes around. The front office seems to be raving over Hill as coach D'Antoni and President of Basketball Operations, Donnie Walsh cannot say enough good about him.

Round 1, Pick 29 (of LA Lakers), Toney Douglas, G, Florida State
The Knicks sent LA cash considerations and a 2011 second round pick. Douglas averaged over 21 point in his senior year and finished second in the ACC Player of the Year voting. He was selected to the ACC First Team and was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

It definitely looks like Douglas can play both sides of the ball well which is always a good thing. The defense sticks out especially since that is an essential part of basketball that seems to have gotten lost in the current era of the game.Douglas' defense alone may earn him a spot on the opening day roster if he looks good in camp and preseason overall. The Knicks have a lot of guards so when selecting the 4 or 5 that make he roster, Douglas' defense may be what causes him to stick out.

The Knicks also traded Quentin Richardson and cash considerations to Memphis for F/C Darko Milicic. At only 24 years old, the Knicks front office think that Milicic can thrive in D'Antoni's system. Milicic brings more rebounding to the Knicks as well as a scoring touch. Hopefully D'Antoni's fast paced system can lead to more scoring chances for Milicic. He will be a help to the team on second chance scoring, another area that has troubled the team for a while.

If healthy and in shape, Eddy Curry may surprise some people and help out on the glass as well as scoring in the paint.

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