2011 draft.....

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Ok, it's all speculation based on who these guys have played up to this point. It's gambling. But I'm not sure Knight is that much better than Nolan Smith - if at all. And Smith can be had in the late first round.

I'm not advocating even getting Smith. I'm making the point that the PG position is one you can fill much more easily than you can a talented big.

You are aware Nolan Smith is a senior, and was on a stacked Duke team (not that Kentucky was half bad either). Where as Knight is a Freshman (who I think skipped a grade somewhere in his life because he only turns 19 in December). Chances are Knight is going to do some major improving in the 5 year age difference there is between him and Smith.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Its actually closer to 4.4 years age difference.

 

[NCJazz]

Wow, completely missing the point. Evans is a very good NBA player. Calipari does a great job finding guys that can play in the NBA. Odds are, Knight will also be a very good NBA player.

Right, but not a good PG. Risky drafting a guy based on his college coach, but I would only be a little disappointed if we drafted him at 3. Some UK guys of course come out when they shouldn't. See Daniel Orton.

 

[margodydek]

Impossible to say since we really haven't seen him play anyone outside his age range.

And the freshmen played primarily against kids a year or two older who weren't good enough to get drafted the prior year, so what's the difference?

 

[Bodhi]

Another thing on Knight, calling him young is a semi understatement. He's actually barely 18 (isn't there a periodical for that ?) and actually younger than Austin Rivers and other 2012 kids. Considering he was 17 when he took the reigns at Kentucky, I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the early season issues. Coach Cal has a history, the kid is ultra smart, has a high Bball IQ and gym rat. We could do MUCH worse, IMO.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

And the freshmen played primarily against kids a year or two older who weren't good enough to get drafted the prior year, so what's the difference?

2-3 years difference. Plus they are playing in actual games that matter towards a championship, not an All-Star game individual players use to boost their hype.

 

[margodydek]

2-3 years difference. Plus they are playing in actual games that matter towards a championship, not an All-Star game individual players use to boost their hype.

Enes was playing professionally at 16 against grown men.

 

[BENTLEY]

Ok, but again people are basing a lot of their love for Knight on his youth. Which to me is idealizing and fantasy. The same youth argument can be used in regards to a big. Kanter is a big who has an impressive resume - which many discount because he wasn't playing against NBA competition. But the same applies to a guard.

Sam Bowie arguments aside, bigs are a premium. You don't want to pass on a Michael Jordan but do people really see the next MJ in Knight? I don't. Not now, not in 5 years.

 

[BENTLEY]

Another thing on Knight, calling him young is a semi understatement. He's actually barely 18 (isn't there a periodical for that ?) and actually younger than Austin Rivers and other 2012 kids. Considering he was 17 when he took the reigns at Kentucky, I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the early season issues. Coach Cal has a history, the kid is ultra smart, has a high Bball IQ and gym rat. We could do MUCH worse, IMO.

Or we could do much better. The draft is a gamble - and since you can find really good PGs in any draft I wouldn't want to waste this #3 bet on one.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Enes was playing professionally at 16 against grown men.

Yeah, but he was playing small minutes. He wasn't putting up numbers or anything. I understand it's an impressive feat, but I'm going to pull the "What have you done lately" card on this one. There are tons of 16 year old (who appear to be) prodigies who flame out earlier than expected.

 

[margodydek]

Pardon the hyberpole for a second, but Kanter is a hybrid of Pau, KLove and Boozer with the head of Zaza. The man is a mythical beast.

 

[green]

Right, but not a good PG. Risky drafting a guy based on his college coach, but I would only be a little disappointed if we drafted him at 3. Some UK guys of course come out when they shouldn't. See Daniel Orton.

Bad example. Orton is a big guy. Most big guys are busts. My point is Calipari has an eye for NBA guards. Knight has shown he is very talented, very young, and can lead a team. Calipari has shown that he can find and recruit guards that are very, very successful in the NBA. There is no reason to believe Knight will not be a very, very good player in the NBA.