HoopsHype: O'Conner enamored with Brandon Knight

[franklin]

That's the logic that Milwaukee used to draft Bogut and the Pistons used to draft Darko Milicic.

That's the better section of the list. KWAME. NIKOLOZ (5th selection in 2002, but do you even remember the name?) OLOWOKANDI. SHAWN. There are more top pick busts at center than there have been success stories. But everyone from fanz to GM's are fiends for that game altering center. Get a Kendrick or a Big Baby and call it good. The bigger Morris twin is much more likely to have a better career than Enes Kanter, and will probably be the gritty guy you need in post defense. Kanter will defend like Darko, Morris much more like Ben Wallace.

Kanter could not score over the now retired Jarron Collins and probably couldn't defend him either.

 

[vslice02]

There are only a few times in a franchises history are they able to get the #1 center in a draft. If we pass on Kanter, we will regret it. Knight is not Rose or Wall and will take much longer to be successful in the league.

I think everyone will agree Knight won't be Rose (MVP) or Wall (unanimous #1 in 2010), but just because Kanter is the #1 center in the draft doesn't mean he'll be a top-10 center in the league. As mentioned, take the BPA. IMO that's Knight.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

https://hoopshype.com/draft.htm

I'd copy and paste the relevent part, but you can't select anything on that page.

?


3. Utah
Jazz
Brandon Knight 6-3 PG Kentucky / Freshman
Utah GM Kevin O'Connor has been enamored with Knight since the season began and now is in position to grab him as a replacement to Deron Williams. Knight is an absolute gym rat and a tremendous kid who will work hard on his game. The NBA has become a PG-dominated league and Knight has the size and speed to be a standout at the position. He may have some holes and take time to round into a complete point guard, but it's hard to argue with opting for such a strong competitor and character guy here. A clutch shooter, Knight has go to ability with his quick first step and ability to create shots. Long rated at the top or near the top of his class, Knight has elite level speed and quickness for a player his size. Despite lacking much leaping ability, he's a prolific scorer with a killer instinct. Knight has a professional mindset, always looking for ways to improve his game and has worked extremely hard in the weight room resulting in a chiseled physique. He's a big-time shooter, but detractors point to his lack of passing ability/point guard skills. An excellent end to the year guiding UK to the SEC title and two game winners in the NCAA tourney taking them to the Final Four have his stock on the rise.
Comparison: Larry Hughes Stats: 17.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.8 rpg
Rookie season salary*: $4,262,520 Ranking: 2nd Point Guard / 2nd Freshman

Read more: https://hoopshype.com/draft.htm#ixzz1MjPp1OXr

 

[BENTLEY]

There are only a few times in a franchises history are they able to get the #1 center in a draft. If we pass on Kanter, we will regret it. Knight is not Rose or Wall and will take much longer to be successful in the league.

This.

 

[BENTLEY]

Nothing at all tells me that kanter is a franchise center. Nothing. In fact i have seen interviews saying he does not even want to play center. Brandon Knight will be special, maybe not rose or wall special, but a notch below.

Not that special. I don't know what you're basing this on but I'm not sure who's the better PG out of Knight and Nolan Smith. And Nolan Smith can be had in the late 20s. What Kanter-comparable big is in the 20s?

 

[BENTLEY]

Similar to the logic that Portland didn't take Jordan because they had Drex.

Always BPA. Never draft a need. You can always trade later for a need when for established players.

The Jazz are stacked at PF/C. They don't NEED Kanter. But he's BPA.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

I like Kanter. I don't love him, but I certainly think higher of him than most of his detractors on this board. However, I honestly feel that 2 players in this draft have "elite" potential: Brandon Knight and Derrick Williams. KOC was on 1320 yesterday before the lottery and he basically said that when you reach for need, you're going to get burned more times than not and he's 100% right.

Do we need a center? Absolutely, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like Utah can't pass up the chance to take Williams or Knight if they find themselves in position to do so. We can debate about it all day long, but at the end of the day it's pretty simple: If KOC and the Jazz want to avoid botching this #3 pick, they'll simply take the BPA and let it sort itself out over time.

 

[BENTLEY]

Do NOT draft Kanter. He almost looks like a Fes and Memo mixed together

What Fes lacks Memo has. What Memo lacks Fes has. DRAFT KANTER.

 

[Sneakers]

Quote from the article: "CJ Miles is coming along nicely".

 

[Fakers Luck]

Quote from the article: "CJ Miles is coming along nicely".

That about sums up the quality of NBAdarft.com

 

[Revolution 9]

Kanter > Knight, but I still would be happy if Knight ends up on the Jazz.

It will be fun to see who was correct about Knight a few years down the road.
I don't think Knight is a lock to be a star or anything. He has question marks, and could be a meh player in this league.
With that said, let me tell you exactly why I like Knight now, and why I think he will be a good starter/star.

1. Confidence. This guy isn't scared of big games, big shots, or the big stage. He's performed on the #1 team, with a target on his back, and in the tourny.
Imagine if he had Kanter too last year. Wow.
2. A lot of guys have confidence, or are cocky but don't win. Knight won as a starter, and hit game winners. He has done this at every stage so far.
3. Well rounded. He's not as explosive as Deron or Rose, but he's can do a lot of things well. I like his passing skills, like his shot, and love his leadership.
4. He's used to being "the man". This guy can handle the pressure of being a top 6 pick, and having the spotlight on him. Since highschool this kid has
been highly-touted as a player to watch.
5. Work Ethic. Sounds like he is going to bust his *** off to improve from day 1. This is a given with a lot of guys, but at least there aren't any concerns with his character
and fire. Talent + work ethic. He has the tools to succeed.
6. NBA body better than the other top PGs. Taller than walker, as strong or stronger than Jimmer. I think he can finish the +1, and has a body to withstand the NBA. His speed, and agility are NBA caliber.

 

[MDAV28]

Knight is a smart smart kid with great work ethic. He was named Gatorade National Boys Basketball POY twice, Lebron and Greg Oden are the only other ones to win it twice which is worth noting. He had a 4.3 GPA in high school and had an outstanding 4.0 GPA at Kentucky. That in itself is proof that this kid works works works. I was really surprised he was one-and-done actually. I don't think we pass this guy up. Reading things about him in high school and college, it seems like he is the ultimate team player. Point guard is probably the most important spot to have a smart, hardworking player. Wouldn't mind him at 3 at all.