Draft Day for the Knicks

New York Knicks President of Basketball Operations Isaiah Thomas recently stated that, had his team selected first in the draft, he still would have grabbed Arizona C Channing Frye. Now while that might be a bit of a stretch, the Knicks did have a successful draft. Many New Yorkers might not be happy, but then again, how many of them are for more than 10 seconds at a time?

Start by looking at their first pick, Frye at #8 overall. The fans in the Garden seemed pleased, but talk radio the next morning sounded anything but. Let's be honest, Frye is not going to be the next Shaq or Duncan. An excellent shot blocker listed at a lithe 6-11, 248 lbs, he could at least turn out to be the next Marcus Camby. Before you jump to conclusions about this guy, ask yourself- what team wouldn't want a big guy that can run the floor, post up, and block shots? Keep in mind that the Knicks were LAST in the league in blocks per game (while Frye is the 2nd leading shot blocker all-time in the Pac-10), not to mention majority of bull work in the post will be done by Malik Rose, Michael Sweetney, Jerome Williams, and the #30 pick overall, Florida F David Lee. All of these forwards give the Knicks some viable trade bait as well.

The next move on draft day (which I am absolutely thrilled with) is the Kurt Thomas for Quentin Richardson and Washington G Nate Robinson deal. Yes, they traded a double-double every night...one which slowed down players like Marbury and Crawford and barely had a post game. Richardson is coming off a league-leading performance in 3-pointers made, and at 6-6, 230, he can defend and post up bigger guards (something the Knicks struggled with terribly last year). In Nate Robinson, the Knicks get an energetic, athletic young backup to Marbury. What he lacks in size (listed at 5-9) he makes up for in heart and pure hops. He is going to be quite a steal for the Knicks, who are looking more youthful and ready to run than they have for the past decade.