Andy Katz Likes Who The Knicks Worked Out Today, I Think
Doug Gottlieb hasn't said anything silly (recently, anyway), so this week's guest on "Analyzing The ESPN Draft Analyst That Focuses On The College Game But Still Likes To Write About The NBA Draft" is Dr. Andy Katz.
Following up on the news that was the Knicks' NBA pre-draft workout this morning, I bring you even more stuff about the players in attendance.
I know, I know - you really only wanted to learn about Stephen Dennis - but there were more players in attendance that Andy Katz thinks are going to be good despite little-to-no draft hype.
First up is Greivis Vasquez, a 6-foot-6 point guard out of Maryland that was famously profiled here.
Katz says of Vasquez:
Greivis Vasquez, Sr., F, Maryland: Vasquez was the ACC player of the year, so he was hardly a non-factor during the conference season. But he has been poorly tossed to the back of the line because he's a senior, and he wasn't billed as the quickest or the hotest name among point guards. He's behind John Wall, Evan Turner (yes, he has to have the ball in his hands to be effective, so put him in with the point guards), Avery Bradley and Eric Bledsoe.
Interesting, yes? Initially Vasquez is listed as a forward by Katz, which, ya know, well, he's 6-foot-6 so he could maybe play forward. Alright.
Then we find out the juicy insider information, though - he wasn't billed as the quickest or the "hotest" name among point guards (No longer do I have to worry about him playing the 3 in th NBA). Maybe it's just because he's a senior, but he was "poorly tossed" to the back of the line (NBA GM's can't even toss things good!) when it comes to draft-eligible floor generals.
Which floor generals, you ask? The usual, mostly-consensus, first round point guards of the class - John Wall, Avery Bradley, Eric Bledsoe and, uh, Ohio State swingman Evan Turner(?)(!?).
So why is one NBA general manager touting Vasquez as the third best point guard in the draft behind Wall and apparently-now-and-still-from-the-previous-paragraph-point-guard Evan Turner? Well, it's quite obvious you see:
Vasquez actually played the position. He's not as athletic as Darren Collison, the former UCLA standout. A year ago Collison was pushed as a possible second-round pick, but he was selected late first and ended up being a valuable player for New Orleans after Chris Paul was injured. Vasquez could end up serving a similar role to a potential playoff team looking for another experienced point.
He's not as athletic as Darren Collison, so he could end up serving a similar role for a playoff team looking for another experienced point! Amirite? Of course, that's also assumming that Kevin Ollie, Speedy Claxton, Antonio Daniels, Mike Wilks, Jason Hart, Mike James, Brevin Knight and all of the other NBA-experienced point guards without jobs are unavailable. Or that being 23 and playing four years of college ball now counts as "experienced" when talking to NBA personnel (regarding the D-League, it doesn't - but maybe if they're straight out of college it will work).
Katz also mentions that a player competing with Vasquez in New York, Dominique Jones, is earning plenty of praise, saying that the "common comment at the Chicago pre-draft camp was that Jones knew how to score big-time against Big East opponents."
Wisely Katz quickly notes that Luke Harangody was able to score against Big East opponents, but then throws in the caveat that "there are shortcomings with Harangody that teams will have to get over."
No such shortcomings with Jones, then, I presume? Not so fast, Scott Schroeder!
"Anyone good enough to get in the lane will play,'' said one general manager. "His jumper needs a lot of work, but what he can do against second-unit guys in the NBA is score. He can help teams that need a scorer off the bench. He really defends and is a better passer than people think. His interview was off-the-charts good.''
A guard without a jumper, and kind of a position, is but a minor hurdle when it comes to NBA Draft prospects.
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Greivis Vasquez = Mateen Cleaves
Right?
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
by Jon L on May 28, 2025 1:03 PM EDT reply actions
Vasquez is taller and more aggresive
Plus, he has a wetter jump shot. I think he will be a solid bench player. More like Leandro Barbosa without the cavalier attitude.
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on May 28, 2025 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He's not nearly as quick as Barbosa, though, is he?
Also, I wouldn’t call Barbosa’s attitude “cavalier.”
I compared him to Cleaves based on most of what you here about Vasquez; he’s not that athletic and his best attribute is “leadership.” Maybe you’re right and if he’s a better shooter he could stick. I’m just not sure I see it now.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
by Jon L on May 28, 2025 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I like where you're going
Not Mateen Cleaves in the “they both do the exact same stuff”, but that he’s going to be overrated because he was a solid leader for four years in college.
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on May 28, 2025 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I’m just not sure why you draft a guy for “leadership” qualities when he’s going to be the 11th or 12th man on the roster, and I haven’t heard of any other NBA-level skill he has right now other than passing.
Ridiculous Upside, where developing talent and winning are not mutually exclusive.
by Jon L on May 28, 2025 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Tall.
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on May 28, 2025 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you insinuating that Mateen Cleaves shaved his armpits
by JRose on May 28, 2025 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you saying he didn't?
He did.
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on May 28, 2025 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Mateen Cleaves
and I bolded it so you know I’m telling the truf.
Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn
by TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsMichaelBourn on May 28, 2025 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Vasquez is a bit better than that.
He’s a better scorer than he is given credit, though he is probably not the most efficient. Much of his stats are skewed given that the Terps were devoid of talent. I also think he is a legit threat with the pick & roll too. Vasquez will always be at an disadvantage against athletic players but he has a high basketball IQ and an excellent work ethic. I think he’ll excellent back-up point guard, possibly a two guard as well.
by E-ROC on May 28, 2025 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
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