With the first of two first round picks, the Knicks
will pick at the 24th spot.  They have as a net GM:

  Alan Sepinwall


The Knicks select:

  Arturas Karnishovas, SF, 6-10.  Seton Hall.

===================================================
TEAM NEEDS
----------
At the time that I'm writing this, the Knicks have just knocked 
off the Bulls and are getting ready to face the Pacers in the 
Conference Finals. The Knicks have now overcome two big 
hurdles in the Nets and Bulls, and the only remaining team that 
I think can beat them are the Rockets (though I think the 
Pacers and Jazz can both give them a tough ride). If the Knicks 
do indeed fail to win the title, it will all come down to one 
thing: scoring. Put simply, we can't do it on a regular basis. At 
times, our offense can feed off our defense, and that's usually 
enough for us to win, but we can often look damned inept with 
the ball.  I feel that the thing to concentrate on this offseason 
(win or lose the title) is to get some players who can score, 
particularly at point guard and small forward, but who can also 
play at least decent defense. This can partially be accomplished 
in the draft, as we have two first-rounders, but we can also 
make some other moves. We have a number of free agents who 
will be departing in all likeleyhood (Ro Blackman, Herb 
Williams, and Tim McCormick, among others) which will give us 
some room to seek free agents or trades. Here's an analysis of 
the Knick roster, position-by-position.

CENTER: Patrick Ewing has slipped a little, but not so's you'd really
notice. And while he may only be able to be considered the third or
fourth best center in the league, when the guys ahead of you are named
Olajuwon, Robinson, and (maybe) O'Neal, you really have little to be
ashamed of. Patrick is still probably the finest jump-shooting center
in the game's modern era and is a fierce intimidator. He's less
athletic than the other members of the Big Four, but the only place
you really notice that is in his lack of great shot-blocking skills.
Year after year, critics say that Ewing's knees could go at any
minute, and that he only has a year left at the top. I don't buy it.
He' still got plenty of fire (especially if he doesn't win a title
this year) and the pain from his knees seems less and less important
(it's been over three years since he's been sidelined for any kind of
knee injury).  The only real problem the Knicks have in the near
future for the center position is for the 5-10 minutes a game when
Patrick sits. Herb Williams has done well when called the past two
years, but he likely won't be resigned, as we need the cap room to
concentrate on other areas. And, as there likely isn't a good center
to be found at 24 or 26, the Knicks will either try to pluck someone
out of Europe or else go with Charles Smith and/or Charles Oakley in
the middle for a few minutes a night, which would be at worst adequate
(and which would be good for Smith, who likes the low-post but can't
usually get it with Patrick in the game).

POWER FORWARD: The Knicks definitely do *not* need any help 
at power forward. They have the best defender in the game for 
the position in Charles Oakley, who is the heart and soul of the 
Knicks. His rebounding, defense, leadership, and willingness to 
do the dirty work would be nearly impossible to replace if he 
were to ever leave. Oak can score about ten a game, which is all 
you need (though if he could jump at all, he would score at 
least 8 more points a game and be a perrenial All-Star). In 
addition, Anthony Mason, Anthony Bonner, and Charles Smith 
are all better suited for power forward than small forward, 
though all three play more at the 3, since Oak plays so much. 
And speaking of small forward......

SMALL FORWARD:  Here is one of the Knicks' two big problems. 
Charles Smith was supposed to be the savior two years ago 
when he arrived, but his play has been extremely up-and-
down (though he's played extremely well in reduced minutes 
in the playoffs). The problem is that he's more of a natural at 
power forward, or even center. When he was on the Clips and 
had the post all to himself, the man could score at will. On the 
perimeter, and forced to defend guys a lot quicker than he is, 
he's much less effective. He could be trade bait for a purer 
small forward (despite his huge contract and injury problems, 
the guy *is* talented). Anthony Mason could be a tremendous 
6th Man, but his ego very often gets in the way, because he 
thinks he's much better than he is. In that case, he must think 
he's an All-Star. At 6'7" and a very buffed 250 lbs., he can 
rebound like a power forward, run like a small forward, can 
handle the ball like a point guard, and plays terrific defense at 
three positions (I once saw him effectively guard Shaquille 
O'Neal). He's integral in the Knicks' beating any kind of 
pressure defense. However, he thinks he's a great player on 
offense, and he's not. His shooting range is limited, and when 
he gets the ball down low, he does about a thousand pump 
fakes that fool no one and give all the opposing team's shot-
blockers plenty of time to get in position to stuff him. Plus, 
Mase has bitched publicly several times about his role on the 
team, and may be moved in the offseason. As for Anthony 
Bonner, though he hasn't played much in the playoffs, he's 
done a terrific job at whatever he's asked to do. He's quick, 
strong, can jump over anyone, and can disrupt the hell out of 
an opposing team's offense. However, he has absolutely zero 
shooting range. If it's not a layup or a dunk, it ain't goin' in.
The Knicks' big need at this position is to find someone with a 
*very* reliable outside shot and pure small forward skills who 
can play decent defense (ie, a small forward version of Hubert 
Davis).
  
SHOOTING GUARD:  
When both are healthy, the Knicks have a terrific one-two 
punch at off-guard. Hubert Davis supplies consistent offense 
and smart play, and John Starks tough D, explosiveness, and 
plenty of clutch buckets.  Don't judge Starks by the mediocre 
way he's played through the bulk of the playoffs Q his mobility 
is still severely hampered by the knee injury he suffered late 
in the season. When he has all the spring in his legs, he can 
shoot treys and drive to the basket with the best of them, and 
is also posesser of a lethal mid-range pull-up jumper. Starks' 
biggest problem is that he's been given a free rein for so long 
by Pat Riley that he often plays out of control, hoisting up brick 
after brick. However, he's the Knicks' best player at creating 
shots for his teammates (he led the team in assists per game). 
Hubert Davis, on the other hand, is one of the smartest young 
players I've seen in a while, and his jump shot is oh so sweet. 
He can also put the ball on the floor and go to the hoop, and he
has an uncanny mental connection with the basket. His biggest 
problem, other than the fact that he's only average defensively, 
is that he usually can't create outside shots for himself, relying 
on screens and kick-outs. This position needs little help, 
provided both guys are 100% at the start of next season.

POINT GUARD:
Greg Anthony and Derek Harper are both defensive studs (as is Doc
Rivers, who should be back and healthy for next season) who, as the
season and the playoffs have progressed, have become fairly clutch
shooters. However, neither one is particularly deft at creating shot
opportunities for their teammates, which is the key at the point guard
spot. Both have the speed to blow past the defense to the hoop, but
both also miss a lot of layups, and neither one is especially good at
kicking the ball out once the defense is drawn. The Knicks' top
priority (even more so than at small forward, where the Knicks can at
least get by) is to find a point guard, either via draft, trade or
free agency, who can drive and dish and get good shots for Ewing,
Starks, and the small forward. However, with none of the three points
(including Doc) a free agent, something's got to give. Expect at least
one if not two to be traded to a team even more in need of a point
guard than the Knicks are (San Antonio comes to mind). Until the
Knicks can get a true point guard who can create good shots for his
teammates, they are gonna look damn ugly (like they are in the Indiana
series). I doubt that we can find a guard like that in the draft
(especially picking as low as we are), but I still think we should
draft one just in case.

MY SELECTION:
-------------
Arturas Karnishovas, SF from Seton Hall. I may be slightly biased,
being a native Jerseyite, but I've watched Arturas play for four years
now, and quite frankly, he was my number one objective going into the
draft (considering how late I'd be picking) and I'm thankful that he
fell into my lap.  Arturas is a very smart player who rarely, if ever,
makes mistakes and he has the game of a true small forward, something
that the Knicks desperately need.  He can knock down the trey
consistently (an element the Knicks desperately need, especially when
John Starks is cold) and has a very pretty offensive game. Arturas
also plays solid defense and can rebound (when he's playing inside).
He's also a very good passer. In all, I think he would be a perfect
fit for the Knicks, and would make (at worst) a great backup small
forward (who he'll be backing up remains to be seen).  I dunno if
Arturas is the 'poor man's Toni Kukoc' like it says in the scouting
report, but if he is, it would bring a big smile to the face of this
Knick fan.

OTHERS CONSIDERED:
------------------
Don't want to say that yet, since I have another pick coming. 
However, I will say that Arturas was my number one choice, 
and I probably would've picked him regardless of who was on
the board after the first 15 picks or so.

WHO THEY'LL PROBABLY TAKE:
--------------------------
Hopefully, Karnishovas, but if Eddie Jones is still around, that 
may be a possibility.


OTHER MOVES:
------------
I'll talk about that with my next pick (along with the other 
stuff).
===================================================================
Draft Summary

1.  Milwaukee Bucks
    GM:   Bobby Davis 
    Pick: Glenn Robinson, PF, 6-8.  Purdue University.
2.  Dallas Mavericks
    GM:   Theo Wendt 
    Pick: Jason Kidd, PG, 6-4.  Cal.
3.  Detroit Pistons
    GM:   Eric Iverson 
    Pick: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
4.  Minnesota Timberwolves
    GM's: Kevin Hansen 
          Toni Morgan 
    Pick: Donyell Marshall, SF, 6-9. Connecticut
5.  Washington Bullets
    GM's: Jim Nagle 
          The Crossjammer 
    Pick: Juwan Howard, PF, 6-10. Michigan
6.  Philadelphia 76ers
    GM's: Brent Halliburton 
    Pick: Yinka Dare, C, 7-0. George Washington
7.  Los Angeles Clippers
    GM:   Paul Osmond 
    Pick: Carlos Rogers, PF, 6-11. Tennessee State
8.  Sacramento Kings
    GM's: Don Hearth 
          Daniel W. Huang 
    Pick: Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9.  Louisville
9.  Boston Celtics
    GM:   Ellie Cutler 
    Pick: Lamond Murray, SF, 6-7.  Cal
10. Los Angeles Lakers
    GM:   Kosh 
    Pick: Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan
11. Seattle Sonics
    GM:   Aaron Gill 
    Pick: Wesley Person, SG, 6-6.  Auburn
12. Miami Heat              
    GM:   Rob Clough 
    Pick: Sharone Wright, C, 6-11. Clemson
13. Denver Nuggets
    GM's: Rick Grubin 
          John Exby 
    Pick: B.J. Tyler, PG, 6-1. Texas
14. New Jersey Nets
    GM:   Matthew Mitchell 
    Pick: Dontonio Wingfield, PF, 6-9. Cincinnati
15. Indiana Pacers          
    GM:   Richard Burton 
    Pick: Charlie Ward, PG, 6-0. FSU
16. Golden State Warriors 
    GM:   Mike Moore 
    Pick: Eric Montross, C, 7-0. UNC
17. Portland Trail Blazers  
    GM:   Mike Northam 
    Pick: Jim McIlvane, C, 7-1. Marquette
18. Milwaukee Bucks 
    GM:   Bobby Davis 
    Pick: Brian Grant, PF, 6-8.  Xavier
19. Dallas Mavericks 
    GM:   Theo Wendt 
    Pick: Kendrick Warren, SF, 6-8.  Virginia Commonwealth
20. Philadelphia 76ers
    GM:   Brent Halliburton 
    Pick: Voshon Lenard, SG, 6-4.  Minnesota
21. Chicago Bulls
    GM:   Andy Knipp 
    Pick: Eric Piatkowski, SG, 6-7.  Nebraska
22. San Antonio Spurs
    GM:   Varun Singh 
    Pick: Khalid Reeves, PG, 6-1.  Arizona
23. Phoenix Suns
    GM:   Curtis Hill 
    Pick: Aaron McKie, SG, 6-7.  Temple
24. New York Knicks
    GM:   Alan Sepinwall 
    Pick: Arturas Karnishovas, SF, 6-10.  Seton Hall.

Next up:
25. Atlanta (or the Clippers)
    GM:   Mark Mitchell