Larry Brown, College of Memphis assistant coach, is an old-schooler, a Corridor of Fame coach who prizes high-motor inside facilities. Just a few years again, 6-foot-11 Memphis freshman heart Jalen Duren would’ve been top-three materials within the NBA draft, even when he's solely 18.
However on this new period, by which facilities are anticipated to shoot 3-pointers, Duren is taken into account merely a mid-to-late lottery choose — one who may very well be there at No. 11 when the Knicks come to bat June 23.
Duren is one in every of 11 prospects up to now invited to the “inexperienced room’’ at Barclays Heart for the draft.
“He’s obtained an amazing physique, an excellent athlete and is extra expert than you assume,’’ an NBA school scout stated. “He’s a few 12 months away, however can are available and rebound now.’’
The Knicks have their share of defensive facilities in Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel and Jericho Sims. However Robinson might flee as a free agent, Noel is ceaselessly an damage concern, and Sims was so frivolously regarded that he went 58th within the draft.
Brown raved about his participant, suggesting Duren may very well be one other Bam Abedayo, the Miami All-Star, solely taller.
Brown revealed he talked to Knicks basic supervisor Scott Perry a couple of weeks in the past about Duren and second-round candidate Josh Minott, the Memphis small ahead who will probably be thought of by the Knicks at 42. The Knicks labored out Minott on Monday.
Duren is the shiny gem due to his particular upside — even when he's considered maybe an excessive amount of of a venture for coach Tom Thibodeau to present approval.
“Lots of people examine him to Bam,’’ Brown advised The Publish from his dwelling in East Hampton. “I hung out with Cal [Kentucky coach John Calipari] when Bam was there. Bam doesn’t shoot 3s both. Jalen is 3 inches taller than Bam.
“Jalen is like after I was a head coach when he had a middle and energy ahead within the NBA. I at all times teased him: I needed him to be like [rugged former Pistons center] Ben Wallace, as a result of he can run with anyone. He actually can run. And may transfer his toes defensively.’’
Brown is aggravated on the development of dismissing facilities who aren’t premier exterior shooters like Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, who will probably be a top-three choose. Brown feels Duren does so many different issues. He gained’t flip 19 till November after reclassifying his senior 12 months of highschool to hitch Penny Hardaway’s Tigers.
“He can move, too,’’ Brown stated. “Plenty of youngsters don’t see people who find themselves open. He’s obtained a really feel. Should you’re open, he can discover you. He’s a prepared passer. His shot isn’t damaged. The folks query his 3-point shot. The child is 6-11, 250 kilos and athletic. I don’t know what number of 3’s you want.’’
Portland labored out Duren earlier this week. The Blazers need to commerce again from No. 7, maybe with Duren in thoughts.
“Jalen most likely strikes his toes higher than any huge child I’ve been round,’’ added Brown, the Knicks’ coach within the 2005-06 season. “With a lot switching within the NBA, he’s actually able to doing that. If he doesn’t play, he cheers for the staff, doesn’t sulk.’’
The Knicks’ prime precedence, Brown realizes, is a degree guard.
“You'll be able to’t have sufficient of them,” he stated, including, “I don’t know what the Knicks are pondering, however I at all times felt: Take the most effective participant. If there’s two which are equal and you've got a necessity, you're taking the necessity. There’s numerous attention-grabbing good gamers. Hopefully, somebody will probably be there at 11 the Knicks like.’’
Knicks lottery picks are below an intense highlight to provide as rookies. Brown stresses persistence with the defense-oriented Duren — who averaged 12 factors, 8.1 rebounds and a couple of.1 blocks.
“If somebody’s taking him to be starter on a playoff staff, I don’t assume it’s utterly honest,’’ Brown stated. “He’s 18. Should you’re taking a look at a child to develop and actually be an element, he’s the one you bought to contemplate. Any 18, 19 12 months outdated child they’re going to get might not assist the staff immediately, however actually he’ll have an opportunity to have a helluva profession.
“He desires to be coached. That’s necessary, particularly with Thibs. He’ll coach him and demand issues, and he’ll reply to that.’
Perry additionally grilled Brown about Minott, the 6-9 wing who averaged simply 6.2 factors. Regardless of his jump-shooting woes, the 20-year-old is taken into account a type of positionless defenders which are all the trend.
“Should you draft him, he’ll be like a lottery choose in two years,” Brown stated. “He’s younger, lengthy, athletic fast. He’s simply obtained to develop and get higher. He grew 2 inches after I was there. He’s that high-twitch athlete. So many NBA folks have referred to as me about him. A few years, you may need a diamond.’’
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