Tuesday Workouts: (Insert Jeff Foote Pun)

by Seth on Jun 15, 2010 12:22 AM EDT in News

More workouts! Here's who's coming in on Tuesday (via The Knicks Blog)

Denis Clemente- 6'1" G, Kansas State (24 years old)

Gavin Edwards- 6'9" C, Connecticut (22)

Jeff Foote- 7'0" C, Cornell (22)

Courtney Fortson- 5'11" G, Arkansas (22)

Marquis Gilstrap- 6'7" F, Iowa State (22)

Ryan Wittman- 6'7" G, Cornell (22)

Most of the guys listed aren't projected to be drafted. The only one I know anything about is Clemente, who I enjoyed watching at Kansas State and whose first name I love to mispronounce. Oh, and I think Ryan Wittman is Randy Wittman's son. As far as I know, neither are related to Walt Whitman. The big story here (relatively speaking) is that this will be Foote's second visit. The call-back could mean nothing at all, but Foote is the first prospect to return for another look. Considering that he's not mentioned at all in most mock drafts, it would be surprising if New York had genuine interest in the Cornell big man at the 38th or 39th pick. Maybe they just like him as a legitimate 7-footer against whom they can pit other prospects? Maybe he left something behind the first time he visited?

Meanwhile, I'll be up to some antics of my own on Tuesday. I've mentioned previously that I have a weekly radio conversation with the friendly friends at WCWP Sports. Well, tomorrow I'm going to head out to Long Island (Don't worry, I've had all my shots.) to hang out with the radio folks and make a li'l in-studio appearance. We'll be on-air around 6 PM if you'd like to listen along. You can find the spot to listen live in the link above.

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Courtney Fortson

I grew up in Arkansas, so I love the Razorbacks. Picking Fortson would be a horrible pick!!! He plays way too fast. He can be really exciting and make great passes.He can get the ball to people a lot of pgs cant. he can drive the lane and find open shooters. but, he is extremely careless with the ball. he would often get 6 or 7 assists a game, but would have as many turnovers to go with them think a much less controlled Sergio

by CarneyMan32 on Jun 15, 2010 12:45 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe they just wanted to look at both feet?

anywho, Foote is a solid prospect. I doubt he’s gonna be a bust and I think he could be a valuable big dude. Obviously they’re getting a better look to see how he can run the floor and do what Pringles wants.

Speaking of what Pringles wants, Ryan Wittman. I know this dude can shoot from anywhere on the court (we used to do drive-by’s too). From what I saw in the tourney, dude’s like a Kapono, a Reddick or maybe even a Szcerbiak since he is comfortable taking people off the dribble.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 15, 2010 7:36 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting things aFoote

hey-o!

by gian casimiro on Jun 15, 2010 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

I think Foote's

got an extra arm under his jersey. That could be a weapon.

by fuhry on Jun 15, 2010 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

pause

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 15, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Foote is the man

I’ve known Jeff Foote through some friends for a few years, and the progression this kid has made since high school is astronomical…. Cornell didn’t do their best to use him to his strengths, and he still dominated the Ivy League with Wittman. I think this would be a great draft pick for the Knicks.

by dankdizzy on Jun 15, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

i would rather hold out and see if Foote goes undrafted

at 38 or 39 i am not sure how good of a pick that is

http://www.lostinbostonblog.tumblr.com
@lostinbostonRB

by viva_morrison on Jun 15, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

What are his strengths?

Can you fill us in on his game a bit, dankdizzy?

by fuhry on Jun 15, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

More like Jeff BIGFoote!

Liberty Ballers / Ridiculous Upside / @TAFKAMikeBourn

by Michael Levin on Jun 15, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Foote and Wittman

From every game I’ve been to, the opposing team’s game plan has pretty much been to stop Wittman. He got double teamed all the time, so the team just passed it around and another guy drained an open 3. They played at a slow pace to try to get the best open shot and mask their general lack of athleticism. Cornell doesn’t have athletic scholarships for basketball, and these guys are quite weak and slow. Wittman would have to work out a ton to get anywhere near Redick’s level, but at least he’s taller. He would probably be more like Adam Morrison or maybe Morris Almond.

Foote couldn’t get playing time at a crappy school, so his mom helped him bulk up and he transferred to Cornell. He improved greatly every year, but he’s really slow. Most of his blocks were just from being the tallest guy out there. I figure he could be like Bill Wennington, who was drafted 16th. Many metrics say Foote was top 20 in the country right now, and maybe he was. Although he’s a senior, he has great work ethic and didn’t have any strength until recently, and that’s made a big difference.

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by mindfeck on Jun 15, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

pretty sure Reddick had to work out a ton

to get to Reddick’s level.

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 15, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Consider this

Foote is not on most Mock draft boards but that does not mean he will not be drafted. Every year especially in the second round a guy who is not on anybody’s mock draft gets taken. Secondly, we have roster spots to fill and if Foote is not drafted he may be somebody that we are considering signing as a non drafted free agent. Hey we still need to fill out a summer league roster, Who Know’s the fact that the Knicks asked him to work out a second time, means that:
1. His first workout must not have been terrible.
2. They are weighing some options concerning him. If he is undrafted do we invite him in for the summer and see if he can earn a spot, or if he is drafted do we consider a trade for him.

by Robert Currence on Jun 15, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Lastly he is 7feet tall and we NEED BIG BODIES

Regardless of who we sign. and if you look at the free agency picture, there isn’t alot there really, and the guys who have been suggested at center, hoave met with dissapproval around here and may very well not be regarded any more highly bt the Knick brass. I said a couple of months ago, that given what’s available the Knicks might have to go with Center by committee next year. So if we can draft a couple of big guys and sign another coupe of cheap big ones, we may have enough to get one center out of the deal. As for the Bill Wennington comparison, we should be so lucky. Wennington was a contributor on teams that won championships, I believe Bill was on five of those Bulls teams that won titles. And he was part of that mix with Bill Cartwright, Wil Perdue, Scott Williams, Stacey King etc. That Phil used to get through games when the Bulls were matched up against a team that had a dominant center. Hey I realize it is not ideal, but say we end up with Zoubek, Barron, Foote and Brackins on the roster, that’s 4 guys 6’10" or bigger that we can throw at a guy like Howard or Bogut next year, and even if they all got to pull 12 minute shifts before fouling out, if they can play physical, crash the boards while they are in there, we might be able to have some semblence of a decent team next year.

by Robert Currence on Jun 15, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand that D'Antoni might not use them

He might chose to go with two 6’9" guys instead, but at least he will have the option. If the Knicks are terrible defensively or get out rebounded every night and he refuses to use the bigs he’s got, then I am sure there will not be a shortage of guys around here ripping him for it, especially if the Knicks are not winning.

by Robert Currence on Jun 15, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

good points

about Center by committee.. that may be the only option this year if MGM isnt trying to throw the dollars at haywood who may ask for a bit more than what he’s worth. or offer ~~legs~~, I mean Jermain Oneal a contract.

I’d be down with barron(the scoring rebounding center) and another C who has size whose responsibility is soley to play D and rebound and run. I have a feeling that Walsh knows all about the top (1st rd) draftees and is now working out all these names to either find a diamond in the rough or to fill out the summer league team /bench with a hard working motor guy.

oh yea, funny how you can hold a convo by yourself Curren$y… lol

Toney does what the douglas do. And no one can do what he does b/c doing it without being Toney Douglas just doesnt make it do what it do

by semsemma on Jun 16, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

D'antoni

will use guys that have skills over guys that just have the size and/or athleticism. He’ll play two 6’9" guys at the 4 and 5 if his bigger guys don’t bring skills and solid play to the floor. I agree with that, though I do wish he’d give rookies some more leeway to learn how to do it.

If the Knicks can bring a couple of big guys from their picks, maybe another undrafted guy, hopefully one will turn out to be a contributor. You never know who’s capable of figuring out how to contribute on the next level.

by fuhry on Jun 15, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure that if Cornell had David Lee and Toney Douglas they’d have won it all, so let’s just add Wittman and Foote to the Knicks. Wittman practiced with Garnett years ago in Minnesota since his father was the coach.

There’s a video of Wittman and Foote dancing to Single Ladies, if you want to see that.
http://ballhype.com/video/slope-media-single-ladies-duff-ball-2010/

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by mindfeck on Jun 15, 2010 3:19 PM EDT reply actions