Knicks picks

Draftees won't shy away from helping to rebuild New York

By Jimmy Traina, CNNSI.com

NEW YORK -- Playing in a barren arena for a once-proud franchise that now boasts little but aging players and salary cap problems isn't an appealing way for a rookie to start his NBA career. That gloomy scenario may describe the current state of the Knicks, but it hasn't hindered the enthusiasm of the three prospects most rumored to be selected by New York with the seventh pick in Wednesday night's draft.

When the trio of likely picks -- Dajuan Wagner, Chris Wilcox and Curtis Borchardt -- was asked about the daunting task that lies ahead for the Knicks, not one expressed trepidation about helping the club rebuild and restore its winning ways. And while Wilcox and Borchardt said they'd be perfectly happy to be chosen by the Knicks, Wagner, who hails from nearby Camden, N.J., wants nothing more than to perform in his backyard.

"I'd love it," the 19-year-old said about the prospect of playing in New York. "It's close to home and this is my dream. This is what I worked for all my life." When asked what was so special about the Big Apple, Wagner simply replied, "It's just New York."

No one knows at this point, however, whether the Knicks will pass on the big man they desperately need in favor of a guard with unlimited potential. Wagner would join an already crowded backcourt that features Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell (who has been playing out of position at small forward), Charlie Ward, Mark Jackson, Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley. There are also questions about whether the 2001-02 Conference USA Player of the Year, who put in just one season at Memphis, is a point guard or a shooting guard. (When asked for clarification, the 6-foot-3 Wagner responded sternly, "a guard.")

Regardless of position, the upside of a player who once scored 100 points in a high school game, could be too much for New York to pass up. Wagner also averaged 21.2 points per game last season and was named MVP of the NIT. He hungers to put on a Knicks uniform and play in front of his family. With the once raucous Madison Square Garden sounding more like a library at times last season, the buzz Wagner would generate could factor into the team's draft-day decision.

Though the hometown kid could bring some life back to The World's Most Famous Arena, the Knicks' need for rebounding and blocked shots might outweigh their need for excitement. If that's the case, expect to see Borchardt or Wilcox in orange and blue next season.

Borchardt averaged 11.4 rebounds a game as a junior at Stanford last year and set the school's single-season record for blocks with 85. The 7-foot, 240-pound center expects to go "relatively high" in the draft and wouldn't be disappointed if he was taken off the board at No. 7.

"This franchise has a strong reputation and wants to win," said the 21-year-old big man. Borchardt, who went for a stroll in Central Park with his fiancée early Tuesday, also has no qualms about playing in New York. "The city is amazing. I also talked to Jason [Collins, his former Stanford teammate who plays for New Jersey] and he loves it, so I'd definitely like to play here."

At 6-10 and 221 pounds, Wilcox could also fill the void in the middle for the Knicks. As a sophomore last season, he started the final 22 games for national champion Maryland and performed well in big games -- something that could be a valuable asset in the media capital that is New York, where all 82 games are considered big. In the Terrapins' Final Four win over Kansas, Wilcox scored 18 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots in 26 minutes.

"I'm prepared for everything," Wilcox said. "I just want to go to a team that I can help a lot. But I'd love to play here. It's the Garden, man."

The Garden was a lot quieter last season than in previous years as New York missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1986-87 season. But if Wednesday night's draft pick has anything to say about it, things could start to get loud as the Knicks have something to say.

 

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