Former Syracuse basketball point guard Scoop Jardine worked out with the New York Knicks Wednesday, as he tries to improve his 2012 NBA Draft stock and catch the eye of scouts and front office brass, who will hopefully select him on June 28.
As expected, because of Jardine's proven track record of being a hard worker, the 6-foot-2 floor general showed up eight pounds lighter than his playing weight at SU and was trying to prove to the Knicks he can play man-to-man defense after playing four years in the 2-3 zone.
"I think I showed my defensive ability improve. I think that's one thing the scouts want to see. We (played) a lot of zone, I've done that in a man to man set, shown my awareness on both ends of the court, and I think that's gonna help me in the next level."
In the end of his workout, Jardine said if the Knicks were to select him with their second-round selection (No. 48 overall) he said his job would be easy:
"I mean, it would be the easiest job in America," said Jardine through a smile, "throw a pass to Melo and get out the way! It would be a dream come true, actually going to Syracuse, he was one of the reasons (why I went), so to actually play along side him would be a dream come true, an opportunity to show what I can do, because I'm with one of the best players in the world."
Currently, Jardine is on the bubble to be one of the 60 players selected in the two-round draft. Right now, the Knicks own just one pick, a second rounder -- about where Jardine could go -- which they could use to try an bolster a thin group of guards.
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