Today at ESPN, Ian O'Connor who I infrequently agree with, made a strong case for the New York Knicks to pass on BYU star Jimmer Fredette if they have the chance to select him in the NBA Draft. I am actually going to side with O'Connor on this issue.
If you have been watching these NBA Playoffs, it is clear the Knicks are going to need defense and size if they ever plan on slowing down the machine the Miami Heat have developed into. The answer in the draft isn't adding more offense. Unfortunately, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire's personal shortcomings on that side of the floor make adding more defense an absolute necessity. You can't hide Anthony, Stoudemire, and Fredette all at once.
Fredette would be a popular pick considering his background and name recognition. Yet, this team isn't going to be much more than first round fodder if they don't focus on becoming more physical and defensive minded. Where are Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason when you need them?
I don't know if Dwight Howard will ever become a reality for the Knicks but at least for this off-season, they must concentrate on upgrading positions that were manned by players like Ronny Turiaf, Shelden Williams, and Jared Jeffries last year.