[h1]WESTBROOK LOOKS GOOD TO KNICKS[/h1]
[h3]By LENN ROBBINS[/h3]
[img]http://www.nypost.com/seven/06052008/photos/sports078a.jpg[/img]
Russell Westbrook
June 5, 2008 --
With the sixth pick in the NBA Draft, the
KnicksNew York Knicks
select, well . . . if yesterday is any indication, who knows?
The Knicks worked out six prospects yesterday, two point guards - UCLA's Russell Westbrook and Georgia's Sundiata Gaines of Queens, two smallforwards - West Virginia's Joe Alexander and Chase Budinger of Arizona, and two centers - JaVale McGee of Nevada and Steve Hill of Arkansas.
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Though longtime assistant coach Herb Williams ran the workout, new head coach Mike D'Antoni watched this Pick Six group play and do drills at theteam's Westchester practice facility.
According to most mock drafts, none of the six is projected to be drafted as high as sixth. But with so many needs and the possibility of trading that sixthpick, new GM Donnie Walsh and D'Antoni need to be ready to consider any move that will help this fractured franchise.
Westbrook and Alexander are the two most intriguing players. Prior to the start of the last season, few would have thought either player would enter the2008 draft.
Westbrook, a sophomore, wasn't even the most-hyped guard at UCLA. It was Darren Collison's team. But the athletic 6-3 Westbrook, whom Davidson starStephen Curry said was the toughest defender he faced, capped his season with a 22-point game in the NCAA Tournament against Memphis' Derrick Rose.
"I don't feel that I'm less than anyone," declared Westbrook, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Michael Beasley is considered the best forward in the draft but the 6-8 Alexander, who said he would love to play in D'Antoni's system, runs thecourt and said he can hit the corner 3.
"I don't think anyone in the draft stands above me," declared Alexander.
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