Will Knicks sign Taylor?

The New York Knicks have signed a bunch of free agents and Chris Smith will likely spend most of the season with their D-League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks.

The Knicks have scouted Tony Taylor Jr. recently and after working him out last week there is a chance they could sign the point guard and stash him in Erie, too.

"There are a few NBA teams that have Tony on their short list for veteran's camp, including the Knicks, Magic, Celtics, Heat, Pacers, and Lakers," agent B.J. Bass tells KnicksJournal.com. "There are also about half a dozen D-League teams that want him as their starting point guard."

By having a player under contract, like Taylor, D-League teams can't draft them and that allows the NBA team to assign the player to their affiliate.

"What's happening now is that the D-League coaches are pushing their NBA affiliates to offer Tony a spot in veteran's camp, so they can protect him from being drafted by another D-League team," said Bass.

The Knicks have already signed point guards Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni and may not sign another this season. Prigioni is signed for just this season, so in 2013 they may be in the market for another point guard and Taylor could be an option.

-- Nick Borges

 I wasn't kidding when I posted those earlier links. I read today on twitter that the C's are interested too. It seems like these articles are being fed to the media by TT's agent so we'll see how much legitimacy there is to this. Either way, from the sound of it he'll probably be playing in the D-League this season which will make him much easier to follow than any of the recent grads playing euroball. 

Hot Dang

 Great news!

I don't understand this at at all- is this a joke thread and all this promo stuff just from his agent or what?

http://www.knicksjournal.com/2012/08/are-knicks-closing-in-on-promising.html

I'd like to have his agent!  

 This sniping is unwarranted and uncalled for. Tony was one top 3 or 4 players in the A10 the 2nd half of his junior year. Things didn't work out his past season, for a lot of reasons many in forum don't know about. He has the talent to play in the NBA and I'm not surprised to see him getting an extended look. One would think that a GW grad getting looks from the Knicks/Celtics etc would be a good thing for many on this board but I guess that means less than scoring 40 points in a Washington DC high school league. 

I was sniping at the agent.  Isiah Thomas?  I guess Tony's just too small to remind people of MJ, otherwise why put a cap on the hype? 

DEA, I like Tony and wish him nothing but the best and hopefully an NBA shot and it is a good thing for GW. But to make a definitive statement that he has "the talent" to play in the NBA at this juncture is at best premature and at worst a little out there. Carl Elliott and Shawnta Rogers had much more talent and neither played in the NBA. Maybe Tony will make it we can all hope. But let's not get the hype out in front of reality - it's a disservice to the kid.

 What is a disservice to Tony?

 What is a disservice to Tony?

 left off name

I was just asking to clarify, for the record. To see someone compare him to Isiah Thomas and legit say "Put Tony in a Pistons jersey and tell me you don't see the resemblance" sounds like the most insane comment ever. I would love for Tony to play in the NBA and represent GW more than anything, but just to see lines like that in the article made it sound like a complete fabrication. Hope everything works out for him and that he has success in trying to make it in the D-League/NBA

So a 12-time NBA All-Star does not equal a second-team All-A10 selection?

You know, it would be ironically apropos for Carl/JR/Pops to miss the league and Tony to make it.  Such a quiet unassuming guy. 

Tony is probably helped in NY by, if I recall, being a guy who lit up Summer League in NY for a couple of summers.  

I'd be curious if some of our more connected NBA types know if an NBA team signing a kid to the D-League means they think he could be on the big club, or they just want him to be on thier D-League team for whatever reason?

It is a pretty recent development that NBA teams started actually owning D-League teams.  In the past, teams were mostly just affiliated with a D-League Franchise.  In the recent CBA the NBA granted teams greater power to sign players, retain thier rights and play them in the D-League.  Teams can always sign a player to an NBA contract and then assign him to the D-League but I think that will still consume one of their 15 possible roster spots.  A team wouldn't sign a player to an NBA contract and then place them in the D-League without the notion that there was a possibility that they would grow into being an NBA player.  BUT it would be pretty rare for a team to do that, particularly with a player like Tony because the minimum NBA salary is about $500,000. By my estimation the Knicks currently have 16 players on their roster, but I'm not sure how many of those players have guaranteed contracts.

Now I don't think that the Knicks OWN their D-League team - the Erie Bayhawks.  That team might have other reasons to sign a player (now for a salary of $30,000 +/-).  That reason would be that they are actually trying to win games and get good attendance i games. 

The more I think about it though, I just find it hard to believe that Tony is an NBA prospect at this point because he just doesn't have the size or the kind of skills that project to that level.  Turkey, or Greece or Hungary, etc? Sure, I could see that, but not the NBA.

 The interweb told me this:

"The Majority Owner of the Erie BayHawks is Steve Demetriou and Lead Local Investor is Owen McCormick. Matt Bresee is the team's President."

Looks like Red's team is interested too.

http://www.rantsports.com/boston-celtics/2012/08/22/nba-rumors-boston-celtics-interested-in-tony-taylor-jr/

And this agent shouldn't represent Pops?

He should represent Pops, Mike, JR and all of us.

Don't know where this is coming from or veracity, but it is amazing buzz:

The problem for Boston is there are a few NBA teams that have Tony on their short list for camp invites. The Knicks, Magic, Heat, Pacers, and Lakers are all rumored to be willing to give Taylor a shot. There are also about half a dozen D-League teams that want him as their starting point guard and some overseas offers. Some of these offers should be better than Boston’s offer.

If he is looking to play minutes then Boston should not be the ideal choice. Boston has a log jam at guard to begin with despite lacking a true backup point guard. He might find more minutes with Orlando, overseas, or the D-league. In order to earn a shot at his dream there has to be a shot at minutes and Orlando rebuilding could be the spot. That being said Boston will probably try to get him onto camp, but do not plan on him accepting. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!

Several people on this board made statements about him being a sensitive, self-effacing kid, at least by basketball terms.  Maybe he's gotten more confident, it happens.  But does sticking a young, mostly unproven (at a level higher than A-10) player with a label like "reminds me of Isiah," or making him feel he has to live up to that, seem like a good idea?  Not to me.  The agent can pump him up by telling him privately I think you can be like Isiah.  Tony could tell the media he's modeling his game after Isiah's.  In the Mega Media age we're in, promoting him at this stage as reminding people of Isiah Thomas seems like extreme risk/reward.  You can admire a player as a GW athlete and not think he's ever going to play like an all-time NBA great.

 
Why should everyone here get upset about what his agents opinion's of him are?  Interesting thread to say the least.  There have been many that have been compared to others since the beginning of time.  I'm happy for him and don't need to debate talent, situation,  size or defend any posts that may say good things about him.  For whatever reason he is a target here.

 
Why should everyone here get upset about what his agents opinion's of him are?  Interesting thread to say the least.  There have been many that have been compared to others since the beginning of time.  I'm happy for him and don't need to debate talent, situation,  size or defend any posts that may say good things about him.  For whatever reason he is a target here.

You'd think once he graduated we could drop the myth that the world is out to get Tony Taylor, with everyone on this board leading the hatred, but I guess not. Maybe Attila will drop by and fake hate on him as well.

 First off don't turn this around.  I notice that when a response is posted contrary to the masses, you are one of the first to give your negative feedback...about anything.  You brought up hate etc....You needed to say that and this was your in.  Congrats!  Their are a few select that I have seen that have negative comments to say about most things in his regard.  The world isn't out to get him, but being a former coach of his, I don't see the "basketball people" here doing anything but laying down sarcasm and conjecture.  

I still don't understand everyone on here can't be happy for Tony. To each their own, I suppose. I wish he had a better Senior year but for some reason I have a hunch that it would have been MUCH better if Hobbs hung around one more year. Even then, I'm sure some of you would rather put him down than root for him. 

Sorry! I'm just some fly-by-night poster who is awaiting the next bandwagon to jump on. Guilty as charged!

 Call it what you want with the misplaced sarcasm.  I guess your board is for a select few.....fly-by-night; sure. you can call it what you want.  Thanks though!

Maybe we'll discover that both KH and ML mis-used TT, and he really is an NBA mini-mite. I hope so, for his sake. Whatever, I hope he maxes out his basketball potential, and then moves on to a productive and happy personal and professional life. Disappointing us board-lurkers ought not to be a concern to him.

The pro game is different, that's for sure.  I'm sure many of you remember Maurice Rice lighting up the D-League a year after his washout senior season.  You just never know about what translates, about where a player's head is, about whether they work hard and continue to improve after college, or what.

In defense of everyone, think it's prettly clear that we all would be thrilled in Tony lands in the NBA and lives up to even half of the hype.

This should not have to be spelled out. But: outside of TT's family and former coaches and teammates, probably no group of people want good things for him basketball and life-wise more than those of us on this board.

 Yeah, if there ever was a miscreant group with a vendetta against Tony Taylor, it would be the people on this board. I wish him the best of luck in making the NBA. Do I think he has NBA talent? Not really. Do I think he played NBA-level ball when at GW? No. Would I be thrilled if he made a career in the NBA? You bet! 

Zero A-10 tournament wins in a college career tends to cloud the optimism a GW fan might have of a player's NBA potential...

The interest in TT is real. I'm the one talking to teams and I can tell you he has caught the the eye of several NBA GM's. I think he was overlooked initially, because hewas forced to play out of position at GW. As teams realize he's a true PG, his value increases significantly. Just to clarify, I didn't say he would be the next Isaiah Thomas. What I said (and I stand by this) is that there are elements of his game, especially the mid range pull up, that remind me of Zeke. Hope to have some news for you guys soon.  

I don't chime in enough to mention how much I enjoy lurking and reading the hilariously bizarre paths these threads take.  I wish TT the best of luck and would gladly go to a NBA game and cheer him on if he makes a roster.  I should also point out that there were elements of Jabari Edwards's game, especially the rare gimme that he made from within three feet of the hoop, that reminded me of Shaq.

He can play.  

 Wait I'm confused. Did Tony not play PG last year?

Its hurts me as a gw student to have gone to this school and noticed that the support you people have on this board is horrible fort the basketball players at  YOUR school.  Tony was a great player and I wish him and his family nothing but the best... As a fan of his and others its a shame how you talk down on the gw basketball team.... I pray that all the new additions are not affected by these comments... Lets just wish Tony and everyone else in the future nothing but the best...

Wow, just when the thread seemed played out. That's Entertainment!

 "Myth maker! Myth maker! Make me a myth! Shine it with pyrite!".

To Trust No One: I just found this site a few months ago, and although it sometimes comes through in different ways, I've found that ALL of the regular posters are intense and loyal GW fans, and want nothing but success for the team and every single one of its players.  Sometimes "objective" is in the eyes of the poster, but don't doubt the passion and loyalty behind what almost all of the regular posters write.

There's nothing personal about this. Most of hte posters on this board are great GW fans who spend a ton of time and energy supporting the team/school. I've thought that Tony didn't get enough credit and I do think he can play professionally but I don't think his critics on this board have any personal animus towards him. There's no evidence to support that anywhere. And this board is significantly tamer than basically any other college sports team message board. 

Nemanjamental has a good question. 

We are being told by Bj Bass and others that Taylor played out of position last year and that we are learning that he actually is a point guard.........  Taylor played point guard for us last year. 

 Go Tony Go!

Pre-season loyalty training. He must be getting us in shape for the regular season.

 I think what BJ was trying to say is that Tony is not a shoot-first/team's first scoring option point guard. He is better suited to be a distributer and score when the opportunity presents itself. We saw this his sophomore season when he had Hollis and Kromah as the primary scorers. Tony is a strong disributer and can score when he is open, but to put the whole load of a team's success on his shoulders is not where he thrives. He is meant to be the general not the general and the army. His junior season, before teams started to key in on him in their game plans, he was able to create shots for himself by getting other guys their looks. This year, to be honest, he had shells of Kromah and Mikic who missed a lot of shots allowing teams to slack off of them and focus on TT. It's also important to remember that we had the toughest schedule of Tony's career last year and he performerd admirably in the games against Cal (20pts 3 asts), VCU (14 and 5) and K-State (14 and 4) although he did struggle against Syracuse who pressured the ball the entire game and never really let Tony get into a rythym. And remember he had 20 and 5 against Xavier, set Mikic up for success and almost single handedly got us an upset win. Those are the types of opponents we need to look at when deciding if TT has the ability to play at the next level and I think he does. Think about how many shots were missed in those games that would have brought his assist numbers way higher.

Everyone on last year's team was asked to play a new style against much tougher opponents than they had ever faced and Tony was the only one who could be relied on to bring it every night. He is not Russell Westbrook or Stephon Marbury who will look to score, then look to pass. Tony is a true point guard and last year he was asked to play in a new system and also lead the team's scoring efforts. With stronger players around him I think a lot of doubters on this board will be surprised at how effective TT can be at the next level when he can just be a point guard and play his role. 

Keep up the good work BJ and lets get Tony into an NBA training camp (hopefully the Knicks cause that's my team)! 

 Slightly revisionist. Against Cal, K State and Syracuse he only started scoring once the game was basically over. Xavier he played well but was seriously outdueled by Holloway down the stretch, who's not a pro by the way either. 

I'd say the only two games I remember him playing at a pro level were the UMass game and the VCU one. Maybe I'm missing one or two. I don't remember him having any impact at all in the tournament game against Dayton. 

- The fact is there are hundreds of great college players who can't make it to the NBA for whatever reason. Holloway is one example. Hell, Kris Joseph was a first team all-american and nearly dropped out of the draft because of a bad tournament. If you're not on a particularly good team then you have to have a special season statistically in order to make it to the league. Dame Lillard is a good example of how that's possible. TOny didn't have a special season by any statistical measure. That could be Lonergan's fault, his fault, who knows? I don't think the scouts care particularly. I'd love nothing more than to see the player I watched the last four years make it to the NBA. THat doesnt mean I have to suspend common sense. 

I get that Hobbs is long gone, but he was a good judge of point guards.  Hobbs spent considerable time and effort to recruit another point guard after TT's freshman year -- Brian Bynes, then Jon Lloyd, then Trey Davis.  Hobbs at least didn't like relying on TT at point guard.  If he had managed to sign Lloyd or if he hadn't been fired and Trey Davis had ended up at GW, Hobbs expected that either of those guys would have started at pg and TT would have played a lot more at the off guard position.

 Very good post, Guy. And good point for Thinker, also.  Personally, I always thought Tony was more suited for the shooting guard rather than the point and my fault with him as a point was he did not make the players around him better.  One of the major problems on the team last year were how low of a percentage of field goals were actually off an assist.  Not uncommon to see something like 11 assists for the game, on 24 made baskets.  I know much of it is the fault of the lack of skill of the players that were on the court, but some of that is the problems we had at the point.  Again, please don't take this as my saying Tony was not a skilled player or that we were a better team without him.   A shame he could not be the 2, but unfortunately, meither Bynes nor Guest could handle the point for any stretches.

 The words of wisdom up above are mine.

TT was good at a lot of things while at GW and definitely was a big asset to the team.  however, he was not outstanding at anything.  he's a combo guard who is too small for the 2 and doesn't have the passing ability or quickness for the point.

Tony was asked to be the creator, distributor and scorer.  With minmal talent around him, I don't think he was able to do any of those things well.  Perhaps with substantial assets around him, he can focus on distribution, defense and keeping opponents honest.  And do all of those well.  I hope so, would be phenomal to see him at the next level!