2015 NBA Draft: Larry Brown Endorses Emmanuel Mudiay

In the eyes of many basketball purists, Larry Brown is the greatest head coach in the history of the sport. He’s won an NBA and NCAA Championship, as well as the NBA and Naismith College Coach of the Year awards.

While his tenure with the New York Knicks may not have been a shining period of his career, Brown is as good of an authority on spotting talent as any. Recently, he spoke out on one of the most intriguing talents in the 2015 NBA Draft.

According to Chad Ford of ESPN Insider, Brown believes that the SMU Mustangs—a 23-6 team ranked No. 22 in the country–would be No. 1 in the nation had Emmanuel Mudiay remained on the roster.

"“If we had him right now, we’d be ranked one, two or three in the country,” Larry Brown said in a phone interview with ESPN.com. “And along with Russell and Okafor, he’d be the biggest name in college basketball right now. He’d have a brand right now. I tried to tell the family, but he had other people in his ears, and, ultimately, I supported his decision. The kid just wanted to play basketball, but he had a family to support.”"

An anonymous general manager had a similar take, defining Mudiay with a telling phrase:

"“The two guys with the biggest upsides in the draft are Mudiay and Towns,” one NBA GM told ESPN. “Okafor and Russell are more sure things, but neither of those guys have the ceiling of Mudiay and Towns. And of those four, Mudiay is the best athlete. I can understand a team taking any of those four guys No. 1. But if you’re asking me who has the chance to be a game-changer in the NBA, I think it’s Mudiay. Big risk, big reward.”"

Big risk, big reward.

The question is, should the Knicks gamble on Mudiay if he’s available for them in the 2015 NBA Draft?

For those unfamiliar, Mudiay is a 6’5″ and 200-pound point guard with a near 6’9″ wingspan. His jumper is erratic, but he pairs great court vision with a paralyzing first step and explosive leaping ability.

Paired with the uncanny ability to finish above the rim, Mudiay’s upside compares favorably to John Wall of the Washington Wizards.

As outlined on Daily Knicks, George Karl stated that he believes the Knicks can build a winner around Carmelo Anthony. The key to doing so, per Karl, is complementing him with a star-caliber point guard.

Mudiay qualifies in that regard.

It’s unclear whether or not Mudiay will be the Knicks’ selection come draft day. Jahlil Okafor of the Duke Blue Devils and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Kentucky Wildcats are the favorites as big men who can anchor the Triangle Offense, while D’Angelo Russell is a do-it-all guard with a style similar to James Harden of the Houston Rockets.

Regardless of whom the Knicks name as their future franchise player, there’s no question that Mudiay will be on their radar.

The question is whether or not Phil Jackson believes he’s a worthy gamble.

Next: George Karl: If they Knicks land a point guard, they can build around Carmelo Anthony.

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