Marshall Plumlee went undrafted in this year’s NBA Draft. Perhaps the New York Knicks knew this would happen, and it may have been the reason they didn’t obtain a selection on draft night as they have done since Jackson took over as president.
Marshall is yet another Plumlee brother now in the NBA. He’s one of the older kids coming out of the draft. Jackson loves the college kids who decide not to do the “one-and-done.”
They’re a little bit more mature, they’re a bit older, and they have more years playing the game than your average rookie.
Then again, there’s a reason they spent four years in college instead of doing the “one-and-done,” because most of these players are late first rounders, second rounders, or undrafted.
While expectations shouldn’t be through the roof, there are plenty of reasons to be excited that the Knicks signed Plumlee for 3 years. Look no further than what coach Mike Krzyzewski said about the kid during an SNY interview:
"“First of all he’s older, he’s 23. He’s been a five-year player. He brings fundamentals and he’s a leader. He’s going to be an Army officer. He talks on defense. He’ll screen, he’ll play defense he’ll rebound. And he doesn’t need the ball. He just wants to make other people better. And they’ll never be a practice where he’s not enthusiastic. He’s a perfect backup.”"
Plumlee is provides center depth behind Joakim Noah and Willy Hernangomez. Noah is older and has a history of injuries. Hernangomez is a European player that will need to adjust to a longer season.
There may be enough minutes to go around for all three centers and the Knicks are hoping he develops into the solid backup Coach K believes he can be. Plumlee may spend some time in Westchester as well.
GRADE: B-
Next: Ron Baker and Maurice Ndour