New York Knicks: How Donnie Walsh Could Make a Final Move to Beat the Miami Heat

While I already wrote a more extensive article recently on what I think the Knicks need to do overall to beat the Miami Heat, there is another scenario which is totally possible that could take the team in a different direction, but ultimately help them achieve that same goal as well.

(Here is the link to the other article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/718238-nba-trade-rumors-and-free-agents-2011-10-ways-for-knicks-to-complete-superteam)

Unfortunately, the prediction I made in my article that Walsh should and would receive an extension didn't work out, to the chagrin of Knicks fans everywhere. However, the important thing is that Walsh has one final chance to work his magic and make a lasting impact on the team which could help them get past the Miami Heat next year in the playoffs. (Barring the looming lockout doesn't eat away all of next season.)

While I have the Knicks drafting Kenneth Faried in the aforementioned article, there is another move for Walsh to consider that could prove to be a little more in the high risk, high reward category.

Although drafting Faried seems to be the instant impact draft pick and one that certainly makes sense with the team's rebounding deficiencies, drafting Josh Selby could be a pick that nets the team even more than Faried ever could.

While he has areas of concern, just as many of the draft choices do in a draft class that has been deemed by many as a weak one, his unbelievable potential to get better in all of these areas is what has scouts dreaming of what he can become down the road.

His tremendous athleticism, coupled with his "feline quickness" in the words of Clyde Frazier, could make him a dangerous player on the offensive and defensive end as well. Like many players, he has to become more consistent on the offensive end, specifically in how efficient his shooting percentage is from the field, only 38 percent as opposed to his 3PT shooting which is relatively accurate at 36 percent.

His offensive numbers certainly don't jump off the page at you, since he only averaged 7.9 PPG, 2.2 APG, along with 2.2 RPG while shooting only 38 FG percent, 36 3PT percent, along with 76 percent from the line.

Selby is one of the players that you have to look beyond the numbers to truly appreciate what he brings to the game and what he can contribute to a team. It's important to note also that he is coming into the draft as a freshman out of college, so he certainly has plenty of room to grow, especially under the tutelage of Chauncey Billups.

While he is gifted on the offensive end, the other thing he brings to the table, which the Knicks need terribly, is defense. He is noted as being a determined player on the defensive end and has good lateral quickness which helps him stay with his defender and hound them on the defensive end.

He only averaged 0.8 steals per game, but defense is a category where your contributions may not show up in the box score. He also only averaged around 20 MPG last year.

Many believe he will be the type of player who will make his true impact in a couple of years, after he has had some time to fine-tune his game and also receive more minutes. As mentioned earlier, having a mentor like Billups could help him work on the nuances of being a true floor general and make him the great player many believe he can become. 

During the playoffs, Toney Douglas proved that although he is a solid contributor off the bench and a good defender, he is not the Knicks point guard of the future. If Selby fulfills his potential, it is possible that he can fulfill such a role for them, or he could help them land someone who could be capable of the job right away.

With the Knicks looking to acquire a third superstar to pair with Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, it is reasonable to believe that Selby could be the sweetener in a package that lands the team Chris Paul.

Since the Knicks do not have much to offer in a deal for a superstar, they would likely have to use whoever they draft this year in a package to acquire a player of Paul's caliber. While Selby still has a lot to prove, many believe he could become one of the better players in this draft class a couple years down the road, especially if he has a mentor like Billups in his rookie year.

While Kenneth Faried certainly would be the safer and more logical pick, due to the Knicks need for a big man, along with their aspiration to improve rebounding the ball, Selby could be a "boom or bust" pick for Walsh.

If Walsh wants to go out with a bang, drafting a player with Selby's colossal potential could be the way to do it.