So much has been said about our team here but it seems like the best case scenario is formulating.
Kristaps is our future... we needed him to take the next step. The first 10 games it seemed like Kristaps was borderline going to be the same player he was last year or fall into a sophomore jinx.the last 4-5 games Kristaps has crossed over into the all star discussion. He's been fantastic, actually attacking the defense under his own devices. Bang!
Melo has been Melo. He's sitting back more and he's passing more but he's still Melo.... and that's alright.
Rose and Jennings might be the best point guard tandem in the nba. Not many have that at the starter and back up pg. It's not about mvp Rose or wild gunner Jennings at all. Both guys have been the driving force to every knick game. At ask times the Knicks have a player that can create for the team just off sheer talent. We can always hand it to them and say make something happen.
Lee has been that glue guy in the back court. KOQ has emerged into a valuable player and it's probably based on his improved conditioning. Holiday is seizing his moment as the back up and possibly starter at some point. The Kuz is showing his fearlessness in playing in the states. He's a ball player and he's bringing it. Same with Willy.
There is still a place for Noah, Lance, Baker and Ndour... it's a long season.
I just have to say the Knicks are becoming a team that can play with anybody at any style. They have a deep team. It's going to become much more clear as the months pass. Go Knicks ! We absolutely deserve this
EnySpree wrote:So much has been said about our team here but it seems like the best case scenario is formulating.Kristaps is our future... we needed him to take the next step. The first 10 games it seemed like Kristaps was borderline going to be the same player he was last year or fall into a sophomore jinx.the last 4-5 games Kristaps has crossed over into the all star discussion. He's been fantastic, actually attacking the defense under his own devices. Bang!
Melo has been Melo. He's sitting back more and he's passing more but he's still Melo.... and that's alright.
Rose and Jennings might be the best point guard tandem in the nba. Not many have that at the starter and back up pg. It's not about mvp Rose or wild gunner Jennings at all. Both guys have been the driving force to every knick game. At ask times the Knicks have a player that can create for the team just off sheer talent. We can always hand it to them and say make something happen.
Lee has been that glue guy in the back court. KOQ has emerged into a valuable player and it's probably based on his improved conditioning. Holiday is seizing his moment as the back up and possibly starter at some point. The Kuz is showing his fearlessness in playing in the states. He's a ball player and he's bringing it. Same with Willy.
There is still a place for Noah, Lance, Baker and Ndour... it's a long season.
I just have to say the Knicks are becoming a team that can play with anybody at any style. They have a deep team. It's going to become much more clear as the months pass. Go Knicks ! We absolutely deserve this
It's great to see. Hopefully at some point it carries over to road games. We have to start winning on the road. But considering the schedule, most of us would be happy with 7-7 so far. Obviously the growth of KP is encouraging. He continues to exceed expectations. Most of us would have been content with a small step forward this year considering his new teammates, but his growth has been incredible. The only downfall is, if this continues to work, we will be using a majority of our cap space to resign Rose and Jennings, as discussed in other threads. Our real growth as a franchise will be internal development, diamond in the rough finds, and the draft. KP will need to continue to develop into a superstar, guys like Willy and Kuz will need to take the next step and become consistent contributors. They will be the key for our bench going from questionable to deep. And we will have to add at least 1 useful piece from this draft. But a lot of positive signs for sure.
I just wish N'dour was better- we just need a tenacious defender who can play SF and PF. Shame Lance is hobbled too.
smackeddog wrote:I just wish N'dour was better- we just need a tenacious defender who can play SF and PF. Shame Lance is hobbled too.
He's a rookie. He's not a high-ceiling player by any means, but should get better.
Against top back courts, our guys might not be better but when you have to try to stop KP and Melo.... that makes Rose especially that much more dangerous.
NBA rule of thumb:
Don't go too crazy rushing to judgments until December.
Knickoftime wrote:NBA rule of thumb:Don't go too crazy rushing to judgments until December.
If we didn't do that, what would we have to talk about?
Knickoftime wrote:NBA rule of thumb:Don't go too crazy rushing to judgments until December.
Hmm. I would have thought rushing to judgment needs to be early
I think this team has the right kind of pieces that can really gel together. Jennings and CLee were really high on my list heading into the off-season. Adding Noah and Rose to that is just kinda nuts, when you think about it. And then throw in Kuz and Hernangomez looking like contributors, if not maybe more by the end of the year... it's a good, versatile, deep group.
I'm nervous to say it out loud, but I could see ECF with this team if things and playoffs matches broke right. I could also see first round flame out if matches broke wrong.
But I'm vowing to just enjoy the ride! KP is still improving, a competitive season will only teach him to be better a la Kawhi Leonard.
There will be bumps in the road for sure - they still might need another 20 or 30 games to really find themselves. But DRose saying "good things are coming" after last night's game lets me know they know they aren't there and know they can get better. Exciting times.
crzymdups wrote:I think this team has the right kind of pieces that can really gel together. Jennings and CLee were really high on my list heading into the off-season. Adding Noah and Rose to that is just kinda nuts, when you think about it. And then throw in Kuz and Hernangomez looking like contributors, if not maybe more by the end of the year... it's a good, versatile, deep group.I'm nervous to say it out loud, but I could see ECF with this team if things and playoffs matches broke right. I could also see first round flame out if matches broke wrong.
But I'm vowing to just enjoy the ride! KP is still improving, a competitive season will only teach him to be better a la Kawhi Leonard.
There will be bumps in the road for sure - they still might need another 20 or 30 games to really find themselves. But DRose saying "good things are coming" after last night's game lets me know they know they aren't there and know they can get better. Exciting times.
I can see ECF maybe next year with this same group. This group could grow together and be scary. If we can retain every key piece, this team will only get better.
The team has to keep progressing. They are getting better and better. They are starting to realize how good they can be. They are becoming deadly on the fast break. They ate becoming deadly in the pick and roll. They are becoming more comfortable freelancing. The triangle has its moments too.... if they can get ask that to gel and continue to compete on defense..... this team being in the eastern conference finals is not really far from being a reality.
smackeddog wrote:I just wish N'dour was better- we just need a tenacious defender who can play SF and PF. Shame Lance is hobbled too.
Noah and Lance returning should be a boost to the defense. Hopefully NDour shows some of that promise that got him his deal with the Mavs last year and signed by the Knicks this year. Inglis and Randle both are making a good case for the 15th spot on the Knicks in Westchester. Inglis is a really intriguing player. I didn't think he showed much when he was on assignment last year from the Bucks but he has looked great this year.
crzymdups wrote:I think this team has the right kind of pieces that can really gel together. Jennings and CLee were really high on my list heading into the off-season. Adding Noah and Rose to that is just kinda nuts, when you think about it. And then throw in Kuz and Hernangomez looking like contributors, if not maybe more by the end of the year... it's a good, versatile, deep group.I'm nervous to say it out loud, but I could see ECF with this team if things and playoffs matches broke right. I could also see first round flame out if matches broke wrong.
But I'm vowing to just enjoy the ride! KP is still improving, a competitive season will only teach him to be better a la Kawhi Leonard.
There will be bumps in the road for sure - they still might need another 20 or 30 games to really find themselves. But DRose saying "good things are coming" after last night's game lets me know they know they aren't there and know they can get better. Exciting times.
The main weakness of this team right now is the 5 spot. Noah starts and helps in certain aspects, but he can't score. O'Quinn can score but he is foul prone and can not log starter minutes. Hernangomez has skill on offense but can not defend the paint at all.
We're strong at PG with Rose/Jennings. With Lee/Holiday our wing spots are solid as well. Melo/KP give us 2 stars. What's really missing now is Noah playing up to his abilities (especially on defense) or us making a move to change the lineups. In today's NBA you need to play 5 scoring threats and need great foot speed from your players even if it comes at a cost of size. The Knicks have to decide on Noah. If he isn't to get better than what we've seen so far, we have to keep with O'Quinn as a token starter and slide KP in there more.
For Rose, if he can work on his close jumper, it will help big time. He can blow by anyone. With screens set by KP, he usually has great looks from mid-range but passes on it because he is not confident on his jumper. If he can get that jumper back he had 3 years ago, he's back in all-star contention and further elevates the team.
Overall, I am satisfied with where the Knicks are. However I can't see us win more than 43 games if Noah does not dramatically improve his play. I also expect as the season wears on, KP to get a little tired as I don't think he has physically matured to the point where he can carry a team. However in that same time I think Rose and Jennings will hit their peak hopefully and our team should be executing offense more easily and in sync. I hope I'm wrong, but with the amount we are playing KP, I expect him to get tired as the season wears on and his production will slip. I'm hoping if that happens, our offense as a team will be better and Rose peaks by that time in the esason to off set it. Hornachek is riding KP like a franchise guy. Heavy minutes, Good for KP longterm, but in the short run I could see him get tired by January or so.
nyknickzingis wrote:crzymdups wrote:I think this team has the right kind of pieces that can really gel together. Jennings and CLee were really high on my list heading into the off-season. Adding Noah and Rose to that is just kinda nuts, when you think about it. And then throw in Kuz and Hernangomez looking like contributors, if not maybe more by the end of the year... it's a good, versatile, deep group.I'm nervous to say it out loud, but I could see ECF with this team if things and playoffs matches broke right. I could also see first round flame out if matches broke wrong.
But I'm vowing to just enjoy the ride! KP is still improving, a competitive season will only teach him to be better a la Kawhi Leonard.
There will be bumps in the road for sure - they still might need another 20 or 30 games to really find themselves. But DRose saying "good things are coming" after last night's game lets me know they know they aren't there and know they can get better. Exciting times.
The main weakness of this team right now is the 5 spot. Noah starts and helps in certain aspects, but he can't score. O'Quinn can score but he is foul prone and can not log starter minutes. Hernangomez has skill on offense but can not defend the paint at all.We're strong at PG with Rose/Jennings. With Lee/Holiday our wing spots are solid as well. Melo/KP give us 2 stars. What's really missing now is Noah playing up to his abilities (especially on defense) or us making a move to change the lineups. In today's NBA you need to play 5 scoring threats and need great foot speed from your players even if it comes at a cost of size. The Knicks have to decide on Noah. If he isn't to get better than what we've seen so far, we have to keep with O'Quinn as a token starter and slide KP in there more.
For Rose, if he can work on his close jumper, it will help big time. He can blow by anyone. With screens set by KP, he usually has great looks from mid-range but passes on it because he is not confident on his jumper. If he can get that jumper back he had 3 years ago, he's back in all-star contention and further elevates the team.
Overall, I am satisfied with where the Knicks are. However I can't see us win more than 43 games if Noah does not dramatically improve his play. I also expect as the season wears on, KP to get a little tired as I don't think he has physically matured to the point where he can carry a team. However in that same time I think Rose and Jennings will hit their peak hopefully and our team should be executing offense more easily and in sync. I hope I'm wrong, but with the amount we are playing KP, I expect him to get tired as the season wears on and his production will slip. I'm hoping if that happens, our offense as a team will be better and Rose peaks by that time in the esason to off set it. Hornachek is riding KP like a franchise guy. Heavy minutes, Good for KP longterm, but in the short run I could see him get tired by January or so.
I'm not so sure that KP will have a swoon like last year. I do think he's actually in better shape in terms of his base. It's his legs that are the difference this year. His upper body still needs a lot more work, but his legs are much stronger. I expect that Jeff will give KP some rest at some point soon.
I was high on this team and remain high on them as they all round into form and gain more chemistry. They haven't peaked yet IMO.
