Melo benched for the entire 4th (give Horny credit for doing this with Melo's shot being off and chucking up shots with bad body language).
KP at the 4; Willy at the 5 (our future front line).
Willy: 16pts, 16 rebounds, 60% from the field.
KP: 19 pts, 12 rbs, 50% from the field
Two Trump HUGE double doubles.
Willy to KP, then KP to Willy high/low for layups.
KP protecting the paint; Willy cleaning up the glass with putbacks. Unstoppable. They have chemistry dating back to Spain and they compliment each other's game well for 2 bigs.
Willy with a miraculous alley oop catch and offensive rebound putback down the stretch.
KP icing the game with the 3.
And Melo on the bench.
We have finally turned the page as franchise. The future is here; the future is now. We will one day remember this first day of February back in 2017 in Brooklyn, where the Twin Towers emerged.
Meet our new Twin Towers of the future: KP & Willy!
Man that was fun to watch. Obviously not the toughest competition LOL but still... I just wanna watch these kids play and get the minutes they need to develop. It's so obvious that we don't need to keep messing around with the vets anymore. Just make some trades and get some more picks and youth. Just because the Knicks are still in the playoff hunt doesn't mean we shouldn't be planning for the future NOW!!! These kids have so much talent and skill and are TEAM ORIENTED. It's fun basketball to watch.
Obviously a slightly inferior version, but you can imagine them loosely looking like Marc Gasol and Dirk. Inside outside game, Willy with the bruising inside and cleaning the boards and Kp hawking outside to use his shot or driving abilities or maybe even using that turnaround we saw a bit of. All I know is that with defensive wings and a high quality Pg these two are the key to the next era.
KP and Willy compliment each other very nicely. And they look for each other and the passing becomes contagious. The concern will be defending small ball, however, these guys might eventually be so good on the glass and with the high post/low post offense that it might not matter. Teams might be forced to play bigger against us because they will get overwhelmed with the size and skill.
They have all the talent to be foundation pieces. I also like Kuz. I think Kuz has hit a bit of a rookie wall and has had an inconsistent role as well. Kuz is smooth as well. He can shoot the 3 or drive. He's a guy who will flourish in a situation where the ball constantly moves.
The very core habit you want to install in these guys is to share the ball. Look for each other. KP and Willy already do that. I want to see minutes with the two of them and Kuz as well. I think Kuz is very underrated. He's not maybe a starter like Willy, but coming off the bench, he needs to be given the green light to shoot and be aggressive.
SocraticBallin22 wrote:Melo benched for the entire 4th (give Horny credit for doing this with Melo's shot being off and chucking up shots with bad body language). KP at the 4; Willy at the 5 (our future front line).
Willy: 16pts, 16 rebounds, 60% from the field.
KP: 19 pts, 12 rbs, 50% from the field
Two Trump HUGE double doubles.
Willy to KP, then KP to Willy high/low for layups.
KP protecting the paint; Willy cleaning up the glass with putbacks. Unstoppable. They have chemistry dating back to Spain and they compliment each other's game well for 2 bigs.
Willy with a miraculous alley oop catch and offensive rebound putback down the stretch.
KP icing the game with the 3.
And Melo on the bench.
We have finally turned the page as franchise. The future is here; the future is now. We will one day remember this first day of February back in 2017 in Brooklyn, where the Twin Towers emerged.
Meet our new Twin Towers of the future: KP & Willy!
Now if we only had someone to get them the ball in their sweet-spots. #LetTheTankingBegin #NBADraft2017
nyknickzingis wrote:They have all the talent to be foundation pieces. I also like Kuz. I think Kuz has hit a bit of a rookie wall and has had an inconsistent role as well. Kuz is smooth as well. He can shoot the 3 or drive. He's a guy who will flourish in a situation where the ball constantly moves.The very core habit you want to install in these guys is to share the ball. Look for each other. KP and Willy already do that. I want to see minutes with the two of them and Kuz as well. I think Kuz is very underrated. He's not maybe a starter like Willy, but coming off the bench, he needs to be given the green light to shoot and be aggressive.
I like Kuz, too. He moves well without the ball, as well. I pointed out in the game thread earlier a sequence in the 4th--2 possessions in a row running hte same play that worked to perfection--Kuz getting the ball in the post on the baseline; a screen for KP off the ball he gets it at the foul line for a mid range jump shot. They ran it 2 straight time for two easy scores. We need to utilize KP more like this--running off screens for closer jumpers. He is a lethal shooter. He hasn't been utilized correctly with Melo on the court. This is the kind of ball we should be playing. Kuz is part of that.
Kuz and holiday are keepers. Nice role players who can shoot and play multiple positions.
.................against the Nets
SocraticBallin22 wrote:nyknickzingis wrote:They have all the talent to be foundation pieces. I also like Kuz. I think Kuz has hit a bit of a rookie wall and has had an inconsistent role as well. Kuz is smooth as well. He can shoot the 3 or drive. He's a guy who will flourish in a situation where the ball constantly moves.The very core habit you want to install in these guys is to share the ball. Look for each other. KP and Willy already do that. I want to see minutes with the two of them and Kuz as well. I think Kuz is very underrated. He's not maybe a starter like Willy, but coming off the bench, he needs to be given the green light to shoot and be aggressive.
I like Kuz, too. He moves well without the ball, as well. I pointed out in the game thread earlier a sequence in the 4th--2 possessions in a row running hte same play that worked to perfection--Kuz getting the ball in the post on the baseline; a screen for KP off the ball he gets it at the foul line for a mid range jump shot. They ran it 2 straight time for two easy scores. We need to utilize KP more like this--running off screens for closer jumpers. He is a lethal shooter. He hasn't been utilized correctly with Melo on the court. This is the kind of ball we should be playing. Kuz is part of that.
If I had my way O'Quinn would start over Noah.
Willy would come in for KP or O'Quinn.
Then Kuz would come in for Melo. This would allow Willy/KP/Kuz some playing time.
I'd like us to give Jennings maybe complete ownership of the PG spot rest of the season.
He screws it up, so be it, live with the consequences. But let him run the team.
Rose when he comes back, use him in a more limited role as the 2 guard. Less minutes.
Jennings is far from a great point guard or even a good point guard but he is much more of a point guard than Rose will ever be, He actually looks to pass and looks to run the coach's playbook. He's erratic and can't shoot well enough. I'd rather give him the team rest of the season than Rose. When Rose comes back I'd put him at 2, bring Lee off the bench.
Never will happen though. Noah/Rose/Lee all will start, and Melo will not waive his NTC. We all know this.
Don't despair!!! The fact that we even saw KP and Willy closing out the game is a sign from Horny. This is only a matter of time and hopefully a big trade that can usher in the new ERA! Even without a trade there's nothing that will change the fact that this team needs to move forward and build around KP and Willy who look like 2 nice young bigs for this team.
I agree that BJ shows a sample of what could be with a more talented PG. BJ isn't very good but even just what he can do when he's focused shows that there's a lot of potential should this team every bring in a truly talented PG. Thank goodness this draft is loaded with some quality PG's. All the Knicks need to do is make sure to be in position to land one of them.
Willy and KP KNOW how to play together.
I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
Agree completely. I wouldn't mind having Noah around as a mentor to KP and Willy... but something tells me he'll have to be really convinced of that. Maybe Phil can bring him out to his ranch in Montana for some good kush over the all-star break.
crzymdups wrote:NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
Agree completely. I wouldn't mind having Noah around as a mentor to KP and Willy... but something tells me he'll have to be really convinced of that. Maybe Phil can bring him out to his ranch in Montana for some good kush over the all-star break.
if the kush is really good me too
NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
I really see O'Quinn being eventually moved. He should have good value around the league to help balance out the roster. KP and Willy will start, and Noah will be mentor/backup center in a 15 mpg role. Having O'Quinn is great, but when everyone is healthy, that value can be used to improve other areas. Plumlee is capable of providing spot minutes in a 3rd string role when needed too. Seems like O'Quinn being moved isn't a matter of If, but When.
Knixkik wrote:NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
I really see O'Quinn being eventually moved. He should have good value around the league to help balance out the roster. KP and Willy will start, and Noah will be mentor/backup center in a 15 mpg role. Having O'Quinn is great, but when everyone is healthy, that value can be used to improve other areas. Plumlee is capable of providing spot minutes in a 3rd string role when needed too. Seems like O'Quinn being moved isn't a matter of If, but When.
I don't like moving a player that has shown they can improve from season 1 to season 2. OQuinn follows the advice given to him last season and dropped weight, improved his jumper and his overall play. He makes just 4 million a year and by NBA terms that's not much. He is 26 years old with prime years ahead.
I'd use Noah as 3rd Center and play both Willy and OQuinn ahead of him.
Knixkik wrote:NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
I really see O'Quinn being eventually moved. He should have good value around the league to help balance out the roster. KP and Willy will start, and Noah will be mentor/backup center in a 15 mpg role. Having O'Quinn is great, but when everyone is healthy, that value can be used to improve other areas. Plumlee is capable of providing spot minutes in a 3rd string role when needed too. Seems like O'Quinn being moved isn't a matter of If, but When.
I have a feeling KOQ is going to OKC. Maybe KOQ for Collison and their 1st rounder.
nyknickzingis wrote:Knixkik wrote:NardDogNation wrote:crzymdups wrote:Willy and KP KNOW how to play together. I like KOQ fine as a player, but he's going to take minutes from Willy we need to trade him. Or, you know, cut bait on Noah.... somehow.
Or simply keep Noah around as a (3rd string)player-coach ala Earl Watson, Brian Scalabrine or Lindsey Hunter. Noah's contract is already a sunk cost and shouldn't compound the mistake by playing him over a more promising youth.
I really see O'Quinn being eventually moved. He should have good value around the league to help balance out the roster. KP and Willy will start, and Noah will be mentor/backup center in a 15 mpg role. Having O'Quinn is great, but when everyone is healthy, that value can be used to improve other areas. Plumlee is capable of providing spot minutes in a 3rd string role when needed too. Seems like O'Quinn being moved isn't a matter of If, but When.
I don't like moving a player that has shown they can improve from season 1 to season 2. OQuinn follows the advice given to him last season and dropped weight, improved his jumper and his overall play. He makes just 4 million a year and by NBA terms that's not much. He is 26 years old with prime years ahead.I'd use Noah as 3rd Center and play both Willy and OQuinn ahead of him.
I agree, but let's look at it this way for a minute; O'Quinn only gets paid 4 mil a year for 1 more season after this current 1. The last year of the contract is a player option. He is most definitely going to opt out and get a big deal. Are we really going to pay him 10+ mil per year to back up Willy and KP when we will already have a 72 mil dollar big man off the bench? I just don't see it. I see us moving him while he has another year on that bargain contract and his value is high.
Noah needs to go, not KOQ. They need to find a contender who needs a rebounder, D guy off the bench.
GoNyGoNyGo wrote:Noah needs to go, not KOQ. They need to find a contender who needs a rebounder, D guy off the bench.
With that contract it is easier said than done.
