I'm confident in a 2nd unit lineup of Frank, Quickley, Burks, Toppin, and MitchRob.
Randle Payton and Barrett has never learned how to perform team-ball on both sides of the court in the NBA, their individual performance and ISO offense would be cut or DNP by all the NBA top team-ball head-coaches.
So far in the 2020-21 season coach Thibs hardest job has been trying to get the trio Randle Payton and Barrett into a team-ball frame of mind player by making them the most minute played players on the team !!!
Philc1 wrote:Knixkik wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:I’m keeping my eye on Knox this season. He’s shooting 44% from 3, seen some solid play. Not saying he is 100% ready, but sometimes I think he has higher upside than Barrett. Then I’ll see Barrett work with a little floor space and wonder what is going on...
Barrett just has more upside because of the intangibles and drive and all of that. Knox lacks those things but seems like he can settle into a high quality reserve shooting specialist. I didn’t count him as a core piece but I definitely think he’s a possible keeper.
Barrett really is a Jack of all trades. 11 boards yesterday and played good D. This in addition to being a good facilitator as a passer
His free throw shooting is way better this year. Once his 3-pointer becomes more consistent he will be really good
Barrett gives us nothing on offense, nor defense, nor hustle performance. Barrett's poor-poor passing-skills as a guard has been the stopper of the team performing on the same-page. Plus RJ Barrett has been the Knicks top INCONSISTENT player for two seasons. The Knicks need a consistent SG (on offense or defense) to replace Barrett's poor 34 minute performance each game more than they need a new PG.
Barrett has no creative skills on offense, nor do Barrett has any skills to defend opponents from scoring.
Being the 3rd pick of the draft are the only reason Barrett receives 34 minute per game.
Burks offense is much better than Barrett, but both players are lost on the defensive end of the court majority of the time.
That core really needs some more shooting.
wargames wrote:That core really needs some more shooting.
Agreed. There needs to be a 5th starter that is a lights out shooter to go alongside Quickley. I like Burks in the short term, but he’s older and seems like injuries will always play a role. Drafting someone like Corey Kispert or Moses Moody in the second half of the lottery is a possibility. But ultimately we will need to sign or trade for a shooter/playmaker who can be a difference maker. It’s a critical missing piece.
Didn't know about the missing flights thing. That would definitely explain the maturity questions. Let's hope Mitch continues to grow upstairs. That step is more important than him developing a three point shot.
https://nypost.com/2021/01/19/jeff-van-g...
Van Gundy gave high marks to Julius Randle for “playing different’’ and center Mitchell Robinson for changing his approach. Van Gundy had a negative experience coaching Robinson two summers ago at Team USA’s Select Team camp. Robinson missed most of it with knee soreness.“The thing that concerned me when it came to Las Vegas — he never really participated — but the concern is missing flights,’’ Van Gundy said. “[It’s] professionalism. Will he get in his own way or strive to do everything right and allow his talent to come out? I don’t know but he’s playing really well, really hard and defensively he’s had an impact.
Kemet wrote:Philc1 wrote:Knixkik wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:I’m keeping my eye on Knox this season. He’s shooting 44% from 3, seen some solid play. Not saying he is 100% ready, but sometimes I think he has higher upside than Barrett. Then I’ll see Barrett work with a little floor space and wonder what is going on...
Barrett just has more upside because of the intangibles and drive and all of that. Knox lacks those things but seems like he can settle into a high quality reserve shooting specialist. I didn’t count him as a core piece but I definitely think he’s a possible keeper.
Barrett really is a Jack of all trades. 11 boards yesterday and played good D. This in addition to being a good facilitator as a passer
His free throw shooting is way better this year. Once his 3-pointer becomes more consistent he will be really good
Barrett gives us nothing on offense, nor defense, nor hustle performance. Barrett's poor-poor passing-skills as a guard has been the stopper of the team performing on the same-page. Plus RJ Barrett has been the Knicks top INCONSISTENT player for two seasons. The Knicks need a consistent SG (on offense or defense) to replace Barrett's poor 34 minute performance each game more than they need a new PG.
Barrett has no creative skills on offense, nor do Barrett has any skills to defend opponents from scoring.
Being the 3rd pick of the draft are the only reason Barrett receives 34 minute per game.
Burks offense is much better than Barrett, but both players are lost on the defensive end of the court majority of the time.
Its like a jihad on RJ.
He's actually a pretty good player (even at 20!) This is just some cranky rant. Knicks are emerging as an elite defensive team. I guess Thibs is hiding RJ 
I would include Knox/Rivers as they are signed through next year as well. Knox is developing and Rivers is a role player, but the BEST thing I can say about IQ/RJ/Knox/Randle/Obi/Mitch is at least you can call it a core. Woefully short on shooting but its a big athletic group that are showing they can win now by playing hard defense every night.
Its a great start and worth watching. Even if we fall out of the lottery the upcoming draft will be huge for us.
Mitch has $1.8M on his contract next year and then is an UFA, I did not know that. Thought he would be restricted.
martin wrote:Mitch has $1.8M on his contract next year and then is an UFA, I did not know that. Thought he would be restricted.
Yes, and if they are to offer him his max extension it would come out to about 56 mil over 4 years, so 14 mil per year average. Obviously if he waits until he's an unrestricted FA he can earn more. But in the current NBA landscape where centers are devalued and he's clearly critical to anchor the defense for Thibs, that may be a fair contract for both sides. Mitch is playing/living in NY and making a little over a million a year. He's not super rich yet. If he can secure an extension for 14 mil per year he's set for life. I have to believe that type of contract for 3-4 years will be on the table at some point.
