Not going to make a judgement this early. Still only 11 games into this and a Brunson, as a new PG on a different team, needs time to gel and learn everyone else's strengths. He also has to deal with the pressure of hired expectations, playing in NYC and living up to his new contract. Nor am I saying this is the sole reason for our losses or the only area we need improvement in.
However, I expressed my concern about his playing style when he was signed. One that I was able to watch quite often last year with the Mavs. I was excited about his ability to be crafty around the basket and his all around offensive game. Big concern was his over dribbling, shoot first style which has been there since he has come into the league. As we saw early on, it was good to have that in close games during some our early wins. Problem is that it usually revolved around one on one moves. And I have mentioned on other threads, JB is not DM. He cant have the mind set that his only job here is to take over a game offensively.
Feel the big problem in all of our loses was that the entire team gets into a one on one mentality. As we saw last night, most of our players acted like if they gave up the ball they would never get it back. Think this starts with your main ball handler. One of the most important responsibilities a TRUE PG has is that he facilitates the movement of the ball and is responsible for running the offense. A true PG makes sure ball movement is fluid. He has to make sure he is the one with the ball in his hands and not guys that are TO prone. Many coaches will tell you that your PG is your floor general. He has to see the entire picture. To have our starting PG play 30 minutes and only have 2 assists is unacceptable. And yes, I know he has a better average but think it is clear that he may be too focused on scoring and not on the things mentioned above.
But like I said, still early. Hopefully he balances his scoring with being a floor general. (True PG)
Brunson is a modern day NBA 'PG'. The position is not the same as the one we grew up watching.
I think the only players who resemble that old school floor general are CP3 and probably Haliburton. I can't think of anyone else.
SergioNYK wrote:Brunson is a modern day NBA 'PG'. The position is not the same as the one we grew up watching. I think the only players who resemble that old school floor general are CP3 and probably Haliburton. I can't think of anyone else.
I hear Nash is available.
Agree. Think that may be the problem. Too many players equate the "Modern day NBA' as being void of basketball IQ. As we saw with Durant, good players make good basketball decisions. Top teams all have high IQ players. Think Smart, Holiday and Conley are that.
It is obvious that JB can as well. He has a good assist average. Just think he gets into streaks where he loses the team mindset and puts it all on himself to score. Mostly against tougher competition.
Btw, Haliburton is a sore subject. Probably the guy we should have drafted instead of Obi.
Brunson is not the problem. the one on one mentality is.
there are games that the team moves the ball and is fun to watch, and then there was last night which was disgusting. Thibs was fuming and disgusted and he still ran out the same crew to start the second half. the simple fact of the matter is players have good nights and off nights. Last night we had a few guys who couldn't buy a bucket. You need to sit them in that situation. let them get their marbles together, or perhaps just let them watch
we also had no plan on defense. we let everyone have a career night
There are no PGs. And the more money players get for scoring, old school PGs and defenders will be extinct. It’s all about which guard or forward can score the most.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
There are valid concerns about Brunson, but he's played well (see 'Brunson is a star player', 'Brunson is a max player' threads). Even if some of us want to overrate him, he is at bare minimum a competent PG and holy shit have we gone a long time without one of those.
this is a stupid question. We finally have a competent PG that checks all the boxs, is putting up some great numbers, and this is the question?
Should we dig Bob Cousy? Give Walt a bottle of eternal youth?
You want a good question - Should we keep RJ Barrett?
I'm content with Brunson. I'm guessing he misses Luka.
To answer your question, he can if JB wants to be a true PG. Right now Brunson is playing more like Marbury than I would have liked. As far as using up the 24 second clock at times.
Marbury's assist average was bolstered by running P&Rs with Doleac. Thats something Id like to see Brunson work on with his bigs more.
As far as passing, as I said in another post. Brunson doesnt have to be a pass first PG to be the right starting PG for the team. Just a pass a little more PG.
Brunson does need to focus more on setting up his teammates rather than calling his own number but I think he has enough skills to be our starting PG. Yesterday was just a bad game for everyone. Brunson has been solid for the most part this year.
Brunson is an efficient modern day PG. He’s like a poor man’s CHris Paul. He does everything we need but as the case with Barrett, it’s tough being on an I’ll-fitting roster. Hopefully with those 2 guy to build with, the front office can work towards a better fitting roster. But Brunson has been the perfect PG for us to get considering age and ability.
franco12 wrote:this is a stupid question. We finally have a competent PG that checks all the boxs, is putting up some great numbers, and this is the question?Should we dig Bob Cousy? Give Walt a bottle of eternal youth?
You want a good question - Should we keep RJ Barrett?
IF you understood my post, you would realize I am questioning the bold above. Including the ones that I feel we needed more than scoring.
Yet you respond that it was a stupid question without any dialogue.
Should I respond to your post with "Should we keep RJ" what a stupid question?
Knixkik wrote:Brunson is an efficient modern day PG. He’s like a poor man’s CHris Paul. He does everything we need but as the case with Barrett, it’s tough being on an I’ll-fitting roster. Hopefully with those 2 guy to build with, the front office can work towards a better fitting roster. But Brunson has been the perfect PG for us to get considering age and ability.
Not saying I want to trade him or that he is not a solid player or that I am not happy to have a NBA level PG after so many years of that being a void. You are claiming our roster is not complete. Okay, probably so. What I am saying is that ANY roster needs a floor general with high basketball IQ. I wanted that for our PG more than I wanted a score first player. That is what many of us here have been wishing for for years.
Think he can be that. Think he has played many minutes like that. As mentioned, just feel he has lapses where its all score first mentality and the offense struggles. And that is typically on the PG. Players can always improve. He has shown a lot of ability. Nothing wrong with pointing out where he needs to improve.
I think JB is fine. I actually think he has been amazing for what ever little space he can get in the paint. We shoot so poorly the paint has been gridlocked for 2 seasons. Every team goes under every screen for RJ and Randle. The defense sags off on them to. Mitch clogs the paint. Cam shooting has been trash since starting. There is no reason for any defender to come out of the paint. Thibs defensive scheme would work wonders on us. Out of the occasional hot game we get we would brick every open 3 and when we do make it to the hoop RJ would miss the layup.
HofstraBBall wrote:Knixkik wrote:Brunson is an efficient modern day PG. He’s like a poor man’s CHris Paul. He does everything we need but as the case with Barrett, it’s tough being on an I’ll-fitting roster. Hopefully with those 2 guy to build with, the front office can work towards a better fitting roster. But Brunson has been the perfect PG for us to get considering age and ability.
Not saying I want to trade him or that he is not a solid player or that I am not happy to have a NBA level PG after so many years of that being a void. You are claiming our roster is not complete. Okay, probably so. What I am saying is that ANY roster needs a floor general with high basketball IQ. I wanted that for our PG more than I wanted a score first player. That is what many of us here have been wishing for for years.
Think he can be that. Think he has played many minutes like that. As mentioned, just feel he has lapses where its all score first mentality and the offense struggles. And that is typically on the PG. Players can always improve. He has shown a lot of ability. Nothing wrong with pointing out where he needs to improve.
Yes he absolutely needs to improve in some areas like all players outside of maybe a select few. I think it feels like forever ago but he was a #2 option on a team that was in the realm of contender just last summer. Sure the #1 was Doncic, but Brunson was also the #1 guy for most of a playoff series that they were winning without Doncic. I think he’s adjusting to a very different role, but I also feel like if the Knicks ever get that #1, than Brunson is a proven #2.
Clean wrote:I think JB is fine. I actually think he has been amazing for what ever little space he can get in the paint. We shoot so poorly the paint has been gridlocked for 2 seasons. Every team goes under every screen for RJ and Randle. The defense sags off on them to. Mitch clogs the paint. Cam shooting has been trash since starting. There is no reason for any defender to come out of the paint. Thibs defensive scheme would work wonders on us. Out of the occasional hot game we get we would brick every open 3 and when we do make it to the hoop RJ would miss the layup.
It's the truth.
We need to get rid of our iso inefficient starting PF and move closer to a functional offense.
BigDaddyG wrote:We need to get rid of our iso inefficient starting PF and move closer to a functional offense.
Or the other option is trading Mitch for a stretch 5 (or starting hart) and using Randle as a pick and roll finisher and spot up shooter. The shooting is really coming around at least.
Knixkik wrote:BigDaddyG wrote:We need to get rid of our iso inefficient starting PF and move closer to a functional offense.
Or the other option is trading Mitch for a stretch 5 (or starting hart) and using Randle as a pick and roll finisher and spot up shooter. The shooting is really coming around at least.
Randle has to be willing to accept that role. Everybody in the starting lineup needs help getting shots. Even JB needs a pick. The moment any guy decides to hi-jack the offense, and I'm looking at RJ as well, everything usually goes to hell.
Murray would have been a nice pick up. The 3 #1s doesn’t seem that high anymore.
Would have been a nice addition with Brunson.
Knixkik wrote:BigDaddyG wrote:We need to get rid of our iso inefficient starting PF and move closer to a functional offense.
Or the other option is trading Mitch for a stretch 5 (or starting hart) and using Randle as a pick and roll finisher and spot up shooter. The shooting is really coming around at least.
I like the idea of starting Hart. He is much more involved in the offense. And his D is starting material. I hope Simms isnt the starter while Mitch is out. He played well, but not well enough to supplant Hart in the rotation.
Mitch being hurt so soon in the season again is a real kick in the...gut. Maybe he does better coming off the bench. The second unit is good at finding Mitch for the flush.
Hart is outplaying him, and I dont see that changing. The surprising thing is his calling card was 3pt shooting, and thread the needle passes, before he got here. Now its more of Charles Oakley glue guy role, without the crazy.
If he starts hitting 3s, the FO will have a decision to make. Wouldnt trade Mitch yet.
Still would trade Draymond Green for Randle, but that window might have passed, with those ISO stats. Would throw in a first rounder. I dont believe Green wants "the punch" to be his legacy. His passing alone would open up the offense.
