Knicks · Knick knacks... (page 125)

martin @ 4/29/2024 8:29 PM
One man’s take

Clean @ 4/30/2024 7:27 AM
Nalod @ 4/30/2024 7:34 AM
Booker is only 27. He has 4 years and 221mm on a fresh extension. He has no leverage to a trade or destination.

The formula is two max contracts then build around that?
What does a Booker trade look like? His contract is big. Really big.

Is PHX really looking to trade him or Durant?
We talking one season with Durant, Beal and Booker.
I don't see them getting better and the west is getting tougher. OKC jumped them, rockets are ready for next level, and SAS will be soon.

You have to be looking at DDV and Randle for starters and two first round picks.
They getting a two time all NBA Allstar PF, but does that make sense for PHX to pair with Durant?
Once we got three team I lose focus.

Its all fun but what does PHX do to make it work for them?

Nalod @ 4/30/2024 7:48 AM
Clean wrote:

I get the Maxey vote. In fact have little to gripe the way it went other than it sucks DDV did not make the minutes per game cut. Hope they fix that. A player who improves enough to start should not be penalized.

Maxey also rose to likely all NBA status and perhaps while they finished just three games behind knicks he too carried them in the face of injuries and I think a team with less talent/depth.

Good to see Brunson got votes. He'll be 1st or second team all NBA in his first season as an Allstar. Yes, thats a hell of an improvement and he gets some MVP love. Kid has been incredible.

Another talking head has dismissed the notion a small player can carry a team to the promise land. Was it shaq? Lets put it this way, these people have to say something when asked how far they can go? Only thing left is for Brunson to carry them all the way!!! Otherwise they are correct.
For that to happen DDV has to step I up and OG continue to rise as well.

martin @ 4/30/2024 9:32 AM
In 2 years on the Knicks, Brunson went from part time starter for Mavs (started 60 out of 80 games) to starter on Knicks to MVP quality player.
martin @ 4/30/2024 9:48 AM

Jalen Brunson has elevated the Knicks and set the franchise up for sustained success. From @IanBegley:

"I wasn’t alive in May of 1970. I’ve only seen footage of Willis Reed limping through the tunnel at the old Madison Square Garden ahead of Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

It would be absurd, of course, to compare Brunson’s return in Game 4 on Sunday to Reed’s Game 7 heroics.

But what happened in the fourth quarter against Philly – and what’s happened since Brunson arrived in New York – should leave you optimistic that these Knicks have at least a puncher’s chance to reach the stage Reed limped across on May 8, 1970.

...

If you take a macro view of this team, it reads like the kind of script Hollywood would reject. A top agent (Leon Rose) takes over a moribund franchise and turns it around thanks to his godson (Brunson), who is the son of his first NBA client (Rick Brunson). The head coach (Tom Thibodeau) has known the franchise savior since he was seven years old.

That franchise savior is undoing two decades of dysfunction alongside three of his closest college teammates (Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Ryan Arcidiacono). We could go on about the initial reaction to Jalen Brunson’s Knicks contract; the fact that Rick Brunson played on one of the last good Knicks teams; Thibodeau's role as an assistant coach on those teams, etc.)

Again, this is fairytale stuff. The kind of story Hollywood would deems as too impractical for adult audiences.

Maybe this particular story doesn’t have a Hollywood ending. Maybe Jalen Brunson’s Knicks never win an NBA title. Maybe they meet the same fate as the Knicks teams Rick Brunson played for. We’ll see how it all plays out over the next few years.

But the idea that Brunson and the Knicks are one win away from the second round of the playoffs shouldn’t be glossed over. This Knicks team would be the first to reach the second round in consecutive seasons since 1999-2000.

If you look at the age of the core here, the culture that they’ve seemingly established and a consistent competency from the front office, it’s easy to see how these Knicks can contend for several years to come.

Obviously, they have to stay healthy and have things break their way. But for the first time in a long time, the Knicks are set up for sustained success. No matter what happens in Game 5 against Philly and beyond, that in and of itself is an accomplishment."

More notes from Ian here:

Nalod @ 4/30/2024 9:56 AM
martin wrote:In 2 years on the Knicks, Brunson went from part time starter for Mavs (started 60 out of 80 games) to starter on Knicks to MVP quality player.

He has been 11th, 3rd and now 5th the last three seasons for Most improved.
perhaps being a perennial member of that category is why he has not been no. 1?
Nobody saw this kid coming as it turned out. Im sure in hindsight one can cobble together the signs but the only one that really mattered was Leon.
Media job is to question things so his contract when "questioned" was to be expected.

I think Shaq also called into question that Short guys don't lead (Isiah Thomas the exception) to chips joins a long list of folks saying that.
Its statistically backed up and logical as much as knick fans don't like that.
Jalen has defied most things in his journey to this place. We can call out those have said it but he can simply win a chip and prove them all wrong.
Funny thing he comes off as really not caring about statements like that. Seems we get more bent out of shape from it.
I think winning is what turns him on, not vindication. Im guessing Jalen does not keep a list of players taken before him or the teams that passed him over.
Thats negative energy that really is not sustainable. Best "revenge" is to live the best life and make the best. The NBA is a tough business and rising to this level for him should be more than satisfying given the work he has put in his whole life. Rick Brunson mind must be spinning on the bench sometimes to what his son is able to to do!!

EwingsGlass @ 4/30/2024 9:59 AM
Nalod wrote:Booker is only 27. He has 4 years and 221mm on a fresh extension. He has no leverage to a trade or destination.

The formula is two max contracts then build around that?
What does a Booker trade look like? His contract is big. Really big.

Is PHX really looking to trade him or Durant?
We talking one season with Durant, Beal and Booker.
I don't see them getting better and the west is getting tougher. OKC jumped them, rockets are ready for next level, and SAS will be soon.

You have to be looking at DDV and Randle for starters and two first round picks.
They getting a two time all NBA Allstar PF, but does that make sense for PHX to pair with Durant?
Once we got three team I lose focus.

Its all fun but what does PHX do to make it work for them?

Hard to make a deal for Booker without carving a hole in the Knicks core. StarPhuc. I don't think he is a chemistry guy here. Mitchell, Bridges on the other hand, I think would fit. But I think Randle has dibs at this point. I prefer the motion offense to the iso-ball Randle runs, but I think Randle can adapt. Conditioning won't be an issue for him but he might have to drop some more bulk.

If we can't land Bridges or Mitchell, I'd keep building the franchise and adding value players that play both ways. I think the knicks could add two upside pieces in this draft at 24/25 like Yves Missi (24) and Tddjane Salune (25), Pacome Dadiet (36) and really develop them since we don't actually have positional need right now. Leave Dadiet in Germany for a year or two. Use the MLE to pickup Bruce Brown if the Raps drop him. Would make a deal with Orl if Jonathan Isaac became available. I am pretty much in run it back mode assuming Randle can adapt to the motion offense.

Brunson / Deuce
DDV / Brown
OG / Hart
Randle / Precious / Salun
iHart / Robinson / Missi / Sims

I think its good to keep the core we have and add more "dogs". Focus should be on re-signing what we have.

Nalod @ 4/30/2024 10:21 AM
EwingsGlass wrote:
Nalod wrote:Booker is only 27. He has 4 years and 221mm on a fresh extension. He has no leverage to a trade or destination.

The formula is two max contracts then build around that?
What does a Booker trade look like? His contract is big. Really big.

Is PHX really looking to trade him or Durant?
We talking one season with Durant, Beal and Booker.
I don't see them getting better and the west is getting tougher. OKC jumped them, rockets are ready for next level, and SAS will be soon.

You have to be looking at DDV and Randle for starters and two first round picks.
They getting a two time all NBA Allstar PF, but does that make sense for PHX to pair with Durant?
Once we got three team I lose focus.

Its all fun but what does PHX do to make it work for them?

Hard to make a deal for Booker without carving a hole in the Knicks core. StarPhuc. I don't think he is a chemistry guy here. Mitchell, Bridges on the other hand, I think would fit. But I think Randle has dibs at this point. I prefer the motion offense to the iso-ball Randle runs, but I think Randle can adapt. Conditioning won't be an issue for him but he might have to drop some more bulk.

If we can't land Bridges or Mitchell, I'd keep building the franchise and adding value players that play both ways. I think the knicks could add two upside pieces in this draft at 24/25 like Yves Missi (24) and Tddjane Salune (25), Pacome Dadiet (36) and really develop them since we don't actually have positional need right now. Leave Dadiet in Germany for a year or two. Use the MLE to pickup Bruce Brown if the Raps drop him. Would make a deal with Orl if Jonathan Isaac became available. I am pretty much in run it back mode assuming Randle can adapt to the motion offense.

Brunson / Deuce
DDV / Brown
OG / Hart
Randle / Precious / Salun
iHart / Robinson / Missi / Sims

I think its good to keep the core we have and add more "dogs". Focus should be on re-signing what we have.

For sure, and perhaps we use draft to keep refreshing our core for trades and on court. Having tradable contracts is huge.
I thought Randle was well on his way to adapting to not having RJ and IQ. They both were very Iso as well. His assist total for his last 5 games were 6.6 per.
Eye test saw he was moving the ball. Also you have DDV making starts then also. compared to prevoius years you have a banger in OG to alleviate the burden and DDV shooting. Things we did not have previously. IQ could shoot but his ball movement was always a work in progress. Not slighting him, just who he was. RJ and Randle were more similar and not a great fit together. Randle was beasting.

I run this thing back and let the FO do some draft magic.

but, we need a starphuch right? LOL.....Booker is a better fit then DM and that level of shooting can't hurt.
Mitch and Randle, and two 1sts for Booker? SLide OG to PF, and play Josh at the 3?
We save money by not having a back up for Josh.

fitzfarm @ 4/30/2024 10:41 AM
martin wrote:One man’s take

Just funny, that Brunson, DDV and Hart are changing the face of this franchise to a winners culture
the media is in a frenzy on what to do about it . Jalen is an impressive humble leader,and warrior. I keep saying he is Tim Duncan if Duncan was a 6’1 PG . His footwork is probably the best for any guard in the NBA he beats you with fundamentals.He has full trust in his teammates, who are all dogs and outwork any opponent's. Honestly I can’t even get mad when this team looses, because they fight so hard, effort is never in question.There's no melo smiles from these guys when down 10. It’s a honor to watch such good basketball played and played the right way. Who wouldn’t want to come to such a turn around of culture on the world’s biggest stage.

If Book was a free agent and wanted to come here great! But can you get him to play defense? He seems pretty checked out on that end of the floor. He is extremely talented on offense, and would put DDV on the bench, is that a good thing? Maybe ?

A second unit of Duece, DDV, Hart,Precious and Mitch … That’s the Best second unit in the league right there.

But Book isn’t free…. So we should move along, unless we see Josh as our starting PF.

I really wanna see what Randle can do with this team, a healthy Randal and this team is best in the east, quite possibly the best team in the league.

martin @ 4/30/2024 10:52 AM
Ian super conservative in his praise, this feels right

martin @ 4/30/2024 11:15 AM
It's a good article

https://knicksfilmschool.substack.com/p/...

One of One

Before we get to a review of the spectacular fourth quarter, let’s take another moment to pay homage to an achievement not previously seen in the 77-year history of this franchise:

I tweeted this yesterday, but it’s worth re-upping for anyone who may have missed it: Jalen Brunson just became the ninth player ever to attempts at least 116 field goals over a four-game stretch in the playoffs. The other eight: Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Far more MVP’s than not (and I’d expect Luka to get one soon).

That list shows why it’s a compliment, not a detriment, to discuss Brunson’s usage in this series. New York’s role players have done yeoman’s work in more ways than one, but any “easy” shots the Knicks are getting (to the extent anyone is getting any easy shots in this series) have come because of the attention Brunson generates.

And then there’s the individual production, which has reached unheard of levels. According to Jared Weiss, Brunson became the first player in NBA postseason history to score at least 45 points and dish 10 assists in a game his team failed to crack 100 points. Per Stat Mamba, Brunson is also the first player to record at least 85 points and 20 dimes over any 2-game span in the playoffs.

And finally this: Brunson now owns four of the top 20 scoring games in Knicks playoff history. That’s tied with Willis Reed for second most, and trails only Bernard King, who has seven. Melo has three, while Ewing and Frazier have two each.

Ewing played 135 playoff games in a New York uniform. Frazier had 93, Reed 78, Melo 21 and King 18. Sunday was Brunson’s 15th playoff game as a Knick.

We ain’t seen nothing yet.

Nalod @ 4/30/2024 11:44 AM
All this and we not out of the first round!

I temper my labeling just yet. Willis did what he did in Game 7 of the finals. Jalen did his to gain a 3-1 advantage in a close game.
Ian is is "tempered" also so Im not calling him out.

What defies logic is that small guards don't carry teams all the way. That jury is still out so Im not taking for granted what Jalen is doing and extrapolating into a ECF showdown vs. Boston as a given. Fans will blame others and Thibs if we fall short. I contend this team punches above its weight. If so then its why Im enjoying what Jalen is doing even more so.
If it ends, it ends knowing they went as far as they could. The two seed was a stretch, and beating Philly toe to toe with the great villian Embeast is also not to be taken for granted. To do so I believe is to miss the nuance of what is happening.

martin @ 4/30/2024 7:23 PM
They will do it

Nalod @ 4/30/2024 10:47 PM
martin wrote:They will do it

He is EF but useful in trade or on the court.
No accident here.

LivingLegend @ 4/30/2024 11:32 PM
martin wrote:I have to tell you, I am so happy for the KFS guys, they have really earned whatever exposure they get and the opportunities that come along with it.

Kudos to them for living the life.

ToddTT wrote:Andrew Claudio is always a good listen.

I love J Cohen who is far brighter than 99% of us on the cap and predicting Knick future moves.

Marci seems like a good guy and true fan.

Claudio is a COMPLETE TOOL —- PUT HIM IN THE TRUNK WITH BURKS

LivingLegend @ 4/30/2024 11:34 PM
KnickDanger wrote:
martin wrote:Vecsey is still alive? He has thoughts

Heaping helping of Hoop du Jour!

He was great and a fun resource for ALL kinds of rumors long before many watching today were born.

LivingLegend @ 4/30/2024 11:38 PM
martin wrote:They will do it

Yep

LivingLegend @ 4/30/2024 11:42 PM
fitzfarm wrote:
martin wrote:One man’s take

Just funny, that Brunson, DDV and Hart are changing the face of this franchise to a winners culture
the media is in a frenzy on what to do about it . Jalen is an impressive humble leader,and warrior. I keep saying he is Tim Duncan if Duncan was a 6’1 PG . His footwork is probably the best for any guard in the NBA he beats you with fundamentals.He has full trust in his teammates, who are all dogs and outwork any opponent's. Honestly I can’t even get mad when this team looses, because they fight so hard, effort is never in question.There's no melo smiles from these guys when down 10. It’s a honor to watch such good basketball played and played the right way. Who wouldn’t want to come to such a turn around of culture on the world’s biggest stage.

If Book was a free agent and wanted to come here great! But can you get him to play defense? He seems pretty checked out on that end of the floor. He is extremely talented on offense, and would put DDV on the bench, is that a good thing? Maybe ?

A second unit of Duece, DDV, Hart,Precious and Mitch … That’s the Best second unit in the league right there.

But Book isn’t free…. So we should move along, unless we see Josh as our starting PF.

I really wanna see what Randle can do with this team, a healthy Randal and this team is best in the east, quite possibly the best team in the league.

If Booker looks around he could see himself with Beal who is an always injured fugazy and KD who himself might have 1 foot out the door. I don’t think that’s outside of reason but if Isaiah still has owners ear he may convince him to chase some shiny new expensive car.

martin @ 5/1/2024 8:33 AM
LivingLegend wrote:
martin wrote:I have to tell you, I am so happy for the KFS guys, they have really earned whatever exposure they get and the opportunities that come along with it.

Kudos to them for living the life.

ToddTT wrote:Andrew Claudio is always a good listen.

I love J Cohen who is far brighter than 99% of us on the cap and predicting Knick future moves.

Marci seems like a good guy and true fan.

Claudio is a COMPLETE TOOL —- PUT HIM IN THE TRUNK WITH BURKS

haha yeah

VDesai @ 5/1/2024 8:45 AM
martin wrote:
LivingLegend wrote:
martin wrote:I have to tell you, I am so happy for the KFS guys, they have really earned whatever exposure they get and the opportunities that come along with it.

Kudos to them for living the life.

ToddTT wrote:Andrew Claudio is always a good listen.

I love J Cohen who is far brighter than 99% of us on the cap and predicting Knick future moves.

Marci seems like a good guy and true fan.

Claudio is a COMPLETE TOOL —- PUT HIM IN THE TRUNK WITH BURKS

haha yeah

Macri was way too fatalistic last night. Your a Knicks fan, unfortunately you have seen this exact loss 10 times. Act like you have been there before.

What's the no.1 best attribute of this team this season? These guys play prepared and every time they are down they bounce back. This is a group of mentally strong guys who brush off the last game and play hard every night. Have confidence in this team. He himself has said how strong / prepared this team in every monologue after a win. Now how does that change after a loss. Its the same damn team. We all are capable of making mistakes.

Page 125 of 153
Back to Knicks Forum
2024 © UltimateKnicks.com