Knicks · [Game Thread 3/29/23] Knicks vs Heat 7:30PM (page 10)

The cHeat really wanted and needed this game so kudos to this team for pulling this one out. IQ continues to play out of his mind! Hitting shots over behind the backboard with three games all over him! But my favorite play was that bounce pass to Hartenstein from the right side three point line with the shot clock winding down! He is just playing so good right now!

Same with Grimes! That jumper is in a zone right now! We'll need scoring from him going forward without Randle. Kudos to the entire bench! This was a tied game going into the fourth and we held them to just 16 points! When we play defense like that, we can compete with anyone! Major kudos to Thibs for allowing that group to finish the game! Not the first time he's done that either. And kudos to Brunson who doesn't bitch and complain about it either. There are a lot of players who would be on the back page this morning complaining about being benched in the fourth in a big game.

A win is a win but we need cannot miss 11 FTs! Also concerned about Brunson. He did not look good. Hopefully it was just rust and he will be fine. OK losing Randle sucks a lot. Not a good time to go down with 5 games to go but it's not the end of the world unless he misses the playoffs. We should be fine without him these final 5 games to close out the season. We have a comfortable lead for that 5th spot and should be in Cleveland in two weeks. In the mean time, it's a great opportunity for RJ to redeem himself and take on more responsibility offensively. He was horrendous in the first half. Missed like 6 layup's and point blank shots but he made some big shots especially the dagger three in the fourth. We need RJ to be more consistent and get himself going for the playoffs. WE NEED HIM! Same with Obi. Great opportunity right now to start and show what you can do.

SergioNYK wrote:It's always nice to beat the cHeat but losing Randle really put a downer on this one. We have to now just hope it's not that bad and he'll only miss a couple of games and will be 100% healthy and ready for the Cavs in round one.

The cHeat really wanted and needed this game so kudos to this team for pulling this one out. IQ continues to play out of his mind! Hitting shots over behind the backboard with three games all over him! But my favorite play was that bounce pass to Hartenstein from the right side three point line with the shot clock winding down! He is just playing so good right now!

Same with Grimes! That jumper is in a zone right now! We'll need scoring from him going forward without Randle. Kudos to the entire bench! This was a tied game going into the fourth and we held them to just 16 points! When we play defense like that, we can compete with anyone! Major kudos to Thibs for allowing that group to finish the game! Not the first time he's done that either. And kudos to Brunson who doesn't bitch and complain about it either. There are a lot of players who would be on the back page this morning complaining about being benched in the fourth in a big game.

A win is a win but we need cannot miss 11 FTs! Also concerned about Brunson. He did not look good. Hopefully it was just rust and he will be fine. OK losing Randle sucks a lot. Not a good time to go down with 5 games to go but it's not the end of the world unless he misses the playoffs. We should be fine without him these final 5 games to close out the season. We have a comfortable lead for that 5th spot and should be in Cleveland in two weeks. In the mean time, it's a great opportunity for RJ to redeem himself and take on more responsibility offensively. He was horrendous in the first half. Missed like 6 layup's and point blank shots but he made some big shots especially the dagger three in the fourth. We need RJ to be more consistent and get himself going for the playoffs. WE NEED HIM! Same with Obi. Great opportunity right now to start and show what you can do.

Rest Randle as much as possible. If we rush him back on a sprained ankle we will risk a repeat of his playoff fiasco 2 years ago

BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.

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I'd be all for it if Butler was a little younger. But at 33 (will be 34 in September) he is too old. Would be beyond stupid to trade a 22 (will be 23 in June) year old RJ for someone 11 years older.

Alpha1971 wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:So now Randle and Brunson are both hurt right before the playoffs. Why can't things go right for this team

Rest them the next 4 of 5 games. Play IQ and Obi like at the end of last season. Play Deuce and Sims and Evan off the bench next four games. Go 2-2 next four. Then bring back Julius and Brunson for the final games to get some rust off

Agree 110%! 4th seed is out of reach and we're sitting good at 5th with 2.5 lead over the Nets and 4 over the cHeat. Prioritize health and get ready for Cleveland in two weeks. Friday's game is meaningless and should be able to beat Indiana twice and Washington.

Nalod wrote:Herro and Butler did not have a great game. Who was guarding them?
Hart and RJ.
Rj was boxing out Bam at times. RJ did a good job last night and obviously has offensive issues when focused on defense at times.
First half was ugly for knicks. RJ obviously looked bad but IQ was off and others as well.
Recall it was low scoring…….Then the pace picked up in the second half and knicks got it done.
At 2:03 left who hit the dagger? RJ. I think had two 3’s down the stretch.
Yes, RJ was poster player for the awful looks. Randle before he got hurt was not having a good game. Brunson looked Rusty, and Miami’s defense was spot on.
They had no answer for Grimes early on who carried them in the first half, and then IQ got going on the second.
Team win! Obi hit well and Mitch was superb on Bam. Ball movement was very good by all!

Heat needed this one badly and our defense kept Butler and Herro down enough they could not mount a stronger finish.
RJ is family. Knicks win and Thibs had him in for a reason. I root for knicks to win.

Trying too hard here - his game is not defensible and his teammates know it. Frank was family.

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:So now Randle and Brunson are both hurt right before the playoffs. Why can't things go right for this team

This is all scripted man, sneak load management and extended rest for both Randle an Brunson. Pumps up IQ to seal the deal on 6MOY and you know Obi gonna smash this opportunity.

Some truth in that sarcasm- Julius as evidenced by tonight has been skidding off the rails and he needs a nap and a straight jacket for a week or 2. For a minute I thought it was his Achilles again.

Randle didn't get All-Star recoup time, this does give him 2 weeks of recovery. God speed towards the playoffs and I wouldn't mind Brunson getting sat as soon as the non play-in seed is captured.

VDesai wrote:You guys are killing me on RJ. He has an awful beginning, but he made his last 4 shots and they were big buckets. His shot broke the last tie in the game and be made a 3 that effectively put the thing away. He is not a perfect player by any means, but I think his ability to shake off a bad start and stay even keeled throughout a game is underrated. And he played the whole 4th quarter with the crew that held the Heat to only 16 pts in the 4th.

Likely no Randle next game - he is likely to be the focal point going into the paint. He has to improve his passing out and finishing, Lets see how he responds.

Not so much as underrated but well practiced

Philc1 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.

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He’s past his prime anyway

Put him on Knicks in place of RJ and I think the Knicks are title contenders.

martin wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.

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He’s past his prime anyway

Put him on Knicks in place of RJ and I think the Knicks are title contenders.

*If healthy and does not decline too significantly entering his mid 30's.

MaTT4281 wrote:

martin wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.

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He’s past his prime anyway

Put him on Knicks in place of RJ and I think the Knicks are title contenders.

*If healthy and does not decline too significantly entering his mid 30's.

100%

Sometimes you can trade for CP3 and get good years, some times you sign both Durant and Kyrie and eat the shitcake of injuries and whackadoodle. Sometimes you resign your MVP winning Westbrook to a max extension at 30 and it seems like a good idea, and sometimes you trade that same player 4 time in 4 straight years after that and watch as he falls off the Cliffs of Insanity. Toronto got it right with Kawhi and it was worth it? Hasn't been for LAC so far.

I'd probably do RJ, 2 first rounders for Butler on his current contract (2 years, 3rd year player option). Maybe I'd want him to opt into that 3rd year depending on what picks they are. Don't ask me which first rounders though

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martin wrote:
100%

Sometimes you can trade for CP3 and get good years, some times you sign both Durant and Kyrie and eat the shitcake of injuries and whackadoodle. Sometimes you resign your MVP winning Westbrook to a max extension at 30 and it seems like a good idea, and sometimes you trade that same player 4 time in 4 straight years after that and watch as he falls off the Cliffs of Insanity. Toronto got it right with Kawhi and it was worth it? Hasn't been for LAC so far.

I'd probably do RJ, 2 first rounders for Butler on his current contract (2 years, 3rd year player option). Maybe I'd want him to opt into that 3rd year depending on what picks they are. Don't ask me which first rounders though

I get the allure. I keep falling back to that daydream each time we play Miami. Love Butler's intensity. I think he'd keep Julius in check. Bring excellent defense (versatility has been on display while covering Julius *with one particular exception ). He slots into a position of need and is a Thibs guy to boot! Checks a lot of boxes.

BUT that contract! Owed 45M, 48M, and 52M at 34/35/36 years old. And as was pointed out to me last time I entertained that thought, he isn't exactly an iron man (save for the titanium knee he's bound to get at some point). I'm not banking on a Chris Paul type resurgence in his later years.

I really think Miami is going to have a tough time deciding what to do with him as they shift more towards the Bam/Herro game plan. $140M over 3 years is going to be hard to move. I can't make peace giving them RJ and picks as an out.

Our big winning streak was amazing, but I don’t think we have enough games with Brunson/Randle to get back to playing that way.

MaTT4281 wrote:

martin wrote:
100%

Sometimes you can trade for CP3 and get good years, some times you sign both Durant and Kyrie and eat the shitcake of injuries and whackadoodle. Sometimes you resign your MVP winning Westbrook to a max extension at 30 and it seems like a good idea, and sometimes you trade that same player 4 time in 4 straight years after that and watch as he falls off the Cliffs of Insanity. Toronto got it right with Kawhi and it was worth it? Hasn't been for LAC so far.

I'd probably do RJ, 2 first rounders for Butler on his current contract (2 years, 3rd year player option). Maybe I'd want him to opt into that 3rd year depending on what picks they are. Don't ask me which first rounders though

I get the allure. I keep falling back to that daydream each time we play Miami. Love Butler's intensity. I think he'd keep Julius in check. Bring excellent defense (versatility has been on display while covering Julius *with one particular exception ). He slots into a position of need and is a Thibs guy to boot! Checks a lot of boxes.

BUT that contract! Owed 45M, 48M, and 52M at 34/35/36 years old. And as was pointed out to me last time I entertained that thought, he isn't exactly an iron man (save for the titanium knee he's bound to get at some point). I'm not banking on a Chris Paul type resurgence in his later years.

I really think Miami is going to have a tough time deciding what to do with him as they shift more towards the Bam/Herro game plan. $140M over 3 years is going to be hard to move. I can't make peace giving them RJ and picks as an out.

You right.

On the other hand, first year Knicks make Conf Finals with Bulter playing 30 minutes a game and we all are like, RJ who?

martin wrote:

VDesai wrote:You guys are killing me on RJ. He has an awful beginning, but he made his last 4 shots and they were big buckets. His shot broke the last tie in the game and be made a 3 that effectively put the thing away. He is not a perfect player by any means, but I think his ability to shake off a bad start and stay even keeled throughout a game is underrated. And he played the whole 4th quarter with the crew that held the Heat to only 16 pts in the 4th.

Likely no Randle next game - he is likely to be the focal point going into the paint. He has to improve his passing out and finishing, Lets see how he responds.

Not so much as underrated but well practiced

LOL - exactly.

I mean on what planet is it good for a starter to continually shoot bricks (1-8 is typical start) handle the ball like a greased pig and just play poorly —- yet he made an open 3 so he should get more minutes.

It’s crazy to me.

martin wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.

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He’s past his prime anyway

Put him on Knicks in place of RJ and I think the Knicks are title contenders.

YEP!

Now could Jimmy fall,off a cliff fast? Yes.

But guy would be perfect fit if he could play near this years level for 2 more years. Just 2 years.

My guess is Pat says no - even with the salary difference but it’s an interesting question.

Even with some decline Jimmy replacing RJ would be big upgrade and would think Jimmy would be another guy who could squeeze quality/focus out of Randle.

Brunson, Jimmy, Randle, IQ - with our role players sprinkled in —- pretty tough but YES Jimmy is getting up there and Father Time undefeated.

LivingLegend wrote:Wonder if Pat the Rat would consider 23 year old Barrett for at start of next season 34 year old Jimmy Butler.

My guess is Pat says no - even with the salary difference but it’s an interesting question.

Even with some decline Jimmy replacing RJ would be big upgrade and would think Jimmy would be another guy who could squeeze quality/focus out of Randle.

Brunson, Jimmy, Randle, IQ - with our role players sprinkled in —- pretty tough but YES Jimmy is getting up there and Father Time undefeated.

I think a few things would need to happen from Miami's perspective.

- Butler would have to be grumpy and ask out and point to NY as destination.
- Miami would most likely want to include Duncan Robinson to get cap relief eventually.
- Ownership buy-in cause it would mostly likely mean fade from playoff contention for a couple of years.
- Picks?
- They'd ask for Grimes, IQ and that'd be a big No; it would probably have to also include McBride, Obi, Jericho (I'd assume Miami would ask for those guys).

LivingLegend wrote:Not to be negative but can’t help myself—- it’s criminal the minutes RJ is getting. This kid is point blank awful.

Heat were going small ALL GAME —- PRE OR POST Randle injury RJ should have had seat next to Johnny Bryant and Obi and/or Deuce or both should have been in game.

Obi sparked them and Thibs immediately ran Julius into the game - dumbfounding sometimes how he can’t leave good enough alone sometimes.

martin wrote:

VDesai wrote:You guys are killing me on RJ. He has an awful beginning, but he made his last 4 shots and they were big buckets. His shot broke the last tie in the game and be made a 3 that effectively put the thing away. He is not a perfect player by any means, but I think his ability to shake off a bad start and stay even keeled throughout a game is underrated. And he played the whole 4th quarter with the crew that held the Heat to only 16 pts in the 4th.

Likely no Randle next game - he is likely to be the focal point going into the paint. He has to improve his passing out and finishing, Lets see how he responds.

Not so much as underrated but well practiced

LivingLegend wrote:Wonder if Pat the Rat would consider 23 year old Barrett for at start of next season 34 year old Jimmy Butler.

My guess is Pat says no - even with the salary difference but it’s an interesting question.

Even with some decline Jimmy replacing RJ would be big upgrade and would think Jimmy would be another guy who could squeeze quality/focus out of Randle.

Brunson, Jimmy, Randle, IQ - with our role players sprinkled in —- pretty tough but YES Jimmy is getting up there and Father Time undefeated.

That’s just what we need. After a second round exit with butler we get to be dominated by RJ being coached by Spoelstra next 10 years