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 thoughts...
Increased ball movement from the group that finished the game. Grimes benefits from being with a unit where guys are looking for each other, something our starters need to recognize and do on a more consistent basis. Players also move with a purpose without the ball when they think they might be rewarded.
Josh Hart continues to impress. The guy has an attitude and seems to have a crazy look in his eyes sometimes, but you can see the Villanova NCAA championship pedigree...Smart, selfless, team oriented player, who usually doesn't try to do more than he's capable of.
Hahn talked about this game being a good one for RJ to step up. He had a couple of big shots in the second half, but not 1 assist for the entire game. All in all, he didn't rise to the occasion.
Any reports of anything w/ Randle pre-game?
I was there very early tonight and he was shooting alone and then a bit w/ J. Hart. When the team came out, he came out about 5 mins later not really speaking with anyone, and then kinda stood outside the huddle during intro's. Seemed to be in one of those mopey moods when he isn't getting calls. Game starts and his body language was awful. When he came out after the 1st ended, he avoided everyone and went all the way to the end of the bench.
The entire squad seemed out of sync until he went down with the ankle. Speculation, I know. Was just curious if anyone noticed anything similar.
Nice win nonetheless.
Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.
"…more game reps in made it easier for me to make those reads". This is one of the many reasons I call to play the young Knicks more. There are things you can only learn from getting time.
martin wrote:YES
I couldn’t believe Thibs didn’t substitute - 
He sent Brunson to the scorers table and I was saying you better be taking RJ out but Grimes got fouled and Brunson didn’t sub — got damn Thibs was going to pull Grimes and leave RJ in. But post Grimes FT’s - think we got a steal and Grimes dunk and damn if Thibs didn’t let them play the game out.
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: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.
BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.
Probably the least whiney star in the league —- what plane can i send RJ on for Jimmy?
Mitch continues to star as The Invisible Man while I-Hart channeling Bill Walton
sealy wrote:Any reports of anything w/ Randle pre-game?I was there very early tonight and he was shooting alone and then a bit w/ J. Hart. When the team came out, he came out about 5 mins later not really speaking with anyone, and then kinda stood outside the huddle during intro's. Seemed to be in one of those mopey moods when he isn't getting calls. Game starts and his body language was awful. When he came out after the 1st ended, he avoided everyone and went all the way to the end of the bench.
The entire squad seemed out of sync until he went down with the ankle. Speculation, I know. Was just curious if anyone noticed anything similar.
Nice win nonetheless.
All I know is that down the stretch, we moved the ball around a lot...much more that when our "big 3" of RJ, JB, and JR are playing together and vying for touches.
LivingLegend wrote:Mitch continues to star as The Invisible Man while I-Hart channeling Bill Walton
I-Hart doesn't create his own shots, but he moves around without the ball more than Mitch on offense, and also passes the ball without hesitation. His defense is not bad, either.
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.
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.
martin wrote:
Grimes would easily be averaging 20 ppg on the Rockets. He doesn't have the mid range game yet, but his explosion/first step and drive and kick game is impressive. The shot isnt entirely consistent yet, but when he is on it is very pure. His confidence level is back up and he is not passing up shots - he is taking what he should take and taking his heat check shots too. Smooth player who is a team first guy and only gonna get better. Big big effort from him last night in a huge game. Only player who didnt come out tight in the First Quarter.
VDesai wrote:martin wrote:
Grimes would easily be averaging 20 ppg on the Rockets. He doesn't have the mid range game yet, but his explosion/first step and drive and kick game is impressive. The shot isnt entirely consistent yet, but when he is on it is very pure. His confidence level is back up and he is not passing up shots - he is taking what he should take and taking his heat check shots too. Smooth player who is a team first guy and only gonna get better. Big big effort from him last night in a huge game. Only player who didnt come out tight in the First Quarter.
Grimes hot start perhaps saved us from Miami building a larger lead!
At 22 I expect he’ll get more consistent as should IQ.
Thibs did some interesting subs last night with Jules out. It worked!!!!
It could have been all about the defense sets he was seeing and was working.
Again, Hart and RJ did a very good job on Herro and Butler team was switching a lot. Net result was Bam did not have room to do his thing. Miami was on 2nd night of a back to back.
BigDaddyG wrote:Can't believe some you want this whiney wuss on our team.
He’s past his prime anyway
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.
Well if u want an RJ demotion now is not the time. Randle will probably miss at least a couple games and Thibs was primarily going with RJ at the 4
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.
