Man, Deuce showing us why even a couple of minutes of play can impact a game.
Tack on his one 3point shot and it’s a solid 5 minutes of playoff basketball a 10th man on team can have.
BigDaddyG wrote:KnickDanger wrote:According to comments from Thibs Randle is playing hurt and the short turnaround made it worse, which is why he kept him on the bench in the 4th. Is hoping the days before the next game allow him the time to heal enough.
Randle played like crap, but his presence up a lot for the team. Mobley, who's their most destructive defender, had to account for Randle on offense and can't help off as much as he'd like to.
I hope Randle gets healthy but Obi’s play today was a big plus.
martin wrote:Man, Deuce showing us why even a couple of minutes of play can impact a game.Tack on his one 3point shot and it’s a solid 5 minutes of playoff basketball a 10th man on team can have.
I love my shut down guard defenders. An under appreciated skill and lost ark in basketball these days. I wish Deuce could get 30 plus minutes of game because his defensive energy is infectious. When Deuce is paired with Brunson in the back court, we are giving teams the business on both ends of the floor. And Deuce is a 10th man shutting down someone who once scored 71, and we calling him a borderline superstar. 10th man?
Thibs is currently in his bag as a coach. Thibs has made adjustments this game. You can see the Synergy growing.
Sometimes it's better to see from the sideline. I see Randle coming out strong next game to close this baby out.
KnickDanger wrote:According to comments from Thibs Randle is playing hurt and the short turnaround made it worse, which is why he kept him on the bench in the 4th. Is hoping the days before the next game allow him the time to heal enough.
Smart move all around. Randle needs extra rest, and he wasn't impacting the game on either end. Only played 3 quarters and has a few more days off to rest and mentally prepare for this next game. Stage is set for Randle to take us to the second round. If not, I'm confidence in our current players led by JB, Star J, and Hart.
fishmike wrote:LivingLegend wrote:I have busted his balls quite often but I couldn’t be more PROUD of RJ BARRETT.TRADE Jules - lol - 
thing with RJ is he's never a pussy. He's a tough kid and its easy to get behind him when he's playing well.
Maybe we pull for him when he not playing well too. Like I said, he part of the family.
When I preach “Inconsistent” it means he is inconsistently good and bad.
The clutch gene has been shown before.
“Star Jay”! Fucking love it!
Swishfm3 wrote:GustavBahler wrote:martin wrote:
I wonder if RJ would be playing like this if Randle had been dominating? Getting most of the touches.
The FO's going to have to see how this playoff run goes, and make some decisions.
No they dont
If Randle was dominating, Knicks wouldn’t need RJ to step like he has.
RJ, thankfully, is playing his role.
What the Knicks need from RJ, when Randle comes back, is to continue what he has been doing which is make better shooting decisions and passes.
My point is about chemistry. We want RJ to play well when Randle is beasting. Not just games when Randle is playing poorly. Whatever the reason.
If they cant play well at the same time, efficiently, the FO needs to consider all options.
GustavBahler wrote:Swishfm3 wrote:GustavBahler wrote:martin wrote:
I wonder if RJ would be playing like this if Randle had been dominating? Getting most of the touches.
The FO's going to have to see how this playoff run goes, and make some decisions.
No they dont
If Randle was dominating, Knicks wouldn’t need RJ to step like he has.
RJ, thankfully, is playing his role.
What the Knicks need from RJ, when Randle comes back, is to continue what he has been doing which is make better shooting decisions and passes.
My point is about chemistry. We want RJ to play well when Randle is beasting. Not just games when Randle is playing poorly. Whatever the reason.
If they cant play well at the same time, efficiently, the FO needs to consider all options.
How about we focus on finally winning a first round series vs favored Cavs team.
We are up 3-1 and we worried bout options to move any of the players that got us here?
Not listening to all this "What changes we need to do in the off season" stuff.
Lets enjoy the moment.
A good team has several good players. Ones that step up when others don't have it going or get hurt.
RJ was bashed because he was going through a slump. We had players like Randle and JB carrying us through those rough patches. Now RJ ballin while Randle is apparently hurt. That's what good teams do!! But dudes on here trying to push a narrative the FO has something to fix? F that.
Just look at these 2 bros
Josh Hart for all his toughness is in his first playoff series but playing like a 33 year old with years of such experience!
WE are seeing the version of StarJay last two games as the Jimmy Butler clone maybe Thibs envisions.
Jimmy was not jimmy until he was like 25 years old. RJ at 22 is flawed as we all know but his timeline is not awful if you know his future. We don’t.
Doing things that matter in big moments endears to the fans. If we prevail in this series perhaps fan base will again root for the guys here instead of thinking of alternatives. StarJay is earning fans back. Fun to see.
Nalod wrote:Josh Hart for all his toughness is in his first playoff series but playing like a 33 year old with years of such experience!
WE are seeing the version of StarJay last two games as the Jimmy Butler clone maybe Thibs envisions.
Jimmy was not jimmy until he was like 25 years old. RJ at 22 is flawed as we all know but his timeline is not awful if you know his future. We don’t.
Doing things that matter in big moments endears to the fans. If we prevail in this series perhaps fan base will again root for the guys here instead of thinking of alternatives. StarJay is earning fans back. Fun to see.
Barrett gonna have his Wiggins moment and take that step?
Nalod wrote:Josh Hart for all his toughness is in his first playoff series but playing like a 33 year old with years of such experience!
WE are seeing the version of StarJay last two games as the Jimmy Butler clone maybe Thibs envisions.
Jimmy was not jimmy until he was like 25 years old. RJ at 22 is flawed as we all know but his timeline is not awful if you know his future. We don’t.
Doing things that matter in big moments endears to the fans. If we prevail in this series perhaps fan base will again root for the guys here instead of thinking of alternatives. StarJay is earning fans back. Fun to see.
Scoring has been welcomed the last two games, but his defense this entire series has been taken a few notches up. Loving the return of Star-J! Hoping he'll continue to string together a few more games like this, but as long as the defense doesn't falter when the shot's not falling, he'll keep that fan support.
This was by far the best Knicks weekend I've had as an adult! It almost doesn't feel real! So proud of this team for protecting homecourt and putting Cleveland on the ropes!
So many heroes! Got to start with Brunson! Another amazing game with 29 points and hit all the timely shots! The three at the end of the third was huge! The game feels different if we go into the fourth down. Cleveland just doesn't have an answer! Brunson just cooks and stirs anyone they put on him! By far the best player in the series so far.
Beyond proud of RJ! I did not see this coming at all but I'm happy to chew and eat the crow! He's shown so much resiliency and heart! Kudos to Thibs for adjusting the gameplan and getting RJ the ball in attach mode. RJ isn't just driving into the paint without a plan. He's driving throw body contact and taking good shots! And hitting the threes has opened up his game. That pull up at the end of the game was so sick!
Josh freaking Hart! Best Knicks midseason trade since Derek Harper in 1994. He's changed this team. Can't teach his hustle and IQ. Just makes all the right plays! Energizes the entire team! Huge game starting and outplayed Spida. That idiot Scott Foster robbed him of some points at the line too. The coast to coast layup over Allen had my screaming and jumping out of my seat!
Sorry but Playoff Mitch is a thing! Rob has been outstanding! Outplaying Allen! He's bullying and pushing him around and grabbing every rebound in sight and finishing over him too! And he's protecting the paint at an elite level! Spida and Garland are thinking twice about driving at him! Add Hartenstein too! Both are doing an amazing job! Props to Obi! Did a great job finishing the game! That driving layup was so nice! My guy Deuce! Five amazing amazing minutes shutting down Spida and hitting a huge three!
Not going to let anything ruin my good mood today so I won't say much about Randle. I'm choosing to believe Thibs even though my eyes see it differently in Randle playing hurt. Hopefully Randle snaps out of it cause we will need him to end these fools! But kudos to Thibs! He's completely outcoaching JBB. Made all the right adjustments and subs! I never in a million years thought he would completely bench Randle but he did it right it was the right move!
Series is NOT over! Cannot take the foot off their throat!
martin wrote:Man, Deuce showing us why even a couple of minutes of play can impact a game.Tack on his one 3point shot and it’s a solid 5 minutes of playoff basketball a 10th man on team can have.
I think it is safe to say Deuce is the most impactful 3rd string PG we've ever had.
Panos wrote:martin wrote:Man, Deuce showing us why even a couple of minutes of play can impact a game.Tack on his one 3point shot and it’s a solid 5 minutes of playoff basketball a 10th man on team can have.
I think it is safe to say Deuce is the most impactful 3rd string PG we've ever had.
Rick Brunson has had a pretty big impact as well. 
SergioNYK wrote:This was by far the best Knicks weekend I've had as an adult! It almost doesn't feel real! So proud of this team for protecting homecourt and putting Cleveland on the ropes!So many heroes! Got to start with Brunson! Another amazing game with 29 points and hit all the timely shots! The three at the end of the third was huge! The game feels different if we go into the fourth down. Cleveland just doesn't have an answer! Brunson just cooks and stirs anyone they put on him! By far the best player in the series so far.
Beyond proud of RJ! I did not see this coming at all but I'm happy to chew and eat the crow! He's shown so much resiliency and heart! Kudos to Thibs for adjusting the gameplan and getting RJ the ball in attach mode. RJ isn't just driving into the paint without a plan. He's driving throw body contact and taking good shots! And hitting the threes has opened up his game. That pull up at the end of the game was so sick!
Josh freaking Hart! Best Knicks midseason trade since Derek Harper in 1994. He's changed this team. Can't teach his hustle and IQ. Just makes all the right plays! Energizes the entire team! Huge game starting and outplayed Spida. That idiot Scott Foster robbed him of some points at the line too. The coast to coast layup over Allen had my screaming and jumping out of my seat!
Sorry but Playoff Mitch is a thing! Rob has been outstanding! Outplaying Allen! He's bullying and pushing him around and grabbing every rebound in sight and finishing over him too! And he's protecting the paint at an elite level! Spida and Garland are thinking twice about driving at him! Add Hartenstein too! Both are doing an amazing job! Props to Obi! Did a great job finishing the game! That driving layup was so nice!
Not going to let anything ruin my good mood today so I won't say much about Randle. I'm choosing to believe Thibs even though my eyes see it differently in Randle playing hurt. Hopefully Randle snaps out of it cause we will need him to end these fools! But kudos to Thibs! He's completely outcoaching JBB. Made all the right adjustments and subs! I never in a million years thought he would completely bench Randle but he did it right it was the right move!
Series is NOT over! Cannot take the foot off their throat!
Yes, RJ played better the last 2 games. But I don't understand your statement bolded above. He was 0 for 6 from 3pt yesterday, and several of them open. He shouldn't be taking that many 3's.
iHart, has been huge, and Knicks not losing a step when he subs in for MitchRob. So awesome to have a strong bench that doesn't have a drop off.
We are going to need both IQ and Randle to regain some of their regular season form for the next round. I really expected to see something more from IQ this series.
Garden was rocking yest, but hilarious thing was an usher asked me to sit down like 3 times. I never thought I'd be asked to sit down during a home playoff game!
