I don't want to say athleticism is fool's gold but it is clearly the case it has led to many bad roster decisions
Luke and Joker are both unathletic -- Joker particularly so. CP3 would be in that category. Maybe Butler too. lots of examples.
I'm more interested in if the guy has stamina and mental toughness to be clutch and avoid dumb mistakes in critical moments
also i value wing span more than height. most rebounds are below the rim. Shorter can give you leverage (if strong enough to hold ground). longer reach is a better trait on O and D.
of course i'm not advocating for 6 foot centers but i am saying the difference between 6'5" SG and 6'7" SF may be illusory if the SG has long arms (and is strong etc.)
martin wrote:Nalod wrote:fishmike wrote:franco12 wrote:I like this group. I would love to see some small line ups- which Thibs probably won't be able to avoid- with Randle at the 5 and RJ at the 4.There are a lot of scrappy get after it players with Hart, IQ, Grimes, DD.
I hope we start the year the way we finished with Hart because that is a legit 50+ win pace.
I dont know why fans expect different. Are we relying on Derrick Rose to be an MVP? No... its the same YOUNG squad coming back only there's legit reason to think they will be better.
I think most of us and media are seeing it this way. Be it Brunsons numbers AFTER the start of january and Inlcuding Josh. When Brunson emerged it might have coincided with RJ dysfunction from long range. Did he lose his spots to shot and it messed with him? I don’t know. But it happend. But as Jules got hurt RJ got his mojo back.
THis is on THibs to figure this out and get all three on some rhythm, up the pace a bit, and assists to make life a bit easier. RJ found his mojo mostly with Hart on the second unit. Not saying we repeat the past. It speaks to Thibs making adjustments that worked and when playoffs came with Jules hurting the team still succeeded. RJ was able to carry it with his starting minutes.
They have work to do. Its why we tune in!
Occam's razor.
RJ is just an inconsistent shooter. His playoff stats mirrored his regular season stats. Some good games followed by a string of shooting below average.
49% from 2pt land, ~32% from 3pt land for both reg and playoffs. That's RJ in a nutshell so far. Knicks playing 5 and then 6 games against CLE and MIA don't reveal much more than 82 games.
Bending over backwards to create a narrative shouldn't be a thing.
I think we are all hopeful that RJ can figure it out.
I might want to disagree a little- RJ's #s might be the same between regular and play offs, but I thought for a couple games against Cleveland. RJ 'Figured it out' and shot way better. Maybe he got streaky hot for a short bit, but I thought it was mental growth of realizing, 'hey, I can play with the big boys because I'm a big boy too'.
And maybe Miami shut him down like they did everyone - and when you look at the whole of his short play offs, your statement holds.
I'm hopeful, but not optimistic.
franco12 wrote:martin wrote:Nalod wrote:fishmike wrote:franco12 wrote:I like this group. I would love to see some small line ups- which Thibs probably won't be able to avoid- with Randle at the 5 and RJ at the 4.There are a lot of scrappy get after it players with Hart, IQ, Grimes, DD.
I hope we start the year the way we finished with Hart because that is a legit 50+ win pace.
I dont know why fans expect different. Are we relying on Derrick Rose to be an MVP? No... its the same YOUNG squad coming back only there's legit reason to think they will be better.
I think most of us and media are seeing it this way. Be it Brunsons numbers AFTER the start of january and Inlcuding Josh. When Brunson emerged it might have coincided with RJ dysfunction from long range. Did he lose his spots to shot and it messed with him? I don’t know. But it happend. But as Jules got hurt RJ got his mojo back.
THis is on THibs to figure this out and get all three on some rhythm, up the pace a bit, and assists to make life a bit easier. RJ found his mojo mostly with Hart on the second unit. Not saying we repeat the past. It speaks to Thibs making adjustments that worked and when playoffs came with Jules hurting the team still succeeded. RJ was able to carry it with his starting minutes.
They have work to do. Its why we tune in!
Occam's razor.
RJ is just an inconsistent shooter. His playoff stats mirrored his regular season stats. Some good games followed by a string of shooting below average.
49% from 2pt land, ~32% from 3pt land for both reg and playoffs. That's RJ in a nutshell so far. Knicks playing 5 and then 6 games against CLE and MIA don't reveal much more than 82 games.
Bending over backwards to create a narrative shouldn't be a thing.
I think we are all hopeful that RJ can figure it out.
I might want to disagree a little- RJ's #s might be the same between regular and play offs, but I thought for a couple games against Cleveland. RJ 'Figured it out' and shot way better. Maybe he got streaky hot for a short bit, but I thought it was mental growth of realizing, 'hey, I can play with the big boys because I'm a big boy too'.
And maybe Miami shut him down like they did everyone - and when you look at the whole of his short play offs, your statement holds.
I'm hopeful, but not optimistic.
I'm hopefully optimistic! If Im disappointed so be it. Won't be my first time. RJ is knick family. Root for all my guys to succeed!
I look at each series and each month of a season. RJ had a bad 2 month stretch that blew his aggregate season stats. It matters of course. But it also leads to "Why"? What happend, how to fix it and prevent it from reoccurrence. What tweeks if any did Brunson make or the team that made him fly high after the first two months? Its not a blame thing or how to lay praise properly, its just darn interesting to me!!!
I get the point but to consider any NBA player - or professional athlete really - as "unathletic" seems a bit off to me!
KnickDanger wrote:I get the point but to consider any NBA player - or professional athlete really - as "unathletic" seems a bit off to me!
How about Michael Sweetney?
Panos wrote:KnickDanger wrote:I get the point but to consider any NBA player - or professional athlete really - as "unathletic" seems a bit off to me!
How about Michael Sweetney?
Sweetz moved exceptionally well for an elephant.
BigDaddyG wrote:Panos wrote:KnickDanger wrote:I get the point but to consider any NBA player - or professional athlete really - as "unathletic" seems a bit off to me!
How about Michael Sweetney?
Sweetz moved exceptionally well for an elephant.
I think Sweetney could have made it if his between the ears was better. I liked him. He had promise- he failed to deliver because of what was going on with his brain.
Different types of athleticism, not just about speed.
Panos wrote:KnickDanger wrote:I get the point but to consider any NBA player - or professional athlete really - as "unathletic" seems a bit off to me!
How about Michael Sweetney?
What about Eddy Curry? Jerome James? Basically any fatboy F or C Isiah kept hoarding for like a 5 year period?
Julius Randle is strong and athletic but he isn't the fastest or best jumper in the gym. Brunson is athletic but also not a leaper or a fast on the ball. While athletic players who can run and jump have less skill, ie Dennis Smith Jr.
Alpha1971 wrote:Julius Randle is strong and athletic but he isn't the fastest or best jumper in the gym. Brunson is athletic but also not a leaper or a fast on the ball. While athletic players who can run and jump have less skill, ie Dennis Smith Jr.
Didnt know DSJ signed with the Nets. The talent was there but not the mindset. He was also very injury prone. Is out with an ankle injury.
