LivingLegend wrote:Knicks no longer undefeated when Taj plays.Have to say all of the Clips big 3 looked in fine shape - moving and playing well. Strong supporting cast - will come down to if Harden/PG3 implode in key playoff spot.
All they needed to do was separate Russ from Harden in the starting lineup to make it work. They are pretty solid now.
Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.
I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.
Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.
DLeethal wrote:Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.
I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.
Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.
I dont believe Grimes D this season has been as good as seasons past. Its mostly about Mitch. DDV gives us the scoring and ball movement, that Grimes isnt showing as a starter. Benching Grimes was best for him and the team. Even Grimes seems to be in that camp.
Grimes and IQ are two of our best defenders and their minutes have been drastically reduced this season. We need to make a trade sooner rather than later before this thing implodes. Grimes's defense was a huge reason for our turnaround last year when he became a 34mpg staple in our lineup.
It won't be long before we hear IQ asking out IMO... the minutes just aren't there for everyone and its a slap in the face to IQ to cut his minutes so much during a contract year, when all he's done is continue to get better every year on both ends.
And I low key worry about this Villanova buddy system going on, there's no world where DDV should be playing almost as much as IQ, IQ is simply a better player on both ends. Josh Hart's minutes havent been dramatically cut like Grimes and IQ either.
There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview.
We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
The defense is a mess right now. I know it was the second game of a back to back on the road and the Clippers have been playing really well and are loaded as any team in the league but there is just no excuse for giving up 144 points! Everyone on the team deserves an F for that defensively effort. That includes Thibs and his staff. Total lack of effort and pride from the players and no adjustments from the coaching staff. I know Clippers are good but they did whatever they wanted. It's like D'Antoni is wearing Thibs skin suit right now and I hate it. Got to get back to basics and play with more urgency cause I'm telling you if the defense doesn't improve, we are going to start losing games and that record is going to get below .500 and the vultures in the media will start drama.
GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview. We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
Missing Mitch. If you trade him you are bringing in a present or future asset.
"It don't work"......Profound statements after a loss. Knicks are not contending and other observations.
Clippers are healthy now and figured out some shit from season start when they made the trade and we all wished that starphuch would be a disaster. It still might be, but that team starts 3 HOF and brings on off the bench.
"I love Brunson but".....He can't do it alone. Obvious.
If you max him with this roster one can see issues.
But, thats for next year and things will change.
Clean wrote:
Yes - noted a comment on defense elsewhere - like most of you been watching Knicks for many many years and I’m not sure I can remember (even in D’Antoni and the Marbury/Francis) years such an extended stretch where teams just seem to be scoring effortlessly against - seemingly every dude looks like an all time great.
We steal on win off 50 point all-time game with Jalen but this D was trash with Mitch.Grimes in just a few weeks ago against Bucks/Celtics - everything just too easy.
Yes Brunson no good on D, RJ feet of cement on D and than very capable Julius from a strength.quickness perspective just doesn’t defend at all and IMO he is the major defensive issue because he may be bringing the overall unit down mentally.
Interesting that Julius offensive turnaround coincides with team defensive collapse- he’s getting his in his typical all-star drive but at what cost defensively.
I could be imagining all the above but that;s my honest thought.
GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview. We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.
LivingLegend wrote:GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview. We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.
As important as he is to what they do to be successful, this is a real fact.
Poor Sim’s he wasn’t good but he had action with 2-3 guys funneling free barreling down the lane on him - no perimeter resistance.
Also - how many times is Julius going to get the ball dislodged or stolen from him or simply dribble it into the 1st row? This dude is the enigma of enigma’s.
LivingLegend wrote:GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview. We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.
1/4 ineffective at what? Scoring? One of the best lob threats who rarely gets thrown lobs. Defense? Was one of the 3 best big men defenders in the league (and offensive rebounds) who was leading the team in steals, of all stats.
Just like elite PGs are able to blow by other elite PGs who can D up. Skilled scoring big men can do the same. Some players even elite defenders get owned from time to time. Unrealistic to expect otherwise.
You are spot on about missing games though. Its been a career long issue. But considering the alternatives out there, I'd rather roll with Mitch, and find a backup big man who can do a better job of holding down the fort defensively.
Nerlens Noel and Mitch could of anchored the 5 for years if just one of them could stay healthy. I believe we have a better chance of finding a quality backup than an elite defender/rebounder like Mitch. I believe we can find a player out there who can close the gap between what Mitch and Sims can do defensively.
GustavBahler wrote:LivingLegend wrote:GustavBahler wrote:There was some great ball movement to start the game, but that faded. In the end it was all about Mitch being out. For those who are anxious to trade Mitch, this is a preview. We're a different team without Mitch, we dont have the same swagger. It takes Brunson having a monster night. Or maybe Randle next time. Thats not sustainable IMO. Absent a trade.
This might have us fighting for a play-in spot.
McBride needs more PT.
We were absolutely destroyed against Bucks/Celtics with Mitch playing the invisible man - don’t want to hear about Mitch greatness because 1/2 the time he’s hurt and a 1/4 the time he’s ineffective.
1/4 ineffective at what? Scoring? One of the best lob threats who rarely gets thrown lobs. Defense? Was one of the 3 best big men defenders in the league (and offensive rebounds) who was leading the team in steals, of all stats.
Just like elite PGs are able to blow by other elite PGs who can D up. Skilled scoring big men can do the same. Some players even elite defenders get owned from time to time. Unrealistic to expect otherwise.
You are spot on about missing games though. Its been a career long issue. But considering the alternatives out there, I'd rather roll with Mitch, and find a backup big man who can do a better job of holding down the fort defensively.
Nerlens Noel and Mitch could of anchored the 5 for years if just one of them could stay healthy. I believe we have a better chance of finding a quality backup than an elite defender/rebounder like Mitch. I believe we can find a player out there who can close the gap between what Mitch and Sims can do defensively.
I guess when I say ineffective I’m referencing the games where we are giving up a tremendous amount of points - the 130s the 140s are you saying he was effective in those games?
Let's all forget about that last game.
GustavBahler wrote:DLeethal wrote:Clean wrote:No Grimes and Mitch as starters and you get this trash defense. Brunson, RJ and Randle don't work. Too many minus defenders in the starting group. RJ has been better than last year but not good enough to make that group work. All the stats in the world can't make up Randles defense. Brunson is bad too but he is our best player so he gets a pass. I understand some of yall love Randle but the fit is just not there.
I think they work to a certain degree. The starting unit with Mitch and Grimes historically has been close to elite in terms of NET. Mitch is an anchor that cleans up a lot on defense - we were 3rd overall with him and one of the worst defenses in the league without him.
Long term I think Randle/RJ is not a pristine fit on a championship level. But the 3 of them can fit together and win 50 games but Mitch is very important to what we do. Jericho is not an impact player at all.
I dont believe Grimes D this season has been as good as seasons past. Its mostly about Mitch. DDV gives us the scoring and ball movement, that Grimes isnt showing as a starter. Benching Grimes was best for him and the team. Even Grimes seems to be in that camp.
DDV is the best fit offensively but Grimes is definitely the best prototypical SG on defense. We need one guy who can at least make it tough on the league's top wings. Brunson/DDV is a very small backcourt. DDV hustles and is smart and can make a bunch of plays on defense but he's not gonna D-up the elite G/Fs of the league and make it tough on them.
