Knicks · We’re Still Thin in the Frontcourt (page 1)

The problem is Sims, Achiuwa, Toppin and Okeke are all basically the same player. They are athletically gifted and plus defenders but none of them can do anything else except dunk. Even with Robinson back, he is in the same mold as the others except he has one skill they don’t - he’s a true 7’er.

It occurred to me that we need them to develop more skills or else they are totally redundant on this team with a healthy Mitch. It looks like Sims in his workouts this summer was trying to catch and shoot. He really isn’t a center and needs to learn more offensive skills besides setting screens or else he is very replaceable. Honestly, I don’t think he has the mental make up to shoot the ball in a live game. While Precious has utility as a high energy small ball center, he is very limited as a forward. Still his skill is necessary and hopefully he adds to his offensive game because we are thin at forward.

Toppin and Okeke are unnecessary pieces on this roster

Lastly, we really need to hit on our draft picks. While Dadiet looks like he’s a year away from being a year away hopefully we hit on that pick. Kole looks like a stone cold killer. McCuller, who knows, the kid is probably rusty as heck and not an option for this season. Hukporti however looks like he could beast in limited minutes and in a depth role. He is my pick to be converted into a regular contract. He fills the biggest need.

The last unsettled battle is TJ Warren vs Shamet. That’s a tough call. If Warren has anything left he fills a need but so does Shamet who is also younger. What I hear is the problem with Shamet is he is inconsistent. Some days you get the highlight reel version and sometimes not.

I think we're going to see a lot of OG and Hart at the 4.

I’m not concerned about the frontcourt. KAT, Mitch (eventually), Achiuwa, Sims and Hukporti are all bigs. And we have a ton of players who can play the 4. I’m more concerned with the wing position. Outside of OG, Bridges and Hart there’s no true wing on the roster.

Armondo Baycot, hear me out. Knicks should scoop him up as a developmental bench guy. Skilled forward, 5 years in college (Covid year).

College career: Bacot had a decorated career with the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game over five seasons. He was the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, and second overall in scoring

Strengths: Bacot has good hands, a nice touch around the goal, and can make mid-range jump shots. He's also a very good area rebounder, fighting for position inside with both hands

Weaknesses: Bacot is just an OK athlete, which could hinder his long-term potential.

Rookie wrote:Armondo Baycot, hear me out. Knicks should scoop him up as a developmental bench guy. Skilled forward, 5 years in college (Covid year).

College career: Bacot had a decorated career with the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game over five seasons. He was the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, and second overall in scoring

Strengths: Bacot has good hands, a nice touch around the goal, and can make mid-range jump shots. He's also a very good area rebounder, fighting for position inside with both hands

Weaknesses: Bacot is just an OK athlete, which could hinder his long-term potential.

Can we at least get a video so we can watch him not miss a shot and then we can commence the slobbering process?

martin wrote:

Rookie wrote:Armondo Baycot, hear me out. Knicks should scoop him up as a developmental bench guy. Skilled forward, 5 years in college (Covid year).

College career: Bacot had a decorated career with the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game over five seasons. He was the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, and second overall in scoring

Strengths: Bacot has good hands, a nice touch around the goal, and can make mid-range jump shots. He's also a very good area rebounder, fighting for position inside with both hands

Weaknesses: Bacot is just an OK athlete, which could hinder his long-term potential.

Can we at least get a video so we can watch him not miss a shot and then we can commence the slobbering process?

Oh but of course. He doesn't leap out of the gym but great fundementals

I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

I think Baycot projects as a forward in the NBA. Good size at 6'10" 240lbs but definitely isn't going to stretch the floor

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

Why don't you include Precious? He is not a spacer but in my mind he is more a big wing, PF who can't shoot. He can certainly step in when those guys get hurt, he did it last year in that exact role.

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

Why don't you include Precious? He is not a spacer but in my mind he is more a big wing, PF who can't shoot. He can certainly step in when those guys get hurt, he did it last year in that exact role.

It’s a problem when you start aggregating forwards and Center’s who can’t shoot and do not have any offensive skills. Hart might be the only exception. You can play combinations of these guys for short stretches if you have to but it’s not ideal over a season.

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

Why don't you include Precious? He is not a spacer but in my mind he is more a big wing, PF who can't shoot. He can certainly step in when those guys get hurt, he did it last year in that exact role.

Well you shouldn't ever play Precious with another big like Sims or Mitch. So he's not really playable at the 4 unless he's with KAT. Precious at the 4 mins last year were largely a disaster including playoffs.

Rookie wrote:Armondo Baycot, hear me out. Knicks should scoop him up as a developmental bench guy. Skilled forward, 5 years in college (Covid year).

College career: Bacot had a decorated career with the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game over five seasons. He was the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, and second overall in scoring

Strengths: Bacot has good hands, a nice touch around the goal, and can make mid-range jump shots. He's also a very good area rebounder, fighting for position inside with both hands

Weaknesses: Bacot is just an OK athlete, which could hinder his long-term potential.

Isn’t he under contract with Memphis?

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

We are going to be playing a lot of 2 PG sets with a combo of Brunson/Deuce, Deuce/Kolek/TJ

100% we should play Precious next to KAT (until Mitch returns at least and can reevaluate).
Bench could use Hart's toughness with the undersized three (Payne, Deuce, Shamet). Can bring Hart in when game gets tight but best way to get the most out of Precious is to play him next to KAT so he can do the dirty work KAT doesn't really do. I know Hart does this as well but Precious next to Sims is really tough. Hart has enough smarts and playing against 2nd units will help his offensive limits.

Philc1 wrote:

Rookie wrote:Armondo Baycot, hear me out. Knicks should scoop him up as a developmental bench guy. Skilled forward, 5 years in college (Covid year).

College career: Bacot had a decorated career with the Tar Heels, averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game over five seasons. He was the all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, and second overall in scoring

Strengths: Bacot has good hands, a nice touch around the goal, and can make mid-range jump shots. He's also a very good area rebounder, fighting for position inside with both hands

Weaknesses: Bacot is just an OK athlete, which could hinder his long-term potential.

Isn’t he under contract with Memphis?

Exhibit 10. We can add an undrafted rookie and stay under the 2nd apron after he gets waived. Knicks need to get creative this season.

jskinny35 wrote:100% we should play Precious next to KAT (until Mitch returns at least and can reevaluate).
Bench could use Hart's toughness with the undersized three (Payne, Deuce, Shamet). Can bring Hart in when game gets tight but best way to get the most out of Precious is to play him next to KAT so he can do the dirty work KAT doesn't really do. I know Hart does this as well but Precious next to Sims is really tough. Hart has enough smarts and playing against 2nd units will help his offensive limits.

I don't see how we can sustain starting OG at the 4. I know the game has changed, but to me, a power forward is someone with some girth in the middle that can bang, Charles Oakly, Karl Malone, Buck Williams, Kurt Thomas for heavens sake!

OG is too brittle and too expensive to put there on a regular basis.

I hope we see Prescious at the 4

DLeethal wrote:

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:I think we are thinnest at the bigger wing position. We have 3 centers. We don't have a bench forward - a 6'6-6'9 guy who can step in whenever one of Josh/Mikal/OG get hurt.

Why don't you include Precious? He is not a spacer but in my mind he is more a big wing, PF who can't shoot. He can certainly step in when those guys get hurt, he did it last year in that exact role.

Well you shouldn't ever play Precious with another big like Sims or Mitch. So he's not really playable at the 4 unless he's with KAT. Precious at the 4 mins last year were largely a disaster including playoffs.

You mean when the Knicks didn't intermittently have Mitch, Randle, OG and everyone else?

The Knicks were not successful in those situations because of the lack of depth, not because of Precious at the 4 IMO.

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