Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys.
Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.
Panos wrote:Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys. Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.
They were getting good open looks but couldn’t connect. I do think they struggle with length. They didnt have to pull Kessler out of the paint much and when they did, he was guarding on ball. For instance Kessler gave Brunson so distance but didn’t shy from the switch to cover Brunson on ball.
Now, I don’t think Utah is as good at shooting 3s as they looked. They shot their best and we shtlot their worst. Kessler took away the paint and got in KATs head with some early blocks.
I mean, we were airballing open looks. Not sure what that is about.
Panos wrote:Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys. Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.
Kessler had missed 6 games previously. Collins and Sexton are "fallen angels". Collins really never lived up to that contract and sexton was a bit slow out of the gate then had an ACL. Clev made choices and then the Donovan deal came.
Seems like an eternity but just two seasons ago when they had Mitchell they won 49 games, then 37. Last year the tank finally took and they won 31. They won't suck for ever. Even SAC is a good team now!!
Panos wrote:Honestly, I'm not sure why this Utah team is so bad. Kessler + Lauri + Sexron + Collins is a good core. I'd take any of those guys. Seperately, the tone foe this loss was set right at the beginning. I didn't count but a huge v percentage of the Knicks early shots were 3pt and none of them went in. And when they went into the paint Kessler was a monster, denying everything. For everyone decrying mid range shots, this is where those shots should have been handy. This is where Mikal should have thrived. But he was awful tonight.
The Jazz aren't bad when healthy - especially when Markkanen is healthy. They've been hit with the injury bug early and they've had a few season-ending types to rotation players. Consider that John Collins was supposed to be coming off the bench as perhaps their 4th big man.
One thing about this team is the Jazz are aren't built quite right for the modern NBA and don't sport guys with a pure 3pt stroke at all positions - they do however have aggressive attacking players - and if they get hot from the perimeter they're dangerous. On the other end They're an Ainge-built team that plays scrappy D and rebounds - albeit a team that has to cover Markannen's relatively weak D. (Markkanen is sort of the taller, more perimeter shooting Randle)
Can we talk about KAT/Hart having plus/minus of -36 and -37 last night? Everyone talks about Bridges as the villain last night and his shooting was horrible, but he was horrible to the tune of -1. That KAT/Hart combo was less than ineffective, it was disastrous. This is the length issue. When teams have a ton of length, the Knicks have issues.
EwingsGlass wrote:Can we talk about KAT/Hart having plus/minus of -36 and -37 last night? Everyone talks about Bridges as the villain last night and his shooting was horrible, but he was horrible to the tune of -1. That KAT/Hart combo was less than ineffective, it was disastrous. This is the length issue. When teams have a ton of length, the Knicks have issues.
Hart plays defense against PFs. Unless he starts over bridges. One of the 3 should probably come off the bench.
Personally I rather have Mitch and Mikal or Hart off the bench.
I like Precious cause you have to guard him on offense so we add a center and still keep the paint open. Helps both sides
Classic game where everyone was playing in quicksand and D was complete trash.
Mikal was SO BAD I was disgusted ---- Love Kat but can we stop with the soft layups where we avoids contact, misses shot and falls into the 1st row.
Mikal needs to shoot at least 1 foul shot before Xmas and Kat needs to get into the body on his drives, absorb contact and get the and 1.
BigDaddyG wrote:https://bsky.app/profile/mikeascotto.bsk...Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (left calf contusion) is questionable for Monday;s game against the Nuggets and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Towns has played at an All-NBA level, averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He;s shooting a career-high 45.8% on 3-pointers.
So his 3pt% dropped by at least 5% last night
EwingsGlass wrote:Can we talk about KAT/Hart having plus/minus of -36 and -37 last night? Everyone talks about Bridges as the villain last night and his shooting was horrible, but he was horrible to the tune of -1. That KAT/Hart combo was less than ineffective, it was disastrous. This is the length issue. When teams have a ton of length, the Knicks have issues.
Hart has been putting up good point/rebound #s and shooting nice %s but his D has been poor at best.
He isn't closing out on shooters (than looks at other people when the 3 pointer goes in basket), he's losing guys off the ball and he's getting blown by guarding the ball.
We don't take a big step forward until Hart starts locking in on D and Mikal stops playing D like Mr Softie. Hell Sexton took him from top of key slowly walked him into paint and scored right in his face without a hint of a fight from Mikal (disgusting).
Out of everything I've seen this year Mikal's performance and simple game play has been by far most disappointing.
Not sure if this is par for course with him but he avoids contact at all cost --- won't drive into traffic, fades away severely on every pull up jump shot and even fires his pull up 3s at such a fast pace you'd think he's afraid someone might touch him. I don't get it - just looks so soft. His soft play makes me wonder if this is how he's never missed a game - hard to get hurt if you never make contact with another player and shoot before anyone can touch you.
Add in that he is getting toasted off the dribble, can't get over screens, doesn't rebound and it's very shaky so far --- not sure D is something he needs time to adjust for.
Also - he dribbles like Kenny Sky Walker -- like he is dribbling a hand grenade -- 2 or 3 dribbles and then fumbles the dribble - very odd.
