Knicks · GameThread: Clippers in town, 730 MSG (page 6)

martin @ 3/27/2025 8:44 AM
HofstraBBall wrote:
martin wrote:Haven't watched past 2 games. What's the initial impression of Kolek? Just needs a bit of time? Defense?

Seems to be in love with padding his assist line. We are in 2025 though and he will have to show the ability to hit a three and score. He was a -14 along with Shamets -29 and Robinsons -22 which hurt us last night. A night where the offense ran great with Payne.(Btw, Robinsons ankle does not seem right).

Don’t get me wrong, think Kolek can run an offense well but just feel he needs to be more aggressive with his outside shot if he wants to have significant minutes. Think he can. Probably closer to McConnell on the Pacers. Still keeping his ability to set up others . With Lnicks, he needs to improve his on ball defense. Can see why Thibs would favor Deuce or Payne because of that.
Still real early and feel the kid will obviously continue to improve and adapt. Fans just have to be realistic and patient. Like Deuce, with time, he will grow into his own.

Ugh, thanks

martin @ 3/27/2025 8:46 AM
Nalod wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

No cred to the clippers who are pretty good? Two HOF's still getting it done and they were very good last night.
Zubic is good and a beast on toe offensive glass.
Thats a good team in a better division.

Yes, our starters were good and our bench awful. Precious is delusional and not on his game without big minutes.
Mitch had a bad night and perhaps is hurting?
Shamet vs. Powell or Harden? Totally not fair. Few stop these guys. Powell is really underrated. Good five shots, hit 2. His +- was pretty bad. He don't get all the blame, but he was part of the bench.

Its why few pundits gave knicks a great chance this year. our bench is not strong. Deuce was missed. All teams get injuries.

Kolek? had some nice passes. His job to distribute he does well. PG need to score. Missed two FT's after getting the start and looked nervous. Kolek nut suckers got their wish. He got some prime time play and the 3rd quarter went to shit. "Now he knows what he has to work on"? The is not some Montessori experience.

Why we comparing him to Frank? To make ourselves feel better? Kolek is 24. If we comparing him to "Stockton" or "Price", this white guards can shoot. throw Steve Kerr in to the mix. Im sure there is a Paxon here somewhere.
Kolek needs to shoot and hit shots. Simple. Its his job. Bring the defense by being a threat then do that thing to get by your man and playmake.

Funny fact, Frank is 26 years old.

VDesai @ 3/27/2025 8:46 AM
Nalod wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

No cred to the clippers who are pretty good? Two HOF's still getting it done and they were very good last night.
Zubic is good and a beast on toe offensive glass.
Thats a good team in a better division.

Yes, our starters were good and our bench awful. Precious is delusional and not on his game without big minutes.
Mitch had a bad night and perhaps is hurting?
Shamet vs. Powell or Harden? Totally not fair. Few stop these guys. Powell is really underrated. Good five shots, hit 2. His +- was pretty bad. He don't get all the blame, but he was part of the bench.

Its why few pundits gave knicks a great chance this year. our bench is not strong. Deuce was missed. All teams get injuries.

Kolek? had some nice passes. His job to distribute he does well. PG need to score. Missed two FT's after getting the start and looked nervous. Kolek nut suckers got their wish. He got some prime time play and the 3rd quarter went to shit. "Now he knows what he has to work on"? The is not some Montessori experience.

Why we comparing him to Frank? To make ourselves feel better? Kolek is 24. If we comparing him to "Stockton" or "Price", this white guards can shoot. throw Steve Kerr in to the mix. Im sure there is a Paxon here somewhere.
Kolek needs to shoot and hit shots. Simple. Its his job. Bring the defense by being a threat then do that thing to get by your man and playmake.

Funny fact, Frank is 26 years old.

I made no mention of the Clippers here. They are good team. This is about our depth. Our bench guys didn't compete last night and the Clippers are deep. So when we took the starters off we got smoked. But that will happen against any real NBA team, because we don't have the right depth, especially when you get 1-2 players down, as most teams are at this point in the season.

martin @ 3/27/2025 8:47 AM
VDesai wrote:
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

I'm not surprised at the other guys but am completely disappointed in Precious. He is in a contract year and will prob end up at the same level next year. He has so much potential and not enough IQ it seems.

I keep looking at this

Precious was unsigned and no one really was reported as having interest. I think he's a league min player next year and maybe you bring him back for that, just because. I have never seen a player who can make such difficult layups and amazing timing blocks on defense and also be so casually inept at basic basketball skills. The worst part is he is a fringe player so when he gets chances you'd expect a high motor, but his motor leaves something to be desired. We have seen him impact plays with hustle and activity and other games he's just making unforced turnovers and watching plays not knowing what to do. I know he came to the game late, but he's had 5 years of NBA coaching now. Come on.

Different version of Cam Reddish, so so so disappointing

VDesai @ 3/27/2025 9:26 AM
I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
martin @ 3/27/2025 9:55 AM
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?

In 2 years

fishmike @ 3/27/2025 11:10 AM
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.
BigDaddyG @ 3/27/2025 11:43 AM
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?

In 2 years

His release looks a lot quicker. I remember when he was struggling with NBA range in summer league and now he's stroking like Dick on the Raptors. He's still a long ways from being consistent NBA player, but the improvements are encouraging.

BigDaddyG @ 3/27/2025 11:52 AM
fishmike wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.

Khris has a player option for $34M he ain't declining and Smart is due to make $21M next season. The next can't sign any buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception as long they're over the first apron. The Knicks have the tax payer mid level. But I think that screws them and brings them over the second apron. I'll never count Brock out, but this off-season is going to be tough.

Clean @ 3/27/2025 11:59 AM
Nalod wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

No cred to the clippers who are pretty good? Two HOF's still getting it done and they were very good last night.
Zubic is good and a beast on toe offensive glass.
Thats a good team in a better division.

Yes, our starters were good and our bench awful. Precious is delusional and not on his game without big minutes.
Mitch had a bad night and perhaps is hurting?
Shamet vs. Powell or Harden? Totally not fair. Few stop these guys. Powell is really underrated. Good five shots, hit 2. His +- was pretty bad. He don't get all the blame, but he was part of the bench.

Its why few pundits gave knicks a great chance this year. our bench is not strong. Deuce was missed. All teams get injuries.

Kolek? had some nice passes. His job to distribute he does well. PG need to score. Missed two FT's after getting the start and looked nervous. Kolek nut suckers got their wish. He got some prime time play and the 3rd quarter went to shit. "Now he knows what he has to work on"? The is not some Montessori experience.

Why we comparing him to Frank? To make ourselves feel better? Kolek is 24. If we comparing him to "Stockton" or "Price", this white guards can shoot. throw Steve Kerr in to the mix. Im sure there is a Paxon here somewhere.
Kolek needs to shoot and hit shots. Simple. Its his job. Bring the defense by being a threat then do that thing to get by your man and playmake.

Funny fact, Frank is 26 years old.

LOL all this because a player who got 2 non garbage time games this season was not ready to start vs James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and the Clipers. Do you guys even notice how unreasonable this makes you look? Lets forget he was having another good game as a backup. Everyone who wanted him to get a chance never said at starting. He has basically 0 expereince. The funny thing is this is more of an indictment on Thibs than you might notice. All those 30 point wins and losses that Kolek was still stuck on the bench could have helped him be ready to fill in better as a starter by now. Now we will never know because like Thibs always says winning the next game in the only thing that matters even if you lose games down the road because of those decision.

Clean @ 3/27/2025 12:02 PM
VDesai wrote:
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

I'm not surprised at the other guys but am completely disappointed in Precious. He is in a contract year and will prob end up at the same level next year. He has so much potential and not enough IQ it seems.

I keep looking at this

Precious was unsigned and no one really was reported as having interest. I think he's a league min player next year and maybe you bring him back for that, just because. I have never seen a player who can make such difficult layups and amazing timing blocks on defense and also be so casually inept at basic basketball skills. The worst part is he is a fringe player so when he gets chances you'd expect a high motor, but his motor leaves something to be desired. We have seen him impact plays with hustle and activity and other games he's just making unforced turnovers and watching plays not knowing what to do. I know he came to the game late, but he's had 5 years of NBA coaching now. Come on.

He was unsigned with no reporting because he was always coming back but had to wait for the Knicks to finish their roster moves due to cap situation. The same thing happened in the WNBA with Stewie and the Liberty. She was the last big name signed so the liberty can use the cap space correctly.

martin @ 3/27/2025 12:13 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?

In 2 years

His release looks a lot quicker. I remember when he was struggling with NBA range in summer league and now he's stroking like Dick on the Raptors. He's still a long ways from being consistent NBA player, but the improvements are encouraging.

The release is quick because of his stroke technique?

martin @ 3/27/2025 12:18 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
fishmike wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.

Khris has a player option for $34M he ain't declining and Smart is due to make $21M next season. The next can't sign any buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception as long they're over the first apron. The Knicks have the tax payer mid level. But I think that screws them and brings them over the second apron. I'll never count Brock out, but this off-season is going to be tough.

Reddish would like a second chance!!!

VDesai @ 3/27/2025 12:32 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
fishmike wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.

Khris has a player option for $34M he ain't declining and Smart is due to make $21M next season. The next can't sign any buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception as long they're over the first apron. The Knicks have the tax payer mid level. But I think that screws them and brings them over the second apron. I'll never count Brock out, but this off-season is going to be tough.


I would think a potential buyout from the Wiz is possible with the difference being made up by an MLE level salary. Khris would be wasting a year in Wash unless someone can work a trade for a 34mm salary slot, which is highly unlikely.

VDesai @ 3/27/2025 12:33 PM
Clean wrote:
VDesai wrote:
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:Knicks depth was a problem. Kolek aside, how bad was the bench?

Mitch - no impact. Got dominated on the glass. So much time off and he sucked. Cant play back to backs and was saved for this game to provide nothing.

Precious- He has flashes, but he has been dreadful lately. He does 5 or 6 things per game that make you wonder how he made the NBA because they are so bad.

Shamet- leads the league in getting someone's face on D and still getting scored on. He is too small/slight to play Wing in the NBA and is too inconsistent to be a shooter/sniper.

Wright- I don't blame him, but he made zero impact. His time in the NBA is done.

Guys this is our depth last night. Every piece of it has to be upgraded. Payne and Deuce have been our only real bench players this year.

I'm not surprised at the other guys but am completely disappointed in Precious. He is in a contract year and will prob end up at the same level next year. He has so much potential and not enough IQ it seems.

I keep looking at this

Precious was unsigned and no one really was reported as having interest. I think he's a league min player next year and maybe you bring him back for that, just because. I have never seen a player who can make such difficult layups and amazing timing blocks on defense and also be so casually inept at basic basketball skills. The worst part is he is a fringe player so when he gets chances you'd expect a high motor, but his motor leaves something to be desired. We have seen him impact plays with hustle and activity and other games he's just making unforced turnovers and watching plays not knowing what to do. I know he came to the game late, but he's had 5 years of NBA coaching now. Come on.

He was unsigned with no reporting because he was always coming back but had to wait for the Knicks to finish their roster moves due to cap situation. The same thing happened in the WNBA with Stewie and the Liberty. She was the last big name signed so the liberty can use the cap space correctly.


Yes but if anyone came calling with a reasonable salary he wouldn't have waited around. The fact that there were no offers at an MLE or just below slot show how much he is valued in the league. He is a fringe rotation player and probably only has competition for his services at the minimum or just above.

BigDaddyG @ 3/27/2025 12:43 PM
VDesai wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
fishmike wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.

Khris has a player option for $34M he ain't declining and Smart is due to make $21M next season. The next can't sign any buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception as long they're over the first apron. The Knicks have the tax payer mid level. But I think that screws them and brings them over the second apron. I'll never count Brock out, but this off-season is going to be tough.


I would think a potential buyout from the Wiz is possible with the difference being made up by an MLE level salary. Khris would be wasting a year in Wash unless someone can work a trade for a 34mm salary slot, which is highly unlikely.

Yeah, but Khris makes more than 3x the mid-level, so the Knicks wouldn't be allowed to sign him if he's bought out. The Knicks would have to somehow go under the first apron, which is unlikely.

BigDaddyG @ 3/27/2025 12:51 PM
martin wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?

In 2 years

His release looks a lot quicker. I remember when he was struggling with NBA range in summer league and now he's stroking like Dick on the Raptors. He's still a long ways from being consistent NBA player, but the improvements are encouraging.

The release is quick because of his stroke technique?


He is still a teenager. He probably works on his stroke nonstop.
VDesai @ 3/27/2025 12:58 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
VDesai wrote:
BigDaddyG wrote:
fishmike wrote:
VDesai wrote:I'm just throwing out a name, but what the Knicks bench really lacks (even if you pencil in Kolek, Huk and maybe even McCullar as possibly playing roles off the bench next year) is wing depth and an NBA bucket getter who can create offense (Deuce qualifies somewhat, but availability has been an issue). A guy like Khris Middleton would be interesting. Injuries and age are piling up, but at this point in his career he may look to play a role on a contender. He's a great character guy and can't be a starter anymore, but wouldn't he be an amazing bench guy for a team like ours?
that would be great. We could really use some veteran help off the bench and I hope we get some buyout luck. Middleton and Marcus Smart are two guys I would love coming off the bench in the playoffs.

Khris has a player option for $34M he ain't declining and Smart is due to make $21M next season. The next can't sign any buyout players who make more than the mid-level exception as long they're over the first apron. The Knicks have the tax payer mid level. But I think that screws them and brings them over the second apron. I'll never count Brock out, but this off-season is going to be tough.


I would think a potential buyout from the Wiz is possible with the difference being made up by an MLE level salary. Khris would be wasting a year in Wash unless someone can work a trade for a 34mm salary slot, which is highly unlikely.

Yeah, but Khris makes more than 3x the mid-level, so the Knicks wouldn't be allowed to sign him if he's bought out. The Knicks would have to somehow go under the first apron, which is unlikely.

Ah got ya. I don't know the nuances but I didn't know if it was different if his option was bought out vs. his whole contract and whether he'd be classified as an FA. Given its a player option the team probably doesn't have a buyout provision built in.

Clean @ 3/27/2025 4:43 PM

Yet people expected him to show out. I can understand off the bench but not as a starter until he gets some reps.
LivingLegend @ 3/27/2025 7:00 PM
We should all give Kudo's to Shamet who put up a slick -29 in 19 minutes. Not easy to put that type line up.
VDesai @ 3/27/2025 7:26 PM
Bridges definitely seems to like playing with Kolek. He seems confident shooting when Kolek sets him up.

Bridges kinda disappeared in the 2nd half again though

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