As we saw in this postseason Brunson is limited in his ball handling skills when he is double teamed.
His fundamentals are excellent but he is limited in his athletic ability. Someone brought up starting McBride along Brunson. I think that would be a great idea. Although undersized at the SG position I think his defense makes up for it. It would be better to have McBride distribute the ball and get other guys in the game early.
I think Kolek and Bridges in the second squad would work really well. Bridges is also not a strong ball handler but Kolek is excellent at ball handling and passing and I think you’ll see Bridges used more effectively with Kolek. Kolek could get easy buckets for everyone on the second squad.
Start Mitchell at Center with KAT, Mitchell comes out early. KAT needs to post up a lot more.
Knicks need to find a combo big man.
Brunson/Kolek/McBride
McBride/Mikal/Hart
OG/Hart/Mikal
KAT/???/OG
Mitchell/???/KAT
9 man rotation
Knicks need to pass the ball more and get easier shots. KAT/Brunson are so good at ISO but the Pacers beat us on open shots all series. We had to earn the majority of are shots because we didn’t pass the ball enough to get much open shots. We definitely passed the ball more last years playoffs. Brunson has to get out of that do it all by myself mentality, it was needed in last years playoffs cause everyone got injured but he has help now.
I think we can run this back next year we just need a defensive big who can score 10 points a game and bring in Kolek.
What’s funny is I think if we insert Hartenstein in that slot we would have won this series.
Brunson
Bridges
OG
Slimmer Towns
60% FT Mitch
Completely new bench maybe McCullar is ready. Get Herb Jones. Trade Hart.
I love the concept of starting Deuce but in this mismatch hunting nba it probably doesn’t happen. What the Knicks need to do is go out there and find a starting level secondary playmaker in a wing body that can fill that role. With Deuce, Hart and mitch off the bench, the bench doesn’t have the same concerns going into next year. Thibs has proven success with someone like Alec Burks before. So maybe someone like Caris LeVert wants to come start and win for the TPMLE since it’s a bad free agent year. He can shoot, defend and provide some on-ball creation. There’s probably other guys but that name comes to mind.
C Towns
F Anunoby
F Bridges
G LeVert
G Brunson
Hart
Deuce
Mitch
Shamet (resigned at minimum)
Hukporti
Dadiet
Kolek
McCullar
2025 second round pick
Can we afford LeVert? Or how do we get him?
Bruce Brown is a name to watch
PassTheBall wrote:Can we afford LeVert? Or how do we get him?
We would have to bank on him being willing to sign for 5.7M. Maybe with a player option on the second year. It’s a bad free agent year so Knicks have to say hey we have a big role on a contender and it’s NY. Take less but be rewarded in the long run. Someone will say yes, especially a CAA client which LeVert is. But it doesn’t have to be him.
Sign Paul to one year MLE $5 mil to backup JB. Extend Mitch now. I’d have Mitch come off the bench during the regular season to try to preserve his health he is way too valuable in the playoffs.
Philc1 wrote:Sign Paul to one year MLE $5 mil to backup JB. Extend Mitch now. I’d have Mitch come off the bench during the regular season to try to preserve his health he is way too valuable in the playoffs.
Chris Paul would be awesome. He has the relationship with Leon so it makes sense. But will he be willing to join a team to backup Brunson ? With a coach reluctant to play smaller guards together ? The fit seems iffy. Really hope we can target a wing or big guard.
Lots of teams may have MLE full and non TPE. However, how many want to use it for cap implications. How many are contenders like the Knicks.
Honest question, how much is Hart worth on the market?
Use him in a sign and trade?
PassTheBall wrote:Honest question, how much is Hart worth on the market?Use him in a sign and trade?
Knicks can’t take in a S&T player cause they over the 1st apron.
martin wrote:PassTheBall wrote:Honest question, how much is Hart worth on the market?Use him in a sign and trade?
Knicks can’t take in a S&T player cause they over the 1st apron.
And Hart is not getting moved. He’s Brunson’s main guy and was a culture shifter here.
Hart is part of the family. He got us here.
The Chemistry is still being brewed. Can't say I know his defined role next year but Josh is here.
Assuming FO runs back JB/KAT, Here's my starting 5 off that base:
JB
Dillon Brooks
Brandon Ingram
KAT
Steve Adams
Defense/shooting/rebounds: check check check
Brunson / Wright / Kolek
Bridges / McBride / Shamet
OG / Hart / McCullar
KAT / LaRavia / Dadiet
Robinson / Huk / Nnaji
I don’t see a lot of change.
Knixkik wrote:Philc1 wrote:Sign Paul to one year MLE $5 mil to backup JB. Extend Mitch now. I’d have Mitch come off the bench during the regular season to try to preserve his health he is way too valuable in the playoffs.
Chris Paul would be awesome. He has the relationship with Leon so it makes sense. But will he be willing to join a team to backup Brunson ? With a coach reluctant to play smaller guards together ? The fit seems iffy. Really hope we can target a wing or big guard.
Chris Paul did average 28 minutes last season but he will be a year older and 40 next season. Maybe if we offer him a multi year contract he’d be more amenable to coming here to come off the bench
Philc1 wrote:Knixkik wrote:Philc1 wrote:Sign Paul to one year MLE $5 mil to backup JB. Extend Mitch now. I’d have Mitch come off the bench during the regular season to try to preserve his health he is way too valuable in the playoffs.
Chris Paul would be awesome. He has the relationship with Leon so it makes sense. But will he be willing to join a team to backup Brunson ? With a coach reluctant to play smaller guards together ? The fit seems iffy. Really hope we can target a wing or big guard.
Chris Paul did average 28 minutes last season but he will be a year older and 40 next season. Maybe if we offer him a multi year contract he’d be more amenable to coming here to come off the bench
More than 2 years would be a mistake. Remember how Kidd fell off a cliff all of a sudden.
Think we should think 2 steps back and delay gratification. Don't think outside of Giannis there is a move that catapults us further. Why not revisit Martin's suggestion about Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and maybe some pick to reload and get younger wing depth?
