VDesai wrote:Carlisle played 10 players fairly significant mins in the playoffs and another 2 found mins/games before injury. They definitely had better depth than us and that made a difference int he series. But the Knicks were undoubtedly top heavy after the moves they made. The Knicks were the "deep team" in years prior and they cashed in chips. This year we managed to add 2 legit rotation players without much money to spend. We have a legitimate first 9 this year. And a coach thats probably more willing to spread the minutes more.
Legit first 9 and 2 to 3 youngsters who are ready to push for minutes.
Knicks is gonna be for real next year
PassTheBall@ 8/10/2025 7:54 PM
martin wrote:
VDesai wrote:Carlisle played 10 players fairly significant mins in the playoffs and another 2 found mins/games before injury. They definitely had better depth than us and that made a difference int he series. But the Knicks were undoubtedly top heavy after the moves they made. The Knicks were the "deep team" in years prior and they cashed in chips. This year we managed to add 2 legit rotation players without much money to spend. We have a legitimate first 9 this year. And a coach thats probably more willing to spread the minutes more.
Legit first 9 and 2 to 3 youngsters who are ready to push for minutes.
Knicks is gonna be for real next year
I’m getting excited for the season. Praying for another fairly injury free season already now. I think that’s all we need.
VDesai@ 8/11/2025 1:17 PM
Not sure if the actual interview got linked here, but for any bball heads, Caitlin Cooper interviewing Rick Carlisle about his offensive philosophy is pure must see TV.
technomaster@ 8/11/2025 4:21 PM
VDesai wrote:Carlisle played 10 players fairly significant mins in the playoffs and another 2 found mins/games before injury. They definitely had better depth than us and that made a difference int he series. But the Knicks were undoubtedly top heavy after the moves they made. The Knicks were the "deep team" in years prior and they cashed in chips. This year we managed to add 2 legit rotation players without much money to spend. We have a legitimate first 9 this year. And a coach thats probably more willing to spread the minutes more.
The "mistake" we made last year was spending a lot of roster spots on rookies. We got the balance wrong on talent development - I think leadership thought with Hukporti, Kolek, Dadiet, and McCullar Jr, surely we'd get at least 1 deep rotation player out of the bunch. Hukporti was showing signs, enough that we did away with Sims. Then he hurt his leg. Kolek was showing signs, but he's a bit of an ill-fit with 2 other smallish guards in Brunson and McBride. I think it'd hurt the team if he was on the floor with either of those two.
McCullar Jr took too long to get healthy. We could have loaded up on cheap veterans early on but also figured that we'd be able to do some cool rotations with our top 5 guys. However, it rarely felt like the Knicks were maximizing the talent on the team.
I think the Carlisle factor is that you need interchangeable high motor guys to surround your stars. A bit of the Rick Pitino thing of always having fresh legs with high motors, able to turn on the full court press and run.
martin@ 8/11/2025 7:09 PM
technomaster wrote:
VDesai wrote:Carlisle played 10 players fairly significant mins in the playoffs and another 2 found mins/games before injury. They definitely had better depth than us and that made a difference int he series. But the Knicks were undoubtedly top heavy after the moves they made. The Knicks were the "deep team" in years prior and they cashed in chips. This year we managed to add 2 legit rotation players without much money to spend. We have a legitimate first 9 this year. And a coach thats probably more willing to spread the minutes more.
The "mistake" we made last year was spending a lot of roster spots on rookies. We got the balance wrong on talent development - I think leadership thought with Hukporti, Kolek, Dadiet, and McCullar Jr, surely we'd get at least 1 deep rotation player out of the bunch. Hukporti was showing signs, enough that we did away with Sims. Then he hurt his leg. Kolek was showing signs, but he's a bit of an ill-fit with 2 other smallish guards in Brunson and McBride. I think it'd hurt the team if he was on the floor with either of those two.
McCullar Jr took too long to get healthy. We could have loaded up on cheap veterans early on but also figured that we'd be able to do some cool rotations with our top 5 guys. However, it rarely felt like the Knicks were maximizing the talent on the team.
I think the Carlisle factor is that you need interchangeable high motor guys to surround your stars. A bit of the Rick Pitino thing of always having fresh legs with high motors, able to turn on the full court press and run.
This was not possible after the KAT trade because of the second apron. There was no “mistake”, it was just the roster and cap situation after the trade.
