Knicks · Game: NYK visit JuJu, DiVo (and dem Wolves) 12/23 8pm (on MSG) (page 4)

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Mikal is a rhythm player. When he gets going he can carry you for a quarter.

KAT cooled off in the second half and I'd like to have seen an effort to feed Mikal in good scoring position.

You may be right that he didn't step up and it wouldn't have mattered, but we didn't have a true hot hand in the 2nd half. Maybe Clarkson then.

I wonder if Jemison was available. As soon as I saw Yabby Flabby Doo on the floor, I thought "Where's Jemison?"

Does anyone feel ambivalent about KAT's performance?

His bad decisions tend to sour my ability to enjoy his scoring tonight.

BlueKnickers wrote:Does anyone feel ambivalent about KAT's performance?

His bad decisions tend to sour my ability to enjoy his scoring tonight.

I can never love KAT cause of those things. Really fixable too and nope

martin wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Only Knicks to not sit any games. He may be flat tired

Yes good point —- noticed post-game he played ~38 mins and Josh ~42 ——- and recent tough travel schedule as well. Also - going forward schedule looks rough with every other day games.

martin wrote:

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I just want him to be even more aggressive because he’s starting to show the damn bag (I didn’t believe he had). Outside of Brunson he’s the only Knick I don’t choke on my food when they are dribbling.

Think he’s going to start breaking out even more and playing even more with Brunson.

BlueKnickers wrote:In the future, this will be considered a sub-par or mediocre game by Kolek. His stats say he did really well, but he can do so much better.

Plus, his teammates have to be ready to receive the ball. Too many instances where Kolek got them a good shot and they fumbled and bumbled it away.

Boy oh boy, Mitch and Huk have no offensive game at all. Keep developing Diawara, because when KAT goes cold, he goes ice cold.

They really missed OG tonight. They could have won it with him on the floor.

YES.

martin wrote:Need Deuce to get loose again

Would you do Yalu/Deuce for T Eason (assuming #s work)?

Eason gives us long versatile wing defender off bench (only 25) and we still have Mikal/Clarkson/Shamet to fill lost Deuce minutes/shot-making.

Eason’s not perfect…..injuries, high turnovers but along with D, some scoring he’s a good offensive rebounder.

BlueKnickers wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Mikal is a rhythm player. When he gets going he can carry you for a quarter.

KAT cooled off in the second half and I'd like to have seen an effort to feed Mikal in good scoring position.

You may be right that he didn't step up and it wouldn't have mattered, but we didn't have a true hot hand in the 2nd half. Maybe Clarkson then.

I wonder if Jemison was available. As soon as I saw Yabby Flabby Doo on the floor, I thought "Where's Jemison?"

Clarkson’s been frustrating many nights as he seems lost in space - per his reputation. Expected him to be very aggressive with Jalen out and nothing. Jamison should have got some of Mitch/Huck minutes tonight because both were SOFT.

Martin made good point that Mikal could be fatigued —- need to keep his minutes down.

Another point —- when Hart plays heavy minutes his D and decision making suck. Keep him fresh and keep his minutes around 30 otherwise he turns into sloppy Kat on D and turnovers.

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:Does anyone feel ambivalent about KAT's performance?

His bad decisions tend to sour my ability to enjoy his scoring tonight.

I can never love KAT cause of those things. Really fixable too and nope

SAME.

Brief moments of yeah — way to go Kat followed by Kat you dumb mofo.

Diawara was a negative 15, did he show as any promise ?

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Disappointing to me that he can't step up offensively when Cap is out. In theory, he should be the 3rd most talented offensive player on the team, and in my mind has the tools to be able to carry an offensive load, but rarely does. I think his shortcomings in this way are what separate us from the very top teams in the league.

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

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I just want him to be even more aggressive because he’s starting to show the damn bag (I didn’t believe he had). Outside of Brunson he’s the only Knick I don’t choke on my food when they are dribbling.

Think he’s going to start breaking out even more and playing even more with Brunson.

I haven't caught the second half yet so I need to hold back a little.

In the first half, there were a couple of offensive plays where Kolek decided he was going to shoot and almost air balled. But they were the right shots and I just thought maybe just the pace of the game and starting had caught up to him for a minute and he just needed to get his in-game conditioning right or something along those lines.

He seems VERY capable. Physically underwhelming but stout at the same time, if there is such a thing.

If he can get a consistent shot, look out

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:Need Deuce to get loose again

Would you do Yalu/Deuce for T Eason (assuming #s work)?

Eason gives us long versatile wing defender off bench (only 25) and we still have Mikal/Clarkson/Shamet to fill lost Deuce minutes/shot-making.

Eason’s not perfect…..injuries, high turnovers but along with D, some scoring he’s a good offensive rebounder.

I don't know Eason well enough. Is he a 6'8 version of Deuce? Meaning, McBride is a sure-fire, every day playoff rotation player. Zero doubts and he steps up big time.

I don't now if that is Eason but that's what the Knicks would need in return or probably more cause Eason gets extended this summer and wants $25+M

martin wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:Need Deuce to get loose again

Would you do Yalu/Deuce for T Eason (assuming #s work)?

Eason gives us long versatile wing defender off bench (only 25) and we still have Mikal/Clarkson/Shamet to fill lost Deuce minutes/shot-making.

Eason’s not perfect…..injuries, high turnovers but along with D, some scoring he’s a good offensive rebounder.

I don't know Eason well enough. Is he a 6'8 version of Deuce? Meaning, McBride is a sure-fire, every day playoff rotation player. Zero doubts and he steps up big time.

I don't now if that is Eason but that's what the Knicks would need in return or probably more cause Eason gets extended this summer and wants $25+M

Deuce definitely more reliable jump shooter and in knowing his role on this team. After that advantage may shift to Eason especially on a Knick team that needs legit wing size/defense.

Hard to get good read on Eason 1 because just back from abdominal injury and in Houston offense everyone basically stands around watching KD/Sengun go at it.

Watched Eason guard Harden 1 v 1 at foul line last night - blocked the shot and threw down breakaway dunk but Harden got best of Rockets. One play but an example of how disruptive he can be.

Contract situation is tricky - I guess for both players.

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Mikal is a rhythm player. When he gets going he can carry you for a quarter.

KAT cooled off in the second half and I'd like to have seen an effort to feed Mikal in good scoring position.

You may be right that he didn't step up and it wouldn't have mattered, but we didn't have a true hot hand in the 2nd half. Maybe Clarkson then.

I wonder if Jemison was available. As soon as I saw Yabby Flabby Doo on the floor, I thought "Where's Jemison?"

Clarkson’s been frustrating many nights as he seems lost in space - per his reputation. Expected him to be very aggressive with Jalen out and nothing. Jamison should have got some of Mitch/Huck minutes tonight because both were SOFT.

Martin made good point that Mikal could be fatigued —- need to keep his minutes down.

Another point —- when Hart plays heavy minutes his D and decision making suck. Keep him fresh and keep his minutes around 30 otherwise he turns into sloppy Kat on D and turnovers.

For some reason I got it in my head that Clarkson is also banged up and playing thru it but I could be dead wrong on that.

He seems to be struggling or underwhelming but maybe it's just me

Alpha1971 wrote:Diawara was a negative 15, did he show as any promise ?

Lots in my book. He can keep up defensively and is VERY active. His offense is not polished but it is there and he does good things.

I'd guess the Knicks are playing this coyly. They need to either get production from Yabu or get him at least going a bit to increase some value to trade him. Kind of a no win situation with him.

Play Mo over Yabu regularly and now you need to tack on a lot more pick value to move Yabu and his big butt

Panos wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My coaching critique is Brown should have done everything he could to feature Bridges on offense. Kolek and Bridges have good chemistry together and they should have been running screens and play action all night to free up Bridges as the # 1 option. Minny is not good at defending Bridges when he gets a good set-up. Missed opportunity.

Use KAT as a decoy now.

Sorry but Mikal could not do much of anything against pressure. He could barely get over screens and continues to fadeaway from contact.

Think he was 0-1 on FTs tonight. Plenty of opportunity but he shied away from the moment.

Disappointing to me that he can't step up offensively when Cap is out. In theory, he should be the 3rd most talented offensive player on the team, and in my mind has the tools to be able to carry an offensive load, but rarely does. I think his shortcomings in this way are what separate us from the very top teams in the league.

5 games in 7 days.

IMHO there is no theory to holding Mikal responsible to carrying an offense when Cap is out. He can do it in spurts when the right mix of guys around him but he is not one to do it by himself, that's just not his game and shouldn't be the expectation.

He is a high level, 2-way role player, not an offensive machine. Kinda in the same way SGA will never be OG on the defensive end of things.

This guy must have listened to Gus Johnson growing up.

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:Need Deuce to get loose again

Would you do Yalu/Deuce for T Eason (assuming #s work)?

Eason gives us long versatile wing defender off bench (only 25) and we still have Mikal/Clarkson/Shamet to fill lost Deuce minutes/shot-making.

Eason’s not perfect…..injuries, high turnovers but along with D, some scoring he’s a good offensive rebounder.

I don't know Eason well enough. Is he a 6'8 version of Deuce? Meaning, McBride is a sure-fire, every day playoff rotation player. Zero doubts and he steps up big time.

I don't now if that is Eason but that's what the Knicks would need in return or probably more cause Eason gets extended this summer and wants $25+M

Deuce definitely more reliable jump shooter and in knowing his role on this team. After that advantage may shift to Eason especially on a Knick team that needs legit wing size/defense.

Hard to get good read on Eason 1 because just back from abdominal injury and in Houston offense everyone basically stands around watching KD/Sengun go at it.

Watched Eason guard Harden 1 v 1 at foul line last night - blocked the shot and threw down breakaway dunk but Harden got best of Rockets. One play but an example of how disruptive he can be.

Contract situation is tricky - I guess for both players.

I'll start off by saying I like the idea of an Eason type on the Knicks, and then follow it up with mentioning I haven't watched him much as well.

Eason is nearly as injury prone as Mitch. He wants $25M and I don't know what to make of that for a non starter who hasn't proven anything. Knicks would start from scratch with his contract negotiations as opposed to knowing and being able to talk to Deuce and his extension expectation for years.

The Knicks also need a POA guard defender as much as what Eason brings. Theoretically, Mo may do the things that Eason already does.

Eason is not a proven spacer, 37% shooter from 3 but also a below average FT% shooter. Not a good combo for the type of player that will really strive at shooting long term.

Bird in hand theory also applies here between both. Practice habits, team cohesiveness, locker room vibes, etc. Those things count on a deep playoff team. FO already knows Deuce.

I don't know how FO's look at player trades but those are some of things they would consider?

That sucked. I really wanted this win specifically for KAT and Kolek. But give the Wolves and especially Randle credit. Had 6 points through 3 quarters and had 17 in the 4th. We saw Randle do this when he was here so it shouldn't surprise anyone. A tiny bit of me is happy for him cause some Knicks fans really treated him like garbage and didn't appreciate him when he was here. Brown should have adjusted and doubled or done something. Hart also had some really bad turnovers in the 4th that led to Wolves points. Clarkson was off too and we needed him with the Cap out. Disappointed in Dadiet. He was Ntilikina out there doing nothing.

Glad KAT bounced back with 40 after only having 2 against the cHeat. We really struggled when he wasn't in there. I'm extremely proud of Kolek - 20 points, 8 assists, 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Could've shot better but he missed a lot rushed bunnies but overall, I thought he played really well! He definitely has a chance to be a starter in this league like IQ has. Loved that up and under reverse layup! You could tell he's studied Brunson!

Ian did the mailbag thing

When will Shamet and McBride get reevaluated again?

I think we’ll have an update on Landry Shamet by the end of the month. At the time of the shoulder injury, there was a strong belief/optimism that Shamet could avoid surgery. I believe that is still the case. Shamet continues to rehab the injury but hasn’t needed a surgical procedure. That’s a good sign for a Knick team that leaned on Shamet before he got hurt.

With regards to Miles McBride, he has been working vigorously on the court with Knicks coaches. I don’t know if he is fully sprinting yet, but he has been cleared for contact; he just hasn’t had the chance to take contact in a scrimmage setting because the Knicks haven’t practiced (NBA teams rarely practice during the heart of the regular season). But based on the available information, I would guess that McBride is back before the end of the calendar year.