Just half a game up on the Celtics. Who would’ve said that coming into the season?! That says a lot about the Celtics, but then again some about us.
We don't box out on d. Also, when our big does help defense - no one helps the helper. Meaning the opposing big is open right under the basket
Knicksfan wrote:Just half a game up on the Celtics. Who would’ve said that coming into the season?! That says a lot about the Celtics, but then again some about us.
Maybe we should send the bucks KAT, OG and Deuce for Giannis
BlueKnickers wrote:OG and KAT were TO Machines tonight.You can always tell when OG has crossed his conditioning threshold. He starts stumbling and bumbling.
Never run OG's battery too low. He can take games or weeks to recover.
So true on all the above — like a tired cranky kid —— put OG to bed for a nap.
Knicksfan wrote:LivingLegend wrote:Don’t recall a team (particularly a backcourt) hitting so many tough / moving 3’s as Maxey/Edgecomb.This was a scary game because if you knew nothing of these 2 teams Sixers looked like the far more talented and athletic team with a far more aggressive/tenacious defense.
That backcourt along with McCann is going to give us fits for years.
Mikal 37 minutes and zero FT’s - think that gives him 9 FTs in last 18 games - add in 2-8 from 3 and getting roasted by both Maxey/Edgecomb.
Hard to be that mad because Sixers played out of their ass today —- like entire team was blessed with scrub of the night (Champagnie) shooting touch.
Our entire frontline is so scary with the ball in hands and making decisions (not good).
Thought Kolek and Deuce played ok but Deuce definitely no Maxey perimeter defender and Tyler gets us playing with great pace - just forced a few tough shots tonight. Kolek can play and defend….did not like that we went with Deuce at PG in first half and fame got away at that point before Kolek entered.
Hard to be mad about this game? Maybe, but not really. But what about the last three games, or even further back at a few wins we’ve either willed out or survived? Yes, I would say there are reasons to be alarmed, because while there is the excuse of one or few players missing or being injured, that goes out the window when you find out the problem is the same one we’ve had even with a different coach: the defense sucks. But just saying that it sucks doesn’t make it justice because it’s just non-existent.
This team, even previous iteration, has a very real problem of motivation and discipline that leads them to horrible stretches of not even trying. My main worry is OG, because even if it’s not fair to him, he seems to be the engine of our defense, but the last bunch of games he has been just putrid. Even Mikal has seemed to go through the motions.
I’m tired of the “long season” excuse, because there is always a small group of elite teams that don’t seem to get sick with this, while our team’s discipline and motivation get questioned from time to time. Losses happen, sure, but when there is a recurring problem as this defense has been, it just changes the whole outlook of the team.
While I wasn’t mad I was disgusted.
Aside from Wingstop D not stopping anything a big concern that keeps showing up is our 2 guard and entire frontline court can’t dribble / chew gum without taking bad shots, turning ball over or falling down.
If Josh Hart is our extra ball handler savior we are going to be in trouble as he’s just as likely to pass into 3rd row vs get an assist.
Kolek is only other guy on roster (outside Brunson) I actually trust with ball in his hands on perimeter and even Kolek can be pressured physically.
We’ve needed that extra skilled wing player for last 4-5 years and have never really found it. As a team we still lack rotation players who can get a good shot and playmaker without breaking down half the time.
Kat whistle is so bad and he’s such a sloppy hack at same time. Jalen really piss poor defensively and is he elevating rest of teammates on the floor or just getting his 30 efficiently?
ramtour420 wrote:We don't box out on d. Also, when our big does help defense - no one helps the helper. Meaning the opposing big is open right under the basket
Mitch again a step slow and not really a deterrent last night. He’s light years better than Huck (soft) and sad part is Kat can be an outstanding post defender but he’ll always do something stupid.
Sixers got whatever they wanted it was just like watching Giants football try to get a stop on 3rd and long.
The big gripe on the Melo/Amare pairing was that neither played defense and you couldn't build around a team with stars who don't play defense.... Amazing offense, but no defense. Well, here we are again. Ironically, they had no chemistry either.
Philc1 wrote:Knicksfan wrote:Just half a game up on the Celtics. Who would’ve said that coming into the season?! That says a lot about the Celtics, but then again some about us.
Maybe we should send the bucks KAT, OG and Deuce for Giannis
No....but i'm on board with sending out Bridges+KAT for Giannis
The emergence of McCullar and the serviceability of Mo D, has made a Giannis trade more tenable IMO. Those guys can play an every night role if Mikal or OG get sent out. As it currently stands, Giannis might need to play Center here though which IMO might be his deadliest position in the modern NBA.
But right now Knicks need to watch out for Philly and Boston who both are trending to be better positioned to make the finals by EOY with more top end talent than we have. Knicks are not looking like they are in the drivers seat anymore.
Knicksfan wrote:LivingLegend wrote:Don’t recall a team (particularly a backcourt) hitting so many tough / moving 3’s as Maxey/Edgecomb.This was a scary game because if you knew nothing of these 2 teams Sixers looked like the far more talented and athletic team with a far more aggressive/tenacious defense.
That backcourt along with McCann is going to give us fits for years.
Mikal 37 minutes and zero FT’s - think that gives him 9 FTs in last 18 games - add in 2-8 from 3 and getting roasted by both Maxey/Edgecomb.
Hard to be that mad because Sixers played out of their ass today —- like entire team was blessed with scrub of the night (Champagnie) shooting touch.
Our entire frontline is so scary with the ball in hands and making decisions (not good).
Thought Kolek and Deuce played ok but Deuce definitely no Maxey perimeter defender and Tyler gets us playing with great pace - just forced a few tough shots tonight. Kolek can play and defend….did not like that we went with Deuce at PG in first half and fame got away at that point before Kolek entered.
Hard to be mad about this game? Maybe, but not really. But what about the last three games, or even further back at a few wins we’ve either willed out or survived? Yes, I would say there are reasons to be alarmed, because while there is the excuse of one or few players missing or being injured, that goes out the window when you find out the problem is the same one we’ve had even with a different coach: the defense sucks. But just saying that it sucks doesn’t make it justice because it’s just non-existent.
This team, even previous iteration, has a very real problem of motivation and discipline that leads them to horrible stretches of not even trying. My main worry is OG, because even if it’s not fair to him, he seems to be the engine of our defense, but the last bunch of games he has been just putrid. Even Mikal has seemed to go through the motions.
I’m tired of the “long season” excuse, because there is always a small group of elite teams that don’t seem to get sick with this, while our team’s discipline and motivation get questioned from time to time. Losses happen, sure, but when there is a recurring problem as this defense has been, it just changes the whole outlook of the team.
Bridges and OG have really been underwhelming lately…
Is it me or does mikal seems to have a major issue keeping his defender in front of him…
we are tired and slumping. OG, Mikal and KAT really have underwhelmed offensively in the sense that, none of them have had stretches where they just carry the team for a game or two. Mikal had games where he'd randomly put up 40 last year when no one else had anything going, KAT too. But this season it seems we aren't getting those hero games from anyone except Brunson of course who is being pressured for 48 minutes.
jaydh wrote:The big gripe on the Melo/Amare pairing was that neither played defense and you couldn't build around a team with stars who don't play defense.... Amazing offense, but no defense. Well, here we are again. Ironically, they had no chemistry either.
Same can be said that our top 2 stars are weak links on defense which means compensation by the rest of the roster.
And when OG and Bridges slow down (and Hart's hustle is unavailable), you get what we are witnessing, a collapse defensively.
Mitch is too erratic and unavailable too many games to be considered a core element defensively. I don't think his defense of late is good either. He's more interested in bobbing for rebounds.
When you combine this collective defensive failure with yesterday's astounding inability to protect the ball, the turnovers and ease with which we were scored on will be hard to offset by outscoring anyone.
DLeethal wrote:The emergence of McCullar and the serviceability of Mo D, has made a Giannis trade more tenable IMO. Those guys can play an every night role if Mikal or OG get sent out. As it currently stands, Giannis might need to play Center here though which IMO might be his deadliest position in the modern NBA. But right now Knicks need to watch out for Philly and Boston who both are trending to be better positioned to make the finals by EOY with more top end talent than we have. Knicks are not looking like they are in the drivers seat anymore.
If the FO needed any incentive to go after Giannis, this last stretch threw a supertanker full of gasoline on to the fire.
The future of personnel upgrades should include the requirement that any addition to the roster plays passable defense regardless of their specific skillset.
If you have Giannis, Bridges, OG, McCullar, Diawara and Deuce in the rotation you'd have the makings of an excellent defensive team. The question is which of those would you give up to get Giannis.
I'd throw Huk into any trade. Not sold on his remaining upside. I remain very interested to see what Jemison can add to this team with consistent minutes. He looks like he has size, hustle, good instincts and can give us some more D and toughness. I think his path to minutes go through Huk and Yabusele (whom they probably have to play a little just to show he can get on to the court as future trade dump fodder). We need to find a replacement for Mitch, a reliable starting C and use Mitch in a trade.
I'm for a Giannis trade now. I don't believe KAT can keep his head in the game for a title run. He's too flaky. Too bad, because he does expand our offensive options and creates spacing, but Giannis in his own way can do that too if schemed well.
P.S. I think the best teams contending for a title now have defensive ability through most of their roster. OKC's bench plays defense. It doesn't mean they all came out of college that way, but they stuck with OKC because they learned to defend and do it willingly.
This has to be where the FO and Mike Brown come to an agreement about building the club for title contention.
BlueKnickers wrote:DLeethal wrote:The emergence of McCullar and the serviceability of Mo D, has made a Giannis trade more tenable IMO. Those guys can play an every night role if Mikal or OG get sent out. As it currently stands, Giannis might need to play Center here though which IMO might be his deadliest position in the modern NBA. But right now Knicks need to watch out for Philly and Boston who both are trending to be better positioned to make the finals by EOY with more top end talent than we have. Knicks are not looking like they are in the drivers seat anymore.
If the FO needed any incentive to go after Giannis, this last stretch threw a supertanker full of gasoline on to the fire.
The future of personnel upgrades should include the requirement that any addition to the roster plays passable defense regardless of their specific skillset.
If you have Giannis, Bridges, OG, McCullar, Diawara and Deuce in the rotation you'd have the makings of an excellent defensive team. The question is which of those would you give up to get Giannis.
I'd throw Huk into any trade. Not sold on his remaining upside. I remain very interested to see what Jemison can add to this team with consistent minutes. He looks like he has size, hustle, good instincts and can give us some more D and toughness. I think his path to minutes go through Huk and Yabusele (whom they probably have to play a little just to show he can get on to the court as future trade dump fodder). We need to find a replacement for Mitch, a reliable starting C and use Mitch in a trade.
I'm for a Giannis trade now. I don't believe KAT can keep his head in the game for a title run. He's too flaky. Too bad, because he does expand our offensive options and creates spacing, but Giannis in his own way can do that too if schemed well.
Ha I like that, supertanker full of gasoline onto the fire
jaydh wrote:Philc1 wrote:Knicksfan wrote:Just half a game up on the Celtics. Who would’ve said that coming into the season?! That says a lot about the Celtics, but then again some about us.
Maybe we should send the bucks KAT, OG and Deuce for Giannis
No....but i'm on board with sending out Bridges+KAT for Giannis
If we can get Giannis for something reasonable it’s the psychological shot in the arm this team needs right now.
Havent had a chance to watch every full game of all the recent games but January just rolled in and opponents seem to have started to figure out how to attack the Knicks again (with the obvious caveat of missing rotation players)?
We’ve seen this script before
Giannis could actually be better for the offense because he "sprays" the ball so well. Meaning penetrate and dish
ramtour420 wrote:Giannis could actually be better for the offense because he "sprays" the ball so well. Meaning penetrate and dish
Even though KAT does make spectacular passes here and there his decision making and ball protection is inferior to Giannis who plays with greater intelligence.
Giannis can play high and low just like KAT does now and share the ball.
Our defense would be exponentially better.
And a key improvement is Giannis will get the superstar calls KAT does not get because he screams "Omigod" every time someone breathes on him. Refs are human and they hate whiners like KAT who has become one of the biggest douchebags in the NBA at this point when it comes to crying about not getting calls. Those extra trips to the line for Giannis will add more wins all by itself.
Get Giannis. It is an opportunity that will never come again. We upgraded from Randle with KAT. Let's upgrade one more time.
KAT + OG for Giannis + Turner
Yabu + 2nd for Love
Turner
Giannis
Mikal
Deuce
Brunson
Hart, Mitch, Clarkson, Kolek, Love off the bench.
Tough call but Mikal is more valuable to this team than OG over the course of a season. Mikal plays more games 1st, he doesn't turn it over as much, can handle the ball better and can create his own shot more.
