Knicks · GameThread: Knicks @ Rockets on MSG NBC, 8pm (page 2)

I gots to spice things up

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

Yeah

I just felt the need to post that, because while we all have opinions we may debate with each other it does seem almost everything is secondary now to this fundamental roster issue. It has persisted for so long it feels like an irreconcilable fact of our personnel and roster construction.

Whatever the deal is, the animal spirits are not animating this team in a way that would set our loins on fire. That savage energy we want from them is not there.

Fans are take a proverbial knee to the groin every time we watch, so we can relate

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/stevepopper/status/2039158882124132652?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA

Click here to view the Tweet

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

Yeah

I just felt the need to post that, because while we all have opinions we may debate with each other it does seem almost everything is secondary now to this fundamental roster issue. It has persisted for so long it feels like an irreconcilable fact of our personnel and roster construction.

Whatever the deal is, the animal spirits are not animating this team in a way that would set our loins on fire. That savage energy we want from them is not there.

Kinda felt the same way last year but there was a Thibsian frenzy to the 37+ minutes for the starters and his level of desperation ebbed enough into the players that the chemistry wasn’t as prominent?

Could be

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

Yeah

I just felt the need to post that, because while we all have opinions we may debate with each other it does seem almost everything is secondary now to this fundamental roster issue. It has persisted for so long it feels like an irreconcilable fact of our personnel and roster construction.

Whatever the deal is, the animal spirits are not animating this team in a way that would set our loins on fire. That savage energy we want from them is not there.

Kinda felt the same way last year but there was a Thibsian frenzy to the 37+ minutes for the starters and his level of desperation ebbed enough into the players that the chemistry wasn’t as prominent?

Could be

My theory about Thibs getting effort from his players is in part due to the loyalty he inspires from the players he commits to. They know they will get major minutes once they are included in Thibs tighter rotations. Conversely, it may be a motivating factor to players on the bench to break into the rotation. It is a motivational style that has inherent rewards for the favored players.

It also is a Thibs meme that his teams gas out after a long regular season the deeper they go in the playoffs. That may be a difference going forwards with Brown, but even that comparison won't matter if the chemistry issues overwhelm the roster now.

Well at least Kolek gave me a pretty shake and bake alley oop assist in the last minute

There is little chance this team will seriously contend so now I'm wondering if Dolan is going to go full FUBAR and fire Rose after his stupid public comments that anything other than a Finals appearance is unnaceptable.

It would be stupid to fire the FO, but Dolan is capable of that.

If they are not fired, then I expect some big moves in the off-season. This roster will need to be reworked no matter who is in charge.

Brown could be on the chopping block too.

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

Yeah

I just felt the need to post that, because while we all have opinions we may debate with each other it does seem almost everything is secondary now to this fundamental roster issue. It has persisted for so long it feels like an irreconcilable fact of our personnel and roster construction.

Whatever the deal is, the animal spirits are not animating this team in a way that would set our loins on fire. That savage energy we want from them is not there.

Kinda felt the same way last year but there was a Thibsian frenzy to the 37+ minutes for the starters and his level of desperation ebbed enough into the players that the chemistry wasn;t as prominent?

Could be

My theory about Thibs getting effort from his players is in part due to the loyalty he inspires from the players he commits to. They know they will get major minutes once they are included in Thibs tighter rotations. Conversely, it may be a motivating factor to players on the bench to break into the rotation. It is a motivational style that has inherent rewards for the favored players.

It also is a Thibs meme that his teams gas out after a long regular season the deeper they go in the playoffs. That may be a difference going forwards with Brown, but even that comparison won't matter if the chemistry issues overwhelm the roster now.

Chemistry?
You mean what we had with DDV, iHart, Precious and Juju?
Can someone tell me again how we're better off after those trades? I miss 2023-24

I hope I'm dead wrong but I don't see how this team is getting back to the ECF. Unless they hit that magical switch.

Panos wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:

martin wrote:

BlueKnickers wrote:My gut reaction to this season is we lack chemistry

We have all the talent of other top teams or more

It may not be a coaching issue primarily at all

What it feels like is our two stars are either incompatible or unwilling to merge their games and that has affected the rest of the roster.

Our record is a testament to our talent. We've got tons of it. But beating up on the teams we should beat is different than competing at the highest level.

When we face the top teams the lack of chemistry becomes evident more often than not.

If the chemistry doesn't gel soon they won't make a run in the playoffs

Yeah agreed, the mojo or something is just not there.

Yeah

I just felt the need to post that, because while we all have opinions we may debate with each other it does seem almost everything is secondary now to this fundamental roster issue. It has persisted for so long it feels like an irreconcilable fact of our personnel and roster construction.

Whatever the deal is, the animal spirits are not animating this team in a way that would set our loins on fire. That savage energy we want from them is not there.

Kinda felt the same way last year but there was a Thibsian frenzy to the 37+ minutes for the starters and his level of desperation ebbed enough into the players that the chemistry wasn;t as prominent?

Could be

My theory about Thibs getting effort from his players is in part due to the loyalty he inspires from the players he commits to. They know they will get major minutes once they are included in Thibs tighter rotations. Conversely, it may be a motivating factor to players on the bench to break into the rotation. It is a motivational style that has inherent rewards for the favored players.

It also is a Thibs meme that his teams gas out after a long regular season the deeper they go in the playoffs. That may be a difference going forwards with Brown, but even that comparison won't matter if the chemistry issues overwhelm the roster now.

Chemistry?
You mean what we had with DDV, iHart, Precious and Juju?
Can someone tell me again how we're better off after those trades? I miss 2023-24

Records don't tell the whole story

At least back then, I felt we could fight and claw our way back into games against top teams, but now I feel like we are lying down and giving up more and more when we fall behind against the better teams. Sure, we've had some nice comebacks this year, but we also have had more disheartening performances that leave you feeling empty inside

That season was definitely more fun and the team was easier to get behind. Even if we were never going all the way in the playoffs they were entertaining. I still have Donte's face after he hit that big 3 vs. Philly etched in my brain

We still trying to force Hart into the starting lineup? It did not work with Thibs and it is not working now. I thought Mike was hired because he was open to change? I guess not.

Clean wrote:We still trying to force Hart into the starting lineup? It did not work with Thibs and it is not working now. I thought Mike was hired because he was open to change? I guess not.

more on this is coaches look at Hart stats and think it helps but he makes scoring way harder for everyone else because of the way teams defend him. They always fall into that trap.

Clean wrote:

Clean wrote:We still trying to force Hart into the starting lineup? It did not work with Thibs and it is not working now. I thought Mike was hired because he was open to change? I guess not.

more on this is coaches look at Hart stats and think it helps but he makes scoring way harder for everyone else because of the way teams defend him. They always fall into that trap.

I have a different theory: they got no one else that’s a better fit. Deuce can bring the 5 out but you lose ball handling, transition buckets, rebounding, a ball mover, etc.

They are not forcing Hart into the lineup, they don’t have a better fit and he’s the next best option.

2 coaches in a row landed on the same flawed 5. Hart ain’t the problem.

Chemistry and fit of KAT and Brunson IMHO

martin wrote:2 coaches in a row landed on the same flawed 5. Hart ain’t the problem.

Chemistry and fit of KAT and Brunson IMHO

This

As a result, now OG and Bridges are blending in with the wallpaper

Nobody looks empowered in their respective roles

There's no focus. The whole outlook feels fuzzy

That's what this end stretch schedule has shown. It's easy to beat lesser teams, but it takes coherence to beat teams that are gearing up for a playoff run

While the other top teams we're facing are fine-tuning, we're at loose ends

The core issue emanates from the Brunson/KAT integration never getting sorted out and it is pretty late in the season to say it will get resolved

KAT will be gone next season, because I can't imagine Brunson being moved

That said, I probably would not build a team around Brunson knowing what I know now. There are some players who are great at what they do, but can be problematic as the primary focus of your offense if their greatness comes at the expense of a unified front.

The reason I'm expressing greater bias against Brunson than KAT is I believe Towns is an easy bucket if he's deployed properly. It should be a piece of cake for Brunson to rack up assists feeding KAT yet it never seems to happen with any consistency. As the star PG, I can't help to place that at Brunson's feet.

Maybe KAT is too passive at times, but I watch the games and I do see him get frozen out of plays he should be involved in. He rarely gets the ball in ready to shoot positions unless it is a deep three. I can't pin any of that on KAT, whatever his flaws are. The guy leads the league in rebounds so I'm not that inclined to be believe he is somehow completely passive.

Either KAT really is the problem
OR
You may not be able to build around Brunson
OR
They are both problematic and don't pair well together

Perhaps the only way we'll ever know is subtracting one of them and finding out

It may be sacrilege, but I'd be totally OK with moving on from Brunson and trading him instead of KAT. Or move them both and retool the roster with the remaining players. I believe both OG and Bridges are good players who may thrive more under different circumstances with a better offensive flow. We have lots of other players to continue with. I'm no longer ride or die with Brunson.

This is like the Kemba and EF year but shinier.

Lots of parallels to last year. We are very good at beating teams worse than us, even when we play like crap. We find ways to win those games all the time. We just won 7 in a row during a stretch I would argue we didn't look good at all. This year it seems we have a higher gear, we seem to have some better performances vs elite teams, but we've been wildly inconsistent and tend to get blown out in those games too. The starting 5 issues seem exactly the same at this point. There is just not enough aggression out of the starting 5 on either end.

Yall are forcing me to watch this bad NBA product to prove a point. You get KAT to open up the floor. WHen you play him with mostly Josh Hart you cancel out his effect. This is basic basketball and NBA coaches are not figuring this stuff out. First of all they are hiding their poor defending big man on him and that big man does not leave the paint area so it makes it hard for everyone else.

Yall say its not Josh Hart but look at the very first Knicks play of the game.

Loook what Harts man does here. This is instantly telling you their gameplan is to not defend him.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281555151929848

Click here to view the Tweet

Here is the second Knicks possesion of the game. The big hides on Hart and clogs the paint.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281661364351293

Click here to view the Tweet

Third Knicks possesion of the game.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281723465150876

Click here to view the Tweet

The Knicks thought they were smart and tried to attack the big with Hart but guess what? This is what they want. Hart is a bad offensive player and now your using him as your entire offense instead of KAT or Brunson. I have not watched a game in more than a month and I knew exactly what I would see once I clipped up Knicks possesions just to prove a point. This is basic basketball stuff and both Thibs and Mike Brown failed to see it. I hate the NBA product today and I can't stand how dumb our Knicks coaches are so I just can't watch games anymore. It was the same exact thing that happened to the Indiana Fever. They are dumb to and always sign a PF that can't shoot. So teams treated Nalyssa in 2024 and Natasha in 2025 the same way they treat Hart. Yall still think Hart is not the problem?

Clean wrote:Yall are forcing me to watch this bad NBA product to prove a point. You get KAT to open up the floor. WHen you play him with mostly Josh Hart you cancel out his effect. This is basic basketball and NBA coaches are not figuring this stuff out. First of all they are hiding their poor defending big man on him and that big man does not leave the paint area so it makes it hard for everyone else.

Yall say its not Josh Hart but look at the very first Knicks play of the game.

Loook what Harts man does here. This is instantly telling you their gameplan is to not defend him.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281555151929848

Click here to view the Tweet

Here is the second Knicks possesion of the game. The big hides on Hart and clogs the paint.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281661364351293

Click here to view the Tweet

Third Knicks possesion of the game.

Javascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/Riizzzie/status/2039281723465150876

Click here to view the Tweet

The Knicks thought they were smart and tried to attack the big with Hart but guess what? This is what they want. Hart is a bad offensive player and now your using him as your entire offense instead of KAT or Brunson. I have not watched a game in more than a month and I knew exactly what I would see once I clipped up Knicks possesions just to prove a point. This is basic basketball stuff and both Thibs and Mike Brown failed to see it. I hate the NBA product today and I can't stand how dumb our Knicks coaches are so I just can't watch games anymore. It was the same exact thing that happened to the Indiana Fever. They are dumb to and always sign a PF that can't shoot. So teams treated Nalyssa in 2024 and Natasha in 2025 the same way they treat Hart. Yall still think Hart is not the problem?

Problem is that Towns is at his best when he gets the ball on the move towards the hoop. We do that like 2 times a game. Brunson would be at his best if he was a threat to pass when the defense collapses on his drives. He is blind in those situations and is just looking to score. Josh Hart would have been behind the 3 point line wide open in both of these scenarios, waiting for the ball and shooting it at above the league average from there.

martin wrote:

Clean wrote:

Clean wrote:We still trying to force Hart into the starting lineup? It did not work with Thibs and it is not working now. I thought Mike was hired because he was open to change? I guess not.

more on this is coaches look at Hart stats and think it helps but he makes scoring way harder for everyone else because of the way teams defend him. They always fall into that trap.

I have a different theory: they got no one else that’s a better fit. Deuce can bring the 5 out but you lose ball handling, transition buckets, rebounding, a ball mover, etc.

They are not forcing Hart into the lineup, they don’t have a better fit and he’s the next best option.

I agree. I think this is the case. This and not trying to impact the locker room without being sure of a better option.