2021 Knicks Offseason-Training Camp News and Videos

[Clyde_Style]

Y’all call Mitch fat when none of y’all have even see him in person while Randle and Thibs have complemented his new physique because they actually have seen him in person lol

Yeah but what do they know compared to RealGM posters?

Mitch’s has filed to legally change his name to Fat Jemima

[Clyde_Style]

I am predicting we will be begging for Elfrid to come back

I’m cutting off your supply of airplane glue

Then how am I going to patch back up my de Havilland turbo beaver to deliver fresh shell armor, carapace and face gel to remote areas of the world for the people in need??

You’re just going to have to shipwreck your Piper Cub on Skull Island and raft your supplies through shark infested waters back to civilization just like the rest of us do

[El Poochio]

I’m cutting off your supply of airplane glue

Then how am I going to patch back up my de Havilland turbo beaver to deliver fresh shell armor, carapace and face gel to remote areas of the world for the people in need??

You’re just going to have to shipwreck your Piper Cub on Skull Island and raft your supplies through shark infested waters back to civilization just like the rest of us do

[thebuzzardman]

Am I the only one who feels nothing about Kemba and Fournier? Its gonna be one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league too

I just want to watch IQ, RJ and Obi with some McBride Grimes sprinkled in

idk. I'm sceptical about Kemba, but he has played with Fournier and I think the two of them are smart enough to figure out what to do on offence. And Thibs is supposed to save the Knicks on D. :shrug: I don't see any of IQ, RJ or Obi as an upgrade on D.

In theory Fournier should have been a steal and break out to be the Knicks main guy this year - although that might create problems regarding Fournier x Jules.

Overall, I'm of the "the team will be better but finish with a lower standing" school of thought. Tho' I really would have kept Reggie Bullock rather than Burks once Kemba and Fournier were recruited. For defence, but also for more rounded offence. [But this last bit is just episode #47 of I don't rate Burks as highly as thebuzzardman, so ... w/e.]

Ah yes, the Burks vs Bullocks debate continues!

So, they are pretty close as basketball players. To me it's a little bit more about fit for the Knicks.

There is some validity to the fact that since the Knicks got Kemba, full season of Rose upcoming, added Fournier, that with what Randle provides, the Knicks have enough guys who can create for themselves and others, and keeping Bullocks and the extra height/true ability to guard most SF's and being more accepting of his role role player as catch and shoot was the better way to go.

On the other hand, there's the very good chance that Rose and Walker a decent number of games. If Bullocks was resigned instead of Burks, it's kind of that crucial 25% upgrade in Fournier over Burks if Walker or Rose is out an extended amount of time.

I went over this in a reply to someone else within the last 3 weeks; you may or may not have seen it. Short version: IQ isn't that great yet at dribble drive or running the P&R\organizing the offense. RJ is still a work in progress at creating his own shot.
Knicks basically need Burks due to those guys limitations or as they develop. What IQ and RJ do well right now is a little too similar to Bullocks.

Again, it could have worked with Bullocks too. I just get why the Knicks might have leaned towards Burks, at least on offense.
I put it as "either/or" since if Bullocks or Burks were resigned with each other AND Walker/Fournier acquired, then it's IQ the bench, and I don't think anyone wants that.

[TheGreenArrow]

Wow…..

Read on Twitter

The hawks scouting report on the Knicks in the playoffs!!!

Pretty spot on!!!!

Teams don’t think Rj is a good finisher(rightfully so)!!!

The enlarged to build a wall against Randle which we all noticed!!!!

Pretty interesting to actually see!!!

[NYKnickerbocker]

Surprised elf was even on a report, all that was needed was sag off. Waste of key strokes for him

[HarthorneWingo]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[F N 11]

Wow…..

Read on Twitter

The hawks scouting report on the Knicks in the playoffs!!!

Pretty spot on!!!!

Teams don’t think Rj is a good finisher(rightfully so)!!!

The enlarged to build a wall against Randle which we all noticed!!!!

Pretty interesting to actually see!!!

this is exactly why we went and got Kemba and Fournier. RJ and Randle had to get better too.

[3toheadmelo]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

[thebuzzardman]

Wow…..

Read on Twitter

The hawks scouting report on the Knicks in the playoffs!!!

Pretty spot on!!!!

Teams don’t think Rj is a good finisher(rightfully so)!!!

The enlarged to build a wall against Randle which we all noticed!!!!

Pretty interesting to actually see!!!

Getting tired of the lame "seeing ghosts" terminology in sports. They double Randle and while Randle is MUCH better at dealing with double and triple teams than he was under Fizzle, it's still a place he has to improve. Especially if the lineup he's playing in features a non shooting C, a non shooting PG (for a couple of games), a spot up shooter in Bullocks and RJ, who is essentially a spot up shooter with SOME ability to drive, hit pull up jumpers.

I'd agree with the scouting report though, and it's pretty much what most people on here are aware of. Good find and good to post it, as it's something to discuss, somewhat in what happened in the series, but more how the new players will help improve this situation, which I think it's pretty clear they will.

-> Short closeouts on Elfrid - solved that problem with Kemba, and honestly, if he is hurt in a future playoff round vs the Hawks, McBride.

-> Make Bullock put in on the floor. Well, I'd say it's better to look at Fournier as upgrading RJ and RJ upgrading (somewhat) Bullocks. Fournier's ability to get all the way to the rim successfully at the wing will be a big improvement over Bullocks and RJ. He still shoots the 3 as well as Bullocks. Defense will be another story. Since this is about Bullocks, RJ can at least attack closeouts and has a more varied game than Bullocks, but isn't the sniper type who goes on hot shooting runs like Bullocks. I'll take RJ.
Big if: If RJ improves his ability to shoot after relocating on a few dribbles and also putting the ball on the floor and hitting mid range jumpers, that's a BIG deal for him and the Knicks overall. I think his finishing at the rim is going to take another year.

-> Avoid fouling RJ coming back left & make him finish. RJ is better finishing left hand. Entire league and every smart fan knows it, been an issue since day 1. However, RJ's right hand is pretty decent now too. He's not a great finisher but Fournier upgrades over him and RJ slides into better/more varied Bullocks role

-> Physical hits on Noel - makes sense. Yup. This is where Mitch helps, and hopefully bigger Mitch helps more, IF bigger Mitch retains his cover the perimeter and recover skills. Still, even skinny Mitch could take hits better than Noel.

Saved Julius for last

-> Make Randle see bodies. So, Randle and the Knicks are going to have to clean up his ability to get flummoxed by the double team and lose his vision. I THINK it'll be solved by roster construction which will lead to somewhat better plays or better execution of the existing plays. Randle may have some responsibility to just be better here, but it MIGHT be solved just by having more varied, better talented players on the floor. Either Rose or Kemba are a shoot/drive/pass threat. Fournier can score all over the floor, facilitate and is an active cutter/relocator. RJ and Fournier should provide about the same level of 3 point shooting as RJ/Bullocks, but RJ cuts to the hoop more, attempts to go inside and attempts midranges, etc. Outside of the Center, Randle will always have 3 players who their man can't spare the double team, but those players aren't one note players, either just being able to score outside or just inside. I think this mitigates the issues Randle had in the playoffs.

I'm looking forward to a team that moves the ball a lot, cuts a lot, attacks closeouts to score or make even another pass that leads to the score. I know Thibs has the reputation of not being the greatest offensive mind, but those Bulls teams that had competent offensive players had a lost of movement and got a number of easy baskets off them. I expect the same here, or at least hope for it.

[thebuzzardman]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

[3toheadmelo]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

yeah true. im guessing 8th seed or we'll be a play in team. thats a bit disappointing. rather have a lottery pick if things go sour lol

[TheGreenArrow]

Wow…..

Read on Twitter

The hawks scouting report on the Knicks in the playoffs!!!

Pretty spot on!!!!

Teams don’t think Rj is a good finisher(rightfully so)!!!

The enlarged to build a wall against Randle which we all noticed!!!!

Pretty interesting to actually see!!!

Getting tired of the lame "seeing ghosts" terminology in sports. They double Randle and while Randle is MUCH better at dealing with double and triple teams than he was under Fizzle, it's still a place he has to improve. Especially if the lineup he's playing in features a non shooting C, a non shooting PG (for a couple of games), a spot up shooter in Bullocks and RJ, who is essentially a spot up shooter with SOME ability to drive, hit pull up jumpers.

I'd agree with the scouting report though, and it's pretty much what most people on here are aware of. Good find and good to post it, as it's something to discuss, somewhat in what happened in the series, but more how the new players will help improve this situation, which I think it's pretty clear they will.

-> Short closeouts on Elfrid - solved that problem with Kemba, and honestly, if he is hurt in a future playoff round vs the Hawks, McBride.

-> Make Bullock put in on the floor. Well, I'd say it's better to look at Fournier as upgrading RJ and RJ upgrading (somewhat) Bullocks. Fournier's ability to get all the way to the rim successfully at the wing will be a big improvement over Bullocks and RJ. He still shoots the 3 as well as Bullocks. Defense will be another story. Since this is about Bullocks, RJ can at least attack closeouts and has a more varied game than Bullocks, but isn't the sniper type who goes on hot shooting runs like Bullocks. I'll take RJ.
Big if: If RJ improves his ability to shoot after relocating on a few dribbles and also putting the ball on the floor and hitting mid range jumpers, that's a BIG deal for him and the Knicks overall. I think his finishing at the rim is going to take another year.

-> Avoid fouling RJ coming back left & make him finish. RJ is better finishing left hand. Entire league and every smart fan knows it, been an issue since day 1. However, RJ's right hand is pretty decent now too. He's not a great finisher but Fournier upgrades over him and RJ slides into better/more varied Bullocks role

-> Physical hits on Noel - makes sense. Yup. This is where Mitch helps, and hopefully bigger Mitch helps more, IF bigger Mitch retains his cover the perimeter and recover skills. Still, even skinny Mitch could take hits better than Noel.

Saved Julius for last

-> Make Randle see bodies. So, Randle and the Knicks are going to have to clean up his ability to get flummoxed by the double team and lose his vision. I THINK it'll be solved by roster construction which will lead to somewhat better plays or better execution of the existing plays. Randle may have some responsibility to just be better here, but it MIGHT be solved just by having more varied, better talented players on the floor. Either Rose or Kemba are a shoot/drive/pass threat. Fournier can score all over the floor, facilitate and is an active cutter/relocator. RJ and Fournier should provide about the same level of 3 point shooting as RJ/Bullocks, but RJ cuts to the hoop more, attempts to go inside and attempts midranges, etc. Outside of the Center, Randle will always have 3 players who their man can't spare the double team, but those players aren't one note players, either just being able to score outside or just inside. I think this mitigates the issues Randle had in the playoffs.

I'm looking forward to a team that moves the ball a lot, cuts a lot, attacks closeouts to score or make even another pass that leads to the score. I know Thibs has the reputation of not being the greatest offensive mind, but those Bulls teams that had competent offensive players had a lost of movement and got a number of easy baskets off them. I expect the same here, or at least hope for it.

Nailed it all around especially your Randle take!!!!

One thing I hope to see is Randle used more in the p&r as the screener so he could pop or roll!!!

Just try to get him much easier looks in general!!!

[TheGreenArrow]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

yeah true. im guessing 8th seed or we'll be a play in team. thats a bit disappointing. rather have a lottery pick if things go sour lol

8th seed???!!!! Cmon man!!!!

I think all this doubt stems from the fact that the majority of our fan base isn’t high on our young guys!!!!

You guys are all doubting the big leaps IQ,Obi, and Rj are about to take!!!!!

[3toheadmelo]

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

yeah true. im guessing 8th seed or we'll be a play in team. thats a bit disappointing. rather have a lottery pick if things go sour lol

8th seed???!!!! Cmon man!!!!

I think all this doubt stems from the fact that the majority of our fan base isn’t high on our young guys!!!!

You guys are all doubting the big leaps IQ,Obi, and Rj are about to take!!!!!

no i was saying 8th seed/play in team if none of the 3 things i said above goes well. reading comprehension green arrow!!!!!!!!!!!

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

Am I the only one who feels nothing about Kemba and Fournier? Its gonna be one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league too

I just want to watch IQ, RJ and Obi with some McBride Grimes sprinkled in

idk. I'm sceptical about Kemba, but he has played with Fournier and I think the two of them are smart enough to figure out what to do on offence. And Thibs is supposed to save the Knicks on D. :shrug: I don't see any of IQ, RJ or Obi as an upgrade on D.

In theory Fournier should have been a steal and break out to be the Knicks main guy this year - although that might create problems regarding Fournier x Jules.

Overall, I'm of the "the team will be better but finish with a lower standing" school of thought. Tho' I really would have kept Reggie Bullock rather than Burks once Kemba and Fournier were recruited. For defence, but also for more rounded offence. [But this last bit is just episode #47 of I don't rate Burks as highly as thebuzzardman, so ... w/e.]

Ah yes, the Burks vs Bullocks debate continues!

So, they are pretty close as basketball players. To me it's a little bit more about fit for the Knicks.

There is some validity to the fact that since the Knicks got Kemba, full season of Rose upcoming, added Fournier, that with what Randle provides, the Knicks have enough guys who can create for themselves and others, and keeping Bullocks and the extra height/true ability to guard most SF's and being more accepting of his role role player as catch and shoot was the better way to go.

On the other hand, there's the very good chance that Rose and Walker a decent number of games. If Bullocks was resigned instead of Burks, it's kind of that crucial 25% upgrade in Fournier over Burks if Walker or Rose is out an extended amount of time.

I went over this in a reply to someone else within the last 3 weeks; you may or may not have seen it. Short version: IQ isn't that great yet at dribble drive or running the P&R\organizing the offense. RJ is still a work in progress at creating his own shot.
Knicks basically need Burks due to those guys limitations or as they develop. What IQ and RJ do well right now is a little too similar to Bullocks.

Again, it could have worked with Bullocks too. I just get why the Knicks might have leaned towards Burks, at least on offense.
I put it as "either/or" since if Bullocks or Burks were resigned with each other AND Walker/Fournier acquired, then it's IQ the bench, and I don't think anyone wants that.

Burks-x-Bullock is probable pretty periferal, but the criterion for judging is who makes the Knicks eight and a half man playoff roster better. Assuming five guards and wings you have Walker, Rose, Fournier, RJ and one more. (With Mitch, Julius, Taj and a small amount of Obi complementing.) Maybe IQ or one of the rookies takes that spot by the end of the year. Otherwise I do slightly prefer Bullock, but it's not a huge thing by any means. Barring IQ or one of the rookies breaking out, I don't see how the Knicks are going to get anywhere in the playoffs without the four I mention, so I don't really see providing cover for missing minutes as a big concern.

[TheGreenArrow]

yeah true. im guessing 8th seed or we'll be a play in team. thats a bit disappointing. rather have a lottery pick if things go sour lol

8th seed???!!!! Cmon man!!!!

I think all this doubt stems from the fact that the majority of our fan base isn’t high on our young guys!!!!

You guys are all doubting the big leaps IQ,Obi, and Rj are about to take!!!!!

no i was saying 8th seed/play in team if none of the 3 things i said above goes well. reading comprehension green arrow!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my bad!!!

[Clyde_Style]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

Yeah, what our seed will be is the only question now

[BKlutch]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

Pretty good - he doesn't look 67!

[TheGreenArrow]

the 3 keys to this season

can kemba stay healthy
does rj make a big leap
can randle bounce back in the playoffs

if all 3 goes well...this should be a great season. if not.. hello lottery we meet again

Team has too much depth to be a lottery team even if those three things go wrong and the chances of all 3 going wrong aren't high.

Yeah, what our seed will be is the only question now

If we missed the playoffs would you consider the season a failure??!!!