SL Game Thread # 1: CaKnickians vs. Pelicanos

[Triple C]

Some good things from last night

[Clyde_Style]

I was thinking that with Knox too, seems like he sped up his release. If the three is really there with that quick release, he's going to have a ton of gravity.

Iggy's got a nose for the ball. Seems like he can become a solid glue type F where you can put him into a number of different combinations and he'll contribute whatever's lacking.

And facts about the youth fam. This is looking like a legitimate rebuild and that means several years of development for everyone with ups and downs that come with it.

I hope the majority here starts to adjust their outlook and modify their reasoning along with it.

Some cats just can't handle the rebuild life though

Personally, I'm thankful. This is all I've ever wanted as a Knicks fan. I'm in no hurry. I'm riding in a different caboose than the glitter crowd

Agreed.

There's a flip side to that coin however. Now we need to hold the front office accountable for their draft picks. We gotta give the young players time, because it's a marathon and not a sprint, but if by 2021 or 2022 we don't have a productive blue chipper on the roster with obvious All-Star potential, then it'll be time to reconsider how capable Steve Mills and Scott Perry really are. There's plenty of time, but they're officially on the clock in my opinion. We can't afford to find ourselves in a situation like the Suns.

They do have to select the right guys and have one obvious star by then. In the meantime, every year they need to hit paydirt on 1 or 2 players who will have strong careers. Last year looks like it qualifies with Mitch, Zo and probably Knox.

[Clyde_Style]

Trier and Knox looked good

Zion was completely contained until Knox switched on him. Then, he had 3 straight dunks. It's not about offense. It's all about his defense, playing like a man on the defensive glass and unselfishness. It was nice to see him shoot well early but I wasn't impressed with the other areas... to say the least.

Knox denied Zion multiple times. That he couldn't contain him the other times is only half the story. As long as Zion stays healthy, most of the league is going to be unable to stop him from 10 feet out.

[newyorker4ever]

RJ really needs a better handle. It’s mad basic

You know who's got a better one though? DSJ!

DSJ gonna be good for RJ. People sleeping on the fit

I don't know man. You can't say you wouldn't be worried about having a back court that can't shoot? I get your DSJ love and the hope that he got better in the offseason but you have to have at least one guy that can shoot in your back court. We don't have a PG that can shoot right now, was hoping we'd sign Q.Cook but Lakers got him.

[robillionaire]

We were going to come back and win that game. I’m pissed. Knox was going for 25 and 10

[SmoothLefty21]

You know who's got a better one though? DSJ!

DSJ gonna be good for RJ. People sleeping on the fit

I don't know man. You can't say you wouldn't be worried about having a back court that can't shoot? I get your DSJ love and the hope that he got better in the offseason but you have to have at least one guy that can shoot in your back court. We don't have a PG that can shoot right now, was hoping we'd sign Q.Cook but Lakers got him.

A backcourt that can't shoot and doesn't have a natural playmaker.

[robillionaire]

Trier and Knox looked good

Zion was completely contained until Knox switched on him. Then, he had 3 straight dunks. It's not about offense. It's all about his defense, playing like a man on the defensive glass and unselfishness. It was nice to see him shoot well early but I wasn't impressed with the other areas... to say the least.

Knox denied Zion multiple times. That he couldn't contain him the other times is only half the story. As long as Zion stays healthy, most of the league is going to be unable to stop him from 10 feet out.

Knox was guarding him on his first 3 missed shot attempts. He did a fine job on him other than the play where he tried to cheat and steal the ball and it resulted in an open dunk. The play where he got blindsided and zion had an open dunk is whatever. Knox outscored him on better percentages and outrebounded him and had 2 blocks to 0 and all Zion’s makes were dunks because that’s all he can do and also Knox didn’t get injured because he’s not fat. Knox 4 life.

[Thugger HBC]

What's this talk about Zion not being in nba game shape?

[malik959]

FIRST GAME? You guys are basing his career off of ONE GAME. Man you've got to be kidding me. He is adjusting to the NBA 3 which takes time, hell Jordan wasn't a 3 point shooter when he came into the league (.173%), Kobe in 98 shot .267, Paul George .297, Wade .302.

[Clyde Frazier]

Of course ESPN apparently left the mitch alley oop/blocking Zion/dunk sequence out of the game highlights. Wouldn't want to disrupt the hype train!

[DrCoach]

RJ took 18 shots, I like.. Let the Kobe marinate

[Clyde_Style]

Zion was completely contained until Knox switched on him. Then, he had 3 straight dunks. It's not about offense. It's all about his defense, playing like a man on the defensive glass and unselfishness. It was nice to see him shoot well early but I wasn't impressed with the other areas... to say the least.

Knox denied Zion multiple times. That he couldn't contain him the other times is only half the story. As long as Zion stays healthy, most of the league is going to be unable to stop him from 10 feet out.

Knox was guarding him on his first 3 missed shot attempts. He did a fine job on him other than the play where he tried to cheat and steal the ball and it resulted in an open dunk. The play where he got blindsided and zion had an open dunk is whatever. Knox outscored him on better percentages and outrebounded him and had 2 blocks to 0 and all Zion’s makes were dunks because that’s all he can do and also Knox didn’t get injured because he’s not fat. Knox 4 life.

Good account. Drekwins may want to replay the game if they only saw the negatives. Overall, Knox was a bright spot last night IMO

[Clyde_Style]

What's this talk about Zion not being in nba game shape?

Don't know about "talk" but, if I were to apply the Buttcheek Principle, the backside of his shorts did look like a tub of lard and not two finely molded mounds of muscle

[Infinitimind]

DSJ gonna be good for RJ. People sleeping on the fit

I don't know man. You can't say you wouldn't be worried about having a back court that can't shoot? I get your DSJ love and the hope that he got better in the offseason but you have to have at least one guy that can shoot in your back court. We don't have a PG that can shoot right now, was hoping we'd sign Q.Cook but Lakers got him.

A backcourt that can't shoot and doesn't have a natural playmaker.

Smith add playmaking but a liability with three point shooting. I think Frank will provide the shooting and space needed in the starting line up. He can also be 2nd ball handler. This will give us one of the longest team

[BadNewsBarnes]

FIRST GAME? You guys are basing his career off of ONE GAME. Man you've got to be kidding me. He is adjusting to the NBA 3 which takes time, hell Jordan wasn't a 3 point shooter when he came into the league (.173%), Kobe in 98 shot .267, Paul George .297, Wade .302.

Works both ways...let's see what happens after Zion goes around the league once and advanced scouting does their jobs. They can look at the tape....sorry video...and figure out how to defend him...so far he's not playing against the likes of Howard or Lopez or James so let's wait until that happens. He's not that much of a threat mid-range and from outside the arc his shot takes about a minute to complete.

[QueensG718]

Rj is going to be fine. This is where he can adjust to the speed of the game. Yall overreacting like crazy

Sent from my SM-N950U using RealGM mobile app

[Spree2Houston]

We really should experiment RJ at pg this year. He may look better there in the long run

[drekwins]

Trier and Knox looked good

Zion was completely contained until Knox switched on him. Then, he had 3 straight dunks. It's not about offense. It's all about his defense, playing like a man on the defensive glass and unselfishness. It was nice to see him shoot well early but I wasn't impressed with the other areas... to say the least.

Knox denied Zion multiple times. That he couldn't contain him the other times is only half the story. As long as Zion stays healthy, most of the league is going to be unable to stop him from 10 feet out.

It was mediocre defense. Zion is very limited. You can kid yourself but Zion has zero moves. Every decent sized SF/PF will be able to deny him here and there... on accident. That's not really a great test. He was out of position multiple times. That's just a recipe for losing basketball. You have to be able to move your feet and at least get your shoulder into someone to stop their momentum. The defense is just way too soft.

[El Poochio]

This game showed how much Knicks still need Frank, Frank Jackson was torching them

[drekwins]

Knox denied Zion multiple times. That he couldn't contain him the other times is only half the story. As long as Zion stays healthy, most of the league is going to be unable to stop him from 10 feet out.

Knox was guarding him on his first 3 missed shot attempts. He did a fine job on him other than the play where he tried to cheat and steal the ball and it resulted in an open dunk. The play where he got blindsided and zion had an open dunk is whatever. Knox outscored him on better percentages and outrebounded him and had 2 blocks to 0 and all Zion’s makes were dunks because that’s all he can do and also Knox didn’t get injured because he’s not fat. Knox 4 life.

Good account. Drekwins may want to replay the game if they only saw the negatives. Overall, Knox was a bright spot last night IMO

Explain his bright spots. There's only so much you can take from Summer League but what made Knox the worst rookie last year in terms of VORP is his defense and lack of versatility. But let's be real, he shot a low percentage last year, shot the ball a ton of times, couldn't defend anyone and couldn't create for teammates. He was just a chucker in every sense of the word. Knox is going to be judged solely based on how he does everything OTHER than scoring/shooting. His development hinges on his ability to defend better, create better and make wiser decisions. Otherwise, what's his value? If all he brings to the table is 3's, then we could just get someone else who shoots them better and has more of an all-around game. There's not much of a market or value in a guy who shoots 37% from 3 and does nothing else.