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jvsimonetti0514 wrote:How good is Kat creating in isolation? I haven’t seen this discussed at all. Who on this roster can create a shot for themselves now outside of Brunson? Is Mikal the 2nd best creator on the team now? Starting last year we had too many cooks and now are we really only down to one?
3toheadmelo wrote:Marc stein with some intelThree more reasons why the Wolves felt as though they had to act now: 1. Coach Chris Finch worked with Randle as an assistant in New Orleans and knows his game very well after collaborating during Randle's lone season with the Pelicans … setting Randle up to sign with the Knicks as a better-than-they-ever-dreamed consolation prize once Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving elected to join the Nets instead; 2. Minnesota, league sources say, was the losing finalist to New York in free agency in 2023 when DiVincenzo chose to sign with the Knicks and never stopped wanting the rugged 3-and-D swingman who shot 40.1% from 3-point range last season on one of the league's best bargain contracts (DDV will earn $11.4 million this season); 3. The Wolves need an infusion of playmaking on a roster that features 37-year-old Mike Conley and rookie Rob Dillingham as the primary point guards ... and Randle's ability to make plays could (stress: could) offset the concerns about his inconsistent long-range shooting and what that might mean for Minnesota's spacing. Randle, mind you, arrives with his own array of question marks given that we haven't seen him on the floor since last January because of shoulder surgery and the uncertainty about his future with only next season's $30.1 million player option left on his current contract.
They chose 2 role players over KATMost league insiders I've spoken to since the deal went public have been more surprised by Minnesota's willingness to abruptly change course so soon after its first sniff of playoff success in 20 years than the Knicks' willingness to swing so big now. The Knicks, after all, have been linked to a potential pursuit of Towns for years. The case can certainly be made that the Wolves owed it to Towns especially to give last season's core one more shot at a playoff run after Minnesota so impressively ousted the reigning champions from Denver in last spring's second round. The Wolves, though, clearly reasoned that they couldn't pass up this opportunity to turn Towns' crippling contract into two frontline players and put themselves on a path to greater financial flexibility that could allow them to re-sign both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Word is that the Wolves want to make sure they can re-sign both Reid and Alexander-Walker for Anthony Edwards' supporting cast and moving out Towns' $220-plus million owed over the next four seasons greatly enhances Minnesota's chances … despite the ongoing lack of clarity over who will actually own this team after Glen Taylor vs. Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez arbitration proceedings begin in November.
Sounds like that guy we got from Minny pushed this deal more than Leon..The Knicks going all-in for Towns, before newly acquired Mikal Bridges could even play a game alongside his fellow Villanova alumni Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and the suddenly discarded DiVincenzo, is the latest example of the strong influence former Timberwolves executive Gersson Rosas has in New York's front office. In February 2022, you'll recall, we broke the story here of the Knicks' hiring of Rosas as a consultant in the wake of his incredibly messy exit as Minnesota's lead decision-maker ... which also, like this trade, took place right before training camp began. Rosas was elevated to senior vice president of basketball operations before last season and, according to league sources, is Towns' foremost fan in the Knicks' organization. Yes: Even ahead of Towns' former agent Leon Rose. Rosas is said to have been pushing for a Towns trade even before this summer's free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson's subsequent slow recovery from an ankle injury heightened the Knicks' need for immediate help at center.
Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.
2010 wrote:jvsimonetti0514 wrote:How good is Kat creating in isolation? I haven’t seen this discussed at all. Who on this roster can create a shot for themselves now outside of Brunson? Is Mikal the 2nd best creator on the team now? Starting last year we had too many cooks and now are we really only down to one?
KAT can definitely create his own offense without a problem. He’s not just some C&S bailout option.
Knicksfan1992 wrote:F N 11 wrote:Imma be honest, Pels would be dumb to trade Murphy. A healthy Mitch for them is crazy impact tho. ESP if they let him dribble and shoot 3s.
Yes the guy who can barely shoot 50% from the free throw line is going to be allowed to start launching 3's in NBA games and THAT will unlock his game... I don't even hate Mitch like that but some of you Mitch truthers are utterly insane
TheGreenArrow wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:Marc stein with some intelThree more reasons why the Wolves felt as though they had to act now: 1. Coach Chris Finch worked with Randle as an assistant in New Orleans and knows his game very well after collaborating during Randle's lone season with the Pelicans … setting Randle up to sign with the Knicks as a better-than-they-ever-dreamed consolation prize once Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving elected to join the Nets instead; 2. Minnesota, league sources say, was the losing finalist to New York in free agency in 2023 when DiVincenzo chose to sign with the Knicks and never stopped wanting the rugged 3-and-D swingman who shot 40.1% from 3-point range last season on one of the league's best bargain contracts (DDV will earn $11.4 million this season); 3. The Wolves need an infusion of playmaking on a roster that features 37-year-old Mike Conley and rookie Rob Dillingham as the primary point guards ... and Randle's ability to make plays could (stress: could) offset the concerns about his inconsistent long-range shooting and what that might mean for Minnesota's spacing. Randle, mind you, arrives with his own array of question marks given that we haven't seen him on the floor since last January because of shoulder surgery and the uncertainty about his future with only next season's $30.1 million player option left on his current contract.
They chose 2 role players over KATMost league insiders I've spoken to since the deal went public have been more surprised by Minnesota's willingness to abruptly change course so soon after its first sniff of playoff success in 20 years than the Knicks' willingness to swing so big now. The Knicks, after all, have been linked to a potential pursuit of Towns for years. The case can certainly be made that the Wolves owed it to Towns especially to give last season's core one more shot at a playoff run after Minnesota so impressively ousted the reigning champions from Denver in last spring's second round. The Wolves, though, clearly reasoned that they couldn't pass up this opportunity to turn Towns' crippling contract into two frontline players and put themselves on a path to greater financial flexibility that could allow them to re-sign both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Word is that the Wolves want to make sure they can re-sign both Reid and Alexander-Walker for Anthony Edwards' supporting cast and moving out Towns' $220-plus million owed over the next four seasons greatly enhances Minnesota's chances … despite the ongoing lack of clarity over who will actually own this team after Glen Taylor vs. Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez arbitration proceedings begin in November.
Sounds like that guy we got from Minny pushed this deal more than Leon..The Knicks going all-in for Towns, before newly acquired Mikal Bridges could even play a game alongside his fellow Villanova alumni Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and the suddenly discarded DiVincenzo, is the latest example of the strong influence former Timberwolves executive Gersson Rosas has in New York's front office. In February 2022, you'll recall, we broke the story here of the Knicks' hiring of Rosas as a consultant in the wake of his incredibly messy exit as Minnesota's lead decision-maker ... which also, like this trade, took place right before training camp began. Rosas was elevated to senior vice president of basketball operations before last season and, according to league sources, is Towns' foremost fan in the Knicks' organization. Yes: Even ahead of Towns' former agent Leon Rose. Rosas is said to have been pushing for a Towns trade even before this summer's free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson's subsequent slow recovery from an ankle injury heightened the Knicks' need for immediate help at center.
Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.
What are we doing here 3tothehead???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kat is wayyyyyyyy better than Porzingis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]3toheadmelo wrote:Marc stein with some intel
They chose 2 role players over KATMost league insiders I've spoken to since the deal went public have been more surprised by Minnesota's willingness to abruptly change course so soon after its first sniff of playoff success in 20 years than the Knicks' willingness to swing so big now. The Knicks, after all, have been linked to a potential pursuit of Towns for years. The case can certainly be made that the Wolves owed it to Towns especially to give last season's core one more shot at a playoff run after Minnesota so impressively ousted the reigning champions from Denver in last spring's second round. The Wolves, though, clearly reasoned that they couldn't pass up this opportunity to turn Towns' crippling contract into two frontline players and put themselves on a path to greater financial flexibility that could allow them to re-sign both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Word is that the Wolves want to make sure they can re-sign both Reid and Alexander-Walker for Anthony Edwards' supporting cast and moving out Towns' $220-plus million owed over the next four seasons greatly enhances Minnesota's chances … despite the ongoing lack of clarity over who will actually own this team after Glen Taylor vs. Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez arbitration proceedings begin in November.
TheGreenArrow wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:Marc stein with some intelThree more reasons why the Wolves felt as though they had to act now: 1. Coach Chris Finch worked with Randle as an assistant in New Orleans and knows his game very well after collaborating during Randle's lone season with the Pelicans … setting Randle up to sign with the Knicks as a better-than-they-ever-dreamed consolation prize once Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving elected to join the Nets instead; 2. Minnesota, league sources say, was the losing finalist to New York in free agency in 2023 when DiVincenzo chose to sign with the Knicks and never stopped wanting the rugged 3-and-D swingman who shot 40.1% from 3-point range last season on one of the league's best bargain contracts (DDV will earn $11.4 million this season); 3. The Wolves need an infusion of playmaking on a roster that features 37-year-old Mike Conley and rookie Rob Dillingham as the primary point guards ... and Randle's ability to make plays could (stress: could) offset the concerns about his inconsistent long-range shooting and what that might mean for Minnesota's spacing. Randle, mind you, arrives with his own array of question marks given that we haven't seen him on the floor since last January because of shoulder surgery and the uncertainty about his future with only next season's $30.1 million player option left on his current contract.
They chose 2 role players over KATMost league insiders I've spoken to since the deal went public have been more surprised by Minnesota's willingness to abruptly change course so soon after its first sniff of playoff success in 20 years than the Knicks' willingness to swing so big now. The Knicks, after all, have been linked to a potential pursuit of Towns for years. The case can certainly be made that the Wolves owed it to Towns especially to give last season's core one more shot at a playoff run after Minnesota so impressively ousted the reigning champions from Denver in last spring's second round. The Wolves, though, clearly reasoned that they couldn't pass up this opportunity to turn Towns' crippling contract into two frontline players and put themselves on a path to greater financial flexibility that could allow them to re-sign both Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Word is that the Wolves want to make sure they can re-sign both Reid and Alexander-Walker for Anthony Edwards' supporting cast and moving out Towns' $220-plus million owed over the next four seasons greatly enhances Minnesota's chances … despite the ongoing lack of clarity over who will actually own this team after Glen Taylor vs. Marc Lore/Alex Rodriguez arbitration proceedings begin in November.
Sounds like that guy we got from Minny pushed this deal more than Leon..The Knicks going all-in for Towns, before newly acquired Mikal Bridges could even play a game alongside his fellow Villanova alumni Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and the suddenly discarded DiVincenzo, is the latest example of the strong influence former Timberwolves executive Gersson Rosas has in New York's front office. In February 2022, you'll recall, we broke the story here of the Knicks' hiring of Rosas as a consultant in the wake of his incredibly messy exit as Minnesota's lead decision-maker ... which also, like this trade, took place right before training camp began. Rosas was elevated to senior vice president of basketball operations before last season and, according to league sources, is Towns' foremost fan in the Knicks' organization. Yes: Even ahead of Towns' former agent Leon Rose. Rosas is said to have been pushing for a Towns trade even before this summer's free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson's subsequent slow recovery from an ankle injury heightened the Knicks' need for immediate help at center.
Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.
What are we doing here 3tothehead???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kat is wayyyyyyyy better than Porzingis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3toheadmelo wrote:Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.
3toheadmelo wrote:2010 wrote:jvsimonetti0514 wrote:How good is Kat creating in isolation? I haven’t seen this discussed at all. Who on this roster can create a shot for themselves now outside of Brunson? Is Mikal the 2nd best creator on the team now? Starting last year we had too many cooks and now are we really only down to one?
KAT can definitely create his own offense without a problem. He’s not just some C&S bailout option.
TheGreenArrow wrote:?s=46&t=W09F6FrMDfp5_y1gKYgF1g
2010 wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:2010 wrote:
KAT can definitely create his own offense without a problem. He’s not just some C&S bailout option.
That’s like showing the Devin Vassell pre-draft catapult shot video, to push the narrative that he wouldn’t be able to shoot.
Chanel Bomber wrote:3toheadmelo wrote:Knicks on crack if they think he can be KP.From a purely basketball point of view, Towns certainly makes lots of sense for the Knicks. He is the most accomplished long-range-shooting big man in today's game and the Knicks think he can be their Kristaps Porziņģis … Boston version. There is no doubt he can ability-wise, but no shortage of curiosity (and, frankly, skepticism) is bubbling A) about Towns' ability to handle the considerable spotlight and pressure that comes with being billed and slotted into the Knicks' lineup as the last piece to make them a real championship threat; B) whether all is really forgotten between he and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau after Thibs was abruptly cast aside in Minnesota to cement Towns as the Wolves' post-Jimmy Butler, pre-Anthony Edwards centerpiece; and C) Towns' own injury history that has forced him to miss at least 20 games (and often more) in four of the past five seasons.
KAT isn't KP on defense - which would've been hard to believe before they got drafted - but offensively they can be used fairly similarly. KAT's a 7-foot, 40% 3-point shooter and he's going to play with a dynamic point guard for the first time in his career. The pick-and-pop with Brunson could be deadly.
Unless Mikal forgets how to shoot, our offense should be hard to stop if they use KAT as the screener. My only concern is the lack of ball-handling on the roster with Divo gone, but we have so many efficient outlets and such a space offense that the offensive output should be impressive (assuming they stay healthy).
The key question I think is can Thibs find a scheme where OG and Mikal can cover for KAT's lack of defensive awareness. I think Thibs is actually a good coach to have in this situation because the challenges lie mostly on defense.
Let's not forget Minnesota were the #1 seed in the West for weeks with KAT and Jimmy before Jimmy got hurt. The fit should be fine, I think health is a bigger worry (across the roster).
