Sources: Knicks mull benching Hart for Robinson for Game 3

[Chanel Bomber]

I don't think this was necessarily needed.

Thibs needs to play his starting unit less, obviously. We can all agree on that. But I'm not sure upsetting the entire rotation and substitution patterns will be conducive to success, considering he didn't tinker much in the regular season (injuries aside).

I think a more measured solution would've been to shorten the minutes of the starting unit drastically, and increase the playing time of the more successful lineups. Which he should have done much earlier.

It didn't work in 2021. Hopefully it does this time, starting tonight.

it might not. and it might be too late anyway. but the knicks start every game in a hole with this lineup. so how much can it hurt ?

Let's see, and you're right. I'm only worried about how it impacts the other lineups, some of which have been very effective.

Thibs changed his lineup after two competitive games at MSG against the Hawks. We got blown out in the next 3. So it can hurt. Not saying it will.

I guess we'll see. You know I'm a Mitch fan so I'm hoping his defense and offensive rebounding make a difference. But if he plays just as many minutes, I don't know if it'll be meaningul or pointless.

[K_ick_God]

I also think part of this is Precious should get 10 minutes off the bench. Robinson is only good for about 25 mpg and we should limit KAT to 12 MPG at C - which means Precious should give us 11 or so.

Robinson (25), KAT (12), Precious (11)
Towns (25), Hart (13)
Anunoby (35), Hart (13)
Bridges (35), McBride (13)
Brunson (38), McBride (10)

Precious was a big part of the wins last season against Indy

Tom’s memory is shoddy

[K_ick_God]

I don't think this was necessarily needed.

Thibs needs to play his starting unit less, obviously. We can all agree on that. But I'm not sure upsetting the entire rotation and substitution patterns will be conducive to success, considering he didn't tinker much in the regular season (injuries aside).

I think a more measured solution would've been to shorten the minutes of the starting unit drastically, and increase the playing time of the more successful lineups. Which he should have done much earlier.

It didn't work in 2021. Hopefully it does this time, starting tonight.

it might not. and it might be too late anyway. but the knicks start every game in a hole with this lineup. so how much can it hurt ?

Let's see, and you're right. I'm only worried about how it impacts the other lineups, some of which have been very effective.

Thibs changed his lineup after two competitive games at MSG against the Hawks. We got blown out in the next 3. So it can hurt. Not saying it will.

I guess we'll see. You know I'm a Mitch fan so I'm hoping his defense and offensive rebounding make a difference. But if he plays just as many minutes, I don't know if it'll be meaningul or pointless.

He should probably replace 0g with Deuce but he won’t

[K_ick_God]

By your best numbers CB, he’s taking out a better contributor, Hart, and replacing him with a worse one

lol

How about constructing an offense or giving guys rest by playing Wright 15mpg? Nah too much work … Tom is underpaid

Let’s pay people highly to make a big mess that other people have to clean up

[Chanel Bomber]

By your best numbers CB, he’s taking out a better contributor, Hart, and replacing him with a worse one.

lol

How about constructing an offense or giving guys rest by playing Wright 15mpg? Nah too much work … Tom is underpaid

Let’s pay people highly to make a big mess that other people have to clean up

Mitch has been one of our most impactful players this postseason.

He's limited offensively and an abysmal free-throw shooter, but he's a dominant offensive rebounder and defender. Basically, he can impact both ends.

There's a reason why Mazzulla gameplanned against him and made decisions specifically to take him out the game. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the Boston series, and the stats back it up. We don't win it without him.

The issue with Hart is that - for all the positives that he brings - Indiana can sag off him and nullify or mitigate the advantage that having a stretch 5 provides. Since he's a not a good defender, inserting Mitch at least injects some defense, without impacting the offense too heavily, since Hart's presence already hurts what we want to do.

I'm just afraid this will be futile if the minutes allocation remains the same. I think this is more about who plays how many minutes, rather than who starts.

I agree that Wright should be the back-up PG in this series. Payne is too volatile and another defender they can exploit, in addition to our two All-Stars.

[K_ick_God]

By your best numbers CB, he’s taking out a better contributor, Hart, and replacing him with a worse one.

lol

How about constructing an offense or giving guys rest by playing Wright 15mpg? Nah too much work … Tom is underpaid

Let’s pay people highly to make a big mess that other people have to clean up

Mitch has been one of our most impactful players this postseason.

He's limited offensively and an abysmal free-throw shooter, but he's a dominant offensive rebounder and defender. Basically, he can impact both ends.

There's a reason why Mazzulla gameplanned against him and made decisions specifically to take him out the game. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the Boston series, and the stats back it up. We don't win it without him.

The issue with Hart is that - for all the positives that he brings - Indiana can sag off him and nullify or mitigate the advantage that having a stretch 5 provides. Since he's a not a good defender, inserting Mitch at least injects some defense, without impacting the offense too heavily, since Hart's presence already hurts what we want to do.

I'm just afraid this will be futile if the minutes allocation remains the same. I think this is more about who plays how many minutes, rather than who starts.

I agree that Wright should be the back-up PG in this series. Payne is too volatile and another defender they can exploit, in addition to our two All-Stars.

Mitch has been good overall. He was awful at the end of G1. I think he also tires out so there’s kind of no point unless he can play 35. Also at some point they’ll start fouling him if his impact is good.

You know it was effective when he forced the ball to KAT in G3 in Detroit. KAT is a questionable fit basically, anywhere he goes, but it’s not tons different from JB who is not quite as impactful as he looks bc of the defense.

I’ll admit we need great coaching to overcome the lack of two-way players and instead we have kind of …. No coaching lol.

[K_ick_God]

FWIW I see the Knicks roster as needing extra rest … up and down the line

And the coach is adamantly opposed to that

Just that one thing is stark

[JayTWill]

I don't think this was necessarily needed.

Thibs needs to play his starting unit less, obviously. We can all agree on that. But I'm not sure upsetting the entire rotation and substitution patterns will be conducive to success, considering he didn't tinker much in the regular season (injuries aside).

I think a more measured solution would've been to shorten the minutes of the starting unit drastically, and increase the playing time of the more successful lineups. Which he should have done much earlier.

It didn't work in 2021. Hopefully it does this time, starting tonight.

Have you seen the starters point differential? It is bad.
Don’t think that it is a new rotation; It is a lineup that has been working (though every lineup with Mitch has been working.)
Most likely Mitch for Hart and hopefully if we have a lead late we go with a more defensive lineup w Deuce and Mitch (that got us the big lead we blew.)

Thibs is doing this cause we are about to get swept = Thibs “promoted” and a new coach. He is coaching for his job now.
I do think Delon should be getting minutes over Payne; at least a trial.

Thibs not playing the bench much hurts now as it is a bit dicey to try now.
Indiana playing 11 vs Thibs 7 isn’t going to end well.
We need changes or …

I agree that the starters haven't looked good together but when I checked it showed that Brunson/Mikal/OG/KAT/Mitch played a total of 2 minutes together this postseason and they played 7 minutes together in the regular season. It wouldn't just be changing the starting lineup it would be trying something that Thibs essentially never tried before with no evidence if it will work or not.

I do like breaking up Mikal and Hart's minutes as neither of them have been great off-ball catch and shoot guys this year. I'm not sure if I love starting the 2 bigs against what may be the Pacers best lineup as far as shooting and spacing but I am open to any change at this point. If I was forced to make a change I may have just tried to stagger KAT and Brunson's minutes as much as possible while surrounding them with as many defenders as possible. Thibs' offense will always be basic and predictable. I'd rather just try to shore up the defense.

[louisorr]

This is why you try things out in the regular season and get to know your personnel. Thibs always trying out of the box ideas in the playoffs. It goes back to him benching Elfrid Payton after stubbornly refusing to all season. Guy is throwing darts.

[HarthorneWingo]

I also think part of this is Precious should get 10 minutes off the bench. Robinson is only good for about 25 mpg and we should limit KAT to 12 MPG at C - which means Precious should give us 11 or so.

Robinson (25), KAT (12), Precious (11)
Towns (25), Hart (13)
Anunoby (35), Hart (13)
Bridges (35), McBride (13)
Brunson (38), McBride (10)

Mitch played 29 minutes on Friday.

[Context]

Any official confirmation on this Knick family?

[Besart19]

Who does KAT guard? Nesmith? This might **** up JB's rhythm, too. The paint will be more crowded.

Gotta try something.

Sent from my SM-S9080 using RealGM mobile app

JB was elite with Barrett, Randle and Mitch

Bridges >> Grimes
OG >>>>> Barrett
Towns >>> Randle
Slim Fit Mitch >>> Fat Joe Mitch

[3toheadmelo]

Any official confirmation on this Knick family?

Chris Haynes, Ian Begley and that guy from knicksfantv is reporting it. Think it’s happening.

[WargamesX]

I love how this got leaked and then announced days before the game so Carlisle had all the time he needed to prepare adjustments.

Thanks CP and Begley!

[Buttah304]

I also think part of this is Precious should get 10 minutes off the bench. Robinson is only good for about 25 mpg and we should limit KAT to 12 MPG at C - which means Precious should give us 11 or so.

Robinson (25), KAT (12), Precious (11)
Towns (25), Hart (13)
Anunoby (35), Hart (13)
Bridges (35), McBride (13)
Brunson (38), McBride (10)

Precious was a big part of the wins last season against Indy

Tom’s memory is shoddy

Last February Precious dropped 12 Points 16 Rebounds (8 offensive) 4 Blocks + 2 Steals vs Indy. They met Indy again just eight days later and Precious had 16 and 6 with 3 Blocks and 2 Steals on 6-6 FG.

[TKKnicks1]

Any official confirmation on this Knick family?

Chris Haynes, Ian Begley and that guy from knicksfantv is reporting it. Think it’s happening.

Thibs playing chess and faking every one out. He's gonna start Cam Payne instead.

[WaltFrazier]

I'm afraid of JB coming back and going iso

[WaltFrazier]

Ok they brought Hali and Pascal we need OG

[WaltFrazier]

Need both free throws Kat

[WaltFrazier]

Bridges for Hart now