PG: Knicks vs. Trail Blazers: #OGKENOBI

[sol537]

For those saying worse coaches than Thibs have won recently… that’s because their teams were usually the best of the pack that season… there weren’t three elite teams in their way those seasons. Go check.

[stuporman]

The point of Wright out there with OG, MG and Hart is that they will generate alot of turnovers, it's the defensively oriented line up compared to one featuring the rookie who can't guard a traffic cone that when he's in would be the offensively oriented line up.

Given the injuries currently and you know who the coach is, right? It's obvious the one he will prioritize and allow his wings to create offense since there is so much invested in them being offensive impact players as well as defensive impact ones.

I don't expect Wright to be the floor general or offensive catalyst any of the other PGs the Knicks have, he's probably the least so. Although, it's important to get his chemistry built up with the core rotation because it's more likely he will see spot playoff minutes than TyKo will.

Fans getting to see Tyko develop the rest of the regular season isn't as important as it is having another effective defensive vet option off the bench to throw at perimeter player who might have it going in an important playoff game and Thibs wants to slow them down.

Just a thought...

[MrDollarBills]

The point of Wright out there with OG, MG and Hart is that they will generate alot of turnovers, it's the defensively oriented line up compared to one featuring the rookie who can't guard a traffic cone that when he's in would be the offensively oriented line up.

Given the injuries currently and you know who the coach is, right? It's obvious the one he will prioritize and allow his wings to create offense since there is so much invested in them being offensive impact players as well as defensive impact ones.

I don't expect Wright to be the floor general or offensive catalyst any of the other PGs the Knicks have, he's probably the least so. Although, it's important to get his chemistry built up with the core rotation because it's more likely he will see spot playoff minutes than TyKo will.

Fans getting to see Tyko develop the rest of the regular season isn't as important as tit is having another effective defensive vet option off the bench to throw at perimeter player who might have it going in an important playoff game and Thibs wants to slow them down.

Just a thought...

I don't mind Wright getting minutes. He needs to let the ball fly though when hes open though, he's a career 35% 3 point shooter.

[Jalen Bluntson]

The point of Wright out there with OG, MG and Hart is that they will generate alot of turnovers, it's the defensively oriented line up compared to one featuring the rookie who can't guard a traffic cone that when he's in would be the offensively oriented line up.

Given the injuries currently and you know who the coach is, right? It's obvious the one he will prioritize and allow his wings to create offense since there is so much invested in them being offensive impact players as well as defensive impact ones.

I don't expect Wright to be the floor general or offensive catalyst any of the other PGs the Knicks have, he's probably the least so. Although, it's important to get his chemistry built up with the core rotation because it's more likely he will see spot playoff minutes than TyKo will.

Fans getting to see Tyko develop the rest of the regular season isn't as important as tit is having another effective defensive vet option off the bench to throw at perimeter player who might have it going in an important playoff game and Thibs wants to slow them down.

Just a thought...

I don't mind Wright getting minutes. He needs to let the ball fly though when hes open though, he's a career 35% 3 point shooter.

I don't think anyone minds. People are just noticing that the team runs better with Kolek. All the talk about defense is weird. Kolek has not been a problem on that end at all but, we can give the edge to Wright because he's been around. It's just Thibs way. He prefers more experience players even if they aren't really much better than rookies if at all. There's simply no other reason.

[robillionaire]

He said in the interview when they asked him about it that it is individually important to him so my take is based off his own response.

For what it's worth, Hahn said about 20 mins ago that when he spoke to Brunson, making the 65 game cut off was not his concern.

Not surprised at all. Is anyone? Oh...wait.

“Individually, yeah” that’s his exact words, on camera in an interview when asked if it was important. Dont give a shittu what Alan Hahn allegedly said about it

[robillionaire]

google is free and I’m going to need to be paid for any further labor on this since you’re being an ass about it

I'm being an as about it? I asked a simple question. You are in here saying he said he will rush back and chase accolades and possibly get hurt. I seriously doubt that clown take.

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:

"Realistically, I'm hoping to play before the playoffs," Brunson said in a pregame media session at his locker before New York hosted the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. "It's good for me to get some game reps before we go into that type of stretch run, but the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy."

The All-NBA guard has been out since March 6, when he suffered an ankle sprain on an awkward landing late in a loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. Brunson had 39 points and 10 assists in that game, his latest performance in a brilliant season that again has him in contention for MVP votes and another All-NBA selection.

With 61 games played, however, Brunson is short of the 65 required to be eligible for those awards. And though he said he'd like to get to that benchmark, Brunson reiterated that his priority is to be ready for the postseason.

"Individually, yeah," Brunson said, when asked if contending for awards matters to him, "but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy before I go out there."

https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

And yes I realize he also followed it up by saying “I just want to make sure I’m fully healthy before I go out there” but this is the same team that lets people play while grabbing a sore leg so we need to at least make sure his version of “healthy” matches up with the team doctor, he understandably wants his awards but if they gotta hold him out an extra game or two they should do it

[Jalen Bluntson]

For what it's worth, Hahn said about 20 mins ago that when he spoke to Brunson, making the 65 game cut off was not his concern.

Not surprised at all. Is anyone? Oh...wait.

“Individually, yeah” that’s his exact words, on camera in an interview when asked if it was important. Dont give a shittu what Alan Hahn allegedly said about it

No.

[Jalen Bluntson]

I'm being an as about it? I asked a simple question. You are in here saying he said he will rush back and chase accolades and possibly get hurt. I seriously doubt that clown take.

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:

"Realistically, I'm hoping to play before the playoffs," Brunson said in a pregame media session at his locker before New York hosted the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. "It's good for me to get some game reps before we go into that type of stretch run, but the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy."

The All-NBA guard has been out since March 6, when he suffered an ankle sprain on an awkward landing late in a loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. Brunson had 39 points and 10 assists in that game, his latest performance in a brilliant season that again has him in contention for MVP votes and another All-NBA selection.

With 61 games played, however, Brunson is short of the 65 required to be eligible for those awards. And though he said he'd like to get to that benchmark, Brunson reiterated that his priority is to be ready for the postseason.

"Individually, yeah," Brunson said, when asked if contending for awards matters to him, "but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy before I go out there."

https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

[taikibansei]

I'm being an as about it? I asked a simple question. You are in here saying he said he will rush back and chase accolades and possibly get hurt. I seriously doubt that clown take.

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:

"Realistically, I'm hoping to play before the playoffs," Brunson said in a pregame media session at his locker before New York hosted the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. "It's good for me to get some game reps before we go into that type of stretch run, but the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy."

The All-NBA guard has been out since March 6, when he suffered an ankle sprain on an awkward landing late in a loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. Brunson had 39 points and 10 assists in that game, his latest performance in a brilliant season that again has him in contention for MVP votes and another All-NBA selection.

With 61 games played, however, Brunson is short of the 65 required to be eligible for those awards. And though he said he'd like to get to that benchmark, Brunson reiterated that his priority is to be ready for the postseason.

"Individually, yeah," Brunson said, when asked if contending for awards matters to him, "but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy before I go out there."

https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

WTF?

Didn't your GED include learning the definition of the word "priority"? Here, let me help you:

priority: (noun) a thing that is regarded as more important than another

In other words, the article is stating that Brunson feels that being in good health in the playoffs is more important than (the priority over) winning an individual award.

Why does the article say that? Hmm...maybe because Brunson is quoted saying stuff like "but the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy" and "but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy before I go out there." I.e., and I'll type slowly so you can keep the **** up, Brunson is saying that while he'd like to have a chance at winning those awards--and who wouldn't?--team success is more important than (the priority over) doing so.

I can't believe I'm having to defend Brunson on this board....

[robillionaire]

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:


https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

WTF?

Didn't your GED include learning the definition of the word "priority"? Here, let me help you:

priority: (noun) a thing that is regarded as more important than another

In other words, the article is stating that Brunson feels that being in good health in the playoffs is more important than (the priority over) winning an individual award.

Why does the article say that? Hmm...maybe because Brunson is quoted saying stuff like "but the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy" and "but I just want to make sure I'm fully healthy before I go out there." I.e., and I'll type slowly so you can keep the **** up, Brunson is saying that while he'd like to have a chance at winning those awards--and who wouldn't?--team success is more important than (the priority over) doing so.

I can't believe I'm having to defend Brunson on this board....

I already accounted for this talking point I knew you’d use in the edited version of my above post, thanks for explaining a paraphrased word that was never actually used in the interview itself, bravo. Maybe go watch the actual video clip itself instead of trying to mislead with opinion pieces and bold in selected parts while intentionally ignoring and not highlighting the parts that prove he said exactly what I said he did

[taikibansei]

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:


https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

Exactly. Brunson didn't say what this poster suggested, which was my point. (If Brunson was misquoted in the article, then I want a link to the actual interview where Brunson says something different.) The team holding the cards on Brunson's return is a separate issue.

I just hope everyone does the right thing--I want a fully healthy squad by playoff time.

[robillionaire]

I believe he's misquoting Brunson from this article:


https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/44470243/knicks-jalen-brunson-says-hopes-return-playoffs

Either my Google-fu is off, or that's the only recent interview of Brunson out there...and Brunson specifically states that his priority is the team.

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

He was asked if he cares about the awards and he said yes. Ok, so he wants the awards. Good for him. He deserves them. I just said I hope his interpretation of healthy should align with the team doctor. “Putting himself before the team” is you strawmanning me and something I never accused

[taikibansei]

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

He was asked if he cares about the awards and he said yes. Ok, so he wants the awards. Good for him. I just said I hope his interpretation of healthy should align with the team doctor. “Putting himself before the team” is you strawmanning me and something I never accused

Dude, I could go back and quote you again, but it's not worth it. Understand that I want what you want--i.e., that Brunson's interpretation of healthy aligns with the team doctor's, and that Brunson not be put in play unless and until he's fully ready. We fully agree on that.

Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm convinced we can make a serious run this season--even with Thibs as coach--if we have everyone healthy throughout. Fingers crossed that this happens.

[robillionaire]

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

He was asked if he cares about the awards and he said yes. Ok, so he wants the awards. Good for him. I just said I hope his interpretation of healthy should align with the team doctor. “Putting himself before the team” is you strawmanning me and something I never accused

Dude, I could go back and quote you again, but it's not worth it. Understand that I want what you want--i.e., that Brunson's interpretation of healthy aligns with the team doctor's, and that Brunson not be put in play unless and until he's fully ready. We fully agree on that.

Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm convinced we can make a serious run this season--even with Thibs as coach--if we have everyone healthy throughout. Fingers crossed that this happens.

We do want the same thing and my comment was in my mind pretty benign and I’m really surprised everyone is this up in arms about it but I’m all for just letting it go. I didn’t even mean it as an insult to him the way it is being portrayed. And I don’t even think it’s wrong of him to want the awards he’s earned. 65 game rule thing is lame to begin with.

I think we could make a run too. Might take a bit of luck on our side though

[Jalen Bluntson]

Nice job intentionally not bolding “individually yeah” but I’ll help in this edit since you all want to attack me over it. I misquoted nothing. I watched the interview, I heard the question asked and his reply. What does it matter? I only suggested that I hope the team is responsible about bringing him back. Only an offensive statement to the worst white knights and Stanley’s on here. Again I watched the interview and people are citing a beat writers paraphrasing over his actual words

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

Exactly. Brunson didn't say what this poster suggested, which was my point. (If Brunson was misquoted in the article, then I want a link to the actual interview where Brunson says something different.) The team holding the cards on Brunson's return is a separate issue.

I just hope everyone does the right thing--I want a fully healthy squad by playoff time.

Yeah...I am done with that crazy discussion.

Hopefully we can get a healthy squad to the dance. Mitch is rounding into form. It feels like forever since we've seen him play this way. We need him in the 20-24mpg bracket if his health can maintain that. Brunson being healthy is imperative. I am a little worried Deuce might have a lingering issue. Groin and hamstring injuries can be tricky. Let him take as much time as he needs and add a day to that. We need all the bullets in the clip if we wanna make some noise. It's always a bumpy ride but, at least we have been rooting for a playoff team the last three years.

[HopelessKnick]

Honestly Bridges should just keep shooting that same shot as much as possible. It's a hard to stop shot, the midrange fadeaway, and he seems to get hot as he keeps going. So keep doing it. He cuts and shoots the corner 3 decently well. But when Brunson is not doing his thing, OG and MB one on one is what we got left. Lean into iso because at this point, it's not going to change and the three of them are good ISO players. Didn't think that about OG that much but he's def showing he can do it.

I think ultimately it comes down to this question: Can the Knicks thrive/be optimized with 4 scorers in the starting line-up? It seems with Brunson and KAT in the line-up , both OG and Bridges take a backseat to them and their overall play (offense and defense) drops of considerably unfortunately. I don't think there is a great way to fix it other than having one come off the bench which is kinda iffy since both are absolutely legit starters. I think ultimately it will go in the direction of KAT being traded at some point for a 2 way forward capable of providing 18 points and being switchable against anyone and Mitch starting if he can stay healthy. There aren't too many 2-way forwards around the league though.

I personally would love to see this group succeed together but am not sure they can do it fitwise. It seems that against elite teams you can only afford one defensive liability.

If there is a concerted effort to let everyone get involved, the more the merrier. You don't want the defense to be able shut your whole system down by putting a C on Hart and a guard/wing on KAT. We have seen the best of all of our players at this point. Make it fit together now. It doesn't have to be all about playing off of ISO Brunson anymore. We have seen the team work without him so, there's more than one way to skin a cat now.

I see where you are coming from and I'm going a bit by my own playing experience but also mainly by the NBA of the past 30 years---can you name a team that had 2 25point scorers and 2 20point scorers and was able to keep them all in rhythm and efficient? I personally can't recall that. 3 scorers seems to me the most a team can efficiently handle, but I could be wrong.

For me the major limitation is that you can't really limit JB and KAT offensively. If anything you have to get KAT to shoot even more 3s. Like I remember games against the Celtics where KAT put up like 5 shots in a half while getting hammered on defense. That's the worst possible combination IMO.

I think the best way to use KAT's abilities is to have him average 30minutes and involve him 24/7 on offense to a point where he can get you 25-27points in 30minutes. Like have him as a constant threat on offense. If other teams want to take advantage of his defensive liabilities then fine, but have KAT come back at them at every possession. Similar thing for Brunson. In such a context it is hard to have 2 more guys have bigger roles in the offense IMO. They will be getting those leftovers and then get back into that 15points per game territory where they are basically catch and shoot guys. It is not an ideal fit IMO. There is no way of getting this done but if you could turn KAT into Jaren Jackson jr. then I think this team beats Boston. You have essentially JB as the clear first option and then the other 3 take turns on offense while defending well.

[Jalen Bluntson]

I think ultimately it comes down to this question: Can the Knicks thrive/be optimized with 4 scorers in the starting line-up? It seems with Brunson and KAT in the line-up , both OG and Bridges take a backseat to them and their overall play (offense and defense) drops of considerably unfortunately. I don't think there is a great way to fix it other than having one come off the bench which is kinda iffy since both are absolutely legit starters. I think ultimately it will go in the direction of KAT being traded at some point for a 2 way forward capable of providing 18 points and being switchable against anyone and Mitch starting if he can stay healthy. There aren't too many 2-way forwards around the league though.

I personally would love to see this group succeed together but am not sure they can do it fitwise. It seems that against elite teams you can only afford one defensive liability.

If there is a concerted effort to let everyone get involved, the more the merrier. You don't want the defense to be able shut your whole system down by putting a C on Hart and a guard/wing on KAT. We have seen the best of all of our players at this point. Make it fit together now. It doesn't have to be all about playing off of ISO Brunson anymore. We have seen the team work without him so, there's more than one way to skin a cat now.

I see where you are coming from and I'm going a bit by my own playing experience but also mainly by the NBA of the past 30 years---can you name a team that had 2 25point scorers and 2 20point scorers and was able to keep them all in rhythm and efficient? I personally can't recall that. 3 scorers seems to me the most a team can efficiently handle, but I could be wrong.

For me the major limitation is that you can't really limit JB and KAT offensively. If anything you have to get KAT to shoot even more 3s. Like I remember games against the Celtics where KAT put up like 5 shots in a half while getting hammered on defense. That's the worst possible combination IMO.

I think the best way to use KAT's abilities is to have him average 30minutes and involve him 24/7 on offense to a point where he can get you 25-27points in 30minutes. Like have him as a constant threat on offense. If other teams want to take advantage of his defensive liabilities then fine, but have KAT come back at them at every possession. Similar thing for Brunson. In such a context it is hard to have 2 more guys have bigger roles in the offense IMO. They will be getting those leftovers and then get back into that 15points per game territory where they are basically catch and shoot guys. It is not an ideal fit IMO. There is no way of getting this done but if you could turn KAT into Jaren Jackson jr. then I think this team beats Boston. You have essentially JB as the clear first option and then the other 3 take turns on offense while defending well.

The Celtics have Tatum/Brown/Holiday/White/KP. All capable of putting up 20+PPG given the opportunity. That doesn't mean your goal is to get 20ppg from everyone. Bridges/OG are avg more this season than they have for their career by a decent margin. Make it work like the Celtics do.

I can't fathom having 5 players capable of dropping 30 on a given night being a problem. We have that. Make it fit. Move the ball. Put players in their spots when they get the ball by design. It's not rocket science. Players have strengths and weaknesses. Play them to their strengths. Thibs does not do that. Go figure it out is his idea of offense. Let the game tell you what to do. That's crazy and lazy. You want to impose your will on teams. Not let them dictate your pace all night. You have to have go to options if your stars are having off nights. You have to combat the defense with adjustments. You have to find the hot hand. Feel the flow of the game and react to that. Don't just keep doing the same thing over and over hoping it will work.

Same thing goes for the defense. Stop playing KAT in drop coverage. He sucks at it. Stop sagging to the paint. We give up too many open looks on the perimeter. Hoping the other team misses those is not defense. It's ridiculous. Adjust to your roster and put the players in the best position to succeed. That's the job of the HC. Forcing the same actions over amd over doesn't work in the playoffs. Teams will lock in and shut you down.

There are ways to make it work. Thibs needs to figure that out. That's his job. He's yelling at Hart to do his job? He should look in the mirror first.

[thebuzzardman]

Vince Boryla is disappointed in all of your sh*tty takes

[thebuzzardman]

You clearly stated that you are worried Brunson will rush himself back in order to get his accolades, Meaning putting himself before the team. That quote isn't his actual words? You are worried about the team rushing him back now? This is wild.

He was asked if he cares about the awards and he said yes. Ok, so he wants the awards. Good for him. I just said I hope his interpretation of healthy should align with the team doctor. “Putting himself before the team” is you strawmanning me and something I never accused

Dude, I could go back and quote you again, but it's not worth it. Understand that I want what you want--i.e., that Brunson's interpretation of healthy aligns with the team doctor's, and that Brunson not be put in play unless and until he's fully ready. We fully agree on that.

Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm convinced we can make a serious run this season--even with Thibs as coach--if we have everyone healthy throughout. Fingers crossed that this happens.

Let me clear this up: Assume the Knicks are lying about the severity of Brunson's injury and in fact, he won't be ready for the playoffs, at all.

See? Easy.

[taikibansei]

He was asked if he cares about the awards and he said yes. Ok, so he wants the awards. Good for him. I just said I hope his interpretation of healthy should align with the team doctor. “Putting himself before the team” is you strawmanning me and something I never accused

Dude, I could go back and quote you again, but it's not worth it. Understand that I want what you want--i.e., that Brunson's interpretation of healthy aligns with the team doctor's, and that Brunson not be put in play unless and until he's fully ready. We fully agree on that.

Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm convinced we can make a serious run this season--even with Thibs as coach--if we have everyone healthy throughout. Fingers crossed that this happens.

Let me clear this up: Assume the Knicks are lying about the severity of Brunson's injury and in fact, he won't be ready for the playoffs, at all.

See? Easy.

I don't think you're going far enough. We should require proof that Brunson is not dead, and that these interviews, etc., are not being conducted with a body double to aid in the coverup.