GT: Knicks @ Detroit , Game 6 Thursday 7:30pm ET

[Jeff Van Gully]

So what adjustments do you make to fix that?

1) Run P&R with JB/KAT anyway... it can lead to an open JB three, a driving lane for JB, a pop for a KAT three (which Brunson doesn't look for unfortunately), or a KAT post up at the free throw line against the switch which would force a double or a high percentage post up (Thibs doesn't have them do this part either... see how Boston executes this with KP to excellent effect...)

2) Hart to the bench. Either Mitch or Deuce starting.

3) KAT setting picks at the baseline for OG/Mikal to curl off of. Then he posts his smaller man closer to the basket after setting the picks.

4) More Mikal/OG post ups throughout the game.

Thibs has hardly done any of these except for #4 on occasion.

This isn’t what got us the offensive efficiency earlier in the year so all you are doing is experimenting and hoping it works but it’s not proven that it can. I think it’s a little late in the year to start experimenting and trying out new lineups while at the same time having expectations of it working as well as the offense worked early in the year. You are who you are at this point in the season, there are no quick fixes now

i want to live in the fantasy world where KAT sets screens well enough to deploy these strategies. i really do.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Tru life eating that bowl of fruity pebbles drenched in champagne was a sign of grit and determination for commiting to such a bad idea.

it's the only thing i can think of when his name arises, which is damn near never.

[WargamesX]

1) Run P&R with JB/KAT anyway... it can lead to an open JB three, a driving lane for JB, a pop for a KAT three (which Brunson doesn't look for unfortunately), or a KAT post up at the free throw line against the switch which would force a double or a high percentage post up (Thibs doesn't have them do this part either... see how Boston executes this with KP to excellent effect...)

2) Hart to the bench. Either Mitch or Deuce starting.

3) KAT setting picks at the baseline for OG/Mikal to curl off of. Then he posts his smaller man closer to the basket after setting the picks.

4) More Mikal/OG post ups throughout the game.

Thibs has hardly done any of these except for #4 on occasion.

This isn’t what got us the offensive efficiency earlier in the year so all you are doing is experimenting and hoping it works but it’s not proven that it can. I think it’s a little late in the year to start experimenting and trying out new lineups while at the same time having expectations of it working as well as the offense worked early in the year. You are who you are at this point in the season, there are no quick fixes now

i want to live in the fantasy world where KAT sets screens well enough to deploy these strategies. i really do.

Or he could have had Precious and Mitch setting screens too. KAT doing screens just to PNR from would be enough. It doesn’t have to be a hard screen.

Also as we all sit here preparing to watch game 6 of a series where are only real hope is Brunsons iso ball is working and some other guys (including KAT) make tough shots all game….. I wish Thibs experimented more. These guys have played more minutes and all other lineups in the entire league and we are still speculating on what they could do because Thibs stubbornly played them one way regardless of what the advanced stats or the box score said about its effectiveness.

[spree2kawhi]

Even if you take out Josh Hart from the starting lineup, who on the Knicks bench is good enough to be a starting caliber player on a playoff team? I’m waiting

Start Mitchell Robinson, set the tone, run someone over.

[spree2kawhi]

Teams adjusted...

-> Tall wing defender on Brunson (Thompson or Cade)
-> Agile PF on KAT so you can switch the P&R (Harris)
-> Center on Hart waiting in the paint for Brunson/KAT (Duren)
-> Remaining short guys on OG/Mikal

Almost zero adjustments by Thibs except to "let the game dictate your play"

So what adjustments do you make to fix that?

1) Run P&R with JB/KAT anyway... it can lead to an open JB three, a driving lane for JB, a pop for a KAT three (which Brunson doesn't look for unfortunately), or a KAT post up at the free throw line against the switch which would force a double or a high percentage post up (Thibs doesn't have them do this part either... see how Boston executes this with KP to excellent effect...)

2) Hart to the bench. Either Mitch or Deuce starting.

3) KAT setting picks at the baseline for OG/Mikal to curl off of. Then he posts his smaller man closer to the basket after setting the picks.

4) More Mikal/OG post ups throughout the game.

Thibs has hardly done any of these except for #4 on occasion.

This should all work…

[WargamesX]

Even if you take out Josh Hart from the starting lineup, who on the Knicks bench is good enough to be a starting caliber player on a playoff team? I’m waiting

Start Mitchell Robinson, set the tone, run someone over.

Or he could put McBride in there for shooting and defense, Payne for self creation, or Wright for a big guard who could distribute and also shoot a higher percentage than Hart does.

Thibs had options that he refused to try before we got here in the playoffs so we’re forced to speculate.

[GONYK]

If a lineup change were to happen, the only real answer is Deuce. This is a series about generating points. There should be no change that doesn't lift the offensive ceiling.

[rajajackal]

lot of positivity in here lets get this W tonight.

Read on Twitter

[sol537]

If a lineup change were to happen, the only real answer is Deuce. This is a series about generating points. There should be no change that doesn't lift the offensive ceiling.

Only issue is Deuce is shooting like 20% this series so far…

[GONYK]

If a lineup change were to happen, the only real answer is Deuce. This is a series about generating points. There should be no change that doesn't lift the offensive ceiling.

Only issue is Deuce is shooting like 20% this series so far…

Doesn't matter. He fixes the spacing and gets the 5 back back on KAT, which gets everything else back in sync.

There's a reason he has the best +/- in the series despite his shooting.

His minutes are the difference in this series.

[TKKnicks1]

If a lineup change were to happen, the only real answer is Deuce. This is a series about generating points. There should be no change that doesn't lift the offensive ceiling.

Only issue is Deuce is shooting like 20% this series so far…

Doesn't matter. He fixes the spacing and gets the 5 back back on KAT, which gets everything else back in sync.

There's a reason he has the best +/- in the series despite his shooting.

His minutes are the difference in this series.

Thibs isnt going to make a single change because thats not what he does. He will do or die with the same stuff over and over again with the hopes it will just start clicking. Ya know...like a psychopath.

[LFGK]

Only issue is Deuce is shooting like 20% this series so far…

Doesn't matter. He fixes the spacing and gets the 5 back back on KAT, which gets everything else back in sync.

There's a reason he has the best +/- in the series despite his shooting.

His minutes are the difference in this series.

Thibs isnt going to make a single change because thats not what he does. He will do or die with the same stuff over and over again with the hopes it will just start clicking. Ya know...like a psychopath.

Everything is going to be fine

[vallen]

Only a psychopath would think Duece is a sustainable starter. Hes not even a sustainable rotation player. You know your panicking when your reaching for mediocrity as a savior. You think his Defense is good enough for DET starters? Hes too small, he will get cooked. Well cooked more. Phuck his +/- that was caused by other players. Its the playoffs, you start your best 5.

[god shammgod]

what is the net rating of our starting 5 in the playoffs and where does it rank ? is it bottom 3 ?

[god shammgod]

i just found this -

The Pistons’ starting lineup for the playoffs has, arguably, been the best of any team this postseason. Their stellar 84.6 defensive rating and 33.4 NET rating together is leading all postseason lineups that have been on the court more than 22 minutes

https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2025/05/how-the-pistons-starting-five-is-standing-out-in-the-postseason.html

jesus

[rajajackal]

If a lineup change were to happen, the only real answer is Deuce. This is a series about generating points. There should be no change that doesn't lift the offensive ceiling.

i feel you, but there's an argument to be made for 1. kat being more effective offensively without carrying center duties on defense 2. mitch contributing to the gap between scores early by getting us stops 3. mikal being able to generate more points off the bench

[dukeknicksirish]

I’m in LCA baby!!

[god shammgod]

our starting lineup has the 3rd worst net rating at -8.2. it had to be bad if the pistons have the best.

[rajajackal]

I’m in LCA baby!!

THUGGISH RUGGISH BONE

[Guano]

our starting lineup has the 2nd worst net rating at -8.2. it had to be bad if the pistons have the best.

Im blaming Mr 5 picks