PS Game 3: Minnesota @ MSG on Sunday, 10/13 @ 6 PM

[robillionaire]

Looking at the bigs in the West and how a lot of the playoff teams can go super big with a shot blocker at the 4....his Knicks playoff numbers may end up being career highs.

If he’s actually still on the timberwolves all year and they make the playoffs, and also if he’s not injured(lots of ifs there) I think he’ll be fine. He only had 5 games of double teams while inexperienced and another small handful of games playing while needing surgery as a basis for this. Maybe teams focus more on Edwards and he gets more open attempts. Of course they’ll still have gobert clogging the paint like Mitch used to do. But he’s just more experienced now, and won’t have as much pressure of playing in MSG and in front of a fanbase that by and large doesn’t like him and in many cases hoping he plays badly. So the Knicks experience should have him battle ready if he can ever get back there

[Iron Mantis]

Loser's attitude if I ever saw one. Glad he's gone. Hope he torpedoes the Wolves in the playoffs.

So thankful we have Brunson and a team full of guys who WANT to win!

Read on Twitter

[HarthorneWingo]

How does the MSG crowd react to Randle and Donte when they get introduced? Does one get booed and the other cheered?

[Deeeez Knicks]

Both guys showed lackluster effort on defense, yet Randle was demonized for it, while RJ remained (until the last couple months of his tenure I guess) the apple of the fanbase's eye. I'm not saying this to absolve Randle of his share of responsibility, and you're right to hold him accountable for his lack of defensive effort, just pointing out that it wasn't just about defense. There was more to it.

A lot of players have been boo'd in NY. Randle is not the first, last or best player to be boo'd.

Younger players we draft just get more lee-way, and rightfully so, as there is a period of development that needs to happen over vets we sign as free agents. But even with RJ, there has been plenty of critiscm directed his way. There has probably been more negative things written about RJ over the past few years then any other Knick so its not like he received a pass.

But yea, Randle was boo'd more. Partly due to being the vet, partly for the lack of effort and body language...some critiscm deserved, maybe over the top at times. But that does come with the territory of playing in NY. Randle had some really awful stretches and was boo'd for it. I dont think its really anything too deep. Fans arent gonna sit quitely and golf clap when the team is mediocre and players are loafing it. That isnt going to happen in NY. Someone is going to get boo'd.

In the end, Knicks have a really good team and great foundation.

Macri was pressured into not criticizing RJ on his own podcast by some of his collaborators. The mainstream voice within the fanbase was always in favor of defending RJ. At least until his last couple months here, when the wind started to turn a bit. The MSG crowd never "held him accountable" by booing him like they supposedly did with Randle. So if defense was the crux of the issue, the "accountability" they received for it was vastly different, despite both lacking with their defensive effort. Which is why I'm saying it goes much deeper than just defense.

You're right that the Knicks have a promising outlook now and I'm personally happier with OG and KAT than with RJ and Randle. Beyond the analytics, I thought they were terribly boring to watch, and frankly even hard to watch.

How did this even turn into a discussion about RJ?

I’m just telling you my thoughts on why there were times when Randle was boo’d. It really has nothing to do with RJ and not some big conspiracy. He had some really awful stretches where his effort wasn’t there. Not sure why that is so hard to believe. I’ll agree to disagree.

[Jalen Bluntson]

How does the MSG crowd react to Randle and Donte when they get introduced? Does one get booed and the other cheered?

Hope not. Just wanna move on with no side stories and drama.

[Fat]

How does the MSG crowd react to Randle and Donte when they get introduced? Does one get booed and the other cheered?

SMD chants

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Looking at the bigs in the West and how a lot of the playoff teams can go super big with a shot blocker at the 4....his Knicks playoff numbers may end up being career highs.

If he’s actually still on the timberwolves all year and they make the playoffs, and also if he’s not injured(lots of ifs there) I think he’ll be fine. He only had 5 games of double teams while inexperienced and another small handful of games playing while needing surgery as a basis for this. Maybe teams focus more on Edwards and he gets more open attempts. Of course they’ll still have gobert clogging the paint like Mitch used to do. But he’s just more experienced now, and won’t have as much pressure of playing in MSG and in front of a fanbase that by and large doesn’t like him and in many cases hoping he plays badly. So the Knicks experience should have him battle ready if he can ever get back there

Thankfully he's not a Knick anymore, I'm not gonna waste too much time worrying about what he'll do. He's their problem now, and we got the best player in the trade.

[robillionaire]

A lot of players have been boo'd in NY. Randle is not the first, last or best player to be boo'd.

Younger players we draft just get more lee-way, and rightfully so, as there is a period of development that needs to happen over vets we sign as free agents. But even with RJ, there has been plenty of critiscm directed his way. There has probably been more negative things written about RJ over the past few years then any other Knick so its not like he received a pass.

But yea, Randle was boo'd more. Partly due to being the vet, partly for the lack of effort and body language...some critiscm deserved, maybe over the top at times. But that does come with the territory of playing in NY. Randle had some really awful stretches and was boo'd for it. I dont think its really anything too deep. Fans arent gonna sit quitely and golf clap when the team is mediocre and players are loafing it. That isnt going to happen in NY. Someone is going to get boo'd.

In the end, Knicks have a really good team and great foundation.

Macri was pressured into not criticizing RJ on his own podcast by some of his collaborators. The mainstream voice within the fanbase was always in favor of defending RJ. At least until his last couple months here, when the wind started to turn a bit. The MSG crowd never "held him accountable" by booing him like they supposedly did with Randle. So if defense was the crux of the issue, the "accountability" they received for it was vastly different, despite both lacking with their defensive effort. Which is why I'm saying it goes much deeper than just defense.

You're right that the Knicks have a promising outlook now and I'm personally happier with OG and KAT than with RJ and Randle. Beyond the analytics, I thought they were terribly boring to watch, and frankly even hard to watch.

How did this even turn into a discussion about RJ?

I’m just telling you my thoughts on why there were times when Randle was boo’d. It really has nothing to do with RJ and not some big conspiracy. He had some really awful stretches where his effort wasn’t there. Not sure why that is so hard to believe. I’ll agree to disagree.

A lot of it is like you said players we drafted vs free agent/traded players

I don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason to it honestly. Some players capture fans hearts and imaginations in a mysterious way and others find themselves the target of the ire when things go wrong

Randle absorbed a lot of if over the past 5 years but Elfrid Payton and Alec Burks had their moments. Before that it was Melo, and then bad PGs like Mudiay or anybody playing over Frank

I don’t know who the scapegoat will be going forward but my guess is it will be Towns if he struggles(and he’s not known for defense so basically Randle 2.0) or a random vet bench guy like Cam Payne or Shamet who will be “blocking” McBride and Kolek

Randle was perceived as “blocking” RJ from having the keys and then Obi from being starting PF which is 99% of the reason fans started trashing him because they wanted a tank and rebuild with those guys featured instead of Randle having a high usage rate and winning meaningless games and perceived those other guys as the future. Not to say he didn’t have the mentioned defensive problems but that wasn’t actually the primary driver of the vitriol he was just in the way and people wanted him gone especially after the 2020 draft. Nobody will admit it but that’s ok

Edit: could also be OG if he is injured all the time and makes so much money. Especially since we traded our drafted players for him

[Chanel Bomber]

A lot of players have been boo'd in NY. Randle is not the first, last or best player to be boo'd.

Younger players we draft just get more lee-way, and rightfully so, as there is a period of development that needs to happen over vets we sign as free agents. But even with RJ, there has been plenty of critiscm directed his way. There has probably been more negative things written about RJ over the past few years then any other Knick so its not like he received a pass.

But yea, Randle was boo'd more. Partly due to being the vet, partly for the lack of effort and body language...some critiscm deserved, maybe over the top at times. But that does come with the territory of playing in NY. Randle had some really awful stretches and was boo'd for it. I dont think its really anything too deep. Fans arent gonna sit quitely and golf clap when the team is mediocre and players are loafing it. That isnt going to happen in NY. Someone is going to get boo'd.

In the end, Knicks have a really good team and great foundation.

Macri was pressured into not criticizing RJ on his own podcast by some of his collaborators. The mainstream voice within the fanbase was always in favor of defending RJ. At least until his last couple months here, when the wind started to turn a bit. The MSG crowd never "held him accountable" by booing him like they supposedly did with Randle. So if defense was the crux of the issue, the "accountability" they received for it was vastly different, despite both lacking with their defensive effort. Which is why I'm saying it goes much deeper than just defense.

You're right that the Knicks have a promising outlook now and I'm personally happier with OG and KAT than with RJ and Randle. Beyond the analytics, I thought they were terribly boring to watch, and frankly even hard to watch.

How did this even turn into a discussion about RJ?

I’m just telling you my thoughts on why there were times when Randle was boo’d. It really has nothing to do with RJ and not some big conspiracy. He had some really awful stretches where his effort wasn’t there. Not sure why that is so hard to believe. I’ll agree to disagree.

No you made a point about the fans turning on Randle for his defense, and I expressed that I disagree and explained why using RJ's example. As far as him catching a stray, it's just part of the business that we're in

But seriously we've seen a number of players slack on defense over the years - like David Lee and RJ - and they never received half the criticism Randle received while arguably never being half the player Randle was for us. So there has to be more to it. It's not about conspiracies - but there is something to be said for group dynamics and shared ideology (here in terms of team building and team identity).

[HighRyzer83]

Thibs would have clawed Melo's face off if he'd played for him.

Rightfully so

I’m not so sure. Melo was the most talented player on the Knicks in the last 40-50 years. It’s a shame. Without the injuries to Stoudamire, I think they might have gone all the way.

With that said, this team has the chance to become the best Knicks team since the last championship. I’m glad people here now understand the player that Towns is: a willing and pretty good, unselfish passer, an incredibly efficient offensive player, an all-time shooter, a big body and a pretty laid-back dude. It’s a match.

Talented at hogging the ball and chucking inefficiently while playing mediocre defense and rebounding. On the slow side and average to below average athleticism. The only thing he did well was shoot a lot of jumpers and was able to create his own shot despite poor efficiency, but I wouldn't say he's our most talented player in any generation.

[Knick4Real]

We have a game in 90 minutes. This is the GAME THREAD. Yet, we're in here talking about RJ and Randle???

[HighRyzer83]

We have a game in 90 minutes. This is the GAME THREAD. Yet, we're in here talking about RJ and Randle???

We're traumatized

[Clyde_Style]

Looking at the bigs in the West and how a lot of the playoff teams can go super big with a shot blocker at the 4....his Knicks playoff numbers may end up being career highs.

If he’s actually still on the timberwolves all year and they make the playoffs, and also if he’s not injured(lots of ifs there) I think he’ll be fine. He only had 5 games of double teams while inexperienced and another small handful of games playing while needing surgery as a basis for this. Maybe teams focus more on Edwards and he gets more open attempts. Of course they’ll still have gobert clogging the paint like Mitch used to do. But he’s just more experienced now, and won’t have as much pressure of playing in MSG and in front of a fanbase that by and large doesn’t like him and in many cases hoping he plays badly. So the Knicks experience should have him battle ready if he can ever get back there

Thankfully he's not a Knick anymore, I'm not gonna waste too much time worrying about what he'll do. He's their problem now, and we got the best player in the trade.

In a nutshell

[Clyde_Style]

We have a game in 90 minutes. This is the GAME THREAD. Yet, we're in here talking about RJ and Randle???

Let's see if Hukporti continues to outplay Sims and Kolek cements his place in the rotation

[HighRyzer83]

And what's up with randle not playing any games? It's not like he's a fast starter. He needs all the reps right now.
Not a good sign

[robillionaire]

Looking at the bigs in the West and how a lot of the playoff teams can go super big with a shot blocker at the 4....his Knicks playoff numbers may end up being career highs.

If he’s actually still on the timberwolves all year and they make the playoffs, and also if he’s not injured(lots of ifs there) I think he’ll be fine. He only had 5 games of double teams while inexperienced and another small handful of games playing while needing surgery as a basis for this. Maybe teams focus more on Edwards and he gets more open attempts. Of course they’ll still have gobert clogging the paint like Mitch used to do. But he’s just more experienced now, and won’t have as much pressure of playing in MSG and in front of a fanbase that by and large doesn’t like him and in many cases hoping he plays badly. So the Knicks experience should have him battle ready if he can ever get back there

Thankfully he's not a Knick anymore, I'm not gonna waste too much time worrying about what he'll do. He's their problem now, and we got the best player in the trade.

I agree we got the best player in the trade, which to me means we won the trade. But we always keep an eye on our former players to gauge how our trades panned out and this will especially be true with our former Knick duos in Toronto and Minnesota when we play them for a while

[robillionaire]

We have a game in 90 minutes. This is the GAME THREAD. Yet, we're in here talking about RJ and Randle???

The other team has Randle and Donte on it and a few weeks ago they were on our team it’s not unsubstantiated

[aggo]

Loser's attitude if I ever saw one. Glad he's gone. Hope he torpedoes the Wolves in the playoffs.

So thankful we have Brunson and a team full of guys who WANT to win!

Read on Twitter

I completely forgot about that quote


randle is just bi polar


a guy that plays as physical as he does on the court simply shrinks to a squirrel when he has to be accountable

[robillionaire]

And what's up with randle not playing any games? It's not like he's a fast starter. He needs all the reps right now.
Not a good sign

They were warning us he might not be ready for the regular season with the shoulder surgery. Looks like he will be for them but still limited in preseason

[HighRyzer83]

You know with Huk, kolek, deuce, and warren, we got a low key great bench. When Mitch comes back we'll have Hart on the bench and mccular is supposedly 1st round talent too.