knicks lose....i blame mpharris who blames thibs

[Knicksfan1992]

Thibs continues to make dumb decisions in critical moments. He continues to run ISO crap from 25 feet out in crunch time. Unless the players bail him out with incredible shot making, we are going to lose these close games.

You keep belaboring this point in every post game thread the Knicks lose a close game but exactly what exotic sets did Mazzulla run at the end of the game that Thibs didn't run?

Was it the falling out of bounds 3 that Tatum took in an iso against KAT that he got bailed out on?

Or was it the last second ridiculous step back over the Knicks best defender by Tatum?

What was the magical set that Thibs couldn't possibly comprehend or run on those plays that gave Boston the edge?

They had Tatum taking their game winner we had jHart. Doesn't even have to be elaborate just better than stupid.

This is being willingly obtuse, and for what, you've watched us all season so you've had to see the handful of dumb things happen at the end of games this season that lead to questioning the coaching.

I think it's fair to get mad at Thibs for not fouling up 3. It's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation for me but I do get being mad at that.

I don't think the team's philosophy down the stretch of close games is necessarily bad. Maybe a little more variety at times would be nice but it doesn't make sense to not have the ball in Brunson's hands most of the time. We have one of the best shot makers in the league on our team who is also a good passer. We saw it last night. When they blitzed him we got Mikal in a 4 on 3 situation multiple times which is a big win in those situations.

We're 18-10 in "clutch games" as defined by NBA.com. 4th best in the league. A lot of Thibs late game criticisms are pretty overblown IMO.

[NYKat]

I know yall hate moral victories, but just being competitive is a sign of improvement.

We need at least a year of continuity and chemistry to even dream of being as good as the C’s . We’re headed in the right direction.

How long will it take Mike Malone to build that continuity and chemistry?

The chemistry and continuity comes from keeping the core together for multiple years, was the point I was trying to make…

We have no chance of competing with Celtics with a team we’ve essentially put together in the last two years.

[JayTWill]

Numbers are out and it pretty much confirms the eye test.

OG held Tatum to 37% FG.

Mikal held Tatum to 83% FG

OG is clearly a better individual defender against Tatum as he should be with size advantage over someone like Mikal but posting the final results of whether the shot goes in doesn't indicate the level of defense being played. The same stat you are using says KAT "held" Tatum to 17% shooting but I know you would never use that as an indicator of KAT being a good defender on Tatum. The same stat you are using actually shows OG giving up more points overall on the same percentages Mikal did for the game but once again that doesn't mean Mikal played better defense.

OG did a good job of denying Tatum the ball and pushing him off his spots. I felt like most of his defense was played before Tatum even received the ball. OG actually received a lot more help once Tatum received the ball. Outside of the first basket Tatum made against Mikal with 3 fouls in the 2nd quarter I don't think he played bad individual defense against Tatum at all especially with being on an island on everyone of those shots. I would have liked to see Mikal and OG not concede the switch to Tatum but I don't know what the game plan was.

In the end Tatum made a ton of difficult shots but you can also see he is much more comfortable with his size and strength advantage over Mikal. It still wasn't bad defense imo.

[HEZI]

I watched the replay of the end of regulation play and the play was definitely for either Brunson or KAT as the main options. They doubled Brunson so he was taken out the play but KAT was wide open for the lob after Brunson set the screen on Porzingis. Mikal was either too scared to throw the pass or just didn’t see him but that was a game winning lob that Mikal could have thrown. Instead he settled for the broken play option which was Josh Hart.

You need high IQ players to win big and we just don’t have many of them. Josh Hart and Mikal both play like airheads

[ctorres]

Thibs know this is year 1 of the team. They need to go through adversity and grow as a team over the summer. In a few years when our best guys will be in their mid 30s and Tatum/Brown will be starting their 30s, we’ll have that vet grown man strength to take down the Celtics. Just be patient and enjoy this beautiful journey. Peace, Love, Coco Puffs yall

This team might have another year, but Thibs probably doesn't have that luxury.

Also, you're not guaranteed a full healthy roster going into the playoffs every season. We learned that last year when Julius and Bojan got banged up, followed by Mitch and OG. We didn't have enough to sustain a 3-2 lead over the Pacers in the semis.

We're going into the post season with Jalen, Josh, Mikal, OG, KAT, Mitch, and Deuce available. Our top 7 guys. That might never happen again, whether due to injuries or trades.

Thibs has to go into these playoffs and coach to win it all. He has to overcome the lack of homecourt advantage against Boston and Cleveland.

Seeing Taylor Jenkins and Mike Malone getting fired just a few games into the playoffs changes the entire landscape of how the NBA now operates.

As healthy as Thibs may be, physically and mentally, age is not on his side when there are coaches now available who are as successful or more successful than him, who are just as sharp or sharper, and decades younger.

If Thibs does not win a championship this year, he may never have the opportunity to head coach a contending team ever again. He'll be relegated to coaching lottery teams or play-in teams at best if he wants an NBA head coaching job. Either that, or he either gets a front office role, or maybe coaches in college.

Thibodeau is 15 years into NBA head coaching career, but his first year as an assistant coach was all the way back in 1989 at 31 years old. I don't think he can go back to being an assistant coach. This is it for him.

[dakomish23]

Will the minutes police say anything about Mazulla playing Tatum 48 minutes in a meaningless game at the end of the season where their second best player is injured and also played?

Stop ignoring context to make lazy arguments. This was an OT game and the reason he had to play this much is b/c their other main guy was injured. Really? You thought this game was the time to push this?

They used an 8 man rotation, are you telling me they only have 8 players on their whole roster? Shouldn't they have developed their 9th-12 guys so Tatum wouldn't have to play this many minutes

In a clutch game against another top team? Show us where anyone complains that our guys play heavy mins against top teams in close games.

[Enzo954]

I watched the replay of the end of regulation play and the play was definitely for either Brunson or KAT as the main options. They doubled Brunson so he was taken out the play but KAT was wide open for the lob after Brunson set the screen on Porzingis. Mikal was either too scared to throw the pass or just didn’t see him but that was a game winning lob that Mikal could have thrown. Instead he settled for the broken play option which was Josh Hart.

You need high IQ players to win big and we just don’t have many of them. Josh Hart and Mikal both play like airheads

Hart shouldn't have been on the floor. McBride should have been out there. Shooters shoot and chuckers brick.

[Gravy]

Will the minutes police say anything about Mazulla playing Tatum 48 minutes in a meaningless game at the end of the season where their second best player is injured and also played?

I wouldn't call it meaningless from the Celtics point of view. They wanted to make a statement since we're probably facing them in the 2nd round and they've owned us all season. True it wasn't a blow out and a close game, but they let us know that when the pressures on, they will out play us and out coach us. It was demoralizing!

I thought the game showed we could beat them. Instead of getting blown out previously we lost by 2 in overtime.

There is still a talent gap with the roster. Mazzulla is coaching on easy mode when he has so many great 3pt shooters. When fans say any of us could coach a NBA team thats a team like the Celtics. The last few minutes of the game and overtime was Tatum or KP shooting threes or a tough iso basket. Their stars were better than our stars which is usually what wins championships.

[JayTWill]

I watched the replay of the end of regulation play and the play was definitely for either Brunson or KAT as the main options. They doubled Brunson so he was taken out the play but KAT was wide open for the lob after Brunson set the screen on Porzingis. Mikal was either too scared to throw the pass or just didn’t see him but that was a game winning lob that Mikal could have thrown. Instead he settled for the broken play option which was Josh Hart.

You need high IQ players to win big and we just don’t have many of them. Josh Hart and Mikal both play like airheads

I don't know. That window was kind of small with KP trailing behind KAT. There was a moment I thought he might be able to lob it to KAT but he isn't exactly a high flyer where can just throw it anywhere. It would have needed to be a near perfect pass with KP's length. I'm not sure you want to risk turning the ball over and giving the ball back to the Celtics with a chance to win the game.

He would need to trust that KAT would break free and throw the pass before KAT actually got open.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=FG3A&EndPeriod=4&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022401151&PlayerID=1628404&RangeType=1&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=4&StartRange=21600&TeamID=1610612752&flag=3&sct=plot&section=game

[Ravenxvirall]

Numbers are out and it pretty much confirms the eye test.

OG held Tatum to 37% FG.

Mikal held Tatum to 83% FG

Holy **** lmao

[HEZI]

I watched the replay of the end of regulation play and the play was definitely for either Brunson or KAT as the main options. They doubled Brunson so he was taken out the play but KAT was wide open for the lob after Brunson set the screen on Porzingis. Mikal was either too scared to throw the pass or just didn’t see him but that was a game winning lob that Mikal could have thrown. Instead he settled for the broken play option which was Josh Hart.

You need high IQ players to win big and we just don’t have many of them. Josh Hart and Mikal both play like airheads

Hart shouldn't have been on the floor. McBride should have been out there. Shooters shoot and chuckers brick.

Deuce was like 1-4 from 3. Chances are he would have bricked it too. He was pretty awful all game actually, maybe if he played better we wouldn’t have been in that situation

[dakomish23]

Thibs continues to make dumb decisions in critical moments. He continues to run ISO crap from 25 feet out in crunch time. Unless the players bail him out with incredible shot making, we are going to lose these close games.

You keep belaboring this point in every post game thread the Knicks lose a close game but exactly what exotic sets did Mazzulla run at the end of the game that Thibs didn't run?

Was it the falling out of bounds 3 that Tatum took in an iso against KAT that he got bailed out on?

Or was it the last second ridiculous step back over the Knicks best defender by Tatum?

What was the magical set that Thibs couldn't possibly comprehend or run on those plays that gave Boston the edge?

Give me a break. They run zero action. Nothing off ball. Not even a PnR. Just get the ball to the player and let him go one on one. It is weak and pathetic for the modern NBA. We're not talking about just last shot. The ent

Watch. If we get a new coach that actually runs plays, you'll be the first to praise the difference. Guaranteed

[dakomish23]

Numbers are out and it pretty much confirms the eye test.

OG held Tatum to 37% FG.

Mikal held Tatum to 83% FG

Holy **** lmao

3 for 8 vs 5 for 6

A lot less shock value when you see that

[MrDollarBills]

I dunno why minutes are an issue? That was a legit playoff level game that went to OT. As soon as Boston announced their actives the challenge was laid down.

Neither team was going to lean on the bench last night. As disappointing as the results were, at least the team fought to the end. That's all I ask.

[HEZI]

I watched the replay of the end of regulation play and the play was definitely for either Brunson or KAT as the main options. They doubled Brunson so he was taken out the play but KAT was wide open for the lob after Brunson set the screen on Porzingis. Mikal was either too scared to throw the pass or just didn’t see him but that was a game winning lob that Mikal could have thrown. Instead he settled for the broken play option which was Josh Hart.

You need high IQ players to win big and we just don’t have many of them. Josh Hart and Mikal both play like airheads

I don't know. That window was kind of small with KP trailing behind KAT. There was a moment I thought he might be able to lob it to KAT but he isn't exactly a high flyer where can just throw it anywhere. It would have needed to be a near perfect pass with KP's length. I'm not sure you want to risk turning the ball over and giving the ball back to the Celtics with a chance to win the game.

He would need to trust that KAT would break free and throw the pass before KAT actually got open.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&ContextMeasure=FG3A&EndPeriod=4&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022401151&PlayerID=1628404&RangeType=1&Season=2024-25&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=4&StartRange=21600&TeamID=1610612752&flag=3&sct=plot&section=game

There’s only 2 seconds left in the game. With Brunson getting doubled you need to be looking at KAT. You live with the outcome but at least it’s going to your scorer and not Josh Hart. With 2 seconds left and your main option getting doubled, you will be taking a risk regardless so I rather see that pass to KAT than settling for that pass to Hart

[MrDollarBills]

Numbers are out and it pretty much confirms the eye test.

OG held Tatum to 37% FG.

Mikal held Tatum to 83% FG

Holy **** lmao

3 for 8 vs 5 for 6

A lot less shock value when you see that

Mikal sucked outside of the last minutes of the 4th when he woke up, and i aired my frustration with him in the GT, but it really sucks that people on here take joy every time a Knick player fails, specially KAT and Mikal. seriously, I don't understand it. It's like some folks pray for their downfall

[Gravy]

Stop ignoring context to make lazy arguments. This was an OT game and the reason he had to play this much is b/c their other main guy was injured. Really? You thought this game was the time to push this?

They used an 8 man rotation, are you telling me they only have 8 players on their whole roster? Shouldn't they have developed their 9th-12 guys so Tatum wouldn't have to play this many minutes

In a clutch game against another top team? Show us where anyone complains that our guys play heavy mins against top teams in close games.

We were missing multiple important bench players most of the season and had many close games against mediocre teams. We dont get to 50 wins with Kolek and Dadiet in the rotation every night.

[Enzo954]

Numbers are out and it pretty much confirms the eye test.

OG held Tatum to 37% FG.

Mikal held Tatum to 83% FG

Holy **** lmao

Well that confirms it....Thibs will have Mikal guard Tatum the entire second round if we get past the first.

[MrDollarBills]

Stop ignoring context to make lazy arguments. This was an OT game and the reason he had to play this much is b/c their other main guy was injured. Really? You thought this game was the time to push this?

They used an 8 man rotation, are you telling me they only have 8 players on their whole roster? Shouldn't they have developed their 9th-12 guys so Tatum wouldn't have to play this many minutes

In a clutch game against another top team? Show us where anyone complains that our guys play heavy mins against top teams in close games.

You shorten the rotation against elite clubs. I don't have an issue with the minutes last night. They challenged us. We responded.

Having a 7 man rotation versus the Hornets in early January is where Tom loses me.

[3toheadmelo]

Holy **** lmao

3 for 8 vs 5 for 6

A lot less shock value when you see that

Mikal sucked outside of the last minutes of the 4th when he woke up, and i aired my frustration with him in the GT, but it really sucks that people on here take joy every time a Knick player fails, specially KAT and Mikal. seriously, I don't understand it. It's like some folks pray for their downfall

Stop flip flopping. You been saying you want to get rid of Mikal.