PG: Knicks-Hawks aka 1,2,3,Cancun! (Hawks win series 4-1)

[BKlutch]

Kyrie says the Nets are uniting the whole world with their championship.

This article says that despite being the better NYC team, they aren't even close to being the most popular in NYC.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/06/02/nets-kyrie-irving-were-uniting-the-whole-world-with-this-championship-run/

[Iron Mantis]

If Rose leaves we're in the top 10 of the draft.

I said it in another thread...the talent we have significantly overachieved in a covid year...this team will be in the lottery next season. This roster is still a complete abortion. There are like 2 potential starters on the roster, maybe 3 on a really good team and a bunch of role players like Q and Topin.

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

Knicks management feels the Knicks have dabbled in the lottery long enough.

They have a bunch of cap space so they're looking to build a culture to attract free agents, possibly a superstar.

No stars are even checking for any of those other teams.

[YouthMovement]

If Rose leaves we're in the top 10 of the draft.

I said it in another thread...the talent we have significantly overachieved in a covid year...this team will be in the lottery next season. This roster is still a complete abortion. There are like 2 potential starters on the roster, maybe 3 on a really good team and a bunch of role players like Q and Topin.

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

nope, our young guys are the only ones coming back better

[Monk1718]

Kyrie says the Nets are uniting the whole world with their championship.

This article says that despite being the better NYC team, they aren't even close to being the most popular in NYC.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/06/02/nets-kyrie-irving-were-uniting-the-whole-world-with-this-championship-run/

Uniting the whole word in what? Hating the Nets?

[Monk1718]

How much water did Knox serve during this series?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

I said it in another thread...the talent we have significantly overachieved in a covid year...this team will be in the lottery next season. This roster is still a complete abortion. There are like 2 potential starters on the roster, maybe 3 on a really good team and a bunch of role players like Q and Topin.

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

Do they also have cap space?

The Raps and Hornets have about 25-30 million, the Bulls have some assets they could trade and they're being linked to Lonzo, the Pacers don't have much room but they can package Turner and their pick for something if they want, plus they're getting TJ Warren back.

Worst case scenarios for us long term would be - Raptors or Hornets moving up to get Mobley, especially the Hornets.

[BugginOut]

I know NBA presidents and GMs are crazy but they're still sane enough to NOT count on a player who laid eggs 5 playoffs games in a row to be their team's franchise player.

This series just confirms to all 30 teams Randle can't be that franchise guy. If he's still our no 1 player at next season's opening night, expect same damn result.

---

Funny thing is our season was going just fine, we were gonna get that top 5 pick (to replace Randle next season), then we killed it by bringing in DRose and it just went downhill from there. Our search for a true franchise player just gets dragged as long as we deny the importance of tanking to get that top lottery pick.

You are going to doubt the guy who just won MIP, to not comeback better and improve in a contract year?

It was Randle’s first time being the guy in the playoffs. No doubt in my mind he is better next year especially if we get him some help

Think of the playoffs debuts of top 20-30 players today, I guarantee you won't find/ think of ANYone who choked in their first 5 STRAIGHT playoffs games.

I was actually a fan of Randle in the season as he was playing like a mini LeBron out there. It was fun seeing him run the offense and we kept winning (I'd be ok with us losing our lottery position as long as we make deep playoffs run like ECF or NBA Finals, or at least Round 2, Game 7).

But these 5 playoffs games exposed him. It's not like Hawks played death suffocating D on him and he's still trying to figure out how to attack. In fact, he still got to his spots most of the time, but it's obvious when the pressure got up, he saw more defense, he lost composure and nerves as if he'd lost half his bball skills and ball IQ. He just showed from his body language during games he couldn't wait for games to end, like he wanted to quit mid game. He just has no clue how to play in playoffs.

Anyone can have a bad game under pressure when the stakes are raised, but if they do 5 games in a row, maybe it's them, and they just don't have it.

Note: RJ gets a pass because he's still 20, but not Randle.

---

I accepted Randle as our best player in a tank season, so the lottery pick rookie can replace him the following season as the player (along with RJ) we really build around. But really tough to swallow the fact that this horrible experiment may get dragged out for another year.

It’s 5 games against a team that game planned against him well. Did Randle miss some shots? Yes, but he wasn’t able to get into his spots at all. He likes to shoot on his left hand going right. He couldn’t do that all series with Capela playing freely since he doesn’t have to guard Taj or Noel.

Problem is we had a lack of shot creators and none of our players except Mitch can finish consistently in the paint. It was easy to game plan our offense.

Jimmy Butler had a terrible series against the Bucks? Is that because he is a bad player or because it was a bad matchup.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

I said it in another thread...the talent we have significantly overachieved in a covid year...this team will be in the lottery next season. This roster is still a complete abortion. There are like 2 potential starters on the roster, maybe 3 on a really good team and a bunch of role players like Q and Topin.

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

Knicks management feels the Knicks have dabbled in the lottery long enough.

They have a bunch of cap space so they're looking to build a culture to attract free agents, possibly a superstar.

No stars are even checking for any of those other teams.

There are no stars entering free agency anytime soon, so we have caproom and nothing to use it on. Look at the free agents the next two years and tell me what you see.

[Dave DaButcher]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

I for one choose not to be discouraged. Exciting season that lasted far longer than any of us imagined.

It was fun to be at MSG tonight for a game with actual consequences in June. Looking forward to seeing how they build off this.

[3toheadmelo]

[robillionaire]

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

Do they also have cap space?

The Raps and Hornets have about 25-30 million, the Bulls have some assets they could trade and they're being linked to Lonzo, the Pacers don't have much room but they can package Turner and their pick for something if they want, plus they're getting TJ Warren back.

Worst case scenarios for us long term would be - Raptors or Hornets moving up to get Mobley, especially the Hornets.

The Bulls made a terrible trade for Vucevic and won't even have a draft pick at all if they don't win the lottery. We actually have more draft capital with our two first round picks than the hornets and pacers do. The Hornets have a nice player with LaMelo but Hayward will be an albatross. Nobody cares about the Pacers. Toronto I expect to bounce back next year when they get to play in their home arena again.

[Davis18]

It was great season.
It felt great hearing "defense" chants in MSG again.

FO decided not to tank when they hired Thibs.
I am not gonna fault him for trying to win.

We all know this team lacks talent.
It would be nice Cade/Suggs playing next to RJ, Obi & IQ but FO chose different path.
One definite positive from this series is finding out Randle is not a max player and not even close.
He doesn't have characteristics of a winning player.
He did his part to increase his value so FO better do their part to maximize his value.

This off season should be interesting.
I expect franchise changing transaction to be done whether good or bad.

[BugginOut]

If Rose leaves we're in the top 10 of the draft.

I said it in another thread...the talent we have significantly overachieved in a covid year...this team will be in the lottery next season. This roster is still a complete abortion. There are like 2 potential starters on the roster, maybe 3 on a really good team and a bunch of role players like Q and Topin.

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

And we had the best defense in the league with below average talent. If we could get our offense just above average there is no way we won’t be a top 8 team in the East

[GONYK]

Do they also have cap space?

The Raps and Hornets have about 25-30 million, the Bulls have some assets they could trade and they're being linked to Lonzo, the Pacers don't have much room but they can package Turner and their pick for something if they want, plus they're getting TJ Warren back.

Worst case scenarios for us long term would be - Raptors or Hornets moving up to get Mobley, especially the Hornets.

The Bulls made a terrible trade for Vucevic and won't even have a draft pick at all if they don't win the lottery. We actually have more draft capital with our two first round picks than the hornets and pacers do. The Hornets have a nice player with LaMelo but Hayward will be an albatross. Nobody cares about the Pacers. Toronto I expect to bounce back next year when they get to play in their home arena again.

Toronto also has to pay GTJ and Anunoby,no?

[robillionaire]

The Raps and Hornets have about 25-30 million, the Bulls have some assets they could trade and they're being linked to Lonzo, the Pacers don't have much room but they can package Turner and their pick for something if they want, plus they're getting TJ Warren back.

Worst case scenarios for us long term would be - Raptors or Hornets moving up to get Mobley, especially the Hornets.

The Bulls made a terrible trade for Vucevic and won't even have a draft pick at all if they don't win the lottery. We actually have more draft capital with our two first round picks than the hornets and pacers do. The Hornets have a nice player with LaMelo but Hayward will be an albatross. Nobody cares about the Pacers. Toronto I expect to bounce back next year when they get to play in their home arena again.

Toronto also has to pay GTJ and Anunoby,no?

They also made a terrible trade when they sent Powell away for Gary Tank Jr. These teams have problems of their own

[GONYK]

The people with blind optimism are really missing the big picture, which is the Raptors, Bulls, Hornets and Pacers all have more offensive talent than us, and all of them are in the lottery. The same growth people talk about happening with our players never seem to be brought up with other teams that have young players. Those teams aren't that far off from being better than us, the Hornets are a decent center away from being a big threat too.

Knicks management feels the Knicks have dabbled in the lottery long enough.

They have a bunch of cap space so they're looking to build a culture to attract free agents, possibly a superstar.

No stars are even checking for any of those other teams.

There are no stars entering free agency anytime soon, so we have caproom and nothing to use it on. Look at the free agents the next two years and tell me what you see.

Stars don't move solely, or even primarily, through FA anymore

[Clyde Frazier]

Forgot to add: if the hawks didn't whine the whole series about the Knicks being a "dirty" team I'd actually have respect for them. They were the better team, no denying that but they acted like **** bitches the whole time. The Knicks had *zero* reputation as a dirty team coming into this series. Physical doesn't equal dirty. It was pathetic.

[snadler]

Knicks were cruising along and playing such great basketball and then that Celtics game happened to end the season, even though they won the horrible play continued into the playoffs..that’s the biggest disappointing thing was they didn’t even play well this entire series..

[DaGawd]

How much water did Knox serve during this series?

Ranked among the league leaders in water bottles given out

[RHODEY]

It was great season.
It felt great hearing "defense" chants in MSG again.

FO decided not to tank when they hired Thibs.
I am not gonna fault him for trying to win.

We all know this team lacks talent.
It would be nice Cade/Suggs playing next to RJ, Obi & IQ but FO chose different path.
One definite positive from this series is finding out Randle is not a max player and not even close.
He doesn't have characteristics of a winning player.
He did his part to increase his value so FO better do their part to maximize his value.

This off season should be interesting.
I expect franchise changing transaction to be done whether good or bad.

Ehh but he's MIP, that's a winning characteristic right there. Terrible in this series but who's to say he wont pull off another MIP ...playoff version?