Game Thread: Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks Thur, Feb 20, 2025 7:30pm

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Says the fat guy who never played a game of basketball in his life! FOH!

I don't disagree with his thoughts. Knicks are a Tier B team on at 3-4 year window. They're not at the levels of OKC, Boston, and Cleveland. That narrative could change if they can pull some real wins against them, but every one of these teams have exploited the weaknesses we see.

I think the window is wider than 4 years.

This is year 1. The team is flawed. Does that mean that they can't win in the playoffs? I don't agree.

Get KAT, JB, Mikal, OG, Josh, Mitch, Deuce to the playoffs healthy and I give them a chance against anyone.

I think the window is about 4 years. The Celtics fall off should happen next season or after, you're already seeing the decline with Jrue, and I expect Horford to retire soon, and you can't count on KP's long term health. They'll need to retool around White, Brown and Tatum in the next year or two.

The Thunder are definitely going to run into some financial issues trying to keep that team together, and I expect them to lose guys like Dort who they just won't be able to afford. The Cavs are the one we'll really have to fight with inside of that 4 year window.


We have to win a title before Wemby gets his man strength, which is sometime in that 4 year window, once that happens it's his league if he's healthy.

[RHODEY]

We are still improving as the season rolls along though. We have another gear to kick in when Mitch comes back as well. There are a lot of ifs but, let's not act like OKC/CLE have won anything yet either. Boston deserves the credit of having won it all. OKC is still figuring it out and so is Cleveland. They have more continuity than we do but, that's really the biggest advantage they have unless you want give them the coaching edge. I would.

I agree we haven't proven where we are yet but, don't sleep on this team. We see what we almost did last year on fumes. We are a much better team right now than any point last season. I think our team health has to be 100% though to make any serious run. The ECF is my goal. The finals are within reach at that point. Still got work to do. Still have reason to believe we will improve this season. Fun times.

For a newly formed team to be just outside of contender status, without its defensive anchor, and bench size /depth is very impressive. Yes, out of the top teams we have more runway to improve. Who's to say how we look fully loaded after 28 games...

History and statistics tells us that. For better or worse, we have a very methodical coach. And that makes him exploitable. I would have to go down a rabbit hole, but I don't recall many ECF/WCF teams that had awful perimeter D.

We've rank higher defensively earlier in the season.I see now reason why we cant do it again , especially when adding Mitch. We might never be great defensively but I believe we can be solid.

[Wildcat]

Says the fat guy who never played a game of basketball in his life! FOH!

I don't disagree with his thoughts. Knicks are a Tier B team on at 3-4 year window. They're not at the levels of OKC, Boston, and Cleveland. That narrative could change if they can pull some real wins against them, but every one of these teams have exploited the weaknesses we see.

I think the window is wider than 4 years.

This is year 1. The team is flawed. Does that mean that they can't win in the playoffs? I don't agree.

Get KAT, JB, Mikal, OG, Josh, Mitch, Deuce to the playoffs healthy and I give them a chance against anyone.

I'm going to wager at least 3 of those players aren't on this roster after year 3, so they basically have this season and next season. And if this team fails to make the ECF for 25/26, I don't even want to think how fandom will handle it.

[thebuzzardman]

Windhorst has been moving like a pompous @sshole for awhile now.

He should give up reporting and turn to playing King Henry VIII at Medieval Times, so he can gnaw on large turkey legs all night long.

[Jalen Bluntson]

For a newly formed team to be just outside of contender status, without its defensive anchor, and bench size /depth is very impressive. Yes, out of the top teams we have more runway to improve. Who's to say how we look fully loaded after 28 games...

History and statistics tells us that. For better or worse, we have a very methodical coach. And that makes him exploitable. I would have to go down a rabbit hole, but I don't recall many ECF/WCF teams that had awful perimeter D.

We've rank higher defensively earlier in the season.I see now reason why we cant do it again , especially when adding Mitch. We might never be great defensively but I believe we can be solid.

We were pretty consistently middle of the pack or around top ten all year defensively. Ups and downs with no bench. We dropped more losing OG the last bunch of games. I see no reason we don't improve moving forward. How much is the question that we will see answered in due time. We will be more versatile on defense if everyone stays healthy.

[Wildcat]

For a newly formed team to be just outside of contender status, without its defensive anchor, and bench size /depth is very impressive. Yes, out of the top teams we have more runway to improve. Who's to say how we look fully loaded after 28 games...

History and statistics tells us that. For better or worse, we have a very methodical coach. And that makes him exploitable. I would have to go down a rabbit hole, but I don't recall many ECF/WCF teams that had awful perimeter D.

We've rank higher defensively earlier in the season.I see now reason why we cant do it again , especially when adding Mitch. We might never be great defensively but I believe we can be solid.

Being ranked roughly 19th earlier defensively isn't a trailblazing statistic. I love your optimism, but that's not how it general turns out. I know they'll get better. They're just not going to get better this season.

[3toheadmelo]

sham potentially coming back is the worst possible news.

Team villian we back!

[3toheadmelo]

I don't disagree with his thoughts. Knicks are a Tier B team on at 3-4 year window. They're not at the levels of OKC, Boston, and Cleveland. That narrative could change if they can pull some real wins against them, but every one of these teams have exploited the weaknesses we see.

I think the window is wider than 4 years.

This is year 1. The team is flawed. Does that mean that they can't win in the playoffs? I don't agree.

Get KAT, JB, Mikal, OG, Josh, Mitch, Deuce to the playoffs healthy and I give them a chance against anyone.

I think the window is about 4 years. The Celtics fall off should happen next season or after, you're already seeing the decline with Jrue, and I expect Horford to retire soon, and you can't count on KP's long term health. They'll need to retool around White, Brown and Tatum in the next year or two.

The Thunder are definitely going to run into some financial issues trying to keep that team together, and I expect them to lose guys like Dort who they just won't be able to afford. The Cavs are the one we'll really have to fight with inside of that 4 year window.


We have to win a title before Wemby gets his man strength, which is sometime in that 4 year window, once that happens it's his league if he's healthy.

Boston is never gonna fall off as long as Tatum and Brown is healthy. They’re respectfully the best duo in the league and been for a while now.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

sham potentially coming back is the worst possible news.

Team villian we back!

Team Villain today, the best days are behind it.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

I think the window is wider than 4 years.

This is year 1. The team is flawed. Does that mean that they can't win in the playoffs? I don't agree.

Get KAT, JB, Mikal, OG, Josh, Mitch, Deuce to the playoffs healthy and I give them a chance against anyone.

I think the window is about 4 years. The Celtics fall off should happen next season or after, you're already seeing the decline with Jrue, and I expect Horford to retire soon, and you can't count on KP's long term health. They'll need to retool around White, Brown and Tatum in the next year or two.

The Thunder are definitely going to run into some financial issues trying to keep that team together, and I expect them to lose guys like Dort who they just won't be able to afford. The Cavs are the one we'll really have to fight with inside of that 4 year window.


We have to win a title before Wemby gets his man strength, which is sometime in that 4 year window, once that happens it's his league if he's healthy.

Boston is never gonna fall off as long as Tatum and Brown is healthy. They’re respectfully the best duo in the league and been for a while now.

Those two guys are going to be making 60+% of the cap together, the fall off is coming for the Celtics, whether it's trading one of them or them going through a period where they're no longer serious contenders.

[Wildcat]

History and statistics tells us that. For better or worse, we have a very methodical coach. And that makes him exploitable. I would have to go down a rabbit hole, but I don't recall many ECF/WCF teams that had awful perimeter D.

We've rank higher defensively earlier in the season.I see now reason why we cant do it again , especially when adding Mitch. We might never be great defensively but I believe we can be solid.

We were pretty consistently middle of the pack or around top ten all year defensively. Ups and downs with no bench. We dropped more losing OG the last bunch of games. I see no reason we don't improve moving forward. How much is the question that we will see answered in due time. We will be more versatile on defense if everyone stays healthy.

Eeeh ... their positioning has been 29th (Oct), 23rd (Nov), 14th (Dec), 15th (Jan), and 18th (Feb). I would say middle the pack far more than I'd say they're near the top 10. OKC and Cleveland (Cleveland might have dipped to 12th at one point) have consistently been a Top 10 team on defense.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Somehow we are a top 4 team in the league and need miraculous improvement. It's really not that serious. We need to get better and we probably won't win a title this season but, calling it a wrap with two months to go before the playoffs start is not where I am at. I don't blame anyone for thinking we won't win. I just think there is still a glimmer of hope and that's enough for me. It adds some excitement to the rest of the season. I do not think we have plateaued just yet. Fun times.

[Jalen Bluntson]

We've rank higher defensively earlier in the season.I see now reason why we cant do it again , especially when adding Mitch. We might never be great defensively but I believe we can be solid.

We were pretty consistently middle of the pack or around top ten all year defensively. Ups and downs with no bench. We dropped more losing OG the last bunch of games. I see no reason we don't improve moving forward. How much is the question that we will see answered in due time. We will be more versatile on defense if everyone stays healthy.

Eeeh ... their positioning has been 29th (Oct), 23rd (Nov), 14th (Dec), 15th (Jan), and 18th (Feb). I would say middle the pack far more than I'd say they're near the top 10. OKC and Cleveland (Cleveland might have dipped to 12th at one point) have consistently been a Top 10 team on defense.

OPP PPG matter. We have been top 10 all year. So as much as stats gauge things they are not predictions. We can improve our defense in theory. We have to see if it's anywhere near enough to actually contend for the title or if we fall short in the playoffs. That's where we are at. Our offense has been near the top of the league all year. Our win loss record has been near top of the league all year. It's been a fun ride. We just have to get our defense/bench in line more consistently and at the right time. I don't care what teams look like in OCT/NOV/DEC. That's not when the playoffs happen.

[Wildcat]

Somehow we are a top 4 team in the league and need miraculous improvement. It's really not that serious. We need to get better and we probably won't win a title this season but, calling it a wrap with two months to go before the playoffs start is not where I am at. I don't blame anyone for thinking we won't win. I just think there is still a glimmer of hope and that's enough for me. It adds some excitement to the rest of the season. I do not think we have plateaued just yet. Fun times.

I think they're a Top 6 team. Debatable 4-6. Some days to play like a Top 4, other days they're having a nail biter against the Nets. I'm hoping with you, don't get me wrong.

[Wildcat]

We were pretty consistently middle of the pack or around top ten all year defensively. Ups and downs with no bench. We dropped more losing OG the last bunch of games. I see no reason we don't improve moving forward. How much is the question that we will see answered in due time. We will be more versatile on defense if everyone stays healthy.

Eeeh ... their positioning has been 29th (Oct), 23rd (Nov), 14th (Dec), 15th (Jan), and 18th (Feb). I would say middle the pack far more than I'd say they're near the top 10. OKC and Cleveland (Cleveland might have dipped to 12th at one point) have consistently been a Top 10 team on defense.

OPP PPG matter. We have been top 10 all year. So as much as stats gauge things they are not predictions. We can improve our defense in theory. We have to see if it's anywhere near enough to actually contend for the title or if we fall short in the playoffs. That's where we are at. Our offense has been near the top of the league all year. Our win loss record has been near top of the league all year. It's been a fun ride. We just have to get our defense/bench in line more consistently and at the right time. I don't care what teams look like in OCT/NOV/DEC. That's not when the playoffs happen.

Yeah, if we're looking at OPP PPG, I can see where you're coming from. But consistency matters, too. And doing it against a Top 6 team matters, too. Knicks are 11-12 against teams with winning records. It's hard to have that championship contention talk (this season) with a statistic like that.

[MrDollarBills]

sham potentially coming back is the worst possible news.

Team villian we back!

Team Villain today, the best days are behind it.

Please use trigger warnings before posting stuff like this.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Somehow we are a top 4 team in the league and need miraculous improvement. It's really not that serious. We need to get better and we probably won't win a title this season but, calling it a wrap with two months to go before the playoffs start is not where I am at. I don't blame anyone for thinking we won't win. I just think there is still a glimmer of hope and that's enough for me. It adds some excitement to the rest of the season. I do not think we have plateaued just yet. Fun times.

I think they're a Top 6 team. Debatable 4-6. Some days to play like a Top 4, other days they're having a nail biter against the Nets. I'm hoping with you, don't get me wrong.

Top 4 today. I just have to clarify things because people keep chiming in like anyone thinks we are a championship team right now. That's simply not the case. Is anything possible? Yes. Is it likely? As of yesterday? No. In two months? We shall see. I am here for it to the last buzzer. Others have given up since the summer.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Eeeh ... their positioning has been 29th (Oct), 23rd (Nov), 14th (Dec), 15th (Jan), and 18th (Feb). I would say middle the pack far more than I'd say they're near the top 10. OKC and Cleveland (Cleveland might have dipped to 12th at one point) have consistently been a Top 10 team on defense.

OPP PPG matter. We have been top 10 all year. So as much as stats gauge things they are not predictions. We can improve our defense in theory. We have to see if it's anywhere near enough to actually contend for the title or if we fall short in the playoffs. That's where we are at. Our offense has been near the top of the league all year. Our win loss record has been near top of the league all year. It's been a fun ride. We just have to get our defense/bench in line more consistently and at the right time. I don't care what teams look like in OCT/NOV/DEC. That's not when the playoffs happen.

Yeah, if we're looking at OPP PPG, I can see where you're coming from. But consistency matters, too. And doing it against a Top 6 team matters, too. Knicks are 11-12 against teams with winning records. It's hard to have that championship contention talk (this season) with a statistic like that.

We haven't played at full strength all year. Not one game. We have maybe a dozen games with almost a healthy team. The next two months have nothing to do with the last two months if Mitch and the team stays healthy. That's why we look forward to seeing the team possibly make.a leap. It's context that matters. Some people think Mitch will impact our team moving forward. I am one of them. We can't keep saying two games against Boston or two games against OKC or one game against CLE defines our season. There are two more months to go.

[3toheadmelo]

sham potentially coming back is the worst possible news.

Team villian we back!

Team Villain today, the best days are behind it.

Team Villian when sham comes back

[3toheadmelo]

I think the window is about 4 years. The Celtics fall off should happen next season or after, you're already seeing the decline with Jrue, and I expect Horford to retire soon, and you can't count on KP's long term health. They'll need to retool around White, Brown and Tatum in the next year or two.

The Thunder are definitely going to run into some financial issues trying to keep that team together, and I expect them to lose guys like Dort who they just won't be able to afford. The Cavs are the one we'll really have to fight with inside of that 4 year window.


We have to win a title before Wemby gets his man strength, which is sometime in that 4 year window, once that happens it's his league if he's healthy.

Boston is never gonna fall off as long as Tatum and Brown is healthy. They’re respectfully the best duo in the league and been for a while now.

Those two guys are going to be making 60+% of the cap together, the fall off is coming for the Celtics, whether it's trading one of them or them going through a period where they're no longer serious contenders.

They were one game away from making it to the finals when they had Rozier as their starting PG. You don't need much talent around them. They're just the most dominant duo in the league and they keep getting better. And they also have arguably the best coach in the league. Boston isn't going away, for a very long time unfortuantely.