Knicks - Cavs PG

[Tron Carter]

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macri ripping buzz’s shtick you hate to see it

[god shammgod]

Finally found time to watch the game. My early impressions of DSJ - he played quite a game. He played some terrific defense and nailed some bombs from deep. I look forward to his redemption tour.

The Knicks can field some really athletic lineups. Mitch, Toppin, Knox, make for terrific lob targets. Guys like Randle and RJ have the girth to make it to the basket and hit the boards. There's speed on the wings with pretty much everyone.

Quickley looked quite good didn't he? He looked solid out there. He had some great lobs, highlighting that maybe he's more than he looked in college. IMO he's what we wish Frank was. A hard nosed defender that can hit some shots, handle the ball, and make the pass. His shooting threat opens the court and it makes the rest of the PG rotation redundant.

Knox looked great as well. Does he start? He might have to if his shooting keeps up.

Toppin needs to hit the weight room. Also defensive technique isnt there yet. Probably key coaching points that they'll work on during the season. He only got drafted a few weeks ago. He's got great energy though doesn't he? I'm impressed by his willingness to set picks and move the ball. Some of his passes live up to his self-comparison to Lebron.

Give him time.... give him time... give him time... give him time... give him time... give him time...

beg pardon ?

[god shammgod]

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[Clyde_Style]

Finally found time to watch the game. My early impressions of DSJ - he played quite a game. He played some terrific defense and nailed some bombs from deep. I look forward to his redemption tour.

The Knicks can field some really athletic lineups. Mitch, Toppin, Knox, make for terrific lob targets. Guys like Randle and RJ have the girth to make it to the basket and hit the boards. There's speed on the wings with pretty much everyone.

Quickley looked quite good didn't he? He looked solid out there. He had some great lobs, highlighting that maybe he's more than he looked in college. IMO he's what we wish Frank was. A hard nosed defender that can hit some shots, handle the ball, and make the pass. His shooting threat opens the court and it makes the rest of the PG rotation redundant.

Knox looked great as well. Does he start? He might have to if his shooting keeps up.

Toppin needs to hit the weight room. Also defensive technique isnt there yet. Probably key coaching points that they'll work on during the season. He only got drafted a few weeks ago. He's got great energy though doesn't he? I'm impressed by his willingness to set picks and move the ball. Some of his passes live up to his self-comparison to Lebron.

Give him time.... give him time... give him time... give him time... give him time... give him time...

beg pardon ?

Sorry. You have to pay Trump for those

[thebuzzardman]

Watching a bit of the game again after DL'ing it from 720.ru.

I skipped the first half; just wanted to see where they went down 18, then came back.

I initially wanted to just watch end 3rd/4th, but figured, "lets see why they went down big"

So, the two factors that stand out is that Payton kept losing Garland for 3's, and Garland hit 3 of them. Payton shades too much to the paint. The other is that Bullocks missed all his shots, basically. The ball would find him for a 3, and he's miss. He's usually not that bad, but with Payton being a sieve on defense, it hurt a lot.

For the life of me, not sure what Payton brings. He's ok on the ball, but gets lost in space on any semi zone or when he gets switched. He sucks shooting. Is average, at best, driving and finishing. I get the other guards might not "run the offense" as well (debatable, especially after Quickley) but that is ruining by his inability to shoot, especially with Randle\Mitch, who can't shoot, and honestly, RJ isn't knockdown either

It's not like he's bringing stellar defense for all his minuses on offense. In fact, he's kind of poor.

[thebuzzardman]

Thibs subbed in Quickley for Bullocks because Bullocks couldn't make sh*t.
The game changed when DSJr came in for Payton, because between DSJr and Quickley, energy level picked up, even though Randle was still out there going on 1 on 3. Then Obi in, energy picks up a bit and it's on from there w/ no Randle and in Knox.

[Clyde_Style]

Watching a bit of the game again after DL'ing it from 720.ru.

I skipped the first half; just wanted to see where they went down 18, then came back.

I initially wanted to just watch end 3rd/4th, but figured, "lets see why they went down big"

So, the two factors that stand out is that Payton kept losing Garland for 3's, and Garland hit 3 of them. Payton shades too much to the paint. The other is that Bullocks missed all his shots, basically. The ball would find him for a 3, and he's miss. He's usually not that bad, but with Payton being a sieve on defense, it hurt a lot.

For the life of me, not sure what Payton brings. He's ok on the ball, but gets lost in space on any semi zone or when he gets switched. He sucks shooting. Is average, at best, driving and finishing. I get the other guards might not "run the offense" as well (debatable, especially after Quickley) but that is ruining by his inability to shoot, especially with Randle\Mitch, who can't shoot, and honestly, RJ isn't knockdown either

It's not like he's bringing stellar defense for all his minuses on offense. In fact, he's kind of poor.

There's a paywall article today titled "Elf on the Shelf?" so I haven't read it, but if Quickley follows up with a strong performance tonight I'll be mystified if Thibs keeps starting Payton who is clearly not going to further the progress of the team and the development of the yutes

[Clyde_Style]

Thibs subbed in Quickley for Bullocks because Bullocks couldn't make sh*t.
The game changed when DSJr came in for Payton, because between DSJr and Quickley, energy level picked up, even though Randle was still out there going on 1 on 3. Then Obi in, energy picks up a bit and it's on from there w/ no Randle and in Knox.

DSJr was maybe a small net positive due to his newly discovered desire to play D. He's still not a good player by any stretch, but if he can fit in with a specific unit then he doesn't become deadwood if he minimizes bad decisions and takes the right shots

I cannot say the same for Randle who for some reason still has a handful of defenders. Randle is a net negative because he doesn't fit with anyone. The unsolvable problem of Randle is the only music he likes to make is as a:

[Dave DaButcher]

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?s=21

Can confirm.

[god shammgod]

i still say don't play dennis. i know, he tried a little on d. whoopty damn doo.

[mpharris36]

i still say don't play dennis. i know, he tried a little on d. whoopty damn doo.

We shall see what they want to do. A lot suggest they are just trying to salvage whatever trade value they can get with DSJ but who knows.

When Rivers comes back I doubt DSJ plays much if IQ proves he can handle some on ball duty.

My guess right now is.

Payton/IQ
Burks/Rivers
RJ/Knox
Randle/Obi
Noel/Mitch

Until rivers comes back you will have DSJ/Frank/Bullock potentially replacing those minutes.

[K_ick_God]

I'll differ from my forum colleagues a little by saying I'd like to see more from Dennis. He's trying to rebuild his game and started with D and hustle. Good enough for me. Same with Knox.

Imagine if Knox could get going. That would be a huge game changer. And unlike Dennis, there is nothing holding him back that is physical or mental, it could just be his age and blooming.

[Clyde_Style]

I PM'd He's On Fire to start a new game thread since he started the last one. No response. Might be too busy practicing their Wooooo's

[Clyde_Style]

I'll differ from my forum colleagues a little by saying I'd like to see more from Dennis. He's trying to rebuild his game and started with D and hustle. Good enough for me. Same with Knox.

Imagine if Knox could get going. That would be a huge game changer. And unlike Dennis, there is nothing holding him back that is physical or mental, it could just be his age and blooming.

Just start Knox and play that hand now IMO

Dennis needs to keep earning minutes though

[thebuzzardman]

i still say don't play dennis. i know, he tried a little on d. whoopty damn doo.

We shall see what they want to do. A lot suggest they are just trying to salvage whatever trade value they can get with DSJ but who knows.

When Rivers comes back I doubt DSJ plays much if IQ proves he can handle some on ball duty.

My guess right now is.

Payton/IQ
Burks/Rivers
RJ/Knox
Randle/Obi
Noel/Mitch

Until rivers comes back you will have DSJ/Frank/Bullock potentially replacing those minutes.

No Bullocks or Frank? Interesting.

[sol537]

DSJr's offense was pretty inept (he's not a PG!) but his defense was pretty amazing against the Cavs. I've never seen so many strips and deflections from a Knicks player. I'm dubious whether he can keep it up but here's to hoping.

[mpharris36]

i still say don't play dennis. i know, he tried a little on d. whoopty damn doo.

We shall see what they want to do. A lot suggest they are just trying to salvage whatever trade value they can get with DSJ but who knows.

When Rivers comes back I doubt DSJ plays much if IQ proves he can handle some on ball duty.

My guess right now is.

Payton/IQ
Burks/Rivers
RJ/Knox
Randle/Obi
Noel/Mitch

Until rivers comes back you will have DSJ/Frank/Bullock potentially replacing those minutes.

No Bullocks or Frank? Interesting.

Its not what I would do (frank would be in my rotation). But they aren't going to sit Rivers or Burks is my guess. And IQ has earned minutes.

I would love to bench Payton...but I don't see that either.

[mpharris36]

DSJr's offense was pretty inept (he's not a PG!) but his defense was pretty amazing against the Cavs. I've never seen so many strips and deflections from a Knicks player. I'm dubious whether he can keep it up but here's to hoping.

If he could only play Mooney every game!

[K_ick_God]

Can't make too much of it but that spurt was clearly Knox's best non-summer league game. And he's still young. Hopefully the light is going on but I'm not a big believer because he seems like he's just as likely to throw an airball as make it.

I think the deal with Knox is that he should only be doing a couple of things - his transition game is actually not bad and he's a threat in the open court. That little curl play down the middle was effective, and he can spot up for 3. Just have him do those things and keep it simple. And see how far it can go.

He's definitely an interesting prospect because he has a lot of tools and size.

[K_ick_God]

I'll differ from my forum colleagues a little by saying I'd like to see more from Dennis. He's trying to rebuild his game and started with D and hustle. Good enough for me. Same with Knox.

Imagine if Knox could get going. That would be a huge game changer. And unlike Dennis, there is nothing holding him back that is physical or mental, it could just be his age and blooming.

Just start Knox and play that hand now IMO

Dennis needs to keep earning minutes though

I don't think you need to overdo the Knox push but I wouldn't treat him that carefully either. The Knicks have a major luxury in that they don't need to win games. So yeah I'd give him ample minutes but don't have to make it do or die.

That flurry he had, albeit against fourth stringers, was far higher than the level he'd need to be at in order to help the team. Set modest goals and hope the turtle keeps coming out of its shell.