Game Thread: New York KNICKS at Cleveland Cavaliers Fri, Feb 21, 2025 7:00pm ESPN

[TKKnicks1]

So shocking that OG wasn't available after the all star break.

And now for one of the main reasons forums exist: I told you so.

They are saving him for Boston. They know Cleveland is just all smoke.

[Capn'O]

Offseason should be about trying to get another C that can play with KAT that can also make the three. Forget the rim runners, pair two bigs together that can hit the three.

This was some of our biggest concerns with playing 5out with kat. I'll freely admit that I vastly underestimated his ability to get buckets. But the biggest concern some of us skeptics(critics) had are looking real. He is absolutely terrible as a rim protector.

I still question if we used him better on offense and switched more than playing him drop if we could be more successful. And that we would run teams out of the gym. So it would make up for his poor defense.

Idk it also doesn't help that he is out there shuffling like he is walking around a retirement home.

You don't necessarily need a rim protector to build a solid defense.

The Nuggets ranked 15th in defense the year they won the championship (the Knicks this year rank 17th).

Jokic is actually a solid defender overall (better than KAT) but he's a rim protector like 3tohead is a herbivore.

With an effective scheme, and solid personnel around KAT, we can have a solid defense. I just don't think Mikal and Hart have provided enough there, but I don't think we're far from where we should be defensively.

Having KAT at the 5 is such a comparative advantage - I think it would be self-defeating to bring in a traditional rim protector (unless they shot the 3). His defense hasn't even been that bad.

I might add that we also _have_ two traditional rim protectors in Mitch and Huksporti Spice so we can get a sense of how they tandem with KAT and the rest of the squad. Early returns on KAT/Sporti are pretty good tbh.

[robillionaire]

So shocking that OG wasn't available after the all star break.

And now for one of the main reasons forums exist: I told you so.

But you said we’d go 4-16 without him and we are 5-1…

5-15 still on the table though. 14 game losing streak starts today

[mpharris36]

if Josh Hart is missing this much time after a long all-star break more is to this injury then they are leading on.

He doesn't sit out...so for him to miss games after an all-star break they are hiding something.

[HerSports85]

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[Enzo954]

Hart still out. That sucks. I'm sure it has nothing to do with minutes management.

[thebuzzardman]

So shocking that OG wasn't available after the all star break.

And now for one of the main reasons forums exist: I told you so.

But you said we’d go 4-16 without him and we are 5-1…

5-15 still on the table though. 14 game losing streak starts today

This is my version of keeping hope alive

[NoLayupRule]

all that matters is who is available in april

just see how well thats working for Embid

[Buttah304]

all that matters is who is available in april

just see how well thats working for Embid

[Fat Kat]

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[Chanel Bomber]

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Rest Scarfman

[Iron Mantis]

Respect the Minutes Police.

We simply care about the players' health.

A fully healthy Knicks squad gives them their best chance at winning in the postseason.

[mpharris36]

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[KnixinSix]

Offseason should be about trying to get another C that can play with KAT that can also make the three. Forget the rim runners, pair two bigs together that can hit the three.

This was some of our biggest concerns with playing 5out with kat. I'll freely admit that I vastly underestimated his ability to get buckets. But the biggest concern some of us skeptics(critics) had are looking real. He is absolutely terrible as a rim protector.

I still question if we used him better on offense and switched more than playing him drop if we could be more successful. And that we would run teams out of the gym. So it would make up for his poor defense.

Idk it also doesn't help that he is out there shuffling like he is walking around a retirement home.

You don't necessarily need a rim protector to build a solid defense.

The Nuggets ranked 15th in defense the year they won the championship (the Knicks this year rank 17th).

Jokic is actually a solid defender overall (better than KAT) but he's a rim protector like 3tohead is a herbivore.

With an effective scheme, and solid personnel around KAT, we can have a solid defense. I just don't think Mikal and Hart have provided enough there, but I don't think we're far from where we should be defensively.

Having KAT at the 5 is such a comparative advantage - I think it would be self-defeating to bring in a traditional rim protector (unless they shot the 3). His defense hasn't even been that bad.

A number of coaches can coach defense without the rim protector. Thibs is seemingly proving he can not. I mean with OG, Mikal, Hart, McBride, Achiuwa a championship level coach should be able to have the D playing better than they are.

Mitch maybe our current best hope under Thibs. He will make that drop defense hum in theory at least.

[mpharris36]

I like deuce starting with brunson Mikal OG and KAT. Deuce on Garland and Mikal on Mitchell. Brunson on strus

[Fat Kat]

I like deuce starting with brunson Mikal OG and KAT. Deuce on Garland and Mikal on Mitchell. Brunson on strus

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[offense]

knicks can win but it will be tough without og and hart.

[thebuzzardman]

I like deuce starting with brunson Mikal OG and KAT. Deuce on Garland and Mikal on Mitchell. Brunson on strus

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Orc gonna orc

[Guano]

Not feeling too confident about this one. Some games we can't be homers and have to be realistic like buzz. B2b and missing too many key pieces is a lot to overcome against a really good team.

[F N 11]

This the most traditional lineup we seen in a while. Let’s get this W. They got their full squad but so what.