PG: Knicks vs. 76ers: Philly Cheese Steaks Tonight!

[thebuzzardman]

I find it funny how nobody on here thinks this team can actually get themselves to another level. So many examples especially in nba history where regular season records even head to head mean nothing.

People think that because they've seen the team play, have seen how the roster is constructed, seen how the coach coaches, seen how the coach utilizes the players he has.

1st round win if they play a bad team like the Bucks
Loss against anyone else.

Any team in the 2nd round is beating the Knicks.

Thibs isn't suddenly benching Hart to play Deuce at the point of attack and go 5 out on offense
Some other player who is a legit 3 level scoring/passing threat isn't suddenly emerging.

I think this team is better than last years team and is built for some long term success.
Right now that long term success is 50-52 wins and 2nd round exits.

Unless Leon/Rosas/Aller/Perrin pull off some kind of high level FO wizardry, which they might in the next season or two.
Then again, the Knicks aren't LA where a phone call from the commissioner gets another team to gift you a generational wing.

[thebuzzardman]

Ok. Coming down to the last game of the season. Got it. Thanks.

The Knicks have 5 games on their schedule that will be difficult, which is why the Suns and Nets games are must wins.

The 3 seed has been locked for weeks, I think they should start sitting more guys especially tomorrow, don’t show the cavs anything, i’d sit OG and KAT for sure

It's not locked at all. You've never seen teams blow standings leads in sports over the last few weeks of a season? It happens often enough.

Knicks lose 2, Pacers win 2, suddenly it's a 2.5 game lead. Anything could happen.

Knicks are going to bank one of those losses tonight.
Knicks next game vs the Hawks.
Pacers next two games? Hornets and Jazz.

[thebuzzardman]

OG is unstoppable when he drives. His strong build reminds me of LeBron

He’s started using his strength more to finish better. In the beginning of the season he would always throw up a wild shot when driving when feeling contact rather than finishing through the contact. Has made a huge difference.

His ball handling is also not great but he found a way to limit the amount of dribbles to get to the rack.

I see a lot more intensity from him when he’s involved on offense. Might make sense to give him more attempts when JB is back.

I love the way OG is play, but he's VERY stoppable when he drives.

He gets stripped in the lane by a double what feels like twice a game, and gets blocked/blows a layup like twice a game.

I like the way he's playing now though. Those things still happen.

[knicks94]

The Knicks have 5 games on their schedule that will be difficult, which is why the Suns and Nets games are must wins.

The 3 seed has been locked for weeks, I think they should start sitting more guys especially tomorrow, don’t show the cavs anything, i’d sit OG and KAT for sure

It's not locked at all. You've never seen teams blow standings leads in sports over the last few weeks of a season? It happens often enough.

Knicks lose 2, Pacers win 2, suddenly it's a 2.5 game lead. Anything could happen.

Knicks are going to bank one of those losses tonight.
Knicks next game vs the Hawks.
Pacers next two games? Hornets and Jazz.

You are correct! The Suns are still fighting for a play in spot and resting key guys against them when the Cavs, Celtics, Pistons and Hawks have all had our number this season can increase the odds of the Knicks finishing the year 1-6 or worse. Lord forbid that happens while the Pacers go on an end of the regular season tear. Do I think this will end up being the scenario? No! But I wouldn't sit here and call the 3rd seed a lock with the way our remaining schedule looks.

[3toheadmelo]

Also, in hindsight, Mikal was right all along.

Let guys play and contribute

He wasn’t right at all. Our whole team besides Brunson disappears against contenders but against the worst teams they look great.

[Iron Mantis]

We are afraid of facing the inexperienced Pistons in the 1st round and think we have a better chance against the defending champs in the 2nd round...
wow.

[knicks94]

We are afraid of facing the inexperienced Pistons in the 1st round and think we have a better chance against the defending champs in the 2nd round...
wow.

I don't think the Knicks are capable of beating the Celtics, but to lose in the first round after having such high expectations to start the season would be deflating and humiliating. So yes, I prefer the easier match up in Milwaukee over having to face a young and hungry Pistons team.

[Iron Mantis]

We are afraid of facing the inexperienced Pistons in the 1st round and think we have a better chance against the defending champs in the 2nd round...
wow.

I don't think the Knicks are capable of beating the Celtics, but to lose in the first round after having such high expectations to start the season would be deflating and humiliating. So yes, I prefer the easier match up in Milwaukee over having to face a young and hungry Pistons team.

If we are healthy, We would not lose to the Pistons in the first round.

We straight up have a better team than them, and we have many playoff battle-tested guys and one of the best playoff performers in the keague.

Tobias Harris is one of the worst playoff chokers ever. Their best guys are inexperienced.

If we lose to the Pistons in the first round then we deserve all of the consequences that come with it: trades, firings, etc.

[MrDollarBills]

Also, in hindsight, Mikal was right all along.

Let guys play and contribute

He wasn’t right at all. Our whole team besides Brunson disappears against contenders but against the worst teams they look great.

That's not my point though. We know the team has looked awful against Boston and Cleveland. I attribute that to Tom being badly outclassed by Muzzula and Atkinson moreso than a lack of talent to compete.

Kolek being a serviceable player is what proves him right. Tom needed to give guys a shot. Wright hasn't been bad either.

It never should have come to Brunson being badly injured for him to finally lean into the team's depth.

[MrDollarBills]

OG is unstoppable when he drives. His strong build reminds me of LeBron

He’s started using his strength more to finish better. In the beginning of the season he would always throw up a wild shot when driving when feeling contact rather than finishing through the contact. Has made a huge difference.

His ball handling is also not great but he found a way to limit the amount of dribbles to get to the rack.

I see a lot more intensity from him when he’s involved on offense. Might make sense to give him more attempts when JB is back.

I love the way OG is play, but he's VERY stoppable when he drives.

He gets stripped in the lane by a double what feels like twice a game, and gets blocked/blows a layup like twice a game.

I like the way he's playing now though. Those things still happen.

Right. OG has his out of control moments but he has been a lot more decisive with his attacks lately. I can live with a bit of dubious handles if he continues to put pressure on the opposing defenses, he seems to have found another level.

[3toheadmelo]

Also, in hindsight, Mikal was right all along.

Let guys play and contribute

He wasn’t right at all. Our whole team besides Brunson disappears against contenders but against the worst teams they look great.

That's not my point though. We know the team has looked awful against Boston and Cleveland. I attribute that to Tom being badly outclassed by Muzzula and Atkinson moreso than a lack of talent to compete.

Kolek being a serviceable player is what proves him right. Tom needed to give guys a shot. Wright hasn't been bad either.

It never should have come to Brunson being badly injured for him to finally lean into the team's depth.

Serious question, you think if we changed coaches our team would be on the same level as Boston, OKc and Cleveland?

I’m not even a cam Payne fan but he has one of the best net ratings on the team. There’s a reason why Thibs is playing him.

[Wildcat]

We are afraid of facing the inexperienced Pistons in the 1st round and think we have a better chance against the defending champs in the 2nd round...
wow.

I, too, find this wild. Pacers, Pistons, or Bucks will all have the same chances against the Knicks -- Knicks in 5 in most cases.

[spree8]

He wasn’t right at all. Our whole team besides Brunson disappears against contenders but against the worst teams they look great.

That's not my point though. We know the team has looked awful against Boston and Cleveland. I attribute that to Tom being badly outclassed by Muzzula and Atkinson moreso than a lack of talent to compete.

Kolek being a serviceable player is what proves him right. Tom needed to give guys a shot. Wright hasn't been bad either.

It never should have come to Brunson being badly injured for him to finally lean into the team's depth.

Serious question, you think if we changed coaches our team would be on the same level as Boston, OKc and Cleveland?

I’m not even a cam Payne fan but he has one of the best net ratings on the team. There’s a reason why Thibs is playing him.

I don’t think anyone said we’d be on their level, just that we wouldn’t be getting our asses whooped by 30+ every time.

I’ve said before, guys like Kolek (and Huk) could’ve been playing when other players were out, it’s not just playing ahead of Cam in the rotation which is constantly changing (shortening actually) due to injuries. Brunson, Deuce, Shamet, Hart, OG, Precious, Mitch, etc. Adjust the rotation and you can find minutes for these guys.

[DaGawd]

We are afraid of facing the inexperienced Pistons in the 1st round and think we have a better chance against the defending champs in the 2nd round...
wow.

I don't think the Knicks are capable of beating the Celtics, but to lose in the first round after having such high expectations to start the season would be deflating and humiliating. So yes, I prefer the easier match up in Milwaukee over having to face a young and hungry Pistons team.

If we are healthy, We would not lose to the Pistons in the first round.

We straight up have a better team than them, and we have many playoff battle-tested guys and one of the best playoff performers in the keague.

Tobias Harris is one of the worst playoff chokers ever. Their best guys are inexperienced.

If we lose to the Pistons in the first round then we deserve all of the consequences that come with it: trades, firings, etc.

the pistons are a real threat to beat us imo, they excel at 3 point shooting.. something we struggle against guarding and there’s not really anyone to hide brunson on defensively in their lineup

[3toheadmelo]

That's not my point though. We know the team has looked awful against Boston and Cleveland. I attribute that to Tom being badly outclassed by Muzzula and Atkinson moreso than a lack of talent to compete.

Kolek being a serviceable player is what proves him right. Tom needed to give guys a shot. Wright hasn't been bad either.

It never should have come to Brunson being badly injured for him to finally lean into the team's depth.

Serious question, you think if we changed coaches our team would be on the same level as Boston, OKc and Cleveland?

I’m not even a cam Payne fan but he has one of the best net ratings on the team. There’s a reason why Thibs is playing him.

I don’t think anyone said we’d be on their level, just that we wouldn’t be getting our asses whooped by 30+ every time.

I’ve said before, guys like Kolek (and Huk) could’ve been playing when other players were out, it’s not just playing ahead of Cam in the rotation which is constantly changing (shortening actually) due to injuries. Brunson, Deuce, Shamet, Hart, OG, Precious, Mitch, etc. Adjust the rotation and you can find minutes for these guys.

We’re definitely getting our ass best by them every time no matter who the coach is. This team was constructed extremely poorly.

I don’t even know how you can play Kolek over Cam and Deuce who are our back court backups. Kolek isn’t even a game changer like that anyways.

[Deeeez Knicks]

When you give the bench more rope and minutes, they usually respond better. It’s tough to do much when you play a few minutes then get pulled fast on the first mistake. When the starters all play 40mpg just no opportunity for the bench to get in a rhythm. Bench doesn’t have to be world beaters, just eat minutes over the course of a long season to keep the starters fresh

[spree8]

Serious question, you think if we changed coaches our team would be on the same level as Boston, OKc and Cleveland?

I’m not even a cam Payne fan but he has one of the best net ratings on the team. There’s a reason why Thibs is playing him.

I don’t think anyone said we’d be on their level, just that we wouldn’t be getting our asses whooped by 30+ every time.

I’ve said before, guys like Kolek (and Huk) could’ve been playing when other players were out, it’s not just playing ahead of Cam in the rotation which is constantly changing (shortening actually) due to injuries. Brunson, Deuce, Shamet, Hart, OG, Precious, Mitch, etc. Adjust the rotation and you can find minutes for these guys.

We’re definitely getting our ass best by them every time no matter who the coach is. This team was constructed extremely poorly.

I don’t even know how you can play Kolek over Cam and Deuce who are our back court backups. Kolek isn’t even a game changer like that anyways.

We may lose, but there’s too many adjustments that Tom hasn’t attempted that another coach could at least try that may make it much more competitive.

But again, not saying you play Kolek “over” Cam or Deuce, I’m saying when injuries occur, instead of Tom shortening the rotation like he does, he should be giving Kolek and Huk some minutes.

Brunson out? Play Kolek. Cam out? Play Kolek. Deuce out? Play Kolek. Shamet out? Play Kolek. Hart out? Start Deuce, play Kolek. Mitch out? Play Huk not Sims. Precious out? Play Huk. KAT out? Play Huk. See what I mean?

Instead the adjustment Tom makes is just playing 7-8 guys. Like last playoffs when he played a 6 man rotation before giving Burks a shot.

[Iron Mantis]

I don't think the Knicks are capable of beating the Celtics, but to lose in the first round after having such high expectations to start the season would be deflating and humiliating. So yes, I prefer the easier match up in Milwaukee over having to face a young and hungry Pistons team.

If we are healthy, We would not lose to the Pistons in the first round.

We straight up have a better team than them, and we have many playoff battle-tested guys and one of the best playoff performers in the keague.

Tobias Harris is one of the worst playoff chokers ever. Their best guys are inexperienced.

If we lose to the Pistons in the first round then we deserve all of the consequences that come with it: trades, firings, etc.

the pistons are a real threat to beat us imo, they excel at 3 point shooting.. something we struggle against guarding and there’s not really anyone to hide brunson on defensively in their lineup

I'll take my chances ....Pistons are like the Cavs when we crushed them in the playoffs a couple of years ago.

And what's the difference between losing in the first or second round when that's the farthest we've been? Neither is progress.

If you face the Celtics in the second round just stay the heck home cuz you're not winning. Another 2nd round exit.

Getting to the ECF is progress. And maybe by that point porzingis will have had his usual injury... leveling the playing field for us a bit.

[robillionaire]

8-5 without Brunson

[prophet_of_rage]

Maybe PJ Tucker told OG you're 6'7" and built like a tank, go to the goddamn rim with aggression. He seems to have figured out that he's in fact one of the most physically imposing forwards in the NBA, out of nowhere.


Kolek definitely makes a difference for Shamet, and shooters in general, he actively looks for them when he gets into the lane.

Love how he seeks out contact in the open court. He bumps the defender and they go flying so he doesn't have to worry about any fancy sht to get the bucket.

It seems to have started when PJ Tucker joined the team, before he avoided contact, now he's hitting people like he finally realized he's 240lbs.

The amount of dunks OG is getting.

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