Knicks players and coaches frustrated with KAT

[Context]

I know KAT is who he is but you Hope that these players actually learn something over the years. Dude is making max money. Everyone and their mother tell him every year how talented he is and what he needs to do to take the next step. Does he really not care or there is something else going?

He’s been in the league for a while, playing for multiple coaches including Thibs twice. I doubt that he ever get it.

I've always had a back up thought in my mind related to Kat when we traded for him. Kat was a better asset than randle and we had him locked up for more years. I think it's pretty obvious he was at the core of the defensive issues we had this year. And I must admit. It does look like he wont change.

[Fat Kat]

There's physical things that make his defense weak. Balance, center of gravity, lateral movement, reaction time. He gets faked off his feet, doesn't have the knack of blocking shots, doesn't stop drives.

There's all that, bad enough. Then you add in the stupid reach-ins, flailing arms, pushes on shooters, moving screens, unnecessary offensive fouls when he drives. So it's mental as well as physical.

Yet he's so big, and talented when he gets it going on offense. Very frustrating.

He often won’t even raise his arms to contest a jumper. It’s also telling how his teammates get on him after a bad play. There’s obviously a gameplan that he’s not executing.

It’s very frustrating

[KnixinSix]

The timing of the articles on KAT (and Bridges) are very interesting .

These two could very possibly be shopped if Thibs stays and maybe even if he is replaced.

[KnixinSix]

I know KAT is who he is but you Hope that these players actually learn something over the years. Dude is making max money. Everyone and their mother tell him every year how talented he is and what he needs to do to take the next step. Does he really not care or there is something else going?

He’s been in the league for a while, playing for multiple coaches including Thibs twice. I doubt that he ever get it.

I've always had a back up thought in my mind related to Kat when we traded for him. Kat was a better asset than randle and we had him locked up for more years. I think it's pretty obvious he was at the core of the defensive issues we had this year. And I must admit. It does look like he wont change.

Minnesota ranked#1 defensively even with Towns in the lineup. 2 things though..Towns played more 4 and Minny didn't have a guy like Brunson who was also pretty bad defensively when Towns was on the floor.

[nedleeds]

Similar to Thibs, if we move off from KAT it better be for somebody really good.

Why would any team trade anything good for a 1 way 30 year old center making $53/$57/$60 million next 3 years? Just gibberish to think otherwise. We traded a neutral value Randle who was at least expiring this Summer and a roleplayer on a sane contract in Donte for KAT. He's older, and just confirmed his problems are his.

We have 1 positive value contract, Brunson. Trade him. Tank in the 1 year we have our pick for the next half decade.

Didn't we just do a version of this the past 30 years?

Tank on purpose for multiple years to get shots at a franchise player? Not in my lifetime. We have had #1 the fewest times for any franchise that's been around this long. Bridges trade is such a poison pill we can neither be good, nor tank. Except next year.

We mostly think we're good, but aren't then make trades that end up being the joke of the league (Barnani, Bridges, Stephon, Melo) then supplement by signing bums to deals nobody else would sign (Og, rj, curry, amare, fournier, kemba, foolius) because we think our mediocre players are better than they are.

Back to KAT there is no great player in return for him, you're delusional if you think otherwise.

[3toheadmelo]

He’s been in the league for a while, playing for multiple coaches including Thibs twice. I doubt that he ever get it.

I've always had a back up thought in my mind related to Kat when we traded for him. Kat was a better asset than randle and we had him locked up for more years. I think it's pretty obvious he was at the core of the defensive issues we had this year. And I must admit. It does look like he wont change.

Minnesota ranked#1 defensively even with Towns in the lineup. 2 things though..Towns played more 4 and Minny didn't have a guy like Brunson who was also pretty bad defensively when Towns was on the floor.

Actually the Timberwolves were the 7th best defensive team in the post season last year. This year in the playoffs they were 5th. An improvement without KAT.

[8516knicks]

Why would any team trade anything good for a 1 way 30 year old center making $53/$57/$60 million next 3 years? Just gibberish to think otherwise. We traded a neutral value Randle who was at least expiring this Summer and a roleplayer on a sane contract in Donte for KAT. He's older, and just confirmed his problems are his.

We have 1 positive value contract, Brunson. Trade him. Tank in the 1 year we have our pick for the next half decade.

Didn't we just do a version of this the past 30 years?

Tank on purpose for multiple years to get shots at a franchise player? Not in my lifetime. We have had #1 the fewest times for any franchise that's been around this long. Bridges trade is such a poison pill we can neither be good, nor tank. Except next year.

We mostly think we're good, but aren't then make trades that end up being the joke of the league (Barnani, Bridges, Stephon, Melo) then supplement by signing bums to deals nobody else would sign (Og, rj, curry, amare, fournier, kemba, foolius) because we think our mediocre players are better than they are.

Back to KAT there is no great player in return for him, you're delusional if you think otherwise.

Rules have changed; a team can go zero and 82 and not get the first pick (or top 4).

Plus the 76ers did just what you suggest -

"The "Trust the Process" mantra in NBA, particularly with the Philadelphia 76ers, refers to a rebuilding strategy where a team deliberately accepts losing seasons to acquire high draft picks, aiming for long-term success. The idea, popularized by former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie, was to focus on building a team through drafting and developing talent, rather than chasing immediate championships." That worked well, didn't it?

[KnixinSix]

Didn't we just do a version of this the past 30 years?

Tank on purpose for multiple years to get shots at a franchise player? Not in my lifetime. We have had #1 the fewest times for any franchise that's been around this long. Bridges trade is such a poison pill we can neither be good, nor tank. Except next year.

We mostly think we're good, but aren't then make trades that end up being the joke of the league (Barnani, Bridges, Stephon, Melo) then supplement by signing bums to deals nobody else would sign (Og, rj, curry, amare, fournier, kemba, foolius) because we think our mediocre players are better than they are.

Back to KAT there is no great player in return for him, you're delusional if you think otherwise.

Rules have changed; a team can go zero and 82 and not get the first pick (or top 4).

Plus the 76ers did just what you suggest -

"The "Trust the Process" mantra in NBA, particularly with the Philadelphia 76ers, refers to a rebuilding strategy where a team deliberately accepts losing seasons to acquire high draft picks, aiming for long-term success. The idea, popularized by former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie, was to focus on building a team through drafting and developing talent, rather than chasing immediate championships." That worked well, didn't it?

Plus the lottery is obviously corrupt with Dallas with a less than 1 in 50 chance winning this year 'coincidentally' getting the #1 after gifting the Lakers with Luka.

[MrDollarBills]

The timing of the articles on KAT (and Bridges) are very interesting .

These two could very possibly be shopped if Thibs stays and maybe even if he is replaced.

That article was probably ready for weeks.

Expect more dirt to pour out tomorrow

[MrDollarBills]

Why would any team trade anything good for a 1 way 30 year old center making $53/$57/$60 million next 3 years? Just gibberish to think otherwise. We traded a neutral value Randle who was at least expiring this Summer and a roleplayer on a sane contract in Donte for KAT. He's older, and just confirmed his problems are his.

We have 1 positive value contract, Brunson. Trade him. Tank in the 1 year we have our pick for the next half decade.

Didn't we just do a version of this the past 30 years?

Tank on purpose for multiple years to get shots at a franchise player? Not in my lifetime. We have had #1 the fewest times for any franchise that's been around this long. Bridges trade is such a poison pill we can neither be good, nor tank. Except next year.

We mostly think we're good, but aren't then make trades that end up being the joke of the league (Barnani, Bridges, Stephon, Melo) then supplement by signing bums to deals nobody else would sign (Og, rj, curry, amare, fournier, kemba, foolius) because we think our mediocre players are better than they are.

Back to KAT there is no great player in return for him, you're delusional if you think otherwise.

I'm sorry but this is completely asinine.

[Signature NYK]

"Hit pieces" like these were bound to happen once we lost but I dont think they are without merit.

Hopefully, we can move KAT for Giannis this offseason (doubtful)

[KnixinSix]

The timing of the articles on KAT (and Bridges) are very interesting .

These two could very possibly be shopped if Thibs stays and maybe even if he is replaced.

That article was probably ready for weeks.

Expect more dirt to pour out tomorrow

Absolutely possible. Let's see what they potentially could get for those 2 players. If Giannis is unlikely JJJ and/or Bane for KAT and/or Bridges is an extremely interesting fit with Brunson and a Thibodeau defense.

Memphis with Ja, KAT, Bridges is an interesting make over for that team. Especially if CAA JJJ threatens to leave (as he only has 1 year left on his deal). Bane is expensive for them.

[8516knicks]

The timing of the articles on KAT (and Bridges) are very interesting .

These two could very possibly be shopped if Thibs stays and maybe even if he is replaced.

That article was probably ready for weeks.

Expect more dirt to pour out tomorrow

Absolutely possible. Let's see what they potentially could get for those 2 players. If Giannis is unlikely JJJ and/or Bane for KAT and/or Bridges is an extremely interesting fit with Brunson and a Thibodeau defense.

Memphis with Ja, KAT, Bridges is an interesting make over for that team. Especially if CAA JJJ threatens to leave (as he only has 1 year left on his deal). Bane is expensive for them.

Plus, if we get Bane, Batman might come to NYC.

[3toheadmelo]

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[Gravy]

Why would any team trade anything good for a 1 way 30 year old center making $53/$57/$60 million next 3 years? Just gibberish to think otherwise. We traded a neutral value Randle who was at least expiring this Summer and a roleplayer on a sane contract in Donte for KAT. He's older, and just confirmed his problems are his.

We have 1 positive value contract, Brunson. Trade him. Tank in the 1 year we have our pick for the next half decade.

Trading Brunson is pure insanity. Are you rooting for the Nets?

Trading for the hope to win a title in my lifetime. How are we winning anything with this roster and only 1 pick under control for 6 years? Let alone giving poor Brunson a chance to play for a contender, or a real coach. His contract is pretty good, he'd net a few 1sts and a good young player. No other contracts are positive value, some are atrocious ( OG owed $164,000,000).

Dolan is going to tank immediately after making the ecf for the first time in 25 years?



Brunson is going to retire a Knick, better start figuring out how to put an improved team around him

[KnixinSix]

That article was probably ready for weeks.

Expect more dirt to pour out tomorrow

Absolutely possible. Let's see what they potentially could get for those 2 players. If Giannis is unlikely JJJ and/or Bane for KAT and/or Bridges is an extremely interesting fit with Brunson and a Thibodeau defense.

Memphis with Ja, KAT, Bridges is an interesting make over for that team. Especially if CAA JJJ threatens to leave (as he only has 1 year left on his deal). Bane is expensive for them.

Plus, if we get Bane, Batman might come to NYC.

You joke my friend but lemme tell you I love the JJJ/Bane fit for this team and it makes sense for both sides....

-Memphis is seriously looking to shake things up.
-Zach Edey complements KAT and KAT can play more 4.
-Bridges is an iron man and they want a defensive stabilizer next to Morant
-JJJ is CAA and is on last year of deal and may bolt.

JJJ + Bane + Konchar (salary match) + Clarke(salary match) for KAT + Bridges + Dadiet + 2nd round pick

JJJ/Mitch
OG/JJJ
Hart/OG
Bane/McBride
Brunson/Wright

Some lineup permutations:
Mitch
JJJ
OG
Bane
Brunson

JJJ
OG
Bane
McBride
Brunson

JJJ
OG
Hart
Bane
Brunson

Thats a MUCH better lineup to assemble around Brunson. Especially if you keeping Thibodeau.

[MrDollarBills]

The chances of Durant being traded here seem higher than Giannis tbh.

[MrDollarBills]

Trading Brunson is pure insanity. Are you rooting for the Nets?

Trading for the hope to win a title in my lifetime. How are we winning anything with this roster and only 1 pick under control for 6 years? Let alone giving poor Brunson a chance to play for a contender, or a real coach. His contract is pretty good, he'd net a few 1sts and a good young player. No other contracts are positive value, some are atrocious ( OG owed $164,000,000).

Dolan is going to tank immediately after making the ecf for the first time in 25 years?



Brunson is going to retire a Knick, better start figuring out how to put an improved team around him

It makes no sense.

[KnixinSix]

Trading Brunson is pure insanity. Are you rooting for the Nets?

Trading for the hope to win a title in my lifetime. How are we winning anything with this roster and only 1 pick under control for 6 years? Let alone giving poor Brunson a chance to play for a contender, or a real coach. His contract is pretty good, he'd net a few 1sts and a good young player. No other contracts are positive value, some are atrocious ( OG owed $164,000,000).

Dolan is going to tank immediately after making the ecf for the first time in 25 years?



Brunson is going to retire a Knick, better start figuring out how to put an improved team around him

Roster construction around Brunson has to be at minumum average defensive players or better.

It is doable though.

[3toheadmelo]

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