PG: KNICKS Whip The Raptors; Advance To Vegas!!!

[WaltFrazier]

Kat a team high +21 in 31 minutes.

big mitch a -6 in 16 mins

Individual game +/- is mostly meaningless.

Brunson was +4 in 39 minutes.

Kolek was +13 in 7.

Not meaningless. Kolek was out there with Kat to start the 2nd quarter when we won the game. After that stretch we basically played even with them the rest of the way.

When JB sits Brown almost always has Kat back on. And Kat needs to score in those scenarios. If Kolek can be solid and facilitate those lineups, he is valuable

[JayTWill]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

I'm not sure but I think this is only the 2nd game they have started together. They may have played less than 50 minutes together overall on the court prior to tonight. Obviously everyone being willing and able to shoot would be a game changer.

[KOA]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

Hart, Bridges, OG, and McBride are all shooting better than last season and playing better as a whole

It seems like we are a piece away, but I'm not sure what type of piece that is

Replace Clarkson with a 3/D 3/4 like Herb Jones, Tari Eason, DFS

[ctorres]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

Hart, Bridges, OG, and McBride are all shooting better than last season and playing better as a whole

It seems like we are a piece away, but I'm not sure what type of piece that is

We need an upgrade over Yabusele, a big wing

He might actually be on our bench, but we'll never know if these guys can't ever get real playing time

Mohamed Diawara
Kevin McCullar Jr
Tosan Evbuomwan

I think we need to trade Yabu and Dadiet for expirings, even if it means giving up the Wizards pick and a 2nd rounder

Yabu and Dadiet might be the only two guys we don't have any real emotional attachments to on the team. They're just taking up cap space next season that could be used on a new deal for Mitch.

Speaking of MItch, even shooting 20% from the free throw line, Mitch is still such a ridiculously dominant offensive rebounder

Among players who have played as many games as Mitch or more, Mitch is the absolute best offensive rebounder per 36 minutes in the league

The only guys close to him are Clint Capela (HOU), Steven Adams (HOU), and both average 1.4 offensive rebounds less per 36

everyone else ranks way below

so Mitch makes it to where we might be the best at getting 2nd possessions when he's on the floor

[spree8]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

Remember, that line-up worked well to start last season. The first month or two, actually. The main reason was probably Hart's willingness and ability to hit threes.

Other reasons that it's working really well right now is that Mikal, OG, Hart, and Brunson are playing at their peaks right now. That helps. The ball isn't sticking. It's not just iso Brunson all the time like it was with Thibs. KAT is slowly starting to come alive... he's played real well the last 4 or so games. On both ends, even. All these things add up in a big way.

That combined with those starters not playing 40-45 minutes a lot of nights early in the season sure helps.

Announcers saying how Brown is constantly checking their minutes at the scorers table is so nice to hear..

[ctorres]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

Hart, Bridges, OG, and McBride are all shooting better than last season and playing better as a whole

It seems like we are a piece away, but I'm not sure what type of piece that is

Replace Clarkson with a 3/D 3/4 like Herb Jones, Tari Eason, DFS

I just checked on DFS

the money matches if we trade a package of Yabu, Dadiet, Clarkson, and Shamet (or Kolek) for DFS

DFS has been out with an ankle injury and he is owed 3 years, $40 million after this season

Would the Rockets want to get out of his longterm deal? Would he be worth the risk for us?

[sol537]

so what is it about the Jalen/Mikal/OG/Josh/KAT starting lineup that's working this time around that wasn't working last year?

Is it really as simple as it just coming down to Josh's willingness to shoot threes and knocking them down at a high percentage?

Remember, that line-up worked well to start last season. The first month or two, actually. The main reason was probably Hart's willingness and ability to hit threes.

Other reasons that it's working really well right now is that Mikal, OG, Hart, and Brunson are playing at their peaks right now. That helps. The ball isn't sticking. It's not just iso Brunson all the time like it was with Thibs. KAT is slowly starting to come alive... he's played real well the last 4 or so games. On both ends, even. All these things add up in a big way.

That combined with those starters not playing 40-45 minutes a lot of nights early in the season sure helps.

Announcers saying how Brown is constantly checking their minutes at the scorers table is so nice to hear..

I almost forgot about that. Brown is using the bench more although the bench is deeper this season. Mitch, Deuce, and Clarkson is better than the 3-4 we would throw out there last season (Deuce included of course). Notice how we're not having the regularly occurring 4th quarter collapses this season like we had way too often last season? We're actually a crazy 13-0 or something when leading after three quarters. Thibs is truly a bball terrorist.

[ctorres]

It's too bad Josh had such a slow start to the season, because his numbers have been all-star caliber the last 19 games

31.2 mpg
14.5 ppg
8.2 rpg
5.3 apg
1.4 spg
54/43/85 shooting splits

[GettinitDone]

As I was watching it felt like the team's chemistry is highest it's ever been since acquiring KAT

Everyone on the court seemed sure of his role, there's no confusion, there's no stagnation, everything seemed fluid... everyone seemed happy to play together, the vibes are at the highest

Not sure if we want to mess it up for a Giannis...

But Raps have been in a funk, the real test will be the Magic next

[Flaming Mo]

Extremely professional, workmanlike win against an overmatched opponent in a slump. But make no mistake, the Raptors came out firing and Ingram couldn't miss early. A lot of times in that scenario you end up in a hole and then you have to deal with a confident young team riding high on emotions at home. One player made sure that didn't happen and it was the captain. He stemmed the tide long enough for all the others to find their groove and then it was over.

[ctorres]

I got this from reddit

[Reign23]

Vegas baby! we're good.

[Reign23]

2 wins away from a BANNER!!!

[Butch718]

Hart shooting better and year 2 group chemistry are the two main reasons they’re able to get away with KAT and him in the same lineup. Hart just needs to keep shooting without hesitation, so that defenses can’t reset and teams can’t switch their center on him and place a wing on KAT. I actually still prefer Deuce as a starter due to his POA defensive capabilities, but if Hart keeps shooting this well, I can’t complain.

[GettinitDone]

Yes what in the Donte DiVincenzo got into Hart ?? He's scorching with 38 3P% for the season... hopefully it sustains for the whole season

This makes Hart really tough for Leon to trade, which is good for the Nova boys.

[Iron Mantis]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Read on Twitter

?s=20

A true champion.

Knicks legend in the making.

[Iron Mantis]

Kat should win DPOG

absolutely!

x10

[Reign23]

OG for DPOTG is a little weird tbh. I know he was great on help D and recovered after a slow start.... but he got absolutely cooked by Ingram
Overall it is so great that he is back,tho. With him out, we would have no shot come playoff time.

[MrDollarBills]

What a nasty comment by our Captain the bullying of Josh must stop!!!!

[rajajackal]

What a nasty comment by our Captain the bullying of Josh must stop!!!!

i think he's on to something. thank god josh hart got robbed. been on a tear ever since