Let's talk about how special this roster construction could be

KnixinSix · Post #1 » by **KnixinSix** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:17 pm

We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

sol537 · Post #2 » by **sol537** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:28 pm

Great job by Leon… still need to improve on the defensive end to be a true contender. I’m hoping Deuce, Precious, and Mitch help in that regard.

KnixinSix · Post #3 » by **KnixinSix** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 3:41 pm

Lets talk about it further Sol....

KAT does everything at the 5 except perhaps elite rim protection. Best shooting big maybe in the history of the sport.

OG. His offensive game has surprised me. Though he is not super explosive he is so high IQ and always seems to make the right decisions out there. On cuts, on drives to the basket , on 3s etc

Bridges. That mid range game is so money. His trunaroundand fadeaway game 10-15 feet is becoming more and more automatic. This mid range game is a great grwat compliment to the rest of the starters.

Hart. Honestly he is one of the best finishers at the rim in the entire NBA. He can make layups at all depths and angles and almost never misses. A constant fast break.

Brunson. He was adjusting to the new squad. That is all. The shot will be fine. That said his game is special. He is as clutch as they get. He can do everything offensively. Mid range, finish, floaters, 3s. Undeniable captain of the squad.

Each one of these guys in the starting lineup have at least one elite trait offensively and often more than one.

And defensively KAT is good at certain things esp hedging and blitzing and we see Thibs using him more that way.

Hart OG Bridges and McBride all elite defensively in so many ways.

Mitch and Precious will be huge for helping at the rim when they return.

sol537 · Post #4 » by **sol537** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 4:40 pm

I know we can outscore most teams now but the defensive issues are glaring. I would describe our defense as soft right now and we tend to give up key offensive back-breaking rebounds to opponents. Again, those issues should be improved when our reinforcements return but I'll take a wait and see approach.

In the playoffs, a team like Boston will muck up our offense so we'll have to be able to slow their offense up on the other end or we won't be able to win 4 out of 7. Being able to get enough key stops over the course of a game to at least "slow" down an opponent is key to championship ball. We're not capable of that yet... I'm hopeful, however.

KnixinSix · Post #5 » by **KnixinSix** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:37 pm

sol537 wrote:I know we can outscore most teams now but the defensive issues are glaring. I would describe our defense as soft right now and we tend to give up key offensive back-breaking rebounds to opponents. Again, those issues should be improved when our reinforcements return but I'll take a wait and see approach.

In the playoffs, a team like Boston will muck up our offense so we'll have to be able to slow their offense up on the other end or we won't be able to win 4 out of 7. Being able to get enough key stops over the course of a game to at least "slow" down an opponent is key to championship ball. We're not capable of that yet... I'm hopeful, however.

The last 3 games the defense has most definitely gotten tighter. They know what to do and are starting to play off each other more. It is still a work in progress but they are definitely improving.

That said I don't think it will quite be a lock down D without adding Mitch back to play about 20-25 minutes at the 5.

But our switching system looks a ton better than it did the 1st 10-11 games or so.

8516knicks · Post #6 » by **8516knicks** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:22 pm

If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

spree2kawhi · Post #7 » by **spree2kawhi** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:28 pm

8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Yeah imagine DDV with this group. Such a shame…

KnixinSix · Post #8 » by **KnixinSix** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 9:13 pm

spree2kawhi wrote:
8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Yeah imagine DDV with this group. Such a shame…

DDV with this group with the way he bombs from deep would have been criminal lol

However if I had to choose one its IHart all the way. He addresses the biggest and maybe only current weak area of the team and at an elite level at that.

nykballa2k4 · Post #9 » by **nykballa2k4** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:40 pm

KnixinSix wrote:We didn't just assemble a bunch of star power that doesnt necessarily complement each other well here.

What Leon has culminated over the last 5 years is much deeper than that.

Look at what we have put together:

-Every starter in our lineup is under 30.

-We have (mostly) starters that either durable, fairly durable or a bit injury prone but not super injury prone. Not like Philly as a prime example and much younger than the Bucks.

- We have numerous players who excel in the clutch.

- Our 2 top scorers KAT and Brunson can probably stack up with almost any two on any team right now in the league (at least offensively)

- We have surrounded them by probably the best defensive 2,3,4 in the game in Hart, Bridges, and OG. And each one of these guys has a unique and complimentary quality offensive game to all those around them.

- Multiple players that can play multiple positions both offensively and defensively at a high level.

it was a high risk off-season.
The Bridges trade was an over-pay, but you are doing it for chemistry reasons.
The KAT trade was a good one, but trading Donte has not worked for anyone. Love Mitch, but his salary probably should have been included in the deal.

Love the kids we got in the draft. Sims looked good last game, HockPooti is legit. Both are good placeholders.

I would personally feel a lot better about the roster if we were starting Deuce at the 2 and Hart was coming off of the bench.

SelbyCobra · Post #10 » by **SelbyCobra** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:23 pm

I love the roster and agree that it's been a masterful job to get it to this point. I do have one disagreement though - OG Anunoby is definitely in your feared category of "super injury prone" in my view, and while KAT might not be super injury prone, he's missed significant time over the last two seasons. I worry about the health of both as a potentially significant limiting factor to what this incredibly talented and well-fitted roster will be able to accomplish in its time together.

Galvationknicks · Post #11 » by **Galvationknicks** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:38 pm

HarthorneWingo · Post #12 » by **HarthorneWingo** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 1:51 am

8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Would you settle for Shamet and Mitch?

8516knicks · Post #13 » by **8516knicks** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 2:10 am

HarthorneWingo wrote:
8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Would you settle for Shamet and Mitch?

A famous commercial once said, "Select, don't settle." 8-)

KnixinSix · Post #14 » by **KnixinSix** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 2:26 am

SelbyCobra wrote:I love the roster and agree that it's been a masterful job to get it to this point. I do have one disagreement though - OG Anunoby is definitely in your feared category of "super injury prone" in my view, and while KAT might not be super injury prone, he's missed significant time over the last two seasons. I worry about the health of both as a potentially significant limiting factor to what this incredibly talented and well-fitted roster will be able to accomplish in its time together.

Yes this is all true. There is a level of injury risk here that I discounted a bit to remain really positive perhaps.

What we have assembled here is a squad that when they start to really mesh together playing for a common goal, a common focus there will be something special here. There is just this hard nosed dynamic to this team.... the attitude of never quit. Always keep going full force. I get sometimes it manifests in guys getting too many minutes perhaps but man is it fun to watch.

NY2k1 · Post #15 » by **NY2k1** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 2:41 am

spree2kawhi wrote:
8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Yeah imagine DDV with this group. Such a shame…

DDV is struggling with Minnesota a lot this season so far, but I doubt he'd be struggling if he were still with the Knicks.

Riot Randolph · Post #16 » by **Riot Randolph** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:04 am

KnixinSix wrote:
spree2kawhi wrote:
8516knicks wrote:If we had DDV and/or IHART it would be perfect, but such is life.

Yeah imagine DDV with this group. Such a shame…

DDV with this group with the way he bombs from deep would have been criminal lol

However if I had to choose one it’s IHart all the way. He addresses the biggest and maybe only current weak area of the team and at an elite level at that.

what glaring weakness?…his defense is super overrated and KAT is a better passer and offensive player

KnixinSix · Post #17 » by **KnixinSix** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:19 am

Big FatKAT wrote:
KnixinSix wrote:
spree2kawhi wrote:Yeah imagine DDV with this group. Such a shame…

DDV with this group with the way he bombs from deep would have been criminal lol

However if I had to choose one it’s IHart all the way. He addresses the biggest and maybe only current weak area of the team and at an elite level at that.
what glaring weakness?…his defense is super overrated and KAT is a better passer and offensive player

Rim protection.
KAT 25 minutes at 5
Mitch 23 minutes at the 5
KAT 8 at 4

spree2kawhi · Post #18 » by **spree2kawhi** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 3:45 am

Galvationknicks wrote:

Perfect

Jalen Bluntson · Post #19 » by **Jalen Bluntson** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 4:51 am

KnixinSix wrote:
Big FatKAT wrote:
KnixinSix wrote:
DDV with this group with the way he bombs from deep would have been criminal lol

However if I had to choose one it’s IHart all the way. He addresses the biggest and maybe only current weak area of the team and at an elite level at that.
what glaring weakness?…his defense is super overrated and KAT is a better passer and offensive player

Rim protection.
KAT 25 minutes at 5
Mitch 23 minutes at the 5
KAT 8 at 4

KAT 30 minutes at the 5
Mitch 18 minutes at the 5
KAT 5 minutes at the 4
OG 30 minutes at the 4
Precious 13 minutes at the 4

The KnicksFix · Post #20 » by **The KnicksFix** » Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:15 am

2020-2021 / 41-31 (.569)

-Hired Worldwide Wes, Brock Aller, and Walt Perrin to the FO, moved Scott Perry to GM

-Hired Thibs, Johnny Bryant, Kenny Payne, and Mike Woodson to the coaching staff and I'm sure they brought in their guys

-Took on Ed Davis for a 2nd and traded him to Minnesota for another 2nd

-Resigned Payton (1 year/5 mil) and signed Burks (1 year/6mil), Noel (1 year/5 mil), Rivers (3 years/9 mil)

-Traded a 2020 1st and a 2nd to move up for a UTA 2020 1st pre-draft, and traded pick 23 for 25 and a 2023 2nd on draft day

-Drafted Obi (pick 8) and Quickley (pick 25)

-Traded DSJ and a 2nd for Derrick Rose

-Traded Brazdeikis and Rivers for a 2nd

2021-2022 / 37-45 (.451)

-Traded pick 19 for a 2022 protect 1st (CHA), 21 for 25 and 2024 2nd, and pick 32 for 34 and 36.

-Drafted Grimes (pick 25), Rokas (pick 34 and stash), McBride (pick 36), and Sims (pick 58)

-Extended Randle (4 year/118 mil), Taj (1+1/10 mil), Rose (2+1 years/43 mil) Noel (2+1 years/27 mil) and Burks (2+1 years/30 mil)

-Signed Fournier (3+1 years/73 mil) and Kemba (1+1 years/18 mil)

-Traded Knox and a protected 2023 CHA 1st to Atlanta for Reddish and a 2nd

2022-2023 / 39-27 (.591)

-Hired Gerson Rosas and Rick Brunson to FO and coaching staff

-Traded pick 11 to OKC for 3 2023 protected 1sts (DEN, WAS, DET) and drafted Keels with the 42nd pick

-Traded Kemba and a 2022 1st (Duren), acquired through trading the 2023 DEN pick and 4 2nds, to Detroit for a 2025 protected 1st (MIL)

-Traded Burks, Noel and two 2nd round picks to Detroit for cap space and a protected 2nd

-Signed Jalen Brunson (4 year/104 mil), and Hartenstein (2 year/16 mil)

-Resigned Mitch (4/60 mil), Sims (2+1 years/5 mil) and negotiated an extension with RJ (4 year/120 mil)

-Traded Cam, Svi, Arch, and a protected 2023 NY 1st for Josh Hart

2023-2024 / 50-32 (.609)

- Traded Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers for a 2028 2nd round draft pick and a 2029 2nd round draft pick. 2028 2nd-rd pick is least favorable 2029 2nd-rd pick is least favorable

- Signed Donte DiVincenzo to a 4yr/ $46.8 million contract

- Traded R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 2nd round draft pick (Jonathan Mogbo was later selected) to the Toronto Raptors for Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn. Toronto also received a trade exception 2024 2nd-rd pick is DET own New York also received a trade exception

- Waived DaQuan Jeffries

- Signed Taj Gibson to multiple 10 day contracts

- Traded Ryan Arcidiacono, Malachi Flynn, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes and cash to the Detroit Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks. New York also receives trade exception. Detroit also received a trade exception

2024 - 2025 / Current season

- Drafted Kyshawn George with the No. 24 pick but dealt him to the Washington Wizards for the No. 26 pick (Dillon Jones)

- Traded Dillon Jones to OKC Thunder No. 51 Pick and 5 future 2nd round picks

- Drafted Pacome Dadiet (1st round pick 28)

- Drafted Tyler Kolek ( 2nd round pick 34)

- Drafted Kevin McCullar Jr. ( 2nd round pick 56)

- Drafted Ariel Hukporti ( 2nd round pick 58. Third to last pick in draft)

- Lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency

- Knicks Trade Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, Shake Milton, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2025, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2027, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2029, unprotected 1st-round pick in 2031, unprotected pick swap in 2028, top-four protected 2025 1st-round pick via Bucks, 2nd round pick in 2025 for Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, 2026 2nd-round pick, Draft rights to Juan Pablo Valuet

- Knicks trade Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., 2 future second-round picks To charlotte

- Knicks trade Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, Future first-round pick (from Knicks via Pistons) To timberwolves

- Knicks receive James Nnaji (via Hornets) and Karl Anthony Towns (via TWolves)

- Knicks sign Cameron Payne to 1yr/$3 million dollars

- Knicks resign Precious Achiuwa to 1yr/$6 million dollars

Now THAT’S Roster building in only 5 years 8-)