The Knicks have won 9 in a row!

[Kittles02]

Imagine having to start a thread telling the general board about your 7 game win streak, when Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland, Memphis, New Orleans & Sacramento has also done that this season.

[MaxZaslofskyJr]

Nets played in New York for over 10 years now and are dead last in ticket sales?

You know what the real deal is though? The Nets will continue to sell more tickets....

Spoiler:

... than the Knicks in the playoffs. That's because Brooklyn will continue to go further than that team from Madison Square Garden. We both know that. It's what really, really hurts Knick fans

Spoiler:

Wow! I didn't even know that "Mecca" Square Garden fans were following the playoffs at that point. I guess that you were an exception. It's been real. It's been fun. But... it hasn't been real fun. So, I'm done. See ya.

[Gusto1903]

Thibodeaus Teams usually break down at some point of the season. It aint even Midseason yet. I would pump the brakes a bit

[R-DAWG]

When you look at the what made the Knicks successful in 2021, it was 3 things:
1) Julius Randle had an all-NBA season
2) the point of attack defense - led by Efrid Payton and Reggie Bullock - was outstanding
3) Derrick Rose joined the team mid season and became the teams most important player

Things went south in the playoffs when (a) Julius Randle was awful and (b) Thibs played Rose big minutes in the first 2 games and he was shot and ineffective thereafter.

The 4th seed was the result of a short COVID season, but the culture was starting to get established as a competitive, overachieving team that should be in the play-in.

The following offseason, the team abended their identity on the defensive side of the ball - replacing Payton and Bullock with Walker and Fournier. Additionally, Randle was awful and Rose injured and ineffective.

Fast forward to this season, the addition of Jalen Brunson has given the Knicks a younger, better version of what Derrick Rose was on the 2021 team. While Randle's 3 point percentage is down and he still does Randle things (a bad shot here, a low IQ play there, arguing with the refs too much at times) he's been much closer to the 2021 version than last years version. But things really have come together when Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride replaced Evan Forunier and Derrick Rose in the rotation. Those moves have (a) given the Knicks the point of attack defense that they had in 2021 and (b) made the roles on offense - especially for RJ Barrett - more defined.

As I have said many times, you can fault Leon Rose for a lot of things (his free agent signings from 2021 have not been good and 3/6 guys were dumped with draft capital and 2/5 are sitting on the bench) but he has a plan. The plan is to be the 2019 Nets/Clippers - a competitive, low end playoff team with enough assets to have 2 stars force their way to the team and become instant contenders. We may not agree with the plan, but at least they have a plan. And worst case scenario, they have excess draft capital and no awful contracts (I would put Randle/Robinson at neutral value at this point and RJ is still young enough where people will see his potential).

So as a fan, I'm going to have fun watching the Knicks play. The schedule over the next 4-5 weeks is favorable, and with Atlanta, Miami, Toronto and Chicago having a disappointing start to their season, if the Knicks can get to 7-8 games over .500 over this soft part of the schedule, they likely have enough cushion to secure the 6th seed and avoid Milwaukee/Boston in the first round. There are worse places to be than 26 year old Jalen Brunson and 22 year old RJ Barrett leading you to a competitive 1st rd series with excess draft capital, contract flexibility, and interesting young pieces.

[cam24thomas]

Hope the Nets finish #1 and the Knicks finish #2, and we meet in the Conference Finals, very possible with the Celtics only 5-5 in last 10.

[Tron Carter]

leave us alone

[Jadoogar]

Brunson was a fantastic pickup. People were complaining that it was an overpay but look at what a competent point guard does for a team.

I'm still not an RJ fan but looks like the knicks will be a competitive team at the very least.

[cam24thomas]

Jalen Brunson 20.8 points, 6.2 assists, 2.1 turnovers, .469 field, .373 threes

[knicksNOTslick]

You know what the real deal is though? The Nets will continue to sell more tickets....

Spoiler:

... than the Knicks in the playoffs. That's because Brooklyn will continue to go further than that team from Madison Square Garden. We both know that. It's what really, really hurts Knick fans

Spoiler:

Wow! I didn't even know that "Mecca" Square Garden fans were following the playoffs at that point. I guess that you were an exception. It's been real. It's been fun. But... it hasn't been real fun. So, I'm done. See ya.

I guess it was just the few Nets fans that were following the playoffs as well. Because the Nets players were already checked out mentally. Could've just took that time off and have the same result of zero wins.

[DrCoach]

the knicks are low key doing a nice retool

[TheGreenArrow]

Always enjoyable to thumb through "why do we have a thread about this" comments on a board for general basketball commentary and then dismissive comments from people who obviously haven't watched a second of what's being discussed. What we have here is: Big market team expected to have a poor season is on a hot streak. Notable for conversation on a board discussing general basketball topics. Deal with it.

For those that haven't watched the games - what has been most exciting from this streak is the play from their young, defensive role players. Guys like Grimes, McBride, and Robinson (who has played himself back into shape from injury and a poor start) have caused a shift from the team being one of the worst defensive groups at the start of the season to one of the better defensive teams in the league today. While I have questions about whether Randle and RJ can keep up their hot shooting, this defensive effort does seem to be sustainable. The upshot with Randle is that he's getting the ball less in iso scenarios, where he's bad, and more in catch and shoot situations or situations where he can make a quick move to get deep advantage. I.e. where he's much stronger and more difficult to contain. And RJ just seems to be playing better. Also, Brunson has been awesome to watch take over games in the clutch. And just generally. Last night is an L for the Knicks if he doesn't go on a 5 point tear late in the game to get the Knicks back within 1 and it seems like he's able to do it every time a game is within reach.

Once this new group gets scouted a bit we'll see a bit of a regression but I do think the Knicks have found something that will put them in the playoff mix this season. Especially with other teams like the Pacers, Bulls, Raptors, and Wizards falling off and the Hawks kinda meh. Of course, all that said, they've also been pretty healthy this year and as everyone knows that can change in a hurry.

Capn’O Speaking Facts Folksssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NewYorkOrNoWhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bradybunch]

Brunson said he ain't watching Luka dribble the air out of the ball any damn more lol.

Maybe he made the right decision.

[Duffman100]

Imagine having to start a thread telling the general board about your 7 game win streak, when Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland, Memphis, New Orleans & Sacramento has also done that this season.

I'd rather see a thread celebrating the Knicks after the arduous history they've had than another thread about how we have to fear the Nets when they haven't accomplished anything.

[iLLmatic860]

Imagine having to start a thread telling the general board about your 7 game win streak, when Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland, Memphis, New Orleans & Sacramento has also done that this season.

You do realize Pelicans and Cavs threads have been made to???

[ShootersShoot]

Imagine having to start a thread telling the general board about your 7 game win streak, when Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland, Memphis, New Orleans & Sacramento has also done that this season.

I mean most of these teams have title aspirations this season so I feel 7 wins in a row is something to be proud of.

[R-DAWG]

Hope the Nets finish #1 and the Knicks finish #2, and we meet in the Conference Finals, very possible with the Celtics only 5-5 in last 10.

The Nets ending up with the 3rd seed with the Knicks holding onto #6 is a more likely outcome.

[sol537]

When you look at the what made the Knicks successful in 2021, it was 3 things:
1) Julius Randle had an all-NBA season
2) the point of attack defense - led by Efrid Payton and Reggie Bullock - was outstanding
3) Derrick Rose joined the team mid season and became the teams most important player

Things went south in the playoffs when (a) Julius Randle was awful and (b) Thibs played Rose big minutes in the first 2 games and he was shot and ineffective thereafter.

The 4th seed was the result of a short COVID season, but the culture was starting to get established as a competitive, overachieving team that should be in the play-in.

The following offseason, the team abended their identity on the defensive side of the ball - replacing Payton and Bullock with Walker and Fournier. Additionally, Randle was awful and Rose injured and ineffective.

Fast forward to this season, the addition of Jalen Brunson has given the Knicks a younger, better version of what Derrick Rose was on the 2021 team. While Randle's 3 point percentage is down and he still does Randle things (a bad shot here, a low IQ play there, arguing with the refs too much at times) he's been much closer to the 2021 version than last years version. But things really have come together when Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride replaced Evan Forunier and Derrick Rose in the rotation. Those moves have (a) given the Knicks the point of attack defense that they had in 2021 and (b) made the roles on offense - especially for RJ Barrett - more defined.

As I have said many times, you can fault Leon Rose for a lot of things (his free agent signings from 2021 have not been good and 3/6 guys were dumped with draft capital and 2/5 are sitting on the bench) but he has a plan. The plan is to be the 2019 Nets/Clippers - a competitive, low end playoff team with enough assets to have 2 stars force their way to the team and become instant contenders. We may not agree with the plan, but at least they have a plan. And worst case scenario, they have excess draft capital and no awful contracts (I would put Randle/Robinson at neutral value at this point and RJ is still young enough where people will see his potential).

So as a fan, I'm going to have fun watching the Knicks play. The schedule over the next 4-5 weeks is favorable, and with Atlanta, Miami, Toronto and Chicago having a disappointing start to their season, if the Knicks can get to 7-8 games over .500 over this soft part of the schedule, they likely have enough cushion to secure the 6th seed and avoid Milwaukee/Boston in the first round. There are worse places to be than 26 year old Jalen Brunson and 22 year old RJ Barrett leading you to a competitive 1st rd series with excess draft capital, contract flexibility, and interesting young pieces.

great post

[Scalabrine]

Thibodeaus Teams usually break down at some point of the season. It aint even Midseason yet. I would pump the brakes a bit

Can you be more detailed about this?

He's one of the most winningest coaches in NBA history.

[R-DAWG]

Thibodeaus Teams usually break down at some point of the season. It aint even Midseason yet. I would pump the brakes a bit

Can you be more detailed about this?

He's one of the most winningest coaches in NBA history.

Thibs is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history? That's a bit of an overstatement. Thibs has been successful, but let's be reasonable.

One of the biggest Thibs criticisms is that he plays his starters heavy minutes, and they can tend to wear down. Having said that, Randle is 28, Brunson is 26, Barrett is 22 and Robinson is 24. So it's still a very young team when you mix in the rest of the rotation with Grimes (22), McBride (22), Toppin (24) and Hartenstein (24).

Look, the narrative would be different if you replace one of the top 3 with a 2nd-3rd year guy on a rookie scale deal performing at the same level with untapped upside. But it doesn't change the fact that this is still a young team, even if it's high floor/low ceiling treadmill status.

[cam24thomas]

Hope the Nets finish #1 and the Knicks finish #2, and we meet in the Conference Finals, very possible with the Celtics only 5-5 in last 10.

The Nets ending up with the 3rd seed with the Knicks holding onto #6 is a more likely outcome.

Nets 3rd Seed by New Year's Day, and then continue to rise....